Marilyn Hagerty is a national treasure. She has been writing articles for the Grand Forks Herald since 1957, when her husband Jack Hagerty was named editor of the paper. In high school she learned the newspaper trade at the Capital Journal, which served the residents of Pierre, South Dakota. After 6 decades of writing wonderfully mundane (mundane in the non-pejorative, delightful sense) articles chronicling the various happenings and places to eat of Grand Forks, she became a flash celebrity. Inexplicably, her straightforward review of the first Olive Garden to open in Grand Forks went viral. As she wrote, “Some people go viral; others get bacterial.”
The review was economical and fair. She really enjoyed the Olive Garden experience. It captured the excitement of a new restaurant coming to town, just as hundreds of her articles had done before. However, this time her review became the subject of a vicious cycle pitting a vast spectrum of groups against their perceived enemies. First there was ugly snark, then there was backlash to the snark, eventually culminating in an explosive, asinine digital food fight. The large city urbanites vs. the small towners, people who dined vs. people who ate, the coasts vs. the heartland, soccer fans vs (American) football fans, hipsters vs. other hipsters. It was ludicrously petty, but on the bright side it provided me my first introduction to the work of Marilyn Hagerty.
People crown journalists like Woodward and Bernstein. They were renowned news detectives who exposed the powerful and the mighty. They caught the bureaucrats, captains of industry, and trigger men working in the shadows. They stopped these people from completing a variety of nefarious schemes. These are the kinds of people that books are written about. These are the stories that make their way into the News-papers that slip under other powerful people’s doors (who are probably also scheming) from New York City to Singapore. But there should also be a special place to celebrate and read Marilyn Hagerty’s work. It should definitely be required reading in every high school in the country. Her deep love for her home of Grand Forks seeps into every syllable. There should be more than enough room for Woodward, Bernstein, and Hagerty.
From my extremely passive consumption of food shows on various streaming services and from the wise words of my mother, I have gleaned that cooking with love from the heart is pretty much the only thing that matters for creating delicious food. This concept was captured by Rod Tidwell yelling at Jerry Maguire, “No heart? No Heart?? I’m all heart motherf***** (for further musings on Jerry Maguire, look out for my upcoming piece, “Musings on Jerry Maguire.”).” In this respect, Marilyn Hagerty writes with so much love, and with so much heart that it overwhelms you. Then it comforts you. Then it overwhelms you all over again as you realize there are thousands of her articles in the digital archive (Note: this only includes her articles since 2012. It might be time to take a trip to the microfiche room of the Grand Forks Public Library. Who knows what epiphany awaits). It has made me realize that the vast majority of things I read are soulless, barren wastelands of garbage. There is a phrase that goes, “Pressure makes diamonds.” This is factually correct. However, there is another phrase, which I just made up, or perhaps exists and am not aware of that goes, “Streams make canyons.” This is also factually correct. But it has the advantage of being far more romantic.
Marilyn Hagerty does not romanticize or artificially suggest that Grand Forks is exceptional. She writes about what happens and where people eat. Some things have repeated through the years and some things are brand new. She thinks both are wonderful. People come and people go, but mostly they stay in place. And she thinks that is great too.
Note: Below is a small subset of her headlines since 2012. Even just reading the headlines paints an indelible picture her life and work documenting Grand Forks. I recommend reading it like poetry. I think my favorite is, “People who embrace winter wear bright smiles.” Then again, “Anthony Bourdain ‘tall and handsome and pleasant'” is wonderful. And of course the image of Marilyn dining with the students of UND in “Eatbeat: Food choices are vast at UND’s Wilkerson Dining Center” is utterly delightful. Marilyn Hagerty is currently 93, and writes three to four articles a week. I’ll have what she’s having.
