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RETIRING WINTER GEAR
I think my favorite indication that summer is here is being able to put away the snowboots, snowpants, hats and gloves and take the extra blankets out of the car. They all come out with the first snowflakes of fall and stay through the unpredictable spring weather.

Dear farmers and ranchers,

I know this past year has been tough. We could barely grow crops. Our cattle barely had enough to eat. But this year, we are getting a lot more snow than last year. The ground shouldn’t be as dry, and our cattle can eat more grass. We’ll be able to get more hay for the animals next winter. So, whether you’re a farmer or a rancher, remember bad days can’t last forever.

Emelie Schaper, age 11
McKenzie Electric Cooperative

BREAKING A STREAK
It was on the football field in Anamoose on a September Friday night in 1984 where the cheering, whooping and hollering took place. The crowd was going crazy and the players were jumping up and down in jubilation. A bystander would have thought this team had won the state championship, due to all the excitement. But no!

PRACTICE BASIC KINDNESS
Coming up with my greatest wish for 2022 was a challenge. When I think about the last few years in our country – the anger, hatred and division – I am heartsick.

My wish for the new year comes from what I learned as a child:
• Treat others as you want to be treated.
• Love one another.
• Practice kindness.
• Take care of each other.
• Show compassion.
• Watch your words. Freedom of speech is a wonderful thing, but just because you can say something, doesn't mean you should.

LAST MEMORIES
Thanksgiving 2018, which took place for me on Nov. 24 (the Saturday after the holiday), was very special to me, because it would turn out to be the last holiday I would spend with my mother.

It was a combined Thanksgiving/Christmas celebration and included my mom’s four children, a couple of sons-in-law, the majority of her 11 grandchildren, and her brother and his wife from Bismarck.

STAYING CONNECTED
Since I have now lived in Bowman for over three years, I don’t have an electric cooperative anymore, but Slope Electric Cooperative will always be “home” to me, as it was my cooperative for 27 years.

During that time, I was always so grateful for the cooperative’s prompt, friendly responses to my calls for assistance with power outages, and the ensuing communication until the power was restored.

AROMATIC CATCH
When my younger brother showed an early interest in hunting, my dad gave him a Daisy BB gun when he turned 6 years old. (It was, after all, a much more relaxed country lifestyle back in the early 1960s.)

This peace is a human right that all humans, I believe, could accept for a quality life. Therefore, I would like to suggest that our “Peace Garden State” be known for peace and quality of life.

One thing I would like to suggest is to use the song, “Let There Be Peace on Earth,” written by Jill Jackson-Miller and Sy Miller in 1955. It would be nice if this song is sung by people at the many events during the year.

We think peace is “too big” of an issue, but if we each can begin peace, hopefully the “Peace Garden State” can be a leader to a peaceful world.