BISMARCK The NDSU Libraries' Germans from Russia Heritage Collection received the Award of Merit and the WOW Award by the American Association of State and Local History. The awards were presented last month at the national convention in Richmond, Va. A longtime partner, the State Historical Society of North Dakota nominated the collection.
According to the American Association of State and Local History, the WOW Award is given to an Award of Merit winner that is "highly inspirational, exhibits exceptional scholarship and/or is exceedingly entrepreneurial in terms of funding, partnerships or collaborations, creative problem solving, or unusual project design and inclusiveness." Only three WOW Awards were given this year.
"The association's Annual Awards Program, now in its 66th year, is the most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history," said Erik Holland, the North Dakota state team leader for the American Association of State and Local History.
Article Photos
Submitted Photo - - Michael M. Miller, director and bibliographer, left, and Acacia Stuckle, special collections associate, hold awards from the American Association of State and Local History.
Merl Paaverud, director of the State Historical Society of North Dakota, wrote in his nomination letter, "The work of Michael M. Miller and Acacia (Jonas) Stuckle at North Dakota State University Libraries' Germans from Russia Heritage Collection has received much deserved national recognition.
"The work of the GRHC has been instrumental in preserving and presenting the German-Russian heritage and culture for generations to come," he added. "The preservation projects have been extensive and impressive from translating and publishing books, producing documentaries, deve- loping collections, producing exhibits, offering tours to the homeland and regionally, and offering outreach programs via the Web.
The NDSU Libraries' Germans from Russia Heritage Collection was cited for its exceptional work in preserving and sharing the culture of Germans from Russia on the Northern Plains.
"Since its inception in 1978, this specialized archive has become one of the most comprehensive collections of German-Russian resources in the world," Miller said.
For more information about the NDSU Libraries' Germans from Russia Collection, log on at (library.ndsu.edu/grhc).
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Swedish Heritage group plans annual meeting
The Swedish Heritage Society of Northwest North Dakota will hold its annual meeting at 2 p.m. Jan. 21 in the Scandinavian Heritage Building at 1020 South Broadway in Minot. Selmer and Carol Moen will give a presentation, with pictures, of their visit to Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Cake and coffee will be served. A $10 annual membership due is requested.
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Character awards to be presented at banquet
Sixteen middle and high school students and two adult recipients will be honored at the annual Community Character Awards Banquet at 6:15 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Minot State University Student Union.
The 2011-12 American Youth Character Award recipients are Ethan Bahl, a sophomore at Minot High School-Central Campus; Nichole Brunner, a junior at Bishop Ryan High School; Lucas DeMers, a senior at Minot High School-Magic City Campus; Kacey Donamaria, a senior at Bishop Ryan High School; Ian Howard, a senior at Bishop Ryan High School; Taytum Jones, an eighth grader at Erik Ramstad Middle School; Brooklynne Knutson, a sophomore at Our Redeemer's Christian School; Carter Martelle, an eighth grader at Jim Hill Middle School; Stephanie Mehlhoff, a junior at Our Redeemer's Christian School; Rudra Patel, an eighth grader at Erik Ramstad Middle School; Megan Rupe, a senior at Minot High School-Magic City Campus; John Salling, a junior at Bishop Ryan High School; Kendra Sjol, a senior at Minot High School-Magic City Campus; Rylin Sortland, an eighth grader at Erik Ramstad Middle School; Jewel Spitzer, an eighth grader at Memorial Middle School and Nick Theis, a senior at Our Redeemer's Christian School.
Community Character Builders Award recipients are Mayor Curt Zimbelman and Ben Berg.
Jim Olson will be the emcee and Major General David Sprynczynatyk will be the guest speaker at the banquet. Musical entertainment will be provided by Minot State University and the Minot High School ROTC will present the colors and national anthem. Tickets are available at school offices or can be purchased from the Minot High School Board of Education Building. Tickets are $15 each and must be purchased in advance.
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Growing grant available
The N.D. Farmers Market and Grower's Association at Dakota College at Bottineau is seeking applicants for a grant to be used in starting an edible school garden, orchard and/or greenhouse project through the Green and Growing Initiative. The project funds may only be used to grow or prepare spaces to grow specialty crops. Grants up to $500 will be available on a competitive basis. Any school that has previously received a school garden grant from the Green and Growing Program will not be eligible.
Some of the goals it is hoped schools will adopt include: connecting people to plants and the planet, increased community engagement, service learning opportunities, better nutritional habits, student marketing opportunities, a food safety curriculum and growing one's own food.
The deadline for the grant is Feb. 13. A decision on the grant requests will be made by Feb. 13. For more information, contact the Entrepreneurial Center for Horticulture, Dakota College at Bottineau, Bottineau, ND 58318, call 228-5649 or send e-mail stacy.baldus@dakotacollege.edu.