Cally Peterson

FAMILY REUNION
Another fond memory for David was the annual Wolf family reunion. Started in 1986 by David’s mother and several of her 14 siblings, who referred to themselves as the second generation, it was a way to keep their large family connected. The early reunions were convened at Arrowood Lake, where family could swim and play games. The Wolf family now gathers at the city park in Carrington, where a rousing game of kickball or baseball ensues – with the third, fourth and fifth generations.

“I loved the job, loved who I worked with and being outside,” Kraft says. “I didn’t like the weather all the time, but for the most part, I liked it.”

It was a career he loved, made possible by an education he received from a school just 40 miles northeast of home.

Many will talk about the city’s cultural diversity, perhaps shaped by the Minot Air Force Base and military families who put down roots up north.
And the local eateries will be mentioned, too.

But to look back at Minot’s recent history – the Souris River flood of 2011, the Bakken oil boom of the 2010s and the COVID-19 pandemic – one defining feature stands above the rest. Shaped by the spirit of community, perhaps the true magic of Minot is its resilience.

“I know when I didn’t exercise this past year, I felt it more than ever,” says the Jamestown College (now University of Jamestown) track, cross-country and basketball alum. “Just hearing people talk about what they’ve been through this past year, it’s a lot. Exercise can be an outlet.”

The answer, in part, lies in the interconnectedness of the power grid, Kupper says. There are many links in the power supply chain that connect to generate and deliver power to electric consumers. Together, these links work in harmony to achieve a stable electric system – a sort of balancing act that requires electric generation supplying the grid be equal to electric demand, or the electricity coming off the grid. When this balance of power supply and demand is lost, the entire system is at risk of failure.

With the purchase of the farm came an inground swimming pool. It was one of two farmstead pools in the area, installed by the farm’s previous owner. With the raising of pigs came the stories.

A fence kept the Meier hogs maintained to an area of the farm. But as farmers and ranchers know, fences need fixing at times. The hogs broke out of the fence and ended up in the swimming pool!

FARM SAFETY
Rural electrification revolutionized farming. With it, of course, came poles, wires and an expanse of electrical infrastructure, naturally adding another component to farm safety. The National Safety Council lists agriculture as one of the two most hazardous occupations. Because of this, the Arths, like many farmers, prioritize safety.

“We are very safety conscious on our farm,” Mike says.

For North Dakota’s electric cooperatives, electrical safety on the farm is an important message to continually share.

“I’ve always tried to make things fun as best I can,” Deb says.

Fun meant the lunch line was always decked out for the holidays or changing seasons. Rabbit droppings disguised as Cocoa Puffs cereal littered the way to Deb’s office door around Easter. October brought a spooky thrill, with Halloween lights and themed menus that included “ogre fingers” and “eye of newt.” Her lunchroom Halloween spectacle even drew a TV news crew from Fargo one year.

And I mean talent. Both have earned individual national championships and are two-time state champion wrestlers. Their prowess on the mat – and in the classroom – has earned them full-ride, no-risk scholarships to the University of Michigan (Michigan), which runs a top NCAA Division 1 wrestling program in the Big Ten Conference.

“Oh, thank you so much. We so appreciate that,” Wilfried says.

You can hear the genuine gratitude in their voices. As we pass trophy cases lining the hall to the wrestling room, humility carries their gait.

MOUNTRAIL-WILLIAMS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
NDAREC President
▶    FAMILY | Wife, Helen. Four children and eight grandchildren.
▶    BOARD SERVICE | Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative board since 1981, currently vice president. NDAREC board since 1998, currently president.
▶    WHY I SERVE | I believe in the mission to improve the quality of life for every member through the delivery of electricity. It is so enjoyable to be involved with all the important issues we are involved with in our local communities and state.