Black Hills Boomer Magazine - Vol. 14

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BlackHillsBoomer.com Publisher Tout Advertising, LLC Editor-in-Chief Tracy Bernard Copy Editor Katie Pavel Layout & Design Tracy Bernard Danielle Beadle Cover Photo Cadey Reisner Cadey Reisner Photography For sales & inquiries contact: Tony Nalls 605.877.1446 bhwsales@toutadvertising.com

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Inside this issue

A Well-Accounted Career 6 Business Is Booming

Teaching Grandkids about Kindness Family

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Crossword Answers 25

Crossword

Why I May Have to Start Swearing More Humor

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Outdoor Fun

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Crossword

The Password Is...

Technology

Age-Related Muscle Loss Is a Big Problem Health & Fitness

Farm Charm 30

History

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6

Business is Booming

By

Ka yla Ga ha ga n

re er

W el l-A cc ou n te d

ca

A


Paul Thorstenson inherited the best of his father— a wicked sense of

humor to put people at ease and a sharp street sensibility to carry on the legacy of one of the Black Hills’ largest accounting firms. Thorstenson, a partner at Ketel Thorstenson, LLP, doesn’t talk about his own career, or the growth of the firm, without weaving in stories of his father, the late Bud Thorstenson. “It was one of the best things to work with my dad,” says Paul, who will be 60 in August. “I didn’t spend a lot of time growing up with him because he was working a lot, but as an adult, he was my best friend.” Paul, who switched from journalism to accounting in college, didn’t have Ketel in his sights at first because of nepotism rules. “I never thought I’d be able to work here, but four years into a job with KPMG (Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler), I got a call from Ketel,” he says, laughing. “I left my shiny tower in Minneapolis to do bookkeeping on Pine Ridge. I never looked back. I’m so glad I made the switch.” Bud, who passed away from cancer in 2004 at the age of 78, came to Rapid City in 1950. He was the 36th CPA in South Dakota and an integral part of the company’s formative years. The company originally opened in 1936 under Harold Heims. The firm started in offices above the old North Western Warehouse and then moved to space above Staple & Spice. The building at the current 810 Quincy Street address was constructed in 1966, the same year that Roy Ketel and Rich Siekman worked together to form a new partnership. Bud loved his work, Paul says.

Business is Booming

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“He was still working when he got sick,” he recalled. “I had to go back and finish the taxes on his desk. I learned a lot from my dad, so many little pieces of wisdom.” It’s too early, he says, to know if his own son will share his interest of accounting. Paul has been married to Mary Thorstenson for 31 years and they have a 15-year-old son they adopted from Guatemala. They also inherited a “beautiful, little ranch” on Nemo Road where they own a herd of cows and Paul takes horse rides during his time away from the office. But, like his father, he enjoys his work, he says. “We try to create a fun atmosphere,” Paul says, and that includes practical jokes, bean bag tournaments (sometimes during staff meetings), and a family-friendly policy for clients— babies on the laps of their parents and kiddos in hand. “I like to giggle a lot,” Paul says. “We have a lot of fun and we laugh a lot. I’m a little goofy for an accountant.” Despite the fun, he doesn’t take for granted the role they play in people’s lives. “We get to know people’s families, and a lot of times, we’re dealing with multiple generations,” he says. “People take their money very seriously and they often think about it even more than their health.” Things have changed at Ketel since his father’s days. The firm had only 20 employees when Paul started in 1987 and now has more than 150. Paul empathizes with

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Business is Booming


an emerging generation of accountants that face more obstacles as the years go by. “The complexity of tax law has become mindnumbing,” he says. “I honestly feel sorry for our newer professionals in the tax business, as the body of knowledge is so overwhelming. I still learn new things every day.” Emerging technology has also changed the face of accounting. “When I started in this business, they hadn’t really invented computers that were useful to CPAs,” he recalls. “We would end each day wiping the eraser crumbs off our desks. If you made a mistake, you actually had to erase

