In the know.

In the 1950’s South Dakota’s population was roughly 650,000 residents. Within that number was two strangers who would eventually become neighbors, Larry Bell and George Strong. With more than five hours of driving time between   Larry’s hometown of Doland and George’s hometown of Rapid City, it is no surprise that their paths had never crossed in childhood. It was when they each chose to enroll at South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota that you might have expected the two to meet.

With a student body of roughly 3500 at the time, it seems almost certain that the pair attended the same football games, walked the same hallways, and networked in similar circles, graduating only one year apart, Larry in 1958 and George in 1959. Despite the many assumed opportunities, they remained unknown to one another.

After graduation, they both stayed active in the SDSU alumni activities and even sponsored their own scholarship funds and yet, a friendship eluded them.

It wasn’t until George moved into The Crossings in 2024 that he met his new neighbor and fellow alum, Larry. “Shortly after George moved in, they passed in the hall and George noticed Larry’s Jackrabbit shirt, asked where he got it, and a friendship was born,” recalled Debbie Zienty, Sales and Marketing Director.

They were able to reminisce on the various traditions of the University, even giving the ol’ Jackrabbit hand sign while sporting their team t-shirts.  

Zienty quipped, “Maybe there is a special meaning behind our community's name, The Crossings. Numerous ‘small world’ moments seem to happen as residents compare their experiences with one another. So many paths seem to have crossed and later come back together at The Crossings. Larry and George are a great example of this kind of serendipity.”

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