Hill City Prevailer-News

Church steeple once again points to heaven

2012-01-26T09:17:00.000-07:00

INTO THE BLUE – After being taken down for major reconstruction work, the Little White Church steeple was finally put back in its rightful place on Jan. 5 when D&W Crane was hired to hoist it to the top of the church. Now with a four-foot by six-foot aluminum cross on the top, the steeple and the cross reflect the sunlight all day long, according to Buzz Grover, supervisor for the church building project. [Submitted Photo]

By Carol Walker

For 122 years the steeple on the Little White Church has been pointing toward heaven, and after several weeks of repair and reconstruction, it is again resting in its rightful place atop the church.
Buzz Grover, supervisor for the church building project, said he is hopeful the revamping done on the steeple will stand the test of time. The original church and steeple were built in 1889 under the direction of Joe Hare, lead carpenter for the project. It was time to give the steeple some needed TLC.
“We replaced so many rotten boards and recut all the windows. The bell tower had only two openings, but originally there were four openings, so we brought it back to its original look. We put weather guard under the tin so the wood is now sealed against the moisture,” said Grover.
Louvers were installed on the windows to keep out the weather and screen was put in behind the louvers to keep the birds from the belfry. According to Grover, a new bell platform in the steeple structurally ties the steeple together.
Grover credits Darren Sandven and Garold Fowler with much of the work done on the structure. Sandven figures he worked for about a week and a half, most of the time, on the steeple, with Fowler working alongside him.
Though he has been a carpenter for several years, Sandven said he has never done a project like this before. The biggest concern for him was when the steeple was taken off and set on the ground, would it fit again when it was returned to the roof.
Ron Walker, pastor of the Little White Church, said he has been impressed with the measuring and cutting done by Sandven. All the angles were done perfectly.
“Anything you build, it all goes back to high school geometry. If you have one straight side, then you can work off of that,” said Sandven.
Fowler said the basic plan for the steeple was the brainchild of Grover who would brainstorm ideas and then talk them through with Sandven and Fowler. When it was done and the crane was brought from D&W Crane of Rapid City to lift it back on the church, it was a pretty tense moment, Fowler said. But he also said when the steeple was placed on the building and it all fit together, it was a pretty impressive moment.
Grover marvels at the way God was involved in helping things come together properly.
When installing the metal ribbed roofing on the steeple, they started at the center, but when they put roofing on the “apron” surrounding the steeple, they started on the right side. When it was in place, all the ribs matched up.
There is something new on the steeple this time around. A four-foot by six-foot aluminum cross extends above the steeple. Grover said Walker had mentioned the possibility, which brought about discussion with the building committee and subsequently, the decision to employ Jay’s Welding of Rapid City to create the cross.
The cross is made of a three by five inch polished aluminum channel, and the stem goes into the steeple about eight feet and is anchored with 3 5/8 inch carriage bolts. A cone fits around the base of the cross and rests on the point of the steeple. Grover estimates the distance to the top of the cross to be about 56 feet above the parking lot and probably about 80 feet up from the street. He said the cross and the roof reflect the light all day long.
“The color changes as the sun comes up in the morning and sets in the evening. The steeple is bright all day long. It is like a beacon on the hill, just as the Little White Church has been a beacon for 122 years,” said Grover.

Victim responds to Doering’s deal with prosecutors

2012-01-26T09:14:00.004-07:00

Victim responds — Carrol Knutson, Birchwood. Minn., is photographed with her grandson, Jake, while hiking Harney Peak last June 17, just a few hours before Paul Doering, a gunfighter appearing in Hill City’s shootout reenactment, fired live rounds into the crowd. Knutson received a wound and was taken to Rapid City Regional Hospital, where a surgeon removed bullet fragments from her lower leg. [Submitted photo]

By Bev Pechan

Paul Doering recently appeared in federal court and made an agreement to enter a plea of guilty to the charge of tampering with evidence, replacing the initial charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Doering, 49, was identified as the shooter in Hill City’s Wild Bunch entertainment that sent three people to the hospital last June after Doering fired live rounds into a crowd of spectators from the weapons he was carrying.
The Minnesota man has spent time incarcerated in that state on a variety of charges over the years, mainly having been charged with violent behavior and/or money crimes.
Carrol Knutson, Birchwood, Minn., was taken to Rapid City Regional Hospital following the shooting incident, where a surgeon removed what he noted as bullet fragments. Knutson, along with her husband, Don, were on vacation with their teenage grandson, Jake, showing him the sights around the Black Hills before heading on to a whitewater rafting experience in Wyoming. Earlier that day, they had climbed Harney Peak.
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Doering enters guilty plea in federal court

2012-01-26T09:14:00.003-07:00

By Bev Pechan

The Hill City shooter, aka Paul Doering, appeared in federal court in Rapid City last Thursday, entering a guilty plea to the charge of evidence tampering following the incident during Hill City’s Wild Bunch shootout on Main and Elm streets on June 17 of last year.
Doering, a four-time convicted felon who has served time in Minnesota, was originally charged as a felon in possession of a firearm, but that charge was later dropped in exchange for his plea agreement to the tampering charge.
According to law enforcement reports, Doering, 49, Summerset, was accused of firing live ammunition from two handguns during the shootout performance and later asked his girlfriend, Phyllis Masten, to remove the guns while he reportedly buried the ammunition and spent casings to keep them from falling into the hands of authorities.
The evidence was later retrieved at the scene and no charges were apparently filed against the woman. Doering originally maintained that he didn’t know his weapons were loaded. He has not publicly stated why he had live ammunition in them.
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House OKs plan to increase ag-tax values at a faster pace

2012-01-26T09:13:00.003-07:00

By Bob Mercer
for Community News Service

Assessed values of farm and ranch lands in many parts of South Dakota would be allowed to increase or decrease at a much faster rate for property tax purposes, under legislation that gained widespread approval Friday from the state House of Representatives.
The plan, which now moves to the Senate for consideration, is an attempt to smooth the transition from a system that was based on market values to one that reflects productivity and soil types.
The legislation would allow annual increases and decreases ranging as high as 15 to 25 percent for cropland and non-cropland. The current law limits those changes to no more than 10 percent per year.
The problem that developed in recent years is 10 percent isn’t sufficient for adjusting assessed values fast enough in many counties, especially on much of the cropland. The fear among legislators is many landowners would face extremely large increases in 2018 when the 10 percent cap is set to expire.
The new plan would set a range of caps – 10 percent, 15 percent and 25 percent – depending upon how far behind a county is in its adjustments. The plan also would extend the transition period by two more years so the caps wouldn’t expire until 2020.
House members voted 56-8 in support of the changes Friday. The legislation, House Bill 1003, was the product of the state’s agricultural land assessment implantation and oversight advisory task force that was established years ago by the Legislature to guide the agricultural-income approach into effect.
Rep. Paul Dennert, D-Columbia, led the debate in favor of the legislation Friday. He had brought a generally similar plan in the 2011 session. House members supported it then but senators weren’t comfortable moving forward with it, because Dennert hadn’t taken it through the task force.
After reviewing the 2011 statistics the task force decided his concept had merit.
Dennert showed House members Friday that non-cropland in Brown County was behind about 4 percent while cropland was behind by 73 percent. He said that after two years the 10 percent cap on increases is too little.
“It’s an equalization issue,” he said. He acknowledged he’s not totally in favor of the additional two years but said he’s willing to “take half a loaf.”
Rep. Kim Vanneman, R-Ideal, said the House committee on agriculture was unanimous Thursday in endorsing passage. “This is a very complicated system,” she said. “We have to remember this is statewide, and it does take state equalization.”
Rep. Steve Street, D-Revillo, said the 10 percent cap was unfairly limiting the changes. “The quicker we can get implemented, the fairer it will be,” he said.
The legislation was opposed by a smattering of Republicans including the House majority leader, David Lust of Rapid City, and the assistant majority leader, Justin Cronin of Gettysburg.
Others voting against it included David Novstrup of Aberdeen, Mark Venner of Pierre, Lance Russell of Hot Springs, Mike Verchio of Hill City, Brian Liss of Sioux Falls and Laura Hubbel of Sioux Falls.
The Legislature had shifted away from using market values for assessing agricultural land because there weren’t sufficient sales meeting the criteria necessary to get an accurate read of the market in many counties. A result was wide variations county to county in values used for taxation.

