State Literacy Team: Efforts Underway to Improve Student Literacy
Last week, I attended this year’s first State Literacy Team in-person meeting with 20 other state members at our North Dakota State Capitol. It was a pleasure to collaborate in our group of diverse perspectives to strengthen literacy efforts across North Dakota. The State Literacy Team mission is to foster communication and collaboration among North […]
She said I’d never have this
The front steps were littered with toy swords, bottles of bubbles, noisemakers, and one oversized dinosaur mask. I brushed a sweaty strand of hair off my face, grabbed a notebook and pencil, and walked to the backyard. A chaotic chorus of screams, laughter, and splashing met me. It took several attempts to be heard over […]
Next One Up
When I arrived at the change-of-command ceremony at approximately 1330 on Wednesday, July 8th, roughly 40 Airmen in Service Dress Blues had taken their places between the separate groups of chairs in front of the stage where command of the 91st Missile Wing would formally change hands. It was a warm, somewhat humid day, and […]
It’s a long way there
My wife and I were talking recently about our next vacation and possible time hacks it would take to get someplace. In February and part of March we spent a month in Florida and rather than flying like we have done for many years, this time we drove. It was a total of 2,400 miles […]
Why I Like TRICARE Select
Every single military dependent has to deal with this choice TRICARE Prime or Select? I’ve been through seven-plus bases, a few countries, and a whole lot of military healthcare systems, and here’s my honest take on why I’ve ended up preferring Select. TRICARE Prime: You use on-base medical facilities as your primary care. Most care […]
Welcome New STARBASE ND Director!
The STARBASE ND program provides 25 hours of hands-on STEAM training to 5th graders on base and within the local community. These students are given a unique opportunity to “engage with positive role models and the technological environment found on [Minot AFB]” (starbasenorthdakota.com). Effective 16 June 2026, Mrs. Aubrie Ziegler will take over as the […]
It Never Gets Old
There it was, the official timetable of the flyovers in Washington, DC and the three bomber flyover was scheduled for 6:02 PM Eastern time. Knowing that this B-52H had flown from Minot AFB made the event a “must see” for me, and I am thinking hundreds of others in Minot. I quickly went to the […]
Riddled with mistakes
I know I said a few weeks ago that I wouldn’t write anymore about my family tree and family history, but I ran across something a few days ago that too important to just put into a file. The good news is I’ve been able to trace my paternal family roots back 1,000 years and […]
Fire-Smart Starts Here: SPARKY’s Summer Safety Tips
ND Transition to Infinite Campus: What Families Need to Know
Back in March, I wrote an article on the transition to Infinite Campus and how this affects local incoming military families and school registration (“Student Registration for Minot Public and Glenburn Public School Districts amid New Infinite Campus System Integration,” March 12, 2026). This article served to prepare everyone for the upcoming transition. On June […]