Tri-County Fair 2012 in Wishek, North Dakota

Our 86th annual Tri-County Fair wrapped up last night on the fairgrounds located, 1 mile west of Wishek. If you want to experience what rural living is all about a county fair is an excellent way to see the spirit, values, community and fun. Here are 20 plus captures from the 4-H Exhibits and livestock barn. If you have more photos to share of Wishek, please email them to wishekjda@bektel.com as we working on completing a new, freshly updated Wishek web site and are looking for a wide array of photos. 

A New Year Start with Small Town Success

The New Year kicked off in Wishek this week with record setting warm temperatures and two home town boys basketball games. A junior high girls choir sang the National Anthem for both Tuesday and Thursday night games.

 Both games kept our small town on the edge of their seats and our boys delivered excitement.

 Tuesday night's win came against the Central Prairie Firebirds. 58-55 was the final score.

Thursday night's win came against the Kidder County Pirates. 55-53 was the final score.

Whether it be a sporting, academic, musical, drama, speech or other event, our small town school gives our kids an amazing foundation to build upon successes in life. It's a unique, small town school that is supported whole heartedly by our community, win or lose.

What's your favorite thing about the small town environment?

Shop Small: Friday December 9th in Wishek

Are you setting aside holiday budget to purchase gifts in a small town and support small businesses? This week as millions of Americans will hit the Black Friday shopping, the day following Thanksgiving, driving by thousands of small businesses to instead make purchases at big box stores. There is another effort on the rise in small towns. American Express kicked off Small Business Saturday last year with a bang and there is a swell of support in 2011. This year's official day is November 26 for Small Business Saturday. However, The Wishek Job Development Authority has named Friday, December 9th as our official Small Business Shopping Day in conjunction with our community's Santa Day which will be an evening filled with family fun and vendors at the local Wishek Civic Center. 

Why shop Wishek? To support the local businesses who are here, every day, for us, surviving and thriving in our rural economy. If we want them to be here for the future, each and everyone of us need to support small businesses and shop them during the holiday season and throughout the year.

Will you commit to spend $50 at 3 local businesses of your choice? 

How about setting aside 10% of your holiday budget for spend in Wishek on Friday, December 9th?  

No matter how you choice to do it, please come show your support to small businesses this holiday season. 

Sauerkraut Day: What You Can Expect Tomorrow in Wishek

Tomorrow is a big day on the North Dakota prairie. It's Sauerkraut Day where people come from far and wide across the prairie to line up for a free lunch of sauerkraut and fixings in Wishek.

There will be pumpkins to buy, crafters sharing their treasures for you to purchase and plenty of background on the German Russian heritage of our unique rural area.

You might see people at Sauerkraut Day wearing t-shirts like the above one. But you don't need to have German heritage to enjoy Sauerkraut Day and our community.

We welcome you...

with a warm polka...

and the Kraut Mobile delivering fresh cooked sauerkraut from the Wishek Association of Commerce.

It might not look gourmet but thousands will enjoy the sauerkraut, potatoes, weiners and more meal tomorrow in Wishek.

Important will people show up on Sauerkraut Day to our small town...like the Governor, Senators and more. Plus it seems most every community member is there to visit with guests.

Business owners and employees serve all that go through the Sauerkraut serving line. In the end, it's not about the kraut. Sauerkraut Day is about community, connecting you to our rural area and all that we have to offer. 

But we sure would like it if you enjoy the sauerkraut too.

Homecoming parade: Building community for the future

Today is the Homecoming parade in Wishek. The streets fill as the parade wraps around our small town.

The Homecoming king and queen drive through town. While businesses and school classes have original floats.

Generations gather in the community to take in the event. It's free. It's important. You can't create an event like this in a city. It's homemade small town entertainment. You know everyone by name.

The kids along the street watching scramble for candy being thrown.

Flags fly proudly and rivalries are strong in our homecoming parade.

Businesses like Wishek Manufacturing are large employers in our community and are growing. They pull a Wishek disc through the parade.

We are building a community for the future in Wishek, North Dakota. Kids dream big in Wishek and our small town rallies around them through education, activities and community events to give them a foundation for success.

What's a favorite memory you have of a small town parade or Homecoming event?

What's your favorite ethnic food?

What's your favorite ethnic food that brings back memories? On the North Dakota prairie, there are numerous ethnic foods. In Wishek, a majority of the people have some German Russian heritage. Whether you have local heritage or not, you can learn extensively about the Germans from Russia culture from the Germans from Russia Heritage Society and from the extensive collection at the North Dakota State University Libraries Germans from Russia Heritage Collection. 

At least weekly at numerous local restaurants in our area you can find "German Day" where local German favorite foods are prepared. Today was German Day at the Big Screen Bar & Grill in Wishek. What was served?

#ReasonsRuralRocks

Recently, a woman by the name of Odessa Sherbaniuk, created a twitter movement on why rural rocks (#ReasonsRural Rocks).  People from all over have been responding and she recently posted her favorite responses on her blog, Podcasting Through the Prairie.  http://www.podcastingthroughtheprairies.blogspot.com/.

