Mandan Magazine - Volume 3: Issue 3 Winter 2025

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Dykshoorn Park, Downtown Mandan November 28th – January 10th, 2026

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LETTER

PUBLISHER

As snow blankets the streets and the glow of Main Street begins to sparkle under the crisp winter sky, it’s clear the season of magic and meaning has arrived once again in Mandan. For me, this issue of Mandan Magazine is personal—it’s a heartfelt reflection of the people, places, and purpose that make our community so special during the holidays.

At the center of it all is Mandan Holiday Lights on Main, now one of our community’s most cherished traditions. This year, we’re especially proud to debut something new: the Military Tribute Christmas Tree, a towering 25-foot digitallight tree surrounded by glowing emblems representing every branch of our nation’s armed forces. It’s a beautiful, powerful reminder of the service and sacrifice woven into our community’s fabric. Thank you to the generous businesses and sponsors who stepped forward to help bring this display to life—you’ve helped us honor those who serve in a truly meaningful way.

This issue also highlights some of the most moving and inspiring stories I’ve had the privilege to be part of. Hope Manor is doing life-changing work, offering a place of recovery, brotherhood, and second chances to those overcoming addiction. Every time I talk to someone who’s come through their program, I’m reminded of what true resilience looks like and how powerful our support as a community can be. Through events like the Santa Run, we’re not only raising dollars, we’re lifting spirits.

We also shine a light on Mandan Cares, a nonprofit that fills a critical gap by supporting our first responders and city staff. These folks quietly serve us every day, often without thanks, and Mandan Cares makes sure they feel seen, appreciated, and encouraged

And of course, there’s AID, Inc. on Main Street in Mandan, a beacon of hope for families struggling to make ends meet. From the food pantry to holiday toy drives, they provide more than services they restore dignity and remind people they’re not alone. Each year the Holiday Lights on Main Street collects non-perishable food for AID Inc. Food Pantry.

These stories matter. They’re the heartbeat of Mandan. And none of it would be possible without you our residents, our businesses, our sponsors, our volunteers. Thank you for showing up, year after year, to make this community not just bright with lights, but bright with love.

As you walk through the park this season, take in the lights, share a smile, maybe join us for a run dressed as Santa or a tree and remember: Mandan shines brightest when we shine together.

Wishing you and your loved ones peace, joy, and warmth this holiday season.

See you around town,

Matt Schanandore Executive Director Mandan Progress Organization

Entry Level

MANDAN COMMUNITY HEROES

Gold Level

Legacy Level Member

701 Cycle and Sport

Chucker’s Sports Bar / Send-It 24/7 Cornhole

Dakota Kustomz, LLC

Pepsi America

Stage Stop Saloon & Grill

Stantec Consulting Services Inc.

Premiere Level Member

1806 & Co.

Bismarck-Mandan Convention & Visitors Bureau

CHI St. Alexius Health HIT, Inc

Interstate Engineering

Lewis & Clark Development Group

Mandan Rodeo Days

Sanford Health

TransTrash

Vision Source

Walmart Supercenter #2033

Excellence Level Members

Black Lions

Dacotah Bank

First International Bank & Trust

Funatix Events

Knife River Corporation- ND Division

La Cantina

Mandan Athletic Boosters

Mandan Road Races LLC

Midco

National Day Calendar

North Dakota Art Project

Open Road Honda

Security First Agency of North

Dakota

Silver Dollar Bar

The Innovation Barn

The Poppy Creative Third Day Family Farms

Entry Level Members

701 Cornhole Company

Action Motor Sports

Advanced Business Methods

AE2S

AID, Inc.

