HOT SPRINGS: BUBBLING WITH A PASSION FOR LIFE BY LARRY ROHRER

PART ONE

First let me say how generous many Hot Springs area Public TV viewers are suggesting story topics for us to cover and the many wonderful things they enjoy in the Southern Black Hills. Barbara Sharp tells me, “I’m originally from New York City and have lived her for 42 years. Never looked back!” And her don’t miss list includes the Mammoth Site, Wind Cave, Evans Plunge, the outstand medical community for Veterans and area residents, and the Minnekahta Quilters Guild and classes offered at the Chautauqua Artisans Market.

Tim Theusch describes “the first time I saw Hot Springs coming in by car on Hwy 18 from Edgemont SD. There is no prettier entrance to a city anywhere in the country. Since that day that I first saw Hot Springs, and whenever entering Hot Springs from Hwy 18 I always imagine that I am coming into Hot Springs for the first time, the anticipation is almost a rush of some sort. I always pretend that it is my first time.”

And Vern Hagedorn had a long list of reasons that make the area special. He has spent most of his 46-year education career in the Hot Springs. From the unique geology, public spaces, and friendly people, to the Southern Hills weather… “we will generally get a winter snow which will only last a day or two. When I came to Hot Springs, the Elementary Principal told me that you can BBQ outside every day during the Winter. That is almost true!” If you want take out instead, think “The Red Shed”!

The Red Shed is a mobile BBQ stand in Hot Springs.

Continued on the next page.

Bubbling with a Passion for life Continued

We now have a long list of story ideas to share with you in the future. It’s a list that will bring us back to Fall River County many times. Added together, that list of stories will tell you about a community with a passion for life. A community with people that follow their muse for lifestyle, creativity, and activities they want to share with others and are willing to pitch in support others following their passion.

Two of the people we were encouraged to contact are Justin Gausman and Rajni Lerman. Justin grew up in Hot Springs, the digital media coordinator for the chamber of commerce, but is a very active member of the “creative Community”. Justin is a film maker, writer, and co-host the TCBCast, a podcast focused on the early rock-era and Elvis Presley. Justin and I talk about the Southern Hills Community Theater in an interview in another story in this Dakota Life Digital Edition. I also have an interview there with Rajni Lerman. Rajni and her husband moved from Colorado, had choices where they could relocate, and chose Hot Springs. With a passion for a healthy and sustainable lifestyle and as a professional organizer, it’s no surprise that she launched the Hot Springs Farmers Market Association. Or that with partner Lucia Stanslaw (of Lucy and the Green Wolf) manage “BlackHillsSustainableLiving.com”, conducted the reusable shopping bag campaign, and encourage you to reconsider “single-use” items.

Some changes are ahead in Hot Springs, particularly in routing traffic and building the cantilever walkways over the Fall River. What is likely not to change is a community sharing and supporting the products of their passion for creativity, nature, and the beauty of the South Black Hills.

Evan’s Plunge