Business is Booming

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everything and start over. In my third year on the job, we were each given a clunky, but portable Apple Macintosh. Today, it would be virtually impossible to prepare even a simple Form 1040 by hand.” Despite the improved technology, one thing remains the same. “The hardest part is the compression of the workload during tax season,” he admits. “For three months, it’s every hour you can for seven days a week.” During both the lighter moments and the pressure of the tax season, Paul’s goal is to help maintain a quality of work that was his father’s trademark. “Our partners are getting older and we have a great new group of young professionals who will take over,” Paul says. “There’s no reason any CPA at our firm can’t become a partner. This will be here and locally-owned 100 years from now.”

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Business is Booming


Paul Thorstenson’s financial advice in the middle of a pandemic sounds very much the same as it was pre-pandemic. “With or without COVID, and no matter what age you are, you should be thinking about retirement,” Paul says. “And you should be thinking of having a team of investors, a CPA, an insurance advisor, an investor, and possibly a real estate professional.” There’s strength in a diversity of investments, and advice, he adds. But the very best expert should be free — yourself. “Your greatest advisor should always be you and you should learn by reading,” he says. “Google for articles, subscribe to the Wall Street Journal, learn about investments.” It’s advice he takes to heart. He reads. A lot. “Investing is my hobby,” he says. “I buy stocks and have a great time. I’m not a professional investment advisor; it’s just what I do.” In Rapid City, he has learned the ins and outs of business investment by part or full ownership in multiple business, including the Firehouse Brewing Company, Philly Ted’s Cheesesteak, Rush Mountain Adventure Park, and Anytime Auto Sales. “I have smart partners at each of those, so I’m not in the day-to-day work,” he says. “One of my greatest joys in my career has been seeing this area grow and prosper. There wasn’t much wealth in this community when I was a child. But even better has been to know the people who have taken the risks necessary to make this a bigger and better place to live.” BHB

Business is Booming

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Teaching Grandkids about Small Gestures that Make Others Smile By Kimberly Blaker

With our busy lives, it’s easy to lose sight of the little things we can do to make the world a

kinder, gentler place. As a result, kids miss out on golden opportunities to emulate kindness and experience its rewards. So, why not set a goal with your grandkids and see how many acts of kindness your family can rack up in a single day or week? Here are some ideas to partner with your grandkids on. Visit an elderly neighbor. Many seniors are shut in because they can no longer drive. Often, even those who do drive don’t get the social interaction they need. Likely, someone in your neighborhood could use some company.

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Family


Offer a compliment. It doesn’t get any easier than this. But don’t offer praise you don’t mean. Otherwise, it’ll come off as disingenuous. Notice what someone is wearing or doing, or think about the person’s personality or something they’ve done. Then, offer a compliment that you really mean. Make a donation. It can be a small monetary donation to a good cause. Or you can donate items you no longer need to a homeless shelter, animal rescue, or Toys for Tots collection. Help someone with their homework. Do you know a classmate who struggles in a particular subject? Offer to help them study for a test or to understand a concept for a homework assignment. Take an extra lunch to school for someone who forgets. When you get to school, ask your teacher to help you find a student who needs it. Stand up for someone. Do you know a student who’s bullied or always left out? Look for an opportunity to tell those who are being judgmental to be a little kinder or that they’re being unfair. Offer your support. Do you know someone going through a hard time, such as a serious illness or whose parents are going through a divorce? Lend them your shoulder, and offer to listen. Make friends with someone who’s left out. Is there a classmate who’s always standing alone on the playground or who sits alone at lunch? Offer to join that person. Offer to help out a mom. Do you know someone with young children? Offer to spend a couple of hours watching and entertaining them while the mom catches up on chores. Bake cookies for your teacher or boss. Show your appreciation by baking their favorite goodies.

