Nice news of the week – April 23, 2020

Isolation aside – did you know Bismarck is one of the top five cities in the U.S. with the cleanest air, when measuring ozone (smog) and particle pollution, and all of North Dakota holds an A-grade for lack of ozone pollutants?

And did you know this week’s news has a new take on prom night, on marathons, and on love letters?  Read on.

Untitled-1

WSC nursing students Joyce Jones, Joslyn Ivernon, Sarah Neu, Tiffany Henry, and Jamie Korsa are gathering up donations from area businesses for the Family Crisis Center. (Williston Herald)

I have a feeling a lot more people would wear masks if they had access to one (some people don’t know how to sew, etc).  Fargo’s Blackbird Woodfire is both keeping people healthy and doing it for a good cause – by selling $5 masks to support the Great Plains Food Bank backpack food program. (KVRR)

The Sons of Norway in Devils Lake held a food drive and was able to donate $900 worth of non-perishables to the food banks in Devils Lake and Michigan. (Devils Lake Journal)

Social workers from the Dickinson School District have organized a group of volunteers to put together necessity baskets for 70 area families. (KX Net)

These birthday parades are the true definition of community. (Grand Forks Herald)

Beach’s Mike Zier put together a social distancing prom – complete with hot dogs, gifts from local businesses, and photos – for his students. (KX Net)

The Dickinson School District is now offering hot breakfasts and lunches – instead of cold bagged lunch – to its students. (Dickinson Press)

The folks at St. Gabriel’s received thousands of “love” letters thanks to Grams for Grands. (KFYR TV)

Jennifer Kirkeby’s Pay It Forward Project takes donations and turns them into matched funds and shakes for healthcare workers. (KVRR)

Dickinson State’s Debora Dragseth is spreading love to her students 2.5”x2.5″ at a time. (Dickinson Press)

Lincoln’s Theresa Addison ran a totally custom Boston Marathon. (KX Net)

Congratulations to Wahpeton’s Hanna Johnson, who will be attending Harvard in the fall! (Wahpeton Daily News)

Park River’s Adele Hankey has a pretty fancy pen pal. (Grand Forks Herald)

West Fargo’s Amber Preston has created an online comedy special based on her debut comedy album, “Sparkly Parts.” (Fargo Forum)

Congrats to Minot’s Ice Cold Ryders motorcycle club, who received the Partners in Education Organization award for raising $17,000 for Minot Public Schools. (KX Net)

We are so fortunate to live in a state that is #FeedingTheWorld. (Dickinson Press)

Oh, honey, you know I love a good bee story. (Williston Herald)

The photo in today’s post was taken by Steve Silverman. It is called “Sunset at Infinity Point,” and was photographed on the North shore of Lake Sakakawea near Indian Hills in central North Dakota.  Legend has it that Lewis and Clark stood on this spot to view their path west.

Nice news of the day – November 22, 2019

Did you know the Pride of Dakota Holiday Showcase opens today in Fargo at 4pm and goes all weekend?  If you miss it, it will be in Bismarck the weekend of December 6.

And did you know today’s news is about the “Extraordinary” Margaret Clapis Merriman, a football bet, and the Story of the Week?  Read on.


Margaret Clapis Merriman, “the Mayor of Parkville,” brought North Dakota Nice to Hartford, Connecticut and was so beloved her “Extraordinary Life” was featured in this great story.  A few highlights (although you should read the whole thing yourself): she drove from North Dakota to New York because she wanted to go to Paris.  On the boat, she met one of her future husbands.  Together, they had eight children, which she helped care for by selling Avon door to door – until she stepped in as the temporary director of a new senior center, a post she held for 40 years.  (Hartford Courant)

The NDSU Football team has an extra $1,000 in its coffers thanks to a wise bet by Carson Wentz and a sweet win over South Dakota. (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Story of the Week: Larry McCorkell, a disabled veteran, got a new home thanks to Officer Robin Krile, Miranda Seim, and a whole bunch of people in Lincoln. (KFYR TV)