Al Fitterer Architect PC

American Family Insurance- Terry Kraft

AnyLeaks

Bain Agency/Bridgemark Insur-

ance Solutions

Balancing Goat Coffee Co

Barney’s Tesoro/ Red Trail

Basin Electric Power

Baymont Inn & Suites

Bennigan’s

Beyond the Blooms

Big Stick Cigar Lounge

Bismarck Larks

Bismarck Magazine

Bismarck State College (BSC)

Bismarck-Mandan Chamber EDC

BNC Bank Mandan

BNI Coal

Bobcat of Mandan

Bravera Bank

Bullinger Tree Service

Burian & Associates

Burning Desires

Butcher Block Meats

Capital Credit Union

Cappuccino on Collins

Captain Jack’s Liquor Land (Coborn’s)

City of Mandan

Cloverdale Foods

Coal Country Coffee Company

Comfort Inn & Suites

Copper Dog Cafe

Corral Sales RV Superstore

Dacotah Mandan Lions Club

Dacotah Speedway

Dairy Queen

Dakota Caulking

Das Mountain

DaWise Perry and Mandan Crematory

Doll’s Studios Tattoo & Piercing

Eco Sanitation

Edward Jones - Rick Kuhn

Edward Jones- Vanessa Martell

Every Eye

Express Yourself Salon

Eyecare Professionals

Family Fare/Spartan Nash

Family Wellness

Farm Credit Services

Silver Level Bronze Level

Civic Level

Engineering

Jerome Distributing

Johnson’s Wrecking

KAT & Company

Keller Carpentry LLC

Keller Insurance Services.

Kelsch, Ruff, Kranda, Nagle & Ludwig

Red Carpet Mandan ARCO

Red Top Recovery

Reds 3D Printing

Revive Law Group

Riverwood RV & Auto

RJR Maintenance & Management

Safe Ship

Schaff Estate & Life Planning Group

Kids in Motion Pediatric Therapy

KLJ

L&H Branding Irons

Lakewood Marina LLC

Larson’s Tattooing

Leingang Chiropractic & Wellness

Leingang Home Center.

Leroy’s MVP Store

Liberty Tax Service

Lillis Electric

Lincoln Repair

Little Caesars Pizza

Lords-n-Ladies

Loyal AVS LLC

LPT Images

M&H Gas

M&W Beef Packers Inc.

Main Street Drive Thru Liquor

Mandan Auto Glass

Mandan Eagles

Mandan Lions

Mandan Moose Lodge

Mandan Parks & Rec.

Mandan Public School District.

Mandan Regional Airport

Mandan Tire Center

McDonald’s

Metro Area Ambulance

Midway Lanes

MOJO 107.5/Big Rig 105.9

Moore Engineering

Farmers Union Insurance- Ressler/ Kuntz Agency

Feil Orthodontics

Fettig Millwork

First Community Credit Union

FOMO 10/40 Creamery

Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park

Gate City Bank

Goodhart & Associates, PC

Gramma Brauns Stores Inc.

Grand Junction Subs

Gunscher’s Auto Repair Plus

Gusaas Signs

Harlow’s School Bus Service

Heritage Exteriors

Hirsch Floral & Gifts

Hopfauf Custom Builders.

Huck Financial

Huntington Books

Hyundai of Mandan/ Bismarck

Motor Company

Ideal Image Dentistry

iGear

Independent Land Survey and

Moritz Sport and Marine

Morton County

Morton Mandan Public Library.

Musicians Association

NAPA Auto Parts

ND Assoc of Rural Electric Coop.

Newman Signs

Nightlife Entertainment

NISC

North Country Inn

North Dakota Tourism

Northern Plains Plumbing, Heating & Air

Northern Trophy

Northwest Tire Mandan

Ohms Cafe

Old 10 Bar & Grill

Old Town Tavern/Scapegoat Bar

Pahlke Steel, Inc.

Papa Murphy’s Pizza

Pizza Ranch

Quadrasight Software

Quality Home Furniture

Railway Credit Union

Schlosser Excavating

Schwan Buick GMC Cadillac

Scotty’s Drive-In

Shop Suzy B

Sign Pro

Signature Events, LLC

Simes Graphic Designs

Southside MVP

Spiffy Biffs

State Farm Insurance- Heather

Fried

State Farm Insurance- Rod Skytland

Sunset MVP

Superpumper #41

The Golden Comb Day Spa & Salon

The Medicine Shoppe

The Paddle Trap

The Post Events

The Skin Boutique & Hair Lounge

The Title Team

Titan Machinery

TP Motel

Tri Energy Cenex

United Printing

Venue Twenty5

Weigel Funeral Home

Western Products

Zander Body Shop

Individual Level Member

Karen Breiner

Paulette Bullinger

Jim & Loah Clement

Lee Fleischer

Mike Hanson

Donna Hartze

Bernice Hilfer

Ellen Huber

Donovan Kruger

Laurie Leingang

Terry Pilling

Rachael Preusse

Matt & Amy Schanandore

Kari Schmidt

Andrew Stromme

Andrea Travnicek

Del Wetsch

Andrew Zachmeier

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AID, Inc. Self-Help Center & Thrift Shop