Family

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Family Medicine

Dr. Ann Hibbs Owner

Dr. Taylor Kapsch Owner

Buy a homeless person a meal. If you see someone wandering who clearly looks homeless or is standing on a street corner with a sign, pick up a meal and take it over to them. Call family together. Make your family members; day by giving them a call alongside your grandkids. Hold the door for someone. This is another super easy gesture that’s sure to be appreciated by someone who’s elderly, disabled, or really anyone. Write an apology to someone you’ve hurt. We’ve all said and done things on occasion that hurt someone’s feelings. So, take ownership of it, and write a heartfelt apology.

Dr. Kyle Larson Owner

Dr. Jon Wingert Owner

Dr. Carson Phillips Owner

Jenna Dormann, PA-C

We are here to take care of your entire family Steve Sachs, PA-C

2822 Jackson Blvd, Suite 101, Rapid City, SD 605-341-1208 creeksidemedicalclinic.org 14

Family

Help someone carry something. When you see someone struggling to carry multiple items or something heavy, offer your assistance. Post something nice on the social media page of someone who needs a friend. Do you know someone who no one ever pays attention to? Make that person’s day with a positive comment on their page. Take a neighbor’s dog for a walk. Is there a dog in your neighborhood that never gets to go for walks? Be sure to ask about the dog’s energy level, so you’re able to handle it. Also, find out how far it can walk and run to ensure you don’t overexercise the dog, which can be dangerous to the dog’s health.


Do a chore for your brother or sister—what a great way to get back in your sibling’s good graces. And although you shouldn’t expect it, who knows, maybe they’ll return the favor sometime. Buy a friend a candy bar. This is a simple way to show your friend you’re thinking of them. Volunteer for a good cause. There are many opportunities right in your community. You could volunteer at a soup kitchen, pick up trash at a park, or help with a canned food drive. Help someone with yard work. Do you know a handicapped or elderly person? Offer to mow, rake, pull weeds, or shovel their snow. BHB

Do it for yourself. Do it for your family.

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Scan the QR code using your smartphone to find out where to get your COVID-19 Shot today!

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Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity This publication was supported by the grant NU50CK000512 Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Department of Health and Human Services. 100% of the project will be financed by federal grant dollars.

Family

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rt a t S to e v a H y a re o M I M Why wearing sby S Ro thy By D

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Humor

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I DON’T SWEAR — much. But I did today. Not out loud, though. For the fourth time this week, I was forced to come up with a new password. I tried the family friendly “PleaseNoNotAnotherPassword” first, but it was too long and didn’t contain the required symbol and number. So out of sheer frustration, I typed in #1 and the cuss-word that had just popped into my head. I’m not sorry either. It made me feel better and it will be easy to remember. Of course, I also needed a username. I’ve never understood why the username on every account isn’t…well…the user’s name. Sometimes it is, but sometimes it’s an account number or a phone number. And sometimes it’s your birth date, your weight multiplied by your height, or the last lottery quick pick you bought. Today it was an email address. Unfortunately, I have four of those because the spammers keep finding me. That has further complicated my online existence. I recently spent several days battling an account that somehow had two of my email addresses and, therefore two usernames. I don’t know how that happened, but I suspect that, at some point, username had made a user error. Nothing strikes fear into the heart of a technophobe like me more than those four little words: “wrong password or username.” So, which is it? The password or the username? I’m so impressed when a tech

Humor

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person on a TV show breaks into someone’s account by guessing their username and password. I can’t even guess my own. I don’t know how many usernames everyone has, but I read that the average American has 100 passwords. For once, I’m above average. As of this writing, I have 109. And lately it seems like I’m asked to create another one every day, because a password a day keeps the hackers away. But I’m running out of ideas. I may have to start swearing more. I must not be the only one struggling with this issue. According to Wikipedia, “password” and “password1” were among the 20 most commonly breached passwords in 2020. Clearly, those were created by desperate people who were out of ideas. Despite also making the list of most breached passwords, “123456” is still used by 23 million account holders. If that’s your password, go change it right now. I’ll wait. There were no cuss-words on the list, so you might try one of those. None of this would be necessary if it weren’t for hackers and identity thieves. I have a little daydream where they all suddenly need passwords and usernames to start their cars, turn on their televisions, open their refrigerators, and get into their bathrooms. A friend told me he uses a password manager to make his online life easier and protect himself from the bad guys. At first,

