Yesterday, we had lunch with a dear friend and discussed changes in store for an upcoming annual fundraising event. In the course of our conversation, we chatted about all the usual things you review with a friend you adore, but see infrequently; family events, favorite vacation spots, summer weather, and more.

We ventured into the subject of my hatred of summer and all it stands for, my love of the mountains and western Montana (my home state), the ocean and Pacific Northwest, at which point the question arose: "Why are you here in Sioux Falls then?"

My answer: "The people."

As much as I love all of the places I previously mentioned, the populace in those areas tend to be somewhat - oh, how can I put this, gently - unfriendly, xenophobic and close-minded. When my sister Carolyn moved back to Montana (something she had always wanted to do) in 1992, she initially had a difficult time making friends for these very reasons.

Maybe I'm just biased because I feel I have the best "second family" circle of friends in the world, right here in Sioux Falls. And my other indicators include the incredible generosity of people in this area when they are called upon to give to friends and neighbors in need at hundreds of fundraisers every year and to causes as diverse as our Cure Kids Cancer Radiothon and the Humane Society's "Paws to Celebrate".

On the other hand as I drove home, after lunch, up Western Avenue and was cut off twice, flipped off once (for driving the speed limit) and nearly rear-ended several times, I briefly called into question my judgement of the friendliness of our citizens (not to mention their driving habits). But only briefly.

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