Current Stories | October 4, 2012
Horses help change lives, and fulfill dreams
| Ali Strand reporting
A fresh start is often accompanied by fear of the unknown. For one family, they had enough faith to ride out their new beginnings. Ben and Caryl Lester have lived in the city for most of their married lives. But recently, they headed over the Red River and into the woods to a more rural setting.
"Never thought we would get something like this. But it’s amazing, it’s just so perfectly designed for what we do," says Caryl Lester. Along with their 13 year old niece, Andrea, the Lester's added a few more members to their family.
Ben and Caryl are the co-founders of the Stable Days Youth Ranch. "Ben and I don't have a background in horsemanship, so just the learning curve. We have volunteers that are teaching us and volunteers that are helping work with the horses and stuff," she explains. This didn't stop them from making their dream-their reality.
"The dream is bigger than the fear. And so we just decided that despite our shortcomings in experience we decided that we would take the time to first of all surround ourselves with people who did know, people who did know," says Ben Lester. Stable Days Youth Ranch offers flexible and customized sessions for any kid. "Riding, handling, and caring for a horse like gem can develop many positive traits in a child, such as accountability, responsibility, and patience," says reporter, Ali Strand.
The gates are always open, free of charge. The Lester’s believe in serving the needs of each unique child and helping them through their horses. "Every kid that wants to come is welcome to come, we have some kids that have some pretty specific special needs and we started it based on what we witnessed happened between a special needs child and a horse," says Caryl Lester. "We are dealing with some issues with our niece who we are raising, Andrea. And she had had some really positive experiences with horses and so it was out of that discussion that we decided it would be cool to do a youth ranch," explains Ben Lester.
Andrea will be the first to tell you that these horses changed her life. With Andrea as their inspiration, the Lester’s take each day as an opportunity to help others. "We decided that we can spend our lives a lot of different ways but we only have one chance to spend each day and we wanted to build into people a sense of hope with families who may not otherwise be exposed to what God has to offer," says Ben Lester.
Along with their faith, and the help of their horses, the Lester's know that there are many stable days ahead. Stable Days Youth Ranch is a nonprofit organization that runs on donations and volunteers.
More Americans unable to afford food | Dag Amdam reporting
More than four years after the financial crisis hit the US, our population is still suffering. Reports from 2011 show the number of middle class Americans struggling financially, is still on the rise. Theresa Owlboy is a regular American, who shares something with an increasing number of people. "I guess I came here out of necessity," says Owlboy, student. In 2010 Owlboy was a manager at a “mom 'n pop” store. When it closed down she lost her job, her income and her security. Federal data shows that she shares this problem with 50 million other Americans, struggling to get food to their tables during 2011. “New families that we have never seen here before, that have jobs, but they still don't have enough to provide for their families," says Major Linda Fjellman, from the Salvation Army. More and more regular Americans find themselves in trouble, as the United Nations food price index shows that food prices have risen 150 percent since we entered the new millennium. "Understand even though it is a matter of pride sometimes we try to tell them, but you're only trying to help your family and maybe it is only going to be a temporary thing, maybe you'll get back on your feet again,” says Fjellman. Despite food pantries receiving more clients, the US Department of Agriculture reports that only 43 percent of food insecure households asked for assistance in 2011. "If you're sitting at home hungry definitely come here because they will feed you," explains Owlboy. They say there is no shame in hunger. Eighteen million people in the United States live with low food security. "Sometimes you just got to put pride aside, it is a necessity you know, for my children," says Owlboy. “Theresa’s hope is in the help of others, while she has faith for a better future,” reports Dag Amdam.
Trending cash mobs | Victor Correa reporting
When some people think of mobs, they envision angry citizens marching down the street with torches in hand and pitchforks at the ready. But some mobs are ditching these negative views for a positive outlook.
While most mobs would throw a brick through a window, this one is throwing high-fives at the door. They've left their torches unlit and their pitchforks at the house, and instead they wield a fist-full of dollars. This is a cash mob, a group of citizens set out for one thing.
"Hey you know what, we support our local businesses and there's more out there than giant box stores," says Matthew Dehnert, cash mob member. Cash mobs have been forming all over the nation with the same goal, to spend money in local shops. "So we just want to say thank you for their effort and their sacrifices, and often times the local business owners are the owners that are putting sometimes the 18 and 20 hours a day to help their business go, and even in the down economic time too, they're the ones that usually feel a little bit more of a struggle at times as well," explains Dehnert.
Big department stores can bring convenience to shoppers, but local businesses can be a louder voice in the community. "Business in general is good for communities, local business is especially good because you get more face with the community, you don't have big corporate owners in other places ruling and dictating things," says Tyler Clauson, a local business owner. While the recognizable names can attract shoppers, it's the "mom and pop shops" that help build and sustain vibrant, walkable town centers.
Angry mobs have been known to tear communities down, cash mobs are building them up.
A half-marathon can be a struggle | Kyle See-Rockers reporting
Running a half marathon can be a challenging task. But for some, overcoming obstacles is worth the triumph. Runners will come from several states away to compete in a race.