Often, rural gets a bad reputation.  But, for those of us who enjoy views of unspoiled land, fresh air, safety for our children and a sense of community like no other, we know firsthand the advantages of living in a rural place. 

So, tell us, why do you think rural rocks?!

Looking To Build? Why Not Wishek?

Enjoy the benefits of small town living and your dream home at the same time!  

Wishek's newest housing development, located south of the school and hospital, is an affordable way to build the home you have always wanted to have.  There are no special assessments and each lot includes city water and sewer.  Telephone and power will also be installed at no charge.  Prices range from $15,000 to $18,000 for 140' x 105' lot.  

Whether you are looking to build your dream home, or move a house into town, Wishek's Fifteenth Addition is the perfect place to live.  It offers the best of country and city living.  Acres of farm land surround the addition, but it is located on the edge of town, providing quick access to the many businesses and amenities that Wishek offers.

For more information, contact the Wishek JDA at 701-452-2371 or at wishekjda@bektel.com.

As you can see, the view from your new home will be priceless!

First Lady of North Dakota Betsy Dalrymple visits Wishek (Video)

Photo by Fran Materi

We were honored today to have North Dakota's First Lady Betsy Dalrymple visit with parents, educators and leaders in Wishek today over lunch.

Advantage to raising your kids in Wishek: "Bedbugs" Play Recap

Often people wonder the advantages and disadvantages of raising kids in a small town environment. Is it the right choice for you? There are many that choose small town advantages and choose Wishek for their family. Education is one of the greatest advantages to raising kids in Wishek.

In Wishek, we have a kindergarten through grade 12 school with strong leadership and excellent teachers. There are ample activities for kids to engage in and participate from drama, music and sports. In just a couple weeks, preschool will begin in our school thanks to the volunteering of numerous parents to rally to jump start the new program.

This past Sunday evening we were reminded of another advantage of raising kids in Wishek and that is community involvement and spirit. Through the rallying of parents to create a new preschool in Wishek, parents involved their children in a community play, "Bedbugs" directed by local moms, Tammy Rohweder and Janet Wolff. Mrs. Wolff also serves as the Wishek School music teacher. Kids from ages 4 through grade 12 participated. Community members attended and hugely supported the play which raised over $1300 in profit for the preschool program.

What is important to see in our community is that there are young families willing to volunteer, work and reach out to keep a program like preschool going. Not only did they raise money to keep preschool going but alongside our school's administration and staff, preschool has been improved, creating a state accredited preschool program over the federally funded Headstart program that was previously offered

Wishek is a rural community that it thriving, growing and blossoming on the North Dakota prairie. By offering a wide array of services in our community, we are a stronger community that will attract more young families, potential business owners and employees to Wishek. Thank you to each of you who make our community thrive.

Whether you are local or not to our community, what are advantages or any disadvantages you find in raising kids in a small town? Let us know with a simple comment below.

Take a look at the 17 photos of "Bedbugs" and see the next generation of our community...

North Dakota camping, fishing & family fun at Green Lake

One advantage of living and working in Wishek, North Dakota is the close proximity to Green Lake, just seven miles from Wishek. It's a popular destination for summer camping, boating, fishing and recreation for families. Here are a few sneak peeks into a weekend of family fun on Green Lake from this past weekend...

Local Play "Bedbugs" To Support New Pre-School

Wishek parents have rallied to support and start a new pre-school program. Registration for students ages 4-5 is due at Wishek Public School July 28th. Mrs. Angel Kuntz will be teaching the two morning a week class. There is a lot of excitement around our community for pre-school and it is because of the parents who have rallied to fund raise and support this program for the next generation of students in Wishek. 

Small town entertainment: Wishek 5K Walk Run

You've heard the statement before, "There's nothing to do in a small town."

We disagree. 

In Wishek, our community offers activities and events that engage our community and region. It is up to you on whether you want to participate or not but there is always something to do in Wishek. 

This time of year activities may include a local weekend quilt show, races at the fairgrounds, a local softball or baseball game, family night at the local swimming pool and picnics in the city park. By July, the local farmers market run by the FFA chapter will be open on Saturday mornings and the Tri-County Fair will be happening in mid-July. 

What is there to do this weekend in Wishek?

Our community will be busy with hundreds of Wishek High School alumni visiting for alumni weekend. 

Then on Saturday morning, many from the community and area will gather for...

Wishek's 2nd annual 5K Walk Run that kicks off at 9AM on Saturday morning on the east side of town along the main highway. Registration begins at 8:30AM.

Support needed to continue Wishek Preschool

The Wishek JDA supports continuing the Wishek Preschool program. Strong rural education is vital to sustaining families, employees and businesses in our community. We know our community members support and want preschool education after seeing the community outreach and support as federal funding cuts have threatened the future of preschool in Wishek. Below is a blog post written and submitted by a local mom and volunteer, Sarah Bernhardt, who is helping get out the word on preschool fundraising.  -Katie Pinke, on behalf of Wishek JDA Board of Directors

Preschool in Wishek is in jeopardy, but a group of local moms wants to "just say no" to no preschool. In the past the local program was run and funded by the Bismarck Early Childhood Education Program, and the federal government picked up the tab. Due to federal education funding cuts there's no money for Wishek preschool in 2011-2012.

