Exhibit not gross, but one of the most fascinating shows I have ever seen

By Gordon Garnos

IT IS NOT VERY often an internationally famous exhibit hits South Dakota. In fact, it's down right seldom such a famous exhibit even comes to our state.

Well, it is happening, starting this month with "Bodies Human" for a five-month run in Watertown. It will be here for our viewing until October. Bus loads, including entire high schools, are already making reservations to visit the exhibit. More about the exhibit later, but first the story behind the exhibit:

DAVID BERRY, an attorney from South Carolina, recently married state Senator Nancy Turbak of Watertown. During his first visit to Watertown he also fell in love with some of Watertown's older buildings, especially a former bank building and the one next to it known as the Goss Building. Both have housed various businesses over the years, but the Goss ballroom has not used for many years and had fallen into disrepair.

The exhibit here this summer is the kick off, or the re-grand opening of both of these buildings and the Goss Ballroom will soon return in all of the splendor it wore a long time ago, thanks to Berry's investment of both time and money. The restoration of these buildings has been a major undertaking.

"BODIES HUMAN" IS one of similar exhibits being viewed around the world. Some people from Watertown visited such an exhibit a while back when it was a major attraction in Minneapolis. Berry and his wife saw a similar exhibit in New York City.

When word first got out what was going to be the exhibit for the grand re-opening words like "gross," "awful" or "grisly" captured the thoughts of some of those who had not seen the exhibit. But, because of a sneak preview, I must say this is one of the most fantastic such attractions touring America today.

Fantastic really doesn't describe it. Maybe "amazing" is a better description. Actually, it is an educational display that features human bodies, bodies preserved in a process called plastination which stops decomposition and prepares these specimens for long-term display. Such displays before they became public were mainly seen by medical students.

THE EXHIBIT CONSISTS of more than 90 individual displays. This includes 11 full-body specimens and about 80 partial specimens. The entire presentation is owned by the Lynx Exhibits of El Paso, Texas, and is on loan to Berry.

The show just arrived in Watertown from Albuquerque, N.M., where it has been for a long stay and where it hosted an average of 3,000 visitors every week.

The plastination laboratory is in Taiwan.

According to Michael Churchman of Lynx Exhibits, the displays are "not particularly gory."

"You walk in and you are just overwhelmed by the beauty and complexity of the human body. the specimens serve as a reminder to the fragility of the human body. For instance, seeing an enlarged heart as compared to a normal, healthy one speaks to the consequences of obesity. A damaged lung illustrates the effects of smoking. Actually seeing those things literally in the flesh serves as a graphic realization of what they can cause."

"EFFECTS OF SMOKING" caught my attention having got smart 30 or so years ago when I ditched the habit.

Overall, one could describe the exhibit as very dramatic, an educational tool for all ages.

I would be remiss while pushing the Bodies Human exhibit and didn't point out a few other attractions in my second hometown of Watertown. Of course the big destination point here is the Redlin Art Center at the corner of I-29 and Highway 212, and I can't forget our Bramble Park Zoo, the Mellette House, the home of Dakota Territory's last governor and South Dakota's first governor, and the Codington County Heritage Museum. If you want to take a plunge, try our new swimming pool or our beautiful Lake Kampeska.

If you are going to plan a trip to our community, I know it will welcome you. The friendly motels, restaurants and merchants here are waiting to serve you. And just in case you have put off a longer trip this summer because of the gas prices, put down Watertown for a day or a week or more. I know you will enjoy yourself.

So, if you plan to visit Watertown to see the Bodies Human or one of our other attractions we look forward to seeing you. The welcome mat is out....

Gordon Garnos was long-time editor of the Watertown Public Opinion and recently retired after 39 years with that newspaper. Garnos, a lifelong resident of South Dakota except for his military service in the U.S. Air Force, was born and raised in Presho.

Video: Senator John Thune on Democrat, Republican Visions

Senator John Thune speaking at last night's Pennington County Lincoln Day Dinner in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Thune contrasts the Democrat and Republican visions for America, and how those visions are expected to be accomplished.

Thune:

If I had to summarize in one word what the Democrat vision and agenda and program is for America, it's this word: government.

And if I had to describe what I believe is the vision and agenda and program of the Republican Party, and the party that's principles are anchored in one simple, basic principle and concept, it's this one word: freedom.

Video: U.S House Candidate Chris Lien

Republican U.S. House of Representatives candidate Chris Lien from Rapid City speaks at last night's Pennington County Lincoln Day Dinner in Rapid City.

In this clip, Lien talks about how one person can make a difference, and how the culture of congress can be changed one representative at a time.

Video: Senate Candidate Joel Dykstra on Lack of Congressional Leadership

From last night's Pennington County Lincoln Day Dinner in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Joel Dykstra plans to challenge Democrat Senator Tim Johnson for his seat in the U.S. Senate.

Dykstra talks about the "wasted years" from liberal leadership in Congress that have left us with critical problems that finally must be dealt with.

We are suffering today for the inaction, the procrastination, and the avoidance of decision making on the part of our leaders, our elected representatives in Washington, D.C. for 20 or 30 years.

Pennington County Lincoln Day Dinner 2008

Below is a slideshow from the Pennington County Lincoln Day Dinner in Rapid City last night.

The evening was emceed by Pennington Country Republican Chairman Kevin Thom. Speakers included Pastor Rocky White Mountain who gave the invocation, Lt. Governor Dennis Daugaard who gave a tribute to former Lt. Governor Carol Hillard, and Stephen Wesolick, a Rapid City attorney who also works with the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF).

Also speaking were Rapid City Mayor Alan Hanks, Deb Watson and Dr. John Quinn.

Senator John Thune was the special guest speaker for the evening. He said that while he always emphasizes that every election is important, that this one is especially so.

Thune encouraged Republicans to support Senator John McCain’s presidential campaign, even though he acknowledged that some of us may disagree with McCain in some areas. Thune said that the world is the most dangerous it’s been in a long time, citing threats in the Middle East, Asia and even in South America.

“Whether you like some of his positions on other issues or not, there is no one who is more respected by leaders around the world, particularly America’s allies, than is Senator McCain,” said Thune. “There is no one who is more beloved and respected and admired by our men and women in uniform, which is critically important to me, than is Senator McCain. And ladies and gentlemen, frankly, there is nobody who is more feared by our adversaries around the world than is Senator McCain.”

Thune indicated Democrats aren’t up to the national security threats America faces.

“What is the Democrat answer and solution to all these challenges that we face around the world, and all the threats we face,” Thune asked. “Surrender. Retreat. Redeploy.”

Thune emphasized key differences in philosophy between Democrats and Republicans. Thune said that while Republicans believe more freedom is the answer, Democrats believe more government is the answer.

“What they [Democrats] are advocating when it comes to national security,” Thune said. “The economy, health care, energy and right on down the list, it’s more Washington control, more government, more bureaucracy, more of your hard-earned tax dollars going to Washington, D.C.”

Republican U.S. Senate Candidates Joel Dykstra of Canton and Sam Kephart of Spearfish also spoke, in addition to Chris Lein, the Rapid City businessman running for the U.S. House of Representatives against incumbent Democrat Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin.


Slideshow:



Video: Senator John Thune speaking on energy policy and counterproductive leadership from the Democrats