Culture

You’ve been pwned!

December 23rd, 2019

Pwned, in this context, simply means that your account has been the victim of a data breach.The word itself takes its name from player-to-player messaging in online computer gaming. When one player is defeated, another might type out a message to say ‘You’ve been owned’.

This was so frequently misspelt as ‘pwned’, the word itself took off. There are a lot of younger folks who don’t spell very well.

Sorry, I digressed...

I spend a fair amount of time in this column talking…

Read more...


The Hurd Round House: Nestled in a sea of prairie

December 23rd, 2019

Photo by Sabrina Hornung

photo by Sabrina Hornung

The Hurd Roundhouse is a unique site situated in the rolling hills of Wells county, the structure, as well as the nearby town of Hurdsfield, bears the name of Warren Hurd who worked as a land agent for the Northern Pacific Railroad. The Hurd house’s initial purpose was to serve as a land office and space to entertain potential land buyers. The house is two stories high, has a wrap-around porch and a round roof that also supported an observation deck. To this…

Read more...


Developing a new citizenship exhibit at Stutsman County Courthouse

December 23rd, 2019

by Rob Hanna

history@nd.gov

As I write this, the beautiful Stutsman County Courthouse State Historic Site in Jamestown is only partially furnished. But this photo, taken by my one-time colleague Guinn Hinman, caused me to see the place in a whole new light. She concentrated some of the historic paperwork, office equipment, and books in one room to stage this historic vignette. Don’t you want to step into that room? You just know you’d be immersed in another time. It makes you want to…

Read more...


2019 holiday game guide

December 18th, 2019

by Aaron Swinkels and Erica Sponsler
gamegiantfargo@gmail.com

Make your hot chocolate, gather your family, and sit around the kitchen table on a cozy night. What else could you need? A board game! Family game night is not a new tradition, but that doesn’t mean it should be stale. There are so many board games available, it is easy to keep it fresh. Check out our annual holiday board game guide below to find the right fit for your family this season.

To start things off, we recommend…

Read more...


​Christmas with the Comstocks

December 11th, 2019

By Jill Finkelson
jsfinkelson99@gmail.com

Have you ever wondered what it was like to celebrate Christmas is 1885? Discover Christmas Past at the Comstock house this Saturday. The Cass County Historical Society has decked the house for the holiday season. In addition to the tours they have been having, they are hosting Christmas with the Comstocks. The holiday party is free with regular admission to the house (and to Historical Society members) and includes food, drink, and music. The…

Read more...


Holiday Pipes: Organ Concert Series

December 11th, 2019

Photograph provided by the Red River Chapter of the American Theater Organ Society

By Kris Gruber
perriex1@gmail.com

High Plains Reader spoke to Ryan Hardy, president of the Red River Theatre Organ Society, about the 40th annual "Holiday Pipes" free concert series at the Fargo Theatre.

HPR: How long have you been involved with the Red River Theatre Organ Society? Can you tell me a bit about your partnership with the Fargo Theatre, and the organ concert series?

Ryan Hardy: I have been involved with the Red River Theatre Organ Society for about nine years. In 2015, I was…

Read more...


​Fair Hills Resort: An oasis in lakes country

December 11th, 2019

Fair Hills Resort - photograph provided by Laura McMartin

by Olivia Meline
ocmeline@gmail.com 

Located on the shores of Pelican Lake in Detroit Lakes, MN, Fair Hills Resort offers their guests a retreat that boasts modern luxury while bringing them back to simpler times. Opening their doors in 1906 and family-owned since 1926, this resort has been dedicated to creating a welcoming, comfortable and fun atmosphere to their guests, returning and new. While Fair Hills is known for its unique, week-long family season vacations, the resort also hosts…

Read more...


​Handmade Holiday

December 4th, 2019

Cover design by Raul Gomez

What do you buy the person who has everything? Nothing – you make something. From cocktail bitters to chainmaille, succulent gardens to personalized poetry, local experts can help you create something totally unique for everybody on your list. As an added bonus, you get to relax, unplug and enjoy the process of creation.

Every class and workshop on this list provides all the materials and instruction you need to get crafty. Unless otherwise indicated, they’re all appropriate for…

Read more...


