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South Dakota Humanities Council

N e w s l e t t e r

As plans begin to emerge for the 2013 Festival of Books in Deadwood, the South Dakota Humanities Council would like to thank those who made the 2012 Festival, our 10th anniver-sary event, such a success. This includes volunteers, sponsors, SDHC board members, fans, authors and many more. Headliner Sherman Alexie was

a special treat for this year’s Festival; the famous Native American author brought 4,000 people to South Dakota State University’s Frost Arena to kick off the Festival. Festivities continued in Sioux

Falls, where acclaimed authors such as Roy Blount Jr., Karl Marlantes and Scott Jurek en-tertained thousands of people throughout the weekend with lectures, workshops and more. Weekend highlights included

a tea party with American Girl author Lisa Yee, a Literary Feast celebration featuring past One Book authors Elizabeth Berg, Leif Enger and Kent Meyers along with 2012 One Book author Michael Lawson, the unveiling of the 2013 One Book (see page 2) and much more. Excitement is already building

for the 2013 Festival, which will be held Sept. 20-22 in historic Deadwood, SD. We have already confirmed

Library of Congress National Ambassador for Children’s Literature Walter Dean Myers

and acclaimed mystery writers Karin Slaughter and Lori Arm-strong. Many more will be confirmed

throughout the year, so please keep an eye on www.sdbook-festival.com and future issues of our e-newsletter (sign up at http://sdhumanities.org/en-ewsletter.htm). Deadwood Mountain Grand

will provide a large central-ized location for lodging and events. In 2013, Exhibitor’s Hall will move from the Deadwood Pavilion to the Deadwood Mountain Grand. The beauti-ful Black Hills will provide a true vacation destination for Festi-valgoers. Please join us for the 11th annual Festival of Books!

Alexie energizes Festival audienceSDHC looking forward to 2013 event in Deadwood

Renowned tribal author Sherman Alexie inspects the Festival of Books guide. Alexie drew thousands to SDSU in Brookings as he kicked off the Festival with his Griffith Honors Forum Lecture. Photo courtesy of Lisa Yee.

2012 Festival of Books brought to you by:

2013 One Book Selected

1 Festival of Books

2 2013 One Book

3 Conversations

4 Grants awarded

5 Thematic focus

6 Awards

7 New board members

8 Festival photos

9 Technology

10 2012 programs

11 Donations

12 Book sale

Fall/Winter 2012In This IssueHow to apply:

1. Get a group together-Any book club or organization is eligible to apply for a reading program. Just set the date for your discussion and indicate that you’d like to discuss this year’s One Book South Dakota. You may also contact a scholar to lead your discussion.

2. Apply-If your book club would like to apply, find a sponsoring organi-zation (this can be any non-profit organization, such as a library, museum, or book club). Download an application from www.sdhumanities.org/programs_book.htm. Mail completed application and $40 application fee to South Dakota Humanities Council, 1215 Trail Ridge Rd., Suite A, Brook-ings, SD, 57006.

3. Wait for the Mail-SDHC will mail a circulating library of books along with study guides and promotional materials to your group. When you’re done with the program, simply mail the books and a short evaluation of the program back to us.

4. Promote, publicize, and conduct your event-This is where you can re-ally help us out. Draw a crowd! At your event, be sure to thank the SDHC and National Endowment for the Humanities for support.

The South Dakota Humanities Council is proud to announce that The Long-Shining Waters will serve communities throughout the state as the 2013 One Book South Dakota. The selection of So-sin’s book was revealed during a special presentation at the 2012 South Dakota Festival of Books in Sioux Falls Sept. 28-30.“Those of us serving on the Water Task Force think The Long-Shin-

ing Waters is a historically grounded and elegantly written novel that richly describes the uneasy relationship between humans and fresh water, as told through the eyes of women who led very dif-ferent lives,” said South Dakota Humanities Council Board mem-ber member and Water Task Force chair Matthew Moen.“I feel very honored that my work was chosen by the SDHC, and

