Wibaux, MT

Every evening I when I open the windows of my house to let in the cool air, I hear the sounds of students playing on the basketball court just across the street from my living room. Young and old gather together to dunk the ball, practice their shots, and get together a quick game. What’s newsworthy about that? Last summer those baskets and the slab didn’t exist. But through the cooperation of the school (the place to put the court), a parent support group, and a local contractor, a court designed for younger kids is now the gathering place for all. A typical example of making a better community in small towns: it takes more than just one entity, it takes several working together.

By Laura Dukart
In May I worked with a group of volunteers to plant juniper shrubs around the sculptures in Wibaux. The group included two adults: (Bob and Marlene Blome) and five high school students: (Lindsay Franks, Andrew Barthel, Danikka Harrell, Melissa Franz, and Elise Dukart). I enjoyed watching the kids and adults working together to get a very worthwhile project completed. When the plants mature, they will provide some very nice landscaping around the sculptures. The project was funded with money from the Cultural and Aesthetic Trust Grant.

Community Change Project – The Federal Government gave the state millions of dollars to address the problem of drinking and driving through the lifespan and binge drinking with an emphasis on youth. No one in Wibaux would underwrite the project so because of Horizons, the school superintendent convinced the school board of the importance of this project and is serving as the fiscal agent. It has added another fulltime job to Wibaux and rented a building for this 3 ½ year grant. The ultimate goal is addressing the community norms of underage drinking. Wibaux County is part of a 5-county coalition working with Dawson, Richland, Roosevelt and Sheridan counties to affect community change.

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You can do a tour around Wibaux and look at all the statues, most done by Mr. Burman made out of welded pipe and recycled items. Those are the most recent additions to Wibaux. Pierre Wibaux is the oldest statue in town overlooking the town. A popular statue is the angel in Angel Park across from the nursing home. Angel Park has really improved as trees have grown and half of the bowtie sidewalk loop is complete. The nursing home residents appreciate the beautiful view out their front windows. What does this have to do with poverty? 1. It’s recycling materials that others would call junk. 2. It’s a positive investment in our community that makes people proud. 3. Wibaux has a statue trail for people to follow - that’s tourism for this town proud of its heritage. 4. It’s structural change that will continue.

by Ginny Archdale

Sometimes it’s easy to be discouraged about the run-down buildings and yards that aren’t being mowed around town. You know – the glass is half empty attitude.

But then I look around and am amazed at all the hard work and pride that goes into the majority of properties in town. We have some very pretty yards. Right now, most lawns are green and freshly mowed. Wild plum trees, chokecherry trees, apple trees, current bushes, tulips and lilacs are starting to bloom. It’s really pretty out.

The black-headed grosbeaks that nest in my yard each summer just returned. Those pretty red-headed house finches are singing away from the tree tops, and robins follow me around the garden looking for worms. We have terrific bird habitat in Wibaux.
The glass really is more than half full.

The annually held clean up day in Wibaux, May 3 produced some amazing results this year.

One yard on main street has a very manicured look thanks to the hard work of several senior citizens who take pride in the overall appearance of our community. They were willing to give of their time and resources to trim branches, rake leaves and haul away several loads of debris. Their work is appreciated and the results are fantastic.

Jean Zinda

With its access to the interstate, close location to Medora, ND, an old west town just 30 miles away, and a rich colorful history featuring Pierre Wibaux, the community’s namesake, Wibaux has the potential to capitalize on tourism. It’s well known for good restaurants, good football teams and good people.

A priority of those involved with Horizons was taking care of eyesore abandoned buildings, for safety and well as community appearance. Needed is adequate housing for all ages, including one-level homes that would allow seniors to remain in the friendly compassionate Wibaux community.
2. Peggy Iba Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 1:03 pm

86 people (15%) filled out the survey in addition to the 20 written comments/ suggestions on how to improve Wibaux if you had $10,000 during Wibaux Appreciation Days Dec. 1 and the 35 who attended the visioning Dec. 3.

It was inspiring to read the surveys. 89% said Wibaux helps one another and it’s a real home. Wibaux’s top strengths or assets: places to eat, school. churches, helpful folks, western heritage.
People reported they would improve abandon building, youth drinking/drugs, housing, clean up, increase population, more jobs.
Top three things to improve quality of life from a checlist:
Liveable wage jobs 75%
Youth activities 60%
Improve the economy 44%

48% of surveyed said they were willing or very willing to help!

Top issues of the 8 listed that came out of Study Circles:
1. Expand business/ job opportunities
2. Housing
3. Increase Wibaux’s population
4. Medical care
5. Community Beautification