Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Finding a Friend in Dakota

“I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me, they are the role model for being alive.” – Gilda Radner (comedian)

I lived in the dorms my first three years as a student at Creighton University. During my junior year, five of my fraternity brothers and I decided we would move off campus to a large house on Cuming Street about eight blocks from campus.

This decision allowed me to buy the dog I always wanted. I pulled the trigger a bit earlier than I was supposed as I bought the dog while I was living in the Palms (now Kenefick Hall). Dakota, my six week-old English Springer Spaniel lived in the dorm with me for about two weeks before the spring semester ended.

That presented a few special challenges and a few messes on the floor. But with the help and understanding of my two roommates, we made it to the end of the semester.
Dakota laying on my waterbed in our "corner room".

We moved into the house, a three-story, six-bedroom palace, in late May. I claimed the corner bedroom on the second floor that looked out over the roof of the over the back third of the house. I had seven windows that opened up to this roof. The roof was just below the bottom of the windows.

Dakota could jump out the window onto the roof and relieve herself and then come back into my room. That particular skill became a priority as soon as we moved in.

After a few successful ventures onto the roof and some heaping praise, Dakota figured it out. Needless to say, taking a leak worked fine - no residual. The other trips, did present a bit more of an issue.

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

January 2018 SDADA Column

Last year I watched (and helped a little) as NADA planned NADA100, a celebration of 100 years of service to dealers. The celebration in New Orleans was spectacular and everyone I talked to who attended had a great time. It was a gala worthy of the occasion.

It was great to walk down memory lane  and recap the rich history of both our trade association and our industry while also celebrating its future. The automobile industry has been an integral part of our nation's history.

Perhaps even more remarkable is that the South Dakota Automobile Dealers Association is celebrating 100 years of service to South Dakota dealers this year. Committees and staff are planning a celebration of this milestone to be held in Sioux Falls, June 13-15.

Details of this grand event will be coming soon but I urge you to mark those dates on your calendar. This will be a celebration of the history of the automobile industry in our state and if you are reading this, you are an important part of that history.

Encourage other dealers, current and past, to join us for this great celebration of the automobile industry in our state. I know one thing about car dealers, we DO know how to celebrate.