Black Hills Bagels Blog

Last week I and three other Master Gardeners, including my friend, Pam hansen (she just finished the course) treked behind Mount Rushmore in search of the not so illusive Mountain Pine Beetle. The devestation this ugly black beetle causes can be seen all around the Black Hills. On top of Harney Peak, the Black Elk Wilderness and it’s now affecting the National Memorial — Mount Rushmore. Dr. John Ball a professor at South Dakota State University literally travels the world helping communities and countries figure out what’s bugging their trees! Or what’s killing them or what the best tree for planting would be. A brilliant man! Anyway he led the rest of us through mostly lush, untravelled areas behind the monument looking for this nasty bug which kills Ponderosa Pine trees –absolutely. There is not turning back once this beetle drills through the bark, mates and lays about 75 eggs that overwinter and grow and eat inside the tree. I will be doing an “In The Garden” segment Tuesday on KOTA TV at 5:30 on this bug. hope you tune in…blog me with questions, hopefully I have some answers. If you have Ponderosa Pines — you need to watch this story.
Debra

For a few thousand young people in the Black Hills, this is graduation day. Last night Jack and I attended a graduation party for two young men who will be walking in cap and gown today. What a journey they have had. One black and the other native american –one from reservation life in South Dakota. The other from street live in Los Angeles. Both have been fortunate enough to be placed with one of the most loving and caring couples we know. One of the young men was adopted by this couple a few years ago. It’s such a great story but too long to share here. The important thing is they made it!!!! They are getting their diploma and a while new and wonderful world is about to open up to them. One of them is already thinking about getting into law enforcement! It’s also graduation day for another wonderful young man — Ryan Hirsch. Ryan was fortunate enough to be born into a loving, hard working family – but his journey to this day has been equally remarkable. Ryan is not only a hard working student, involved in band and other activities, he has a great outlook on life . Ryan will also no doubt make great contributions as he goes through life. Wow…what doors will these young men pass through over the next 60 years!!!!!!
Congratulations to all our graduates in the Black Hills — you’ve learned and accomplished a lot but there is more to learn and a lot more to accomplish.
debra