READER REPLY: MARCH 2019

2

min read

A- A+

read

March 05th, 2019

North Dakota Living readers

This month, we asked our readers to submit replies to the following...

What’s one of the best products made in North Dakota?

HARDWORKING NORTH DAKOTANS

I’m sure that my farmer friends would love to debate this with me. Those in the northern part of the Red River Valley would say sugar beets or corn, as they grow lots of it up there. Others further south would vote for wheat, which helps make the valley the “bread basket of the world.” My friends in north central North Dakota would probably be divided over flax, corn, canola or sunflowers. Those further west would argue for oil and beef. Each one of them would have a great point. I, however, would vote for a non-ag product – people.

In the 40-plus years I spent in the information technology (used to be called data processing) field, I held many positions – starting as a programmer and rising to become chief technology officer of a very large bank holding company. During that time, I hired hundreds of people, ranging from entry-level programmers to supervisors, project managers and department vice presidents.

Without question, the hardest workers with the best work ethic were all from the north central part of the United States. They were all well-educated and ready to make good things happen by working hard together as teams.

Today, the state seems to enjoy the best of both worlds – better opportunity to stay here with good paying positions available. I will always be indebted to those who instilled a solid work ethic in me – teachers, friends and former North Dakota bosses.

Donald Cameron

Member of North Central Electric Cooperative

IT’S THE PEOPLE

I believe the best product we have in North Dakota are its people. Most of us come from generations of hardworking people.

Our ancestors settled the open prairies and made it their home. They lived on the land in tents, wooden shanties and sodhouses. Some even used the rock on the prairie and made a home out of rocks. They weathered the cold, heat, wind and the sparse rains.

It was hard work to eke out a living on the wide-open prairie. They felt it was worth it, having a place to call home.

With them, they brought their families, different cultures, religions and languages. They made our state what it is today.

They came with dreams of a better place to put down roots for themselves and future generations.

We have had many famous people calling North Dakota their home: statesmen, singers, actors, authors, athletes, entertainers, painters, artists, ranchers and even Miss USA.

These people are the glue keeping our state together, along with all of us who call North Dakota our home. Thanks to the dream of our ancestors.

Bernice Wanner

Member of Roughrider Electric Cooperative

TASTY PRETZELS

Who hasn’t tried and who hasn’t liked North Dakota’s Dot’s Homestyle Pretzels? Now Dot’s Pretzels can be found in many states. These delicious pretzels were first sold only in North Dakota, so when we would travel to see our daughter, who lives in the Twin City suburbs in Minnesota, a big bag or two of Dot’s had to travel with us.

When our grandson went off to college in Wisconsin, Dot’s Pretzels were always included in a care package sent to him. His roommates loved it when a package from North Dakota would arrive.

After the completion of their freshman year, one of his friends from Washington, D.C., invited him and other buddies to take a trip to Washington, D.C. Along came a package of Dot’s Pretzels. The buddies all stayed at the house of the Washington, D.C., student. One night, the pretzels emerged and our grandson asked the father of the household if he would like to try some. He did and the story goes that he finished the entire bag of Dot’s Pretzels. It is hard to just have one. If you do, you definitely want more of these scrumptious Dot’s.