Maddock

Today marks the official end of the Horizons Program for Maddock. There are three major efforts resulting from the project which will continue: 1. The ASAP (After School Activity Program has received a grant from Americorps and engaged a director. The committee plans are to visit Cooperstown next week and continue plans for this Fall. Thanks to Kathy Daeley who has put in much effort and heads up this committee.

2. The Maddock Housing Board has been formed and has the funding in place for a Demand Analysis which will be carried out by MSU in the next 3 to 6 months after which they will proceed with plans for the future. Thanks to Larry Summers who heads up this board.

3. The Community Development Committee has received six applications for the position of Community Development Director. Funds are in place for this person and interviews will be conducted during July.

This blog site will continue to be active in the future, so keep checking in.

Hope you didn’t miss the opportunity to be a part of the 4-H experience this weekend.  Whether it is hamsters, steers or great sewing or cooking projects you like, it was all there on Saturday.  Many fine young men and women were rewarded for work done all year in a variety of areas.  I loved the chance to meet them and ask questions about their interests.  What a wonderful way to connect with youth!!!

A word of thanks to the sponsors, those who contribute to the premium sales and reward these young people with a small cash incentive for their work too.  thank you !

Memorial Day 2008 was commemorated at the Maddock High School with a program followed by a dinner by the Legion Auxilary.

The speaker for the Memorial Day Program was Representative Ralph Metcalf from Valley City. Mr. Metcalf was a farmer for 50 years and a member of the Army National Guard fro 42 years, 10 years as Member of Employer Support of the Guard Reserve, Manager of the North Dakota Winter show and Member of the North Dakota House of Representatives for 10 years.

Highlights of recognitions were Jakob Schmid who has been collecting coupons which have been sent to military families who can use them at the base grocery stores. Jakob clipped and counted over 40,000 coupons over the course of two years. On behalf of the Theodore A Togstad Post 123 he was presented with a citizenship Medal.

Andrew Backstrom, son of Dennis and Priccilla Backstrom was the Post High School Oratorical contest winner. He then went on to compete at the District Contest. Andrew was the winner and then went on to the Division where he competed with the winners from Districts 1, 2, 4, and 10 where he won again. He then moved on to the State Contest where he competed with the winners from the West. Andrew won the State Contest and moved on to the National Contest which was held in Indianapolis, Indiana where he competed with 52 other state winners.

Maddock will have a new business in town starting tomorrow. Heaven’s Photography, located in the Maddock Technology Center on Main Street of Maddock, is having its Grand Opening tomorrow from 10am-7pm. Christene and her family invite you to stop in, check out the place, and even setup a photo shoot for yourself, a friend, or your whole family. Heaven’s Photography is located right next to the Farmers Union Insurance in the Tech Center. Make sure to stop in!

It’s that time of year again. When the flood of young kids with white shirts, black slacks, and 4-H emblems invade Maddock. You guessed it! It is time for the Benson County Achievement Days!! This event kicks off with Livestock on Thursday, June 26 from 6-9pm. On Friday, we have the Horse Show starting at 9am and the Livestock Showmanship & Judging at 3:30pm.

 Saturday is the big day. Static Judging goes from 8am-12pm, depending on if you are showing pets, poultry, and/or rabbits or not. The Pet Show followed by Poultry & Rabbit Show then Showmanship Classes is at 10:30am. Five o’clock is the release of all exhibits not in the Premium Sale and finally, the Premium Sales starts at 7:00pm. All of these events will be held in the Multi-purpose building in Maddock. There will be food in the 4-H stand on the west side of the building. They may move it, but I am not for sure.

So, if you aren’t busy and want to see what the youth of Benson County 4-H has been up to the past year, come up to Achievement Days and see for yourself. I promise you won’t be dissappointed.  

Once again, the annual graduation ceremony is approaching and this time, I am going to be apart of it. Looking back at the years I have attending the Maddock School, I cherish many memories—all of the friendships that were formed, the events that have taken place, and the achievements accomplished by myself and others—that nothing could ever replace. I will surely miss some things about high school there is no doubt about that. But it is now my time to move on in life and start a new chapter. Farewell for now, until we meet again someday.

On May 3rd, a bunch of Maddock choir and band students went to Minot to perform and compete at State Music. The choir groups and individuals that got a star were Guys Ensemble-”Aura Lee”, Paul Rice(Solo)-”Clorinda”, and Janna Rice(Solo)-”When Love is Kind”. The choir groups that got a I(One) were Cherish Richter and Preston Gilderhus(Duet)-”Early One Morning”, Girls Ensemble-”The Lass From the Low Country”, and Senior Mixed-”Crossing Over There”. On the band side, both of the percussion ensembles, Nonet and Orientale, got a star. Last, but not least, Tyler Sears and John Sears, who had a trumpet duet called “Elena Polka”, got a I.  We had a lot of fun and some of us barely got any sleep. Overall, Maddock did very well at State Music.

On May 5, new FFA officers were elected. Levi Slater was elected president, and Beau Buehler was elected vice president. Alexis Buckmeier became the reporter. Andy Backstrom will be the new secretary, and Kaidi Kenner was elected as the treasurer. Also elected were Tyler Sears as the sentinel, Preston Gilderhus as the student advisor, Rachel Olson as the chaplain, Ashley Foss as the parlimentarian, and Noah Engels as the historian.

There are 6 vocal groups going to the State Music Contest and 3 band pieces. They will be performing for state music on Saturday May 3rd. They have the privilege of going to state music because they starred at regional contest. But before they head off to state they performed a recital for the town of Maddock. This recital was on Tuesday, April 29th. It was a pretty pleasable crowd and everyone enjoyed it. Everyone did a wonderful job at the recital and i wish the best of luck to them all at state.

If you do not know what “Night Prowler” is it is a band that consists of Chris Ellingson, Taylor Arne, Ethan Markestad, Andy Bergrud, and Beau Buehler. Night Prowler is currently learning new songs for future events in the area. The band is excited to play and thinking about selling t-shirts to the community to advertise. You might hear Night Prowler play some nights in town if you listen carefully. If there is any updated news about Night Prowler the band will surely let everyone know.