HOTR History

History of Home On The Range

Original Home, now current administration building
Father Elwood Cassedy
Buck a Brick Fundraiser to build Eagle Hall, 1957

Home on the Range for Boys Ranch Hands sit atop Cassedy Hill overlooking the home. The founder, Fr. Cassedy, is buried on the hill where he often hiked for solace, prayer, and to keep an eye on his boys.

Father Cassedy and his first boys

1950, Father Cassedy and boys
Off to School

Home On The Range was established in 1950, when Father Elwood E. Cassedy and three boys moved into a granary converted to living quarters on the former ranch owned by Mr. and Mrs. Edward B. Lievens of Sentinel Butte, North Dakota. The couple gave their 960-acre ranch to Father Cassedy, after reading of his dream to establish a home for boys in the country.

What followed was a flood of smaller contributions from interested individuals and groups willing to sacrifice for the "dream" to come true. In 1955, as the program began to grow and serve more residents in larger quarters, Father William Fahnlander joined Father Cassedy in providing for the needs of the boys. Shortly after Father Cassedy's death in 1959, Father Fahnlander became superintendent of the ranch facility. For over thirty years, he was "father" to literally hundreds of boys in need of support, encouragement, discipline and love.

Home On The Range emerged into a new era of services by welcoming girls to the facility in August 1990. The Home On The Range Board of Directors believed we had a moral and social responsibility in recognizing that boys and girls experience the same kinds of problems. Home On The Range has established a reputation of developing and providing realistic and successful programs. Many national programs have proven that interaction between boys and girls can be handled positively, safely and successfully, helping these young people of both sexes to once again enter the mainstream of everyday life as productive, caring citizens.

HOTR Time-line

1908

· April 9 - John & Frieda Cassedy, Jersey City, NJ, name their first-born, Elwood

1911

· Edward & Emma Lievens, emigrants from Belgium, homestead land near Sentinel Butte, ND

1921

·
February 27 - William J. Fahnlander born in Minot, ND

1923-31

· After graduating from St. Patrick’s Grammar School, Elwood Cassedy starts high school but drops out to help support his family. He finds work as a messenger at the Equitable Trust Company, Wall Street, New York City. The Equitable merges with Chase National Bank in 1930; Cassedy works his way up to page and junior teller in the bank. He works days and attends night school for two years. At the age of 23, he leaves the bank to complete his high school education.

· 1928
William Fahnlander’s father dies, leaving the 7-year-old boy to grow up without a dad

1938

· Elwood Cassedy graduates from Notre Dame

1939-40

· Taking the name Walter, Elwood Cassedy becomes a brother with the Order of the Holy Cross. He teaches at the Gibault School for Boys in Terre Haute, Indiana. Later he is assigned to St. Charles Boys Home, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

1941

· Brother Elwood Cassedy enters St. Paul Seminary, St. Paul, MN

1943

· William Fahnlander graduates from St. John’s, Collegeville, MN; enters St. Paul Seminary

1944

· Elwood Cassedy moves to Bismarck, ND, at the invitation of Bishop Vincent J. Ryan

· April 25 - Cassedy is ordained as a priest by Most Reverend Bishop Vincent Ryan in Bismarck, and given charge of three widely separated missions: Wing, Menoken and Driscoll. At the same time becomes assistant chaplain at St. Alexius Hospital.

1946

· June 11 - William Fahnlander ordained by Most Reverend Bishop Vincent J. Ryan. Assigned as assistant pastor at St. Mary’s, Bismarck

1947

· Fr. Fahnlander assigned as assistant pastor at St. Leo’s, Minot; also taught in graded high school and coached basketball; principal from 1950 to 1955.

· Fr. Cassedy serves a chaplain at St. Alexius Hospital, Bismarck, director of charities for the diocese, superintendent of St. Mary’s Cemetery and a teacher on staff of St. Mary’s High School

1949

· June 18th- Fr. Cassedy shares his dreams for a boys’ ranch at Bi-State Convention of the Eagles in Deadwood, SD. Delegates donate $123. A committee of FOE members is established to work with Fr. Cassedy

· Edward and Emma Lievens read article in Bismarck Tribune about Fr. Cassedy’s dream to start a boys’ ranch. Nearing retirement, they deed the land to Fr. Cassedy.

