Minot Monday is made possible by a partnership with BeLOCAL Minot. Today I’m sharing 12 ideas of things to do in Minot during winter, be sure to check BeLOCAL for more ideas.All opinions shared here are my own.
Last week I looked ahead at the 10-day forecast just before going to bed. I’m not even joking, when I saw that Wednesday’s high would be -12˚F I couldn’t get to sleep. See, I have an almost-two-year-old–and if we don’t get out of the house for a while ever day, things turn ugly by dinner time. And who can blame him? I don’t like being cooped up either. But when the temperatures are so low, it can be hard to summon the gumption to leave the house. That’s why today for Minot Monday I’m sharing 12 Ideas of things to do in Minot during winter.
Sometimes I just crave a walk. The Dome at MSU is open to the public for walking and running 7am-9pm (times may change, and there is no public access during home sporting events.) The walking track is on the 3rd floor (no public access on 1st and 2nd floors.)
This is one of my favorite way things to do in Minot during winter because it’s FREE and the hours are wide enough that I can always fit a trip to the dome in my schedule. I like to meet with friends for a walk instead of meeting for food. And kids are welcome! You can bring a stroller, kids can run ahead, I’ve even seen Strider bikes on the track. Just be respectful of other users and apply common sense.
Join A League
In the past, accountability has been key for getting me out of the house during the coldest winter months. Join a league and you’ll have the accountability you need to show up–and leave the house. (And if you don’t want to participate, sign your kid up! You’ll still get out of the house, so its a win-win.)
Minot might not be a sports mecca, but there are still plenty of things to get involved in. Minot offers hockey leagues, swimming, figure skating , bowling leagues, trap/skeet leagues, martial arts, curling teams, square dancing, gymnastics, dance/ballet, and traditional sports leagues (think basketball, volleyball and tennis). The best part is that lots of these leagues and clubs have adult and kid options! See the sports leagues section of BeLOCAL for full listings.
Go Ice Skating
Going to Maysa Arena to skate is another of my personal favorite things to do in Minot during winter. Skating fees are low (especially if you bring your own skates) and it’s nice and quiet during the day. I think skating is a nice change of pace from walking or running, especially since it’s got a “wintery” vibe to it.
If playing sports isn’t your thing, become a fan. There are lots of events happening at Maysa (hockey and figure skating) and at MSU. Check their schedules for times.
Before I had a toddler in tow, going to Margie’s was one of my favorite winter pass times. At Margie’s you can get a cup of coffee, pick a ceramic piece to paint and take your sweet time making a masterpiece. Unlike lots of other ceramic studios, Margie’s doesn’t have a studio fee–and you can come back and paint your piece over multiple days (so there’s no need to rush your project.)
As I’ve mentioned before, they also offer classes if that’s more your style.
Instead of binge watching trashy TV you could be learning to paint, throw pottery, hand-letter, work with succulents, or the time-honored tradition of rosemaling.
Rent a Board Game
If you’re up for learning something new, why not learn a new board game? Did you know the Minot Public Library opened a board game library at the end of 2019? Yep, they did.
You can go over to the library and borrow a game to enjoy with friends back home, or play at the library. Or…you can join them for one of their hosted game nights.
Enjoy the Arts
During the bitter cold months in Minot there are still plenty of opportunities to get out and see a concert or show. The Brass Band, Symphony, Mouse River Players (civic theater), and vocal groups continue to perform all winter long.
Minot Fun Zone–At the City Auditorium, Tuesday-Thursday, 9am-12pm
Gymagic Play Dates–Open gym for littles. Monday 11am-12pm (ages 6 and under); Friday 11am-12pm (ages 6 and under); Friday 7:30-8:30pm (up to age 14); Saturday 12-1pm (up to age 14)
The Mall
Before you scroll on, hear me out. I know mall culture isn’t what it was back in the 80s and 90s…but the mall is a great place to go to get out of the house during winter. Dakota Square is usually pretty slow during the day, so it’s a perfect place to go take a walk (yes, I’m suggesting mall walking) or let your littles walk/run ahead of you.
If you are looking for specific activities, there is a play space for kids (it does get crowded on weekends and after “work” hours) and a nice, large train table for open play at Barnes and Noble.
Coffee
Minot’s small coffee shops are the best place to taste the season. Minot’s Daily Bread’s counter looks festive and warm even on the coldest days.
Did you really think I’d put together a winter list and not mention coffee? If you did, you obviously don’t know me. Minot has so many sweet local coffee shops. When you are looking for things to do in Minot during winter you can start with a hot beverage. Trust me, the wind chill doesn’t look so intimidating when you are on the inside of an adorable shop, looking out.
Volunteer
Instead of complaining about the weather, get out and help the community. No matter what you like to do, there is a place for you to help out. Like I said in the Christmas post–Minot has soup kitchens that serve meals every week day. I know for certain our Men’s Winter Refuge is always in need of people to collect socks and boots. I’m sure the kids’ play spaces are open for volunteers, too. If you like animals–volunteer with the shelter (I’ve done it, it’s fun!) Help out at the Y, the library, or the hospital.
And if you have an idea of how to make Minot a better place to live, winter is a great time to connect with others and get an idea off the ground. One of my favorite things about Minot is that the town is receptive to ideas that make our community even more enjoyable. If you want to make an impact, you can.
I hope this gives you some good ideas of things to do in Minot during winter! What gets you out of the house when the windchill is subzero? Don’t forget to meet me on Instagram–I do a weekly round up of upcoming events in town every Monday. See you there!
Minot Monday is made possible by BeLOCAL Minot. Their publication helps you live like a local and love every minute of it.
The smug face of a traveler who is fascinated by North Dakota airports.
