Steele, ND

Skip Thomas is the kind of friend everyone should have at least once in their lifetime.  He is kind, generous and genuinely cares about everyone he meets.  But his true passion is to honor our military women and men.  So having him as our Kidder County Veterans Officer seems like a match made in Heaven.

Last year Steele held our first memorial service to honor and thank our veterans.  If you were there you will never forget the camaraderie, the food, the guest speakers and the empty place setting at the table for the ones who will never come home for supper again.

If someone you love has fought in a war you will never forget the way your heart sinks when you hear on the news that the area they are stationed at has been bombed.  You will never forget the sleepless nights of prayer.  You will never forget that first letter home that says I’M SHORT! (Meaning the days to come home are getting shorter) You will never forget the sight of their dear face when they step off the plane and stand on North Dakota soil.

So this year call Skip and find out what you can do to help make this 2nd annual veterans day event at the Steele Vets Club on Saturday May 24th starting at noon a day YOU will never forget.  Call him at work at 701-475-2632 EXT 9226 or at home after 5:00 pm 701-475-2132.  His e-mail is agthomas@state.nd.us

Jessica Blend, New Salem, loves to shop. In fact, she loves it so much she wants to share her love with all the ladies in the area and on Friday night May 30^th she will be bring a “traveling” mini mall to the Steele Community Center at 7:00 pm.  Hmmm?  Traveling mini-mall? What’s that?

Jessica and a group of home based vendors who sell everything from cooking products to jewelry are planning to offer ladies a new shopping experience.  Her plan is a simple one.  She gathers a few friends together; brings outstanding products, great customer service

and sets up the displays in a local community center; then she invites the local ladies to shop in their own community for the evening instead of Bismarck or Jamestown. 

This is not really a new idea.  Traveling sales people have always been a part of the fabric of America.  Jessica is simply tailoring the idea to fit rural North Dakota. 

Anyone who has lived in a small community for very long is probably familiar the home based sales and has been invited to a “party”.  There are jewelry parties, make up parties, Tupperware parties and many, many more.  Home based businesses such as these allow women a chance to own their own business, set their own hours and allows working women a chance shop at their leisure in friend’s house over coffee.  There are no parking problems and kids are welcome. 

On May 30^th, many of these businesses will be displayed in the Steele Community Center. The evening will provide a great selection of products and transform the auditorium into a small mini mall.  Ladies will still be able to take their time shopping and kids will still be welcome, plus there will be a $50.00 grand shopping spree given away to some lucky shopper.