· Bishop Ryan releases Fr. Cassedy from his parish assignment to devote his efforts full-time to setting up the boys’ ranch

· During winter of 49-50, Fr. Cassedy travels North Dakota and his home state of New Jersey to raise funds for the ranch. Remodeling of a wooden granary on the ranch begins.

· December 28, 1949 - Home On The Range for Boys is incorporated under laws of the State of North Dakota. Incorporators were: Vincent J. Ryan, Bishop of Bismarck, ND; J.J. Rath, Vicar General of The Diocese of Bismarck; Elwood E. Cassedy; T. Clem Casey; and Ray Schnell.

· December 30 Bismarck Tribune: Fr. Cassedy announced Friday that a 940-acre (960?) ranch near Sentinel Butte has been donated for the establishment of a home and agricultural and trade school for delinquent boys.

1950

· January 21- Bismarck Eagles to donate $5,000 to Fr. Cassedy for construction of new dormitory, the first sizable cash contribution toward the project.

· February - Fr. Cassedy travels to Father Flanagan’s Boys’ Home, Boys Town, Nebraska, to learn from Rev. Monsignor Nicholas H. Wegner, director.

· July 28, 1950 - three boys welcomed into remodeled granary on former Lievens farmstead: Eddie Schwartz; Leonard Schwartz; Harvey Gifford.

· August 31 - Excavation work begins on basement of new dormitory/all purpose building

· September 24 - benefit rodeo held at the American Legion Rodeo Grounds, Medora

1951

· February 16 - Fr. Cassedy addresses the ND Senate and House of Representatives

· October 27 - first official inspection of ranch (had six boys between the ages of 13 and 16. Staff consisted of Fr. Cassedy, farm supervisor and a cook.)

· Present Administration Building is completed; designed to house 28-35 boys

· First Christmas appeal letter is sent to supporters: mentions 43 head of cattle; 20 calves; 62 chickens; 7 pigs; 22 rabbits; 9 horses; 5 dogs

1952

· Dairy started so that fresh milk would be available for boys, with extra cream sold locally

1953

· Home On The Range receives Soil Conservation award for the most improved ranch in the county

1954

· Knights of Columbus raise money for the construction of the 4-H Barn

· Fr. Cassedy addresses his first National Eagles Convention in Chicago

1955

· July - Fr. William Fahnlander receives notice from Bishop Hoch that he is being assigned to St. Michael’s Parish in Sentinel Butte. He will also be the assistant to Fr. Cassedy

1956

· October - Walt Disney television show "Mickey Mouse Club" airs 15-minute film about Fr. Cassedy’s ranch, entitled "Ranch Opens New Life to Homeless Boys"

· Eagle Hall adopted as national program at Pittsburgh Grand Aerie Convention

1957

· April - Phil Bigley chairs "Give a Buck for a Brick" campaign to raise funds for recreation building

· May 19 - 1st Champions Ride Match Rodeo is held

· October 26 - Fr. Cassedy suffers his first heart attack

1958

· James Fahey, K of C member, Lakota, ND, makes his first visit to ranch. Goes back to his council and raised $30 for the kids

· Boys from Home On The Range help build Burning Hills Amphitheater. A crew of 10-12 boys work daily, from the time school got out the end of May until June 23. Boys also took part in the drama itself: appearing as cowhands, vigilantes, controlling lights.

· Census of 31 boys

· Fr. Cassedy unable to attend National Eagles convention, recuperating from his heart attack

· Fr. Fahnlander becomes acting superintendent

· December: Fr. Cassedy returns to visit the 28 boys at HOTR

1959

· March - Fr. Fahnlander gives up St. Michael’s Parish and went to work full-time at HOTR

· Sunday May 24 - Ground breaking ceremony for Eagle Hall at 1 p.m.; Champions Ride Bronc Riding Match at 2 p.m.

