Delta Employees Reunite Boy With Treasured Shirt

by Libby Zay on

When a 7-year-old lost the thing he treasures most in the world, Delta employees went above and beyond – even searching in the trash – to get it back to him.

ABC News in Fargo, North Dakota, broke the story of Cole Holzer and his treasured T-shirt. The shirt wasn’t just an expensive gift or a favorite thing for the young boy to wear, but actually an article of clothing his father had been wearing when he tragically passed away following a freak accident while he was putting up Christmas lights.

As Tonya Holzer, the boy’s mother, explained: three years ago her son was inconsolable at the hospital after his father’s death, and said he wouldn’t leave until he had the Nike T-shirt in hand. So Tonya went in and retrieved the shirt, and it’s been Cole’s security blanket ever since. That is, until it was forgotten during the rush to leave the plane on a flight to California.

In the car, Cole realized the shirt was gone and became hysterical. Not knowing where to start, Tonya called Delta’s 1-800 number. By the end of the conversation, both the mother and the customer service agent were crying. From ground crew to ticket agents, Delta employees began searching for the worn T-shirt, which they called “the daddy shirt.”

Eventually, the Holzer family got a call from Delta assuring them what once was lost was now found. “Efforts made to reunite this very special shirt with Cole and his family is another fantastic example of Delta people going above and beyond for our customers,” a Delta representative told the news outlet.

Moose tries to check in to hotel, lives another year

by Tom Johansmeyer on

The front desk staff of the Mainstay Suites in Fargo, North Dakota had to deal with an unusual guest. A moose came by the hotel but was unable to communicate his exact needs. So, he hung out in the courtyard for a while, noshing on grass and leaves until a veterinarian, armed with a tranquilizer gun, put him to sleep before he could even get to a bed. Had the moose been able to communicate, he might have had a shot at getting a room. Only 75 percent of the 127 rooms were occupied.

The police were notified of the visitor at 5:45 Tuesday morning – and they were told that the moose seemed to have no interest in leaving. After being tranquilized “in the behind” (the exact quote was noted twice by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune in the beginning of the story), he wandered briefly before settling down to snooze. The animal was then carted away by a front-end loader and now calls the Erie Dam Wildlife Management area home.

Now, the moose has a big white “X” on each shoulder, warning hunters not to cap him this season. The beast’s jaunt earned him a stay of execution!

Heritage Hjemkomst Interpretive Center

by Adrienne Wilson on

Fargo may not be the world’s center for ragin’ night life or amusement parks for the kiddies, but there is one place for both children and adults I recommend visiting if staying in the North Dakota town. However, depending on where you are in the area you’ll probably need to drive a few miles, maybe 3-5 to get to the Heritage Hjemkomst Interpretive Center which is actually located across the state line in neighboring city, Moorhead, MN. I found the place when I put in a search online for Fargo attractions. I’d never heard of it, but it seemed worth investigating.

It was noted that a man by the name of Robert Asp from Moorhead had dreamed of building a replica Viking ship and sailing it to Norway, the land of his ancestors. Asp started on his rather outlandish task back in the early 1970’s and naturally people thought him crazy and out of his mind. He completed building his Viking ship and test sailed it the same year he died in 1980 of lukemia, just short of sailing his ship the long haul, but his family members saw his dream through and made the voyage in 1982 to Norway where they were welcomed greatly. During a visit to the center you’ll see a video about Asp and his ship. It’s a very touching and inspiring piece and really shaped our entire visit. When we arrived we found out that the ship was having some work done on it and we wouldn’t be able to view it, which was a complete bummer. Yet, the video, our fantastic tour guide, John, and a trip to the Norwegian style church located in the back of the center saved all. Plus they gave us a discounted rate. The ship should be available to view by late November according to John and if you have the opportunity I say check it out!

Heritage Hjemkomst Interpretive Center is located at 202 First Avenue North, Moorhead, MN 56561. Ph 218.299.5511