Pae 4
PRESS PERSPECTIVES
THE WALSH COUNTY PRESS ° WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2014
FROM THE
EDITOR'S DESK...
BY ALLISON OLIA4B
EDITOR, FALSH COUNTY PRESS
There were a lot of events going There was a benefit in honor of a
on last Saturday. There was a 5K in little girl who had been dealt a
honor of a man who was lost trag- tough hand. And there was an auc-
ically to floodwaters. There was a tion to benefit our local hospital,
softball tournament in memory of which has benefitted my family
a man lost to a car accident that and myself countless times.
benefitted Camp Good Mourning. I had intentions of attending a
few of those events. But that Fri-
day, my mother-in-law lost her
mom.
We drop everything for family.
My husband's sister and his
morn and a handful of the babies
came to my house. In between the
funeral arrangements and cleaning
out Grandma McGuire's belong-
ings at the nursing home, snuggles
became a necessity.
She was 95 and I had only met
her a couple of times, once at a
90th birthday party and again in the
hospital last week when she got to
meet her great-grandchildren for
the first and last time.
The smile on her face when she
met her great-granddaughter was
worth every second it took us to get
to that hospital room and back.
She was gone days later.
We spent that Saturday playing
in the park, making salsa, watching
Capitan America, talking about
wills, directive care, and other
mildly uncomfortable things and
snuggling babies.
On that day there were plenty of
places I could have been but no
place else I would rather be.
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Hello, ,
"Let 'er Buck"! To folks in the
rodeo business, those words mean
one thing, the Pendleton Roundup
is on!
I've been hearing them for years.
And if you are a rodeo fan, it's one
of the rodeos on your bucket list.
Along with Cheyenne, Calgary,
and the Finals. Well, I plan on go-
ing to some again, but as ofnow, I've
made it to all of them.
No, I know you are figuring that
I qualified and competed. Nope. Just
dreamed about it. But I was a spec-
tater at all of them at some time over
the last twenty years.
Pendleton is probably the hard-
est to get to. You have to spend a
couple days driving, or a miserable
day in airports. Airports weren't built
for big fat guys. But when you get
into Washington and Oregon and see
the Snake River, and the Columbia
Gorge, you feel kind of sheepish that
you were complaining. Because
over two hundred years ago, Lewis
and Clark drug a boat to the Rock-
ies all the way from St. Louis, then
walked over the Rocky Mountains.
Those young men were tough. And
determined. And they didn't get to
attend the Pendleton Roundup when
Hat
they were there!
We flew into and stayed in Pas-
co, Washington. It's about an hour
north of Pendleton. It's a beautiful
city, with much of the development
built the last ten years. If you leave
there and head for Walla Walla, you
drive by feedlots, cornfields, grape
orchards, blueberry fields, asparagus
fields, onions, apples...the list goes
on and on. You drive by forests that
are planted for paper. You can see
grain and oil barges filling on the riv-
er. You can stop and have a wine
tasting experience. Of course, I
wouldn't think of doing something
like that.
There are huge, huge fields of re-
cently harvested wheat. They farm
hills and hillsides that would make
you nervous riding a horse on! ffyou
leave Walla Walla and head to Elgin
you go over the Blue Mountains.
Now, they are not like the Rockies,
Tips
but they are a sight more than the
Turtle or Killdeer Mountains! You
will see a lumber mill with hundreds
of thousands of trees cut and stacked
waiting for the saw. You see millions
of acres of timber, broken up by
broad valleys of farm and ranch land.
Pendleton, the home of the
Pendleton wool mill, is a city of
about sixteen thousand people. And
they dang sure know how to put on
a rodeo. The arena is huge! It is the
only rodeo where the events cross a
dirt racetrack and for the most part
take part on grass inside the track!
I don't know how many people the
grandstands hold, but they dang sure
fill up with rodeo fans. From the
time that crowd starts the countdown
to the
Grand Entry; Five, Four, Three...
Until the last wild cow is milked they
are into this rodeo. They stand and
cheer for a great bronc ride. They
cheer each barrel racer as if they
were a family member. The Indian
Relay race, where you see some of
the wildest, bravest young men you
ever saw brings standing ovations.
Bucking horses and pickup men
jump the rail fence around the track.
There are six pickup men. And
they are good ones. In the rough
stock events, as quick as one is done,
another cowboy nods his head and
the gate opens. Three pickupmen are
getting one out of the arena, while
the next one is bucking. The action
is non-stop.
But it was the onions that got
Shirley. I guess Walla Walla onions
are expensive in North Dakota. At
least according to my shopper.
