When we asked ChatGPT if it was a good idea to invest in education it responded with the wisdom and confidence of a sentient being who believes they are on the cusp of knowing everything. It told me the reason to invest in education and yourself is primarily financial, using examples like increased lifetime earnings, career stability, etc. And yes, although these things are true and GPT was not hallucinating, it missed the mark.

As I write, the outdoor temp at our Borderland Press offices is -2, feels like -15, with a high for the day expected to be 2 degrees. We’re supposed to gain a few degrees in the next few days, but when this issue gets to your mailbox, we’re looking at negative double digits.

By Bob Simmons, CEO, Simmons Multimedia I left you last week as I stood before my wife, best friend, and business partner. The lovely Diane was about to issue a check payable for a remote broadcast trailer to be used in our radio operations at events throughout the region that I found on Facebook Marketplace.

By Sara Goodman Growing up, my parents raised us to be very independent. My mom worked in town, my dad farmed, and we had no cell phones. Life was tougher than it is now, or at least that’s what I tell my kids. We lived 18 miles out of town on a farm in the middle of nowhere. If something needed to be done, we were likely going to have to do it ourselves. My dad taught me how to change the oil on my car, how to drive tractors and how to check and fix fences. My mom taught me how to bake, how to do laundry and to understand the importance of education. She herself seemed to always be in school working on one of her two master’s degrees or reading articles in scientific journals. I was paid for As on my report card, and you can bet your bottom dollar that’s what I was going to get because my piggy bank was pretty light. My independent attitude, taught by my parents, has stayed with me my whole life. I don’t like asking for help, and I don’t like people helping me. Moving a piece of awkward, heavy furniture might be my one exception.

Langdon, North Dakota had a motto— “Feeding and Defending the Nation.” Langdon was part of the durum triangle in North Dakota that grew the variety of wheat used to make pasta. Hard amber durum is a wonderful grain and the farmers in the triangle from Rolla to Langdon and south to Devils Lake grew a lot of it.

Happy Whatever Weather Day you’re enjoying or not enjoying! We have every season you can think of again this week here in Cavalier County. I have something happening to me that keeps recurring, and it’s getting on my nerves.

By Bob Simmons, CEO, Simmons Multimedia I am the worst Facebook friend you could possibly have. Why? Because during the 2020 election cycle, I witnessed a total meltdown of civility between many of my friends and others that completely turned me off. Many otherwise nice, normal folks were saying things to others on Facebook that they would never have the balls to say in person. I decided then and there to take a permanent social media vacation, and I’ve never been happier. I don’t wish people happy birthday, I don’t scroll through feeds ‘liking’ pictures of families, vacations, etc. I don’t pay any attention to anything Facebook, X, Instagram, or TikTok. So if you’ve wondered why I don’t respond to things on Facebook, that’s the reason why. I’m a ghost.

A friend of mine recently traveled with her husband to Winnipeg for their anniversary and spent the night at the Fort Garry Hotel. She said when they checked in, they asked to not be placed in the haunted room. The haunted room at the Fort Garry, FYI, is Room 202. There are real reviews on TripAdvisor, YouTube, and travel blogs about the strange occurrences in this room, and from my own personal experience, there are definitely some weird things going on in some of the rooms. About 10 years ago, Greg and I decided to spend a night in Winnipeg for our anniversary. When looking for a quick night away, Winnipeg is always fun. There’s always a lot of things to do as well as great places to eat and usually a concert or sporting event to attend.

Well, here I am, thinking I could daze off through basketball season and look towards throwing season, as in just two months, they will be reporting to work on their spins and glide techniques. I’ll admit, I drank the Langdon Area-Munich Cardinal Kool-Aid. I’m pretty sure it was from hosting the Lady Cardinals game on Monday vs. the Lady Woodchucks, I’m sure you’ve heard about it - a nailbiter for sure that we came out with the “W”. Regardless, I’ve been on pins and needles all week because I know that even after that awesome game, we have another one coming up.

Let me first say, I frick’n love the snow. I know for most of you, y’all hate it, but there is nothing better for me waking up knowing I have to move snow or that somewhere someone that was driving too fast is now wondering where it all went wrong as they sit in a ditch. Work, Christmas parties, football playoffs, Class B basketball, and tow ropes...yup, it’s definitely my favorite season.