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The Exponent, All the news that's fit to print.
EAST GRAND FORKS WEATHER
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    National Newspaper Week

    Taxes Due

    Taxes Due Samuel W. Melbye, Polk County Director of Property Records, reminds Polk...

    Taxes Due
    Taxes Due Samuel W. Melbye, Polk County Director of Property Records, reminds Polk...

    Faith isn't about certainty at all but rather t...

    I think that one of the most challenging aspects of living a life of faith is the realization...

    Faith isn't about certainty at all but rather t...
    I think that one of the most challenging aspects of living a life of faith is the realization...

    The intimacy of grief

    A friend who lost her husband about a year ago recently commented that keeping busy and having...

    The intimacy of grief
    A friend who lost her husband about a year ago recently commented that keeping busy and having...

    What’s New at the Campbell Library?

    Cat Kid Comic Club – On Wednesday November 19th at 3:30, stop in to talk about your favorite...

    What’s New at the Campbell Library?
    Cat Kid Comic Club – On Wednesday November 19th at 3:30, stop in to talk about your favorite...

    Campbell Library launches fundraiser to upgrade...

    The East Grand Forks Campbell Library has launched a community fundraising campaign to purchase...

    Campbell Library launches fundraiser to upgrade...
    The East Grand Forks Campbell Library has launched a community fundraising campaign to purchase...

    Spotlight on EGF: The Shire

    Today I’m meeting with Penny Stai from The Shire!  She co-owns the business with her brother,...

    Spotlight on EGF: The Shire
    Today I’m meeting with Penny Stai from The Shire!  She co-owns the business with her brother,...

    MUNCHIES, MEALS and MORE

    Joelle is traveling this week so the following is a “Best of Munchie, Meals, and More”, that...

    MUNCHIES, MEALS and MORE
    Joelle is traveling this week so the following is a “Best of Munchie, Meals, and More”, that...
    Some days are just over the top and we had one of them last week.
The pews inside Trinity Free Lutheran Church on Chestnut Street in Grand Forks, were packed last Thursday afternoon (Nov. 6) when the Nelson Family gifted us with an amazing patriotic program.
The Nelsons, as in Sheila and Roger, their daughter-in-law, Robin, sons Paul, Mark and John plus eight “grands,” presented, “What Price Freedom.” Hosted by Thursday Music Club, gentlemen in attendance were mostly veterans.
Like Jim.
That evening was Riverside Christian School’s annual fall banquet at the Alerus Center. We heard sacred songs by the school’s worship team and after the meal, were blown away by “An Evening of Keys,” with David Snyder. You’ve no doubt read such headlines as, “local boy does good.” Well, David is a local boy who is doing phenomenal things. Now living in Los Angeles and married to Amanda, he was back home with his “The Piano says it Better” show.
About the Nelsons: The various families (every one with the surname Nelson), live in East Grand Forks, Halstad, Minn., and Grand Forks. Their program began with the National Anthem and a line-by-line explanation of the Pledge of Allegiance presented on big white cards by the eight grandchildren.
Besides piano and harp, other musical instruments this extended family has mastered are clarinet, trumpet, trombone, xylophone, bells and drums.
The Nelson’s “grands,” range in age from 9 to 18. They are Titus, Christine, Dan, Leah, Elizabeth, Lillian, Hannah and Helen.
As Titus played “Caisson Song,” on piano, I sang what I learned as a child and still love:
Over hill, over dale, we have hit the dusty trail,
and those caissons go rolling along.
"Counter march! Right about!"
hear those wagon soldiers shout,
while those caissons go rolling along.
“Gratitude Attitude,” is another of my favorites on the program:
Gratitude is an attitude
To show that you know what you’ve got.
I know that gratitude is an attitude
It starts when you say, “Thanks a lot!” Hey!
Beyond amazing were, “America the Beautiful,” and “My Country ‘Tis of Thee,” on harp, and “Marines’ Hymn,” with clarinet, trumpet and trombone,
I teared up during “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “This is My Country,” “I Love to Tell the Story,” and “Here is Love.”
This patriotic hour was a gift from the Nelsons to the community. “It was our privilege to be able to celebrate our USA,” Sheila said.
About David Synder: I saw David when he was on stage at the Empire Arts Center in Grand Forks in 2023. I knew I wanted to see him again. The son of Shawn and Paul Synder, David has nine siblings. He went to kindergarten and first grade at Riverside Christian School.
David is a delightful and energetic maestro on the keys. When not seated in front of a grand piano, he straps a keyboard around his neck and plays and dances around the stage as he tells his story.
As he was being taught classical piano playing, David had a longing within for something beyond classical. He wanted to compose. His instructor, however, said composing was wrong.
After 10 years of lessons, David quit. “I didn’t know what to do about this piano thing,” he said at the Alerus. “Then God blessed me with a gift. He gave me Amanda.”
His wife encouraged him to play piano, “just for fun.” He began to feel a “closeness to God. Honestly, I am so grateful to those who spoke Christ to me. I started to approach piano again. I had to be me and it felt so good. I could breathe again. Honestly, I love it so much.”
David has translated his skill into creating solo piano and instrumental tracks. Based in Los Angeles, he has appeared on America’s Got Talent and he’s opened for such artists as Snoop Dog.
Riverside Christian’s fall banquet always closes with the singing of, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” And of course, David was at the grand to accompany the hundreds of voices.
How good it is when hometown boys come home.