​A Very Norsk Christmas: Dinner and Dancing at the Sons of Norway

December 4th, 2019

Norsk Christmas - photograph provided by Frode Tilden

By Kris Gruber
perriex1@gmail.com

The Kringen Lodge, also known as the Sons of Norway, is no longer Fargo's best-kept secret. Known for its warm, welcoming atmosphere along with delicious, home-cooked food, the numerous events hosted there are becoming more and more popular.

The upcoming, 15th annual "Traditional Norsk Christmas," hosted by Frode Tilden, is no exception. Predicted to sell out (very few tickets left as I speak), it guarantees to continue the celebration of lively music and…

Read more...


​Christmas on the Prairie

December 4th, 2019

Christmas on the prairie - photograph provided by Jill Finkelson

By Jill Finkelson
jsfinkelson99@gmail.com

Who doesn’t want to take a horse-drawn wagon through the snow and sip on hot cocoa with the family? Bonus points for holiday sweaters and gingerly wrapping your mittens around steaming hot cocoa. In the interest of full disclosure, I’ve been watching a lot of holiday movies already and this holiday village just seems on point. If you’re looking for a little of that extra holiday magic this year, go west. Bonanzaville’s pioneer village…

Read more...


Tracker Pixel for Entry UND Tracker Pixel for Entry Bismarck Tracker Pixel for Entry hjemkomst Tracker Pixel for Entry Blackbird Tracker Pixel for Entry WurstWest Tracker Pixel for Entry WurstWest

Recently in:

By Bryce Vincent Haugen By his own account, Edwin Chinchilla is lucky to still be in the United States. As a 12-year-old Salvadoran, he and his brother were packed into a semi with a couple dozen other people and given fake…

By Michael M. Miller Rev. Salomon Joachim, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, Beulah, North Dakota., delivered an address to the Western Conference of the Dakota District of the American Lutheran Church in 1939. His presentation was…

February 21, 6-8 p.m.Turtle River State Park, Arvilla, NDEnjoy a self-guided hike in the picturesque woods of Turtle River State Park. The trails will be lit with luminary candles. After the hike, warm those bones by the fire at…

By Sabrina HornungThe quote, "The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command” from George Orwell’s iconic novel “1984” has come up in conversation more times than…

By Ed Raymond‘Dakota Attitude’ should be read by all North Dakota studentsI have been meaning to write about this book by James Puppe for several years, but the world has been in such a mess I thought I should write about …

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

Friday, March 13, 4-10 p.m.Brewhalla, Fargo, 1702 1st Ave. N., FargoPolish up those dancing shoes and come hungry for this ticketed event you won’t want to miss. Expect unlimited samples paired with wine and beer from 20+…

Saturday, January 17, doors at 7:30 p.m.The Aquarium above Dempsey’s, 226 N. Broadway, FargoThe Slow Death is a punk supergroup led by Jesse Thorson, with members and collaborators that include members of The Ergs!, Dillinger…

By Reagan Mueller Movie theaters have always been a place for people to take time out of their busy lives to watch the latest releases on the silver screen. In such a bustling world, it can be difficult to find the motivation to…

By Jacinta ZensWhile researching the upcoming exhibition, “Re-Arming Language: Post-Graffiti Artists,” which opens March 5 at the North Dakota Museum of Art (261 Centennial Dr. in Grand Forks), I spoke with graffiti expert and…

Saturday, January 31, 6:30-9 p.m.Transfiguration Fitness, 764 34th St. N., Unit P, FargoAn enchanting evening celebrating movement and creativity in a staff-student showcase. This is a family-friendly event showcasing pole, aerial…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…

By Ellie Liverani In January 2026, the 2026-2030 dietary guidelines for Americans were released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. They are supposed to be revolutionary and a “reset” from the previous ones.…

January 31, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.Viking Ship Park, 202 1st Ave. N., Moorhead2026 marks 10 years of frosty fun! Enjoy sauna sessions with Log the Sauna, try Snowga (yoga in the snow), take a guided snowshoe nature hike, listen to live…

By Vern Thompson Benjamin Franklin offered one of the most sobering warnings in American history. When asked what kind of government the framers had created in 1787, he replied, “A republic, if you can keep it.” Few words…