Watford City Pick Up the Patch

Now that the snow in Watford City has thawed and the flowers are beginning to bloom, you're probably doing some spring cleaning around your apartment home. But it's also time to do some spring cleaning along our city streets and highways. The fourth annual "Pick Up the Patch" events will take place April 26 through May 2, and your help is needed!

Pick Up the Patch is a collaboration among local businesses, community members, and oil company employees to collect litter along city streets and highways. Citizens of all ages are invited to participate in this event; however, younger volunteers will be assigned to areas in town and not along the highway for safety reasons.

Pick up events will take place throughout the week of April 26, but the big trash collection day will be on Saturday, May 2. Volunteers will meet at the Watford City Civic Center at 8 AM for sign in, and are then assigned areas and given safety vests, gloves and trash bags. Volunteers are welcome to stay for as little or as long as they like. Bottled water and snacks will also be available to keep volunteers hydrated and energized throughout the day. According to the McKenzie County Farmer, last year more than 8,000 tons of trash was collected and more than 100 volunteers participated in the event!

More than just a clean-up day, the program aims to bring a heightened sense of awareness to the community about the litter problem along the highway - something that isn't always visible from your car as you drive by.

If you, your family or your company would like to participate in this event to beautify our town, you may contact Karen Holte at karen.49@hotmail.com or 701-570-9475.

Do you plan on participating? It's sure to be a fun day! If you live at The Glen at Hunter's Run apartment homes, the Civic Center is just a 6-minute walk away!


Sources consulted:
McKenzie County Farmer
North Dakota Oil Can

Why Pay High Property Taxes When You Can Rent?

The oil boom has driven many to relocate to Watford City. According to newly released census data, McKenzie County is the fastest growing county in the nation, in terms of population. With all of the new businesses, residences and people, the population isn't the only thing increasing - property taxes are, too. If you own property, whether business or residential, in Watford City, you may likely see an increase in your property value, and therefore, your property taxes. 

Each year on February 1, the city evaluates properties' values. One main determinant of your property's value is its location. For example, properties closer to downtown Watford City are going to be assessed at a higher value. 

Are you worried that your property's value and taxes are on the rise? According to Rita Olsen, city assessor, property owners whose values increased by more than 10% in the past year were notified by mail. However an increase in value doesn't necessarily mean an increase in taxes. From McKenzieCounty.net:

“Two months ago, I would have said we had a strong housing market. But houses are staying on the market a little bit longer. They’re still selling, but they’re staying on the market longer. I think next year at this time we’re going to be seeing a whole different picture. I think values will start going the other direction - they’ll start to come down a little. All of this, of course, is depending on what the oil and gas market is doing.”

One alternative to worrying about increasing property values and paying property taxes is to rent property instead. The population boom has lent itself to a housing boom, including rental properties like The Glen at Hunter's Run. Our one, two and three bedroom apartments offer home options for singles and small families, along with a host of amenities. Pets are also permitted, with some restrictions. Invest the money you could be spending on property taxes to put towards your brand new apartment home instead! Contact our offices to set up a visit today!

Take a Spring Hike

The snow is thawing, the sun is shining and we are ready to spend some time outdoors! North Dakota is filled with beautiful scenery to explore and enjoy. One of our favorite ways to do so is to take a hike on one of our state's trails. Weekend hiking trips are something that the entire family can enjoy. If you're looking for a new trail to tackle, North Dakota Legendary recommends these trails:

Parks and Historic Sites
Cross Ranch State Park 12 miles southeast of Hensler. Phone 701-794-3731.

Lake Metigoshe State Park 16 miles northeast of Bottineau. Phone 701-263-4651.

Icelandic State Park 5 miles west of Cavalier on ND Highway 5. Phone 701-265-4561.

Turtle River State Park 22 miles west of Grand Forks on US Highway 2. Phone 701-594-4445.

Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park 7 miles south of Mandan on ND Highway 1806. Phone 701-663-9571.

Lake Sakakawea State Park 1 mile north of Pick City. Phone 701-487-3315.

Fort Ransom State Park 30 miles south of Valley City. Phone 701-973-4331.

Little Missouri State Park 19 miles north of Killdeer. Phone 701-764-5256.

Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site 1/2 mile north of Stanton. Phone 701-745-3309.

Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site 24 miles southwest of Williston. Phone 701-572-9083.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit near Watford City and South Unit at Medora.

Wildlife Refuges
All 24 national wildlife refuges have opportunities for wildlife observation on interpretive foot trails. For more information, please call U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 701-250-4418.

Trails
North Country National Scenic Trail
The North Country Trail follows the shores of Lake Sakakawea and Lake Audubon and continues along the Garrison Diversion Project canals. Reaching the Sheyenne River, the trail route loops northward to Fort Totten State Historic Site near Devils Lake. Returning to the Sheyenne River, the trail follows its scenic forested valley southward to Fort Ransom State Park and Sheyenne State Forest. The trail is open to hiking, horseback riding, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. 