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Humor


I thought that sounded like a great idea. I pictured an efficient, handsome young man named Frans who would sit quietly in my office until I asked him to create a new password or remember an old one. Maybe he could even do some cooking and light housekeeping. But no. My friend said a password manager is a computer program that generates, stores, and remembers passwords for you. If I used one of those, I’d only have to come up with one username and one password. That would be grand, until I forgot one or the other—or both. I think I’ll wait for the day an eye scan or even a thumbprint is all I need to access all my accounts. Then all I’ll have to remember is which thumb I used. Or maybe I’ll just hold out for Frans. BHB

neve sby would o R y h t o r (Do manager.) d r o w s s a her p

r swear at

Humor

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Outdoor Fun By David DeChristopher

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ACROSS 1. Expenses

36. Mount Rushmore ---(vacation option) 38. Evans or Carnegie

6. Black Hills ---- Hunters (Facebook page for outdoorsmen)

39. Monument Health employee

10. The ---- Gala (August 21 at the Charm Farm)

40. Partake at Tally’s Silver Spoon

14. Ocular

41. Pearson of Vision Source Specialists (318 Mount Rushmore Road)

15. Sound quality 16. “---- Need” (1984 Jack Wagner hit) 17. Local rock band performing August 12 at Rapid City Summer Nights 19. Clean a pipe 20. “The Fountainhead” author Rand 21. Some works at the Dahl Arts Center 22. Sport played at Sioux Park 24. Conservative pundit Charen 25. Faction 26. Women’s festival at Sturgis Buffalo Chip starting August 7 31. Bruce and Laura 33. No longer fashionable 34. Alphabet finale 35. ----Inc. (Mechanical contractors at 411 East Watts Lane)

family

42. YMCA-sponsored series on Saturdays in August 47. Gives a bad review 48. Harvey’s ---- & Security (414 3rd Street) 49. ---- Canyon (Black Hills hiking site) 52. ---- to School Day (October 6th) 53. President twixt HST & JFK 56. Large-scale work 57. Central ---- (August 20-29) 60. Thin strip of wood 61. Sarah ---- Jewett 62. Regular arrangement 63. ---- vera 64. They’re picked by the picky 65. South Dakota’s first

28. Jason Bateman Netflix series 29. River in central Africa

DOWN 1. Imogene of early TV 2. Grand Ole ---3. T.rex skeleton found near Buffalo in 1987

30. ---- Repair (Rapid City truck maintenance) 31. Tyne of “Cagney & Lacey”

4. “---- the season…”

32. Love Wedding ---(August 25 in Main Street Square)

5. Part of RCAS

36. “The Kraken” poet

6. “---- 17” (1953 William Holden movie)

37. Quaker products 38. ---- Canyon Coffee

7. Some rides at the Sturgis Rally

41. ---- Hole, Wyoming

8. Brian of Roxy Music

43. Cochise or Geronimo

9. Nelson & Bury & Ray & Schaack

44. Ziering of “Sharknado”

10. January birthstone

45. Sends to cloud nine

11. Robert ---- Butler

46. Prime race position

12. Jai ----

49. Horror legend Lugosi

13. Trithart of Community Health Center and Watt of Black Hills Orthopedic

50. October birthstone

18. ---- Cave National Park 23. Ice cream name 26. 60 in an hr. 25. Boot attachment 26. Squeeze to dry 27. Rapid City ---- Soccer League (1130 East St. James)

51. Puente of Latin music 52. Desire 53. Miami’s county 54. “Carpe ----!” 55. Bobbles 58. Start for angle or corn 59. Big ‘do

Crossword

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THE PASSWORD IS... KEEPING YOUR INFORMATION SAFE Danielle Beadle