Happy Minot Monday! Lots of us have been traveling for the holidays. Now that we are settling back into a regular routine, isn’t it time to think about spring travel plans? It’s no secret that I love living life in Practically Canada, however travel from Minot can be tricky. Whether that’s because you have a hard time finding a flight, or accepting the hours you’ll need to spend in the car…or you are simply shocked by the oddity that is North Dakota airports–I’ve got you covered. Today’s Minot Monday covers everything you need to know about flying out of Minot for your next big trip. (Future Minto Monday posts will cover car travel and train travel.)
Last time we lived in Minot I had friends ask me all the time how I convinced people to come visit. Most people hear the words “North Dakota” and immediately decide that they don’t want to live here, let alone visit. Before you can convince them to come for a visit they’re already talking about the winters being too cold and the fact that there’s nothing to do. (I hear these excuses even in the summer when it’s anything but cold and definitely not boring.) Come to think of it, maybe I should write a Minot Monday post about convincing friends to come visit.
The clincher for me is never convincing people they should come for a visit–it’s working out the logistics of how to get someone here. The same is true on the flip side. Planning trips out of Minot can be equally challenging. Flying from Minot is rarely direct and often pricey. But don’t let that stop you. Flying from Minot is also filled with sitcom (or Gilmore Girls-esque) terminals and characters. There’s no perfect formula, but I’m happy to share the good, bad and quirky that I’ve discovered when it comes to travel from Minot.
Flying From Minot | A few anecdotes
My preferred method of travel from Minot is flying. The first time I arrived in Minot it was July 2012. I had flown from Shreveport, LA to Denver to Minneapolis to Minot. A slightly drugged Panda-cat was my carry on luggage. It took all day. And I do mean all day. I had never set foot in North Dakota, now I was about to live here.
When I got off the plane and exited the jet bridge I was totally taken aback. I was standing in the smallest commercial airport I’d ever seen. I was frazzled from the day and eager to get something to eat and see Derek (we’d been apart for about two months at this point.) Because I was so exhausted I noticed very little except the size of the building and that there were only about four gates, all totally visible in the rectangular room.
Later, as I took more flights out of Minot, I came to understand that travel from Minot was a truly unique situation. Although everyone in town warned of long security lines (sometimes I heard of them nearly out the door), security never took me longer than 15 minutes. I don’t think I ever waited behind more than five people.
As stated, the gates were all fully visible at once. Rows of seats filled the space, most travelers (including myself after living in Minot for a year or so) would run into someone they knew while waiting for a flight. Once, while waiting for a flight, an employee walked to the middle of the terminal, cleared her throat and said, “Excuse me.” She wasn’t shouting, or using the intercom–but the whole room quieted down.
“Somebody dropped their keys.” She held them up for all to see. “I’ll have them up here at the desk. Everybody, just check to make sure you’ve got yours.” A minute later a man walked up to the desk to claim his keys.
There’s something special there, right?
There was a small snack bar inside security. For as long as anyone could remember one of the items listed was a “Hot Dawg.”
Once, after claiming our luggage, I left my laptop bag in near the baggage carousel. I realized when I got home. Derek went back and to discover it was waiting behind the desk. “As soon as you walked out, someone brought it up. We figured you’d be back quickly,” the man working told him.
Sadly, that tiny airport is gone now. It’s been replaced by a more modern model–but the feel of the experience is much the same. The “new” airport (as it’s still called in many local circles) is bigger and more spread out. While the “old” airport always felt busy because everyone waiting for a flight was seated close together, the “new” airport nearly always feels empty.
It’s clean. There are plenty of seats. The windows are beautiful. Again, if you are used to flying from a larger hub–security lines will floor you with their brevity. There is a snack bar…but don’t hold your breath. They no longer offer the Hot Dawg.
Flying From Minot
If you’d like to pursue air travel from Minot your best bet is to fly out of Minot (obviously) or Bismarck. The Bismarck airport is just shy of two hours away from Minot, but sometimes you can get a heck of a deal. (Since you’ll need to drive down, keep parking in mind. Don’t worry though–it maxes out at $40/week.)
The Bismarck airport is a lot like Minot’s. While traveling for the holidays we flew from Bismarck. It’s small, clean and friendly. Again, there is no music playing over the intercom. So you can sit in silence–or watch one of the living-room-sized TVs sprinkled around the terminal. Unlike large airports that might feel the need to micromanage what you watch, the TV remotes are left out in Bismarck for travelers to use and watch whatever they like. (I shared our real-time Bismarck airport experience on my Instagram and Facebook stories.)
Seriously, is North Dakota for real? This place is awesome. Flying from MOT (The Minot International Airport)
If you choose to fly from Minot or Bismarck here some tips and things to keep in mind.
Don’t pay for parking in Minot. Parking rates at MOT are $12/day or $72/week. The city of Minot is so small and well connected. A ride to the airport will take less than 15 minutes from most parts of town. Ask a friend or take a taxi/Lyft.
Be a flexible traveler. Flying from our small airports means rates tend to be high. The more flexible your dates, the better chance at getting a good deal. I like to use Kayak’s month view to find the best price.
Set an airfare alert. This goes hand in hand with being flexible. If you know where you’d like to go (like to your hometown to visit family) or where certain friends would fly out to come visit Minot–you can watch the rates and be alerted when they drop.
Remember to check alternate airports. Try to get creative with your flights. Be open to flying out of Bismarck instead of Minot–or flying in to an airport that might be a short drive from your final destination.
Be open to creative routes. Hacker fares that may require you to change airlines during your layover can save you big money flying out of small airports. This works especially well if you can pack light enough to only need a carry on.
Understand and accept you’ll be on a very small aircraft. The planes coming in and out of Minot (and Bismarck) are small. Accept that fact. You will not be able to bring a full-sized roller carry-on on board. They’ll gate check it for you (meaning you’ll leave it on the jet bridge and pick it up on the jet bridge upon landing.) Depending on the airline you may be charged an additional fee for a roller carry-on.
