The Texas Pony Express delivered the LCH, about 10 days late as usual. In the December 23 issue I read with high interest Lucy Halverson’s More years to come.

I usually try not to write about the same topic two weeks in a row, but I’m finding it difficult right now! For my last column, I described the unseasonably warm weather we’ve been enjoying this month. Have we ever had weather like this in January before? And the unexpected pleasures of mild weather continue. Every day this past week the temperature rose a little. Then, on Sunday morning, it blossomed into the full bloom of spring. Everyone is simply singing with the joy of it all.

South Dakota’s values and beliefs are rooted in our agricultural heritage and our boundless natural resources. Together they drive our economy, feed our families, and provide world class outdoor recreational opportunities. We all have a vested interest in protecting and preserving South Dakota’s agriculture and natural resources for our kids and grandkids.

It is widely understood that as we get older, time moves more quickly. As I age, I have found the truth of this to be quite shocking, and doubly so now that I have children. Just days ago, my kids were tiny infants, and in a few more minutes they will be heading off to their own adult adventures. Their respective childhoods are flashing by, just as everyone warned they would.

Along with the many changes we have dealt with over the past year, the pandemic has also brought a change to the way SDSU Extension will be providing education this winter. If you need to recertify as a private pesticide applicator there will be a number of different options available to do so this winter. However private pesticide training/certification will not look quite the same as it has in the past in that we will not be hosting the “in person” trainings around the state this winter.

Top: First place winners in the residential Christmas decorating contest was Gary and Kathy Diehm. Bottom: First place winner in the Christmas window decorating contest amongst local Chamber businesses was Dakota Prairie Bank.

New faces in Kindergarten Ruxin Brown is the son of Echo Bennett and Curt Brown. He lives in Presho with his mom, dad, and brothers Gavin and Ezrin, and dogs Coco and Aria.

Presho Area Chamber met at Hutch’s Cafe December 10 The Presho Area Chamber met on Thursday, December 10, 2020 at Hutch’s at noon. Those present were Crystal Brakke, Pat McNaughton, Julie Clement, Diane Hieb, Justin Lester, Philip Schonebaum, and Connie Penny.

Thank you Adam Ehlers for cleaning off my driveway. Bev Johnson The Reliance Fire Department would like to thank the Schoenhard Community Foundation for their continued financial support.

2020 has been a year to remember, seemingly for all the wrong reasons. COVID- 19 devastated families across our country. In other states, violent riots and looting tore communities apart. And it seems like political divisions are only increasing. But as I look back on 2020, I want to focus on South Dakota’s opportunities. I want to highlight some of the tremendous things that we accomplished together this year.