A Center of Shopping

The parking lot was full of vehicles. Every available parking space for several blocks in all directions was full too. The crowd was shoulder to shoulder. Parents held tightly to their children. Great excitement in the City of Minot!Huh? The year was 1962. The occasion was the grand opening of Arrowhead Mall, the first shopping […]

Sadly, two more newspapers are gone…

It was recently announced that two more North Dakota newspapers have closed for an indefinite amount of time. They are the New Town News and Mountrail County Record in Parshall. That brings the recent number of closures to six in what seems to be a stunning trend. First, it was the Metigoshe Mirror, then the […]

My Summer Must-Dos

Summer is upon us in Hot Dish Land. For locals this means trips to “the lake.” For military families it means “PCS season.” For all of us it means days outdoors, shedding the translucent pallor of winter, and gloriously long days. There are few things better than a North Dakota summer. They go by quickly, […]

The History of “Dak Rats”

Quite often the discussion between a resident of Minot, and someone who lives and works on base will come to the existence of Richardson’s Ground Squirrels, aka gophers, or as they are referred to by military personnel on Minot AFB, Dak Rats. One of my first memories of exterminating a gopher from our yard came […]

Sunshine and Smiles

Everyone needs a little down time now and then. Maybe sit back and relax, whatever form that may be, and get away from daily routines and responsibilities. One way I’ve found to do exactly that usually involves a fishing rod, good company, and an appreciation for one’s surroundings. Shimmering water, gentle waves, and passing cloud […]

North Dakota’s newest communities…

Last week we summarized several ghost towns across the state. This week we’ll switch it up and take a look at North Dakota’s 10 newest communities. Six of them are either suburbs of Fargo or are nearby. Four are independent communities in western North Dakota. 1.) Oxbow 1988 – This is clearly the newest community […]

Outdoor Report May 19-May 25

Thanks to Woodland Resort, our Outdoors Report sponsor, for helping keep readers up-to-date on happenings throughout the region. For complete details about fishing Devils Lake and its array of recreational opportunities visit their website, (www.woodlandresort.com), Facebook at (facebook.com/woodlandresortDL), telephone (701) 662-5996, extension 1, or email (woodlandresort@gondtc.com). They’re located at 1012 Woodland Drive, Devils Lake, N.D. […]

What Season Are You Getting Ready For?

It’s kind of an unusual question. “What season are you getting ready for?” Let me start by saying that there are a couple of “signs” that summer will soon be upon us. I am certainly not a meteorologist, but when we have a late spring, which we have this year, summer hits us in a […]

Ghosts of North Dakota…

If you’ve ever read a book called “Ghosts of North Dakota,” there’s one common theme throughout the publication. It’s about ghost towns in North Dakota, but nearly every community written about still exists. There are real ghost towns in North Dakota. It’s just that finding history about them is not always easy or plentiful. But […]

The Puppy and the Ticket

The tale I am about to reveal is worth a laugh, a cry, or both. I suppose the reaction will range from “hilarious”, to that “D___ dog!”I’m a member of the hilarious group but, admittedly, for a moment or two, I muttered a few four-letter words. One glance at my dog turned my frown to […]