Airlines Serving Minot
Delta
United
Allegiant
Allegiant Direct Flights from Minot
Direct from Minot to Pheonix and Las Vegas are available through Allegiant Air. Fares are cheap, so this is a good way to escape the winter chill or meet up with family/friends who refuse to come all the way north (their loss.)
Airlines Serving Bismarck
Delta
United
American
Allegiant
Frontier
Allegiant Direct Flights from Bismarck
Daytona Beach. FL
Orlando, FL
Las Vegas, NV
Phoenix, AZ
I hope this helps–even a little. Here’s to a New Year full of fun travels and lots of visitors!
Minot Monday is brought to you by BeLocal Minot. All thoughts, opinions and awesome word-smithing are my own.
Christmas in Minot is truly a special season. Today, for Minot Monday I’m doing something a little different. Instead of using lots of words and a list to tell you something about our sweet, special town–I’ve put together an image essay for you.
I’ve told you before, I hear lots of complaints about being forced to move to Minot. I hear lots of groaning about the windchill. But there is something down right magical about a small town Christmas. Like a hybrid of a Hallmark Christmas movie and a quirky NBC mockumentary, Christmas in Minot is not to be missed.
Christmas in Minot: a photo essay
I’ve gathered photos from the season here. But this collection isn’t complete. It’s missing the annual performance of Handel’s Messiah, where basically anyone in the community can join in the singing on stage–as long as you know the music. I missed the Christmas symphony concert. This year they had a bell choir and I heard it was breathtaking. There are no images from the lutefisk and meatball dinner, the Dickens Festival or pet photos with Santa at the mall. I missed the carol sing (where a friend warned me that saying “ass” in “What Child is This” can be taboo), the ballet and the many, many vendor markets.
I did ride a bus around town looking at lights with some friends. When asked how they got the bus she replied, “It’s a friend of a friend. I’ve never really met him. But he lets us use it. Seriously nice for a stranger.”
Christmas in Minot is much, much more than what I present here. But I gave it my best shot. I’ll try again next year. I hope this brings a little comfort to someone out there who may be nervous about relocating to Practically Canada.
It really is a great place.
A happy and glittering snowman near the town tree downtown.
Santa visits downtown shops throughout December. He looks especially cozy in Main Street Books–ready to hand candy canes to everyone on the nice list.
It’s not Christmas without a movie marathon. Minot’s Video Magic stocks shelves of Christmas movies for easy picking.
BeLocal has a complete guide to winter fun in Minot
The Christmas season kicks off with the Festival of Trees. A live auction of trees and wreaths and silent auction of gift baskets benefits Dakota Hope Clinic.
Two trees at the Festival of Trees included nativity sets.
Minot’s small coffee shops are the best place to taste the season. Minot’s Daily Bread’s counter looks festive and warm even on the coldest days.
Minot is full of local eateries. Sweets cases are always prettiest at Christmas. (This is at Minot’s Daily Bread.)
Small town shops decked out for the holidays make shopping local easy. (There are lots of places to grab good gifts–this is The Foundry.)
The downtown open house invites the community to shop local. During the open house, shops stay open late, chestnuts roast on the street, cocoa and cider are free for the taking–and the night wraps up with caroling and the town tree lighting.
Small town shops decked out for the holidays make shopping local easy. (There are lots of places to grab good gifts–this is The Foundry.)
Santa’s Reindeer (all the way from the Drayton Reindeer Ranch–it’s practically the North Pole) visited the mall.
Scheel’s sponsored the visit from Santa’s Reindeer.
TC Nursery is the only place in town to cut your own Christmas tree.
TC Nursery is the only place in town to cut your own Christmas tree.
Photographers across town bring their A-game to offer sweet Christmas card mini sessions.
Photographers across town bring their A-game to offer sweet Christmas card mini sessions.
Christmas in Minot wouldn’t be complete without the Olson’s annual light display or Sertoma’s Christmas in the Park.
Lowe’s Garden center is open year round and chock full of poinsettias and fresh trees at Christmastime.
Lowe’s Garden Center greenhouse is a warm and colorful escape on cold days. Nothing looks more Christmasy than a greenhouse full of poinsettias.
Light snow and freezing fog make the trees look like they belong in a gingerbread village.
While the train is stopped spectators have plenty of time to walk along the cars and see the light displays.
The Canada Pacific Holiday Train stops in Downtown Minot every year. Main Street is crowded with families bundled up to watch the show.
The Canada Pacific Holiday Train stops long enough for a live performance of Christmas music and a visit from Santa.
While the train is stopped spectators have plenty of time to walk along the cars and see the light displays.
Lowe’s Floral and Garden Center and TC’s Nursery are two favorite local places to get a fresh tree.
Christmas decor and arrangements like this one by the Depot make downtown holiday-ready.
Oak Park Theater brings holiday classics in to watch on the big screen.
Charlie’s downtown stays open late during special events. Coffee, wine and local eats are abundant downtown.
Minot is friendly year-round, but especially so at Christmas.
United Congregational Church of Christ offers a free community breakfast every Saturday morning. Minot has soup kitchens that offer meals every day all year long.
Churches across Minot host lovely public Christmas gatherings and events. This is a themed table at the First Baptist Christmas Tea.
Churches across Minot host lovely public Christmas gatherings and events. This is a themed table at the First Baptist Christmas Tea.
The annual Ugly Sweater Fundraiser at Grow With Me supports a local cause every year.
Christmas in Minot wouldn’t be complete without several picturesque snowfalls.
Cold winter mornings leave delicate, lacy ice on branches.
Happy Minot Monday! This is a very exciting post for me to write for a two major reasons. First of all, today I’m talking about places that offer craft classes in Minot–one of my favorite things. Annnnd…I’ve got something really cool to announce.
Amy Allender is Partnering With BeLocal Minot
I’ve partnered with BeLocal Minot to continue bringing you super-fun Minot Monday content!
You know I have a heart for changing negative attitudes toward living in or moving to Minot. I’ve made it my personal mission to proclaim the quirky awesomeness that is Minot, ND. BeLocal is a newly launched publication that shares that heart and mission.
