Mike Kelly

It is a hot topic today, around the workplace, while having coffee after church or just around the dinner table: Healthcare. Let’s not digress into Dems. v. Rep with this subject becuase the questions are too important.

Today, I went to the Doctor because I thought I might have a kidney stone, two weeks ago I was there because I busted two fingers in a fall while hunting. There was a time when I would not have seen a doctor for either of these, a time when I was young and could not afford decent heathcare or even a co-pay on a radio salary. Then, back in 2007 I had a heart attack @ age 39, and not to sound cliche, it changed my perspective. Without heathcare many in this country put off seeing Doctors until it is ’serious enough’. I remember those days before meeting my wife when I would would only see a doctor if something was bleeding that should not be. I once put off a herina operation until my tax rebate come in and that only paid half.

Not wanting Healthcare reform one of the most telling things about our society. We demonize other countries for having ‘Socialized medicine’ and scream that we don’t want the Govt. involved in our lives. Those same people are the first to complain when they are not handed a bailout of medical treatment. Hawaii has Socialized Medicine, Canada does as well. For every false face from those areas that appears in an ad demonizing change, there are 100,000 who are fine & satisfied but do not make it to the limelight.

Well the Friday after Thanksgiving is here again and we as Americans feel the mystic pull to wake ourselves from a warm bed and shamble to the local retail store for our annual ‘I can’t believe they only had 2 of (insert desired item here)’ Rant! Yes, you did it! You got up, waited in the cold lines ignored the pushing and shoving of the less cultured…and for what? Rain check?!?

Here is an important tip for all of us: They will make more!

Look, I know we want the newest plasma TV thingy, or the 600 gig capacity whatzit. I know it is hard to resist the 98% off sales between 4:58am to 5:17am but as a smarter man than me once said ‘If it’s too good to be true, it isn’t’.

Be a kid, make a list, save the money you need and then go get it. The same Item you’re fighting for in the wee hours of black Friday will be on sale and @ deep discounts Dec. 26th. These are not priceless treasures or rare pieces of art...they will make more.

Well, I wait for them each year with anticipation and the pass me like a bus rainy day, hunting season for me is finished again for another year. After spending four days in the Black hills near Custer and another four on the not-so-flat lands of the northern South Dakota grazing lands, I must now retreat to the hunting stories that will sustain me for the next eleven months.

In the Hills I bagged a Turkey with a quick draw style from my .45 Ruger that (thanks to witnesses) will be a tale that last for many more season. In Corson County SoDak I tracked a 5×5 deer on foot (with the help of the family) for two miles over rough cactus terrain and deep cuts. The hunt was one of the best because of the effort. It is no secret that I’m not a huge fan of Road hunting, which is why I love the yearly hunt on the South/North Dakota Border. The act of traversing over rough terrain is in essence, the true spirit of hunting and is made even finer when doing it with family & friends.

Some call hunting barbaric, some say it should not be done at all. As I sit @ my computer, planning for next years hunt while enjoying my seasoned deer jerky and scan the web for a delicious Deer/chili recipe,  I let such comments fall by the way in my mind. Hunting is not just an American hobby/past-time/adventure, it is a human trait that drives us to get up in the morning, tolerate the confines of the cubicle, dead-end job, lazy bosses and co-workers who do more to impede the flow of progress than help. I sat on a Butte in the middle of nowhere while waiting for my father and brother in-law walked the deep cuts and valleys below me, a pair of glorious Bald Eagles soared above me in a show of freedom and wild strength, my mind placed the image in the back of my mind as one of the top ten most beautiful sights in my history.

The 16th Annual Friends of the NRA Banquet took place Thursday night @ the Brig Steakhouse and it was fantastic! Over 130 friends came to rasie money for South Dakota Shooting sports and many people not only walked away with numerous Unique NRA items, but had as great run durring the Live & Silent auctions with Auctioneer Ralph Kiner.

The 3 meat Buffet served by the Brig’s Chef Todd & the staffwas great. They accomodated our FNRA banquet superbly & we have already made plans to return the the Brig for our FNRA 17th Banquet Sept. 9th 2010.

My FNRA Mitchell Commitee is the best and this great event could not happened without them:

Chairman                      : Gary Stadlman

Co-Chairman              : Mike Deakins-Kelly

Secretary                       : Les Neugebauer

Treasurer                     : Deb Jorgenson

Committee Members Bret Jorgenson, Dave & Marilyn Mile, Tom Kluthe, Layne Huffman, Chuck Summers, George Sinke, Steve Thuringer, Dean Strand, Rob Brown & Rob Moore.

A Special thanks to all of our donors:

Dakota Territory Gun Colectors, Iverson Chrysler, Mitchell Federal Credit union, Pepsi of Mitchell, Shorty’s Locker, Unclaimed Frieght Furniture, Simply Unique, Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Mitchell Iron & Supply, Mr. Fox & Kacie Zajic of Cabela’s of Mitchell, Spencer Quarry, Deb & Bret Jorgenson, Mitchell Locker, Moody’s Western Wear, Tom Riddle, Dean Strand & Chuck Summers, Boyd’s Gunstock, New Leaf Body Spa, Powderhorn Ranch Regualtors, Mitchell Manufacturing, Les Neugebauer, Cornpalce stampede Rodeo Commitee, Ethan Co-op Lumber, The Tumbleweed, Dakota Territorry Rangers, Amy Hoeltzner, Dental Care Center, Mitchell Trap Club, James Valley Nursery, County Fair Foods & U.S.  Amry Recruiters of Mitchell.

For More Information on how you can join the Mitchell Friends of the NRA contact Gary Stadlman @227-4286 or Mike Deakins-Kelly @ 770-7027