MARILYN HAGERTY: Gretel is top dog in Grand Forks; Pippin is No. 1 cat

• Marilyn Hagerty

Marilyn Hagerty

Talk about it

In the grand scheme of things, it probably doesn’t matter. But just for the record, I have located the dog and the cat with the No. 1 licenses in Grand Forks for this year.

Drum roll.

The dog is Gretel, a miniature Schnauzer owned by Floyd Overson and his wife, Joy. For Gretel, this is the second year in the row to wear license No. 1. That’s because Floyd gets down to City Hall early in the middle of December when licensing begins.

The Oversons have grown children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who come visiting and look for Gretel. And Floyd says the dog is the best friend anyone could have.

Judith Stephens feels the same way about her cat, Pippin, a male brown Tabby. Judith and her husband, Julian, adopted the cat after it was abandoned and taken to the Humane Society in Fargo.

Before Tabby, Judith Stephens said they “pretty much always had dogs.”

The cat that wears the No. 1 license in Grand Forks for this year is said to be very smart. He can do somersaults and has even figured out how to press the lever on the refrigerator to get water to flow.

The cat knows enough to nestle down in a baby stroller and let the humans take him for a walk. He has figured out that it is good to be safe and sound.

Last year, there were 787 dog licenses issued for Grand Forks and 128 for cats. The license fee for non-spayed neutered dogs or cats is $17 and $5 for those spayed or neutered.

After March, a late fee of $1 is added to the initial license fee.

St. Cloud hockey

The third weekend in January arrives with UND fans gathering at noon today at the Alerus Center… And talk about the weekend games here for the women’s hockey games with St. Cloud State and the women’s basketball game Saturday afternoon with Utah Valley. The 42nd Street Symphony will play and genial Lowell Schweigert will make introductions….

There are events where people can lend helping hands to help people this weekend... The annual ALS fun night to fight Lou Gehrig’s disease will be held Saturday night at the East Grand Forks Eagles Club... And the Kevin Grinde Benefit is set for Saturday evening at the Knights of Columbus... With the Sunshine Fest walk or run starting at 8 a.m. Saturday at the Ralph….

North Dakota Ballet Co. is presenting “Alice in Wonderland” today through Sunday at Empire Arts Center... And the UND Department of Music is hosting a three-state Honor Band and Choir Festival this weekend. With champion bull-riders appearing Saturday night at the Alerus Center along with a country music duo Montgomery Gentry... And violinist Hahn-Bin will appear Sunday afternoon at the North Dakota Museum of Art... A seminar on rain gardens is set for Saturday in the East Grand Forks Campbell Library... On Sunday afternoon, there’s a display showing “Everything for Weddings and Proms” at the Alerus Center….

It could not be forgotten: The Harvey Avenue Saloon in Minto, N.D., is presenting the 26th annual Bologna Cook-off tonight at the Community Center.

Ask Marilyn

Q. Did you ever find out where Wavra Motors was located after your reader inquiry?

A. Yes, a half dozen readers responded and most of them say Wavra Motors was on North Eighth Street and Second Avenue North in the north end of Grand Forks.

Q.Is that all you found out?

A. No. While scanning the Internet, I came across a picture of a UND student, Mary Ann McElroy (now Hanson) who bought an Avanti from George Wavra in 1963. Car buffs online reported that Cheryl Kristjanson of Grand Forks also bought a turquoise Avanti. It was said to have been in the UND homecoming parade in the fall of 1963 with George Wavra driving it.

Mike, Diane, Brian

Cheerful persons of the week: Mike Delohery, Diane Helgeson, Brian Jones.

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

Tags: marilyn hagerty, homehead, columns, life