NEWS & NOTES

1/6/2025

         Hi Folks,

• We are now freshly into the year 2025 and I hope each of you had an opportunity to safely welcome the New Year in your own special style. 🙂
• National Law Enforcement Day is January 9, 2025.  If you have  friends or family members in law enforcement, National Law Enforcement Day is the perfect time to express your gratitude and respect in recognition of their essential profession.  Thank you to all law enforcement people.
• Last Friday Julie Fedorchak became a member of the 119th Congress.  She is the first woman to represent North Dakota in the U.S. House of Representatives and the first woman representing North Dakota since Heidi Heitkamp served in the U.S. Senate.  Julie has served the North Dakota Public Service Commission since 2013 and will serve on the Energy and Commerce Committee as a congresswoman.
• Going forward in the electric power industry generation, adequacy, transmission and affordability are challenges.  So many advancements in our country require more electricity and more water.  Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) and the American Public Power Association (APPA) are working to provide adequate power where and when it is needed at affordable costs.
• With the North Dakota Legislative session getting under way, time demands on our legislators will be significant.  That said, if you have bills in which you are interested, contact legislators early so they have time to research on your behalf.  To find legislators or follow bills an official website of North Dakota is :https://nd.gov/. 
• The NCAA FCS Championship game between the Missouri Valley Conference’s North Dakota State Bison and the Big Sky’s Montana State Bobcats is scheduled for Monday night (Some of you will receive this before and some following the game).  Montana State comes into the game undefeated with North Dakota’s Central Valley High School Graduate, Brent Vigen as the coach.  Brent was recently named FCS Football Coach of the Year.  Congratulations Brent.
• Thank you to all who provide and proof material for this column.
• “Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.” ~ Maya Angelou

         Blessings, Pray, be Respectful and Grateful,

Dave

Dave Carlsrud

NEWS & NOTES

12/30/2024

         Hello Everyone,

• Happy New Year and please celebrate your gathering with family and friends responsibly so your new year can be a happy one. 
• That was quite an unusual warm weather spell we encountered over the weekend.  Hopefully you were able to enjoy it.  However, now there will be slippery spots where there weren’t any before, so please be vigilant!
• A thought, sometimes I feel sorry for myself while thinking about things “I don’t have”.  That IS depressing and I have so many things for which to be grateful.  When I am feeling gratitude, it really helps me to be in a good mental state.
• Salt and other corrosive ice melting materials can be tough on your concrete sidewalks, driveways and grass so be cautious with how you use them.  There are numerous materials that will melt ice, in some cases blending products could be a safer option for your property.
• We have friends who are currently battling some health issues.  If you do too, please take a little time to visit, call, text, email or write a note to let them know you are thinking of them.  Most importantly, pray for them.
• The Winter Solstice was December 21 when the sun was south of the equator directly over the Tropic of Capricorn.  Days are getting longer, YAY!
• Good ice fishing has picked up following a period of good ice-making weather.  However with the number of unseasonably warm days, some ice deterioration, currents in the rivers and lakes, extra awareness of conditions for your safety may be prudent.  Please be safe.
• Fall and into winter is a busy time in city business with budgeting, equipment preparation, snow removal, permanent flood protection, next year’s road construction and the like. Thank you to all our city employees for all you do.
• Thank you to all who provide and proof material for this column.
• “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”      ~ Aesop

         Blessings, Pray, be Respectful and Grateful,

Dave

Dave Carlsrud     

NEWS & NOTES

12/23/2024

Greetings,

• Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah everyone.  Sue and I hope you all have cherished times with families and friends throughout your holiday season.
• Please read “Out & About With Carter” in the 12/19/24 Times Record.  Blessings Carter.
• From Josh Johnson:  “While there are many things that I love about our community, one that stands out are the many events and tournaments hosted in Valley City that bring out of towners to our community.  Have you been around a recent weekend and seen the mass of children and families visiting our gas stations, restaurants, and other places of business? It is awesome to showcase our community, utilize our great activity facilities, and also support our businesses in Valley City.  Thank you to all the organizers of these events that continue to bring so many people to Valley City.  A few of these organizations include VCPR, VCSU, VCPS, Just for Kix Dance, Viper/Prowl Hockey, Twisters Gymnastics, Legion Baseball, Special Olympics, and others.  A Shout-Out to All of You!!”  Thanks Josh.
• Hi-Liners Girls’ and Boys’ basketball teams will be hosting  Holiday Basketball Tournaments December 27-29 at the HAC.  Maybe it would be fun for you, attend a little high school basketball at the HAC.
• During the Holidays, I tend to eat more than I should, imagine that!  A “holiday tip” for feeling better was given to me; if I walk as little as 7,000 steps in the day, I will feel better mentally and physically.  I am going to try it and hope you will too.
• Over night last Wednesday afforded us a beautiful 5-6 inch snow fall.  If it can get a little crust and stay, it can provide good insulation for our lawns and infrastructure.  Yay!
• As I am thinking about our family gatherings at Christmas, many fond memories of being at our “grammas’” houses with cousins, aunts, uncles, parents and of course grandparents surface.  I hope our grandkids are Blessed with such memories.  
• Thank you to all who provide and proof material for this column.
• “Christmas isn’t a season. It’s a feeling.”      ~ Edna Ferber

Blessings, Pray, be Respectful and Grateful,

Dave

Dave Carlsrud      

NEWS & NOTES

12/16/2024

         Hello Folks,

• I hope last week you all had a few things in your lives for which to be grateful.
• Christmas and Hanukkah are two religious celebrations culminating next week.  Blessings to all who are celebrating their respective events.
• Last week the Joint North Dakota Water Convention and the Mid-West Electric Consumers Association (MECA) Conference were held.       
• Some of the Joint North Dakota Water Convention topics relating to our water included rural and municipal water management, battling aquatic nuisances, legislative updates, flood control and the State Water Commission Meeting.
• The winter sports and fine arts seasons are underway.  Sports and fine arts events need officials and judges; “Without officials, it is only practice”!  Give back, become an official or judge; call the North Dakota High School Activities Association (NDHSAA) 701-845-3953 for information.
• The MECA Conference offered numerous topics relating to our electrical power supply of which some were battery storage, hydropower generation on the Missouri River System and financial stewardship on our behalf.  That I attended the MECA Conference, I want to offer gratitude to Jim Horan and the MECA Team for their gracious hospitality and wonderful conference.  Thank you all.
• People have been continually adding winter lighting in and around their homes.  Thank you for adding to the beauty of your properties and to the beauty of our community.
• Remember if your garbage container is overfull, the truck can’t dump your container without damaging it, thus it will not be emptied.  If you have too much garbage periodically, consider partnering with neighbors.  Maybe you can help each other.
• Thank you to all who provide and proof material for this column.
• “If there is love in your heart and your mind, you will feel Christmas all the time.”      ~ Faith Hill

         Blessings, Pray, be Respectful and Grateful,

Dave

Dave Carlsrud