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Will LeBron James Inspire Prodigal South Dakotans to Return Home?

nba.com

Last week the man regarded as the best basketball player in the world announced that he was returning home to Ohio. Four year after leaving Cleveland for Miami, LeBron James said he’s signing a two-year, 42 million dollar contract with his old team.

In an open letter to Sports Illustrated, James said his decision was to return home first and play basketball second. He said he wants kids in Northeast Ohio to realize that there’s no better place to grow up. "Maybe some of them will come home after college and start a family or open a business," James said. “Our community, which has struggled so much, needs all the talent it can get.”

Scott Meyer is co-founder of the South Dakota online education and marketing firm 9 Clouds. In his Digital Homesteading blog, Meyer writes that James’ decision to return home gives hope to communities everywhere that talented people will come back and share their talents. He joined Dakota Midday to discuss his essay, "LeBron Just Saved Your Community." You can red it  here.

  

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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