Cando, ND

Thirteen Cando students grades six through eighth have placed second this year in regional competition in Grand Forks in the FIRST Lego Junior Robotics. This placement qualifies them to compete for the World Invitational tournament held in Minneapolis, MN. These students are required to conduct research and build a robot with lego as well as create a presentation and attend a regional competition. It is a great opportunity for these young kids to learn how to program the tasks for the robot to preform and learn how to control the robot through out the timed competition. They will be completing in April. Sure hope you got out to see them in action during one of their fund raisers a free-will breakfast that was held in March.

The “Dig in to Tourism” meeting at the Lake Region State College in Devils Lake earlier this month was very interesting.  It’s kind of late to be telling about it, but I kept trying to work it into our schedules so I could learn how to insert some pictures I took there.  That’s a “To Do” for April!      

What’s the “Monkey Business”?  Holly Mawby with GardenDwellers Farm encouraged us to tell/do the same thing as others do but “go at it in a different way”.  The example she used was that she gave a banana to two of the panel members.  She had each one of them peel the banana they had.  Each of them peeled it from the “handle” down.  When she peeled the banana she kept for herself, she started at the other end.  Each banana was peeled, but she went at hers differently.  That’s one way we can get more interest for our project, our town, whatever it is: look for a different angle to present what we have.  I call this “Monkey Business” because I learned later that that’s the way a monkey peels a banana!! 

Watching and listening to several that day, it was easy to see that belief in what you are doing/promoting and enthusiasm go a long way.  I’ve appreciated what I’ve seen of this in those who are leaders in the Horizon project.  Keep up the good work, and thanks for all you are doing!!

Another month has come and gone and tomorrow a new one begins and we have to get busy with promotion ideas and action.  Summer will be here before we know it. Last Thursday there was a entreprenerrial tourism conference called Beyond Tourism in Cooperstown.  It was very interesting, we learned what Cooperstown has and what they are doing to promote tourism there.  Well, we dont have the same features and historical  sites.  Ben  Klipfel was the last speaker of the day, not an easy time when everyone is tired and looking at their watches and wondering how soon we can go… Well, he is one excited- about -promotions -guy and it was probably the more useful speaker of the day!  He said dont do what some other place is doing… do the opposite, do something different.  Well, we dont have a mountain, river, monument or site to promote so maybe we have to promote just what we have,,,, good people and a nice quiet creative place.  We have the sunsets, stars, the beautiful summer weather and the not that cold of winters.  We do have new people in town who are here because we have less expensive housing and quiet safe streets and nice people.  Not everyone can say that!  It just seems that other places are more exciting and interesting than Cando… so… let’s show our Cando spirit!  And promote what we have!   We are good creative interesting people. And we invite you to come see our community and stay as long as you want.

The awana grand prix (pinewood derby) race will be held on Wednesday, April 9th, at 6:00pm.
Trophies will be given to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place cars for speed and design.
If you have any questions, please call pastor Les Koenig (968-3248).

Need something to do in Cando. Here is what is going on!
Event:
Today: March 27th 3:00 to 8:00pm Towner County farm and home expo, at the armory.
Just for kix will be performing, catered meal will be served, of roasted chicken 5:00 to 7:00pm.
Prize drawings for kids and adults.
Fundraiser:
Junior Robotics is having a fundraiser of pancake breakfast Sunday March 30th 9:00 to 1:00pm. At the Cando school lunchroom.
FREE WILL OFFERING! HAVE FUN!

We all know to be well- prepared, for anything in North Dakota.
Our winters may not be that dramatic at times, but don’t underestimate how a little inclement weather can shut down a town.
When the power goes out, it leaves us strugging, to find supplies until power is restored.
Here is a list of supplies to keep on hand at all times, in case of a disaster.
1 battery- powered radio, 2 flashlight, 3 extra batteries, 4 nonperishable foods that don’t require heating, 5 hand- held can opener,6 paper plates and plastic utensils,7 bottled water( enough for drinking and washing.),8 extra cash,9 blankets,10 matches,11 candles,12 fire extinguisher,13 first-aid kit,14 tools to turn off gas and other utilities.
Just a few to mention. A little planning can see you through nearly any natural disaster.

March has almost come and gone and what ever happened to January and February? I thought we would get so much done this winter and where has the time gone?  Well, maybe I did get something done.  I attended the Dig Into Tourism workshop at LRSC in Devils Lake and learned a lot about what we need to do to develop tourism here in Cando (and that won’t be such an easy project as we dont have a mountain or river or monument but sometimes it is just the simple quiet things that can be promoted, like the Eurasian doves that have been in our town for 3 years now.  Or the wild turkeys that are seen along the east edge of town.) Ag/home show is this week-Thurs. from 3-8 p.m. and that is a good place to promote events, products and people.  I  will have a booth promoting my business of repairing and repainting statues/yard ornaments and cleaning tombstones.  Shade tree committee will be there show ing all the trees planted in Cando this past year and promoting the cook book being put together for the 125th celebration coming up next year.   And we have been working on a Towner County road map featuring all the towns in the county with photos of interesting places to see.  So, guess it is all about lots of little things to see and do here in Cando.  Tonight it was the ice skater’s show featuring young students who have been taking ice skating lessons this winter. Tomorrow night it is a photography class where we will learn how to really use our digital cameras.  I will be there, the teacher has assured me that it will be digital camera 101.  And about the ebay classes in Rolette, we learned how to buy and sell on ebay.  I did the buying but the item that I put on to sell didn’t sell.   Maybe next time.

Was there ever a time when any one of us turned our backs on a bargain? Probably not.
The economy is cooling down, according to Federal Reserve Board.
Here are ways to keep your money at home!
Look for cheaper gas in your area. Here is a website to check out for prices: Gasbuddy  or Gaspricewatch.
Be careful about using a credit card, when paying for gas.
Because of rebate offers, high annual percentage rates and limit you to a particular brand of gas.
Properly inflate your tires, this can save you up to 9 cents off a 3.00 a gallon.
When you go shopping, make a list of things you need first.
This will avoid shopping for things you want. Look for sale items.
Stock up on things you uses the most. FOOD!
Check out more websites: sharingisgiving, shopping.
There are so many more ways to save money, to help the economy to step up.
Anyone with more solutions to help keep our money at home is welcome.

What do we think about, when spring is here?
I think about spring cleaning!
What I mean, about spring cleaning is the basic. This is the time to clean out closets, cabnets, childrens rooms, etc.
Because, when the snow melts and the mud dries up, we want to be outside.
Idea
When you have finished cleaning, box up all unwanted items and give to a local charity, to give to families who are in need.
Idea
Think about what improvements you want to make, and prepare yourself.
Planning ahead is a key to making things happen in our community.
Have a great day!

This has been one of the coldest winters we have seen for awhile.
This year many people are having a difficult time paying their utility bills.
A few options that may help keep thoses utility bills down.
1: Weatherization: Insulate windows and doors.
2: Use energy assistance programs with social services.
3: Check all electricity appliances. Make sure working propertly.
4: Cleaning your appliances: clean the back of a refrigerator, dryer, for exsample. Just by keeping them dust free, will help them run better and save you money.
Just a few things to keep in mind!