Opinion

I looked up the definition of “fake news” in the online Cambridge Dictionary. It states it is “false stories that appear to be news, spread on the internet or using other media, usually created to influence political views or as a joke.”

It is springtime in South Dakota and all things seem new! The grass is growing, new crops are being planted, and baby calves are kicking up their heels,enjoying the recent sunshine and good weather. Some days I feel like joining them! But this week, I received some sad news.

I still remember the first time I was invited to my mother-in-law’s home for dinner when I was dating Bryon. I hadn’t really talked to Sharon or my father-in-law, Al, much before, and I was nervous.

The Homestead Act of 1862, which was passed on May 20th, accelerated the settlement of the western territory by granting adult heads of families 160 acres of surveyed public land. Claimants were required to live on and “improve” their plot by cultivating the land. After five years living on the land, the filer was entitled to the property, free and clear.

Local floods on the streams and small rivers occurred at frequent intervals throughout our history. In general, 1908 appears to have been a serious flood year for most small streams in the north central states. These streams were natural places where our earliest homesteaders located their homes. For them, needed water and wood were easily available.

“Everyone must visit beautiful South Dakota. Pack your bags and rush to the car and start driving.

Dear Editor, These are my thoughts on the Gregory Co. Pumped Storage meeting held in Platte, SD, on April 27.

This letter to the editor is “Carol’s Perspective.” I am so tired of opening up the Gregory Times - Advocate and seeing the CANADIAN PERSPECTIVE! Are you a paid columnist for papers? No, you are USING the free space in the paper to sell your divisive political and religious views -not once or twice, but many times! If everyone did this, the paper would go broke! I would like to see this free space used to bring the community together. Go write a book to sell your views. You have an inflated ego. Get over yourself ! I hate to tell you but GOD is the only answer. We will all have to answer to God, not a mere human. I am not interested in what vehicle you are going to buy, what your brother has, or your drivel about anything and everything! Carol McCance

So, why all this in a letter to the editor? We have, in recent months, in the communities of Burke and Gregory, been experiencing events that could potentially change the future - indeed, the legacy - of our community. Whether for the better or not, of course, depends on who you ask.

My first job consisted of a list of farm chores – feed the horses, check the cows, clean the barns. But it was never my intention to keep that job forever.