Here we are, a little more than a week before Thanksgiving and our weather forecast is in the 40’s.  Enjoy, as not every fall season is this pleasant.

More and more beautiful Thanksgiving Decorations are showing up around town.  One family has warm decorations on the front of their house, a delightful mural covering the whole side of the garage and all is crowned with an American Flag.  Thank you to all who have made time to beautify our city.

Valley City State University (VCSU) and North Dakota State University will be searching for new presidents.  VCSU’s Dr. Al LaFave is moving to Northern State University and NDSU’s Dr. David Cook is moving to Iowa State University.  “Every end is the result of a new beginning” ~ Unknown

Last week at our Valley City School Board meeting, it was voted to extend the School Resource Officer (SRO) partnership with the city of Valley City.  SRO Sean Hagen protects, builds relationships and provides good guidance for our students.  Thank you everyone.

I attended a meeting where a topic was “Giving Back”.  Churches, schools, charities, hospitals, committees for each of the aforementioned and more provide opportunities for all of us to give back.  Monetary, clerical, committees, cleaning, yard work are some ways we can help the entities that helped us over time.  Please give serious thought to giving back, thank you.

We are moving into a new winter sports season with players, coaches and fans full of anticipation going forward.  At the high school level, play, coaching and officiating aren’t perfect.  Too many times, fans unduly criticize players, coaches and officials.  Playing sports is not a right, it is a privilege.  Coaches invest hundreds of hours in preparation and practice time so students can have teams on which to play.  Game officials aren’t perfect, even college and professional game officials miss calls, but they too invest much time working to be the best they can be.      “Without coaches and officials, it is just intramural.”  Respect given from all involved is needed to provide a positive experience for our youth.

Thank you to all who provide and proof material for this column.

“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.“     ~ John Fitzgerald Kennedy

        Blessings, Prayer, Respect and Gratitude,

Dave Carlsrud