Hollenbeck: One man’s junk

            There’s an old proverb, “One Man’s Junk is Another Man’s Treasure”, and that theory is gaining in popularity these days. We recently took part in a couple Junk Jaunts where people sell junk to an amazing amount of people desiring to purchase what would have went to a landfill not too many years ago. Some people want old items, such as buckets, wheels, old metal toys, even old ropes for everything from yard or home decor or craft projects.

            What is more fascinating than seeing what people sell and what people buy is to see what some people make with old junk.  I have a friend, Kim Hesse of Valentine, Nebraska, that makes bird houses and feeders from scraps of about everything and anything. She visited our ranch one time on a “junk hunt” and retrieved a bucket of old mower guards. She said, “These would make great owls.” Sure enough, between those old mower parts and some old shingles, she made some incredible bird houses. 

            Sometimes it is sad to see people decorate outside with old items that the weather elements can destroy, such as old wagon wheels and horse tack. A couple years ago, our neighbor, Rick Kartak hung a wonderful old high-backed saddle atop his ranch’s road sign. Presuming that old saddle was probably Rick’s father’s or grandfather’s old saddle, it managed to weather just fine through harsh weather. But much to our surprise,  that nifty old saddle was scraps of metal that Rick had welded into a professional-looking saddle.  Even the strings hanging from it were made of metal, and it sure fooled us!

            Then there is the incredible sculptures created by John Lopez of Lemmon. In the event you have not seen any of these works, you need to. His most recent addition to the “pride of South Dakota’s sculptures,” was unveiled this past July 4 at Ft. Pierre, South Dakota, entitled “Dupree.” Dupree is a life-size Bison permanently installed close to the bridge connecting Ft. Pierre with Pierre. You could easily spend several hours perusing the details on his sculptures made entirely of junk metal found rusting in dumps on many farms and ranches in his midst. From foreign countries, to Washington D.C., Ft. Worth, Cody, Wyoming to many communities in the region, John Lopez’s sculptures are drawing visitors to marvel at his works. In addition to his fabulous scrap-metal works of art, Lopez has sculptured over 12 statues of U.S. Presidents in downtown Rapid City. My favorite is of John F. Kennedy and his son, John Jr.

            Thanks to John Lopez, I personally believe that a visit to Lemmon, South Dakota is South Dakota’s “best kept secret.” Besides the Petrified Wood Park, the world’s largest park made of petrified wood, fossils and stone; the Grand River Museum, which showcases paleontology, Native American history and Old West artifacts (and a great gift shop and book store); there on Main is the enjoyable Kokomo Gallery and Studio, where you can view many Lopez sculptures, including a sculpture garden. Not just with area visitors, John Lopez’s works have influenced the work of other artists around the world. Many students and researchers in the field of Arts from foreign countries join American artists in making regular excursions to John’s studio. I highly recommend a trip to Lemmon in the event you have not done so, but rather than spending a couple hours perusing a sculpture in Pierre or Mobridge or Brookings, you might want to plan on a day…a day you won’t forget.