OUR VIEW: Week in review: The best and worst

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CHEERS to the Splash of Spirits event held Friday in Mitchell as a benefit to the Avera Queen of Peace Foundation. We consider the seventh annual event a great success (and a great night out on the town).

Not only that, but it serves as a wonderful fundraiser for the foundation’s cancer care fund, raising more than $150,000 since its inception.

We commend the local hospital for hosting this event each year. It’s a great idea.

HISSES to the woes out on the East Coast, where millions of people have been adversely affected by Hurricane Sandy. Dubbed “Frankenstorm” in the days leading up to its arrival, it lived up to its dastardly billing.

Approximately 100 people have died from the storm, which flooded New York City, destroyed the New Jersey coastline and created misery for people up and down the eastern seaboard.

Many are still without electricity, and we can only imagine how scary it must be as nerves continue to fray and people get more desperate. Count your blessings, South Dakota. Life is pretty darn good here in the Rushmore State.

Speaking of Avera, CHEERS to all of the Avera hospitals in South Dakota that received distinctions from Healthgrades, a provider of information to help consumers make informed decisions about caregivers. Among those receiving recognition were Avera Queen of Peace in Mitchell.

HISSES to news that South Dakota continues to be among the nation’s leaders in car-deer collisions.

A report last week noted that West Virginia leads the nation in this dubious category, followed by South Dakota, Iowa and Michigan.

Here in South Dakota, we either have been involved in a car-deer mishap or know somebody who has.

A sad result is that sometimes, those collisions cause personal harm to the drivers and their passengers.

Someday, someone will devise a way to reduce the number of car-deer accidents. In the meantime, we remind drivers to be alert as they cruise our state’s highways.

CHEERS to everyone who takes the time to vote this week. We remind readers to get out Tuesday and participate in this wonderful form of freedom and democracy.

Tags: opinion, updates, editorials