Beyond the ordinary

Grants, Donations and Gaming Funds made the impossible happen.

While the photographs below are not all inclusive of this summer, we wanted to have one page that tells the story of work and efforts of the council along with the Friends of Kramer page. Many of theses pictures have been on the website in the past but then disappear due to ongoing work.  Here is a pictorial history...

This is an on-going process and pictures may be added as we approach our last day in office.  

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Stories told in pixels

 

The City of Kramer website is funded entirely by donation, which expires in April 1, 2026.

 

Stories told in pixels

An anonymous donation and a Walmart of Bottineau Good Sparks grant made it possible to purchase food and drinks for skating in 2025 without the use of city funds, with only one exception, before the city was awarded the grant or donation, and reimbursements have the made. 

The donation and grant also paid for a free pizza night and a free ice cream night.  Enough funds remain to pay for the start up in food and drinks for the 2026 season.

There are also enough funds to provide for the startup cash drawer in 2026.

Stories told in pixels

 A NDCF Greatest Needs grant, First National Bank and Trust of Bottineau donation, and gaming funds awarded by the Earl Nermoe American Legion Post #269 helped fund the city lift station and the installation of the above ground electrical control panel pictures below.  It was a complex process and very time consuming project that spanned four-months of phone calls, site preparation, removal of old and extremely heavy equipment, and work in the wet cell and in coordinating work efforts between two companies 271 miles apart.  Four smaller projects at the site need to be addressed in 2026.

Stories told in pixels

The American flags awarded the city by the Bottineau Blue Line Club were posted on Veterans Day 2025 and have now been provided a slip cover to keep them clean and safe, made possible by donation. They will be stored in the city hall office.

Stories told in pixels

We rented a scrubber vacuum to do the floors in city hall. It removed the vast majority of the spills, grimes, and dirt from a five-year buildup. The council removed the remaining areas with razor scrappers and scratch pads on their hands and knees.  

Made possible by the Daryl Kuhnhenn Memorial Ride.

Stories told in pixels

The skating rink only had one operational 1960's era fire exit sign that was based over a lightbulb. We purchased two new signs and two magnetic signs. They need to be installed by an electrician.  

Stories told in pixels

We had a few bumps and bruises in the 2025 season and no first aid kit. Thanks to another donation, we purchased a quality 25-person first aid kit for the rink and it is in the office ready to use. 

We also purchased throw down obstacle course cones for the skaters.  

Stories told in pixels

The fire extinguishers in the skating rink were from 1994 and had never been inspected. We had them checked and they were no longer serviceable and have been disposed of.  The city purchased new multi-use fire extinguishers and they are installed in city hall. One is the office area and the other is at the end of the rink at the base of the stage.

Stories told in pixels

Roller skates arrived daily this past October thanks to a grant from the Westhope Community Foundation. They are now at the rink and covered in their plastic covers for protection (below).

Stories told in pixels

Some of the newly acquired roller skates (sizes 10-7 women and men) on new shelves with protective cover for each, to ensure a long and useful lifespan.  Thanks to the Westhope Community Foundation.

Also in the photo are bags of cleaned and new skate laces and handheld skate tools for working on wheels, bearings, and trucks.

The shelf was made possible by a anonymous donation.  

 

Stories told in pixels

Two new skating aids for the rink. They are maintained until the 2026 season when some beginner roller skater will use them.  Made possible by the Daryl Kuhnhenn Memorial Ride.

Truth be told, we need 2 or 3 more.  

 

 

Stories told in pixels

Electrical materials to connect the string lights over the skating area to the conduits. All made possible by anonymous donation.

 

 

 

 

Stories told in pixels

Newly acquired barbed wire and post connecters at the landfill and lagoons. It was used to replace several areas where the top strand was missing.  Other locations need repair but it won't be possible until the spring 2026. 

Thanks to the Towner Community Club.

Stories told in pixels

Five 10-year smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for the skating rink. None of these have ever been installed in the facility.  

Thanks to the Walmart of Minot Good Sparks program. 

 

Stories told in pixels

Just a few of the two-dozen plus posters purchased for the dark walls of skating rink made possible by Souris Firefighters Club.  

Stories told in pixels

Donations, grants, and gaming funds along with the city CD paid for the rejuvenation of the city lift station to include two new pumps, lines in and out of the wet well, new flaps (and spares), new floats and float cables, and all the wirings and associated accouterments. 

All made possible by NDCF Greatest Needs grant, First National Bank and Trust of Bottineau donation, and gaming funds awarded by the Earl Nermoe American Legion Post #269 and the City of Kramer Certificate of Deposit.  

Stories told in pixels

One of numerous posters and signs obtained to boost the image of the rink's interior.  This backdrop sign will hopefully serve as photograph backdrop next year.

Made possible by the Walmart of Minot Good Sparks program.

Stories told in pixels

When we rejuvenated 30 plus pair of our older roller skates we discovered many of the laces could not be laced due to their condition. So we removed laces from skates that were no longer serviceable, washed them, and then laced them into the cleaned up skates. We also obtained 15 new 72-inch laces for future lacing issues. It is hard to believe how expensive skate laces are.

Made possible by the Westhope Community Foundation.

Stories told in pixels

The only safety equipment in the rink was four old bicycle helmets and one skating helmet.  With the number of new skaters we encountered in 2025, this had to change. So we obtained eight new helmets for toddlers through adult sizes through the Walmart of Minot Sparks Good program. 

Also pictured are the Series X smoke and carbon monoxide detectors we obtained via the same grant (shown above).