As technology advances every day, we tend to find ourselves online more. While we shop online and create accounts to new streaming platforms, we are constantly putting in our information. Often, this information is protected by a password. Here are some tips to ensure your information is always protected by creating a strong password. Although it may be easy to remember, avoid using personal information. Anything that could be publicly available, like addresses, phone numbers, or birthdays, do not use. This information could be easily accessible to hackers. Create longer passwords. The longer the password is, the harder it is to crack. Shoot for a goal of at least 10 characters; however, 14 characters is ideal. “Length beats complexity any day. Most modern sites will accept longer passwords and spaces, which simplifies creating and remembering passwords. Instead of trying to come up with a single word with symbols and numbers added to the end, try to think of a passphrase. A sentence is going to be more secure— and probably easier to remember! ‘Gabe’s feet smell really bad’ vs. $pArkY2021’,” says Emma Knecht of Golden West Technologies. This makes it a lot more difficult for a hacker to guess. There are many programs that are available to hackers that are very effective at guessing your password. These programs can process every word that is in the dictionary, plus letter and number combinations, until a match is found. By using spaces in between words to make a phrase, these programs B y D a n i elle B ea dle have a much more difficult time succeeding.

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Science & Technology


Science & Technology

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Now that you know how to create a strong password, you are going to need a way to remember your list of passwords. The simplest way to keep your passwords secure is a pencil and paper. Never put your passwords in your notes on your phone or computer. Write them by hand in a journal that you have constant access to and can supervise.

ORDER YOUR COVID-19 AT-HOME TEST KIT NOW!

IT’S FREE!

Scan the QR code using your smartphone to order your FREE COVID-19 Testing Kit today!

GOT QUESTIONS? covid.sd.gov or doh.sd.gov/covid/ 1-800-997-2880

This publication was supported by the grant NU50CK000512 Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Department of Health and Human Services. 100% of the project will be financed by federal grant dollars.

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Science & Technology

If you feel like you will not be able to keep track of a password journal, another way of keeping track of your passwords is by using an online password manager. The best password managers will require a monthly or annual subscription; however, there are many free ones that do a great job as well. They are secure and often require a two-factor authentication to access them. “When passwords are hard to remember, it can be tempting to use the same one for every account. However, as soon as that password is compromised, the hackers have the keys to the kingdom, so to speak. Hopefully, by moving away from passwords that are complicated and difficult to remember, we can be more secure online,” says Knecht. BHB


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E S F A I R 62 E O R D E R 65 B N O E M S

LET THE MEMORY LIVE AGAIN

OCTOBER 9TH & 10TH

THEMONUMENT.LIVE Crossword

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Age-Related Muscle Loss Is a Big Problem Here’s What to Do About It By Sara Sheeler

There’s plenty to look forward to later in life. Age-related muscle loss isn’t one of them. To a certain extent, of course, some loss of strength is considered a normal part of aging. As we get older, our bodies go through hormonal, metabolic, and immune-related changes that make it more difficult to hold on to lean muscle mass. We start to lose muscle fibers, and the ones we do have tend to get smaller and more difficult to activate. Older adults also tend to eat less and move less often, which can speed up the weakening process. By the seventh to eighth decade of life, a person’s maximal muscle strength has decreased by up to 40% on average. In severe cases, older adults can develop a condition called sarcopenia (“loss of flesh”). This significant decrease in muscle mass and function leads to plenty of unwanted consequences, including disability, reduced quality of life, and even an increased risk of hospitalization. Estimates show that up to 13% of people aged 60 to 70 and up to 50% of people older than 80 have sarcopenia, and this prevalence is expected to increase as our population gets older. But it’s not all bad news. There are ways you can minimize the amount of muscle loss you experience

