Opinion

Nothing has touched my soul and spoken to aging with grace quite like the ancient Indian medicine wheel and the traditions that have evolved from it.

Many people outside of the Corn Belt likely don’t realize it, but South Dakota farmers don’t just help feed the United States, they help fuel it too.

It would be an understatement to say it’s been a rough year for South Dakota’s farmers and ranchers. Yes, the broader economy is doing well – very well, in fact – but today’s agriculture economy is lagging too far behind, and the effects are real, they are painful, and they are only getting worse.

How’s this for an idea? Load up your gear, throw in the cooler and a comfortable lawn chair, stop in Wagner for a sub to go, and head to Pickstown. Last week I mentioned what a fine job our Corp of Engineers have done to provide quality bank fishing beneath the Ft. Randall Dam at Pickstown.

In South Dakota today, about 30,000 adults and 9,000 kids live with serious mental health conditions. With nearly every family and every community impacted, it’s overloaded the system. As a result, too many are falling through the cracks. Too often, there is a stigma surrounding mental health.

We have it pretty good in South Dakota. From beautifully laid and intricate landscapes, to revitalized hometown main streets and top-ranked higher education, there is so much that makes South Dakota special. But as the saying goes, “there is so much more.

Rog's Rod & Nimrod I could care less about your love life, net worth, or collection of toys, but if you’re a good fisherman/woman, I’d like to take a peek into your tackle box. Tell you what. I’ll show you mine if you show me yours. I actually carry two boxes.

Dear Editor: A few weeks before Memorial Day, I found myself wandering around the Wagner Cemetery. Most of my family are buried there. As I walked around, I was shocked and saddened by the lack of care for the deceased.

For many South Dakota families, Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start to summer as we wrap up graduation activities, attend the state track meet, or camp in one of our great State Parks.

Rog's Rod & Nimrod How about something a little different? First the good news. Two of our daughters, three granddaughters, and a son-in-law spent spring break in Cabo San Lucas where they swam side by side with whale sharks. The bad news is that they didn’t invite Betsy or me.