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Archival Anecdotes: Packed Away
It never fails. Every time I step into one of the buildings at the Eddy County Museum, I notice something for the very first time. Not long ago, I stopped into the Dodd's schoolhouse, like I often...
History of New Rockford: April 12, 2021
The Jan. 1, 1904, “Transcript” [Vol. XXII, No. 18] mentioned the “Mouse River [Westhope] Standard,” the “Cooperstown Courier,” and the “Binford Times.” Major New Rockford businesses...
We the People: Personalizing the Constitution
Together, the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution form what Gunnar Myrdal called the “American Creed.” The Declaration, written in eloquent, glittering generalities, invokes the Deity and inalienable rights, speaks of...
Savvy Senior: The Most and Least Popular Ages to Claim Social Security
Dear Savvy Senior, How much does your claiming age affect your Social Security benefits, and what are the most popular ages people start taking their retirement benefits? Nearing Retirement Dear...
Archival Anecdotes: April 5, 2021
If popular culture has taught us anything about the early days of the teenage dating scene, it is that girls were often using an excuse similar to, "I'm busy that night. I'll be washing my hair." To b...
History of New Rockford: April 5, 2021
The Dec. 25, 1903, “Transcript” mentioned the “Portal International” newspaper. That issue carried some school notes: the Primary room students had been holding “secret communications...
Fundamental fairness: Statehood for Washington, D.C.
The introduction of H.R. 51, a bill to make Washington, D.C., the 51st state — the “Washington, Douglas Commonwealth” — would grant its 700,000 residents the same rights enjoyed by Americans in every other state — full voting...
Savvy Senior: How to Help Your Elderly Parent with Their Finances
Dear Savvy Senior, What tips can you offer on helping an elderly parent with their finances? My 84-year-old father is having trouble keeping up with his bills and insurance, and I just found out that...
Archival Anecdotes: Good Clean Fun
Some might argue that the most important invention in human history was soap. Indeed, soaps made for fewer infections and greatly improved personal hygiene. Soap also had great potential when it came...
History of New Rockford: March 29, 2021
On Dec. 19, 1903, County Superintendent of Schools, Grace B. Putnam, came from Grand Forks for the holidays with her husband; she returned on Dec. 26. Blanche and Irene Brownell arrived from...
We the People: Protecting Freedom of Speech
As we have seen in our recent discussion of tests employed by the U.S. Supreme Court to determine the parameters of speech afforded protection under the First Amendment, the great dilemma confronting our nation occurs when speech appears to incite...
Savvy Senior: How to Search for Senior Discounts in 2021
Dear Savvy Senior, I just turned 60 and would like to find out the best way to go about locating senior discounts. Looking to Save Dear Looking, One of the best, yet underutilized perks of growing...
Archival Anecdotes: March 22, 2021
Sometimes I wonder what percentage of the American population has had the privilege of pressing down a typewriter key. For the past 30 years, the public has been accustomed primarily to computers and...
History of New Rockford: March 22, 2021
On Dec. 14, 1903, E.M. Morris was in to visit his family. Peter Hallquist, from northwest of town, was in on business. George Norman came over from Denhoff for business and a visit. F.C. Davies was...
We the People: Holmes' Defense of Freedom Speech
Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes’ invention in 1919, of the Clear and Present Danger Test, in Schenck v. United States, provided little protection for dissenters who opposed America’s role in World War I. Charles Schenck went to prison for...
Savvy Senior: Keeping Your Balance as You Age
Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about balance exercises? I’ve fallen a few times over the past year and have read that balance exercises can help me regain my steadiness, but I’m not...
Archival Anecdotes: Smiles all around
A few weeks ago, I wrote about the lack of smiles in photographs from the earliest parts of the 20th century. It turns out the smiles that we expect in photos didn't come into fashion until the late...
We the People: Dissenting speech v. national security claims
The question of governmental authority to punish speech in the name of national security came before the Supreme Court for the first time in 1919 in Schenck v. United States, resulting in the court’s first major ruling on the scope of freedom of...
History of New Rockford: March 15, 2021
On Dec. 7, there was “a good fall of snow.” However, it wasn’t enough to provide good sleighing. The morning train brought in Charles Mann. He and his wife took the afternoon train to begin...
Savvy Senior: Technology That Can Help You Locate Things You Misplace
Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend any good devices that help seniors with tracking down misplaced items? My wife misplaces everything including her car keys, eyeglasses, cell phone, purse and...
History of New Rockford: March 8, 2021
From Nov. 28 to Dec. 1, 1903, telephone manager William Brueske’s father, mother, and sister were up from Wimbledon to visit him and his family; his sister then remained a week or two longer. On...
We the People: May government curtail free speech?
Does the government have authority to curtail speech that might cause injury to our national security? Such power, asserted throughout the history of our nation, raises thorny questions about the nature, meaning and scope of two key constitutional...
Savvy Senior: A Social Security Perk for Older Parents
Dear Savvy Senior, I’ve been told that my two children, ages 14 and 16, may be eligible for Social Security when I file for my retirement benefits. Is this true? What can you tell me? Viagra Daddy...
Archival Anecdotes: Hear the 1920s roar
The 1920s are known as being a revolutionary time of growth and modernization, but to be honest I never really understand why. (This is when I note that I am trained as an anthropologist, not a...
History of New Rockford: March 1, 2021
Cases on the docket of the district court, beginning on Nov. 23, 1903, included the following: Northwestern Port Huron Co. vs. Justice; action on replevin [a lawsuit to get back property wrongfully...
