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THE MIDWEEK UPDATE
Vol. 12, No. 17; Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012
OAHE FLOWS DOWN WHILE REPAIRS CONTINUE
Water flows at the Oahe Dam have been reduced somewhat in the last
month. Oahe Dam Project Manager Eric Stasch says currently the water
releases are coming only from the dam itself. During the height of the
2011 flood, there were massive releases from the dam’s stilling basin as
well.
Stasch says the long-range elevation for the reservoir is in the
1,606-1,607 feet range before moving a little higher this spring. While
the current predictions are that this spring, there will not be the
heavy rain and snow amounts as those that contributed to the flood.
Stasch says it is understandable that everybody is watching the weather
closely this year.
At the same time, repair work on the stilling basin continues . The
heavy releases caused erosion in some places of the stilling basin, but
Stasch says crews have made good progress this late fall in making the
repairs. Stasch says the dam itself has no major structural problems
relating to the flood. (News courtesy of "Today's KCCR News.")
COLLEGE SPORTS ROUNDUP
South Dakota State basketball (Katie Lingle, Steph Paluch): The
Jackrabbit women remained the only team unbeaten in Summit League play
with an 81-58 win over IPFW Saturday. Katie Lingle off the bench
recorded her third career double-double, going 6-of-10 from the field
and 2-for-2 at the stripe for 14 points along with 11 rebounds, an
assist and three blocks. Steph Paluch was 2-of-8 from the field for five
points with three assists and three rebounds. Two nights earlier SDSU
had defeated Oakland, 62-52 as Steph had four points and two steals
while Katie had three points. SDSU plays at Oral Roberts at 2 p.m.
Saturday and at Southern Utah Monday. The Jackrabbit women's next home
games will be Jan. 14 against UMKC and Jan. 16 against USD.
Summit League women's standings: SDSU 4-0, Oral Roberts 2-1, Western
Illinois 2-1, USD 2-2, IPFW 2-2, UMKC 2-2, NDSU 2-2, IUPUI 1-2, Oakland
1-3, Southern Utah 0-3.
South Dakota basketball (Alexis Yackley): The Coyote women went 1-1 in
Summit League games last weekend. In a 66-53 loss to Oral Roberts,
Alexis scored a season-high 16 points, going 6-of-13 from the field,
including four three-pointers. On Saturday USD defeated Southern Utah,
81-69, as Alexis scored 15, had a career-high three blocks, a game-high
six assists, five rebounds, and two steals. Now 9-3 overall and 2-2 in
the Summit League, USD plays at UMKC Saturday and hosts Cornell of the
Ivy League Monday. Coming up the following weekend are league games at
NDSU Jan. 14 and at SDSU Jan. 16.
South Dakota basketball: The Coyote men lost to Oral Roberts, 79-67,
after making one concerted run at the Eagles midway through the second
half. USD was within 65-61 with 7:00 remaining. Allen Saint-Gelais
scored 20 and Louie Krogman 14. On Tuesday the Coyotes had a terrible
shooting night and, after trailing only 28-27 at halftime, lost at
Western Illinois, 67-44. Westbrook had 18 points. Now 5-9 overall, USD
plays at UMKC Saturday, at SDSU next Thursday and at NDSU Jan. 14.
Summit League men's standings: SDSU 4-0, Oral Roberts 4-0, NDSU 3-1,
Western Illinois 2-2, Southern Utah 2-2, IUPUI 2-2, Oakland 2-3, IPFW
2-3, UMKC 1-4, USD 0-5.
South Dakota State basketball: The Jackrabbits rolled to a 12-4 overall
record and a 4-0 start in the Summit League with a 76-64 home win over
Oakland. Nate Wolters scored 19 points with seven assists, Brayden
Carlson 18 points and Jordan Dykstra 17. SDSU plays at Southern Utah
tonight and has a showdown with fellow-unbeaten Oral Roberts in Tulsa at
2 p.m. Saturday. Next Thursday SDSU hosts USD.
Dakota Wesleyan basketball (Liz Lamb): The Tiger women swamped
Presentation College, 83-35. Liz was 2-of-8 in field goals for four
points with three rebounds and four assists. DWU plays at Nebraska
Wesleyan Saturday and hosts Northwestern (Iowa) next Wednesday.
Princeton hockey (Matt Farris): The Tigers came west to Minneapolis for
the Mariucci Classic on Dec. 29-30. In the semifinal against
Northeastern, the game ended in a 3-3 tie after overtime and went to a
shootout. It took eight rounds of penalty shots, Princeton missing its
first eight shots and Northeastern finally scoring on its eighth shot
after seven misses to advance to the championship game. In the
third-place game against Niagara, this game also went into overtime and
finished tied at 3-3. Both teams declined a shootout to determine third
place. Now 4-9-4 overall, Princeton resumes ECAC league play at Brown
Friday and at Yale Saturday.
Dakota Wesleyan wrestling (Tyler Sarringar, Dusty Paulsen): The Tigers
have been idle over the holidays but resume action in Springfield, Ill.,
this weekend at the NAIA national duals tournament.
Black Hills State basketball (Mitch Foth): The Yellowjackets lost two
close games at home in their holiday tournament, 53-51 to Montana Tech
and 66-60 to DWU. Now 4-10, BHSU is idle until Jan. 13-14 at Dickinson
State and Minot State.
Purdue basketball (Sam Ostarello): The Boilermaker women won their Big
10 opener over Minnesota, 57-53. Sam's free throw tied the game at
50-50, then Purdue took charge from that point on. Sam was 1-of-6 in
field goals and 4-of-4 in free throws for six points with seven
rebounds, two steals and two blocks. On Monday Purdue got a three-point
shot at the buzzer to win on the road at Illlinois, 64-63. Sam was
3-of-9 in field goals for six points with nine rebounds, two assists,
two blocks and a steal. Purdue hosts Wisconsin tonight and goes to
Minnesota next Thursday.
South Dakota swimming (Marcus Christianson): Idle since the fall
semester ended, the Coyotes resume competition Jan. 21 at SDSU.
South Dakota State swimming (Morgan McLain, Jim McLain, Alex McLain):
The Jackrabbits have been idle over the holidays. The men and the women
resume at home Jan. 13 against Iowa Central, and the women are also home
the following day against UNI.
Black Hills State basketball (Kristi Ryan, Bailey Kusser, Logan Cowan):
The Yellowjacket women are 3-8 after losing to Northern Colorado last
week, 72-35. Kristi had three points, a rebound, an assist and a steal
while Bailey had four points, a steal, an assist and a rebound. BHSU
plays next Dec. 13-14 at Dickinson State and Minot State.
Augustana basketball: The Viking men, picked to win the NSIC, lost their
third straight conference game Tuesday at Concordia-St. Paul, 81-77,
after being blown out at St. Cloud State the night before, 86-61. Now
8-4 overall and 5-3 in the NSIC, Augustana is home against Bemidji State
Saturday and Minnesota-Duluth Sunday. The Saturday game at 8 p.m., and
the women's game at 6 p.m. will be seen on Midco Sports Net.
Mount Marty basketball (Spencer Yackley): The Lancer men haven't played
since their pre-Christmas tournament in Chicago. They resumed GPAC play
against Briar Cliff last night, go to Hastings Sunday, then host
Morningside next Wednesday.
Mount Marty basketball (Alexa Berg): The same is true of the Lancer
women. They played Briar Cliff last night, go to Hastings Sunday and
host Morningside Jan. 11.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
STANLEY COUNTY BUFFALOES SPORTS ROUNDUP
Gymnastics: At Vermillion's Winter Wonderland meet the Lady Buffs were
sixth of 10 teams. Shelby Gienger was second in the all-around standings
with a 34.1 total score, and she was the winner on the beam with an 8.95
score.
Boys basketball: The Buffaloes lost to Crow Creek, 57-41. Latrell
LaRoche led SCHS with 12 points. On Tuesday SCHS defeated Highmore-Harrold,
36-33. LaRoche led the Buffs with 15 points. Stanley County's
first-round opponent at next Thursday's opening day of the Jones County
Invitational will be Lyman at 1 p.m.
This week's schedules:
Boys basketball---Thursday, home vs. McLaughlin, 6:30.
Girls basketball---Thursday, @ McLaughlin, 6:30; Saturday, @ Redfield
Classic; Monday, home vs. Gettysburg, 6:30.
Wrestling---Friday-Saturday, @ Lyman Invitaitonal, noon and 10 a.m.
Gymnastics---Thursday, @ Pierre triangular with Aberdeen Central, 5:30;
Saturday, home for Stanley County Invitational, noon.
Wrestling: At the Webster Invitational on Dec. 30, the Buffaloes were a
strong second in a field of 13 teams with 154 points. Host Webster was
the champion with 239.5 points. Casey Heninger at 126, Wyatt Harrowa at
138 and Cody LaCompete at 182 won championships for SCHS. Daniel Slama
was second at 106, Lukas Chase third at 113, Michael Scott fourth at
132, Herman Fennell third at 145 and Thomas Tolton fourth at 152.
'DINNER FOR A CAUSE' SUPPORTS BOYS & GIRLS CLUB
Glennis Zarecky doesn't need a reason to host her friends for dinner,
but she found a good one. She and her sister-in-law, Jayne Parsons, last
month held "A Dinner for a Cause" at the Zarecky home. Both Zarecky and
Parsons are board members for the Boys and Girls Club of the Capital
Area in Pierre.
Zarecky says she and Parsons decided to have a dinner for their friends
with an idea that each of the couples would give a minimum of $20 to the
club. She says it was a different kind of way to help the club. When
invited the couples were told of the cause and donation requirement.
There also was club information available. The evening raised about
$1,400 and Zarecky says the couples invited liked the idea of not only
the dinner but helping a worthy organization as well.
The club is part of Capital Area Counseling, and CEO Dennis Pfimmer says
such board member activity to help raise funds for the club is
appreciated. Zarecky says she would host such a Dinner for a Cause
again. (News courtesy of "Today's KCCR News.")
WORDS TO NOT LIVE BY #9
If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.
COUNTDOWN
4 days: BCS national championship college football game (Jan. 9).
5 days: First day of S.D. Legislature session (Jan. 10).
5 days: New Hampshire primary (Jan. 10).
16 days: South Carolina primary (Jan. 21).
26 days: Florida primary (Jan. 31).
28 days: State one-act play festival, Aberdeen (Feb. 2-4).
31 days: Super Bowl (Feb. 5).
40 days: Valentine's Day (Feb. 14).
43 days: State gymnastics tournament, Brookings (Feb. 17-18).
44 days: Riggs Fine Arts Boosters' Love Feast (Feb. 18).
47 days: Pierre Concert Series: Bottom Line Duo (Feb. 21).
51 days: State wrestling tournaments (B Rapid City, A Aberdeen) (Feb.
24-25).
51 days: Pierre Players' "All My Sons" (Feb. 24-26, March 1-3).
53 days: The Academy Awards (Feb. 26).
59 days: Riggs High choral festival (March 1).
66 days: State girls basketball tournaments (B Huron, A Spearfish, AA
Brookings) (March 8-10).
67 days: State boys varsity hockey tournament, Expo Center (March 9-11).
69 days: Daylight Savings Time returns (March 11).
73 days: State boys basketball tournaments (B Aberdeen, A Sioux Falls,
AA Rapid City) (March 15-17).
80 days: All-State Band, Brookings (March 22-24).
89 days: Riggs High Latin Banquet (March 31).
91 days: Riggs High band festival (April 2).
95 days: Twins' season opener at Baltimore (April 6).
97 days: Easter Sunday (April 8).
120 days: Riggs High spring play (May 1, 3, 4).
130 days: Co-ed charity softball tournament, Four Corners (May 11-13).
130 days: Riggs High talent show (May 11).
132 days: Riggs High baccalaureate (May 13).
133 days: Riggs High choral concert (May 14).
134 days: Riggs High band concert (May 15).
135 days: St. Joseph School spring concert (May 16).
136 days: State boys tennis tournament, Rapid City (May 17-19).
139 days: Riggs High graduation (May 20).
140 days: State golf tournaments (B boys and B girls Rapid City, A girls
Hot Springs, AA girls Sioux Falls) (May 21-22).
144 days: State track meets (B Rapid City, A Spearfish, AA Sturgis) (May
25-26).
155 days: South Dakota primary election day (June 5).
158 days: South Dakota Shakespeare Festival, Vermillion (June 8-10).
158 days: American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, Pierre (June 8-9).
207 days: Summer Olympics opening ceremonies, London (July 27).
238 days: Republican National Convention, Tampa (Aug. 27-30).
245 days: Democratic National Convention, Charlotte (Sept. 3-6).
309 days: General election day (Nov. 6, 2012).
320 days: Renewal of USD-SDSU football rivalry (Nov. 17, 2012).
767 days: Winter Olympics opening ceremonies, Sochi, Russia (Feb. 7,
2014).
KORNER GROCERY RESUMES FLOOD RELIEF FUND-RAISSER
Korner Grocery plans to resurrect a popular flood relief fundraiser. The
store will sponsor its American filet fund-raiser from now through
March, with proceeds going to local flood relief.
One dollar from each of the $2.19 filets will be earmarked for flood
relief.
Business owner Larry Robinson started the fund-raiser last spring when
the flood hit. The three-month fund-raiser raised about $3,300 for local
flood relief efforts. Since then, the filet project has been used for
other worthy projects and organizations such as the American Heart Walk
and the Capital Area United Way.
Robinson says he decided to do the filet fund-raiser for flood relief
again because of the efforts of the Oahe Long-Term Flood Relief group to
raise more than $1 million to be used for flood victims. (News courtesy
of "Today's KCCR News.")
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ADULT TRUTHS #6
I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was
younger.
SULLY BUTTES CHARGERS SPORTS ROUNDUP
Girls basketball: At the Parkston Classic the Charger girls lost to Dell
Rapids, 43-34. Taryn Colson had 11 points and nine rebounds and Taylor
Hackett eight points.
This week's schedules:
Girls basketball---Thursday, @ Highmore-Harrold, 6:30; Saturday, home
vs. James Valley Christian, 2:00; Tuesday, @ Philip, 6:30.
Boys basketball---Friday, home vs. Highmore-Harrold, 6:30; Saturday,
home vs. James Valley Christian, 2:00.
Wrestling---Saturday, @ Miller Invitational, 10:00.
Wrestling: The Chargers placed eighth among 13 teams at the Webster
Invitational Dec. 30 with 45 team points. Skyler Leesman placed fourth
at 113 pounds and Dylan Hill fourth at 160 pounds.
Boys basketball: At the Parkston Classic the Chargers defeated Mount
Vernon, 54-47. Conner Uhlir had 21 points and 13 rebounds, and Jordan
Lamb had 17 points, 12 rebounds and four steals.
PARAPROSDOKIANS #7
Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a
fruit salad.
PIERRE GOVERNORS SPORTS ROUNDUP
Boys basketball: The Governors won the first game against Rapid City
opposition, beating Central, 61-47. Zack Hanson had 15 points and eight
rebounds, Connor Berg 13 points, Lane Severyn 11 points and nine
rebounds and Joe Tetzlaff 12 rebounds. The Governors defeated Stevens,
59-936, as Severyn had 16 points and Hanson 13 points and 13 rebounds.
Girls basketball: The Lady Govs lost at Rapid City Central, 53-45.
Kaitlyn Severyn had 12 points and 14 rebounds and Taylor Hyde nine
points. The girls also lost at Rapid City Stevens, 50-36.
Wrestling: In the Class "A" individual ratings announced Dec. 29, nine
Governors were rated as follows---106 pounds, Jebben Keyes, third in the
state; 126, Tanner Monfore, first; 132, Caleb Stoltenburg, second; 160,
Seth Scott, third; 170, Kyle Sarringar, fourth; 182, Chase Lettau,
second; 195, Trey Maier, fifth; 220, Lane Lettau, fourth; heavyweight,
Dylan Bennett, sixth.
Wrestling: At The Clash tournament in Rochester, Minn., where 32 of the
nation's best high school teams gathered, the Governors finished in 12th
place and earned a return trip to that tournament next season. In their
pool on the first day of The Clash, the Govs were within one point of
Kasson-Mantorville, Minn., the nation's #27-ranked team, going into the
heavyweight match before losing by seven points. Pierre then defeated
Prior Lake, Minn., 42-24, and lost to Marist, Ill., 44-27 in the pool's
fifth-place match. Pierre joined the sixth-place teams from the other
three pools for play on the second day of the meet. Pierre whipped
Hastings, Minn., 34-28, and defeated Owatonna, Minn., 37-27. In the
championship match of that sixth-place bracket, Pierre lost to Lewiston,
the top-ranked team from the state of Idaho, 42-26. Chase Lettau at 182
pounds went 6-0 through the tournament. Other Pierre wrestlers' records
at Rochester: 106, Jebben Keyes 3-3; 113, Nick Wiebe 0-6; 120, Luke
Snyder 1-5; 126, Tanner Monfore 2-1; 132, Caleb Stoltenburg 3-3; 138,
Aaron O'Day 4-2; 145, A.J. Dorschner 3-3; 152, Dawson Monfore 3-3; 160,
Seth Scott 4-2; 170, Kyle Sarringar 4-2; 195, Trey Maier 3-3; 220, Lane
Lettau 4-2; 285, Dylan Bennett 1-5.
Wrestling: In a triangular Tuesday, the Governors swept Yankton, 51-13,
and did the same to Chamberlain, 66-12.
This week's schedules:
Gymnastics---Thursday, home triangular with Stanley County and Aberdeen
Central, 5:30; Saturday, @ Brookings Invitational, noon.
Girls basketball---Friday, home vs. Brandon Valley, 4:00; Saturday, @
Yankton, 4:00.
Boys basketball---Friday, @ Brandon Valley, 4:00; Saturday, home vs.
Yankton, 4:00.
Wrestling---Next competition Jan. 13 @ Brookings and Jan. 14 @ Mitchell
Invitational.
WEDDING DAYS
April 13: Justin Jones/Theresa Frick.
April 21: Jake Johnson/Tara Miller.
May 12: Charlie Magedanz/Kamila Dedicova.
May 19: Seth Parsons/Karae Englehart.
May 23: Maxx Vaudrin/Macy Gomes.
June 2: Eric Aadland/Angie Briguet.
June 2: Sam Gilkerson/Holly Lindbloom.
June 9: Bret Graves/Caitie Wagner.
June 9: Christopher Dekker/Mallory Petersen.
June 16: Dominic Bottenfield/Abby Pitlick.
June 16: Chris Hoffman/Becky Barringer.
June 23: Jerid Maskovich/Jeanine Van Ash.
July 14: Gavin Van Zee/Samantha Hestdalen.
Aug. 31: Cody Stoeser/Cassie Rausch.
Oct. 19: Greg Barringer/Kayla Petersen.
Oct. 20: Josh Swanstrom/Stacie Ries.
NEOLOGISMS
Balderdash (n.)---A rapidly receding hairline.
Hipatitis (n.)---Terminal coolness.
PEOPLE NEWS
Gregory White, a 1965 graduate of Pierre High School, died Dec. 24 at
the age of 64 at St. Mary's Healthcare Center. He lived in Sioux Falls,
Rapid City and Colorado for much of his adult life before returning to
South Dakota. His survivors include his mother, Christine White, in
Pierre; a sister, Linda Olinger of Sioux Falls, formerly of Pierre; a
niece, Cheri (Olinger) Raymond of Sioux Falls; and two nieces, Jon
Olinger in Sioux Falls and Dylan White in Pierre, among other relatives.
Riggs High alumnus Chad Coppess is the new assistant manager of the
Guitar Center store in Maple Grove, Minn.
Adam and Shawna (Miller) Lizotte became the parents of a son, Landen
Matthew Lizotte, on Dec. 3. Landen was born on his dad's birthday. The
Lizottes live in Fort Collins, Colo.
Ima Cruse, 80, died Dec. 27. Services were held at the Community & Youth
Involved Center in Fort Pierre on Dec. 31. A native of Texas, she and
her first husband, Al Storrs, came to South Dakota in 1950. He died in
1977. She married Jim Cruse in 1983, and he died in 2001. Our sympathy
to her children, including Pam Shonrock in Fort Pierre, Bill Storrs in
Nebraska, Dave Storrs and LeeAnn Green in Alabama, and her stepchildren,
Linda Dopps, Jim Cruse, Mike Cruse, Cheryl Bailey and Neal Cruse, and 25
grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
The Fresh From Florida parade, formerly known as the Citrus Bowl parade,
in which the Pride of the Dakotas marching band from SDSU participated
last weekend, is scheduled to be rebroadcast on KSFY-TV stations across
South Dakota at 1 p.m. CST Sunday, Jan. 8.
Laura Snow has updated us on her and Pat's family where they had a major
event over the holidays, but first for the "old folks." Pat is still
working with the Bureau of Information Technology for state government.
Due to budget cuts to education last spring, Laura's job as
vocal/general music teacher at Georgia Morse Middle School was
eliminated. She assumed a brand new position as motorcycle safety
program coordinator for the state within the Office of Highway Safety.
Her responsibilities there are to promote motorcycle safety and motorist
awareness of motorcyclists. "I get to meet people, give safety
presentations and work with law enforcement, motorcycle dealerships and
motorcycle groups," she said. "What a great job! Riding my motorcycle
and talking to people about how to be safe!" The Snows' oldest daughter,
Stephanie, who is now at Northern State University, has one more year
there. She will do her student teaching next fall and then graduate. She
will have double majors in elementary and special education and double
minors in Spanish and early childhood/kindergarten. Danny Snow is
majoring in civil engineering at Nebraska-Lincoln and still part of the
Naval ROTC program. He is a junior in the five-year program with the
military/engineering degree. He will be serving as company commander for
Battalion A this spring semester. He no longer swims on the men's team
competitively but is playing on intramural co-ed soccer teams. Middle
daughter Megan graduated from Riggs High in May and was married on Dec.
22 to Kaleb Fischer (Stanley County '11). He is the son of Leland and
Lesa Fischer and Rollie Borth and the late Lorrie Borth. Megan attends
Northern, majoring in music education, and Kaleb is in the Army National
Guard and will start school at Northern next fall. Brittani Snow is a
seventh grader at Morse Middle School, was in Pierre Players' "A
Christmas Story," swims with the Pierre Swim Team and is in band, choir,
dance and church activities.
Brady Walz ('97), who is offensive line coach at the University of
Tulsa, spent his holidays with the team preparing for the Armed Forces
Bowl in Dallas. Tulsa led until the final minute when BYU scored a
touchdown with 11 seconds left to win 24-21.
Justin and Stacey Briese of Aberdeen became first-time parents on Dec.
29. Their daughter, Ava Rose Briese, weighed 8 pounds and measured 19
1/4 inches.
Dianne (Markwed Holley) Olander died of cancer at the age of 65 on Dec.
29. She grew up in Haakon County and graduated from Pierre High School
in 1964. She was originally married to Dolph Holley and worked for many
years at First National Bank in Pierre. She married Doug Olander in 1991
and lived in Sioux Falls. In addition to her husband, her survivors
include daughters Jodi Latza and Jena Wilka in Sioux Falls and Rachelle
Silver and Tara Zinger in Illinois, son Todd Olander in Sioux Falls, 15
grandchildren in Sioux Falls and four grandchildren in Illinois.
Ron and Kay Merriman of Pierre will celebrate their golden wedding
anniversary on Friday, Jan. 6. Their mail address is 112 N. Jefferson,
Pierre SD 57501.
South Dakota's first couple is slated to become first-time grandparents
this year. Sara Venhuizen, daughter of Gov. Dennis Daugaard and First
Lady Linda Daugaard, is due to give birth in mid-July. She is married to
Tony Venhuizen, a senior aide to the governor. (News courtesy of
"Today's KCCR News.")
Bert and Anne (Rapp) Rowe have opened a second Coolers, a drive-through
convenience store, in Pierre. They got the idea from when they lived in
Cleveland. Their first Coolers in Pierre is at 1515 E. Sioux Ave. and
enables customers to remain in their cars while they "drive through" to
pick up grocery and other convenience items. The new Coolers is at 319
S. Fort.
Zach Hanson of the boys basketball team is the newest Riggs High Student
Athlete of the Week selected by the Pierre Athletic Coaches Association.
The Craig and Peggy Hyde home was joyous over the Christmas season as
Allan and Taylor Hyde ('09) returned home from classes in Oklahoma City
and Lubbock, Texas, respectively. They were joined by their sister
Alayna ('06) for a fun-filled vacation of basketball games, movies and
family activities. The newest family member was enjoying a great deal of
attention---Jack, a German shepherd, who is now the new "boss" at the
Hyde home.
We extend sympathy also to the Parker and Livermont families on the
death of Jo Parker, 58, on Dec. 23. Services were held Dec. 28 at
Jehovah's Witnesses' Kingdom Hall in Pierre. Her survivors locally
include her mother, Carol Livermont; her husband, Mike Parker; her son,
James Parker; and brothers Jay and Steve Livermont.
Mallory Petersen ('06) and fiance Chris Dekker visited with family and
friends in the Pierre area over the Christmas break. They then spent the
New Year's holiday in Norfolk, Neb., with Chris' family before returning
to Newcastle, Wyo. School began Jan. 4 for Mal's students, and they will
begin gearing up for their instrumental spring concert. Chris will
return to Moscow, Idaho, by mid-January to continue his master's classes
at the University of Idaho.
Thanks to Lynne (Kurth) Reuter, we are updated on the whereabouts of the
Kurth kids. Kara Kurth sold her house in Pierre, quit her job with the
State Bureau of Finance and Management and is in graduate school at
Minnesota State-Mankato in sports management where she is a graduate
assistant. Kyle Kurth is still in the San Francisco area with Peter
Kiewet. Katie Kurth will graduate from nursing school from USD in May.
She will get to do a special nursing internship on the Rosebud
reservation in March. Lynne and Tim Reuter were married Sept. 24 in Dell
Rapids where they live, sort of halfway between their jobs. Lynne is
business director of surgery for Avera McKennan, and Tim is the
electrical maintenance supervisor for the city of Brookings. The Kurth
kids' dad, Skip, is still teaching/coaching at Riggs High in Pierre.
Garrett James ('02) and his wife, Adrienne, after living in Akron, Ohio,
for a year, now live in Lakewood, a western suburb of Cleveland. Garrett
sustained a herniated disc while working last July and is still in the
healing process, undergoing physical therapy, massage therapy,
acupuncture, etc., to get back into working shape. Adrienne is a
practicing acupuncturist in and around Cleveland. Garrett says they live
about four blocks from Lake Erie, and their dog Duke loves his frequent
trips to the lake for swimming, chasing sea gulls and playing fetch.
Meanwhile, Garrett's younger brother, Dustin James, and his dog were
involved in a truck accident in Wisconsin while Dustin was headed to
visit his girlfriend in that state. He rolled and totaled his truck, but
he and the dog both walked away with only minor scratches.
Sorry to hear the news that long-time Pierre businessman, Cory Ferding,
who founded Ferding Electric, passed away Sunday afternoon. He was also
a long-time member of the Pierre Kiwanis Club.
After I wrote a column last week about "Where were you when . . . ?",
Chad Snodgrass ('94) took time to respond where he was when some of
those major news events occurred. Chad also sent an e-mail, wishing
Midweek Update readers a happy new year. He is still stationed at Fort
Bragg, N.C., and has been able to catch a break from his six-months-on,
six-months-off deployment cycle.
Congratulations to Rapid City attorney McLean Thompson and her fiance,
Mike Kerver, who became engaged on the ski slopes of Colorado over the
New Year's weekend. How the proposal finally occurred is a rather funny
story, which McLean shared with me and thus with you: "We went to Denver
this weekend. Poor guy couldn't seem to catch a break. Every time he
tried to get some time alone with me, people would come out of the
woodwork. We went skiing on Saturday, and it was so cold and windy he
decided that would not be a good time to ask. Then we were going to a
comedy show in Denver Saturday night. I guess he thought he would ask me
when we went to dinner before the show. But the cab dropped us off at
the wrong theater, so we ended up walking over a mile to the right
theater. We didn't have time for dinner and made it just in time for the
show. Afterward we walked outside in the cold and there were 80,000
people standing on the streets of Denver. He didn't think that would be
the right place either. When we went into a local eatery and bar, we sat
down, and a couple asked if they could sit with us because it was really
crowded. I said yes, not knowing Mike wanted time without other people
around. So the next day he suggested going on a hike. We drove to
Boulder to hike near the Flatirons. It had snowed just enough and melted
just enough that the trail was a solid sheet of ice. So on any sort of
incline, you would slide down th ehill. Somehow we made it to a patach
of dry ground. There was a large boulder nearby, so we sat down. Mike
began talking about how we met and our relationship when, out of
nowhere, came all these hikers. The rock we were sitting on happened to
be right next to a trail sign. So all the hikers were stopping there,
trying to decide which way they wanted to go. Mike looked and me and
said, "All I want is two minutes alone with you." The hikers eventually
went on their way. That is when he hopped off the rock, got down on one
knee and asked the question. He was halfway through the question when I
said, 'Yes!' I was still on the boulder at that point. As I slid down to
give him a big hug, he stood up. As we were hugging, he said, 'I am
really glad you said yes, but you are standing on my finger, and I
really need you to move.' It was perfect---a serious proposal with a
funny ending."
Myron and Debbie Bryant's Christmas photo includes a photo of their six
grandchildren taken at Christmastime when they were all together. Toby
and Amber have four dark-haired girls---Tevan, 7; Dessa, 5; Autumn 3,
and Hadley, 9 months---and Tyler and Megan have a blond-haired girl,
Macy, 3, and a boy, Boston, 2. Myron is still teaching at Riggs High and
taking it a year at a time before deciding when to retire. Deb is now
two years into retirement. They have been updating their house on Cherry
Drive and are done---for the time being, at least. Myron hopes for a
better summer in 2012. Because of the flood, he couldn't golf, umpire
softball or fish last summer!
A Christmas photo card from Rick and Lisa Knudson in Woodbridge, Va.,
shows that their kids are really growing up. Erik is eight years old
already, Ian is six and Ellie is three. Rick, when he lived in Pierre,
taught at Pierre Indian Learning Center and coached the Post 8 varsity
baseball team.
Another photo card came from Ross and Jen (Neuhauser) Tschetter, who
farm near Salem.
2011 was a big year for Matt and Blair (Simon) Picchietti of Bismarck,
N.D., whose son, Gavin, was born last Jan. 9 and thus will be a year old
on Monday. Matt continues to work for Hi Plains (Blair describes his job
thusly: "He unloads products off of railcars into semi trucks.") He had
his first deer hunting experience and snagged a pair, one with rifle and
one with bow. He also played his second summer of softball, and his team
won their league title. Blair made a career change from the Dakota Boys
and Girls Ranch to North Dakota Guaranty and Title Company in the Mandan
branch where she is a title insurance agent. Matt and Blair celebrated
their third anniversary during the year and their 11th year together,
going all the way back to Riggs High days in Pierre. The Picchietti cat,
Sadie, celebrated her 13th birthday. She didn't warmly welcome the new
baby but is getting used to his being around. On the other hand their
two black Labs, Remington and Dakota, will let Gavin do whatever he
wants to them.
A Christmas letter from Mikal and Nancy Hanson in Pierre reveals they
are not loving their first empty-nest experience. "It is much too quiet,
the refrigerator is too full, the dishwasher is too empty, and the
laundrey has decreased dramatically. You would think we'd like this
phenomenon, but we don't. Not yet anyway!" Nancy wrote. Older son Kai
teaches college algebra while finishing his master's degree in
statistics at Minnesota State-Mankato. He is writing his dissertation
which he will present and defend this spring with graduation to follow
in May. He still enjoys playing hockey and soccer, depending on the
season. Kristen graduated in May from Concordia College in Moorhead,
Minn., with a psychology degree. She lives in Fargo and works in the
Fargo Hilton Hotel's catering department while continuing to seek
employment in her field. Younger son Max's state hockey championship
with the Capitals, playing with the drumline at a Timberwolves game and
high school graduation from Riggs were highlights last spring. Max is a
freshman at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn.
Attention, Sioux Falls area: The Capital City Children's Chorus will
perform at First Congregational Church in Sioux Falls at 7:15 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 20.
J.J. Iverson continues to teach and coach at West High School in
Anchorage, Alaska. He is in his second year of teaching world and U.S.
history and Alaska studies for the Cook Inlet Tribal Council. His
students are all Alaska natives. A note from J.J.'s Christmas letter:
"My students continue to amaze me with their capabilities and knowledge
of their culture, but most importantly they make me laugh, which is what
makes my profession such a great one to come to on a daily basis." Last
summer, through his connections with CITC, he served as a camp counselor
at Camp K'Tiya in Ninilchik, Alaska, for a group of students he teaches
as well as a group of Hawaiian students from Maui there on an exchange
program. Then he was off to Maui to serve as a counselor/chaperone in a
similar situation but where he also had more sightseeing and traveling
time. So far as coaching is concerned, J.J. works with the "Grips," the
wide receivers and defensive backs of West's football team. Two of his
wide receivers earned first-team All-State honors, and West's
quarterback was first-team All-state with 25 touchdowns and 2,511 yards
passing, breaking a single-season record. West came within four points
of earning a second straight trip to the state championship game, losing
to Anchorage South in the last few seconds of a semifinal. J.J.
continues to enjoy Alaska itself---rafting and kayaking, mountain hiking
and adult league softball.
The flood (what else!) was the top news story for Ted and Jayne Parsons
and family in 2011, according to their Christmas letter. Having their
Frontier Road home surrounded by the river for the entire summer and
living with Mike and Dedra Shaw all of that time---"mud, poopy dogs, and
all"---made it quite a year. But there was good news, too, besides being
able to save their home. Middle son Seth became engaged to Karae
Englehart and will be married in May. Seth is studying medicine at the
USD medical school. Oldest son Zach, who had been in Olympia, Wash.,
moved back to Pierre with his girlfriend Ashley and her daughter Alycia,
and Zach works as the diabetic coordinator for the state. Youngest son
Jacob is a junior at USD.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chris Nelson for SD Public Utilities Commission
www.nelsonforsd.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BASKETBALL ROUNDUP
Iowa Energy: Iowa's latest game was a 108-86 win over Idaho on Dec. 30,
so the Energy stands at 10-4 for the season, heading into games Friday
and Saturday against the Skyforce in Sioux Falls. Michael Tveidt in the
Idaho game was 2-of-4 from the field and 6-of-6 at the line for 11
points with two rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block. After
this weekend the Energy plays next Wednesday at Reno, then home next
Thursday in Des Moines against Canton.
DID I READ THAT SIGN RIGHT? #10
Notice in a farmer's field: THE FARMER ALLOWS WALKERS TO CROSS THIS
FIELD FOR FREE, BUT THE BULL CHARGES.
TIMBERWOLVES SCHEDULE
Friday: Cleveland 7:00.
Sunday: @ Washington noon.
Monday: @ Toronto 6:00.
Tuesday: Chicago 7:00.
THE VIKINGS NEXT FALL
6 games: home-and-away vs. Chicago, Detroit and Green Bay.
10 games (5 home and 5 away): one game each vs. Indianapolis,
Jacksonville, Houston, Tennessee, San Francisco, Seattle, Arizona, St.
Louis, Tampa Bay, Washington.
WORDS OF WISDOM
Lead your life so you won't be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the
town gossip.
BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES
Thursday, Jan. 5:
Debi Englehart, Jeff Schlekeway.
Friday, Jan. 6:
Patrick Baker, Bradley Dean, Nancy McKenney, Scott Lovald, Dan Currier,
Crystal Ortbahn, Riley Hausmann, Stephanie (Ellenbecker) Vandel. 50th
anniversary, Ron/Kay Merriman.
Saturday, Jan. 7:
Eileen Briggs, Jordan LaBrie, Lucy Bradley, J.D. Pohlman, Alisa DeMers,
Amber Russell, Ellen (Gormley) Hopper, Hannah (Waack) Carda.
Sunday, Jan. 8:
Grayson Hunsley, Bruce Pearson, Perry Job, Drew Garry, William Coolidge,
Erik Osterkamp, Hudson Jarecke, Schelle Fuchs, Sigrid Wald.
Monday, Jan. 9:
Dan Rounds, Phil Howard, Aaron Chittum, Dan Rasmussen, Amy (Tate)
Mancuso, Jamie (Jaeger) Spaid, Barry LeBeau, Earl Lindell, Gavin
Picchietti, Melissa Foss, Katie Douglas, Susan Pietrus, Cheri (McComsey)
Wittler. 2nd anniversary, Merlin/Nicole (Mikkelsen) Schwinler.
Tuesday, Jan. 10:
Kelli Koll, Ryan Fowler, Tara (Dieken) Mangan, Duber Johnson, McLean
Thompson, Mallory Petersen, Ben Gloe.
Wednesday, Jan. 11:
Ben Kramer, Terri Disburg, Chris Mangan, Kyle Kurth, Lowell Gordon,
Kristie (Hallock) Moore, Susie Rilling, Mitch Foth, Shawn Klemann, Laura
Truax, Nolan Bisbee, Naomi Lors, Beverly Mickelson.
