Marilyn Hagerty
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They're back. The Red Pepper is swamped. Grand Forks is buzzing. There's usually a ballgame in front of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Droves of students once again are crossing University Avenue. Drivers need to give them the right of way on UND campus. It's move-in day Saturday at UND. Students and their parents will unload boxes and bags. They will find their way into Wilkerson Commons dining center after 4:30 p.m. Saturday for a sub sandwich feed. The welcome continues with tours of the campus. And classes begin at 4 p.m. Monday with the first full day Tuesday.
Iris Westman, who will be 112 this month, doesn't understand computers. They weren't around when she was born Aug. 28, 1905. But, she says she admires them. We talked about telephones, radios and computers the other day in the Deaconess Health Center in Northwood, N.D. She told me she graduated from UND in 1928. She was among the earliest students.
Edward Freer had a smile on his face and a cane in his hand when he checked in for camp Sunday. He's one of a half-dozen children with visual limitations who gathered this week at the North Dakota Vision Services/School for Blind in Grand Forks. You have to like Edward. He is cheerful. When he grows up, he would like to be a milk delivery man or maybe a teacher at the blind school. In Langdon, N.D., where he lives, Edward can ride his bike back and forth to the swimming pool. He lives just a few blocks away.
Fifty years ago, high school students here in Grand Forks wore bell bottom trousers, mini skirts, sweater vests. They listened to rock 'n roll, the Beatles and Bob Dylan. This weekend, the classes of Central High School and the former St. James Catholic School are holding 50-year reunions in Grand Forks. And memories flow. The weekend rendezvous or gathering place for St. James classmates is the Knights of Columbus. Saturday's fare includes walks and runs around Grand Forks and the Greenway.
She was there. For Maria Mullally of Grand Forks, the movie "Dunkirk" has special meaning. I sat beside her Sunday as we watched it in a local theater. With her family, Maria struggled 77 years ago to escape German invaders to make her way to England from their home in Brussels, Belgium. They were fleeing from Dunkirk to safety in England, which had been the home of her mother. There was a chance they could get on a hospital ship going to England. But then there were more air raids. Before they could board, the ship was gone. And it later was bombed.
Dear Helen Evans, Here's hoping you made it to Forest City, Iowa, all right. And you are meeting this week with others from all over the country who are Winnebago International Travelers — or WITS. Sounds like fun to me. You and your husband, John, are one of three couples from North Dakota at the national rally. The others are Denis and Betty Lebrun from Larimore and Adam and Judy Leier from Bismarck.
After all of my fretting about the carillon being quiet on the UND campus, I have received reassurance. It comes from David Sundine, an electronic technician for many years. He asked how far I lived from campus. He assured me the Westminster chimes ring out on the hour with the corresponding time of day. There are different tunes, such as "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" on Friday. Also, "Over the Rainbow." SaturdayS they chime out with "Claire De Lune" and "Home on the Range." I guess I will have to camp out on the campus.
He was right about that. Adrian Alaniz of Grand Forks told me there was nothing better than the burrito Mojado at Las Ranitas. That's the large Mexican restaurant that opened eight years ago at Thief River Falls. He was so enthusiastic, I decided I would have to try it. When I went over to check it out, I could see what Adrian meant. The burrito is, indeed, a worthy meal. It's the choice of steak or chicken burrito stuffed with rice, beans, cheese, lettuce, sour cream and guacamole. All covered in cheese sauce.
Dear Darren Rutter, Maybe you are back home in Winnipeg by now. It was good visiting with you in the East Grand Forks Sherlock Park Campground the other day. You and your wife, Cynthia, are among the many Canadians who visit the 113 campsites available in East Grand Forks. They are all part of the Red River State Recreation Area that opened in 2004. They were developed after our big Flood of 1997.
This is it. The height of summer. The time we dream of in January. Larimore Days are next weekend. On July 15, the Kem Shrine unit will be there for the Saturday parade. Looking back, the remnants of fireworks have been cleaned off the banks of the Red River. Themis, the Goddess of Justice sown by the courthouse, has settled down after all the excitement. After all, hundreds watched the bombs bursting in air. The day ended with Louise Hurley holding the winning raffle ticket for a trip to Las Vegas.