THE EATBEAT: Long-awaited Olive Garden receives warm welcome
Mar 7th 2012 – 6pm
Peter O’Toole, St. Paul, letter: To Marilyn: Keep up the good work
Mar 10th 2012 – 1am
Carrie Sandstrom, Bismarck, letter: Thanks, Grandma! Notes of Marilyn’s biggest fan
Mar 12th 2012 – 4am
Messages are good, bad and ugly when you go viral
Mar 24th 2012 – 8pm
Some people go viral; others get bacterial
Apr 19th 2012 – 6am
THE EATBEAT: Canad Inn’s ‘l Bistro offers nice Mediterranean experience
May 1st 2012 – 8pm
Summer rolls into Grand Forks
Jun 20th 2012 – 9pm
Seattle calls with cool breeze, Space Needle, Starbucks
Jul 11th 2012 – 6pm
You can’t go around town shooting crows
Jul 12th 2012 – 6pm
A week of culinary treats
Aug 1st 2012 – 6pm
Newbie’s guide to Grand Forks
Aug 26th 2012 – 6am
Some snowbirds head north for winter
Oct 4th 2012 – 6am
Beards, mustaches show up as November closes in
Nov 8th 2012 – 6am
Resilient New Yorkers await Thanksgiving parade
Nov 18th 2012 – 12am
Check out health department sanitation ratings
Dec 25th 2012 – 7pm
Cheerleaders spend hours in practice, fitness
Mar 3rd 2013 – 12am
THE EATBEAT: The Olive Garden, one year later
Mar 6th 2013 – 2am
Flags, new Masonic Temple marked 1913
May 28th 2013 – 6am
THE EATBEAT: You know what you’re getting at Perkins
May 29th 2013 – 12am
Birthday wishes and memories
May 30th 2013 – 12am
THE EATBEAT: ‘Eat, drink and be merry’ at St. Thomas Cafe
Jun 5th 2013 – 12am
THE EATBEAT: Extensive selection at Wild Bill’s Sports Saloon
Jun 12th 2013 – 12am
Fly Old Glory in the light
Jun 13th 2013 – 5am
It takes a village for a ton of chili
Jun 14th 2013 – 11am
THE EATBEAT: Salad bar a highlight at Ruby Tuesday
Jun 26th 2013 – 5am
Nineteen cents bought a cheeseburger in ’63
Jul 9th 2013 – 5am
THE EATBEAT: From Subway to HANA Japan, Columbia Mall offers varied choices
Jul 10th 2013 – 12am
Grand Forks pioneer, UND booster Budge died in ’38
Jul 15th 2013 – 11pm
THE EATBEAT: Drunken Noodle offers authentic fare
Jul 17th 2013 – 12am
Pizza tastes great after 27-mile swim
Jul 18th 2013 – 12am
In 1913, hundreds flocked to latest craze: Cars
Jul 23rd 2013 – 4am
THE EATBEAT: Hatton, N.D., cafe offers quick food in clean atmosphere
Jul 24th 2013 – 3am
A spot by the side of the road
Jul 25th 2013 – 3am
THE EATBEAT: Crookston’s El Metate touts tasty, large portions with pleasant surroundings
Aug 6th 2013 – 10pm
THE EATBEAT: Crookston’s Co’fe is well-run, clean, inviting
Aug 13th 2013 – 11pm
75 years ago, grasshoppers were talk of town
Aug 20th 2013 – 6am
THE EATBEAT: Grazing is an adventure in the Bemidji area
Aug 21st 2013 – 5am
Dozens of Shirleys will gather today
Aug 22nd 2013 – 5am
Goddess of Justice joins in welcome to Grand Forks
Aug 25th 2013 – 4am
The naked truth: Red River skinny-dipping, 1913
Aug 27th 2013 – 4am
THE EATBEAT: Aneta Cafe: ‘For people who appreciate good food’
Aug 28th 2013 – 12am
Have you ever heard of the Shirley polka?
