So many people have asked me, “How are you enjoying retirement?” Well... my official retirement date is February 28, 2020. After all, I have to go on my Farewell Cruise to the Southern Caribbean on January 29. All cabins for the cruise are full at this point, but final payment is the end of August and sometimes space opens up. There is also another tour group from Missouri booked on the same cruise and if they don’t fill all of their cabins I can have the allotment. I have a wait

list started, but I certainly can add more to it. A great winter getaway to the warm Caribbean awaits.

I have been working on some statistics on First Dakota Journey’s over the past 28 years. I have kept a copy of all my brochures and every time I look through them I find gratitude for my job. You, our customers, were able to explore places you would have never gone to if it hadn’t been for a group tour. Even more importantly the friendships we have all made. And hopefully I have made a difference in your lives, because you have made a difference in mine. Maybe traveling was not of interest to you, but I met so many of you at FirstPartners events in your communities. Yes, I have been blessed!

How did it begin? I married Merlyn Pugh in 1989 and moved to Yankton, start-ing my career as a teller at First Dakota in 1990. One day CEO, Larry Ness, came to me and said, “We want to start a relationship building program for our customers over the age of 50. You will plan local social events for our customers and take them on bus tours. Merlyn can join you! We have watched you and you have a genuine love for people. We think you would be good at it.” I had no idea what I was getting myself in to, but I am sure glad I took the challenge. The first FirstPartners event was in Yankton with 150 people in attendance. FirstPartners began with about 50 households and now we have over 3,500 households. In 2012, we decided all of our customers deserved the FirstPartners benefits no matter what their age, as long as they maintained the requirements.

My first trip was to Deadwood and it was very much a learning experience. Two nights – three days and we stayed at an old hotel (before it was renovated). The showers leaked, the beds sagged and it was not the best experience. The price included the bus, the hotel, three meals and a trip to Mt Rushmore. But it was cheap, it cost $119.00 per person. I decided after that trip our tours were not always going to be the cheapest, but our trips would be quality and the best! You get what you pay for. As I look at the pictures of that first trip, all but one of those travelers are gone; but many of them went on several more tours with Merlyn and me. Earl and Dolores Tramp always had a suitcase packed just in case I had a last minute cancellation. After three years, I had a travel company convince me I could take a group on an airplane and I was a nervous wreck. My first tour flying with a group was the Canadian Rockies and it worked. Now I have been to all 50 of the United States, 63 countries and all seven continents. All with many of my First Dakota customers and friends with me.

I hope to be at all of your Appreciation Events this fall. The dates are listed on page 4 and you will receive a postcard with details as the event gets closer.

The last day for McCrossan Boys Ranch Rodeo tickets is Friday – August 16.

ALASKA AND KENTUCKY DERBY PG 2

GREEK ISLANDS CRUISEPG 3

SAVE THE DATEPG 4

HEALTH REQUIREMENTSParticipants registering for First Dakota Travel tours must be physically able to participate in all stated itinerary items. Any person who cannot travel independently, and who would need special assistance, must be accompanied by a companion who will be able to assist and assume responsibility. First Dakota Travel reserves the right to decline participation on any tour in which the participant’s capabilities are determined to not meet the needs of the tour. Neither First Dakota Travel personnel nor its suppliers may assist with medications or physically aid participants on tours. Special dietary requirements must be indicated at the time of the reservation and every effort will be made to accommodate the request; however, no guarantees can be made that venues will be able to accommodate the request.

A U G U S T 2 0 1 9JANE’S FIRST DAKOTA JOURNEY!BY JANE PUGH RELATIONSHIP BANKING OFFICER

Experience the excitement and energy of the Ceremonial Start of the famous Iditarod. Bask in the warmth of natural hot springs as you marvel at the vibrant colors of the Northern Lights. Take a thrilling dogsled ride through an Alaskan winter wonderland. Enjoy the artistic masterpieces carved from huge blocks of compressed snow at the GCI Snow Sculpture Competition. Prepare for an exciting day at the Fur Rendezvous Festival, as we celebrate winter and the pioneering spirit of Alaskans. Don’t miss the hilarious Run with the Reindeer Race, where the locals make a mad dash through town with caribou at their heels. We’ll stay at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge where it is all about the view. The lodge is atop a high bluff and overlooks the entire Alaskan Range, with Mt. Denali right in the middle.

For complete details about Wonders of Alaska contact your nearest First Dakota location or go to FirstDakota.com/about/travel with us.

WONDERS OF ALASKA MARCH 5 - MARCH 12, 2020 CEREMONIAL START OF THE IDITAROD

KENTUCKY DERBY SPECTACULAR APRIL 28 - MAY 4, 2020 AMERICA’S MOST EXTRAVAGANT SPRINGTIME SPORTS PARTYThe Kentucky Derby is America’s most extravagant springtime sports party, and one of the most celebrated events. While there is a horse race at the heart of this spectacle, there are many other intriguing aspects within this Louisville tradition. It is a festival and fashion show, it’s a parade and a race, it’s mint juleps and riverboats; it’s about horses.

Your travel begins with two nights in Nashville. Start with a Troubadour City Tour and visit the Country Music Hall of Fame, the keeper of price-less country music treasures. Enjoy free time in Nashville for dinner, visit the boutiques and museums, and listen to country music.

Once in Louisville, you will visit the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience where you can learn about bourbon history and partake in a sample or two. You don’t have to be a baseball fan to love the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory. Visit a saddlebred horse farm and warm up for the next day races at the “Off to the Races” dinner party.

