Gackle, ND

Today the Gackle Bloggers met for the first time since their training session. Jodi Bruns, Extension Agent for NDSU Community Economic Development & Leadership updated us on the following items:

• blog incentives
• blogs need address the 12 categories on “Community Progress on Outcomes” grid
• bloggers need to get permission in writing from people we photograph for the blog
• bloggers should ask for help if its needed

To generate awareness we are going to give out business cards with the Gackle Blog Site address to everyone who attends the upcoming Gackle Horizons Pep Rally (an event to unveil the community Strategic Plan and celebrate our one year Horizon’s program anniversary). Hopefully these cards will remind people to “check-out” what the bloggers are saying about the community. Maybe it will even get some folks to post comments or provide stories. There will also be a bunch of extra cards made to distribute around town.

The group included Jodi Bruns, Mary Conrad, Sally Jeppson, Chad Williams, Shelly Anderson and Tim Blackman. Our blogging discussion was conducted over a great meal at Carolyn’s Cafe. Chad provided entertainment and acted as the official photographer!

I received the following Christmas card from the State Historical Society of North Dakota. I was so delighted to see the use of an image associated with Gackle. It got me thinking about Gackle’s history and some of the ideas that people voiced in our Horizons meetings.

The Horizons Study Circles and the Leadership Plenty Program identified many assets in the Gackle community. One asset that repeatedly emerged was associated with our town’s history and its artists.

In these meetings many voiced, we need a community center with a gallery for our artists and a museum.

This is a big goal! But I think it is an important one.

I was surprised and pleased that so many participants valued the cultural fabric of our community. When a town is struggling to survive, often times the things that make it rich and vital, like the arts, are put on the backburner. However it is these things, art, history and music that can raise spirits and provide an avenue to revitalization.

Think of it, people traveling to Gackle to see an exhibit or museum…

Our history is rich; we have many folks who have stories to share. Perhaps we should be documenting those stories before they are lost.

Here is the text that was printed on the card:
December 14, 1917: The Gackle Republican published from 1906 to 1920 in Gackle, Logan County, North Dakota. As a side note the community of Gackle was named for George Gackle, of Kulm, LaMoure County, native of southern Russia. According to Don Gackle, publisher, McLean County Independent and the grandson of George Gackle, “Don’t think my grandfather ever lived in Gackle…it is said that all the Gackles lived in Kulm (not Gackle), the Lehrs lived in Gackle (not Lehr) and the Wisheks lived in Ashley (not Wishek).”

Isn’t this a fun fact…now, why might this be? Could it be that all the founders were too modest to name their own towns after themselves so they applied their name to a nearby location??? Who knows, maybe someone right here in Gackle…

“Where Will You be Sitting at the Community Meeting?” was the theme for the Gackle Community Gathering. November 13th was the date for the momentous occasion for residents to gather thoughts and opinions about Gackle and it’s future.

A few items people felt proud of was the fact that “Gackle is a diamond in the rough”, “the friendly people” and of course ” “the polite garbage man”. The latter comment received a resounding room full of smiles, way to go Ardell.

Participants had the opportunity to gather their opinions by using a bank of computers provided by the NDSU Group decision Center. All comments were anonymous. There was a very positive, productive exchange of ideas. A few of the top vote getting ideas were: more housing for low income families and seniors, a wellness center, accessibility to fresh food (since the grocery store closed) and a marketing/promotion program for Gackle.

There are a number of groups working together to reach the goals set forth in the community meeting.

Watch for more results coming out of this “Diamond in the Rough” community.

The Gackle Community Business Relations Action Circle, an outcome of the Horizons Project, hopes to enhance relationships between the businesses and customers and is looking at ways to highlight the businesses we have in our town.

Just making an inventory of what was there was revealing, there are many more businesses and services available than is apparent. The idea is to Buy Local, Grow Gackle and use the great businesses we have right here in town.

One outcome of our Action Circle was a mini-farmers market that ran once a week for 7 weeks during August through October. It filled a need, since our grocery store closed and the nearest store with any variety of fresh vegetables is 40 miles away. Everybody enjoyed it, and the social interaction among townsfolk was as important as filling the fridge.

A few “Gacklites” participated as sellers of produce and the baked goods were especially successful. I personally didn’t participate as a seller but I’m already considering what seeds to start so I can join in the fun–of course it will probably something too strange for Gackle’s tastes but I say, “Bring it on, Baby…” Knowing the farmers markets of my home state, California, we have a long way to go, but what I’ve always enjoyed besides the great variety, is the educational component of those markets, new kinds of offerings to try, complete with recipes and tasting opportunities.

“So what do you think, will I see you there next Spring?”

PS. More on the Gackle Farmers Market coming soon. Also, I’m interested in hearing other community’s successes with farmers markets so please comment here. Thanks!

Also, not to forget our neighbors, Streeter, ND just 10 miles from Gackle has a nicely stocked, clean and friendly grocery store for all your basic needs. They even deliver!