NEWS & NOTES

9/11/2023

• Hello Folks
• We are in another beautiful time of the year in our area.  There are a few trees showing some yellow gold tints while other trees and grasses are vividly green.  Enjoy.
• It is also wasp season though.  What scent or smell keeps wasps away?  Wasps have a strong sense of smell and dislike plants like peppermint, spearmint, basil, eucalyptus, cloves, geranium, thyme, citronella, bay leaves & lemongrass.  ~ The Spruce.
• Repel wasps with apple juice in a pie pan with a few drops of dish soap.  The sweet attracts them and the soap kills them.
• Your Public Works Department will pick-up limbs and stick the last Thursday and Friday of September.  Call 845-1700 to request pick-up.
• Fun fact:  Last week, The Twins played the Rangers at Globe Life Field.  The average monthly stadium electricity bill is between $500,000 & $600,000, Yikes! ~ Google
• September is “National Recovery Month”.  If you or someone close to you is challenged with mental health or substance abuse, please know there is help out there for all.  Begin by contacting a health provider or someone in recovery with whom you can visit.  Stop your pain, get started; talk with someone.
• Winter parking regulations will be coming pretty soon, be watching so you can be prepared.
• The other day I was walking home and stopped to visit some folks relaxing on their first-floor balcony.  Do you remember when older homes had porches on the front and neighbors would stop by and visit?  Then came garages, electric garage door openers and decks on the backs of houses.  It seems all those things are handy, though sad to say, each challenges socializing…….. Make an effort to greet your neighbors.
• Thanks to all who provide and proof material for this article.                    

• “A smart person knows what to say.  A wise person knows whether or not to say it.”    ~ Pinterest                        

                                                                                                                                                                       Blessings, Pray, be Grateful and Respectful,

Dave

Dave Carlsrud

 NEWS & NOTES

9/4/2023

Hi Everybody,

• Thursday the 7th is “Summer VIKES on Central” welcoming VCSU students and faculty back to Valley City for the new school year.  This week’s music will feature 32 Below, an ever-popular band in these parts.  “People will go where they are invited, but they will stay where they feel welcome” so we hope you feel welcome here.
• Valley City provides for its citizens a free 24/7 facility where you can dispose your leaves, grass clippings & branches.  There are only a few simple rules to follow, put your material on the correct piles, empty plastic bags and a maximum of 4” diameter limbs to name a few.  Please take care of your site and another point is, there are security cameras.
• One of our citizens visited with me last week wondering how he could become more involved in our city.  How refreshing.  Often we have openings on committees where we have to recruit people.  Please stop in the office and leave your name and your interest with Judi so we can reach you.  Thank you for your consideration.
• While on the involvement topic, thank you to the Valley City Commissioners for standing elections and serving you citizens.  Every two years we have city elections, please think about running for an office.
• Remember North Dakota has a primary seatbelt law now.  For me, it was in my head that I didn’t like the perceived hassle of buckling up.  As time passed, I began noticing how many drivers have a blatant disregard for stop signs in town which stimulated a better effort on my part.  After a while, it became a habit and I buckle up without further thought.  I believe in the safety aspect of buckling up and with texting now days ……  Be safe, consider buckling regularly. 
• Thanks to all who provide and proof material for this article.                     

• “Never miss an opportunity to shut up.  Well-timed silence has more eloquence than speech.”    ~ Cowboy Logic                        

                                                  Blessings, Pray, be Grateful and Respectful,

Dave

Dave Carlsrud

NEWS & NOTES

8/27/2023

            Hello Folks,

• Schools in Valley City are in session.  VCPS, St. Kate’s, VCSU and Valley City Christian School began classes last week and it certainly livens things bit with all the students in and around town.  WELCOME and thank you for choosing Valley City.
• Along with classes, sports and fine arts activities have begun.  Get out and enjoy contests, concessions, and tailgating while the weather is nice.
• VCSU Football again has the “Paint Bucket” and happens to have 7 pairs of brothers on this year’s team!  That is special, we are glad you are here.  Many VCSU Football team members welcomed students the first day of school at Washington and Jefferson Schools.  Students will remember that gesture for a long time.  Thank you.
• Do you know our Volunteer Firefighters drill/train two evenings a month?  Their families graciously share personal time when firefighters could be home so they can provide fire protection for all.  Chief Scott Magnuson informed me there are a couple openings  on the VCFD.  Maybe you female/male thought about being a fire fighter when you were a kid; check it out.  Call Chief Magnuson at (701) 845-3351.
• Gosh, this is the last week in August already and that brings Labor Day September 4th.  I hope you all can find some time to relax and have some fun with family and friends over the holiday weekend. BE SAFE.
• August 24th was National Hydropower Day.  Hydropower has been producing energy for 135 years and according to the National Hydropower Association (NHA), represents approximately 91% of the nation’s energy storage which pairs perfectly with other renewables.
• Monday we interviewed finalists for our Police Chief opening, Nick Horner, Brett Westbrook and Sean Hagen.  Hopefully the naming of  the new chief will take place this week.  Thank you Carl, Gwen and all who have been part of the search process.
• Thanks to all who provide and proof material for this article.                    

