Failure, Government, Great Plains, History, Hopelessness, Humor, Satire, Shortcomings, South Dakota, Uncategorized

Noem pulls out all stops, and some cadavers to defend her pal Trump. But evidence missing.

By Gary Dickson, Hokum Gazette Political Writer JEFFERSON, SD — South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has been making sure she stays in the media spotlight even though her friend and mentor, President Donald Trump has lost the 2020 presidential election to former Vice President Joseph Biden. Many media pundits as well social media commentators have been wondering what the governor plans to do now that … Continue reading Noem pulls out all stops, and some cadavers to defend her pal Trump. But evidence missing.

Gary DicksonNovember 9, 2020Leave a comment

Art, Career, Great Plains, History, Humor, Music, People, Perserverence, Satire, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Talent, Uncategorized

Obscure Facts About South Dakota & Thereabouts — [A series]

Myron Floren Was Known As “El Loco With A Squeezebox” When Attending Augustana College You may have known him best from seeing the handsome, wavy-haired man play tunes like “Lady of Spain” and “Beer Barrel Polka” on television’s Lawrence Welk Show. But what you may not have known was that the “Happy Norwegian” as fellow Dakotan Welk dubbed him, had a rowdier side to him … Continue reading Obscure Facts About South Dakota & Thereabouts — [A series]

Gary DicksonFebruary 27, 2020March 3, 2020Leave a comment

Geography, Great Plains, History, Humor, Nebraska, Rural Life, Satire, Small towns, South Dakota, Uncategorized

When Jackalopes Came To South Dakota

It was known as the Grand Horned Bunny Experiment, and nobody but a couple of animal biologists from the University of Wyoming expected it to work. Continue reading When Jackalopes Came To South Dakota

Gary DicksonFebruary 24, 2020March 3, 2020Leave a comment

Agriculture, Community, Great Plains, History, Humor, Relationships, Rural Life, Satire, South Dakota, Uncategorized

Obscure Facts About South Dakota & Thereabouts: First in a series

First marriage between a man and a sheep – March 24, 1902 A Hollander by the name of Harm Harmelink (top photo, riding horse) and a purebred Ramboulet ewe named Violet (bottom photo) tied the knot in rural northern Butte County. It is said that Mr. Harmelink,46, who was technically an East Friesian, had been distraught the previous fall, as he was the only one … Continue reading Obscure Facts About South Dakota & Thereabouts: First in a series

Gary DicksonFebruary 19, 2020March 3, 2020Leave a comment

Agriculture, Community, Failure, Great Plains, History, Motivation, People, Rural Life, Siouxland, Small towns, South Dakota, Uncategorized

Not Violin, But Volin

This last Saturday I was up for a good wander. It didn’t take much convincing to get Nancy to accompany me on a journey northwest from Dakota Dunes – to SD 50 and west through Vermillion. Then by Mechling’s six exits to Gayville where the Gayville Hall (home to the Hay Country Jamboree) is. From Gayville, which claims to be the Hay Capital of the … Continue reading Not Violin, But Volin

Gary DicksonJuly 26, 2019July 26, 20195 Comments

Community, Geography, History, Iowa, Nebraska, People, Personal Qualities, Rural Life, Sioux City, Siouxland, South Dakota

It’s Not As Bad As It Smells

The other day I got asked two questions — both which are related to living in the Sioux City, Iowa area. The first question was one I commonly get from people who I’ve recently met: “What brought you to Sioux City?” A fair question. The person was making conversation and wanted to know a little bit about me. The second question came from an … Continue reading It’s Not As Bad As It Smells

Gary DicksonJune 11, 2019February 15, 20203 Comments

Agriculture, Art, Community, Great Plains, History, Iowa, Minnesota, People, Rural Life, Siouxland, South Dakota, Writers

The Lizard, Hungry Hogs and a Photo a Day for 8 Years

This film, co-produced and directed and written by Twin Cities photographer, filmmaker, teacher and poet Mike Hazard, provides an excellent insight into the late writer Frederick Manfred. Nicknamed Media Mike, Hazard has written, directed and produced five films that have been released nationally on PBS. His documentary on the late Senator Eugene McCarthy was awarded the D.L. Mabery Prize, Minnesota’s Oscar. Continue reading The Lizard, Hungry Hogs and a Photo a Day for 8 Years

Gary DicksonFebruary 13, 2018February 15, 2020Leave a comment

Community, Great Plains, History, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Rural Life, Sioux City, Sioux Empire, Sioux Falls, Siouxland, Small towns, South Dakota, Uncategorized

So, What Is ‘Siouxland’ Anyway

But those who think Siouxland refers to only Sioux City would be wrong. In fact, the term wasn’t created to be a marketing tactic or definition of a school athletic region. The term was coined by writer Frederick Manfred in 1946 in his third novel, This Is The Year. Continue reading So, What Is ‘Siouxland’ Anyway

Gary DicksonFebruary 6, 2018September 14, 20183 Comments

Agriculture, Community, Great Plains, History, Rural Life, Siouxland, Small towns, South Dakota, Uncategorized

On the Trail of the Grasshopper Crosses

This is a story about grasshoppers, crosses, a priest, a hike, faith, and the town of Jefferson in Union County, Dakota Territory. Continue reading On the Trail of the Grasshopper Crosses

Gary DicksonJanuary 30, 2018September 14, 20186 Comments

Pondering and Wandering

Commentary, insight, questionable advice, and reflection about my life, the world, and our unrelenting struggle to put our pants on without tipping over.

Category: History