Next year, we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence – America’s 250th birthday! When our Founding Fathers wrote that incredible document, they were in a war for their Freedom against Great Britain, the strongest military in the world at the time. They didn’t know that they would win – in fact, they knew that they might lose.

The we s twa rd mig ration from the Atlantic Coast resulted in the establishment of numerous trails which became the interstate highways of the 18th and 19th centuries. A combination of factors, including the terrain and location of waterways, the attraction of the desired destination, along with the location of America’s first inhabitants, helped the earliest explorers and adventurers determine a route west.

Dear Editor and Readers, I have been studying the seven ballot proposals on which we the voters of SD will be approving or rejecting - on 5 November and have concluded that I will “Vote YES on F and NO on the rest”. Why? Let’s take each measure in turn... Amendment E would “update gender references to certain office holders”. Do we really need to waste time and money removing male gender pronouns from our state Constitution? No, and I will vote “No”. Amendment F would “allow the state to consider requiring certain adults, eligible for expanded Medicaid, who are working-age and able-bodied, to seek work or training, rather than stay on gov’t assistance programs long term”. Basically, means-testing. Good idea - I will vote “Yes”.

Two seats on the Gregory County Board of Commissioners are up for election this year. In District 2, incumbent Lance Matucha is being challenged by Peg Glover.

If your little goblins are looking for a ghoulishly good time this Halloween, then Gregory has the perfect concoction brewing at three haunted happenings. The festivities will begin at 4:00 p.m.

This story is the first installment in a series of articles. Gregory’s history of hospitals is somewhat scarce and sometimes contradictory, but it is worth taking a look down memory lane as the “old” hospital and nursing home will soon be relegated to the history books as well.