FAMILY HISTORY STORYTELLING

North Dakota farm life in the 1940s required hard work and ingenuity. With no running water or electricity, the Fritel family near Barton melted snow to wash clothes, learned how to do electrical work by reading books and moved their beds into the living room to stay warm in winter.

This true story follows Jerome Fritel from his childhood in rural North Dakota across the globe to Vietnam and back. Along the way you’ll meet his grandparents, resilient German-Russian immigrants who left everything behind to create a better life.

An inspiring story about taking risks and accepting what you can’t change, How to Ski When You Can’t Swim demonstrates that you can do anything you set your mind to – and have fun along the way.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND IT

• Rugby, ND: Main Street Boutique and the Prairie Village Museum 
• Rugby, ND: Library -- in regular and large print.
• Minot, ND: Main Street Books
• Shop on Amazon! Available in paperback, large print and Kindle
  

Profits are being donated to honor flights for veterans.

REVIEWS

“I love this story about Jerry and the history of his family. The Belfour family story is very similar and created the hard-working family foundation that gave all of us the opportunity to thrive in life.” -Ed Belfour, Olympic gold medalist, Stanley Cup winner, NCAA champ and former University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux hockey player

“In this delightful and heartwarming story, the Fritel family represents the traits of farm life: strong Christian faith, family-centered and creative. Readers will feel like they are part of this wonderful story of growing up in the Fritel family.” -Michael M. Miller, Director Emeritus, Germans from Russia Heritage Collection, North Dakota State University Libraries