September 9, 2009

AS I SEE IT

By Neal A. Shipman
Farmer Editor

A big “tip of the hat” goes out this week to all of the community volunteers in Alexander who helped make the 64th annual Old Settlers’ Day a huge success!
For months prior to each year’s event, volunteers from around the Alexander area begin working to make sure that they have everything in place. From gathering wood that will burned down to coals to barbecue the beef to lining up parade entries and reserving the children’s games; from organizing the volunteers that will be making the beans to making sure that there will be enough people to serve everyone attending the annual barbecue.
It takes a lot of work to make sure that the crowd, which often exceeds 1,000 people, has plenty of food to eat as well as lots of entertainment.
But year after year, the good folks of Alexander pull it off without a  hitch. And that speaks volumes about the importance that Old Settlers’ Day holds to the community of Alexander and to the people who return each and every year to share in the community’s hospitality.
For 64 years, the secret of Old Settlers’ Day has been that it delivers up good times, good food and good fellowship.
Congratulations to everyone who has had a part in keeping this wonderful tradition alive.

WELCOME RODEO FANS TO A GREAT WEEKEND OF RODEO ACTION!

If you are looking for some of the best rodeo action that you’ll ever see in western North Dakota, then Watford City is going to be the place to be this weekend as the NDRA Finals rides into town for two great nights of rodeo.
All summer long, North Dakota cowboys and cowgirls have competed against each other at rodeos around the state hoping that they would earn a chance to make it to the Finals. At the NDRA Finals, just like at the grand-daddy of rodeos, the National Rodeo Association (NRA) Finals, contestants don’t just show up and compete. They have to earned enough points by placing at rodeos across the state to be among the top 10 competitors in each of the events to make the NDRA Finals.
So this weekend, you know that you are going to see not only the top rodeo contestants in North Dakota, but you are also going to see the top rough stock doing their best to unload the bucking bronc and bull riders.
But there is going to be a lot more rodeo action going on in town than just the NDRA Finals. Also on tap all day Saturday will be a high school rodeo that brings in several hundred North Dakota high school cowboys and cowgirls who are honing their rodeo skills in hopes of one day being able to compete at the NDRA Finals or maybe even the NRA Finals. And of course, back by popular demand is the Championship Team Roping competition, which will be held in the outdoor arena on Saturday morning.
So this weekend, take in the fun and excitement of all of the rodeo action in Watford City.

WATFORD CITY WEATHER