The South Dakota Blogosphere Democracy and Petition Picnic happens this Saturday, September 12, here at my house in Aberdeen! If you’re reading this, you’re invited! Commenters, readers, fellow bloggers, elected officials (Mayor Levsen, Governor Daugaard, bring your sunglasses!), stealth candidates, friends and neighbors, come on over!
Now why would you want to spend your perfectly good Saturday in Aberdeen? I’ll give you ten reasons:
1. Intelligent Conversation: If you enjoy the conversations in the Dakota Free Press comment section (the most lively, informative, and diverse commentariat in the South Dakota Blogosphere), imagine how much more fun such conversations will be in person!
2. Putting Names with Faces: Half the fun of blog picnics (I’ve hosted a couple!) is putting voices and faces with the text you see tapped out here every day. Such face-to-face fellowship reinforces our sense of community and respect in the midst of our sometimes contentious discussions.
3. Snacks and Beverages! I’ll set out chips, dip, pop, and other goodies. If you’d like to bring a batch of bars or fruit salad or a six-pack of refreshments to share, feel free!
4. Petitions: I’ll have petitions to place the real 36% rate cap and the independent redistricting commission on the 2016 ballot. Other circulators are welcome to stop by and chat with guests about their petition drives (I’ll even let some of you fake 18%-rate-cap petitioners swing by with your petitions and handouts, as long as you don’t threaten anyone—my guests and I would love to visit with you!). If you’d like to sign, drop by! (Important note: snacks and beverages are available to all, whether or not you sign a petition.)
5. Candidate Recruitment: One of our favorite topics in Dakota Free Press conversations is who ought to run for office, not just for U.S. Senate, but for local Legislative districts and other exciting offices. Maybe we can find a likely suspect or two in the crowd to place on the 2016 ballot.
6. Weather: The National Weather Service currently forecasts 75°F and sunny for Saturday. So far so good!
7. Home Improvement: We just moved into this nice little house (complete with a blog office!) at the end of June. I still haven’t put up all of our shelves and similar improvements. The more of you who come, the more motivated I have to break out tool belt and get stuff done this week!
8. History and Art: As if an afternoon picnic isn’t enough fun, the Granary Rural Cultural Center north of Groton is hosting its Living History Fall Festival Saturday from 10 a,m. to 4 p.m. The Granary is also showing its “Between Land and Sky: Farming in Dakota” and juried Harvest of Arts exhibits. and Stop there first, enjoy one of the hidden gems of the northeastern South Dakota arts scene, then enjoy a leisurely drive through the Brown County backcountry and tell us all about it!
9. Auction: Come early and celebrate the free market (which we do on this blog every day, right? ;-) ) by going to an auction! At 11 a.m., Jark’s is auctioning off a Harley, trailer, bar stuff, and other loot out east of the airport.
10. Football: The Northern State Wolves play an evening game, starting at 6 p.m., against Minnesota State. See your healthcare dollars at work!
11. Barn Dance: Our house is kind of barn-shaped, but after our picnic, you can go to a real barn dance at the SPURS Therapeutic Riding Center. SPURS will have music, food, and a silent auction and pistol raffle to raise money for its operations.
12. Lake Dance: Bob and the Beachcombers are playing the End of Summer Bash at the Wakeside at Mina Lake, just 13 miles west of my house. Music starts at 8 p.m. and goes until midnight.
There! How much more fun could you ask for? Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Libertarians, come on over and make a day of it in Aberdeen this Saturday!
Cory, my cameraman and I ‘might’ make it. We are going to see how our week goes.
I’d love to have you both! Bring the camera!
Cool, just logged on to inquire on this very thing, but had some questions:
– Who’s bringing the tequila?
– Who’s bringing the Republicans?
Who’s bringing the Republicans? That’s funny. I’ll be there is spirit.
Broiled, baked, or boiled Republicans?
Have a wonderful time! I met some DFPers at Rickstock and I loved it! It’s so nice to have a face behind the comments. Roger, Larry, Bill, and Cory are wonderful gentleman you all ought to meet. Too bad I can’t meet more of you.
Will you have video for us poor souls who have to miss it? Will there be a West River caravan, or just ‘van’?
I was on the first board of directors for the Granary. It’s a wonderful place and I urge you to go.
Fleming a gentleman, Deb? Surely you jest.
Hap, I will not be providing any alcohol, but responsible adults are welcome to bring and consume legal beverages of their choosing. (If you bring tequila, you may have to bring your own shot glasses—I don’t think we have any!)
Deb, first board at the Granary? Wow—what history! Didn’t John Sieh start that?
I enjoyed RickStock last year as well, Deb. Our picnic can’t beat that event at Kevin Weiland’s place for music, but maybe we’ll draw some surprise conservatives for some pleasant-blog community building.
Video? If it won’t get in the way of good hosting duties, I’ll see if I can get a clip or two from willing participants.
Yes, John Sieh is The Granary founder. He sold insurance until he could retire and begin to fulfill his vision for a rural arts venue. He was not an artist himself, but John was a great art lover. Most people thought he was a little nuts wanting to plant an art gallery out in the boonies, but John was an irrepressible dreamer who wouldn’t give up.
Honestly, I had my doubts as we met with a variety of people and laid the ground work. I am still humbled by John’s determination. He provided me with a great lesson in never giving up. I don’t know if he has ever received the accolades he deserves. John Sieh is (was?) a remarkable gentleman.
Deb, alas, that’s a “was”—Mr. Sieh died end of March this year. In the March 30 AAN obituary, Sieh’s family asked that memorials be sent to support the Granary.
Sounds great. I was expecting you to say the Heidelberger estate is dry! Which is fine. I’m hoping to attend and may ride a two wheeled (motorized) vehicle new purchase. It’s been a major distraction from work and commenting. Beautiful ride around Lake Herman yesterday. Cottonwood trees are turning.
“the most lively, informative, and diverse commentariat in the South Dakota Blogosphere”
Not since you banned me.
Cory,
Aberdeen is a little out of the way for me so unfortunately I won’t be attending.
I have hit the tip jar to help with some of the expenses for what sounds like a great event.
For Pete’s sake, Steve, quit whining and write some blog posts. (And bring some chips on Saturday!)
Roger, thank you! You just bought beverages! We’ll toast your generosity and your good spirit!
What the hell is Sibson doing over here?
He just ruined a perfectly good day!!