Recipe of the Month
Pigs in the Blanket Casserole
"This is my own personal recipe and it’s just a feel good dish."-Amy Haldorson
Ingredients:
1 head of cabbage-cut or shredded
1-1/2lb ground beef
2 cups rice-cooked
1/4 onion chopped
1 large can tomato sauce
1 can diced tomatoes
I can tomato soup
Salt and pepper to taste
Garlic-optional
Ground hamburger and combine with shredded cabbage in a large roaster. Add the cooked rice ( I use minute rice). Add in tomatoes and stir. Add salt and pepper to taste and garlic if you wish. Cook at 350 for one hour. Check it at one hour and if its dry, add more tomato sauce. Cook another 1/2 hour. Enjoy!
Posted on March 17th, 2020
“Grandpa...tell me 'bout the good old days”
"Grandpa...tell me 'bout the good old days"
By Amy Haldorson
I close my eyes and imagine. My grandpa tells me a story, as he often does, of life on the farm. It was one of my favorite things. Each time he tells one, the story gets a little more dramatic. One thing stays the same, and that’s the attention to detail. He's telling it like he's living it all over again. I watch the twinkle or sometimes a tear as he relives memories. I wish I would have written them all down before he passed. His generation has endured and seen more than we can imagine. Even into his older age, grandpa loved to help on the farm. It was in his blood. One day I asked him as I saw him come back from the field, "why do you never sit when you drive the tractors?" I had seen him day after day, whether it be swathing, combining or raking hay, he always stood. He explained when he was a young boy and was learning to drive the tractors, his father always removed the seats. Number one, because he was too short to see, and two, because he spent many hours in the tractor and his dad didn't want him to fall asleep. He recalled farming his whole life with no radio, no cab most of the time and no seat. He had done these things so many years, it was a way of life for him.
Old stories like this always amaze us. We love nothing more, than when people come in our office and start reminiscing. We recently sat down with a few seniors from the area. Marilyn Seibel, of Harvey, was recently one of them. She told of raising kids "back then". Her first comment was, "Id probably be in jail today!" She told a memory of putting her two babies in the loader of the tractor she was using to pick rocks. She had to get the work done, and more often than not, the babies had to come along. She laid down a blanket and toys and tucked them in the loader as she slowly drove the field, stopping to give them milk or change a diaper. There was another time, she had to round up the cows for milking, as milking was her job in the summer. Her husband would be busy farming and she had to tend to the cows, "her babies", she recalled. She was chasing the cattle across a stream and up a huge hill on foot with a baby under each arm. Once up the hill, the cows got spooked and ran down the to the other side of the stream. After all that, all Marilyn could do, was cry. She also talked of the long days, which wouldn't end until they had supper at 11pm, when they finally got to rest. The kids were fed earlier and put to bed.
Another area senior recalls not going to school the first few weeks in the fall. That was harvest time and nothing was more important than getting the crop off. He told of harder times, when harvest would take twice as long as it does today. They would cut and set up bundles of grain and after sitting to dry, thrashing machines would come along to pick them up. Another memory he had was the "cook car". In the middle of harvest, there was not time to stop and leave the fields for lunch, so "mother" would spend the morning cooking for everyone and drive her car full of food out to the field and drive right along side the machines to feed the crew. Another gentleman we spoke to had memories of his family’s bible studies. They wouldn't start the day or end the day with readings from the bible. Their days would start at sun up and rarely did they get breaks. He spoke of his 300 head of cattle that he took care of by himself for 30 years. He was very proud of that fact. Sitting down and listening to the "good old days" is something everyone should experience and we encourage people to stop in at the local nursing homes or the senior centers or even just visit elderly family members. They hold keys to the past that no one else does.
Posted on March 11th, 2020
Business Spotlight
Business Spotlight
Cabin Creations 
It’s February and love is in the air, time to stop and smell the roses! One stop you should make this February is to Cabin Creations in Fessenden. This small town business is a gem within in our local communities. The owner, Fay Fandrich, is no stranger to the area, growing up here she has spent many years in her mother’s and grandmother’s gardens and has always had a love for flowers. She went to college for Flower Shop and Greenhouse Management. After 19 years in the business, she has a wealth of knowledge and experience we can trust to handle any need. Cabin Creations is a full service florist with a gift line at the store. They do weddings, funerals, basically any special events and include delivery locally to Fessenden & area towns like Harvey, Bowdon and Maddock. A lot of people don’t realize that they have giftware or a gift line. There are many wonderful and unique gifts to find at the store. One of Fay’s favorite things in her job is being able to personalize an event, such as a funeral. Being able to find things that are special for that person and to see how it makes the family happy, means the world to her. They also offer consultations for proms/weddings, etc where you can feel & see the flowers and play with different colors. Call for Valentine’s Day pricing and ideas, she can make something unique! It’s a day for more than just red roses! Check them out on Facebook or callCabin Creations @ 701-341-1327
Posted on February 11th, 2020
Business Spotlight
K & S Builders, LLC
Two of our own local guys are bringing their expertise to the area with a new business! Quinten Koble and Tyler Schimke have 16 years combined experience in construction. They are currently available for all interior projects right now, such as interior remodels, basement finishing's, garage, siding and window installations, just to name a few. Come spring they will be ready to hit outside projects. They have many years of experience in building pole barns and other outdoor buildings. Both are no strangers to the area having grew up near Harvey and they have both been working in the construction business for quite some time now. I personally cannot wait to have them come over to finish some home projects. Now I just have to decide, which honey do list do I have them start on? Hmmm, that’s a tough one! Contact one of them for a quote today!
