2 Broadcaster Press December 17, 2019 www.broadcasteronline.com Dave Says Why Not Budget And Save? Dear Dave, I’ve never heard you talk about store layaway programs. With Christmas coming, I wanted to ask your opinion of using layaway for buying gifts. Meg Dear Meg, If you know me, you probably have a good idea what’s coming next. I’m not a huge fan of layaway programs, because they’re not the Dave answer to a problem. I mean, Christmas comes at the same time every year. It’s not like it snuck up on you. What’s wrong with just saving up money for Christmas ahead of time? Here’s a good rule of thumb: if you don’t have the money on hand, you can’t afford it. Now, sometimes there are instances when certain popular items are on sale, and you can take advantage of them through layaway if you don’t have enough cash at that very moment. I don’t have a huge problem with this sort of thing, as long as it’s not habitual behavior, and you’re already saving money and living on a budget. Still, I would never, ever recom- RAMSEY mend using a layaway plan with fees attached. It may be too late to budget for this Christmas, but I want you to make plans to start living on a written, monthly budget in January. Make it a resolution! Give every dollar a name, on paper, before the upcoming month begins. You can include Christmas spending in those monthly budgets, too. If you set aside a little bit each month from January until next December, you won’t have to worry about layaways or Christmas debt. Remember, Christmas is about God and it’s about love. There are many, many ways to bless people and make them happy without overextending yourself financially! —Dave * Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and business, and CEO of Ramsey Solutions. He has authored seven best-selling books, including The Total Money Makeover. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 12 million listeners each week on 575 radio stations and multiple digital platforms. Follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey and on the web at daveramsey.com. Middle Schools To Receive Meth-Focused Prevention Programming PIERRE, S.D. – The future, and it’s crucial we South Dakota Department teach them the dangers of Social Services of substance abuse,” said (DSS) today announced Governor Kristi Noem. that 9 prevention “These programs are providers statewide aggressively combating will receive funds to South Dakota’s meth support over 40 South epidemic and teaching our Dakota middle schools kids how to avoid harmful to provide evidenceand addictive substances. based substance use Programs like these can prevention programming, have a tremendous impact with emphasis on on our students and our methamphetamine hometowns. It’s time meth prevention. Governor is eradicated from our Kristi Noem’s budget for communities.” FY20 included $730,000 On August 19, 2019, for school-based meth the Department of Social prevention programming. Services (DSS) published “In South Dakota, twice a Request for Proposals as many 12- to 17-year(RFP) in order to provide old youth reported middle schools with methusing meth in the past focused substance use year as compared to the prevention programing. national average,” said Nine proposals were DSS Secretary Laurie Gill. received and approved, “Our youth are at risk and Save $30 onprotect them. AC identifying a projected 40 a Summer schools that will receive Tune-Up! we need to That starts with education programming with this and awareness, and we funding. are pleased to be we’ll commit Those approved Just give us a call and these dollars toward include Aliive-Roberts send out a qualified prevention programming.” County; Human Services “Our kids like Agency dba Northeastern Service Technicianare our Prevention Resource Center; Human Services Agency dba Watertown Health Youth; Lewis and Clark Behavioral Health Services; Action for the Betterment of Our Community; Youth and Family Services; Volunteers of America Dakotas; Lifeways, Inc. and Prairie View Prevention. Prevention programming focuses on mitigating risk factors and increasing protective factors – environment characteristics that can support healthy development. Each of these programs draws attention to distinct issues and outcomes, while emphasizing skill learning such as recognizing and challenging common misconceptions about substance use, practicing resistance skills, and learning personal selfmanagement and social skills. “The development of these skills will equip students to make healthier and safe choices,” continued Gill. “While our primary emphasis is on decreasing methamphetamine use among our South Dakota youth, implementing universal prevention programs in schools can produce a reduction of other substance use and risky behaviors as well,” said DSS Prevention Program Manager Jana Sprenger. If additional schools are interested in prevention programming, or for more information about behavioral health services related to prevention or to find a prevention provider in your area, contact the Department of Social Services’ Division of Behavioral Health at 605-367-5236, toll-free at 1-855-878-6057 or online at http://dss. sd.gov/behavioralhealth/ community/. 