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Dakota Midday: Trees For Quasquicentennial Babies

Charles Michael Ray SDPB

Last year marked the 125th anniversary of South Dakota’s statehood. To help mark the occasion, Plankinton artist Altman Studeny of South Dakotans for the Inclusive Arts collected soil from each of the state’s 66 counties. The dirt was then mixed together and returned to the collection sites with a bur oak sapling in the "Grow 66/125" project.

Some of the symbolically intermingled soil was saved and Studeny now wants to give the dirt to one child born in every county during the 125th anniversary year. They will also receive a certificate redeemable for a bur oak sapling. Families will receive questionnaires at five-year intervals until the 150th anniversary of statehood to document how the child has grown.

Studeny joined Dakota Midday and discussed the project.

Anyone with a child born in the state between November 2, 2014 to November 1, 2015 and would like to participate can mail: South Dakotans for the Inclusive Arts, PO Box 1, Plankinton, SD 57368. For more information e-mail [email protected].

Karl was born to northeastern South Dakota crouton farmers, but was orphaned as a toddler during the Great Salad War (1966-67). Rescued by a flock of chickadees, he grew up in the woodlands of Sica Hollow. Legends of a bird boy living in the trees attracted the interest of renowned ornithologist and amateur bandoneon repairman Dr. Vogel Gehrke. With a handful of suet, Dr. Gehrke coaxed the timid boy down from the trees. He adopted him, named him Karl and taught him not to molt on the carpet. Dr. Gehrke’s book, The Bird Boy of Sica Hollow, was a best seller and Karl became a minor celebrity and teen idol. He appeared as a guest star on numerous television programs, most notably an awkward role on The Love Boat as the boyfriend of Captain Stubing’s daughter, Vicki. After critics panned his 1980 album, Bird Boy Does Disco, Karl retreated from public life and returned to Sica Hollow. Living in an isolated tree house, Karl achieved a reputation as a mystic. Pilgrims and seekers from around the world came to ask him about the meaning of life and for vinaigrette recipes. Growing tired of answering questions, he climbed down from his tree, shaved his massive white beard and took a job as the host of SDPB Radio’s Dakota Midday where he could ask the questions instead. After three years in that position, he ran out of questions and became host of Jazz Nightly instead. Karl makes his home in Vermillion with his charming wife Kari and three delightful children, Kodey, Kasey and Spatula. His hobbies include reciting the alphabet, combing his hair and doing volunteer work with delinquent songbirds.
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