Membership: Ila Rumbolz, der Rumbolz Platz, Ethan
I have sent membership application packets to inquiries from Pierre, Rapid City, Whitewood, and Fairfax. We are having a busy summer, lots of rain, & interesting, fun guests. Ila Rumbolz

Glacier Lakes: Darla Loewen, Possibility Farm B&B, Huron
Don't know if I have any news, but I have a question of members.  How many people use Black Hills Central Reservations to book rooms? The office of tourism is having meetings in the state on how they plan to update the web site, and want to have on the site where guests can book rooms directly from the web site.  I believe they will be using Black Hills Central Reservation system.  I would like to know how many members use the service, if they do, how they like it, costs, etc.
 
At our farm, we are wet, wet, wet!!  Crops are doing poorly, believe it or not due to too much rain, and cool weather. We've had some wonderful families visit this summer and pheasant hunting inquiries are going well. Hope the summer in other parts of the state, with visitors and visitor spending, have made for a great summer so far.

Great Lakes: Jim & Linda Steele, Eagle’s View B&B, Ft. Pierre
News from the Steele's:  Just trying to recuperate from my second knee scope and debridement in 4 weeks!  OUCH!! It's been 10 days since the last one, so I am looking forward to not hurting and being able to get around better!! I blew the "meniscus" 5 weeks ago Sunday and had it repaired.  Then 2 weeks ago on a Sunday I blew the other.  Luckily for me my daughter works for Sanford orthopedic so I got right in both times for surgery!  Busy here --- poor Jim!  LINDA

We say OUCH with you Linda!

Black Hills & Badlands: Lyndy Ireland, Triangle Ranch B&B near Philip
We don't want to blow our own horn, so to speak, but we were so thrilled at the food feature on Triangle Ranch B & B in the July/August Midwest Living Magazine (Dinner on the Range).  We have received so much business from really nice folks in our region.  Kudos to Circle View Guest Ranch for their write-up in the May/June Midwest Living (not bad for us Badlands B & B's). 
 
Triangle Ranch was found by the MWL  through www.tripadvisor.com reviews.  Just want to stress the importance of that website to us all.  Check your reviews and encourage guests to post reviews there.  Many guests tell us they make their travel plans exclusively from information on TripAdvisor. Guests seem to crave that personal touch that our inns give.  It's our niche.
 
When you are tired to the bone - "Remember, it is better to wear out than to rust out".

Black Hills Badlands & Lakes BBISD Bed and Breakfasts have been maintaining an "availability list" throughout the summer in order to make referrals and enhance our bed and breakfast industry.  About every ten days an email goes out to all the B & B's in the BHB&L region to send in their availability for the next month and a half.  Then a list is compiled and sent out for reference.  If inns are full, they can make a referral.  If a guest calls and requests accommodations that an inn doesn't have (like a room for 6), they can make an educated referral.  It's a win-win for the B & B's in the Association. 

A big THANK YOU to Eileen Rossow for her diligence in keeping the hills area inns up to date on who has openings.  It is so handy to have that list by the phone and when you have to turn someone down because you are full you can just give out another inn which does have openings.  This is especially beneficial to our newer inns which may not have all their advertising in place.

Vice Chair: Andy & Jenny Todd, Prairie House Manor, DeSmet
We have been full every night because of the Laura pageants going on in town. Overall, things are going great and we are very busy.   We had a better June & July than last year, which is surprising because of the economy.   Plus, we see an increased amount of families from a 2 state radius visiting, probably because of the economy - staying "closer" to home for vacation.

Publications: Carla Kaaz, Foote Creek B&B, Aberdeen
A HUGE "Wow! Way to Go" to Lyndy and Kenny on the 10 - yes that TEN page spread on Triangle Ranch in the July/August Midwest Living.  I was paging through the magazine when ... There they were ... smiling and sparkling like they do ... We're so proud to say "I KNOW and love those folks."
 
Speaking of Lyndy, I brought the German Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies to the retreat.  Lyndy asked for the recipe stating "she could get Kenny to do just about anything with these."  ;-) 

German Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies
 
Topping:
1 c sugar
1 c evaporated milk
½ c butter or margarine, softened
1 tsp vanilla
3 egg yolks, beaten
1 ½ c flaked coconut
1 ½ c chopped pecans
 
Cookies:
1 pkg Pillsbury plus German chocolate cake mix
½ c butter or margarine, melted -
 
In heavy 2 qt saucepan, combine sugar, milk, ½ c butter, vanilla and egg yolks, blend well. Cook over medium heat for 10 to 13 minutes or until thickened and bubbly, stirring frequently. Stir in coconut and pecans. Remove from heat. Cool to room temperature.
 
Reserve 1 ¼ c of topping mixture, set aside. In large bowl, combine cookie ingredients and remaining topping mixture. Stir by hand until thoroughly moistened. Heat oven to 350° Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. With thumb, make an indentation in center of each ball. Fill each indentation with rounded ½ tsp of reserved 1 ¼ c topping. Bake at 350° for 10-13 minutes or until set. Cool 5 minutes; remove from cookie sheets. Cool completely. Makes about 5 dozen cookies.

Treasurer: Eileen Rossow, Peregrine Pointe B&B, Rapid City
BBISD has just ordered another printing of our newest cookbook, Sunrise to Sunset in South Dakota II, for anyone who needs more.  Be sure to let her know, also, if you are running low on comment cards or brochures. peregineptbb@msn.com or 605-388-8378