I've bragged about what a fine newspaper Minot ND has ever since I moved here and nothing will change that opinion (unless they switch to a liberal slant) BUT I'm really bummed with the announcement that starting Saturday 09/06/2019 they will no longer be a 7 day a week news source.The Sunday paper has always been a big part of my Sunday morning. As an early riser (5:50 am 7 days a week) it's a great way to prepare for coffee conversation at church. The Sunday paper sets my agenda for "Daddy Disneyland" as my daughter likes to call Menards & HomeDepot as well as any electronics I see advertised that I don't think I can live without.Oh well. Look for a more active me on Active Rain now every Sunday between 6:00 am and 7:45 am as I need to fill that time spot with something somewhat produ... 09/02/2019

What's new at Minot State University? President Dr. Shirley is back to tell us about the new school year at Minot State University. There is a lot of exciting stuff discussed here so please take the 15 minutes to listen in. Minot Today is broadcast over two radio stations every Friday. You can find it at 106.9 FM at 12:15 (Noonish) and again at 4:45 on 1320 AM. Of course I always post the broadcast as a Podcast here as well as my Podcast site at Pod-O-Matic. 08/29/2019

My favorite social event is this coming Wednesday and I can hardly wait!Typically 1,000 of Minot's most elite show up for this party. If you ever wanted to meet Minot's Who's Who this is the event to attend.In addition to a fantastic meal and live orchestra music you can join in on the fun of the charity silent auction and raffle.The Great Tomato Festival was established in 1989. It is an annual, indoor summer gourmet picnic with a classic fixed menu of Haider's Salsa and Chips, Assorted Tomato Hors d'oeuvres, Smoked Pork Chops, Tomato & Cucumber Salad, Roasted Tomatoes stuffed with Rice, Beer Batter Bread, and Chocolate Brownie. Evening activities include live jazz music, a silent auction, Menu Venue, and tomato displays courtesy of MarketPlace Foods. This is a community fund-raiser, w... 08/26/2019

Speaking of Class, meet Christina Paxman, dept coordinator of Broadcasting & Professional Communication at MSU.I love my interviews with Minot State University personnel and this one with Christina Paxman is just another great example of what a terrific asset MSU is to the Minot community.Ph.D., University of Iowa M.A., California State University, Long Beach B.A., Western Washington University Dr. Christina Paxman is an Assistant Professor of Broadcasting and Professional Communication. She specializes in Public Relations and Communication and has taught 30 different courses across the span of her career. Some of Christina’s current classes include PR Campaigns & Strategies, Communication Law & Ethics, Gender Communication, and Advanced Public Speaking. Much of Christina’s teaching is ... 08/21/2019

It's hard to miss the Dakota Boy's & Girl's Ranch Thrift Store on Broadway but it's easy to be unaware of the GREAT work they support. This organization has made a positive difference in a countless number of young men's and women's lives. Take 14 minutes to learn about this amazing ministry and how you can be a part of it. Minot Today is broadcast over the air on two Minot radio stations every Friday. You can find it on 106.9 FM at 12:15 (Noonish) and again at 4:45 on 1320 AM. Of course I always post the broadcast as a Podcast here as well as my Podcast site at Pod-O-Matic. 08/16/2019

It's back & this year I'm In!A sleepy, silly, spry, scintillating, sassy, stupendous, and slothy (late)morning of shenanigans. (Two) beers, coffee, doughnuts, games, swag and prizes brought to you by the fun-loving Minot Lions Club. Costumes and craziness provided by yourself and your friends! Starting at Ben's Tavern and trekking ALL the way to Arny's 2.0 (it's about a half a kilometer and you walk, crawl or maybe a less-sloth-like friend would pull you in a wagon?) The best way to spend your morning before enjoying the Downtown Festival on Main!If you are not up for an endurance race try the Try-Sloth-Alon. A six block walk with beer and donuts along the way. The $35.00 entry fee benefits the Minot Lions and gets you 2 beers, donuts, a T-Shirt, and a lot of fun. 08/14/2019

