Things Happen in 3’s
My Dad had a saying that “everything happens in 3’s”. Yep, everything in life happens in events of 3. If you have an accident in your family; broken bone, major cut that requires a trip to the emergency room, fall from a tree, my Dad would always tell us to “be careful, because everything happens in 3’s”.

But is it only accidents that happen in 3’s? Of course not. Take for example this past week when I met 3 different people, in 3 different locations, who talked about returning to Minot after being here once before…and all 3 were absolutely ecstatic to return.

The first person was now CMSgt. Becky Thomas of the 91st Missile Wing. We’ll have another opportunity to interview her in the next few months, but we had a few minutes at her recent Assumption of Responsibility Ceremony to talk about returning to Minot. In CMSgt Thomas’ words, “everyone is so nice in Minot. We enjoyed being here the first time, and we asked to come back” says Thomas “I even had people offer to pay for my oil change. I explained that no, that is something I need to do for myself.”

I might also say that both times I have had an opportunity to talk with CMSgt Thomas, she has had a very infectious smile when she talks about her opportunity to bring her family back to Minot. Sure, there will be challenging times ahead, and even Col. Schlabach apologized to her family during the ceremony for the many times that Thomas would be called away from home to attend events of the 91st MW. Watch for more about CMSgt Becky Thomas in future Northern Sentry editions.

Number 2…
A young man in uniform walked into the Northern Sentry office at 315 Main Street. He was looking for the Jamaican Vybz restaurant. It happened to be a Monday, and the restaurant was closed. Again, we talked about “where are you from?” and the answer was Pennsylvania. He said “so much has changed since the first time I was here 6 years ago. The new hospital, all the new restaurants, the Discovery Center; just a few of the changes he noted. Then he, too, said that he asked to be transferred back to Minot. He chuckled when he said that the lady doing his transfer papers said she was sorry he was being sent back to Minot. “From everything I read here, you are good at what you do, and probably deserve better.” He said he explained that it was his choice to go back to Minot. Her reaction? “I wouldn’t get caught dead there”. We talked at length about the fact she had never been to Minot, in fact, she hadn’t ever been out of Texas.

Number 3
I am telling you that I wasn’t hunting down the person to be #3 in my “I got transferred back to Minot” events. This person had nothing to do with the military. Instead, she was originally from Minot. Left to be a schoolteacher in Wisconsin but was in her words “always looking over my shoulder for an opportunity to return to her hometown.” The opportunity came soon enough when her elderly mother would need care. “I couldn’t wait to get back. I gave my notice in January and was back here by June 1st. You never really know what you are missing until it’s not there anymore. Minot has so much to offer- and the people are so, so, friendly. Here I am, back where I always wanted to be.”

Is It Coincidence?
I am sure it could be a bit of coincidence to run into 3 different people who championed the “I wanted to return to Minot cause.” But how refreshing to hear the 3 stories, and how each related with confidence that they made the right decision. Great schools, great places to go, we love the summer months, have you ever tried ice fishing?…reasons to return to Minot. Welcome back! We missed you.

Best Kept Secrets
I was thinking about what to feature this week, and all of a sudden, there it was. Sausage!!! Say what? Sausage? A couple of neighbors took a sausage tour. They started in Minot, went through Berthold, south to Garrison, and finally ended up in Harvey. They purchased homemade sausage in all of the communities they visited. In Minot they stopped at Charlie’s Country Sausage and the Meat Company. Going west they visited MeMa’s Meats in Berthold. In the Garrison area was Myer’s Meats and finally in Harvey it was Warehouse Grocery. My intention is not to leave anyone out. There are a lot more markets that feature their very own turn on sausage. Pack a lunch and do your own sausage tour.

Today’s Chuckle
Many a person lost in thought is just trying to recall where he left his cellphone.