Keystone is looking for 1972 flood memories

2012-01-26T09:13:00.001-07:00

By Bev Pechan

At last week’s regular town board meeting, president David Cofoid said he had received correspondence from Pam Knapp, wondering if Keystone was planning to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1972 flood, which occurred on June 9 of that year. Nine people were counted among the dead in Keystone, all of whom were tourists.
Rapid City has been planning for over a year to recognize the disaster that claimed an official total of 238 lives. Besides the city, the Journey Museum is planning to install a permanent exhibit telling the story of that night and its aftermath.
Keystone has had its own dramas and tales of narrow escapes during that ordeal that are still vivid in the memories of residents and those of the surrounding area. The new Watson Park addition to Keystone’s city park had a river run through it at that time and there are stories out there about almost every kind of survival methods and close calls. By a lucky fluke, the town of Keystone was incorporated just a few weeks before flood waters rearranged the look of the place -- an act that fortunately allowed officials to apply for federal disaster aid and allowed for rebuilding.
Anyone who has a story to share about the 1972 Flood in Keystone is asked to attend the meeting to see if there is interest in erecting a permanent memorial and or additional ways to keep this important part of the town’s history preserved. It could be through museum displays, a book, video or oral interviews, written remembrances or a combination of any or all or perhaps something altogether different. A volunteer committee will be formed at the meeting to brainstorm the possibilities for observing the event next summer.
For more information, contact Vanessa or Bobbie at city hall at 666-4827.

Rangers gain experience with new opponent

2012-01-26T09:12:00.000-07:00

Shooting the Ball — Sayge Wooldridge takes a shot against the Newell Lady Irrigators as Codee Sagdalen looks on. [Submitted Photo]

By Shawn Woodward

The Rangers girls basketball team had a tough week playing three games against some quality opponents. On Tuesday, Jan. 17, the Rangers were defeated by Newell, 65 – 57, at home. In a back and forth game throughout, the Irrigators were able to pull away in the final minutes.
Kendra McLaughlin led the Rangers with 14 points, followed by Dru Gylten and Kala McDonald each scoring 12 points. McLaughlin also led the team with six rebounds. The girls did a great job of taking care of the basketball as they committed only 12 turnovers while dishing out 14 assists. McDonald led the team with six assists followed by Gylten’s five.
The Rangers found their winning ways on Friday, defeating Sundance 50 – 29. McDonald had 14 steals which she converted into 24 points, leading all scorers. McLaughlin added 10 points as all the Rangers got playing time. McLaughlin also had 11 rebounds followed by Allie Henderson’s seven boards. The girls really dominated this game taking a 27 – 12 first half lead and extending it to 42 – 18 at the end of three quarters.
On Saturday, the Rangers played one of the newest BHC members in Spearfish, losing 64 – 39. McLaughlin again had a big game, scoring 22 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. Unfortunately, too many turnovers and mental mistakes led to the Spartans pulling away. The Rangers committed 35 turnovers, which led to many easy baskets for the Spartans.
The JV girls also competed in the same three games. The JV were defeated by Newell 47 – 43 with Codee Sagdalen leading the way with 13 points. Against Sundance, the JV girls were able to run away with a 37 – 24 win. Gylten led the way with nine points as nine different Rangers scored. Finally on Saturday, the Rangers were defeated by Spearfish 42 – 50.
“The girls really played well, but just could not catch up as we fell behind by eight points at half and could not gain enough ground,” Woodward said.
Gylten led the way with 15 points, followed by Mikahla Ferguson’s 12 points.
“Although the girls lost, it was one of their better games they have played this year against a very quality opponent,” Woodward said.
The JV record now stands at 7 – 7.
The varsity now has a record of 9 – 6 with only one game scheduled this week. Hill City hosts Hot Springs on Friday, Jan. 27, in a boys and girls doubleheader. The JV girls and JV boys start at 4 p.m. with girls varsity 5:45 and boys varsity 7:15.

Ranger boys win at buzzer in overtime

2012-01-26T09:10:00.000-07:00

Passing low — Codee Sgdalen looks to pass the ball down low against the Lady Bulldogs of Sundance. The Lady Rangers won the game and improved their record to 9 and 5.[Submitted Photo]

By Blake Gardner

Hill City won against a Black Hills Conference rival on Friday, Jan. 13. The back and forth game would need more than just four quarters to decide a winner.
The Rangers missed a shot at the end of regulation to beat Lead-Deadwood. The Rangers were shooting a free throw with three seconds in overtime in a tie game. Hill City missed the free throw, but the ball bounced into senior Jared Price’s hands for the game-winning shot with less than one second to go in the game.
The Rangers stormed the court as John Lucas had 14 points and 11 rebounds and Derek Skillingstad had 28 points and 14 rebounds. The Rangers won 60-58 in the first overtime.
Next, the Rangers traveled to Sundance, Wyo., for a matchup that has experienced several close games over the last 10 years. This game would be no different.
Hill City trailed by as much as 10 points in the fourth quarter, but tightened up the defense to allow Sundance only four points in the fourth quarter. In this game, the Rangers were again able to play for the last shot of the game by holding the ball for the final minute. Tied at 49 with 12 seconds to play, Gage Skillingstad drove baseline and John Lucas got open for a 15 foot jump shot at the buzzer for the win. Derek Skillingstad had 21 points and Gage Skillingstad had 10. The Rangers won 51-49.
Saturday the Rangers played Spearfish. The Spartans recently joined class A basketball this year and dominated the game from the opening tip. One positive was the play of senior Dietric McConnell, who has been the spark plug for the Rangers all season. Dietric finished with 12 points and several tipped balls on defense.
The next action for the Rangers is Thursday, Jan. 26, against Wall (JV at 5:30 p.m.; Varsity at 7 p.m.) and on Friday, Jan. 27, against Hot Springs (boys and girls double header: JV games at 4 p.m.; girls Varsity at 5:45 p.m., boys Varsity at 7 p.m.).

Hill City Rangers have the spirit!

2012-01-20T09:46:00.000-07:00

Ranger Pride — The Hill City cheerleaders took home first place in the stunting competition at Lakota Nation Invitational. The team is unique from other schools because it has a male cheerleader — the second in the school’s history. The Hill City cheerleading team is composed of, front row, left, Hanna Lesewski, Lexi Hanson and Matea Alexander; back row, left, Sydney Songstad, Katie Lewis, Tayden Welsch, Taylor French and Kaitlinn Verchio. [PN Photo/CARRIE MOORE]

By Carrie Moore

They’ve got spirit, yes, they do!
When fans are in the stands watching football or basketball, the lively and effervescent cheerleaders are the ones urging spectators to stand up and shout. They support their team no matter what, do flips and cartwheels in the name of their sport — all with a smile on their face.
The Hill City cheerleading team is composed of eight students: Taylor French, Kaitlinn Verchio, Hannah Lesewski, Sydney Songstad, Matea Alexander, Katie Lewis, Lexi Hanson and Tayden Welsch — Hill City’s second male cheerleader.
Over 80 percent of high schools in America have cheerleading squads. What may be more surprising is that 20 percent of those cheerleaders are male. And even more surprising, the tiny town of Hill City is part of that statistic. The first male cheerleader in Ranger history was on the squad in 2006 and 2007.
Welsch tried out for the squad two times before making the team this year. The first time he didn’t make it and he injured his leg the next year, leaving him unable to fulfill his cheer requirements. But as luck would have it, the third time was the charm. He received the second highest score during the tryouts and earned a spot on the team after the highest scoring girl moved away.
“I was so happy to make the squad after all my times trying out!” Welsch said. “I just felt so accomplished. My hard work finally paid off!”
For as long as he could remember, Welsch always wanted to be a cheerleader.
“I’ve always loved to dance and be in front of people,” he said.
For Welsch, the adrenaline rush is the best part about cheerleading.
“I love the feeling of being in front of people,” he said. “I love to perform, shout and dance. It’s such a rush.”
While many may find the role of male cheerleaders as weird, Welsch doesn’t see it that way, nor do his teammates.
“I think it makes us stronger,” said Matea Alexander, who took home the ‘Spirit Award’ at the Lakota Nation Invitational in December.
“We’re definitely more diverse than other teams,” Sydney Songstad said.
In fact, many famous actors, authors and politicians were all male cheerleaders. Michael Douglas, Jimmy Stewart and Samuel L. Jackson were all male cheerleaders.
Welsch hasn’t faced much opposition from his peers, either.
“When I was first on the team, some kids joked about it, but once they saw me at the games they stopped,” he said. “Everyone is pretty accepting — it’s awesome.”
Coach Kerry Britton said the same thing.
“Tayden is very well accepted and there haven't been any problems,” she said. “It’s such an attribute to our community and school.”

