It’s time for the first Nice News of the Week!  (If you were wondering what happened to the News of the Day, click here.)

Did you know the New Rockford-Sheyenne School has been named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence?  And if you think that’s great, help us congratulate:

• Minot’s Lynda Langseth and Jack Pieper, who were named 2019 Mentors of the Year by the Companions for Children mentorship program.
• Amy Kram, Langdon Area School District’s Teacher of the Year.  Amy has spent the last 22 years teaching middle and high schoolers.
• Valley City’s Nick Simonson, winner of the North Dakota Wildlife Federation’s Communicator of the Year award.  He was honored for his work on Dakota Edge Outdoors, which focuses on hunting, fishing, and conservation.
• Minot’s Faye Arlt, who is retiring from nursing after 50 years of service.
• Tom Miller of the Grand Forks Herald, who was named North Dakota Sportswriter of the Year.  Did you know that Grand Forks Herald reporters have won that award a record 18 times?

And did you know this week’s news has a well-placed mirror, a Blessing Bank, the Story of the Week – and many more acts of North Dakota Nice?  Read on.

This is some North Dakota Nice right here. (Fargo Forum)

Students in Hunter created a game of Donkeyball to raise money for school programs and to learn how to manage an event – and if you’re wondering what Donkeyball is…well, you’ll have to watch the video. (KVRR)

I have a lot of family on the East Coast, and they are always shocked, SHOCKED when the weather here goes below -10.  As we all know, once it gets cold, cold is cold – which is the hashtag for Fargo’s annual Frostival.  The Frostival takes place over 6 weeks and features all sorts of outdoor activities, such as Winter Warrior, s’mores, a Frozen Fortress, and more. (Frostival)

Ely’s Elementary now has it’s “First Lego League,” and the kids are off and running (or building, as it were). (Pierce County Tribune)

Sixteen-year-old Hailey Graner is on her way to Hawaii, thanks to the North Dakota Make-a-Wish volunteers and donors. (Minot Daily News)

I’m Jewish, so I didn’t really get up-close-and-personal with Christmas trees until after I married my husband.  I appreciate news stories such as this one that give you ways to reuse your Christmas tree instead of just throwing it on the berm. (KX Net)

Students in Bismarck traveled around the world without ever leaving the city thanks to a collaboration between the school district, library, and Global Neighbors. (KX Net)

If you are a rancher whose feed was damaged by the wet Fall, the State of North Dakota is here to help. (KFYR TV)

I love when private community funds are used to support student programs – like in Williston, where the Williston Community Builders are helping the Williston High School Drama Club up their performances. (KX Net)

The Magic City Blessing Bank has helped 1,118 people since opening on October 1. (KX Net)

A reward for all that snowblowing: If you’re a fan of Busch beer, you’re going to be pretty excited about this. (KX Net)

Have you ever played bean bags (cornhole, whatever) and thought, “Wow, I’m awesome at this?”  Well, Bismarck-Mandan has a club for you. (KFYR TV)

Story of the Week: I love my birthday (which is next Wednesday), and I can’t imagine how excited I would be if I got a card from one of my old teachers.  Mrs. Haga of the Golva, Sawyer, Beach, and Velva may be retired, but she still sends every one of her students – all 3,000+ of them – a birthday card every year.  For some families, this means both parents and children are receiving cards. (KX Net)