Blizzard Warning

Oh, baby it's cold outside. The weatherperson says: "Blizzard warning. Stay home."

Doing just that.  The home office is mostly closed.  Today is all about reading magazines and doing other stuff - baking bread, making homemade crackers, noshing on cheese and chutneys and pickles, and knitting a neck warmer. And as always planning and thinking about some projects, and mulling over writing projects. What are you doing?  Leave a comment to report on your activities, won'tcha please.

SD Weather vs New Year's Eve Party

The New Year's Eve Party scheduled for Dec. 31, 3 p.m. at the Kimball Senior Center is postponed due to the weather forecast. Details will be announced as soon as we have it figured out.

Broken Resolve

Broken Resolve performing at Kimball Protestant Parish, 8 p.m., Dec. 29.

Free will offering to get in.  T-shirts for sale.

Hoping the Weather Doesn't Catch Us...

Sure hoping the weather doesn't catch us, because we have lots going on in the next couple days.

Tournament action this week.

Plankinton hosts the first day of the Boys and Girls Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament - Wednesday, December 29, starting at noon.  Kimball hosts the second day, Thursday, December 30, again starting at noon.

The McCook Invitational Wresting Tournament starts at 9 a.m. in Salem.

Come on out and support our youth athletes and partake of the concessions.

Population

Well, it's official. The US Census Bureau has determined that the population of South Dakota exceeds 800,000. The 7.9 percent increase since the 2000 Census puts the final count at 814,180. This news made me pause.

The Census Bureau also listed South Dakota as one of the five least populated states and one of the five states with the lowest population density.  Another pause.

I've lived in cities with higher populations.

Tournament Action

Looking forward to the tournament action this week.

Plankinton hosts the first day of the Boys and Girls Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament - Wednesday, December 29, starting at noon.  Kimball hosts the second day, Thursday, December 30, again starting at noon.

The McCook Invitational Wresting Tournament starts at 9 a.m. in Salem.

Come on out and support our youth athletes and partake of the concessions.

DZIENKUJE

Dzienkuje, Thank you, to everyone for the wonderful Community Christmas Dinner. There is just nothing like old friends and newly made friends combined with incredible food and stories to make for a wonderful community Christmas meal.

I know a few folks knocked themselves out baking all day to make the delicious desserts and treats, homemade pies, candied sweet potatoes and dressing to go along with the turkey and ham and smashed potatoes.  Dzienkuje.

Dzienkuje (jeen-koo-yeh), Polish for Thank You.

Those pies were so good, Soozi!

Community Christmas Dinner & New Year's Eve Party

Yup, you read that right. A Community Christmas Dinner and a Community New Year's Eve Party. Details:

Help us spread the word..

Community Christmas Dinner - Everyone Welcome
2 - 4 p.m. Christmas Day at Kimball Protestant Parish
Ham provided, and turkey, too
Pickles and other stuff to nibble on
Potluck welcomed, but not required
Needed:
Folks who want to eat Christmas dinner in a community setting
Volunteers to help set up, clean up, serve and deliver home meals
A gathering of good folks eating good food

Community New Year's Eve Party - Everyone Welcome
 3 - 9 p.m. Kimball Senior Center
3 p.m. - coffee
4 p.m. - Polka Czechs
5 p.m. - Light supper (bring a dish to pass if you wish - but not required)
6 p.m. - Bingo (prize donations appreciated)

We'll be eating whatever it is we gather in donations.  Bingo will go until all prizes are gone or we're sick of playing - we'll decide that night. And...no alcohol at this event.

Christmas Recital

Current and former vocal and instrumental instructors at Kimball School will perform during a Christmas Recital, Sunday, 7 p.m. at St. Margaret Church. Kimball Music Ambassadors, who are headed to Europe in the Summer of 2011, will also perform.

St. Margaret Church is a magnificent array of Christmas greens, wreaths and lights.  This is a spectacular event.

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.

Thanksgiving Thankful

What a wonderful community Thanksgiving meal we had.  Almost 50 meals were served, several as home delivered meals.  And the food we consumed was, well, a considerable amount.  Will we do it again?  Yes, we will.  And, sorry, no photos. Was way too busy eating and having a good time. Thanks to everyone who volunteered, everyone who ate all that wonderful food, and everyone who donated to the meal.  Well done!

