Small town America, Fessenden, North Dakota (Maddock, Bowdon: transporting, rent, house)

[UNDTCCOWBOYS]

By the way the seat belts are shoved down the seat so.

[goose7]

the original poster hit the nail on the head with her comments about fessenden. I USED to live there and go to that crappy school and believe me - I know first hand how small minded the people in that town are - its really sad. The saddest part is - they never change. So if you're on the little highway that goes through Fessenden, my advice to you is keep on driving - its definitely not worth a stop =-/ Besides there isn't anything to see anyway.
And about the denial of drinking beer - thats a load of crap. Again, I know first hand, drinking beer is ALL there is to do in that sad pathetic little town.

[GregW]

If they lost 15% of the population in the last few years then the stress of living in a dieing town can make monsters out of the nicest people. Sounds like a no hope place.

[oldnewcomer]

Originally Posted by GregW

If they lost 15% of the population in the last few years then the stress of living in a dieing town can make monsters out of the nicest people. Sounds like a no hope place.

You know one of the reasons small towns may be dieing is from negative comments about what they are like to live there. I have lived in many size towns/cities and in two countries. I now love the life style of small town and yes the people can be very judgemental or nosey - but you know what if you are in need they are the ones that will go out of their way to help you. Yes, they do need to take their heads out of the sand and welcome newcomers with open arms, but I will say sometimes those newcomers are not exactly law abiding citizens.
We also need to accept that 'all people are different' we all have different 'rules' 'standards' that we live by, and would it not be a boring world if we were all the same!!!! So what if locals like a beer every now and then, the comment earlier is generalizing the we all drink and that is all there is to do.
Wrong!!!! The one thing that could help our small towns is by joining together with our neighboring towns and trying to help each other, rather than having a 'competition' as to what town is the best!!!! We need newcomers to survive, welcome them with open arms and open minds.

Here's to small town living, we are professionals and have an excellent work ethic, we just need to teach that work ethic to our younger people.

[berlinassociates]

I was born in ND but grow up in San Diego California. I lived in the same place for seven years after I moved out of my parents home and never once met the plp that lived in the houses next to me let alone the ones across the street.

I moved to a smaller area north of San Diego in Riverside county at first it was much nicer. I lived in a new track and met all new plp as they moved in but with in three years new plp moved in and the area started to grow and the new plp moving in were to busy. So once again I did not know the plp that lived in the houses right next to me.

The big cities do have more of everything but have long ago lost that sense of community. I hope that the small towns will live on so that I may one day soon find my way back to them.

Alone in a sea of people

[davednorris]

Hi Berlinassociates,

Just had to put in a reply here -I'm kinda a mirror image of you... I was born in Riverside, Grew up in San Diego, but have lived in North Dakota and will soon be returning there (for good we hope).

Kind Regards,

Dave N.
<><

[StartingOverAgain]

How very interesting... I've come across at least half a dozen different people who lived in Riverside Ca and are either moving to, or living in, North Dakota. I also was born in Riverside, as were my children. I've bounced from West Coast north to the PNW, the Carolina's, Southern Oklahoma, and this summer will finally settle for good in North Dakota. I've hit every direction within the continental US (West, East, South, and North), and can't wait to finally become permanently settled.

I just thought that it was interesting that so many people seeking what ND offers come from a relatively small area. Go figure.

[yourtogood21]

First of all Fessenden isn't a "Stereotype Small town". I actually go to school here, and it is actually a really good place. The only reason this person didn't like it is because she had many problems. Kids aren't mean to other kids. They are actually really nice, and technically all we do is NOT drink. That is a bunch of bull. I mean you can't say your kid has never had a drop of alchol is there life, but all the kids in Fessenden do. That's alright just blame it on all the bad parents for not watching everything they do. It's all their fault. Fessenden is a very small town that is pleasant. I've lived here for 16 years, and still living here for a long time and i LOVE it. So when you do come through this town please stop. You will be killed with KINDNESS!!

[Christine Joan]

Originally Posted by SCGranny

Thanks for the heads up. We were looking at property in and around Fessenden. We don't have kids at home anymore, so that wouldn't be part of any involvement - but the children reflect the parents. Some towns do develop a culture of meanness and small mindedness that just seems to eat them alive and destroy their souls, as well as suck at the souls of people who pass thru or move in. Very sad. A few determined positive people can change it - we've gotten together with others and done it! - but the meanness is still always there under the surface and I am too old and crotchety and set in my ways now to bother. Ahem. Grin.

Ditto, Your post put a huge smile on my face.

[nophelia17]

I had read the comments about the people of Fessenden, North Dakota before I took my mother back for a class reunion in July '08. I was a little leery because of the comments. However, I just want to say that I spent a week between Fessenden & nearby Harvey,ND and just absolutely loved it! The people are very,very friendly.It was one of the most friendliest places I've ever visited.It was my first time in the Mid-West & I can't wait to take my mom back again next year for vacation. Yes, they are tiny towns & everyone knows everyone & that was so cool! I did not meet one person who did not know at least one other person I had met or they were related in some way. They have their own unique culture, the little diners are the center of the community in the mornings with the "coffee clubs" meeting. My sister & had alot of fun at the Fessenden thrift shop & the pastries & bread & granola at the Harvey bakery were to die for! Many thanks to our hostess at the Americana Motel in Harvey-if we needed anything she was there for us! I am very thankful for the hard working farmers in North Dakota who weather the hard winters to grow food for the rest of us bums in the warm and sunny South-I felt honored to meet them, they are the backbone of our country. For anyone looking for a truly friendly small town to raise your family in where you will know all your neighbors , I highly recommend Fessenden or Harvey , North Dakota. I'd rather spend a week in Harvey over a week in Charleston anyday. Shout out to "the right place"!