November 21, 2012

Pioneer Museum hosts Pieces of the Prairie

By Kate Ruggles
Farmer Staff Writer

On this year’s Black Friday, the Long X Pioneer Museum is hosting its second annual Pieces of the Prairie Photography & Gift Show and the Pride of Dakota Food & Wine Sampling Event. Everyone is invited to sample Pride of Dakota food and wine products, and in turn, support the museum by shopping North Dakota.
On Friday, Nov. 23, the Long X Pioneer Museum, under the direction of Jan Dodge, the Long X Pioneer Museum director, will prepare samples of the Pride of Dakota food and wine.
“Pride of Dakota was created when the North Dakota Department of Agriculture gathered a small group of North Dakota businesses and created a state ‘brand’ that designated products that were made in North Dakota,” states Dodge. “Many people love to buy Pride of North Dakota products and send them as gifts to their family and friends who live out of state. It is a way of remembering home.”
In addition, Dodge has invited some local women who specialize in handmade gifts and photography to display their products, giving area residents an opportunity to shop  while celebrating North Dakota and local culture, for the Pieces of the Prairie Photography & Gift Show.
Jessie Veeder-Scofield of Veeder Ranch Photography, Megan Pennington of Megan’s Red Barn Gifts, Cheyanne Maki of Hang it on the Line and Lindsay Wingerter of LMW Designs, will showcase their original and handmade products in the museum.
“People can come, eat food and drink wine and start their Christmas shopping by purchasing gifts right there,” states Veeder. “Last year people seemed enthusiastic about the event, so I hope for the same thing this year.”
Veeder, like Dodge, feels it is important to keep art and culture in the community. Through the Pride of Dakota Food & Wine Tasting event, and the Pieces of the Prairie Photography & Gift Show, residents can not only celebrate local culture and talent, they can support it.
“Part of the proceeds go to benefit the Pioneer Museum of McKenzie County,” states Dodge. “The sampling gives people an idea of what the Pride of Dakota products taste like, and when they purchase the products, it supports the museum.”
A portion of the homemade products sold will also be given to the museum.
In addition to the food and wine tasting and the gift show, Dodge has invited North Dakota author, Ryan Taylor, whose third book, Cowboy Logic - Family Style, was recently published.
Ryan Taylor is a rancher, writer, State Senator and was the Democratic candidate in the 2012 North Dakota governor’s race. Taylor ranches near Towner, N.D., with his wife, Nikki, who is a Watford City native. They have three children and their ranch, the Taylor Ranch, was inducted into the ranch division of the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2010, for its storied history of perseverance in the face of hardship and its modest homestead beginnings.
The tasting and gift show will be from noon to 4 p.m. in the Long X Pioneer Museum. Following the Parade of Lights, Ryan Taylor will be at the museum for a book signing, and those who stick around, can enjoy live music from Jessie Veeder. The event is slated to end at 9 p.m. and is free to the public.

WATFORD CITY WEATHER