Culture

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…

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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…

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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…

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​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…

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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…

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​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…

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​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…

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​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…

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​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…

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Are We Ready for the Death of Coal?

November 27th, 2019

Cover design by Raul Gomez

By Waylon Hedegaard
retiringwithcats@gmail.com

I have lived a truly blessed life. I’m married to the best human being on the planet and have a child that fills my heart with pride. But I know what made most this possible was that I was fortunate to stumble into a great union career. Most of my adult life, I’ve worked as a Union Boilermaker in coal-fired power plants. This work fed my family, kept a roof over our heads and allowed us to lead the lives we lead. Even with the reality of…

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