· October 1 - Fr. Cassedy returns to ranch after a 2-year rest; pens the annual Christmas appeal letter

· October 15 - Fr. Cassedy dies from a second heart attack at the age of 51

· October 19 - Pontifical Requiem Funeral Mass held at St. John’s Church, Beach. Sermon delivered by Most Reverend Hilary B. Hacker, Bishop of Bismarck

· Fr. Fahnlander named superintendent

1960

· July 3 - 500 people attend dedication ceremonies of Eagle Hall. The hall has room for 50 boys; census had been held at 28 boys until completed.

· Benefit performance of Old Four Eyes at Burning Hills Amphitheater

· Caged layers added to farm

1961

· Shamrocks become a statewide project of the ND Knights of Columbus

· Champions Ride moves from May to August

· 40 boys now at ranch

1963

· Laying hens now producing 4,000 eggs/day. Eggs used at the ranch and sold to 3 grocery stores, 2 cafes, the hospital in Dickinson, with the surplus being shipped to Spokane for sale.

· 56 beef cattle; 38 milk cows, plus pigs

· Over 200 boys have called the ranch home

· Ranch borrowed money to purchase a quarter of tillable land, bringing ranch to 1,100 acres

1964

· April - Fr. Fahnlander’s family has grown to 48 boys

· June - Minnesota FOEs purchase International 806 square baler for the ranch, present it at Minnesota FOE Convention in Faribault

· 1965
August - 40 boys at the ranch; about 260 have made it their home over the past 15 years. Would eventually grow to 50 by year-end, coming from 14 different states

· FOE Auxiliaries collecting stamps for school bus

1966

· Fr. Fahnlander nominated for Bi-State Eagles Hall of Fame

· June - Fr. Cassedy named among 25 "Heroes of Dakota" by historian Bob Kunkel. Others in the group: entertainer Peggy Lee; commentator Eric Sevareid; home run king Roger Maris.

· August - Eagles Auxiliaries present new 42-passenger school bus to ranch; earned through Gold Bond Stamp’s

· Laying flock increased to 7,000 - provides work of 8 boys

1968

· Michigan Eagles complete meat processing plant so ranch can slaughter its own meat

1969

· Interstate 94 completed, bringing HOTR within sight of travelers

· August - Fr. Fahnlander receives "The Ten Commandments Award" at the International Eagles Convention in Minneapolis. (At that time, he was only the 4th clergyman to be recognized.)

1970

· Ray Schnell and Clem Casey pass away. Howard W. Hardy and John Ehrmantraut named to replace the founding directors.

· Beef cattle herd phased out

1971

· Trade shop is completed: contains auto and welding shop, a wood shop, hobby shop, and rock shop

· Construction began on new dairy barn to house 110 cows; currently milking 30

1972

· 2,000 people attend dedication of modern dairy barn. Bishop Hacker attends.

· Ranch produces all its own meat, milk, eggs and vegetables; staff of 17; 10 horses for riding

· November - Grade A operation includes 86 cows in a confinement barn

· 48 boys on census; 17 staff

1975

· July - 25th Anniversary reunion held

· Census of 48 boys; over 600-650 former boys

1977

· Gil Ebner becomes director of operations

1978

· Increased staff numbers so that we have been able to give our boys more attention and provide better for their needs

· Fr. Fahnlander appointed pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish, Beach, in addition to his duties at St. Michael’s and HOTR

1979

· Wally Thompson becomes director

· Champions Ride becomes full PRCA rodeo

1980

· Early July - celebrated 30th anniversary with a reunion of former boys; 100 former boys, many with wives and families gathered to renew memories

1981

· L. Michael Reese becomes director

· Reality therapy is added to the work program at the ranch

· Champions Ride celebrates 25th anniversary

1982

· September - began construction on new kitchen, dining hall and laundry

1983

· 26 full-time employees; 14 deal directly with the boys as counselors and case workers

