Columnists | Kingsbury Journal

Anatomical variations: Inherent challenges in comprehending cancer

Human anatomy is fascinatingly and frustratingly complex. In each body, 600 muscles, 206 bones and 360 joints provide structural stability and movement; two lungs circulate air through 1,500 miles of … more

By Ethan L. Snow, PhD, MA, Prairie Doc | 8/19/26

Barnyard blessings; zucchini brownies

We were blessed with another baby on our funny farm the other day! Although I had a feeling a new addition might be on the way, I wasn't entirely sure until it actually happened. I went out to put … more

By Amy Halverson | 8/19/26

Life lessons from a steamy kitchen

It was hot! Hot outside and even hotter in the kitchen. Two kettles boiled away on the back burners, steam surging from around the covers and up into the air. The normally appealing scent of cooking … more

By DeAnn (Wolkow) Kruempel | 8/19/26

Finding balance in a world that never stops

Stress surrounds us every day. We experience it in our personal lives, at work, in our relationships and through the constant stream of information from the news and social media. We live in a world … more

By Curstie Konold MPH, CSW-PIP, QMHP, Prairie Doc | 8/12/26

Pick a peck of quick-pickled peppers

Look, we’ve all been there. You walk out to your garden in July, and your pepper plants look like sad little twigs. You wonder if you are doing it all wrong. Then, August hits; the sun cranks up to … more

By Amy Halverson | 8/12/26

Week two: The wave

You can tell a lot about where someone grew up by what they do when another vehicle drives by. If you are from almost any small town, you probably know exactly what I am talking about. It's the wave, … more

By Pastor Tia Felberg | 8/12/26

From rags to something like riches

“Oh, no! I spilled!” In my haste to maneuver the big bowl of potatoes across the table to Dad, I bumped my glass. Water flooded across the table, threatening the salt and pepper shakers and the … more

By DeAnn (Wolkow) Kruempel | 8/12/26

The rumble of freedom

Hear that rumble? It’s been growing in pitch for a couple weeks now. Motorcycles are weaving their way across South Dakota from all directions, and they are all heading to the same place: Sturgis! … more

By Gov. Larry Rhoden | 8/12/26

Building a legacy

Since the day I took office, I have challenged everyone in my administration to focus on keeping South Dakota strong, safe and free. If we all link arms and pledge to chase opportunities together, … more

By Gov. Larry Rhoden | 7/29/26

Saving seeds, saving money; strawberry daiquiri

Right now, your summer garden is doing something sneaky behind your back. While you are busy slicing tomatoes and picking beans, your plants are dropping a mountain of free seeds. Saving these seeds … more

By Amy Halverson | 7/29/26

The treasure is right here

I figure I have worn glasses for more than 45 years, and that over the course of that time have cumulatively spent several days of my life that I will never get back looking for lost glasses. In … more

By Stuart Twite | 7/29/26

Blessed to have them

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” The older I get the more I agree with this statement by … more

By DeAnn (Wolkow) Kruempel | 7/29/26

A beautiful debt

I still remember the day, now some years ago, that my student-loan debt was paid. Granted, by today’s standards, the debt was not huge, and the monthly payment was small enough, so I didn’t ever … more

By Stuart Twite | 7/22/26

Tapped out; no-bake peanut butter cookies

This relentless heat and very little rain lately have turned me into a water girl around the farm. It feels like throughout the day, I am constantly worrying whether or not everything and everyone … more

By Amy Halverson | 7/22/26

Were they just grains of sand?

It never stopped. The relentless force pushed, rolled, pulled. It deposited and dislodged. In wild storms it crashed into boulders, abandoning and stealing chunks of stone. In calm, gentle breezes, … more

By DeAnn (Wolkow) Kruempel | 7/22/26

Soaring higher

America 250 is a great time to reflect on who we are and what we have fought to build and keep for so long. We are an example for freedom to the rest of the world, and a symbol of hope, as well, but … more

By Gov. Larry Rhoden | 7/22/26

Battle mode; creamsicle salad

We are in full battle mode here at our little funny farm. The mosquitos seem to be worse this year than ever before, and we are doing anything and everything possible, trying to get them under … more

By Amy Halverson | 7/16/26

Cow path adventures

“Hey, DeAnn! Come help me. It’ll be fun!” he said. When I was five, I idolized my older brother. Seldom did he have to work too hard to persuade me to accompany him in his adventures, and this … more

By DeAnn (Wolkow) Kruempel | 7/16/26

Two hundred fifty years of freedom

Here in South Dakota, we still honor America, our freedoms and our Founding Fathers. Proof of that can be found in places like Mount Rushmore. The four leaders are carved in granite; the images of … more

By Gov. Larry Rhoden | 7/16/26

What day is it?

Last Tuesday, I woke up absolutely convinced that it was Wednesday. Efforts to remind myself that it was only Tuesday were futile, and I spent most of the day living like it was Wednesday. I went to … more

By Stuart Twite | 7/16/26