BRIGHT LIGHTS
My favorite Christmas tradition is when we light my grandpa’s Christmas lights for the first time. Someone pushes the button to light the backyard lights, and someone pushes the button for the lights in the front.
Every inch of space is lit with millions of lightbulbs. It is the most magical thing ever!
Paige Ahmann, age 13
Capital Electric Cooperative
CARING FOR COMMUNITIES
As someone who works with multiple youth organizations, I know a thing or two about different places to go to get volunteer power or monetary donations. I almost always go to a cooperative first. They are happy to help, because they want the same thing I do: caring communities! The greatest benefit of being a member is feeling the sense of pride of the entire group and the ability to ask and receive much-needed help.
Aspen Lenning
Adams County Extension agent, agricultural and natural resources
GOING OUT WITH A BANG
My mother was a hard worker who helped on the neighbor’s farm when I was little. Fast-forward about 40 years. It was the last year my husband and I farmed and the last harvest. Back then, our equipment was on its last legs. We gave my mother the job of driving truck.
We had about half the field left to combine and we hear a BANG! She hopped out of the truck and over those windrows so fast! She thought she had wrecked the truck, but one of the inside dual tires blew. I don’t think I had ever seen my mother move that fast.
HUNTER PINKE
Hunter Pinke is a North Dakota athlete from Wishek who inspires me! He was a star University of North Dakota football player when his life changed in a moment.
He came to our school and did a presentation about how a skiing accident in Colorado changed his life. As he was skiing, he collided with another skier and hit a tree. Because of that accident, he is now paralyzed from his chest down.
REUNITING WITH HISTORY
My favorite part of North Dakota’s history is the present. Two years ago, I saw a book, “Fly in the Buttermilk: One Black Man’s Odyssey,” by Robert L. Polk at a bookstore in Minot. It was published in 2022.
I immediately called a friend who had been a fellow camper in 1947 at the North Dakota Congregational Bible Camp at Lake Metigoshe. It was there we met Polk, who was on the summer staff.
NEARBY INSPIRATION
My inspiration most often is a painting that hangs on my wall. It is a picture of Jesus with a flock of contented sheep at his feet and carrying a sheep over his shoulder. I look at that one sheep as myself.
Beside Jesus is a tree, which reminds me of a solid life, tall and ongoing. On the other side is a rock, showing Jesus as our solid foundation.
Art in any form is an inspiration. Go out and enjoy.
Joan Jones
Formerly Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative
GOOD OL’ FOURTH
My favorite summer celebration in North Dakota is the Fourth of July. We attend a small community event, which has been a fun-filled day for many years.
The day starts promptly at 9 a.m., with someone singing the national anthem. Then the parade starts, with horse riders carrying the national flag and the Christian flag. The parade consists of floats created by local businesses and families. This is followed by races at the baseball field. Any age can participate and all the littles win a quarter for participating.
ENJOY NATURE
I usually open the shades, let the sunshine in, take some deep breaths, go for a walk and inhale the fresh air. Nature is so good for a person.
I do a lot of praying. I like to bake and/or make extra food and take it to a homebound person, a neighbor or an older person.
And as you look around, soon you will notice all the blessings God has given us. Every day is a gift.
Ileene Albin
Northern Plains Electric Cooperative
April: April is Stress Awareness Month. What do you do to relieve stress?
Deadline for submission: March 10
May: What is the most underrated travel destination in North Dakota?
Deadline for submission: April 11
Published replies pay $25. Email to ndliving@ndarec.com or mail to READER REPLY, North Dakota Living, P.O. Box 727, Mandan, ND 58554-0727.
