Connect with us

North Dakota

Tigirlily Gold embraces North Dakota Christmas with their Hallmark debut

Published

on

Tigirlily Gold embraces North Dakota Christmas with their Hallmark debut


FARGO — Picture the classic Hallmark Christmas movie: light snow drifts over a festively decorated town square as a big-city protagonist returns to her charming, but small hometown, and, against all odds, discovers holiday romance.

For many, the Christmas season isn’t complete without watching one — or a few — of these feel-good films. This year, North Dakotans and country music lovers have an extra reason to get festive with these films as the country singing sister duo Tigirlily Gold made their Hallmark debut in one of the network’s newest holiday releases.

The Hazen, North Dakota natives Krista and Kendra Slaubaugh appeared in “A Grand Ole Opry Christmas,” which premiered Nov. 29 on The Hallmark Channel.

The film carries the familiar warmth of a Hallmark storyline, but instead of a hometown reunion and newfound love, this plot leans into time travel — where romance plays second fiddle to family.

Advertisement

The 1-hour, 24-minute movie follows Gentry Wade (Nikki DeLoach), the daughter of late country music icon Jett Wade (Rob Mayes). After a tragic accident 30 years prior, Gentry abandoned her songwriting dreams and distanced herself from her father’s legacy. When the Grand Ole Opry invites her to represent Jett at their Christmas centennial celebration, she’s hesitant to return to the place steeped in bittersweet memories.

Hallmark’s

description continues: “Encouraged by her good friends, Gentry visits the Opry and, while seated in one of the vaunted venue’s oak church pews, is suddenly transported to 1995. Gentry’s lifelong friend Mac (Kristoffer Polaha), a country music talent manager, finds himself in 1995 as well. Thanks to some Christmas magic, Gentry gets precious time with her father, creative inspiration to finish the song she began decades earlier as a teen and learns surprising answers to questions about her father that have followed her for the last three decades.”

Tigirlily Gold makes a cameo in a performance scene, singing their holiday single “Mistletoe Tipsy,” a country-styled Christmas tune that blends with the movie’s heartwarming, nostalgic tone.

Following the premiere of “A Grand Ole Opry Christmas,” the sisters were recognized as members of the 2025 Opry NextStage Class, alongside Dasha, Kashus Culpepper, Chayce Beckham, Avery Anna and Kaitlin Butts, as they took the stage Wednesday, Dec. 3, at Category 10 for the fifth annual “Opry NextStage Live.”

Advertisement

The sister duo’s cameo can be seen throughout the holiday season on the Hallmark Channel or streamed anytime on Hallmark+.

Stephanie joined the Forum in January 2024 as a junior in college.

She is currently a Reporter for the Business and Features team, as well as a helpful hand for the digital team on the weekends.





Source link

Advertisement

North Dakota

North Dakota High School Boys Basketball State Champions, Runners-Up, & Third Place

Published

on

North Dakota High School Boys Basketball State Champions, Runners-Up, & Third Place


The 2026 North Dakota high school boys basketball season has come to an end, and champions have been crowned across each classification.

After months of competition, the teams listed below rose above the field to capture state titles in their respective divisions.

High School On SI has the completed brackets along with the champions, runner-ups, and third place for every classification.

Advertisement

Take a look below to see the teams that finished on top and the full path each squad took to reach the state finals.

Advertisement
Add us as a preferred source on Google


Champions: Century Patriots

Runner-Ups: Bismarck Demons

Third Place: Dickinson Midgets

Advertisement

Champions: Beulah Miners

Runner-Ups: Central Cass Squirrels

Third Place: Devils Lake Firebirds


Advertisement

Champions: Central McLean Cougars

Runner-Ups: Our Redeemer’s Christian Knights

Third Place: Ray Jays


More Coverage From High School On SI



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

North Dakota

New York Giants met with WR RaJa Nelson at North Dakota State Pro Day

Published

on

New York Giants met with WR RaJa Nelson at North Dakota State Pro Day


The New York Giants have their eyes on North Dakota State wide receiver RaJa Nelson this offseason.

KPRC 2 Houston’s Aaron Wilson reports that the Giants spoke with Nelson at NDSU’s Pro Day on March 19.

