By John Andrews

A small group of us here in the office held our first ever "social media" meeting yesterday morning. I was unfamiliar with the concept until I was told it was about using social networking Web sites like Facebook and Twitter. Turns out I was already in to "social media," but had just never applied that term to what I'd been doing.

Our first priority will always be putting out a great magazine every two months, but we have entered the horizonless Internet world with our Facebook and Twitter pages. If you haven't done so already, check out our Facebook page. You'll find engaging conversations between staffers and readers, photos submitted by readers and links to some of our favorite Web sites. And follow us on Twitter. We'll keep you up to date on cool events and other interesting things going on in South Dakota.

This morning on WNAX Radio, Sioux Falls humorist Jim Woster remarked on the on-again, off-again smoking ban debate in South Dakota: "Did you know," he asked, "that smoking is the number one cause of .... statistics?"

By John Andrews

South Dakota has a lot of fishing holes, but the one with the best story is in McCook County. When John Alvarez suffered a brain injury in a car accident, he relocated from Arizona to Bridgewater, his wife's hometown. To keep busy he began fishing with his son. He realized the calming influence of the water, rod and reel made him feel better, so after he recovered he dug a hole, filled it with water, stocked it with fish and made it wheelchair accessible. Today My Fishing Pond, three miles west of Bridgewater, hosts people with brain injuries and other disabilities who delight in reeling in a big bass or perch.

It's billed as a "small pond that brings big smiles." Already this year Alvarez has hosted groups from Yankton, Lennox, Viborg, Sioux Falls and Mitchell.

Friday duffers of all ages can help Alvarez bring more fishing groups to his unique pond. He is hosting a golfing fundraiser for My Fishing Pond Friday afternoon at Valley View Golf Course in Freeman. It's a four-person scramble and costs $200 per team for 18 holes, a cart and meal. To enter, call Valley View at (605) 925-4929.

Photo by Christopher Gannon/Sioux Falls Argus Leader

Last May one of our staff found a swarm of honey bees on a tree by their farm near Yankton. Swarms usually develop when an old queen bee is driven from a hive by a new and younger queen.

The old queen who showed up in a farmhouse on the Mark Sieverson was still popular, because she brought 45,000 bees with her. The Sieversons had just recently moved into a new house on the farm and they intended to tear the old one down so they didn't become too concerned when the bees showed up — not until a babysitter was stung by a bee.

At that point they enlisted the help of two local county agents — Duaine Marxen of Milbank and John Kieckhefer of Brookings. They found that the bees had settled between the floor boards in a second story bedroom. John, dressed in protective gear, began removing the boards. The bees flew into a rage, so Duaine relegated himself to being the official photographer and exited the premises. Still, he ended up with a bee sting.

Once John found the queen bee and got her into a box, the followers settled down. "It was a once in a lifetime experience," Duaine told Phyllis Justice of the Grant County Review. "There is nothing I would trade it for."

Yankton aerial photographer Dave Tunge just shared this shot of the Missouri River breaks near Platte. Click on the picture for an overview. Has it ever looked so green in South Dakota this late in the summer?

By John Andrews

There are 400 species of birds that either live in South Dakota or pass through during the year. Nearly 100 of them are featured in a new birding book published by the state Game, Fish and Parks department.

Backyard Birds of South Dakota gives hints on how to identify birds and how to attract different species to your backyard. Each bird is featured with a color photograph, a description, notes on their preferred habitat and a fun fact. For example, the chimney swift only lands to nest and roost for the night. They often eat, drink and bathe while flying.

Many of the guide's photos come from Doug Backlund, a wildlife biologist at GF&P who is also an outstanding nature photographer. See more of his nature photos here.

The book has been available since mid-June, and already the first 5,000 copies are almost gone. Click here to learn more or order.

This week's Newsweek has a cover story by Senator Edward Kennedy titled "The Cause of My Life." He gives a history lesson of why health care reform has never happened in the last century (and, interestingly, notes that Nixon was ready to get the job done before a little burglary consumed his time).

Kennedy says he has received letters and mails from many unfortunate Americans, and one of those he quotes is Mary Dunn, a 58-year-old teacher in Eden who also serves as the town mayor. She is a diabetic who had heart bypass surgery. She and her husband are about to retire, and she can't find insurance because of her medical history. "What am I to do after 39 years of teaching to acquire adequate health coverage?" she asks.

Hear musicians Christine Albert and Chris Gage discuss their new CD, Dakota Lullaby, on SDPB at 9 p.m. CT and 8 p.m. MT. Saturday night host Matt Weesner will talk with Albert and Gage about their original music featured on the album and about their new tour, which kicked off last night in Rapid City at their Summer Nights Concert Series. For more information, visit their Web site. Listeners can also get the program on the Web at www.sdpb.org

Albert and Gage “Dakota Lullaby” Tour
Thursday July 23 – Rapid City – Summer Nights Downtown Concert Series
Friday July 24 – Pierre – The Grand Theater
Saturday July 25 – Watertown – Watertown Events Center
Sunday July 26 – Sioux Falls – Latitude 44
Tuesday July 28 – Pierre – South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center
Thursday July 30 – Lead – Homestake Opera House
Saturday August 1 – Canton – Sioux River Folk Festival