MARILYN HAGERTY: Pumping own gas is no bed of roses in January

Dear Shirley,

Usually I don’t mind pumping my own gas. But when it’s 20 below and the wind is from the north, I remake a discovery every winter.

I remember that Odin’s on Belmont Road is one of the very few places where they will pump the gas for you. They come to the car with your bill and handle your credit card. Or whatever.

The guys pumping the gas are either Zack Petrick or Paul Helgeson, who owns the station. They wear layers. And layers. Once Helgeson froze his ear, but he says that was self inflicted. He didn’t wear a hat.

He’s been at the station since 1989, and he bought it in 1994 from Odin Kvamme. He does auto repair along with selling gas. Yes, he does notice an increase in business when it is obscenely cold. He says 99 percent of the time, the price is the same as everybody else in Grand Forks.

Well, anyway, this is the last day of January. I am ready for February with its bright red hearts and Dan Cupid shooting arrows all around. Somehow those of us who have endured January feel braver and stronger for it.

Meanwhile our friends wintering in your sunny state of Arizona are probably so busy golfing and hiking that they won’t notice tomorrow is Feb. 1. Those around Phoenix know that time marches relentlessly on. And they already are making plans for the Grand Forks breakfast. It’s going to be on March 7 at the Golden Corral restaurant in Mesa.

The hosts are Bob and Pat Wood and Carol Anderson. Bob Wood has answers about the breakfast for those who call (480) 836-0477.

Meanwhile, we have a UND men’s basketball game tonight at the Betty. Troy Huff and all the rest of the team will be flying around trying to beat the Weber State Wildcats from Ogden, Utah.

The women’s basketball team is out in Ogden to play a game there tonight. I hope Emily Evers put something on her ankle to make it better. They need her. She wrenched her ankle in a game here over the weekend.

The talk of the town, though, is the dramatic win staged by the Red River Roughriders over Fargo Shanley this week. They were down 20 points at one time and managed to pull out a 2 point win.

I know you are more interested in golf. What do you think about Tiger Woods coming back?

Meanwhile I send my love from the west bank of the Red River of the North. Your sister, Marilyn.

P.S. The park district is staging a family fun night Friday at Lincoln Park. The winter fun includes skating, sled racing and candlelight ski event.

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

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