· 80-cow Grade A dairy; ranch pasteurizes 100 gallons of milk every week for its own use. Ranch also raises it own beef, pork and most of the garden produce and feed for the herds

· Completed Brunet Hall; named after Carl Brunet, Cedar Knolls, NJ, a friend of Fr. Cassedy’s

1984

· Social worker begin working with the families of our boys

1985

· Returned to a beef operation and developing the horse program

· Champions Ride returns to matched bronc riding, eliminates PRCA events

1986

· July - Winston Satran assumes duties of director

· Fr. Fahnlander observes 40th anniversary of priesthood

1987

· Over 1500 boys have lived at the ranch

· Dakota State Eagles Aeries purchase 27 Gelbvieh heifers for ranch; ladies Auxiliaries buy two bulls

· December 31 - Fr. Fahnlander retires in December after 32 years with the ranch. He continues to serve as chaplain and on the board of directors; is given the title superintendent emeritus

1988

· February - HOTR signs contract with ND Dept. of Human Services to provide two beds for emergency shelter care placements

1989

· January - HOTR Board Members vote to move forward with development of girls’ facility at Sentinel Butte Ranch

· April - HOTR Program Director visits Boys Town to develop a training program specifically for HOTR

· October - HOTR Capital Campaign kicks off. Money raised will allow for addition of girls as well as general updating of buildings. First capital campaign since 1959 when Eagles raised money to build Eagle Hall

· Eagles Grand Worthy President Dale Webster, presents HOTR with a $10,000 Jimmy Durante Children’s Fund grant on behalf of the Grand Auxiliary. He and GMP Kathy Gonzagowski encourage Aeries and Auxiliaries to join in the cause of raising money to expand program to include girls.

1990

· 40th anniversary of HOTR

· Spring - new sewage system installed

· Staff four-plex remodeled for girls dorm; first residents arrives August 20

· Montana Governor Stan Stephens invites HOTR to expand services for girls to eastern Montana

1991

· January - census of 55 boys and 15 girls

· July 1 - Fr. Fahnlander retires from service to the parishes of St. John and St. Michael; serves as Priest in Residence at Christ the King Parish, Mandan

· July - Fr. Fahnlander inducted into the Eagle Auxiliary Hall of Fame at International Convention held in Cincinnati

1992

· March - HOTR opens capital campaign office in Glendive to raise funds for Big Sky Branch

· Spring - new 10,000 gallon water storage tank buried behind Cassedy Hill

· August - Casey Hall rededicated after extensive renovations

1993

· 70 residents in our care

· September - HOTR purchases home on 65 acres near Glendive for girls’ residence

· November - Big Sky Ranch opens; licensed for 8 girls

1994

· January - full census of 57 boys and 20 girls at Sentinel Butte

· Bernie Keller names first HOTR Alumni Award winner

· October - HOTR purchases St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Sentinel Butte, after the parish closes. The building is renamed St. Michael’s Retreat Center and is used for workshops, retreats and public events.

1995

· Staff of 65 employees caring for 57 boys and 20 girls

· Tom Newman, Glen Burnie, Maryland, accepts alumni award

· June - Diocese of Bismarck holds Town and Country Celebration at HOTR

· November - Fargo’s Adolescent Dependency Task Force approaches Home On The Range about operating a facility in eastern North Dakota; planning begins for Red River Victory Ranch

1996

· February - Fr. Fahnlander celebrates his 75th birthday

· Spring - Construction begins on Red River Victory Ranch, Fargo

· May - Leon Lorz is selected as alumni award winner

· June - Fr. Fahnlander celebrates 50 years in the priesthood

· August - 40th annual Champions Ride Rodeo

· September - Fr. Fahnlander receives the Ruth Meiers Service to Children Award from the ND Conference of Social Welfare

1997

· March 5 - Red River Victory Ranch, Fargo, opens its doors to boys with chemical dependency issues

