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Ready to get to know Marshall

Full of anxiety, I walked into Fuzzy’s Sunday afternoon wearing my Green Bay Packers shirt underneath my winter coat.

My nervousness had less to do with the 1,658-mile journey from Helendale, California, to Marshall and more to do with my concern of missing the kick-off for the NFC divisional playoff game between the Packers and the Dallas Cowboys.

I arrived in Marshall late Saturday night and spent most of Sunday having lunch with Independent Publisher Russ Labat and hunting for a place to live. There was a television in my motel room, but I didn’t want to watch such a momentous game by myself. So I raced to downtown Marshall looking for a sports bar and quickly noticed the sign above the front door into Fuzzy’s.

I quickly thought of Fuzzy Thurston who was an offensive lineman for the legendary Vince Lombardi. The sign also had a green background. I realized it was the closest to Green Bay I was going to find in Minnesota. I walked into the Main Street tavern. It was full of patrons so I had to walk halfway across the bar before I found an empty barstool.

As I took off my coat exposing my Packer colors I looked around. I didn’t notice any dirty looks. So I sat down just before kickoff. Even Joe, who was sitting next to me, offered a welcome to Marshall. The bartender didn’t seem too concerned.

But as the game progressed, I got excited at times. Knowing where I was, I tried to contain my emotions. But I did meekly yell out a few times. I couldn’t contain myself.

So by halftime, my true identity was out. Not only did Joe let me know he is a Viking fan, but he was pulling for the Cowboys.

“We normally don’t allow Packer fans to sit at the bar during the game,” another patron said. “They sit in the back at the tables. But because the Vikings are not playing, we are letting you sit at the bar.”

He was joking, I think.

My first day in Marshall was memorable. Not only did the Packers win, but I gained a few new friends.

My first week in Marshall has been memorable as well. I have to admit, the thought of dealing with the cold and snow weighed on my mind during the weeks after I accepted the editor position at the Marshall Independent. But everybody I have met so far has been extremely friendly. Now the snow and cold doesn’t seem to be that big of a deal.

I grew up in the small Wisconsin community of Neenah, which is near Green Bay. I earned my journalism degree at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. My first job was sports editor with the McHenry Plaindealer near Chicago. So I know all about the pleasures and tribulations of winter in the upper Midwest.

I admit to being spoiled living in sunny Southern California for 25 years. I worked at newspapers in Hemet, Victorville and Barstow. Before California, I worked in New Mexico.

I’m now ready for the new challenges that are ahead of me.

Tuesday morning I walked over to the Lyon County Government Center across the street from the Independent office with reporter Deb Gau. She graciously introduced me to the county board members. Later that night we went to the Marshall Public School District school board meeting.

In the days to come I hope to visit more institutions in Marshall, Lyon County and other areas of the Independent readership area. I have a lot to learn, and I’m ready to go to work. So give me a call at 507-537-1551 ext. 126 or email me at mlamb@marshallindependent.com.

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