Thursday, Jan. 12:
Randy Sprenkle, Nicole Mosiman, Lyndsey Ring, John Stengle, Terry
Woster, Meaghan (Anderson) Neuberger, Trey Owens, Lane Kozel, Sheila
(Beougher) Lee.
HOCKEY ROUNDUP
This week's schedules:
Capitals boys varsity---Friday, @ Rushmore, 8:00 MST (JVs 5:30);
Saturday, @ Rushmore, 1:30 MST (JVs 11:00).
Lady Capitals girls varsity---Friday-Sunday, @ Fargo tournament.
Boys varsity: At a holiday tournament in Hazen, N.D., the Capitals lost
to Hazen-Beulah, 6-3; defeated Williston, 4-2, and lost to eventual
champion Glenboro-Carberry, Manitoba, 5-1.
Girls varsity: The Lady Capitals swept Aberdeen in league play, 5-0 and
7-0.
VOCABULARY #8
Inflation: Cutting money in half without damaging the paper.
PERSONAL NOTES
* Lake Superior State University's annual List of Words (and Phrases)
Banished from the Queen's English for Misuse, Overuse and General
Uselessness this year included the following: baby bump, shared
sacrifice, win the future, ginormous, man cave, the new normal, occupy,
amazing, blowback, and thank you in advance.
* Help! I have only a few more Christmas letters to go through to scrape
together some "people news" items for next week's Update, so send me
YOUR news. Where did you spend the holidays? What kids were home? What
trips did you take? Where are you spending your interim term, if you
have one? Where are you second semester? The world wants to know, and
the Update needs your news. Our readers and I are tired of just "filler"
stuff!
McKAYLA MARSO'S "SPAMALOT" NATIONAL TOUR SCHEDULE
Jan. 6-8: Minneapolis.
Jan. 9: Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Jan. 10: Duluth.
Jan. 11: Grand Rapids, Minn.
Jan. 12: Grand Forks.
Jan. 13: Fargo.
Jan. 14: Ames.
Jan. 15: Cedar Falls.
Jan. 17-18: Jackson, Miss.
Jan. 20: Baton Rouge.
Jan. 21: Galveston.
Jan. 23: Athens, Ga.
Jan. 24: Montgomery, Ala.
Jan. 25-26: Columbia, S.C.
Jan. 27-28: Nashville.
Jan. 29: Columbia, Mo.
Jan. 30: Fort Smith, Ark.
Jan. 31: Paducah, Ky.
Feb. 1: Owensboro, Ky.
Feb. 2: Chattanooga, Tenn.
Feb. 3: Richmond, Ky.
Feb. 4: Wabash, Ind.
Feb. 6: Corpus Christi, Texas.
Feb. 7-12: Fort Worth.
Feb. 14: Clemson, S.C.
Feb. 15: Opelika, Ala.
Feb. 16: Jacksonville.
Feb. 17-19: Charlotte.
Feb. 20: Gainesville, Fla.
Feb. 21: Key West.
Feb. 22: Daytona Beach.
Feb. 23: Fort Pierce, Fla.
Feb. 24: Niceville, Fla.
Feb. 25: Oxford, Miss.
Feb. 28-March 4: Los Angeles.
March 6: Shreveport, La.
March 8: Wheeling, W.Va.
March 9-10: Hershey, Pa.
March 11: Roanoke, Va.
March 13-18: Washington, D.C.
March 21-25: Rama, Ontario.
March 26: Kingston, Ontario.
March 27: Burlington, Vt.
March 28: Lowell, Mass.
March 29: New Bedford, Mass.
March 30-31: Buffalo.
April 1: Rutland, Vt.
April 10-22: San Francisco.
FOOTBALL CONTEST
We had only four contestants last week, and Dawn Magee of Pierre scored
a 9-1 mark with Jason Noyes right behind at 8-2. This week's games (send
me your winners by 6 p.m. Friday):
1. FCS championship: North Dakota State vs. Sam Houston State.
2. Bowl: Arkansas State vs. Northern Illinois.
3. Bowl: Arkansas vs. Kansas State.
4. Bowl: SMU vs. Pittsburgh.
5. BCS championship: Alabama vs. LSU.
6. NFL: Cincinnati @ Houston.
7. NFL: Detroit @ New Orleans.
8. NFL: Atlanta @ New York Giants.
9. NFL: Pittsburgh @ Denver.
THOUGHTS TO GET YOU THROUGH ANY CRISIS #1
Indecision is the key to flexibility.
THE REPUBLICANS PICK A CANDIDATE
Jan. 10: New Hampshire primary.
Jan. 21: South Carolina primary.
Jan. 31: Florida primary.
Feb. 4: Nevada caucuses.
Feb. 4-11: Maine caucuses.
Feb. 7: Colorado causes, Minnesota caucuses, Missouri primary.
Feb. 28: Arizona primary, Michigan primary.
March 3: Washington caucuses.
March 6: Alaska caucuses, Georgia primary, Idaho caucuses, Massachusetts
primary, North Dakota caucuses, Ohio primary, Tennessee primary, Texas
primary, Vermont primary, Virginia primary.
March 6-10: Wyoming caucuses.
March 10: Kansas caucuses, Virgin Islands caucuses.
March 13: Alabama primary, Hawaii caucuses, Mississippi primary.
March 17: Missouri caucuses.
March 20: Illinois primary.
March 24: Louisiana primary.
April 3: District of Columbia primary, Maryland primary, Wisconsin
primary.
April 24: Connecticut primary, Delaware primary, New York primary,
Pennsylvania primary. Rhode Island primary.
May 8: Indiana primary, North Carolina primary, West Virginia primary.
May 15: Nebraska primary, Oregon primary.
May 22: Arkansas primary, Kentucky primary.
June 5: California primary, South Dakota primary, Montana primary, New
Jersey primary, New Mexico primary.
June 26: Utah primary.
PARADISE FEARS TOUR SCHEDULE
Paradise Fears, a rock band composed of six young guys from Vermillion,
is headed back out on the road, and what a tour they have in store!
Catch them at these locations:
Jan. 11: House of Blues, Anaheim.
Jan. 12: Roxy Theatre, Los Angeles.
Jan. 13: Hard Rock Cafe, Las Vegas.
Jan. 14: Clubhouse, Phoenix.
Jan. 15: The Rock, Tucson.
Jan. 17: Warehouse Live Studio, Houston.
Jan. 19: The Culture Room, Fort Lauderdale.
Jan. 20: The Social, Orlando.
Jan. 21: Freebird Live, Jacksonville.
Jan. 22: The Masquerade, Atlanta.
Jan. 23: Rocketown, Nashville.
Jan. 25: Blue Moose Tap House, Iowa City.
Jan. 26: Varsity Theatre, Minneapolis.
Jan. 27: M Shop, Ames.
Jan. 28: The Rave, Milwaukee.
Jan. 30: The Firebird, St. Louis.
Jan. 31: Emerson Theatre, Indianapolis.
Feb. 1: Bottom Lounge, Chicago.
Feb. 2: Grog Shoup, Cleveland.
Feb. 3: The Crofoot Ballroom, Pontiac, Mich.
Feb. 4: Mod Club, Toronto.
Feb. 6: Xtreme Wheels, Buffalo.
Feb. 8: Gramercy Theatre, New York City.
Feb. 9: Showcase Live, Boston.
Feb. 10: Crocodile Rock Cafe, Allentown, Pa.
Feb. 11: Union Transfer, Philadelphia.
Feb. 12: Baltimore Soundstage, Baltimore.
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THE MIDWEEK UPDATE
Vol. 12, No. 15; Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011
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REMEMBER THE FLOOD VICTIMS WHO ARE STILL HURTING
A message from the Oahe Flood Relief Fund:
As you are making your way through your Christmas list, please don’t
forget about those who are still struggling to recover from the summer
flood. There are about 20 families still displaced by the flood. I
recently heard a story about a woman who was living in her garage
because there was too much mold in her home. Another family has spent
all their savings, maxed out their credit cards and has no idea where to
turn. These are just two stories I’m aware of. I’m sure there are more
just as heart-wrenching.
A couple months ago a volunteer group called “The Green Shirts” was in
town and went door-to-door to tally up the unmet needs. The total was
between $1.2 and $1.6 million dollars. To date the Oahe Flood Relief
Fund has raised $120,000 so there are still many needs out there.
Here are five simple ways can make the holiday a little brighter for
those still looking for help:
1. Text FLOOD to 85944. Doing this will donate $10 to the relief fund.
You will see the $10 reflected on your next bill. (Other tax-type
charges may apply)
2. Donate online to the flood relief fund at the SD Community Foundation
http://www.sdcommunityfoundation.org/floodrelief/
3. Send a donation to the Flood Relief Fund c/o PO Box 548 Pierre, SD
57501
4. Take yourself out to eat at the Pierre Taco Johns and order Nachos
Navidad. Proceeds will be donated to the flood.
5. Help spread the word by forwarding this message on to your e-mail and
text contacts.
Thank you for taking time to consider making a donation. A million
dollars seems huge. So did laying 2 million sandbags. If each person
contributes a little, the goal can be reached.
RIGGS STUDENTS COLLECTING WARMTH
Riggs High School students are collecting blankets so others can stay
warm. Operation Warm Up is being held at the high school through
Wednesday, Dec. 21. New or slightly used blankets are being collected in
English classes with the items then to be donated to Missouri Shores
Domestic Violence Center.
Senior class president Katherine Van Gerpen said the Student Senate is
hosting the event. She said it is a good holiday project for students.
She said there is more of a need for such blankets than people realize,
and she said some of those trying to stay warm are likely students at
Riggs.
While the students are being asked to donate, Van Gerpen said the public
can as well. Anybody wanting to donate blankets can drop them off at the
Riggs High School office. (News courtesy of "Today's KCCR News.")
WORDS TO NOT LIVE BY #7
If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple car
payments.
CAPITOL CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENT
Thursday, Dec. 15:
Noon to 1 p.m.---Platte-Geddes Junior High School band.
5:30 to 6:30 p.m.---Laura Snow piano students.
7 to 8 p.m.---River Harmony Women's Barbershop Chorus (Pierre).
Friday, Dec. 16:
Noon to 1 p.m.---Edgemont High School choir.
5:30 to 7 p.m.---Jan Widvey piano students.
7 to 8 p.m.---Pianist Lashea Labrier (Murdo).
Saturday, Dec. 17:
Noon to 1 p.m.---Winner High School choir and band.
2 to 3 p.m.---Shrine of Democracy Barbershop Chorus (Rapid City).
Sunday, Dec. 18:
1 to 1:30 p.m.---Tanna and Kaylee Becker; piano; Kaylee Becker, oboe;
Tate Mueller and Tanna Becker, piano.
2 to 2:30 p.m.---Ss. Peter & Paul Folk Group (Pierre).
2:30 to 3:30 p.m.---Go Bellistic Handbells (Highmore).
4 to 5 p.m.---Cheri Shafer piano students.
5 to 6 p.m.---Bethany Amundson, guitar/vocal.
Monday, Dec. 19:
7 to 8 p.m.---Capitolians Barbershop Chorus.
Wednesday, Dec. 21:
Noon to 1 p.m.---Riggs High School Jazz I Ensemble.
Saturday, Dec. 24:
10 to 11 a.m.---Aaron and Michael Bumann, vocals, and Emma Bumann and
Jeanne Goodman, piano.
3 to 4 p.m.---Daniall Deis, piano.
Sunday, Dec. 25:
3:30 to 5 p.m.---Susanne Harmon, piano/vocal (Sioux Falls).
Monday, Dec. 26:
7 to 8 p.m.---Priscilla Hofer, piano.
STANLEY COUNTY CONSIDERING NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Stanley County school board members will seek public input next month on
the idea of building a new elementary school in Fort Pierre.
The board Monday night reviewed proposed designs for a building of
almost 35,000 square feet that Supt. Dr. Don Hotalling said would
provide needed space for academics and extracurricular activities. In
the designs the building would be attached by a walkway to the current
high school building and would extend back and toward Second Avenue. The
new building would include 10 to 13 classrooms for junior kindergarten
through fifth grade, a music room, gymnasium and lunchroom.
Estimated cost is about $4.7 million. Hotalling said the district would
issue capital outlay certificates to cover the cost. He said that will
likely mean a slight increase in property taxes, estimating that to be
about one dollar for every thousand dollars for assessed evaluation.
Public meetings on the proposal are set for Jan. 10 and Jan. 19 in the
kindergarten-second grade cafeteria room. Each meeting starts at 7 p.m.
Hotalling said no final decision on moving forward will be made until
after those meetings.
If the new building would be constructed, the current elementary school
and administration building would eventually be demolished.
Administration offices would be located in areas of Parkview Gymnasium
that would be renovated. Hotalling said that would be a separate project
cost, and there is no estimate yet. (News courtesy of "Today's KCCR
News.")
HOCKEY ROUNDUP
Girls varsity: The Lady Capitals won at Sioux Falls, 9-4, as Emily Weber
had a pair of goals to lead the offense. Later last weekend the girls
lost twice at Brookings, 7-0 and 8-0. The girls will be home against
Mitchell Friday night (6 and 8 p.m.), then play at Huron Saturday at
3:30 and Sunday at 10:30. The Lady Caps will be home Dec. 30-31 against
Aberdeen at 8 p.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.
Oahe Capitals: The Capitals are about to embark on a pair of North
Dakota road trips. This weekend the varsity will play at Dickinson at 8
p.m. MST Friday. On Saturday the JVs play at 1 p.m. CST and the varsity
at 3 p.m. at Mandan. Then on Dec. 28-30 the varsity will play Williston,
Billings, Mont., and Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, in a tournament all the
way north in Williston, N.D.
BASKETBALL ROUNDUP
Iowa Energy: Michael Tveidt's team in the NBA's Development League
defeated Sioux Falls twice last weekend. In a 115-92 win Michael had
seven points, six rebounds and three assists. In a 103-89 win Tveidt was
5-of-9 from the field and 1-of-2 at the stripe for 13 points.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
FLOOD REPAIR WORK CONTINUES AT OAHE
It is has been an autumn full of repair work at the Oahe Dam.
Since early fall, crews at the dam have been working on projects that
have stemmed from the flood, such as erosion at the stilling basin. Oahe
Dam Project Manager Eric Stasch said crews have made good headway on
those projects.
One project that had to be delayed by the flood was renovation work on
the emergency spillway. In case it would ever be used, the spillway,
located to the west of the dam, would allow water to flow south through
a constructed channel from the reservoir through grassland and
eventually across Highway 1806 and back into the river.
Stasch said the planned construction work will make the channel even
more defined.
Stasch stressed that the stability of the dam is still strong despite
the flood and this summer’s minor earthquake. (News courtesy of "Today's
KCCR News.")
SULLY BUTTES HIGH SPORTS ROUNDUP
This week's schedules:
Girls basketball---Thursday, @ Lyman; Monday, home vs. Eureka-Bowdle;
Dec. 27, @ Parkston Classic.
Boys basketball---Tuesday, home vs. Mobridge; Dec. 27, vs. McIntosh @
NSU Classic, Aberdeen; Dec. 29, @ Parkston Classic.
Wrestling---Saturday, @ Plankinton/Mount Vernon Invitational,
Plankinton; Dec. 30, @ Webster Invitational.
S.D. Sportswriters Association's Class "B" boys basketball poll: 1,
White River; 2, Viborg-Hurley; 3 (tie), James Valley Christian and
Canistota; 5, Sully Buttes.
Boys basketball: The Chargers won their season opener at Northwestern,
48-37. They made it 2-0 Tuesday with a 57-43 win over Lyman in Presho.
Girls basketball: The Chargers won their season opener at Northwestern,
35-29.
Wrestling: Sully Buttes lost to Miller/Highmore-Harrold, 39-27, and to
Lyman, 42-36. Later at the Faulkton Invitational SBHS placed fifth among
13 teams.
PARAPROSDOKIANS #5
A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train
stops. On my desk I have a work station.
STANLEY COUNTY HIGH SPORTS ROUNDUP
Gymnastics: At the Wagner Invitational the Lady Buffs were third among
five teams. Lexi Lopour captured top all-around honors and won the floor
exercise event. SCHS was hampered when its leading scorer, Shelby
Gienger, was injured in warmups and could not compete.
Boys basketball: The Buffaloes lost their season opener to Bennett
County, 46-44. Cody Heckenlaible led SCHS with 14 points.
Wrestling: The Buffaloes placed sixth among 11 teams at the Gregory
Invitational.
Girls basketball: The Lady Buffs lost at Highmore-Harrold, 54-49. Tory
Deal was high scorer with 14 points.
This week's schedules:
Boys basketball---Thursday, home vs. Philip, 5:00; Tuesday, @ Jones
County, 5:00; Dec. 27, home vs. Gregory, 5:30; Dec. 29, home vs. Crow
Creek, 6:30.
Girls basketball---Thursday, home vs. Philip, 3:30; Tuesday, @ Jones
County, 3:30; Dec. 27, at Bennett County, 3:00.
Wrestling---Thursday, @ Faulkton triangular with Redfield, 6:00; Dec.
27, home vs. Gregory, 2:00; Dec. 30, @ Webster Invitational, 9:30.
Gymnastics---Saturday, home for Stanley County meet, noon; Dec. 30, @
Vermillion meet, 11:30.
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BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES
Thursday, Dec. 15:
Kelly Kafka, Shirleen Fugitt, Ruth Jassmann, Linda Johnson, Steve
Withers, Wayne Crawford, Derek Dehne.
Friday, Dec. 16:
Nathan Hamm, Bonnie Pitlick, Steve Hinker.
Saturday, Dec. 17:
Ryan Nuttall, Molly Williams, Austin Mammenga, Kade Anderson.
Sunday, Dec. 18:
Kai Hanson, Jordan Jarvis, Jeff Swartz, Al Bahe, Whitney Barnett, Devan
Bruns, Ross Olson, Gary McMath. 7th anniversary, Jamison/Cathy Rounds.
Monday, Dec. 19:
Tim Bjorneberg, Karin (Unkenholz) Hansen, Alexander Meagher, Blake
Hemminger, Jim Costello, Breanna Costello. Anniversary, Casey/Alyssa
Kahler.
Tuesday, Dec. 20:
Louie Mehlhaff, Michaela (Thompson) Novak, Dustin Garber, Steve Hosman,
Conor Getty, Valori (Kunsman) Fogal, Mary Sarvis, Maddy Jo Sayer, Mathis
Joens, Marcie (Lyngstad) Long.
Wednesday, Dec. 21:
Timaree Ice, Laura Winter, Matt Jahraus, Isaac Vogel, Eric Sprenkle,
Sarah Gran, Allison Guindon, Jamie Goff, Chris Frost, David Zellmer,
Evan Nielsen, Caitlin Bingner, Colt Norman, Tyler Moodie, Erica Schipper.
Thursday, Dec. 22:
Neil Eichstadt, Gerad Johnson, Brandon Rausch.
Friday, Dec. 23:
Maranda Ehrenfried, Jeremy DeWitt, Terry Mattke, Susan Colleran. 2nd
anniversary, Eddie/Reina Welch. 5th anniversary, Kyle/Jeannie Kafka.
Anniversary, Merle/Leona Buhler.
Saturday, Dec. 24:
Kolton Durkin, Andrea Bauer, Chris Anglin, Sonny Reed, Jeff Fahey,
Melisa Forest, Landon Schumacher.
Sunday, Dec. 25:
Chuck Libby, Katie (Skrondahl) Melius, Hudson Rohrbach, Alicia Burchill,
Sheila Gould, Josh Golden.
Monday, Dec. 26:
Jaclyn Clown, Shelby Stadel, Bernie Ripperger, Nathan Blaseg, Taylor
McGee, Mary Peltier, Yutzil Rodriguez. 2nd anniversary, Adam/Samantha (Dockter)
Gallagher.
Tuesday, Dec. 27:
Chris Iverson, Brian Hermanson, Alana Stars, Sean Colleran, Cole Cruse,
Ferd Albertus. 2nd anniversary, Jason/Eva (Schmidt) Reed. Anniversary,
Mark/Krista (Oehlerking) Morris.
Wednesday, Dec. 28:
Rob Miller, Lynette James, Kelsey Dykstra, Helen Bright. 37th
anniversary, Lari/Linda Ott. 9th anniversary, Jon/Michelle Hofer. 9th
anniversary, Conrad/Mary (Storsteen) Dieken.
Thursday, Dec. 29:
Thad Fonck, Kent Kinkler, Rodger Hartley, Tane Bramblee, Tyson Bramblee,
Nedra (Eddy) Strouf, Donielle Gustafson, Geryd Erbele, Lindsay (Potts)
Strohfus.
RIGGS HIGH SPORTS ROUNDUP
S.D. Sportswriters Association Class "AA" boys basketball poll: 1,
Mitchell; 2, Lincoln; 3, Washington; 4, O'Gorman; 5, Pierre.
Gymnastics: At the Aberdeen Central meet, Pierre was fifth among 13
teams. In the floor exercise event Shelby Spelbring and Sydney Gutenkauf
tied for sixth at 9.050. In the vault Cheyna Lodge was fourth at 9.225.
Boys basketball: The season opener saw Watertown shoot lights-out from
three-point range in a 58-51 win at Pierre. The Governors were down at
the half, 36-25. Pierre was 3-of-14 in three-point shots while Watertown
was 11 of 24. Zach Hanson had 21 points, 10 rebounds, an assist and five
blocks, Lane Severyn nine points, and Conner Berg had nine points and
three rebounds. . . . . . On Tuesday morning Mitchell was ranked No. 1
in Class AA in the first sportswriters' poll. That night on their home
court at the Corn Palace where Pierre won last year, it happened again.
The Governors dealt the Kernels their first loss, 61-52. The story in
the Mitchell Daily Republic said the Kernels were "outscored, outshot
and outhustled." Zach Hanson had 18 points and three steals, Joe
Tetzlaff 15 points and Lane Severyn 14 points and three steals.
Wrestling: There were stunning results for Pierre at the Rapid City
Invitational last weekend. Only Gillette, Wyo., was better as Pierre
placed second among 30 teams, including beating perennial state champion
Sturgis, which was third. Gillette had 184 points, Pierre 178.5, Sturgis
174, Bismarck 164.5 and Rapid City Central 160 at the top of the leader
board. Tanner Monfore won an individual championship. Chase Lettau was
second. Caleb Stoltenburg, Trey Maier and Lane Lettau all placed third.
Dawson Monfore was fifth, Kyle Sarringar sixth and Jebben Keyes and
Dylan Bennett seventh. The first chance to see the Governor wrestling
team at home is Friday night. There's no basketball competition so no
excuse for that gym not to be full and rocking!
This week's schedules:
Wrestling---Friday, home vs. Brandon Valley, 6:00; Saturday, @ Valentine
Invitational, 10:30; Dec. 30-31, @ The Clash tournament, Rochester,
Minn.
Girls basketball---Saturday, @ Sioux Falls Roosevelt, 4:00; Tuesday,
home vs. Huron, 4:00; Dec. 29, @ Rapid City Central, 4:00; Dec. 30, @
Rapid City Stevens, noon.
Boys basketball---Saturday, home vs. Sioux Falls Roosevelt, 4:00;
Tuesday, @ Huron, 4:00; Dec. 29, home vs. Rapid City Central, 4:00; Dec.
30, home vs. Rapid City Stevens, noon.
Gymnastics---Saturday, @ Mitchell Invitational; Dec. 27, @ Rapid City
Central, 2:00.
Girls basketball: The Lady Govs lost their home opener to Mitchell
Tuesday, 53-35. Kaitlyn Severyn had 10 points. The Lady Govs were
outrebounded 43-24. Pierre had lost its season opener at Watertown last
Friday. In that one Severyn and Katie Berg had eight points each.
ADULT TRUTHS
There are some people whose phone numbers you should keep in your phone
so you know not to answer when they call.
FIRST 'TRAIL OF GOVERNORS' STATUE ON DISPLAY THIS AFTERNOON
A life-sized, clay model of one of the first former governors that will
be placed on the new Trail of Governors in 2012 will be on public
display Thursday.
The statue of Gov. Walter D. Miller will be on display from 1 to 2 p.m.
at the Cultural Heritage Center. Miller, family members and sculptor Lee
Leuning will be on hand to visit with the public.
This is the first life-sized model unveiled by the Trail of Governors
project. The model will eventually be done in bronze. The bronze statues
of Miller and former governors Arthur C. Mellette and Harlan Bushfield
are expected to be done and dedicated sometime in 2012.
The Trail of Governors will run from the Capitol complex to downtown
Pierre. The goal is to install bronze statues of three former governors
each year for the next 10 years. Leuning is one of four artists selected
to be part of the project. Each statue costs $68,000 and all funds are
raised privately.
For more information and to learn how to sponsor a statue, visit
www.trailofgovernors.com or email trailofgovernors@aol.com. (News
courtesy of "Today's KCCR News.")
WEDDING DAYS
April 13: Justin Jones/Theresa Frick.
May 19: Seth Parsons/Karae Englehart.
May 23: Maxx Vaudrin/Macy Gomes.
June 2: Eric Aadland/Angie Briguet.
June 2: Sam Gilkerson/Holly Lindbloom.
June 9: Bret Graves/Caitie Wagner.
June 9: Christopher Dekker/Mallory Petersen.
June 16: Dominic Bottenfield/Abby Pitlick.
June 16: Chris Hoffman/Becky Barringer.
June 23: Jerid Maskovich/Jeanine Van Ash.
July 14: Gavin Van Zee/Samantha Hestdalen.
Aug. 31: Cody Stoeser/Cassie Rausch.
Oct. 19: Greg Barringer/Kayla Petersen.
COLLEGE SPORTS ROUNDUP
Sunday's SDSU-Washington men's basketball game in Seattle at 2 p.m. CST
can be seen at Dish Network channel 426, DirecTV channel 687 and
Midcontinent cable channel 315, and you can hear Tyler Merriam's radio
broadcast on KGFX-AM in central South Dakota and all the other stations
on the Jackrabbit Sports Network, including WNAX-AM (570).
South Dakota State basketball: The Jackrabbit men smoked North Dakota,
92-54, Saturday as Nate Wolters scored 16. On Monday Wolters was out
with an ankle injury, but Chad White scored 22 as the Jacks dominated
Dakota State, 92-60. SDSU plays at UND Thursday and at Washington in
Seattle Sunday. Then the Jacks resume league play at home Dec. 28
against IPFW and Dec. 30 against Oakland.
South Dakota basketball: The Coyote men swept both games on an eastern
road trip. They won at Canisius in Buffalo, N.Y., 67-55 as Louie Krogman
had 18 points, nine assists, eight rebounds and two steals. Although
going 10:16 without scoring in the second half, the Coyotes won at
Morehead State in Kentucky (a team that beat Louisville in the NCAA
tournament last spring), 57-56. Krogman had tied the game with a trey at
2:21, and Charlie Westbrook's trey at 0:25 off a Krogman assist was the
game-winner. Now 4-5, USD hosts Canisius Sunday and Peru State next
Wednesday. Resuming league play, the Coyotes host Southern Utah Dec. 28
and Oral Roberts Dec. 30.
Summit League men's basketball standings: SDSU 2-0, Oakland 2-0, Oral
Roberts 1-0, NDSU 1-1, IPFW 1-1, Western Illinois 1-1, UMKC 1-1, USD
0-2, Southern Utah 0-2, IUPUI 0-2. (Top eight teams qualify for league
tournament in Sioux Falls March 3-6 except USD is not eligible until
next season.)
South Dakota basketball (Alexis Yackley): The Coyotes were impressive in
a 73-48 demolition of Northern Colorado at the DakotaDome Saturday
night. Alexis was 4-of-7 from the field for 11 points and had seven
rebounds, 11 assists (one away from a career-high) and a steal. USD goes
to Utah Valley MOnday and to Idaho State Wednesday, then will be home
for league play against Oral Roberts Dec. 29 and Southern Utah Dec. 31.
South Dakota State basketball (Steph Paluch, Katie Lingle): The
Jackrabbit women lost at home to Kansas State, 63-46, shooting only 22%
after going 0-for-16 to start the game and 2-for-25 in the first half.
Katie had 10 points and nine rebounds while Steph had three points. SDSU
hosts Arkansas-Little Rock Friday, plays at Marquette Monday and at
Nebraska next Wednesday, then resumes Summit play at home Dec. 29
against Oakland and Dec. 31 against IPFW.
Summit League women's basketball standings: SDSU 2-0, IPFW 2-0, Oral
Roberts 1-0, USD 1-1, Oakland 1-1, IUPUI 1-1, Western Illinois 1-1,
Southern Utah 0-1, UMKC 0-2, NDSU 0-2. (Top eight teams qualify for
league tournament in Sioux Falls March 3-6 except USD is not eligible
until next season.)
Dakota Wesleyan basketball (Liz Lamb): The Tiger women dominated York
(Neb.), 79-33, as Liz was 2-of-6 and 2-of-2 for six points with three
rebounds, four assists and a steal. Then they lost a GPAC game to
Concordia (Neb.), 62-49, as Liz was 3-of-6 and 6-of-6 for 13 points with
three boards, a steal and two assists. DWU hosted Mount Marty last
night, then plays at Doane Friday, at Arizona Christian Saturday and
Monday and at Presentation Dec. 31.
Mount Marty basketball (Alexa Berg): The Lancers defeated Midland
(Neb.), 62-50, as Alexa scored 11 points Saturday. MMC played DWU last
night, goes to Nebraska Wesleyan Saturday and hosts Briar Cliff Jan. 4.
Mount Marty basketball (Spencer Yackley): The Lancer men held Midland to
10 points in the last 10 minutes and won, 58-47, despite going 10
minutes in the first half without scoring at all. MMC played DWU last
night, goes to Nebraska Wesleyan Saturday, then goes to Chicago for St.
Xavier's three-day tournament Dec. 20-22. After New Year's MMC hosts
Briar Cliff Jan. 4.
Princeton hockey (Matt Farris): Matt didn't play at Princeton lost to
Harvard, 4-3, Saturday, but he was back in the lineup Sunday as
Princeton lost at Quinnipiac, 3-2. Now 4-9-2 overall and 3-7-1 in the
ECAC, the Tigers come west to Minneapolis to play Northeastern and then
either Minnesota or Niagara Dec. 30-31 at the Mariucci Classic hosted by
the U. of M.
Dakota Wesleyan wrestling (Tyler Sarringar, Dusty Paulsen): The Tigers
lost a dual to Augustana, 40-0. Dusty lost 8-2 at 141 pounds, and Tyler
lost 8-7 at 174 pounds. Then DWU defeated Northwestern (Iowa), 31-13.
Dusty lost his match 4-0, but Tyler won by a 1:21 pin in his match. At
Buena Vista's tournament in Iowa Saturday, Tyler placed third and Dusty
placed fourth. After losing a 1-0 first-round match to the same
Northwestern wrestler he had faced the night before, Dusty scored four
straight pins.
Black Hills State basketball (Mitch Foth): The Yellowjacket men won
twice at Helena, Mont., beating Carroll College, 72-63, and Great Falls,
72-71. BHSU is home Dec. 29-30 to face Montana Tech and DWU.
Augustana basketball: The Vikings soared to 4-0 in the NSIC by winning
at Mary, 58-45 and at Northern, 76-68. Now 7-1 overall, Augie is home
for Minnesota-Crookston Saturday and MSU-Moorhead Sunday, then goes to
St. Cloud State and Concordia-St. Paul Jan. 2-3.
Purdue basketball (Sam Ostarello): No. 12 Purdue lost to No. 3 Notre
Dame, 66-38, Saturday. Sam had no points, three rebounds, one assist,
three steals and two blocks. The next day Purdue was upset by Central
Michigan, 75-62. Sam was 5-of-9 for 10 points with seven rebounds, one
steal and three assists. Purdue is at Auburn Sunday, hosts Oakland Dec.
20 and IPFW Dec. 22 and hosts Minnesota Dec. 30.
South Dakota swimming (Marcus Christianson): The Coyotes defeated
Morningside in a dual, 151-80. Marcus was third in the 50 freestyle in
:23.08 and fourth in the 100 free in :51.86. He swam fourth leg on USD's
"B" team in the 200 medley relay, the team placing third in 1:43.45. His
"B" 200 free relay team won their event in 1:27.74 as Marcus swam the
first leg. The next day USD lost a dual with SDSU, 126-111. Marcus swam
anchor leg on USD's "B" team in the 400 medley relay, placing fourth in
4:08.21. USD's next action is a dual at SDSU Jan. 21.
South Dakota State swimming (Jim McLain, Alex McLain): The Jackrabbit
men defeated USD, 126-111, in a dual at the DakotaDome Saturday. Jim was
fourth in the 100 breaststroke in 1:08.96 and fifth in the 200
individual medley in 2:17.16. He sawm third leg on State's "B" team in
the 400 medley relay, placing third in 4:05.71. Alex was third in the
100 backstroke in 1:00.54. He swam opening leg on State's "B" team in
the 400 medley relay, placing third in 4:05.71, and he swam anchor in
the 400 free relay on State's "B" team, placing third in 3:42.48. SDSU
will spend Jan. 2-9 on its winter training trip to St. Petersburg, Fla.,
then hosts Iowa Central Community College Jan. 13.
South Dakota State swimming (Morgan McLain): The Jackrabbit women lost
to USD in a dual Saturday, 135-108. Morgan was a double winner, however,
winning the 200 individual medley in 2:23.89 and the 100 backstroke in
1:05.66. She was second in the 100 breaststroke in 1:14.46. The SDSU
women also go to St. Petersburg Jan. 2-9, then host Iowa Central Jan. 13
and Northern Iowa Jan. 14.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pierre Young Professionals
www.pierreyoungprofessionals.com
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PEOPLE NEWS
Christmas season television note: Conan O'Brien is host of this year's
"Christmas in Washington" television special to be seen on TNT at 7 p.m.
CST Friday, Dec. 16. Performers scheduled to appear include Justin
Bieber, The Band Perry, Victoria Justice, Jennifer Hudson and Cee Lo
Green.
Kyle Sarringar of the wrestling team was last week chosen as Athlete of
the Week by the Pierre Athletic Coaches Association.
Anthony Hunt has been chosen to perform as a bass vocal soloist with the
University of South Dakota Symphony at its April concert. Fourteen
undergraduate and graduate students competed in last week's concerto
competition for the right to perform as a guest soloist with the
symphony. A graduate-student trombonist, two graduate-student sopranos,
an undergraduate organist and Anthony, an undergraduate bass, were those
selected by the judges. Though Anthony is not a music major, he
continues to remain active in music at USD by participating in the opera
class, which has a performance each semester, and in vocal lessons.
Christmas Eve television note: The University of South Dakota music
department's holiday concert, which was taped Dec. 3, will be broadcast
on South Dakota Public Television from 8 to 10 p.m. CST on Christmas
Eve, Dec. 24. People with Pierre connections who might be glimpsed
during the telecast are Jenna Feiler in the USD Chamber Singers, Carter
Howard in the USD Concert Choir and Parker Knox in the Men's/Women's
Chorus. The program includes (in order) the brass choir, the woodwind
ensemble, the jazz ensemble, the men's/women's chorus, the concert
choir, the chamber orchestra, the Chamber Singers, the USD symphony
orchestra and the symphonic band.
And on another channel at the same time: "Christmas at the Cathedral,"
which is sold out for six performances at St. Joseph Cathedral in Sioux
Falls this weekend, will be broadcast without commercial interruption on
KELO-TV from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Christmas Eve.
Our sympathy to the family of Gordon Baumgart, who passed away at the
age of 84 on Dec. 10 at Maryhouse. Services will be held at 11 a.m. this
morning (Thursday) at First Baptist Church in Pierre. Among his
survivors are his wife, Deloris; his son, Ron Baumgart; and his
daughter, Connie Pierce.
Holiday television note: We call your attention to what is annually one
of the very best television specials of any year---the Kennedy Center
Honors on CBS-TV. This year's program will be shown at 8 p.m. Tuesday,
Dec. 27, in South Dakota on KELO-TV stations. This year's honorees are
actress Meryl Streep, singer/actress Barbara Cook, cellist Yo-Yo Ma,
jazz saxophonist/composer Sonny Rollins and singer/songwriter Neil
Diamond.
Be sure to check out the following link regarding Riggs High '03 alumnus
Jeo Riis, who is living his dream these days as his career as a
photographer continues unabated. The link is:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/explorers/bios/joe-riis/
Our sympathy to the family of Mary Mercer, a long-time Blunt resident
more recently from Pierre, who died Dec. 10 at Avera Heart Hospital in
Sioux Falls at the age of 81. Services were held at Isburg's chapel
Wednesday. Her survivors include sons Keith and Robert, daughters Teresa
Sterling and Debra Sanford, nine grandchildren and eight
great-grandchildren.
