Meet Casey Koop!

Posted on by
Reply

Hi There! My name is Casey Koop and I am one of many YP’s in Grand Forks. Being a past native of Grand Forks, I came home thinking life would just pick up where it left off. When I moved back to town to work as an Admissions Representative for UND, I received a quick reality check. Grand Forks had changed! Businesses were sprouting up everywhere, the community was expanding, and the flow of life was different.

Grand Forks is a growing community full of great people and amazing opportunities. Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals is a way for younger generation adults to get involved in their community. I have had so much fun helping others, going to social events, and meeting people who love Grand Forks as much as I do. I have helped with the Iceman Triathlon, I play on a number of the YP sports teams during the summer, and I sometimes have to dress up in crazy sweaters to make others laugh!

The great things about Grand Forks are the people! We make this community a strong, safe, and pleasant place to live. I know firsthand that we never stop learning and that our knowledge isn’t always learned from books. We learn and grow through each other!! And together we create our own paradise! “You know, with some snow I mean!” Haha

- Casey Koop

               
Twitter  |  Facebook  |  GGFYP.com

What’s Up Wednesday!

Posted on by
Reply

What’s Up This Weekend in the Grand Cities?

This weekend, GGFYP hosts Chick-fil-A Leadercast at Hope Church.

Thursday, May 9

“Moon Over Buffalo”

  • Fire Hall Theatre, 7:00 pm
  • A hilarious look backstage at a theatre troup in Buffalo, NY in the 1950′s
  • Tickets – $15

Open Mic Night

  • Mike’s Pizza, 9:00 – 12:30 am

Karaoke Thursday

  • El Roco Bar & Grill, 10:00 pm – 1:00 am

  Continue reading →

What’s Up Wednesday!

Posted on by
Reply

What’s Up This Weekend in the Grand Cities?

This weekend, YP hosts its annual ArtSee event and the KEM Shrine Circus rolls into town.

Thursday, April 25

“Moon Over Buffalo”

  • Fire Hall Theatre, 7:00 pm
  • A hilarious look backstage at a theatre troup in Buffalo, NY in the 1950′s
  • Tickets – $15

Open Mic Night

  • Mike’s Pizza, 9:00 – 12:30 am

Karaoke Thursday

Meet Kylie Oversen!

Posted on by
Reply

I moved to Grand Forks to attend UND and have been here for six years now. I love the University and the Greater Grand Forks community. Coming from a town of less than 1000, I love that it’s a bigger city with a small town feel.

As someone who hopes to stay in the area, I appreciate all that the Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals have been doing to increase the attractiveness of Grand Forks for young professionals and families. The networking, professional development, and other opportunities to get involved are great. It is so important that young people step up to shape the future of their community and their state.

I consider myself very fortunate to be a part of this great organization and community. Currently, I am serving as a State Representative representing District 42 in North Grand Forks, and will also be attending Law School in the fall and look forward to spending many more years to come here in Grand Forks.

- Kylie Oversen

             
Twitter  |  Facebook  |  GGFYP.com

 

What’s Up Wednesday!

Posted on by
Reply

What’s Up This Weekend in the Grand Cities?

This weekend, check out cool classic cars, the latest and greatest for your home, or one of  the many shows at Chester Fritz Auditorium or Empire Arts Center.

Thursday, April 11

The GO Show

  • Gorecki Alumni Center (UND), 5:00-8:00 pm
  • Vendor show, cocktails, music
  • Free and open to the public

“Much Ado About Nothing”

  • Burtness Theatre (UND campus), 7:30 pm
  • Romantic comedy by Shakespeare

Open Mic Night

  • Mike’s Pizza, 9:00 – 12:30 am

Karaoke Thursday

  • El Roco Bar & Grill, 10:00 pm – 1:00 am

Continue reading →

Aniin! BooZhoo! Hello!

Posted on by
Reply

My family and I have made Grand Forks our home several years ago after living in Winnipeg for a short time. I was born and raised on the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Reservation located in the Rolette County. I had moved to Grand Forks in 1999 to study business and art at the University of North Dakota; which is where I had met my husband. I chose to study both business and art as they are a very dominant part of my upbringing. However, art is where my passion exists. I had upheld several part time jobs and volunteer work; and realized it was the time to pursue that passion.

Creativity is my outlet for self-expression; I’ve always been taught to be careful with my words, for words are very powerful. I have been brought up in the Turtle Mountains of North Dakota surrounded by so many interesting stories from our Elders in the community as well as many talented artists. The stories have the power to influence greatness, but can also have adverse results. Continue reading →

What’s Up Wednesday!

Posted on by
Reply

What’s Up This Weekend in the Grand Cities?

