Hi Everybody,

• Hopefully you took pleasure in last week’s beautiful weather and nice weather is again forecast. *The First Day of Spring, also the Vernal Equinox, is March 20, enjoy!
• Trivia:  March 12 of 1894, Coca-Cola was first served in a glass bottle.
• Last week, Valley City’s George Gaukler died.  From my view, George was a hard-working, intelligent business man who was  kind, giving and loved Valley City.  The housing developments, apartment complexes and certainly the Gaukler Family Wellness Center are identifiable projects for which he is noted.  What many of us do not know are all the people, businesses and charities to which George was a financial benefactor allowing them so many opportunities to be successful.  Thank you George, you will be missed.
• Fecal matter, especially “dog poop” can be dangerous due to the presence of bacteria and parasites which can cause illness in humans and animals.  For the safety of all, please pick-up poop in your yard and always carry a “poopie bag” when walking your pet.  Thank you for your efforts.
• The North Dakota High School Activities Association (NDHSAA) crowned Class AA Basketball Champions, West Fargo Horace in the girls’ and Bismarck Century in the boys’.  The other “team” on the floor for all games is the game officials.  It is a big “feather in one’s cap” to be selected as a tournament official, like basketball teams, officials compete for tournaments.  Thanks to all of you officials who  “Enter the Arena” and compete. 
• * That officiating was just mentioned, why not give officiating a try?  It’s an opportunity to “give back” to sports and kids you love.  Call the (NDHSAA) at 701-845-3953 for information.
• Some MRES Board topics last week concerned, power supply resources, transmission projects and distribution maintenance services.  With the onset of data centers, generating enough electric power to adequately serve our needs is a huge challenge.
• Thank you to all who provide and proof material for this column.
• “Most folk are as happy as they make up their minds to be.” ~ Abraham Lincoln

        Blessings, Pray, be Respectful and Grateful,

Dave

Dave Carlsrud

        Hi Everybody,

• Wednesday the 88th North Dakota Winter Show kicks off with various events throughout the rest of the week.  With FREE admission you will have access to music, food, crafts, Cowboy Church and many displays.  Numerous ticketed events like PRC Rodeo performances, ranch rodeo and horse pulls to name a few.  The weather forecast is extremely good for the week so get out and enjoy the Winter Show and the nice weather.
• To enhance your mental health; relax to reduce stress, continue learning, invest time in nature, connect with others (call someone) and get quality rest. Blessings.
• This week, March 3-7, Valley City’s Jefferson Elementary School is celebrating “Kindness Week”.  Themes to be commemorated daily throughout the week are “Sportsmanship Day”, “Brighten the World With Kindness Day”, “Be a Hero Day”, “Be Uniquely Kind Day” and end the week with “Self Love Day”.
• The 69th North Dakota Legislative Session is ongoing.  You can track bills of interest at: https://ndlegis.gov/legislative-bill-tracking-system.  If you have questions or comments, you are encouraged to contact your District 24 Legislators.
• March is “National Nutrition Month”.  While nutrition is important for all, we older folks will benefit greatly as well. We require fewer calories now though nutrient rich foods are extremely important for us.  A protein rich diet can help reduce the loss of muscle and strength!  Check with your doctor, City County Health, Barnes County Extension Office or the Valley City Barnes County Library for ideas that could work for you.
• “Without referees, it is just a scrimmage”!  Give back to the sports you love, become an official.  Officiating is like playing and coaching, you get to “compete”.  Contact the North Dakota High School Activities Association (NDHSAA) at 701-845-3953.
• Thank you to all who provide and proof material for this column.
• “People will generally accept facts as truth only if the facts agree with what they already believe.” ~ Andy Rooney

        Blessings, Pray, be Respectful and Grateful,

Dave

Dave Carlsrud

NEWS & NOTES

2/24/2025

        Hello Folks,

• FINALLY, a nice break in the weather!  We have endured a tough stretch, kudos to all of you.
• Thank you to all the city, county and state employees who work outdoors keeping roads passable, water and sewers flowing along with a plethora of other tasks as well.
• Last week we attended “Capitol Connections” in Bismarck where a number of state associations gathered.  The North Dakota League of Cities (NDLC), the North Dakota Association of Counties (NDACo), the North Dakota School Boards Association (NDSBA), the North Dakota Township Officers Association (NDTOA) and the North Dakota Recreation and Parks Association (NDRPA) were present.  That there were over 1,000 bills introduced this year, it was an opportune time to network and collaborate on bills affecting the groups.  A number of our legislators and governor graciously made time to address the group and answer some tough questions concerning numerous bills.  Thank you to the organizers, legislators and other presenters, it was an invaluable event.
• A North Dakota personality about whom you may enjoy reading is Darin Erstad of Jamestown High School, University of Nebraska Football & Baseball and Los Angeles Angels.  Google “Darin Erstad” and enjoy.
• Thank you to Deb Birgen with Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) who drove from Sioux Falls solely to testify in Bismarck at the ND  Legislature supporting Valley City and all North Dakota Municipal Power Communities.
• The North Dakota High School Activities Association’s (NDHSAA) State Wrestling was held at the FargoDome over the weekend.  It is great event in a wonderful venue where you can easily watch wrestling to your heart’s content and for us old timers to re-hash “old war stories”.  Some stories may be somewhat embellished …… imagine that! 
• Thank you to all who provide and proof material for this column.
• “Once you have wrestled, everything else in life is easy.”  ~ Dan Gable