We had a rented car. Every once
in awhile, we could come across a
spot on the highway where someone
had spilled some onions off an
overloaded Iruck. We would have to
stop, grab a few onions, throw them
in the car and proceed. Then we
would find a few potatoes. Then a
roadside booth selling carrots. Then
asparagus. ,
The next time you see me, I will
be working at the farmer's market
on the north side of town.
Let 'er Buck, Dean
samaritan
Happenings at Our
Good Samaritan
Nannette Hoeger, Activities Dir.
We have had a busy
week with the book
sale and luncheon.
Thank you to all the
people that donated
books, it was a big
success. We ended our
week on Friday with
the Homecoming Pa-
rade coming by to see
us. We like to support
our team!
This week Sept.
21st-27th
Sept. 21 st Worship
2:30 w/Pastor Masko,
3:30 Fall Craft
Sept. 22nd 10am
Men's Time, Embroi-
dery Group, lpm
Drive to see the fall
colors, 5pm Rosary,
6:45 Bingo
Sept. 23rd lpm Fill
goodie bags
Sept. 24th 3pm Bin-
go
Sept. 25th 3pm
Auxiliary Luncheon
hosted by Our Saviors
Lutheran Church, 6:30
Movie Night
Sept. 26th 10:30
Nail Time, 3:30 Out-
door Strolls
Sept. 27th 9:30
Mass w/Father Luiten,
lpm WII Bowling,
2:15 Bingo
Next Week Sept.
Photo: Submitted
Above: PRFL Homecoming parade marches
by the Good Samaritan Center.
28th- Oct. 4th
Sept. 28th Worship
2:30 w/Pastor Antal,
3:30 TV Trivia
Sept. 29th 10am
Embroidery Group,
Men's Time, lpm De-
liver Goodies, 3pm
Founders Lunch, 4pm
Hymn Sing, 5pm
Rosary, 6:45 Beanie
Baby Bingo
Sept. 30th lpm
Baking Kolache, 3:30
Bible Study
Oct. 1 st 3pm Bingo
Oct. 2nd 3:30 Paint-
ing Bowls, 6:30 Movie
Night
Oct. 3rd 10:30 Nail
Time, 3:30 Games
Oct. 4th 9:30 Mass
w/Father Luiten, lpm
Name that tune, 2:15
Bingo
Thank You to the
many volunteers: Pas-
tor Masko, Arnold
Braaten, Shirley Sobo-
ill<, Linda Larson, Lois
Ydstie, Mary Seim,
Pastor Hinrichs and
his family for having
his Birthday party with
us, Barb Ellefson, Cor-
nelia Wylie, Our Sav-
iors Lutheran Church,
Sue Fagerholt, Corinne
Ramsey, Father Luiten,
I am sorry if I missed
anyone. If you have
time and/or a talent
please call Rose U1-
land at 701-284-7115.
WXC-00rxm 40
Healtb Walsh County Health District
" ..... "" .... ""°"°" Short Shots
Congratulations to the WIC
program for 40 years of strength-
ening families!
WIC (Women Infants and Chil-
dren) is a federal supplemental nu-
trition program.
WIC is for all kinds of families:
married and single parents, work-
ing or not working. If you are a
mother, father, grandparent, foster
parent or other legal guardian of a
child younger than five you can
apply for WIC.
WlC gives you good foods to
help you provide the best possible
start for your child to grow up
healthy. Foods such as fruits, veg-
etables, milk, whole grains, eggs,
peanut butter, cereal, formula and
baby food are made available for
your family.
But that's not all. The WIC
program also provides nutrition
and health information, as well as
referrals to other services for preg-
nant and breastfeeding women,
new morns, infants and children to
age five.
WIC provides:
• Nutrition information, healthy
foods, formula and baby food
• Prenatal nutrition to give your
baby a healthy start
• Breastfeeding education sup-
port and counseling
• Health Screening such as he-
moglobin testing and growth
charts
• Counseling on your child's
eating habits and other nutritional
concems you may have
If you are interested in applying
for WIC call 701-352-5139 and
ask for the WIC Staff.
Legislature Questions
Intelh'gence of the Voters
Measure 4 on the November
ballot is the latest attempt by the
Legislature to restrict citizen use
of the initiative process by which
voters can propose measures for
a vote of the people.
If passed, it would prohibit the
secretary of state from putting on
the ballot any citizen proposal
that would direct the expenditure
of money for a specific purpose.
Apparently, legislators question
the intelligence of the voters.
