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Inside this issue
Dr. Willard’s Water: Q&A with CEO John Willard, III Business 6
There’s An App For That
Science and Technology
Reflect on the Cold War Era at Minuteman Missile History
Deadwood Gaming: Betting on a Bright Future Feature
Cruisin' for a Boozin'
20
A Tisket, A Tasket...
24
Arts & Entertainment Sports & Hobbies
Four Tips for Making Exercise More Joint Friendly 26 Health & Wellness
10
A Grand Time with the Grandkids on a Staycation Home & Garden
28
Four Must Haves for a Meaningful Food Experience Lifestyle
32
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The Coolest Generation Family
34
Dr. Willard’s Water: How one local scientist’s discovery became a lucrative, global family business. Q&A with grandson and current CEO, John Willard III.
Tell us about Dr. Willard’s Water’s origin? My grandfather, Dr. John Willard Sr., was a chemist and he invented a product he called Catalyst Activated Water in the mid-1960’s. The product is a proprietary water additive that stimulates a number of biological activities such as digestion, cellular absorption, antioxidant activity and several other things. After conducting a few years of tests in conjunction with a biologist friend at Purdue, Dr. T.W. Perry, my grandfather, realized he’d invented something pretty special so he began to set up a company to sell the product. He founded CAW Industries (Catalyst Activated Water) in 1973 and we’ve been in continuous business since. The catalyst today is sold all over the world in just about every
In the early years the company was really run out of my grandfather’s basement where he manufactured the product and we often spent our Saturdays helping to fill bottles and apply labels. In 1980 the news program 60 Minutes did a story on my grandfather and his invention and that story really launched the company worldwide. Thanks to that interview, we were able to start bottling en masse at a manufacturing facility and my dad and uncle joined the business full-time. When my grandfather died in 1991 my dad and uncle co-ran the company and that relationship lasted until my uncle died. I took over as CEO in 2011.
Were you always interested in being part of the family business?
capacity one can imagine. There’s money to be
Anyone who has been involved in a family business
made in stimulating biological functions including
knows that the one thing you can count on when
a microbial soil enhancer, cosmetic ingredient,
working with family is discord within the family. My
plant additive, specialty beverage and everything in
sister and I grew up watching my dad deal with what
between.
seemed to be a constant flow of arguments with his
How did the company transition throughout your family over the decades?
dad and brother, so we were both very wary of entering the family business. However, I’d worked for the business during summer breaks in college and spent
6
Business is Booming
a good deal of time with my grandfather discussing the invention and, most importantly, his dreams for the company so I guess it’s safe to say I always thought it was a possibility someday.
Are there advantages to having your headquarters in the Black Hills? More than 99% of our annual income is derived from sales beyond the borders of South Dakota so
Were there any transitioning plans developed within your family?
in all honesty, I’ve often said that Rapid City is not
There were transition plans for when my grandfather
There are inherent difficulties such as transportation
died but nothing really for when my dad and uncle had either passed on or retired so that transition
the ideal place to have our manufacturing facility. costs, gaining raw materials and even labor is becoming difficult, so these are all issues that present
period was difficult, to say the least.
challenges unique to the Black Hills. However, the
In what ways has the business expanded since its beginning?
government officials that we would definitely not
small state allows for intimate relationships with have in larger states and that’s been a tremendous
My grandfather originally began working on the
help in our recent expansion. For example, we’ve
product as a trace mineral water derived from lignite
received a good deal of assistance, both financial
with a goal of using it to stimulate livestock growth.
and personal advice, from Jeff Haverly with the
The invention of catalyst activated water was
Governor’s Office of Economic Development. In
actually a happy accident during the lignite water
addition, Senator Thune’s office played an early, key
development process, so our evolution is well beyond
role in helping to develop our African PlantCatalyst
what my grandfather originally envisioned. Today,
expansion. A small company like ours would never
his invention is sold in ways he never dreamed such
have gotten that kind of attention in a larger
as a cosmetic ingredient in Japan, a poultry growth
state. There are also corporate and personal tax
enhancer in Egypt, a plant additive in Zambia, a
advantages to being located in South Dakota which
fertilizer ingredient in South Korea, and a beverage
definitely helps to offset some of the inherent
enhancer that people can buy at stores like Whole
difficulties in transportation and supply.
Foods or locally at The Market. It’s safe to say my
What do you hope to see for the future of Dr. Willard’s Water?
grandfather never envisioned this kind of multidimensional worldwide presence.
Dr. Willard with his sons John Jr. (left) and Bill (right) in the late 1960’s Business is Booming
7
particularly interested in poverty and food security and even traveled to eastern Africa in the 1980’s to present his product as a part of the solution to famine and poverty in the region. He was ultimately unsuccessful in those efforts and the failure impacted his last years as he often expressed regret over it. When I took over as CEO, my primary goal for the company was to help achieve my grandfather’s dream so I immediately began formulating a long-term plan for doing agricultural work in developing nations that involved several CEO John Willard, III. meeting with African farmers
research projects, partnerships with non-profits
about the use of his product to enhance crop growth.
focused on agricultural development and targeted country outreach. Today, I’m happy to say that farmers in three African nations are using my
My grandfather always hoped that his invention would have a lasting positive impact on mankind and that idealism colored his later years. He was
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Business is Booming
grandfather’s PlantCatalyst to grow more crops and put more money in their pockets. I hope to continue building on that foundation to expand to several other African nations and around the world.