Jack Lehecka, 88, passed away Dec. 11. Services will be held at 2 p.m.
today (Thursday) at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Pierre, and
burial will take place at 11 a.m. MST Friday at Black Hills National
Cemetery near Sturgis. Mr. Lehecka is survived by seven children,
including Sharon Kiewiet in Iowa, Jo Jeitz in Texas, Jan Barraza in
Nevada, Nancy Schuring in Aberdeen, John Lehecka in Kansas, and Jill
Aadland and Mary Lehecka Nelson in Pierre, as well as many other
relatives. Our sympathy to his family.
A full-color Sanford Health ad in the Sioux Falls Argus Leader earlier
this week featured Pierre native Dr. Michelle (Ulmen) Baack, who works
in pediatric neonatology for the hospital. Read her biography at
sanfordhealth.org.
Services were held Dec. 10 at First United Methodist Church in Pierre
for Juanita (Riggle) Stoeser, who died at the age of 87 Dec. 7 at
Maryhouse. She was married to the late Roscoe Riggle, and they moved to
the Hayes area in 1948. She later married Gene Stoeser in 1994, and
later that year they moved to ParkWood in Pierre. Among her large number
of survivors are her sons, Dan Riggle in Texas and Rick Riggle of
Pierre; five stepchildren, Rod Stoeser in Fort Pierre, Deb Schiefelbein
in Pierre, Clayton Stoeser and Norm Stoeser in Fort Pierre and Rene
Flannery in Minnesota; six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, one
great-great-granddaughter, 17 step-grandchildren and 12
step-great-grandchildren. Our sympathy to all of her family as well.
Jesse and Ellen (Gormley) Hopper of Brookings got their best Christmas
present two weeks early. Their daughter, Evelyn Grace Hopper, was born
Dec. 12, weighing 7 pounds, 6 ounces and measuring 19 1/4 inches.
Attention, Riggs High School Class of 1992: Your 20-year class reunion
will be held over Oahe Days weekend June 15-17 in Pierre next summer.
Current plans are to begin with a Friday night social on June 15 at View
34 restaurant at the golf course. Further information will follow. But
in the meantime, please send your contact information so you can be kept
informed. The place to contribute your information is
RiggsClassof92@gmail.com. If you read this and somebody in your family
is a '92 graduate, please advise them of this information also!
When SDSU's Pride of the Dakotas marching band plays at the Citrus Bowl
parade in Orlando, Fla., during the holidays, Pierre will be represented
by these Pride members of whom we are aware---Taylor Becker, Calla
Holzhauser, Bethany Brusven, Andy Lampy and Deidre Beck. If there are
others, please let us know!
Will and Molly (Tillman) Genzler welcomed a 7-pound, 8-ounce son, Mason,
to their family. He joins his 2 1/2-year-old sister, Emily, in their
family. Grandpa Tom and Grandma Sandy Tillman in Pierre were very
pleased to welcome their first grandson. The Genzlers live in Aberdeen
where Will works for Quest Construction and Molly is a senior accountant
for the Department of Labor.
Rick Cronin has been elected chief of the fire department in Fort Pierre
for the fourth time. He had previously served 10 1/2 years as chief the
first three times, and he has been a department officer for 18 years.
Cronin said the department has 34 members presently, but he would like
to see at least 10 additional members. (News courtesy of "Today's KCCR
News.")
Allison Mickelson ('95) was again part of the Holiday Jam with the Hegg
Brothers, a musical show which played at the Riggs theater Monday night.
This was Allison's third holiday season with the troupe. Allison now
lives in New York City where she teaches music and performs, but she
said she always makes time to come back each holiday season to perform
with Jeremy and Jonathon Hegg and their group of male and female
vocalists, two keyboardists, guitars, percussion, drums, upright bass
and horns. The troupe is performing its show in 11 cities over a
two-week period. (News courtesy of "Today's KCCR News.")
Doug Smith in Rapid City advises that the 1982 state "A" champion Pierre
Governors basketball team plans to get together for their 30-year
reunion where it all happened way back then---in Rapid City during the
state "AA" boys tournament in March. They are tentatively planning on
meeting at the Rushmore Plaza Holiday Inn next to the arena, but further
details will be forthcoming. In the meantime, help spread the word to
one and all.
Friends of Jerry and Karen Kern should mark their calendars so they
don't forget to congratulate the Kerns on their 50th wedding anniversary
New Year's Eve. All their kids except Jerry, who lives in China, will be
home to help celebrate the occasion. The Kerns' address is 205 S.
Jackson, Pierre SD 57501.
If you attended Riggs High's musical, "Seussical," or even if you
didn't, it is interesting to note that a family emergency caused band
director Bethany Amundson, who was directing the pit orchestra for the
play, to return home to Minnesota, so Riggs High vocal director Rodd
Bauck filled in in the orchestra director's chair. As such Rodd was
directing an orchestra that included his own high school music teachers,
Will Hanson and Larry Johnson. Another "Seussical" tidbit---Hyrma Zakahi
is on her second generation of drama students these days. Brian Oakland
was in the first musical, "Guys and Dolls," that Ms. Zakahi directed at
Riggs High, and Jojo in "Seussical" was played by his son Justin.
Another cast member, Alex Hillestad, is the daughter of Riggs graduates
Eric and Anne (Severson) Hillestad. Ms. Zakahi said she is grateful to
the school board and Dr. Glodt (superintendent) for finding a way to
maintain the tradition of a school musical despite budget cuts. They
opted to keep the more expensive show instead of dropping the biennial
musical. To quote Dr. Seuss himself: "Think left and think right; think
low and think high; Oh the things you can think if you will only try."
A Christmastime update on former elementary principal Peg Logan from her
daughter in Sheridan, Wyo., states that Peg is doing very well. Her
cancer is stable with great lab numbers. She said her mom is doing more
serious physical therapy, working on walking with her walker and trying
neck strengthening. Grandson Blaine will be home Dec. 22-28, so Peg and
the family are greatly anticipating his arrival. Barb said her mom is
now attending more events at Westview, the care center where she lives.
At Barb's house they have decorated their Christmas tree with some of
Peg's collection of Santas. There is still time to send a Christmas
card/message to Peg: Westview Care Center, Room 208, 1990 W. Loucks St.,
Sheridan WY 82801-4500.
NEOLOGISMS
Negligent (adj.)---A condition in which you absent-mindedly answer the
door in your nightgown.
VOCABULARY
Inoculatte (v.)---To take coffee intravenously when you are running
late.
COUNTDOWN
25 days: BCS national championship college football game (Jan. 9).
49 days: State one-act play festival, Aberdeen (Feb. 2-4).
50 days: Super Bowl (Feb. 5).
64 days: State gymnastics tournament, Brookings (Feb. 17-18).
71 days: State wrestling tournaments (B Rapid City, A Aberdeen) (Feb.
24-25).
73 days: The Academy Awards (Feb. 26).
84 days: State girls basketball tournaments (B Huron, A Spearfish, AA
Brookings) (March 8-10).
85 days: State boys varsity hockey tournament, Expo Center (March 9-11).
91 days: State boys basketball tournaments (B Aberdeen, A Sioux Falls,
AA Rapid City) (March 15-17).
98 days: All-State Band, Brookings (March 22-24).
113 days: Twins' season opener at Baltimore (April 6).
148 days: Co-ed charity softball tournament, Four Corners (May 11-13).
154 days: State boys tennis tournament, Rapid City (May 17-19).
158 days: State golf tournaments (B boys and B girls Rapid City, A girls
Hot Springs, AA girls Sioux Falls) (May 21-22).
162 days: State track meets (B Rapid City, A Spearfish, AA Sturgis) (May
25-26).
173 days: South Dakota primary election day (June 5).
176 days: South Dakota Shakespeare Festival, Vermillion (June 8-10).
225 days: Summer Olympics opening ceremonies, London (July 27).
256 days: Republican National Convention, Tampa (Aug. 27-30).
263 days: Democratic National Convention, Charlotte (Sept. 3-6).
327 days: General election day (Nov. 6, 2012).
338 days: Renewal of USD-SDSU football rivalry (Nov. 17, 2012).
785 days: Winter Olympics opening ceremonies, Sochi, Russia (Feb. 7,
2014).
DID I READ THAT SIGN RIGHT? #8
In a safari park: ELEPHANTS PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR.
FOOTBALL CONTESTS FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS
Last weekend Erik Muckey at USD was the winner at 9-1. Right behind at
8-2 were Mike Adams in Florida, David Ludwig at Onida and Shawn Hostler
in Brookings.
This weekend's contest games:
1, NAIA finals, Carroll (Mont.) vs. St. Xavier (Ill.).
2, NCAA Div. III finals, Mount Union vs. Wisconsin-Whitewater.
3, NCAA Div. II finals, Wayne State (Mich.) vs. Pittsburg State (Kan.).
4, NCAA FCS semis, Montana vs. Sam Houston State.
5, NCAA FCS semis, North Dakota State vs. Georgia Southern.
6, New Mexico Bowl, Wyoming vs. Temple.
7, Idaho Potato Bowl, Ohio vs. Utah State.
8, NFL, New England @ Denver.
9, NFL, Washington @ New York Giants.
10, NFL, Pittsburgh @ San Francisco.
Contest games for Dec. 24-26 weekend:
1, Hawaii Bowl, Southern Mississippi vs. Nevada.
2, Independence Bowl, North Carolina vs. Missouri.
3, NFL, Denver @ Buffalo.
4, NFL, Miami @ New England.
5, NFL, New York Giants vs. New York Jets.
6, NFL, Philadelphia @ Dallas.
7, NFL, Minnesota @ Washington.
8, NFL, Tampa Bay @ Carolina.
9, NFL, San Diego @ Detroit.
10, NFL, Arizona @ Cincinnati.
PARKER'S COLUMN IN THE CAPITAL JOURNAL 12-16-11
Solitude at holiday time is a real gift
Life in the department of music at the University of South Dakota goes
at a breakneck pace, especially as the remaining days in a semester wind
down to a precious few. That is even the case for those of us who are
only part-timers up there on the west side of the Warren M. Lee Center
for the Fine Arts.
As the first Saturday of December dawned in Vermillion, we had yet to
see snow this winter. Ice, yes; snow, no. But, since there is an
unwritten law that every year there must be snow that makes driving and
walking hazardous on the day of USD's Christmas concert, by show time
more than two inches of the predicted "no more than an inch" had fallen
on the campus.
Despite the nuisance of walking in tuxedos or long, black gowns and high
heels across the patio from the warm-up area in Farber Hall to the
concert site in Slagle Hall, the show went on. (Incidentally you will be
able to see the finished product in a rebroadcast on South Dakota Public
Television at 8 p.m. Christmas Eve.)
As I sat in the balcony at Slagle somewhere in the middle of that
marathon concert, I happened to glance toward the outdoors and was
blessed with the most incredible sight. The scene that greeted my eyes
was straight from Currier & Ives except that this picture had movement.
I saw that the evergreen trees to the west toward the music museum had,
in the past hour, been flocked by the falling snow. The wind had
stopped, but the snow had not, and as I watched, the big flakes were
just fluttering down, ever so slowly, so peacefully, so silently. I
managed to shut out the sounds of whatever group was performing down on
the stage at that moment and instead soak in the magnificence of the
scene outside the window.
The frantic pace of life of the past few weeks was forgotten---well, at
least set aside---as the soothing, mesmerizing effect of the gently
falling snow wafted over me.
The week that followed was filled with a series of days filled with
vocal students' juries and competitions, preparations for a church music
carol concert, rehearsals for an upcoming recital and the return of high
school basketball, but, despite all of that craziness, the picture I
viewed from inside the concert hall has remained with me.
The pastor of our Vermillion church preaches regularly the need for us
to slow down, calm down and quiet down. He literally makes it happen,
for a couple minutes at least, in a mandatory period of silence during
each service. Despite the beauty of this time of year and the happiness
that comes to so many people over Christmas, it is also a stressful
time.
This fall has had some really stressful moments for most of us. For me?
Absolutely. For you? Surely for many of you. But as my mind keeps going
back to the fluttering flakes of snow creating a picturesque campus
scene, I have become determined not to let the current rigors of life
get the best of me over this holiday period.
School will be out by the time you read this, and that means nearly four
full weeks before the students return, classes resume and life gets
crazy again. The other night I got a jump on my upcoming solitude. It's
hard to believe, but I sat down in the easy chair and read a book cover
to cover, getting up only to pour a cup or two of hot chocolate and to
let Oliver outside to do his thing. The only noise for more than three
hours was Christmas music quietly playing in the background. It was
almost heaven on earth!
One would think that a person such as I who lives alone (except for my
German shepherd) would have a lot of quiet times, especially since
there's no TV set at my place. But there's something going on almost
every night that I either must or want to attend. For the next month,
however, that won't be the case. A church choir practice now and then, a
pair of Christmas services at church, a few Coyote ballgames, but lots
of time for Oliver and me to walk back and forth across the vacant
campus and for me to sit---perhaps reading, perhaps listening to some
bowl games, perhaps doing nothing.
You should do the same. And if your response to that is, "I still have
so much shopping to do," consider the following list I clipped from
somewhere many years ago, a list of eight gifts that don't cost a cent
and yet are nourishment for the giver's soul:
* The gift of listening. But you must really listen, no interrupting, no
daydreaming, no planning your response. Just listening.
* The gift of affection. Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses,
handholds and pats on the back.
* The gift of laughter. Clip cartoons, share articles and funny stories.
Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you."
* The gift of a written note. It can be a simple "thanks for the help"
note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note that can be read and
re-read may be remembered for a lifetime.
* The gift of a compliment. A simple and sincere "You look great in red"
or "You did a super job" or "That was a wonderful meal" can make
someone's day.
* The gift of a favor. Every day go out of your way to do something
kind.
* The gift of solitude. Be sensitive to those times when people want
nothing better than to be left alone and give that gift of solitude to
others.
* The gift of a cheerful disposition. The easiest way to feel good is to
extend a kind word to someone. You may not know the stuff going on in
his or her life, but it's there. Lend a smile.
Enjoy your time alone and your time together this Christmas season. And
let it snow. Ever so silently.
Merry Christmas to every Midweek Update reader, wherever in the world
you are.
Special thanks to Jon Sailer and the folks at BPro for continuing to
send out the Midweek Update every week solely as a public service. If
you enjoy reading the Update, thank them!
Remember the military people who can't get home for Christmas. Contact
the families of those you know, get their e-mail addresses and surprise
them with a message from home!
Vol. 12, No. 14; Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011
WEDDING DAYS
April 13: Justin Jones/Theresa Frick.
May 19: Seth Parsons/Karae Englehart.
May 23: Maxx Vaudrin/Macy Gomes.
June 2: Eric Aadland/Angie Briguet.
June 9: Bret Graves/Caitie Wagner.
June 9: Christopher Dekker/Mallory Petersen.
June 16: Dominic Bottenfield/Abby Pitlick.
June 16: Chris Hoffman/Becky Barringer.
June 23: Jerid Maskovich/Jeanine Van Ash.
July 14: Gavin Van Zee/Samantha Hestdalen.
Aug. 31: Cody Stoeser/Cassie Rausch.
Oct. 19: Greg Barringer/Kayla Petersen.
PARAPROSDOKIANS #4
War does not determine who is right---only who is left.
COUNTDOWN
3 days: Capital City Children's Chorus' "A Ceremony of Carols" (Dec.
11).
32 days: BCS national championship college football game (Jan. 9).
56 days: State one-act play festival, Aberdeen (Feb. 2-4).
57 days: Super Bowl (Feb. 5).
71 days: State gymnastics tournament, Brookings (Feb. 17-18).
78 days: State wrestling tournaments (B Rapid City, A Aberdeen) (Feb.
24-25).
80 days: The Academy Awards (Feb. 26).
86 days: Summit League basketball tournaments, Sioux Falls (March 3-6).
91 days: State girls basketball tournaments (B Huron, A Spearfish, AA
Brookings) (March 8-10).
92 days: State boys varsity hockey tournament, Expo Center (March 9-11).
98 days: State boys basketball tournaments (B Aberdeen, A Sioux Falls,
AA Rapid City) (March 15-17).
105 days: All-State Band, Brookings (March 22-24).
120 days: Twins' season opener at Baltimore (April 6).
155 days: Co-ed charity softball tournament, Four Corners (May 11-13).
161 days: State boys tennis tournament, Rapid City (May 17-19).
165 days: State golf tournaments (B boys and B girls Rapid City, A girls
Hot Springs, AA girls Sioux Falls) (May 21-22).
169 days: State track meets (B Rapid City, A Spearfish, AA Sturgis) (May
25-26).
180 days: South Dakota primary election day (June 5).
183 days: South Dakota Shakespeare Festival, Vermillion (June 8-10).
232 days: Summer Olympics opening ceremonies, London (July 27).
263 days: Republican National Convention, Tampa (Aug. 27-30).
270 days: Democratic National Convention, Charlotte (Sept. 3-6).
334 days: General election day (Nov. 6, 2012).
345 days: Renewal of USD-SDSU football rivalry (Nov. 17, 2012).
792 days: Winter Olympics opening ceremonies, Sochi, Russia (Feb. 7,
2014).
WORDS TO NOT LIVE BY #6
Never test the depth of the water with both feet.
BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES
Thursday, Dec. 8:
Chris Markley, Carolyn Deal, Rochelle Scott, Kathryn Schuetzle, Erin
McKillip. Anniversary, Edd Hogan/Larissa FastHorse.
Friday, Dec. 9:
Jerry Sperry, Gary Drewes, Tyler Coverdale. Anniversary, Lowell/Bonnie
Glover.
Saturday, Dec. 10:
Kelsie Brandlee, Michael Tveidt, Amber Robinson, Kaitlyn Richey, Sarah
Moreno, Becky Lindekugel.
Sunday, Dec. 11:
Chris (Riggs) Hawkinson, Mitch Boe, Sandy Voller, Joe Stolp, Charlene
Reed, Arden Rapp (#70). 7th anniversary, Josh/Amy Joy.
Monday, Dec. 12:
Eric Sibson, Abby Lingle, Joyce Williams, Kyle Neuberger, Laura (Hansen)
Mikkelsen, Lukas Tedford, Steph (Vogel) Lund, Tara Dowling, Wanda
Goodman.
Tuesday, Dec. 13:
Troy Thomas, Ric Severson, Ramsay McKee, Joey Kafka, Jason Bakeberg, De
Knudson, Dianna Knox, Taylor Martin, LeAnn Poile, Gerri Carpenter.
Wednesday, Dec. 14:
Adam Emerson, Andy Carda, Abby Javurek-Humig.
Thursday, Dec. 15:
Steve Withers, Wayne Crawford, Derek Dehne, Shirleen Fugitt, Kelly
Kafka, Linda Johnson, Ruth Jassmann.
DID I READ THAT SIGN RIGHT? #7
Notice in health food shop window: CLOSED DUE TO ILLNESS.
HOLIDAY EVENTS
Tonight, Dec. 8: Final performance of Riggs High musical, "Seussical,"
Riggs theater, 7:30 p.m.
Friday-Saturday, Dec. 9-10, and Sunday, Dec. 11: Last performances of
Pierre Players' "A Christmas Story," Grand Opera House (7:30 p.m. Friday
and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday).
Saturdays, Dec. 10 and 17: Mrs. Claus at Prairie Pages Bookseller in
downtown Pierre, 10 to 11 a.m. Bring in your children and watch as they
listen to Mrs. Claus read to them!
Saturday, Dec. 10: Holiday wreath display and auction, entertainment,
caroling, cookies, Santa Claus, all at Casey Tibbs S.D. Rodeo Center in
Fort Pierre, 1 to 3 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 11: Sully Area Singers' Christmas cantata; Maryhouse,
Pierre, 3:30 p.m.; Mennonite Brethren Church, Onida, 8 p.m.
Friday-Saturday, Dec. 17-18: Surprise Package vocal ensemble Christmas
concerts, First United Methodist Church (7:30 p.m. Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
Sunday).
URGENT NEEDS AT SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY CENTER
Diapers (all sizes) . . . socks (all sizes) . . . undergarments for men,
women and children (all sizes) . . . kids' pajamas (all sizes) . . .
coats (all sizes).
PIERRE GOVERNORS SPORTS ROUNDUP
This week's schedules:
Wrestling---Friday/Saturday, @ Rapid City Invitational (2 p.m. and 9
a.m.).
Boys basketball---Friday, home vs. Watertown, 4 p.m.; Tuesday, @
Mitchell, 4 p.m.
Girls basketball---Friday, @ Watertown, 4 p.m.; Tuesday, home vs.
Mitchell, 4 p.m.
Gymnastics---Saturday, @ Aberdeen Central Invitational, noon.
Gymnastics: In the season-opening triangular held this year at Huron,
the Lady Govs were second at 126.65, behind Huron and ahead of Stanley
County. Pierre's best in the all-around standings was Sydney Gutenkauf,
third at 32.8. Melissa Bobby tied for first on the parallel bars at 8.6.
Wrestling: Coach Ryan Noyes has a strong wrestling team again this
season if the first weekend is any indication. The Governors swept to
the championship at the eight-team Watertown team-dual tournament, and
the Pierre JVs won the championship of the JV division as well! Pierre's
varsity conquered Watertown, 44-20; dominated Milbank, 65-6, and
destroyed Yankton, 65-16, in pool play, then whipped Huron, 48-18, in
the first-place dual. Jebben Keyes, Tanner Monfore, Caleb Stoltenburg,
Kyle Sarringar, Chase Lettau, Trey Maier and Lane Lettau were all
undefeated for the varsity for the day, and Keyes and Sarringar won
their four matches all by pins.
KSFY-TV Preseason Class AA power rankings: Boys basketball---1,
Mitchell; 2, Pierre; 3, Washington; 4, Lincoln; 5, Brookings. Girls
basketball---1, Brandon Valley; 2, Mitchell; 3, Aberdeen Central; 4,
O'Gorman; 5, Yankton.
VOCABULARY #6
Egotist: Someone who is usually me-deep in conversation.
STANLEY COUNTY BUFFALOES SPORTS ROUNDUP
This week's schedules:
Boys basketball---Saturday, home vs. Bennett County, 4 p.m.; Tuesday,
home vs. Winner, 6:30 p.m.
Girls basketball---Saturday, @ Highmore-Harrold (in Highmore), 4:30 p.m.
Gymnastics---Saturday, @ Wagner Invitational, noon.
Wrestling---Saturday, @ Gregory Invitational, 9 a.m.
Gymnastics: In a season-opening triangular at Huron, the Lady Buffs were
third with a 124.05 score behind Huron and Pierre. Shelby Gienger of
SCHS was the all-around winner with a 35.65 score, and she won the
balance beam event at 9.15.
Volleyball: Shelby Gienger was SCHS's representation on the Big Dakota
Conference's all-conference volleyball team.
Wrestling: At the Stanley County Invitational season-opening tournament
Spearfish/Lead-Deadwood with 230 points took the team title, followed by
Burke/Gregory with 155 and Stanley County with 118. Cody LaCompte won
the 182-pound championship. Other Buffalo placers were Daniel Slama,
third place at 106; Michael Scott, third at 132; Herman Fennell, third
at 145; Chantry Norman, third at 160; Cade Larson, fourth at 285; Riley
Thelen, fifth at 126; Cooper Carter, sixth at 138, and Wade Wieczorek,
sixth at 152.
Girls basketball: The Lady Buffs lost their season opener at home
Tuesday to Sully Buttes, 88-28.
SULLY BUTTES CHARGERS SPORTS ROUNDUP
This week's schedules:
Wrestling---Thursday, @ Lyman triangular, Presho; Saturday, @ Faulkton
Invitational.
Girls basketball---Saturday, @ Northwestern.
Boys basketball---Saturday, @ Northwestern; Tuesday, home vs. Lyman.
Girls basketball: Sully Buttes whipped Stanley County in the season
opener Tuesday, 88-28.
ADULT TRUTHS #3
I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or
Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than with Kay.
BASKETBALL ROUNDUP
Iowa Energy of the NBA-D League (Michael Tveidt): The Energy, after
losing a game last Wednesday at Rio Grande Valley, won there the next
day, 138-117, as Michael was 4-of-9 from the field and 2-of-3 at the
free-throw line for 11 points with six rebounds and five assists. He was
moved into the Energy's starting lineup for two weekend home games
against Erie, Pa. The Energy won Saturday, 112-106, as Michael was
3-of-6 and 6-of-8 for 13 points with five rebounds, a steal and an
assist. On Sunday they lost to Erie, 97-87, as Michael was 3-of-5 and
2-of-4 for nine points with three assists, one rebound and one blocked
shot. Iowa, now 3-3, plays at the Sioux Falls Skyforce this Friday and
Saturday nights.
MidCo Sports Net: Midco will have live coverage of Wayne State-Northern
basketball Friday---women at 6 p.m., men at 8 p.m.
HOCKEY ROUNDUP
Oahe Capitals: The varsity boys lost at Brookings, 6-1, as Austin Wagner
scored on a power play for the Caps' only goal. Kyle Mammenga in goal
made 26 saves. The Caps also lost at Sioux Falls, 3-0, as Mammenga again
had 26 saves. Those were the season-opening league games. The Capitals
are now 3-7 overall. Wagner has scored 12 goals with six assists for 18
points. James Gilkerson has three goals and nine assists for 12 points.
Cash Anderson with four goals and three assists has seven points. Will
Gordon with a goal and four assists has five points. Drew Leif, Alec
Norwick and Jace Jerome have four points each, Elliot Shoup-Owens and
Jordan Reiss three each, and Joel Jochim and Brandon Swenson one point
apiece. There are only four seniors on this year's team---Gilkerson,
Shoup-Owens, Jochim and Mark Costello.
This weekend's Oahe Hockey Association games:
Friday: girls varsity @ Sioux Falls, 8:45 p.m.; girls JVs @ Sioux Falls,
6:45 p.m.; boys JVs @ Fargo tournament.
Saturday: girls varsity @ Brookings, 7:30 p.m.; girls JVs @ Brookings,
5:30 -p.m.; boys JVs @ Fargo tournament; Bantam B @ Brookings, 3:30
p.m.; PeeWee A @ Sioux Falls West, 3:45 p.m.; PeeWee B @ Sioux Falls
West, 5:45 p.m.
Sunday: girls varsity @ Brookings, 11 a.m.; girls JVs @ Brookings, 9
a.m.; boys JVs @ Fargo tournament; Bantam B @ Sioux Falls, 8 a.m.;
PeeWee A @ Sioux Falls East, 8:15 a.m.; PeeWee B @ Sioux Falls East,
10:15 a.m.
The South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) is pleased to announce that
the family of Godfrey Roberts, who passed away in 2010, has established
the Godfrey Roberts Hockey Support Fund. The earnings from this
endowment will be used by the Oahe Hockey Association (OHA) for
providing financial assistance to players interested in the sport. The
initial memorials will be used to assist Oahe Hockey players this and
next season, with the earnings from the new endowment made available in
the 2013-14 season. Roberts was a longtime Pierre businessman, joining
State Publishing Company, now PryntComm, as its third generation
president in 1950 till he retired in 1991. He learned to skate and play
hockey on a pond in Pierre as a boy and, while he never played organized
hockey, his passion for the game was evident as a fan. His grandsons
have all played in the Capitals organization over recent years.
Contributions to the Godfrey Roberts Hockey Support Fund can be mailed
to the South Dakota Community Foundation, P.O. Box 296, Pierre, SD
57501. (News courtesy of Dakota Radio Group's "My Daily News.")
NEOLOGISMS
Alternative meanings for common words:
Abdicate (v.): To give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.
Sarchasm (n.): The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the
person who doesn't get it.
COLLEGE SPORTS ROUNDUP
Purdue basketball (Sam Ostarello): The 13th-ranked Boilermakers knocked
off No. 4 Texas A&M, the defending NCAA national champions, 60-51,
Sunday. Sam had a team-high 12 rebounds along with seven points, four
steals and two blocked shots. Last Thursday Purdue sustained its first
defeat, losing at Duke, 64-53. There Sam had six points, six boards and
a steal. Purdue hosts Notre Dame Saturday and goes to Central Michigan
Sunday.
Augustana basketball: The Viking men went 2-0 in the first weekend of
NSIC league play. They beat Southwest Minnesota State, 83-66, as Cam
McCaffrey had 21 points, Drae Murray 15, Brennan Olson 12 and Cody
Schilling 11. They also beat Minnesota State-Mankato, 69-51, behind 19
apiece from Schilling and McCaffrey. Augie is on the road to Mary Friday
and to Northern Saturday.
Black Hills State basketball (Mitch Foth): Mitch did not play as BHSU
lost to Dickinson State, 71-66, and defeated Rocky Mountain, 82-71. BHSU
plays at Carroll College in Helena, Mont., Friday, then plays Great
Falls in Helena the next day.
South Dakota State basketball (Katie Lingle, Steph Paluch): The
Jackrabbit women won at IUPUI, 74-63. Katie had a season-high 12 points
while Steph had seven points and five steals. In non-league play
Tuesday, SDSU won at Arkansas-Little Rock, 60-49. Steph had five points
and two assists while Katie had two points. SDSU hosts Kansas State
Saturday.
South Dakota State swimming (Morgan McLain): As the Jackrabbits competed
at Wisconsin-River Falls' Falcon Invitational held in Minneapolis,
Morgan was a triple champion, winning the 200-yard individual medley in
2:05.91, the 200 backstroke in 2:05.22 and the 100 backstroke in :58.00.
She swam first leg on three of State's "A" relay teams---the 200 free
team was fifth in 1:39.84, the 400 medley team third in 3:57.42 and the
400 free team fourth in 3:36.35. SDSU competes in a dual at USD
Saturday.
South Dakota State swimming (Jim McLain, Alex McLain): At UW-River
Falls' Falcon Invitational held in Minneapolis, Alex placed fourth in
the 200-yard backstroke in 1:55.44, fifth in the 100 backstroke in
:53.41, 25th in the 200 individual medley in 2:03.06 and 27th in the 200
freestyle in 1:48.62. He also swam first leg on SDSU's "B" team in the
200 medley relay, placing 15th in 1:40.95, and second leg on State's "A"
team in the 400 free relay, placing fifth in 3:43.24. Jim placed 20th in
the 200 breaststroke in 2:16.44. SDSU has a Saturday afternoon dual at
USD.
South Dakota swimming (Marcus Christianson): At the Falcon Invitational
in Minneapolis, Marcus placed 27th in the 50-yard freestyle in :22.53,
23rd in the 200 free in 1:49.34 and 27th in the 100 free in :49.32. He
swam first leg on USD's "B" team in the 200 freestyle relay, placing
12th in 1:29.29. He swam anchor leg on the 400 medley relay "C" team,
placing 10th in 3:39.37; anchor leg on the 200 medley "C" team, placing
13th in 1:40.04, and third leg on the "B" team in the 400 free relay,
placing eighth in 3:14.45. The Coyotes host SDSU in a Saturday dual at
the DakotaDome.
Mount Marty basketball (Alexa Berg): The Lancer women lost at
Northwestern (Iowa), 63-57, despite Alexa's 11 points. She had 20 points
on Saturday in an 81-78 loss to Doane College (Neb.). Now 6-7 overall
and 1-3 in the GPAC, Mount Marty hosts Midland (Neb.) Saturday and DWU
Wednesday.
Mount Marty basketball (Spencer Yackley): MMC's men defeated Doane
College, 64-56, Saturday. Spencer had nine points and eight rebounds for
the Lancers. Then Mount Marty defeated York (Neb.) College, 79-62, as
Spencer had 16 points and 12 rebounds. Now 5-3 overall and 2-2 in the
GPAC, MMC hosts Midland Saturday and DWU Wednesday.
Princeton hockey (Matt Farris): Princeton defeated Rensselaer, 5-3, and
tied Union, 3-3, in overtime after being down at one point, 3-0, in that
game. Matt did not score or have an assist in either game. Princeton is
home for Harvard Saturday, then travels to Quinnipiac in Connecticut
Sunday.
Dakota Wesleyan wrestling (Tyler Sarringar, Dusty Paulsen): The Tigers
lost to Morningside, 32-12, in a dual Friday. Dusty won an 8-1 decision
in his 141-pound match. Tyler lost, 12-9, in his 174-pound match.
Earlier DWU lost a dual at Northern, 39-12. Dusty's pin in 4:59 at 141
pounds was DWU's only victory on the mat. Tyler lost an 11-6 decision at
174. DWU wrestles Augustana and Northwestern (Iowa) in a triangular in
Sioux Falls Friday, then competes Saturday at Buena Vista's tournament
in Storm Lake, Iowa.
South Dakota basketball (Alexis Yackley): The Coyote women lost to IPFW
in Fort Wayne, Ind., 65-63, Thursday, as Alexis had seven points and
seven assists. But USD won at Oakland (Mich.) Saturday for its first
women's victory in Summit League play, 58-51. Alexis had five points and
four assists. In non-conference play last night, USD lost at Northern
Iowa, 53-43, after leading 35-34 with 11 1/2 minutes to go. The rest of
the way UNI outscored USD 18-9. The Coyotes were 2 of 18 in three-point
shooting. Alexis had five assists. USD is home Saturday night against
Northern Colorado. USD is now 5-2 overall and 1-1 in the Summit League.
Dakota Wesleyan basketball (Elizabeth Lamb): Last Wednesday DWU won over
Dordt (Iowa), 63-56, as Liz had three points and three steals. The Tiger
women lost to Hastings College, 64-59. On Monday DWU defeated Dakota
State, 56-48. The Tigers are home for York (Neb.) Friday, Concordia
(Neb.) Saturday and Mount Marty Wednesday.
South Dakota State basketball: The Jackrabbit men won at IUPUI, 97-93,
as Nate Wolters scored 23 and Garrett Callahan 20 points. They won again
at Western Illinois, 67-66, Saturday as Wolters had 17 points, seven
rebounds and seven assists. Back in non-conference play Tuesday, the
Jacks swamped Southwest Minnesota State, 92-69, as Wolters and Prince
had 14 points each. SDSU hosts North Dakota Saturday and Dakota State
Monday. The Jacks are now 7-3 overall and 2-0 in the Summit League.
South Dakota basketball: The Coyote men opened their first Summit League
season with a pair of losses in the east. They lost at Oakland (Mich.),
101-83, despite Louie Krogman's season-high 26 points, 20 from Trevor
Gruis and 19 from Charlie Westbrook. They lost a tough one at IPFW
Saturday, 92-87, as Gruis had a season-high 29 pints, Westbrook 18,
Allen Saint-Gelais 15 and Krogman 12. USD plays Canisius in Buffalo,
N.Y., tonight and at Morehead State in Kentucky Saturday.
WORDS OF WISDOM
If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
PEOPLE NEWS
For those of you needing Peg Logan's mailing address in advance of
Christmas, it is: Westview Care Center, Room 208, 1990 W. Loucks St.,
Sheridan WY 82801-4500.
Fans of Matt Tetzlaff, Parker McKittrick, Alec Espeland and Travis
Fitzke in particular and fans of track and field in general: The Summit
League's outdoor championships meet will be at NDSU in Fargo this coming
spring May 10-12.
Dusty Johnson's wife, Jacquelyn (Dice) Johnson, who earlier this year
was named Mitchell's Businesswoman of the Year for 2011, has been
selected by Prairie Business Magazine as one of the top 40 young
business leaders in the Northern Plains. You can read Jacquelyn's
biographical information and that of the other honorees at
www.prairiebizmag.com.
Another of the area soldiers who received a care package from BankWest's
Onida branch was Justin Hiller, an Onida native whose wife is Onida
native Linden Barber, a former Job's Daughters member in the Pierre
chapter. Justin, whose home base is Fort Bragg, N.C., is deployed in
Iraq, and he recently re-enlisted for another four years. He is with
Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment.
Long-time Sully County and Pierre residents Matt and Helen Sutton have
just moved into Good Samaritan's senior living center, Prairie Creek, in
Sioux Falls. Their children and grandchildren are there, and Matt says
in their Christmas letter that they are looking forward to being closer
to watching the Jackrabbits and helping their grandsons develop into
"world-class athletes and scholars." Their daughter Nancy teaches at the
Sioux Falls Career and Technical Education Academy and moonlights at
James Dugan Video Productions. Granddaughter Mary Lynn is preparing to
attend The Art Institute in Minneapolis. John Sutton and his wife
Rachelle have two sons, Jack, 7, and Sam, 5. John has an insurance
business, and Rachelle is an anesthesiologist at Avera.
Shannon Bieber, a nurse in the Pierre Public Schools, has received the
2011 Excellence in Education award presented by Capital Area Counseling
Service. She was recognized for her efforts to make sure students
receive the medications they need to ensure they can continue to excel
in school. Dr. Jodi Owen, CACS clinical director, said that Bieber "goes
out of her way to coordinate with outside clinics and is willing to
administer medications at school when kids may not otherwise get them as
prescribed. She serves as part of a team with our staff toward these
goals." The award is given yearly to a deserving educator for his or her
work in meeting the mental health and addiction needs of students, thus
helping to improve academic achievement. (News courtesy of "Today's KCCR
News.")