South Dakotans share thoughts on Janklow’s passing

2012-01-20T09:45:00.000-07:00

Remembering and honoring a leader — former Gov. Bill Janklow’s flag-draped casket is on display in state at the Capitol Rotunda. The casket was brought into the Capitol monday night in preparation for public viewing tuesday and a memorial ceremony. An honor guard stayed in place with it overnight. [State of South Dakota/Chad Coppess]

By Bev Pechan

U.S. Sen. John Thune issued the following statement after the passing of former Attorney General, Governor and Congressman Bill Janklow:
"Few South Dakotans have had a more profound impact on our state than Bill Janklow. He was a larger than life figure. He fought for his clients in the courtroom and for his state in the public arena and nobody could equal his level of energy. Today is a sad day for South Dakota and my thoughts and prayers are with Mary Dean and the Janklow family.”
And U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson offered these thoughts:
“I knew Gov. Janklow for more than 30 years. He was one of the most colorful governors in South Dakota’s history. We met during his first term as governor and my first term in the South Dakota House. He was not afraid of controversy. I sometimes agreed with him and sometimes disagreed – but I always respected him for his passionate sense of public service. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Mary Dean, and their children.”
Kristi Noem, U.S. Representative, also recalled Janklow’s desire to serve:
“My family’s thoughts and prayers go out to Mary Dean and the rest of Gov. Janklow’s family during this difficult time. Gov. Janklow served South Dakota with everything he had. He was a passionate advocate for our state and will be missed.”
In South Dakota, District 30 Rep. Mike Verchio, Hill City, said about Janklow:
“He did more for our state than anyone before him and I'm sure who will follow him unless the entire face of how we are governed changes.”
Sen. Bruce Rampelberg, District 30, Rapid City, agreed.
Available only in the print version of the Hill City Prevailer, to subscribe call 605.574.2538.

Shooter tampered with evidence

2012-01-20T09:43:00.005-07:00

By Bev Pechan

Paul Doering, 49, doesn’t know what the future holds for him but he has to know it isn’t going to be good. Doering is facing a potential 20 years in prison and maybe more for his role in a Hill City shootout last June 17 that sent three people to the hospital.
Authorities at the scene located Doering’s .45 caliber revolver which originally contained six live rounds of ammunition with four of the bullets being spent. Doering initially said he had no idea how the live charges got into the gun. Four of the bullets were recovered by local, state and federal agents following a combing of the area in the days after the shooting.
According to a story that broke in the media last Wednesday, Doering was quoted as saying that he “unintentionally fired a loaded handgun into a crowd of Hill City tourists.” In stories published in the Prevailer following the incident, Doering was said to be a newcomer to the Wild Bunch shootout group headquartered in Rapid City. Members of the group staged the show at the intersections of Main and Elm streets several times a week, with donations gathered going to the Children’s Miracle Network.
All firearms used in shootouts are supposed to be inspected by one person assigned to the task, said other re-enactors not associated with the Hill City group. It was alleged that on the evening of the Old West re-enactment gone wrong, Doering arrived late and his weapons reportedly were not checked.
So far as can be determined, Doering has given no reason for appearing with loaded weapons, but a ballistics expert interviewed by the Prevailer last summer agreed that after the first shot was fired, Doering would have known he was carrying live ammunition by the force of the gun’s recoil. He went on to fire three more rounds.
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Bill Janklow saved Keystone during 2002 Battle Creek fire

2012-01-20T09:43:00.002-07:00

By Bev Pechan

The only time I ever talked to Gov. Bill Janklow personally was at a cracker barrel session at Rapid City’s Parkway Café not long after the Battle Creek fire of Aug. 18-25, 2002. It threatened and nearly reached Keystone and most certainly would have taken the town with it, if it had not been for the efforts of Bill Janklow.
I wanted to thank him for saving our town. He reached out to shake hands and when I mentioned the words “thank you” he withdrew, seemed to be caught off guard and was somewhat embarrassed. With an almost timid voice, he said, “I didn’t do anything. It is all those guys out on the fire line that did the work.”
True, but if Janklow hadn’t intervened when he did, there would not have been the opportunity for the tremendous efforts put out by all those who worked frantically to keep the flames from coming that last less than a mile into Keystone from the east.
And the first area the fire would have reached would have been the homes and trailer houses clustered together with a row of propane tanks a block long.
It was an eerie feeling to look across the street at Keystone’s city park and see several tankers from other parts of South Dakota waiting on the infield for the fire to reach its first populated area and trying to stop it with hose power only. The smoke filled my nostrils on this otherwise quiet Sunday morning. I had packed what I could and came back to check on the situation after driving through dense smoke on the way to Rapid City that headlights could barely penetrate at 2 a.m. that day. This was the fire that began in the area of the Children’s Home Society, burned toward Hermosa and then doubled back and split into a Y-shape, threatening both towns of Keystone and Rockerville and easily crossing the four lanes of Highway 16 in the process.
Slurry planes had been ordered in from another state, but they sat on the tarmac in Rapid City, unable to fly because of federal regulations concerning the area. The fire was totally uncontrolled and at the time, uncontrollable.
As the flames continued their race toward Keystone, Gov. Janklow was at the command center along Highway 16, taking a quick lunch break. The late “Torb” Torbison, who had delivered sandwiches from a local restaurant, told this reporter that Janklow was eating his meal when he received the news that federal mandates would not allow firefighters access to some areas in the path of the fire. According to Torb, Janklow had an immediate reaction and, spitting his food as he talked, exclaimed “---- the feds! This may be federal property but it’s in South Dakota!” They would just have to deal with him later, he added.
Janklow ordered every state bulldozer available to the scene to start a fire line and he wanted the slurry planes released to do their job. The appropriate groups sprung into action and were miraculously able to finally halt the oncoming firestorm before it reached the city limits.
The Battle Creek Fire was the top fire priority in the nation, according to a breaking news story in the Sioux City Journal, written by Nate Tullis on Aug. 19, 2002. At that time, the fire was at 6,600 acres, but went on to consume over 11,000 acres in a steep and inaccessible part of Black Hills back country.
“The fire, about two miles north of Keystone, was most active on its southwest side,” Tullis quoted fire information officer Rick Hudson, as saying. Winds at the fire zone gusted to 45 miles per hour, but died down at dusk, though they caused the fire to begin spotting, or jumping miles ahead, because of the wind and resulting crowning. Tullis reported that another fire official, Joe Harbach, stated at that point: “The fire was more than the initial team could handle. They were the first line of defense.”
According to Tullis, “Harbach said a top-level management team was called in right away. ‘We ordered these folks early. We knew the fire was going to be big, and the complexity level far exceeded our capabilities’ he said.” The Battle Creek Fire was classified as a Type 1 fire from the start – the most dangerous type of forest fire.
The blaze at that point was five miles long from near Rockerville, southeast past Rushmore Cave and had a “mile-wide finger” running north to Pine Grove school. It was about four miles from Mount Rushmore National Memorial with Rockerville and Hayward previously evacuated and Keystone on standby that Sunday morning. It would have been Rockerville’s second evacuation in as many days.
Tullis reported: “Gov. Bill Janklow said he was frustrated by the way the Forest Service handled the fire. ‘I’m drawing a line in the sand and will not allow South Dakota to be destroyed one fire at a time,’” Janklow told the press, referring to an earlier fire in the Northern Hills that would not allow slurry bombers to cross the interstate to get water to a major fire there. “I am sick and tired of looking into the eyes of South Dakotans who have had to run for their lives,” the governor stated in typical Janklow fashion.
The previous evening, National Guard bulldozers dug a 4 ½-mile line around Keystone, but, because of the winds and spotting, there was uncertainty about whether or not the fire could be restrained. When Janklow learned that next day that large boulders had been placed on fire trails by the Forest Service to keep the public out, he went ballistic – hence the sandwich incident and the call for bulldozers.
Emergency arrangements were made to house Keystone evacuees at the South Dakota School of Mines campus in Rapid City in the event the town needed to be emptied and 600 personnel, including local volunteers and firefighters from as far away as Sioux Falls settled in for the expected holocaust, which, fortunately did not happen, due to the combined interagency actions taken and the intense labor effort by all concerned, ram-rodded by Janklow, who gave white-knuckle rides to various officials, racing to and from multiple observation sites.
Approximately five days later, the fire was declared controlled and mop-up efforts began. It was reported locally that bugs were already invading the damaged timber area as it continued to smolder. The Federal Emergency Management Agency – or FEMA – approved a grant at the height of the Battle Creek fire to pay for 75 percent of state and local firefighting costs.
This is, I know, only one of many situations Gov. Bill Janklow responded to in his long career of public service because he felt he needed to be there. He may have even showed up if he weren’t governor, but the fact that he was meant that he knew which avenues needed to be taken to protect lives and he didn’t consider political correctness when there were problems to solve. I personally admired that about him.