• “The world is full of kind people…. if you can’t find one, be one.”    ~ Shutterstock                        

                                                                                                                                                                       Blessings, Pray, be Grateful and Respectful,

Dave

Dave Carlsrud

NEWS & NOTES

8/21/2023

Hello Everybody,

• Our weather over the weekend, certainly reached opposite ends of the spectrum.  Warm/hot and sticky Saturday with Sunday being cool & cloudy.  Ah, the variety of North Dakota weather!
• Some have asked, “Why is the construction company rolling soil back and forth?”  A view from 10,000 feet is, due to rain, the soil is too wet to backfill, so it is worked to dry it.  It needs to be dry enough to backfill without air voids and moist enough to compact.
• Many of you have received letters referring to Permanent Flood Protection (PFP) CLOMR Mapping.  FEMA requires notification of all who may be affected by a change in the 1% (100-year) annual water surface elevation due to the PFP and qualify for certification.  If you are comfortable with the information, do nothing, if you have questions, follow the directions in said letter.
• Sunday morning following church, Sue Mindy (our dog) and I went for a walk.  There was the slightest breeze, colors were vivid and the river was flowing lazily down its stream.  It was surreal; think about going out and looking around our beautiful community.
• There are more and more Maple trees showing signs of Chlorosis.  If your Maple or other trees have symptoms, please have them checked to see if you can save them.  BEFORE you purchase and plant a tree, please consult with our city forester, our county agent or stop at city hall for a pamphlet to ensure you are planting a tree that will likely succeed in your soil.  
• Awhile ago I attended a high school class reunion.  Even though we are looking older, the conversations seem to pick up right where we left off years ago.  I am very grateful to have attended and saw so many “old” friends.  It was delightful.  Think about attending yours.
• Thanks to all who provide and proof material for this article.                     

• “The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten.”    ~ Calvin Coolidge                        

                                                  Blessings, Pray, be Grateful and Respectful,

Dave

Dave Carlsrud

Hello Folks,

• I hope you all have been relaxed and rejuvenated by the past weekend that offered sunny warmth and cloudy cool weather.  Have a great week.
• A couple perks for being a Municipal Power Community are friendly rates along with rebate programs.  See https://www.brightenergysolutions.com/municipalities-container/nd/valley-city-public-works/.
• Wednesday puts a wrap on this summer’s  “Music in the Park series.  Greg Hager, named 2018 Entertainer of the Year by the Pro Cowboy Artist Association will be featured.  Thank you to all the folks who make “Music in the Park “ happen and see you all next year.
• Last week I saw a survey indicating people in the 35-54 age bracket want to know more about their municipal power.  Is that true in Valley City?  If so, will you please e-mail me at: [email protected] and share your interests?
• Speaking of information, are you aware Valley City has a state-of-the art reverse osmosis water treatment plant?  It is quite impressive and tours for your groups can be arranged.  Sherry and Wade will be happy to accommodate, (845-0652).
• Often when we talk of Missouri River Energy Services (MRES), the topic is generation of power.  Equally important however is the transmission of said power.  Driving through the country we see many power lines and substations which comprise the “highways” for transmitting power.  With greater power demands nowadays, transmission rights become more precious for ensuring reliable and cost effective power is delivered.
• Last Saturday, recently retired 30-year MRES CEO, Tom Heller, who is from Rock Lake, ND stopped in Valley City.  He was on his way from Rock Lake back to Sioux Falls.  Thank you for visiting Tom.
• “Hi” to all the folks who attended the BHS 50 + Class Reunion Saturday.
• Thanks to all who provide and proof material for this article.                     

• “A cowgirl is a woman with guts and a horse.”    ~ TECOVAS                         

                                                  Blessings, Pray, be Grateful and Respectful,

Dave

Dave Carlsrud

 NEWS & NOTES

8/7/2023

                Hi Everyone,

• Last Friday the Barnes County Museum was featured in “Only in Your State”.  The writer says, “This unique museum lets you see a whole new side of North Dakota” so search “Only in North Dakota” to see said feature.  Wes Anderson, his board and community volunteers do a great job of curating the museum.  “Though many people don’t bat an eye at county museums, this one is special!”  If you haven’t been there, it is worth the trip and if you have been there, it may be time to go again.  Enjoy!
• DO NOT feed deer or other animals in town as they become dependent on your “free food” and may die during winter as they don’t know how to forage efficiently.
• A “fun fact”, August 1st, for the first time, everyone on the garbage route had put containers correctly!  Thank you.
• We have been experiencing numerous electrical “blinks” and some outages this summer.  Squirrels are the biggest culprits as they are attracted by vibrations of the transformers, in turn causing shorts, blown fuses and “blinks”….. then are, well, you know.  Both our transformers are again operating and delivering the smooth power flows to which we are accustom and we are grateful.  ** By the way, our power was “on” .99999% of the time in July!!
• Our Police Department just received a new E-Bike specially designed for Police, 1st Responders & Military.  We are grateful to Missouri River Energy Service (MRES) for partnering in the bike purchase.  MRES, along with secured grants, activated the purchase with no cost to the city.  Thank you everyone.
• Perhaps you saw pictures posted by VCPS of our Public Works Department Employees painting safety lanes and pedestrian crossings around the schools in preparation for the beginning of school.  Thank you to all.
• Thanks to all who provide and proof material for this article.                     

• “Love makes the wildest spirit tame and the tamest spirit wild.”    ~ Alex Delp                         

                                                                                                                                                                                                  Blessings, Pray, be Grateful and Respectful,

Dave

Dave Carlsrud