Monthly Archives: July 2016

By Katie Hunhoff

“I see nothing in space as promising as the view from a Ferris wheel,” wrote children’s author E.B. White. Colorful games and rides, people of all ages spending time together, laughing, eating, chatting with neighbors. Fairs are exhibits of our culture at its finest.

Late summer gatherings date back to the early years of our United States. Eventually the fairs evolved and became more elaborate. But they’ve always symbolized a last hurrah before school begins and winter comes.

One of our favorites is the Turner County Fair in Parker (Aug. 15-18). This year the fair turns 136, making it the oldest in South Dakota. Once inside the gates (free admission, by the way) you’ll find a fun little pioneer town to tour known as Heritage Park. It has a general store, church, school and millinery. Each is furnished with antiques and open to the public. Outside you’ll find a shaded stage which hosts non-stop music and entertainment throughout the four-day spectacle. If you’re wondering about food, you’re in for a treat. Local beef and pork producers run dueling booths that garner long lines at dinner, but another popular choice is a chislic booth organized by sheep farmer Bill Aeschlimann and some friends way back in 1983. Turner and Hutchinson counties are known as the home of chislic — a Russian tradition of beef, lamb or pork seasoned and grilled over an open fire. (Or, here in America, deep-fat fried as we also do with Oreos and cupcakes.)

Other fairs are known for fun and games. The Potter County Fair (Aug. 6-9) in Gettysburg features Cow Patty Bingo. An open patch of grass at the fairgrounds is divided into squares, each of which is for sale. Once the squares are sold, a cow is turned loose on the grass. The owner of the square where the cow first leaves her mark wins the jackpot.

In Aberdeen, at the Brown County Fair (Aug. 15-21), a fair staffer goes out early every morning to hide a stuffed monkey named Casey. The first kid to find Casey wins carnival tickets or another fair prize.

Visit the Corson County Fair in McIntosh (Aug. 12-14) to view turtle races — prizes go to both the fastest and slowest racers. Here’s a hint: painted turtles are faster than mud turtles, in case you didn’t know. Here’s another hint: snapping turtles can be dangerous.

Food competitions are popular attractions at our local fairs. Often attendees get to taste the results. The Custer County Fair (Aug. 11-14) in Hermosa features an ice cream crank-off. Power models are forbidden, guaranteeing an old-fashioned experience for kids who have never had an opportunity to make their own. A chili cook-off is one of the highlights of the Sully County Fair (Aug. 11-14) in Onida. The public can sample all the chili they can eat after the contest, for only $5.

Fairs are a fine way to celebrate our communities, but the food, games and exhibits aren’t as meaningful if people don’t show up to enjoy them. We hope you take the time to visit one of the dozens of fairs in South Dakota this summer.

Katie Hunhoff is the editor and co-publisher of South Dakota Magazine, a bi-monthly publication that explores the people and places of our great state. For more information, or to find more summer events, visit HYPERLINK “http://www.SouthDakotaMagazine.com” www.SouthDakotaMagazine.com.

Pump prices nationwide have now fallen for 30 straight days – the longest streak since August/September of last year – and are at their lowest mark for this date since 2004. Today’s national average for regular gasoline is $2.23 per gallon, four cents less than a week ago, fifteen cents below the price one month ago, and 53 cents cheaper than one year ago. Approximately a quarter of gas stations nationwide – 25,000 – are now selling gasoline for less than $2.

“Today, for the first time since June 1, South Dakota’s statewide average for regular gasoline hit $2.31 per gallon,” said Marilyn Buskohl, spokeswoman for AAA South Dakota. “However, if you’re traveling in or through Sioux Falls, you might want to fill-up there for $2.10 per gallon. The city wide average for Rapid City is 32 cents higher according to GasPrices.AAA.com.”

The U.S. Drought Monitor has shown increases in drought area and severity throughout South Dakota.

“The latest map, issued on June 30, 2016 indicates that 38 percent of the state is currently in drought,” said Laura Edwards, SDSU Extension Climate Field Specialist. “Almost six percent of the state is in severe to extreme drought, with the worst areas in the Black Hills and northeast.”

Edwards explained that the warm and dry conditions of the last month drove a rapid increase in drought. Many western and northeastern South Dakota locations ranked June 2016 among the top five warmest on record.

Edgemont and Hill City recorded the warmest temperatures seen in more than 30 years. Camp Crook, Lead, Mt Rushmore and Summit ranked this June as the second warmest on record. “These stations have 55-109 years of record and were between 4.35 to 9.28 degrees above average for June 2016,” Edwards explained.

July 2016 Outlook
Fifteen climate stations in South Dakota ranked June 2016 among the top five driest on record. Interior and Waubay had their driest June in more than 60 years, with 0.61 and 0.75 inches of rain. Other stations that were exceptionally dry included Alexandria, Edgemont, Philip and Ashton.

The climate outlook for July 2016, also updated on June 30, shows an increase in likelihood of warmer than average conditions for the month ahead.