Just Ducky

Whilst living on the eastern shores of Wisconsin I enjoyed the yearly May performances of Heart-a-Rama. Pure fun, and good jokes mostly at the expense of various "locals."

The Ola Players of Ola, SD recently presented "Just Ducky" at the Ola Hall in Ola, SD, population 106.  A wonderful three-part farce replete with local jokes and innuendo.

A couple of my favorites.  A young actress is bemoaning her "too common of a name. " by repeating many, many times that she would stand out in the crowd if her last name was something like "Konechne" (ka-nich-knee). That statement brings the house down, folks are hooting and hollering and clapping.  I look at the couple sitting next to me. They say "Her maiden name is Konechne."  Now I get it:  She's really poking fun of her huge extended family, some of whom are in attendance.  Koneche is sort of the SD version of have a surname like: Smith.  If one is not a Konechne by birth, they are related by marriage to a Konechne. 

An even bigger laugh was garnered by Aunt Mary, a crotchety old lady played by Pam.  In the play Aunt Mary's (never seen) husband is Ted, as is her real-life husband, who is in attendance.  In one scene Aunt Mary is going on and on and on to her niece that "Ted won't like this. Ted won't put up with this. Ted is going to do something about this. Just wait till I tell Ted. Ted is going to do something about this."  Out of the darkness in the very back row comes a voice "NO HE WONT!"

We all recognized that voice as belonging to the real-life Ted shouting out to his wife.  That brought the house down, stopped the play, got a standing ovation and made us laugh so hard we cried and the actors needed a prompt to continue.

Remembering

.

 Sadly remembering that 47 years ago I was in eighth grade English class when a student crazed by the shock of it all ran through the halls screaming at the top of his lungs, "The President is dead! The President is dead!"  Just minutes before he had secured a hall pass to use the bathroom and was in there listening to his transistor radio - a contraband item in our school. I remember going home and knitting while I watched the TV.

Is this some kinda' sign or something?

I've lived in the country for a good part of my life. I am quite attuned to avoiding wild life whilst driving.  In all my years of Wisconsin living, I've hit only one deer - she ran into me.  Put a nose-sized dent in the front passenger side quarter panel.  Layed stunned along side my car for 20 minutes or so while I awaited assistance from the "authorities."  And then suddenly got up, shook her head and slung deer snot all over the trunk of the car, and ran off.

Since moving to South Dakota last year, I've had my share of near misses and vehicle-bird contacts with pheasants. I tell you, those birds just run under the tires, and fly into my windshield.  I always feel bad when I feel and hear that t.h.u.m.p that lets you know another pheasant has just been dispatched.

So, anyway. Earlier this week, while driving on a dirt road early in the morning, a rooster pheasant came running up out of the ditch like his life depended on escaping that ditch.  Only problem is, he ran right under the tire. Smashed. Smashed bad I'm thinkin'.

And he stuck there.  Thump.......thump......thump.  While glancing to my right to see if I can pull over at all so I can scrape what is left of the pheasant off the tire, I see a buck - as in male deer - headed my way.  On a direct collision course with me.  I can tell I can not avoid this collision.  I know he is going to cream the side of my van.

"Oh, please, No.  Not today.  No. No. No." The deer jumps the fence. And in slow motion I see the deer take a header into the deep, deep ditch. And just lay there. Not moving at all. 

I don't know what to say or think. I manage to stop the vehicle, get out in time to see the pheasant tumble from atop the tire and check on the deer. Dead.

I don't know. What can I say...

U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree

The 2010 Capitol Christmas Tree is on its way from Bridger - Teton National Forest in Wyoming to the front lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.

The tree will be at Chamberlain Elementary School on the evening of Friday, November 19.  Folks stopping by to see the tree can sign the banner accompanying the tree on it's trek to Washington.

Track the Tree here. Click the candy canes on the map to read fun facts and see images from celebrations.  Track the Tree is also on Facebook and Twitter.

At 5 p.m. tonight it was near Laramie, WY.  I'll bet my Laramie relatives where there to greet it.

