He told me one humorous story about when he was in the hospital after getting back to the United States. It seems the doctors were worried about Jim and another patient, because they had a hard time putting on any weight. The doctors decided to give them several cans of beer a day to help them gain weight. Jim said he and his beer buddy were the envy of the whole ward, as beer was not normally available to the patients.
GIVING TIME
There is an individual in our community who I feel deserves recognition as a first responder.
This man comes first to mind when there is an emergency, a fire siren or any other need that requires a helping hand in our area. He stands tall and has a compassionate, kind, caring heart when it comes to an immediate need!
Gary Rising deserves such recognition for his many years of giving himself in time of need. We are so lucky to have him in our community. Thank you, Gary!
Brenda Maus
SUPERHERO TRAITS
This is why my pets are superheroes:
Super-Simba
Simba is a super cat. Why? He was gone for 18 months before our neighbor girl, Sami, found him and brought him to us in February! He braved all the storms and found food for himself, when we thought he had been attacked hunting!
If he was a superhero, I would find him saving the world from being without adorable cats.
He enjoys my father's lap at night, attacking rugs and, of course, catnip.
Super-Buddy!
RECYCLE
Recycling can drink up a lot of funds, but I would like to see the community in which I live (Bowman) recycle many things that we unthinkingly toss in the trash can.
Clean glass, plastic, cardboard and newspapers, if they were separated and recycled, would greatly decrease the quantity being hauled to the landfill. Recycling aluminum cans, which Bowman does, is an awesome beginning, but recycling other items as well would be so rewarding.
Yvonne Stegner
Slope Electric Cooperative
SHARING LUNCH
My mom owns a sandwich shop in Minot, and ever since the COVID-19 and homeschooling started, my mom has been giving kids that need lunch some sandwiches, oranges and apples and some vegetables. Me and my friends have been helping her out so she can get the job done faster.
Paisley Staley
Verendrye Electric Cooperative
OFF THE BEATEN PATH
I was born and raised in North Dakota and nurtured at a young age with a love for all it has to offer. I am always amazed by fellow North Dakotans who have never traveled off the major artery roads. Best-kept secrets can be found off every off-ramp of Interstate 94, county road or highway.
MINOT PARK DISPLAY
The Minot Sertoma Christmas in the Park light display is a must during every holiday season. The already beautiful Oak Park is miraculously turned into a twinkling extravaganza of glowing lights and magical scenes of winter wonderland. Old and young, family and friends, enjoy feelings of joy, peace and hope for all mankind during this seasonal drive.
Eileen Dolan, member of Verendrye Electric Cooperative
LEADING ENERGY INDUSTRY
I believe the new technology involved in fracking our vast amounts of oil has impressed me the most. We were 11th in the nation, with 5,000 wells in 2012, but fracking has now moved us to second place, with 1.44 million barrels a day from thousands of wells.
Other states are now using the technology, too. It has helped increase America's energy supply, something that seemed impossible 15 years ago.
Marlene Kouba, member of Slope Electric Cooperative
ALWAYS HELPFUL
I have been a member of North Central Electric Cooperative for more than 30 years, and my husband was a member all his life. Whenever we’ve called or stopped into the office, the whole staff has been welcoming, patient and helpful. They have assisted in numerous electrical projects for us.
When my husband passed away in March 2018 and I decided to sell the farm homestead, they were accommodating in helping me separate the power from the homestead and my own watering systems, since I still had cattle.
