“Guten Tag”   (A German greeting, in English is “Good Day”)

• February 1st was National Change Your Password Day, but today isn’t too late! Cybercriminals are experts at cracking passwords, so ensure yours are secure. Security experts recommend using at least 12 to 16 characters, including a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid easy-to-guess information like birthdays, anniversaries, pets’ names, or your favorite sports teams. 
• In our weekly devotional recently, we talked about change – change in the weather, the seasons, our bodies, our families, business, and our lives in general. Change occurs to some degree every day; watch for it.
• We are seeing significant change in the newspaper industry throughout our nation and right here in Valley City. Beginning this week, the Times-Record will provide its printed editions on Tuesdays and Fridays. For greater detail concerning this change, please see the lead story in the January 29 edition of the Times-Record.
• According to the internet (we know it must be true!), Valley City had about 8 hours and 40 minutes of daylight December 21st and January 31st about 9 hours and 39 minutes.  Even with that minimal increase of daylight, the sun is getting high enough to feel a little warmth on one’s face.  There will likely be more “winter”, but we are moving closer to spring.
• Congratulations again to all those who made the new Valley City Public School building possible and to everyone who supported it. Last week, I saw an architect’s rendition of the upcoming school, and it is beautiful. It will certainly be a welcome change for the students and educators who currently battle uncontrollably cold rooms in the winter. Thank you, everyone.
• The Washington Redskins (now the Commanders) defeated the Denver Broncos 42–10 in Super Bowl XXII on January 31, 1988, at Jack Murphy Stadium. Washington made history by scoring a record-breaking 35 points in the second quarter to overcome a 10-point deficit. Quarterback Doug Williams was the MVP, Bob McElwee served as the referee, and 73,302 people attended. 
• Thank you to all who provided material and to Sue for proofing this column.
• “Change does not change tradition.  It strengthens it.  Change is a challenge and an opportunity; not a threat.”               ~ Prince Phillip of England

        Blessings, Prayer, Respect and Gratitude,

Dave

Dave Carlsrud

 Ahoj,   (Is a common word for hello in Slovak, pronounced “Ah-hoy”)

• Dangerous weather patterns have persisted recently. Given that January is known for extreme conditions, please take precautions; frostbite is a serious risk that can result in amputation.” 
• On a lighter note, Groundhog Day is celebrated annually in the United States and Canada on February 2. The tradition is derived from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day and sees its shadow, it will retreat to its den and winter will continue for six more weeks; if it does not see its shadow, spring will arrive early. Punxsutawney Phil is the United States groundhog, and Wiarton Willie is the Canadian groundhog.  Cross your fingers everyone.
• There are exciting happenings in Valley City.  Bids for the new Valley City Public Schools building are expected to be let March 11, 2026. Steel is already up at the Tharaldson Family Athletic Center and the Public Works Service Center Complex. All three are impressive projects that will add beauty and functionality to Valley City. It is worth a drive-by to view the steelwork in person. 
• Think, “SHOP small, SHOP local.” Thank you.
• With recent high winds persisting, empty garbage bins have been blowing around streets and alleys. Record the RPC barcode number on your bin, which is registered to your address, so you can identify it in the event of a “mix-up.” 
• Dang, I wish I didn’t feel the need to write this again.  PLEASE respect people’s yards and boulevards, “pick up your pet’s POOP”! 
• The landfill we use raised mattress disposal fee to $15.00.  With that, there will be a $15.00 fee per mattress when brought out to the transfer station. For information, please call 701-845-0314
• Thank you to all who provided material and to Sue for proofing this column.
• “Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.”     ~ Princess Diana

        Blessings, Prayer, Respect and Gratitude,

Dave

Dave Carlsrud

Salute, (A greeting from a Latin word meaning “to wish health”)

