Good Morning!
Remember that June a few years ago that was cold, rainy and dreary? We all felt like we’d been jipped out of part of our year! So when this week has been over 100F I try not to complain, and take advantage of our most fleeting season. After all, it’s already ⅙ over – if you can believe that!
I don’t know why summer holds such a magical quality – it might be that hold over from bygone childhood days of having the summer off from school. It stretches out magically ahead of us, full of possibility and laziness and fun. Summer no longer looks like that for most of us as adults (even teachers usually work just as hard at their summer jobs) but it still can be special, especially when it’s so short here in Lead. We get three months to live it up!
Life goes quickly, and if we’re not careful and intentional about our time it can be used up on things we have to do but nothing we wanted to do. So make sure you spend the two and a half months that are left of summer adding a few things that you want to do. If we don’t schedule this, it’s easy for it all to slip away and plunge us back into winter.
Here’s some of the ways I’m trying to be intentional about summer:
-Change my routine, even something as simple as this can make the season feel special!
-I don’t want to spend each evening watching Netflix, that’s something I can do all winter! How can I spend the evenings in the summer differently?
-Sitting outside more – soak up that outdoor time! Even if you don’t have a dedicated spot or a fancy deck or patio, even sitting on your front steps can be special.
-Taking an actual day off from work and obligations to go to the lake and go swimming and maybe rent a boat!
-Read books for fun – not books I have to read, or school work or work work (thought I still have to read those) but definitely adding some for fun reading. Sometimes this means having a special audio book I listen to while I do chores. The Lead Library is open again with the regular hours, and has lots of audio books to borrow!
-Make it a point to go on lunch dates with friends during the week. We’re all busy, but you can usually squeeze in mid day dates!
-Walk around town, have you explored town? It’s changing quickly, even in the last few months I’ve noticed more and more houses that have been drastically improved. Start noticing the change by being out in it! The Lead of yesterday isn’t the same as the Lead of today, and won’t be the Lead of tomorrow!
-BBQ! We all have plans to bbq a lot each summer, but it can be easy to put it off, and then summer is gone. We’ve already made charcoal grilled pizza – so delicious!
-Notice the flowers that Lead Beautification planted around town!
-Take advantage of all the events going on! Between the 2nd Saturday’s on Main Street to the Handley Rec Centers Lead Live events (what a great turn out this week!) in the park, plus our special events coming up for 4th of July, there is a lot to do in Lead!
____ Here’s what’s happening around town this week
Friday 6/18 – 12pm – History on the Lawn at the Adams House Museum with Deadwood History Inc. This month the topic is “Horse Thieves & Cattle Rustlers: Vigilante “Justice” in the Black Hills” don’t miss! $5 for non members and free to members.
Friday 6/18 – 7pm – Pierce Emata Concert: “The Fascinating Rhythms of George Gershwin” at the Homestake Opera House. Tickets are $10
Saturday, 6/19 – 9:30-3:30 – Makers Market at the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center. Come see vendors, artists and more on the back deck!
Saturday, 6/19 – 11am – Lead Bicycle Rodeo at Manuel Brother’s Park. There are still spots left for kids ages 5-12 to learn about bike safety! Sponsored by the Lead Police Department, Thyssen Mining, Ace Hardware, Lynn’s Dakotamart, The Lead Area Chamber of Commerce, the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center and the City of Lead. We still need a few volunteers so let me know if you can help!
Saturday, 6/19 – 2-6pm – Pride Hike with Explore Fitness & Adventures. Meet at the shop 457 S. Main St. Lead, SD 57754
Sunday, 6/20 – Happy Father’s Day!!
Monday, 6/21 – BHSU Academic Summer Day Camps and this week its Photography Summer Camp for high school students. See more information here: www.BHSU.edu/summercamps
Monday, 6/21 – Day camps continue with Deadwood History as well – see all information at DeadwoodHistory.com
Monday, 6/21 – 5pm – City Commission Meeting at City Hall
Tuesday, 6/22 – 6-7pm – Public Clarifying Meeting here at the Visitor Center. Have you ever wondered what the Chamber does? How the Visitor Center is organized? Why we share staff and how we run our organizations? This is your chance to find out!
Tuesday, 6/22 – 7pm – Northern Hills Community Band will be having a concert on the Adams House lawn. Admission is by donation, in case of inclement weather it will move inside the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center.
Wednesday, 6/23 – 5:30-7:30 – Skate Night at the Handley Recreation Center! (Use entrance off Miners Ave, not the Boys & Girls club entrance). Admission $3 and skate rental $2.
Thursday, 6/24 – 6-8pm – Ann Charles (author of best selling Deadwood Mystery Series & Sam Lucky’s Deadwood Undertaker Series) Fan Party weekend kicks off with meet and greet at Java Joint in Lead. See full schedule of weekend events here: http://anncharles.com/
Thursday, 6/24
5pm – SCIENCE ROCKS: The Science of Fire at the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center, Ray Davis Patio. Join the Lead Volunteer Fire Depart to learn about the science of fire. Participants will learn how to use a fire extinguisher and be able to use one to put out an actual fire! Fun for all ages!
____ Save the Dates!
Friday, 6/25
-Lead/Deadwood ALL SCHOOL REUNION!
-5pm – Book Reading & Signing with Susan Enderby from her new book “The Story of the Blue Fur Coat” at the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center!
July 1 – 5pm, Pie Social hosted by Shepherd of the Hills & Lead MOPS
July 2-5 – Gold Camp Jubilee 4th of July Celebration all over town! See the full schedule here: www.LeadMeThere.org/
July 4 – B-1 FLYOVER!! 11:30am over Main Street in Lead!! (newly added this week!)
Want to see everything coming up? Check here: https://business.leadmethere.
Don’t see your member event or activity? Let us know! We do try to track everything down and add it but we love when you send it to us!
____News & Notes____
New members:
Please welcome the newest bike rental place in Deadwood that features EBikes – GOLD RUSH EBIKE! Located right across from the hospital. This is a great option if you love bike riding but maybe don’t have the strength or mobility to bike like you once did!
What are your ideas to make summer special? I’d love to hear! And don’t forget, HAPPY THANKSGIVING*!
With Love from Lead,
Sierra Ward
ED