Aug 28th 2013 – 11pm
Le Cirque serves up unforgettable haricot verts as well as dessert
Sep 1st 2013 – 12am
THE EATBEAT: No short cuts in Stump Lake Cafe dishes
Sep 4th 2013 – 3am
A touch of Camelot in Grand Forks, 50 years ago
Sep 10th 2013 – 4am
THE EATBEAT: Challenge at Altru: Making healthful food taste good
Sep 10th 2013 – 11pm
Tucson to Grand Forks by train
Sep 11th 2013 – 11pm
New book stirs old memories of Grand Forks eating places
Sep 14th 2013 – 11pm
Grand Forks hosted N.D. Golden Grain Festival in ’38
Sep 17th 2013 – 6am
THE EATBEAT: Choices at Red Lobster are endless
Sep 18th 2013 – 12am
Pests calm down with cool weather
Sep 18th 2013 – 11pm
Class of ’63 recalls St. James High School days
Sep 19th 2013 – 11pm
Hello cars and goodbye horses: Grand Forks in 1913
Sep 24th 2013 – 3am
Expect great food, generosity from UND tailgaters
Sep 26th 2013 – 11pm
Dean of wood workers celebrates 100th
Sep 29th 2013 – 12am
Grand Fork’s Columbia Mall turned 10 in 1988
Oct 1st 2013 – 2am
THE EATBEAT: Zest offers more than the old luncheon fare
Oct 1st 2013 – 11pm
Beer, bacon and the Hog-erty Award
Oct 2nd 2013 – 11pm
Marching toward Division 1
Oct 6th 2013 – 12am
1963: N.D. GOP decries JFK’s ‘glittered-up’ socialism
Oct 8th 2013 – 5am
Time to pile leaves on the berm
Oct 9th 2013 – 10pm
THE EATBEAT: Old Main in Devils Lake a full-service, traditional restaurant
Oct 15th 2013 – 11pm
Inspiring seniors to get fit
Oct 17th 2013 – 11pm
Red River High actors play tragedy of Anne Frank
Oct 19th 2013 – 10pm
THAT REMINDS ME: Devils Lake retreats, 100 years ago
Oct 22nd 2013 – 5am
THE EATBEAT: Pita Pit
Oct 22nd 2013 – 11pm
Tabor holds showdown for casserole cooks Friday
Oct 23rd 2013 – 11pm
Eight glasses of water no easy task
Oct 25th 2013 – 5am
THAT REMINDS ME: Grand Forks bridge honors ‘ardent advocate’ of good roads
Oct 29th 2013 – 5am
Grand Forks is full of wonder
Oct 30th 2013 – 8pm
THAT REMINDS ME: Old Red River bridge was meant to last ‘for all time’
Nov 4th 2013 – 10pm
Jane Kurtz spreads love of reading
Nov 6th 2013 – 11pm
Losing games doesn’t sit well with Garrison Goodman
Nov 7th 2013 – 10pm
When ferries, not bridges, linked Grand Forks and East Grand Forks
Nov 12th 2013 – 5am
Dealing with TV, thinking of an old friend
Nov 13th 2013 – 11pm
Lots to do while staying the winter
Nov 14th 2013 – 11pm
Opera arias coming to UND campus
Nov 17th 2013 – 12am
By ferry and pontoon across the Red River
Nov 18th 2013 – 10pm
CBS tells Grand Forks story Sunday
Nov 20th 2013 – 10pm
Art of listening has fallen by wayside
Nov 24th 2013 – 12am
THAT REMINDS ME: Taxed Enough Already? Not in 1913
Nov 26th 2013 – 5am
Thankful etiquette
Nov 28th 2013 – 6am
Walk gingerly on ice with toes curled under
Nov 28th 2013 – 11pm
There’s nothing like having 8 choices
Dec 1st 2013 – 4am
THAT REMINDS ME: ‘Can’t fish. Gone shopping,’ said anglers in 1988
Dec 3rd 2013 – 7am
THE EATBEAT: Good-quality shrimp scampi and more at Mamma Maria’s
Dec 3rd 2013 – 11pm
December delivers big blast
Dec 4th 2013 – 10pm
Christmas songs welcome beautiful season
Dec 5th 2013 – 11pm
Sending Christmas cards is a beloved ritual
Dec 8th 2013 – 12am
THAT REMINDS ME: 1963: Downtown lights heralded Christmas season
Dec 9th 2013 – 11pm
Regional reads for cold spells
Dec 11th 2013 – 10pm
Weekend is all about traditions of Christmas
Dec 13th 2013 – 8am
People who embrace winter wear bright smiles
Dec 15th 2013 – 2am
In 1938, Santa came to Grand Forks and stayed
Dec 16th 2013 – 11pm
THE EATBEAT: Amazing Grains deli offers homemade, healthful choices
Dec 18th 2013 – 6am
Commencement in the air
Dec 19th 2013 – 11pm
A wish list for Santa
