• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- South Dakota first lady Linda Daugaard will hold a book walk for children in the backyard of the governor's mansion in Pierre on Sept. 16.
• Children in junior kindergarten through second grade are invited to take part, but they must be accompanied by an adult.
• The featured book will be "Silly Sally' by Audrey Wood. Participants will walk around Capitol Lake and stop at stations along the way to read portions of the book.
• After the children reach the final station and finish the book, light refreshments will be provided.
• The first lady says technological advances mean kids often stay indoors. She says the book walk will encourage children to read while also getting outside for exercise.
• The walk begins at 6:30 p.m. and will last about a half hour.
•

• MITCHELL, S.D. (AP) -- This year's Dakotafest farm show southeast of Mitchell might be the biggest ever, thanks to nice weather and more displays.
• Director Ray Bianchi says there are 685 vendors at the 18th annual event -- 100 more than last year.
• Bianchi told The Daily Republic that the show added three streets to meet vendor demand for more space.
• This is the first show with the American Farm Bureau Federation as the owner. It acquired Dakotafest and other farm shows in a deal with Cygnus Business Media.
• Dakotafest started Tuesday and runs through Thursday.
•

• BRUCE, S.D. (AP) -- A month-long string of cooler temperatures in the Dakotas this summer has honey producers anticipating a drop in the states' honey crops.
• North Dakota and South Dakota are the nation's top two honey producing states, with North Dakota churning out 34 million pounds in 2012 and South Dakota producing 17 million pounds.
• Experts say those numbers will likely be down for 2013.

(Continued on page 15)