Tag Archives: faith

Real Oilfield Wives and more new blogs!

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It’s been awhile since I’ve given you my recommendations for new blogs to check out here on Areavoices. But three new blogs have crossed my path and I felt compelled to share them.

The first is called Real Oilfield Wives. This blog is just getting started but it’s based on an already popular website, Realoilfieldwives.com. It’s written by two women whose husbands work in the oil and gas industry. Melissa and Christy know the life of an oilfield wife isn’t always easy.

They describe in the about section of their site:

“We all know how lonely this life can be… long nights, days on end with no adult conversation, holding down the fort on our own for weeks at a time. Even though sometimes it’s nice to have all that ‘free time’, getting back into a groove together after so long isn’t always fun! Really, it kind of sucks.

So, welcome to ROW. We whipped up this site as a supportive community where women can find advice, friends, support, and maybe a good online sale tip every now and then!”

We’re thrilled that they’ll be sharing just some of their thoughts on our platform and with Forum Communication readers. Please welcome them!

 

The other two blogs that caught my eye are:

Inner Focus: Melissa Schaff calls her blog, “humorous and insightful messages based on my spiritual, emotional and energetic journey.” She’s a great writer and her blog is attracting a lot of fans already.

Also, be sure to check out our newest faith blog. Unitarian Universalist Church of Fargo Moorhead.

 

Countdown to Bison kickoff – Areavoices Digest #88

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For all of you Bison fans out there…the day is approaching:  the kickoff to Bison Football 2012.

If you’d like the latest info from the guys who know the Herd inside and out…check out Jeff Kolpack and Dom Izzo’s Bison Media Blog. They’ve been doing it for years now and it’s consistently one of the most viewed blogs on Areavoices. This year is promising to be even better for the boys. (Dom and Jeff, I mean. I wouldn’t dare call the Bison “boys.” I don’t want to offend them. Dom and Jeff, I’m not too worried about. Anyway, I digress.) Dom and Jeff are planning big things for their video blog this year. It’s always fun when they dissect the season, and this year is no different.

If you want the fan’s perspective, the Bison Fan Blog is a lot of fun.

Those are just the first of this weeks’ recommended blogs. Enjoy!
Bison Media Blog
bisonmedia.areavoices.com
The Forum’s Jeff Kolpack and WDAY’s Dom Izzo preview the kickoff to Bison football 2012.

Bison Fan Blog
bisonfans.areavoices.com
As long as we’re talking Bison, check out this blog for Bison fans by Bison fans.

Jeremiah Program Fargo Moorhead
jeremiahprogramfargomoorhead.areavoices.com
Changing Women’s Lives for Their Children’s Futures.

No Time to Be Cool
notimetobecool.areavoices.com
Just a simple dude trying to glow in the dark.

Middle Aged Plague by Carolyn Henderson
middleagedplague.areavoices.com
Carolyn tells us why she’s reluctant to buy cookies from children at her door, but what is definitely not off limits.

Areavoices Digest #77 – I love this idea for a family summer vacation!

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Every year, families all over America start thinking about it (if they haven’t been dreaming about it since January). What are we going to do for summer vacation? We spend thousands flying (and with high gas prices driving too) to all kinds of summer hot spots.

But how many of us explore our own backyards? I’m not really talking about a “Staycation.” That implies you’re staying in your own home or city. What I’m talking about is touring your own state. Looking around at what’s just a few hundred miles away and seeing what outstate tourists see.

I think about this when I’ve traveled to the Washington D.C. area to visit my relatives and do some sightseeing. Often, after telling my aunts and uncles, who live in suburban Washington, that I’m going to check out one tourist spot or another in DC, they’ll say, “We haven’t even seen that yet.”

Many of us don’t bother looking at what’s close at hand.

Well, that’s what native North Dakotan Sarah Nasello and her family are doing. They’re taking the time this summer to immerse themselves in all things North Dakota. So not only will they see the tourist hotspots they’ll check those off the wall places as well,  Meet the people and walk down the mainstreets. She’ll be documenting all of it in her Areavoices blog.

It should be a lot of fun. Check out her blog and the other recommended blogs of the week.

