Editorial

The Christmas season evokes nostalgia, offering reminders and stories that connect generations. It invites reflection on years gone by, while sparking excitement and curiosity about what the future holds.

Tapping into this nostalgia, I find myself reflecting on the history and legacy shared by electric cooperatives, the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC) and this magazine. It is a legacy of cooperation, rooted in a shared responsibility and unwavering commitment to serving members and telling the stories of the people and places we call home.

The greatest responsibility I have as editor is to tell stories that do justice for the people who experienced them – and so bravely share with others. That responsibility has never felt greater.

This month, North Dakota Living presents its first cover-to-cover tribute to veterans.

Earlier this year, a friend and mentor, Rob Keller, suggested North Dakota Living be considered as a media partner on the Western ND Honor Flight. Getting his endorsement alone was an honor.

The electric industry has always been interesting to me. However, my kids, judging by the glazed expressions and sudden urges to exit when I start talking shop, think otherwise.

I hope one day, when they’re grown and pay their own electric bills, they’ll find their old man and electric cooperatives far more interesting. Or at the very least, they’ll understand how not to waste electricity.

Quick story.

I came home early from work one day after everyone had left for school. The house was empty, but lit up like Times Square. Lights were on everywhere.

It takes all of us. This theme echoes through this issue of North Dakota Living, with accounts of people coming together and stepping up for the betterment of our greater community. It’s a reoccurring virtue of rural people and rural places.

In this issue, you’ll meet teenagers who are balancing school commitments while volunteering as rural emergency responders. You’ll learn how our state helps its seniors. And you’ll meet a family who is giving back to their community, which supported them during one of life’s greatest challenges.

August’s North Dakota Living is our back-to-school issue. While I do not enjoy the sign summer is ending, let me take this opportunity to express gratitude to educators, administrators, aides, coaches, bus drivers, cooks, janitorial staff, support staff, parents and public safety professionals. As they say, it takes a village to ensure students are provided an opportunity to learn, feel safe and be supported.

I learn so much from the subjects I interview, and I learn about subjects I often know little about. To write for the reader’s understanding requires understanding what I’m writing about first.

For a woman whose dream job is be a college student forever, being a journalist seems forever-college-student adjacent.
Nerd alert: I love research.

In May, I visited with the executive director of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library for the story on page 4.

Two big legislative events were recently completed on the electric cooperative calendar, both critical to the members we serve.

One is a short, jam-packed sprint. The other is a longer, persistent test of endurance, a marathon.

Now, those who know me are chuckling at my use of a running analogy, but why stop now?

On your mark, get set, go!

There’s something special about a North Dakota summer – the wide-open skies, scenic byways, welcoming communities and new experiences around every bend. This season, I encourage you to stay closer to home.

Imagine hitting the road without the stress of heavy traffic, long airport lines or crowded destinations. Instead, you’ll find peaceful highways, affordable adventures and the kind of safety and simplicity that let you truly unwind.

“It’s complicated.”

Far too often, topics of great importance are inadequately explained and packaged into short soundbites and character-limited social media posts. The information delivered is often void of the context needed to gain understanding.

Like many of our readers, the Kramer family logs hundreds of windshield hours a year enroute to various competitions and activities. Within seconds of leaving the driveway, our kids don their headphones and electronic devices, remaining relatively quiet for the duration of the trip. That is, of course, until a battle for the last remaining charging cord breaks the silence.