Our never-ending Citizen-Tribune office party organizer, Mary Erickson Nehring, had the early list for our upcoming staff Christmas lunch.

No. 1.  Mary - Lutefisk.

Others were supposed to follow with their menu contributions.

I stroked a bold interruption to her plans and announced no stinky fish would be at the staff party.

Mary, though quiet, had her feelings hurt. And I realized it.

So, Wednesday at our staff meeting I invited all staffers to say “yes” or “no” to lutefisk. Democracy, you know.

Mary’s feelings again got hurt. Seven voting slips went out - seven “no”s came back in.

So, sorry, Mary and Norske Nation. It’s not playing at the Citizen-Tribune.

I suggested I would gladly eat potato sausage if she wished to bring that. On the new signup sheet next to Mary’s name went potato sausage. 

And I do like it. And everyone at the lunch party will try it. So much for Democracy.

Reader Tributes

We don’t too often toot our horn  at the office, but I’m taking this space to illustrate a wonderful relationship our staffers have with the groups and individuals they cover for stories.

So, below, we’ll detail a few of the letters and cards we’ve received just this fall:

Mark and Linda Hoffman of the Iraq and Afghanistan Fallen Veterans Memorial wrote this fall to Staff Writer Penny Leuthard for her coverage of their memorial dedication.

“Thank you for the lovely writeup in the Citizen. We sincerely appreciate your kind words.

   From Pastor Gerry at Oakwood Church: “Thanks for serving our community. You constantly give of your time, talent and energy.”

The Bulldogs archery team submitted a picture with about three dozen signatures on the back. 

“Your coverage of our team was very helpful for our exposure and the kids involved seeing it in the paper. We appreciate everything you have done for us.”

Dugan Bjorlin of Becker wrote to Staff Writer Bill Morgan for his coverage with caricatures a couple summers ago.

Morgan Meyer, former Becker student, wrote with thanks for Citizen coverage of her Gold Award in reaching more people regarding cystic fibrosis.

And - the Dazzlers, who wrote: “Just a note to say thank you for covering the Becker Dance team and all our events. We couldn’t do it without your help.” Laura Anderson and the Dazzlers.

There’s lots more notes hanging on our office wall. Our readers are our connection with the community - and we’re proud of it.

Merry Christmas.