Gwen Bristol is a freelance writer living in the Bismarck-Mandan area of North Dakota. She is also a wife. And a mom. And a sometimes piano-teacher who loves to paint, bake and read.
I really fell in love with North Dakota when I began writing about rural towns across the state for Business Watch, a Bismarck Tribune publication highlighting statewide economic efforts and business practices. No matter where I go, I learn something new. The scenery is gorgeous, and the people are breathtakingly creative.
Unfortunately, outmigration has been a problem for North Dakota. The state is doing all it can to stem the flow of young people leaving our borders. One of the first articles I ever wrote for Business Watch featured North Dakota’s ambassador program. Through this program, people who once lived in North Dakota but now live out of state act as ambassadors for the state to recruit and retain a talented and intelligent population.
Because I loved what I saw, I dubbed myself a semi-ambassador. Since then, when I talk to people out of state, I mention as many of the good things about North Dakota as I can.
But it’s not enough for me. The tourism department brings people to the state with its learning-based vacations, the ambassador program attracts new companies, politcal blogs like Say Anything and North Decoder discuss the politics, and my heart is still full of what daily life in North Dakota means for someone like me. I have to share that. An online journal seemed liked the perfect outlet.
Hence this blog. All things North Dakotan–the government, the businesses and economy, and especially the amazing people here will be high-lighted in these blogs and on my pages as a part of daily life.
Guests are always welcome to leave comments or contact me with posts and articles for my pages.
LINKS TO SOME OF GWEN BRISTOL’S PUBLISHED ARTICLES:
(for others, see previous issues of Bismarck Tribune, Business Watch, the City Magazine, and Minot Daily News)
Students must start developing entrepreneurial skills in college
Bismarck Tribune: More Than Just a Newspaper
United Printing: Printing Up Success
They Want to Better our Community
MDU Resources Group, Inc. Looks to the Future
Shane Goettle taking over as commissioner of state Department of Commerce
