Maddock

On Tuesday, Maddock students in grades 7-12 went to Fessenden to listen to speakers at the Fesseneden school. No one really knew what the presentation was about so when we got there we found out that it was about a girl that was killed in the Columbine shootings and about making the right life choices. One speaker was the girl’s little brother. The speakers talked about not falling into drugs and alcohol and also about being kind to others. The students enjoyed the presentation very much and I’m sure everyone learned something that day.

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!

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.

It is only right to let you know that the North Dakota representative to the National American Legion Oratorical contest is from Maddock. Andy Backstrom will be going to Indianapolis, IN on April 4-6 to compete against a contestant from each state in the Union. Great opportunity and great honor for Maddock.

Tonight was the first elimination night that America’s votes counted for American Idol- Season 7. The ‘Top 12′ guys sang on Tuesday night and the ‘Top 12′ girls sang last night. At the beginning of the show, all of the contestants sang a song together. There was also a World Premiere music video “Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow” feat. Paula Abdul from Randy Jackson’s new cd, Randy Jackson’s Music Club, coming out March 16th. After that, the votes were tallied and the four contestants to go home were Garrett Haley, Colton Berry, Amy Davis, and Joanne Borgella. A photo of each of them is in the slideshow below.  There is also a video beside the slideshow if you click on the picture of Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul.

February 16th to the 23nd of 2008 is this year’s National FFA Week. The theme is “Blue Jackets, Bright Futures”. Starting today, the Maddock A.S. Gibbens FFA is volunteering for the rest of the week at the After School Activities Program (ASAP), which runs from 3:30pm to 6:00pm. After the kids have their snack and finish their homework, Mr. Wald and the volunteer(s) will be going down to the Ag Room and doing some flight simulations and cutting out some patterns with the scroll saws. 

On Thursday, the Maddock A.S. Gibbens FFA will be having an Ice Cream Social for the teachers and staff to honor all of the hard work they do for the students and the school. These services/activities are only a small portion of what the Maddock A.S. Gibbens FFA does for the Maddock Public School and the community.