Rangers fall to Wildcats

2012-01-20T09:42:00.000-07:00

Pinned — Mario Lupercio holds Custer wrestler Cody Schlehter for a pin in the 195 pound match. Lupercio won the match 2-0. [PN Photo/CARRIE MOORE]

By Carrie Moore

In a great night of wrestling, the Custer Wildcats edged out the Hill City Rangers with a score of 47-33.
“I thought our guys wrestled very well,” coach Chad Ronish said. “As a team, it may be the best we have wrestled all year, which is to be expected with the Hill City-Custer rivalry.”
Corbin Goodsell (106 pounds) won his match against Micah Grace with a 6-2 score, Dominick Schooler (113) won in a 10-2 match against Miles Kirk, Marshall Swanson (120) won 4-0 against Chasen Cole, Gage Houdek (152) won 12-8 against Casey Seidler, Mario Lupercio (195) won 2-0 against Cody Schlehter and Daniel Flores won 2-0 in a heavyweight match against Tabin Elmore.
Had Custer not have received three bys due to an open weight category, the Rangers could have easily taken home the win.
“Our strength is in our lower weights, but by the time we get to mid-pack, Custer's strength and experience really shows,” Ronish said. “There were some good close matches which is always fun in a dual.”
Ronish said the team still has a lot to work on, but getting the kids on the mat in competition is the number one goal to gain valuable experience before the district tournament next month.

Tallon is new administrative coordinator for Hill City

2012-01-12T09:01:00.000-07:00

Stacia Tallon is the new administrative coordinator for the city.

By Carrie Moore

Stacia Tallon assumed the role of administrative coordinator for the city. Tallon officially started Jan. 2 after interviewing for it at the end of December.
Tallon, originally from Nebraska, used to work at Dakota Med Temps, Inc. as its human resources and finance clerk. While her current goal is to get organized and learn more about her job, Tallon looks forward to meeting new people and talking to the community.
“I’m ready for a change,” she said. “I look forward to learning more about the government of Hill City and meeting more people in the community.
Tallon said her public job is much different from her former private company job.
“Instead of authorizing things on my own, I have to go through channels before I can have things approved,” she said.
“We’re very glad to have her on board,” Brett McMacken, city administrator, said at the Jan. 2 city council meeting.
The administrative coordinator position is in charge of payroll and insurance for city workers, human resources, accounts payable and water billing.
“I hope that I can do the city proud,” she said. “Anything I can do to help makes my job better.”

Holy Terror Days Assn. has big plans for more events

2012-01-12T08:59:00.002-07:00

By Bev Pechan

Summer and autumn will be extra busy in Keystone if the Holy Terror Days committee has anything to say about it. At its first meeting of the year last Saturday, committee members mulled over several proposals designed to draw people to Keystone and encourage them to stay longer while enjoying what the area has to offer.
New this year will be a Rat Rod Festival and Rodeo held during the Sturgis Rally, which will give bikers something to do in Keystone, said organizer Mike Trike. Trike told the committee that bikers who come to his Keystone Tattoos parlor are often looking for something to do that is less crowded and more uncomplicated. Trike said he is planning a “Rats in the Hills” mini-tour of the scenic and spectacular rides around Keystone that would appeal to those who prefer rat bikes to slick Harleys, but that all are welcome to participate. Trike’s own rat bike resembles something out of the Steampunk genre, using a tractor seat and numerous “as-found” items to hold it together with a vintage coffee can for a headlight. Trike says he envisions biker games of skill and guffaws for riders that will test their ultimate determination for bragging rights and creative trophies.
Trike also thinks that a used car parts swap meet during Black Hills Overdrive in early June would also be awesome. “No new parts,” he emphasized.
Available only in the print version of the Hill City Prevailer, to subscribe call 605.574.2538.

Keystone sets salaries

2012-01-12T08:58:00.002-07:00

By Bev Pechan

It seemed all who were present at last Wednesday’s first Keystone Town Board meeting of the year agreed that things have been pretty quiet lately, and that included New Years celebrations. The lack of snow plowing activity so far has kept costs down and weather-related incidents to a minimum, it was reported. A pickup was stolen from a Hill City area residence and abandoned outside of Keystone. Two suspects were apprehended leaving the vehicle on foot, according to Pennington County Deputy Terry Comrie, who said law enforcement recognized the truck. The owner, Comrie said, thought the pickup was still in his driveway until he received a call from authorities.
In its first official transactions of 2012, the board approved First Interstate Bank as the depository for city funds and designated the Hill City Prevailer as its legal newspaper. Finance officer Vanessa Row stated that Keystone’s municipal election will be held April 10. Two positions will be available on the board of trustees – a one-year term currently held by Ray French, who was chosen to fill in the seat vacated by trustee Kim Taylor and the three-year-term of trustee and current board president David Cofoid. Also on the ballot will be a referendum petition regarding a ban on overnight parking from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. on Winter Street. Petitions for the board positions will be available at city hall beginning on Jan. 27.
Resolution 31-1-2012 was passed providing for the classification and salaries and wages of municipal employees and officers for the Town of Keystone for the period beginning Jan. 1, 2012, which was approved at the Jan. 4 meeting. Salaries are as follows: Board of trustees and board president, $50 per regular and special meeting attended; Vanessa Row, finance officer, $19.01 per hour; Dar Coy, public works, $25 per hour; Jerry Przybylski, city maintenance, $13.26 per hour; Jacob Clark, maintenance, $8.32 per hour; Bobbie Johnson, city clerk, $13.92 per hour; Diane Rohde, librarian, $13.45 per hour; Arlene Robinson, museum, $8.77 per hour; seasonal/ part-time fill-in, $8 per hour; board of equilization, $50 per meeting; election board, $8.44 per hour.
Available only in the print version of the Hill City Prevailer, to subscribe call 605.574.2538.

James Robert Fuhrmann, Sr.

2012-01-12T08:57:00.002-07:00

James Robert Fuhrmann, Sr., served in the Army during the Korean War and then in the National Guard. He worked in South Dakota, Wisconsin and Alaska as a telephone lineman until his retirement. He was a loving and devoted husband and father. James had a sense of adventure and wasn’t afraid to go after it.
Furhmann, Sr., 82, Custer, died Jan. 5, 2012, at Rapid City Regional Hospital.
He leaves behind his devoted and loving family, including his four children: Linda (David) Westfall, Ehrenberg, Ariz.; sons James, Jr. and adopted son Robert Clarke, Custer, Victor (Shelley) Fuhrmann, Hill City, and Robert (Cindy) Fuhrmann , River Falls, Wis.; four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Virginia, Spearfish, S.D., along with numerous nieces; one nephew; and many other wonderful and loving extended family and friends.
James was preceded in death by his loving wife of 56 years, Arlene Mae Fuhrmann; brother, Donald Fred Fuhrmann; his adopted father, Winfield “Buddy”; mother Gladys Fuhrmann, and biological father, Fred Singpiel.
Memorial services were Tuesday, Jan. 10, at Community Lutheran Church in Hill City with the Rev. Craig Wexler officiating. Burial followed at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.
Written condolences may be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.

Hill City Wrestler breaks record

2012-01-12T08:56:00.000-07:00

Record breaker — Dominick Schooler recently broke the school record in wrestling for career three point falls with 78 points. According to wrestling coach Chad Ronish, the old record was 71 points held by Dusty Swanson. Schooler is also closing in on the two point near falls, career pins and career wins record. Schooler is pictured above in a 113 pound match against a Custer opponent during the Custer Wrestling Invitational, in which Schooler helped the Rangers finish in the top 10. [PN Photo/CARRIE MOORE]

Vic Alexander is 2011 ‘Citizen of the Year’

2012-01-05T08:58:00.000-07:00

Citizen of the Year — When Vic Alexander isn’t busy promoting the community, running his businesses or taking care of his rental properties, he spends time with his family, seen here with granddaughters Zoe, 5, left, and Kylee, 4. Alexander considers himself lucky to have most of his relatives living in the area. “A day can’t go by without passing a family member,” he said. “I’m fortunate to see my children and grandchildren everyday. Who else can say that?” [Photo Courtesy of Hill City Volunteer Fire Department]

