November 21, 2017 • Page 2 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com Comforting a Child Dave Says By Daris Howard You’re Under No Obligation Dear Dave, Our son is about to graduate from law school. He took out a loan to cover the cost, but we’ve always been debt-free and have been paying on it to help him out while he finishes his studies. The balance on the loan right now is around $30,000. He has a job waiting for him after he graduates, so we’re thinking about telling him it will be his responsibility to finish paying off the loan at that point. Is that wrong? Pat Dave Dear Pat, There’s absolutely nothing wrong with a young law school graduate earning a living and paying off his own debt. I hope he appreciates how generous you both have been, but you shouldn’t feel as if you’re obligated to continue making these payments after he finishes school and begins working. Now, if you decide to pay it off for him as a gift for successfully completing law school — and you’re in a financial position to do so without hurting yourselves or your future — that’s fine, too. It would be another incredibly generous act. And in my mind, generosity of that magnitude should be met with gratitude and appreciation of equal measure. If you choose this route, let him know how and why you were able to give him this gift. Don’t hold it over his head or beat him up with it, but stress the importance of being wise with money, saving and investing, and staying out of debt in the future. Let him know if he’ll follow your example, he might be able to do the same kind of thing for his kids someday. That would be a wonderful thing to see, wouldn’t it? — Dave RAMSEY YOUR VOICE WILL BE HEARD MV Shopper MV Shopper M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y In Print and Online! • 665-5884 M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y 605-260-4903 Auto Sales Remote Start Detailing Consignment www.udrivemotors.com 400 E. 4th St. • Yankton, SD 57078 NOW Installing Arctic Start Remote Starts $25 OFF till Christmas Used Car Mileage? Dear Dave, I know you advise most people to buy used cars. Do you have a rule of thumb for a mileage limit when it comes to buying a used vehicle? Paul Dear Paul, INo, not really. Sometimes mileage alone can be a good indicator of the quality of a used vehicle, but that’s not always the case. I would also advise doing a little research, and maybe letting a trusted mechanic have a look to determine if there are any issues that might give you trouble soon. The more inexpensive, and cheaply made a car is, the more likely it becomes that it would be worn down by higher mileage. Some vehicles start to get a little ragged at 100,000 miles, while others — some of the better makes — are just getting a feel for the road at that point. Of course, a lot depends on your budget, too. Overall, I would advise you to look for something that has a good reputation, a solid history, and as little mileage as possible. There are good, used cars out there that will last for years! — Dave * Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and business, and CEO of Ramsey Solutions. He has authored seven bestselling books, including The Total Money Makeover. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 12 million listeners each week on 575 radio stations and multiple digital platforms. Follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey and on the web at daveramsey.com. The morning conference began innocently enough, with Steve and Doc arguing over which of the little packaged jellies went better on sourdough toast, and no one caring which one was right. Dud and Bert and I sat silently, sucking down the morning elixir until it spread life to our outermost reaches as the Mule Barn truck stop’s world dilemma think tank crept to life. Bert was unusually quiet this morning and we asked why. He hemmed and hawed a little, then said, “Doc, you know about these things. What exactly is female trouble?” Oh shoot. Pretty heavy stuff for just two cups of coffee, so the rest of us hurried down a third as Doc puffed up a bit and got ready. “Sure, Bert,” Doc said kindly. Then Doc gave us the best his nine years of college and 50 years of medical practice had blessed him with. He waxed eloquent on hormonal elements, the ebb and flow of female fertility, things that could go wrong with tubular parts, and the effect all of these things could have on the attitudinal proclivities of the dear ladies we all love and admire. He took a break while Mavis returned with more coffee and with strange looks at our faces while we tried not to stare at her. Then she was gone, and Doc began again. Finally, when we had been pretty well checked out on the mysterious workings of the gentle gender, Doc said, “Bert, if your wife is having some problems, have her