New appreciation for people who give blood

Dear Shirley,

I don't know whose blood I am running around on these days, but I sure want to thank everyone who ever donated to the Dak-Minn Blood Bank. You see, I always knew that donating blood is important. I never really felt how important it is until I heard them calling for blood for me during my recent surgery in Altru Hospital. They needed two units of A-postive. And I kept thinking about Odney Ellingson, who holds a record as the biggest giver in Dak-Minn Blood Bank history. I was thinking of people like Jim Bohlman because I know he is a regular donor.

Because of all those people who donate blood at the Dak-Minn Blood Bank, Altru Hospital maintains a supply. And they need blood even more in the summertime than they do in winter. I guess it's because more people are on the move and things happen.

Someone's blood helped me through what they called "a setback." I can only thank all the blood donors.

The local Dak-Minn Blood Bank has been here since 1974, Shirley. It got started by recruiting donors from members of Sertoma Club -- the same club that organizes the Fourth of July celebrations each year. The Blood Bank collects about 4,500 units each year for area patients. The magic number to schedule a gift of blood is (701) 780-5433.

Along with individuals who stretch out their arms to help, there are donor clubs around Grand Forks. UND has been a leader in giving, along with teams from Altru and Grand Forks Air Force Base. Many local businesses and organizations step up and donate blood, too.

How was the Fourth of July in Tucson? Hot?

We had our annual traffic jam here in Grand Forks after the fireworks downtown on the Fourth of July. After the show was over, we edged our way down South Third Street and over to Belmont Road. People around here aren't used to that bumper to bumper stuff, Shirley, but they seemed to be patient. The City Band played up a whole repertoire of patriotic music on the Fourth. The parade of kids and dogs was something to behold. It's a good thing Sertoma sponsors a celebration here. When you see all the people downtown, you realize not everybody goes away to the lakes. There are plenty of us here at home.

Tonight, the City Band is holding its annual Salute to Veterans Concert at the Myra Museum Gazebo. I had a chance to watch the band rehearse last Thursday because Granddaughter Anne had a chance to play flute with them on the Fourth of July. Director Don Craig recruits players and does an amazing job of holding the band together. There were more than 40 at rehearsal on a hot summer night last week. The players are farmers, students, teachers and retired people.

Hartley Brown, Dan McGuigan and Ken Hallgrimson are some of the longtime members of the band. This week, Brad Brown is back in town from Las Vegas for a family reunion. So, he will be playing the drums formerly played by the late Ted Jelliff.

The rehearsal lasted 90 minutes, and Craig was keeping time. Then, he would stop and talk. Then, "Let's do it over." And the band played on. At the next stop, Craig said, "You gotta put the oomph to it or it doesn't go anywhere -- it's like yesterday's flat pancake." Later on, when he called a halt, he said, "That wasn't so good, was it?"

It sounded good to me, and I can recommend the concert tonight. If you listen carefully, you might hear it down in Tucson.

Love from your sister, Marilyn, eating Dilly Bars on the west bank of the Red River of the North.

Reach Hagerty at (701) 772-1055 or send e-mail to mhagerty@gra.midco.net .