Victor Alexander is a man of many things: an entrepreneur, a family man, a business owner, promoter, humanitarian and a fixture in the Hill City community. Alexander is a friend to many, ready to help anyone who asks and someone who everyone can count on. For these reasons, and many more, the Hill City Prevailer-News has chosen Victor Alexander as Hill City’s Citizen of the Year.
“He’s a real go-getter in every sense of the word,” Denise Etzkorn, visitor information specialist at the Hill City Area Chamber of Commerce, said. “He never expects anything from anyone if he couldn’t do it.”
“The great thing about him is that he is so involved and active in the community,” city administrator, Brett McMacken, said. “It’s hard to go around the city without passing him. He’s very well informed and well-rounded.”
Alexander was born in Keystone, but grew up in Belle Fourche. He and his family visited the Hill City area every weekend before permanently moving to the city while he was in the eighth grade. In college, Alexander studied biology and forestry at both South Dakota State University and Colorado State. Before starting his own company, Alexander worked for the Forest Service.
“I’ve always considered myself a natural leader,” he said.
This shows through his work efforts. Alexander, along with his wife, Sherryl, founded Alexander Enterprises in 1981 after business started to grow. Today, Alexander Enterprises oversees four full businesses and 17 rental properties, which includes: Exxon and Conoco gas stations, Super 8 Motel, Teddy Bear Town, Rico’s Mexican Restaurant, BBQ to Go, The Farmer’s Daughter, Central Hills Plumbing, Mickelson Trail Adventures, The Nelson Oil and Gas propane tanks, the car wash, some vacation rentals, campgrounds, houses and lots. They also helped start the Lutheran Church daycare in the ’80s as a way to provide childcare to the community.
“Hill City is a quaint community and I like to keep its image and perpetuate it that way,” Alexander said. “I feel it’s my responsibility to help keep it a neat, tidy mountain community.”
One way to achieve this is with communication throughout the community. Since 2004, Alexander had donated the use of the Super 8 Motel’s third floor conference room to local clubs, organizations and charities. The space, which can hold 80 people meeting style or 60 people banquet style, is rented out to groups, charities, clubs and non-profit agencies — as long as it somehow benefits the community. Paid groups, such as birthday, graduation and anniversary parties, reunions and seminars are also booked as well. According to Alexander, it averages out to one meeting a day throughout the entire year.
Some groups that have had meetings there include: Hill City Arts Council, Hill City Arts Alliance, Forest Service, Weed and Pest Committee, Heart of the Hills Quilt Guild, Garden Club, Economic Development Club, Hill City Area Chamber of Commerce, Black Hills Museum of Natural History, the Board of Education, United Blood Services, Hill City Prom Committee, Sturgis Rally Committee, the scrapbooking club and the local Boys Scouts troop. There have also been study groups for college nurses, Bible studies for various churches and even a community garage sale.
If the club or group helps promote communication and education throughout the community, the fee for the room is waved.
“If you’re part of that, there is a space for you to have meetings and conduct anything that helps to promote or educate Hill City,” Alexander said. “I feel communication is just one way to promote our community.”
Alexander also believes the most important thing about the community is its image.
Available only in the print version of the Hill City Prevailer, to subscribe call 605.574.2538.

Life flight transports victim after two-car crash near Hill City

2012-01-05T08:56:00.001-07:00

Accident near Hill City — An accident early Tuesday morning sent one person to the hospital and another life-flighted to Rapid City Regional Hospital. Neither have life-threatening injuries. Traffic was backed up a mile outside of town as crews directed the life-flight helicopter and ambulance on the scene to pick up the injuried parties. [PN Photo/Charley Najacht]

By Bev Pechan

One person was transported by Hill City ambulance and one was life-flighted by helicopter to Rapid City Regional Hospital after a head-on collision on South Highway 16 near Mitchell Lake Road around 7:40 a.m. Tuesday.
Taylor French, 19, Hill City, was driving his 1999 Ford Mustang northbound when he allegedly crossed the center line and hit a southbound 2000 Honda CRV driven by Kevin Cook, 41, of Rapid City. Cook was flown to Rapid City with serious, but non- life-threatening injuries, according to Sgt. Rick Miller of the South Dakota Highway Patrol. Cook’s passenger, Darin Kern, 43, Zimmerman, Minn., was also taken to Regional with undisclosed injuries. French, who was reportedly not injured was cited for driving on the wrong side of the road. All three were wearing seat belts, according to the initial report taken by the Highway Patrol, Miller said.
Sara Booth from Hill City’s ambulance team told the Prevailer that, “When we pulled up, I saw broken vehicles and one in the ditch.” Hill City had two ambulances at the scene and Booth stated that she was unaware of how many persons were involved in the crash or the extent of injuries as she was interfacing with the helicopter as it prepared to land on the highway. Traffic was backed up a long distance in both directions, Booth said, as people were headed for work.
Miller said that while there was no indication on his preliminary report pertaining to weather conditions, others interviewed stated that the portion of the highway involved is frequently slippery during the winter months. Tuesday’s temperatures were warming up after an overnight freeze and by 8:30 a.m. were near 40 degrees between Hill City and Keystone.
Deputy Doug Campbell of the Pennington County Sheriff’s Department and fellow officer Terry Comrie were also at the accident scene. Campbell stated that there is at least “one rollover there every winter. Even if warms up, that stretch of road doesn’t warm up,” he said, but, he added, “it didn’t feel that slippery this morning.”
Campbell said that a rollover occurred on Deerfield Road Monday which was possibly caused by road conditions at the time. A representative at Central Hills Towing told the Prevailer that another accident took place near Tuesday’s crash about a week before when someone took the corner too fast and went into the ditch.
Wally Matush lives near the stretch of highway where Tuesday’s mishap occurred and said that cars wound up off the road near her home “quite often.” She said she has contacted DOT in the past about erecting a guard rail, but was told that they did not deem it necessary. “I think by the bridge – it’s a really bad area there,” she said.
Miller said the investigation into the exact cause of the crash is ongoing.

County may have to payback road money

2012-01-05T08:50:00.000-07:00

By Bev Pechan

That’s probably what will happen, says chairman of the Pennington County Commission, Ken Davis.
“Davis has long been a proponent of seeing the road paved, which will allow three corridors for Black Hills through traffic and make the area more commuter-friendly.
But Davis admits there are rural residents along that 18-mile stretch of roadway between Rochford and Deerfield Lake who do not want to see increased usage in what they vision as their own private haven. There is also a spiritual sanctuary whose principals claim upgrading the road will require an extensive environmental impact study (EIS) to prevent potential Native artifacts from being disturbed during reconstruction.
Davis contends that allowing more traffic on an improved road in that area north and west of Hill City will bring more motorists through town, including Sturgis Rally-goers looking for an alternative route from Deadwood to the Southern Hills and will aid the town’s economy. The portion of the road in question is currently unpaved, which, Davis says, will eventually see more traffic anyway, but will most likely increase in potentially hazardous conditions, such as dust and accidents.
Available only in the print version of the Hill City Prevailer, to subscribe call 605.574.2538.

2011: a year in review, part two

2012-01-05T08:49:00.000-07:00

It was another year full of achievement, tragedy and everything in between in Hill City. From January to December, events continually happened that made news and shaped Hill City in 2011. This is a month-by-month recap of those events that made the news in our county this past year. The second part of the review recaps events from July through December.
July
• Dave Gray was sworn in as Hill City’s mayor after former Mayor Dan Maxfield resigned.
• A motorcycle accident in Keystone killed the passenger on the 2006 Suzuki. Nicole Lyn Dunn, Rapid City, was thrown from the bike and into an oncoming car after the driver of the motorcycle failed to notice a stopped car in the left passing lane.
• U.S. Representative Kristi Noem listened to input from several witnesses representing federal, state, local and private entities from South Dakota, all concerned about the mountain pine beetle epidemic raging through the Black Hills.
• Mike Jacob, owner of Black Hills Aerial Adventures, was turned down for relocation on Highway 16 near Rockerville. Jacob then entered an agreement with Keystone investor Bill Durst and began flying from a temporary site near Rushmore View Inn. This move was met with much opposition after Keystone residents complained about the noise, wind and safety issues. It was also believed Jacob was responsible for a power outage in Keystone when a tree fell on power lines while trees were being removed on the helicopter owner’s property. Some citizens didn’t mind the nearby helicopter pad, as it brings tourists into the city. Jacob replaced the helicopters with quieter models, changed his flight route and cut back his hours of operation in response to residents’ complaints. Many Keystone residents still wanted a noise ordinance in place and Jacob’s helicopters banned.
• Mike Hanson assumed his role as Hill City superintendent in the beginning of the month. During his first month as superintendent, Hanson examined the school’s budget, looked over operating procedures, met Hill City residents and prepared for his first school board meeting.
• Chad Ronish traveled to Geneva, Switzerland, for the European Council for Nuclear Research. The Hill City high school physics teacher met with other researchers and teachers from over 28 countries. Ronish was one of five high school teachers selected from the United States. The teachers researched on introducing particle physics to classrooms, developed new teaching methods and resources for students and teachers and were also encouraged to use the Internet and increasing technology in order to improve physics.
Available only in the print version of the Hill City Prevailer, to subscribe call 605.574.2538.