Contact information:
Quinten Koble: 701-341-0504
Tyler Schimke: 701-399-9717
Posted on January 10th, 2020
Business Spotlight: Que Sera'
Que Sera’ is now open for business! Business partners Marci and Brenda want to wish a warm welcome to holiday shoppers and are excited to have some regular hours for the store. Just be prepared, when you walk in to Que Sera’, you will feel like staying awhile! You will find all sorts of intriguing items for your home or as a wonderful gift. While you are shopping enjoy the coffee and tea bar, it’s on the house! You will find antique items, repurposed and like new décor. They also have an assortment of Christmas décor, whether your style is vintage, farmhouse or classic, you will find something. However, this is not a consignment shop. Marci and Brenda find the items on their own and put them together in a tasteful style that is so unique, you have to see it for yourself. In fact, they offer design/decorating services. I am looking forward to my consultation with them. I have been wanting to re-decorate my living room, and I am so looking forward to them coming over to give me a fresh perspective! They are located on Lincoln Ave in Harvey, shop local and check them out!
So, que sera, sera means 'whatever will be, will be
Posted on December 5th, 2019
We don’t know them all….but we owe them all
We don’t know them all….but we owe them all
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear Veteran’s Day? I know for me, it was the day the banks and schools were closed. I never stopped and thought about it, until a few years ago when I actually took the time to speak to a Veteran. I was under the assumption that all Veterans do not want to talk about their past. That is simply not true. A lot of people enjoy talking about their service and educating others. On November 11th, all Americans are invited to participate in the observance of a two-minute moment of silence. Taking the time to pause quietly and join your thoughts with thousands of other Americans is a great way to ensure you remember the purpose of Veterans Day. The moment of silence will being at 1:11pm central standard time. There are more than 19 million military veterans living in the United States today and there are things you can do to honor them. Ensure the next generation understands. You might be amazed at what the younger generation does and doesn't know. You can help by setting an example and taking every chance to educate and explain historic events or introducing them to a veteran in your community.
Operation Gratitude is an amazing organization that gives you a chance to give back and honor our military. Each year they give people the opportunity to do a Halloween Candy Give-Back. They include leftover Halloween candy in care packages that are sent. Go to their website to find out how to help and the guidelines sending candy.
Posted on November 7th, 2019
Take a book ● Share a book
Take a book ● Share a book
Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization that aims to inspire a love of reading. More than 90,000 public book exchanges are registered with the organization. Present in 91 countries, millions of books are exchanged each year with the aim of increasing access to books for readers of all ages.
Our community is lucky to home one of these hidden gems. Irving and Marilyn Johnson of Harvey have always had a love of books. Marilyn, having worked at a public library for years, especially. She registered with Little Free Library with the intent of sharing her love of reading. Located in their front yard is a beautifully painted mailbox filled with books. The Johnsons were fortunate enough to have their talented granddaughter, Kelsey Kirkland Snook, paint it for them. The box has books for all ages. Marilyn commented, "its fun seeing all the books people share". Marilyn herself has contributed many books to the Little Free Library, as she has an extensive collection herself. Its purpose is just how it sounds, you may take a book at any time and share a book if you so please. The Johnson’s invite you to stop by anytime and check out the little library. You may find a treasure you didn't know you needed. More information on the Little Free Library can be found by checking them out at www.littlefreelibrary.org or also on their Facebook page.
