Valentine’s Day, also known as St. Valentine’s Day, is celebrated annually on February 14. Originally a Christian feast day honoring the martyr Valentine, it has evolved through folk tradition into a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of love. Today, the holiday is often marked by church services and the exchange of gifts like candy, flowers, and jewelry. Remember your special someone!

The Winter Olympics are underway continuing through February 22, 2026 in Milano Cortina in northern Italy, with approximately 2,900 athletes competing. The Games feature 1,533 men and 1,338 women, making this the most gender-balanced Winter Olympics to date. Some of the sports you can watch include numerous skiing events, bobsledding, curling, figure skating, hockey, speed skating, and snowboarding. Each athlete in every sport displays unique and amazing intricacies, making for electrifying watching.

Playing on the 2026 USA Olympic Women’s Hockey Team is North Dakota’s own Britta Curl-Salemme of Bismarck. What a great feat for Britta, a standout alumna of St. Mary’s Central High School and the Bismarck Blizzard. Congratulations, Britta! 

Residents of Barnes County, N.D. are invited to participate in a survey to assist in the planning process for the Barnes County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan update. These plans are updated every five years, as required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to establish eligibility for Hazard Mitigation Assistance and other state and federal funding.  Please complete the survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BarnesCountyMHMP. 

For further information, please contact:

Daniel Schwartz at dschwartz@nexusplanco.com  or 

Jessica Jenrich at jjenrich@barnescounty.us.

Thank you to all who provided material and to Sue for proofing this column.

“May these Olympic games inspire us towards world peace and harmony, reminding us of our shared humanity and the beauty of coming together.”~ Fr. Rafael Capo

Blessings, Prayer, Respect and Gratitude,

Dave

Dave Carlsrud