Life

New year brings special hikes, Hiking Challenge

BISMARCK — Ring in the new year on state park trails with a special Last Day Hike on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Cross Ranch State Park and First Day Hikes on Thursday, Jan. 1, at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park and Fort Stevenson State Park. North Dakota Parks and Recreation also announced the launch of its 2026 Hiking Challenge on Monday, Dec. 29, within the Outer Spatial app, encouraging residents and visitors to explore the state’s natural beauty through all four seasons. The guided Last Day Hike at Cross Ranch begins at 4 p.m. along the scenic Missouri River. Participants of ...

‘Frostbite & Firelight’ set at Fort Mandan site

WASHBURN.—Lawn games aren’t just for summer. Fort Mandan State Historic Site, Washburn, invites the public to “Frostbite & Firelight: Winter Lawn Games Extravaganza” Saturday, Jan. 24, 1-3 p.m. This family-friendly event offers a frosty twist on classic summer games such as cornhole, ladder toss, bocce ball and croquet. Gather around a crackling bonfire, and warm up with a beverage from the hot cocoa bar. The games and bonfire will be held at the Fahlgren Park picnic shelters near the Fort Mandan Visitor Center. “We’re thrilled to bring the community together with this ...

Building Permits - November

City of Minot, November – Bryan and Morgan Krahler, Creative Woodworking, 1704 27th Ave. NW, deck, $21,340. – Paul and Jessica Deibert, EMH Construction, 18-8 11st St. SW, egress windows, $2,000. – Jason and Amber Soine, Fossco, 4906 26th St. SE, single family home with attached garage, $297,132. – BNA Holdings, Summit Roofing and Construction, 1706 W. Central Ave., single family home with attached garage, $156,912. – Linda and Savannah McCall, Brelend Enterprises, 806 Park St., foundation stabilization, install powerbraces, $9,674. – Julie and Darcy Johnson, Tuff ...

Reflections: Praise, peace infuse sounds of Heaven

There are many sounds around us that make us take notice. When we hear an ambulance or police siren, we look around to assess its location to know if we need to pull over to let them pass. In the summer, when we hear the tornado siren, we look to the sky and check for weather warnings. Recently, as I began hearing Christmas songs, I knew that the season was not far away. As I pondered all these sounds, I wondered what Heaven sounds like. I have read about streets of gold and precious jewels and the light of God’s presence, but I couldn’t remember much about sounds. After ...

Embrace North Dakota’s early winter

Early winter in North Dakota is unlike anything else – a time of transition, not just in the weather, but in mindset. The landscape quiets. The urgency of fall – hunting seasons, harvest, migration – fades and the brown turns white. Christmas and the holidays add to the stress. After the ...

Cookies bring taste of home to airmen