Maddock

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 !

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.  

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.

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!

     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.

On March 31st the final quarter of the school year begins. This is exciting news for some, and not so exciting news for others. The Senior class of 2008 will now get to begin their senior priviliges of getting to leave the school campus during their study halls. I know the seniors are anxiously awaiting their last days of high school, only 40 (approx. 8 weeks)  left after today!  :)

A City Council appointed Community Development Board has been meeting Wednesday noons for the past month discussing foundational issues and drafting a job description for the hiring of a Community Development Director for the Maddock area. This past Monday, March 3, the City Council approved their proposal and the Board will begin advertising for candidates for this position which will be under the authority of the City Council and direction of the Board. Members of the Board are Bruce Terpening and Laura Every from MEDC, Rod Maddock and Marilyn Allan from City Council and Judy Kallenback and Lu Mathison from Horizons. Additional City Council members in the picture at left are , Wayne Knatterud, Dan Hoffert, Kevin Winson, Mayor and Pam Lee, Auditor. This was one of the ideas originating out of the Study Circles and demonstrates the growing cooperation between Maddock’s City Council, Economic Development Corporation and Horizons.