Lost on the Prairie
http://lostontheprairie.areavoices.com
Sarah Nasello is a 5th generation North Dakotan who grew up in Fargo. After realizing she didn’t know enough
about her home state. She, husband Tony and son Giovanni decided to take a summer vacation to connect with “people who are passionate about food, farming, art and North Dakota in general.

Cute n’ Comfy
http://cutencomfy.areavoices.com
Jasmine Maki is a college student who loves fashion, photography and
writing, all of which come together in her new Areavoices blog.

God Tracks
http://godtracks.areavoices.com
Blogger Julie Holmquist recently received a national award of excellence for this blog where she explores the presence of
God in everyday lives.

Best Friends ND
http://bestfriendsnd.areavoices.com
Best Friends Mentoring Program matches adult role models with children who need positive adult guidance and friendship.Their blog
gives advice on family and children’s issues.

NDSU Extension
http://ndsuextension.areavoices.com
If you have a question, there’s a good chance NDSU Extension Service can answer it.  They specialize in information on strengthening agriculture and developing the potential of youth, adults and communities.

A Big Congratulations to this Areavoices blogger!

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Local blogger wins national writing award

 Congratulations to Areavoices blogger Julie Holmquist who recently received a national award for her blog, “God Tracks: The Evidence of God in Ordinary Lives,.”Holmquist lives in Wisconsin but her blog is featured in Forum Communication newspaper websites across Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Holmquist’s blog, found at godtracks.areavoices.com, was honored by the 2012 Evangelical Press Association Awards of Excellence. Each year the Evangelical Press Association (EPA) contest honors the best work done by EPA-member publications during the past calendar year.

The award was presented at EPA’s annual convention May 9-11, 2012 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Awards of Excellence honor overall excellence of a publication. Judges in this category evaluate a number of criteria, including writing quality, content choices and design. Holmquist received the Award of Merit in this category and was one of two winning bloggers. The blog posts true stories about people and how Jesus Christ is making a difference in their lives.

Judges commented that the blog was “all-around exceptional” and that “You can count on each post to be thorough, engaging and thought-provoking. The reader is drawn in from the very first sentence.”

“Jesus is working in amazing ways this very moment, and people have stories to tell,” Holmquist said.  “I’m just passing these stories on, hoping to give glory to God and encourage others. Anyone with stories to tell can contact me at god.tracks@yahoo.com. I’d love to hear from them.”


 

Areavoices Digest #32 – Focusing on the Minnesota Twins and more

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Somehow it seemed fitting last night that the Minnesota Twins should end their 9 game losing streak on what had been a very sad day for Minnesota sports fans. Earlier in the day, Twins great Harmon Killebrew lost his battle with cancer at the age of 74.

Michael Cuddyer, who knew Killebrew, told reporters he felt like Killebrew was looking down on them last night.

You can read more about Killebrew and other Twins news in one of our newest Areavoices blogs. It’s called Twins Focus and it’s just one of the great blogs I’m recommending this week.

Twins Focus - http://twinsfocus.areavoices.com
I’m really excited to get Twins Focus on Areavoices. It’s written by Chad Jacobsen, an uber Twins fan! He has a Twins Focus Facebook page too. He’ll use Twins Focus to offer insight and opinion about Minnesota’s boys of summer.

Pet Pellets: a blog about pets, their care and more - http://petpellets.areavoices.com
Pet Pellets will address pet care and pet topics in the news.  Pet owners can also ask questions and get advice about everything from kangaroos to hermit crabs.
Positively Beautiful: Art & Science of Mind*Body*Beauty Balance – http://positivelybeautiful.areavoices.com
Dr. Susan Mathison shares thoughts, tips, insights about health, wellness, beauty and life. Mathison calls this “a personal journey as well, for some of what I share are practices and rituals that I aspire to, yet haven’t quite mastered. I have years of medical learning, and I hope to serve you by making this knowledge accessible. I welcome your feedback and questions–even the ones you are afraid to ask in person!”

Shakespeare in the Park -  http://shakespeare.areavoices.com
Following the process of putting together an outdoor Shakespeare experience! Old Bill would be proud of this blog out of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.