S
to communicate with them the way
ometimes it’s as simple as using it to figure out
they want to.”
where to go for dinner, but more and more older adults are using Smartphone apps to make their lives
Though more seniors have taken
easier, according to research.
to their Smartphones, there is still room to grow when it comes
According to the Pew Research Center, 4 in ten
to the apps. In a study done by
seniors now own Smartphones – more than double
the Pew Research Center, a
of those who did in 2013. And with every Smartphone
little more than half of 18-29
comes a plethora of apps that offer tools to save
year-old cell phone users have
time and money, provide entertainment or help
downloaded an app, but only 11
manage life. “Gadgets have increased the quality of life,” said Meghan Hoy, marketing manager for A Place for Mom, a business that helps families find local resources for seniors. “Smartphones and apps do two things – it helps seniors increase their independence and it helps
There’s an App for That DISCOVER Convenience with Apps
them communicate better
by Kayla Gahagan
with their loved ones.We regularly partner with seniors and their families who are increasingly utilizing technology,” Hoy said. “This aging population is just more tech savvy and they need information available to them on their Smartphones,” she said. “We need to be able
10
Science & Technology
percent of cell phone users age 50 and older have done so. Hoy thinks a change is on the horizon. “In the next five years, I think there’s going to be a big change in the app market,” she said. “It’s going to become more popular. Seniors are learning and adapting to new technology and that’s only going to grow.” Leah Ganschow, association state director of AARP South Dakota, said they have witnessed the rise of Smartphones and view them as another tool for seniors. The association has held classes in communities across the state to help beginners improve their confidence and skills. “The technology is a great tool,” Ganschow said, “including providing assistance with healthy living, medication management, financial account monitoring and financial management.” “We support technologies that can help people of all ages live a healthier life, try new things and stay connected to the people they love,” she said. “We hope apps will continue to help support family caregivers, improve financial security and encourage lifelong learning and exploration.” It’s one of the reasons, why the association supports the state’s broadband expansion. “We know in order for smartphones to be a useful tool to all South Dakotans, wireless internet service needs to be expanded to all parts of our state,” she said. “But Smart-
Science & Technology
11
phones – and their apps – don’t come without some risks,” she added. The AARP Fraud Watch Network encourages cell phone users to be cautious when using public Wi-Fi and to update passwords regularly. Hoy agreed. “Make sure that the apps you are downloading are approved through Google Play or the app store,” she said. If you’re unsure of where to go, here are the 9 most useful apps for seniors, according to a Place for Mom: AARP Now App (free) This app gives you senior-specific news, shares events happening locally and tells you what discounts you qualify for with your AARP membership. EyeReader by NetSoft ($1.99 iOS) If you hate reading restaurant menus by candlelight, you may find this magnifying glass app handy. Simply hold your phone over any text and the EyeReader will magnify it and light it up for you. Find My iPhone (free) Never lose your pricey iPhone or iPad with this app. If you leave your phone somewhere or it gets stolen, this app will find it. Life360 (free iOS) No more asking your family to call to ensure they’ve arrived home safely. This app uses GPS tracking to keep track of family members as they attend school, vacations or work and they can keep track of you, too.
12
Science & Technology
Lyft (free to download, but pay as you use) You’ve heard the buzz surrounding Lyft and Uber, but did you know these services are particularly useful for seniors? No more calling for a taxi and fumbling with cash or card. With just a couple clicks, you can have a car at your service to take you anywhere: the airport, doctor’s appointments, a party or the theatre. The payment’s already set up, so you don’t have to worry about paying or even tipping (although both Lyft and Uber accept tips now). Senior Savings ($.99 iOS) Find out which grocery stores, hotels, restaurants and theaters offer senior discounts in this app. Silver Surf (free for iOS) iPads and smartphones can be hard to use because of the tiny buttons and text, and it can be impossible for the visually impaired. This app allows you to enlarge buttons and text on iPads and iPhones. FaceTime or Skype (free) Use FaceTime or Skype to visually connect with your children, grandkids or friends in far places. It’s truly like having your favorite people in your living room – without the mess. You have to download Skype, but FaceTime comes already loaded on all Apple products. Yahoo! Weather (free) There are 100s of weather apps, but Yahoo! Weather is worth downloading because it has a beautiful design and it’s simple to use. It allows you to track the weather for your location up to five days out and it includes radar maps.
Science & Technology
13
Reflect on the Cold War Era at Minuteman Missile
by Molly Barari
Imagine taking a drive from Belle Fourche down to
their lives. I graduated from high school in 1991,
Belvidere, weaving your way through the beautiful
and there was still an element of fear underlying
Black Hills and passed the striking Badlands.
everything. It goes back to what these weapons are:
Then picture this: The Minuteman Missile system
tremendously destructive. They can erase a city off
stretched across that entire landscape during the
the face of the earth. One of the ironies of the park
Cold War with 150 missiles placed along the terrain,
is that nuclear missiles have not really gone away.”
hidden in plain sight but kept on constant alert. The South Dakota system was part of an arsenal of 1,000 total missiles.
celebrates its 20th anniversary as a national park this fall. “How do you tell the story of
The missile system was
a dispersed missile system?”
developed, operated and
asked Leonard. “Well, you have
maintained as a nuclear
to visit three different places to
deterrent in hopes that
get the whole story.”
