Cando, ND

The word is just in … Tuesday evening after the Primary Election.  The residents of the City of Cando voted to increase the mill levy for the Library from 4 to 12 mill so the Library CAN STAY OPEN!!

THANKS to ALL who support us in ANY way, Horizons group included!!!  It seemed we were looking into the dark hole of Poverty, but have seen hands held out, and we will do what we can to purchase the books, materials people want, making Cando, its residents and those in the surrounding community richer in knowledge and relaxation.

Children from our community went to bible camp at the Cando Lutheran church on May 27th to 30th. About 30 children enjoyed games, snacks, crafts, songs. The bible stories they learned were about serving your family and friends, serving your community, and serving Jesus.
On the last day of camp, Parents, friends grandparents joined the children for a celebration. The children sang songs about what they learned. It was one of the best times, I had with my children. They had a blast! My children, ask me just the other day, when can we do that again? There were many volunteers, that help with the event. Thank you and good job!

Cando has to  have the most beautiful welcoming view of any town in spring!  All along the west side of town, along highway 281, from one end of the town, north/south, the highway is lined with the beautiful blooming white snow crabapple trees!  They are as white as snow!  These were planted years ago by the Cando shade tree committee  volunteers.

The Shade tree committee continues to work to beautify Cando.  A block long row of old evergreens had to be removed as they were old and diseased, and now the Shade tree committee volunteers are working at clearing away the old roots and preparing the way for over 40 new trees to be planted.  It’s a fun group of people who like trees and aren’t afraid to put in some time and work, knowing that the trees planted will grow in beauty in the years to come.  We have only to look at that long street of Snow crabs.  What a sight!

A thriving, vibrant community is like a good cupcake recipe that has been handed down for generations.  A variety of people with different opinions and experiences are like the eggs, flour, sugar and flavorings. Community committees, organizations and councils that work together well are like the cupcake ingredients all mixed up and baked at the right temperature for the correct amount of time. A successful communty event is like a mouthwatering cupcake eaten right out of the oven.  But just as it takes a yummy, creamy, flavorful frosting to make a truly unforgettable cupcake, it takes willing and dedicated volunteers to make a community truly viable, valuable and unforgettable.  Shelly Lord (pictured) is just one of the many Cando volunteers who help this community bake up beautifully!  Yesterday Shelley and Rebecca Kingsley (not pictured) donated their day to judge the 4-H Communication Arts contest held in Langdon, helping 4-Her’s become better public speakers and demonstrators.  Thanks to all the many volunteers who give of their time and talents towards making Cando the Cream of the Crop!

There was good attendance at the organizational meeting this month. Topics that where discussed was coming up with a name of the club and area birding sites. Both are are going to be on the agenda at the upcoming meeting Wednesday June 18th, at 6:30 pm the the City Park. Field trip to follow so bring your bird books and binoculars. Hope to see you there.

An early morning meeting–7:00 am at Dee’s Cafe– all the shade tree committee members were there and we had a lot to talk about. We need to take care of all the trees that were planted last year, we have over 40 to plant next Thursday night.  These will replace the long row of tall evergreens that were dying. We meet next Tuesday evening to work on the 125th Birthday Celebration cook book that our committee is putting together as a fund raiser. We learned that we didnt get the grant that we had applied for.  We are working on getting the trees for the new Cando Welcome sign that the Horizon’s Beautification  Commitee is working on.  So until 8:30 adjournment, we were very busy discussing all that we have done and have to do.  This commitee really does the planning and shovel work to keep Cando trees looking good, taking out the old ones and replacing new ones on the berms and park and campground.    It is a fun group and everyone pitches in and helps get the work done.  I am glad to be a part of this committee. 

Thursday was a big day at the Cando Community Library: the count was 82, and 35 of these were children signing up for the Summer Reading Program: “Catch the Reading Bug”.  Some of the new books with Bugs as the subject, and others with popular authors, will be paid for with City Sales Tax reserved for the Youth of Cando.  There are also 65 new books from the Libri Foundation in Oregon.  This is a grant we can apply for every 3 years.  We sent $350 from the Friends of the Library (a fund-raiser in December called Season’s Readings), and the Libri Foundation let us choose books from their list.  The bill would have been $1060 if we purchased them in a store; a GREAT deal!!

The Kick-Off party for the summer program was: riddles by the Librarian, an interaction story about Anasi with Connie Elsperger reading very expressively to the group, and a fun Mad-Lib story with which Becky Kingsley entertained the group.   Then snacks and bug juice! and the kids went home ready to read books they chose, new and old.   The total number of books checked out this one day (by adults as well as children) was almost 150!

Have you caught the Reading Bug yet?  It’s contagious!! and “a Picnic” as the sign on the front window of the Library says.

This past month I have been working for the Soil Conservation district planting trees and  today we finished planting. Now, a few days selling the left over trees at low prices to the town and surrounding area.  Just one more way to beautify our town and area.  Planting trees is a real investment in the future.  Some trees have about a 100 year life expectance and so will be around a long time.  Older people come in and buy trees, some wanting a tree that will grow fast so they can see it mature and others are looking to leave something behind when they are gone.  For whatever reason, planting trees is a good idea. Those who see beauty in nature, see beauty in about everything and trees can be so beautiful.  Three more tree selling days and we are done for another year.

I have recently been trying to clean up the trailer court. Not that it is dirty but the trees and shrubs are getting overgrown and it will take a little bit to get everything in order again.  It is possible that we will try to have some spots in the trailer court available for travel trailers. With a few changes with electrical posts and sewer links maybe we can host more traveling people in our community.  Time will tell when or if this happens but I will keep working toward the beautification of the property.  And a big thanks to the people who reside in the trailer court for doing a fantastic job on their lots - they look great.

On May 20th, the Cando fire hall invited children of all ages, to come learn about the safety of riding their bikes. Those who had no helmets, got new ones. Repairs were made on bikes, and they talk about riding tips to the children and parents. A video was shown to the children about bike safety. Prizes and snacks was also given. Thank you to all volunteers who donated time and supplies for this event. The children had a great time!