“It is not clear yet if it will be near record warmth as we experienced in June 2016,” Edwards said.

She added that the precipitation outlook for July 2016 indicates equal chances of being wetter, drier and near average conditions.

“Summertime precipitation can be challenging to forecast as thunderstorms can produce locally heavy rainfall,” Edwards said.

Some drought impacts have already been reported across the state.

“Notably, dry vegetation in the western counties has increased the risk of wildland fire and grassland/prairie fire,” Edwards said. “Several small fires have already been reported due to hay baling and other related activities.”

Water Quality
Water supply and quality has also been a concern in agricultural areas. Producers with stock ponds and other surface water for livestock should be aware of potential unhealthy water quality, and have their water tested for Total Dissolved Solids.

In cropping systems, crops being cut for hay due to the drought conditions can also be tested for nitrates.

“In some eastern counties, early drought stress has been noted in corn and soybeans with leaf curling and poor/slow growth,” Edwards said.

She added that the lack of moisture will have a substantial impact soon if conditions do not change, as corn typically enters pollination stage in early to mid-July.

“Drought stress during that time can have a large impact on yields,” Edwards said. “The dry conditions however, have also reduced weed and disease concerns in cropping systems.”

Cowboys and cowgirls will be competing for well over $50,000 during the Twenty-Seventh Annual Burke Stampede Rodeo which will be held at the Burke Arena in Burke, SD this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, performances each night at 7:00 P.M.
The rider pictured above during the Stampede Rodeo in the Bareback Riding Event, one of the thirteen events held during the rodeo. There is always something for everyone at the Stampede Rodeo.
In the fine tradition of whoopin’ it up for the spectacular 27th year of the Stampede, we are giving our loyal fans a chance to win 4 Frontier Carbines “Evil Roy” edition 22 caliber rifles stamped with the Stampede logo. Raffle tickets are on sale now at First Fidelity Bank and Burke Community Pharmacy or from any Stampede Committee member or you can purchase yours at the Chuckwagon Feed, Stampede Idol Contest or during all rodeo performances.
But wait, there’s more….the Stampede Rodeo Committee has teamed up with several businesses and individuals to bring especially special entertainment to the 2016 Stampede….Don’t miss a single performance and the antics of the wildly funny “Danger Dave” Whitmoyer. Danger Dave has been called by some the best rodeo clown in the world.
This year, in an effort to increase the number and quality of riders in the rough stock Stampede sponsors and committee have upped the ante to $3,000 added in the bronc and bull riding.
Legendary Rodeo, Legendary Entertainment, Legendary Fun… July 15th, 16th and 17th at 7PM at the Stampede Arena Burke SD….The Legendary Burke Stampede Rodeo…..How about a Legendary YEEEEHAWWWW!!!!
2016 BURKE STAMPEDE FAVORITES AND SCHEDULE

Over the past year, my office has been looking into the financial, structural and administrative problems at Indian Health Service (IHS) so that we can better understand how to reform the agency and provide better health care for tribal members. As our tribal members know all too well, the IHS has been failing to live up to its trust responsibility to provide health care to Native Americans. Its shortcomings have been documented in a number of Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports, yet there has never been a systemic review of IHS to address the health care crisis currently going on in the Great Plains Area, which includes South Dakota. Furthermore, IHS fails to adequately consult with the tribes when making decisions about their health care.

I recently requested an audit by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to review the financial aspects of hospital and health care, medical services and overall financial management at IHS. Based on my office’s discussions with tribal leaders, we believe an audit is the appropriate first step toward identifying areas of concern and finding solutions to fix the ongoing problems at the agency.

The audit is supported by both tribal members and officials within HHS. The Great Plains Tribal Chairman’s Association recently passed a resolution calling upon Congress to demand an audit of IHS. Additionally, during the Senate Indian Affairs Committee field hearing in Rapid City on June 17, 2016, that I participated in, HHS Acting Deputy Secretary Mary Wakefield said that HHS “would welcome” an audit of IHS.

As I wrote in my request, despite the agency’s well-documented history of failing to meet trust obligations by not providing quality health care, there has never been a systemic review of IHS to address and ultimately reform these issues in attempt to improve health outcomes for tribal members. Furthermore, there has been a continuing lack of consultation with the tribes. I believe an audit – similar to what was recently conducted at the Veterans Health Administration, which identified shortfalls and recommended solutions – is a potential model for addressing these critical financial and quality issues within IHS.

The problems at IHS are serious. The Great Plains Area IHS has the second highest mortality rate among all IHS regions. We also have the highest diabetes death rate, more than triple the average among IHS facilities. Our life expectancy rate is the lowest of all IHS regions, at 68.1 years. The U.S. average life expectancy is nearly a decade longer at 77.7 years. It is clear the IHS is failing our tribal members, who are suffering and in some cases dying due to this inadequate and disgraceful care. We are hopeful that the audit will show us specific areas we can focus on to begin making significant changes.