Russia would not fire first. Now the Minuteman Missile Site is part of the national park system, serving as a historic site to preserve the story and culture of the Cold War era.
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The Minuteman Missile Site
The site spans a 15-mile stretch of highway. Visitors can view an actual Minuteman missile at the missile silo, which is free and open daily year round. The control center can be seen from behind the gate
“It’s a story of vigilance — a question of how do we
year round; but to ride the elevator underground
as a nation protect ourselves?” said Eric Leonard,
into the control center, visitors must make
superintendent of Minuteman Missile National
reservations for ranger-led tours. The visitor center,
Historic Site. “For Baby Boomers, this is the story
located off I-90 at the gateway of the Badlands,
of their childhood and early adulthood. That fear
is free and open daily year round. Leonard
of nuclear war was a constant presence during
encourages people to visit all three sites, and for
History
those who wish to see the control center, to purchase tickets by May for the summer season. Leonard said the Minuteman Missile Historic Site is unique because it goes from the mundane to the extraordinary quickly. “When visitors drive up to the control center, it’s basically a ranch-style house inside a fenced gate with weird antennas. But if you do the tour, you get to go through the compound. The top side of it was used for personnel, and then you get into the elevator — which was designed to hold two air force officers — and go 30 feet underground to the control center where the officers had direct control over 10 nuclear missiles and a squadron of 50.” The control center is shaped like a submarine, and space is limited inside its chambers, which is why reservations are required. The Delta-09 missile silo is located six miles east of Wall. “Anyone can walk up and look down to see what was once the gateway to Armageddon — a missile pointing right up at you,” said Leonard. “This immense technological power was buried at the ready.” Leonard said it’s important for younger generations to understand the dynamics of the time period surrounding the Cold War. “It’s an opportunity to talk about defense; our air force is still committed to the mission of maintaining peace and preventing nuclear war,” he said. “It’s also a way to look at the landscape differently. For permanent residents and natives of South Dakota, it was just a part of your life to have the missile fields nearby. This story connects multiple decades, because it’s not just a military story — it’s a story about culture and community.” For more information about the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, visit www.nps.gov/mimi/.
History
15
DEADWOOD GAMING Betting on a Bright Future by Emily Pitz Just a few decades ago, Deadwood was a near ghost town with boarded up buildings and dusty remnants of the Wild West. People would stop to see where Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and Seth Bullock became famous, but would then be on their way. The fall of 1989 brought a shift in Deadwood’s history with legalized gaming. No one imagined just how revolutionary introducing gambling would be for the town. At the time, it was only the third venue in the country to permit legal gambling, along with Nevada and Atlantic City, New Jersey. Today, Deadwood gaming is a major economic force in the northern Black Hills, generating nearly $100 million in
Photo courtesy of: South Dakota Tourism
16
Feature
gaming revenues. The gaming industry has created 1175 jobs for Deadwood with employees earning over $46,000,000 in wages, benefits and tips. While millions of dollars of tax revenue are invested back into revitalizing and providing about one-third of the state tourism budget annually. Gaming is also an important partner with state tourism, driving visitation to the northern Black Hills. Mike Rodman has been a pillar of Deadwood since the beginning of legalized gambling. He started as a partner of Silverado Gaming Complex, then Four Aces Casino, and most recently as the Executive Director of the Deadwood Gaming Association. In this role he advocates for Deadwood casinos and is the voice of the gaming industry in the state legislature, local government and media. Rodman also helped to create the business
Mike Rodman, Deadwood Gaming
improvement district, BID 8, which includes 13 Deadwood hotel owners. BID 8’s purpose is to improve Deadwood by: 1) supporting the Main Street Initiative, which includes the downtown project, Outlaw Square 2) generating new and additional entertainment events 3) developing and expanding recreational tourism and 4) promoting Deadwood as a tourist destination. According to Rodman, last year Deadwood gaming revenue was up, and the first two months of 2019 were indicative of a very stable market. But in this industry, continued growth is always the goal. Rodman points out integrated gaming resorts are an important element of keeping Deadwood competitive. The additions of craps, roulette, keno and increased betting limits in recent years has helped to generate momentum. The next step in their plan for positioning Deadwood as a gaming destination is by allowing sports betting. Last May, the U.S. Supreme Court overruled the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), a federal gambling statute that prohibited legalized sports betting in many U.S. states. This was a major breakthrough and will now allow each state to determine and establish its own regulated sports betting laws. Ten states are already allowing it, but there is still work to be done to bring sports betting to Deadwood. The Deadwood Gaming Association believes the people of
Feature
17
South Dakota should have the opportunity to
customers and provide what they are asking for.
decide whether or not they want sports wagering
Rodman reports preliminary polling supports adding
in Deadwood. The first phase was to draft a
the sports betting amendment to the 2020 ballot. If
constitutional amendment and present it to the
all goes as hoped and the amendment is added to
South Dakota State Legislature to allow wagering
the ballot and then voted in, rules will also have to be
on sports events as a type of gaming in Deadwood.
approved by legislation, making July 1st, 2021, the
The amendment was successful in the Senate but
earliest legal sports betting would be up and running
fell short of the needed votes on the floor of the
in Deadwood.