• The Barnes County Service Unit of The Salvation Army is grateful to the Valley City and Barnes County communities for giving so generously to this year’s Red Kettle Campaign. The campaign raised a total of $70,022.22, which will be used to help those in need build bridges to stability in their lives, disaster relief, food, shelter, job training, and substance abuse rehabilitation centers. The Salvation Army has been noted as having one of the lowest overheads among charitable organizations so a greater percentage of donations go directly to vital services.
• “While walking through a wind shelter this Sunday afternoon, I was struck by the sound of the wind moving through the spruce, cottonwood, and elm trees. At times, it roared like a train crossing the Hi-Line Bridge; at others, it was the subtle creaking and cracking of branches. It was a truly amazing experience.”
• Missouri River Energy Services (MRES), in partnership with four other upper Midwest energy companies, has applied to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission for a Certificate of Need for adding a second transmission line to the existing power line running primarily along Interstate 94 between Fargo and Alexandria.  The Fargo-to-Alexandria second-circuit project will help enhance electric reliability and improve system resiliency in the Upper Midwest including all MRES Members.
• The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) ran a social media campaign, “#ThankARef” during Officials’ Appreciation Week. The universities and fans thanked game officials for their dedication to student-athletes in various sports like basketball and football. Officials provide opportunities for kids to play as “Without officials, it is just a scrimmage”.  How about saying “thank you” to a “ref”?
• Tragically, federal prosecutors have secured indictments against 26 individuals accused of rigging college basketball games in the United States. U.S. Attorney David Metcalf stated that the scheme threatened “the integrity of sport itself and everything that sports represent to us—hard work, determination and fairness.” Hopefully, integrity will prevail as the legal process unfolds and those involved choose to do the right thing moving forward.
• Thank you to all who provided material and to Sue for proofing this column.
• Don’t let making a living prevent you from making a life.”               ~ John Wooden

        Blessings, Prayer, Respect and Gratitude,

Dave

Dave Carlsrud

Hei,    (A Norwegian “hello”, pronounced like “high”)

• Monday, January 19 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  Dr. King was the primary spokesperson for non-violent activisme during the Civil Rights Movement.
• Our region’s weather continually amazes me. Large temperature swings in a few hours, shifts from calm to high winds, and transitions from snow to rain seem to occur regularly!  Each season, however, has its own beauty, and I am grateful for the variety in our area.
• Are you looking for a career in the electrical industry? Please visit the Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) Scholarship page for industry information and current scholarship opportunities.  
• Please clean up after your pet! Picking up waste when it’s cold is easy, helps reduce the spread of bacteria and diseases. It is also the law. Thank you for your efforts in keeping our community beautiful and healthy.
• In the January 8, 2026, edition of the Times Record, Chelsey Schaefer wrote an informative article titled ‘The True Cost of Shopping.’ I found it quite interesting, and I hope you will too.
• During seasons with less sunlight, it is easier to feel a bit “bummed”, though there are things we can do to enhance feeling good. Staying active—as regular physical activity boosts mood and energy—maintaining daily routines, a consistent sleep schedule (7-9 hours), and choosing to eat healthy meals can help.
• Filtered cigarette butts are being tossed onto yards and streets. These filters are made of cellulose acetate, a type of plastic. In typical soil, it can take between 10 and 15 years to completely decompose. When submerged in water, a single filter can leach toxic chemicals for up to 10 years.  Please, “think before you toss”.  Use a fire-safe receptacle to hold cigarette butts and dispose of them appropriately. Thank you.  
• Thank you to all who provided material and to Sue for proofing the column.
• Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”               ~ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

        Blessings, Prayer, Respect and Gratitude,

Dave

Dave Carlsrud

Greetings,

• Happy New Year everyone, I hope your holiday season was gratifying and safe for you, your family and friends. 
• That the “holiday season” was mentioned, I am looking forward to a weekday “just” being a weekday and a weekend “just” being a weekend for a while.  Being an older retired guy with holidays mixed in the week, I have a heck of a time keeping the days straight!  Hopefully, getting back to a “routine” will help.
• Law Enforcement Appreciation Day is this Thursday, January 9, 2026.  Please join the nation in honoring the dedicated women and men in law enforcement.  Whether wearing blue clothing or ribbons, sending thank you notes, or simply saying “thank you”, your support makes a difference. Let’s recognize the courage and sacrifices of our officers who keep our communities safe every day.
• Doug Leier, of North Dakota Game and Fish, regularly writes an outstanding column titled “North Dakota Outdoors”.  In the December 30, 2025, edition of the Times Record, he crafted a serenely written piece, “Embrace the Winter.”  I hope you look it up and enjoy it.
• The Valley City Barnes County Development Corporation (VCBCDC) is working tirelessly improving quality of life and place in all of Barnes County.  Please visit:  https://www.developvcbc.com/
• The “Good Life” in Valley City.  They say, “It Takes a Village”, we believe “It Takes A Valley”.  We live in a small town in North Dakota where city, county, and community work together to create a lifestyle that conveys the quality of place for our residents and visitors. Valley City is home to nationally recognized school systems, an array of apartment and housing options, numerous job industries, and a growing list of community events.  Learn more about why we believe Valley City is one of the best places to live and work in North Dakota.  For further information, you are invited to see:  https://www.developvcbc.com/goodlife
• To have the kind of year you want to have, something has to happen that you can’t explain why it happened. Something has to happen that you can’t coach.”              ~ Bobby Bowden

        Blessings, Prayer, Respect and Gratitude,

Dave

Dave Carlsrud