Steele, ND

During a recent community rural forum, representatives from Steele discussed what it took to keep medical services available in the community.  The partnerships formed and the combined efforts of individuals and businesses to open a medical clinic to ensure access to basic medical care deserve applause.  Their story is an inspiration for those who want to learn what it takes to retain basic services in a rural community.

Hi Kathy,

Thanks for the post. 

We are very proud of our community clinic and we were one of the first cities in ND to earmark 1% of our city sales tax for health care.  I’m not sure if you are of aware of this but the repayment of medicare and medicaid do not keep up with today’s cost of medical care.  Health care facilities are only reimbursed a percentage of the actual billing.  So having this little cushion of tax money every quarter is most helpful.  Plus being able to use our sales tax money like this lets everyone in the community support the clinic.  Each time we fill gas, buy groceries or eat at the cafe we can say we have “donated” to the clinic.

Alva

I have long been a great fan of rural communities.  I was born in one.  Raised in one. And when our children were old enough to start school my wife, Alva, and I made a decision that we wanted our children to receive their education in one.

At first the transition to rural living from city life was a little difficult.   But I became ingrained in the slower pace of rural living. Over the years my joy in living here has continued to grow until, now, I find it hard to picture myself living anywhere else. 

On Friday June 13th Alva and I attended a rural community forum in Bismarck sponsored by the ND Community Foundation and facilitated by Cher Hursrud.  The purpose was, not only to give rural communities a chance to share their success stories, but to encourage us to network and problem solve. The room at the Heritage Center was infused with the kind of positive energy that successful adventure always brings. 

We heard how Reeder, population 150, has renovated their old school into a multi purpose building that houses rental rooms for hunters, a first class work out room, commercial kitchen, and a gym.  It is the gathering place for the community.  We were cheered by the success of New England in starting a community owned store.   We marveled at the creativity of North Dakota folks as Annette Schilling from ND Tourism, shared information on learning based vacations now offered in the state.  We were challenged by Cheryl Planert of Beach and her quest to  organize organic farmers and spread the word about the benefits of knowing where our food is grown.  (Consider this fact: most of the potatoes we buy are sprayed 10 times before they find their way to our local grocery stores.)  Patti Pettri inspired us with her report the Bowdon Development Group who are working on keeping their meat locker plant and grocery store open since the owner suddenly died this spring. And, lastly, we were given pertinent information about starting a community Foundation by Patricia Bowen of Ellendale.

Yes, Friday was a refreshing day.  A day that was spent with great people who have great vision.  I am more certain than ever that the future is bright for rural communities who will accept the challenge of finding new ways to grow.

The atmosphere at Cottonwood Golf Course was relaxed last Friday as three members from the North Dakota Department of Commerce, Laura Willard, Gordon La France and Eric Icard presented a brief overview of what they can do to help smaller rural communities continue to thrive.  Laura was instrumental  in helping Steele bring Verety,  a work from home remote order service company, to the community several years ago. 

After lunch a small group of people toured DeVore Custom Meats, Zimmerman Manufacturing, BEK Communications and KIDCO Farms in Dawson.  For more information on the Department of Commerce go to their web site at www.growingnd.com .

Steele Area Economic Development and the Horizons steering committee partnered together to provide this working lunch for interested area leaders. 

The wonderful thing about small town living is the level of commitment and excitement that is generated when a few people who are passionate about change meet together.  Positive change is not always visible to the naked eye but the warmth of it penetrates the cold, dismal attitude of community naysayers who sing the sad song of “we’ve never done it that way before.”  And mysteriously, somehow, they find themselves  becoming “ayesaysers” instead of naysayers.

The Economic Development group is on a mission to recruit people who want to take the next step beyond positive to passionate.  Not just people from Steele, but people from the county who want to see our rural North Dakota communities thrive.

Housing Needs: At the the last meeting the group discussed conducting a regional housing assessment survey of the communities along I-94; Sterling, Driscoll, Steele, Dawson and Tappen.  Alva Schoepp will contact the NDHA for direction.

ND Department of Commerce:  Paul Erdelt has arranged to have the Department of Commerce visit Steele to give us a brief overview of what they have to offer small communities.  That meeting will be Friday, May 30 starting at 12:00 noon at the Cottonwood Golf Course.  Lunch will be provided by the Steele Horizons group. A tour of various businesses is planned for later in the day.

Kidder County Fair:  The Kidder County Fair Board Association expressed their sincere appreciation for all the community support they have received to help renovate the fair barn. The cold  hard cash was wonderful and now all they need are a few warm bodies to help with the work. The fair this year will be held July 9-12.

Cher Hursrud: Alva is working on re-scheduling a workshop with Cher Hursrud on establishing a community foundation.

Community Promotion:  Larry Hermanson from the KXMB TV sales department presented a community promotion package to the ED group.  While last year’s promotion concentrated on selling lots in the new housing district this year’s promotion will concentrate on promoting community events like the county fair and Winterfest.