House. Disappointment with the lack of support by legislators has not deterred those who are hoping to bring sports betting to town. Instead, they are using this time to regroup and initiate an effort to achieve a ballot referendum by gathering 33,000+ required signatures before November. This will allow voters to decide for themselves on the matter. “We believe South Dakota voters are in favor of bringing sports betting to Deadwood,” says Rodman. The Deadwood Gaming Association strives to always listen to their
If you’ve driven through Deadwood lately, you’ve noticed the efforts of the Main Street Initiative. The new welcome center on lower Main Street and construction on Outlaw Square, across from Franklin Hotel are just two of the visible endeavors. “This is gaming dollars at work. Reviving Deadwood and setting it up for the future,” explains Rodman. Deadwood Gaming Association also recognizes you might notice a few closed storefronts as you stroll down
Sports Betting in the United States The map displays states where sports betting is currently legal, where it has been approved but is not yet operational, where sports betting legislation has been introduced and is under consideration, and where sports betting legislation is reported to be forthcoming.
18
Feature
Main Street. Rodman acknowledges this and explains tourism is always evolving. Currently more retail offerings are popping up and he states shopping is a component of shaping Deadwood as an integrated travel destination experience. He’s also happy to see new hotels, like Tru by Hilton and he sees a need for even more hotels in Deadwood. As Deadwood looks back over the past 30 years, it is easy to recognize the prosperity gaming has brought to the area. It has created opportunities for the town to not only capitalize on its history, but offer employment and grow tourism in South Dakota. The town is considered a must-see destination in the Black Hills, says Rodman. “We’re excited to see what the future holds for Deadwood and we hope sports betting will soon be a part of visitors’ experience.” Photo courtesy of: South Dakota Tourism
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Feature
19
Cruisin’ for a boozin’ Black Hills Wine & Beer Masters By Kayla Gahagan
Just before it was to be filtered and bottled, Adam
during the day, hit a brewery at night and have a glass
Martinez handed fellow Firehouse Winery staff mem-
of wine at dinner.”
bers samples of a new roseʹ last week. “We’ve been tasting it since the grapes first arrived,
in Rapid City, joined the scene three years ago, open-
since mid-September,” said Michelle Pawelski, gener-
ing in the same building as Black Hills Bicycles and
al manager at the Firehouse. “It’s fun when we get to
Peak Sports on Omaha Street.
walk through this process.”
“We’re making beer as fast as people can drink it,”
The fifth anniversary celebration of the Firehouse Win-
Scheitler said, and that means 18 taps rotating at a
ery this month is just one stepping stone in a colorful
time.
wine and beer trail throughout the Black Hills. The art of perfecting the perfect brew or finest glass of wine starts in places like Belle Joli Vineyards in Belle Fourche and Naked Winery and Sick N Twisted Brewery Co. in Hill City. “Both wine and beer industries have grown during the last decade and it’s nothing but good for the region,” said Kara Sweet, wine club manager at the Firehouse Winery. “The Black Hills have become known as having a big metropolis culture and the feel of a small city,” she said. “We have great wine, beer and restaurants and people have come to expect that. All the industries can work together. You can go see Mt. Rushmore 20
Jesse Scheitler, co-owner of Lost Cabin Beer Company
Arts & Entertainment
Scheitler and business partner Tom Silbernagel kicked off the business after their longtime home-brewing hobby grew too large. “It got to the point where we had 14 beers on tap in the garage and realized we needed to dial back or dive in,” he said, laughing. “So, we convinced our wives to let us jump off the financial cliff.” It was worth the risk, he said. Their families help out, and their customers have become part of their tightknit community. “We’re just trying to have fun and make beer,” he said. With their location next to outdoor businesses, Lost
Cabin caters to the outdoor crowd, he said. Their Father-in-Lager and Lord Grizzly Scotch Ale are favorites among customers. They started canning a couple of years ago, and just last month started offering 16 oz. cans along with their 32 oz. growlers. “We’re going to keep experimenting and having fun,” Scheitler said. He expects the same from his competitors – who are actually more like comrades. “No matter where you are in the Black Hills, you can find a brewery,” he said. “Everyone has a different flavor and a different brand. We collaborate, we work together and share beers and ideas.” Casey Nordine, tap room hospitality manager at Miner Brewing Company, agreed. The company is an arm of Prairie Berry Winery near Hill City and opened almost five years ago. “Each brewery in the Hills is unique and it’s not one stepping on another,” he said. “We’re all doing something our own way and that’s what makes it fun.” Miner Brewing is set apart, by their female brewmaster Sandy Vojta, who started Prairie Berry two decades ago. In her native Czechoslovakia, female brewmasters are common. Here, “it’s very counter-cultural,” Nordine said, and Vojta goes out of her way to support other females interested in brewing beer or making wine. The company recently hosted a tasting panel for the Pink Boots organization, which supports females in the brewing industry.
Arts & Entertainment
21
They, too, have seen growth. “When we started, we were in one small room with five or six on tap,” Nordine said. “Now we have
17 beers on tap and we have
an expanded space and concerts on the lawn. Every year is different than the last and that’s a good thing.” Back in Rapid City at the Firehouse, Pawelski and Sweet think back to the time that the Firehouse Brewing Company helped pioneer the first laws governing the industry as it was the first of its kind in South Dakota. Adding wine was the perfect fit, they say. Co-owner and Old Folsom Vineyard Grape grower Mike Gould had a deep love of wine and the vineyard to supply the grapes. “It was a wonderful counterpart to the brewery,” Pawelski said. The winery focuses on the traditional grape wines, and less of the sweet, fruit-based wines. Bestsellers include a riesling-based Mythical Beast, a cabernet sauvignon and a white, sauvignon blanc. Wine club members enjoy an annual kick-off to the harvest season with a party at the Old Folsom vineyard. Pawelski said it’s an honor to be part of such a great landscape of wineries and breweries in the hills. “We’re excited about being part of the beer and wine culture here,” she said. “It’s grown immensely since 1991 and to be on the forefront of that is exciting.”
