Dear Shirley,
Usually, the Potato Bowl week rolls around on warm days of September. This year, we have Potato Bowl events in the cool of October that really feels more like November. But as I have told you before, we are brave and strong here in North Dakota. And anyone who likes potatoes will find them all over town today. There's a chip giveaway at Community Bank and baked potato bars in all Hugo's stores.
The annual French Fry Feed is coming up at 4:30 p.m. today in University Park. Some people call it the world's largest french fry feed, but they really can't prove it. Suffice it to say, there will be fries and hot dogs and soda pop, along with inflatable games in the park. There will be a chance to get autographs from the Sioux football team. The fireworks will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Memorial Stadium.
The big day is Saturday, when there will be a parade and a football game with Stony Brook University. I never heard of them before, so I looked it up and found it has three locations on Long Island. The Sioux were really cranked up and rolling to win their homecoming game last weekend. Stony Brook is also coming off a big homecoming victory.
Seems there is a lot going on here all the time, but I notice the snowbirds are beginning to slip away. Some of them come back for Christmas. I guess you can feel the increased traffic down there in Tucson this time of year. Do they hike up the prices in the supermarkets when the winter visitors roll in?
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What's going on at the University of Arizona? Here at UND, the Sioux nickname is still in limbo. This is a continuing saga that seems to have no end, Shirley. They held the UND Career Fair on Wednesday, and they have a "Take Back the Night Rally" this evening in the Memorial Union Ballroom. The Thursday night cultural programs begin this evening with India Night in Memorial Union.
The City Band will present its fall concert tonight in United Lutheran Church. It will be a tribute to Leo Haesle, who was a longtime director of the City Band as well as the Central High School Band. The band will be among several others in the Potato Bowl parade Saturday morning. Among them are the UND Pride of the North Marching Band, Central High School Band, Crookston High School "Pirate" Marching Band, Park River (N.D.) High School Band, East Grand Forks Senior High Band and Red River High School Band.
Michael Elsberry, Jaycee parade chairman, said there will be about 100 units in the parade. They will be judged on the best Sioux spirit, best Potato Bowl theme and most enthusiastic entry.
Well, I love a parade, Shirley. This is the biggest one we have all year, so I guess people will get out their mittens, scarves and jackets and show up by 9:30 a.m. After that, the action will be tailgating before the football game.
Love from your sister Marilyn, wondering where I put my gloves last April.
P.S. I have been driving my 2005 Avalon Toyota for four years now without a care on my mind. Now, all of a sudden, I read that Toyota issued a safety advisory for owners of eight models, including mine, urging them to remove the floor mats. The warning is in conjunction with a similar warning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It follows a fatal crash in San Diego that is still under investigation but is believed to have been caused by the floor mat getting lodged beneath the gas pedal and brakes.
P.P.S. Thanks for sending the IOUONE license plate you saw on a bright red sedan with a woman driver. You figured out that means "I owe you one." Pretty funny! Recently, I saw JMLVZME, which must mean "J.M. Loves Me." Only I don't know who "me" is. A reader saw AKQJ10 on a vanity plate. She figures it must be a poker player because a pinochle player would have had A10KQJ9.
Reach Hagerty at mhagerty@gra.midco.net or by telephone at (701) 772-1055.