"Well, this is number 18 half marathons and 1 full marathon," says runner, Travis Brown. Always traveling with his number one fan, his wife Patsy brings something extra to the table. "Like I say I'm the voice and he is the runner," describes Brown’s wife, Patsy Brown. "I'm out there and I'm the encourager and out here today I've been encouraging all of the runners and I've pretty much lost my voice through it all," she explains.
Travis's race is different compared to other runners. "In 2009, I was shot in the head while I was driving to work," says Travis Brown. The random drive-by left Travis fully blind in his left eye and only 25 percent of sight in his right eye. But he says it’s allowed him to see things more clearly. "And I consider it one of the best things that has ever happened to me, while most people would think it is a tragedy," he explains. Turing darkness into a positive light, Travis runs races around the country, giving people hope and motivation to move forward in life. "I try to be an inspiration to people who just think that they have to sit around and do nothing, because there is something wrong with them or they went through a tragic event or just something bad happening in their lives and feel like giving up," he says. "I don't want to give up, I want to be the one who keeps going," Brown describes.
While making his footprint in the prairie, Travis hopes his 13.1 miles will inspire others to finish their own race.
Live action role playing | Caitlin Mullally reporting
Fantasy games are popular in the online world. One group spends their weekends bringing the fantasy realm to real life.
"Me myself, I am Earthen Snow. I am a Dwarfin Healer of the Land's End Clan," explains Al Hoffman, Amtgarder. "In real life I'm Al," he says. Al is a member of an Amtgard club. The group meets weekly to don their medieval garb and battle with foam weapons. "It's escapism at its highest form. You come down here and you get to be something you could never be in real life," he says.
In the real world, Al spends his time as a minister. "I help people with their problems all day every day and I love it, I enjoy it, but on the weekends I get to come out here pick up a sword and go AH!" exclaims Hoffman. The fighting gets intense, but Hoffman assures the sport is safe. All weapons and equipment must pass strict safety guidelines.
"Even nerf weapons don't pass our safety tests," says Jennifer Hoffman. The weapons are unique but it's the sport's elaborate uniforms that catch people's attention.
"A lot of people think that we are weird, that we are you know misfits or that we're not part of normal society," explains Al Hoffman. But he says the club has lawyers, doctors and ministers among its members. The diverse group of wizards and warriors may gather in the make-believe realm, but the friendships that form are real.
"It's very much a community," says Al Hoffman. Amtgarders might show up to throw down, but at the end of the day it's the real life bonds that keeps them coming back.
Amptgard live action role play began in Texas in 1984. It has since grown to be a sport played worldwide.
Character is shown in many ways. One thrifty woman is showing her character by helping others. Therapy for some may be reading a book, listening to music, or exercising. For others, it's shopping. 
Store gives back to victims of violence | Stephanie Sheurer reporting
"I just think it's really fun to look at all the different things. I like to go shopping in thrift stores," says Valerie Tronnes, customer. Thrifty is nifty, but one store owner chooses to give back richly. "I sat down with three different organizations and discussed some options of what I could do for them," says Joann Boushey, owner of Retail Therapy Thrift Store.
Joann chose to help those who are victims of domestic violence. She collects clothing and furnishings that people no longer want turning them into treasures for others.
"Joann basically stores them for us at her retail therapy store and we let people know that she has that capability," says Edie Dahlen, Community Violence Intervention Center Director of Planning and Financing. In the past, Boushey worked for only a paycheck but soon discovered this wasn't enough.
"I've worked in other retail settings and it just wasn't fulfilling because I didn't feel like I was giving back in any way whatsoever," explains Boushey. "She seems to be a very compassionate woman that really wants to do good for our community, “describes Dahlen.
For Boushey, her therapy is making people smile and instilling hope for those in need. "This gives me the opportunity to do that," says Boushey.
Boushey opened her store this past May. She plans to donate 10 percent of her net profits to CVIC.
Fall’s changing colors are changing schedule | Kellen Peters reporting
Fall means the end of summer, beginning of school, and football season. However it never quite seems fitting without the proper background. Usually, leaves change colors around late September. This year may be delayed or not happen at all for parts of the United States.
"[It’s] pretty warm for the most part. Very hot days pretty consistently," explains Jeff Carmichael, Associate Professor of Biology. The lack of moisture has played a significant role. Across the country drought-like conditions can delay the color changing process. Sunlight is also a big factor. The chlorophyll inside the leaf gives it its green color. When the sunlight becomes less, that pigment is no longer produced.
"Chlorophyll is kind of an odd molecule. Yeah it’s there and absorbs sunlight. But like many other pigments like in clothing and so forth- it fades. It's actually broken down when it’s exposed to intense sunlight," describes Carmichael.
"Now one event that can ruin the changing of the colors is if the temperatures drop below freezing overnight. Should that happen it is possible the leaves can die off before ever reaching that beautiful color," reports Kellen Peters.
With the temperatures spiking back up above freezing levels over night, Carmichael believes there still is a good chance we will get our scenery. "We still have yet to reach that peak of colorations. That's still I think a week or so away," says Carmichael.
Despite the heat and drought, the tress can still provide that perfect picture scenery.