This is the latest in a never-
ending series of attempts by the
Legislature to make it more dif-
ficult for citizens to use the ini-
tiative. In the past, most attempts
have been aimed at raising the
number of signatures required for
filing petitions. They all failed.
This time the Legislature
wants to be sure that it has exclu-
sive control over the huge sur-
pluses in the state treasury. It is
afraid that citizens who see neg-
lected needs will win the support
of the electorate to appropriate
money.
The Legislature should be re-
minded that these surpluses
would not exist without the adop-
tion in 1980 of a measure initi-
ated by the people to add a six
and one-half per cent tax on oil
production. The Legislature was
doing nothing about the puny oil
tax it had levied 25 years earlier.
Let's look at the Legislature's
track record.
First, there's the Legislature's
mismanagement of the money
from the tobacco settlement in
which North Dakota was
awarded over $800 million.
Even though Former Attorney
General Heidi Heitkamp won the
lawsuit, the Legislature was
quick to grab the money for pro-
grams other than fighting to-
bacco addiction.
To get the Legislature back on
track, Heitkamp and other to-
bacco fighters initiated a measure
directing the Legislature to spend
tobacco settlement money on to-
bacco addiction. The voters ap-
proved the measure.
But the 2013 Legislature, in a
petulant fit, refused to accept the
decision of the voters. It started
stripping out key provisions of
the initiated measure. The effort
failed only when the leadership
could not muster the two-thirds
vote needed to change an initi-
ated measure.
Meanwhile, the Legislature
held the appropriation hostage
until the lasL day of the session
when it relented and belligerently
approved funding the program to
fight tobacco addiction.
By proposing Measure 4, the
Legislature is telling North
Dakota citizens that they are not
to be trusted with money. Many
citizens feel the same way about
the Legislature. That is why we
have provisions in the state con-
stitution for the initiative and the
referendum.
There are pressing needs that
have been neglected by the Leg-
islature and may require initiative
petitions to appropriate money in
the future.
One is the need for more sup-
port for clean water, conservation
and parks. Even if Measure No.
5 proposing a significance in-
crease in such funding is de-
feated, the need will not go away.
A new initiated measure may be
necessary.
A recent public opinion poll
revealed strong public support
for such programs.
Another critical need is fund-
ing for statewide preschool edu-
cation. The last session did
nothing except authorize cash-
strapped school districts to raise
their own money for preschool.
There is wide public support for
preschool education. This may
require an initiated measure.
Generally speaking, the gov-
ernor and the Legislature have
done quite well with state money.
Nevertheless, the Legislature
sometimes develops blind spots
when it comes to new needs and
new opportunities.
Historically, North Dakota
citizens have been very responsi-
ble in dealing with money issues
on the ballot. There is no justifi-
cation for questioning their intel-
ligence.
Measure 4 an unnecessary re-
striction on citizen participation
in their government.
Measure 4 an unnecessary re-
striction on citizen participation in
their government."
Extension Exchange
Helping Seniors Stay on Their Feet
Falls are a serious public health
problem, one that is largely pre-
ventable. Falls increase with age.
One out of every three people ages
65 years and older fall each year.
In fact, it is estimated that 50 per-
cent of older adults 80 years and
older will fall each year.
• Falls are the leading cause
of injury death for older Americans
• 20-30 percent of older
adults who fall suffer serious in-
jury
• Nearly one-half of all
seniors sustaining a fall DO NOT
resume independent living
• Fear of falls limits phys-
ical activity
• By 2020, the total cost of
fall injuries expected to reach
$55 billion
In North Dakota, there were 88
falls-related deaths among adults
65 years and older in 2013. Here
are a few more North Dakota
falls-related facts:
• Falls remain the third
leading cause of injury-related
fatalities in the state, behind mo-
tor vehicle crashes and suicides
(for all ages).
• Between 2009-2013, 89%
of falls-related deaths among ND
residents were individuals 65
years and older.
• North Dakota has seen a
substantial increase in the number
of deaths related to residents' falls
from 2003 to 2008.
Many older adults are afraid of
falling. This fear becomes more
common as people age, even
among those who haven't fallen.
It may lead older people to avoid
activities such as walking, shop-
ping, or taking part in social ac-
tivities. If you're worried about
falling there are,steps .you can do
to..help yourself. ........
Exercise can help improve your
balance and strengthen your mus-
cles to helpprevent falls. Look for
exercises that help build balance,
strength and flexibility.
Regularly review your med-
ications with your doctor or phar-
macist. Make sure side effects
aren't increasing your risk of
falling. Take medications only as
prescribed.
