Al Pearson's hockey bus is filled to the brim, and it's leaving early Saturday with fans who will be cheering for the UND team in St. Paul. They have high hopes of moving the team on the Frozen Four in Tampa.
Pearson, a converted Canadian, has been wearing a big white hat for 35 years. That started when the Chamber of Commerce welcoming committee all wore the hats. A couple years ago at the suggestion of his wife, Kay, he got a new white hat.
He's been organizing the hockey bus trips for more than three decades. The bus this weekend is filled with about half regulars and there are always new ones. On the way down to St. Paul, they will be shaking the dice, eating treats, looking out the window. Emma Christian of Warroad is one of several hockey fans who brings along treats. "She makes a mean peanut cookie," Pearson said.
The bus people will stay overnight and be home Sunday evening... win or lose. "They won't have to miss a day's work," Pearson said. They have their tickets and Pearson had more to sell. His cell phone number is (218) 779-5740.
Always hopeful, always positive, Pearson says UND hockey fans will have to fly down to Tampa for the Final Four in two weeks.
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This weekend, those who can get there by bus, car, train or roller skates will be down in St. Paul cheering for the UND hockey players in the NCAA regional games... And those who cannot will be home, glued to the radio or television.... North Dakota fans will have a priority entrance at Patrick McGovern's Pub beginning at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, and the tent will be open after the games at McGovern's... Which is within walking distance of the Xcel Energy Center....
The weekend at hand looms large with Elton John appearing at the Ralph on Saturday... And the Greater Grand Forks Symphony with Conductor Alejandro Drago has prepared Hot Sounds from Spain, France and the Southwest Saturday evening at the Empire Arts Center....
The annual Home Design and Garden Show runs this weekend in the Alerus Cente.r... March Movie Madness includes "The Golem" this evening at Fire Hall Theatre.... North Country Fiddle and Dance is scheduled Saturday night at North Dakota Museum of Art.... And Western Classical Music will be presented by Dawn Avery and Steven Alvarez in as the final Sunday afternoon concert at North Dakota Museum of Art....
There's a Grand Am Basketball tournament going on this weekend... As well as Baron's hockey tournament... Lenten fish fries continue tonight at Sacred Heart in East Grand Forks, and the men of St. Michael's Catholic Church are also serving Friday night fish... A new session of the widow/widowers interdenominational support group is running eight Monday evenings at 7 p.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church....
And hip, hip hooray! It's professional development day and the students are out this afternoon from the Grand Forks city schools....
Ask Marilyn
Q. What kind of funny license plates have you been seeing lately?
A. I saw WETHRMN and I saw TOAST. And I know it is spring because I saw a plate that says IMNLOVE.
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Q. Who won the chili contest at the UND School of Law?
A. Tim Heise and Jared Geitzen were student winners. And first placer went to Professors Josh and Kendra Fershee with their Bayou Black Bean Chili.
Alf and Cheryl
Cheerful people of the week: Alf Strinden, Cheryl Swanson.
Reach Marilyn Hagerty at mhagerty@gra.midco.net or at (701) 772-1055.<?i>
