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Donald Cameron
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"Most of my friends in California think I am crazy for moving here, but they have never seen the beauty of this place." |
A Lasting Look
Lake Tahoe and Palm Springs, move aside. Californian Donald Cameron's retirement dreams are planted firmly on the tranquil shores of beautiful Lake Metigoshe.
After growing up in Fargo and attending UND, Cameron left the state in search of a career. He headed to California to begin his career as a manager trainee for a large financial services company and spent the majority of his career as a computer systems engineer and senior manager in the banking industry.
He often returned to North Dakota for visits, and thought his final trip to the state would be for his grandfather's funeral in 1975. Following the service in Westhope, the town his grandfather helped found, his family drove to Lake Metigoshe for dinner and what he described as "one last look." They were pleasantly surprised to see their former family lake cottage for sale, and arranged for his mother to purchase it the next day.
Since that time, he and his family have returned nearly every summer. Ten years ago, he purchased a second cabin close the original family lake home. His four daughters, two of whom are now married with families, still continue their summer tradition of visits to Lake Metigoshe.
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| Cameron's retirement dreams are planted firmly on the tranquil shores of beautiful Lake Metigoshe. |
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Coming Home
While boating several years ago, Cameron and his wife, Joan, noticed a for sale sign on one of the cabins. "I said that it would be a nice place to build a home," he said. "I was shocked when she agreed." Cameron retired last summer from his work as an information technology consultant, and construction recently began on their new lake home. Eventually Cameron and his wife hope to live at the lake the majority of the year and purchase a smaller home in California to remain close to their family.
"My kids think it's wonderful that we're building," he said. "They love it here." The entire family enjoys time on the water and walking or biking the path around the lower part of the lake.
"Most of my friends in California think I am crazy for moving here, but they have never seen the beauty of this place," he said. "Those who have come to visit have been truly amazed. One couple even inquired about buying the place next door."
Great Neighbors
My mother used to say North Dakota has four things that are in short supply elsewhere: clear air, fresh water, open spaces and, best of all, friendly people," he said. "Almost everyone you meet would make a great neighbor."
While in California, Cameron was often reminded of Midwestern values. "I hired a number of computer people from Minnesota, the Dakotas and Iowa and was always impressed with their skills and good, solid work ethic," he said.
Whether he's attending UND hockey games or walking down the streets of Bottineau, Cameron feels welcome.
The decision to build here was definitely the right one for the retiree and his family. "I thoroughly enjoy living here. You won't find a better quality of life than in North Dakota."
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Ad Copy with Pictures
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