The next meeting of the ED is May 30 at the golf course for lunch.  See you there!

 In honor of all the teachers in all the world who so freely give themselves to their students.

May you realize how much you are appreciated!

No one has yet fully realized the wealth of sympathy, kindness, and generosity hidden in the soul of a child.  The effort of every true education should be to unlock that treasure- Emma Golmam 

I hear and I forget.  I see and I remember.  I do and I understand- Author unknown  

A gifted teacher is as rare as a gifted doctor, and makes far less money. - Author unknownA teacher is one who makes himself progressively unnecessary. - Thomas Carruthers 

A teacher is one who makes himself progressively unnecessary. - Thomas Carruthers

Skip Thomas is the kind of friend everyone should have at least once in their lifetime.  He is kind, generous and genuinely cares about everyone he meets.  But his true passion is to honor our military women and men.  So having him as our Kidder County Veterans Officer seems like a match made in Heaven.

Last year Steele held our first memorial service to honor and thank our veterans.  If you were there you will never forget the camaraderie, the food, the guest speakers and the empty place setting at the table for the ones who will never come home for supper again.

If someone you love has fought in a war you will never forget the way your heart sinks when you hear on the news that the area they are stationed at has been bombed.  You will never forget the sleepless nights of prayer.  You will never forget that first letter home that says I’M SHORT! (Meaning the days to come home are getting shorter) You will never forget the sight of their dear face when they step off the plane and stand on North Dakota soil.

So this year call Skip and find out what you can do to help make this 2nd annual veterans day event at the Steele Vets Club on Saturday May 24th starting at noon a day YOU will never forget.  Call him at work at 701-475-2632 EXT 9226 or at home after 5:00 pm 701-475-2132.  His e-mail is agthomas@state.nd.us

Jessica Blend, New Salem, loves to shop. In fact, she loves it so much she wants to share her love with all the ladies in the area and on Friday night May 30^th she will be bring a “traveling” mini mall to the Steele Community Center at 7:00 pm.  Hmmm?  Traveling mini-mall? What’s that?

Jessica and a group of home based vendors who sell everything from cooking products to jewelry are planning to offer ladies a new shopping experience.  Her plan is a simple one.  She gathers a few friends together; brings outstanding products, great customer service

and sets up the displays in a local community center; then she invites the local ladies to shop in their own community for the evening instead of Bismarck or Jamestown. 

This is not really a new idea.  Traveling sales people have always been a part of the fabric of America.  Jessica is simply tailoring the idea to fit rural North Dakota. 

Anyone who has lived in a small community for very long is probably familiar the home based sales and has been invited to a “party”.  There are jewelry parties, make up parties, Tupperware parties and many, many more.  Home based businesses such as these allow women a chance to own their own business, set their own hours and allows working women a chance shop at their leisure in friend’s house over coffee.  There are no parking problems and kids are welcome. 

On May 30^th, many of these businesses will be displayed in the Steele Community Center. The evening will provide a great selection of products and transform the auditorium into a small mini mall.  Ladies will still be able to take their time shopping and kids will still be welcome, plus there will be a $50.00 grand shopping spree given away to some lucky shopper. 

For years I have joked that if there was a top 10 list of “most wanted house plant killers” I would be on it.  Imagine my shock when I actually end up on one!  Someone dropped this notice at my office.

ALVA SCHOEPP

CHARGES HAVE BEEN PRESSED AGAINST YOU FOR ATTEMPTED PLANT SLAUGHTER.

YOU HAVE ONE DAY TO WATER YOUR PLANT OR YOU WILL BE PUT ON TEMPORARY PROBATION.

DURING THIS PROBATION PERIOD YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO GREET YOUR PLANT DAILY…MOVE IT TO SUNLIGHT AT 5:00 PM AND PUT IT BACK FOR PEOPLE TO ENJOY AT 9:00 AM…TREAT IT LIKE Y OUR  HUSBAND.

SIGNED

STEELE PLANT PATROLE

I have to plead innocent.  It’s not my plant.  Honest.  It belongs to the Kidder County Historical Society but I will do my best to nurse it back to health.

Jr. Betterment previously known as Kidder County Jaycees has become part of the Steele area Betterment group. The Jr. Betterment will continue to have the goals of being leaders in our community by helping in anyway they can.

Monthly meetings will be held every 2^nd Thursday of the month.

Jr. Betterment will kick off the New Year by heading the “Steele City Clean Up Week”. The tentative schedule is going to be April 30^th for City Clean Up Day and May 3^rd for the curb side pick up. Last year was such a success and we are hoping for another great year.

Anyone interested in joining Jr. Betterment please feel free to contact Sonya Larson at 387-4784 or Alva Schoepp at 475-2133.

     So far so good! 

The new floor is installed, waiting for laminate flooring.  The walls have been sheet rocked and are waiting for taping and texturing.