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Dakota Midday: Lemmon Celebrates Hugh Glass

Hugh Glass was a member of a fur trading party in the summer of 1823 when he was attacked by a grizzly bear along the shores of the Grand River, south of present day Lemmon. He was badly wounded and abandoned by two members of the expedition left to look after him. Alone with a broken leg and open wounds, Glass crawled some 200 miles to Fort Kiowa.

Author Frederick Manfred told the story of Hugh Glass in his 1954 biographical novel, Lord Grizzly. Another book about Hugh Glass by Michael Punke, The Revenant, has been made into a movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio. It's scheduled for release in December.

In anticipation of the movie, Lemmon is hosting the inaugural Hugh Glass Rendezvous August 27-30. it is the Dakota Herald publisher LaQuita Shockley is rendezvous co-chair and she discussed the event on Dakota Midday.

Karl was born to northeastern South Dakota crouton farmers, but was orphaned as a toddler during the Great Salad War (1966-67). Rescued by a flock of chickadees, he grew up in the woodlands of Sica Hollow. Legends of a bird boy living in the trees attracted the interest of renowned ornithologist and amateur bandoneon repairman Dr. Vogel Gehrke. With a handful of suet, Dr. Gehrke coaxed the timid boy down from the trees. He adopted him, named him Karl and taught him not to molt on the carpet. Dr. Gehrke’s book, The Bird Boy of Sica Hollow, was a best seller and Karl became a minor celebrity and teen idol. He appeared as a guest star on numerous television programs, most notably an awkward role on The Love Boat as the boyfriend of Captain Stubing’s daughter, Vicki. After critics panned his 1980 album, Bird Boy Does Disco, Karl retreated from public life and returned to Sica Hollow. Living in an isolated tree house, Karl achieved a reputation as a mystic. Pilgrims and seekers from around the world came to ask him about the meaning of life and for vinaigrette recipes. Growing tired of answering questions, he climbed down from his tree, shaved his massive white beard and took a job as the host of SDPB Radio’s Dakota Midday where he could ask the questions instead. After three years in that position, he ran out of questions and became host of Jazz Nightly instead. Karl makes his home in Vermillion with his charming wife Kari and three delightful children, Kodey, Kasey and Spatula. His hobbies include reciting the alphabet, combing his hair and doing volunteer work with delinquent songbirds.
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