Ken Marks, who thinks of himself as just another member of the Pierre
Fire Department, has nevertheless received the highest honor given by
the department. He is this year's recipient of the Don Marso Award,
named for the only Pierre firefighter to lose his life in the line of
duty. Marks has been with the PFD for more than seven years and is
heavily involved in department activities as is his wife, Gloria, with
the auxiliary. Other award winners this year are Leon Ellis, Firefighter
of the Year, and Matt Burtz, Rookie of the Year. Patrick Callahan was
named an honorary firefighter for his work with the department's website
and photography. (News courtesy of "Today's KCCR News.")
Terry Keller rolled a perfect 300 game on his first night of league
bowling for the season at Lariat Lanes last week. Other 300 games so far
this season at the Lariat have been bowled by Jeff Holden, A.J. Wald and
Shauna Cunningham. (News courtesy of Dakota Radio Group's "My Daily
News.")
Peyton Zabel and Sydney Palmer, both of Pierre, competed in the
Minnesota Vikings regional Punt, Pass & Kick team championship at the
Metrodome on Sunday, qualifying to do so by earlier winning the local
and regional PP&K competitions. Peyton won the 10-11-year-old boys
division championship there, and Sydney won the 14-15-year-old girls
division championship! Both were introduced on the field prior to the
start of the Vikings-Broncos game. The top four point winners among the
32 NFL team champions will advance to the natinal finals of PP&K to be
held at one of the NFL playoff game sites in January. The Zabels learned
Monday that Peyton's score is not one of the four best in the nation,
but Sydney at last report was still alive with her score standing second
in the nation, pending results from several of the other NFL team sites
which haven't held their regional finals yet.
Harold Ramse of Pierre spent Thanksgiving with his daughter and
son-in-law, Vicki and Clint Blake, in Sioux Falls. Jim Andersen of
Pierre accompanied Harold. They visit with some of Harold's siblings,
saw the great-grandchildren and had a wonderful visit. Harold moved to
ParkWood Apartments in Pierre in August. The Thanksgiving trip was his
first venture out of town since his wife, Darlene, passed away in
August.
Former long-time Pierre broadcaster Dean Sorenson sent a note the other
day after reading Lance Nixon's Capital Journal story about Enid Hyde
and her still living in the same home up on N. Grand Ave. for decades on
end. He told me his "meeting Enid" story:
"Labor Day week of ’62 I moved to Pierre, immediately joining the
Jaycees……………and one of our projects was selling and installing auto
seatbelts. Just a new thing and not mandated on new cars yet…..but were
getting popular. We’d go door to door selling them, and then on a
certain night or two the buyers would show up at the Holiday Inn parking
lot and we’d install.
I’m working the N. Grand area, it’s probably October, and dark quite
early. I have no idea who Franklin/Enid Hyde are, or whose house I’m
knocking on the door of. I’m standing outside in the dark, she opens the
inside door……with the light behind her, and the dark porch between us. I
only see the outline of this slender young-appearing lady, who sweetly
greets me……………and I say “is your mother home this evening?” (reading the
CJ article, she musta been 49 at that time) Enid was so tickled that I
would think she was a younger lady………………..she insisted I come in and get
acquainted. Needless to say my world was sweeter from that day forward,
and we always enjoyed seeing each other."
It's a shame most Pierre people who enjoyed his writings for years don't
see Terry Woster's columns any longer. His latest in the Mitchell
Republic told of his reaction to Isaac (Boo) Vogel's last marathon run
around the favorite places of his youth in Pierre. You can hopefully
still find it at www.mitchellrepublic.com/event/article/id/59485/group/Opinion/
Sully Buttes High senior Herman Kleinsasser has verbally committed to
attending South Dakota State next year and playing football for the
Jackrabbits.
Casey Ortbahn is part of the Augustana College band, which will be part
of the Christmas Extravaganza performed by some of the college's music
groups at the Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls tonight.
One of the season's first photo Christmas cards arrived from Reid and
Leah LeBeau, who live in Andover, a Twin Cities suburb. The photo shows
them and their three beautiful boys---Rhett, 5; Luke, 2 1/2, and Owen,
1---in the woods alongside a creek somewhere up there.
We call your attention to the ABC-TV special next Wednesday night as
Barbara Walters reveals her "10 Most Fascinating People of 2011."
Considering that some of them are Donald Trump, Simon Cowell, and the
Kardashians, as USA Today suggests, you may want to watch the re-runs of
"White Christmas" on AMC instead. But Barbara's special will be on ABC
at 8:30 p.m. CST.
Lari and Linda Ott left Pierre Nov. 29, and the snowbirds arrived in
Gold Canyon, Ariz., on Dec. 1, ahead of the storms which crossed the
region. They plan to fly back to South Dakota this weekend to be with
Linda's mom and family for the holidays and attend their granddaughters'
Christmas programs. They will return to Arizona on Dec. 28. "This year,"
Linda wrote last week, "we won't have to sit next to each other in the
pickup, pulling a huge 5th-wheel behind us, on our wedding anniversary.
Maybe we will even get to go out to dinner that day!"
Chad Grunewaldt and his dad, John, were hard at work yesterday
afternoon, gutting the interior of a former fitness center in downtown
Vermillion. The building, across the street from the post office, will
by the end of the winter be the new home of Chad's bar, The Pressbox.
The bar's former site was damaged in a fire three years ago.
At the state oral interpretation festival held in Pierre last weekend,
Riggs High's Lydia Kanz earned a superior rating in the humorous
division. Other Pierre contestants were Katherine Anderson in poetry,
Abraham Kanz in serious plays, Adelyn Crabtree in serious prose, Benita
Corcoran and Katherine Anderson in duets, Joey Knofczynski in
non-original oratory, and Anderson, Crabtree, Corcoran, Abraham Kanz,
Ryon Skaggs and Justin Oakland in readers' theatre.
Amy (Swenson) Einspahr continues to fight health issues, but if you know
Amy, you also know she does indeed continue to fight. Her husband, Matt,
has updated their Caring Bridge page, and it contains some interesting,
yet scary, details on what Amy has been going through recently. The
address is http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/amyeinspahr
Sports fans should take note of Season 2, a new online sports blog
instituted by Rapid City writers Sam Hurst and Jake Nordbye to replace
their former site, Inside Dakota Sports. They are both outstanding
writers and journalists, and they cover Rapid City, Black Hills and
South Dakota sports from a different angle than the daily papers do. It
is free although they would welcome a few bucks in support to keep their
newest venture afloat! The address is http://season-2.com.
FOOTBALL CONTEST
There were several high scores among our 11 contestants last week. Greg
Dean in Pierre and Max Huber in St. Paul were tops at 9-1 with Erik
Muckey in Vermillion, Dawn Magee in Pierre and Jason Noyes in Sioux
Falls right behind at 8-2.
This week's games:
1. Army vs. Navy.
2. NFL: Houston @ Cincinnati.
3. NFL: Philadelphia @ Miami.
4. NFL: San Francisco @ Arizona.
5. NFL: Chicago @ Denver.
6. NFL: New York Giants @ Dallas.
7. NFL: New England @ Washington.
8. NFL: Kansas City @ New York Jets.
9. NFL: Atlanta @ Carolina.
10. NFL: New Orleans @ Tennessee.
CHRISTMAS AT THE CAPITOL ENTERTAINMENT
Thursday, Dec. 8: noon to 1 p.m., Clearfield Colony Choir (Springfield).
Friday, Dec. 9: 5 to 6 p.m., Northern State University saxophone
ensemble; 6 to 6:30 p.m., South Madison Street Blues (Pierre); 6:30 to
7:30 p.m., Northern State University percussion ensemble.
Saturday, Dec. 10: 9:30 to 10 a.m., Chapter CS Saxes; 10 to 11 a.m.,
Voila! Music Studio and Noteworthy Studio (Huron); 11 a.m. to noon,
Darrel Crocker vocals (Watertown); noon to 1 p.m., Sioux Falls
Washington High School choirs, Melodia and Mad Scatters (directed by
former Riggs High director Emily Danger); 1 to 2 p.m., Black Hills State
University Chamber Singers; 2:30 to 3 p.m., Dakota Harmony Barbershop
Chorus (Huron); 3 to 4 p.m., Haakon County Crooners (Philip); 4 to 4:30
p.m., Kim Jacobs and Carly Bowman piano; 4:30 to 5 p.m., Christina
Hanson vocals (Fargo); 5 to 6 p.m., Jason Zehr guitar/vocals (Mitchell).
Sunday, Dec. 11: 10 to 11 a.m., L'Attitude, Shiloh Oorlog and Jerry Zins
vocals (Sioux Falls); 1 to 2 p.m., Yankton Children's Chorus; 2 to 3
p.m., Die Deutsche Glieder Chapter of Germans From Russia Singers
(Pierre); 3 to 4 p.m., Surprise Package vocal ensemble (Pierre).
Monday, Dec. 12: noon to 1 p.m., Riggs High School Concert Choir and
Chamber Choir; 7 to 8:30 p.m., Donna Dettman piano students.
Tuesday, Dec. 13: noon to 1 p.m., Capital City Children's Chorus; 6:30
to 8 p.m., Joyce Goehring piano students.
IT'S PIE DAY AT THE CAPITOL SATURDAY
The 14th annual Pie Day, organized by the South Dakota Attorney
General’s Office, will be held on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the
Capitol in Pierre. Atty. Gen. Marty Jackley said the event will include
free pie, cookies, coffee and ice cream. The public is invited to
attend, enjoy the treats and take in the Christmas at the Capitol tree
display. Area talent will be providing entertainment throughout the day.
Pie Day was originated by former Atty. Gen. Mark Barnett. Barnett had
told Wasta polling place workers that state law makes it illegal to
offer anything for voters like snacks or goodies-and organized the Pie
Day as a peace offering. (News courtesy of Dakota Radio Group's "My
Daily News.")
PERSONAL NOTES
If you have some spare minutes at your keyboard this week, contribute to
next week's Midweek Update by writing about one or more of these topics:
(1) Your most memorable Christmas.
(2) What you are looking forward to about this Christmas.
(3) What you would like to see occur this Christmas.
As always, send what you write to me at parker_knox@hotmail.com. Don't
make me do all the work! Also send your news---weddings, new babies, new
jobs, new locations, promotions, college graduations next week, where
you'll be spending the holidays, etc. I dare you to fill my inbox.
THE WEEK'S BEST E-MAIL STORY
I pointed to two old guys sitting across the room from us and told my
fellow Old Guy, "That's us in 10 years."
He said, "That's a mirror, you dip!"
INTERESTING ARTICLE ON PEARL HARBOR
Since yesterday was the 70th anniversary of Japan's attack on the
American base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Dec. 7, 1941, here is an
interesting article forwarded to me by Tom Harmon:
Tour boats ferry people out to the USS Arizona Memorial in Hawaii every
thirty minutes. We just missed a ferry and had to wait thirty minutes..
I went into a small gift shop to kill time. In the gift shop, I
purchased a small book entitled, "Reflections on Pearl Harbor" by
Admiral Chester Nimitz. Some information from that book:
Sunday, December 7th, 1941--Admiral Chester Nimitz was attending a
concert in Washington D.C. He was paged and told there was a phone call
for him. When he answered the phone, it was President Franklin Delano
Roosevelt on the phone. He told Admiral Nimitz that he (Nimitz) would
now be the Commander of the Pacific Fleet.
Admiral Nimitz flew to Hawaii to assume command of the Pacific Fleet. He
landed at Pearl Harbor on Christmas Eve, 1941. There was such a spirit
of despair, dejection and defeat--you would have thought the Japanese
had already won the war. On Christmas Day, 1941, Adm. Nimitz was given a
boat tour of the destruction wrought on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese..
Big sunken battleships and navy vessels cluttered the waters every where
you looked.
As the tour boat returned to dock, the young helmsman of the boat asked,
"Well Admiral, what do you think after seeing all this destruction?"
Admiral Nimitz's reply shocked everyone within the sound of his voice.
Admiral Nimitz said, "The Japanese made three of the biggest mistakes an
attack force could ever make, or God was taking care of America. Which
do you think it was?"
Shocked and surprised, the young helmsman asked, "What do mean by saying
the Japanese made the three biggest mistakes an attack force ever made?"
Nimitz explained:
Mistake number one : the Japanese attacked on Sunday morning. Nine out
of every ten crewmen of those ships were ashore on leave. If those same
ships had been lured to sea and been sunk--we would have lost 38,000 men
instead of 3,800.
Mistake number two : when the Japanese saw all those battleships lined
in a row, they got so carried away sinking those battleships, they never
once bombed our dry docks opposite those ships. If they had destroyed
our dry docks, we would have had to tow every one of those ships to
America to be repaired. As it is now, the ships are in shallow water and
can be raised. One tug can pull them over to the dry docks, and we can
have them repaired and at sea by the time we could have towed them to
America. And I already have crews ashore anxious to man those ships.
Mistake number three : every drop of fuel in the Pacific theater of war
is in top of the ground storage tanks five miles away over that hill.
One attack plane could have strafed those tanks and destroyed our fuel
supply. That's why I say the Japanese made three of the biggest mistakes
an attack force could make or God was taking care of America.
Plus, they should have followed up on their attack...
I've never forgotten what I read in that little book. It is still an
inspiration as I reflect upon it. In jest, I might suggest that because
Admiral Nimitz was a Texan, born and raised in Fredricksburg, Texas --he
was a born optimist. But anyway you look at it--Admiral Nimitz was able
to see a silver lining in a situation and circumstance where everyone
else saw only despair and defeatism.
President Roosevelt had chosen the right man for the right job. We
desperately needed a leader that could see silver linings in the midst
of the clouds of dejection, despair and defeat.
Vol. 12, No. 13; Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011
PIERRE PLAYERS' 'A CHRISTMAS STORY' OPENS THIS WEEKEND
Everyone’s favorite Christmas story (excepting the original, of course)
comes to life on the Pierre Players’ stage Dec.1-3 and 9-11. Jean
Shepherd’s popular 1983 movie, set in 1938 in Hohman, Ind., was adapted
as a play by Philip Grecian in 2000. The stage version loses none of the
charm of the original as the audience revisits main character Ralphie’s
ninth Christmas through the eyes of a much more mature Ralph who takes
the audience down memory lane as the onstage narrator.
We follow Ralphie in his quest to get a genuine Red Ryder BB gun under
the tree for Christmas. He pleads his case before his mother, his
teacher and even Santa Claus himself. The consistent response: “You’ll
shoot your eye out.” All the elements from the beloved motion picture
are here, including the family’s temperamental exploding furnace; the
Old Man’s entertaining and inventive pseudo-swear words; Flick’s wet
tongue on a cold lamppost; the Little Orphan Annie decoder pin; the
prized lamp shaped like a woman’s leg in a net stocking; Ralphie’s
fantasy scenarios; and Scut Farkas, the bully. Don’t miss this
heart-warming story of love, faith, and the dreams of children
everywhere.
Sponsored in part by Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce and Todd
Schuetzle's Dakota Properties, "A Christmas Story" will be staged at
7:30 p.m. tonight (Thursday), Friday and Saturday and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9
and 10 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 11. The box office telephone number is
224-7826.
LeeAnn Smith is director with Nancy Baker and Kathleen Currey as her
assistants, and Scott Hipple is technical director. Cast members include
Tim Walsh, Adam Peterson, Dan Bohman, Katie Duenwald, Gerrit Tronvold,
Matthew Schnettler, Emily Nielson, Cade Hinkle, Shana Dvais, Brittani
Show, Nolan Ortbahn, Jack Walsh, Pierce Shaffer, Tayne Bohman, Kirsten
Griese, Hannah Schnettler and Mesa Winder.
RIGGS HIGH SPORTS ROUNDUP
This week's schedules:
Gymnastics---Thursday, @ Huron with Stanley County, 6 p.m.
Wrestling---Saturday, @ Watertown 8-team dual tournament, 10 a.m.
Cross country: Postseason awards presented to Pierre Governors and Lady
Govs cross-country athletes included the following. For the boys team,
Michael Gobert, Billy Mills Award; Tyler Propst, most valuable; Matt
Monfore, most improved; Andrew Leiferman, manager of the year. For the
girls team, Rachel Propst, most valuable; Libby Gortmaker, hardest
worker; Aspen Iverson, most improved; Katherine Van Gerpen, manager of
the year.
Basketball: Boys and girls teams will have scrimmages Saturday morning
at the two Riggs High gyms. At 9:30 a.m. the varsity/JV boys will
scrimmage in the main gym, followed by the varsity/JV girls. At 9:30 in
the auxiliary gym, the 9th/10th girls will scrimmage, followed by the
9th/10th boys. Price of admission is a donation of canned food goods.
PARAPROSDOKIANS #3
We never really grow up. We only learn how to act in public.
HOLIDAY TOUR OF HOMES THIS SATURDAY
The Community & Youth Involved Center of Fort Pierre will host its 26th
annual Holiday Tour of Homes fund-raiser this Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m.
Tour homes include those of Dean and Susie Beckwith, Frank and Deb Eich,
Kevin Reinhart's Heartland Home and Murray and Jen Thompson, all on the
Pierre side, and Rick and Dail Mollard in Fort Pierre.
Tour tickets are available at $10 each at American State Bank, all
BankWest locations, Card & Candy and Hollywood Shop in Pierre and First
National Bank and the C&YI Center in Fort Pierre. For all ticketholders
complimentary coffee and cookies will be served from 12:30 to 4:30 at
the Sutley Senior Citizens Center.
A salad lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Sutley
Senior Citizens Center for $5 per person.
OTHER HOLIDAY EVENTS
* Friday, Dec. 2: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas celebration, Onida
(Craft fair, 3 to 8 p.m.; business open houses; bake sale and soup
lunch, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and supper, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.; bake sale;
Santa Claus; holiday parade.)
* Sunday, Dec. 4: Christmas on the Prairie concert, St. Anthony's
Church, Hoven, 3 p.m. (Ticket information at www.hovensd.com or
605-948-2451 weekdays between 8:30 and noon or 1 and 5 p.m.)
* Sunday, Dec. 11: Sully Area Singers Christmas cantata.
BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES
Thursday, Dec. 1:
Kristin Rau, Shawn England, D.J. Stars.
Friday, Dec. 2:
Tyler Bryant, Cayden Jensen, Andrew Heymans.
Saturday, Dec. 3:
Louise Snodgrass, Brandon Cruse, James Lee, Shawn Ludemann, Hallie
Holden, Porter Hunsley, Trey Redetzke, Jake Imsland.
Sunday, Dec. 4:
Matthew Dial, Glenda Woodburn, Chad Harris, Jesse Boyer, Andrea Calkins,
Carmen Ziegler.
Monday, Dec. 5:
Elizabeth Stofferahn, Jill Rounds.
Tuesday, Dec. 6:
Sharon Starks, Jason Knox, Dan Johnson, Brianna Emerson, Isaac Williams,
Danielle (Ryan) Schroeder.
Wednesday, Dec. 7:
Sam Shaw, Sarah Parker, Homer Harding, Jacob Severson, Alex Helbig.
110-CAR SHUTTLE TRAINS NOW COMING REGULARLY
A 110-car shuttle train made its debut trip to Onida on Monday, Nov. 14.
Oahe Grain had ordered the train to haul Sully County farmers' corn to
markets on the West Coast. This is the largest number of cars to ever
visit Onida in one train.
The train belonging to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway came
from Tacoma, Wash., making the trip in just five days.
"This is the first time BNSF has ever been in Sully County," said Oahe
Grain manager Tom Luken.
Typically Oahe Grain crew members have two days to load out 75 cars.
However, with this new shuttle train, crews have just 15 hours to load
110 cars. According to Luken, 440,000 bushels of grain were shipped out
of Onida via those 110 cars.
"We'll see how well we can do loading it that quickly," he commented as
the train arrived on Monday afternoon.
Eventually Oahe Grain will have the capability of probing and testing
the cars all onsite, but as of now, Luken said that it's done out of
Aberdeen.
The next BNSF train is scheduled to come to Onida on Dec. 16.
"I hope everyone will benefit from this (service)," Luken said. "We
spent a lot on upgrades to serve our customers better today and in the
future." (News courtesy of The Onida Watchman)
VOCABULARY #5
Dust: Mud with the juice squeezed out.
A NEW WAY TO HELP FLOOD VICTIMS
Oahe Long-Term Disaster Recovery Team (OLTDRT), along with Wireless
World, announces a new wave in the fund-raising efforts to help the
victims of last summer's devastating Missouri River flood. The Text2Give
service is now available and will stay open through the spring.
Thanks to a generous donation from Wireless World in the Sioux Falls
area and in Pierre, the fund-raising arm of the OLTDRT committee has
established a Text2Give donation service.
By texting FLOOD to 85944, you can make a $10 donation to flood relief
efforts. The $10 will be processed and charged to you on your next
cellular phone bill. All area cell phone provider services are able to
use this Text2Give program.
Money raised for flood relief will be disbursed through a system similar
to those used by response teams from other disasters around the country.
Trained case managers will be assigned to review each request for funds
and work with those individuals requesting assistance. The funds are
typically used when all other resources have been exhausted to meet any
remaining unmet needs. Anyone in need of assistance should call the
Flood Recovery Helpline at 605-224-1189.
STANLEY COUNTY HIGH SPORTS ROUNDUP
This week's schedules:
Girls basketball---Tuesday, home vs. Sully Buttes, 6:30 p.m.
Gymnastics---Thursday, @ Huron with Pierre, 6 p.m.
Wrestling---Saturday, home for Stanley County Invitational, 9 a.m.
Football: Kyle Ricketts is the latest in a long line of All-State
football players from Stanley County High School, stretching way back
through the Dave Tate coaching years. Kyle was named to the Class 9AA
All-State first-team as its center. Another Buffalo, Austin Lopour,
earned honorable mention recognition on the All-State team.
Wrestling: In the season-opening quadrangular at Presho Tuesday night,
the Buffaloes defeated Lyman, 42-39; defeated Todd County, 43-36, and
tied Kimball-White Lake/Platte-Geddes, 42-42. Cody LaCompte, Cooper
Carter and Daniel Slama all won all three of their matches for SCHS.
A PERSONAL REQUEST!
Even if you haven't had time all year to send in your and your family's
personal news for the Midweek Update, your Christmas letter can serve
that purpose!
If you send a Christmas letter to relatives and friends, please consider
sending a copy to your Midweek Update editor, so we can incorporate some
of your 2011 highlights in the "people news" section of the Update in
weeks to come.
The address is: Parker Knox, 20 1/2 N. Willow St., Vermillion SD 57069.
WEDDING DAYS
April 13: Justin Jones/Theresa Frick.
May 19: Seth Parsons/Karae Englehart.
May 23: Maxx Vaudrin/Macy Gomes.
June 2: Eric Aadland/Angie Briguet.
June 9: Bret Graves/Caitie Wagner.
June 9: Christopher Dekker/Mallory Petersen.
June 16: Dominic Bottenfield/Abby Pitlick.
June 16: Chris Hoffman/Becky Barringer.
June 23: Jerid Maskovich/Jeanine Van Ash.
July 14: Gavin Van Zee/Samantha Hestdalen.
Aug. 31: Cody Stoeser/Cassie Rausch.
Oct. 19: Greg Barringer/Kayla Petersen.
RIGGS HIGH MUSICAL ONSTAGE NEXT WEEK
Riggs High School's winter musical, "Seussical," will be performed at
7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, Dec. 6 and 8. The performance includes
many of the famous Seuss characters as they dance and sing their way
through adventures in the Jungle of Nool.
The cast includes Justin Oakland as the boy who first discovers the
magical hat which leads to The Cat in the Hat, Joey Knofcynski.
Others include the Horton the Elephant (Abraham Kanz), Gertrude McFuzz,
the bird with the one feather tail (Adelyn Crabtree), the Whos of
Whoville (Grant Erwin, Ryon Skaggs, Megan Holm, Savannah Jenkins, and
Joni Willoughby); the mayor (Nick Johnson) and his wife (Megan Hanson),
Mayzie La Bird (Rachel Howard), the Sour Kangaroo (Lydia Kanz) and the
Citizens of the Jungle of Nool (Tanna Becker, Dylan Bennett, Kyra
Bluestone, Tori Byer, Cassidy Fosheim, Alexandra Hillestad, Leandra
Hoefener, Courtney Hagen, Haven Kenefick-Aschoff, Emily Ketteler, Allie
Knofcyznski, Louis Mehlhaff, Matt Monfore, Jack Mortenson, Elizabeth
Raecke, Kyle Sarringar, Lucas Schochenmaier, Joe Schueller, Madeline
Schueller, Kat Schuetzle, Tory Snyder, Joe Tetzlaff, Cassidy Trapp
Ashley Zimmerman).
Directors are Hyrma Zakahi, Rodd Bauck and Bethany Amundson. Former
Pierre resident Robyn Starks Holcomb, now of the Dance Gallery in Sioux
Falls, is the choreographer. Dances were taught by dance captains Tanna
Becker and Madeline Schueller. They will be featured in a song that they
choreographed. (News courtesy of "Today's KCCR News.")
DID I READ THAT SIGN RIGHT? #6
Outside a second-hand shop: WE EXCHANGE ANYTHING---BICYCLES, WASHING
MACHINES, ETC. WHY NOT BRING YOUR WIFE ALONG AND GET A WONDERFUL
BARGAIN?
COUNTDOWN
2 days: Community & Youth Involved Center's Holiday Tour of Homes (Dec.
3).
10 days: Capital City Children's Chorus' "A Ceremony of Carols" (Dec.
11).
39 days: BCS national championship college football game (Jan. 9).
63 days: State one-act play festival, Aberdeen (Feb. 2-4).
64 days: Super Bowl (Feb. 5).
78 days: State gymnastics tournament, Brookings (Feb. 17-18).
85 days: State wrestling tournaments (B Rapid City, A Aberdeen) (Feb.
24-25).
87 days: The Academy Awards (Feb. 26).
98 days: State girls basketball tournaments (B Huron, A Spearfish, AA
Brookings) (March 8-10).
99 days: State boys varsity hockey tournament, Expo Center (March 9-11).
105 days: State boys basketball tournaments (B Aberdeen, A Sioux Falls,
AA Rapid City) (March 15-17).
112 days: All-State Band, Brookings (March 22-24).
127 days: Twins' season opener at Baltimore (April 6).
162 days: Co-ed charity softball tournament, Four Corners (May 11-13).
168 days: State boys tennis tournament, Rapid City (May 17-19).
172 days: State golf tournaments (B boys and B girls Rapid City, A girls
Hot Springs, AA girls Sioux Falls) (May 21-22).
176 days: State track meets (B Rapid City, A Spearfish, AA Sturgis) (May
25-26).
187 days: South Dakota primary election day (June 5).
190 days: South Dakota Shakespeare Festival, Vermillion (June 8-10).
239 days: Summer Olympics opening ceremonies, London (July 27).
270 days: Republican National Convention, Tampa (Aug. 27-30).
277 days: Democratic National Convention, Charlotte (Sept. 3-6).
341 days: General election day (Nov. 6, 2012).
352 days: Renewal of USD-SDSU football rivalry (Nov. 17, 2012).
799 days: Winter Olympics opening ceremonies, Sochi, Russia (Feb. 7,
2014).
SULLY BUTTES HIGH SPORTS ROUNDUP
This week's schedules:
Wrestling---Saturday, @ Stanley County Invitational, 9 a.m.
Girls basketball---Tuesday, @ Stanley County, 6:30 p.m.
Football: Two Charger seniors were named to the Class 9B All-State
football first team. Running back Herman Kleinsasser, who also was
All-State last season when Sully Buttes was in Class 9A, was named to
the offensive team. He had 1306 yards rushing, 16 touchdowns and 11
conversions this season despite missing two games due to injury.
Defensive end Jalen Lamb is the other first-team All-Stater, based on 58
solo tackles and 35 assisted tackles despite the fact that most teams
ran away from his side of the field.
Volleyball: Two Charger players, Taylor Hackett and Jaymi Schultz, were
named to the Yellowstone Trail Conference's all-conference volleyball
team.
WORDS TO NOT LIVE BY #5
Always remember you are unique. Just like everyone else.
FLOOD DELAYS OPENING OF NEW HOTEL, RESTAURANT
Water, specifically flood water, has delayed the opening of the new
Pierre Clubhouse Hotel and Suites.
The facility, which has about 80 guest rooms and suites, a restaurant
and 3,500 feet of conference meeting space, has been under construction
since last year. It is located on west Sioux Avenue, near the current
Ramkota Hotel and Ramkota Convention Center.
Regency Hotel Management, which also owns the Ramkota Hotel, had planned
to open the facility by the start of the legislative session in January.
But Regency Hotel Management board chairman David Sweet said the flood
forced construction delays for many of the crew members and contractors.
Sweet said the restaurant, RedRossa Italian Grill, could now open in
January, but the rest of the hotel will likely open in late February or
early March.
Despite not opening as early as expected, Sweet said the public will
still enjoy the hotel, the suites and other features such as the
courtyard. When the project was announced, officials said the new
facility would employ 50 to 100 people with more than $8 million
expected in new construction. (News courtesy of "Today's KCCR News.")
HOCKEY ROUNDUP
Oahe Capitals boys varsity: The league season begins this weekend when
the Capitals head east. They will play in Brookings Friday (JVs 5:30;
varsity 8:00) and in Sioux Falls Saturday (JVs 11:30, varsity 1:30). At
the Rooster Cup tournament in Huron last weekend, the Capitals came home
with a 3-1 record, defeating Vincent Massey of Brandon, Manitoba, 6-1;
Deloraine of Manitoba, 3-1, and Grand Forks, 5-4, and losing to Thunder
Bay, Ontario, 9-4. Kyle Mammenga was goalkeeper for the first and third
games and Alex Meagher the other two. Austin Wagner had nine goals for
the weekend, including a hat trick against Grand Forks, and one of his
goals was the game-winner in that contest. Andrew Leif and Cash Anderson
scored three times apiece and Joel Jochim, Alex Norwick and James
Gilkerson once each.
Other Oahe Hockey Association games this coming weekend:
Friday: girls JVs @ Yankton, 7:45 p.m.; PeeWee A @ Fargo tournament.
Saturday: girls JVs @ Yankton, 7:45 p.m.; PeeWee A @ Fargo tournament;
PeeWee B @ Mitchell, 9:30 a.m.; Squirts games at home---11 a.m., Oahe B
vs. Mitchell Black; 1 p.m., Oahe C vs. Mitchell White; 3 p.m., Oahe B
vs. Mitchell White; 5 p.m., Oahe C vs. Mitchell Black.
Sunday: girls JVs @ Yankton, 11 a.m.; PeeWee A @ Fargo tournament;
PeeWee B home vs. Huron, noon.
COLLEGE SPORTS ROUNDUP
South Dakota State swimming (Jim McLain, Morgan McLain, Alex McLain):
Jackrabbit swimmers compete next at the Falcon Invitational in
Minneapolis Friday and Saturday. Their meet at USD was postponed because
of dangerous travel conditions last month and has been rescheduled for
Dec. 10.
Black Hills State basketball (Kristi Ryan, Bailiey Kusser, Logan Cowan):
Highmore High School claims three alumni on the BHSU women's basketball
roster. Kristi is a senior and the other girls freshmen. In a
season-opening tournament at the College of the Ozarks in Missouri,
Kristi was named tournament MVP and a member of the all-tournament team.
She had a career-high 27 points in one game there and 12 rebounds in the
tournament. BHSU later defeated Chadron State, 68-55, as Ryan had 11
points, seven rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block, Cowan a
rebound and Kusser two points, one rebound and one assist. Last weekend
BHSU lost a pair of games in Rapid City to Morningside, 69-58, and to
Lindenwood (Mo.), 69-62. Kristi had 17 points, eight rebounds, two
steals and two blocks vs. Morningside and 14 points, four boards and two
steals in the other game. BHSU hosts Dickinson State Friday night.
South Dakota swimming (Marcus Christianson): The Coyotes swim at the
Falcon Invitational in Minneapolis this weekend. Their postponed home
dual against SDSU has been rescheduled for Dec. 10.
Presentation football (Tate Rinehart): Tate, freshman offensive lineman
from Onida, was named to the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC)
all-conference second team.
Black Hills State football (Devin Rounds): An All-Dakotas Transition
Team was selected by coaches of the School of Mines, Black Hills State,
the University of Sioux Falls and Minot State, four schools which are in
that never-neverland between NAIA and NCAA Division II. This sort-of
all-conference team included BHSU's junior kicker, Devin Rounds of
Pierre, as its second-team special-teams kicker.
Purdue basketball (Sam Ostarello): The Fort Pierre junior is a starter
for unbeaten Purdue, now 6-0. Purdue beat Bowling Green, 54-53, as Sam
had six rebounds, two blocks and one steal although not scoring. In a
65-39 win over Tennessee-Martin she had 13 points (10 in the second
half), three rebounds, an assist and a steal. In a 76-49 win over
Chicago State Sam had eight points, seven rebounds, five assists and
three steals. In a 61-48 win over Tulsa, she had nine pints, 10
rebounds, two steals, a block and an assist. And in an overtime 46-42
win over Kansas State, Sam had seven points and 11 rebounds. The
Boilermakers have a tough assignment tonight (Thursday) at Duke, then
host Texas A&M Sunday. The Sunday game can be seen on the Big Ten
Network at 11 a.m. CST.
Augustana basketball: The Viking men defeated St. Martin's (Wash.),
70-54, and lost to Western Oregon on its home court, 60-58, in Monmouth,
Ore., two weekends ago. They returned home to whip Dakota State, 83-69,
behind 22 points each from Cody Schilling and Drae Murray and 12 from
Leif Nomeland.
Black Hills State basketball (Mitch Foth): The Onida freshman hasn't
seen varsity action yet. BHSU lost at Colorado Mines, 87-56, and at
Metro State in Denver, 69-51. The Yellowjackets defeated Chadron State,
85-70; lost to Great Falls, 77-61, and lost to Dordt, 86-74. BHSU is
home this weekend against Dickinson State and Rocky Mountain.
South Dakota State basketball (Katie Lingle, Steph Paluch): The
Jackrabbits lost at Middle Tennessee State, 59-49, as Katie was 3-of-6
from the field and 0-for-4 at the stripe for six points with five
rebounds, one block and two steals. Steph was 0-for-7 from the field,
3-of-5 from the line for three pints with four rebounds, one assist and
two steals. SDSU returned home to beat Washington State of the PAC-12,
63-58. Steph had a career-high eight assists along with a steal, three
rebounds and six points while Katie had eight rebounds, eight points, a
steal and an assist. At Cancun, Mexico, SDSU lost twice. A humbling loss
to Cincinnati of the Big East saw SDSU score only four points in the
entire first half en route to a 55-22 loss. Katie had two rebounds and
two steals while Steph had four points and two rebounds. SDSU also lost
to Marist (N.Y.), 57-49. In that one Katie was 3-of-6 in field goals and
2-of-4 in free throws for eight points and four rebounds, and Steph was
2-of-9 and 2-of-2 for eight points, two assists and two rebounds. Last
night the Jackrabbits cruised to victory in their Summit League season
opener, 82-56 at Western Illinois. Both Pierre girls were in the
starting lineup again. Katie had six points, seven rebounds, three
assists and four steals, and Steph had nine points, four rebounds and
three steals. Now 4-3 overall and 1-0 in the Summit, SDSU continues
league play Friday at IUPUI, then plays non-conference ball Tuesday at
Arkansas-Little Rock.
South Dakota basketball (Alexis Yackley): The Coyote women whipped
Northern Arizona in their season opener, 73-56, as Alexis had a
career-high 12 assists along with six points, four rebounds, two steals
and one blocked shot. SDSU won in overtime at Creighton, 56-53, as
Alexis scored 14 points, including eight during a 10-0 Coyote run in the
first half, along with three assists and two steals. After Tempestt
Wilson's field goal gave USD a 55-53 lead with 39 seconds left, Alexis
blocked a Creighton three-point shot and USD got the rebound, and later
a free throw, to salt away the huge win in Omaha. On Sunday USD rolled
to a 24-0 lead to start the game in beating Viterbo of LaCrosse, Wis.,
82-34. Alexis had six points, eight assists and five steals. On Monday
night it was a similar blowout as the Coyotes led Tabor College of
Kansas 46-8 at halftime en route to a 94-16 win. Alexis was 3-of-5 from
the field for six points with a rebound, three assists and two steals.
She and the other starters played less time than the reserves off the
bench as Coach Ryun Williams did his best to hold down the mounting USD
score. USD opens its first season of Summit League play tonight at IPFW
and Saturday at Oakland (Mich.). Next Wednesday the Coyotes return to
their non-conference schedule at Northern Iowa.
Dakota Wesleyan wrestling (Tyler Sarringar, Dusty Paulsen): The Tigers
lost a dual to St. Olaf, 24-15. Dusty lost his match at 141 pounds, 7-0,
and Tyler lost his 174-pound match, 9-6. DWU hosts Morningside for a
dual Friday.