Isaac on Tech – http://isaacontech.areavoices.com
I’ve recommended this blog before, but thought it was worth another look. Isaac Grover does a really nice job covering technology. I’m not a techie person, but even I found his posts interesting. His recent posts have included advice on 3D movies and taking pictures on your Smartphone.
Red River Orthodox: Orthodox Christianity in the Red River Valley and North Dakota - http://holyresurrection.areavoices.com
Red River Orthodox is a blog on behalf of Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church, an Orthodox Christian community in Fargo, ND (www.holyresurrectionfargo.org).

Areavoices Digest #29 – SPAM and YUM in the same post?

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I have both good and bad news to start this weeks digest. First the bad news. Apparently, our anti-spam software is still causing some problems. Legitimate blogs are being trapped in the filter. Spam is obviously a big problem.  In its overexuberance to capture spammers, real bloggers are getting blocked. If you are having problems with either your blog or one of your favorite blogs being marked as spam email: support@areavoices.com. Unspamming a blog is a pretty quick and easy thing to do. Again, our apologies as we work through this.
 
Now the good news. I am really excited about this week’s list of recommended blogs. This is where we go from SPAM to YUM! 
 
 
 
YUM. – http://jnhanson.areavoices.com Jenna is a 23-year-old newlywed who says she grew up on the Food Network and has a kitchen stocked with new gadgets that she’s ready to use. This former reporter for the West Central Tribune in Willmar writes with ease and she includes some beautiful photos along with her recipes. This is definitely a YUMMY food blog.

 
An Athiest and a Catholic: Reaching out across the abyss – http://atheistcatholic.areavoices.com  Neece, an Atheist and Roxane, a Catholic became acquainted in the blogosphere. While they have different world views, they share a passion for the written word and thoughtful, compassionate and respectful dialogue. In a world, where we often see intolerance for differing opinions, An Athiest and a Catholic is a refreshing change of pace.
 
Roger Maris: 50th of 61 Maris’ Magical Season – http://maris.areavoices.com   This is the 50th anniversary of Roger Maris’ historical season. In 1961, the Hibbing, Minnesota-born/Fargo, North Dakota-raised ballplayer smacked 61 home runs while playing for the New York Yankees. All season-long, The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead will recall that magical season.
 

Movies in the Mancave: Just a couple of dudes reviewing movies - http://moviesinthemancave.areavoices.com  The title of this blog just about says it all. But in addition to reviewing movies, these two friends do video movie reviews as well. The “dudes” say they’ll review it all from Hollywood blockbusters to chick flicks.
 

Ronald McDonald House of the Red River Valley:  The house that love built – http://ronaldmcdonaldhouse.areavoices.com The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) is to create, find and support programs that directly improve the health and well being of children. This blog includes news and information from Fargo’s Ronald McDonald House.

Areavoices Digest #10 – Nov 24, 2010

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First of all, Happy Thanksgiving to all you! Before you head out for SAFE travels this Thanksgiving I have  a few announcements from the areavoices community.
If you still would like to weigh in on our Black Friday chat….go to http://topics.areavoices.com. People are sharing their favorite Black Friday deals. You might learn something
Now to our recommended blogs of the week:
 
Middle Minnesota – Views of a Moderate Poll – http://middleminnesota.areavoices.com  This is a blog written by State Representative Al Juhnke from Kandiyohi County in West Central Minnesota. He says “as an endangered species, that is a political moderate, I thought it may be interesting to publish my views from time-to-time. I Chair the House Agriculture & Veterans Affairs committee.The best overall description I can give you of myself is that I am a ‘Pro-life, pro-gun, pro-snowmobile, pro-scratching, pro-spitting rural Minnesota Democrat.’ Politics, Agriculture, and rural life views…stay tuned and enjoy.” 
 
Our goal on areavoices is to get more politicians to start blogs. Rep. Juhnke posts pretty frequently and usually links people to relevant news stories from his district. If you’re a lawmaker, I’d love to help you start your own blog.
  
