Welcome Centennial Visitors!

Peggy R. Anderson

Extension Agent

August 4, 2010

Welcome Centennial Visitors!

As both Burke and Divide County celebrate their Centennials this Friday I just want to remind you of a gem that will be available in both county offices in a limited supply.  As part of the State Centennial in 1989 the North Dakota Extension Homemakers decided to do a statewide oral history project. The result of that project is a series of 3 books. 

The first book in the series, “Sods, Logs & Tar-paper,” dealt with the immigrants coming to the state and establishing their homes. Families survived by helping each other and living off the land. 

In the second book, “Clothes Lines, Party Lines & Hem Lines,” the narrators tell of their lives as women and children during a busy, industrious era. Men and women worked very hard physically. The development of new power sources and the invention of machines brought about many changes. 

The women whose lives are documented in “Courtin’, Cookin’ & Castor Oil,” lived in a time of great change. In this book you will hear from the daughters of these families. Often they had no choice, marriages were pre-arranged and simple. 

Several former Burke and Divide County residents are featured in the books. A limited supple of the set of books will be available at the Divide and Burke County Extension Office for sale. 

Tips to Save Money on Back to School Expenses

Families often are not aware that back-to-school spending typically rivals financial demands during the holiday season. Many also may not have planned ahead, said Kansas State University’s Carol Young, who encourages parents to check enrollment costs, activity and other fees such as the cost of school lunch, transportation and dress code before shopping.

"Identifying fixed costs can help to relieve some financial pressure for parents," said Young, who is financial management specialist with K-State Research and Extension. She explained that managing back-to-school expenses also provides educational opportunities to help children learn to separate needs from wants.

• Check school enrollment information to see if students qualify for reduced enrollment fees.

• Check to see if children have required immunizations, and, if not, contact the health department or health care provider to make arrangements to meet the requirements.

• Assess the cost of activities such as rental fees for band instruments, cost to buy sports shoes, or a blazer to be worn for a singing group. Travel to and from practices, out-of-town games, tournaments or other events add costs.

• Take inventory; check school supplies from last year, including condition of backpack, lunch bag or box.

• Make a list of each child's needs and focus spending on what matters most. Shoes that fit are a health and safety issue.

• Spread out spending. For example, buy two, rather than several, pairs of jeans or khaki pants for a child who's growing rapidly and plan to replace them in a few months. Remember that some items go on sale soon after the back-to-school rush, and others, such as a winter jacket, will go on sale early in the season.

• Consider alternative shopping opportunities, such as a neighborhood exchange or thrift store offering gently-used merchandise at bargain prices. If children want high-priced extras, suggest they begin saving to cover the cost.

• Shop when stores are least crowded (early morning, after supper or on a weekday), and consider shopping with each child individually to allow time for nurturing a relationship while accomplishing a necessary task.

• Ask about return policies before buying, and keep receipts in an envelope

Schedule

Wednesday, August 4 – Williston

Thursday, August 5 – Divide County

Friday, August 6 – Burke County

Monday, August 9 – Burke County

Tuesday, August 10 – Divide County