The goDakota website was migrated to a new server. The past few days have been frustrating to say the least.

I have been managing data since the 80s (yes I’m that old) , websites since 1995 and have build and/or managed hundreds of websites. Early on we used a text editor and wrote the code from the first line to the last. Simple HTML to ASP and PHP using MS Access, then MSSQL, then MySql (price) was the progression.

Having reached the age of reduced work load and finally being able to do “what is fun” I soon found out that what is fun is learning new stuff. Well, when WordPress and other Content Management System (CMS) platforms came along, I thought “what a great idea” for giving the end user an easy way to manage their own websites and update their content whenever they wanted. After spending some time exploring and building using these new open source tools I soon discovered that all was not the utopia I was expecting. As an old timer, I was amazed at the inefficient use of code. Bloated, redundant, non intuitive, poorly documented, and non supported line after line that could have, and should have, been reduced to a few lines of well constructed code.

But I digress. Moving to a new server has made me pay attention and work out some kinks. I’m learning stuff, yes, but not having as much fun doing it as I wanted. I will continue to use the new tools as a way to “keep up” and challenge the grey matter, but when I want to share some thoughts or photos, maybe a video of a local event, I will get out my old text editor and write a few lines of code, post it to a website and watch the sunset.

Here’s to progress.

Thank you for your patience.

Otto

Peggy Sanders, author of The Civilian Conservation Corps: In and Around the Black Hills, has been kind enough to share some of her findings. You can see the list of CCC workers at the CCC museum in Hill City, South Dakota. Peggy has been working on that list of several thousand names.

Now another interesting element of the project. Mount Rushmore, carved between 1927 and 1941, had some CCC and WPA workers. We hope to identify them and detail their involvement.

If anyone has any information and/or pictures of those days in South Dakota, please share that information with us. You can use this contact form or the contact information on that page.

Thank You and we hope to hear from you!

Mr. Baker can be seen on the Borglum Terrace at Mount Rushmore Memorial on select days.

Mount Rushmore Memories Receives IPPY Award

Mount Rushmore Memories, published by the Mount Rushmore Bookstores at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, has tied for a Silver Medal in the 2012 Independent Book Awards (IPPY Awards) in the Mid-West Best Regional Nonfiction category. The IPPY Awards is an awards program open to all members of the independent publishing industry. The awards are intended to bring increased recognition to the thousands of exemplary independent, university and self-published titles produced each year and reward those who exhibit innovation and creativity in the world of publishing. There were 1072 entries in the regional categories.

Mount Rushmore Memories recently won an Association of Partners for Public Lands Media and Partnership Award in the General Interest Publications book category and is a finalist in the 2011 ForeWord’s Book of the Year Awards program in the Regional category.

Mount Rushmore Memories is a collection of 120 memories about Mount Rushmore National Memorial edited by Jean L.S. Patrick of Mitchell, SD, and Society Communications Director Debbie M. Ketel and designed by Amanda Summers Design of Arizona. The book retails for $14.99 and is available at the Mount Rushmore Bookstores at the park, online, by calling 1-605-574-3142 or at other bookstores in the area.

As a committee of the Mount Rushmore Society, the mission of the Mount Rushmore Bookstores is to support and assist the National Park Service with educational, historical and interpretive activities at Mount Rushmore. As a 501 ( c ) 3 nonprofit organization, this committee raises funds for the park through the operation of three bookstores at the memorial, an audio tour outlet, membership program and publishing department.

To find out more about the Mount Rushmore Society membership program, go to www.mountrushmoresociety.com and view our video by clicking on the link on the homepage.