As news about Sen. Paul Wellstone's death spread through the area's lunch-hour crowds Friday, most diners' attention turned from their plates to television screens.
"I don't think anybody said a word," said Ruth Palmer, part-owner of Mick's Office in Moorhead. "They were just trying to absorb it."
At the local VFW Post, Arlene Miller stayed late to watch the unfolding news reports on CNN. She and Arnie Bjerke sat down for soup in front of the VFW's largest television about 12:45 p.m. Almost two and a half hours later, they were still there waiting for Gov. Jesse Ventura's address.
"It's a big loss for Minnesota," Miller said, speaking over a CNN reporter's latest update on the story.
Mick's was nearly full when somebody noticed the news on one of the diner's five televisions. A few people didn't believe the story until a worker turned the big screen to Fox News, owner Steve Palmer said.
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"They were all watching," he said. "Everybody quit eating."
Mick's usually has a few TV sets turned to sports channels, he said, but Friday afternoon they were all on Fox News with their volume turned up.
When people began talking again, news of Wellstone's death and its political impact dominated conversation. Everybody wanted to know what would happen in the election and how the DFL Party would respond, Steve Palmer said.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Dave Forster at (701) 241-5538