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Arts & Entertainment
#DRINK LOCAL Local Wineries
Local Breweries Rapid City Dakota Point Brewing Firehouse Brewing Company Hay Camp Brewing Company Lost Cabin Beer Company Zymurcracy Beer Company Hill City Miner Brewing Company Sick-N-Twisted Brewery Spearfish Crow Peak Brewing Company Sawyer Brewing Company Spearfish Brewing Company
Sturgis The Knuckle Brewing Company
Hill City Naked Winery Stone Faces Winery Prairie Berry Winery Firehouse Smokejumper Station
Custer Mt. Rushmore Brewing Company
Rapid City Firehouse Wine Cellars
Hot Springs Highway 79 Brewing Company
Sturgis Belle Joli Winery
Lead Dakota Shivers Brewing
Deadwood Schade Winery
Arts & Entertainment
23
A tisket, a tasket
Hot Air and a Wicker Basket by Heidi Bell Gease There are lots of ways to see the Black Hills: from the back of a motorcycle, through a window of the 1880 Train, from the vantage point of Black Elk Peak, but for many people, nothing beats floating above the trees and lakes in a hot air balloon. “It’s a different kind of sensation,” said Keely Mahony, who owns Black Hills Balloons with her husband Damien. “It’s just so surreal and beautiful that I think you kind of forget that you’re in the air, in a weird way.” Black Hills Balloons has taken thousands of people flying over the Hills since Steve Bauer launched the business in the mid-1980s. He decided to sell it a few years ago, just as the Mahony’s were tiring of their fasterpaced life in Orlando, Florida. “We thought we wanted a different kind of life,” said Keely, who was spending long hours at her job in marketing with Hard Rock International. Damien, a native of Ireland, was managing Orlando Balloon Rides and flying the largest hot air balloon in the U.S. The couple had vacationed in the Black Hills several times before. “Damien fell in love with the area and with the flying here,” Keely said. “It’s really challenging but really beautiful.” The transition seemed meant to be. The Mahonys have brought new energy to the 30-year-old business, and Bauer has had the opportunity to stay on as a pilot without worrying about the details. Weather permitting, Black Hills Balloons offers flights each morning at sunrise from May 1 through October 31. You can also arrange for an off-season flight if conditions allow. Balloons lift off at sunrise, when the weather is most stable. Warm updrafts and winds often pick up on summer afternoons, and those
Photo courtesy of: Black Hills Balloons
24
Sports & Hobbies
are things balloon pilots prefer to avoid. “We
for the day. Tourists who want to fly are encour-
just want to make sure we have the safest flight
aged to pick a day early in their stay so they can
possible,” Keely said.
reschedule if necessary.
Black Hills Balloons is based out of Custer.
Local residents often book flights for special oc-
Customers generally meet their pilot and crew
casions: birthdays, anniversaries, proposals, etc.
about 30 minutes before sunrise in Custer and
For others, ballooning is a ‘bucket list’ item. Black
then travel to the launch site, where they receive
Hills Balloons operates three balloons capable of
a quick briefing from the pilot.
carrying between four and 12 people, allowing
It takes about 20 minutes for the balloon to inflate, at which time the pilot signals passengers to board the gondola. Flights last approximately one hour and end with a traditional champagne toast. Depending on weather and available landing sites, balloons may travel just above the treetops or a few thousand feet in the air.
people to share the experience with friends. The Mahonys recommend booking at least two weeks out but if you plan on flying with a large group (4 or more), give yourself a month to be sure you get the day you want. Since the Mahonys bought the business they’ve built a stronger online presence and tapped into social media to spread the word about their flights. It’s also possible now to book your flight
That may sound scary, but Keely said the feeling
online, although the couple is happy to visit with
of balloon flight is unique because the craft
anyone who has questions or fears.
moves with the wind. If you closed your eyes during a launch, “you could be 300 or 400 feet in the air before you even noticed the movement,” she said. That may be why people who don’t like heights often do fine on a balloon flight. It can’t hurt that the scenery below is spectacular.
For Keely, one of the best parts of the business is watching first-time fliers take in the whole experience. “It’s a lot of fun,” she said. “Everybody’s here to have a good time. You can’t beat that, right?” A flight costs $295 per adult and $245 for children
“The valleys in the Custer area are just so nice for
ages 4 to 12. Pilots like to say that the cost of
flying,” Keely said. The balloons frequently fly
your second flight often includes the price of a
over Custer State Park, where passengers may
balloon and a pilot’s license.
spot buffalo, antelope, mountain goats and other wildlife from a unique vantage point. “I think Custer is this special little place. We have some perfect flying conditions a lot of the days.”
You can also visit with Black Hills Balloons pilots and watch a launch at several special events during the summer, including Gold Discovery Days in Custer July 20-21, the Fall River Hot Air
The weather doesn’t cooperate every day. If it’s
Festival Aug. 24-25 in Hot Springs, and the 10th
foggy or rainy at sunrise, balloons are grounded
Stratobowl Hot Air Launch Sept. 13-15.
