Maddock

Following the participation in the Housing Roundtable and several local initiatives inclding encouragement by the Horizons Steering Committtee, the Maddock City Council has approved the establishment of a Maddock Housing Committee. Larry Summers is chairing this committtee, with additional members being Judy Kallenback, Ralph Olson, Marilyn Allen, Kevin Winson and Wanda Terpening. This committtee held its first meeting Wed. evening, April 30 and considered some initial steps to take including contacting several vendors who do what is called Demand Analysis to give a better understanding of what the needs and opportunities might be for the next five years. Look for more information coming from this committtee in the future.

We recently renewed contact with Dave Scott. He and Maryann are on an extended visit to family and friends in CA and are getting settled into an apartment there. Dave was very instrumental in getting the Horizons program going in Maddock and I for one recognize his key position in setting it up. The two pictures are of Dave, Maryann and L  Louise Olson at one of the early Study Circles and the second is of Dave and Maryann at the initial blogging training that people from Maddock participated in at Harvey. They plan to be back in Maddock in time for the All-School Reunion.Their email address is: <lanscotservices@verizon.net> if anyone wishes to add words of appreciation.

Horizons of Maddock hosted an informational and Celebration Dinner at the Multi-Purpose Buiding at noon on April 27. This dinner was a cooperative effort of Horizons and various organizations and individuals who are making progress towards keeping Maddock alive and improving its chances of doing so. Two new initiatives were brought to the public’s attention with a Q & A time for further information. First, the proposed Mill Levi for the county Ambulance fund was explained in detail by Marne Stadum. Second, the newly appointed Maddock Housing Board was announced and chairman Larry Summers gave a few of the initial steps that they are considering. We celebrated together with a report of the After School Activities Program given by Kathy Daeley, an update on the Community Development Director by Lu Mathison, and recognition of others who are making significant contributions to the well-being of Maddock. Thanks to Sharon & Mark, Yvonne and others from Maddock Cafe and Lanes, a wonderful meal of ham, meatballs, mashed potatoes, corn and cole slaw was enjoyed by many and missed by others.

       Just recently, PJ’s sales started a website for selling CM Truckbeds. It is locally owned and operated by Preston Gilderhus from Oberon, ND. This website includes four different truck bed models available: SS Model, SK Model, TM Model, and ER Model. It also talks about the different tool boxes available and the prices of the truck beds and tool boxes. If you would like to learn more, go to www.pjssalesnd.com and see it for yourself. Have a great day!

It was a great weekend in Indianapolis, IN, representing North Dakota with 52 other state representatives to deliver speeches about the US Constitution. Andy Backstrom and parents, Dennis and Priscilla Backstrom and brother Ben stayed at the Indiana University and Purdue Conference Center where the event was held and explored the interesting city of Indianapolis. In the first round Andy competed against the winners from New York, Pennsylvania, North and South Carolina and Wisconsin. Each speaker did an excellent job but only one can go to the next round and Pennsylvania got that honor this year. It was also educational listening to the other speakers. Great experience and tell others about the great people in North Dakota!

     The Maddock Science Club is now selling raffle tickets to  help defray the cost for Preston Gilderhus as a finalist and Mikel Buckmier as an alternate to go to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) .  The raffle tickets cost $1 for 1 or $5 for 6.  You can get them from any of the Science Club members, especially Preston and Mikel who have to sell 50 tickets each.  All tickets need to be in by Monday, May 5th, 2008. The two prizes are the following: $50 savings bond from Ramsey National Bank & Trust, $50 savings bond from North Star Community Credit Union. 

  I was part of a 5-person delegation from Maddock to a Housing Roundtable sponsored by Horizons at Steele, ND on April 10. Ralph and Louise Olson, Larry Summers, Judy Kallenback and myself learned some of the basics of potentially getting started on a Demand Analysis and pursuing the possibilities. Various members of STAT (Statewide Technical Assistance Team) presented different aspects of the process which we all found helpful. The MEDC and City Council have weighed in and expressed interest in exploring this further. If you’re interested in being part of a group to explore this, call Pam at City Hall and let her know.