Visit a derby hat boutique where you can buy hats and accessories. Having just the right derby hat, with the right accessories is a very important part of the Kentucky Derby experience, you have to dress for the Win, the Place and the Show.

Join us for this fantastic tour, it’s about time you see it. Then you can check another item off your bucket list. (You must be able to walk at least a mile for this tour.)

For details about the Kentucky Derby Spectacular contact your nearest First Dakota location or go to FirstDakota.com/about/travel with us.

ADRIATIC AWAKENING - GREEK ISLANDSOCTOBER 13 - OCTOBER 25, 2020ATHENS TO VENICE - 9 NIGHTS ABOARD OCEANIA’S ELEGANT SHIP “MARINA”The luxurious ship “Marina” is replete with breathtaking services and amenitities. Designer touches are everywhere, from the gorgeous grand staircase to the stunning staterooms and suites. Marina includes six gourmet open-seating restaurants - at no additional charge. You will thoroughly enjoy this intimate and luxurious cruise experience as you travel from port to port.

Athens is your first stop with its rich modern present and astounding past. From there we will travel to Rhodes to take in the eclectic wealth of impressive architecture and historical sites. Kusadasi is the next stop as it still remains one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Enjoy the black-sand beaches and panarama of indigo-domed churches and chalk-colored homes clinging to stony cliffs in Santorini. Overlooking the Ionian Sea, the peaceful town of Katakolon presents plenty to do and see. Relax along the idyllic coastline of Corfu with its topaz waters and unique coastal landscapes. Kotor showcases narrow streets, venetial architecture and the twelfth-century St. Typhon Cathedral. Zadar is spread over a small peninsula and is surrounded by fortified walls. Our last stop is Venice where you can take in the glory of Venetian architecture, marble palaces, and flower-strewn canals.

For complete details about the Adriatic Awakening to the Greek Islands contact your nearest First Dakota location or go to FirstDakota.com/about/travel with us. We also have a travel preview event planned for September 24.

When looking at your travel options, both with First Dakota and other tour operations, the First Dakota Travel Advisors, Jane Pugh and Fran Rietveld, encourage you to compare apples to apples when considering similar trips. First Dakota truly believes people want to experience a wonderful vacation, not just another tour. Jane and Fran go to great lengths to make sure they plan many special-interest stops along the way and provide you with enough time to enjoy each place. They also plan stops at least every two hours so you have an opportunity to stretch your legs. First Dakota offers group travel as a benefit to you and passes along the savings whenever possible. First Dakota includes most of the expenses in the cost of a tour and does not price a tour to make a profit.

Jane and Fran find the tours run more smoothly if most of the meals and attractions are included in

the price of the trip. Not only do you receive a group rate when Jane or Fran pay with one check, it also gives you more time to explore. The First Dakota Travel Advisors believe local step-on guides should be included, so you are well-informed about the communities you visit.

Trip interruption and cancellation insurance is included on tours costing more than $200. By including the insurance, no one has to worry about losing money if they have to cancel because of a family death or medical reason.

These extra touches are what make First Dakota tours stand apart from the others. Jane and Fran are true believers in the saying, “You get what you pay for” and are committed to that philosophy. They hope you will join them on a First Dakota tour in the future.

If you would like to visit with someone who has traveled with us in the past, referral sources are available from your FirstPartners Advisor. Enjoy your trip with First Dakota Travel, knowing that all expenses are included.

BENEFITS OF TRAVELING WITH FIRST DAKOTA

US POSTAGEPAID

Yankton SD57078

Permit No. 16

225 Cedar StreetPO Box 156Yankton, SD 57078ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

SAVE THE DATE Mark your calendars. Postcards will be mailed as dates get closer.

August 24: Family Day at McCrossan’s Boys Ranch

September 2 - 9: Cape Cod - Wait list only

September 24: Preview for the Greek Island Cruise Will be available at several First Dakota locations

October 15: Kenya and Tanzania Photo Safari - Wait list only

November (exact date not available at this time): Chamberlain Annual Appreciation Event

November 5: Kimball Annual Appreciation Event

November 6: Pierre Annual Appreciation Event

November 12: Beresford Annual Appreciation Event

November 13: Salem Annual Appreciation EventParkston Annual Appreciation Event

November 14: Mitchell Annual Appreciation Event

November 15: Wagner Annual Appreciation Event

November 16: Vermillion and Elk Point Annual Appreciation Event

November 17: Sioux Falls Annual Appreciation Event

December 3 - 5 (tentative dates): Holiday bus tour to Lincoln, Nebraska

February 22, 2020: Yankton’s Annual Winter Festival

Member FDIC

And don’t forget the great trips for 2020, which are featured in this newsletter. We would love to have you join us. Let us know of any destinations you have on your bucket list.

HOLIDAY TOUR TO LINCOLN, NEBRASKA: We are currently working on all the details for this bus tour. Once Fran and Jane have it put together with the final touches, we will get you the information. Tentative dates of the tour are December 3 – 5, 2019.

If interested contact Fran, frietveld@firstdakota.com, 605-995-7910; Jane, jpugh@firstdakota.com, 605-665-4907; or the FirstPartners Advisor at your nearest First Dakota location. Seats will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

WACO EXTRAVAGANZA - WACO, TEXAS : This tour will be in September 2020. It will feature: • Pioneer Woman in Pawhuska, Oklahoma• Blake Shelton’s Ole Red restaurant and bar• Oklahoma City Memorial• Magnolia Market at the Silos• Tour of Waco homes featured on “Fixer Upper”Watch for more details on this fun and exciting tour!

WATCH FOR THESE TOURS