Everyone should take up Mayor Barney’s challenge
Minot Mayor Chuck Barney has issued a challenge to all fifth-graders in Minot and it’s a good one for any Minot resident to take up too.
Barney’s challenge, to be part of Minot’s inaugural State of the City event in early 2018, comes down to this: In 350 to 500 words, say why you love calling Minot home.
OK, Thanksgiving has come and gone, but it is never a wrong time to consider our blessings and share them with one another. It’s called community.
Granted, the presumption that everyone loves living in the Magic City is a flaw. Still, writing about what you do love about Minot would be a tremendous exercise in positivity.
Barney is clearly excited to hear what kids have to say. “There are so many great things happening in our community, and I’ll be very interested to hear about Minot from the perspective of our fifth-graders,” he said.
Indeed.
It would also be interesting to read what current residents of any generation have to say compared to Minot natives who grew up here but have moved on.
Former Minoter Dave Pence has a Facebook page with about 5,500 members where people can make and renew friendships and reminisce about growing up in Minot.
Hardly a day goes by without somebody recalling almost romantically sledding the hills around Minot, Christmas shopping on Main Street, the smell of fresh-baked bread wafting out of Sweetheart Bakery or taking in a movie at the old Empire Theater. Thanks, Dave, for giving us the “Minoters” page and for all of the work you do as its administrator.
So, what do today’s residents love about Minot? Take up the challenge for yourself. You might be surprised just how much you do love this town.
Which brings up another potential flaw in Barney’s assignment – the word count. We suspect that 500 words might not be enough for a lot of us.