Profiles

Prairie Life

• Schoolyard Games by Dan Zoll
• Pelto School Memories by Jeanie J Saiger
• Country School Memories by Terry Sather-Lee
• A Winter Feat by Nathan Olson
• How Far To Home? by Bob Schmalfeldt
• You Know You're In A Small Town by Anonymous
• Selling The Farm by Valerie Hanson
• Life On The Prairie by Nathan Olson
• The Prairie by Michelle Rowelle
• Tell Us Your Story

Steps You Can Take

Web Sites of Interest

About the Program

A Poem For Your Consideration

by Bob Schmalfeldt
Devils Lake, ND

I first moved to North Dakota as a teenager back in 1970, and fell in love with the prairie. As an adult, I've lived all over the country, including a four-year stint working at radio stations in Alaska. And often during those years, I'd reminisce about life here in North Dakota. Then, in 1993, I was offered a job at a radio station here in Devils Lake. The job paid less than other stations who were offering me positions -- but I wanted to come home. I had to retire from my job due to chronic back problems last year -- but I remain in Devils Lake and will stay for the forseeable future.

This is home.

I hope you enjoy this poem.

How Far To Home?

The ones who were here before
They had no maps
No signs pointing to
Their communities

I'm thinking of them as I drive
Over the prairie hills
Wondering if the next
Hill is the last one

As I drive over the crest and
See nothing but grass
In the valley below,
Another hill ahead

The dried husks in rows, the
Old men sunflowers
Withered and bowed
Still facing the sun

Those who were here before us
Would know the way home
Know that the next hill
Is the very last one

Then I drive over the crest and see
The trees in the valley
The tidy small homes
The small row of stores

My invisible prairie town has
Made herself seen