This weekend, the UND men’s hockey team hosts Michigan Tech in the first round of the WCHA playoffs. Stop by the Alerus Center to learn about health and wellness at the Healthy Living Expo.


Thursday, March 14

Michelle Brusegaard Art Exhibit

  • Third Street Gallery, 11:30 am – 2:30 pm

Safe Kids Car Seat Check-up Event

  • Rydell Auto Center, 4:00-7:00 pm

Open Mic Night

  • Mike’s Pizza, 9:00 – 12:30 am

Continue reading →

Embracing Winter

Posted on by
Reply

The Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals are bringing so many great things to showcase Grand Forks. We celebrate our German and Scandinavian heritage with Oktoberfest. We celebrate and showcase our sophisticated appreciation for the arts with Artsee, and at the beginning of each year, we celebrate our community, our sponsors and our members with the Annual Launch. Grand Forks is celebrated for many things; its willingness to invest in each other, help out a neighbor who is in need, and provide unspoiled areas for our outdoor recreation. We celebrate the three seasons of Spring, Summer, and Autumn. What about winter? Winter in Grand Forks can be the most beautiful season of the four seasons. While attending university, I heard from many students hailing from California and Hawaii, “how can you live here?! It’s so cold here!” Many would go home for winter break never to return. Is winter really that bad? I love waking up in the morning on a brisk January day, smelling the clean, crisp air and seeing the white trees reflecting off the unspoiled sunshine. We should be celebrating winter and all the beauty it provides.

The Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals do just this. We just wrapped up our 3rd annual Iceman Extreme Triathlon in February. Over 100 racers came from as far as Winnipeg, MB to participate in the YP Iceman Triathlon. Many of you ask:  why would anyone want to run, bike, and ski in sub-freezing temps? Why on earth would 15 volunteers want to stand out  in the cold for 4 hours and watch 100 crazy athletes over exert themselves in February? – We live in ND. It’s winter 9 months out of the year. We can hold up in our homes for nine months, or we can embrace the 4 seasons ND offers us. YP holds true to its commitment of showcasing everything Grand Forks has to offer, and that includes winter activities.

I say get out and embrace Grand Forks in the winter months. Enjoy that crisp, clean air. Get out and snap some pictures of the beautiful white tress, sun glistening off of the branches. Enjoy life all year long.
- Tom Ford (President, Grand Forks Young Professionals)

               
Twitter  |  Facebook  |  GGFYP.com

 

Every Now and Again We Need a Good Blizzard

Posted on by
Reply

This is one North Dakotan who does not mind a good blizzard every once in awhile. Through the hustle and bustle of what we call our busy lives, the important things can get lost while we run senselessly picking up and dropping off kids, running errands, going to and from work, trying to plan the next meal, and keeping the house looking somewhat organized. We tend to lose track of what really matters, FAMILY. Where do we find a free moment in our seemingly hectic lives to spend quality time with our family? It’s hard, I admit, to keep up with the little things that are the most important.

Monday brought about an unexpected blizzard which made travel nearly impossible. Any North Dakotan knew enough to just stay put and not risk going out into the storm. My wife and I did just that. We hunkered down and used the opportunity to catch up. We relaxed, watched a few movies and talked, yes, we talked. Monday’s blizzard gave us the chance to slow down and reconnect as a couple.

We discussed our present and our future, as well as dreams that have been realized, dreams yet to come true, and ones that did not come to fruition. We were able to spend quality time with our baby boy and interact with him. We had all day to play with Alex, listening to him laugh and giggle while we made silly faces and spoke in “baby talk.” I was grateful for that time we had. It was an opportunity to let the outside world pass us by and be a family.

We as busy parents, professionals, friends, and volunteers need to take advantage of opportunities such as a good old fashioned North Dakota Blizzard to stop and “smell the roses.” Time with loved ones is precious and it goes by fast. Hunker down with the most precious people in your life as much as you can.

- Tom Ford (President, Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals)

               
Twitter  |  Facebook  |  GGFYP.com

What’s Up Wednesday!

Posted on by
Reply

What’s Up This Weekend in the Grand Cities?

This weekend, kick it up country at the George Strait and Martina McBride concert at the Alerus Center, take the kids to Madagascar and back, or enjoy a little winter outdoor fun.

Thursday, February 14 – Happy Valentine’s Day!

“Don’t Hug Me”

  • Fire Hall Theater, 7:30 pm
  • Musical comedy set in Paul Bunyan Bay, MN

UND Men’s Basketball

  • Betty Engelstad Sioux Center, 7:00 pm
  • vs. Sacramento State

Safe Kids Car Seat Check-up Event

  • Rydell Auto Center, 4:00-7:00 pm

Continue reading →