Until Soon

    Blessed by patriotism and sacredness

    Some days are just over the top and we had one of them last week.The pews inside Trinity Free...

    Blessed by patriotism and sacredness
    Some days are just over the top and we had one of them last week.The pews inside Trinity Free...
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    Printed Paper Online
    November 12, 2025

    Columnist
    Faith isn't about certainty at all but rather the opposite
    November 11, 2025
    I think that one of the most challenging aspects of living a life of faith is the realization that everything in this earthly life we know is so …...
    The intimacy of grief
    November 11, 2025
    A friend who lost her husband about a year ago recently commented that keeping busy and having lots of people around are key coping mechanisms for...
    Hand Position on the Steering Wheel
    November 11, 2025
    Question: Hi. I have two grandsons, one 17 years old with a driver’s license the other is 15 with a permit. They both have a bad habit of driving with one hand on the...
    Community Focus
    What’s New at the Campbell Library?
    November 11, 2025
    Cat Kid Comic Club – On Wednesday November 19th at 3:30, stop in to talk about your favorite comics and then make your own! Cat Kid Comic Club by...
    Campbell Library launches fundraiser to upgrade storytime room tables
    November 11, 2025
    The East Grand Forks Campbell Library has launched a community fundraising campaign to purchase new tables for its beloved Storytime Room — a space...
    Spotlight on EGF: The Shire
    November 11, 2025
    Today I’m meeting with Penny Stai from The Shire!  She co-owns the business with her brother, Brian Moore.  Because of the pandemic, it took them 2...
    Harry's House
    Frandsen 11.12.2025
    Cooks Corner
    MUNCHIES, MEALS and MORE
    November 11, 2025
    Joelle is traveling this week so the following is a “Best of Munchie, Meals, and More”, that first ran on November 08, 2022Cozy, comforting meals...
    MUNCHIES, MEALS and MORE
    November 4, 2025
    I love a good bowl of soup anytime, but the recent weather has got me craving a quick and easy soup. Italian Sausage soup is exactly what I was...
    Faith
    Faith isn't about certainty at all but rather the opposite
    November 11, 2025
    I think that one of the most challenging aspects of living a life of faith is the realization that everything in this earthly life we know is so …...
    Obituaries
    Mark Holy, 68
    November 4, 2025
    It is with great sadness that the family of Mark Holy announce his passing at his home on October 31, 2025, at the age of 68 after a brief battle...
    Linda Cariveau, 77
    October 31, 2025
    Linda Cariveau, 77 of East Grand Forks, MN, passed away peacefully Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at the Valley Senior Living TCU, in Grand Forks,...
    Public Notices
    NOTICE OF FILING FOR THE 2026 SPECIAL GENERAL
    November 6, 2025
    NOTICE OF FILING FOR THE 2026 SPECIAL GENERAL ELECTION POLK COUNTY, MINNESOTA Notice is hereby given that a special general election will be held...
    PROPERTY TAX HOMESTEAD NOTICE
    November 6, 2025
    *IMPORTANT PROPERTY TAX HOMESTEAD NOTICE* *This will affect the amount of property tax you pay in 2026, and it may affect your eligibility for a...
    Truth & Taxation Hearing
    November 6, 2025
    PUBLIC NOTICE Truth & Taxation HearingThe City Council of the City of East Grand Forks, Minnesota will be holding the Truth and Taxation...
    Sports
    (Photo by Bruce Brierley)
November 7, 2025 - East Grand Forks junior Alyssa Magenau (34) and the Lightning’s  Karlene Haff (13) battle for possession of the puck Green Wave split opening weekend, dominate Northern Lakes
    November 11, 2025
    The East Grand Forks Senior High girls hockey team opened its 2025–26 season with an 8–1 win over Northern Lakes on Friday before falling 8–2 to...
    Green Wave Girls Hockey vs Northern Lakes 11.7.2025
    November 8, 2025
    View photo gallery
    Arntson sisters cap strong season at State
    November 4, 2025
    Riverside Christian eighth grader Emelia Arntson and junior Ella Arntson represented the Rams at the Minnesota State High School League Class A...
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