Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Fraternal Order of Eagles International President Dave Smith was welcomed to New Rockford by Aeries 2923 Manager Sierra Hillius, charter member Charlie Richter and president Mike Yri.
Josh Guler presented Smith a check for $1,000 to go toward the Diabetes Research Center at the University of Iowa, one of the Fraternal Order of Eagles' hallmark charities.
Sierra Hillius began her new role as manager of the New Rockford Eagles Club in July, and little more than a month later, she had the pleasure of hosting the International President for the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Dave Smith.
Hillius is a native of Jamestown. She and her fiance, Eddy County Deputy Bennett Sauve, moved to the community from Fargo. Hillius was the manager of the Fargo Applebee's Neighborhood Bar & Grill, the franchise's busiest location in North Dakota.
"I have a passion for food," Hillius said Monday. "Food connects people."
And speaking of food, she has big plans for the club's kitchen. She hopes to have a new menu rolled out within 30 days. The goal is to replace seven or eight items on the menu that are either slow sellers or have supply shortages.
Hillius noted that COVID-19 continues to impact the food supply, as some ingredients she ordered six weeks ago are still on backorder.
One new item on the menu already is the bison burger. Hillius said it makes sense to offer bison considering that New Rockford is home to North American Bison, LLC, a growing bison processing facility. The kitchen is currently open Monday to Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m. for dine in or carry out meals.
She would like to get the kitchen open six nights a week, and in order to do that help is needed. Anyone interested in a full or part-time position as a cook or server should contact Hillius directly at (701) 947-2440.
They served bison burgers and fresh sweet corn on Monday night to a couple dozen members present to greet International President Dave Smith.
Smith is originally from Scotland. A 40-year Eagles member, Smith now lives in British Columbia, a province of Canada just north of the Washington state border.
Smith raved about the Rock Inn in New Rockford, where he was to stay the night before heading to Dickinson the next day. "That is an awesome place!!" he exclaimed.
Aerie 2923 President Mike Yri presented Smith with a check for $1,000 to the Eagles' Diabetes Research Center at the University of Iowa. Smith explained that researchers are studying a new treatment for diabetes that they hope to bring into clinical trials soon. A collection was taken up as well, and individual members contributed to the cause.
Smith added the check to his collection box, which is actually a post office box that he acquired from a local club in Oregon. He said he has raised over $2,500 on his visitations since he received the box four weeks ago.
Smith is also raising money for a cause a lot closer to his home- a regional hospital that serves Penticton, British Columbia, the town he calls home. Hospitals are built by the provincial government in Canada, and they are raising money to remodel the emergency department. At the top of the list is a CT scanner solely to be used for emergencies. That way the other CT scanner in use can be used for routine examinations and appointments do not have to be canceled when the scanner is needed for an emergency. So far $1 million has been put towards the hospital, and Smith continues to raise funds for the cause.
