By: Rev. Linda Baldock, Dakotas Conference retired elder and office manager, Tree of Life Ministry Center with contributions by Doreen Gosmire, director of communications, Dakotas UMC.

Tree of Life Ministry Center, on the Rosebud Reservation in Mission, South Dakota, is sporting a new look, a new slogan to the thrift store—"The Price is Right," and a new slogan for the Warm Welcome—"Come on Down."

"Tree of Life is lit up with our new signage," said Rev Linda Baldock, Dakotas Conference retired elder and office manager at Tree of Life. "We are using phrases coined by one of Mission's most famous sons, Bob Barker.  Bob often said, when he was doing the Price is Right TV shows,  'Light up that sign!'"

Barker was born in Washington on December 12, 1923. Not long after his father, who was one-fourth Sioux, died of injuries from a fall off a power line pole, his mother moved to Mission, where she taught school. Bob Barker spent his early life through the eighth grade on the Rosebud Reservation. Bob Barker is best known as the host of Price is Right, 1972 to 2007, the longest-running game show: and the first hour-long game show. 

"There may still be a few folks around who remember him as a young boy or who had his mother as a teacher," said Pastor Linda.
His mother later married Louis Valandra. After moving to Springfield, Missouri, the couple had another son, Kent. Before going to California and starting in show business, he attended college, was in the Air Force, and had a short stint on the radio. He fondly remembers his time on the Rosebud and his many relatives. 

So, with Bob Barker as a model, Tree of Life's thrift store is now named "The Price is Right" The slogan for Warm Welcome (soup kitchen) is "Come on Down!" 

Pastor Linda said, "We feel the 'Price is Right' is a good slogan for our thrift store because the price is always right! All are welcome at the Warm Welcome, which hopefully will be open by the end of July, so "Come on Down" fits as the slogan there too." 

Bob Barker will be 100 years old in December. Tree of Life Ministry Center hopes to celebrate his birthday uniquely that month. You can help kick off the celebration by being part of the grand opening on July 26. 

The grand opening will feature special contests like name the forklift, fill the cart, and door prizes. There will be activities for the children, including playing on playground equipment, cotton candy, snow cones, and more. Special sales, free items, food for all, and lots of visiting will take place. The "Big Bertha" grill will provide freshly grilled burgers, brats, and hot dogs. 

"We pray for a beautiful day and lots of guests," said Pastor Linda. "We are thankful to God for all the blessings that abound around us and the gifts we share with our relatives. In the Lakota way, we are all related!"