Rarely do I walk into a storefront and am "Wowed" but I sure was by POEM of Minot. I was greeted by James Adams who gave me a full tour and it didn't take long to realize that POEM and James were both amazing. It's no wonder however as James clued me in on the brains behind POEM. Please listen in, I believe you will be surprised at the story James tells. Minot Today is broadcast over the air on two Minot radio stations every Friday. You can find it on 106.9 FM at 12:15 (Noonish) and again at 4:45 on 1320 AM. Of course I always post the broadcast as a Podcast here as well as my Podcast site at Pod-O-Matic. 08/08/2019

I've been learning a lot through my recent membership in Toastmasters International. I am really excited to be a new member even though my professional career days are now pretty much behind me. I figure it's never to late to learn to be a better communicator. I ran across this video in the online magazine today and found the 9 minutes spent were worth GOLD! Anyone who speaks to clients should make this a must listen! You do not need to be a member of Toastmasters International to read the online magazine HERE is a link, check it out today.If you live in the greater Minot ND area I hope you too will consider joining Toastmasters 636 along with me. We meet every Tuesday at the Grand Hotel at 6:00 PM. Just show up!   08/08/2019

Who Killed Kale?   Every obituary is a loss or even a tragedy. It was sad to read about Kale Schaan on July 24th, 2019 in the Minot Daily’s obituary section. Kale was a very promising and talented young man.  My hats off to the family for openly calling attention to the fact that Kale’s demise was due to a struggle with addiction.  Who killed Kale? Some may say he did it to himself as an addict and there is some truth to that but it’s not the whole truth... so help me God. I say the answer also lies in the pages of the Minot Daily News. Nearly every day the Minot Daily News publishes the “Crime Beat” and almost every day there are two or more people arrested for selling heroin and/or meth. These people killed Kale! Each and every one of them! Every seller of these drugs are killers whe... 08/04/2019

Dru Pelfrey is very knowledgeable about his field of Cosmetology and Barbering. He runs a great shop in downtown Minot called Peoples Choice Salon & Fashion. He has made Minot home for he and his family and being he is at the top of his game he's looking for ways to step up to the next level. I'm proud to say that Dru is another downtown Minot neighbor of mine and now I can say friend as well. Listen and learn!  People's Choice Salon & Fashion is located at 209 Main Street South, Minot (just a couple doors over from my office). Call 701-833-9797 for an appointment today.Did you know that in the State of North Dakota a Cosmetologist needs to put in 1,800 hours of education to be eligible to take the State licensing test? WOW! That's 1,740 more hours than a Realtor needs to apply for a li... 08/01/2019

It wouldn't be summer with out The Boys of Summer. I've written several posts over the years about the historic base ball field across the street from my home, Corbett Field. The famous Satchel Page was a member of Minot's local team, The Mallards, back in the day.Today Corbett Field is home to The Souris Valley Sabre Dogs. The dogs are just wrapping up their 2nd year here in Minot and I couldn't be happier that this team plays right across the street from my home (also that my son Timmothy is an employee of The Sabre Dogs).   If you are a regular reader of my blog or a regular listener to my radio broadcasts you know that I have interviewed The Sabre Dogs General Manager, Darrell Handelsman, two times on my show as well as the assistant manager, Savanna, once. Those were each some of m... 07/31/2019

It was a pleasure to interview my friend Bruce Walker, Owner/Broker of 1st Realty Minot, Coldwell Banker in Minot North Dakota for our radio broadcast of Minot Today. Minot Today is broadcast over the air on two Minot radio stations every Friday. You can find it on 106.9 FM at 12:15 (Noonish) and again at 4:45 on 1320 AM. Of course I always post the broadcast as a Podcast here as well as my Podcast site at Pod-O-Matic.   Bruce Walker is the Broker/Owner of 1st Minot Realty, Inc. Coldwell Banker 1st Minot Realty has been assisting buyers and sellers in the Minot area since 1955. While Bruce has not been their the whole time he has been there a good chunk of the time. Having left a career in education as both a teacher and an administrator he started with Coldwell Banker in 1973. Some of ... 07/29/2019

The Minot Toastmasters Club 636 has a tradition of holding a picnic in each of the summer months in place of one of the regular meetings. It's a great way to get to know each other better in a less formal way and also to meet our members spouses and families.It was an absolute perfect day for a picnic with the temp being in the upper 70's, absolutely no bugs, and a wonderful sunny sky. I and Timmothy are really loving being attending the Minot Toastmasters 636. July is the official start of the clubs year and that is when we intend to actually join the club. 06/26/2019