Location of Harvey’s Little Free Library: 531 Judy Boulevard, Harvey, ND
Posted on August 16th, 2019
The Final Straw
The Final Straw
By Amy Haldorson
Long gone are the days of children spending endless hours playing outside. Growing up on a farm, we made our own fun. And what better way, than playing on hay bales?! We had the best days running and jumping from bale to bale. The thought of my kids doing that now scares the heck out of me. There were many times we fell in between the bales or made forts in a small opening. One incident sticks in my mind and I will never forget it. As a 10 year old little girl, it was very traumatizing. The day started out like any other. I got up and headed outside to play. I always had my trusty sidekick, my little brother, with me whether he wanted to or not. He pretty much tagged along anywhere and never questioned my adventures. We loved playing on my dads hay bales. We would run across the tops and see how far we could jump in between. We were doing just that, when of course, I fell between the bales. This happened often, but this time I couldn't get myself up and the bales were piled a few high. I looked up and saw my little brother with wide eyes. Then he started to laugh……..figures. I yelled for him to go get help. As he left, I tried to remain calm but I was so itchy and it was scorching outside. I looked at my Strawberry Shortcake watch. 11am on the dot. Mom should be coming any minute to get me out. How she was going to do that I did not know, but I'm sure she’d figure it out. It was starting to get really uncomfortable and hungry. Did I bring a snack? I checked my pocket and found a tootsie roll. I split it in thirds in case I needed to make it last. What if they couldn't find me for days? I'm sure people have survived on Tootsie rolls. I should be ok. I waited for what seemed like hours. I yelled and yelled and finally I see my mom and dad. Thank goodness, dad was easily able to reach down and grab me. When I was out, I got the lecture on how dangerous bales are and what could of happened. I looked them dead in the eye and said, "well, if you would of got here a lot sooner, maybe I wouldn't be starving and thirsty!" I looked down at my watch to see how many hours I was out there…..11:07am. Weird, it seemed like more time than seven minutes. Maybe my watch is broke…...
With Hay season upon us, it is important to understand your insurance coverage and hay stack limits. Hay coverage is offered on most Farmowner policy’s or sometimes as a separate coverage. It is a great option to have, however, if you decide to add hay coverage, you will need to know some rules that accompany the coverage. Check the stack limit on your policy. (Amounts may vary.) Hay in stacks, windrows or bales must be separated by a minimum of 100 feet of clear space. Clear space means absolutely nothing in the way of the stacks. Also, you can add a coverage called "peak season" to accommodate your usage of hay. Check with NuLine today to find out more information. We are more than happy to help you assess the value and risk of your property.
Posted on August 6th, 2019
That isn't burnt, that’s flavor!
That isn't burnt, that’s flavor!
By Amy Haldorson
Last fall we had an insured stop in to make a claim. He looked a little different from the last time we saw him and I couldn't put my finger on it. Then I realized, he was missing eyebrows, eyelashes, and arm hair he pointed out. I knew immediately what the claim was going to be….he must have had a grill fire. We have seen a few insurance claims where people have had their grills blow up and cause all sorts of damage. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, about 5,7000 grill fires take place on residential property every year, most caused by malfunctioning gas grills. These fires cause an annual average of $37 million in damage, 100 injuries and 10 fatalities. Thankfully we haven't seen major injuries, but it can easily happen. During windy days or cold days, people like to grill in their garages. Unfortunately this is not ideal as it can cause damage to your property. That is what happened to our insured. He was grilling inside his garage and his grill exploded The entire garage was filled with smoke causing soot damage to the newly painted walls. No possessions caught fire, but a gust of wind could of changed that. In the instance of a grill fire, spreading to your property, your homeowners insurance provides financial protection, as fire is a covered peril. A standard policy covers:
· Damage to the house itself
· Damage to personal possessions, such as lawn furniture
· Damage to insured structures on your property, such as a shed
· Injuries to a guest, under the liability portion of the policy
There are some ways to prevent accidents from happening. Gas grills are generally safe if they are properly maintained and checked for leaks. Here are some safety tips when setting up for the grilling season:
· Check grill hoses for cracks or holes
· Check for blockages
· Adjust hoses away from hot area or where grease might drip on them
· Cover your grill when cooled
· Store propane tanks outside, away from your house
As for our insured, we helped him to make sure his claim went smoothly and recommended a big bottle of Rogaine!
Posted on July 9th, 2019
Recipe of the month
Spaghetti Squash
By: Michelle Weinmann
I make this all the time and we have ended up liking this better than regular spaghetti.
First Bake the Squash:
Cut squash in half lengthwise and cut off stem. Scoop out seeds. Drizzle the inside flesh with olive oil and salt and pepper. Bake on a sheet face down at 375 for about 40 min or until you can flake the insides with a fork.
Next, fill the Squash:
While the squash is cooking, brown up some hamburger or ground turkey. You can use 1/2 Italian sausage or whatever you like. I fry it with some onions or mushrooms/zucchini, or however you usually make your spaghetti meat. I put in my sauce, Italian seasonings as needed or grate in some Romano cheese. When the squash is done you will want to use a fork and stir around the inside of the squash so they look like noodles. Then I fill each squash half with the meat sauce or meatballs (or use just sauce if you don’t like meat). Then top each "spaghetti boat" with mozzarella and I like to sprinkle a little parmesan on top. Put it back in the oven (face up) until the cheese is melted. Sprinkle with a little Italian parsley if you like. We eat it right out of the squash skins, or you can scoop it out onto a plate. This squash recipe is so versatile, yummy & healthy!
Posted on January 9th, 2019