Black Hills Bagels Blog

Why do we put off doing something that is fun just because it’s a hassle getting ready. For the first time THIS Year Jack and I forced ourselves to pull the skis down from the rafters in the garage, squeeze into our ski outfits (his is 20 years old and mine is nearly 25 years old) and hit the slopes. We both love to ski but getting ready is such a hassle…until we actually get on the lift, look out over our beautiful black hills and see 50 miles of trees and snow and incredible blue skies! Yesterday (2/26) we went skiing at Terry Peak. The weekday is great because there are not too many people there but a few (our age of course) that were doing the same thing. I would name names but I don’t know whether they were playing hookey from work! Okay…I will….The Scheers. The great thing is that 50 and 60 year olds are still enjoying one of the greatest sports there is. (Certainly the best winter time sport). True Jack had knee braces on both legs and had to keep his bib (I told you they were old) ski pants partially unzipped. I didn’t dare fall because I don’t think I would have been able to get up again. We didn’t take any moguls but we did take a couple of black diamonds. We skiied for about 3 hours straight with NO wind and amazing South Dakota sun softening the snow just enough to slow my turns just the way I like them. I am all about form and Jack is all about speed. I told him if he would plant his poles he could parallel. His comment was “I don’t want to have to plant my poles every time!”. Oh well, we have a great time skiing together–he waits for me at the bottom of the slope and we talk with and to each other for the 6 minutes it takes to get to the top!
Love and it and hopefully we will do it again this week–now that we have our gear together. I don’t know what we’re going to do about ski clothes though – this weight thing is becoming a problem!
debra
p.s. I have been skiing for nearly 40 years – I learned in the days of poma lifts and binding straps.

80 years old! Wilson Elementary School recently celebrated it’s 80th birthday. The brick school next to Wilson Park on Mount Rushmore Road has a playground that may need some attention. A decade or so the parents planted grass and flowers and picnic tables for all to enjoy. But like so many things time passes, parents move on as their kids move up and one day no one is paying attention. Until a week ago when the school administration decided to just gravel over everything for mainteannce and cost concerns.
Last night a small meeting was held to discuss what to do. Representatives from teachers, school board, parents, PTA, historic, West Blvd, Mount Rushmore road etc were there. Through it all we discovered that Wilson Park may be on the “chopping” block within the next five years. I went to school in a four room, eight grade school. Black Hawk Elementary had four teachers! Except for the farm/ranch kids we all walked to school. Schools help define a neighborhood and give a sense of community. This is a big “heads up” for the surrounding community. On a more immediate scale, let’s restore the sweet park like setting to the playground!
debra

At Black Hills Bagels we know how to celebrate. Come in and show us your beads for 1/2 price lattes. Our Bourbon Street Bread Pudding is just $0.99 today only!!!

We can’t wait to see you!
-Heather and Bethany

Well sort of.  You may know by now we do our heart shaed strrawberry and cherry bagels in a long stem rose box and we call it a bagel bouquet for Valentines Day.  It’s a lot of fun and a lot of work.  All of the bagels have to be hand formed into hearts.  Norm is our Mixer.  he is a great guy!!! Actually a great human being.  I don’t know if he wants it told but he is a few years from retirement.  He is an engineer (I think) by education and worked for a long time with Caterpillar.  Now he putzes around our kitchen –let me explain. His lovely wife Linda has a full time job and Norm doesnt want to take care of the two dogs and three cats all day so he he works around 40 hours a week here.  He mixes all of our bagels from scratch. Anyway this time of year he makes HUNDREDS of heart shaped bagels.  It’s Saturday and he is making a few hundred more and well — let me say he is not feeling like Cupid today.  Hopefully he and Linda will have a great Valentines later. Watch the roads this morning.  They are a little dicey outside of Rapid City.  Ohhh…last night my Mom, her long time friend and my sis all went to It’s Complicated at the Elks last night.  It’s rated R but very cute.

debra

I know everyone is thinking about the Super Bowl today and normally I am too.  I am just not that interested this year.  I guess if Pepsi isn’t going to advertise it’s not worth watching!  I have actually been thinking about San Francisco.  A couple of weeks ago Penny and her daughter Lauren were at the Fancy Food Show and in the next day or so you’ll see some great pix from there!

debra

Sister date night!  Last night Barb and I went to dinner at Pirates Table, which was wonderful! We saw Monica and Teresa who also happen to be sisters . Monica went to school with Barb and Teresa went to school with me.  Their family owns Pirates Table. 

