•  PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- South Dakota's celebration of its 125th anniversary of statehood next year may not feature a big bash, at least not on the scale of the closing events held for the state's centennial in 1989.
•  Members of a commission appointed by Gov. Dennis Daugaard to plan the celebration said Wednesday they aren't ready to decide on any major events for the anniversary year, but they said the year will feature educational programs in schools, local celebrations in many communities and other events tied to history.
•  Some commission members suggested the state should establish lasting legacy projects such as scholarships or a renewal of a more than two-decade-old effort to promote reconciliation between American Indians and non-Indians.
•  The commission met for the first time Wednesday and will meet again Sept. 18 to make final plans for next year's celebration.
•  The centennial celebration in 1889 ended with two days of ceremonies, dances and a parade in Pierre. Officials on Wednesday said they expect public interest for South Dakota's 125 anniversary will be much lower than it was for the centennial.
•  "We know there won't be that many major events this time around," said Jim Soyer, an aide to the governor who is working with the commission.
•  Commission Chairman Jim Larson of Sioux Falls, who was director of the 1989 centennial office, said the panel will seek suggestions before its next meeting.
•  "I'm certainly not ready to say we should do this or do that," Larson said.
•  Commission members said they want to explore working with North Dakota, which gained statehood on the same day South Dakota did on Nov. 2, 1889. Communities also will be encouraged to hold their own events, and state officials will

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