        Blessings, Pray, be Respectful and Grateful,

Dave

Dave Carlsrud

NEWS & NOTES

2/17/2025

        Hi Everyone,

• It has been quite a cold spell recently though it appears to be mellowing as the week goes forward.  “Hang in there”!
• Last week a number of our city employees exercised their culinary skills in their 3rd Annual Soup-er Bowl Event.  There was a good number of contest entries and all were of superior taste!  This year’s “selectee” was the Valley City Fire Department’s (VCFD) Cheeseburger Soup.  Congratulations to the VCFD and thank you to all who competed.
• Will you please carry a garbage box/bag in your car/pickup to hold garbage (cigarette butts too) until you can dispose of it in a proper receptacle? Thank you.
• We are into the winter sports season tournaments already!  Tournaments are exciting and lots of fun though usually only the game winners advance which bring sudden ends to seasons.  As parents and spectators, it can be “hard”, so be good examples of sportsmanship for your children.  “One person practicing sportsmanship is far better than a hundred teaching it”.  ~ Knute Rockne
• With all that is happening in the world today, consider praying to the God of your choice that good will overcome evil.
• We are under a National Energy Emergency declaration.  The order emphasizes the need to enhance the nation’s power grid for addressing fuel shortages, increasing energy demands and the impacts of extreme weather events. (Sam McDonald, Kanner & Associates) Thank you Sam.
• Dickey County is housing a data center just west of Ellendale.  Some of the A.I. facilities there will be a 175,000 sq. ft building, 400,000-gallon diesel tanks, nine diesel generators and will need over 800 megawatts of power.  That is really big stuff with more to come!
• It was reported at our last Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) that the “whole electrical grid” is scrambling to secure adequate electric power due to growing demand.
• Thank you to all who provide and proof material for this column.
• “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”  ~ The Special Olympics Motto recited by Special Olympians at competitions.

        Blessings, Pray, be Respectful and Grateful,

Dave

Dave Carlsrud

NEWS & NOTES

2/10/2025

        Greetings All,

• Dad Joke: “Of all the technological advancements over the years, the ‘Dry Erase Board’ is still remarkable!!”  Hehehe.
• The NW Water Tower project to replace the standpipe is underway with environmental documentation, preliminary design, final design and bidding being addressed.
• CHI Mercy Hospital now offers state of the art mammography and cataract surgery.  The digital mammography provides crystal clear images for accurate diagnosis and the specialized cataract procedures both allow us to have great services in Valley City.  Call 701-845-6400 for further information.
• Saturday our local chamber of Commerce facilitated “Souper Saturday” at Brockhopp Brewing where a good time was had by all.  Eleven contestants brought outstanding soups for everyone to enjoy.  I tasted all of them and any one would be a satisfying meal for me, they were really good.  Additional sponsors were BEK Communications, Leevers and Pizza Corner.  Thank you all.
• Some ways to beat the “Winter Doldrums” are:
  • Invest in time with friends and family, perhaps host a gathering. Enjoy the sun and fresh air even though it may be cold!
  • Eat well, whole grains, fatty fish, fruits, veggies and try some seasonings different than you usually use.
• Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love and affection that originated as a Christian feast day.  It honors Saint Valentine, a martyr who was executed for marrying couples in secret. The holiday has evolved into a cultural and commercial celebration of love and romance. People send cards and flowers, have date nights and generally invest time with each other.  Share your gratitude by making it a “special time” for you and those about whom you care.
• Cliff Cushman was a noted North Dakotan from Grand Forks who served as a pilot in the United States Air Force and was an Olympian.  You may enjoy, https://www.google.com/search?q=quote%2C+cliff+Cushman&oq=quote%2C+cliff+Cushman&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigATIHCAIQIRigATIHCAMQIRigATIHCAQQIRigAdIBCDk2NjFqMGo0qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8.
• Thank you to all who provide and proof material for this column.
• “Rather than focusing on the obstacle in your path, focus on the bridge over the obstacle.”  ~ Mary Lou Retton

        Blessings, Pray, be Respectful and Grateful,

Dave

Dave Carlsrud