give me a call.” “Oh, it ain’t her, Doc,” Bert said. “It’s Dud.” We all looked at Dud. He grinned sheepishly. No one wanted to say anything. Finally, Steve said, “I’m not going to be the one to ask.” “That’s what you said, Dud, right?” Bert asked. “That’s why Saturday’s plans are shot.” “Female trouble?” Doc said, looking at his old friend. Dud nodded. “Anita won’t let me go fishing this weekend.” - On the Lot Now - ALL CARS HAVE WARRANTY Make Yourself at Home. Save Up To $2250 With Manufacturer Rebates & Utility Incentives HEATING & COOLING st Prices Be Town! In BROOKINGS, S.D. - Join in the holiday fun at McCrory Gardens! “This holiday season, McCrory Gardens is offering something for everyone,” says Lisa Marotz, McCrory Gardens Director of Operations. ”We’re excited to see folks come out and enjoy the holidays in the gardens and arboretum as they after more than a century, we’re still inventing new ways to keep you comfortable, no matter the season. Call your dealer Today! 2401 Broadway, Yankton 605-665-9461 www.larrysheatingandcooling.com Black Box W s$ Absolute V ine$ 18.99 3 Liter od Zing Zang ka 32.99 1.75 ML B $ 5.99 64 Oz. Bo loody Mary Mix Lord Calve ttle $ 16.99 1.75rtL or Canadian Whisk M ey Come On I Sets Selecn & Check Out Our tion For Th G e Holidaysift ! Cork N Bottle Check out the for great specials at your local restaurants! In Print and Online! Enjoy The Holiday Season At Mccrory Gardens Give us a call for Prices! 2016 NISSAN SENTRA SV, WITH 40,100 MILES, BACK-UP CAMERA, NEW TIRES, REMOTE ENTRY...........................................................................................$11,500 2016 FORD FUSION SE, WITH 55,500 MILES, BACK-UP CAMERA, SUNROOF, REMOTE ENTRY...........................................................................................$12,000 2016 HYUNDA SONATA SE, WITH 45,500 MILES, BACK-UP CAMERA, REMOTE ENTRY, BLUETOOTH....................................................................................$12,000 2015 CHRYSLER 200S, WITH 53,300 MILES, REMOTE START, SUNSCREEN, BLUETOOTH................................................................................................$12,600 2016 JEEP PATRIOT SPORT 4X4, WITH 47,000 MILES, REMOTE ENTRY, FOG LIGHTS................................................................................................$14,000 2014 FORD ESCAPE SE, WITH 48,800 MILES, FWD, REMOTE START & ENTRY, BACK-UP CAMERA......................................................................................$14,000 2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER RALLY EDITION, WITH 16,900 MILES, ONLY 1200 MADE, DIMENSION AUDIO..........................................................................$16,500 2016 CHRYSLER 300C, WITH 44,200 MILES AND IS LOADED, NAV, SUNROOF, HEATED & COOLED SEATS............................................................................$18,000 We were in New York one summer, a long way from our home in Idaho, when it happened. Our little four-year-old daughter, Elliana, broke her arm on a trampoline. Doctors often say that trampolines are one of the most dangerous inventions ever made, at least for children. But in this case, she was only sitting on the edge of it eating ice cream when someone walked across it, and she fell off. We hoped it was only a sprain, but when we looked at it, we knew it was broken. We took her to a local medical clinic, but they said it was bad enough that she had to go to the main hospital in the middle of the city. They gave her some pain medicine and sent us on our way. I had lived and worked in that city in my younger years, and I knew that the hospital was in a rough part of town. I was not anxious to take my daughter there, but I didn’t have much choice. My wife and I left the rest of our children with a friend, and we took Elliana to the hospital. When we arrived at the emergency room, it was full of people. The nurse told us that some of them were just homeless and didn’t know where else to go, so the security would eventually help them find shelter. However, she also told us that many of the others were in for drug overdoses and such things and would have to be seen at a higher priority than Elliana since her injury, though painful, was not life-threatening. To try to comfort her, I told her that when we got done, we would buy her a nice treat. She lay in my arms and whimpered from the pain, but she never complained. I tried to make her as comfortable as I could, but as any parent would be, I was concerned for her. The hours went by, and finally, after what seemed like forever, it was our turn. We were taken to a small room. Eventually, a doctor came to see her. He checked her arm and said he would need some x-rays of it. I asked if I should carry her down to the x-ray room. He shook his head. “We will have to have a