6 3 ????3???3???36??????? Tyler, to make sure your AC unit is ready for those hot summer South Dakota days and save $30!* Tyler Reiser Service Technician 13 years experience A First Name Basis By Daris Howard With ten children, it seemed like somebody always forgot something. Sometimes I would take time out from my day and run get the needed item. But often what one of our children was missing was something that was left at home. Donna, my wife, often had to take the forgotten item in to whichever school the child attended. Most of the time, the child who needed something was at the middle school. Middle school is the time in life when children have gone from having everything in the classroom to being responsible for the items themselves. This change in life seems to be more of a challenge for the parents than for the child. One day, Donna had taken an item in and was standing in the middle school office waiting to visit with the secretary. The secretary was on the phone. “It looks like Jimmy doesn’t have P.E. until fourth period, so you have time to bring his gym clothes in before class,” the secretary said into the receiver. As Donna stood waiting while the secretary continued her phone conversation, another lady came in. The lady looked flustered and embarrassed as she took her place in line behind Donna. Donna, always sociable, turned to the lady. “Do you have to bring things in for your children often?” “How did you know I was bringing something for my child?” the lady asked in surprise. “That’s pretty much the main reason parents come here,” Donna replied. “Besides, you have a fifth-grade math book in your hand.” The lady blushed. “I guess that was kind of obvious, wasn’t it?” “Are you new here?” Donna asked. “I haven’t seen you before.” The lady nodded. “Yes, we just moved here a couple months ago.” Donna held out her hand. “I’m Donna.” “It’s nice to meet you,” the lady said. “I’m Joan.” “I have a child in fifth grade and one in seventh,” Donna said. “My oldest is in fifth grade,” Joan said. “And I think I have been here almost every day for the last two months. It seems there is always something. He got a power drink spilled on him and needed new clothes. He had a pop explode in his pack and needed another pack. He tore his pants and needed a replacement. He left his P.E. clothes home and would have a grade cut if he didn’t have them. It just never ends. And he always calls me when I am in the biggest hurry.” “That’s the life of a parent of a middle schooler,” Donna said. “But I am afraid they will think I am annoying,” Joan said. Donna shrugged. “I’m sure we aren’t the only ones. I would bet that the secretaries are used to it.” “I fear that soon the secretary and I will be on a firstname basis. I told Ross if that happens, he’s going to be grounded for life.” About then, the secretary finished her phone call. She walked over to the counter. “Donna, were you first?” the secretary asked. Hearing her name from the secretary, Donna looked at Joan and smiled. She turned back to the secretary. “I was, Susan.” Then Donna motioned toward Joan. “But I think she is in more of a hurry.” The secretary turned to Joan. “Joan, did you bring something for Ross?” Donna grinned at the look on Joan’s face when she heard her first name, along with the name of her son. After Joan handed over the math book, Donna touched her arm. “Don’t ground him for too long. It’s just part of his growing up.” Joan smiled. “And maybe learning patience is part of mine.”  3 ???3?37??????34?3?3???35??????????3?????3???????? When You Want Comfort...You Want Kalins When You Want Comfort… You Want Kalins! Vermillion: 605-624-5618 We would like to thank our family and everyone who sent us cards, phone calls and greetings in honor of our 50th wedding anniversary. *Rebate offer only available to Vermillion Light & Power customers. Call for full details. 70 years as a Premier Lennox® Dealer 98 years in the Business 400 years of Heating and Cooling Experience = Southeast South Dakota’s #1 Choice! Thank You! Yankton Vermillion Sioux City 605.665.4348 605.624.5618 712.252.2000 God bless you all. Jim and Barb Danielson kalinsindoor.com Merry Christmas During the Holiday Season more than ever, our thoughts turn gratefully to those who have made our progress possible. And in this spirit we sincerely say Thank You and Best Wishes for the holdiay season and a Happy New Year! 113 W. Main Street Vermillion, SD 605-624-2655 3x ...the Value For Your Classified! 605-624-4429 The Vermillion Public Library wants your feedback! Take our survey for a chance to win Vermillion Bucks! Visit: vermillionpubliclibrary.org/survey Surveys completed by December 31st, 2019 will be entered to win!