So much to do in Grand Forks - http://novac.areavoices In a way the title of this blog is a little misleading. Writer Marie Strinden actually profiles entertainment happenings throughout eastern ND and western MN.Strinden is with the North Valley Arts Council. She is the site administrator of www.culturepulse.org, the free website with listings of every arts and culture event going on in North Dakota and near eastern Minnesota. This is a really good looking blog. It has sharp graphics and great photos and Marie is a good writer.
 
Ridgewater Voices – http://ridgewater.areavoices.com – We welcome Ridgewater College as our latest college news blog. Ridgewater has campuses in Willmar and Hutchinson. Their writers said they plan to write about campus happenings as well as goings on on the higher education landscape of Minnesota.
 
God Tracks – http://godtracks.areavoices.com – God Tracks author Julie Holmquist is a writer/editor with a passion for sharing stories about God. The award-winning journalist, wife and mother of four lives in Wisconsin and wants to know if you’ve seen God’s tracks in your life. I would compare Julie’s blog to Chicken Soup for the Soul or the popular book series, Small Miracles. Holmquist shares nuggets of coincidences and faith in everyday life. I think people will enjoy her uplifting stories.
 
Computer and Technology – http://computers.areavoices.com - Jeff Kuschel is the owner of computer business and has worked in the field for 15 years. His last post concerns staying safe while online shopping. Pretty relevant as we hit Cyber Monday. 
 
 
 
HAVE A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING AND SAFE TRAVELS!!!!!!

AREAVOICES DIGEST #4 – Oct 6, 2010

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AREAVOICES DIGEST #4 – Oct 6, 2010
 

Here’s this week’s look at some areavoices blogs you might have missed. Check ‘em out. They’re good reading!

 
Addie Weaver: from Woodbury to the World   – http://addieweaver.areavoices.com
Addie Weaver is a mental health professional with a Master’s in Counseling Psychology. She is embarking on a missionary journey that will take her from her home in Woodbury, MN to 11 countries in 11 months.
 
Reel Quickies – Movies – TV shows – Reviews – Actors – Cinema – http://reelquickie.areavoices.com
Laurel Woiwode is a native of North Dakota, originally from the southwestern part of the state. She’s a graduate of Jamestown College with a double major in English and History. I think her entertainment blog is a lot of fun. I particularly enjoyed her “Quote Quiz” category where she asks you where certain movie quotes came from.  She says, ”My love of watching and analyzing films grew from my love of literature and writing. And maybe because I didn’t watch much TV as a child.Some of my favorite movies are: The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Love Actually, The Patriot, The Negotiator, and Seabiscuit. My favorite TV shows are NCIS and Lie To Me.”  

Doing it Downtown – One Downtown, One Blog, One Million Possibilities. http://doingitdt.areavoices.com
Deneen Gilmour is the MSUM professor who channels her Writing for the Web students’ work onto this blog, which highlights the downtown Fargo scene. It features music and events. The stories and multimedia here are created by each semester’s online journalism senior seminar class. Gillmour was a daily newspaper journalist for 16 years before getting her Ph.D. and moving into academe.  I believe The Forum is already featuring this blog. It’s also a great example of how schools, both universities and high schools can utilize blogging as part of their curriculum.
 
North Dakota Outdoors and Beyond – the outdoors, hunting, fishing, trapping and more  http://dougleier.areavoices.com
What I think I appreciate most about this blog, written by Doug Leier of ND’s Game and Fish Department, is his daily committment to giving the readers relevant information. His posts are usually pretty brief. But I think it gives readers what they need to know about his topics. Of course, this would appeal most to the ND properties, but his information is also relevant to out of state hunters looking for licenses, etc.
 
Outdoors with Sam Cook- Exploring the North Woods – http://samcook.areavoices.com
Many of you are probably familiar with this outdoors blog written by Sam Cook, a writer with the Duluth News Tribune. He’s been blogging for 3 years now, so he’s had ample opportunity to make it great.   I’m not AT ALL an outdoorsy person, but I really enjoyed his writing. His pictures are beautiful and give you a real sense of being there.  

Happy reading! And for you bloggers out there don’t hesitate to give me a heads up about blogs you like to read. They might appear in my news digest!