Opinion

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus

Published by admin on Tue, 12/23/2025 - 1:17pm

Eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York’s Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21, 1897. The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history’s most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other editorials, and on posters and stamps.
DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.
Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
Papa says, “If you see it in THE SUN it’s so.”

The legend of the candy cane

Published by admin on Tue, 12/23/2025 - 1:16pm

When was the last time you ate a candy cane?
As a child, candy canes were one of my favorite Christmas treats. I remember we were allowed to have one piece of candy a day. Thus, candy canes were the perfect loophole. They were bigger than any other type of candy, and it took hours to suck away the peppermint-flavored sugar.
These days, my family buys a box or two of candy canes to hang on our Christmas tree. Slowly, as the holiday draws closer, the candy canes disappear into mugs of hot chocolate, are crushed and sprinkled on top of sugar cookies or simply sucked away. 

The spirit of Christmas

Published by admin on Tue, 12/23/2025 - 9:50am
Growing up on our family ranch near Union Center, the holiday season was always a time of simple joys. The ornaments might not have been the fanciest, but they were ours—and they reflected the true meaning of Christmas. At the heart of it all was the story of Christ’s birth, a reminder of hope, humility, and sacrifice. That celebration and connection kept us grounded through the long winter ahead.

Warm wishes for a Merry Christmas

Published by admin on Tue, 12/23/2025 - 9:46am
As the year draws to a close, I want to take a moment to wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year. The holiday season is a time to slow down, reflect and appreciate the people and places that make our communities strong. It’s also a time for gratitude—for neighbors who lend a hand, families who support one another and the shared values that keep us moving forward together.

It’s the most busy time of the year

Published by admin on Wed, 12/17/2025 - 2:49pm

Many times during the summer months, someone will inevitably approach a staff member here at the Custer County Chronicle and say something to the effect of “you must be really busy this time of year!”
The answer is no, not really.
While Custer is at its busiest during the summer months, the truth is that summertime is a “down time” of the year for us. Well, as much of a down time as we can have. Our small but mighty staff is constantly churning out material, so the phrase down time is irrelevant. The point is, it’s our slowest time of the year.

Staring down the barrel of no insurance

Published by admin on Wed, 12/17/2025 - 2:44pm

A few weeks ago in the Custer County Chronicle, there was an editorial imploring the United States government to extend the Affordable Care Act tax subsidies.
Yes, that was me.
I am one of 22 million Americans who are likely to lose their health insurance when the calendar turns to 2026. My crime? Not being able to afford a monthly premium twice what I’m paying now and that will be only a few hundred dollars shy of the cost of my mortgage.

A Hollywood ending

Published by admin on Wed, 12/17/2025 - 10:53am
I cried today at the news of Rob Reiner’s passing. Not because I was a huge fan, although I did enjoy his role as Meathead in “All in the Family” and the movies he directed, including “This is Spinal Tap” and “When Harry Met Sally.”

City, county should negotiate accord

Published by admin on Wed, 12/10/2025 - 10:40am

For the past several months, and maybe longer, the City of Custer and Custer County have been going back and forth as they try to settle on an amount of money the city will pay to the county in exchange for providing law enforcement services for the city in 2026. There have been a multitude of negotiation sessions, letters from lawyers, back and forth and frustration. And that is from both sides of the issue.

What goes around comes around

Published by admin on Wed, 12/10/2025 - 10:35am

Whether or not she’s a baseball fan, South Dakota Secretary of State Monae Johnson finds herself living one of Yogi Berra’s famous sayings: “It’s deja vu all over again.”
The New York Yankees’ catcher didn’t have Johnson in mind when he said it, but her future bears a remarkable resemblance to her past.
In the summer, Johnson will find herself fighting for her job at the state Republican Party convention where some nominees for statewide office are chosen. She’s being challenged by state Rep. Heather Baxter, a Republican from Rapid City.

Winning isn’t everything

Published by admin on Wed, 12/10/2025 - 9:52am
I am about as competitive as they come—from big sports competitions down to the silliest side bets. I don’t like to lose. Who does?
Last week, I was watching the girls middle school basketball games. My daughter didn’t play until the second game, but I like to watch all the teams and cheer on her teammates. When you’ve watched a group of girls grow from the time they first picked up a basketball in kindergarten to taking on a new level of play in middle school, you feel invested. I cheer for them like they’re my own.