Six new pedestal-style interpretive signs are the latest improvement at the Vore Buffalo Jump, a major archaeological site along Highway I-90 halfway between Sundance, Wyoming and Spearfish, South Dakota.

Positioned at intervals along the trail from the rim to the floor of the natural sinkhole, the new signs explain how and why several different Indian tribes repeatedly used the Vore site as a pit trap to kill thousands of bison during a three hundred year period.

“These signs will enhance the experience of Vore site visitors year-round by teaching the basics of the story along a self-guided trail,” says Gene Gade of the non-profit Foundation that owns and manages the Vore Buffalo Jump. “That’s especially important during the off season when we have no interpretive personnel on duty. Moreover, it will free our staff to present more sophisticated and detailed education to summer visitors.”

The six signs were purchased using a combination of funds from the Wyoming Division of Tourism, the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund and the Ted Buchanan Memorial. They are only the first stage of an effort that will upgrade the signs, displays, exhibits and other educational endeavors at the Vore site.

Despite the fact that Spearfish doesn’t have enough money to clear snow, the Meier land purchase appears to be a wise idea. 

Developers have been salivating over the land for decades, but thankfully the city will have first opportunity to buy and develop it into an oasis of community learning and enjoyment – not too far from the community Rec Center. If done properly, it could really be an amazingly attractive area of the city.

This will take a bit of time and there will be snags along the way, but in the long run the wisdom in this move will become evident.

 
It’s a beautiful piece of land. Hopefully they don’t ruin it by using the same design sense they employed when designing the Rec Center facade. blech.

Read more about this story here.

It’s cold outside!!! Stew is always a great dish in this weather. Here’s a recipe handed down from my great grandmother. Of all the sea kitten recipes I found in that dusty box in the attic, this is the one I just had to share publicly.

Enjoy!

Grandma’s Sea Kitten Stew Recipe

Ingredients:

* 6 tablespoons olive oil
* 1 cup of white onions (chopped)
* 2 large cloves of garlic (chopped)
* 2/3 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
* 1 cup of fresh medium tomato (chopped)
* 2 teaspoons tomato paste (unchopped)
* 8 oz of clam juice (or shellfish stock)
* 2/3 cup beer (hopped)
* 1 1/2 lb white sea kitten fillets (chopped)
* Touch of oregano leaves, red chile pepper, thyme, pepper
* Salt

1.) Heat olive oil in heavy large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and garlic and sauté 4 minutes. Add parsley and stir 2 minutes. Add tomato, tomato paste and cook 2 minutes longer.

2.) Add clam juice, beer, and sea kitten. Simmer until sea kitten is cooked – less than 10 minutes. Add seasoning. Salt to taste. Enjoy!

Serves 4.

Interesting piece from RC Journal

I was just talking to my friend about Polka Dots in Spearfish yesterday. Fond memory… I guess, from a business perspective, it was a good place to build an office building in that part of town, but I still miss it.

The Northern Hills Drive-in was another fun memory from childhood. The one in Belle Fourche survived a little longer.

Deadwood isn’t the Deadwood I remember as a kid, of course. That quaint run-down old west atmosphere is gone, except in hidden corners here and there. I’m just glad I got to see it before it changed. They really sanitized it and painted it up (Disneyfied it) to look more polished than it ever really was. I like the new Deadwood too, don’t get me wrong. It just isn’t the same without the dangerous boardwalks, run-down streets, JC Penny store, and that taffy shop…

The house fire on Evans Lane in Spearfish claimed the life of 20-year-old Ryan Ames. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined. One other person survived the blaze. Smoke could be seen rising from the ashes of the site 3 days after the fire.

Condolences to the friends and family of Ryan.

This tragic event is a reminder to PLEASE double check your own house to be sure you have fire alarms and other fire safety devices in place.

It was a good first-ever showing at the national level, but today BHSU fell to Point Loma Nazerene, 2-3. The Lady Jackets finished the tournament with a 2-1 record. Not bad… Congrats to the Lady Jackets for such a strong showing!

Current standings:
NAIA 2008 Women’s Volleyball