Nelson recorded 404 receiving yards in 2025, along with four touchdowns. His 14.4 yards per reception marked a career high. The Minnesota native also contributed in the return game, totaling 168 kick return yards on eight attempts last season.

The Giants lost slot receiver Wan’Dale Robinson to the Tennessee Titans in free agency. Robinson was New York’s leading receiver in 2025, finishing with 1,014 yards. The Kentucky native’s departure leaves the Giants without one of their two 1,000-yard wide receivers heading into next season.

Advertisement

Nelson is a prospect with whom the Giants have done their due diligence this offseason. New York has just under five weeks remaining before the draft begins on April 23.



Source link

Continue Reading

North Dakota

Special Olympics of North Dakota hosts ‘Polar Plunge’

Published

on

Special Olympics of North Dakota hosts ‘Polar Plunge’


GRAND FORKS – Taya Lulay, 6, of Michigan, North Dakota, looked a bit apprehensive but eager as she waited with her team to participate in the annual “Polar Plunge” on Saturday, March 21, at Choice Health and Fitness.

Taya was among about 40 courageous souls who braved the 39-degree temps, chilly winds and a tank of frigid water to raise funds for the Special Olympics of North Dakota organization.

“She’s the reason we’re doing this,” said Erick Houde, of Grand Forks.

The daughter of Brandon and Amy Lulay attended the event last year and apparently convinced five others to join her in taking the plunge, all for the first time.

Advertisement

Members of “The ReNewed Penguins,” ranging in age from 6 to 53, have raised about $700 for the Special Olympics of North Dakota.

Erick Houde, Brandon Lulay and Luke Syrup are employees of PCL Community Contractors.

“We do a lot of volunteering” as employees, Houde said, “and we like to keep on doing it. We decided to do it as our own team this year.”

“And it’s fun,” said Joan Houde, Erick Houde’s wife, who confessed to being “a little bit” nervous before the plunge. “It’s just the cold.”

“We felt the water,” she said, “and we shouldn’t have.”

Advertisement
Joan Houde, of Grand Forks, along with five others on “The ReNewed Penguins” team, braved chilly waters as they participated in the annual Polar Plunge on Saturday, March 21, near Choice Health and Fitness in south Grand Forks

Pamela Knudson / Grand Forks Herald

Dressed in black-and-white penguin costumes, Erick Houde added that “the layers are pretty cozy.”

At the far end of the tank, three volunteers from Grand Forks Water Rescue were positioned in the water to help the plungers steady themselves after the jump and exit the tank.

Others on hand to help, if needed, included Altru ambulance, fire and police personnel.

Advertisement

This is the 17th year the Polar Plunge event has been held here, said Nancy Hanson, president and CEO. The funds raised support year-round competition and sports training for Special Olympics of North Dakota athletes.

Anyone who raised $100 or more before the event was welcome to walk-up and participate, Hanson said.

The organization set a goal of raising $25,000 through this event, about the same as last year, Hanson said. People could participate as individuals or as members of a team.

Travis Nelson, a trooper with the North Dakota Highway Patrol, was taking the plunge for the 12th time. He has served on the event’s organizing committee since 2011.

He does it because Special Olympics “is a great organization to raise money for,” he said, emerging from the water.

Advertisement

Awards were given for best costume, best belly flop, oldest and youngest plungers, the team and individual who raised the most funds for the Special Olympics of North Dakota organization.

Judges for the event were Rod Clark, UND chief of police; Mike Hedlund, East Grand Forks police chief; Jeremy Moe, Grand Forks Police Department; Captain Joel Lloyd, Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Office; and Tyler Lee, SOND athlete.

This spring, SOND will host another major fundraising event, “Dancing for Special Stars,” on April 16. Local celebrities and other well-known residents team up with dance instructors to learn routines which they perform for the audience. The dance couple with the most votes wins the competition at the Mirror Ball Trophy; a People’s Choice Award is also presented.

Pamela Knudson
Pamela Knudson is a features and arts/entertainment writer for the Grand Forks Herald.

She has worked for the Herald since 2011 and has covered a wide variety of topics, including the latest performances in the region and health topics.

Advertisement

Pamela can be reached at pknudson@gfherald.com or (701) 780-1107.





Source link

Continue Reading

Trending