BeLocal Minot is like a visitor’s guide, except it’s made for locals. It’s a guide to living like a local. It’s a comprehensive catalog of all the things that make Minot a great place to live–things that took me several years to discover the first time we lived here. I cannot tell you what a valuable resource this is for anyone new to our area, prospectively moving in, or people who have lived here a long time but haven’t found their groove yet. It’s a welcome mat inviting everyone to enjoy their life here–not just muddle through.
You can access the entire catalog online. Also be sure to follow along on Instagram and Facebook to join the BeLocal community. You’ll see me around there, too!
Craft Classes in Minot
Now, big announcement aside, let’s get to today’s topic. Craft classes in Minot.
The Foundry
On Friday, I went to a Christmas party at the Foundry’s classroom, the Makery. This was one of the best Christmas gatherings I’ve ever been to. Our group brought snacks to share and spent time visiting at the beginning. Then we all made a welcome mat. Our instructor, Sarah had loads of fun stencils for us to choose from. (Being a noncommittal, plain Jane–I opted to simply stencil the word “Welcome” on mine. But trust me, other people who are more fun came home with mats with colorful says painted in colorful tones.)
(Colorful or plain…the mat takes the edge off of the construction mess currently in the entryway of Acorn House.)
It was such a nice way to spend an evening. And I love my finished product! After we finished we had the Foundry to ourselves for shopping. If you haven’t been, I describe the Foundry as “Etsy in real life.” It’s an adorable shop that offers hand made items from North Dakota makers, found vintage pieces and other unique gifts, home goods and clothing.
The Foundry is one of many places offering craft classes in Minot. Check their Facebook page for upcoming classes. (They range from arranging succulents to welcome mats, signs and gnomes!)
Other Places Offering Craft Classes in Minot
There are tons of classes and meet ups happening for Minot makers. Seriously, our town is saturated with creative types who are willing to share their skills with anyone willing to learn. Every week when I do my weekly round up of events happening (you can see this in my Instagram or Facebook stories) I am blown away by the number of great craft classes in Minot.
The classes offered vary widely. You can learn to paint, arrange fresh wreaths, fuse glass, quill paper, knit, sew, quilt, and just about anything else you can imagine. In my opinion, one of the best features of Minot is that if there is interest and enthusiasm, anything can happen. Chances are, if there is a class you’d like offered (or a class you’d like to offer) you’re only a couple coffee dates away from making it happen.
Here are more places in town that offer craft classes in Minot. I hope you find one that speaks to you!
Market on 4th
The Market on 4th sells locally designed/made home decor, gifts and goods. They’ve got a classroom that regularly hosts workshops. Check their website or Facebook page for a calendar of events.
Creative Dimensions
Creative Dimensions is a quilt academy and supplier. They offer sewing classes that help students make take-home projects as well as quilting workshops. Check their website and Facebook page for more.
Margie’s Art Glass
Margie’s offers paint your own pottery–but they also offer lots of fun glass classes. Workshops teach participants to fuse, blow and work with stained glass. Additionally they offer classes in painting, ceramics and jewelry making. They offer “no experience needed” classes as well as classes for more advanced participants. Check facebook or their website for a schedule.
The Fiber Basket
The Fiber Basket sells yarn and knitting/crochet supplies. Their classes range from “no experience needed” beginner’s courses to classes for more advanced students. They offer workshops in knitting, crochet, and basically anything that is made with yarn. Check Facebook or their website for a schedule.
Nature’s Nook
Nature’s Nook is a children’s toy and book boutique, but they offer classs (for both kids and grown ups) on a regular basis. They offer lots of painting classes and craft classes for littles. Check their Facebook or website for a full list.
Taube Museum of Art
The Taube is right downtown on Main Street. They offer lots of classes–some for adults, some for kids, some for parents to create with their kids. They also offer a program for pre-school aged kiddos called a Start in Art which combines story time or a visit from a zoo friend with a craft. Check Facebook or their website for all events.
Adult Learning Center
The Adult Learning Center offers lots more than just craft classes. However there are lots of good offerings for makers through their community ed programs. I really want to learn the art of rosemaling, so I’m planning on signing up in 2020.
The Libraries
Both the Ward County and Minot Public library offer craft courses and meet ups. A wide range of crafts are offered and there are programs for all ages.
The Spot
You might not think of a pool hall as a place to take in a maker’s class…but the Spot regularly hosts classes in painting, sign making and other crafts as well as the occasional vendor market. See their Facebook for upcoming events.
The Flower Box
The Flower Box offers lots of seasonal workshops in garlands, wreaths, pots and pot gardens. If you’re looking to hone your green thumb skills check out their Facebook for upcoming events.
Souris River Brewing
Souris River Brewing offers occasional acrylic paint-along classes. Some are adult-only and others are family friendly. Check their Facebook page for upcoming events.
There you have it! Did I miss anything? If you know of someplace else that offers regular (or semi-regular) craft classes in Minot for makers I’d love to hear from you! Have a great week here in the Magic City.
Happy Minot Monday! This week we’ll see high temperatures in the single digits and lows in the double negatives. Before the thermometer falls to highs in the double negatives I thought we should talk about practical items you can buy to make life more pleasant, despite very unpleasant temperatures. Today I’ve got a list of things that will help you survive a North Dakota winter.
I’ve read lots of other lists like this online. Most of them appeal to visitors. Or they focus on the obvious: snow pants, mittens, a car safety kit, etc. Don’t get me wrong. Those are all good things to own. (And they’ve made my list too!) But if you’re living here day in and day out you’ll need to be thinking about more than just a heavy coat to survive a North Dakota winter.
What You Need to Survive a North Dakota Winter
I mentioned a few of these items in my Minot Monday post that covered what a North Dakota winter is really like. However, with the holidays upon us, I’m sure you’ve got a couple people asking what you’d like under the tree. Or at very least you’ll be able to catch some good Christmas sales!
