Opinion

Queen of Hearts frenzy fascinating

Published by admin on Wed, 10/14/2026 - 1:10pm

There is going to be a very, very happy person at the Custer VFW two days from now. Why? Because the Queen of Hearts frenzy that has been building and building for the past couple of months is going to be over. Well, at least this iteration. It’s likely going to build again very quickly. But we will save that part for later.

Still rooted in the community

Published by admin on Wed, 10/14/2026 - 1:08pm

When I meet someone new and they find out that I’m retired, it’s only natural for them to ask what I did for a living before I entered this life of leisure. It’s with a certain amount of pride that I tell them that I was a daily newspaper editor.
Hearing that bit of news, it’s only natural for them, at some point in the conversation, to say, “These aren’t very good times for newspapers.” It pains me to admit it, but that’s true.

Coming home

Published by admin on Wed, 10/14/2026 - 9:58am
A few weeks ago, I did something I never thought I’d do—I joined a cheer routine at a Brandon Valley High School football game! Their marching band had just learned the exciting news that it was selected to play in the 101st Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2027. Waving pom poms in the air was certainly outside of my comfort zone, but it was an honor celebrating our incredible students and their accomplishment. They were playing against O’Gorman High School, and I was met with the same energy on the other side of the field.

Reflecting on Taiwan trip

Published by admin on Wed, 10/14/2026 - 9:57am
What an extraordinary adventure and remarkable opportunity it was to represent District 30 and the State of South Dakota in Taiwan!
Our Midwest delegation consisted of 11 legislators from five states—Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and South Dakota. If you thought this trip was simply for fun, you would be wrong! From the moment we arrived, our schedules were filled nearly every hour with meetings with dignitaries and ministry staff, engaging in meaningful discussions about Taiwan-U.S. relations, trade cooperation, agriculture and regional exchanges.

Autumn skies a gift to be prized

Published by admin on Wed, 10/07/2026 - 9:53am
At long last, autumn has graced us with its presence, and oh, what a welcome visit it is. 
Summer seemed to overstay its invitation this year. The months still disappeared. That much will perhaps never change. Nevertheless, the days were hot from dawn to dusk. Even the evening air blew steamy. In between was the ever-constant worry of a fire. The rain helped, but the ground was still so dry. 

Do you have a good local newspaper?

Published by admin on Wed, 10/07/2026 - 9:37am

This is National Newspaper Week, a celebration of the role that papers and their online platforms play in our society. Candidly, it’s a tough sell. There are no parades, stores don’t have big sales and no one gets a holiday off from work or school. Besides, it’s hard to generate a lot of hoopla around a product introduced to America in 1690.

Who are you?

Published by admin on Wed, 10/07/2026 - 9:35am

Hermosa lost a pillar of the community a little more than a week ago. Although I didn’t get to enjoy a long history with Don Knapp, it didn’t take much time in conversation with him to feel blessed and edified. He dropped in occasionally to visit with Brad and me over the few years of our marriage, and even in his 90s he was hale and hearty, always wearing work clothes and work boots, with a warm smile and humble demeanor. He lived on his ranch until the day he died and was roping calves at his own brandings until a few years ago.

Making the Lincoln Day Dinner circuit

Published by admin on Wed, 10/07/2026 - 9:31am

Greetings.
Well, election season is going strong. I don’t know about you, Nov. 3 can’t get here soon enough for me. Everyone asks if I have an opponent and I tell them yes. There are two House reps in each district, so Rep. Trish Ladner and I are running against a Democrat opponent. Sen. Amber Hulse is unopposed on the ballot, so she, for sure, is our District 30 senator for another two years. Congratulations, Sen. Hulse!

Reflecting on Taiwan trip

Published by admin on Wed, 10/07/2026 - 9:30am

What an extraordinary adventure and remarkable opportunity it was to represent District 30 and the State of South Dakota in Taiwan!
Our Midwest delegation consisted of 11 legislators from five states—Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and South Dakota. If you thought this trip was simply for fun, you would be wrong! From the moment we arrived, our schedules were filled nearly every hour with meetings with dignitaries and ministry staff, engaging in meaningful discussions about Taiwan-U.S. relations, trade cooperation, agriculture and regional exchanges.

The pageantry of the Buffalo Roundup

Published by admin on Wed, 09/30/2026 - 2:43pm

Sixty-one years and going strong, the Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup is in the rearview mirror. As always, thousands and thousands of people made their way to the area of the corrals in the park to witness the spectacle that is the annual Roundup. For many it’s a bucket list item, as people come from near and far to take in what is truly a vestige of a time gone by. Well, minus the pickup trucks trailing the cowboys and cowgirls moving the herd, of course. But you get the idea.