Princeton hockey (Matt Farris): Matt did not play in a 4-0 loss at
Cornell but was back in the lineup the next night at Colgate where the
Tigers lost 4-1. Last weekend in Denver, Princeton lost to Denver
University, 3-0, but defeated Providence, 3-1. Now 3-7-1, Princeton is
home in league play this weekend against Rensselaer and Union.
South Dakota men's basketball: The Coyotes defeated Nebraska-Omaha,
83-81, as sophomore Trevor Gruis sank two free throws with seven seconds
left. He scored 15 points, Louie Krogman 16 and Charlie Westbrook 15.
USD lost at Wyoming, 67-56, as Westbrook and Krogman each scored 13 and
Steve Tecker 11. On Monday USD defeated Tabor College (Kan.), 69-63, for
Coach Dave Boots' 600th career win. Westbrook had 21 points, Gruis 17
and Krogman 13 points with six assists. The Coyotes begin Summit League
play tonight at Oakland and Saturday at IPFW.
South Dakota State men's basketball: The Jackrabbits won all three games
in a tournament at Macon, Ga. They defeated Niagara, 79-71, as Nate
Wolters scored 23, Tony Fiegen 14 and Griffan Callahan 13. SDSU whipped
Sam Houston State, 77-60, behind Callahan's 21 and Wolters' 15. SDSU
then beat host school Mercer, 74-61, as Wolters scored 16 and Fiegen 13.
The Jacks lost at Nebraska, 76-64, despite a career-high 25 points from
Callahan. Now 4-3, SDSU begins Summit League play tonight at IUPUI and
Saturday at Western Illinois. On Tuesday the Jacks host Southwest
Minnesota State in non-conference play.
Dakota Wesleyan basketball (Liz Lamb): The Tiger women lost to Briar
Cliff, 96-70, as Liz was 3-of-11 from the field for eight points with
three assists and two steals. In a 78-46 win over York (Neb.) she was
3-of-9 and 2-of-2 for eight points with a steal and four assists. DWU is
at Hastings Saturday, home Monday against Dakota State and at
Morningside next Wednesday.
Mount Marty basketball (Alexa Berg): The Lancer women lost to St.
Mary's, 73-67 and to Concordia (Neb.) 67-61. Alexa in the latter game
had 10 points and three assists. In a 69-63 win over Dordt, she was
5-of-9 from the field and 4-of-5 from the line for 17 points with five
rebounds. MMC lost at Augustana, 84-44, as Alexa had five rebounds.
Mount Marty is at Doane Saturday.
Mount Marty basketball (Spencer Yackley): The Lancer men defeated
Concordia (Neb.), 61-51, as Spencer had 16 points, six rebounds and some
decisive blocks. Concordia crawled to within one point, but Spencer
scored with 1:21 left to keep the Lancers in the lead. In an 85-70 loss
to Dordt, Spencer was 4-of-7 and 4-of-6 for 12 points. Last night the
Lancers, trailing at one point by 78-62, rallied to within 79-76 with a
14-1 run, but lost at Northwestern, 80-76. Spencer had 11 points. MMC,
now 3-3 overall and 1-2 in the GPAC, plays at Doane Saturday.
ELKS AGAIN STUFFING STOCKINGS FOR STATE VETERANS HOME
Members of the Pierre Elks Lodge No. 1953 have begun their annual
stocking stuffer Christmas program, which provides Christmas presents at
the Veterans Administration Medical Center and the State Veterans Home
in Hot Springs.
Items needed include white underwear, socks, sweat clothes, disposable
razors, music CD’s, DVD movies, books and prepaid phone cards. Wrapped
gifts to men and women also are welcomed.
Collection boxes are located at the American State Bank, all BankWest
Pierre locations, Home Federal Savings Bank, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo
Bank, all First National Bank locations in Pierre-Fort Pierre, Dakota
State Bank in Pierre and Blunt, Dakota Prairie Bank in Fort Pierre,
Draper and Presho, Oahe Federal Credit Union, Dakota Plains Federal
Credit Union, VFW Post No. 2038, American Legion Post 8, Pierre Senior
Citizens Center, the Zonta Club/Women’s Club, Oahe Inc./Aktion Club,
Morris, Inc., Linn Medical Clinic, New Life Assembly of God Church, the
National Guard Building, the Hughes County Courthouse and the Elks
office.
Collections will continue through Dec. 16. Items will be delivered
before Christmas. For more information, call Jerry Wattier at 224-5825
(work) or 224-8158 (home). (News courtesy of "Today's KCCR News.")
A STORY
"Oh, I sure am happy to see you!" the little boy said to his grandmother
on his mother's side. "Now maybe Daddy will do the trick he has been
promising us."
The grandmother was curious. "What trick is that?" she asked.
"I heard him tell Mommy that he would climb the walls if you came to
visit!" he replied.
THANKSGIVING SERVICE HELPS SWELL FLOOD RELIEF FUND
The ecumenical Thanksgiving service held in Pierre on Nov. 20 collected
$1,082.97 for flood relief. A free-will donation was taken during the
buffalo burger dinner held after the service. The money will go to the
Oahe Long-Term Flood Relief Fund.
Father Mark McCormick, who is chairman of the Oahe Long-Term Unmet Needs
Committee, said more than $106,000 has already been raised. He said the
committee is reviewing 74 applications for assistance, having already
awarded funds to from 10 to 12 applicants.
McCormick said there are many flood-impacted residents who have
long-term needs and that it will take months to address them all.
About 200 people attended the meal. The thanksgiving service and dinner
held at First United Methodist Church were hosted by the Pierre-Fort
Pierre Ministerium. (News courtesy of "Today's KCCR News.")
PEOPLE NEWS
Jessica Lentz, a senior at Sully Buttes High School, was crowned Sully
County Snow Queen for 2012 at the pageant in Onida recently. The Junior
Snow Queen is Dannale Norris, a freshman at SBHS. Both will enter state
competitions in Aberdeen in January.
The Christmas concert at the University of South Dakota, featuring all
choral and instrumental music ensembles, will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday
in Aalfs Auditorium at Slagle Hall. Pierre people involved include Jenna
Feiler, Anthony Hunt, Carter Howard and Parker Knox. The entire concert
will be taped by South Dakota Public Television for broadcast statewide
on Christmas Eve.
Baseball can't be too far away if the American Legion Post 8
baseball-benefit breakfasts are beginning again! The first of this
season will be served from 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Legion
cabin. It's an all-you-can-eat breakfast for just $3 or however much you
wish to contribute beyond that for the benefit of the Post 8 baseball
programs.
Riggs High senior Michael Hardwick has signed with Dakota Wesleyan
University where he will play soccer for the Tigers starting next fall
when he goes to college.
Georgia Morse Middle School band director Kerry Freidel has a new
business. Pierre Music Guitar Shop opened in June at 103 E. Capitol Ave.
He gives guitar lessons there, but the shop also handles such
merchandise as guitars, keyboards, pianos, song books, drumsticks,
harmonicas, etc.
Former Pierre resident Clint Harris, who directed the South Dakota
Lottery while he lived here, retired last Wednesday after seven years as
director of the Minnesota Lottery. At a ceremony and reception in his
honor, the president of the Minnesota Twins was on hand to present Clint
with a personalized Twins jersey, and Governor Pawlenty sent a
recognition letter.
Arden Rapp wasn't able to be home in Pierre to spend Thanksgiving with
his family since he has been in Virginia working for FEMA, doing
earthquake damage assessments. He will, however, be home before his 70th
birthday on Dec. 11, so all the Rapps can celebrate that occasion
together.
Thanks to Becky Barringer, we have an update on news from her family,
and there's a lot to report! For starters, there will be three weddings
and a baby in 2012! Becky became engaged last April to Chris Hoffman
(Riggs '00), and they are planning a June 16 wedding in Pierre. Becky
still works as a transportation planning engineer for the state
Department of Transportation, but she no longer works as a part-time
teller at BankWest. Chris keeps busy working with his father in their
concrete construction business, Hoffman Construction, while hunting and
fishing a lot. The older Barringer brother, Dan, recently became engaged
to Brandi Trautman (Riggs '01). Dan works for Nabors Drilling in the
North Dakota oil fields, working two weeks on then taking two weeks off.
He enjoys those two weeks of hunting and fishing off! Brandi has a
7-year-old daughter, Chloe, and she and Dan are expecting a baby boy in
February. They are planning on having a wedding ceremony in January but
will have a reception later in the year. Younger brother Greg Barringer
recently became engaged to Kayla Petersen (Lyman High School '08), and
they are planning an Oct. 19 wedding in Pierre next fall, the day before
opening day of pheasant season. Greg says that is no big deal since you
can't hunt till Saturday noon anyway. Greg also works in the oil fields
for Nabors Drilling. He spends most of his free time with his 3-year-old
son Kristopher and helping out on Kayla's family farm near Vivian. Kayla
is a cosmetologist at the Headquarters Salon in Fort Pierre, and Greg
and Kayla recently purchased their first home in Vivian.
Small world department: As I cashed a check in a local bank in
Vermillion the other day, the teller behind the counter proved to be
Pierre native and Riggs graduate Jeremy Adams' mother-in-law. I learned
from her that Jeremy and his wife and their little boy---cute as a bug's
ear---live in Iowa City.
Former Pierre resident Kiel Ford's wedding photo was in Sunday's Argus
Leader. Kiel was married on June 24 to Emily Auch in Sioux Falls. They
are living in Elk River, Minn., in the suburban area north of
Minneapolis. Emily graduated from SDSU with a degree in biology, and
Kiel graduated there with a mechanical engineering degree. He works as a
mechanical engineer for Xcel Energy. His parents are former Pierre
residents Marc and Sue Ford of Sioux Falls.
The Knox kids---including Jason and his wife Allison and son Parker of
Rapid City; Ryan of Tucson, Ariz.; Heather and son Dylan of Rapid City,
and Holly and her husband Nathan Perli and daughters Olivia and Audrey
of Rapid CIty---were all in Sioux Falls for Thanksgiving and to attend
the wedding Saturday of their cousin, Michael Knudson of Sioux Falls, to
Kylie Sutton, a native of Flandreau. Heather and Holly were two of
Kylie's three personal attendants, and Jason and Ryan both sang during
the wedding ceremony at Our Savior's Lutheran Church.
Danielle (Ryan '03) and Paul Schroeder, a native of Miller, who were
married on Oct. 15, live in Sioux Falls. Paul works in the IT division
for Avera Health, and Danielle is a nurse on the ICU floor at Sanford
while attending graduate school to become a nurse practitioner.
In case you missed it, the Pierre Capital Journal two weeks ago had a
wonderful story on long-time resident Enid Hyde and the house she has
called home for many decades. Find it at this link:
http://www.capjournal.com/news/keeping-house/article_c85a726c-0f20-11e1-bc5c-001cc4c002e0.html
In fact, Lance Nixon has had several great stories since joining the
Capital Journal as its new managing editor. Another concerned Isaac
"Boo" Vogel ('98), who, after learning his parents, Mike and Diana, are
planning to move from Pierre to be closer to grandchildren (and
children, I suppose!), decided to run a last marathon, 26.2 miles, in
the city of Pierre, passing by some of the places that meant a lot to
him as he was growing up and going to school in Pierre. Nixon's story on
Isaac was in last Friday's Capital Journal. Titled "Bittersweet
Farewell," you can try to find it on the newspaper's website at
www.capjournal.com.
Our sympathy to the family of Marilyn England, who passed away Nov. 21
at the age of 82 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Services
will be held at a later time. Her daughters are Joan England and Jean
Mertens, and her son is Curt England.
Congratulations to John Burchill, who received the Doug Koester
Officials Award presented during the football championships in
Vermillion last month. The award for excellence in sports officiating
and community service is named for the late Doug Koester, who himself
was a sports official who lived in Pierre until his untimely death in
1988 while officiating a state championship football game. John has
officiated football for 39 years, basketball for 28 years and softball
for 26 years. You can find a story about John by Lance Nixon on the
Capital Journal's website at www.capjournal.com.
Fort Pierre native Donny Kuper and his wife Abby are the parents of a
daughter, Gracie Lee, who was born on her dad's 30th birthday Nov. 27,
weighing 5 pounds, 3 ounces. The Kupers live in Sioux Falls.
LeighAnn Dunn will graduate from the University of South Dakota on Dec.
17 with a master of arts degree in special education.
On Facebook this week Heather Mangan, who has begun a term as a Peace
Corps volunteer in the African nation of Lesotho, posted her mail
address, hoping for letters from friends back home (or anywhere else!).
Her address is: Heather Mangan, PCV P.O. Box 264, Machache 130 Lesotho.
Nick Johnson, who is on deployment with the 200th Engineer Company in
Afghanistan, was home for two weeks of R&R over Thanksgiving. His wife
is the former Mallori Barnett.
Riggs High School's delegate to next summer's Hugh O'Brian Youth
Foundation state seminar will be Tatum Richards. Blake Dean was selected
as alternate.
Long-time Pierre resident Cal Pottratz died Nov. 26 at Maryhouse at the
age of 88. Services were held Wednesday at Trinity Episcopal Church. Our
sympathy to his children---Louise (and Jim) Coull, Lynn (and Walt)
Bixler, Nancy Kennedy, Laura (and Gary) Waack, Bob (and Mary) Pottratz
and Ruth (and Ken) Miller and all of their families.
Dennis and Joyce Williams have been spending a lot of fall weekends on
the road. They made it to three of their oldeset grandson's football
games at Minnesota-Crookston where he is a freshman. He scored his first
touchdown against defending Division II national champion
Minnesota-Duluth. The Williamses also made it to one of their oldest
granddaughter's hockey games. She has scored in every game so far and
scored a hat trick in one of them. They also made it to Sioux Falls for
4 1/3 performances of "Barefoot in the Park" at Sioux Empire Community
Theatre where son John and daughter-in-law Laura had the lead roles.
(They were late one time and saw onlyl the third act!) In September
Dennis and Joyce went on a seven-day Caribbean cruise with John and
Laura, then two weeks later Joyce went to Hawaii for nine days with her
89-year-old mother and sister-in-law. All of the Williams family were
home in Pierre for Thanksgiving except Chris and wife Lindsey since
Lindsey had to work. They will all be together for Christmas (at New
Year's time) at Paul and Christie Williams' home in Minnesota. Small
World Dept.: While on the cruise, Joyce saw a woman wearing a University
of Sioux Falls shirt. It turned out her son had been in John's class at
USF. And at Volcano National Park in Hawaii, Joyce met a brother and
sister who grew up in Milbank. Following up on my earlier column about
whether to speak or not to speak to people you pass on the sidewalk,
Joyce says, "Say hello because you never know who you are going to
meet!"
Area singers participating in the chorus at the "Christmas on the
Prairie" concert at St. Anthony's Church in Hoven this Sunday include
Gene Weischedel, Marla Mosiman, Rodd Bauck, Karen Duenwald, Katie
Duenwald, Larry Johnson, Michael Pangburn, Mary Ellen Garrett, Diane
Kehrwald, Ben Orsbon, Kristi Vensand-Hall and Lauras Mehlhaff. Local
students performing there with the Northern State University Chamber
Singers include Michelle Monroe, Brandon Sieck and Megan Snow.
Long-time Pierre resident Lois Pier, who was perhaps best-known locally
as the Welcome Wagon lady for many years, died Nov. 29 in Mesa, Ariz.,
at the age of 87. Services were held there Monday. She was a native of
Highmore and was married to Jack Pier for more than 69 years. In
addition to her husband, she is survived by son Jerry Pier in Pierre,
daughter Sherilyn Turner in Arizona, son Don Pier in Oregon;
grandchildren Craig Smith in Arizona, Laurel Smith Garland in
California, Kristin Smith Shitara in Japan, Jon Pier in New Mexico, Jac
Pier in New Mexico, Amy Pier Johnson in Montana and Chapin Pier in
Oregon, and nine great-grandchildren.
NEOLOGISMS #2
The Washington Post published the winning submissions in its yearly
neologism contest in which readers supplied alternative meanings for
common words. This week's:
* Flabbergasted (adj.): Appalled over how much weight you have gained.
Also, The Post asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter
it by adding, subtracting or changing one letter and supply a new
definition. This week's:
* Giraffiti (n.): Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.
BASKETBALL ROUNDUP
Iowa Energy: Riggs High and North Dakota State alumnus Michael Tveidt
made the 10-man roster of the Iowa Energy, the Des Moines-based team in
the NBA's Developmental League. The Energy opened their season with a
100-82 win over Canton, Ohio, and a 117-105 loss to the Skyforce in
Sioux Falls. Michael played a total of 37 minutes, hitting six of 12
field-goal attempts for 12 points and garnering nine rebounds and one
assist in those two games. Yesterday in a day game in Texas, Iowa lost
to Rio Grande Valley, 134-108. Michael saw 18 minutes of action, going
0-for-2 from the field. He had one rebound and one blocked shot. Now
1-2, the Energy plays at Rio Grande Valley again tonight (Thursday),
then will be home against Erie, Pa., Saturday and Sunday. The next time
the Energy plays in Sioux Falls will be back-to-back on Jan. 6-7.
FIRST SNOWFALL WAS A RECORD-SETTER
Saturday, Nov. 19, was a record-setting day for snow in Pierre three
different times.
The National Weather Service said the 9.5 inches of snow that fell that
day set a record for any Nov. 19, breaking the old mark of 2.7 inches
set in 1947. That amount also set a record for the greatest one-day
snowfall in November, topping the previous record of eight inches on
Nov. 9, 1998, and tied on Nov. 25, 2001. And the snowfall, when it
melted to water, also set a new record in that category---.57 of an inch
broke the previous record of .20 set in 1985. (News courtesy of "Today's
KCCR News.")
WORK YOUR SIOUX FALLS TRIP AROUND THE SYMPHONY
One of South Dakota's most unappreciated treasures, outside of the
immediate Sioux Falls area, is the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra. Have
you considered making your Sioux Falls trip for appointments or shopping
some weekend when the Symphony has a concert scheduled at the Washington
Pavilion?
Next event will be the Holiday Collage concerts on the evenings of Dec.
9-10 and the afternoon of Dec. 11. Special guests and holiday cheer join
the orchestra for a wonderful family event.
The symphony's classical season continues on the evening of Jan. 14 as
Maestro Delta David Gier leads the orchestra through Mahler's powerful
7th Symphony.
On Feb. 4 21-year-old Benjamin Beilman performs Jennifer Higdon's Violin
Concerto, and the symphony also performs Brahms' 4th symphony.
On Feb. 25-26 the magnificent voice of mezzo soprano Margaret Lattimore
returns to perform "From Everlasting to Everlasting" and the symphony
plays two Ravel pieces as well as Mozart's Jupiter Symphony.
The symphony's pops series resumes March 10 with the music of ABBA!
There are many other programs yet to come during this 2011-12 season.
For further information go to www.sdsymphony.org or call 605-335-7933 or
866-681-7376.
CAPITOL CHRISTMAS TREES ENTERTAINMENT
Thursday, Dec. 1: Noon to 1 p.m., Avon High School choir.; 5:30 to 6
p.m., Greenleaf Church, Miller.
Friday, Dec. 2: Noon to 1 p.m., White River High School choir; 5 to 6
p.m., Rapid City Christian School; 7 to 8 p.m., pianist Priscilla Hofer.
Saturday, Dec. 3: 11 a.m. to noon, Herreid High School choir and band;
1:30 to 3 p.m., Karen Huebner piano students; 3 to 5 p.m., Plainsfolk; 7
to 8 p.m., pianist Priscilla Hofer; 8 to 9 p.m., vocalist/pianist Sandra
Kern Mollman (Vermillion).
Sunday, Dec. 4: 1 to 2 p.m., Nordic Nimble Fest, Brookings; 4 to 5 p.m.,
USD horn ensemble.
Monday, Dec. 5: 6 to 7 p.m., pianist Rep. Susan Wismer, Britton; 7 to 8
p.m., Michelle, Blaine and Madison Humann (piano, vocals, baritone,
flute).
Tuesday, Dec. 6: 6 to 7 p.m., Huron High School orchestra; 7 to 8 p.m.,
pianist Donna Dettman.
Wednesday, Dec. 7: Noon to 1 p.m., Harrisburg High School choir and
band.
Thursday, Dec. 8: Noon to 1 p.m., Clearfield Colony choir, Springfield.
STATE TREE IS A MEANINGFUL ONE TO ITS DONORS
The really big tree in the state Capitol Rotunda this holiday season is
a special tree to the Justin and Melissa Flottmeyer family. The 35-foot
blue spruce which has been designated as the South Dakota tree came from
the Flottmeyer home on Buffalo Street in Pierre.
Melissa (Moore) Flottmeyer said the tree was going to be removed anyway
for landscaping purposes. She said her husband thought it would be nice
to donate the tree to the display.
What also makes it special is that Justin won't be home for the holidays
because he is part of the South Dakota National Guard's 200th Engineer
Company stationed in Afghanistan. Melissa said that, with the help of
Skype, Justin was able to watch the tree being cut down last month.
The two-story tree is considered by some organizers to be one of the
widest trees ever used in the display. It took crews about two hours to
move the tree into the Capitol. It was then decorated by members of the
Central South Dakota RSVP. Melissa Flottmeyer said her two children are
getting a big kick out of having their tree part of the Capitol
Christmas tree display. (News courtesy of "Today's KCCR News.")
RUNNING ON FUMES
(From the November newsletter of Countryside Hospice, Inc.)
Recently an individual called our office. They had a specific reason for
calling, but the conversation soon moved to a year in review for the
caller. As I listened, they told me of the physical and emotional issues
that have cluttered the days and weeks. Family concerns, personal
health, flood relocation and more have demanded not only emotional
attention but created financial concerns as well. As they talked I made
a list and a mental note---each and every day as we talk with people on
the phone or meet them face to face, we need to remember that we have no
idea what they are carrying around. The people who seem preoccupied,
upset or just plain cranky may have very good reason. Unless we have the
opportunity to really listen to their stories, we will never know.
Many people in our community are running on fumes. The floodwaters have
receded, but the flood is not over and will not be for quite awhile. It
has changed our community forever, and as the recovery phase continues,
there will be for many relief and hope but for others just plain
exhaustion. And as if that is not enough, we have everyday life filled
with unexpected concerns and events. Life can be tough.
Please take care as the holidays approach. Excuse yourself from any
activities that drain you emotionally or financially. Do what is
important for your family, even if it is a break in tradition. This may
be the year for fewer gifts and paper instead of china, or it may be the
year for the biggest tree ever. Get a jumpstart on the things that you
want to do and enlist help. 2012 is right around the corner---hopefully
it will be a better year.
ADULT TRUTHS #2
Was learning cursive really necessary?
A BIT SELF-SERVING BUT A WONDERFUL E-MAIL NEVERTHELESS
How sweet it was to receive this e-mail from Janet and Jerry Eaton on
the day before Thanksgiving!
"OK, this is the year! We are the parents of Mike Eaton, Class of '99,
and Nicole, '96, and Bryon, '94. Every year at this time we look forward
to your Thanksgiving column. In fact, I have copies of all of them since
2000! And that one is a copy of the article from the newspaper. I know
what you are thinking. It was a difficult move from Pierre as that is
where our kids spent most of their school years. We had subscribed to
the Capital Journal for a time after we moved to Huron. Then each year
when it was included, I made a copy from the Midweek Update. Again, I
know. I worked at the church in Huron and kept the copies in a file.
Whenever I was having a trying day, they were right there. So as I was
printing your Thanksgiving reflections again this year, I decided I
could no longer put it off. Every year I would think I should really
tell Parker thank you, but he has no idea who we are! But this year, it
doesn't seem to matter. You need to know how you make a difference. And
so today as we leave Rapid City (we moved here in '05 after Jerry's year
in Iraq) for our Thanksgiving trip to family east river, we have our
copy printed, and we will again read it as we travel. We are always on
the road headed somewhere for the holiday, and so we save it for the car
ride. And this year since two of our three kids will be with us, I am
bringing the whole folder! They will love it. So thank you. You are one
of the things for which we are thankful."
--- Janet and Jerry Eaton
FOOTBALL CONTEST
Everybody had a good score last week among our 11 contestants, but Max
Huber in Minneapolis/St. Paul and Ellen Johnson in Kansas City were best
at 9-1. Jason Noyes in Sioux Falls, Shawn Hostler in Brookings and Greg
Dean in Pierre were 8-2.
This week's games (some games are Friday so send your winners no later
than 6 p.m. Friday):
1. Texas @ Baylor
2. Oklahoma @ Oklahoma State
3. Iowa State @ Kansas State
4. Big 10 championship: Michigan State vs. Wisconsin
5. PAC-12 championship: UCLA @ Oregon
6. ACC championship: Virginia Tech vs. Clemson
7. SEC championship: Georgia vs. LSU
8. NFL: Atlanta @ Houston
9. NFL: Denver @ Minnesota
10. NFL: Green Bay @ New York Giants
'WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA' PROGRAM SET FOR MONDAY
A formal presentation will be held in Pierre as part of the program
called “Wreaths Across America” next Monday.
The South Dakota Funeral Directors Association will take part in the
national effort, which pays tribute to fallen veterans of all wars
during the Christmas season. The Wreaths Across America story started in
1992 when a non-profit organization from Maine started a tradition of
putting wreaths on the headstones of the nation’s fallen heroes at
Arlington National Cemetery during the holidays. This year’s national
wreath laying at the cemetery in Alexandria, Va., will be held Dec. 10.
This year, over 400,000 wreaths will be placed nationwide as part of the
Wreaths Across America Project.
The Pierre ceremony will be held at Capitol Lake at the Flaming Fountain
Veterans Memorial on Monday, Dec. 5, at 11 a.m. The speakers will
include Morrie Comes, president of the South Dakota Funeral Directors
Association, and Maj. Kenn Kerfont of the South Dakota National Guard.
Some other participants in the ceremony will be Pierre Post 8 American
Legion, Pierre VFW Post 2038, Oahe Marine Corps League, Vietnam Era
Veterans Association and the Disabled American Veterans. The national
anthem will be performed by the T.F. Riggs High School Chamber Choir
under the direction of Rodd Bauck. (News courtesy of Dakota Radio
Group's "My Daily News.")
PARKER'S COLUMN IN THE CAPITAL JOURNAL 12-2-11
Pierre grads find highs and lows as young teachers
There was a time---for all of one week---when Mallory Petersen
considered becoming a veterinarian. Then her cat died, and so ended
those career plans.
Mallory quickly returned to considering teaching as a career, and now
she is among several outstanding young people from Pierre who have taken
up that line of work in the past couple of years. Not so coincidentally,
in most of their cases they had shining examples in their lives who were
profound influences in their decisions.
We visited this week with four Riggs High School alumni who are now
teachers---Matt Gill in his first year at Miller after a year at
Grant-Deuel; Erin Titze in her second year at Bison; Jacob Shoup in his
second year at Flandreau, and Mallory in her first full year at
Newcastle, Wyo.
It hasn't taken any of them long to learn to appreciate the highs a
teacher enjoys after a spectacular day and yet to anticipate the lows
that come with a disappointing day. The life of a typical teacher has
many of both extremes.
"When students understand what I am teaching them, that makes my day!"
said Matt, who teaches Algebra IA, Algebra IB, geometry, Algebra II and
integrated math at Miller High School after his first year which also
included five class preparations at the school in Revillo. "It also
makes my day when the students feel comfortable enough to ask me
questions and we get to know each other." He advised the Fellowship of
Christian Athletes chapter at Grant-Deuel and has just organized a
similar huddle at Miller.
Among the negatives of his job are preparing for five different classes
each day, disciplining students and commuting 70 miles one way to school
each day.
Erin, too, lives for those "Aha!" moments her students experience. "When
the lesson is over and I know I've taught them something new, that's the
best feeling," she said. "Building relationships with the students,
having them stop in after school or between classes to say hi is one of
the highlights of my job."
Fortunately those aspects offset the frustration of having students who
put forth little or no effort and who think math to be unnecessary. Erin
has six class preparations---seventh grade math, Algebra I, Algebra II,
applied math, geometry and pre-calculus---while serving as sophomore
class advisor, head track coach and Quiz Bowl advisor.
Jacob, who teaches geometry and Algebra II at Flandreau while coaching
the boys junior varsity basketball team and leading the Fellowship of
Christian Athletes huddle, said his good days stem from positive
interactions with the students or a positive response to what they did
in class for the day. "That could be either good attitudes or a
willingness to learn," he said, "or when you see that light bulb go on!"
Most of his headaches result from negative interactions with
students---dealing with poor attitudes and disciplining, for example.
"One of the biggest challenges is trying to motivate students to even
want to be in school and want to learn," he said. "It is exhausting to
come every day with so much energy and you get nothing back."
Newcastle knew what it was getting so far as Mallory is concerned
because she was doing her student teaching there in 2009-2010 when
suddenly the band director's position opened up, and she filled in for
the rest of the term. Then she was hired on her own for this year. She
works with band students in grades 5-12, and she considers herself lucky
to have a job which she can't really call a job. "I am getting paid to
do something I absolutely love," she said. "Every step the students take
to becoming better musicians and better people makes my day."
On the other hand, though discipline is part of any teacher's job
description, it isn't Mallory's favorite. "I am already known to not let
anybody get away with anything," she said, "and the cool thing is they
respect me more for it."
Matt (Riggs '05 and SDSU '09) is married to the former Kacy Hutchinson,
who now is K-12 counselor in the Stanley County district. As late as his
freshman year at college, he vowed he would never teach, but after
changing his major from engineering to math and realizing how much he
enjoys teen-agers, he was more open to the influence of his dad, brother
and grandfather, all of whom were or still are teachers.
One of his early thrills from teaching came last year when he left
Grant-Deuel. "The staff told me how much they appreciated me, and the
students told me how much they learned during the year," he said. "I
will always remember the strong relationships with students and staff
there." Another high point came from starting FCA there.
Erin (Riggs '06 and University of Mary '10) is single but has been in a
relationship for three years. She recalls going home from school and
"playing school" with the youngsters in her mom's daycare. "About the
time I was in junior high I realized how much I enjoy math, and I was
good at it," she said. "One of my math teachers, Mr. (Steve) Robinson,
had an even greater influence on my decision to become a math teacher.
He was such a positive person and had such an enthusiasm for teaching."
She considers herself fortunate to have found a position at Bison,
population 300 in isolated northwestern South Dakota. "The community is
wonderful and so supportive. They opened their arms and welcomed me,"
she said.
Jacob (Riggs '05 and University of Sioux Falls '10) was married last
summer, and his wife, Chezarae, teaches at O'Gorman Middle School in
Sioux Falls. The Shoups live in Dell Rapids, halfway between their
respective schools. "I grew up wanting to make a difference some way
somehow in people's lives," he recalled, "and as I got older I enjoyed
working with kids. My sister was a huge influence on my life because she
became a teacher, and I saw the impact some of my own students had on
students and on me, such as Mr. (Jay) Mickelson and Mr. (Steve)
Robinson. I wanted to be a part of that."
His involvement with the FCA huddle at Flandreau has been one of the
great highs of his young career for Jacob. "There are a lot of negatives
in the culture where I work and some 'norms' that are normal for
students but shouldn't be," he said. "It's been amazing to have God work
through me to make a small impact on the students and the community."
Mallory (Riggs '06 and Black Hills State '11) is engaged to Norfolk,
Neb., native Christopher Dekker, who is working on his master's at the
University of Idaho. They will be married in Pierre on June 9. When she
was in high school, Mallory volunteered to help her church's education
coordinator and taught several sections of Wednesday School there. She
became drum major of the Emerald Regiment at Riggs High, and up there in
front of the band she knew instantly her love of music and children
would make her a music educator.
Watching her humble band of 16 total members astound the Newcastle
community as they marched in a homecoming parade and performed a
halftime show was one of her joyous teaching moments so far. But there
have been others---a special education student who rocked his cymbals
solo in a patriotic number, a middle school band whose members have
shown skills learned in band to be helpful in life outside school,
seeing her students excited about music even when the school places its
emphasis on other curriculum areas.
All four of these young educators are pondering whether and when to
pursue advanced degrees. For now, however, they are enjoying getting
their roots planted in the education profession, making a difference if
only at the pace of one student at a time. And they are already aware
that the perception of teaching as an "in at 8:00, out at 3:00" job is
about as far from reality as one can get.
"High school is a tough time for kids," Jacob said. "They are bombarded
with decisions and choices to make, and many of their lives are worse
than we may ever know. My biggest conclusion about teachers is this---as
soon as you see yourself as 'just a teacher,' then you have
underachieved as one."
CHRISTMAS ELF SPREADING GOOD WILL IN PIERRE AGAIN
Someone out there again this holiday season is urging people to help
others. In what has become a tradition, $25 money orders are anonymously
mailed to Pierre-Fort Pierre local governmental entities, businesses,
media outlets and organizations. There is no signature; only a printed
note that says “In the spirit of Christmas please use this small gift to
help someone LOCAL and in need. With the influence you have encourage
others to do the same.”
There is no exact number of how many such donations are sent. But those
who receive the donations say the money is used as requested in the
letter.
City commissioner Jeanne Goodman received such a letter this week. She
again matched the $25 with a personal contribution of another $25 and
asked other commissioners to do the same. Goodman said her contribution
will be sent to Pierre Area Referral Service. (News courtesy of "Today's
KCCR News.")
Vol. 12, No. 12; Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAYOR WANTS CITY TO BE READY IF THERE'S A 'NEXT TIME'
Mayor Laurie Gill doesn't want a next time, but she said last week the
city needs to be ready in case there is.
During Tuesday night’s city commission meeting, Gill announced that she
has asked city staff to start preparing contingency plans in case there
is a flood situation again. Speaking on Wednesday’s “Ask the Mayor”
program on KCCR Radio, Gill stressed that there is no indication that
there will be flooding again next year. But the mayor said the city
needs to have plans in place.
One thing Gill has been most vocal about is the short time period---only
a few days---that the city and its residents had to prepare for the
flood in May. Gill said the city’s organizational structure---having a
city administrator and division directors---helped the city make
decisions quickly. Gill said city staff will be reporting back proposals
to the city commission during the winter months. (News courtesy of
"Today's KCCR News.")
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY
Over-prepare, then go with the flow.
NEW VETERANS MEMORIAL IN FORT PIERRE
In Stanley County all veterans who have served are now getting their
true recognition. The playing of "Taps" by Ann DeVany and Lloyd Schipper
was part of Friday afternoon’s dedication of the new Stanley County
Veterans Memorial located on the south side of the Stanley County
Courthouse.
Stanley County Commission chairman D.D. Jacobson was a Vietnam War
veteran. He was part of a Navy unit that protected soldiers returning
home from Vietnam from anti-war protesters. He said this is a better way
to thank veterans.
The memorial was done by Dakota Classique Rock and was sculpted by Louis
Still Smoking. There are insignias of all military branches on the
memorial plus a bench where people can sit. Jacobson said the area is a
chance for people to come, sit on the bench and reflect on the
monument’s meaning.
Vietnam veteran David Carlisle, who helped convinced the county
commission to move forward with the project, said the memorial is not
just a tribute to those county residents who served in wars and
conflicts but is also for those residents who served during peacetime.
(News courtesy of "Today's KCCR News.")
DUELING PIANOS SHOW COMING FRIDAY NIGHT
Pierre native Ryan Merriam ('94) and his partner in music, Andy Gibson,
will present their Dueling Pianos show at the AmericInn in Fort Pierre
from 8 to 10:30 p.m. Friday. This is a program sponsored as a
fund-raiser by the Capital Area Soccer Association. Advance tickets are
$15 for a single and $25 for a couple. At the door the prices will be
$25 and $35, respectively. Tickets can be obtained online at
www.pierresoccer.com or in person at All-Around Graphics, Pier 347, Say
What Designs, Office Plus and BPro.
BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES
Thursday, Nov. 17:
Jessica West, Tessa Bollinger, Claire (Taylor) Tipton, Aaron Goehring.
Friday, Nov. 18:
Brendan Whitebird, Joe Jungman, Tom Hindman, Chris Voller.
Saturday, Nov. 19:
Chris Pope, Alice Geraets, Rob Shoup, Taylor Lindekugel, DeeAnn Stevens,
Rachel Zuercher, Bethany Goeden, Brad Waltman, Mike Anderson, Jim
Sampson, Aiden Dykstra, Kaid Knox, Kylor Knox.
Sunday, Nov. 20:
A.J. Neuberger, Cammy (Clark) Theeler, Jerry Tveidt, Blake Dean, Ryker
Tieszen, Austin Wagner, Sarah Magdanz.
Monday, Nov. 21:
Thomas Voeltz (#25). We fondly think of Tyler Wilcox today on the sixth
anniversary of his death.
Tuesday, Nov. 22:
Jesse Herra, Will Nebelsick.