Margaret of Scotland

November 16: Today is the feast day of St. Margaret of Scotland, patron saint of St. Margaret Catholic Church in Kimball.

St. Margaret, born in exile in Hungary, married  Malcolm III, King of Scots.While queen consort of Scotland, Margaret bore eight children and devoted her life to encouraging her husband and teaching her children to be just and kind to the people of Scotland.

Margaret is known for her works of charity. She frequently visited and cared for the sick. She built hostels for housing the poor. During Advent and Lent she held feasts at the royal castle for as many as 300 commoners.

Much loved by her subjects, Margaret died at the age of 47, her body no longer able to sustain her rigorous schedule of prayer and charity work.  She died on November 16, 1093.

Community Thanksgiving Dinner

Community Thanksgiving Dinner
Serving 2 - 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day at Kimball Protestant Parish

Details to follow.  Watch for posters around town and information online.

The birds are flocking up

I've noticed over the past few weeks that the birds have been flocking up...majorly.  Last week it was hard to safely drive down the road.  It was unnerving to drive through flocks of birds flying low over the road.

For the past two days we've had high winds, and snow and the birds have seemed to disappear.  No more flocking birds.  Well, that's not quite true.  I found a flock on my front lawn this afternoon.

 

I'm terribly fond of flamingos, so I'm happy to have this flock on my front lawn.  Trouble is, though, now I have to figure out who should have the flock next.  Anyone? Or...anyone wanna pay me to not flock them?

Blessed Fr. Jerzy Popieluszko

In the Catholic Church ones becomes declared Blessed on their way to Sainthood.  To journey down that path, one must be a martyr for their faith and for the Church.

The harsh political climate of Communist Poland gave birth to Blessed Fr. Jerzy Popieluszko.  Today, October 19 is his day.

In the 1980s I was glued to the television for the latest news about Solidarity, the Polish shipyard workers union.  It started in Gdansk and spread to the steelworkers in Warsaw, Poland's capitol.  There were many clashes between Union members and supporters and the Communist government, violent clashes.  The world watched closely, every night. We read about it too.  Especially in my home town, an enclave of decedents of Polish folks who came to America in the 1880s.

Father Popieluszko, while a young priest in Warsaw, became the spiritual leader for Solidarity. He instituted workers masses where he preached against the Communist regime and it's inhumane treatment of its own citizens.  The Communist regime hated Father Popieluszko. Other priests picked up on the the workers masses and they, too, began preaching against the regime.

When Solidarity was declared an illegal organization and marshal law was declared in Poland in 1981, Father Popieluszko stepped up his criticism of the government.

On October 19, 1984, the Communist government decided they had had enough. Shortly after leaving a meeting with Cardinal Glemp in Warsaw, Father Popieluszko was kidnapped by agents of the secret police.  He was beaten and tortured, forced into a bag weighted with stones and thrown into the Vistula Water Reservoir.

His body was recovered on October 30. People poured into Warsaw for his funeral, some estimates place the crowd at a million strong. They filled the church and stood in the street and mourned the man who lead them, and prayed for them, and gave them strength.

That was the beginning of the end of the Communist regime.  The Polish people had had enough.

On June 6, 2010, people once again poured into Warsaw for the Beatification of Fr. Popieluszko. Included among those was his 100 year old mother.

I was reminded of all of this by a  friend of Fr. Popieluszko.  Thank you, Father Andrew. Thank you for coming to this town and reminding us about your dear friend.

“If we must die suddenly, it is surely better to meet death defending a worthwhile cause than sitting back and letting injustice win.” Father Jerzy Popieluszko

What One Learns by Working at the Paper

Actually, I do like proofreading the paper.  It's like reading the paper before anyone else.  You know all the latest news before other folks do. We proofread the paper on Monday.

Proofreading comes as separate articles, one per page, placed in a stack.  The routine is simple, pick up a stack, read, edit, sign off, put on bottom of stack.  When done with the stack, return it to the proofreading desk and grab the next stack.

Midstack, I happened upon an article with a photo of a young man impishly staring back at me.  I picked it up, and looked at that photo.  Why, that's the young man I used to work with over at the restaurant where I worked before coming to the paper.  We often worked that same night shift and would chat with each other.