SERVING OUR NEIGHBORS

Story: Maria Brezny | Photos: Cloud Chaser

Located right on Main Street in the heart of Mandan, ND is AID, Inc. Self-Help Center & Thrift Shop. Established in 1983 by local Catholic parishes, the agency has evolved into a self-help center with a food pantry and thrift store. AID, Inc. exists to primarily serve low-income struggling families in Burleigh and Morton county. They provide financial and non-financial aid to keep families and individuals self-sufficient and in their homes.

Patti Regan Grosz, the executive director of AID, Inc., has been with the organization for 18 years. “I feel blessed to be doing this work,” she says. After losing her daughter

in a car accident in 2006, Patti realized she needed fulfilling work that bettered the lives of those around her. “When I was approached by the director [of AID, Inc.], he said, we’re a non-profit, we can’t pay much,” Patti recalls. “I said, I understand, that’s not what I am looking for either. I’m looking for something I can be passionate about, committed to, that will fill me up, and so I took the job.” Since then Patti has devoted herself to the agency, spending all her energy on her community. “The person who needs our assistance, in some people’s minds, is some guy living under the bridge who jumped off a railroad car. That isn’t it and hasn’t been. It’s your neighbor, it’s your daughter, it’s your best friend, it’s

your mom, it’s you who needs the help.” It’s this passion that enables AID, Inc.’s crucial impact.

AID, Inc. serves the local community in a number of ways. At the core of their mission is a desire to serve the individual and give attention to the entirety of their needs. An individual in need can reach out to the help center, where the client manager will discuss their needs, before inviting them to an in-person meeting where they go into more depth on their needs. After seeing documentation, discussing income and expenses, and looking at the whole picture, the team at AID, Inc. can then provide help in tangible

ways, both financially and non-financially. The goal is to help individuals or families who are already working to help themselves and need a little support to get through the month. There are many ways AID, Inc. can help, including paying for rent, utilities, transportation, eye exams or glasses, one-time prescriptions, work equipment, laundry, CNA classes, and more. “We try to examine the whole picture of what a person needs and see if we can get the services matched up with them,” explains Patti.

Because so many of their services involve financial assistance, AID, Inc. is heavily reliant on the generosity of community members and businesses who are able to donate. They also rely on state and federal grants, as well as grants from various foundations. The thrift store is both an avenue for revenue and a way to service low-income individuals in need of aid where they can sometimes shop for free after meeting with the client manager. Funds raised through the store are redistributed back to the community. Donations of gently used household items are always welcome. Patti loves seeing an item go to a new home where it will be enjoyed and loved again.

The food pantry is another important branch of AID, Inc. The food is free to those who need it, and not as much information is required from those using the food pantry to ensure as many people as possible stay fed. In addition to individual donations, AID, Inc. receives food from local supermarkets. After stocking their pantry, they distribute the remaining food to other food pantries, addiction treatment centers, agencies, churches, schools, or whoever else is helping feed the community. Over 110,000 pounds of food went out last year to feed the community. Donations of food are also welcome; however, food must not be expired or opened, as everyone deserves good food. Fresh produce and packaged goods are the most in demand, as well as food that can be donated together to create a meal.

While donations of goods and money are greatly appreciated, AID, Inc. is also in need of donations of time. Volunteers can help with the thrift store, food pantry, or special events like the Christmas program called Care and Share. A committee separate from AID, Inc. raises money to buy gift cards for families so they can buy gifts and food over the holidays. AID, Inc. also collaborates with Toys for Tots for a weekend in December where they bring in thousands of toys for low-income families to “shop” so their kids can receive new presents picked specifically for them. “It’s very emotional to see that and their gratitude,” says Patti. In this way, and many more like it, AID, Inc. strives to help each person who crosses their path to feel appreciated and cared for.

