Marilyn Hagerty: How much water did you get in your basement?

Dear Dave Mc Farlane,

We’re getting things cleaned up now. With the speed of lightning, the big rain hit this area. The heavens opened up Friday evening. And the annual Malpractice Bowl game at UND ended abruptly.

This is Mop Up the Rain Week in Grand Forks. Next week it’s Homecoming at UND.

Still the women medical students are basking in their win over the law women in flag football. Their game was played in the sunshine. The men, who were tied at 20 to 20 when the rain came, can only say, “Wait until next year.”

This week Erin Eidsness is back at her books in the med school after scoring two touchdowns. And Therese Carson has her full share of credit for making a game changing interception. Zach Podoll had two touchdowns for the med men. Cole Sogge had two interceptions before the rains came.

You probably remember from living here, Dave, that in the winter people ask, “Is it cold enough for you?”

Well, this week the greeting is, “How much water did you get in your basement?”

Soggy carpeting and other water damaged items are finding their way onto the berms.

You remember, don’t you, that here in Grand Forks the curbs are called berms?

Every town has its charms as well as its pitfalls. You may remember that Christopher Ingraham, as a reporter for the Washington Post, wrote a negative piece about nearby Red Lake Falls.

Later he came at the invitation of citizens there to see what he was writing about. He liked it so well, he moved with his family to Red Lake Falls. And at 6 p.m. Thursday this week, he is making a book-author presentation entitled, “If You Lived Here, You’d Be Home By Now.”

The geese will be there around Middle River this weekend. So will the old cars and the people, according to the Honker newspaper at Middle River. The annual Goose Fest is coming up this weekend.

The Goose Drop contest will be held twice – at 5 p.m. Friday and again at 4 p.m. Saturday.

This is a contest to end all contests, Dave. Contestants who buy their squares ahead of time gather round and wait to see where the first drops fall when a goose is placed on the court. It does attract attention. Even cheers! The contests on the outdoor court are set for 4:30 p.m. Friday and 5 p.m. Saturday.

Well, Dave, you can see there is more than rainstorms going on around here as September moves along.

And I send best wishes to you and Nancy from the west bank of the Red River flowing north.

Your friend, Marilyn.