"I’m not one for New Year’s resolutions, and I know few people, if asked in July, can say “Yes, I remember,” what they resolved to do Jan. 1.
So, as I sat at the penny Dragon Lord slot machine in the Shooting Star Casino and listened to the hoopla as the countdown began for the New Year, I could think of two good resolutions for people in 2009 — smoking cessation and reducing alcohol consumption.
My sisters and daughter were invited for the New Year’s bash at the Shooting Star in Mahnomen, Minn., this year. The night included an early dinner, evening show, several drawings for $500 and a gift basket. The dinner was good — prime rib, skewered shrimp and scallops — and we enjoyed the entertainment as well. Especially nice was the birch-bark gift basket of goodies we were given. Unfortunately, we didn’t win any of the door prizes.
When it was over, we moved into the casino to win our fortune among all those singing, dinging, sparkly and noisy slot machines.
It was one of those special events at the casino that draws hundreds of people. In addition to the special New Year’s dinner, there also was entertainment in the main part of the casino, and the place filled. As I sat down at my machine — in the smoke-free section of the casino — I wondered how many years it had been since I sat among so many tipsy people."
Get the Story:DORREEN YELLOW BIRD COLUMN: Some resolutions trump others (The Grand Forks Herald 1/2) More Dorreen Yellow Bird:
Yellow Bird: Staying on the holiday sidelines (12/30)
Yellow Bird: Tongue and other foods you don't eat (12/22)
Yellow Bird: Open doors beckon young children (12/17)
Yellow Bird: Fritz Scholder redefined Indian art (12/10)
Yellow Bird: Helping wildlife in North Dakota (12/8)
Yellow Bird: Thankful for family on Thanksgiving (11/26)
Yellow Bird: Whiteclay, a heartbreaking town (11/24)
Yellow Bird: Can't wait for delicious deer (11/17)
Yellow Bird: Racism doesn't end with Obama (11/13)
Yellow Bird: No smoking or drinking in casinos (11/10)
Yellow Bird: Grief the same among all cultures (11/6)
Yellow Bird: Turtle Mountain Band takes on abortion (11/3)
Yellow Bird: Negative ads poison Senate race (10/27)
Yellow Bird: North Dakota landscape impresses (10/22)
Yellow Bird: Feeling helpless about the economy (10/20)
Yellow Bird: Examine Native American Party (10/15)
Yellow Bird: Sen. Obama a presidential winner (10/13)