After a delicious dinner we went to the Three Dog Night concert.  I know these guys have been around for 40 years (really) – but they were fantastic.  It was great watching and listening to the music we grew up with.  Barb and i remember going to a concert at the fairgrounds in the 70’s where they were performing.

I had to get their CD.   Did you go tothe concert? What did you think?

JOY TO THE WORLD! 

debra

de

Anyway,

One of the great events of the year for Rapid City and the Black Hills.  Certainly one of the best of the winter.  I love the stock show.  This year the Stockmen of the year award goes to a Philip couple I have known since college.  In fact Penny (Ham) lived on my floor at the St. Thomas Hall.  Glad to see they are being honored this year.  The Stockman’s ball is always fun although I don’t think I will be able to make it this year.  Ron Jeffries does a terrific job putting this event on.  The Rodeo is certainly one of the best as well. don’t forget to stop by and “Cowboy up” with bagels, muffins, scones and ofcourse our great Dark Canyon Coffee!

debra

Sister Barb and i just returned from Winner.  My brother Casey Met us there for our Aunt Bonnie’s funeral.  She was 76. Casey tried to fly from Michigan to R.C. Friday and drive to Winner with us. But his plante couldn’t land because of the weather so He was diverted to Denver. Hopped on another flight to S.F. and rented a car and drove to Winner.  Anyway Winner is the hometown of my parents and many family members from both sides still live there. About 3600 residents. Times are tough even for small towns that are agriculture based.  Not so much the general economy as the fact that our farmers and ranchers cannot make it on the land unless they get really big with really big equipment.  Even my cousins, Dixie and Galen left the Dairy farm business several years ago.  They miss it not so much for the 5:30 a.m.  and 6 pm milkings 7 days a week but because its such a great way of life.  Funerals like my Aunts are still escorted to the cemetary with a police escort.  All Drivers pull over to the side of the road in respect as the Hearse and mourners pass by.When my brother and sister and I came home, we went viaMission and Parmalee and Belvidere.  Have you ever been on that hiway—rather road.  It goes from no shoulders pavement to loose gravel. We had to slow down for an  pony literally standing on the side of the road just watching people (not many of course) go by. There is never a good time for a funeral.  We all hate them and know it’s a part of life. But somehow for me as I was taking in the weekend – the murners, the cold wind, barren trees and snowy landscape, I couldn’t help but think what more appropropriate time for a funeral.  I always think of the words written on a tombstone for a wonderful man in Belle Fourche.  “With a wave of the hand and a cherry smile,she has wandered into an unknown place and left us wondering how very fair it must be since she lingers there.” 

Debra

I’m in a little bit of fog today…literally and figurateivly.

Penny and Lauren were returning from the Fancy Food Show in San Francisco last night.  Their plane circled the Rapid City airport several times and determined it was too foggy to land so they returned to Salt lake City and had to spend the night somewhere.  Maybe at the airport!  I was sound asleep as I usually am by 9 pm because of my early wake up call (3:45a.m.) At 10:30 I heard my cell phone ring but thought it was just a dream.  Then my home phone rang.  Hamlet sprang to his feet! (Are you wondering where my husband is?) I answered the phone and it was Penny.  Ofcourse apologetic because she also has to get up early for work.  Anyway I got back to sleep but when the alarm went off at 3:45 a.m. Hamlet and I were pretty drowsy.  However, this quad-shot soy latte is helping a lot!  If your in a fog today….try our quad-shot latte. It will brighten your day!  Penny….where are you!!???

debra

Penny and Lauren are truly eating their way through the Fancy Food Show in San Francisco.  The huge national show for Bakeries, Restaurants and eateries is being held in San Francisco. The mother and daughter are having a great time.  Penny says the weather is not perfect.  It’s a little drizzly outside but inside is overwhelming.  They spent most of Sunday going through the booths. Ofcourse there is increidble food everywhere.  Unfortunatley, they ate a big breakfast before going to the show.  I should have warned them —-go very hungry! They are looking for the latest, greatest and upcoming future craze.  If you can believe it, when they left the show last night they were going to find an In and Out Burger (fast food that’s popular in Arizona, California and a few other places).

Meanwhile, back at  Black Hills Bagels we’re busy with out own francy food.  Have you tried or Lemon Poppy or Blueberry Muffins. Although I always recommend a bagel, these Muffins are a great change of pace.  We bake them each morning right after the bagels!

We open at 6 !!!!!

debra