Steele, ND

 I received this request as an e-mail on free cycle so if you are able to help the Ruth Miers House, please contact Mike Wilson.  His e-mail address is mikew@rmhh.org .  Your donations will be greatly appreciated.

We at Ruth Meiers Hospitality House have various programs to help Men,
Women and Children who are in a transition stage. We have programs that
assist individuals either move into one of our apartments with
furnishings or into an apartment with our assistance. We are finding that we are running low on living room and kitchen
furniture. The types of items we are in need of are couches, (not hid-a-
beds) living room chairs and tables, lamps, Kitchen tables and chairs,
and bedroom chest of drawers.These items will be used to assist individuals in their new living
arrangements.

Jeff Turner has been hired as the local contractor for the some of the stage renovation project.  So far a new sub floor has been added. 

Since last November our community has been changing in a quite, subtle way.  The effort has been like a little stream at the top of a high mountain that starts with a tiny trickle and then gains more and more momentum as it flows down the mountain side.

Steele is one of 24 state wide communities participating the Horizons program http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/horizons/ program sponsored by the Northwest Area Foundation.   The goal of our community involvement is three fold: poverty reduction, training new leaders, and creating a thriving community.

During the first phase of our project study circles met and exchanged  dialogue on poverty in our community.Then we brainstormed about what  we can realistically do to help eliminate it.  Phase two was an intense course on the nuts and bolts of community leadership.  Phase three is in the works and it is by far the most exciting one.

Last night  7 people spent the evening in the city coordinator office learning the art of community blogging.  Under the guidance of NDSU’s, Mike Miller, we learned the “how to” and the “what to do” of blogging.  I have to admit I was thrilled. 

When the idea of a community blog  was first presented to me I realized what a valuable tool we have been handed.  What  a great opportunity to paint a portrait of who we are!  I also realized that by myself this would be an impossible task.  So I looked around the community and asked myself “Who are we?” and “what is the story do we have to tell?”  The rest was easy.  I sent out a few quick letters, made few phone calls and boom.

The result is what I am calling “The Mighty Steele Bloggers”.  I hesitate to give you their names because I think they will do such a great job introducing themselves in the coming weeks.  I will say that each one these bloggers will share some wonderful insights into our community. 

Come back often and read the blog. Share your own points of view.  Ask us questions.  Be patient…it might take us a little time to get rolling full steam.

Edna Schultz and friends…lots of friends…celebrated her 80th birthday. She was also honored for her many years of community service at the celebration held in the Emmons-Kidder Senior Center on Friday Jan. 11th.

Begining with a delicious noon meal, prepared by the Senior Services staff, and carrying on into the early afternoon hours the party celebrated this lovely lady’s special once-a-year-day.

The Kidder County Food Pantry provided a beautiful cake and everyone else just provided the fun.

The Food Pantry was a project born out of Edna’s heart and started in her own home on the farm “many years ago”. All these years later, with many hours of hard work, plus multiple moves the Kidder County Food Pantry is now located at 202 1st Ave NW in Steele.

Countless families have been touched by Edna’s caring and compassion. Edna’s mission will continue with her passing the torch onto her daughter-in-law Brenda.