Maah Daah Hey Trail
This 140-mile non-motorized trail is open for biking, hiking and horseback riding. The trail runs from the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park near Watford City through the Little Missouri National Grasslands and Medora to its southern teminus near Amidon. Biking within the two units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park is prohibited. Bikers must use alternative routes around park boundaries. The U.S. Forest Service, (701-225-5151) jointly manages the Trail with the National Park Service (701-623-4466) and the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department, (701-328-5357).

Sheyenne National Grassland
ND Highway 27 east of Lisbon. Phone 701-683-4342.

Summer Only
Little Missouri National Grassland US Highway 85 north and south of Belfield . Phone 701-225-5151

Turtle Mountain State Forest 5 miles west of Lake Metigoshe. Phone 701-228-5422.

Check Out: 50 Great Day Hikes
Avid hiker Susan Wefald and her dog, Sandy, hiked trails throughout North Dakota. Susan shares her notes on 50 of North Dakota's best day hikes. Armchair and seasoned hikers alike will enjoy exploring North Dakota's diverse landscape with Susan and Sandy. Learn the locations of spectacular vistas. Expand neighborhood strolls into the great outdoors. Bring the dog! Pick up your copy of Spectacular North Dakota Hikes in the Tourism online Gift Shop.

Create a Zen Bedroom

Your bedroom should be a place where you feel relaxed and ready to rest, and your decor will influence your pre-bedtime mindset. Remember as a kid when your mom told you not to study in bed? That was because you would either fall asleep, or not be able to sleep other nights when you didn’t have to study. The same goes for adulthood--your bedroom should be a work-free zone! Here are some other tips from Apartment Therapy on bringing calm to your bedroom.

1. Be natural. Check the tags on your sheets, blankets, pillow covers. Are they of natural fibers? If not, seek out some good, basic sets of natural fiber bedding. Take it a step further with the mattress and your pillows, though this can get pricey. Also consider the materials of your furnishings and rugs. Are there a lot of synthetics like plastic and polystyrene furnishing your bedroom or natural materials like wood and wool?

2. Unplug. Banish electronics from the bedroom. Seriously. That means phones, computers, television. Nothing sucks the lovely out of a bedroom faster than electronic devices. If it plugs in, take it out (except the reading lamps, of course). You'll get better sleep and your room will be a calm respite from digital life.

3. Keep it clean… Furnish and decorate sparely. And clean often. If things are kept simple as far as furnishings and decor, it should be a rather quick job to clean the bedroom. Wash linens at least once weekly and be sure to dust between the head of the bed and the wall.

4. …and serene. Are natural woods and cool colors relaxing to you? Then use them in the decor of your bedroom. Prefer deep, dark black or brown? Incorporate that. Whatever puts you at ease, use it in the decor of your bedroom.

5. Get personal. This is the room for displaying cherished personal possessions. Have an heirloom wedding pic of your ancestors? That could also be well-suited here. If you have personal items you've collected but don't feel comfortable displaying front and center in the living room, make your bedroom the place for these things. The bedroom's a private area of the home and it will make you happy to see things in it that are meaningful to you but perhaps not to everyone.

What do you use to create your bedroom zen? Share your tips with us!

Exploring Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Tomorrow marks the official start of spring, a welcome event after the freezing temperatures! One of the many benefits of living at The Glen at Hunter's Run is its close proximity to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, depending on which part of the park you would like to visit. When you have some extra time, pack up the car and explore this beautiful North Dakota attraction! Here are 8 spots to plan a trip around, courtesy of North Dakota Legendary:

1. Medora
The small Badlands town of Medora is the gateway to the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. But it is more than that; an Old West cowtown with horseback rides, modern museums, the state-of-the-art Burning Hills Amphitheatre, luxury lodging and primitive camping.

Medora, ND 58645

2. Painted Canyon Visitor Center
Visitors get their first real glimpse of the Badlands from the overlook at the Painted Canyon Visitor Center on Interstate 94, east of Medora. The canyon stretches as far as the eye can see into the rugged North Dakota Badlands.

7 miles east on I-94 Medora, ND 58645

3. Maltese Cross Ranch Cabin
At Theodore Roosevelt's urging, the Maltese Cross Ranch Cabin, now at the entrance of the park,was built during the winter of 1883-84. The Maltese Cross Cabin was originally located about seven miles south of Medora in the wooded bottomland of the Little Missouri River.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park - South Unit Medora, ND

4. Prairie Dog Town
While prairie dog "towns" can be found in many areas of the park, the first one encountered is along the road soon after entering the park near Skyline Vista. Prairie dogs communicate with each other by a number of sounds called "barks" or "yelps."

Medora, ND

5. Scenic Loop Drive
A major feature of the South Unit is the paved, 36-mile Scenic Loop Drive with pullouts and interpretive signs that explain some of the park's historical and natural features. Wildlife is abundant along the route that weaves through much of the South Unit.

