The community of Medora is hosting an afternoon and evening of entertainment for Valentine’s Day with its “Romance in the Badlands.”
The Chateau de Mores State Historic Site Interpretive Center is featuring several Valentine’s Day gift events as part of the celebration.
Chocolate and more
Karen Nelson is presenting the PowerPoint program titled “Torn From the Tabloids: The Life and Loves of the de Mores Boys” at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. at the interpretive center. During the presentations, the Friends of the Chateau de Mores State Historic Site are sponsoring chocolate tasting from 1-3 p.m.
Barbara Carlson, an interpreter at the Chateau, said Nelson has been researching local newspapers regarding the life of Louis and Paul, the sons of Medora and the Marquis de Mores, the French nobleman who in the 1880s ran a meatpacking plant in Medora.
“It’s a brand new presentation. She incorporates pictures and clippings — things she’s found,” said Carlson.
The chocolate tasting is a new endeavor for the interpretive site.
“It’s fitting for Valentine’s Day,” she said.
The chocolate is provided by Celebration Temptations by Joan of Belfield, and by Sisters’ valentines rings Chocolates of Dickinson.
“We’re also serving Medora’s mocha java — that’s what we sell,” she said. We also have free admittance to the two museum galleries in the interpretive center,” she said.
The center’s permanent exhibit is titled “Rails, Ranching and Riches: The Marquis de Mores in Dakota.”
Also available for viewing is “Land in her own name,” an exhibit researched by sociologist Elaine Lindgren who studied 292 cases of women homesteaders in North Dakota.
Another exhibit is “The Art of Einar Olstad.” The rancher-artist captured the Old West through his whimsical and often humorous portrays of the Dakota cowboy.
The proceeds will be used to purchase furnishings for the center’s meeting room.
“It’s also to raise awareness of our programs,” said Carlson. “Our mission is to raise awareness — basically to educate people about the site.
Chuck Suchy concert
Supporters of the Badlands Ministries, the Bible camp located south of Medora, are organizing a valentines bracelets Chuck Suchy concert at the Medora Community Center and a gourmet meal at the camp.
The fundraising effort is part of the Love the Lodge campaign, in which efforts are being made to move the log lodge from the old camp site to the new camp site.
An event organizer Mary Griffin-Abrahamson said Suchy’s wife, Linda, was a former camp counselor.
“When she was a counselor, a lot of the activities took place in the old lodge. That’s how we got Chuck to agree to a concert.
Suchy is described as a North Dakota folksinger, farmer and storyteller, who is often known as the “Voice of the Upper Great Plains.” He will perform from 3-4:30 p.m. The concert includes a freewill offering to support the Badlands Ministries.
Badlands Ministries also is selling 80 tickets to a gourmet meal being served by Dakota Dinner Bell chef Jennifer Kuntz. She is preparing filet mignon, with garlic mashed potatoes, salad, appetizers and chicken gumbo soup.
Deadline for dinner tickets is today. Tickets may be purchased by calling Badlands Ministries at 701-623-4332.
Dance
The Medora Chamber of Commerce also is featuring a Romance of the Badlands dance at 7:30 p.m. at the Medora Community Center, with entertainment provided by the Tibor Brothers — Harvey, Gerard, Kurt and Larry.
Advance tickets for the dance are $20 per person. For tickets call 701-623-4800.
Medora Chamber of Commerce President Jen Ondracek said Medora hosts Romance of the Badlands when valentines cufflinks Valentine’s Day falls on the weekend.
“Four year ago was the first time,” she said.
At that time, the Tibor Brothers played for the dance and organizers decided to repeat the entertainment.
“A lot of the local restaurants will be open for supper. The Badlands Ministries is serving supper as well, and then you can come to the dance,” she said.
Dance organizers are hoping couples bring their wedding photos, both posed and informal for contests such as the funniest and to try to match couples’ pictures with how they look now.
Advance tickets may be purchased by calling 701-623-4800 or at the door. or at the door.
For more information about the day, call 701-623-4828 or visit www.medorand.com.