The countdown is on now that we have sailed into August. Talk on the street corners centers on back to school. And how we will handle it with coronavirus still around.

All I know is that the young people just want to see each other.

This has, in some ways, been a bummer of a summer. There is this need for social distancing. We cant play bridge. Still the swimming pools and golf courses have been busy. More than ever, people here in Grand Forks have been out running and walking their dogs. The gardens are bringing forth the goodness of summer corn on the cob and tomatoes.

The pictures and commentary you and Kathy put online are amazing. In past years you were visiting places like Egypt. Then in Jordan, you floated in the Dead Sea.

You are busier in retirement than most people are when still on the job. Instead of world travel, you are making your way this summer through national parks. And grandchildren are drawing you back again from Florida to Grand Forks this August.

Well, let me tell you things are different around here. University Avenue, which was pretty beat up, is now smooth sailing. I saw a couch out in front of the Beta Theta Pi house Sunday morning. But nobody was sleeping on it.

The new student center is shaping up. It looks huge. It seems as though the whole campus is under revision. The new UND president, Andrew Armacost, seems to be a friendly, likable person. Its great the way the dean of the medical school, Joshua Wynne, held things together as interim president.

This is a busy week around Grand Forks. The Board of Park Commissioners is meeting at 3 p.m. today at Choice Health and Fitness for a work session. Then there is another meeting at 5 p.m. Those meetings are open to the public, you know. Its good when people attend.

And I notice social distancing and other COVID-19 recommendations will be followed Thursday at the Rene Arnold Estate auction. Thats four miles west of Cavalier.

The Grand Forks public library is closed, but they have been running a curbside pickup. They are helping with requests at 701-772-8116.

Life goes on in Grand Forks with people who will help. Thank goodness for the volunteers who see that Meals on Wheels get delivered from the Grand Forks Senior Center.

Enjoy the national parks. Enjoy your travels. And drive with care through the back highways of this great country.

Your friend, Marilyn, still writing for the Grand Forks Herald from Cottonwood Street.

Reach Marilyn Hagerty at mhagerty@gra.midco.net or by telephone at 701-772-1055.

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Marilyn Hagerty: In some ways, it's been a bummer of a summer - Grand Forks Herald