Sports & Hobbies
25
4 Tips for Making Exercise More Joint-Friendly By Sara McEvoy Joint pain – including the swelling, stiffness, and
that it’s better to ramp up slowly than to do too much
reduced mobility that often comes with it – can be a
too soon and risk an injury. Bump up activity level
source of daily frustration. Even simple tasks like typing
gradually, even by as little as 5 to 10 minutes per
emails, putting away groceries, and walking up stairs
session, until reaching the recommended amount of
can become profoundly difficult when dealing with
150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per
chronic discomfort.
week (just 30 minutes a day for five days).
To add insult to injury, the thought of engaging in
Even making the commitment to walk and stand more
exercise may seem out of reach for anyone who
throughout the day can be a great place to start.
experiences regular joint pain and dysfunction. But while it may seem counterintuitive, regular physical
A proper warm-up before a workout reduces the risk of
activity is essential for maintaining or improving joint
joint injury and helps a person get the most out of their
health. In fact, according to the Arthritis Foundation,
exercise. Warm-ups should focus on increasing blood
exercise is considered the best drug-free treatment for
flow and tissue pliability in the areas of the body which
osteoarthritis, a leading cause of joint pain.
will be used most during the session.
So what kinds of exercise are best for joint health, and
Great warm-up exercises include arm circles, leg swings,
how can exercises be modified to prevent joint pain and
sit to stands from a chair, and easy walking or cycling.
damage?
A proper warm-up doesn’t need to take more than five
Build Up Your Tolerance Slowly Joints, muscles, and other connective tissues need
to ten minutes, but should be enough to get your heart rate up slightly.
adequate time to adapt to the physical demands of
While static stretching may improve joint range of
exercise. This is true for people with painful or healthy
motion, it should be reserved for the end of a workout.
joints.
Pre-workout stretching may weaken muscles during
Avoid the weekend warrior mentality and remember
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Warm Up Properly
Health & Wellness
exercise, and multiple systematic reviews of scientific
research show that stretching before a workout
people who are new to exercise should defer to their
doesn’t reduce the risk of injury anyway.
physician before beginning a new exercise program.
Focus on Low Impact Movements and Mechanics
Consulting with a physical therapist or personal
Biomechanical research shared by Harvard Medical
trainer can also be beneficial. These professionals can
School shows that even normal walking increases
ensure that new exercises are performed correctly,
the amount of force transmitted through the knees
progressed safely, and prescribed appropriately given
by as much as two to three times bodyweight. With
individual needs and factors. They may also be able
this in mind, it’s not hard to imagine how high impact
to recommend braces, orthotics, and other devices
activities like jumping and running can impose
or tools which can further assist with joint health and
significant strain on the joints.
protection.
When it comes to joint-healthy exercise, low impact is
Remember: regular physical activity is essential for
preferred over high impact. Anyone concerned about
better joint health. Find an exercise program that
their joint health should opt for exercises like walking,
is safe and well-suited to your individual needs and
cycling, rowing, and swimming. Avoid movements
goals—and keep moving.
which lead to undue strain on the joints, including twisting, pivoting, and pounding.
Sara McEvoy, PT, DPT is a licensed and board certified Doctor of Physical Therapy.
Also, take care to optimize posture in any given position. For example, ensure that the knees don’t cave in or push forward relative to the feet while squatting or stepping. Avoid slouching with the spine and rounding forward with the shoulders. Instead, begin exercises with the spine supported in an upright yet relaxed position, with the shoulders down and back. Here’s a quick way to find a decent upright spinal posture in sitting or standing: slouch completely, then straighten up as much as possible. From this exaggerated position, relax slightly. The ears, shoulders, and hips should all be in line. Resistance training is also beneficial, as it helps build strength and stability around the joints. Low impact accessory exercises prescribed by a trainer or physical therapist, such as shoulder Ts, I’s, and Y’s, can also be used to address specific problem areas. Consult With a Professional Older adults, anyone with an injury or illness, and
Health & Wellness
27
A Grand Time with the Grandkids on a Staycation by Merissa Alink
Another year and vacation prices keep rising. The
dawn to dusk so you have plenty of time to explore
cost of hotels, flights, and various activities can
what they have to offer. The Outdoor Campus
set you back and keep you home. The idea of the
provides 32 acres of trails, habitats, and other areas
staycation keeps becoming increasingly appealing to
to explore and learn, both indoor and outdoor. Make
those with families or grandchildren that want to go
sure you check out the community program flyer
on vacation but don’t want to spend a lot.
on their website to learn about the free programs
We are lucky to live in a tourist destination with plenty of activities we can do in the summer to keep busy. Here are some simple ideas about how you can plan a frugal, budget-friendly, and fun staycation with your children or grandchildren this year.
Places to Visit on Your Black Hills Staycation
around them. The best part is the Outdoor Campus is its free and located right in Rapid City so it’s easily accessible.
Keystone Walking Tour Just outside Rapid City to the south down Highway 16 you can find the tourist town of Keystone. Instead
Reptile Gardens
of heading straight into town, turn left at the first
Reptile Gardens is a neat little gem at the entrance
stoplight and head into Old Keystone. Simply follow
to the Black Hills right off Highway 16 on your way to
the numbered signs around town and learn all about
Mt Rushmore. It’s only a few miles outside of Rapid
the historic buildings there and who lived in them.
