Dear Shirley,
The time has come once again in the Northland to rake leaves.
You don't have to worry about this routine in Tucson, I know. I have always just waited until they get pretty thick, and then I go out and rake them. But would you believe in this newspaper Sunday I read there are right and wrong ways to rake leaves.
You should do some stretching exercises before you start, it says. If I did that, I wouldn't have energy to rake. It says you should take frequent breaks and replenish fluids. I wouldn't dare go in the house for a beverage because I would probably never get back outside.
Right or wrong, I will rake leaves my way between now and the big freeze, while you stroll the golf course.
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Homecoming
This is Homecoming Week at UND, and they are crowning a king and queen this evening in Suite 49 . . . The Mellem Business Symposium begins today at the College of Business and Public Administration . . . And there's a reception for Young Alumnus Achievement Award-winner James Mehus, M.D., Ph.D., at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences this afternoon . . . The Honorable "Sparky" Gierke is speaking this afternoon at the School of Law . . . The annual Sioux Award banquet will be at the Alerus this evening.
Warm-upAll of this is just a warm-up for the weekend, Shirley.
I really love this time of year. Since I can't very often get back to South Dakota, I just join in the fun here and pretend I am a UND alum. Nobody knows the difference at tailgating!
There's more than Homecoming on the radar screen. Pauline Bondy tells me the Ritzy Red River Red Hats and the Swinging Red Hat chapters are sponsoring a western night called "Boots Scootin' Roundup" Friday evening in the Senior Center. It's for all Red Hat members. They will have a meal catered by Cowboy Catering and hear music by country-western singers Jim Dalglish and Loren Wegge. They sing and yodel. And guess what, Shirley? They do some of this when they go down to Arizona during the winter.
Tillie Gebhart of Crookston says her Thief River Falls high school class of 1940 is looking forward to its 67th reunion Friday. This was a class of 110 graduates, and 48 still are living. Some of them meet the last Tuesday of every month at Lantern Cafe in Thief River. The reunion Friday will be at the Best Western, with Arthur Buringrud as master of ceremonies.
Isn't that something? I think this class holds a record for togetherness.
Behind the scenes, a lot of people around here are feeling bad about Leevers closing. It's a supermarket on Washington Street, Shirley, which has had a loyal following for 18 years. Mark Diers is just one of the people in the neighborhood who will miss Leevers. People liked that store, and it was well-managed by Roger Voeller.
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And so it goes.
Love from your sister, Marilyn, watching the leaves float down on the west bank of the Red River of the North.
P.S. A neighbor and friend, Maxine Thompson, died this week in Grand Rapids, Mich., where she was staying with her daughter to get treatment for cancer. A memorial service will be held for her Monday at Calvary Lutheran Church. The many cards she received during her last days gave her cheer. And I have been thinking, Shirley, how important it is to send cards to people to tell them you care. I know you are good about doing that. MGH
Reach Hagerty at mhagerty@gfherald.com or (701) 772-1055.
