News: North Dakota

Nodak Flickertails
State Club
By Helen Evans

July: Grand National Rally. Sixteen coaches from ND attended GNR this year and ten members were first-timers. We also had a TX member camp in the ND row. We are pleased to welcome six new members who joined the club at GNR: Willie and Gerry Blumhardt of Ellendale, ND; Bob and Delores McConnell of Bismarck, ND; and Robert and Betty Solly, Fargo, ND.

Members enjoyed the seminar classes, activities, and tours. The daily and evening entertainment was great, and the bingo and the hot air balloon rides were great attractions for many members. Shane McLaughlin, grandson of Mark and Anne Collins, reported that the youth activities were really nice. Our members enjoyed volunteering as traffic controllers, assisting at seminars, and serving as people movers.

The inspirational tour to Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend, IA was phenomenal and a great way to spend the day. The bus trip included a guided tour of the Grotto, which gave us a greater appreciation for the hard work the two priests dedicated in building the Grotto. Also included that day was a buffet lunch with time to visit the gift shop before making three more stops. Next, we visited the old post office, old schoolhouse, a sod house, and the museum—all in one location. We watched a video and sampled four kinds of butter braid pastries at the museum. Then off to an old-fashioned soda fountain for ice cream floats. The last stop was at the Skoglund Meats and Locker for purchasing of the butter braid pastries, meats, and other delicious delicacies.

For GNR, Jerry and Coleen Bitker donated a wooden buffalo to raffle. It was won by John Higgins of Lincoln, CA. The WIT Red Hat Ladies Tea and Style Show was a success. Everyone enjoyed the week in IA, including the parade that is held in Forest City each year. The 2009 Woodstock theme was quite appropriate. We are looking forward to next year's events.

Aug.: The second campout began the weekend following GNR. This was our August campout, July 31-Aug. 3 at Lakewood Bible Camp in Devils Lake, ND. Twenty-four members and Shane McLaughlin attended. Friday started with a meal at the Lakewood cafeteria. After dinner, it was time for fun, games, and dessert that was provided by our hosts, Betty and Denis Lebrun and Colleen and Al Belyea.

Saturday the Lakewood Bible Camp cooked breakfast for us. Afterwards, our hosts had an array of things for us to do. The men went to the ND Maritime Museum for a tour of the repository for memorabilia and artifacts unique to all branches of military service. A military book was given to each of the men. The women went downtown for shopping, antiquing, and lunch.

That afternoon, the group met at camp to tour the Sully's Hill Wildlife Refuge. On the auto tour route, we had a spectacular view of the overflowing body of water flowing into Devil's Lake. We viewed the American Bison, prairie dogs, and visited the new visitor's center. Some of our daring seniors climbed more than 100 steps for another scenic overlook of the Devil's Lake area. The proof is in the picture below.

Late afternoon, we went to the Spirit Lake Casino for dinner and gaming. Afterwards, back to the camp for more games and dessert. Most of our meals were prepared by the Lakewood Bible Camp staff and our hosts provided many delicious snacks and all the desserts for the weekend.

Adam Leier 701-226-8490

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