Dec 21st 2013 – 10pm
Christmas Eve brings back memories of years past
Dec 24th 2013 – 7am
THE EATBEAT: Toasted Frog is busy, bustling and trendy
Dec 24th 2013 – 7pm
Shoppers fix where Santa went wrong… the dying strains of “Silent Night”
Dec 25th 2013 – 10pm
Cross-country skiing begins with small leap of faith
Dec 29th 2013 – 3am
Sailing serenely into 2014
Jan 1st 2014 – 10pm
Mother Nature takes dim view of January
Jan 5th 2014 – 4am
THAT REMINDS ME: 25 years ago: A blizzard for the books
Jan 7th 2014 – 6am
January wonders include freezing eggs on sidewalks
Jan 8th 2014 – 10pm
Blizzards teach age-old precaution
Jan 9th 2014 – 10pm
Making room for the future
Jan 12th 2014 – 7am
Turning point for cigarettes came 50 years ago
Jan 14th 2014 – 1am
THE EATBEAT: Ground Round offers big burgers, healthful choices
Jan 14th 2014 – 10pm
Back and bundled up on campus
Jan 16th 2014 – 10pm
Long-distance commuters enjoy wide open places
Jan 19th 2014 – 12am
From Norway to the North Dakota statehouse
Jan 21st 2014 – 12am
THE EATBEAT: Regulars have their favorites at Eagles Crest Grill
Jan 21st 2014 – 11pm
THE EATBEAT: It’s easy to go light or go full at Ruby Tuesday
Feb 26th 2014 – 9am
THE EATBEAT: You know what you’ll get at the Olive Garden — quality food, excellent service
Apr 23rd 2014 – 6am
Calling all Shirleys
Aug 7th 2014 – 5am
THE EATBEAT: ‘l Bistro offers adventures in eating
Oct 1st 2014 – 12am
Dakota comes to North Dakota
Mar 28th 2015 – 1pm
THE EATBEAT: All are welcome at Northlands Rescue Mission
Aug 26th 2015 – 6am
THE EATBEAT: Tips for eating well while dining out
Dec 30th 2015 – 6am
Reminiscing over pork chops in Devils Lake
May 2nd 2016 – 5pm
Elaine’s creamy cabbage and ham just like Mom’s
Jun 20th 2016 – 9pm
Catfish, reunions and special days
Jul 29th 2016 – 7pm
Buffalo Wild Wings a hot spot for students, sports fans
Sep 6th 2016 – 10am
Turkey tidbits get top billing at Discovery School
Sep 27th 2016 – 4pm
Olive Garden dishes just as tasty as leftovers
Jan 4th 2017 – 1pm
Eatbeat: Branch out with shrimp scampi
Jan 23rd 2018 – 12pm
The Eatbeat: Around the world and now to Mondays
Feb 5th 2018 – 7am
Eatbeat: Caribou a good spot for longtime breakfast partners
Mar 19th 2018 – 6am
Anthony Bourdain ‘tall and handsome and pleasant’
Jun 11th 2018 – 1pm
Eatbeat: All that’s missing is more olives
Jun 18th 2018 – 10am
Eatbeat: The coffee klatch heads to the Olive Garden
Nov 30th 2018 – 1pm
Eatbeat: Locals have their favorites at Olive Garden
Apr 26th 2019 – 11am
Green grass, grandparents and gratitude
May 17th 2019 – 6am
Eat Beat: A slice of heaven off exit 307
May 18th 2019 – 7am
‘Marilyn the Peregrine’ makes her way to Winnipeg
May 21st 2019 – 6am
Paying respects for those we’ve lost this Memorial Day weekend
May 24th 2019 – 6am
Eat Beat: Wired Bean, a popular spot for lunch, coffee in Thief River Falls
May 25th 2019 – 7am
Graduations and peonies: All well in Grand Forks
May 28th 2019 – 6am
Time for graduations, class reunions
May 31st 2019 – 6am
Eat Beat: Have it spicy, mild at Casa Mexico
Jun 1st 2019 – 7am
Treasuring the teachers who put students on the path for success
Jun 4th 2019 – 7am
School Board team makes salary counteroffer in teacher contract negotiations
Jun 4th 2019 – 3pm
The days of June have arrived
Jun 7th 2019 – 6am
Eat Beat: Aaltos, a great spot for Sunday brunch
Jun 8th 2019 – 7am
Have no fear, the peonies are here
Jun 11th 2019 – 6am
Honoring the Flag Day and dads this weekend
Jun 14th 2019 – 6am
Eat Beat: Memories, a local gathering spot for Red Lake Falls natives
Jun 15th 2019 – 6am
Navigating the road with driver’s ed students