I liked him. A sweet young man. Helpful, thoughtful, kind.  I had been wondering recently how he was doing. In fact, I thought of him quite a bit last week.We both left the restaurant at about the same time to pursue other things.  Last time I saw him, he told me he was happy with his new "thing". As I am with mine.

Well, I thought, let's proofread this article and see what my friend is up to.  It was then that I realized I was proofreading.his.obituary.  Gone, passed on, dead. Way too young.

Very, very sad day.

Feeding the Hunters

Pheasant hunting is a big deal in South Dakota.  And so is feeding all the hunters who flood into our community, especially for the first couple weeks of the 12-week season. 

So along those lines, the good folks at the Kimball Protestant Parish, which in itself is worth a post because they are three denominations who worship together, are putting on a pork feed. 

I volunteered "to work" this event, so my part is show up early to cut bars, fill water pitchers and coffee carafes and then work the tables pouring these two beverages.  I can't wait!  And I mean it.  This will be so much fun!

Yesterday I met guys who've been coming to our little town to hunt for the past 50 years!  Oh, the stories I heard.

Mr. Smith

V J Smith, a man with connections to Kimball will be speaking at the White Lake School gym at 7 p.m. on Monday, October 18.

His topic? Life's Greatest Moments - the story of how he met the richest man in town.

You will be awed, renewed, and motivated after listening to this presentation. VJ will be available to sign copies of  his book The Richest Man in Town after the program.

Thanks to Dona over in White Lake for being so persistent in getting VJ to come over this way and speak to us.  Interested in carpooling?  Call me....

Breakfast

  Yes, this is exactly what you think it is: a tomato, zucchini, fresh herb quiche, warm buttermilk biscuits and apple butter with ginger for slathering atop the buttered biscuits. And, let.me.tell.you, it was delicious!

Homecoming

Today's the big day - Homecoming.  Kids, teachers and other helpers will be furiously decorating floats, but only after attending the pep rally.

Parade at 1:30, candy scramble at 2:30, tail gate party at 5:30, and the Big Game at 7:00.  I'll be there. For all of it.  Dressed in red and black in honor of my alma mater - go Panthers! Update: Oh, boy. Changed clothes and avoided a major faux pas by learning just in the knick of time that red and black are the team colors for our opponents! Yikes...that could have been...embarrassing.

I should probably get some Kelly Green to honor the local Kiotes.  I could buy a Kiote t-shirt and put it on over my Panther gear. Yup I could do that.

The weather is perfect for homecoming, so off it is to have a good, good day.

Breakfast

Told myself as I was fixing breakfast this morning that I would take a photo and share.  Sorry, no photo. Got distracted...by the the good food. When it was arranged so very prettily on the plate, I admired it, and then scarfed it down.  D.e.l.i.c.i.o.u.s. Yes that would describe it, purely d.e.l.i.c.i.o.u.s.

Locally raised eggs scrambled with cilantro
Prepared in a pan seasoned with olive oil and butter from local milk
Topped with my own salsa: tomatoes, scallions, peppers, lime juice, cumin (left out cilantro, it's in the eggs)
Sides: sliced dilled cucumbers, pickled roasted peppers, zucchini orange jelly.
Washed down with rosehip ginger tea, my own special blend.

I'm really wishing I'd taken a photo, it was so pretty!

Homecoming Week

It's Homecoming Week here.  I've been thinking of my own Homecoming Weeks and asking locals about this town's homecoming customs.

At my high school, the candidates were always a dating couple.  Not so here.  Folks here are fascinated to learn that. "Really? Wow, why?" is the usual response.  I just chuckle, and tell them I had the exact same response when I learned that it's not done that way here.  We had that extra bit of drama of making sure the couples did not break up before homecoming. Imagine the inconvenience that could be.

And we didn't just "burn the K", we had a real honest.to.goodness bonfire.  I think we took a couple days to build it. If I remember correctly, we saved stuff for it - like tree branches and cardboard, old furniture and odd pieces of wood. It was always topped off with an outhouse.  We'd throw an accelerant on it, light it somehow, and snake dance around it. I can also seem to remember lot's of hollering, singing and beating kettles with spoons. (As an aside, we'd be in trouble at home for taking the deer hunting kettles and spoons to the bonfire.  Folks in our neck of the woods would drive deer by walking through the woods pounding on kettles with spoons and hollering to scare the deer. But that's a whole 'nother story.)

