I’m delighted to be here tonight. We are here to celebrate the 25th anniversary of NAJA, to think a bit about where we have been – and where we might go.

Audio and Photos by Denny McAuliffe
TABOR, S.D.—Experience the sights and sounds of the Czech Days carnival June 19.
“If everybody can come out here and have a real good time and everybody leaves happy, with a happy memory, that’s what it’s all about,” said David Thiel, foreman of the carnival operated by Mac’s Carnival and Attractions.
The [...]

TABOR, S.D.— Kolaches were plentiful at the 61 annual Czech Days Celebration in Tabor, S.D. The sweet dough pastry was the focus of an hour-long baking demonstration open to all Czech Days attendees.
Rita Varilek and Ann Beran provided step-by-step instructions and tips to novice kolache-makers. Both women have been leading the kolache demonstration [...]

By Molly K. Young, AIJI
Tabor, S.D.- For more than 60 years, a tiny South Dakota town has hosted a big summer celebration. The two-day event celebrates the community’s common bond: its ancestry.
“This is a Czech community,” Judy Lundy, from Tabor, said. “Czech Days, to a lot of them, represents home.”
Lundy said she and [...]

Tractors, trucks, bands and antique cars floated through Tabor, S.D. as part of the 61st annual Czech Days giant parade on Friday, June 19.

Benny Polacca and Annie Taylor, AIJI
VERMILLION, S.D. – More than 60 University of South Dakota athletes are sharpening their game skills this summer during a voluntary training session now in its second year.
The University’s Athletics Summer Workout session trains its men’s and women’s basketball, football, swimming and volleyball teams for about nine weeks during summer [...]

Brady Orvis, the owner of Skin Gallery Tattoos in Yankton, S.D., decided to open his business a year and a half ago after moving to the town from Sioux Falls, S.D.

VERMILLION, S.D. – Al Pravecek has been practicing medicine for 30 years and has spent the last 10 years caring for patients in Vermillion. Only, most of his patients have four legs.
As the sole veterinarian in town, Pravecek cares for small animals such as dogs and cats, even turtles, at the Vermillion Veterinary Clinic.
“I just [...]

The Vermillion Parks Department has planted more than 1,000 flowers around town this spring to help beautify parks and sidewalks—but not just for the enjoyment of residents.

VERMILLION, S.D.—Anthony Millette, a fine arts graduate from the University of South Dakota, left the science lab for the potter’s studio. There, he combines science and art to create pottery for everyday use.
“When I make a set of something, I try to make it more of a family than a set, I think it’s very [...]