Jun 18th 2019 – 6am
Bikers peddle around Bemidji’s lake
Jun 21st 2019 – 12am
Eat Beat: Bemidji offers variety of food options for visitors
Jun 22nd 2019 – 7am
Letter promotes community the old-fashioned way
Jun 25th 2019 – 12am
Grand Forks home shows off American pride for Fourth of July
Jun 28th 2019 – 7am
Eat Beat: Worth the drive to Grafton for Frost Fox Restaurant
Jun 29th 2019 – 6am
Flags are flying for the Fourth of July
Jul 2nd 2019 – 6am
Big show is over; now, summer sets in
Jul 5th 2019 – 6am
Eat Beat: July 15 proclaimed unofficial Grand Forks Cookie Day
Jul 6th 2019 – 6am
Enjoying the best days of summer
Jul 9th 2019 – 6am
City Band Concert sets seen for best of summer
Jul 12th 2019 – 12am
Eat Beat: Have lunch with a view at the UND Wings Café
Jul 13th 2019 – 6am
Getting out and about is a joy in the summer
Jul 16th 2019 – 6am
Residents, carrying cookies, fill shelter
Jul 19th 2019 – 12am
Eat Beat: Head to Forest River’s Tom’s Lounge for a friendly, homey experience
Jul 20th 2019 – 6am
Reunions brighten summer days
Jul 23rd 2019 – 12am
Class reunions bring back memories for locals
Jul 26th 2019 – 7am
Christy’s Lakeview Catering worth the drive to Lake Tobiason
Jul 27th 2019 – 6am
Couple honors 75 years of marriage
Jul 30th 2019 – 12am
East Grand Forks resident raises nearly $50,000 in less than a month
Aug 1st 2019 – 11am
Summer days are fasting and fleeting
Aug 2nd 2019 – 6am
Eatbeat: Blizzards are a welcome treat in early August
Aug 3rd 2019 – 6am
Events to fill every inch of summer
Aug 6th 2019 – 12am
Heritage Days begins Thursday at East Grand Forks Heritage Village
Aug 7th 2019 – 12am
Soaking up summer with Heritage Days, Battle of the Forks cooking contest
Aug 9th 2019 – 12am
PS Industries look to continued growth and expansion
Aug 9th 2019 – 4pm
Eat Beat: Fisher residents find tasty bites at summer market
Aug 10th 2019 – 12am
Journalists embrace changing industry
Aug 13th 2019 – 12am
Class reunions celebrate school years
Aug 16th 2019 – 9am
Paradiso offers inviting selections
Aug 17th 2019 – 6am
Enjoying the music of Tom Brosseau
Aug 20th 2019 – 6am
Even as students arrive, summer is still here
Aug 23rd 2019 – 5am
Eat Beat: What do you order at the Blue Moose?
Aug 24th 2019 – 8am
The lessons they don’t teach kids in college
Aug 25th 2019 – 9am
Happy 114th birthday, Iris
Aug 26th 2019 – 7am
The most exciting time of year
Aug 27th 2019 – 5am
Fall starts to set in with start of UND football, Labor Day weekend
Aug 30th 2019 – 6am
Eatbeat: Food choices are vast at UND’s Wilkerson Dining Center
Aug 31st 2019 – 7am
Clinging to last days of summer
Sep 3rd 2019 – 7am
Philip the Fly to soar in Grand Forks
Sep 6th 2019 – 9am
Eatbeat: For a homey meal drive to Hillsboro’s cafe
Sep 7th 2019 – 7am
Potato Bowl and harvest bring fall to Grand Forks
Sep 10th 2019 – 6am
No time for superstitions this Potato Bowl eve
Sep 13th 2019 – 6am
EatBeat: Potato possibilities are endless
Sep 14th 2019 – 6am
Learning about how diabetes treatment has changed over time
Sep 17th 2019 – 7am
UND games keep life interesting
Sep 18th 2019 – 12am
Preparing for the first days of autumn
Sep 20th 2019 – 6am
Eatbeat: Little Bangkok offers an adventure in Thai cuisine
Sep 21st 2019 – 7am
How much water did you get in your basement?
Sep 24th 2019 – 6am
Fraternities, sororities recruit anew at UND
Sep 27th 2019 – 6am
Eatbeat: Perkins goes beyond omelets and bacon
Sep 28th 2019 – 12am
Helping others after the big rains
Oct 1st 2019 – 6am
Celebrating homecoming this weekend at UND
Oct 4th 2019 – 6am
A link to her articles.
https://www.grandforksherald.com/search/?q=marilyn%20hagerty