Wednesday, Nov. 23:
Sarah (Zellmer) Aguilar, Gage Deal, Jenny Weingart, Wendy (Kaiser) Wulf,
Allyson Pierce, Erin (Schiefelbein) Jones, Laurie Johnson, Tom Tipton,
Elaine Konechne, Benjamin Saniuk, Cody Van Houten, Kerry (Ingram)
Rounds.
Thursday, Nov. 24:
Jared Boyer, Tucker Stoeser, Pam Kean, Janet Hofer.
Friday, Nov. 25:
Matt Mancuso, Kyle Hollingsworth, Cliff Garber, Cadi Imsland, Ken
Koistinen. 8th anniversary, Jamie/Crystal Dvorak.
Saturday, Nov. 26:
Melissa Kirkpatrick, Ben Blair, James Berreth, Tom Martin, Julie Bright,
Kristin (Rausch) Haugebrauck, Christina (Zellmer) Nath, Andrew Berreth,
Brian Myers. 1st anniversary, Jeff/Taya (Dockter) Runyan.
Sunday, Nov. 27:
Matt Flyger, Randy Briese, Elizabeth Baumgart. 7th anniversary,
Gary/Bobbi (Martin) Drewes. 7th anniversary, Boice/Jamie (Mesteth)
Hillmer.
Monday, Nov. 28:
Maxx Vaudrin, Kim Deffenbaugh, Kacie Schneider, Katie (Zeller) Murphy,
Travis Lindekugel.
Tuesday, Nov. 29:
Michael Hardwick, Reid LeBeau, Dallas Cronin, Luke Steece, Marcie
(Fuhrer) Holsteen, Kayla Prince, Sarah Burger, Josh Tetzlaff, Ashleigh
Baker.
Wednesday, Nov. 30:
Robbin Volmer, Izzy Ellwanger, Lynsey (Meyer) Anderson, Jeannene Libby,
Darrell Welch, Chris Boom, Elizabeth Heidelberger, Mary (Storsteen)
Dieken, Jake Stewart, Michael Gardner, Cole Hoelscher, Joanna Peterson.
VETERANS DAY OBSERVED IN PIERRE SCHOOLS
Eleven times Friday morning, the solitary bell rang. The bell rang 11
times at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month as a symbol of
the anniversary of the end of World War I. It also was part of the
Veterans Day ceremony taking place in the Riggs High School theater.
More than 1,000 veterans and Riggs students attended the ceremony, which
included salutes to veterans, music and readings. State Highway Patrol
Superintendent Col. Craig Price, who served nine years in the South
Dakota National Guard, said the day is important to him because he comes
from a military family.
Event organizers have combined the traditional local Veterans Day event
with the high school now that school is held on the holiday. Price says
it is important to make sure young people understand the day’s
significance.
Veterans Day observances were held in all six Pierre public schools.
Superintendent Dr. Kelly Glodt said such programs underscore why it is
good to have school on Veterans Day. He said the district may some day
look at the idea of holding school on other such observant holidays like
Presidents Day, Native American Day and the Martin Luther King Jr.
holiday.
St. Joseph Elementary School in Pierre also held a Veterans Day program
on Friday. (News courtesy of "Today's KCCR News.")
VOCABULARY #4
Committee: A body that keeps minutes and wastes hours.
FATHER, SON REUNITED VISUALLY AT VETERANS DAY PROGRAM
Thanks to a group of Stanley County School staff, a young student got to
see his dad just in time for Veterans Day.
As part of Thursday’s Veterans Day program for Stanley County school
students, organizers decided to try something different. With the help
of the Skype video system, teacher Vera Cronin said the group thought it
would be a good idea to link up a soldier deployed overseas with his
child who is a student at the school and to make it a surprise.
The group settled on Sgt. Anson Juelf and his son Zac, a Stanley County
kindergartner. Cronin said that, when Juelfs appeared on the screen, his
son was indeed surprised. Cronin admitted organizers weren’t sure if the
surprise was going to happen. The Skype system hadn’t worked during a
few practice sessions. But she said when it did, it couldn’t have gone
any better. Cronin said there were few dry eyes in the gym when Zac got
to see his dad. (News courtesy of "Today's KCCR News.")
COLLEGE SPORTS ROUNDUP
Mount Marty basketball (Alexa Berg): The Lancer women lost to Valley
City State, 54-51, as Alexa scored 11 points, then handed Jamestown its
first loss in seven games in overtime, 81-74, as Alexa had eight points.
On Tuesday the Lancers defeated Grace College of Omaha, 92-44. Alexa was
1-of-4 from the field for three points. Now 5-2, MMC plays St. Mary's in
Omaha tonight, hosts Concordia (Neb.) Saturday, hosts Dordt Tuesday,
plays at Augustana Nov. 26 and plays at Northwestern Nov. 30.
Mount Marty basketball (Spencer Yackley): The Lancers defeated Ashford
(Iowa), 67-61, to open their season, and Spencer had 11 points and nine
rebounds. MMC lost to Clarke (Iowa), 68-61. The Lancers romped at
Presentation on Tuesday night, winning 66-49, as Spencer was 3-of-7 from
the field and 3-of-4 at the stripe for nine points with eight boards and
three steals. Now 2-1, MMC hosts Concordia (Neb.) Saturday and Dordt
Tuesday and plays at Northwestern Nov. 30.
Dakota Wesleyan basketball (Liz Lamb): DWU's women lost to Jamestown,
96-52, as Liz was 0-for-7 from the field and 4-for-4 from the stripe for
four points with three rebounds and two steals. In a 76-71 win over
Valley City State, Liz was 1-of-4 in field goals and 2-of-2 in free
throws for four points with two rebounds. On Tuesday night DWU defeated
Dakota State, 76-65, and Liz was 3-of-8 in field goals for seven points
along with three assists. DWU hosts Briar Cliff Saturday and plays at
York (Neb.) Tuesday and at Dordt Nov. 30.
South Dakota State football (Alex Parker): The Jackrabbits closed the
season with three straight wins, including 27-7 at Western Illinois
Saturday. SDSU finished 5-6 overall and 4-4 in the Missouri Valley
Conference and have high hopes for the future with Austin Sumner at
quarterback for three more seasons.
North Dakota State cross-country (Travis Fitzke, Alec Espeland): The
Bison men were 15th at the NCAA Midwest Regional in DeKalb, Ill.
Oklahoma State and Oklahoma were 1-2, both qualifying for the national
meet. Travis placed 47th among 171 runners in the 10K race in 32:29.78.
The winner was Minnesota's Hassan Mead in 31:16.87. Alec placed 88th in
33:44.28.
Augustana football (Tanner Foth, Brian Long): The Vikings finished at
6-5 overall and 5-5 in the NSIC with a 38-7 win at Upper Iowa.
South Dakota football (Kyle Cichos): The Coyotes completed a perfect
home schedule with a 6-0 record at the DakotaDome, beating Missouri S&T,
48-14. Now 6-4 overall and 2-1 in the Great West, USD plays at North
Dakota at 1 p.m. Saturday with a share of the conference championship at
stake.
South Dakota State men's basketball: The Jackrabbits won impressively,
82-76, at home over Western Michigan, the favorite to win the MAC
championship. Nate Wolters had 32 points and 11 assists and Tony Fiegen
had 16 points. On Monday night in Minneapolis, the Jacks trailed
Minnesota 32-30 at halftime and led the Gophers 44-39 with 14:36 left,
but Minnesota went on an 18-1 run, capitalizing on 18 Jacks turnovers
and won 71-55. Wolters scored 20, Taevauan Prince 13 and Chad White 11.
Last night the Jacks lost at Georgia, 72-61, but the Bulldogs of the
Southeastern Conference had to rally from a seven-point deficit during
the second half. Wolters scored 15 points and Prince 13. SDSU will be
back in Georgia, this time in Macon, Monday through Wednesday, playing
Niagara, Sam Houston State and Mercer College. On Nov. 26 SDSU plays at
Nebraska.
South Dakota men's basketball: The Coyotes lost their opener at
Nebraska, 65-48. Louie Krogman had 16 points and Charlie Westbrook 10.
USD fell to 0-2 with a Tuesday night loss at Eastern Washington, 70-61.
Westbrook had 16 points and Brandon Bos 10. USD hosts Nebraska-Omaha
Sunday afternoon, goes to Wyoming Tuesday and hosts Tabor College (Kan.)
Nov. 28.
Presentation football (Tate Rinehart): The Saints concluded their
first-ever football season with a record of 3-7 overall and 3-6 in the
UMAC conference. Presentation lost Saturday at home to Greenville
College, 41-17. The Saints' offensive line, where Tate was a starter,
was No. 1 in the conference in quarterback sacks allowed---zero!
Black Hills State football (Devin Rounds): The Yellowjackets won the
Homestake Trophy, beating the School of Mines, 41-21, and finishing the
year at 3-7. Devin had a busy day, kicking six points-after-touchdown.
He was also 2-of-3 in field goal attempts, making them from 24 and 27
yards and missing from 34 yards. Devin also had eight kickoffs for 491
yards, averaging 61.4.
S.D. Mines football (Andy Smith): Andy's senior season ended as Tech
lost at Black Hills State, 41-21. Andy kicked the point-after following
each of the Hardrockers' three TDs. He also had three kickoffs for 143
yards, averaging 47.7. Mines finished at 1-10.
Northern football (Tate Senftner, Terrelle Walker): The Wolves defeated
Mary, 39-36, on a last-second field goal. Northern's five wins this
season alone match the total Northern win total of the previous three
seasons. NSU was 5-6 overall and 4-6 in the NSIC.
South Dakota State volleyball (Amanda Stout): The Jackrabbits lost to
UMKC, 3-1, as Amanda had 12 digs, then lost to USD, 3-1, as she had
seven digs. SDSU finishes at 14-18 overall and 7-11 in the Summit
League.
Princeton hockey (Matt Farris): Matt was not in the lineup either night
as Princeton lost to St. Lawrence, 3-2, but defeated Clarkson, 3-0. Now
1-4-1, Princeton has a pair of road conference games this weekend at
Cornell and Colgate, then comes all the way west to Denver to play
Denver University Nov. 25 and Providence Nov. 26.
South Dakota basketball (Alexis Yackley): The Coyote women open their
season at home Friday against Northern Arizona, play at Creighton
Tuesday, then return home Nov. 27 against Viterbo College (Wis.) and
Nov. 28 against Tabor College (Kan.).
Dakota Wesleyan wrestling (Tyler Sarringar, Dusty Paulsen): The Tigers
opened the season with a 42-3 dual win over the University of Regina
from Saskatchewan. At 141 pounts Dusty won his match by a 5-4 decision,
and Tyler did the same in his match at 174 pounds. The next day DWU
hosted its DWU Open. At 141 pounds Dusty won 5-3 over a Northern
wrestler, lost 5-4 to a guy from Ridgewater College (Minn.), won 11-0
over a Northwestern wrestler, then lost 3-1 to an Augustana opponent. At
174 Tyler started with two pins---in 3:40 over Ridgewater and in 2:49
over Augustana, then lost 18-13 to Northern and lost 7-6 to Jamestown.
DWU wrestled St. Olaf last night, goes to Concordia's Cobber Open in
Moorhead, Minn., Saturday, then wrestles Nov. 30 at Northern.
South Dakota State basketball (Katie Lingle, Steph Paluch): The
Jackrabbits opened the season impressively, bombing St. Cloud State,
74-35. Steph was 3-of-3 from the field for six points with two boards,
three assissts and a steal. Katie went 2-of-5 from the field and 1-of-2
at the line for five points with six rebounds, two steals and two
blocks. On Sunday SDSU went to 2-0 with an 84-73 win over Utah State,
the 54th different Division I team State has defeated in women's
basketball since the Division I era began with the 2004-05 season. The
Jacks are now 138-21 on their home court in Coach Aaron Johnston's
tenure. Steph had 13 points, five assists and three steals Sunday while
Katie had 11 points and seven rebounds. SDSU plays at Middle Tennessee
State tonight, hosts Washington State of the Pac-12 Sunday, plays
Cincinnati and Marist in Cancun, Mexico, Nov. 24-25 and goes to Western
Illinois Nov. 30.
Black Hills State basketball (Mitch Foth): Idle last week, the
Yellowjacket men play at Colorado Mines and Metro State in Denver this
weekend.
Purdue basketball (Sam Ostarello): The Boilermaker women opened their
season with a 75-45 trouncing of IUPUI. Sam had eight points and five
rebounds while tying her career high of four blocks. Purdue is at
Bowling Green tonight, home against Tennessee-Martin Sunday and Chicago
State Tuesday and then plays in Cancun, Mexico, Nov. 24-25 against
Tulane and Kansas State.
Augustana men's basketball: After giving Minnesota a good tussle in an
exhibition game last week, the Vikings opened their season Tuesday in
the Sioux Falls Arena against city rival USF, which will next year be a
fellow member of the NSIC. The Vikings won it, 64-63, as Cody Schilling
scored 28 points and Cam McCaffrey 15. Augustana goes to Monmouth, Ore.,
this weekend to play St. Martin's (Wash.) and Western Oregon. Tuesday
the Vikings are back home against Dakota State.
Editor's note: OK, I realize we don't have any local college athletes
playing on the SDSU, USD and Augustana men's basketball teams, but those
are three teams I follow, so I will include them in this report each
week anyway, exercising editor's privilege!
Dakota State volleyball (Mandi Atkins): The Trojans ended their season
with a 16-22 record, losing twice at a tournament in Phoenix. DSU lost
to top-seed LaSierra (Calif.), 3-1, and lost to fourth-seed Mayville
State, 3-1. Mandi had five digs, one set assist and two service aces
against LaSierra and six digs and one set assist in the Mayville match.
South Dakota swimming (Marcus Christianson): The Coyotes lost a 148-93
dual at Wisconsin-Green Bay. Marcus placed sixth in the 50-yard
freestyle in :23.30 and fifth in the 100-yard freestyle in :50.50. He
swam first leg on the USD "B" team in the 400 freestyle relay, which
placed fourth in 3:25.60. On Saturday in the Border Battle meet at
Wisconsin-Stevens Point, the USD men were third behind UW-Milwaukee and
UW-Stevens Point. Marcus swam second leg on the 200 freestyle medley
relay team, which was eighth in 1:31.44, and swam second leg on the 400
freestyle relay "B" team, which placed seventh in 3:23.10. Individually
he tied for 14th in the 50 free in :23.01, 14th in the 200 free in
1:54.04 and 17th in the 100 free in :50.47. USD hosts SDSU in a 1 p.m.
dual Saturday at the DakotaDome pool.
Black Hills State volleyball (Kylee Lamb): The Yellowjackets' season
ended with an 11-21 record. At the NCAA transitional tournament in St.
Charles, Mo., BHSU lost to William Jewell 3-0, lost to Sioux Falls 3-0
and defeated McKendree (Ill.) 3-0 to capture fifth place.
South Dakota State men's swimming (Jim McLain, Alex McLain): In a
triangular at St. Cloud, Minn., the Jackrabbits defeated Wisconsin-LaCrosse,
178-63, and lost to St. Cloud State, 151-90. Jim placed fifth in the
100-yard breaststroke in 1:03.81 and sixth in the 200 individual medley
in 2:04.67. He also swam second leg on State's "A" team in the 400
medley relay, which placed second in 3:38.29. Alex had a pair of
thirds---in the 200 freestyle in 1:47.74 and the 100 backstroke in
:55.43. He also swam second leg on the Jacks' "A" team in the 400
freestyle relay, which placed second in 3:15.64. SDSU will swim a dual
at USD Saturday afternoon.
South Dakota State women's swimming (Morgan McLain): The Jackrabbit
women defeated Northern Iowa, 189-105, in a dual meet. Morgan had a pair
of individual firsts---in the 400-yard individual medley in 4:36.17 and
the 200 breaststroke in 2:26.96. She also swam on State's 400 medley
relay team, which won its event in 4:36.17. SDSU takes on USD Saturday
in Vermillion.
Dakota Wesleyan soccer: Four Pierre athletes at DWU earned postseason
recognition from the Great Plains Athletic Conference. On the women's
side Yutzil Rodriguez was named second-team all-conference and Linsey
Peterson earned honorable mention. On the men's team Eric Christianson
was named second-team all-conference and Dane Hagen earned honorable
mention recognition.
RIGGS GRADUATE COLLECTING COATS AGAIN THIS YEAR
Jodi (Cowan) Harder is continuing her amazing help for the homeless in
the Minneapolis-St. Paul area by opening her Ministering Angels Closet
facility once a week so the less fortunate can obtain free clothing.
Recently she had more than 300 people come in on one night alone. She is
in need of winter coats in all sizes---men's, women's and children's.
Jodi's mom, Jean Cowan, will be going to Minneapolis on the day before
Thanksgiving, Nov. 23, and will be able to transport whatever coats
people could donate no later than Tuesday night, Nov. 22. If you are
able to donate a coat or two, please drop them off at 110 E. 4th St., in
Pierre and leave them on the front porch if Jean is not home.
Jodi thanks the Pierre-Fort Pierre community for its continued
generosity.
WE PAUSE FOR A STORY
"Do you believe in life after death?" the boss asked one of his
employees.
"Yes, sir," the new employee replied.
"Well, then, that makes everything just fine," the boss continued.
"After you left early yesterday to go to your grandmother's funeral, she
stopped in to see you."
MRS. TETZLAFF RECEIVES BANKWEST'S EDUCATOR AWARD
Christine Tetzlaff has been honored for helping make education a little
more special for her students. Tetzlaff, a third grade teacher at
Buchanan Elementary School, Monday afternoon received the BankWest
Investor in Education award.
BankWest President and CEO Charles Burke III said Tetzlaff fits well
this year’s Investor in Education theme of “Special People with Special
Gifts.” Burke said one thing he noticed about Tetzlaff is how she gets
her students involved in different projects, all designed to enhance
their education.
Tetzlaff has been at Buchanan for 20 years and is the first Buchanan
teacher to win the BankWest award. She received a crystal apple and a
$1,000 continuing education grant.
Megan Cash, a reading and writing instructor at the Pierre Indian
Learning Center, was the runner-up this year. She received the marble
apple award.
This is the 17th year the Investor in Education has been awarded. (News
courtesy of "Today's KCCR News.")
WEDDING DAYSbr>
Nov. 19: Michael Kaiser/Macy Welsh.
Nov. 19: Jared McPherson/Kimberly Weischedel.
Nov. 25: James Sleger/Jill Rounds.
Nov. 26: Michael Knudson/Kylie Sutton.
April 13: Justin Jones/Theresa Frick.
May 19: Seth Parsons/Karae Englehart.
MMay 23: Maxx Vaudrin/Macy Gomes.
June 2: Eric Aadland/Angie Briguet.
June 9: Bret Graves/Caitie Wagner.
June 9: Christopher Dekker/Mallory Petersen.
June 16: Dominic Bottenfield/Abby Pitlick.
June 23: Jerid Maskovich/Jeanine Van Ash.
July 14: Gavin Van Zee/Samantha Hestdalen.
Aug. 31: Cody Stoeser/Cassie Rausch.
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EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION AWARDS THIS FALL'S MINI-GRANTS
Twice annually, the Pierre Educational Foundation awards mini-grants to
students, educators, and groups within the Pierre School District. Since
the mini-grant program was established in the fall of 1996, more than
$119,000.00 has been awarded to various educational projects.
The goal of the mini-grant program is to encourage teachers to focus
beyond standard curriculum; sharpen instructional ideas and techniques
that can be adapted by other teachers and schools; raise the educational
performance of students of all ages; and offer solutions for urgent
educational challenges.
The Pierre Educational Foundation has awarded the fall 2011 mini-grants
to the following teachers and projects:
$483.00 to Ryan Noyes and Scott Neu at Georgia Morse Middle School for
“Dynamic Demonstrations.” This grant will allow Noyes and Neu to
purchase science equipment and supplies for a series of science
demonstrations for 8th grade students.
$300.00 to Denise Harford at Washington Elementary for “Learning Center
Upgrades.” This grant will allow Harford to purchase a phonics pad and
listening CD player for the learning centers in her kindergarten
classroom.
$586.00 to Amber Stout at Jefferson Elementary for “Nature Watch.” This
grant will allow Stout to purchase science kits that provide students
with hands-on learning that also promotes the teaching of many 3rd grade
standards.
$1,000.00 to Lisa Bahe at T.F. Riggs High School for “Riggs Disc Golf
Course.” This grant will allow Bahe to develop a permanent disc golf
course on the Riggs school grounds.
The Pierre Educational Foundation promotes the further educational
development of the Pierre Public School District students, staff and
graduates by the delivery of quality educational opportunities and
resources. The Pierre Educational Foundation is a perpetual fund
designated to support innovative / creative projects intended to enrich
life-long learning, and dedicated to maintaining and enhancing the
tradition of excellence in the Pierre Public Schools.
For more information on the Pierre Educational Foundation, visit
www.pierreeducationalfoundation.org or contact Kim Brakke at (605)
222-7781 or kim@pierreeducationalfoundation.org.
STATE VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT PAIRINGS
Today at Sioux Falls:
* "B": Parker vs. Faith, Herreid/Selby Area vs. Northwestern, Arlington
vs. Hanson, Edgemont vs. James Valley Christian.
* "A": Sioux Falls Christian vs. Redfield/Doland, Aberdeen Roncalli vs.
Rapid City St. Thomas More, Wagner vs. Gregory, Mobridge/Pollock vs. Elk
Point-Jefferson.
* "AA": Rapid City Stevens vs. Huron, Sioux Falls Roosevelt vs. Sioux
Falls Washington, Aberdeen Central vs. Mitchell, Sioux Falls Lincoln vs.
Sioux Falls O'Gorman.
All three tournaments' championship games will be televised on S.D.
Public Broadcasting Saturday---Class "B" at 3:30, Class "A" at 6 p.m.
and Class "AA" at 8 p.m.
IT'S TIME FOR A WINTERTIME BLONDE JOKE
Last year (she says) I replaced all the windows in my house with that
expensive double-pane energy-efficient kind, and today I got a call from
the contractor who installed them. He was complaining that the work had
been completed a whole year ago and I still hadn't paid for them.
Hellllloooooooo. Just because I'm blonde doesn't mean that I am
automatically stupid! So I told him just what his fast-talking sales guy
had told me last year---that in one year these windows would pay for
themselves! Helllllooooooo, it's been a year, I told him.
There was only silence at the other end of the line, so I finally just
hung up. He never called back. I bet he felt like an idiot.
COUNTDOWN
5 days: Capitol Christmas trees lighting ceremony (Nov. 22).
8 days: Pierre's holiday parade of lights (Nov. 25).
14 days: Pierre Players' "A Christmas Story" (Dec. 1-3, 9-11).
16 days: Community & Youth Involved Center's Holiday Tour of Homes (Dec.
3).
24 days: Capital City Children's Chorus' "A Ceremony of Carols" (Dec.
11).
53 days: BCS national championship college football game (Jan. 9).
77 days: State one-act play festival, Aberdeen (Feb. 2-4).
80 days: Super Bowl (Feb. 5).
92 days: State gymnastics tournament, Brookings (Feb. 17-18).
99 days: State wrestling tournaments (B Rapid City, A Aberdeen) (Feb.
24-25).
101 days: The Academy Awards (Feb. 26).
112 days: State girls basketball tournaments (B Huron, A Spearfish, AA
Brookings) (March 8-10).
113 days: State boys varsity hockey tournament, Expo Center (March
9-11).
119 days: State boys basketball tournaments (B Aberdeen, A Sioux Falls,
AA Rapid City) (March 15-17).
126 days: All-State Band, Brookings (March 22-24).
141 days: Twins' season opener at Baltimore (April 6).
176 days: Charity co-ed softball tournament, Four Corners (May 11-13).
182 days: State boys tennis tournament, Rapid City (May 17-19).
186 days: State golf tournaments (B boys and B girls Rapid City, A girls
Hot Springs, AA girls Sioux Falls) (May 21-22).
190 days: State track meets (B Rapid City, A Spearfish, AA Sturgis) (May
25-26).
201 days: South Dakota primary election day (June 5).
204 days: South Dakota Shakespeare Festival, Vermillion (June 8-10).
253 days: Summer Olympics opening ceremonies, London (July 27).
284 days: Republican National Convention, Tampa (Aug. 27-30).
291 days: Democratic National Convention, Charlotte (Sept. 3-6).
355 days: General election day (Nov. 6, 2012).
366 days: Renewal of USD-SDSU football rivalry (Nov. 17, 2012).
813 days: Winter Olympics opening ceremonies, Sochi, Russia (Feb. 7,
2014).
RIGGS HIGH SPORTS ROUNDUP
Cross country: Freshman Rachel Propst was named to the Class AA
All-State team for girls cross country.
Cheer/dance: At the state tournament in Brandon, in the cheer division
Pierre placed third in stunting-tumbling small-group and first in
stunting-nontumbling small group. In the dance division Pierre was
fourth in pom large-group, third in kick large-group and first in hip
hop small-group. Sioux Falls Washington was the overall grand champion
with Pierre seventh among 15 teams.
Volleyball: Sophomore Kaitlyn Severyn was the only sophomore voted to
the all-conference volleyball team by Eastern South Dakota Conference
coaches.
Football Academic All-State: Seniors Joe Snyder and Joe Tetzlaff were
named to the South Dakota Football Coaches Association's Academic
All-State team.
Winter sports opening nights: gymnastics, Dec. 1 with Stanley County @
Huron; wrestling, Dec. 3 @ Watertown 8-team dual tournament; boys
basketball, Dec. 9 home vs. Watertown; girls basketball, Dec. 9 @
Watertown.
PARAPROSDOKIANS #2
Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and then
beat you with experience.
RIGGS FRESHMEN LEARN TO SAVE LIVES
By Lexi Gusso, Riggs High Governor Staff
Todd Palmer's freshman health classes got the opportunity to gain a
skill used to save lives. Julie Moore, who works for the St. Mary's
Foundation AED program, visited Palmer's classes to demonstrate the use
of AEDs (automated external defibrillators).
Moore taught students how to use the devices and allowed them to gain
hands-on experience.
AEDs are portable electronic devices that can automatically diagnose
potentially fatal cardiac disruptions. AEDs contain placement pads
which, when placed on certain parts of a victim's chest, analyze heart
rhythm and administer an electric shock to reestablish a normal pulse if
necessary.
Certification is not required to use AEDs, which can be found in many
local buildings. Many AEDs actually give simple step-by-step
instructions for use in the event of an emergency.
"Everyone should learn how to use AEDs. Possessing knowledge that can
keep someone from dying is very valuable," Palmer said.
DID I READ THAT SIGN RIGHT? #5
In an office: AFTER TEA BREAK STAFF SHOULD EMPTY THE TEAPOT AND STAND
UPSIDE DOWN ON THE DRAINING BOARD.
CLASSMATES TODAY, LEADERS TOMORROW: STUDENTS TRAVEL TO GAIN LEADERSHIP
SKILLS
By Matt Monfore, Riggs High Governor Staff
Several students traveled to expand their skills by attending leadership
conferences this summer.
Seniors Liz Knutson, Bailey Armstrong, Lexi Gusso and Halle Bowman
attended Youth Business Adventure (YBA) at the BHSU campus in Spearfish.
The purpose of the camp is to help South Dakota high school students and
teachers better understand the American private enterprise system and
how business operates within it.
Bowman was encouraged by Jasper DesLauriers, her dance instructor and
YBA advisor, to attend the event.
"I got to meet a lot of neat people and listen to some great speakers. I
learned how to talk to people in a businesslike manner, and it was
something that I enjoyed doing," Bowman said.
YBA attendees go to listen to presentations by a variety of speakers and
business owners. They also got to create, market and film a commercial
for a product of their design.
Juniors Nathan Ellenbecker and Jasmine Fosheim attended the Hugh O'Brian
Youth Leadership Conference at Dakota State University in Madison. "HOBY
was by far the most eye-opening experience this summer, and I hope the
experience for the next students to attend is as great as it was for
me," Ellenbecker said.
HOBY students were encouraged to learn and utilize their personal
strengths to become better leaders. Notable speakers were Dusty Johnson,
Jamie Utt, Emily Pieper and Travis Kiefer. The goal of HOBY was to
"Empower, Lead and Excel."
Fosheim also enjoyed her week. "As cliche as it may sound, HOBY was
seriously a life-changing experience for me," she said.
Riggs junior Jackson Schumacher attended the National Youth Leadership
Forum on Medicine at the University of California-Berkeley. He was
nominated to attend by Latin teacher Jay Mickelson and was accepting
after filling out and sending a resume.
The forum offered information and workshops on a wide variety of medical
fields from dentistry to cardiology. Jackson was able to watch a live
knee surgery, and he received college credit in leadership.
"I recommend this opportunity to anyone. It definitely helped me figure
out what I want to do in the future," Schumacher said.
These students have come to the 2011-12 school year with an arsenal of
new skills and perspectives.
HOCKEY ROUNDUP
Oahe Capitals: Concluding their exhibition season, the Capitals lost
twice in Mitchell over the weekend. It was an 8-3 loss on Friday night
and an 8-4 defeat on Saturday. In the first game Elliot Shoup-Owens
scored on James Gilkerson's assist, then Austin Wagner scored off a Will
Gordon assist to give the Caps a 2-0 lead. A Gilkerson goal off a Wagner
assist tied the game at 3-3, but Mitchell scored five goals after that.
Kyle Mammenga was in goal. In the Saturday game Alec Norwich's goal tied
the game at 1-1. Later Wagner scored off assists from Shoup-Owens and
Gilkerson, Cash Anderson scored unassisted, and Gilkerson scored
unassisted. Alex Meagher was in goal and faced 41 shots. Next action for
the Caps will be at the Rooster Cup tournament in Huron on Friday
through Sunday, Nov. 25-27, although some players will be at the Senior
Showcase in Brookings this weekend.
Lady Capitals: Some of the girls will be at the Senior Showcase in
Brookings this weekend. The team next plays at home vs. Watertown on
Sunday, Nov. 27, with the JVs at noon and the varsity at 2 p.m.
Bantam B: Nov. 18-20 @ Mankato tournament.
PeeWee B: Nov. 18-20 @ Worthington tournament; Nov. 25 @ Brookings,
6:15; Nov. 26, home vs. Rushmore, 4:00; Nov. 27, home vs. Rushmore, 8
a.m.
PeeWee A: Nov. 25 @ Brookings, 8:15; Nov. 26, home vs. Rushmore 6:00;
Nov. 27, home vs. Rushmore, 10 a.m.
NEOLOGISMS #1
The Washington Post has published the winning submissions in its yearly
neologism contest in which readers are asked to supply alternative
meanings for common words:
Coffee (n.)---the person upon whom one coughs.
Also the Post asked readers to take any word from the dictionary; alter
it by adding, subtracting or changing one letter, and supply a new
definition:
Bozone (n.)---the substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright
ideas from penetrating.
PEOPLE NEWS
Onida area native Abby Pitlick and Iowa native Dominic Bottenfield are
planning to be married on June 16 in Des Moines.
Where in the world is McKayla Marso? She and the rest of the national
touring company of Monty Python's "Spamalot" are in Folsom, Calif.,
tonight through Saturday. The rest of their schedule prior to their
holiday break: Sunday, Lancaster, Calif.; Monday, San Luis Obispo,
Calif.; Tuesday, El Cajon, Calif.; Wednesday, Queen Creek, Calif.; Nov.
25-27, Reno, Nev.; Nov. 30, Cheyenne, Wyo.; Dec. 1-3, Fort Collins,
Colo.
Attention, New England: The Paradise Fears band from Vermillion is
completing its tour with All-Time Low. The bands are in Portland, Maine,
tonight; Providence Friday and Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Saturday. Then they
will hook up with another band and tour with them for a couple weeks
with stops included at these points: Nov. 27, Syracuse; Nov. 29,
Toronto; Nov. 30, Grand Rapids, Mich.; Dec. 2, Canton, Ohio; Dec. 3,
Covington, Ky.; Dec. 4, St. Louis; Dec. 7 Lincoln, Neb., at the Bourbon
Theatre; Dec. 9, Oklahoma City; Dec. 10, Dallas. Paradise Fears will
also perform at the Varsity Theatre in Minneapolis on Dec. 28. Check
their Facebook page for further details.
Eighth-grader Jebben Keyes and fourth-grader Kyla Keyes, the children of
former Riggs High runner Jim Keyes and his wife Tracy, have both
qualified for the National Cross-Country Championships in Myrtle Beach,
S.C., on Dec. 10. At the USA Track & Field Dakota Association
Championships meet in the wind in Aberdeen, Jebben was first in the
youth division (ages 13-14), running the 4,000 meters in 14:46, and Kyla
was first in the bantam division (ages 9-10), winning the 3,000 meters
in 15:08.
Mark Monday, Nov. 28, on your calendars to perhaps spend the lunch hour
in the Capitol Rotunda amid the Christmas trees. The Northern State
University choir will perform there at 12:15 p.m. as well as at Riggs
High at 9:30 a.m. and at Stanley County High at 2 p.m. The choir will be
accompanied by the NSU Chamber Singers and the Vocal Jazz Ensemble.
There will also be a performance from the NSU Opera Theatre and members
of the percussion ensemble and brass choir.
Blunt native Jason Christenson, who graduated from Sully Buttes High
School, is on deployment in Kuwait. Upon receiving a recent care package
from BankWest's Onida branch, he wrote a letter to the bank people which
was reprinted in The Onida Watchman. Here are some excerpts: "People
like you make our mission a privilege rather than a job. It is an honor
to serve our great nation and to know that the American people support
what we do. I am honored to call the Sully Buttes area my home. The
weather here has cooled over the past few weeks. It stays warm during
the day, but there is a brisk chill in the morning. The wind blows the
sand into small drifts, which remind me of a South Dakota snowdrift,
only a darker color. Our unit, the 541st Combat Sustainment Support
Battalion, the "Pacesetter Battalion" from Fort Riley, Kan., is
stationed at Camp Virginia Kuwait and is responsible for ensuring all
U.S. combat troops make it home safely with all of their equipment. We
help transport equipment, personnel and supplies from the Iraq combat
zone to the Kuwaiti ports. Once loaded on the ships, the Navy has the
responsibility to get the equipment to the U.S. We are busy as so many
troops and equipment are flowing out of Iraq right now. It is a very
rewarding job because we see soldiers who will be in the motherland very
soon."
Tracy and Brittney (Nuttall) Binger are the parents of a daughter,
Salera Jean Binger, who was born on Oct. 31, weighing 9 pounds, 12
ounces. She joins a brother, Grayden, and a sister, Brienna, in the
Binger family. They will be moving from Pierre to Norfolk, Neb., later
this month.
Former Stanley County and Pierre teacher/coach Bruce Bresee, now head
coach at Spearfish, was named Region 4 Football Coach of the Year by the
South Dakota Football Coaches Association. He and other honorees were
recognized during last Thursday night's game at the state high school
championship games in Vermillion.
Attention, Riggs High Class of 1982: Plans are underway for the 30-year
class reunion to be held next summer. Any readers of the Update who can
provide addresses for '82 class members are asked to send them to Marc
Hoelscher at mfhoelscher@pie.midco.net.
Landon Busch, who spent some of his elementary school years in Pierre
and who now is a senior at Brookings High School, has indicated he will
be attending Kansas State University and playing baseball for the
Wildcats. Landon was an All-State selection in high school baseball. For
the Brookings American Legion team, which placed third at the state
tournament, he had a pitching record of 7-1 with an earned run average
of .068 with 103 strikeouts in 122 innings pitched. He was also
considering Nebraska, Minnesota, South Dakota State and the University
of Sioux Falls. His parents are former Riggs High coach Mike Busch and
his wife, the former Dawn Hunsley.
Randy Hartmann recently attended the Air Force/Army football game at
Colorado Springs with his 1982 classmate, Jim Kelly. Randy was decked
out in his Air Force attire, and Jim, an Army veteran who lives in
Elizabeth, Colo., was clad in his Army attire. They enjoyed ribbing each
other throughout the game, and both had their moments---Army led 14-0 at
halftime, but Air Force won 24-14. Jim was disabled while serving our
country in Central America with the airborne division during the time
the United States was ousting Noriega from power.
As I passed through the Muenster Center to pause at a TV set to catch
college scores Saturday after the USD game, it was a treat to run into
USD alumni Dusty and Jacquelyn Johnson and their two boys from Mitchell.
Holly Bonnichsen (Sully Buttes '09) has been nominated for membership in
Golden Key International Honor Society for having been ranked in the top
15% of her class at USD.
Tom and Ashley Yackley of Onida are the parents of a second daughter,
Emily Anne Yackley, born Oct. 31 and weighing 8 pounds, 9 ounces, and
measuring 20 1/2 inches. She joins a sister, Jane Elizabeth, in their
family. Meanwhile, Tom's twin brother, Andy lives in Shakopee, Minn.,
with his wife Debbie and their son Owen. Their older brother, Mark, and
his wife Lori live in Harrisburg.