· April - HOTR receives national accreditation from Council on Accreditation of Services for Families and Children

· Lyle Bohn named alumni award winner

· October - Winston Satran resigns as executive director after 12 years

· December - Randy Satrom becomes executive director

1998

· Clarence DeTennacour posthumously presented with alumni award

· December - Big Sky Ranch celebrates its 5th anniversary: 53 girls have made the ranch their home

1999

· March - ND Knights of Columbus celebrate 40th anniversary of Shamrock Project

· March - Red River Victory Ranch students attend alternative classroom in Fargo

· May - Patrick Petermann named executive director

· Ed Dohman presented with alumni award

· HOTR Foundation legally incorporated with State of North Dakota

· Sentinel Butte Ranch opens alternative on-ranch classroom

2000

· Sidney Sjoquist named Alumni Award winner

· Pete Mellmer & Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #2237, Bismarck, ND, donate lights to shine on grotto and cross on top of Cassedy Hill.

· Residents presented Easter drama “Son of God” to public

· Held Golden Anniversary reunion for residents and families

· Held Father Fahnlander ‘roast’ to raise funds for endowment

· Champions Ride Rodeo was nominated in the special events category of ND Cowboy Hall of Fame

· Dakota Medical Foundation gave Red River Victory Ranch grant money to purchase passenger van

· Ronald McDonald House awarded a grant for work stations in the campus classroom

· Brother Sam Larson celebrated his 50^th anniversary as a Salvatorian Brother

· Two new directors were appointed to the Board – Craig Anderson, Glendive, MT, and Winston Satran, Bismarck. Dick Carney and Margaret Riecke resigned

· HOTR Foundation formed an auxiliary group to help raise money for the foundation

· Foe Auxiliary #176, Billings, MT, held a walk-a-thon fundraiser for Big Sky Ranch’s sun room

· Employee Development Committee held their first fundraiser – a pancake breakfast

· John Orluck was assigned as assistant director

· D’Ann Nelson was hired as youth minister

· Frankie Connolly leads the low intensity drug and alcohol (L.I.D.A.) program

· Heidi Garmann is hired as program director

· Evie Zook resigns as auxiliary services director

· Held 50^th anniversary fundraiser – Riverboat Cruise

· A donor recognition wall was painted inside the administration building for the HOTR Foundation contributions

· Glen O’Neill was crowned Champions Ride winner for 2000

· HOTR purchased display case at Golden Valley Museum for HOTR Ranch Hand newsletters and memorabilia

· Viki Van Horn hired as auxiliary services director

· 50^th anniversary cookbooks available for sale

· Board of Directors approved campaign and building of new girls’ dorm

2001

March

· Father Fahnlander passed away unexpectantly at age of 80 on March 30

· A crew from Better Homes & Gardens Hometown Cooking magazine arrived for a four day photographic shoot of HOTR and featured the 50^th anniversary cookbook

· Two new members are elected to the Board – Dee Baertsch and Phil Baird

May

· Rendered drawing of girls’ dorm presented to public to kick off campaign

· David Lee Markwed named Alumni Award recipient

· Red River Victory ranch received $10,000 grant for parking lot improvement

· Annual Shamrock Project its half million dollar milestone

June

· A new billboard sign is donated by Cenex and erected at the Cenex Station on I-94-Beach exit

· The second annual riverboat cruise took place

· The marble work and mausoleum arrived and was placed for Father Fahnlander’s grave site

July

· Foundation opened new office for girls’ dorm campaign

August

· Todd Hipsag was crowned champion of Champions Ride Rodeo

November

· Employee Development Committee hosted 3^rd annual harvest supper fundraiser

2002

January

· Jan Hanson, Fargo, ND, is elected to Board of Directors

· Father Fahnlander book “An Ordinary Disciple of Christ” is printed and available for purchase. Proceeds will go to the HOTR Foundation

March

· Girls’ dorm campaign has raised more than $500,000

· Dale Brown, Louisiana State University coach, was guest speaker at spring banquet

