Compassion’s Creation

“Every little thing is sent for something, and in that thing there should be happiness and the power to make happy. Like the grasses showing tender faces to each other, thus we should do, for this was the wish of the Grandfathers of the world.

About the Mystery of Spousal Benefits

Dear Rusty: From what I’ve researched, the formula for spousal benefits seems very complicated. I read somewhere that it was a good idea to start the lower earning spouse’s benefit at age 62 and have the higher earning spouse file at full retirement age, for the spouse to get maximum benefit.

October Encore

It had been a very encouraging year in the world of flowers. The summer rains were a big boost for the flower season. Then with mild fall temperatures it was nice to have a few flower blossoms hanging around in October.

Pembina County General Election

The only polling location open on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2020 will be in the Farmer’s Room of the Pembina County Courthouse. Polls will be open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Due to the COVID-19 social distancing recommendations we will be able to serve only eight (8) voters at a time.

Tidbits from AMAC

Boy wonder How many “tweens” are out there who can do the work of a nuclear scientist? There’s at least one we now know of, says the Association of Mature American Citizens [AMAC]. His name is Jackson Oswalt, he lives in Memphis, TN and he built a nuclear reactor when he was 12 years old.

Legislative Update

These last two weeks I completed my committee work for the 2019-2021 Interim. It was delayed some due to COVID, but in the past few weeks we met several times and finished the work that was assigned to us.

The Great Depression and prairie populism

In 1933, journalist Lorena Hickok got to see — up close — just how bad the Great Depression had become. She was traveling the country on behalf of President Franklin Roosevelt’s administration, and that year, she passed through western North Dakota.

Dakota Datebook

October 12, 2020 — Firsttime visitors to Minot, North Dakota, are often surprised to find a Norwegian Stave Church in the town’s center.

Attitudes about respect through the generations have changed

What do you think about respect? Is it earned or extended because of position? In generations past youngsters were taught to respect their elders and others in a position of authority. In many situations it was demanded.

Music is the soundtrack to life…

Music is something that almost everyone can relate to. A song has the ability to conjure up memories from the first few notes. It is the soundtrack for our lives. Quite often when we hear a song it takes us back to time in our lives that we may not have thought about for a while.