Medora, ND

6. Elkhorn Ranch Site
In 1884, Theodore Roosevelt left for the Badlands following the deaths of his wife and mother on the same day. Looking for solitude, he started a second ranching site and named it the Elkorn Ranch. The isolated site deep in the Badlands is not easy to find, but there is a map to its location. Other than signage, little remains at the location.

Medora, ND

7. Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit Scenic Byway
The 14-mile Theodore Roosevelt North Unit Scenic Byway provides the colorful North Dakota Badlands as a scenic backdrop with its sweeping vistas of one of the last remnants of wilderness in the Northern Great Plains. Theodore Roosevelt National Park memorializes the 26th President for his enduring contributions to the conservation of our natural resources. Visitors are provided a unique opportunity for wildlife viewing. In the park you will find open prairie, hardwood draws, bison, other wildlife, and the Little Missouri River.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit Watford City, ND 58554

8. Oxbow Overlook
The final overlook along the scenic byway offers a sweeping panoramic view of the Badlands and of an oxbow in the Little Missouri River as is carves a channel through the tree-lined river valley.

Watford City, ND

Finishing Touches for Any Room

"dinning room" by Corina Sanchez is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Once all of your furniture is moved in and the boxes are unpacked, have you ever looked around and thought, “it just needs something else?” You’re certainly not alone. Decorating is a tricky process that you have to get just right in order to truly feel at home. So when a room feels like it’s missing something, try adding one of these five things, courtesy of Apartment Therapy:

1. Art.

A room without art is like an outfit without accessories — just a little bit boring. Take your time and collect art that you love and that is meaningful to you. It'll give your space that extra dose of style and personality that makes the difference between a good room and a great one.

2. The right lighting.

Lighting is something we tend to think of as an afterthought, but it can make a huge difference in the way you perceive a room. If your space only has one source of light, you're definitely missing something.

3. Window treatments.

Window treatments are essential for controlling light and protecting your privacy, and in addition to practical considerations, they also soften the look of a room and keep your windows from looking naked. Depending on your window situation and the look you're going for, you may have curtains and a valance or something simple as a roman shade — but don't make the mistake of neglecting window treatments entirely.

4. A little bit of texture.

A whole room full of smooth, shiny things can come across a bit cold. Adding something with a little bit of texture — a fluffy throw, a worn old wood table, even a plant — will give any room a little extra warmth and depth.

5. Something you really love.

A room that only looks great will never truly feel like home. In order to feel like a space is truly yours, you need a little extra personal touch. Whether it's a special find from the flea market in Paris or a souvenir from an amazing vacation or a painting of your dog (or even an actual dog), don't get so hung up on getting your look just right that you forget to include at least one thing you really love.

Eliminate Your To-Do List

"Dawa's Designed To-do list" by Juhan Sonin is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Spring is quickly approaching, and it's the perfect time to get organized, especially if the kids have new activities starting. Whether your to-do list is digital or handwritten, there are ways to cut down on your time and increase your productivity. Follow these tips from Apartment Therapy and get those tasks crossed off today!

Include sub-tasks in your lists.

Getting things out of our heads and onto paper (or digital "paper") quiets the nagging anxiety that can creep up, that feeling of I have so much to doooo that can make us twitchy with stress and downright irritable. Channel the energy required to remember what you have to do into actually getting it done by freeing your head space through a list. Make your list detailed, including sub-tasks. For instance, instead of just Make key lime pie for office party also write everything you have to do to be able to make that happen: buy limes and whipping cream, make crust, etc. Your detailed lists give you the info you need to combine tasks and save time.

Combine tasks to save time.

The last thing we need to do is waste time. If you know what you have to get at the store for projects by having created a complete list, you can get them all at once rather than stopping by multiple times. If you're making more than one of something, combine these tasks as well. Sewing new curtains for two rooms, for instance? Buy all your fabric ahead of time, and parcel out the tasks across both projects into groups (for instance, all the measuring and cutting for both projects at once, before even getting out the sewing machine).

Multitask, multitask, multitask.

One excellent way to check a few items off your list — once you have a clear picture of what these items involve — is to work on a task while doing something else. Calling your great-great-aunt to wish her a happy birthday? Fold the laundry you need for your road trip while you're on the phone. Been meaning to have a get-together with some close friends? Turn it into a post-closet-clean-out clothes-swap party. You'll enjoy the company of loved ones and get the pleasure of finishing a task that's probably been hanging over all of you.

Use down times to update your lists and continue planning ahead.

Your list should be a constantly evolving road map of what you have to do. Crossing things off, updating notes (ask Sue to pick up the bread), and adding to it should be happening regularly so your list is always a snapshot of where you are and what you have to do to get where you're going. Use the time while you're on hold with Amazon, or while you're waiting for your bakery order to be filled to check your list again and again.