My list of things that will help you survive a North Dakota winter is geared toward folks new to the area. Locals, if you’ve got more tips–please send them my way!
Without any more introduction, here are my recommendations for things that will help you survive a North Dakota winter.
Things for the House
Before we get to the obvious things that will help you survive a North Dakota winter outdoors, let’s address the home. You’ll spend a lot of time in your home when leaving the house seems daunting (or is down right dangerous.) Here are a few things that will make your home happier in the dead of winter.
Nights will get unbelievably cold. I’ve tried lots of things on my bed to keep me warm in the bleak winter months. Nothing comes close to a down comforter. You can pile a million blankets on and still be a little cold, or crawl under one down comforter and be perfectly toasty. For real. Invest in a quality piece and it’ll last you the rest of your life (or pretty close to it.)
**As a side note, please invest in down products made in the USA through ethical practices. Down alternatives are also a good choice, especially if you suffer from allergies.**
Flannel Sheets
This one might be a no brainer, but if you don’t have them–buy yourself some flannel sheets. I like these from Target because they have an extra deep fitted sheet that stays in place.
Small Space Heater
Even the most efficient house will have a chilly spot. If you tend to be on the cold side (or are moving in from a warm climate) I highly recommend getting a small space heater.
It doesn’t need to be anything fancy. Just something that can take the chill off of a cold laundry room. I like to use ours when I’m working in the basement or to warm up the bedroom before bed.
Crock Pot Liners
In my opinion, this is a bit of a luxury item. Could you just wash the crock pot? Yes, yes you could. When it’s unbearably cold outside, there’s nothing better than coming home to a hot meal. Start looking up slow cooker recipes now and make yours work over time. Sometimes I shy away from slow cooker recipes because I hate the clean up. If this is you–get some liners. Clean up happens in about 30 seconds. You may never want to cook any other way.
Window Insulation Kits
If you were raised anywhere with cold winter you’ve probably seen these before. Basically, a window insulation kit is like plastic wrap for your windows. If you live in a house or apartment with inefficient windows, you need to sit aside notions that you’re too good to “plastic your windows.”
You know we love old houses, so I’m very good at installing these. They are a little gaudy and definitely won’t give your house high-end appeal, but they are effective. Believe me, when the wind chill is -40˚F you’ll wish you’d set aside your pride to keep that draft out.
Draft Stops
In my opinion, the name of the game during the winter is Stop the Drafts. Roll a towel at the base of a drafty door. Or invest in an actual draft stop created for this purpose.
Big Boot Tray
Save your floors (and yourself) a lot of heartache by getting your house a big boot tray. Even if you have a nice mudroom, a boot tray will pay off. Your shoes will track in snow and mud this winter. Additionally you’ll track in all the things used to keep snow and ice at bay. Salt, sand, and chemical melting agents will come in with the snow and can be a real pain to clean off of floor surfaces (let alone carpet!)
Sturdy Mat or Boot Brush
Hand in hand with a boot tray, you should also equip your house with a good mat for knocking snow and grime off of your shoes before coming in. Derek and I like to have one on the outside of the door and one on the inside. (Since an outdoor rug will often get coated in snow–even if it’s under an awning.)
If you plan to be outside a lot or work outside consider getting a boot brush to clean your treads a little more thoroughly before coming inside.
Humidifier
Winter air here is d-r-y. Dry. Your hair will be staticy. Your skin will be dry. Get yourself a humidifier to put a little moisture back in the house. This will be especially key when you catch a cold and your throat feels like it’s being rubbed with sand paper.
We like this warm mist humidifier from Vick’s. This year we also installed a dryer hose kit that vents our dryer into our house. We LOVE it! Every time we do laundry, instead of pumping all that warm, moist air outside–it is vented in to our house. It smells good and it boost the moisture content of our air.
For the Outdoors
Now that we’ve talked about the inside, let’s cover some outdoor items that will help you survive a North Dakota Winter. From your front steps to your car and driveway, here’s what I recommend.
Ice Melt or Salt for Walkways
Exterior stairs and walkways will accumulate ice. If your stairs or walk accumulates a dangerous amount of ice, the mail carrier will be unable to deliver your mail. (Seriously–this happened last time we lived here.) Chipping thick ice away is hard to do. Instead use an ice melt to provide traction and break up the ice so it can be cleared.
Snowblower
If you own a house I recommend buying a snowblower. The first year we lived here we did without. It was the hardest winter of my life. Because the winter remains cold for so long, snow accumulation rarely melts. By the end of that winter we were literally out of places to shovel our snow. Your snowblower doesn’t have to be the best, but I recommend you have one. (Or even share one with a neighbor!)
Back Saver Shovel
Even with a snowblower, there will be places you’ll need to shovel. Always opt for something ergonomic.
Remote Start
Okay. You don’t really need this to survive. But you will need to start your car a few minutes before you plan to drive. A remote start will save you a trip outside. And in my opinion, any time spent avoiding a North Dakota windchill is time well spent. If your car doesn’t have a remote start feature, you can have one installed at dealers in town.
Ice Scraper
I’m shocked at the number of people I’ve talked to that moved to the North and didn’t realize they needed an ice scraper for their car until the windshield was caked with ice. Don’t be that guy. Now you know.
Car Emergency Kit
I’ve never had a major emergency on the road, but I’d be a fool not to prepare for one. Stock your car with a pre-made emergency kit–or create your own. Then hope you never need to use it.
Car Shovel
It’s good practice to stock your car with a shovel, in case of a slide off–or getting stuck in a drift. (Or driveway.) You can keep a full shovel in your trunk, or grab one of these cute foldable models.
Traction Mats
These are so handy! I got stuck in a friend’s driveway once and her family pulled out a set of these to free me. I’d never seen them before. Now I can’t stop raving. They are small and easy to store and work so well to get unstuck when your tires are caked with snow and the ground is icy.
