MARILYN HAGERTY: Wonders of Christmas range from lutefisk to chippers

Once again, we are on the brink of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. And my heart is full of wonder.

I wonder about the magic of Christmas that brings people closer together.

I wonder how much lutefisk people actually consume here in the Red River Valley. I wonder if anyone in Norway still eats lutefisk. And I wonder how people can actually eat bull fries.

I wonder how the Audubon people can count the birds when they never all sit still very long.

Then I wonder about fruitcake. Could it be that some people save it from year to year?

I wonder if the Internet will someday take over and do away with the mailing of Christmas cards. I wonder how sad it would be not to open the mailbox and find colorful greetings with pictures of people near and far.

I wonder how long people save Christmas cards.

I wonder what to do on New Year’s Eve and what kind of a party they will be having at the Alerus Center.

I wonder if the planes will be on schedule and making connections when I head out to Colorado Monday.

I wonder how long those running shoes will hang on the wire above 17th Avenue South between 16th and 17th streets? Who put them there? How? Why? And how strong are those shoelaces?

I wonder how many have drowned over the years in the Red River of the North.

I wonder what Sheriff Bob Rost will have for dinner on Christmas day. I wonder is Tom Rand plays bridge on Christmas Eve.

I wonder how Ruthie Unruh thinks up the arty, outstanding Christmas cards each year.

I wonder how many pounds of sugar they used making chippers this season at Widman’s candy store.

I wonder if Kathleen McLennan has any buttons left after popping so many when the theatre arts department production “My Generation” received an invitation to a regional competition at the end of January.

I wonder how many times my snow removal crew will need to come around in January and February.

I wonder when Maury and Janet Sorlien are leaving for Arizona. I wonder if they saw the green Christmas light on Marilyn Hagerty Lift Station No. 8 on Belmont Road and the red light on the Dave Barry pump station at 32nd Avenue South and Cherry Street.

I wonder if anyone gave the Lamoureux family one of those Ice Quake Air Powered Hockey tables you see advertised now and then.

I wonder if they draw straws at the fire stations to see who works Christmas Eve and who is on duty Christmas Day.

I wonder if little girls play with Barbie dolls any more.

I wonder how we could stretch the good will of Christmas through the new year.

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

Tags: marilyn hagerty, columns, updates, holidays, christmas, food, seasonal