Mandan Cares

SUPPORTING THOSE WHO SERVE

Story: Maria Brezny | Photos: Provided

The heroic work of first responders is a daily sacrifice, but unless our lives are touched by tragedy, it is easy to forget about these frequently unseen sacrifices. First responders are often undersupported, financially and mentally, despite the best efforts of their administration. In a similar vein, many municipal staff find themselves without the budget for adequate financial, emotional, and professional support. Recognizing this gap, Renee Murrish founded Mandan Cares in November 2023 to raise funds for mental health services, stress management, and employee enrichment for Mandan’s first responders and city staff. Since its official launch in August 2024, the organization has raised over $53,000.

These funding gaps aren’t due to neglect, Renee emphasizes, but rather to the pressing need to prioritize core operational expenses. “Through my two years of getting Mandan Cares started, I truly believe the leaders of our City and these entities are doing the best they can with the budget they have,” she explains. “They are trying to make the dollars stretch. The dollars are just not there.” In some cases, administrators were even paying out of pocket to support their teams.

Mandan Care fills these gaps. So far, the non-profit has funded several different services, including leadership classes, empowerment keynote speakers, challenge

coins, health equipment, even simple moral boosters like lunch after a hard week. Mandan Cares fundraises through collaborations with generous Mandan businesses, donations from Mandan residents and even out-of-state donors, a label partnership with Coal Country Coffee (where a portion of the proceeds go directly to Mandan Cares), and being at various events, like the Holiday Lights on Main, where Renee will be selling Frontline Java at Signature Events.

Founding and working for a non-profit can be challenging and requires an unwavering dedication to its cause. Renee’s passion comes from personal relationships with first responders, like her father who was a

volunteer firefighter and EMT and best friends in law enforcement and the fire service. Renee explains, “It is a passion of mine to help first responders who would take a bullet for me, pull me out of a fire, or city employees who ensure I have clean water. It’s important that those people feel that they are seen, valued, and heard.”

Looking ahead, Mandan Cares is launching a K9 critical response and therapy program with two distinct functions. The first includes a certified Critical Response K9 program with volunteer dogs like Renee’s own dog, Java, who visits the Mandan Police, Fire, Metro Ambulance and other Mandan city departments weekly to provide operational distraction resulting in stress relief. If the time comes, these dogs can be dispatched during a crisis to help provide calm and comfort to first responders and the community. The second team will offer therapy dog visits to schools, hospitals, and resource centers by request. Renee hopes to have the program formally endorsed by the AKC within the next 18 months.

To learn more, volunteer, or donate, visit www.mandancares.com

STORIES OF RENEWAL

Story: Maria Brezny | Photos: Cloud Chaser

Addiction is a disease that destroys the life of the addict, their family, and their friends. The person trapped by addiction feels like their life is hopeless and directionless. Hope Manor offers a chance for life-changing recovery where life can be full of purpose and joy. Residents come to live at Hope Manor for at least six months, although nine months is recommended to see the best results. After those nine months, residents walk away with an 87% chance of remaining continuously sober (unlike the 3-10% rate of a residential short term treatment center). Hope Manor operates as a stable, sober living arrangement, so residents can focus on recovery. Research shows the number one factor for success in early

recovery is environment. Residents at Hope Manor follow the 12 step program to recovery, learn life skills and healthy habits, heal spiritually, emotionally, and physically, and create bonds with the other residents that lift them out of addiction for life. Often, past residents of Hope Manor come back to Hope Manor after they leave to continue supporting their friends in recovery. Two past residents, Mike and Derek, shared with us their stories of addiction, recovery, and life after.

Testimonials

Mike:

“This place changed my life. I came here thinking I had all the answers... There was structure here that my life never had

growing up... I had to learn to accept structure and not only be honest, but be completely transparent… It was at least a good year before everything took for me in this program. I can thank Derek here for opening up the light of this program for me. We had a lot of deep talks that inspired me to take it seriously and helped me recognize a higher power… I have my integrity back as a man. Coming in here, I was broken. I was completely lost. It was hard to look in the mirror and accept who I had become, and today, I get to not only accept that, but I’m proud to be around other people, proud to be myself, proud to be a leader.”