Now that his college football career has ended at the School of Mines,
Andy Smith was to undergo surgery this week to repair a torn meniscus in
his right (kicking) leg that has dogged him all season. Andy will
graduate from Mines next month with a degree in electrical engineering,
and he has a job in Idaho Falls, Idaho, waiting for him beginning in
January. He and his older brother, Steve, are going to Hawaii after
Christmas to celebrate Andy's graduation and to have one last trip
together before Andy enters the workforce. Steve is a software engineer
who lives in Broomfield in the Denver suburbs. He plays kickball and
broomball but no more soccer. Andy, on the other hand, plans to play
soccer again after his knee heals from the surgery.
Carol McKee of Rapid City, formerly of Pierre, was inducted into the
South Dakota Soccer Hall of Fame over the weekend. She served on the
Capital Area Soccer Organization's board as well as coaching several
teams in Pierre in the 1990s. She also became the first and only woman
to referee in a state tournament in 1996. Another Pierre individual
honored by the South Dakota Soccer Association over the weekend was
Vickie Samuelson, who was named the Administrator of the Year for the
state organization. (News courtesy of Dakota Radio Group's "My Daily
News.")
For Joey Knofczynski, it was not your ordinary college interview. The
Riggs High School senior two weeks ago got a chance to interview for
Harvard. Joey says the interview took place with a Harvard recruiter at
the public defender’s office in Rapid City. Joey admitted interviewing
for Harvard was something different. Joey, who is also the Riggs student
body president, said he plans to consider other schools, including South
Dakota universities as well, but if he is accepted by Harvard, he said
it would be difficult to turn down. Both Knofczynski and fellow Riggs
student Courtney Sargent also recently were named National Merit Scholar
semifinalists. (News courtesy of "Today's KCCR News.")
Samson Boutchee, who has been a visible presence in the Pierre schools
for eight years, is leaving that position after this school year.
Boutchee has been serving as the department’s School Resource Officer
for Riggs High School. He has decided to go back to being a patrol
officer. Chief Bob Grandpre said Boutchee has provided a positive law
enforcement influence for students. Grandpre said the search for
Boutchee’s replacement has started and that the appointment will come
from among existing department officers. (News courtesy of "Today's KCCR
News.")
Gene Horn, former superintendent of the Onida school district and then
the first-ever superintendent of the Sully Buttes School District when
it was formed in 1970, and his wife Vi will celebrate their golden
wedding anniversary on Nov. 23. They don't want a party, but their
family encourages a card shower for this 50th anniversary. The Horns'
address: 433 - 32nd Ave. NW, Watertown SD 57201.
Belated 60th birthday greetings to Karen Leuning, who celebrated this
past Tuesday.
Peyton Zabel, a sixth grader at Georgia Morse Middle School, is state
champion in Punt, Pass & Kick. He won the boys 10-11 division at the
state finals in Vermillion Saturday. Peyton now goes to the Metrodome
for the Vikings regional competition on Dec. 4 prior to the
Vikings-Denver game. Another Pierre student, Sydney Palmer, also
competed at the state finals in her division. The Zabels, after the
competition in Vermillion, hurried to Sioux Falls so Peyton and Grey
could play with their team in a basketball tournament at Memorial Middle
School. The Roosevelt-Washington state championship football game was on
the TV screen there at that school, and at halftime of that game
Peyton's PP&K victory was announced on TV. That's how the Zabels found
out he had won.
Blake and Randi (McQuistion) Norman are the parents of a daughter.
Addisyn Corinne Norman was born Nov. 14, weighing 7 pounds and measuring
19 1/2 inches.
The football officiating team of Paul Schreiner, Tate Gabriel, Charles
McGuigan, Kelly Stout and Mark Gageby was selected to work the Class 11B
championship game at the DakotaDome in Vermillion last Thursday night.
They had one of the best games of all as Tri-Valley scored in the final
two minutes to defeat McCook Central-Montrose, 18-14.
Our sympathy to the family of an elegant lady, Bertha Sonnenschein, who
passed away this week at the age of 83. Services will be held at 10 a.m.
this morning (Thursday) at First United Methodist Church in Pierre. She
was probably best known to the most people for her 41 years of work as a
women's clothing retail clerk at Feinstein's, Beverly's and Christopher
Banks stores. Her survivors include two sons, Clayton and his wife
Sharon of Harrisburg, and Gaylord and his wife Cathy of Pierre; two
daughters, Diana and her husband Syd Stevens of Palm Springs, Calif.,
and Judy and her husband Gary Larson of Pierre; nine grandchildren and
15 great-grandchildren.
The Pizza Ranch restaurant in Rapid City, owned by Terry Larsen and
Steve Cronin among others, has become one of the vendors in the food
court at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. They also sell their pizza
during Rapid City Rush hockey games.
Les Mitchell, 73, a fixture in the downtown Pierre business community
for 21 years as the store manager at Karl's TV & Appliance, died Nov. 5
at St. Mary's Healthcare Center. He had come to Fort Pierre in 1957 to
work on the dam. Services were held Nov. 11 at Feigum Funeral Home. Our
sympathy to his wife of 53 years, Pat; their son Rocky and his wife
Cindy; and four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
We also extend sympathy to the family of Vern Adams, a 1934 graduate of
Pierre High School, who died Nov. 10 at Maryhouse. He was a World War II
veteran and worked for 31 1/2 years for the U.S. Postal Service.
Services were held Monday at Ss. Peter & Paul Church. Our sympathy to
his wife Hazel; sons, David, Mark and Greg, all in Pierre; daughters Kay
King in Sheridan, Wyo., Peggy Hillmer in Pierre, and Elaine Gillen in
Hermosa; 15 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
In Rapid City last Sunday afternoon a new brown granite Fallen Officers
Memorial was unveiled at the intersection of Anamosa and Greenbriar
streets on the north side of the city to mark the spot where Rapid City
police officers Ryan McCandless and Nick Armstrong were gunned down on
duty on Aug. 2.
Tate Gabriel calls to your attention that the date is already set for
the second annual charity co-ed softball tournament out at Four Corners.
The weekend is May 11-13, 2012. For information contact Tate on his
Facebook page.
Loren Pospisil of Fort Pierre passed away at the age of 68 on Nov. 13.
Services are planned for 10 a.m. Friday at St. John's Catholic Church in
Fort Pierre. Our sympathy to his family, including son Loren Pospisil
Jr. in Nebraska; his daughters, Barbara Zimmer in Wisconsin, Katherine
Pospisil in Fort Pierre and Sandra Hedman in Canton; nine grandchildren
and two great-grandchildren.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pierre Young Professionals/strong>
www.pierreyoungprofessionals.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STANLEY COUNTY HIGH SPORTS ROUNDUP
Football: Senior Thomas Tolton was named to the South Dakota Football
Coaches Association's Academic All-State team.
Winter sports opening nights: wrestling, Nov. 30 @ Lyman quadrangular;
gymnastics, Dec. 1 with Pierre @ Huron; boys basketball, Dec. 10 home
vs. Bennett County; girls basketball, Dec. 6, home vs. Sully Buttes.
SULLY BUTTES HIGH SPORTS ROUNDUP
Football: Seniors Jordan Lamb, Jalen Lamb and manager Jessica Lentz were
named to the South Dakota Football Coaches Association's Academic
All-State team.
Winter sports opening nights: wrestling, Dec. 3 @ Stanley County
Invitational; boys basketball, Dec. 10 @ Northwestern; girls basketball,
Dec. 6 @ Stanley County.
WORDS TO NOT LIVE BY #4
Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted.
SPORTS NOTES
* One wrestler we want to follow from time to time, even though he
doesn't have any connection with us locally, so far as I know, is Logan
Storley of Webster, who won six straight state wrestling championships.
He is now a freshman wrestling for the University of Minnesota. At the
recent Daktronics Open in Brookings, he won the championship in his
decision, scoring two major decisions, two decisions and one technical
fall during his day's work.
* Upcoming live college basketball on MidCo Sports Net includes USD's
men vs. Nebraska-Omaha at 2 p.m. this Sunday; Augustana's men against
Dakota State at 7 p.m. Tuesday, and North Dakota State's men against
Fresno State at 7 p.m. Nov. 26.
CAPITOL CHRISTMAS TREES DISPLAY MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT
Tuesday, Nov. 29: noon to 1 p.m., Northern State University choirs.
Wednesday, Nov. 30: 6:30 to 7 p.m., Pierre Indian Learning Center
singers.
Thursday, Dec. 1: noon to 1 p.m., Avon High School choir; 5:30 to 6
p.m., Greenleaf Church and Friends from Miller.
FORT PIERRE GETS ITS TREE, TOO
Christmas---or at least the Christmas tree---has come to Fort Pierre. On
Wednesday a crew cut down a Black Hills spruce estimated to be 40 feet
tall at the home of Lyle and Phyllis Kenzy. That tree will become the
city's Christmas tree to be placed at the end of Main Street.
For years the city looked out of town to get its Christmas tree, but
Fort Pierre Economic Development Corporation executive director Dave
Bonde said in the past three years residents have donated a tree to the
city. Bonde said the Kenzys planted this tree in about 1970 when they
built their house at 210 N. 6th St. The tree was scheduled to be cut
down anyway, so the Kenzys thought it would be best to get some further
use out of it.
The tree will be officially lighted on Friday night, Nov. 25, as part of
a citywide celebration. (News courtesy of "Today's KCCR News.")
I WISH I HAD SAID THAT FIRST
If you deliberately plan to be less than you are capable of being, you
will be deeply miserable for the rest of your life. --- Abraham Maslow
(with thanks to whoever posted this on Facebook this week!)
DONATIONS OF TURKEYS ENCOURAGED
Thanksgiving turkeys are needed by the Feeding South Dakota Food Bank.
Director Russ Hofeldt said his goal is to collect 75 turkeys that can be
provided to the Food Bank’s members organizations. He said those turkeys
would then be distributed by the organizations to individuals and
families so they can have a holiday meal.
Hofeldt said the turkey drive will take place all week this week, and he
hopes to collect all donations by Monday, Nov. 21. Anyone willing to
donate a turkey can drop it off at the Food Bank, located at 2900
Airport Road, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. People
with questions can call Hofeldt at 494-3663. (News courtesy of "Today's
KCCR News.")
PERSONAL NOTES
One "no" voter in the recent events center election in Sioux Falls,
which passed by a 58-42 percent margin, had some reality in his/her
thinking, unlike a lot of the sore losers. This person wrote in a letter
to the editor of the Argus Leader: "Dwelling and complaining will not
change it, so rather than continuing the argument, we should now work
together to make it successful. Those of you who hope for its failure
have nothing but selfish motives and are maybe the reason the 'no' vote
failed. If we are going to build it, let's build it right."
Dawn Magee was another who commented on my recent column about people
who do or don't speak to each other as they pass on the sidewalk. She
and her sister-in-law, Diane Magee, were in New York City in October and
were surprised at how friendly people were there when approached. Dawn
suggests perhaps it was her Midwestern charm and Diane's west Texas
charm that won them over! The ladies buzzed around the city via subway,
took in a lot of the sights and saw "Phantom of the Opera" on Broadway.
Dawn also mentioned she and her kids, Katie and Daniel, met up with her
husband Jack in Dallas on Oct. 28, and they ventured to Jack's alma
mater, Texas A&M, for their football game with Missouri. They enjoyed
being at Kyle Field with 86,000 football fans, and they saw an overtime
game, the tailgating, and a campus tour from Jack, who graduated from
A&M in 1989.
If you are one of those blessed souls who still send Christmas
cards---you know, like in the U.S. Mail?---take note that my address
changed this year to 20 1/2 N. Willow St., Vermillion SD 57069. That
will save the postal people the trouble of forwarding.
Randy Hartmann's son, Josh, a member of the cadet corps at the Air Force
Academy, sent a link to a speech by Brig. Gen. Mark Welsh, the commander
of the U.S. air forces in Europe, to the cadets. Check it out at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFBpxB5zgnY
Mark your calendars for Thanksgiving Day when S.D. Public Television
will rebroadcast the All-State Chorus/Orchestra concert at 1 p.m. (Also
on Public Radio at 8 p.m.) SDPTV will also have the South Dakota
Elementary Honors Choir on at 3 p.m. Thanksgiving Day.
When you view Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade on television, watch for
the South Dakota state float on which Neil Diamond will be riding. I
always like to tell people that, back before he was Neil Diamond (that
is, before he was a household name), I saw him perform at Slagle Hall at
USD as the lead-in act to a Peaches & Herb concert. That must have been
something like 1972.
There will not be a Midweek Update next week.
A brand-new event is being planned in Vermillion. The first South Dakota
Shakespeare Festival will be held on June 8-10 outdoors in the rock
amphitheater in Prentis Park, and "As You Like It" will be the play to
be performed in 2012. For continuingly updated information as the date
draws nearer, go to www.sdshakespearefestival.org.
THE WEEK'S BEST E-MAIL
The English language has some wonderfully anthropomorphic collective
nouns for various groups of animals. We all are familiar with a herd of
cows, a flock of chickens, a school of fish and a gaggle of geese.
However, less widely known are a pride of lions, a murder of crows (as
well as rooks and ravens), an exaltation of doves or larks, and,
presumably because they look so wise, a parliament of owls.
Now consider a group of baboons. They are the loudest, most dangerous,
most obnoxious, most viciously aggressive and least intelligent of all
primates. The proper collective noun for a group of baboons is, believe
it or not, a congress. Yes, it's true; a congress of baboons.
To which we will make no further comment.
FOOTBALL CONTESTS (TWO OF THEM!)
For this past weekend Jason Christenson, who is on active duty in
Kuwait, won with an 8-2 record. At 7-3 were Mikal Kern in Wyndmere,
N.D., Greg Dean in Pierre, Faye Paulsen in Pierre and Jason Noyes in
Sioux Falls.
For this coming weekend's 10 games, send me your winners to
parker_knox@hotmail.com by noon Saturday or "comment" on my Facebook
page where the games are listed:
1. Kansas State @ Texas
2. Oklahoma @ Baylor
3. USC @ Oregon
4. Nebraska @ Michigan
5. South Dakota @ North Dakota
6. Iowa @ Purdue
7. Boston College @ Notre Dame
8. SMU @ Houston
9. NFL: San Diego @ Chicago
10. NFL: Arizona @ San Francisco
For the games to be played on Thanksgiving weekend, send me your winners
by noon Friday, Nov. 25:
1. Alabama @ Auburn
2. Arkansas @ LSU
3. Notre Dame @ Stanford
4. Florida State @ Florida
5. Iowa @ Nebraska
6. Penn State @ Wisconsin
7. Ohio State @ Michigan
8. South Carolina @ Clemson
9. Michigan State @ Northwestern
10. NFL: Chicago @ Oakland
BIG BAND DANCE SET FOR FRIDAY
They will be dancing up a storm at Riggs High School Friday night. The
annual Big Band Dance, sponsored by the Pierre Fine Arts Booster Club as
a fundraiser for the Riggs band program, will feature music by the Riggs
jazz band as well as the local Over Forte orchestra.
Tickets are $5 each. The event will run from 8 to 11 p.m. in the Riggs
gym. (News courtesy of "Today's KCCR News.")
BOBBI'S CHILI IS A WINNER
The local Harley Owners Group (HOG) in Rapid City held a chili cook-off
competition recently, and Bobbi (Martin) Drewes was the winner with her
Chuck Wagon Chili for the Crockpot.
The recipe:
1/4 cup chili powder
2 tablespoons whole cumin seeds
1 teaspoon cayenne
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons dried Mexican or regular oregano, crumbled between your
fingers
3 bay leaves
2 teaspoons light or dark brown sugar
4 pounds boneless beef chuck, trimmed and cut into 1 1/2 to 2-inch cubes
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 medium onions, coarsely chopped (about 4 cups)
1 1/2 cups chopped celery, including leaves
6 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
2 jalapeno chilies, roughly chopped
One 12-ounce bottle dark Mexican beer, such as Negro Modelo
2 tablespoons tomato paste
One 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1 ounce semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
3 tablespoons corn flour (not cornstarch)
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
grated cheddar cheese, for garnish
chopped green onion, for garnish
sour cream, for garnish
Directions:
Combine the chili powder, cumin seeds, cayenne, cinnamon, oregano, bay
leaves and brown sugar in a small bowl; set the spice mixture aside.
Add the beef to a medium bowl and season with the pepper and 1
tablespoon of the kosher salt.
Heat 2 tablespoons of the vegetable oil in a 12-inch or larger skillet
over high heat. Add enough beef to fill the pan and cook until nicely
browned on one side, about 2 minutes. Turn the pieces over and cook for
another 2 minutes. Transfer the browned beef to the crock of a 6-quart
slow cooker. Repeat with the remaining beef, adding the remaining
vegetable oil between batches as necessary.
Add the onions, celery and 1 tablespoon of the remaining salt to the
skillet and cook, stirring, until the vegetables begin to soften, about
2 minutes. Add the garlic, jalapenos, and spice mixture and cook for 1
minute longer. Pour in the beer, tomato paste and crushed tomatoes and
simmer for 3 minutes.
Stir in the chocolate, corn flour, and remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
and cook for 1 minute longer. Transfer this mixture to the slow cooker.
Cover and cook the chili on high, undisturbed or stirring only once
during cooking, for 6 hours, or until the beef is very tender. Remove
the bay leaves and stir in the cilantro and parsley. Serve the chili hot
in bowls, topped with grated cheddar, chopped green onion and sour
cream.
Note: Leftover chili may thicken up and need to be reheated with a
little low sodium broth.
ADULT TRUTHS #1
I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.
TREES BEING READIED IN CAPITOL ROTUNDA
Next Tuesday night the lights go on for the annual Capitol Christmas
tree display, but before then, a lot of work has to be done.
Monday saw the first of the 90 or so trees be moved into the Capitol.
That included the 35-foot blue spruce tree that was donated by Justin
and Melissa Flottmeyer from the yard of their home on Buffalo Street in
Pierre. It will serve as the South Dakota tree and be decorated by the
Central South Dakota RSVP.
All of the other trees will be moved in this week. Groups from across
the state will decorate the trees this weekend. After the grand lighting
ceremony next Tuesday night, the display will then be open to the public
from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. through Dec. 26. (News courtesy of "Today's KCCR
News.")
SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING SET FOR SUNDAY
An ecumenical service of Thanksgiving regarding the response to the
flood takes place Sunday. The service, entitled “The Rainbow After the
Flood: Hope, Promise and Thanksgiving,” will be held at the First United
Methodist Church at 4 p.m.
Musical groups include Surprise Package and an ecumenical choir with a
special guest. There also will be speakers from the community.
A dinner of buffalo burgers and pie will be served from 5 to 7 p.m. All
proceeds from a freewill offering there will go to the Oahe Long-Term
Flood Relief. The event is sponsored by the Pierre-Fort Pierre
Ministerium. (News courtesy of "Today's KCCR News.")
NEW MUSIC ORGANIZATION COMING TO RIGGS HIGH
The Pierre school board gave its approval on Monday to starting the
state's first music honor society at Riggs High School. Bethany
Amundson, band director, was joined by choral director Rodd Bauck in
making a presentation to the board about the Tri M Music Honor Society.
Tri M is affiliated with and sponsored by the National Association for
Music Education. Amundson told the board that, if it allowed Riggs High
to have the first Tri M chapter in the state, it would encourage
students in their music pursuits. She said Tri M will give Pierre
students access to more options such as teens in other parts of the
state who live closer to college music programs and events.
The board voted to pay the $100 annual fee to start the Riggs Tri M
chapter, and Amundson said she is excited that Pierre will have the
first chapter in the state.
Amundson said Tri M members will get a chance to attend group activities
like the Pierre Concert Series and live music gatherings. She said they
will also work to be a self-sufficient chapter, and the students will
help spread music appreciation through the younger grade levels.
For students to apply, Amundson said they will have to have a minimum
2.5 grade-point average, maintain nothing less than a "B" in music
classes and show leadership at the school, in the community and in the
music classrooms. Amundson hopes to have an induction ceremony for the
new Tri M chapter before Christmas break this year. (News courtesy of
Dakota Radio Group's "My Daily News.")
PARKER'S THANKSGIVING COLUMN 2011
"When you're worried and you can't sleep," Irving Berlin wrote as the
lyrics of one of his songs, "just count your blessings instead of sheep,
and you'll fall asleep counting your blessings."
That thought crossed my mind again on a Saturday morning in October, a
rare day with no wind, when the sun was out, the tree leaves were
glorious, cross country runners clad in various colors were warming up
on the course on the north side of Vermillion, high school bands in the
distance were outside the DakotaDome warming up for a festival, and
all---for an hour at least---was well with the world.
At Thanksgiving time for many years I've written a column for whoever
would bother to read it. Since you have chosen to do so, let me say
"Happy Thanksgiving." May you and yours find just as many things for
which to be thankful this year as I have on my list:
Four perfect grandchildren, all of whom live in the same city now . . .
bookstores . . . Charlie Coyote . . . warm pumpkin pie topped with Cool
Whip . . . the uniqueness of South Dakota where, no matter where you go,
you can find somebody who knows somebody who knows you . . . the
hometown newspaper in the mailbox each week . . . fellow walkers who
cheerfully say "Hello" and "Good morning" as we pass on the sidewalks .
. . the Black Hills Playhouse . . . the music of "Les Miserables" . . .
deviled eggs.
"Touch 'em all, Justin Morneau" (or any other Twin who is healthy enough
to be in the lineup) . . . my hour with a morning cup of coffee over a
copy of USA Today in the MUC . . . the glorious sound of music in the
renovated auditorium at Slagle Hall . . . pumpkin bread . . . the rush
of seeing a car bearing a license plate from home . . . memories of
Duke, Queenie, Buppy, Tippy, Malcolm, Bud, Maggie, Oliver and all the
other dogs who have graced my life . . . homecoming parades . . . the
view out across the valley from West Main.
Four children who as adults have become each other's strongest friends,
defenders, protectors and supporters . . . train whistles at night as
the freights rumble through town down below the bluffs . . . hot
chocolate . . . the scent of rain in the air . . . Duke Blue Devils
basketball . . . a Tom & Jerry on a frosty holiday morning . . .
Minneapolis-St. Paul . . . the first glimpse of the DakotaDome roof
while coming down I-29 . . . Octobers . . . playoff baseball such as we
had this year . . . sweet potatoes smothered in marshmallows.
Easy crossword puzzles . . . people who stop to watch Oliver stalk
squirrels on the campus and then continue on their way smiling . . .
"I'll Be Home For Christmas" and the memories it evokes . . . the
talented and personable young men and women of the USD music department
who welcome me into their midst each day . . . cheerful supermarket
workers we get to know on a first-name basis . . . Summit League
basketball tournaments . . . Handel's "Messiah" . . . summer baseball
evenings . . . strawberry shortcake.
Memories of Mom, Dad and Grandma Maggie amid regrets they never got to
know my grandkids . . . the Sound of USD marching band . . . the
Christmas trees in the Capitol Rotunda . . . the ultimate tribute to an
organist---a compliment from Jack Noble . . . a surprise e-mail from
someone from whom I haven't heard in a long time . . . the military men
and women on deployments and the supportive families keeping things
going at home . . . a harvest moon . . . seeing the light in the tower
of Old Main out my kitchen window . . . a Louie Krogman 3-pointer to
beat the buzzer . . . Zesto.
"Free popcorn Fridays" at the MUC . . . Garrison Keillor and "Prairie
Home Companion" . . . wind chimes . . . the USD brass choir . . .
getting green lights on Cherry Street all the way through town . . .
turkey pot pies . . . the ladies and guys at the public library . . .
the nervous energy of a vocal student as his or her recital time
approaches . . . my fellow surviving members of the OHS Class of '56 . .
. a penny on the sidewalk . . . brownies . . . South Dakota sunrises and
sunsets . . . Wrigley Field and the Cubs, hopeless as they may be.
Sunday mornings from their early quiet time to powerful hymns, choir
anthems and messages to coffee and conversation afterward . . . peanut
butter and jelly sandwiches . . . Bob Bowker and his cronies on Tanager
radio broadcasts . . . the Paradise Fears boys . . . hot apple cider . .
. the first blooming flowers in the spring . . . the first sight of the
lights of Pierre from 15 miles out . . . the sun streaming through
stained-glass windows . . . Capitals hockey . . . riding the Light Rail
downtown to a Twins or Vikings game . . . cross country meets . . .
memories of students in Wessington Springs, Huron, Blunt and Onida over
18 years of teaching.
My daily hour with the USD opera class . . . families together at a
Christmas Eve service . . . Greg Merrigan's signature voice at USD games
and the state track meets . . . hot dogs on a grill . . . a university
president who rolls down his car window to talk about one's dog . . .
rhubarb in any form . . . the exhilaration of Game Day at USD---the
tailgating and the band's arrival, the pre-game show, the howl of the
coyotes and the roar of the motorcycles, the third-down alarm bells and
the band's fight songs, Will Powell's astounding receptions, and "that's
another Coyote first down!" . . . public servants who live the part . .
. people who say they enjoy reading The Midweek Update.
Memories of my Pierre years . . . the kids growing up in that wonderful
old house on Prospect . . . the Over Forte big band . . . Pierre Players
musicals . . . Governor sports and music and drama and all the rest . .
. working as a cashier at Mr. Kundert's Dakotamart . . . greeting
customers through the drive-up window at BankWest up on the hill for
seven years . . . Capital Journal "people pages" day after day after day
for 16 years . . . the Kiwanis Singers . . . the Emerald Regiment's
indoor marching band concerts . . . hundreds of us wearing green at
state basketball tournaments . . . Post 8 baseball . . . the river view
from the Verendrye Monument hill . . . community chorus concerts . . .
the Capital City Children's Chorus . . . a walk in the gulch.
The College World Series . . . the sense of family that pervades a
community theater cast . . . friends who ask "How are you?" and really
want to know the answer . . . shuffling through leaves while strolling
across campus . . . a phone call from one of the kids or a friend to
reassure me they arrived there safely . . . Washington, D.C. . . .
sing-alongs of musical theater music . . . Nicholas Sparks' latest book
. . . the pizza guy's knock on the door . . . relaxing with friends on a
rare night out somewhere downtown . . . the "Skol, Vikings" fight song
and those rare occasions we get to sing it.
Thornton Wilder said, "We can be said to be alive only in those moments
when our hearts are conscious of our treasures." May we be aware of ours
not only on Thanksgiving Day but each day beyond as well.
Vol. 12, No. 11; Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011
CORPS OF ENGINEERS RESPONDS TO PUBLIC MEETINGS
From the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently concluded eight open house
sessions and public meetings in cities, including in Pierre last
Wednesday, throughout the Missouri River basin to listen to the concerns
of citizens as part of the Annual Operating Plan development.
"The past two weeks have been incredibly beneficial, and we have
listened intently to the people we serve," says Brig. Gen. John McMahon,
Northwestern Division Commander. "The top priority of the Northwestern
Division is to responsibly prepare for the 2012 runoff season.”
The Corps will change its approach to Missouri River Mainstem operations
as a result of the public meetings. First, the Corps will assume a more
flexible posture as water is evacuated through the system for the
remainder of the fall and early winter. "We will get as much water out
of the system as possible as weather permits and the repair work
allows," says Jody Farhat, Chief of the Water Management Division.
The Corps says it will take an aggressive stance with winter and spring
releases and communicate more frequently and more broadly as the 2012
season unfolds.
Farhat will conduct bi-monthly conference calls. During those calls, the
dialogue will continue with federal, state, county and local officials,
Tribes, emergency management officials, independent experts and the
press to discuss conditions on the ground and current Corps’ reservoir
release plans and forecasts. Audio files of the conference calls will be
available.
A primary concern raised in the public meetings was the Corps’ strategy
to only evacuate water from the reservoir system back to the designed
amount of flood control storage. "We set the target in late July as an
initial first step to safely drawdown historic releases in time for
people to get back into their homes, farms and businesses, and for the
Corps and state agencies to begin making repairs as quickly as
possible," says McMahon.
The reservoir system was designed with 16.3 million acre feet of flood
control storage, which equates to approximately 22 percent of the
storage in the reservoir system. Given record runoff, the Corps has
initiated a technical analysis to determine how much more reservoir
space might be reserved for flood control purposes
Comments on the draft plan were taken during the series of public
meetings. Written and email comments will be accepted through Nov. 25.
Email comments should be sent to: Missouri.Water.Management@nwd02.usace.army.mil.
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY
Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss it, you will land among the stars.
--- Les Brown
D.I. INFORMATIONAL MEETING FOR PARENTS TONIGHT
Remember those years when there were so many Odyssey of the Mind (now
Destination ImagiNation) teams in Pierre that we at the Capital Journal
had three full pages of team photos each spring? Maybe those years will
never return, but it's not too late to start a D.I. team for your
students and their friends for this school year. Read this about an
information meeting tonight (Thursday):
An informational meeting for parents whose children are interested in
being part of this year's Destination ImagiNation program will be held
at 5:15 p.m. tonight (Thursday) at Buchanan Elementary School. D.I. is a
creative problem-solving program which teaches chlidren creativity,
teamwork and problem-solving. Those who cannot attend this meeting
should contact D.I. coordinators Doris Stiles at doris.stiles@k12.sd.us
or 224-1698 or Alicia Schoenhard at schoenhards6102@msn.com or 494-0101.
RIGGS HIGH SPORTS ROUNDUP
This week's schedules:
Competitive cheer/dance---Saturday, @ state tournament, Brandon.
Volleyball: The Lady Govs lost to top-seeded Aberdeen Central on opening
night of the District 3AA tournament, 3-0, on set scores of 7-25, 13-25
and 13-25. Whitney King had six kills, Kaitlyn Severyn five kills and
Ashley Polak nine assists. That moved Pierre into a third-place match in
order to stay alive for a state tournament berth, but on Tuesday night
Mitchell ended the Pierre season with a 3-1 win in the third-place
match. Down 2-0, the Lady Govs won the third set, 25-19, but lost the
fourth, 25-17, after Mitchell had won the first two sets, 25-15 and
25-16.
Cheer/dance: Pierre teams were seventh and ninth at the ESD conference
meet in Brandon.
CHRISTMAS 2011 --- BIRTH OF A NEW TRADITION?
(Editor's note: The following came in an e-mail this week from former
Pierre resident/teacher Mary Fredrichs of Forestburg. Plenty of food for
thought in this, as well as Christmas gift ideas!)
As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into
high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced
goods---merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American
labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the
gift of genuine concern for other Americans.
There is no longer an excuse that, at gift-giving time, nothing can be
found that is produced by American hands. It is time to think outside
the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit into a shirt box, wrapped
in Chinese-produced wrapping paper?
Everyone gets his hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local
American hair salon or barber? Gym membership? It's appropriate for all
ages who are thinking about some health improvement. Who wouldn't
appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American-owned detail
shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book
of gift certificates.
Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking
down the Benjamins on a Chinese-made flat-screen TV? Perhaps that
grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for
the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf
course.
There are a gazillion owner-run restaurants all offering gift
certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what
about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember,
folks, this isn't about big national chains---this is about supporting
your hometown Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep
their doors open.
How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or
motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?
Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of
a local cleaning lady for a day. My computer could use a tune-up, and I
KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair
business up and running.
OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people
sell beautiful quilts, stockings, spin their own wool and knit them into
scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.
Plan your holiday outings at local, owner-operated restaurants and leave
your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet
at your hometown theatre. Musicians need love too, so find a venue
showcasing local bands.
Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese
lights for the house? When you buy a five-dollar string of light, about
fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to
burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice tip.
You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that
China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring
about US (We the People), encouraging American small businesses to keep
plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other
Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to
us in ways we could not imagine.
This is the new American Christmas tradition! This is a revolution of
caring about each other, and isn't that what Christmas is about?
WEDDING DAYS
Nov. 11: Lee Rausch/Jessica Schultz.
Nov. 19: Michael Kaiser/Macy Welsh.
Nov. 19: Jared McPherson/Kimberly Weischedel.
Nov. 25: James Sleger/Jill Rounds.
Nov. 26: Michael Knudson/Kylie Sutton.
April 13: Justin Jones/Theresa Frick.
May 19: Seth Parsons/Karae Englehart.
May 23: Maxx Vaudrin/Macy Gomes.
June 2: Eric Aadland/Angie Briguet.
June 9: Bret Graves/Caitie Wagner.
June 9: Christopher Dekker/Mallory Petersen.
June 23: Jerid Maskovich/Jeanine Van Ash.
July 14: Gavin Van Zee/Samantha Hestdalen.
Aug. 31: Cody Stoeser/Cassie Rausch.
PIERRE'S BETHANY JOCHIM: A SCIENTIST IN THE MAKING
By Steve Young, Sioux Falls Argus Leader
A young woman with a passion for the piano and ancient languages is
making a name for South Dakota in the research world of physics. Bethany
Jochim of Pierre, who graduated this past May from Augustana College,
learned this week that she has been awarded the prestigioius Leroy Apker
Award by the American Physical Society.
The honor recognizes outstanding achievement in physics by
undergraduates. Two prizes are awarded---one to a student from a
doctorate-granting institution and one from a non-doctorate-granting
school. Djordje Radicevic of Princeton is the other honoree.
"It's a pretty big deal," said Eric Wells, associate professor of
physics at Augustana. "Augustana hs never had the winner before."
Jochim's selection comes in part for her research work with extremely
short laser pulses and how they interact with and control individual
molecules. That work, funded by the National Science Foundation and the
Department of Energy, could one day lead to new ways of controlling
chemical reactions and creating new materials. In her four years at
Augustana, she also had five research articles published in mainstream,
peer-reviewed scientific journals. She has presented the results of her
projects at physics meetings in Atlanta and Belfast, Northern Ireland.
"I'd put her undergraduate record up against anyone I've ever seen as an
undergraduate," Wells said.
Jochim, 22, was a student at Riggs High School in Pierre when she was
first introduced to physics and discovered the lure of problem solving.
Her teacher had talked one day about the "Heisenberg Uncertainty
Principle," a key early discovery in quantum theory, and the seed was
planted.
"I think I've always been more inclined toward science," Jochim said by
phone from her apartment at Kansas State University where she is now
pursuing a doctoral degree in physics. "A lot of my pastimes when I was
younger involved doing experiments that kids do. So when I was
introduced to the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, it wasn't a detailed
introduction, but enough to tell me that I wanted more."
Wells said when Jochim was first considering Augustana, he asked---as he
did all students---what she wanted to be when she grew up. The typical
answers tended to be long-winded and veered in many different
directions. Jochim said, simply, "I want to be a scientist."
After a few moments of silence, when nothing more was forthcoming, Wells
said, "OK, good, we can help you with that."
Her freshman physics textbook was 1,000 pages and included 1,200
problems combined in the back of all the chapters. Wells requires
students to answer 300 of them. Jochim did them all.
She also spent summers at Kansas State doing research as part of a
collaborative effort between that university and Augustana. That
experience created in her a desire to teach at the university level some
day and to continue research as well after she finishes the five to six
years it will take to get her doctorate degree.
"I've thought it would be neat to end up at a place like Augustana," she
said. "I'd put a lot of effort into teaching, but also involve students
in research the way my instructors involved me."
When she isn't doing research with lasers, Jochim plays the piano for
the relief it brings from daily stress. She also has a fascination with
ancient languages such as Greek and Latin. She believes they will
improve her proficiency in English and lead to her becoming a better
writer when she is putting together future articles.
It should be a bright future, Wells said. "She has the ability. With
research, if you know beforehand how to make a big breakthrough, it's
probably not a big breakthrough. Some of it is serendipitous. Bethany
certainly has a lot of talent and a lot of drive. She has as good a
chance to succeed as anyone."
The American Physical Society, which bestowed the Apker award on her,
apparently sees that talent, too.
"I was shocked but really honored, too," she said. "It will mean a lot
to me for the rest of my life." Jochim receives $5,000 for the award and
an allowance for travel to the American Physical Society conference
where the award will be presented. Additionally Augustana College
receives $5,000 to support ongoing undergraduate research.
THOUGHTS 'BORROWED' FROM SOMEONE ELSE'S FACEBOOK STATUS
Today can be a healthy, unusual day for you and for others if you take
time to give someone a smile . . . to express a word of kindness . . .
to lend a helping hand to someone in need . . . to write a note of
gratitude . . . to give a word of encouragement to someone who is
temporarily overcome with problems . . . to share a portion of your
material possessions with others.
COLLEGE SPORTS ROUNDUP
South Dakota State football (Alex Parker): The Jackrabbits won their
Hobo Day game, 45-34 over Southern Illinois. The season ends for the
Jacks this Saturday at Western Illinois.
North Dakota State cross country (Travis Fitzke, Alec Espeland): Idle
last weekend, the Bison compete this Saturday at the NCAA Midwest
Regional in DeKalb, Ill.
Augustana football (Brian Long, Tanner Foth): The Vikings scored a
go-ahead touchdown with just over a minute left, but Wayne State kicked
a game-winning field goal at 0:13 to beat Augustana, 34-32. Now 5-5
overall and 5-4 in the NSIC, Augustana closes the season this Saturday
at Upper Iowa.