City so it’s easy to drive to. Reptile Gardens offers
If you visit between June and August make sure to
many fun exhibits like Prairie Dog Town, the Giant
also stop in the Keystone Schoolhouse as part of your
Tortoise, the Sky Dome and much more. If you are
tour. It’s free to visit and features many historical
a local Black Hills resident, make sure you ask for a
photographs and memorabilia from the area along
Resident Pass when you pay for your first ticket of
with a large collection of Carrie Ingalls items. The
the season. The Resident Pass will allow you to visit
walking tour is free.
Reptile Gardens for the rest of the season for free after you pay for that first ticket!
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and activities they offer so you can plan your visit
Dinosaur Park Located in Rapid City up on beautiful Skyline Drive
The Outdoor Campus
overlooking the city, Dinosaur Park is another great
The Outdoor Campus is a wonder on the west side
free attraction. There are 7 large concrete dinosaur
of Rapid City. They are open 7 days a week from
exhibits and the exhibits are open until 10pm. Kids
Home & Garden
are free to play and climb on the dinosaurs. It’s a
to check out and the fish hatchery is located right
great place to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy at the top
next to Spearfish Park, a great place for a picnic with
of the hill.
a huge playground for the little ones to run around
Museum of Geology The School of Mines Museum of Geology is a free
Storybook Island
must-see located in Rapid City. The museum features
Storybook Island has been around for decades
many full mounted skeletons of various dinosaurs,
and remains one of the best places to take
mammals, marine reptiles, and fish. There are several
children in Rapid City. Storybook Island is a free
displays with local minerals and gems along with
park featuring life size exhibits of your favorite
local fossils found in the Badlands. The museum is
storybook characters. Enter the park by walking into
free and open daily, including most holidays.
Cinderella’s Castle and then tour each of the dozens
DC Booth Fish Hatchery A family-favorite is the DC Booth Fish Hatchery.
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on.
of sets. Storybook Island also features a theater and train rides that will only set you back a few dollars.
The fish hatchery features many areas where you
South Dakota Air and Space Museum
can look at and feed the fish, plus several historical
The Black Hills is home to Ellsworth Air Force Base
exhibits throughout the grounds. Every exhibit is free
and the South Dakota Air and Space Museum. The
Home & Garden
museum features dozens of full-size flight craft exhibits that you can tour and learn about. The museum is open daily and is free for all (no military id required, it’s located right outside of the base gate). Of course, the Black Hills is also filled with a plethora of lakes, streams, trails, ghost towns, parks, and many more outdoor activities. If you really would like to keep things frugal, pack lunches on your activity days. There are so many parks in the Black Hills it’s fun just to bring your lunch along to your destination. Roads such as the one that goes through Spearfish Canyon
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and around Mt Rushmore have many roadside tables for a fun picnic. Enjoy your Black Hills Staycation with your grandchildren this summer!
Andy Bartling Modern Woodmen of America (605) 341-6115 628 1/2 6th Street, Suite 214 Rapid City, SD Andrew.J.Bartling@mwarep.org
An Authorized Independent Agent for
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Home & Garden
31
Four Must-Haves for a Meaningful Food Experience by Brittany Pruess The table is set and the flowers are placed;
with one of your favorite people by your side.
everything has been perfectly planned,
Hand-select what appeals to you, and then
curated, and prepared for the guests. People
let your senses take over and inspire the dish
arrive, they dine, they leave; and you are left
you will prepare. You should embrace the
to reflect on the moments captured. Reality
process slowly and intentionally. Europeans
hits, you spent the last month planning for
understand this concept better than anyone.
this event, slaved away over the meal, and
They will often start with their favorite artisan
kept everyone full and satisfied throughout
bread, local wine, or seasonal produce to
the dining experience; so why do you feel so
center a meal around. The food is seen not
depleted and empty?
only as a way of nourishing the body, but also
When defining the details of a meal consumes the experience and leave you starving for substance; you are left with an aesthetically pleasing event, but very little else. This summer I encourage you to set the stage for a memorable dining experience full of connection and seasonal spontaneity.
2 Include Your Guests in the Preparation of the Meal
Many hosts want their guests to relax and simply enjoy the meal prepared for them. However, when you allow guests to come together and get involved in the meal prep,
experience:
you open the door to deeper connection,
One fantastic way to switch up the dining experience this summer is to head to the local farmer’s market BEFORE you begin planning the meal. This may seem a bit foreign if you are used to planning a meal weeks, or even months, in advance; but I promise you creating a meal this way adds an extra element of enjoyment to your preparation.
Lifestyle
table.
Here are the key ingredients to create such an
1 Planning the Meal
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as a luxurious treat to be enjoyed around the
conversation, and a sense of lightness to be shared. For your next dining experience, consider asking a few of your closest friends and family over to help prepare the meal. Have someone open the bottle of wine, another select the music, one can slice and dice, and share in the experience of getting creative in the kitchen together. The preparation of food is paralleled to the preparation of meaningful
Consider waking up with the sun, preparing
conversation; both require nurturing,
your morning beverage, and slowly making
observation, and sensing what needs to be
your way toward your local farmer’s market
added.
3 Setting the Stage for the Experience As mentioned previously, aesthetics most certainly do play a role in curating a memorable dining experience, but it is in how you establish the details that take away from or add value to
selections, bring everyone into the kitchen, embrace the beauty of spontaneity, and soak up the experience before you. Highlight the moment with simple, yet intentional, décor and let the rest go. Get excited about and be inspired by the conversation you find around the table.
the meal before you. This summer remove what is trending from your décor arsenal; and fill it instead with the simple and the understated. Let the food and the conversation be the focus; the décor should enhance the purpose of the feast, not disguise its value. Your décor should tell a story of the people gathered around it.
