Summer's heating up but we are cooling things down--perhaps too much!

In this episode of South Dakota Legends and Lore we learn about the blizzard that hit the Rocky Mountain and Great Plains regions of the United States on January 11, 1888. It became known as the Children's Blizzard or Schoolhouse Blizzard and caught most folks unprepared for the dangerous drop in temperature, high winds, and blinding ice and snow.

We focus on (South) Dakota Territory survival stories and experiences, and provide additional reading suggestions.

Voiced and edited by Adrian Ludens

Snowstorm sound effects by Dauzkobza, used by permission

South Dakota Legends and Lore returns this summer with three new episodes featuring famous, infamous, and not-so-famous historical figures from Dakota Territory and South Dakota.

This month, we'll hear recollections from two real-life cowboys. Bruce Siberts tells about "A Bad Winter on the Prairie" near Fort Pierre circa 1895, while Ike Blasingame recalls many a "Storm and Stampede" near Mobridge circa 1905.

These readings are from the books: Nothing but Prairie and Sky: Life on the Dakota Range in the Early Days by Bruce Siberts (1868-1952), edited by Walker Wyman; and Dakota Cowboy: My Life in the Old Days by Ike Blasingame (1884-1962).

Narrated and edited by Adrian Ludens. Music by Lance Conrad. Used by permission.

May is Be Kind to Animals Month, National Pet Month, Chip Your Pet Month, and National Service Dog Examination Month.

We look into what each of these observations means, and give some relevant book title recommendations for further reading.

We also explore the difference between service animals and comfort animals and talk briefly about the Humane Society of the Black Hills.

Podcast recording and editing by Adrian Ludens.