Nothing was ever handed to the Lamoureux twins. Monique Lamoureux-Morando and Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson carved their own success through hard work and determination, which led them to become North Dakota’s first Olympic gold medalists.
There is one significant piece of their story, however, that was out of their control, but certainly helped prepare the identical twins for the big moments – their upbringing in North Dakota.
Even in the depths of winter, Meigan Cameron finds the beauty in nature. She has mastered bringing the outside in, turning her home into a haven for plants and herbs. And, despite the Nanking cherry and apple trees in her yard being draped in white, she strives to include fruits and veggies in her family’s meals.
“In wintertime, fresh veggies are precious, so I like to make good use of what is readily available,” she says.
This year, images from Afghanistan entered American homes, as the United States exited the country and ended a 20-year war. The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and subsequent Taliban takeover of the country was highly covered news across all media.
But for more than 4 million American veterans or active-duty personnel who have served since 9/11, those images go deeper. They trigger complex emotions and questions. Did my service matter? Were our losses for nothing?
After spending most of his 20s “running from North Dakota” and working at resorts and restaurants in Minnesota and Florida, Jeff Benda changed directions.
The Grand Forks native and son of a U.S. Air Force veteran found himself working toward a teaching degree in Valley City and surrounded by a group of friends who introduced him to
hunting.
“It was hunting that kept me here in North Dakota,” he says. “Being out in the country, in a small town like Valley City, I’d finally developed a sense of place and belonging, and just fell in love with it.”
It’s National Co-op Month! A chance to celebrate cooperatives and the rich cooperative history that has helped build and support North Dakota communities for generations.
The cooperative difference. What is it and why is it important? Understanding the cooperative principles is key to defining “the cooperative difference.”
After watching his father fight fires in western North Dakota during a 20-year firefighting career, Eric Hellandsaas learned a thing or two about serving his community. Today, Hellandsaas balances his responsibilities as a journeyman lineworker for McKenzie Electric Cooperative in Watford City with his community service as both a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical responder (EMR). And in a year of extreme drought, Hellandsaas’ stock has gone up.
“This facility gives our summer camp program a physical presence in the eastern part of the state and complements our camp facility in western North Dakota on the Heart Butte Reservoir,” says NDFU President Mark Watne. “We are excited for all the cooperative learning and fun kids will have here. Investing in youth education is the greatest asset of our state and organization.”
“A credit union is the right fit for our community and would be owned by the people of the tribe,” says Joseph McNeil Jr., Standing Rock Sioux Tribe member who spearheads economic development for the tribe and serves on the emerging credit union steering committee. “Oyate means ‘the people, the nation.’ It’s reflective of community. Members will be able to vote on leadership of the credit union.”