For Yourself
I wanted to address the the other categories first, because I think some of this self-care stuff can be obvious. Nonetheless, as your Minot BFF, I’ll tell you what I think is actually necessary to survive a North Dakota winter. (So you can skip over the stuff that you don’t really need.)
Coat
Yes, you’ll need a coat to survive a North Dakota winter. Shocking, right? I bet you already knew that. Here are my tips for getting a coat.
Get a coat you’ll actually want to wear. You’ll be wearing it a lot.
Make sure it has a hood.
Consider getting two–one for sporty stuff, one for every day use. Also, if one gets wet you’ll have a fall back.
A coat that covers your booty will make sitting in an icy car more bearable.
Boots
Invest (yes, this might be a little spendy) in a pair of boots you like to wear. Make sure they are waterproof and can accomodate thick socks.
Boot Socks
Speaking of thick socks–stock your drawer with some good socks. Make sure they are warm and also come up high so your boots won’t pull them down off of your feet.
Sunglasses
The glare off of snow and ice is blinding. On a clear, blue-sky, sunny winter day you need a good pair of sunglasses for driving. And doing anything outside, really.
Mittens and Gloves
Cover your hands with a thin pair of gloves (be sure to get some with “tech fingers” so you can work your touch screen without taking your gloves off.) Then add a thick pair of mittens over the top.
Hat
Get yourself at least one hat you like to wear. I know a lot of people who aren’t “hat” people. To survive a North Dakota winter, you need at least one hat you can stand to wear.
Thick Hand Cream
Remember how I told you that the air here is dry? It’s really dry. Without a great hand cream (and regular use) your hands will crack and bleed. Pick something unscented and thick.
I hope this helps you stay warm and cozy. Or at least will help you get through the winter. And remember the best way to enjoy the winter is to get out of your house and take advantage of things going on around town. Be sure to catch my stories on Instagram and Facebook for a weekly round up of great events happing.
Happy Minot Monday! Today I’m sharing my favorite places to get U-Cut and Fresh Christmas trees in Minot.
Growing up, my family always cut a fresh Christmas tree. It was a whole thing. We’d pack up with cocoa and cookies and make the long drive to the tree lot. Then we’d walk and ponder our fabulous options until we found just the right tree.
Northern Indiana might not be Vermont, but we’ve got a fair share of great U-Cut tree farms. One summer my sister and I even worked for a tree farm. We spent our days whacking Christmas trees into shape with machetes. It was one of my weirder jobs, but I left the summer with a great tan, toned arms and only one nasty scar from nicking myself with the blade.
I’m getting off track.
Cutting a Tree is Always an Adventure
The moral of the story is this: I like to cut my own tree. Derek and I have always had a real tree. And we always try to cut it ourselves. After getting married and spending our first Christmas in Florida, we learned that we’d been really spoiled by all the tree lots in Indiana and Michigan.
The Christmas season has brought us a lot of adventures when it comes to finding and cutting our own tree. Especially since we rarely stay in a town long enough to get in a tree-cutting routine.
In Florida we stumbled across a weird lot in the middle of nowhere. There was a mailbox with a saw inside and brief instructions to use the saw and leave money in the box. We hauled that tree home in our 1995 LeBaron convertible.
In Louisiana we found a similarly odd lot and came home with a ragged tree that looked okay once we got the lights on. (At least we cut it ourselves.)
When we moved to Minot the first time, we were clueless about Christmas trees. If you’ve never been here, let me fill you in: trees are not abundant here in Practically Canada. We searched for a lot…but finally ended up cutting a mostly-fallen-over pine with its roots exposed…sitting at the edge of a construction site.
Another year we heard through the grapevine about a lot being cleared north of town. Sure enough, guys were out there with chainsaws cutting down 20 foot trees. All we had to do was pick one and specify how much of the top half we wanted.
In South Dakota we bought permits to cut trees out of the National Forest.
See what I mean? It’s always an adventure.
Christmas Trees in Minot, ND
By the time we left Minot the first time, we had found a consistent place to do U-Cut Christmas trees: TC Nursery in Burlington.
Now that we’re back, that’s where we headed to get a tree.
As I said, trees are not plentiful here. TC’s is the only place I know of (and we’ve looked pretty hard) that offers U-Cut consistently. The U-Cut trees are not like the U-Cuts in Indiana that I grew up with. There aren’t multiple species to choose from. The rows are a little more rustic. It’s akin to getting a tree in the Black Hills National Forest. Except instead of an entire forest, we only have to scope out one farm.
That’s what we did today. Derek had the morning off, so we headed out to Burlington for a tree. The weather was perfect and we had the lot to ourselves. We were told that our U-Cut options might be a little picked over, but we were welcome to give it a try.
We did find a tree to cut ourselves, but even if we hadn’t TC’s pre-cut trees were a nice fall-back plan.
Getting Christmas Trees in Minot, ND
Okay. You’ve heard my story about tree hunting. You know I prefer a tree I can cut…even if that means it’s not the prettiest specimen. Sure, you can grab a tree from a big-box store, but I’d rather shop small and gain some quality and have a unique experience. When it comes to getting a Christmas tree in Minot, here are my two recommendations.
TC Nursery
As I said, TC Nursery is where we got our tree this year. TC has trees you can scout and cut yourself if you’re into that. They also have a great selection of pre-cut “classic” Christmas trees (think Frasier Firs, Scotch Pine, Colorado Spruce, etc.)
TC Nursery is pretty quiet in the winter and the staff is so nice. They have nice, quality trees and the drive out of town is pretty. The nursery itself is a great place to snap pretty Christmas card photos too. If you are looking for a great precut tree with a friendly, festive-yet-straightforward experience, TC’s is your best bet. (TC’s also does occasional special events, like a visit from reindeer! Check their Facebook page.)
