BISMARCK — North Dakota has had 13 governors since World War II, and a man from Kintyre has seen them all —- including the newest.

What began as a chance meeting in the 1940s has turned into a lifelong ritual for 92-year-old Duane Svanes. On Aug. 20, Svanes continued the tradition when he and his wife, Shirley Svanes, visited the North Dakota Governor's Office to meet Kelly Armstrong and first lady Kjersti Armstrong.

During their visit, the Svaneses and the Armstrongs discussed a range of topics, including their shared ties to Norway. Svanes, who is of Norwegian descent and fluent in the language, spoke in Norwegian with the first lady, who is originally from Norway.

Svanes said the conversation felt like sitting with a neighbor.

"We talked about this, that and nothing, you know, just

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