“All the structure has a reason here. Over

time, it becomes abundantly clear what this house does for you. Phase one is asking for help from other guys. As people, it’s so hard to ask for help, and especially coming out of addiction. As men, our egos make it so hard to ask another man or anyone for help. Phase one of not having your phone forces you to create bonds in this house which are the reasons I stayed when things got hard here.”

Derek:

“I was stuck in addiction since 13. I never thought my life would get to where it was, but it got to the point where I was doing drugs I never thought I’d do and drinking constantly. I had some overdoses, and I pushed away all my immediate family, all my loved ones. This thing I started doing when I was 13 years old because it was so much fun, started to not become fun anymore. I had friends dying, I didn’t have the support of my family anymore… I had been to multiple treatments, been to jail, and nothing seemed to be working… I had a couple buddies that were alumni of Hope Manor who were trying to convince me to go… by the end of the weekend I finally made the decision to come here, and it was hands down the best decision I’ve ever made.”

“When I got to the house I was terrified, terrified of all the guys, terrified of all the rules. I didn’t know what to expect, and I wanted provided

to fight, and I wanted to leave. But I’d come home from work, from a meeting, and the joy it brought me to see who was sitting on the couch. I don’t even know these guys but they’re having a good time. I really dug into the brotherhood of this home, and by doing that, it opened the doors for everything else. It opened up to my recovery, to being spiritual about things, to see that there was God in my life and he was working, and I dug into that. I was blessed to be a part of the Hope Manor team. I was offered to be a house lead and I did that for 8 months. I got to be a part of the bigger picture and be a part of the guys’ lives… You get to watch guys come in here and get their families back, they get to see their kids, they get jobs, they get promotions at their jobs, and their lives become beautiful.”

Santa Run and Hope Manor

Because those who come to Hope Manor have already overcome many obstacles to get there, the staff and administration try to eliminate financial barriers to entry. There is a small bi-monthly fee asked of residents, but about 77% of residents can’t

pay when they first join which requires funds from generous donors to cover operating expenses. Once residents get a job, one of the requirements of living at Hope Manor, they can start paying the fee. Events like the Santa Run help cover the gap in the meantime.

In addition to helping raise money, the Santa Run is important to Hope Manor because it reunites its residents with the community for an important cause. “I don’t think people understand the magic of the Santa Run until they experience it,” explains Megan Frankl-Mann, alum and director of Hope Manor. “It shows people the community is rooting for them. For the community, it helps to shatter some of the stigmas that exist around alcoholism and addiction.”

Both Derek and Mike have participated in previous years, and it became an important part of their recovery. Derek participated only a couple months into his recovery, and while he was initially unexcited, he pushed himself to go. “It was the first time I really had joy again in

my life,” he recalls. “I remember having so much fun dressed up as a tree, running, dancing around. People were taking photos of us because we were the trees… I hadn’t done something like that in so long where I was a part of the community again. It brought out a sense of pride and joy to be a part of that.” For Mike, this joy sparked in the companionship around the event. “Going with me, I had some of the guys in the house that hadn’t been here as long as me but their wealth of knowledge and life experience was amazing and I had one of my best friends who was in the house at the time… We stopped in at the little gas station there, and we all got coffee. It was cold outside, and we had coffee, and we were talking and sharing and laughing, and nobody was wrecked. It was amazing. It was a lot of fun.”

For more information on Hope Manor, please visit hopemanor.org

For more information on the Santa Run, please see visitmandan.com/santa-run

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13TH 4 PM

Reindeer Sponsor

Thank You to the Sponsors of

HAPPY HOLIDAYS HAPPY HOLIDAYS

To all of our friends, families, and customers in the Bismarck-Mandan community.

Wishing all of you warmth, joy, and peace this season.

See your child’s name on Clark and Merifeather’s Naughty or Nice List at the Mandan Holiday Lights on Main!

Submit names for FREE by December 16, 2025.

Scan to Submit

Lists will rotate throughout the holiday season. Select one week and plan your special visit.

Additional school cards available. Scan the QR Code or visit myFCCU.com/schoolcards for more information.

MILITARY CHRISTMAS TREE DISPLAY Sponsored