Twenty years have passed since an editorial by Tim Giago challenged Governor George Mickelson to proclaim a “Year of Reconciliation.” In order to commemorate that auspicious proclamation’s 20th anniversary, Giago, publisher of the Native Sun News, enlisted Michelle Lintz of the Rapid City Convention & Visitors Bureau, Linda Rabe, President of the Rapid City Chamber of Commerce, Laurette Pourier, Director of SANI-T, Dan Tribby , Manager of the Prairie Edge Trading Co., and Gerard Baker, Superintendent of the Mount Rushmore National Monument, to come together in order to submit a proposal to Governor Mike Rounds, honoring the efforts of Governor Mickelson by proclaiming 2010 as the Year of Unity.
The group met with Governor Rounds in September and left the meeting feeling confident he would proceed with the proclamation.
American Airlines will offer nonstop service to Dallas/Ft. Worth from Rapid City Regional Airport starting April 6, 2010. The once-daily flight will provide good connections to the Southern US, Mexico, Central and South America and other destinations worldwide.
“I’m encouraged by the increased commitment of American Airlines to Rapid City Regional Airport,” said Mayor Alan Hanks. “Direct flights to the South will open up prospects for further economic development throughout the Black Hills.”
“If you look at a map of our current destinations, we have great service to all of the major regions of the country with the exception of the Southeast and South Central US. Nonstop service to Dallas/Ft.
The Range Days Rodeo was presented with the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association’s (WPRA) Justin Best Footing Award for the Badlands Circuit for 2009. The presentation was made in Las Vegas during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
The award is voted on by the barrel race contestants in the Badlands Circuit made up of all rodeos in North and South Dakota. The award is based on the quality of ground or “footing” for the barrel race horses. Justin Boots presents a pair of full-quill ostrich boots to the winning committee along with a check for $1,000.
Range Days Rodeo works with volunteer personnel from Ellsworth Air force Base and the South Dakota National Guard to hand rake the rodeo arena around each barrel after each contestant makes a run so that the ground is even for the every contestant. This volunteer effort has proven effective as the Range Days Rodeo has won the award four times.
The dates for the 2010 Range Days Rodeo are August 27-29. For more information contact the Central States Office at 605-355-3861.
