Ice Houses
Dylan Wolenhaus Reporting

It's as simple as a flick of the thermostat for a worry-free heated home. But heating your home on the ice demands a little more effort and can bring a lot more danger.

Fresh snow and falling temperatures, both sure signs that anglers will be hitting the ice soon.

Marty Egeland, a member of the North Dakota Department of Game and Fish says"It's been a slow year.
Solid ice has yet to form on many mid western lakes and rivers. Each year it's not falling through the ice "It's a silent killer" that's the most deadly, but carbon monoxide poisoning."

Ben Deckert, an Outdoor Sportsman Retailer says "Eventually you could feel light headed and pass out and if you never did get out of there and no ventilation ever happened then you'd probably end up dead but hopefully it would never come to that."

Larger manufactured fish houses such as the Icecastle brand have the same specifications as an RV including standard carbon monoxide detectors and proper ventilation.

Shawn Dockter, a Fish House Salesman sasy "Since they're manufactured by law they got to have them in it."

But for so many who either fish on the fly with a portable or take on that garage project of building their own you also take on your own safety precautions.

Marty Egeland says "Make sure your connections are all tight you're gonna smell if propane's leaking."

Fish and game experts agree that proper ventilation, whether you install them in to your walls or ceiling of your fish house along with taking...

" A step outside get some fresh air open the door give it a crack that's about the best recommendation I can give to somebody" says Marty.

The Minnesota Propane Association also recommends that sunflower type heaters only be used outside your fish house because they lack the systems to prevent oxygen depletion.

Marty says "If you do have a real tight , air tight house you know a cheap carbon monoxide detector might not be a bad investment especially if you're going to sleep out in the thing."

So before you hit the ice with you house a few simple tips could ensure you're out there again for the big bite.

The most common symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning are headache, dizziness, and nausea. If you do suspect the gas in your fish house get fresh air immediately.

Human Rights
Julie Bech Reporting

Human rights are basic rights and freedoms to which everyone is entitled. Some people are working hard to spread awareness of human rights issues.

She's got art. He's got music. Their goal is to spread knowledge of something many might take for granted.

Laurel Reuter, the Art Director "The response was tears and 'I just didn't know'."

This human rights symposium in Grand Forks has one goal: To educate people about human rights violations. Music artist and former child soldier Emmanuel Jal says just giving money isn't enough.

Emmanuel Jal says "For years aid is just pumped into Sudan. It's crippling us."

Jal was born in Sudan. He was forced to become a soldier at age 11. Jal has felt hunger. He's still hungry today but this time for a cause. Next time he'll allow himself breakfast and lunch is when he has raised enough money to build a school in Sudan.

Emmauel says "The worst thing you can do as a human being is to give a fellow human being food, but not showing him how to make that food."

Mass human rights violations like the ones Jal experienced in Africa are seen happening throughout the world. However...

Gregory Gordon, the UND Center for Human RIghts Director says "I do think we have made progress in making people aware of the fact that when they imprison people for no good reason the world considers this generally a human rights violation and that there could be consequences."

Gordon says this is an important first step. Activists say if everyone brings human rights out in public it will create a wave of change.

"We need to roll up our sleeves, and dig in, and work harder, and I honestly think we're gonna do that. I believe in this country being a leader in human rights field" says Gregory Gordon.

Whether it's through art, education or music, these people are the change they want to see in the world.

Emmanuel Jal has worked with the United Nations and Amnesty International to campaign against the employment of child soldiers.

Hockey Twins
Eric Swanson Reporting

At one hockey rink in Grand Forks North Dakota the seats are empty, the concessions are closed, and the ice has only two skaters. The two are similar in every way, same last name, same parents, and the same chromosomes. Twin sisters Monique and Jocelyne Lamoureux have been skating here since they could barely walk.

Jocelyne Lamoureux, a Hockey Player says "My mom started bringing us to open skating at Purpur arena when we were two."

