There is a spectrum on which we experience anxiety. It can be an intense moment of panic, to a lingering sense of dread that lasts for days. In fact, there are two neural pathways to anxiety. Both pathways start with sensory information reporting to the thalamus (also known as your body's information station). In one pathway, information gets sent to the cortex (higher processes of the brain including memory, thinking, learning, etc.). After the cortex processes sensory information, neurons fire to the amygdala. The amygdala plays a big part in anxiety because it is here where your brain processes emotions; it is also known for the “fight or flight” response. Once information has been processed by the amygdala, your body is then cued for anxiety response. The second pathway for anxiety skips the cortex altogether and goes from the thalamus straight to the amygdala, triggering an anxiety response.

The South Dakota State Square, Folk, and Round Dance Association is sponsoring the Fall State Square Dance Festival in Hermosa, SD. The event will be held on September 8 and 9, 2023, and will be hosted by the Southern Hills Promenaders Square Dance Club. The theme of the festival is “Life is a Highway to a Dance!”

A rare six-handed pitch game at the Gregory Golf Course saw two pitch titans collide. Grim uses a consistent, conservative approach to bidding, while Sutton pushes the limits with an aggressive style of bidding. Dr. Jerry Fogel and Mike Croegaert were paired up with Sutton, while Grim selected Gregg Drees and Charles Johnson from the crowd of bystanders. After a roller coaster of emotions and fireworks, team Sutton pulled off a victory. Grim remains confident after the stormy defeat and stated, “Better days ahead”.

Final vehicle traffic counts from the South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) for vehicles entering Sturgis for the 83rd annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which ran from Aug. 4-13, 2023, have been tallied. The traffic counts at nine locations entering Sturgis for the 2023 Rally are as follows: Friday, Aug. 4: 45,652 vehicles entered Down 13.4% from the previous five-year average Saturday, Aug. 5: 38,126 vehicles entered Down 37.3% from the previous five-year average Sunday, Aug. 6: 60,586 vehicles entered Up 4.4% from the previous fiveyear average Monday, Aug. 7: 50,487 vehicles entered Down 16.9% from the previous five-year average Tuesday, Aug. 8: 55,848 vehicles entered Down 4.2% from the previous five-year average Wednesday, Aug. 9: 56,444 vehicles entered Up 1.4% from the previous fiveyear average Thursday, Aug. 10: 52,195 vehicles entered Up 3.7% from the previous fiveyear average Friday, Aug. 11: 45,661 vehicles entered Up 0.4% from the previous fiveyear average Saturday, Aug. 12: 33,278 vehicles entered Down 4.5% from the previous five-year average Sunday, Aug. 13: 19,884 vehicles entered Down 6.5% from the previous five-year average 2023 – 10 Day Total: 458,161 vehicles Down 8.1% from the previous five-year average 10 day total Previous five-year average – 10 day total: 498,282 vehicles

Seven students have received Richard Hagen-Minerva Harvey Memorial Scholarships. The scholarship program provides up to $6,000 over four years for study at an accredited university, college, or technical college located in South Dakota to enrolled members of American Indian tribes.

A benefit and silent auction for Michael Thompson will be held on Saturday, August 26, 2023, at the Gregory American Legion in Gregory, SD, from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. self-serve Indian tacos will be provided for a free-will donation.