Lowe’s is my second recommendation. Getting a tree here is more of an “experience.” Lowe’s has more of a winter-wonderland vibe. There are lights, music and decor and decorated trees. The shop is full of holiday decor, ornaments, wreaths and spruce tops for purchase. The staff is so sweet and you can enjoy free hot cider and candy canes while you shop.
The trees are hand cleaned and fully displayed. The staff takes a lot of pride in selecting high quality trees for their customers. They also offer free delivery in town and free stand installation in store.
If you are looking for a pre-cut tree and some extra merry-making, head to Lowe’s.
I love both of these places and cannot recommend them highly enough. It’s great to shop big chains…but even better to support small business owners that make small-town America so stinking great.
Happy Minot Monday! Today I’m sharing one of my favorite winter pastimes with you, curling! Every year around Thanksgiving, the Minot Curling Club kicks off their season. This week starts the annual Minot Curling Open House, where new curlers can come learn the sport and join a team if they like it. So, there is no better time to devote a post to Minot curling than right now!
I Really Want to Be Athletic
If you know me in person, you know that I long to be athletic. In school I tried all the sports. Basketball, volleyball, track, cross country, tennis…Turns out, I’m crummy at all of them. I can’t comprehend plays. My ball throwing is pathetic. My volleyball aim is terrible. In tennis the ball went way too far, way too high, or fell way short, or hit the middle of the net. In track, any field activity I tried was a fiasco. Turns out I can’t run and jump. Or throw. Or sprint.
The only thing I ever excelled at was running. Because running is basically just fast walking. If you run consistently, you will get faster and be able to go farther. It’s science.
Even though I’m pretty awful in the area of sports, I’m an avid trier. As in I’ll join in and try just about anything. Regardless of if it seems dorky, dated, difficult, silly or requires funny clothes or public-use shoes. So when I found our Minot had a curling club I was eager to try it out. But I was fairly confident I’d end up with a broken arm from slipping on the ice.
Curling is my Sport.
When I finally did go curling I was pleasantly surprised. Turns out curling is my sport. I have pretty good balance. There are no plays to memorize. There is no jumping, or throwing. A pro even told me I was a “natural.” Me! I’ve literally never been told that about anything. Ever.
The first time we lived in Minot we didn’t know how to get involved in the curling club. Luckily, a student in our church youth group (we were youth leaders at the time) told us he curled and got us details on playing. Since you might not be as lucky–and I don’t want you to miss your chance to participate–I’m here to give you all the details on giving curling a try.
But first, here are a few reasons I think curling is so great.
Four Good Reasons to Try Curling.
It’s winter in Minot.
Winters in Minot are cold, dark and long. It’s easy to stay at home in stretchy pants and never leave. Every week Derek and I looked forward to curling night. It was one night each week when we knew we’d get out of the house, interact with other people, and do something active. Week by week winter will pass…soon it’ll be spring and you’ll realize you were having fun all winter.
It’s social.
The first time I ever curled an older woman said to me, “Where’s your drink? Part of the beauty of the sport is that your beer will stay cold all night!”
Yes, it’s competitive, but at its heart, the curling club is social. Every lane has drink holders at the end. Soda and beers are available for purchase upstairs (or…if you’re me you’ll BYO hot tea). The vibe is happy. The people are friendly. There’s time to chat…but not so much that things get weird. Curling is a great way to connect with others and meet new friends.
It’s not cutthroat.
Yes, everyone likes to win. But you won’t find aggressive competitiveness here. Even if you aren’t super-athletic, you’ll fit in and be encouraged. The skill level ranges from young and fit to retirees just getting some exercise to experienced players who’ve won at nationals. If I fit into the mix, so will you.
It’s active.
Curling isn’t going to give you the same results as doing a HIIT circuit at the gym, but it will get you moving. Winter in Practically Canada can be a bit stagnant. I walked several miles worth of steps on each curling night. In the dead of winter it always feels good to move, especially when going to parks is out of the question.
How to get involved.
So, you are sold. Now, I’ll give you the details on how to actually start playing.
Go to the Open House
The Minot Curling club hosts an open house at the beginning of each curling season. This is a time to come learn and try out the sport. Experienced players will be on hand to teach you. It’s free. All equipment is provided.
During the open house you can meet other players and sign up for the league, if you like it. You can form your own team or be placed on a team. The folks at the curling club are absolute gems. They’ll help you with all of that.
Even if you decide curling isn’t for you, you should still go and give it a whirl. I mean, seriously…why would you not want to try curling at least once in your life?
Here is a post with details about this year’s Open House. 2019 Open House times are:
11/25-Monday@630pm
11/26-Tuesday@630pm
11/27-Wednesday@630pm
12/2-Monday@630pm
12/4-Wednesday@630pm
12/5-Thursday@630pm
Let’s talk equipment.
Curling doesn’t involve much equipment. And the best news for novices is that the curling club provides nearly everything you need. Everyone playing needs a broom and slider. A slider is a slippery surface that fits over the sole of your shoe. When you throw (slide) a rock down the ice toward the target (house) you’ll need to glide on your front foot. The slider allows you to do just that. A slider is a slippery surface that fits over the sole of your shoe. When you throw (slide) a rock down the ice toward the target (house) you’ll need to glide on your front foot. The slider allows you to do just that.
The club has sliders and brooms for your use. (Club dues go toward maintaining the facility and purchasing equipment.) So no need to buy anything.
What you will need to bring is a CLEAN pair of tennis shoes. Everyone who plays brings shoes and changes before they play. Do NOT wear shoes that you’ve worn outside (or worn outside without a thorough cleaning.) Unlike figure-skating ice which is polished by the zamboni, curling ice is textured. Any tiny debris in the treads of shoes will affect the texture and the ability of rocks to slide on the ice toward the target. If you wear street shoes that scratch up the ice, you’ll be judged pretty harshly.
Dress in warm clothes that allow you to bend and move. I typically wore two layers of yoga-style pants, a long sleeved t-shirt and fleece jacket. You’ll also want a hat and gloves. Games take about an hour and are played in what feels like a giant refrigerator.