When I tell that tidbit to folks around here, they are all wide-eyed about it.  I don't think the school district allows that bonfire business anymore.  I know they don't.  They don't want repeats of some of the antics of my classmates who threw gas bombs into the fire, or something equally, shall we say, s.t.u.p.i.d.

And the biggest difference, was that the King and Queen were not crowned until Friday, just before the parade.  I think the candidates were announced two weeks before, so there was some heavy campaigning going on.

The King and Queen for this year's homecoming will be announced tonight For the rest of the week they will reign over various activities, including the burning of the K tonight, and the homecoming parade on Friday.

Larder or Pantry, if you prefer, Chapter II

Moroccan cauliflower and carrots
Moroccan beets
Salsa, steaming hot
Curry pickle relish
Yellow tomato marmalade with lemon thyme and sage
Red onion relish

Larder or Pantry, if you prefer

Added to the larder this week:

Canned tomatoes, the yellow lemon boys get the award for eye-appeal
Salsa
Christmas pickles using Grandma's recipe
Cherry Koolickles
Lime Koolickles
Caramelized onion relish
Dill pickle relish
Sweet pickle and pepper relish
Zucchini relish with a bit of a kick to it
Marinara sauce
Tomato juice
Armenian dill pickles

And there is still more produce hanging around the kitchen and pantry just waiting to go into a jar.

Need more shelving...

Fall Weather

Yes, thank you, I am enjoying the fall-like weather.  Had to rummage around last night to find a blanket for the bed.  Yes, thank you very much, I am enjoying the fall-like weather.

The KIP Ladies

It's always fun to potluck with friends and fellow club members.  It's even more fun to witness the free-wheeling yearly planning process of a group of ladies who've been doing this for a long time. In some cases over thirty years.

During introductions one lady said, "I'm Audrey, and I've been with KIP for over 32 years. Held every office at least twice, and nope, don't ask again."  That introduction drew simultaneous laughter and a round of applause. I think she's our Queen.

The best part of the evening was witnessing all the younger ladies freely offering ideas and signing up to work on events.

Canning Season

Are you in the throes of canning?   I am.  Using mostly variations of my grandma's canning recipes.  Written on index cards--some while I was still in high school.

Do you have a favorite canning recipe?

Rural Housing, or the lack thereof...

. . .  as my friend Rebecca is sadly finding out, it's mostly the lack thereof.  Check out her Renting in a Rural Area post at Flying Tomato Farm.

I'm hoping Rebecca finds suitable housing.  It's South Dakota's loss that she's found a new position in Minnesota - they are so lucky.  I hope they realize that.

Front step flower garden

I love looking at this little garden each time I use the front door.

Canning Season

So excited about using the strainer gizmo to make tomato sauce tonight.  It will cook down overnight in a crock pot with the cover askew.  And then come Tuesday, into jars and a hot water bath. Post bath residence will be amidst other jars of canned goodness in the larder, or pantry if you prefer.

Oh, yes, then there's the pickling party on Tuesday.  Well, providing the cukes arrive in time.  Ordered three bushels from the lovely Hutterite family who was selling produce near the house this past Saturday.

So what's your favorite thing to can...or your favorite canned thing to eat?

Photos to follow?

Kimball Klassic and more

Saturday, August 14: Kimball Classic Car Show, Kolache Days, farmers market, city-wide rummage sales, arts and crafts and food at American Legion Hall, and a Street Dance.  Here's a few shots from last year's car show.  Stop by and say "howdy", The Front Porch will be open.

KIP Salad Supper

The KIP Ladies have been around a long time and do lots of good things around town.  The salad supper is a major fund raiser for this group, so come on out and support them.

Make a better world

While doing some on-line research, I ran across an essay about working together.  Going to quote part of it here.  It speaks for itself.

"People working together is the most important thing we can do. . . . People working together can change the world...

People working together can lead to many good things. Working together can resolve problems. Working together you learn to respect others and the differences you have.