4 The Secret Sauce of Letting It All Go
If you find yourself stuck in the planning mindset, there is a secret sauce to truly embracing spontaneity around the dinner table this summer. Let it all go- the planning, the preparation, the decorations, the cleaning. Call up your favorite people, pick a local spot with patio seating, and let the restaurant take care of the food so you can truly immerse yourself in the conversation and the amazing people before you. Although a few celebrations do require a month’s worth of planning, many occasions do not. When we put our energy into the fluffy details, we often neglect the depth of the meaningful experience around the table. This summer opt for seasonal
Lifestyle
33
The Coolest Generation by Dorothy Rosby Every generation since Adam and Eve has criticized
To call wallpaper, throw pillows and Mrs. Dash tragically
the next one for their music, fashion, work ethic and
uncool seems a little overdramatic. And the authors
inexperience, forgetting that all those same criticisms
are prone to sweeping generalizations too. As I read
were once leveled against them, also forgetting they
their “list of things that baby boomers think are cool,
raised the next generation.
but they so aren’t,” I realized I, an actual baby boomer,
And every generation since Cain and Abel has criticized the last one for being hopelessly out of touch, as
for that matter.
though they alone are “cool” and will be the first and
I’m a live-and-let-live kind of person myself, which I
only generation to remain that way forever.
think is one of my cooler qualities. And while I don’t
And so it goes, generation after generation, like some hereditary disease, young people forgetting they stand on the shoulders of the geezers who came before them
own them myself, if someone wants to wear airbrushed t-shirts and Crocs, I’m blissfully neutral about it, as I am about golf, scripted wall art and Yahoo.
and older people forgetting the whippersnappers will
I don’t even own a tragically uncool landline anymore,
soon be running things, possibly better than they did,
though I wish I did every time I misplace my cellphone
but certainly no worse.
somewhere in my house, which is fairly often.
That’s why I wasn’t surprised to see the following
I don’t play racquetball, but I think anyone who puts
article in my internet news feed recently: 25 Tragically
their smartphone down long enough to get up and
Uncool Things Baby Boomers Won’t Let Die. But I was
move their body is pretty cool.
surprised to find there were actually 65 items on the list, which suggests that proofreading might be one of the things the authors find tragically uncool. They didn’t mention their names, maybe fearing their grandmothers would stop sending them birthday money. Nor did they mention what generation they belong to—X, Y or Z. I’m sure in their minds that goes without saying. It’s the cool one.
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don’t find most of them cool at all—or tragically uncool
Family
I don’t type messages in all capital letters, another alleged uncool sin of baby boomers. You’ll notice I haven’t used all caps once in this entire piece. SO THERE! And I don’t “jump for joy” when I see a Reader’s Digest, as the authors claim boomers do. I don’t even subscribe to it, but if you do, more power to you. At least you’re reading something besides social media posts.
I do occasionally shop in malls, which are, according to the authors, tragically uncool since they can buy whatever they want online. I have two words for them:
Good vision isn’t out of sight.
Orange Julius. Besides, malls are staffed with people, some of them very cool, who need jobs.
In addition to Laser-assisted Cataract Surgery we offer:
I’ve been known to iron, but not because I think it’s
Comprehensive Eye Care
cool. I do it when my clothes look like I slept in them,
Microsurgical & Laser Treatment for Glaucoma
which is not cool at all. I’ll be happy to let email die and learn the next cool thing, but cool or not, people keep emailing me, so I better keep emailing them back.
Diabetic Retinopathy & Macular Degeneration Treatment Eyelid Surgeries Botox
I have neither the time nor the energy to discuss them all, but I will say that of all 65 items on the list of 25 tragically uncool things baby boomers supposedly love, there were only a few I’d call cool. My husband and I celebrated our 30th anniversary with a cruise this past summer, and I say don’t knock it till you’ve tried
Gail Bernard, MD Rebecca Linquist, MD Ophthalmology
LLP
The Eye Doctors
605.343.2020 • www.RapidCityMedicalCenter.com
it. Anyone who thinks meatloaf is uncool never ate my mom’s. And I enjoy an episode of NCIS now and then; it gives me something to watch while I iron. Somewhere between tragically uncool juice from concentrate and paying bills the old fashioned way, the authors managed to blame baby boomers for the Social Security predicament, though we don’t find that any cooler than they do
Celebrating 12 years of praCtiCe in the blaCk hills helping people manage pain; work through trauma
I’d advise them to start saving for retirement, because
and addictions; assist with fertility issues;
whether they believe it nor not, they’ll be older and
prepare for allergy season; and so much more
uncool someday too. But the cool part about getting older is you no longer worry so much about being cool. That’s a good thing because there’s an entire generation coming up behind you, ready to tell just how uncool
Colleen Ragan
licensed acupuncturist
Master of Science Oriental Medicine Nationally Certified – NCCAOM
you are—exactly like you once did to someone else. (Dorothy Rosby likes avocado toast as much as any millennial.)
safe, effective & gentle 10 St. Francis Street Rapid City, SD • 605-791-1838 w w w.NewFreedomAcupuncture.com Family
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