Get your vision and hearing
checked annually and update your
eyeglasses. Not wearing bifocal or
multifocal glasses when you walk,
especially on stairs will make
you less likely to fall.
Keep your home safe. You can
also make your home safer by re-
moving loose rugs, adding
handrails to stairs and hallways,
and making sure you have ade-
quate lighting in dark areas.
Falls are not an inevitable part
of life, even as a person gets old-
er. You can take action to prevent
falls.
Walsh County Extension and
First Care Health Center are proud
to be able to offer older Walsh
County residents an intervention
program called Stepping On, an
evidence-based falls prevention
program administered by the ND
Department of Health, Division of
Injury Prevention and Control.
Currently, this 7-week program
has held 2 classes in Park River
with 15 participants. Initial eval-
uation results indicate positive
outcomes for all participants.
Watch for upcoming Stepping On
classes or contact me at the Ex-
tension Office for more informa-
tion regarding falls prevention
programming.
Sources: http://nihseniorhealth.gov/falls/
aboutfalls/O l.html; http : //www.ncoa.org/im-
prove-health/falls-prevention/take:conirol-of-
your-health.html
Extension on Ag
around the state
N.D. 4-H Clubs Practice Fating
Smm00 Phying Hard in 2015-14
Twenty-four 4-H clubs were rec-
ognized for demonstrating their
commitment to a healthy lifestyle
and are designated as a Healthy
North Dakota 4-H Club for 2013-14.
The 4-H clubs, with a total of 431
members, eamed the special recog-
nition for making "Eat Smart. Play
Hard." lessons part of their club
meetings for the past year. Nine
clubs also earned extra recognition
for completing the "Family Meal-
time Challenge."
"Eat Smart. Play Hard. Togeth-
er" is a statewide campaign that em-
phasizes the importance of making
healthy food choices, getting regu-
lar exercise and families eating to-
gether. The North Dakota State
University Extension Service and
Bison Athletics teamed up to launch
the initiative in 2005.
This was the sixth or seventh year
some clubs were named a Healthy
North Dakota 4-H Club. This year,
each club member received a cer-
tificate of recognition and a small
prize.
The clubs recognized this year
are by county, number of members
and number of years they have re-
ceived the Healthy North Dakota 4-
H Club recognition:
Barnes - Valley Friends, 20 mem-
bers, five years
Burleigh - Caring Hands, five
members, three years; Dakota Guys
and Gals, seven members, four
years; McKenzie Magnums, 15
members, five years; Northern Col-
ors, eight members, two years; Sil-
ver Colts, 10 members, six years
Cass - Bennett 4-H, eight mem-
bers, two years; Clover Friends, 15
members, one year; Dragonflies, 28
members, three years; Golden
Clovers, 28 members, two years;
Harwood Helpers, 20 members,
four years; Kindred 4-H Friends, 17
members, seven years; Rainbow
Kids, 18 members, six years;
Uniters, three members, six years;
Valley Adventures, 14 members, six
years; Wheatland Pioneers, 14 mem-
bers, seven years
Divide - Flickertails, nine mem-
bers, seven years
Grant - City Slickers, 32 mem-
bers, three years
Logan - Dakota Kids, 17 mem-
bers, two years
McLean - Flickertail Farmers, 41
members, one year
Morton- Missouri Valley Bunch,
25 members, seven years
Pembina - Helping Hands, 14
members, two years
Ransom - Sheyenne Braves, 32
members, one year; Tri County
Ag, 31 members, three years
"The clubs continue to impress
us with their creative approaches to
promoting good health among their
members and the thoughtful, on-
going service activities they conduct
in their communities," says Julie
Garden-Robinson, NDSU Extension
food and nutrition specialist and
Healthy North Dakota 4-H Clubs
program coordinator. "For example,
they leam about preparing healthful
recipes through hands-on activi-
ties. Some clubs do food drives for
a local food pantry, while others
bake items and visit community
members with a treat.
"These young people definitely
are 'learning by doing' and we
hope these lessons inspire them to
maintain healthy habits throughout
their life," she adds.
Clubs are required to incorporate
at least one nutrition or fitness ac-
tivity into a minimum of six regu-
lar meetings during the year to be
named a Healthy North Dakota 4-
H Club.
4-H clubs interested in partici-
pating in the 2014-15 North Dako-
ta Healthy 4-H Clubs program
should contact their county Exten-
sion office or visit this website:
http://tinyurl.com/healthy4-hclub.
Editor's Note ]
The Around the County columnn was not available this week. It will return
as soon as possible.