· Red River Victory Ranch downsizes residents served from 12 to 8

· Two youth ministers are hired – Peggy Helvik and Linda Marman

· Sally Bares was honored after making and donating 100 quilts for HOTR children

May

· Sponsored first “Mother’s Day Salute” fundraiser

June

· Volunteer rodeo committee organized to make Champions Ride profitable

· Gene Rott retired from Board of Directors after 33 years of service

· Girls’ dorm campaign received $150,000 grant from Eagles Memorial Foundation

· Big Sky Ranch finished construction of green room and re-named it “Eagles Nest”

· Annual KC Shamrock fundraiser raised $15,000

· Richard Johnson is Alumni Award recipient

· Father Richter is elected to Board of Directors and assigned as priest of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Father David Morman was reassigned to Queen of Peace in Dickinson but remains on Board of Directors

August

· Tom Reeves is Champions Ride Match winner for 2002

· HOTR is re-accredited by Council on Accreditation for Children and Family Services and is one of two ND facilities accredited.

2003

· Character Counts! Program is introduced to HOTR and used in conjunction with Beach School District

· Girls’ dorm campaign receives $240,000 grant from Bush Foundation bringing total to $900,000

· Spirit of the West is organized to help promote Champions Ride and Beach weekend of activities

April

· 28 residents presented “Crown of Thorns” Easter play to the community

· Gene & Margie Muth established the Muth Scholarship Fund for graduating seniors.

May

· Red River Victory Ranch is closed

· Sam Allard is given the HOTR Alumni Award

· Frances Dietz Nursing Award is given in honor of Frances and her 16 years of employment at HOTR

· Dedication ceremony of newly remodeled chapel is held thanks to North Dakota Knights of Columbus

August

· Dan Mortensen is Champions Ride Match winner. Rayna Prewitt is champion barrel racer

· Jim Tescher, Champions Ride founder, was in an ATV accident and hospitalized

· Department of Human Services adjusted residential care rate which would indicate a loss of $80,000 to agency

· Recreational program and horsemanship program is reorganized

October

· HOTR Auxiliary and staff hosted 4^th annual Halloween costume party

December

· Residents presented annual Christmas pageant for general public at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

· Jim Tescher passed away

· Tree of Lights fundraiser is created. A hand-made ornament is given to the donor in honor of a loved one

2004

March

· Leon Lorz, former resident, is elected to HOTR Board of Directors

· HOTR is awarded Dakota Prairie Grasslands District award from U.S. Forest Service for outstanding service for work on Maah Daah Hey Trail

· Diane Szudera is given 2003 Beach Chamber of Commerce Employee of Year and HOTR named Employer of the Year

· Shamrock Project raised $12,000 from sales of chenille shamrocks

May

· Groundbreaking ceremony for new Fahnlander Hall held

· Bill Loffer, from Grand Aerie Fraternal Order of Eagles, is keynote speaker at spring banquet

June

· 1^st annual Ride for the Range featuring 50 bikers make 150 mile loop through Theodore Roosevelt National Park

· Casey Hall is converted to independent living dorm for boys soon to be discharged form HOTR

· Stephanie Frame hired as new program manager

August

· Jesse Bail is Champions Ride winner. Britta O’Keefe is queen barrel racer of the day

· HOTR sponsored reactive attachment disorder training for human service personnel

· HOTR had the concession booth at the Beach Fair

· Purchased five new mini busses for transporting residents

· Big Sky Ranch finished bathroom remodeling project

2005

January – May

· 1^st issue of memorial gifts and annual report of Ranch Hand mailed to benefactors

· Dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony of Fahnlander Hall

· New members to Board of Directors are Ron Sorenson and Mike Marback

· Spring banquet keynote speaker is Father Val Peters of Boys’ Town

· Final funds from 2005 Shamrock Project is $12,000

· Mark Wagner hired as Development and Foundation Director

· First time census shows more girls than boys. Converted Casey Hall to accommodate overflow

