News | May 24th, 2018
Last Sunday we celebrated our annual Best Bets award ceremony at the Plains Art Museum and we had a packed house. With awards from over 50 categories, members of our community gathered, rallied and supported each other in our friendly annual competition.
We hit the ground running with a heartfelt speech from the folks of Darans Soul Food after they received their award for “Best New Restaurant.” You’ve come a long way, welcome to the community!
We had an unprecedented tie for “Best Photographer” between Kensie Wallner and Kaytlin Dargen.
Max Parker picked up the award for “Best Mixologist” at Mezzaluna, Mezzaluna came up a second time when it received the award for “Best Fine Dining.” The restaurant recently changed hands this past spring.
Wasabi won ”Best Asian” and “Best Sushi” while Drunken Noodle got “Best Vegetarian” and “Best Late Night Menu.” Needless to say, they’ll have a nice set of 2018 awards to adorn the walls of their new restaurant space. Youngblood too -- they received the “Best Coffee Shop Award.”
Tyler Maclean of Duffy’s notoriety received the highly sought after award for “Best Bartender.” We raised our glasses as he gave a heartfelt speech in honor of his friend and mentor Andrew “Beardface” Hardy who is no longer with us, at least in Fargo anyway. There may have been a few tears but they were only induced by laughter.
Kay Olin Johnson, mother of Paul Johnson of 46&2 Tattoo was asked to say a few words after Paul accepted the award for “Best Tattoo Parlor.” HPR staff votes to nominate her for “Best Local Celebrity” next year. Carson Wentz still holds the title but has yet to pick up his awards. If anyone sees him be sure to tell him we have a stack waiting for him at the office!
A big thanks to Erik Block for being the emcee of the evening. A big thanks to DJ Dextrious who also happened to win “Best Live Performance DJ.” Another big thanks to The Plains Art Museum, who also won “Best Art Space.” An especially BIG thanks to you, our readers for voting. Without you the Best of the Best would not be.
February 16th 2026
January 27th 2026
January 27th 2026
January 26th 2026
January 24th 2026
_(1)_(1)_(1)_(1)_(1)__293px-wide.jpg)
_(1)_(1)_(1)_(1)_(1)__293px-wide.jpg)
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, March 7, 7:30 p.m.Fargo Theatre, 314 N. BroadwayFM Opera’s Artistic Director and tenor Joshua Kohl will be sharing the stage with internationally-renowned tenors Anthony Ciaramitaro and Luke Norvell to perform a variety…
By Greg Carlson The great documentary filmmaker Laura Poitras had to work diligently to convince Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Seymour Hersh to be the subject of one of her films. Most accounts and reviews of “Cover-Up,”…
Saturday, March 7, 4-8 p.m.Swing Barrel Brewing, 814 Central Ave., MoorheadEmpty Bowls is a nationwide, grassroots, artist-led movement to support hunger related organizations in their communities. On March 7, prepare to fill your…
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…