The local preschool program in 2010-2011 was held at the Wishek Public School and consisted of one half day per week and some home visits. The school wants to hold preschool in 2011-2012 with two half-days a week and no home visits, but needs help to get the budget in the black.

Advice for Our Local Graduates

Tonight our local high school graduates our Wishek High School Class of 2011. 

Our community and their families proudly launches them into the world and on our Wishek, North Dakota Facebook page and Wishek, North Dakota Twitter page we asked our readers and fans to share some advice with our new graduates. 

On Twitter, Tracie Bettenhausen shared:
"Everything will work out."


Also on Twitter, John Shepard said:
"Go boldly into the world, and bring home what you learn."

Empower Young Leaders: International Science & Engineering Fair

Our community and local public school is proudly represented at The International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles, California this week. 

Ben Schuler and Tyler Toepke-Floyd, both freshmen at Wishek High School, qualified their projects at the North Dakota Science Fair in Grand Forks. Ben’s exhibit is titled “Light Speed II.” Tyler’s exhibit is titled “Size Does Matter, But Does Shape?” 

Is There Value to Preschool in Rural America?

Due to federal funding cuts, the methods our Wishek preschool was funded in the 2010-2011 school year will not be available. 

Tonight the Wishek Job Development Authority is hosting an informational meeting at the Wishek School at 6:30PM to discuss advantages and disadvantages of preschool, ideal models of how our community can continue preschool, scheduling, transportation, cost structure and funding. 

Is preschool important to our rural life? We think so.

North Dakota is only one of ten states that does not fund pre-kindergarten at a state funding level. 

Our rural location does not offer a traditional private pay preschool environment that urban areas offer.  We have dedicated daycare providers that implement preschool curriculum into their daycare programs for children who attend them. 

Otherwise children go with out preschool. 

 Statistics show that a majority of kids attend at least one year of preschool: According to the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER), more than two-thirds of 4-year-olds and more than 40 percent of 3-year-olds were enrolled in a preschool in 2005. 

"Children who attend high-quality preschool enter kindergarten, with better pre-reading skills, richer vocabularies, and stronger basic math skills than those who do not," says NIEER director W. Steven Barnett, PhD.*

Why does preschool matter to our community? 

  “There's increasing evidence that children gain a lot from going to preschool. At preschool, they become exposed to numbers, letters, and shapes. And, more important, they learn how to socialize -- get along with other children, share, contribute to circle time.” - Kathleen McCartney, PhD, dean of Harvard Graduate School of Education, Cambridge, MA**

If community vitality and empowering the next generation of families in rural America, then something as simple as offering preschool in Wishek, North Dakota should matter to you. As a Wishek Job Development board, we feel it is important as we recruit businesses, employees and families to work to provide the strongest community possible for the future growth of Wishek and for all of rural America.

If you are local, we encourage you to attend tonight's informational meeting at 6:30PM at the Wishek School.

No matter if you are local or not, tell us...what do you think can be done to empower the next generation and build community in rural America?

“A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove...but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.”

-Forest E. Witcraft , American Scholar, Teacher and Scout Leader, 1894-1967

*Source: Advantages of Preschool Education an Analysis of Early Childhood, by Eren Mckay

**Source: Why Preschool Matters, Parents magazine 

What Spring brings to a North Dakota small town...

 Spring brings hope to our North Dakota small town of Wishek. The North Dakota economy is booming through energy, agriculture and manufacturing sectors. Our state is financially strong. North Dakota boasts the lowest unemployment rate in the nation. In Wishek, our taxable sales continue to rise, pointing to strong economic growth. We have quality jobs readily available. There are affordable homes for sale in Wishek. New city housing lots with city water and sewer provided and no special assessments are now for sale.

With melting snow and warm temperatures, we are relishing in the arrival of an array of species of birds all around us.

The air is fresh and there is a silence across our prairie with the only sounds often coming from the birds singing, honking, quacking and squawking. 

While we know there is always a chance there could be a little more snow and ice in the month of April, it won't last for long. Farmers are busy planning for an upcoming farming season. Many local Wishek residents are planning their summer vegetable gardens. Track and field and golf season have kicked off for our local junior high and high school kids. The local city park is filled with children sliding and swinging with glee as their parents enjoy the outdoors alongside of them.

No matter the season, there is always time to polka in Wishek. The young and old enjoy our native Germans from Russia heritage. 

 On a Saturday night, you might find Wishek residents taking some yodeling and country music like they did last Saturday night from local talent, Kristi Goldade.  Dakota Air The Radio Show came to Wishek and an old fashioned variety show was held in front of a packed house at the Wishek Civic Center.

 Spring brings continued success from our students. Youth are the future in Wishek. Whether it's the success of the Speech team, the above State Science Fair participants, the State Dual Wrestling Champions or State Music participants, our students excel across numerous academic, musical and athletic activities. 

The future is bright this Spring in Wishek. What is your favorite aspect of Spring?

Let us know by leaving a comment below. It's easy to comment and we love hearing from you.