Linda Lamoureux, a Twins Mom explains "I never thought they would learn how to skate because when they were little kids would take off their skates and it was kind of a circus sometimes."

Those early days on the ice are paying off for the twins in a big way. The trips to the ice when they were little have now turned into training for something much bigger.

Jocelyne Lamoureux says "It's always been our dream to be in the Olympics and to do it together, if it was only one of us it would definitely be a bittersweet type of thing."

They've dreamed of the competition of the winter games since elementary school. The competition between each other has been there for the about the same amount of time.

"We're pretty competitive it's tit for tat and we pretty much go at it. It's fun though it's not like I'm trying to hurt her she's not trying to hurt me or anything it's like she knocks me over, we kind of laugh" says Jocelyne.

Monique Lamoureux, a Hockey Player says "We kind of laugh at each other and stuff, if one of us gets knocked over it's kind of like you got one up on them."

The twins still have to make it through one more round of cuts to make the final Olympic squad. Knowing that, they try not to get too far ahead of themselves imagining what the games will be like.

Monique explains "People say once you get to the opening ceremony they can't explain it so once we get there I think it will all kind of set in, if we get there. Knock on wood, where is it."

The Lamoureux's look the same, sound the same, and love the same sport. Together they are close to reaching their lifelong dream.

The final roster for the Olympic hockey team will be announced on December 17th.

Tree Sales
Mari Boe Reporting

The lights are shining, the presents are wrapped, and there is just one more item missing in the house. Today we spend a day in the life of a the person who can fill that void.

Holiday traditions vary per household. Some families eat turkey, others ham, porridge, or pizza. One tradition, however is a centerpiece in many homes.

Patrick Wilkie, a Tree Sales Man says "It's nice to think about I guess, because it is a tree that is going to be spent with a family, and they are going to be all together, and you know, it's Christmas so.."

Patrick Wilkie helps families pick out that perfect evergreen. Families shop by size, color, type, and smell.

Patrick Wilkie says "I can't really tell any smell, you know, a tree is a tree to me, haha"

Some customers remind Patrick of the true Christmas Spirit.

"Yeah, that was pretty touching, you know, how the daughter picked out the tree. Just came in running, looking around, being a kid" says Patrick.

Even though he is surrounded by trees daily Patrick isn't following the buyers trend.

Patrick says "I don't have a tree, in my apartment, no, haha."

So the tree seller doesn't own a tree. It might sound ironic, but Patrick says he looks forward to spending Christmas with his parents where a tree is already front and center.

The four most common Christmas trees are the Scots pine, Frasier Fir, Balsam Fir, White Pine, and the Noble Fir. Most trees weight about 20 pounds. The noble fir weighs up to 50.

Christmas Tree Weather
Erin Bertschi

Dressing in winter attire, hearing the chain saw, then crunching the snow back to the car and it is almost ready. A tree that will bring joy into the house for the holidays.

"A good tree, freshness of course is number one; a good central leader is number two. Make sure your stump is not that heavy to where you can put it into the stand you have at home," says Dieter Heitmann, Christmas Tree Salesman

Many cut down their own trees. That's when they're the freshest. The weather has a big effect on their quality. Wind and cold air dries trees out. A perfect balance between sun and precipitation keeps trees healthy and plump. "These trees cut here today with all the moisture we have had this late fall should last two and a half, three weeks with out a problem," Heitmann adds.

Rain throughout the seasons helps the trees to grow and stay green. The trees always look perfect on the lot but once they are cut steps need to be taken to keep them beautiful and luscious through the holidays. "If the tree has been cut for at least more than an hour, you should make a fresh cut on it. Its also good to put sugar in the water or something sweet," he explains.

As you drive away from getting one of the best signs of Christmas, think about not only decorating it but how it's been taken care of and how you can take care of it too.

The best place to dispose of your Christmas tree is actually in the garbage or out the dump.