· Eagles’ auxiliaries helped girls put together new Fahnlander Hall bedrooms with bedding, curtains, rugs and decorations

· HOTR received a visit from 40 Eagles from the Fargo area. They had a tour, enjoyed a short program and lunch

· Marissa Mihelick was given the alumni award at spring banquet

· Grand Worthy President presented HOTR with $15,000 grant at banquet

· Family of Jim Tescher donated a colt for a raffle. Proceeds were split between HOTR and ND Cowboy Hall of Fame

· John Sokoloski was invited to be on Board of Directors

June

· KBMR & Cash Wise Foods hosted burgerfest at Bismarck, ND, in honor of 100 years of the hamburger. Proceeds were given to HOTR at rodeo

· HOTR hosted 2^nd annual Ride for the Range with 53 bikers

· Pat Petermann resigned as executive director

August

· Former resident Bernie Keller spoke at the International Eagles Convention in Calgary.

· Champions Ride winners this year were Jeremy Crane winning the saddle bronc championship, and Jessica Painter winning the barrel racing.

· Big Sky Ranch was closed due to financial losses

· 27 students attended summer school in Beach.

· Girls officially move into the new Fahnlander Hall

2006

· Jay Johnson hired as executive director

· HOTR hosted the first teacher appreciation supper

· Boys put together 72 picnic tables for Theodore Roosevelt National Park

· Brother Sam celebrated 30 years as a staff at Home On The Range

· Spring banquet keynote speaker was Sister Thomas Welder from University of Mary

· Darrin Nielsen, Bettye Knight and Laura Feldmann became certified in equine assisted therapy

· Bill Loffer, Grand Worthy President of Fraternal Order of Eagles, names Home On The Range as his national charity. This year he raised more than $240,000 for HOTR.

· Don Wilkey is hired as clinical director

· Fraternal Order of Eagles awards $5000 for dorm furniture

· Cody Wright is Champion saddle bronc rider and Paul Tierney and Paul David Tierney win the father/son tie down roping

· 50^th anniversary Champions Ride article featured in Western Horseman magazine and ND Stockmen magazine

· HOTR received ND “Take Pride in America” award from ND Governor Hoeven for community service work

2007

· Cindy Makelky painted collage painting of Father Cassedy compliments of former resident Bernie Keller

· Spiritual department begins “A New Heart” program

· Brother Aelred Reid from Richardton Abbey is hired as assistant chaplain

· GWP Bill Loffer is spring banquet speaker

· Ann Secrest-Hanson, renown cowboy poet, shares her experiences and poems with residents and features Champions Ride in her new book

· Mike Gooch, LCSW, is hired as clinical director

· Residents make handprints before being discharged. Bricks will be used in new park

· Gene Muth is new Dakota State President. He names Home On The Range as his charity for the year

· J.J. Elshere is Champions Ride Champion cowboy. Layne Carson and Jesse Fredrickson are high school team roping champion team of the day

· Champions Ride is filmed by “The Roping Show” and appears on RFD Network

· Received $60,000 grant from Grand Aerie FOE

· Starfish award for residential specialists is given out because the staff made a difference in a child’s life

· License is changed to 62 residents

· Jay Johnson is initiated and dressed up by past Grand Madam Presidents at International Convention

· Received donation of 60 foot portable round pen from Prairie Lumber, Beach, ND

· Received $25,000 donation from First State Bank to replace electrical lines and service box

· Rueben Buchholz received Dickinson Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of Year award for years of volunteer service to HOTR and Champions Ride Rodeo

· Ron Zachmann is invited to serve as member of Board of Directors

· Junior Fraternal Order of Eagles name Home On The Range as their national charity and hold fundraisers throughout the year. The Junior President from Vincennes, Indiana, presented HOTR $5,000 grant at a fundraiser

· Ginger Faber, LAC, is hired to work with Low Intensity Drug and Alcohol (L.I.D.A.) groups

· Jodi Ebel receives LAC license and leads a group of L.I.D.A.

