Trees and Nativities

In 2009 the South Dakota Hall of Fame began what I hope is a long tradition of featuring decorated Christmas trees and nativity scenes.  Thirteen trees and over a hundred nativity scenes are on display until early January.  Enjoy... Just received word that the nativity scenes will stay on display until the end of January...now you can really enjoy! 

 #1 - Oak by Amish and Vaad Framing

 #2 Bent Spatula

#3 - River City Band Festival

#4 - 4-H Extension Office

#5 – Chamber of Commerce and Dayle Chilson

#6 – Prime CattleWomen

#7 – South Dakota Hall of Fame

#8 – Pat Blum - nativity scenes. Just a few of the over 100 on display.

#9 – Blum Brothers

#10 – River City Wood Carvers - People's Choice Award Winner

#11 – Welcome West Plaza

#12 – Sanford Hospital

#13 – Kiwanis

#14 – Dakota Milestones

Spectacular, huh?

People's Choice Award

For the second year, the South Dakota Hall of Fame featured Christmas trees decorated by area individuals and organizations. This year's display included 13 trees and about a hundred nativity scenes.

New to the event this year is a People's Choice award.  And the winner is.....River City Wood Carvers.  Hall of Fame President and CEO, Todd Knutson presented the award to Dr. Tom Stone of the River City Wood Carvers.

The winning tree was decorated with hand carved and painted wooden ornaments, large wood shaving curls and hand painted gourds - a lovely South Dakota tree.

Kram the Kanyon

Kram the Kanyon is an activity of the National Honor Society at Kimball School.  This year the sixth grade class will be running the concessions - a potato bar.  I'm telling you - I cannot wait.

Last year was my first experience with this event.  To put it in simple terms - WOW! The whole town turns out for the girls basketball game.  Donations are taken for K-6 outerwear and items for Kimball Center, which manages the local food pantry.  Pretty much it's standing room only, lots of stuff is collected, and come early to eat.

Need more info? Check out the Kimball School website.

We'll be seein' ya' there.

Saint Lucy's Day

Scandinavians and others around the world today are celebrating St. Lucia's Day or St. Lucy's Day - the day of light. Such a lovely celebration it is with young girls processing whilst holding a lighted candle, led by a young maiden with a lit-candle studded wreath upon her head.  Spectacular.

St. Lucia is the patron of blindness. Her feast, resplendent with candlelight, is held on December 13, the longest night of the year on the traditional Julian calendar. In some Swedish homes, a daughter dresses in a white dress adorned with a red sash, the evergreen wreath on her head holding lighted candles. She bears a tray holding a hot drink and lussekatter, Lucian buns made with saffron. She offers these gifts as treats to family members as she awakens them from their sleep.

Trying a little experiment

If you know me, you know I like trying new things. I've become a huge fan and user of Face Book - the cream of social networking as far as I'm concerned. And how, exactly, do I benefit from such a venture?

Well, let me tell you...I've been able to stay in contact with folks in the other places I've lived. I stay in touch with folks I've met in one place or another. And, I have friends on Face Book that I've never met face to face.  I know some people disagree with that. But where else would I meet and have the opportunity to have a conversation with a young design professional in....let's say Mumbai, India?  We chat every once-in-a-while, and I get to see some of the most upbeat and fresh designs ever--something I truly enjoy.

The very best part of social networking is the fact that I can help build social and economic networks. And really, that's it in a nutshell for me - building relationships and networks, having quick exchanges of ideas and most importantly having just plain ol' fun.

So, along those lines, here's a really cool, new Face Book site to check out and "friend."  Kimball, South Dakota features nice little tidbits and news about my new hometown.  And no, I'm not the person behind the site.  I'm one of the persons behind the person behind the site.  So let's all give some support to that person.  A "like" would be appreciated.

Third Place

What's a third place anyway?  Well, a first place is home, a second place is work. A third place is the place where we gather for fun, perhaps a drink, something sweet or a sandwich. A place where we meet friends, old and new. Perhaps, we can listen to music there, have access to wi-fi, and even conduct a bit of business.

A favorite third place for me is  Stumpjack Coffee Company.  Incredible nirvana hot or cold coffee drinks, nirvana atmosphere, handcrafted lunches, great companionship, incredible music, art shows and conversation - and way more - the list is long. And the business that was done there which abundant and varied and fun. Actually budgeted money each week for spending at this wonderful place (and I miss is severely). And let me tell you, there was plenty of planning and implementing of community "things" in that third place.

I can't tell you how many times I'd be talking with someone about a potential community event only to have another person or two walk in for coffee and then spontaneously join the conversation.

I'm in agreement with the folks over at the Kimball, South Dakota Face Book page who think it's time for Kimball to have it's own third place, a coffee shop, sweet shoppe, sandwich emporium and meeting place.

Our Hearts are Broken

On Monday we are saying goodbye to a wonderful man and the community Santa.  We are all stunned and our hearts are broken.