Etc. etc. etc. by Bob Simmons

Although I was born and raised in western Massachusetts, I consider North Dakota home, as this is where I've spent the last 43 years of my life.

My two cents | Dealing with the heat by Mike Alan Steinfeldt

As I start my column this week, here’s to hoping that everyone has a great time at this year’s 29th Annual Riverfest Celebration in town.The event, hosted by the Drayton Area Chamber of Commerce, has selected “Christmas in July” as its theme.

Letter from the Editor

Unlike many people in Pembina County, I don’t have childhood memories of growing up at this county’s fair. My fair memories didn’t begin until I moved to North Dakota.When Robert and I blended our family, the Pembina County Fair became one of our summer traditions.

Along the way | Healing canvas

Sometimes along the way, we find inspiration in the most unlikely places, people, and experiences.When our hearts are open and our ears are ready to listen, there is a sacred connection that offers its wisdom to the sanctuary of our journeys.

Bowesmont lives

On Monday, Merv and Phyllis Holter and Saralee Hoselton were among those having lunch at the Sugar Bowl Senior Citizens’ Center, which included the post-Fourth of July cake provided by Judy Gozdal. They also stayed for the monthly Sugar Bowl business meeting.

My two cents | Why did I do that? by Mike Alan Steinfeldt

My wife told me just the other day, “I can’t wait until I retire so I have more time to do things around the house.”Ain’t that the truth. With a fulltime job, plus, it seems that there is never enough time in a day or a week to get things done.With me, it’s yard work.

Letter from the Editor |

I’ll start by saying I hope you started your week with as many fingers and toes as you went into the holiday weekend with! I’m happy to report all of my appendages are still intact— mainly because I did not set off any fireworks.

Wells Drinking Well Fordville Motoclimb Results

Fordville, ND | June 28, 2026 | Presented by Champion Seed50cc1. Madelyn Zorn (#703), Cooperstown, ND — Distance: 161 feet2. Jameson Dahl (#84), Hannaford, ND — Distance: 158 feet3. Vienna Gitter (#54), New Ulm, MN — Distance: 123 feet4. Elinor Grabanski (#118), Inkster, ND — Distance: 119 feet5.

Along the way | Passive peace

There are moments in time, fleeting in their purposeful salutation, that bring life back to the emptiness experienced in the grief-filled challenges that find us. In them we are awakened to the soul’s understanding of our personal journeys, connecting to the sacred alignment of restoration.

Letter from the Editor | There are some things that just scream Fourth of July.

The smell of sunscreen. The sound of fireworks echoing across a small town. Kids with sticky hands from melted popsicles. Red, white and blue everywhere you look.For me, though, the Fourth has always smelled like diesel fuel and turnout gear.