I’m looking forward to spending time in South Dakota next year,” said Sosin. South Dakotans will no doubt look forward to reading Sosin’s book, which received the Milkweed Prize.“Frigid, lethal, and wildly beautiful, Lake Superior is as alluring as

it is dangerous. Featuring three women living on its shores in three different centuries, Danielle Sosin’s debut novel illuminates the mysterious powers of the greatest of the Great Lakes,” according to Milkweed Editions.Sosin’s book will be read and discussed by community reading

groups across the state leading up to the 2013 South Dakota Fes-tival of Books in Deadwood Sept. 20-22. As the One Book author, Sosin will tour 20 cities statewide, as well as provide a keynote lecture at the 2013 Festival.The Long-Shining Waters fits SDHC’s 2013 programming theme of

“Water.” These themes provide a platform for communities across the state to focus on issues that dominate current South Dakota discourse -- issues that affect all of us on some level. We encourage you to join the ongoing conversation. We hope your organization will take part in hosting one of these statewide discus-sions. For a $40 application fee, we will provide reader’s guides and copies of the book for everyone in your discussion group, as well as a scholar to lead the discussion if you would like one. Your discussion group can also take advantage of our capstone One Book South Dakota lecture.

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Book characterizes Lake Superior as “alluring” and “dangerous”

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South Dakota Humanities Council

Community ConversationsOne book author to tour state

One Book author Danielle Sosin

After ten years, most South Dakotans are familiar with the One Book program, which encourages readers throughout the state to come together to discuss a single book. This year, the program is expanding to offer even more opportuni-ties to interact with other readers, as well as with the author.To promote exploration of the themes in the 2013 One Book South Dakota

selection, The Long-Shining Waters, author Danielle Sosin will make four week-long book tours throughout the state. These tours will take her to one region of the state each month, beginning in June and culminating at the 2013 Festival of Books in Deadwood, September 20-22. If you’d like your community to be one of the 20 in which Sosin will meet read-

ers, sign books and discuss her work, please complete a 2013 One Book Tour application at www.sdhumanities.org. Any cultural or community organization is eligible to host an event, including libraries, historical societies and museums. One Book South Dakota encourages regional conversations around a com-mon text.

Selected host organizations receive:· 20 copies of The Long-Shining Waters· Resource toolkit of promotional materials · $250 in Community Cash for printing and postage expenses and coordinator stipend· Sosin’s travel and lodging expenses paid directly by the SDHC

As always, support is available for One Book South Dakota community reading programs based on The Long-Shining Waters. SDHC will distribute 2,000 books to schools, libraries and targeted reading groups through our lending library. If you are interested in holding a One Book South Dakota discussion led by a community member or SDHC scholar, please complete a Quick Grant/One Book application at www.sdhumanities.org. For more information, contact us at 605-688-6113 or info@sdhumanities.org.

Civic conversations based on new SDHC bookOur latest book project, What Makes A South Dakotan? was a resounding success. “Congratulations on editing and compiling an intergenerational epic of life in our

diversified South Dakota. It will be one that will be on many book shelves more than one generation,” said 91-year-old contributor Eleanore Moe.

As we began to collect stories, citizens gathered for “Civic Reflection” gatherings hosted around the state by humanities scholars; they discussed potential entries and their own answers to the question, “What Makes A South Dakotan?” The South Dakota Human-ities Council recognized the value of the conversations, and has decided to provide the means to continue them.

In 2013, What Makes A South Dakotan? readings and discussions will be held through-out the state, featuring contributors or facilitators from host communities. We will provide copies of the book and community cash for promotion to communities for the purpose of civic engagement. Contact us at 688-6113 for more information on how to bring one of these conversations to your community.

Please follow our website, www.sdhumanities.org, and upcoming SDHC e-newsletters as more information is released on this continuation of our book project. The book was released at the 10th Annual Festival of Books and is on sale now. Please call our office or visit our website to order a copy now.

We hope you will enjoy the upcoming civic conversations as much as readers have enjoyed our new book.

Major grants awarded at fall board meeting

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The South Dakota Humanities Council awarded major grants to nine organizations during the fall meeting in November.

Discussion grants: The Black Hills Film Festival received $7,000. Using film, interactive educational presentations, moderated discussions and the expertise of writers and filmmakers, the 2013 Festival will expand its popular “Reel South Dakota Stories and Books to Screen” discussion programs. It will be held May 1-5 in Hill City and Rapid City.

The Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science in Sioux Falls received $3,000 for its program “Seuss Falls: Discov-ering Art and Science - Seuss Saturdays.” The exhibit will run at the Pavilion from March 29-June 23 and will include the Art of Dr. Seuss traveling exhibit, interactive art classes, literacy and science activities and pro-gramming, Seuss Science exhibitions and much more.

South Dakota State University received $2,875 for the English Department’s 38th Annual Great Plains Writers’ Conference. The grant will go toward the 2013 conference’s featured program, “Examining the Legacy of Vine Deloria Jr.” The late Lakota author and scholar will be discussed by Elizabeth Cook-Lynn and Deloria’s son, Philip.

The Fall River County Historical Society in Hot Springs received $1,000 for “Faces and Places in Fall River Coun-ty.” The event is scheduled for Jan. 19 at the Mueller Civic Center in Hot Springs, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will feature a total of eight speakers, to include longtime residents of Fall River County and those who have writ-ten about and researched the county.

The South Dakota Discovery Center in Pierre received $5,000 for its “SD History Adventure Field Trips: Water Ways” program, which will begin in January 2013. The SD History Adventures Field Trips will involve nearly 700 fourth through seventh graders through an interactive timeline -- exploration of the Native Waters hands-on exhibit, participation in a drought days simulation and a boat tour of the Missouri River to examine effects of the 2011 flood.

The Brookings Renegades Muzzleloaders Club received $3,000 for its “Living His-tory Fair,” which will be held at the Swiftel Center in Brookings Jan. 25-26. The Living History Fair is an interactive educational event for school children, teachers, and the general public. More than 30 schools and 1,100 children rotate among dem-onstrators and entertainers to experience history and culture.

The Old Fort Meade Museum in Fort Meade received $1,400 for “Ute Indians of South Dakota,” a traveling exhibit that will be at the museum in the summer of 2013. It fea-tures an album of historic photographs and guest speakers.

Media grants: Sinte Gleska University in Mission received $6,576 for “Lakota Documentaries.” The project includes finalization of a bilingual (Lakota and English) book accompanied by a video (Lakota with English subtitles) on DVD. The video is based on the documentation of Lakota elders and community events for a period of 15 years.

South Dakota Public Broadcasting received $5,200 for “The Art of Healing,” which will include four or more feature stories and a one-hour documentary on SDPB Radio that will include personal stories and an original poem or short essay by a humanities scholar. The project will look at a number of programs across the state that encourage people to use the arts to cope with challenges.

Reenactors at the 2012 Living History Fair pose for a photograph.

South Dakota Humanities Council

Thematic Focus

The South Dakota Humanities Council will accept major grant proposals (over $1,000) until Feb. 28, 2013 for programs after May 15. Proposals will be accepted in humanities

discussion, research and media categories. Mini-grants ($1,000 or less) are accepted on a rolling basis but must be submitted six to eight weeks before the proposed project begins. SDHC will allocate 20 percent of its funding

allocation on programs based on the 2013 Thematic Focus of water. Programs featuring water will receive priority. Those who are interested in applying for a

grant should go to www.sdhumanities.org and click on the “Grants” tab and review all guidelines before beginning a proposal. For more information, please call 605-688-

6113 or email info@sdhumanities.org

Grants accepted until Feb. 28

Water: it sustains life and shapes identity. It may provide the setting for our favorite rec-reational activities and our most frightening experiences. In spite of its importance, we often take it for

granted until we have too little, or too much.Because water plays such an integral role in

the human experience, SDHC has chosen it as the 2013 thematic programming focus. This focus will permeate all aspects of our

programming throughout the year, including quick grants, major and mini grants, One Book SD, and more. The 2013 Festival of Books will also reflect

the Thematic Focus, featuring several writers whose work incorporates the theme.We strongly encourage organizations to apply

for major, mini or quick grants to support pro-grams pertaining to water. We look forward to working through this

theme, and have provided a list of topics for general exploration. Please call 605-688-6113 or e-mail info@sdhu-

manities.org if have any questions about the water theme or applying for a grant.