member of the union responsible for transporting patients do that.” We sat in the room for another half hour before a man showed up and told us he was there to take her to the x-ray room, which ended up being only about twenty feet down the hall. Once we were inside, the man left. The x-ray technician started to move the camera into place and this scared Elliana. I comforted her by telling her it was just a big camera, and he was going to take some pictures of her. “Be good and let him do it, and remember that when we get all done, we’ll get you a fun treat,” I said. My wife and I had to be in the control room away from the x-rays, and I was afraid Elliana would be frightened when we stepped out. But she stayed calm and held still for the x-rays. After they were taken, I lifted her into my arms again, and we were forced to sit and wait another half hour for the man to come back to take twenty feet to her to the room again. After another short time, the doctor and a nurse came in. They worked together to set Elliana’s arm and put on a cast. Through it all, Elliana was really good. Finally, it was all over, and we were able to leave. We went back to pick up the other children before going, as promised, to get Elliana a special treat. The other children all gathered around to look at the cast. “How was it?” Elliana’s sister asked her. “It wasn’t much fun,” she replied. “But daddy promised me a treat when we got done. So I tried to be really good, even when the man used the scary camera.” “It was an x-ray machine,” I explained. “And,” Elliana said, “even though my arm hurt, I was especially good for the camera. I smiled for every picture.” And I smiled as we loaded in the van to buy her the biggest candy bar we could find in the store. 1500 Broadway, 665-3881 We’ll Match All Local Advertising Prices! make this a part of their holiday tradition.” Mark your calendars now for the exciting holiday events that McCrory Gardens has to offer: The big man himself will be visiting McCrory Gardens! Bring the kids to visit with Santa at no charge on Sunday, Dec. 3 from 2-5 p.m. Before or after visiting with Santa, ride in a horse-drawn trolley through the arboretum. Trolley rides depart from the Education and Visitor Center from 2-4:30 p.m., with the last ride leaving at 4 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for SDSU students with their student ID, $5 for youth age 6-15, and kids 5 and under are free. Dining & Entertainment Lesterville Fire & Rescue ANNUAL FALL DANCE Sat., Nov. 25th, 2017 • 8pm - 12am Clay Creek Deaf Cowboy banD Tickets: $7 each Proceeds go to training and the purchase of equipment. WJ Ranch 16th Annual Cowboy Christmas (7 mi. south of Yankton, SD just off Hwy. 81) ids! Hey Katurday eS See M1-3pm Sat. & Sun., Nov. 25 & 26 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Both Days •Horse, Buggy & Hayrack Rides •Petting Zoo •Crafts For Kids •Family Activities •Refreshments All Rides Begin at 1PM Daily Clothing, Primitives, Jewelry, Western Decor, Florals, Metal, Wood, Fabric, Christmas Decor, Food Gifts & Much More! NO ADMISSION CHARGE! See www.schiferlswjranch.com Enjoy an evening stroll through a holiday wonderland of lights. McCrory Gardens are open evenings from 5-7 p.m. from Dec. 2-31 for the third annual Garden Glow. The Garden Glow includes an enchanted forest of fresh evergreen trees lining the terrace lawn, each dressed in 1,000 twinkling lights. Santa’s summer home will be on view as the iconic Cottage in the Gardens will be decked out, and Santa’s workshop will be available for guests to peek in and see what the elves are busy making. New this year in the Garden Glow is Candy Land. Based on the classic children’s board game, the Perennial Garden will include all of the stops along the Candy Land path. “Garden Glow is great fun for all generations,” adds Marotz. “It’s a popular spot for couples to get engaged and for families to make wonderful holiday memories.” McCrory Gardens Education & Visitor Center will once again be home to the largest fresh evergreen tree in Brookings—at about 20 feet. Admission for Garden Glow is as follows: McCrory Gardens members, SDSU students with a current ID and kids 5 and under can get in for free; adults are $4; and youth age 6-15 are $2. Santa will also be at McCrory Gardens several evenings from 5-7 p.m. as well: Dec. 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18. Visits to see Santa are free. If you can’t make it to bring the kids to see Santa while he’s here, children can still let him know what they want for Christmas. McCrory Gardens offers a place where kids can drop off their letter to be sent to the North Pole. While visiting McCory Gardens for these holiday events, get your holiday shopping done at the gift shop, which features unique souvenirs and keepsake items.