A Holly Jolly Christmas

I hope you can handle one more story about Eureka, South Dakota’s Holly Hoffman, who survived the popular CBS reality show, “Survivor” finishing fourth out of all the contestants vying for a million dollar top prize.  Holly has since been pretty busy giving interviews and making personal appearances..including one at the Pizza Ranch in Hartford…

Aunt Leila..For The Record

It’s real common this time of year for people to act like frosty the snowman and go thumpity, thump, thumping down memory lane ad nauseum. So, here I go too. I liked all of my aunts but my very favorite was  dad’s older sister, Leila. She was married in 1924 and widowed in 1944. By…

Dan’s Bash For Cash

I’ve known quite a few “characters” in my life but none could match the outrageous, funny, tough, sentimental, kind-hearted personality of my friend, Dan Christopherson who died nearly 4 years ago when that same big heart of his gave out at just 53. Dan was a huge guy. He must have stood 6’4”.  When I…

X Marks The Spot

Oh, my gosh..two weeks ‘till Xmas.  Okay now right there I’ve alienated many of you for daring to use the letter X to replace Christ in the word Christmas. If you really want to sap the peace-on-earth spirit right out of the season for some people, just send them a card with the word Xmas…

The Keg and I

“Doug, did you see our “Keg” is closing?” Linda said after reading a story in the morning paper. “Oh, no,” came my reply in the same tone I would use at the loss of an old friend.   I’ve always liked fried chicken, I guess. But it wasn’t until I tasted “broasted” chicken from Ricky’s…

Street Savvy

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in over 40 years of living here is that Sioux Falls residents do NOT want the city to take any shortcuts when it comes to  taking care of our streets (ALL of them) during (or preceding) winter weather..and they don’t give a rip what it costs.    Apparently our…

Thank You For Being A Friend

I see my friend, Greg Belfrage is taking a lot of heat for finally shoving his eternal loyalty for the Minnesota Vikings over the side and jumping on board with the Green Bay Packers.  My friend, Kerry Thill is discovering how much better things taste and smell after 47 days without a cigarette but still…

Bearing It All About Beer

I don’t like beer all that much. Oh, on a hot day after mowing the yard or playing a round of golf, a beer is pretty refreshing..but usually, one or, if it’s really hot outside, two is enough.  I have lots of friends who really love beer and plenty of it but if I were…

Painful Memories

I can count on one hand the number of times in 32 years at Keloland, that I missed work because I was sick. I mean, REALLY sick..not suffering from one of those mysterious 12 hour bugs which some people get. You know, those that show up at sunrise and disappear at sunset.  There were lots…

White Lightnin’s Last Ride

If you’ve ever taken that sad trip to the vet to have an ailing pet put to sleep..you’ll know how I felt this week.   White Lightnin’ our 1990 Lincoln Town Car, which I’ve had for 18 years and written about several times here, is gone. Her just reward for such long and faithful service…