2013 brings Water theme to SDHC

SDHC is seeking scholars to apply for the 2013 Speakers’ Bureau/Chautauqua, One Book, Reading Group Toolkit, and What Makes a South Dakotan? Civic Reflection conversations. Applications are due Jan. 15, and the SDHC

Program Committee will select scholars for inclusion in the 2013 Program Catalog, which will be printed in March. When completing the scholar application, please attach a current photo of yourself. Chautauqua presenters should send a photo

of themselves dressed in their character cos-tume. Also, scholars may send short multime-dia presentations (i.e. DVD, YouTube video, website, etc.) to assist our program committee in evaluating the programs. SDHC encourages scholars to develop Speak-

ers’ Bureau and Chautauqua programs reflect-ing the Water Theme of 2013. If you are accepted into the Speakers’ Bureau/

Chautauqua program, we ask that you actively promote your programs to non-profit and com-munity organizations in your area. Applications are online at www.sdhumanities.org.

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Call to Scholars

Water Topics of Exploration:

1. Water: Sustainability/SupplyRobert Glennon, Unquenchable: America’s Water Crisis and What to Do About It2. Water: History/DevelopmentBrian Fagan, Elixir: A History of Water and Hu-mankindLinda Hogan, Solar Storms3. Water: RecreationKenny Salwey, Tales of a River Rat: Adventures Along the Mississippi4. Water: Floods/Storms/DangersMerlyn J. Magner, Come Into the Water: A Survivor’s Story5. Water: Personal Connection/Sense of PlaceMarilynne Robinson, HousekeepingMary Casanova, Frozen (YA selection)

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The South Dakota Humanities Council used a special ceremony at the 2012 Festival of Books to reward four individuals and three organizations for their contributions to SDHC. The AWC Family Foundation, South Dakota Public

Broadcasting, Gerry Berger Law and Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve received “Distinguished Achievement in the Humanities” awards, while the South Dakota Arts Council, Randell Beck and Jane Rasmussen re-ceived honors in recognition of the 10th anniversary of the Festival of Books and 40th anniversary of the SDHC. SDHC recognized these honorees for their out-

standing support of the humanities in South Dakota through presenting and hosting numerous events and engaging programs, composing important books or publications about the humanities, or providing essential funding or partnering to sustain a vibrant cultural landscape in South Dakota. The individuals and groups demonstrated a strong

commitment to scholarly and cultural advocacy statewide, the foundation to eligibility for the award.

The AWC Family Foundation serves the greater Nashville, Tennessee Area, the Iowa Great Lakes Region and selected programs in Florida, South Dakota and Colorado, and has been in existence since 1998. AWC Family Foundation donations to the Center for the Book Endowment were central to completing the NEH

challenge and creating permanent operations support that makes the festival possible. The AWC’s “Tribute” support has played a key role in sustaining this literary celebration in South Dakota since 2005.

South Dakota Public Broadcasting has been involved with SDHC and the South Dakota Festival of Books since its inception. The organization has also partnered with the SDHC on many other well-received projects and award-winning productions, including The Stavig Letters produc-tion (winner of Regional Emmy®),

Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me!, the Rock Garden Tour live show, SDHC’s book On the Home Front, Food for Thought/Dakota Midday radio program and others. Gerry Berger Law served on the SD

Committee on the Humanities and was a founding member/leader of the SD Humanities Foundation. She was an executive board member of the Foundation for eight years and Board President for two years. Law

is a longtime SDHC donor, and chaired the steer-ing committee for the $1.5 million Silver Anniversary Fund.

Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve is a humanities scholar, festival author and educator. She has received the NEH Humanities Medal and the Spirit of Crazy Horse award, and SDHC nominated her for the Governor’s Arts Award she received for literary achievement. Her latest book is The Christmas Coat. She has been involved with SDHC for more than 40 years and

is a perennial favorite at the Festival. As the author of more than 23 books, Sneve stands as a major con-tributor to South Dakota’s historical account.The South Dakota Humanities

Council’s partnership with the South Dakota Arts Council has been a significant aspect of the Festival’s success since its incep-tion. The SDAC shares many common goals with the SDHC. Recognizing the importance of creativity in the lives of all South Dakotans, the SDAC makes quality arts accessible throughout the state by providing grants, services and information to artists, arts organizations, schools and the public.

