My name is Naomi Dunavan.
I grew up on a farm near Newburg, N.D., and my husband and I have lived in East Grand Forks, Minn., for 40-plus years. I was a features and entertainment writer as well as a columnist for the Grand Forks (N.D.) Herald for 37 very rewarding years. Both my column and my published book are titled, “In the Spirit,” as is my blog and the writings I now do for the Exponent, East Grand Forks’ community newspaper. Because my late mother, my late sister and I were all born in July, we penned ourselves, “The Ruby Girls.” I will forever remain a Ruby Girl treasuring life and the people who come into mine. Besides enjoying the art of assembling words for a column or story, I love to read, sing, dance, ride my trusty yellow Trek Cruiser bicycle and play drums with the worship band at my church. I stand foursquare behind the motto: You are never too old to set a new goal or dream a new dream.