When you work together with some, you can find out that you may like the person you thought you didn't like. Working together can help people not to fight. People working together can even end wars.
People must work together because we only have one Earth to live on. People working together can start as a little thing. 

You never know how your actions can inspire other people to do great things and actually change the world and bring people closer together."

Pretty good, huh?  Simple and deep at the same time.  Award winning essay written by a ten year old.

There's more to this essay.  There's more I have to say about this essay.  That's for another day.

Spring Time in the neighborhood

Apple blossom time...

Exclusively Yours

I love Jo Stadler for two reasons....well, actually for three reasons:
1. Cold brewed coffees
2. My favorite pasta

3. She opened the cutest gift shop

Uniquely Yours just off I90 exit 284, Kimball, SD. Next to John's Tire, near the Clark gas station.

Osage Lakota Artworks

I'm knowing Laurie Apple will be gettin' some of my money at her newly opened business, Osage Lakota Artworks. Formerly an e-based business, Osage Lakota Artworks is now a bricks and mortar offering wonderful beadwork, canes, beading supplies and prairie turnips.

Located just off Interstate 90 exit 284 at Kimball, SD, near the tractor museum.

Busy, busy

Senior Project and Scholarship night tonight.

FFA Banquet tomorrow night.

Especially touching to hear Dave Lehr's tribute to his wife Sarah.  He said the scholarship given in her memory was for a student with a "can do" attitude.  He said that is what Sarah was all about, a can do attitude. Amen.

Today's the Day

J-A-N-S Frosty King is opening today. I was advised to come early and stand in line, and no I was not going to get free food for being first in line. In fact, I was advised that I would probably not be first in line.  Taking camera, photos will be posted.

Walking for Love

A wind-blown Dan Lyons walked into Kimball mid-afternoon yesterday, stayed for supper and visited with us, spent the night and left early today. Walking to White Lake in a light rain.  Expected over there early afternoon.

Dan is an extraordinary guy. He left Olympia, Washington earlier this year, taking a northern route to avoid bad weather on a southern route. Headed to West Palm Beach, Florida.  Walking to raise awareness about Locks of Love, a program that provided a hair piece for his 17 year old daughter during her fight against breast cancer. Dan's on his fifth walk across the US. He started walking to bring awareness, but also to clear his head. You see, Dan lost his daughter to breast cancer and not long after that, his dear wife to a drunk driver. Dan walks so we can know.

The importance of story in your life, chapter 2

Update from previous post:

 from amillionmiles.com

Book arrived today, thank you very much.  I'll be diving right in...

Dan Lyons

 photo courtesy of Billings Gazette

 Who's Dan Lyons and why are we getting together with him?

Well, Dan is from California, and he's walking across the US to bring awareness to the Locks of Love program. He lost his daughter and wife to cancer, and is himself a cancer survivor.

Please join Dan for dinner and a brief presentation on the Locks of Love program at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 28th, at Ditty's Diner. Dan is not soliciting funds, but has information on how to donate to Locks of Love.

Let's show Dan some good Kimball hospitality.

Spring at Christiansen Park

Christiansen Park, named in honor of Helen Christiansen who donated the land for the park, is a tiny bit of tree-shaded oasis in downtown Kimball. Purple phlox and other perennials have been poking their heads up.

Prairie Quilts

Our little community says *we love you*  211 times. That's how many quilts were dedicated.  They are heading to new homes around the world.

Hay River pumpkin seed oil

photo courtesy of Hay River (tm)

Just read a Facebook post from friends Jay and Ken regarding building their business at Hay River. They produce the most incredible organic pumpkin seed oil.  Now I know you want some of this. It's just a few clicks away - visit their website at Hayriver.net.  Buy directly from Jay and Ken and help them build their business.

Here's the back story. Jay and Ken lost their home to an early morning fire on March 27th. Because their pumpkin seed oil is not stored at the house, it's safe from the fire. Their plan is to build their business, which will help them financially and also benefit their community. Here's a quote from their website: " We don't want sympathy purchases, we want real customers."  

So get off this blog and go buy some pumpkin seed oil and pass this information along.

Around town

Saw these lovelies on latest walk around town. Tulips are pretty, but lily of the valley are my favorite flower...thus, making me love muguet de bois perfume as a teenager.