Jane Rasmussen has been a mem-ber of the Speakers Bureau since 1996, participating in the Readers The-ater program The Stavig Letters more than sixty times. She was involved in the Emmy-award winning documen-tary The Stavig Letters, produced by South Dakota Public Broadcasting with a grant from the SDHC, and is contributing to a book about the

Stavig Letters to be released by the South Dakota State Historical Society Press in 2013. Randell Beck has led an award-

winning newsroom during his tenure as publisher of the Argus Leader. Beck has also garnered individual honors, such as being named as a Pulitzer Prize Board member. Beck and the Argus Leader have been an integral component of our ef-forts through the Festival to educate statewide audiences about the im-portance of reading, literature and cultural aware-ness. Beck and the Argus Leader have helped the South Dakota Humanities Council build the Festival to what it is today by providing exceptional Festival coverage.

Distinguished Service honors awarded to contributors

Gerry Berger Law

Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve

Jane Rasmussen

Randell Beck

Andrea W. Carlton

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South Dakota Humanities Council

Three new members joined the South Dakota Hu-manities Council Board of Directors at the fall board meeting in November. Dick Brown of Custer, David Cremean of Spear-

fish and Elden Lawrence of Sisseton replace Har-vey Dumarce of Sisseton, Lin Jennewein of Rapid City and Bill Walsh of Deadwood. All three served the board for six years. Walsh and Jennewein were members of the South Dakota Humanities Foundation Board when it merged with the South Dakota Humanities Council Board in 2008.

Dick Brown, a Dell Rapids native and Custer resident, is a fifth-generation South Dakotan who has served in a number of national, state and local leadership positions. He served from 1995-2002 in the South Dakota House of Representatives, and as a member

of the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks Commission from 2004-2008. He is the de-velopment director of the South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation and a member of a number of local, state and national service and civic organi-zations. Brown and his wife Sue live in Custer. They have three children – Matthew, Terra and Jennifer.

Professor David Cremean began teaching at Black Hills State University in Spearfish in 2000. He teaches English and Humanities courses. The Spearfish resident earned his Ph.D from Bowl-ing Green University in Bowling Green, Ohio. He has been involved with the South Dakota Festival of Books and

has served on the Spearfish Arts and Humanities Council. He is married with two children – Saman-tha, 25, and Cormac, 17. He has been a member of various hiring, scholarship and grant commit-tees at BHSU. He recently released a book, Cor-mac McCarthy: Critical Concerns.

Elden Lawrence is a member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate who lives near Sisseton. One of 10 children, he enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 17, where he served six years. He completed an undergradu-ate degree at Sisseton Wahpeton College, and later he earned a Ph.D.

in Rural Sociology from South Dakota State Uni-versity. Following his graduate work, he served as President of Sisseton Wahpeton College for several years. His publications include a recent book, The Peace Keepers: Indian Christians and the Dakota Conflict. Elden and his wife Kim have two children, Derrick and Deborah, and six grandchildren.

SDHC Board adds three new members

Board members

Dick BrownDavid CremeanTom Dempster (Secretary)Michelle Deyo-Amende (Chair-Elect)Tom FishbackDoris Giago (Executive Committee)Anne Gormley (Treasurer)Fee Jacobsen (Governor Appointee)Elden Lawrence

Judith MeierhenryMatthew Moen (Gov. Appointee/Exec. Committee)Julie Moore-PetersonJean Nicholson (Chair)Lawrence PiersolScott Rausch (Governor Appointee)Becky Schenk (Governor Appointee)Ann McKay Thompson (Past Chair)Corey Vilhauer

SDHC Board Roster

Five positions will be open on the SDHC board in November 2013. SDHC board members hold three meetings per year at locations throughout the state and make vital decisions on Humanities policy, financing and other issues. Know someone who might be a good fit? Please recommend candidates to fill these important positions. SDHC builds strong communities throughout South Dakota by providing leadership, programs and resources that advance the study of the humanities in schools, colleges and cultural organizations across the state. Board mem-bers enable SDHC to fulfill its mission by increasing awareness of and participation in the Council’s work. The board is composed of citizens with varied back-

grounds who serve as volunteer board members. Four are appointed by the governor of South Dakota. SDHC seeks dedicated, energetic and imagina-tive members who possess an appreciation of the humanities, a willingness to understand and to tell others about the Council’s work and a commitment to diversity. SDHC is seeking representation from members of American Indian tribes in South Dakota. If you would like a form mailed or e-mailed to