My son Timmothy and I have been attending the Tuesday weekly meeting of Minot Toastmasters 636 for a couple of months now. I joined in hopes of improving my speaking on the air for my radio show.  Timmothy joined to to be a better speaker as he gets out there to promote his books.It's amazing to me how many professionals who rely on their  speaking abilities are poor or even horrible speakers. Here are a couple of examples I've experienced.1) I meticulously edit my radio shows. We usually record for 18 minutes to produce a 15 minute interview. Typically it takes me 24 actual hours of editing to get all the "ahhs, umms, and deep breaths" out of the interview and then when I'm done that 18 minute interview usually ends up being 14 minutes long.2) I attend a court session last week and ove... 06/20/2019

Every city has different rules regarding what trees you can plant on your boulevard, after all it's technically it's "their" boulevard. Before you plant a tree you best check with the city forestry department to be sure you can plant a tree there at all. Usually the idea behind this is that they don't want you to plant trees that may interfere with overhead power lines years down the road.The Minot Forestry Department (a department of Minot Parks) is now taking orders for boulevard trees to be planted this spring. Trees are $100.00 and they plant it for you. For an extra $25.00 they will also warranty the tree for one year. There are 12 varieties of trees available this year. You can view the list of trees HERE and visit the Forestry Department website HERE.  05/18/2019

Here is a GREAT idea and a GREAT opportunity, Shredfest!I received the following postcard from AARP. The post card states that it is limited to two boxes but it doesn't say what size of boxes. I plan on bringing old banking records and if there is any room left I will bring some Real Estate records as well. It is my understanding they could use some help unloading boxes at the event if you would like to help.  05/17/2019

If you were to ask me who is Minot's most enterprising woman it would be an impossible task but Val Stadick would be right at the top of the list. Val started Main Street Books with some used books,a loan from her husband, and a lot of determination. Today Main Street books is one of the most popular stores in the City of Minot and I dare say even a draw to Minot ND. Val is an inspiration to anyone who has nothing but a dream and the determination to make that dream come true. Minot Today is broadcast over the air on two Minot radio stations every Friday. You can find it on 106.9 FM at 12:15 (Noonish) and again at 4:45 on 1320 AM. Of course I always post the broadcast as a Podcast here as well as my Podcast site at Pod-O-Matic. 05/17/2019

I'm passing this important message on for folks in the Minot Area.How wonderful would it be if we could defeat the hidous effects of Alzheimer's! I don't know anyone who hasn't been effected by Alzheimers striking a family member or friend. For me it was my Grandma Lydia.Help Us Paint the Town Purple! Did you know that June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month? To helpspread awareness of this disease, which is the 3rd leading cause of death in North Dakota, the Walk to End Alzheimer's Volunteer Committee is askingfor you help! We want to Paint the Town Purple the week of June 1st through the 7th andwill be stopping by businesses to ask for their support by asking them todisplay purple in their windows and stores. We will supply balloons,streamers, posters and even plan to showcase o... 05/10/2019

Welcome to an interview recorded a couple of days before TODAY'S commencement with MSU President Dr. Steven Shirley Ph. D. Every interview I have had with Dr. Shirley has been fun, light, and lively so I have no doubt you will enjoy this one as well. Welcome to Minot State University! Please explore our website and learn about all that MSU has to offer.Minot State University remains as committed as ever to our core values devoted to teaching and learning with excellence, integrity, and engagement; serving students and others respectfully and responsibly; following high ethical and moral principles; and supporting the values of community and place where all community members are valued and respected.Offering a wide array of undergraduate and graduate programs, high-quality education at M... 05/09/2019

After putting it off for about 45 years I finally made it to Toastmasters.Minot Toastmasters 636 meets every Tuesday at the Grand International Hotel at 6:00 PM in The Board Room.My 17 year old son Timmothy and I attended together.The Toastmasters is much more than I expected. I knew it would be a be a good experience for each of us and for different reasons.Timmothy has a hard time expressing himself verbally, which it ends up was the reason about 50% of the participants were there, and I want to improve my speaking for my on air radio speaking.I won't go into detail about the proceedures of the club but it really is a wonderful group effort in helping each other reach our individual goal to better ourselves when speaking to others.Absolutely everyone there made us feel welcome but I w... 05/02/2019