Summer in the Black Hills

Summer hasn't officially begun yet, but since it is officially June, I trust that western South Dakota will end its wishy-washy relationship with Winter and finally allow the ground to thaw. The weather man says it's supposed to be sunny and warm for an entire week. Though this could change as early as tonight, it is still a great relief to the thousands of people who live here who cannot wait to unpack their climbing shoes and dust off their tents and sleeping bags to enjoy one of the most scenic and adventurous areas in America.

I have always looked forward to warmer weather in the Hills. As a child, it meant the end of school, baseball, grilled hamburgers, and nights when the sunlight wouldn't completely disappear until 9 o'clock or later. As I grew up, it came to mean expeditions. Trips to Pactola and Sheridan lake. Fishing in Rapid Creek, Canyon Lake, and Angostura. Camping. Riding my bike. The Black Hills area is a beautiful place to spend the summer.

If you get the chance during your VISTA year, please check out the Hills. Rapid City is called "The Gateway to the Hills" and is a must-stop place on your visit, mostly because you need to visit with Morgan, Emily, and Derek when you come.

I'm looking forward, for what may be the last time in years, to visit Hill City and Spearfish, see Mt. Rushmore in the summer-time, and get some salt-water taffy from Keystone. I know I'm going to miss this place when I move in a few weeks, and there are certain things I want to take with me when I go. I want to remember driving through the hills with the windows rolled down. The smell of pine trees and that smell that happens as soon as it starts raining. I have never smelled rain as fresh as in the Black Hills.

I am thankful for the opportunity I had to return to my hometown for another year and another summer. Take care, VISTA's, and do what you can to come and explore at least a little bit before Winter comes knocking again.

AmeriCorp Week 2011

For AmeriCorp Week the North Central Region RSVP and Foster Grandparent Program along with the Volunteers of America Dakotas staff spent an evening packaging food for Kids Against Hunger. Kids Against Hunger is a humanitarian food-aid organization, whose mission is to significantly reduce the number of hungry children in the USA and to feed starving children throughout the world. A total of 18 volunteers packaged 1,728 meals to be delivered all across the globe including Pine Ridge Reservation right here in South Dakota.

Someone has friends in high places!

Not everyone has a town named in their honor, after all.

Enchiladas

Started with sliced onions and carmelized them in Balsamic vinegar.
Meanwhile, back at the front burner, saute some Boulder Chorizo with sliced mushrooms, diced onions and a can of fire-roasted, diced tomatoes. Let it simmer for a while.
Slice some avocados and shredded some Mexican melting cheese, cheddar and asiago. Mixed the cheeses and steamed some corn tortillas.
When the tortillas are flexible, spread the meat mixture on a third of the tortilla. Add two or three slices of avocado, some cheese, and roll. Place roll in a baking dish. Repeat until you've filled your dish or run out of ingredients.
Bake, covered, at 350 for a while.
If you have some shredded cheese left over, sprinkle it over the enchiladas about ten or so minutes before you're ready to take them out of the oven, and allow to finish baking without the cover to crisp the tortillas. 


Serve hot with a dallop of sour cream or creme fraiche, salsa, and/or whatever you like with your enchiladas!!


Ing
Chorizo
Onions
can of fire roasted, diced tomatoes
mushrooms
olive oil
package corn tortillas (use the flour wraps and you got some burritos!)
Cheddar
Asiago
Mexican melting cheese
balsamic vinegar
garlic and other seasonings (I used cumin, chili powder, cayenne, paprika, cholula hot sauce, sometimes use cilantro or episote)

BV Community Christmas Tree

The Volunteers of America, Dakotas Brandon Outreach Office helped with a Community Christmas Tree and the Brandon Valley Challenger published an article about it. You can see it here: http://brandoninfo.com/article/20101231/NEWS/101230006/1001.

Congrats Michelle!

Look at what great things South Dakota's AmeriCorps VISTA Members are doing for the communities they are serving. Great Job, Michelle.

A good resource I just found

http://learningforsustainability.net/about.php