you, please contact Carolyn Marshall at 688-6113 or carolyn.marshall@sdstate.edu

Board will soon have openings

Festival photos

Clockwise, from top left: Lakota Music Project (South Dakota Symphony Orchestra and a traditional Lakota drum group) perform on the final day of the Festival; 2004 One Book SD au-thor Elizabeth Berg speaks at the Literary Feast; two young Ameri-can Girl fans pose with their dolls prior to the tea party with Lisa Yee; three young men honor Sherman Alexie with a tribal song prior to the award-winning author’s Griffith Forum Honors Lecture in Brookings that kicked off the Festival (photo cour-tesy of Andrew Turner); Festival enthusiasts line up to register for the weekend’s activities in Sioux Falls; fans flock to fitness guru author Scott Jurek’s table at the Mass Book Signing. (Photos from Sioux Falls festival events by Bob Wilson).

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South Dakota Humanities Council

Technology When is a book “finished”? Leif Enger, author of Peace

Like a River, South Dakota’s very first One Book selection, says the writing is only the first step. He feels the reader’s response is equally important, and the circle is only truly complete when the author and the reader can discuss that response.

The Festival of Books provides a great opportunity to have that conversation face-to-face, but obviously, not all writers and all readers can connect that way. Many Festival authors are finding electronic ways to expand the conversation.

Many authors -- including some who at-tended our 2012 South Dakota Festival of Books -- have found blogging to be one of the easiest ways to keep their readers engaged. SDHC Facebook followers may have noticed links to blogs from 2012 Festi-val authors David Abrams and Lisa Yee. In a post following the 2012 Festival of Books

in Sioux Falls, Abrams shared funny and en-tertaining anecdotes. He also offered a glimpse into the mind of an author.

“I was so gratified to meet two enthusiastic readers, Rich and Patrick, who talked with me about Fobbit and our shared passion for the poetry of Brian Turner (Here, Bul-let),” Abrams wrote. “Then, on the second day, an older gentleman passed me in the lobby, did a double-take when he saw my nametag, and reached out a hand to stop me. ‘I read your book three weeks ago -- got it from the library -- and I really enjoyed it. You certainly have a different take on the war. I have never been in the service or been close to combat, but I could appreciate what you were doing with that book.’”

The moment obviously stuck with Abrams. And he went on to eloquently share what it meant to him.

“These are the small moments authors catch like fireflies, cup them in their palms and then later, when no one’s

looking, open their hands to enjoy the glow,” he wrote. Those valuable insights connect readers to authors in a

way that even a book sometimes cannot. “I started my blog primarily to share my love of books--

especially books from small presses or midlist authors who might ordinarily fly under the radar,” he said. “At the time, I was just finishing up the final draft of Fobbit, my novel about the Iraq War, so it wasn’t so much a personal blog about writing as it was a way for me to evangelize about books I was reading and falling in love with at the time.”

Connecting with readers is also important to Yee.“Since there’s often a year or more be-

tween my books coming out, blogging is a great way to keep in touch with friends and fans,” she said. “It also has an imme-diacy and freedom that publishing a book does not.”

Yee often takes a humorous approach to her blogging. But she also keeps readers apprised of her adventures.

“My blogs are about the true life adventures of an author, er, that would be me. I travel a lot, so I chronicle my writing adventures -- the places I go, the people I meet, indie bookstores, etc.,” she said. “I travel with a plush Peep and she gets photographed every-where. On my website, there are even three pages of ‘Peepy’ with famous authors and illustrators she’s met!”

Yee shared photos of Festival authors such as Roy Blount Jr. and Will Hermes interacting with her stuffed toy “Peepy.” She also documented trips to schools, author presentations – even seeing author Sherman Alexie at the airport. Yee enjoys interacting with fans on her blog and social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. “Blogging, Facebooking, tweeting, et al, allows me to be ‘out there’ without having to leave home or change into clean clothes,” she said.

Blogs create author/fan connections

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David Abrams

Lisa Yee

Lisa Yee interacts with a young American Girl fan at the 2012 Festival. Yee is the author of Milicent Min, Girl Genius, Warp Speed, and the American Girl “Kanani” series.

David Abrams chats with a reader at the 2012 Festival.

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“Making Sense of the American Civil War,” a popular reading and discussion series that engaged citizens throughout the state, was presented this year by the Public Programs Office of the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association’s Public Programs Office and coordinated through the ef-forts of South Dakota Humanities Council in collaboration with the South Dakota State Library. Presentation Col-lege associate history professor Brad Tennant and Black Hills State University professor Donovin Sprague served as statewide scholars.

