Garry Guan

I was shocked to hear the sad news at 9 o'clock last night. Sheila, my adopted Jewish mom in the United States whom I had known since 1989, passed away the night before yesterday. She was the grandma my two children had known since they were young, and when she and my adopted dad Bill lived in Diamond Head, Mississippi, we would often visit them during the holidays. My mom had been suffering from severe Alzheimer's disease in recent years, but I didn't expect her to pass away so soon. I had been thinking of bringing her to South Dakota for a few days in the summer. Now it is impossible forever.
Within an hour and a half of receiving the news, I booked a round-trip flight from Sioux Falls to Florida, and drove three and a half hours overnight from Fort Pierre to Sioux Falls Airport. Now I am waiting for a 6:21 a.m. flight, transferring via Dallas to Orlando, and then driving two and a half hours to Boyton Beach to attend a Jewish funeral.
In a hurry, I only found this photo of us together more than 30 years ago in my mobile phone.
May my mom Sheila rest in peace in heaven!

This last Saturday, November 19, 2024, was the first day of South Dakota’s annual ring-necked pheasant hunting season. Ring-necked pheasants are commonly known as wild chickens in China. South Dakota warmly welcomes hunters from around the world. According to our state’s tourism bureau, this year’s pheasant hunting season is expected to bring an estimated economic benefit of $220 million to South Dakota. Again, I would like to extend my thanks to the thousands of distinguished guests who have flocked to our state.

Speaking of South Dakota’s ring-necked pheasants, there’s quite a story behind them. As the State Historic Preservation Officer of South Dakota, let me share it with you.

These pheasants first immigrated to the United States "legally" all the way back in the 34th year of the reign of Guangxu Emperor of the Qing Dynasty in China. Not only were they "legal immigrants" who came with green cards, but they quickly became naturalized “citizens” of the United States. From their initial release in Spink County, South Dakota, they multiplied rapidly over the decades, reaching a population of millions! In fact, in 1943, the South Dakota State Legislature passed a bill officially designating them as the State Bird of South Dakota. Even today, they continue to significantly contribute to our state’s economy! As one of my fellow Rotarians at the Pierre-Fort Pierre Rotary Club whispered to me today, "South Dakota is the only state that short their "State Birds"!

As the State Historic Preservation Officer of South Dakota, I never expected to encounter such a "historical heritage and legacy!" Furthermore, as a Chinese-American and a descendant of the Manchu Eight Banners of the Great Qing Dynasty, I have even greater respect for these "immigrant" predecessors. (Of course, I may still look forward to hunting them, especially enjoying the delicious taste of pheasant!)

Today, on the evening of October 17, the largest full moon of the year appears in the sky. At the same time, Comet Purple Mountain-Atlas is still shining in the western sky, performing its final show.
Below is the view of the sky from the Riverview Campground where I am currently located in Pierre, the capital of South Dakota, USA. It is said that the next time this scene appears again will not be until 80,000 years!