Ranger debaters look for strong year

2012-01-05T08:46:00.001-07:00

By Chuck Landon

Hill City High School's Debate Team is off to a slow but encouraging start. After an initial response of 12 students, including five returning "veterans" from last year's outstanding team, several have dropped out to participate in other extra-curricular activities or to focus more on their academics, leaving us with one returning debater and two novices. Senior and team Captain Kaitlynn Langenbau, who with graduated Mackenzie Swanson was part of last year's championship Public Forum team, will this year compete in Lincoln-Douglas debate. L-D is one-on-one debate named after the famous political debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas and emphasizes values rather than policies or programs. A new topic is introduced every two months by the National Forensic League. The January-February 2012 topic is: "Resolved: It is morally permissible for victims to use deadly force as a deliberate response to repeated domestic violence."
Two first-year (novice) debaters compose the Public Forum Debate Team: Sophomore Autumn Chapman and freshman Emma Buss. Public Forum focuses on strength of arguments and persuasive speaking on topics which change monthly. During December they competed at two novice tournaments on the topic, "Resolved: In the United States, current income disparities threaten democratic ideals." In their very first inter-scholastic debate, competing against other Black Hills high schools at Douglas High School, they compiled a one-win, one-loss, one split-decision record. In their second tournament, at Spearfish High School, they achieved a two-win, two-loss record.
Both Kaitlynn and the Autumn-Emma team will next compete against debaters representing schools of all sizes from South Dakota, Wyoming and Nebraska at Newcastle high school on Jan. 13-14. The Public Forum topic for January is: "Resolved: The costs of a college education outweigh the benefits."
After the Newcastle competition, our debaters will compete in tournaments at Campbell County (Gillette), Casper Natrona High School, Lead-Deadwood, and Buffalo, Wyo., high schools. The season will climax with the South Dakota High School Activities Association State Speech and Debate Tournament at Aberdeen on March 2-3 and the National Forensic League "Hole-in-the-Wall" District Qualifying Tournament at Laramie County Community College, Cheyenne, Wyo.,, the weekend of March 29-31. Wish our small but talented team good luck for another outstanding year representing Hill City High School against many much larger schools!

2011: a year in review, part one

2011-12-29T08:41:00.000-07:00

Finding bullets — One of the biggest stories of the year was the Wild Bunch gunfight reenactment which injured three tourists. The incident brought several government agencies to the area to try to figure out exactly what happened, including the Pennington County Sheriff’s Department, Rapid City police, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Division of Criminal Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigations Above, a federal officer relies on help from a metal detector to find bullets that were used during the reenactment. [PN File Photo]

It was another year full of achievement, tragedy and everything in between in Hill City. From January to December, events continually happened that made news and shaped Hill City in 2011. This is a month-by-month recap of those events that made the news in our county this past year. The first part of the review recaps events from January through June.
January
• The Prevailer named Dennis and Kim Krull the 2010 Citizens of the Year. The Krulls were given the honor because of their involvement in the community with not only their grocery store, but also their support for the Boys and Girls Club and various churches. The Krulls have also hosted and supported functions for cancer research.
• Hill City Superintendent Mark Naugle was involved in a car accident and was hospitalized in Rapid City. He was later released, with disclosed injuries. Pennington County Lt. Cory Brubakken said Naugle was on his way home from Spearfish when he went off the road near mile marker 91 on Highway 385, north of Three Forks. The automobile collided with a tree, resulting in significant front-end damage to the car.
• The Hill City Area Chamber of Commerce received more Triple B (Bed, Board and Booze) funds to help bring more events to the city. Major events to bring back were: Heart of the Hills Celebration and Logging show, the Hill City Area Quilt Show and Sale and Kris Kringle Bazaar.
• Keystone evaluated its repair needs at an end of the month meeting. On the list was Third Street Bridge, which needed repairs before tourism season kicked off.
• Eileen Heald, owner of Double D Gifts, sold her business, formally on Main Street, and moved to Indiana. Heald and her husband, Eldon, bought the shop in 1995, but after Eldon passed, Heald single-handedly operated the store. She sold the store to move closer to her family.
• The Hill City Parent Involvement, Parent Teacher Organization (PIPTO) hosted the second annual science fair. The organization likes to organize science fairs for the skills children learn when researching a project and for the parent involvement in the project.
• United Way of the Black Hills reached its fundraiser goal for the Southern Hills, with over $89,000 raised.
• The Lady Rangers finished second in the Black Hills Conference for basketball.
• The Hill City debate team took second place for class C in a tournament in Newcastle, Wyo. The topic for the debate was, “Resolved: In the United States, plea bargaining undermines the criminal justice system.” Points are given in six categories, ranging from content to delivery.
• Daryl Kunzi won the ‘Beatin’ the Winter Blues’ chili cook off contest with his “Choo Choo Chili.” Cooking chili is a hobby for Kunzi, who regularly competes in chili contests around the Midwest.
February
• Mark Naugle resigned from his position as superintendent of the Hill City School District. The school board unanimously voted to accept his resignation.
• The Boys and Girls Club hired new staff and looked to change programs. Andrew Hecht assumed the position of director in mid-February and planned on expanding the sports program for the club. Meghan Young started working with the after-school kids and was planning to add nature and animal activities to the club.
• The Heart of the Hills Snowmobile club hosted a poker run at the end of February. The tentative riding plan was to begin near Deerfield Road and ride into Wyoming. Riders had certain checkpoints to stop at along the way and were encouraged to pick up souvenirs at each checkpoint.
• The Hill City Debate team took first place at the prestigious “Camel Classic Speech and Debate Tournament.” Two members from the debate team also took home individual first place finishes: Kaitlynn Langenbau and Mackenzie Swanson captured first place in Public Forum Debate.
• Dominick Schooler, 112 pounds, was the new district champion in wrestling. His win came after wrestling Brent O’Dell, whom Schooler described as “the best wrestler he has ever seen.”
March
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Jacob quits fighting for helicopter location

2011-12-29T08:40:00.000-07:00

By Bev Pechan

Mike Jacob says enough is enough. He said he really thought when he showed up at a Pennington County Commission meeting this month that he would get approval for his long-awaited conditional use permit for his Black Hills Aerial Adventures helicopter tour business, one of the most popular commercial attractions in the Black Hills. In fact, Jacob said, he even had an assurance from commissioner Nancy Troutman that she was going to vote this time to approve his request.
“I did a lot of work. I wasted a lot of people’s time,” Jacob told the Prevailer last week after seeing his proposal fail one more time. Jacob said he and representatives from the FAA and DOT, plus neighbors sat at the commissioners’ meeting for four and a half hours before their turn came at the end of the commissioners’ agenda only to be turned down again. Jacob has presented his side of the story multiple times, volunteered to make concessions and build noise barriers and offered to open his books and operating procedures to officials to show them that he ran a professional business that was held in high regard by authorities and his customers.
At a public meeting in October, Charlie Johnson of the Pennington County Planning Commission said he had looked over details of Jacob’s operation and had changed his mind favorably toward giving Jacob a green light for use of the property he was considering for purchase on U.S. Highway 16 west of Rockerville. Neighbors weren’t convinced, so Jacob brought in one of his helicopters, giving rides to his skeptics. Later at the same meeting, Jacob talked about his proposed flight pattern and the placement of buildings and construction of buffer zones and tree barriers to control sound.
Several residents in housing areas on both sides of the highway voiced an opinion that having Jacob there would ruin the neighborhood and its home values. Jacob disagreed, but remained low-key. The 6.5 acre parcel is currently zoned for highway service and could be used for a number of businesses which could be more detrimental to the area, Jacob said, which means that another type of business at that site could produce noise and traffic day and night and year-round, whereas his business operats seasonally and at certain hours of the day.
Available only in the print version of the Hill City Prevailer, to subscribe call 605.574.2538.

