Friday is Valentine’s Day (in case you forgot). It’s my favorite minor holiday, not least of all because I’m a February baby and really, February needs all the love it can cobble together! Last year I wrote about trying to rethink Valentine’s Day as not just a day for romantic love but also a day to appreciate all relationships – ones with your work mates, your friends, your family etc. and letting them know how much they mean to you.
This year I’m thinking about place love. If you’ve read these emails for any length of time (hello new subscribers!) you know I love Lead. What do I love about Lead? Let me tell you!
I love that it’s a beautiful place, the Black Hills are unique – there are so many stunningly beautiful things about our friendly hills. But Lead is particularly cozy, nestled between our two hills, with goofy small streets and houses perched on top of each other in places. I love that it has its roots an industrial town, there’s something so gritty, powerful and earthy about industrial towns, especially ones that involve the sweat, guts and ingenious engineering as hard rock mining. So many people took such a gamble to come here and make a life; to make this town work. I love that we continue to attract creative, gritty and hardworking people to live here. I’ve never lived so closely in a small town, but I love the drama (as all small towns have) of people living closely together and caring deeply for each other with all the frictions that can cause. I love that it’s not perfect, and still has a little of that roughness around the edges. It’s not really fair to say that makes it feel more real (more real than what?) but… it feels very real. We aren’t putting on a front for anybody, we are what we are and you can take it or leave it. The people that get us, GET us, and to the rest, well it’d be awesome if you’d come see what I see, but if not, I understand. I don’t really want to share Lead with tooo many people, because at the end of the day I’m a little jealous.
_____
Here’s what happening in town this week:
Today, Thursday 2/13
5pm – Deep Talks: Seeking the Unseen – Gina Gibson, will discuss the importance of magnifying the minute—in science and art and her experience as an artist-in-residence at an underground science laboratory and challenge the way the audience regard the seemingly small and insignificant. Social hour with free beer and snacks at 5pm with talk to follow at the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center.
Friday, 2/14
5:30pm – Family Skate Night at the Handley Recreation Center.
7pm – The Historic Homestake Opera House is showing the film “French Kiss” (one of my favorites!) Tickets are $20/pp and include a drink and goodies.
7pm – Trivia at Lewie’s Saloon & Eatery. Always fun, meets in the back room – go early and enjoy some of the best burgers around!
Saturday, 2/15
Snow Jam continues at the Tomahawk Country Club with Saturday club house hours. The course has been groomed for non motorized winter sports, and passes can be purchased on the honor system there. See more details at www.NorthernHillsRec.org
Monday, 2/17 – President’s Day
Tuesday, 2/18
5pm – City Commission Meeting at City Hall. Two commissioner seats are open for applications if you find yourself interested!
6:30pm – Free Poker at Blackstone Lodge. Come join the group that plays just for fun in the Hangar 7 Lounge.
Thursday, 2/20
12pm – Preservation Thursday “In Line with Mighty Forces: Ida Crouch-Hazlett” at the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center.
What do you love about Lead? I’d love to hear! Reply right to this email!
A very happy Valentine’s Day, friends!
Sierra Ward
Director of the Lead Area Chamber of Commerce & Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center
P.S. I had a bunch of people ask about the 4th of July VIP party, so I set up the ticketing for that if you’re interested. We’re thinking of even more ways to make it awesome this year so you won’t want to miss out! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/4th-of-july-vip-party-tickets-94245949171