columnists

“I’ve just about had it. I need a cigarette. Do you want to join me?” I thought you didn’t smoke? Well I don’t “really” but I “fake” smoke, I love it because it lets me take a break from the situation where I can inhale and exhale, regain some focus.”

The mail’s here. Mostly, you know, it’s bills, fliers for a new dentist in town, sometimes a magazine, and a reminder from your veterinarian. You got two requests for donations and a letter from an organization you belonged to, years ago… but look again. Maybe, as in “Cards...

Q: How long does a My Social Security password stay valid?

Believe it or not, you have an estate. In fact, nearly everyone does. Your estate is comprised of everything you own— your car, home, other real estate, checking and savings accounts, investments, life insurance, furniture, and personal possessions. No matter how large or how modest,...

With the time of the summer we are at, the leech and crawler bite are “go to” baits for walleye, and the pan fish love them, too. I forget, and take for granted that anglers know how to hook a leech and a crawler. This week, even fishing with experienced anglers for clients, I...

As long as I shall live I will forever be thankful for the three glorious summers that I spent conducting wildlife research throughout the prairie potholes of Stutsman and Wells counties in east central North Dakota. I surveyed nearly countless numbers of birds and stood witness to...

When I grew up in McLean County, North Dakota, I had no confusion about directions. Everything was laid out north, south, east and west. When I stood on third base (after hitting a triple, of course), I looked at home plate and I was looking due north. When I drove out in my dad’s...

You know that part of your vacation where you hold your breath and hope for the best? It used to happen just before the plane landed, in that precarious moment between heaven and earth. But lately, it’s been taking place on terra firma, when you arrive at the airport and you’re...

Adulthood brings certain financial responsibilities like the building of budgets, bank accounts and proper insurance. It’s surprising how few consider a proper estate plan part of that essential mix. In fact, a recent ABCNews poll found that only about 50 percent of Americans have...

Plagued by poison ivy, poison oak, honeysuckle, buckthorn, garlic mustard, multiflora rose, bittersweet or other invasive species growing in impossible-to-reach-places where your machinery won’t go? Are you reluctant to use chemicals because they can contaminate the soil? Send in...

There is a fascination in Becker County (probably everywhere!) with what one might term an institution, the farm auction sale. There might be a bit of the chase in all of us; a hunt for a bargain, the chance to find something unique, or maybe just to see at what price a special item...

Whether you’re planning a future procedure or navigating care after a sudden illness or accident, smart consumers have a plan in place to avoid hidden costs and billing errors common to our ever-changing healthcare system. You should too.

Q: Can I restrict my Social Security application to apply only for spouse’s benefits and delay filing for my own retirement benefit to earn delayed retirement credits? A: Depending on your birthdate, this is possible. Parts of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 legislation, enacted...