Keystone board ties up end-of-year loose ends

2011-12-29T08:39:00.001-07:00

By Bev Pechan

After a busy and uncertain year as regards tourism numbers, the Keystone Town Board agreed at its Dec. 21 meeting that they fared quite well overall. Keystone is one of and perhaps the only South Dakota community which relies totally on sales tax revenue for its annual operating budget. Board president David Cofoid announced that tax receipts were down only two percent overall for the year, which was less than was anticipated. Last fall, the city agreed to increase its share of the B & B tax to the Keystone Chamber of Commerce at its request, but balked at allowing it to ask for additional funding in perpetuity, citing the uncertainty of future revenues. Cofoid also briefly mentioned that the removal of the helicopter tour operation from the city will reduce the amount of sales tax the city receives in the future.
Cofoid continued by saying, “We now own the sewer plant.” Keystone has hired Dar Coy, who formerly ran the operation for South West Water, to take over as wastewater systems manager for the city. He will work with city public works employees on related water issues as well. The city was allowed to close its lease-purchase agreement earlier than anticipated due to a restructuring of South West’s portfolio and its willingness to sell several holdings, including Keystone.
Pennington County deputy Terry Comrie was present to hear a complaint from the Dec. 7 meeting when resident Dave Murra gave an impassioned plea for better traffic control at areas where the school bus loads and unloads. Murra and others stated that certain motorists routinely speed through parts of Keystone during the time when children are loading and unloading from the school bus and stop signs are not placed on many side streets to help remedy the situation.
At the earlier meeting, Murra said some smaller children who board by the Keystone Country Store do not always remember to look before running into the street and he was afraid that someone’s child would be hit. Murra takes his two girls to the bus stop personally and picks them up at night, but, he says, he has nearly been run down a few times himself and was clearly agitated by the apparent lack of safety measures in effect. “When Jack (Mann, former deputy assigned to Keystone) was here, he followed the buses to the edge of town,” Murra stated. Comrie, when confronted with the complaint, replied, “I’m trying to watch,” listing the locations he usually uses when he is in town. It was suggested that he try to spend more time near the boarding areas when there are students present.
Public works employee Jerry Przybylski reported on a used Ford F350 dually pickup he would like to see the city purchase from Surplus Property, prompting trustee Sandi McLain to comment: “It scares me coming into this year. One, we’re over budget, and two, the pickup is over what we have budgeted.” Przybylski replied that his department’s budget had not been spent and we are “way below” the amount set aside, he said.
“Just because the money is there doesn’t mean you have to spend it,” McLain countered.
Coy defended Przybylski by stating “This one has tool boxes.” He went on to explain that with the town’s present vehicles, they seem to always be making trips back to the shop for the proper tools needed when conducting maintenance or emergency repairs. We are chasing tools all the time, the men agreed.
McLain then questioned if the city needed that many vehicles, to which Coy repeated, “We take two pickups to a job now so we can run back and forth after tools.”
“All I am thinking,” McLain said, “is we’re adding assets.” Cofoid agreed with Coy and Przybylski and stated that the city should probably surplus one of the town’s present trucks and that it should probably be the Ford Ranger, as it was not as economical to run as initially thought. Coy said the truck they were interested in is a former military vehicle with service records and new is a $60,000 truck. While he didn’t disclose the year of the truck, Coy said the complete cost to the city would be around $18,000. The board voted in favor of the new purchase.
It was agreed that city employees would have their after-Christmas dinner party at BaRlee’s Supper Club on Jan. 14 on the condition that the city not pay the cost of dinner for spouses and guests. Trustee McLain said she would also pay for her meal, rather than use city funds.
In other business, finance officer Vanessa Row offered to donate 15 hours of sick leave to other employees and city clerk Bobbie Johnson said she would donate 40 hours to librarian Diane Rohde, who is on temporary leave of absence.
The next meeting of the Keystone Town Board will take place at the community center on Wednesday, Jan. 4, at 7 p.m.

Rangers receive LNI awards

2011-12-29T08:38:00.000-07:00

LNI Honors — Derek Skillingstad was again named to the all-tourney team for the LNI and was also an LNI scholarship recipient. [Submitted Photo]

Ranger pride — The Hill City Cheerleaders took 1st place in the stunting competition at the LNI tournament. Pictured from left are Taylor French, Kaitlinn Verchio, Hannah Lesewski, Tayden Welsch, Sydney Songstad, Matea Alexander, Katie Lewis and Lexi Hanson. Coach Kerry Britton is not pictured. [Submiitted Photo]

LNI Honors — Kala McDonald was selected to the girls all-tourney team for the LNI. [Submitted Photo]

Rudolph talks reindeer games

2011-12-22T08:46:00.000-07:00

Reindeer Games — Reporter Jason Ferguson talks to Santa’s front man, Rudolph, in an exclusive interview. The red-nosed reindeer talked about his job, rumors and his personal life.

By Jason Ferguson

With Christmas only days away, things are busier than ever at Santa’s workshop. Before Santa and his trusty reindeer take flight, however, the Custer County Chronicle was able to land an interview with the “most famous reindeer of all,” Rudolph the Red Nosed reindeer. Rudolph sat down with our Jason Ferguson to discuss red noses, rooftop landings and other Christmas-related topics.
Jason: OK, let’s get to it. Why is your nose red?
Rudolph: Well, it isn’t any one thing. It’s a little bit magic, a little bit of a birth mark, and a little bit allergies. I’m constantly blowing my nose. I go through a box of Kleenex every few days. Hay fever.
Jason: Is there a lot of pressure being at the lead of the sleigh?
Rudolph: Not really. With today’s technology, we don’t even really need to know where we’re going. GPS and autopilot take us where we need to go. Sure, I still light the way, but Garmin leads the way.
Jason: How much of the “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” song is true?
Rudolph: Some of it is true. Some of it has been embellished over the years.
Jason: Which parts are embellished?
Rudolph: Well, for starters, the other reindeer play Magic the Gathering and Parcheesi. I could not care less if they let me join in their reindeer games.
Jason: What about the “Then one foggy Christmas Eve.....” part?
Rudolph: Well, that’s partly true. When we left that night, it was actually a crystal-clear night. Me being a rookie, I was close to the sleigh, toward the back of the formation. Dasher was in the lead. But then, when we got to Los Angeles, we couldn’t hardly see where we were going. But it wasn’t fog—it was smog. I was bumped up to the front of the sleigh because of my nose, and the rest is history.
Available only in the print version of the Hill City Prevailer, to subscribe call 605.574.2538.

