News Releases for August 2002
August 12, 2002
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Hoeven Receives North Dakota Custom-Crafted Pool Cue
Governor Presents Gift to State Historical Society for Display at the Heritage Center
BISMARCK, N.D. - Governor John Hoeven today received a custom-crafted pool cue created by Samsara Cues of Rugby, N.D. at a news conference in Bismarck. Samsara presented the cue to Hoeven in appreciation for the economic development efforts of the Governor, the Rugby Area Economic Development Authority and the State of North Dakota.
Company owners Jim Stadum, a native of Esmond, N.D., and his wife, Laurie of Rugby, relocated their business to Rugby from Nashua, New Hampshire in 2000 as “the realization of a dream that included raising our children in a great atmosphere, as well as growing our business in North Dakota,” according to Jim Stadum, company president. Samsara is planning an expansion later this year that will include additional jobs.
“Jim and Laurie Stadum represent a North Dakota coming-home story, a real tale of success about talented North Dakotans returning to their roots and building a world class company,” Hoeven said. “This is just the kind of story we are working hard to repeat throughout North Dakota. I’m delighted that we could help them realize their dream.”
The pool cue presented to Hoeven is finely crafted of Gabon ebony and pink ivory wood, with a gold-plated brass Uniloc system. Hoeven presented the cue to the State Historical Society of North Dakota for display in the North Dakota Heritage Center’s permanent collection.
“Samsara Cues supports Economic Development and donating this cue is our way of expressing our gratitude to Governor John Hoeven as well as the entire state,” Jim Stadum said. “We are honored to have a cue on permanent display at the Heritage Center.”
Founded in 1991 with partner and master cue maker David Doucette, the company has created award-winning cues that are not only accurate in play, but also artistically beautiful, adding to their collectable value. The company captured six awards, including Best Design of Show, at the 1993 ACA Cue Show, and the People’s Choice Award at the 1998 Gallery of American Cue Art. Samsara Cues has crafted one of only 12 cues on display at the Smithsonian National Museum in Washington, D.C. The company markets pool cues worldwide. A number have been purchased by celebrities who wish to remain anonymous, and several were brokered to a royal family in Southeast Asia.
Samsara Cues has been featured in a number of professional journals, including Billiards Digest and Billiard and Bowling Magazine. Jim Stadum is the president of the Academy of American Cue Art and is chairman of the board of the American Cuemakers Association.
“Samsara Cues demonstrates once again that in the modern economy, a world-class company and a world-class product can market from North Dakota to anywhere in the world,” Hoeven said. “As we work to further diversify and grow North Dakota’s economy, companies like Samsara will increasingly become part of the mix.”
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