Scoping It Out

Area football fans were treated to some exciting state playoff contests on Saturday.

When the final whistle sounded two of the three area schools still alive now find themselves advancing to the state championship game in their respective divisions.

It proved to be the end of the line for the Williston Coyotes falling to the powerful Bismarck Demons in the AAA ranks.

Meanwhile, Watford City gave their veteran coach Fred Fridley another opportunity to win a state title in the AA ranks as the Wolves defeated Devils Lake on their home turf.

The Williams County Firestorm kept things alive as they rolled to a win over St. John in the 9-man ranks and will now be involved in a state championship clash.

On Tuesday (Nov. 11) a Veteran’s Day ceremony is planned for the Old Armory in Williston.

If you’re unable to attend Tuesday you should plan to tune in to KEYZ Country 660.
The program is slated to begin at 11 a.m. and you are encouraged to take part.

Special thanks to all of the sponsors who make this broadcast possible.

PATRIOTIC CONCERT BIG HIT AT HARMON PARK

Direct from a consecutive run of 100 performances Job Christenson presented an excellent concert in Williston on Thursday, Sept. 11 at the Virgil Syverson Performance Center.

This concert served as an inspirational and patriotic evening with Christenson delivering some great sounds.

If you had a chance to hear him in Medora you will no doubt agree he is a fantastic talent.

This special event, co-promoted by Scope Productions and Jack & Jewel’s Bar-B-Que, proved to attract a great crowd.

It all started with a great Jack & Jewel’s Bar-B-Que.

A special performance from the Williston Cowboys Drum & Bugle Corps got things off on a patriotic note.

Christenson was joined by Joel Gilbertson, who has connections to Williston, dating back to when his father Dr. Roy Gilbertson served as a pastor at First Lutheran Church.

Gilbertson has been playing the piano for more than 40 years and added to the excitement.

SCOPING IT OUT GUEST

Jim Oliver, a veteran newsman who was on the scene for two major national events, was our Sept. 12 guest on “Scoping It Out.”.

His encounters included being very near the plane crash near the Pennsylvania community during 9/11 and the site of the trapped coal miners.

Set your dial for News Radio KEYZ 660 AM each Friday to learn more.

BRENT QVALE TO PLAY FOOTBALL AT NEBRASKA NEXT FALL

Scoping it Out has learned Williston’s Brent Qvale has made a verbal commitment to play football as a lineman for the University of Nebraska program.

Qvale will now complete his senior season in a Coyote uniform before moving on to suit up for the “Big Red” in the fall of 2009.

This proves to be a “gentleman’s” agreement, as Letters of Intent are officially signed in February.

This will give the Qvale (Carol and Sanford) family two Division I athletes.

Read more by clicking on previous entries at the bottom of this column.

Turn to Scoping it Out for further details.

No doubt grand parents Joan and George Amsden, are proud of Brian and Brent.

PHIL JACKSON IS HONORED AT UND

Another former Williston Coyote bounched back in the state headlines Monday as Phil Jackson received his Honorary Doctor of Letters from the University of North Dakota.

During the Convocation, which was open to the public, Jackson was presented yet another honor.

The Convocation served as the official start of classes at UND, with some afternoon and evening class sessions beginning Monday.

Jackson also took time on Tuesday morning, to attend some classes, prior to him leaving Grand Forks.

We had an opportunity to chat with Jackson’s former coach Bob Peterson who planned to make the trek to the ceremony from his home in Bismarck.

Peterson had Jackson on the WHS roster as a sophomore and molded him into a force with the Coyotes winning the state title during his senior season.

During our weekly Scoping It Out feature on Friday on News Radio KEYZ 660 we had an opportunity to speak with Peter Johnson, director of UND relations, as we discussed the ceremony.

FINAL LEG OF HWY. 2 SET OPENED ON MONDAY

On Monday the final stretch of Hwy. 2 was opened for traffic, thus accomplishing the goal of “Across The State in 2008.”

We send out a Scope Salute to the likes of Gary Sukut and Brad Bekkedahl, among others who got it done.

This is a major accomplishment for this part of the state and is most welcome.

CAPT. ROBERT STANCEL WRAPS UP LAW CAREER

An Open House was held Wednesday at the Law Enforcement Center to honor long-time Williams County Chief Deputy Robert Stancel on his retirement from the law enforcement field.

We congratulate Stamcel for his 25 years of dedicated service.

Now he will have more time to cheer for the Green Bay Packers.

OLD SETTLERS DAYS ARE COMPLETE

The annual Old Settlers Days in Alexander are complete and plans are in the works for next year.

This is a grand event each year with key individuals being honored.

Vivian and Roy Winden were the honored couple this year.

TIOGA FARM FESTIVAL BATTLES WEATHER

The spotlight shifted to Tioga as the annual Tioga Farm Festival unfolded on Saturday.

The weekend was loaded with activities for everyone, including another parade, which came off despite the rainy weather.

The newly completed 4-Lane is wide open and that surface takes you directly to Tioga, the “Oil Capital” of North Dakota.

Technorati Profile

After two beautiful days in Harmon Park the 2nd annual Williston Chokecherry Festival is in the books.

Early indicators point to a huge success, as the added opening night saw more than 600 guests being served up free hamburgers courtesy of Nemont.

Williston native Celeste Krenz was back home from Nashville and performed a concert in the all new Virgil Syverson Performance Center.

American State Bank & Trust employees were on hand to dish up some vanilla ice cream and 17 gallons later, topped with more than 3 gallons of chokecherry syrup, this proved to be a big hit.

Saturday morning began with a pancake feed provided by Mercy Medical Center and of course, chokecherry syrup.

This event was well attended once again with the Williston Korner Lions handling the cooking and serving duties.

NEMONT SERVES UP GREAT BURGERS

Nemont employees were on hand to provide free hamburgers and fun, while American State Bank & Trust Co. employees served up free ice cream topped with chokecherry syrup.

The “Chokecherry Kids” did a great job once again, with 9 of the original 12 on hand to take part all the fun and games.

CAMP LIBERTY PROVES TO BE A BIG HIT

This year Camp Liberty added a new twist, with more than 300 area youngsters taking part in the fun family activities that were offered.

A free pancake breakfast offered another chance to sample chokecherry syrup, compliments of Mercy Medical Center.

SELBY SERVES AS GRAND MARSHAL

Nancy Selby, who was the teacher who guided these bright minds, was selected to serve as Grand Marshal for the 2nd annual festivities.

While the numbers to the parade continue to grow, this year the participants had a great time.

In addition, a 5K Run, 5K Walk and a 1 Mile Kids Run attracted more than 70 entries.

DR. LOYE ASHTON RAN THE ‘CHOKECHERRY EXPRESS’

Special thanks to out to Dr. Loye Ashton as he served as engineer of the “Chokecherry Express” for some four hours as he made hundreds of youngsters happy by providing train rides throughout the park.

Dr. Ashton, who is a train fanatic, loves to drive the train and he offers a collection of trains at the Hedderichs Store in downtown Williston.