North Dakota soccer (Kristi Hestdalen): The Sioux won their first game
in the Great West Conference tournament in Newark, N.J., over Howard
University, 2-0. Kristi stopped all three shots against her for her
fourth shutout of the season. In the semifinals UND had to face
top-seeded Utah Valley and lost 4-2. Kristi had seven saves in that one.
UND's season ends with a record of 6-9-3.
Dakota State volleyball (Mandi Atkins): Mandi played in two of the three
sets as DSU lost to the School of Mines, 3-0, Saturday. With a record of
16-20, DSU now goes to Phoenix to play in the A.I.I. Independent
Tournament where the Trojans will play LaSierra (Calif.) and Mayville
State (N.D.) in pool play Friday and Saturday.
South Dakota swimming (Marcus Christianson): The Coyotes, idle last
week, swim at Wisconsin-Green Bay today (Thursday).
South Dakota football (Kyle Cichos): The Coyotes didn't have a game last
week. Their final home game is Saturday against Missouri S&T at noon.
S.D. Mines football (Andy Smith, John Ziadat): The Hardrockers dropped
to 1-9 for the year with a 17-0 loss to Dickinson State. The season ends
Saturday with a 4 p.m. game at Black Hills State.
Dakota State football (Cliff Monroy, Matt Wright, Jordan Jenkins): The
Trojans finished their season with a 1-10 record after a 6-0 loss to
Mayville State Saturday.
Presentation football (Tate Rinehart): The Saints lost at Westminster
College in Missouri, 17-10, and are now 3-6 overall. The last game of
the season is at home Saturday at 7 p.m. against Greenville College.
Dakota Wesleyan men's soccer (Dane Hagen, Austin Munyon, Eric
Christianson, Doug Gordon): After winning their first-round game in the
GPAC playoffs last week, the Tigers lost to Midland University in the
semifinals, 3-1. The season ends at 9-9-1.
South Dakota State swimming (Jim McLain, Alex McLain): The Jackrabbit
men, idle last week, resume their season at St. Cloud State Saturday.
Black Hills State football (Devin Rounds): An interception late in the
game set up BHSU in good field position for the game-winning field goal
kicked by Devin for a 10-7 win over Minot State. The Yellowjackets end
the season at home Saturday against the School of Mines.
Northern State football (Tate Senftner, Terrelle Walker): The Wolves won
their second straight, 42-21 over Minnesota State-Moorhead to improve to
4-6 overall and 3-6 in the NSIC. NSU closes the season at home Saturday
at 1 p.m. against Mary.
South Dakota State volleyball (Amanda Stout): The Jackrabbits lost at
Southern Utah, 3-1, but concluded the road trip with a 3-1 win at Oral
Roberts. Amanda had 11 digs in that match. On Monday night SDSU lost to
the #12 team in the nation, Northern Iowa, 3-0. Amanda played in all
three sets and had nine digs and one service ace. SDSU is home for UMKC
Friday and USD Saturday.
Princeton hockey (Matt Farris): The conference season began with a 4-3
win at Harvard and a 5-3 loss at Dartmouth. Princeton is home this
weekend against St. Lawrence and Clarkson.
Dakota Wesleyan women's soccer (Linsey Peterson, Yutzil Rodriguez): In
the first round of the GPAC playoffs DWU and Concordia remained tied,
1-1, after double overtime, so the match went to a shootout where
Concordia won, 4-3. Yutzil scored DWU's goal in regulation time on a
corner kick. The loss ends the season for DWU.
Black Hills State volleyball (Kylee Lamb): Kylee had 10 kills in a 3-0
win over Dickinson State. BHSU also lost to Minot State, 3-0. The season
ends this weekend in Missouri at the NCAA candidacy tournament for
schools in transition to NCAA Division II. BHSU will play Lindenwood
(Mo.) and Sioux Falls in pool play.
South Dakota State swimming (Morgan McLain): The Jackrabbit women resume
their season Saturday at Northern Iowa.
Black Hills State basketball (Mitch Foth): No box score is available on
the BHSU website, so we don't know if Mitch played, but BHSU lost an
exhibition game to DWU, 74-59. The Yellowjackets open the regular season
Nov. 18-19 at Colorado Mines and Metro State.
South Dakota State basketball (Steph Paluch, Katie Lingle): The SDSU
women went to 2-0 in exhibition play with a 76-50 win over Southwest
Minnesota State. Kaite was 3-of-7 from the field for six points with a
rebound, an assist and a steal in 13 minutes. Steph was 3-of-3 for six
points with two boards, three assists and a steal in 18 minutes. SDSU
opens the season for real at home Friday against St. Cloud State at 8
p.m. and Sunday against Utah State at 2 p.m.
SDSU basketball note: Pierre's Steph Paluch is the subject of this
week's "Jackrabbit Spotlight" question-and-answer feature at
www.gojacks.com.
Dakota Wesleyan wrestling (Tyler Sarringar, Dusty Paulsen): The Pierre
connection on the DWU wrestling team had a great opening day Saturday at
the York Open in York, Neb. Dusty and Tyler both placed second in their
weight classes, and both were among eight Tiger wrestlers who qualified
already for the national meet at the end of the season. Dusty had a win
and two decisions before losing in the finals of his weight class by
pin. Tyler won twice by pins and lost a 9-5 decision in the finals of
his class. This weekend DWU is home Friday for a dual against the
University of Regina (Sask.) and Saturday for the DWU Open tournament.
Mount Marty basketball (Spencer Yackley): The Lancers won an exhibition
game in Chamberlain over the School of Mines, 72-68. The season opens at
home this weekend against a pair of Iowa schools, Ashford and Clarke. On
Tuesday MMC goes to Presentation.
South Dakota basketball (Alexis Yackley): The Coyote women are awaiting
their season opener Nov. 18 at Northern Arizona.
Purdue basketball (Sam Ostarello): In their exhibition opener Purdue's
women defeated Edinboro, 86-73. Sam had 12 points (including 6-of-7 in
free throws) and a team-high 15 rebounds. On Sunday the regular-season
opener will bring IUPUI to Purdue.
Dakota Wesleyan basketball (Liz Lamb): The Tiger women won their opener
over Trinity Bible College, 66-49. DWU hosts Jamestown and Valley City
State this weekend and goes to Dakota State Tuesday.
Mount Marty basketball (Alexa Berg): The Lancer women won their opener
over Oglala Lakota College, 101-42, as Alexa was 3-of-8 from the field
for eight points with two assists, a rebound and two steals. At a
tournament in Fremont, Neb., Mount Marty defeated William Penn (Iowa),
89-68. Alexa had two points but did a good defensive job on William
Penn's leading scorer. The next day MMC lost to Bethel (Ind.), 52-70, as
Alexa had a team-high 18 points, including five three-point field goals.
Mount Marty hosts Valley City State and Jamestown College this weekend
and Grace University of Omaha Tuesday.
STANLEY COUNTY HIGH SPORTS ROUNDUP
Volleyball: The Lady Buffs season ended with a 3-0 loss to
Mobridge-Pollock in the semifinals of the district tournament on set
scores of 10-25, 5-25, 9-25. Stanley County's record was 2-23. Shelby
Gienger had three service aces and Hailey Norman three blocks and three
kills.
PUBLIC MEETING ON STATE BUDGET PROCESS ANNOUNCED
How South Dakota collects and spends money should reflect its citizens'
shared values---our consensus about needed public services in our state
and how they should be financed. For many taxpayers though, the state
budget process is confusing. Furthermore, they are not aware of
opportunities to take part in the discussion.
The Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce and Oahe, Inc. will co-host a
luncheon and discussion from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 8,
in the Chamber of Commerce building. The public is invited to take part
in a nonpartisan budget discussion, learn about state budget basics and
begin a consensus-building discussion. Local legislators will be invited
to attend as "distinguished listeners."
Topics will include: (1) transparency of the budget process; (2)
opportunities for citizen input into the budget process; (3) revenue
adequacy (are there funds enough to provide basic services?); (4)
revenue fairness (are taxpayers in similar situations paying equal
taxes?); (5) K-12 services and spending; (6) Medicaid services and
spending (human services, health care, long-term care); (7) additional
topics of local concern.
The public is invited. A free meal will be served, but please RSVP to
Chuck Quinn at 224-4501 or cquinn@oaheinc.com before the end of the
business day Dec. 2.
"South Dakotans Talking---A Community Discussion on South Dakota's
Budget Choices" will be facilitated by SDSU Extension Community
Development and the South Dakota Budget & Policy Project with funding
from the Bush Foundation and the Northwest Area Foundation.
PONDER THIS
Your children get only one childhood.
COUNTDOWN
2 days: Cheer/dance state tournament, Brandon (Nov. 12).
7 days: State volleyball tournaments, Sioux Falls (Nov. 17-19).
12 days: Capitol Christmas trees lighting ceremony (Nov. 22).
21 days: Pierre Players' "A Christmas Story" (Dec. 1-3, 9-11).
23 days: Community & Youth Involved Center's Holiday Tour of Homes (Dec.
3).
31 days: Capital City Children's Chorus "A Ceremony of Carols," 6:30
p.m., Methodist Church (Dec. 11).
60 days: BCS national championship college football game (Jan. 9).
84 days: State one-act play festival, Aberdeen (Feb. 2-4).
87 days: Super Bowl (Feb. 5).
99 days: State gymnastics tournament, Brookings (Feb. 17-18).
106 days: State wrestling tournaments (B Rapid City, A Aberdeen) (Feb.
24-25).
108 days: The Academy Awards (Feb. 26).
119 days: State girls basketball tournaments (B Huron, A Spearfish, AA
Brookings) (March 8-10).
120 days: State boys varsity hockey tournament, Expo Center (March
9-11).
126 days: State boys basketball tournaments (B Aberdeen, A Sioux Falls,
AA Rapid City) (March 15-17).
133 days: All-State Band, Brookings (March 22-24).
148 days: Twins' season opener at Baltimore (April 6).
189 days: State boys tennis tournament, Rapid City (May 17-19).
193 days: State golf tournaments (B boys and B girls Rapid City, A girls
Hot Springs, AA girls Sioux Falls) (May 21-22).
197 days: State track meets (B Rapid City, A Spearfish, AA Sturgis) (May
25-26).
208 days: South Dakota primary election day (June 5).
260 days: Summer Olympics opening ceremonies, London (July 27).
291 days: Republican National Convention, Tampa (Aug. 27-30).
298 days: Democratic National Convention, Charlotte (Sept. 3-6).
362 days: General election day (Nov. 6, 2012).
373 days: Renewal of USD-SDSU football rivalry (Nov. 17, 2012).
820 days: Winter Olympics opening ceremonies, Sochi, Russia (Feb. 7,
2014).
SULLY BUTTES HIGH SPORTS ROUNDUP
Volleyball: The Chargers, after defeating Sunshine Bible 25-12, 25-16,
25-17 in the semifinals of the District 5B Tournament, won the
championship Friday night over Faulkton, 3-0, on set scores of 25-21,
25-15, 25-21. That put Sully Buttes into the regional championship match
Tuesday against Herreid/Selby Area, but the Chargers fell short in a 3-0
sweep. All three sets were tight and close with Herreid/Selby winning by
27-25, 25-21 and 29-27 to earn a state tournament trip.
WORDS OF WISDOM
The secret of success is to do the common things uncommonly well. ---
John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES
Thursday, Nov. 10:
Kyle Kafka, Sara (Dvorak) Becker, Joe Wieseler, Ryan Noyes, Anne Rounds,
Garrett Pochop.
Friday, Nov. 11:
Carson Wyly, Rosa Iverson, Danielle Trujillo.
Saturday, Nov. 12:
Anita Nicholas.
Sunday, Nov. 13:
Casey Buechler, Kris Hewlett, Kimberly Nelson, Barb Olson, Clark
Kraemer, Courtney Donnan, Colin Alexander, Shelli Ness, Steve Miller.
Monday, Nov. 14:
Brandon Brown, Josh Boyle, Emma Aadland, Dakota Bixler, Alison (Drewes)
Haas, Sandy Spencer, Hana Bloomberg.
Tuesday, Nov. 15:
Lisa (Ries) Kramer, Shane Hollingsworth, Karen Leuning, Therese (Blake)
Schultz, Rik Drewes, Robert Nagle.
Wednesday, Nov. 16:
Daniel Magee, Leonard Powell, Wes Sepcner, LaTonya Anderson, Jack
Merkwan, Chad Uhrig, Hollie Stutesman, Kris Schaffer.
PEOPLE NEWS
Sandi Durick of Pierre has been elected president of the National Rural
Health Association. The NRHA is a national nonprofit organization with
more than 20,000 members whose mission is to provide leadership on rural
issues through advocacy, communication, education and research. Durick,
who has been with the state Department of Health since 1979, will serve
as president-elect of the organization starting Jan. 1 and will become
president in 2013. She has worked in several positions with the
Department of Health. She has been the rural health administrator since
2007. (News courtesy of "Today's KCCR News.")
Sean Tousley (Riggs '99) and wife Megan Tousley are expecting their
first child---a girl---in February. Sean and Megan have been married for
six years and live in Englewood, Colo. The grandparents-to-be are Jane
and Terry Tousley, former residents of Pierre, now of Heber City, Utah,
and Ruth and Roy Heitritter of Sheldon, Iowa.
Neil Simon's "Barefoot in the Park" has its final weekend at the Orpheum
Theater in downtown Sioux Falls, as presented by the Sioux Empire
Community Theatre, this weekend at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2
p.m. Sunday. Pierre native John Williams and his wife Laura were
pictured in full color on the cover of the Sioux Falls Argus Leader's
entertainment magazine last week. They are playing a married couple in
the play, the first time they have played lead roles opposite each
other.
Mildred Merriam passed away recently in Huron at the age of 93. Services
were held in Huron on Oct. 29. Mrs. Merriam was a retired teacher. Among
her survivors are two sons, Rick Merriam in Pierre and Allen Merriam in
Huron, as well as 11 grandchildren, including Ryan and Tyler Merriam; 22
great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. Our sympathy
to all of the Merriam family.
Apparently the link to the video of the FISHDOCTOR band, including
Pierre's own Jared Lindbloom, with the video directed by Andrew
Kightlinger, was not correct in last week's Midweek Update. Jared tells
us this one should be good to go:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iz_C7Ns3-Uk
James Reed, 74, Pierre, died in Sioux Falls on Oct. 26. He was a retiree
from the Corps of Engineers who later worked part-time after retirement
at Dakotamart and economart stores in Pierre. Among his survivors are
his wife, Priscilla, in Pierre; daughters Linda Nelson in Sturgis and
Susan Reed in Spearfish, and son Byron in Mankato, Minn.
When South Dakota State University recently honored the Coughlin Alumni
Stadium all-time team on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the
stadium, among the honorees returning was Sully Buttes High alumnus and
SDSU graduate Monte Mosiman of Chanhassen, Minn. Fifty football players
who excelled during the 50 years of the stadium's existence were named
to the honor team. Monte's wife Nicole and three daughters joined him in
Brookings for the ceremony held at halftime of a football game there
last month.
Funeral services were held at First Congregational United Church of
Christ in Sioux Falls Monday for John P. Jones II, 82, who passed away
Nov. 3 at the VA hospital there. Mr. Jones and his family came to Pierre
in the '50s. He owned the Capitol News Agency, a magazine
distributorship, as well as the St. Charles Mobil station. Then he was
general manager of the Holiday Inn from 1964 to 1978. While in Pierre,
he was active in the Jaycees, the Elks, the Chamber of Commerce, the
fire department and the Shriners, and he served as city magistrate and
lay magistrate for the county. Since 1989, he and his wife of 56 1/2
years, Frances, had lived in Sanford, Fla. Their five sons include
David, Jeff, Roger, Mike and Tom, and he is also survived by 12
grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Our sympathy to Roxy Thielen and Kim Van Den Hemel and their families on
the death of their brother. Bradley Becker, 59, died of cancer last week
in Springfield, Mo.
Michael Tveidt (Riggs '06), who last spring completed an outstanding
collegiate basketball career at North Dakota State, was drafted in the
fourth round of the NBA D-League draft by the Iowa Energy based in Des
Moines. Tveidt was the 58th player selected. A 6'7" forward from Pierre,
he was a two-time all-Summit League second-team selection and finished
12th on the NDSU all-time scoring list with 1,408 career points. He
graduated from NDSU in May with a bachelor's degree in public relations
and advertising. He was a three-time honoree on both the Summit League
all-academic team and the Summit League Commissioner's List of Academic
Excellence. Michael is one of 17 players invited to the Energy's
training camp, which began this weke. The 17 are a combination of
players chosen in the draft, returning players and local tryout
attendees. A final 10-man roster has to be declared by 5 p.m. Nov. 23.
Iowa's season opens Nov. 25 against the Canton Charge in Canton, Ohio,
and Nov. 26 against the Skyforce in Sioux Falls.
Kimberly Weischedel of Onida, who works as an operations assistant at
First National Bank in Pierre, will be married Nov. 19 to Jared
McPherson, a Sturgis native, who is a diesel technician for Morris, Inc.
Kim and Jared both attended Lake Area Technical Institute at Watertown.
Blunt native and Sully Buttes graduate Jason Christenson is currently on
another deployment overseas, this one in Kuwait. He said in an e-mail
recently that this deployment is very different from any other he has
been on because there is very little threat there. He said he finds it
frustrating that many of the contractors on whom the Army is reliant
these days who see their job opportunities dwindling as troops leave
nearby Iraq bail out prematurely and leave their messes for the Army to
clean up. Jason's wife Wanda and their children are home at Fort Riley
in Manhattan, Kan. Jason and Wanda have been separated by deployments
for four of their 10 years of marriage, "but," he said, "that is the
life we chose when we elected to stay in the service. I am lucky to have
such a great supporting family." Kansas State University is located in
Manhattan, so the Christensons are great K-State fans. Jason recently
stayed up till 2 a.m. Kuwait time to watch the Kansas State-Oklahoma
football game while running on a treadmill. "At least I got in a great
two-hour workout from the ordeal," he said.
Ryan Knox, who moved from the Twin Cities to Tucson, Ariz., in
mid-October, began work last week as a bartender/server at the Radisson
Suites' bar called Breeze.
Shirley Donahue, who was a kindergarten and fifth-grade teacher in the
Pierre schools for 23 years, died Nov. 1 at Dorsett Healthcare Center in
spearfish after a 10-year struggle with chronic health problems. A
native of Cresbard, she attended South Dakota State University and
earned her teaching degree at Black Hills State University. She taught
at Miller and Edgemont before coming to the Pierre school system. She is
survived by two daughters, Kelly Wheeler in Custer and Kathleen Hood in
Spearfish; a son, Mike Donahue in Spearfish; three grandchildren; two
great-grandchildren, and long-time companion Bill Engels of Pierre.
The employees at BankWest's Onida branch sent care packages to several
deployed soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq who have ties to the Onida
community. The packages included homemade cookies, breads and snack
mixes plus things like jerky, chips, coffee, cards and personal hygiene
items. They included a copy of The Onida Watchman in each box. The
soldiers did what any Watchman reader would do while in another
country---they had their picture taken holding a copy of the newspaper
for its "Watchman On The Road" feature. Pictured were SSG Jeff Wright,
son-in-law of Wayne and Barb Heien; SPC Austin Green, grandson of Sharon
Archer; SFC David Serbousek, son of David and Jennifer Serbousek; SSG
Bill Weischedel, son of Dale and LaVonne Weischedel; SSG Nick Johnson,
who is employed by Joe Matzen of Onida; 1SG Robert Slaba of Blunt, an
employee of Wilbur Ellis, and SPC Bryan Slaba of Aberdeen, son of 1SG
Robert and Norma Slaba. The soldiers also included this note with the
photo: "We from the 200th Eng. Co. wish to say thank you for the care
packages you sent us. We are one big family here, or it seems that way
with everyone from South Dakota. We take great pride taking care of each
other. It is also our job to protect what we know we have and that is
the freedoms that we enjoy with our families and loved ones. For that we
know the sacrifice we make is worth it. We are enclosing a photo of all
the soldiers here on Camp Leatherneck who have ties to the Onida area.
We would like to acknowledge the ones who are keeping the home fires
burning till we return. Thank you for the care packages."
Newly-inducted members of National Honor Society at Stanley County High
School are Cade Larson, Seth Van Den Hemel, Bailey Tibbs, Rickey Ackley,
Madison Hand and Hailey Norman. (News courtesy of "Today's KCCR News.")
Anthony Hunt is part of a 10-member cast that will present this fall's
USD opera, Mozart's "The Magic Flute," on the campus at 7 p.m. Saturday,
Nov. 19. The students also performed the show for the first time at
Lincoln High School in Sioux Falls yesterday morning and will be at
Yankton High School next Monday noon.
By an amazing, unexpected majority of 58% to 42%, Sioux Falls voters
decided that that city---and thus South Dakota!---will have a new events
center. The present Sioux Falls Arena opened in 1962. Construction on
the new facility is expected to begin next summer.
TWO RIGGS SENIORS ACHIEVE MERIT SEMIFINALIST STATUS
By Samantha Beck, Riggs High School Governor Staff
Every year over 1.5 million high school students take the PSAT test
nationwide, but only 16,000 of them are named National Merit Scholar
semifinalists. Seniors Joey Knofczynski and Courtney Sargent are two of
those 16,000.
Last year Sargent and Knofczynski took the PSAT with hopes of qualifying
for the National Merit Scholarship Program, an academic competition for
recognition and scholarships. Their test scores were high enough to
qualify them as two of 50,000 students who received recognition in the
program. In September they were notified that they had become
semifinalists.
Being recognized in the program will help Sargent and Knofczynski in the
quest for college scholarships.
"I think it will help with getting into college a lot because I think
both of the colleges I'm looking at have good programs for finalists
plus scholarships for semifinalists. Plus I've already got a ton of mail
from schools saying 'congratulations on being a semifinalist,'" Sargent
said.
When they were named semifinalists, Sargent and Knofczynski each filled
out an application to become one of 15,000 finalists. Both students say
that becoming a finalist would be an honor and would help them with
plans for the future.
Sargent and Knofczynski agree that the process wasn't that difficult and
was well worth it. "I would tell other kids to take the PSAT because I
didn't think I would get it and I was really surprised when I did,"
Sargent said. "Keep your possibilities open."
VOCABULARY #3
Chickens: The only animals you eat before they are born and after they
are dead.
CHILDREN'S CHORUS PLANS CHRISTMAS CONCERT
"A Ceremony of Carols" will be performed by the Capital City Children's
Chorus and guest musicians at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, at First United
Methodist Church in Pierre with Barb Newman as conductor and Donna
Dettman as accompanist.
Guest musicians will include Anna Vorhees of Augustana College on harp,
James Weaver on cello, Karen Lindbloom on organ and Pierre native Andrew
Wulf on oboe.
PERSONAL NOTES
* The administration at Riggs High School has decided not to allow dance
studios or any "outside groups" to use the Riggs theater during the
month of May 2012. Among those affected is the Forney-Cronin Dance
Studio, which for 61 years dating all the way back to Marge Forney's
studio's earliest years has been holding its spring dance concert on
Mother's Day weekend. The rationale given by the administration is
something to the effect that May is "hectic" at the school with semester
tests, graduation, scholarship night, athletic events, etc. How many of
these are held in the Riggs theater? Graduation---no. Athletic
events---no. Semester tests---no. Scholarship night and spring music
concerts have always been able to fit into the theater during May in the
past. Anyone interested in supporting the plea of the Forney-Cronin
Studio and the other dance studios is encouraged to contact school board
members in advance of next Monday's meeting and/or attend the meeting
when the studio's request that the decision be reviewed will be
presented before the board at its 6:30 p.m. meeting at McKinley School.
Pamela Cronin was told the earliest she could schedule use of the Riggs
theater would be Memorial Day weekend. Phone calls and input from her
and numerous parents have so far met with no progress in resolving the
situation. We respectfully hope the school district people will
reconsider their decision.
* Isn't it interesting that dance studios, hockey teams, soccer teams,
et al., are considered "outside groups" when almost 100% of their
members are Pierre School District students?
* The news that rocked South Dakota last week was former Gov. Bill
Janklow's announcement, during a press conference in his law office in
Sioux Falls, that he is dying of terminal brain cancer. The most
pathetic people in the state last week were those who, under the veil of
anonymity, submitted comments to the Argus Leader editorial page's
online message board to the effect that his illness is "karma" and "what
goes around comes around." Janklow served two eight-year terms as
governor, and there's no denying he was a hands-on governor who made
major decisions and very minor decisions. He was outspoken, and that
made him the source of many people's ire. Now is not the time to express
that ire publicly.
* Some thoughts that immediately came to my mind when I heard the news
of Janklow's situation were these. I was in my early years on the staff
at the Pierre Capital Journal when he took office as governor the first
time. He didn't wait until Inauguration Day on the first or second
weekend of January but instead chose to be sworn into office at midnight
on New Year's Day. I recall, with camera in hand, climbing atop one of
those old steam-heat radiators in the governor's office to get a good
view from which to take photos of the moment. Another memory occurred
from one of his inaugural receptions; just which year it was, I don't
recall, but the receiving line was held in the Riggs High gym. I recall
vividly going through the line to shake the governor's hand. But by that
time his right hand had swollen to enormous---and obviously
painful---size from having shaken hundreds of hands for hours. By the
time we reached him he had decided he had to use his left hand for
hand-shaking.
* When my second son Ryan was still a youngster---he must have been
about 6 years old---he already knew where the governor's office was
because we had visited the Capitol often. In Ryan's mind there was no
reason why a guy couldn't stop in to see the governor, so all on his
own---and frighteningly, by himself!---he went from our house on
Prospect across from the courthouse, got safely across the highway
(Euclid) and two other busy streets to reach the Capitol. He went in to
invite Governor Janklow to our house for Thanksgiving dinner.
Unfortunately the governor wasn't there that day. But imagine my
surprise when our phone at home rang one day just prior to Thanksgiving,
and the voice on the line---I instantly knew who it was---asked if Ryan
were home. I called Ryan to the phone, and he and the governor had a
conversation, Janklow explaining kindly and patiently how much he
appreciated the invitation to dinner but that he and his family were
planning to go somewhere else for the holiday. From that day forward, we
had a new respect for the governor. Later Ryan was able to visit the
governor's office, sit at the big desk and have his photo taken there.
* We Minnesota Twins fans have been violated! Ever since the sixth game
of the 1991 World Series, television announcer Jack Buck's call of Kirby
Puckett's game-winning home run, "And we'll see you tomorrow night!",
has "belonged" to the Twins. In fact, in one of the displays of famous
radio and TV calls in Twins history, that very call by Jack Buck is one
of those prominently displayed. But now in Game 6 of this year's World
Series, his son, Joe Buck, I know, was just honoring his dad's memory
exactly 20 years and one day after he made that call by saying, as the
Cardinals won Game 6 also on a home run by David Freese, "And we'll see
you tomorrow night!" OK, I get it, but you Cardinal fans need not think
for one minute that you get to claim that TV call. It belonged to us
first and it always will.
* On a recent night for about an hour's time, my cellular phone died,
and I couldn't get into my Hotmail account. All at the same time! I felt
absolutely alone in the world. Isolated! Cut off! The little gremlins
behind my e-mail account were saying the account had been temporarily
closed because it had been hacked so I would have to change my password.
(Just try doing that if you want an exercise in frustration!) I was
beginning to panic about all of the stuff I have saved on my Hotmail
account and how I was going to get the Midweek Update sent out and on
and on. Finally I managed to achieve the creation of a new password. My
e-mail was restored. So eventually was my cell phone service, too. It's
hard to believe that as recently as 15 years ago I had neither a cell
phone nor e-mail and somehow survived.
* It's been a marvelous four or five weeks of music here in Vermillion
on the university campus. With the auditorium in Slagle Hall finally
renovated and restored after what seemed like an eternity (more like
three years), the South Dakota Symphony came down to perform a
grand-opening concert on Dakota Days weekend. Marvelous! The university
choirs, after three school years of performing in a local church because
Slagle was not available, got back "home" for their fall concert. What
sound in that place! And on Nov. 2 the Skinner organ, which hadn't been
played for more than two decades but which now has also been restored,
was rededicated in a masterful concert by David Higgs from the Eastman
School of Music in New York. Incredible! Now as the school year
progresses, almost all of the music department's major concerts will be
held in the auditorium, now called Aalfs Auditorium at Slagle Hall. On
Nov. 16, for example, the marching band will have its first indoor
spectacular there. I can't begin to imagine what that will sound like!
* Last week's column in the Update and the Capital Journal about passing
people on the sidewalk (whether to speak to them or not?) rang a bell
with Pierre native Renee Rodgers, who has been living in midtown New
York City for the past few months. "At the beginning, I enthusiastically
gave greetings on the street," Renee wrote to me. "I have since reverted
to everyone else's tactic of becoming a faceless zombie just trying to
get around all the obstacles (which i used to call people!) Your article
made me realize that the lack of replies I received is probably not
because all people are rude but because they are shocked--(a stranger
paid attention to me in NY??!). I am excited to get back out there with
my South Dakota mentality and surprise a few zombies today!"
* Last week we suggested there might not be a Midweek Update this week.
Obviously that was wrong because here it is. Next week, however, may be
a different story. We'll see.
PARAPROSDOKIANS #1
Light travels faster than sound. That is why some people appear bright
until you hear them speak.
STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS SCHEDULE
(All games on S.D. Public Broadcasting)
Thursday:
2:30 p.m.---Class 11A, Dell Rapids vs. West Central.
7:30 p.m.--- Class 11B, Tri-Valley vs. McCook Central/Montrose.
Friday:
11 a.m.---Class 9B, Avon vs. Waverly/South Shore.
2:30 p.m.---Class 9A, Wall vs. Canistota.
7:30 p.m.---Class 9AA, Kimball-White Lake vs. Bridgewater/Emery-Ethan.
Saturday:
7:30 p.m.---Class 11AA, Sioux Falls Roosevelt vs. Sioux Falls
Washington.
RIGGS HIGH STUDENTS HELP FEED SOUTH DAKOTANS
By Samantha Beck, Riggs High School Governor Staff
Student Senate and Youth Involvement Program (YIP) members can be found
at the Pepsi building packing boxes with food for the hungry on the
first Thursday of every month. "It's called 'Feeding South Dakota,'"
Student Senate and YIP advisor Darlene Neiles said.
"We fill 1,200 boxes for the elderly in our region. The boxers are
filled with cereal, juice, canned items, etc. Some adult groups from
around the community also come like BankWest and PILC," Neiles said.
YIP and Student Senate members have fun and meet new people while
helping around the community. "I go for YIP and Student Senate, but I
also like to go just to help out," senior Kortney Schmitz said. "The
most fun part is being part of the huge assembly line, talking with all
sorts of people and getting something accomplished."
The volunteers also work to fill all the boxes with nonperishable food
items. "It's hard work. You are doing the same thing over and over, but
it's a lot of fun. I try to get everyone to sing while they work!"
Neiles said.
Any student, regardless of involvement in YIP or Student Senate, is
encouraged to help out at the Feeding South Dakota building on the first
Thursday of every month. Students are given the opportunity to do some
great local volunteer work alongside their classmates and friends.
"It is very rewarding and fun, and we could use all the help we can
get," Neiles said.
FOOTBALL CONTEST
The contest games were tougher last week. The best score was 6-4
recorded by Eric Robinson and Shawn Hostler.
This week's games (send your 10 winners by noon Saturday to
parker_knox@hotmail.com or "comment" on my Facebook page under the
listing of the contest games):
1. Oregon @ Stanford
2. Nebraska @ Penn State
3. TCU @ Boise State
4. Michigan State @ Iowa
5. Michigan @ Illinois
6. Oklahoma State @ Texas Tech
7. Texas A&M @ Kansas State
8. NFL: Detroit @ Chicago
9. NFL: New York Giants @ San Francisco
10. NFL: Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati
HOCKEY ROUNDUP
Oahe Capitals: The defending state champion boys varsity team opened the
season with a pair of exhibition losses to the South Dakota U16 all-star
team, 3-1 and 2-1 at the Expo Center last Saturday. Kyle Mammenga had
two great games in goal, according to Coach Rob Kittay. The Caps, who
lost 10 players to graduation from the state championship squad, got
their first-game goal from Will Gordon off an assist from Elliot
Shoup-Owens. Jordan Reiss scored the Caps' goal in the second game. The
season continues this weekend with two more non-league games at Mitchell
at 8 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday.
DID I READ THAT SIGN RIGHT? #4
In an office: WOULD THE PERSON WHO TOOK THE STEPLADDER YESTERDAY PLEASE
BRING IT BACK OR FURTHER STEPS WILL BE TAKEN.
TERRY WOSTER'S COLUMN IN THE MITCHELL DAILY REPUBLIC
A good teacher is a gift to a classroom
The world would be a sorry place if we didn't pause to note the passing
of Shirley Donahue.
To say she was a teacher doesn't begin to describe the blessing that her
long life was to a couple of generations of school children, especially
those fortunate enough to have grown up within the boundaries of the
Washington Elementary School here in Pierre.
My kids were among those lucky young people. By the time they were
school-age, we lived in a corner house four blocks west of the school,
an easy walk to a wonderful old building filled with a wonderful staff,
none more so than Shirley Donahue.
I can still remember my daughter, getting ready for her first day in
first grade at Washington School, telling her kindergarten-bound younger
brother how much he was going to like Mrs. Donahue.
"She is so-o-o-o nice," the big sister told the little brother as they
stood in the morning sun in the back yard, getting their
first-day-of-school photograph taken. I suppose that all across the town
that morning older siblings were telling their younger brothers or
sisters the same thing.
Shirley Donahue was 82 when she died. Seeing the age in the obituary
gave me a start. It never occurred to me to think of her as having an
age. I mean, she was never young to me. All the years I knew her, she
was mature and self-assured. But she was never old. She had such a
lively spirit, and she showed such passion whenever she talked about
teaching or children or the extraordinary things that happened in every
classroom on the most ordinary of days. Age was never something I
associated with Shirley Donahue.
I came to know her through my children, obviously. But I discovered that
she had been following some of my writing about the state Legislature
and politics and government activity almost from the time I began
reporting for The Associated Press. She talked easily about things going
on in government, asking questions about personalities and policy
debates, generally showing that she paid fairly close attention to
current events.
During one of those conversations she asked if I'd come and speak to one
of her classes about writing and newspaper work. By that time she was
teaching fifth grade, I believe it was. She told me she had a couple of
students who showed an interest in and a talent for writing. She asked
me just to spend part of a class period talking about writing and
language and why it matters to be able to communicate.
I told her I didn't have time. She ignored that and suggested two or
three dates that would be good for the class if one of them would work
for me. I told her I wouldn't be much good talking to grade-school
students. She ignored that, too, and continued planning for my first
visit.
What's a person to do? The woman taught my kids, for heaven's sake. She
knew more about teaching and classrooms and children than I did.
Eventually I agreed as she knew I would. She didn't take "no" without a
fight.
When I arrived at her classroom with a dictionary in one hand, Shirley
Donahue broke into a big smile. When I told her students that, at their
age, I carried a similar dictionary everywhere I went and looked up the
meaning of each new word I heard, a lasting relationship was cemented
between me and the teacher.
For years after that, I spoke to her classes. Each year when she called
to schedule the visit, she'd remind me to bring a dictionary. I told her
once that it seemed to me the kids looked at me like I was a nerd when I
talked about the dictionary. "Don't let them fool you," she said.
"They're listening."
Maybe they were. I know they listened to her, year after year. I know
they learned from her, year after year. Any good teacher is a gift to a
classroom full of students. Shirley Donahue was an inspired teacher and
a gift indeed.
FIRST SATURDAY IN DECEMBER MEANS ANOTHER TOUR OF HOMES
Fort Pierre's Community & Youth Involved Center will be having its 26th
annual Holiday Tour of Homes fundraiser on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 1 to 4
p.m. Tickets will be available at American State Bank, BankWest
locations, Card & Candy, and The Hollywood Shop in Pierre and at First
National Bank and the C&YI Center in Fort Pierre for $10 each. Tour
homes will be announced later.
A salad lunch will be served prior to the tour from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30
p.m. at the Sutley Senior Citizens Center for $5.
Complimentary coffee and cookies will be served from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
at the senior center for all ticketholders.
For further information on the event call Pat Duffy at 223-2701.
PROGRESS BEING MADE AT GOLF COURSE
Hard work and good weather this fall have allowed more progress than
expected to be made on flood repair at Hillsview Golf Course.
City Administrator Leon Schochenmaier told city commissioners Tuesday
night that not only has the repair work gone well, but they now believe
the repair cost to the golf course will be lower than initial estimate
of $920,000.
While the cost may be lower, Schochenmaier cautions that doesn’t mean
the course will open sooner next year. He said they are still shooting
for a midsummer opening for at least some of the course.
Besides the good weather that has remained, Schochenmaier said the help
of numerous volunteers has been valuable. (News courtesy of "Today's
KCCR News.")
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