EUREKA, S.D. – Webster's dictionary says "Eureka" means a discovery, or triumph or both.  Al Neuharth USA TODAY founder  This little town in north-central South Dakota was founded in 1887 by immigrants from Germany, Scandinavia and Russia. It was at the end of a railroad line that served farmers in what was then called "The wheat capital of the world."  I was born here in 1924 and came back this week, as did hundreds of former residents, to help celebrate the city's 125th anniversary.  In addition to its own editorials, USA TODAY publishes a variety of opinions from outside writers. On political and policy matters, we publish opinions from across the political spectrum.  Roughly half of our columns come from our Board of Contributors, a group whose interests range from education to religion to sports to the economy. Their charge is to chronicle American culture by telling the stories, large and small, that collectively make us what we are.  We also publish weekly columns by Al Neuharth, USA TODAY's founder, and DeWayne Wickham, who writes primarily on matters of race but on other subjects as well. That leaves plenty of room for other views from across the nation by well-known and lesser-known names alike.  Now it has two big beautiful lakes for swimming and fishing, a baseball field and stadium, a football field and stadium, tennis courts and an 18-hole golf course. Not bad for a town of 1,101 people!  The city has only one small motel, so most returnees slept, ate and drank with their relatives or friends.  Our oldest chosen (adopted) daughter, Alexis, 21, and I stayed at the old Neuharth family home. It was built by my dad, Daniel, in 1922 just before he died and which I was able to buy in 2001.  From there, we attended parades and carnivals and fireworks. Eureka's current mayor, Lloyd Miller, ran the show. He made all the returnees feel at home.  There are thousands of little towns like Eureka across the USA. Those of us who were born there and/or still can return occasionally are very lucky.  Thomas Wolfe of Asheville, N.C., wrote a best-seller entitled, You Can't Go Home Again, which was published posthumously in 1940. He was wrong.  I'm perfectly happy now living in Cocoa Beach, Fla. I enjoyed the years I spent living in New York City and Washington, D.C.  But going back to find it again in Eureka is hard to beat!  Feedback: Other views on Eureka, South Dakota  "Welcome, 'home'! You and others are examples of the adage (paraphrased): "You can take the son/daughter out of Eureka, but you can't take Eureka out of the son/daughter!"  — Lloyd Miller, mayor, Eureka, S.D.  "You haven't lived until you have eaten kuchen from Eureka. It is the kuchen capital of the country. Put it on your 'bucket list.' "  — Thomas Daschle, former U.S. senator, South Dakota
Al Neuharth: My South Dakota hometown is still pretty small. But despite what Thomas Wolfe wrote, you can go home again.