Program sites in Sturgis, Mobridge, Pierre and Sioux Falls have hosted a series of three reading and discussion ses-sions. Session One focused on the anthology America’s War: Talking about the Civil War and Emancipation on their 150th Anniversaries; Session Two examined either Antietam: Crossroads of Freedom or March, and Session Three included a guide specially produced by SDHC and the two scholars to examine the effect of the Civil War years on the Northern Plains.

Tennant led the first two sessions at each site, while Sprague joined him for the third.

“The Civil War discussion series generated interesting and spirited discussions in each of the host communities. It has been interesting to hear so many perspectives as we discussed the readings,” said Tennant.

“While the books used nationwide for the ‘Making Sense of the American Civil War’ series provided the basis for great discussions, participants also found the SDHC’s discussion guide, which covered events of the Northern Plains during the 1860s, very informative and interesting.”

Sprague enjoyed leading the discussions.

“I believe the turnout was very good and the communi-ties were very knowleable about the topics,” he said.

“At the last Sturgis session, the audience did not want to leave and we kept the discussion going for 30 minutes or more after the scheduled time,” he said. “They were very enthusiastic!”

Civil War program attracts large crowds

“New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music” swept across the state throughout the year, drawing large crowds to both the exhibit and accompanying music events.

To close the exhibit’s six-city tour, the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra will perform the world premiere of a Lakota song cycle by Native American composer Jerod Tate in Sioux Falls. The concert, which also features Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 3, will be held at the Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 12. For tickets, call 367-6000 or visit www.washingtonpavilion.org

New Harmonies, offered by the Smithsonian Institution through the South Dakota Humanities Council, began in March with a grand opening in Sturgis, before moving on to Aberdeen, Brookings, Deadwood and Rapid City. It arrived in Sioux Falls at the Siouxland Heritage Museums in November for the final leg of the tour.

“New Harmonies” showcases the history of American music in genres such as blues, country western, folk bal-lads, and gospel. It features familiar songs, histories of instruments, roles of religion and technology, and the connection of musical roots in all popular American music.

The exhibit includes interactive display panels featur-ing a variety of musical genres and instruments, music artifacts and much more. It describes the work of well-known artists like Ma Rainey, B.B. King, Jimmie Rodgers, the Carter Family, Mahalia Jackson, Woody Guthrie and Joan Baez.

Its popularity was evident as New Harmonies traveled across the state.

“We have had only positive feedback on this exhibit; music is so universal and relevant,” said Sturgis Public Li-brary Director Julie Moore-Peterson. “People even came back to tour after coming to events.”

New Harmonies to close with Symphony concert

BHSU professor Donovin Sprague leads a “Making Sense of the American Civil War” discussion.

History of the Blues: Black Hills musicians James Van Nuys (left) and Bob Fahey perform “History of the Blues” in front of a packed audience at the Sturgis Public Library in March in conjunction with the “New Harmonies” exhibit.

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South Dakota Humanities Council

Donate now to keep SDHC programming alive

Simply return the donation form below in the enclosed envelope. Individual donations are more important than ever in this economic climate, so give a donation at any level today.

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2013

SEPTEMBER 20-22

Please help us promote dynamic humanities pro-gramming in our state. Consider a program-specific financial contribution to the Festival of Books or a donation to the 40th Anniversary Legacy Endow-ment Fund, which will secure sustainable program-ming for years to come.

Your donation preserves, protects and promotes the cultural legacy provided by the humanities.

Thank you for your consideration, and we look forward to seeing you at the 11th annual South Dakota Festival of Books September 20-22, 2013, in Deadwood.

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1215 Trail Ridge Rd., Suite ABrookings, SD 57006-4107

Our new book features more than 100 stories and poems and more than 70 photos from current and former South Dakotans who share definitions of what it takes to be a true South Dakotan.

Call 688-6113, email info@sdhumanities.org or visit www.sdhumanities.org to order a copy of What Makes A South Dakotan? or any of our South Dakota Stories books now.

What Makes a South Dakotan?, the fifth installment in the South Dakota Humani-ties Council’s South Dakota Stories series, is now available for purchase.

New book on sale now!!