Community Calendar

“The Art of Making Do: Folk Culture and Heritage of Germans From Russia” is now on exhibit at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum in Bismarck.

This exhibition, showcasing the ingenuity and resilience of German Russian immigrants through their folk culture and heritage, is a partnership of the Tri-County Tourism Alliance and the State Historical Society of North Dakota. “The German Russian immigrants left an indelible mark on North Dakota and our current world,” said Bill Peterson, director of the State Historical Society of North Dakota. “We all recognize the importance of that community and the lessons they have left us if we just take the time to look.”

Before sustainability practices like repurposing, reusing, and recycling became widespread, resourceful German Russian immigrants relied on these techniques to build new lives on the prairie. “The Art of Making Do” highlights how these homesteaders transformed their surroundings through traditional skills brought from the old country, crafting textiles, embroidery, woodcarvings, and ironwork that shaped their homes and communities.

While many early folk art pieces have been lost, the traditions, trades, and skills embodied by German Russian immigrants continue to thrive. Enjoy historical and contemporary folk art and metalwork from Logan, McIntosh, and Emmons counties, and the State Historical Society collections. The exhibit will remain on view through September 2025.

The ND Heritage Center & State Museum is open Monday-Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday, from 10 a.m.to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Find upcoming events at history.nd.gov/events.

AARP Discount Day at Gateway to Science

On Tuesday, September 16, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, guests ages 50+ can enjoy a day of discovery with special savings:
- $3 discounted admission
- 10% off memberships
- Full access to hands-on activities and exhibits

Make plans to visit and take advantage of this one-day event created just for YOU!

📅 Tuesday, September 16
🕙 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
👥 Ages 50+ only

Project made possible due to the generous support of AARP.

A weekly seminar for divorced, widowed or separated participants to learn to rebuild their lives after the loss of a love relationship. It discusses rebuilding blocks related to the loss and help to provide an understanding of the past relationship and moving forward in a healthy way. Based on a study guide by Dr. Bruce Fisher

Each week a new game testing your knowledge in music, science, history, film, literature, geography, current events, pop culture, sports and more. With a new and unique themed twist each week.
Maximum team size of 6.
Beer and Pride to the top teams, and a pair of Comedy tickets given away each week to one random team.

“The Art of Making Do: Folk Culture and Heritage of Germans From Russia” is now on exhibit at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum in Bismarck.

This exhibition, showcasing the ingenuity and resilience of German Russian immigrants through their folk culture and heritage, is a partnership of the Tri-County Tourism Alliance and the State Historical Society of North Dakota. “The German Russian immigrants left an indelible mark on North Dakota and our current world,” said Bill Peterson, director of the State Historical Society of North Dakota. “We all recognize the importance of that community and the lessons they have left us if we just take the time to look.”

Before sustainability practices like repurposing, reusing, and recycling became widespread, resourceful German Russian immigrants relied on these techniques to build new lives on the prairie. “The Art of Making Do” highlights how these homesteaders transformed their surroundings through traditional skills brought from the old country, crafting textiles, embroidery, woodcarvings, and ironwork that shaped their homes and communities.

While many early folk art pieces have been lost, the traditions, trades, and skills embodied by German Russian immigrants continue to thrive. Enjoy historical and contemporary folk art and metalwork from Logan, McIntosh, and Emmons counties, and the State Historical Society collections. The exhibit will remain on view through September 2025.

The ND Heritage Center & State Museum is open Monday-Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday, from 10 a.m.to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Find upcoming events at history.nd.gov/events.

Missouri Valley Coalition for Homeless People Presents: Project Service Connect
Wednesday, September 17th, 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM @ Dream Center - Upstairs 1805 Park Ave Bismarck
FREE DONATIONS FREE HAIRCUTS No registration required & No personal information is collected If you are homeless or at risk of being homeless, please stop by & check out resources available to you in our community
for more information: www.mvchp.com

“The Art of Making Do: Folk Culture and Heritage of Germans From Russia” is now on exhibit at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum in Bismarck.

This exhibition, showcasing the ingenuity and resilience of German Russian immigrants through their folk culture and heritage, is a partnership of the Tri-County Tourism Alliance and the State Historical Society of North Dakota. “The German Russian immigrants left an indelible mark on North Dakota and our current world,” said Bill Peterson, director of the State Historical Society of North Dakota. “We all recognize the importance of that community and the lessons they have left us if we just take the time to look.”

Before sustainability practices like repurposing, reusing, and recycling became widespread, resourceful German Russian immigrants relied on these techniques to build new lives on the prairie. “The Art of Making Do” highlights how these homesteaders transformed their surroundings through traditional skills brought from the old country, crafting textiles, embroidery, woodcarvings, and ironwork that shaped their homes and communities.

While many early folk art pieces have been lost, the traditions, trades, and skills embodied by German Russian immigrants continue to thrive. Enjoy historical and contemporary folk art and metalwork from Logan, McIntosh, and Emmons counties, and the State Historical Society collections. The exhibit will remain on view through September 2025.

The ND Heritage Center & State Museum is open Monday-Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday, from 10 a.m.to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Find upcoming events at history.nd.gov/events.

The Traill County Arts Coalition will exhibit the work of the late Hillsboro artist John Carroll Pederson (1928-2024) September 18th- October 18th at “The Arts House” in Hillsboro, ND. The exhibit will feature a selection of Pederson’s work that will be for sale through silent auction during the exhibit. A portion of the proceeds from the auction will go towards the Traill County Arts Coalition.

John Carroll Pederson (1928-2024), a self-taught artist from Hillsboro, North Dakota, was a man whose life revolved around his passions for drawing and painting. From a young age, he was deeply inspired by the "homespun American life" depicted on Norman Rockwell's Saturday Evening Post covers. This admiration led to a defining moment in his life: a pilgrimage to Rockwell's home in Massachusetts, where he was welcomed as a guest and learned from the famous artist. John considered this week a high point of his life.

John's career was a tapestry of artistic pursuits. After serving in the Army, where he did some illustration work, he spent 15 years at Dakota Photo Engraving Co. in Fargo. He also applied his artistic skills to commercial work, painting billboard signs along I-29 and creating logos and nameplates for local newspapers. Around 1971, he began making a living as a full-time painter and taught adult education classes in Hillsboro. His fine art subjects were diverse, ranging from Abraham Lincoln and old comedians to airplanes and local Red River Valley landscapes.

“An Art-Filled Life” Artworks by John C. Pederson
September 18th – October 18th, 2025
Showings by Appointment Only

Open Houses: September 20th 10:00am-2:00pm
September 27th 10:00am – 5:00pm
Reception 3:00pm – 5:00pm

For More information contact:
Eric A. Johnson
Phone: 701-799-6518
Email: bigoakpress@gmail.com
Website: www.bigoakpress.com

Bring your favorite ride, friends and family to the Downtown Yards on Sheyenne Street and join us for West Fargo Cruise Night!
West Fargo Cruise Night brings hundreds of unique cars and motorcycles to Sheyenne Street from Main Avenue W. to 7th Avenue W.
You don't want to miss this! West Fargo Cruise Nights are FREE to the public!
Featured performers TBA!