MARILYN HAGERTY: More students finding Amtrak in lean times

• Marilyn Hagerty

Marilyn Hagerty

Talk about it

There are things I wouldn’t know if I hadn’t taken a cab home from the airport Wednesday. One is that many UND students are using Amtrak to get back and forth from the Twin Cities. And they will be leaving in flocks after they finish their final examinations next week.

Some have bought round trip tickets for as low as $81.50 — if they book them far in advance. Right now, rates are higher. Fares vary just as they do on the airlines. Seniors get a 15 percent discount. Students on an advantage program get a discount.

Bob Johnson of Stengl Johnson Cruise and Travel notes traffic out of here on Amtrak east to the Twin Cities is heaviest. But those making the long haul to the West Coast often do it by Amtrak from Grand Forks.

Trains, he said, have more passengers in these times. It usually costs less to go by train than to drive to and from the Twin Cities.

Amtrak is scheduled east out of here at 1 a.m., with arrival at 7:15 a.m. in Minneapolis. It comes up from the Cities at 11:15 p.m., arriving here at 5 a.m. That is, if it’s on schedule. Winter weather causes delays. That’s when the (800) 872-7245 phone number comes in handy.

The station is west of the city at 5555 DeMers Ave. Parking is free.

Sing along Messiah

The second weekend of December rolls round with Christmas music everywhere and the Grand Forks Master Chorale is presenting a Sing Along Messiah tonight in St. Michael’s Catholic Church. ... While the UND bookstore is presenting Read and Review Fashion Shows today. ... And there’s a De-Stress Fest at UND Memorial Union. ...

North Dakota fans are meeting for lunch today through the main doors of Ralph Engelstad Arena to get the lowdown on the weekend sports. ... Including Friday and Saturday evening games with Nebraska-Omaha and women’s hockey Saturday and Sunday afternoon with Minnesota-Duluth at the Ralph. ...

There’s a holiday open house Saturday and Sunday afternoons at the Campbell House and Lustron Home on the grounds of the Myra Museum. ... And the Christmas Carol is running at Fire Hall Theatre this weekend and next. ... Dance Etc. will have its holiday recital Saturday at the Chester Fritz. ... Santa Village will be up and running this weekend and next weekend at the Lincoln Golf Course Clubhouse. ... While the Agassiz Swedish Heritage Society is holding its annual Santa Lucia festival Saturday at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in East Grand Forks. ...

Ask Marilyn

Q. What is the longest name in the Grand Forks Yellowbook?

A. Near is I can figure, it is Kriengkraipetch. There are more Johnsons than Andersons in this area. The Olsons run a close third. There are two pages of Petersons and one page full of Nelsons.

Q. Don’t you have anything better to do than read the phone book?

A. Nope. In it I find people named Shepherd, Bacon, Ball, Beach, Bean, Bear, Beard, Belt, Boots and Brandy. There’s a bunch of Carpenters and several Darlings.

Terry, Dick, Ellen

Cheerful persons of the week: Terry Watne, Dick Olson, Ellen McKinnon.

Reach Hagerty at mhagerty@gra.midco.net or by telephone at (701) 772-1055.

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