· Received $120,000 donation from Donald Baertsch family for new indoor recreation arena

2008

· Receive donation of embryos to transplant into HOTR cattle herd. Donation from Open A Ranch (Jim Arthaud)

· New to the Board of Directors are Greg Lardy and Bob Harvey

· Held groundbreaking ceremony for indoor arena

· First employee gauntlet challenge was held for fun competition for staff

· Allison Belanus, LSW, is hired as social worker

· Western Sky Media began filming to produce a DVD

· West Plains Implement donated 250 hours of a New Holland tractor for farming. Dakota Farm Equipment donated a round baler for the season

· Home On The Range put up 1400 round bales and 4000 square bales of hay for the cattle and horses

· At the Dakota State Eagles Convention, State President Gene Muth announced he and the Eagles organization raised nearly $100,000 for the Eagle Hall bathroom project

· The embryo transfer program was featured in the Angus Journal magazine

· Cody Wright was 2008 Champions Ride Saddle Bronc Champ and Derek Weinreis and Ethan Rodne won the high school team roping

· Received $60,000 grant from Grand Aerie FOE for repairs and maintenance

· Received $10,000 from the North Dakota Petroleum Council

· Annette Steffan of Heart River Genetics joined the Board of Directors

· New aerial photos of Home On The Range were taken by Patrick Giese and Custom Data

· The indoor riding arena is completed and used for equine intervention therapeutic program

· Began new program – equine assisted treatment with group of girls

· September 2009, Tom Tescher passed away. He was one of the original founders of the Champions Ride Saddle Bronc Match. The family requested memorials be given to the rodeo in his honor

· Began demolition of one of the bathrooms in Eagle Hall to begin new construction.

2009

· In February, Jerome Cassedy, Father Cassedy’s brother died at the age of 93 years old

· Held second staff gauntlet challenge. Five teams of employees participated in sports such as egg toss, Wii boxing challenge, and mini-bicycle race

· Renovated the doors of the entry and windows of recreation rooms of Eagle Hall (Boys Dorm)

· Received donation of sand from the indoor arena from Fisher Sand & Gravel

· Received a donation of a car lift from Cole Siegle and Benco Equipment for the shop

· HOTR was re-accredited by Council on Accreditation

· Eagle Hall Bathrooms are completed

· HOTR began having traveling family workshops, wherein HOTR social workers, staff and residents traveled to a specific city for workshop. Received many positive comments from families

· All buildings on campus have internet and server access. Therascribe (treatment program software) was added to the server

· The 2009 Shamrock Project, sponsored by the North Dakota Knights of Columbus, raised nearly $14,000 this year. This was the 46^th anniversary of the Shamrock Project

· HOTR celebrated its 19^th anniversary of Adopt-A-Highway. The residents and staff clean trash in ditches from Interstate 94, mile marker #1 - #15.

· Home On The Range received a $25,000 grant from the Grand Aerie.

· Fraternal Order of Eagles Dakota State Madam President, Mary Berger, chose HOTR as her charity for the year

· HOTR received a $30,000 grant from the Fraternal Order of Eagles at the international convention in Reno, Nevada

· HOTR received donation of twenty heifers calves from local rancher

· HOTR organized a 4-H club. It had eight residents that participated which received premiums and ribbons at the Golden Valley County Fair

· Champions Ride Rodeo celebrated its 52^nd anniversary. Champion saddle bronc rider was James Irish, and the First Place team roping team was Brandon Thomas and Tate Schwegler

· The Administration Building received new shingles and the gym received new windows

· West Plains Implement, Beach, North Dakota donated 250 hours of a New Holland tractor and Dakota Farm Equipment, Beach, North Dakota donated the use of a John Deere baler to make 1000 round bales

· HOTR hosted their first quilt auction fundraiser

· HOTR hosted the southwestern North Dakota all-breed cattle tour. 75 people viewed the cattle and heard a presentation on animal intervention therapy.

[Home] [Sentinel Butte Ranch] [Application Packet]
~~~~~
Home on the Range
Contact Information