Marilyn Hagerty
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Dear Robert Brooks, Seems like only yesterday you came here from Oklahoma or somewhere down there. Over a dozen years, you have built the UND marching band up to 130 members. And 51 of them this year are freshman you recruited during the summer. Parade chairman Ryan Scott tells me your Pride of the North Band will lead the Potato Bowl and UND homecoming parade Saturday. He says the parade will go up DeMers Avenue and disband over in East Grand Forks. I like the black uniforms your band wears now.
On Saturday, they're open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. And there's everything from donuts to cookies, muffins, scones, breads and pies. On Friday, it's pie day at Opdahl's Donuts in Fertile, Minn. The crust is made with lard — just as it should be. It's no wonder people saunter in from all around this little town for pie and coffee. They sit and chat. They usually take something home.
Some people have forgotten. Some never knew about Shirley Temple. But the memory of Shirley Temple dolls and movies will come alive in Grand Forks this weekend. The Northern Red River Doll Club is hosting a Shirley Temple show and luncheon from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in Hilton Garden Inn. The event is limited to 50 guests and has a $50 registration fee. And there's a Shirley Temple movie planned for 7 to 9 p.m. Friday evening.
Dear Toni Vonasek, Your career at the Grand Forks Public Library is coming to an end with your retirement this month. I just want to join others in thanks for all the help you have given as a reference librarian. You have kept good track of all the precious books and folders in the Grand Forks Room. You helped us get on track to read files of old newspapers. You were always courteous and patient with people like me.
An order of boneless wings ($10.99). That's what I ended up ordering when I made a late afternoon visit to Buffalo Wild Wings at 2717 S. Columbia Road. With it, I figured I needed a cola. That turned out to be 20 ounces for $2.99. Nibbling on the wings and sipping cola was pleasant as I watched people come and go during the supper hour on a September evening. I was not alone. Philip the Fly had found a way to my table.
Dear Donut Lady, I know your name really is Carol Michalek. But everyone around Argyle, Minn., knows you as "The Donut Lady." For years you have been making donuts, or doughnuts, two or three times a week and giving them away. I remember once when I was visiting at the nursing home in Warren, Minn., and you were there with your donuts. And I thank you for the donuts you served me and Susie Shaft when we dropped in on you.
Up north we went on Interstate 29. We took Highway 11 going east from Drayton. After we reached Kennedy, Minn., we went 7 miles north to Halma, Minn. When we arrived just before noon on a day in late August, we found the restaurant and bar called Frog Pond. It was well worth the drive — over and above expectations. Susie Shaft (SS) and I found the best lunch at a reasonable price and a lively, inviting décor.
They really meant it when they said, "I do" and "I will." That was 70 years ago on Aug. 24, 1948. Annabelle Hofland and Jack Gaddie stood before the Rev. Fr. William Klinkhammer in East Grand Forks Sacred Heart Church. This past week, they renewed those vows with 40 of their 77 children and grandchildren in attendance at Sacred Heart. Fifty years and a golden wedding anniversary used to be a great accomplishment. More people nowadays are making it to their 60th wedding anniversaries. There are some who reach the 65th anniversary. And a rare couple celebrate their 70th.
Pippi is back in school. This year it's first grade at Lewis and Clark Elementary School. She goes to bed at 8 p.m. school nights. She tells me she likes soy butter. She says the schools have it because some people are allergic to peanut butter. Pippi Kurtyka is one of the schoolchildren I had a chance to interview before classes started Monday in Grand Forks. Zachary Burris is back in school — fourth grade at Holy Family-St. Mary's. And he's been reading during the summer. He just finished "The Dancing Cats of Apple Jack."
On Wednesdays, it's Mexican night. On Friday's, it's steaks. Or pork chops. Whatever. On Sundays, bikers and local folks drop in for two for one burgers. The quiet little village of Forest River, N.D., comes alive at Tom's Lounge. Customers from the area as well as Grand Forks or Fargo find their way to Forest River. It's just north of Gilby and Johnstown. Many have been there for the annual outdoor bonspiel — which is in February, a week after the Super Bowl.