Marilyn Hagerty: Welcome to February

Amber Denault is a letter carrier here in Grand Forks. She makes her way on a delivery route — even if it is 20 below sometimes. And actually, she likes her job.

That is, if she can get enough traction with two pairs of gloves on to sort through the mail she is carrying.

She says, "We have to finger the mail, and it's a challenge. I found some gloves at Ski and Bike Shop that makes it possible even with the wind and the cold."

Warming up in the mail car doesn't do much good — it's only barely warm, at best. December and January are a real challenge. She has spent three and a half years as a carrier. She starts the day at 7 a.m., and finishes her work back at the post office with some overtime between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. That's six days a week.

After three and a half years as a carrier, she likes spring best of all. Before she took on a route, she worked at the window in the post office.

For her, it was too gray and dark working inside. When I caught up with her at the end of a frigid day this week, she said she would rather be outside. She walked 15 miles in the cold that day.

Greenway Ski Day

February has made its debut, and the groundhog might as well go to McDonalds for a burger today. The calendar says Saturday is Greenway Ski Day. The men's basketball team from Montana will be playing here at 4 p.m. Saturday at Betty Engelstad Arena. After that, there's a great big benefit dinner and art sale at North Dakota Museum of Art. And there's barely time to whip up hors d'oeuvres to serve on Super Bowl Sunday.

Ask Marilyn

Q. Who are the honorary chairs for the Museum of Art benefit dinner Saturday?

A. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, Dr. Darwin Lange and Drs. Ann and Mayor Mike Brown.

Q. Are Grand Forks Parks holding Greenway Ski and Snow Day at Lincoln Park Saturday?

A. Yep. They say it's a go, but they aren't sure if the horse drawn sleigh will be there.

Pat and A.J.

Cheerful people of the week: Pat Sweeney and A.J. Rand.