Family

On July 4, 1939 Lou Gehrig said these famous words at Yankee Stadium, “For the past two weeks you have been reading about the bad break that I got. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.” The bad break he was referring to was the diagnosis of a condition that would become synonymous with him - a neuromuscular condition called Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). ALS is a disease which causes motor nerves in the brain and spinal cord to break down. This reduces the nerves ability to control muscle function leading the muscle to weaken, twitch, and waste away. As the disease progresses it slowly impairs the person’s ability to walk, talk, swallow, and breathe.

Vern and Marlys Walkling attended the SDSU football game in Brookings on Friday, September 1 and Saturday went to the State Fair. On Sunday they celebrated Jim and Nancy Schade’s 50th wedding anniversary. Nancy is Marlys’ sister.

What do Georgia O’Keeffe, Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, Dale Chihuly and Gustav Klimt have in common? These are just a few of the famous artists that Jan Knispel, September Artist of the Month, loves for their technique, use of color and subject matter.

Marvanne Logterman was in Sioux Falls over the weekend to visit son and daughter-in-law, Jesse and Lindsey Logterman, and helped celebrate grandson Owen’s 11th birthday. While in Sioux Falls she was a guest of sister-in-law, Robbie Jacobson.

Lincoln – Nebraska’s first death attributed to the West Nile Virus has been reported in the panhandle. Last year, the state’s first West Nile Virus death occurred in September.

During the South Dakota Festival of Books, I listened to a group of five successful novelists discussing the art of writing and what they gained from creating those words. They all seemed to agree with journalist Malcolm Gladwell, who said that it takes some talent, but more importantly, about 10,000 hours of practice to become good at anything. They each also said that writing has given them joy and humor, an understanding about life and a sense of meaning.

Right now, many nurseries and garden supply stores are having sales, which is perfect because this is a great time to plant new perennials, trees, and shrubs. Now is also a good time to move or divide many perennials, such as peonies, irises, and daylilies. Warm soil temperatures encourage root growth while decreasing daylight and cooler temperatures signal the plant to slow top growth. Additionally, roots will keep growing until the soil temperature reaches 40 degrees. You will want to allow six weeks for plants to become established before the first frost or freeze arrives.

ACTIVITIES Cards/Board Games/Pool available daily. Men’s coffee group daily at 9:30 a.m.

Northwest Community Action Partnership (NCAP) has developed a monthly schedule for the Extra Helpings On the Go Van program and will be coming to several locations in Nebraska. The program’s primary focus is to reach those who live in remote areas and have difficulty accessing local offices.

Rolland Sharkey was honored at a surprise 80th birthday party Saturday at the Vet’s Club in Valentine. A good number of family and friends attended.