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“The village of Mountain in Pembina County is the center of a sizable Icelandic community,” writes Father Bill Sherman in his classic study, Prairie Mosaic. The settlement in North Dakota spun off from the colony of Gimli, in Manitoba, and comprised not only Mountain but also Hallson and Gardar. Mountain, however, was a cultural center.

“The Father of Waters.” When most people hear or read that phrase, they more than likely think of the Mississippi River. But why not the Missouri River? I have been thinking about that after reading John Madson’s Up on the River: An Upper Mississippi Chronicle. In the book, Madson wonders why it was the Mississippi River that was designated to continue on from St. Louis to New Orleans and not the Missouri River.

Today is another part of the story of a young preacher called to McKenzie County in North Dakota a century ago. The Rev. Richard C. Jahn was 20 years old, fresh from seminary in St. Louis when he arrived by train in Watford City. He lodged with a bachelor homesteader in a cabin east of Watford City, and traveled around the McKenzie County area giving sermons in English and German. Jahn lived near Schafer, the former McKenzie County seat.

Thursday, November 4, 2021 - Misfire, written by NPR investigative reporter Tim Mak, is a blistering exposé of the National Rifle Association. He joins us to discuss his investigation. ~~~ November is Native American Heritage month, a good occasion to profile another of this year’s inductees into the North Dakota Native American Hall of Honor, the revered leader Sitting Bull. ~~~ Sue Balcom is here for Main Street Eats, and in today’s conversation she goes off in a new direction with some thoughts on farmhouse architecture!

Sunday, November7, 2021 - Journalist and author Katie Hafner, and bioethicist Amy Scharf have launched a new podcast titled “Lost Women of Science.” They join us to discuss the importance of recognizing and remembering these important female trailblazers. ~~~ Misfire, written by NPR investigative reporter Tim Mak, is a blistering exposé of the National Rifle Association. He joins us to discuss his investigation. ~~~ Matt Olien reviews “Last Night in Soho,” a psychological horror film from director Edgar Wright.

In 1966, a Job Corps center opened in Bismarck at Fort Lincoln after the army had declared the site as surplus. The first 22 men to arrive at the Lewis and Clark Job Corps Center, had a quiet entrance into North Dakota, with little fanfare. However, this was perhaps a welcome relief, as much controversy had developed over the opening of the site in the past year, placing Bismarck squarely in the national news as tensions rose.

On this date in 2000, the generous gift of half a million dollars by Roger Haas to the Germans from Russia Heritage Society was announced. Roger had come a long way from being a motherless farm boy who spoke German at home. Now a successful businessman in Portland, Oregon, Roger wanted to give back to the community he came from by honoring his roots.

The winter landscape can look rather empty and bleak this time of year. And although the animals can seek shelter in burrows, under snow, or other protected places, the trees have no choice but to stay put and tough it out. But unlike most trees native to North Dakota that shed their leaves in the fall the evergreens such as pine, spruce, and juniper retain them.

Wednesday, November 24, 2021 - Performances are multi-sensory. Today we talk with Paul Johnson, the muralist whose backdrop sets the stage for the Concordia Christmas Concert. ~~~ Tom Isern shares a Plains Folk essay titled “Dim Narrow Trail.” ~~~ It’s a Magical Medora Christmas, 31 shows in 22 communities, and the first performance is coming up soon. Here with a preview is veteran Medora entertainer Bill Sorensen, along with cast member Amberlee Rosen. ~~~ Matt Olien reviews “Belfast,” director’s Kenneth Branagh’s autobiographical film.

We will never know the full extent of the 1918 flu pandemic in North Dakota. The virus hit the state at a time of poor public health administration, with no state health department. The official death count of 1,378 people is almost certainly an undercount. One estimate in recent years put the death toll at more than 5,100 North Dakotans.