BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - Among the bills and other documents surrounding the desk of North Dakota Sen. Tim Flakoll these days is a box of coloring books. His books.
The veteran Republican senator from Fargo helped produce the book to entertain children and promote the area of Fargo and neighboring Moorhead, Minnesota. The first box off the presses arrived at the Capitol this week. And they are free, thanks to about 20 sponsors.
“I’m just excited,” Flakoll said. “It’s just something I’ve always wanted to do.”
Flakoll, 55, came up with the idea several years ago while watching his niece, who was about 4 at the time, become engrossed with coloring in a hospital waiting room while his mother was having open-heart surgery. He said it prevented her from becoming rambunctious and helped his sister relax.
“I thought, wouldn’t it be great if Fargo-Moorhead had its own coloring book to promote all the great things there are in the area for kids and families?” he said.
Flakoll enlisted the help of longtime Fargo artist and editorial cartoonist Steve Stark. Flakoll and Fargo businessman Dave Anderson came up with a list of about 100 ideas. Along with Stark they narrowed it down to 48 pages, which include illustrations on landmarks, museums, events, sports and area history. And of course, since Flakoll is the provost of Tri-College University, there are several pages highlighting the three Fargo-Moorhead colleges.
“It was a long, long process,” Stark said. “We wanted a book where children could have fun and recognize things in their own backyard. That is what is so exciting and pleasing about it.”
Democratic Sen. Carolyn Nelson, also of Fargo, has asked Flakoll for 200 copies to give away at the National Federation of Music Clubs convention this summer in Fargo, where there should be delegates from at least 30 states.
“I love the coloring books,” said Nelson, who has nine grandchildren.
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