Sign up for a league, or don’t.
If you decide you’d like to play consistently you can join the Minot Curling Club and sign up for a league night. Games happen several days each week. You pick which day of the week you’d prefer to play. Your team will play on that night. As the season progresses each league night will have a tournament and a winning team from each night.
If you’d like to play, but decide you can’t commit to playing once a week you can join the club and play as an alternate. It’s unlikely that every team will have every player at every game. Subs and alternates fill in when players cannot attend.
If you love curling, but don’t want to join the Minot Curling Club, you can still take part in public events. Over the course of the season there will be opportunities for the public to play. You can participate in the open house, funspiel (a low-key tournament), and I’ve even heard rumor there will be another “learn-to-curl” night held this year. Follow Minot Curling on Facebook to watch for public events.
Whatever you decide to do, you can never go back to a time when you didn’t know how great curling is. And even if you don’t play, you should totally com watch a public bonspiel (tournament)–just to get in the spirit of things.
Happy Minot Monday! Today, I’m talking about the Minot Children’s Library (part of the Minot Public Library) and why I love it so much as a toddler mom.
I love the library. When I say “love” I really do mean it. In all of the places we’ve lived (and even the places I lived on my own before getting married) I’ve been an enthusiastic supporter of libraries everywhere.
This may be unusual to hear from a person who basically put aside most books once they stopped having pages with pictures. It’s true, I am not much of a book reader. For the most part all my “reading” happens through my ears via audiobooks. All my other reading is typically of books with large photos and small captions (think magazines, instruction manuals, how-to guides, etc.)
Nonetheless I’m a huge propionate of public libraries.
My Childhood Library Experience
I attribute a lot of this enthusiasm to the fact that growing up I didn’t have ready access to the public library. Yes, there are libraries in Northern Indiana. However, the area that I lived in was within “county limits”, but outside of “city limits.” This meant we didn’t pay taxes toward the city library and therefore weren’t eligible for a library card.
Technically I think you could pay for a library card. But the details are foggy. Our family didn’t, and I don’t know anyone who did.
We only went to the public library during science fair season to do research and make copies of pages for our reports. Remember the hard, cold days before the Internet? Sometimes we went to the library with my grandma, who lived in a different town (within city limits) and used her card. That wasn’t very often though.
I got my first library card when I studied abroad in London my senior year of college. Yes, I was eligible for a library card in London, but not Elkhart, IN. The world is a funny place.
I ‘m a Library Connoisseur
I think my years of going without a library really built up the prestige of having a library card and being part of a borrowing community. Once I finally had my own library card, I became a bit of a library connoisseur.
I get a library card in every town Derek and I move to. It has been so exciting to see all the things that libraries offer–and how small town libraries are getting creative and continuing to grow, even in an age of digital reading. I’ve loved every library I’ve been a part of. Now, as a mom the library is more valuable to me than ever. I’ll write more about Minot’s Public Library in the coming months (there are so many great things to say, I can’t cover them in one post.) But for today, I just want to highlight a few things that I love about our library as a mom of a toddler.
If you’ve got older kids, or no kids–know that the library has plenty for you too! We’ll talk about that some other day.
Baby Play
Here’s the big one. Baby Play is my current favorite Minot Children’s Library activity.
Baby Play is a weekly story and activity time for littles 6 months-3 years old. It currently happens on Fridays 10-11am. However the date/time may change as we come into holiday season. (Check the full calendar.) A fun, young, amazing librarian hosts this special time in a separate room, with the door closed to contain the kiddos.
We start with stories, songs and dances. Then when the kids get restless (sometimes after 20 minutes, sometimes after only 10 or 15 minutes) the kids are free to roam the room and play at sensory activity stations set up all around the room. It’s the best.
There are all kinds of toys–musical instruments, walkers, a play kitchen, etc. But my favorite part are mess-prone stations: Bins of dried corn with shovels, bowls and funnels; dump trucks in flour; rice bins to practice scooping and pouring. These activities are set up on large drop cloths to contain the mess.
These activities are so important for developing motor skills, but it’s not something I am eager to set up for myself at home. At Baby Play we try to contain the mess…but at the end I get to go home to a (fairly) neat house, and the wonderful/amazing/spectacular library staff takes care of heavy clean up.
Second to the sensory activities, my favorite part of Baby Play is getting to connect with other young moms. It’s a low-key way to meet new friends–you already have something in common and a place to meet up each week. This is especially sweet for someone new to town. The library was the first place I took Gideon when we moved back to town. After our first time at Baby Play, I had exchanged numbers with two other moms and had a play date for the next week.
The Minot Children’s Library is a Separate Space.
The Children’s section is on the main floor, in its own, private area. There are no adults (or teens) milling around. Your kids won’t run off into shelves of adult books, copiers, computers, or bother grownups who are trying to read quietly. The entire space is made for kids and parents.
It’s Hands On.
No one is expecting complete silence. No one is expecting still children. Yes, it is a space to be calm and respectful–but you’ll be surrounded by staff and other parents who get what it’s like to have little readers on board.
Minot’s Children’s Library has a large space for play as well as reading. There is a huge busy board, motor skills activities, mirrors, and bead mazes, kid-sized tables and reading chairs.
The Books are Easy to Access
Books for the youngest readers (and lots of great board books) are all located on the perimeter of the play space. Gideon can help me pick out books for a bit, then go play, then come read. It makes picking new books easy, since he’s playing and contained andI’m not constantly herding him.
It’s a great way to spend time on a yucky day
Much like his mother, Gideon gets really cranky if he doesn’t spend a healthy dose of time outside every day. That can be hard when weather is cold, rainy or windy. On those days, we’ll often go to the library to play and read. It’s free, warm, dry and usually has other kids to play with.
Do you use the public library? Tell me what you love (or don’t love) about your library!
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