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as you get older and, as a result, maximize your function well into your senior years. Here’s how: 1. Take a Strength Self-Inventory The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) define “normal” muscle strength as a maximal grip strength of 32 kilograms for men and 20 kilograms for women. Using the CDC’s definition, “weak” muscle strength is considered a maximal grip strength of less than 26 kilograms for men and less than 16 kilograms for women. Of course, most of us don’t have a grip strength measurement tool handy. But there are other ways you can assess your overall strength and function. Consider the following: • Can you rise from a chair without using your arms? If you can, you can do this five times in twelve seconds or less? • Can you rise from a chair, walk to a spot 10 feet away, then walk back and sit down in 20 seconds or less? • Do you struggle to do daily activities that used to be easy? • Do you often worry about losing your balance? • Do you have a chronic health condition like arthritis, neuropathy, or obesity that makes it difficult to move around? These aren’t the only questions you can ask when doing a strength self-inventory. But they’re a good place to start—and a great set of questions to go over with your doctor who can help you figure out your next steps, such as getting a referral to physical therapy. 2 . Eat More Protein Adults should consume at least 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. That’s equivalent to at least 54 grams per day for a 150-pound, 50-year-old woman—and she’ll need more if she exercises. (To calculate your own protein intake, visit www.calculator. net/protein-calculator.html.) Recent studies suggest that older adults might even need to consume more than this in order to counteract the negative effects of age-related muscle loss and stave off sarcopenia. Eating more protein might be a tall order for you if you find yourself eating less as you age. To

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beef up your diet (no pun intended), prioritize protein-rich foods like meat, fish, eggs, and beans, and aim for at least 20 grams of protein per meal. 3. Get Moving—And Stay Moving The sooner you make exercise a part of your daily life, the better. Think of it like digging a well: the more muscle mass and strength you have going into your senior years (the deeper you build your well), the more you’ll have to draw from as you start to lose some of that muscle in the normal process of aging. That said, it’s never too late to start exercising. Lift weights. Walk every day. Find enjoyable ways to stay active and always start where you are—doing too much too soon could lead to an injury that will put you right back on the couch. And always talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise program, especially if you’re being medically supervised or have a chronic health condition. BHB

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FARM

CHARM

By Sarah Grassel

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History


More than 110 years ago, the first generation of McGuigans settled in the Northern Black Hills and began their journey through agricultural heritage. Today, Mike McGuigan, a fourth-generation rancher, along with his two children and grandchildren are continuing their legacy and expanding the ranch’s efforts. Coming from eastern South Dakota, the McGuigans were forced to move west after Elk Point flooded out in a five year streak. Unfortunately, not far from that, the farm fell during the Great Depression, like many other Americans. Mike explains how they kept the farm in the family even after the hardships. “My grandmother bought it back from the bank... Then my dad bought it from his mom, then I bought it from my dad, and this is where we are now.”

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After repossessing the farm, Mike’s father transitioned the farm into dairy. As time progressed, the dairy industry began to dry up and the ranch then moved to beef cows in 2001. Now, twenty years later, the farm has become (mostly) cow-free. Alongside their father, Curtis McGuigan, Heather (McGuigan) Koerner, and Mike have run a haying operation throughout the country. It doesn’t stop there, though. The family has recently started a new experience at the farm to invite visitors and the community to engage in and be educated on agricultural life.

Son Curtis McGuigan always had a dream of getting people out to explore the farm life that he was a part of as a kid. “After a 48-state tour and visiting with people along the way, it only made him want to pursue his dream further,” Mike adds. With the whole family on board, the idea of the “McGuigan Farm Experience” started becoming a reality last summer as they put the gears in the grind. The hope was to open in 2020, but the family was set back due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The extra time allowed them to wait things out and make the experience better for customers this year. “The goal is to try to create a ‘buffer’ zone of sorts between the city and country life,” Mike says. “Not everyone has the opportunity to go to their grandparents’ farm anymore, as was common practice in the past.” An experience like this does not come without its challenges, though. Farms aren’t always the cleanest or safest places to be. From equipment to animal droppings and weeds to puddles from our

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usual heavy rains, landscaping has become a lot of work for the family. They recently purchased a windmill to restore and relocate on the property, have dug out a beautiful pond that will be surrounded by flowers and connect with a rock-bed stream, and have dreams of much more. “We keep improving upon the yard and getting ideas and feedback from customers for fantastic things to add in the future,” Mike adds optimistically. As of right now, all but the marketing side of the business has been kept in the family. Mike’s grandchildren help out with the chores, feeding and tending to the cows, chickens, sheep, and pigs. His son and daughter help with the day-to-day farming operations and tours when needed.

