Dear Shirley,
Thanks to the Grand Forks Sertoma Club, we are celebrating the Fourth of July today with a kiddy parade at noon, City Band music and fireworks over the Red River. That's billed for 10:30 p.m. because it doesn't get dark until then.
I see the YMCA is holding a Firecracker Run today. And the VFW Club in East Grand Forks is saying thanks to veterans with a lunch.
My favorite place to stand is on the Sorlie Bridge to watch the "bombs" bursting in air.
I don't know where you watch fireworks in Tucson. I have been worrying about all the heat and fires in the southwest part of our country. I wonder how you people manage to keep cool. I know you stay inside during the heat of the day.
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I wouldn't want your electricity bills for cooling in July. But then, you wouldn't want mine for heating in January!
Summer is unfolding beautifully here in Grand Forks. The swimming pools are lined with kids. Some of them walk. Some of them ride their bikes.
Carma Hanson, the coordinator for Safe Kids, says cyclists should follow the same rules of the road as vehicles. They need to stay on the right side, stop at all stop signs and use hand signals to show others what direction they are heading.
Motor vehicles need to share the roadway and provide cyclists with at least 3 to 4 feet of space.
Oh yes, helmets. Carma says they are 85 percent effective in preventing head injuries. They should be thought of as a necessity, not an accessory.
I think Jeremy Swisher will be offering his hotdogs for sale over the Fourth. You see, Shirley, he has moved into the place that used to be Meadowbrook -- and long ago was Griffith's -- at 300 Demers Ave. Right downtown.
He's sporadic, but usually open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. He has every kind of hotdog you can imagine -- Chicago dog, Hell Hound, Hot Dang, UNDerdog. There's even a Funky Monkey with banana peanut butter and jam on the bun. It has whipped cream. No cherry.
It's fun during summer to get out and about. Readers tell me the Westside drive-in at Grafton, N.D., is famous for wagon-wheel burgers. And it has flavor-of-the-day soft-serve ice cream.
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There are reports the Sky-Vu Drive-In theater on Minnesota Highway 1 near Warren is another highlight. And it's open Tuesday through Sunday with top movies.
Love from your sister, Marilyn, flying the flag on the west side of the Red River of the North.
Reach Hagerty at mhagerty@gra.midco.net or (701) 772-1055.