4th generation of McGuigans

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Mike says, “The goal is trying to do as much work as possible ourselves and to try and source as many things locally as we can.” The McGuigan Farm Experience educates children and families about where their food comes from and what farming and ranching is all about and gives people a chance to get dirty. According to the South Dakota Department of Tourism, there is a big demand for people wanting to visit farms or ranches. Mike adds, “Everyone we speak to is very excited and interested in the idea of this experience.” Right now, the family offers a small series of packages. From the Basic Farmyard Package, which includes tours of the farm, actual experience to work alongside Mike and Curtis, and their signature event, the Campfire series, there’s something for everyone. Tours take you throughout the farmyard and give customers the raw view of what day-to-day operations are. Customers hear a history of the farm from the family themselves. When the kids are there, they can find their way through the small hay maze, play in the corn box, pet and feed the animals, and enjoy a few hours out in the fresh air! Mike closes, “It is an ever-changing plan to adapt to growth and new ideas we have ourselves or that others offer us.” BHB

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PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY SOLUTION Rapid City, SD- Are you experiencing numbness, tingling, or pain in the hands and feet? Are you finding it difficult to balance and have a fear of falling? It’s possible you have Peripheral Neuropathy which is caused by nerve damage. Over time our nerves experience a loss of blood supply from constriction which leads to degeneration. A damaged nerve will start to send abnormal signals to the brain which will bring sensations of burning, tingling, and intense pain. Further, more serious progression of nerve damage will present as numbness. If the sensation loss is found in the feet, the serious risk of falling becomes more prevalent. Nerve damage in your hands could lead to weaken grip and dropping things. Figure 1

Figure 1 provides a visual of what happens when the blood vessels that surround the nerve become constricted and shrivel up. This prevents the nerve from getting the blood supply and nutrients it needs to survive. As these nerves begin to degenerate it leads to Peripheral Neuropathy. The problem is you may have been told your options are either to just live with it or take prescription drugs that may temporarily reduce your symptoms but come with uncomfortable and serious side effects. Now for some good news. There is a facility right here in Rapid City, SD that offers hope for relief without having to take drugs with harmful side effects.

Figure 2: Just as plant’s roots grow when watered, the blood vessels will grow back around the nerves.

Our treatments return blood flow and nutrients to the effected area to stimulate the growth and repair of blood vessels and peripheral nerves. The only way to determine the amount of treatment needed for nerves to recover is to run a painless, detailed neurological and vascular evaluation. There is still hope even if you have sustained 85% nerve damage.

Ariann Wolff, Acupuncturist at West River Acupuncture and Wellness, will perform a Three Factors to Effectively neuropathy severity examination to determine the extent of the Treat Neuropathy: nerve damage for only $40, which 1) Find the Underlying Cause consists of detailed sensory and 2) Evaluate the amount of nerve vascular testing along with an damage analysis of neurological findings. 3) Determine the amount of treatment required Ariann will be offering this examination from now until Goals of Treatment: Wednesday, October 6th. 1) Increase Blood Flow 2) Stimulate Nerve Fibers 3) Decrease Pain

Call 605-205-5177 to find out if you are a candidate for our program.

ACUPUNCTURE IS OFTEN THE LAST RESORT WITH THE BEST RESULTS

NOW OPEN in RAPID CITY

343 Quincy St. Suite 105 Rapid City, SD 57701 STOP HURTING, START LIVING AGAIN

YOU DON'T HAVE TO JUST LIVE WITH IT

CALL TODAY (605)205-5177 to SCHEDULE

WestRiverAcupuncture.com


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