Rendezvous scheduled for summertime

2011-12-22T08:44:00.001-07:00

By Bev Pechan and Carol Walker

In a continuing effort to promote Hill City, Deb Bruce, HCACC director, and Mary Jo Marcy, chamber member, proposed a new August event to the Hill City Council at their meeting last Tuesday night. Dubbing it the “Rendezvous of the August Moon” Arts Festival, the duo explained the festival to the council, seeking approval for the special event.
The weekend festival is scheduled for Aug. 17-19 and seeks to showcase history, art, foods and ecology of the Black Hills area with the center of the event staged at the Hill City Visitor Information Center (VIC).
“The weekend after the Rally and before school starts is really dead and we thought this would be a good time for this event. Local visual artists and writers’ booths are open to painters, printmakers, sketch artists, fabric artists, wood carvers, stone carvers, quilters, leather artisans, potters, photographers, metal artists, basket weavers, blacksmiths, jewelry artisans, spinners and weavers and musical instrument makers who create native drums and flutes, dulcimers and stringed instruments and are willing to demonstrate their craft.
She said the focus of the weekend is education. Rendezvous people will live there through the weekend, eat together, have one group campfire and perform activities consistent with that time period. When asked if there would be any shooting, Marcy responded, “No. No guns or weapons will be allowed.”
During the weekend, the chamber would also like to host a Plein Aire event as the sponsors believe the scenery and the rendezvous people would provide subject matter for painting. Native heritage would also be represented with a teepee showing that way of life and could also be a story teller’s tent for period children’s stories. Native drummers, dancers, flute players and artists would also demonstrate their skills. Another group, the Dakota Artists Guild, had already expressed an interest in doing print-making with people who attend.
The intent is to have activity not only at the VIC, but all over town. Organizers are hopeful there will be artists, poets and musicians staged throughout the town and they will rotate into the VIC area.
Parking will be closed at the VIC with visitors encouraged to park at Major Lake, the baseball field and downtown. According to Bruce a shuttle will be enlisted to take people from parking areas to downtown businesses and the VIC.
“We hope to make a little money for the chamber by selling tickets that include the shuttle ride. We also want to sponsor a logo contest with the chosen artist featured and available to sign commemorative souvenirs of the event and then use that logo on T-shirts, cloth bags and cups to sell during the weekend,” said Bruce.
The group is also considering the addition of informational booths supporting the ecology of the region, such as the US Forest Service, Game, Fish and Parks, Native and natural horticulture and the geology and paleontology of the area.
By a unanimous vote, council members gave the chamber representatives the green light to move ahead with the Rendezvous of the August Moon.
Etzkorn says committees are now being formed to accomplish the orchestration of this new event. So far, the Mountain man and re-enactment portion is being chaired by Pat and Joe Balzak Heart of the Hills Antiques and Chris Voyles, who actively participates in other rendezvous’ held in the region. Wilma Behm and Karen Carlson are co-chairs of the writers and storytellers’ division, the Dakota Artists Guild and Tommie Leenknecht are in charge of the Plein Air exhibition and Mary Jo Marcy is in charge of artists’ booths, with other committees and chair person volunteers presently being sought. For more information, contact Denise Etzkorn at the Hill City Chamberof Commerce, 574-2368.
Piggybacking on the new event,came a request from Bruce for additional 2012 funding for the chamber. The chamber director expressed appreciation for the monetary support of the city and also presented an extensive Profit and loss budget overview to the council.
Criteria for additional funds is based on, but not limited to: 1) $10,000 for a proposal to hire a part-time events coordinator who would chair, coordinate, help facilitate and oversee all major events and assist with general VIC duties; 2) $10,000 for additional marketing which would include creating and printing a tri-fold brochure as well as other advertising opportunities for promoting Hill City events; 3) $2,500 to promote the Black Hills Film Festival.
Since she was new to the job, Bruce wanted to be hands-on with the events this past year in order to get a feel for what goes on with each one. Now she believes it is important that the chamber hire a separate events coordinator.
“I was that person this year, but I’d like to expand my position and not personally be so hands-on. I would like to go to trade shows to promote Hill City and do other things like spend more time on logo wear,” said Bruce.
Councilman Jason Gillaspie said, “I could see us giving you part now and then wait to see what Triple B money comes in through the year. Typically it is later in the year when a request for additional funds is made.”
Becky King, city finance officer, confirmed that, saying that a request for an additional $20,000 was made in May 2011. The council budgeted $80,000 for the chamber for this year and Mayor Dave Gray said they have never gone over $100,000.
With deficits in their current budget and proposals for the future, Bruce, on behalf of the chamber, requested an additional $30,500. The council voted 3-1 to approve an additional $5,000 now with an invitation for Bruce to return at the end of January to talk again.
The council also voted to replace the furnace at the VIC that heats the basement and the Civilian Conservation Corps Museum on the upper level. Brett McMacken, city administrator, said it has been worked on multiple times and a lot of money is being spent just coaxing it along.
Councilman John Johnson asked about the status of the school parking lot. He said he had received two calls regarding the illegal parking on Railroad Avenue during school events. Johnson was under the impression that with the additional square footage added at the school, a parking lot was required.
“I don’t think we put a time limit on this. I think the requirement was to buy property, not to build a parking lot right away,” said Gray.
McMacken suggested there be discussion with school officials and that parents be informed about parking on Railroad Ave. before law enforcement comes into the picture.
In other business, McMacken said interviews continue for recruitment of a city librarian, and Gray reported on attendance at the All Aboard Hill City meeting where branding and joint marketing were discussed.
The next city council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 27, at 5:30 p.m. at city hall.

Churches celebrate Christmas

2011-12-22T08:43:00.002-07:00

With Christmas right around the corner, many churches in the area are opening their doors for special services, classes and plays on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and welcome residents and visitors alike to join them.
Hill City
• Community Lutheran Church will have Christmas Eve services at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Christmas Day services will be at the normal 9 a.m. time.
• The Lighthouse Assembly of God will have a Christmas Eve candlelight service at 5:30 p.m. There will be a Christmas Day service at 10:30 a.m.
• Little White Church will hold a Christmas Eve service at 6 p.m. and regular Sunday services on Christmas Day at 9 a.m.
• Our Savior’s Evangelical Lutheran Church will have a Christmas Eve Song Service at 5 p.m.
• St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church will have Christmas Eve Mass (bilingual) at 5 p.m. There will be no services Christmas Day.
Keystone
• Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church will hold Christmas Day Mass at 8 a.m.
• United Church of Christ will have Christmas Eve services at 5 p.m. and Christmas Day services at its normal time, 10 a.m.

Is there truth behind ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’?

2011-12-22T08:42:00.001-07:00

By Carrie Moore

One of my favorite things about the holiday season is the Christmas carols. I can remember learning the songs in elementary school and performing them for our parents during concerts. However, there was always one carol that baffled me — ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas.’
What in the world do French hens and swimming swans have to do with Christmas? Why were the lords leaping? Why won’t the partridge come out of the tree? And what sane woman would want all these gifts? Just give me the five golden rings, and we’ll call it good!
It wasn’t until high school — thanks to a dramatic English teacher who believed everything had a hidden meaning for something else — when I learned more about the symbolism of the song.
From 1558 until 1829, many in England, Ireland, France and Spain were not allowed to openly practice their faith. During that era, someone wrote this carol as a way for children to understand religion, without being too open about the topic.
The partridge in a pear tree symbolized Jesus. Two turtledoves represented the Old and New Testaments. Three French hens stand for faith, love and hope. The four calling birds represent the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Five golden rings recalled the Torah, otherwise known as Law — the first five books of the Old Testament. Six geese-a-laying stood for the six days of creation. Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership and Mercy. Eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes. Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control. Ten lords a-leaping represent the Ten Commandments. Eleven pipers piping stood for the 11 faithful disciples. And finally, the 12 drummers drumming represent the 12 points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
There’s been much speculation about this myth for years. Some believe the song was created to help children count.
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Todd Edward Mattson

2011-12-22T08:41:00.000-07:00

Todd Mattson was born Sept. 10, 1976, in Gillette, Wyo., to Eric Mattson and Judy (Halley) Dalton. He lived in Casper, Wyo., for a short time and also in Wakefield, Neb., with his mother and step-father. He graduated from Wakefield High School in 1994. In the mid-1990s, Todd moved back to Gillette, Wyo., and began working in the oil fields. At the time of his passing, Todd was employed by Swick Oil.
In 2000, Todd married Tracy Krininger and although the couple would later divorce, from this union Todd received his most precious gift, his beloved daughter, Hayley, whom he took great pride in raising. Todd was a rockhound who loved to spend time in the outdoors with family and friends hunting for rocks, as well as camping and fishing. He was a big football fan and he especially enjoyed going to Denver Bronco and Wyoming Cowboy games.
Todd Mattson, age 35, of Gillette, Wyo., passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011, at Campbell County Memorial Hospital after a severe asthma attack.
Todd is survived by his mother and step-father, Judy and Steve Dalton of Keystone; daughter, Hayley Jo Mattson; sister, Shari Mattson, Rapid City; brother, Toby Mattson, Gillette, Wyo.; step-brother, PJ Dalton. Ogden, Utah; grandmothers Lois Halley, Keystone, and Myrtle Mattson, Hill City; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father, Eric Mattson, and by grandfathers James Halley and Clarence Mattson.
Memorial services for Todd Edward Mattson will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, at United Church of Christ in Keystone with Pastor Charles Landon officiating. At the family's request, cremation has already taken place.
A memorial has been established for Todd’s daughter, Hayley Mattson. Memorials and condolences may be sent in Todd's name to Walker Funeral Home 410 Medical Arts Court, Gillette, WY 82716. Condolences may also be sent via the website to www.walkerfuneralgillette.com.

Ladys take second in Paha Sapa bracket at LNI

2011-12-22T08:40:00.000-07:00

LNI Runner-ups — The Lady Rangers brought home the second place trophy in the Paha Sapa bracket at Lakota Nation Invitational Tournament last week. The Lady Rangers finished the tourney with a record of two wins and two losses. They lost the first game in close fashion to Red Cloud with a score of 49 to 46. They went on to win the next two games, beating Omaha Nation by a score of 52 to 33, then winning against the Flandreau Indians by a score of 44 to 40. In the championship game they lost to McLaughlin by a score of 55 to 48. Kala McDonald was named to the LNI all Tourney team. [PN Photo/Scott Wooldridge]

Residents get chance to voice concerns and ask questions

2011-12-15T09:02:00.000-07:00

Taking questions — Charlie Johnson, chair member of the vacation home committee, an exploratory board branched from the Planning Department, hosted the vacation home ordinance meeting Wednesday, Dec. 7. Johnson not only answered and explained questions from the crowd, but also directed questions and comments to the appropiate department heads.Members Barb Landers and Karen Hall listen and take notes. [PN Photo/CARRIE MOORE]

By Carrie Moore

Pennington County Commissioners and Hill City officers answered questions from a packed room of about 50 people regarding vacation home rentals. Many in the audience were supporters of vacation homes, claiming that not only are they positive for the economy, but a gateway to meeting new people and helping the local community grow economically. Others, however, do not appreciate the use of vacation homes in residential areas.
The ordinance, which has been in the works since the beginning of summer, will modify existing zoning restrictions that limit vacation rentals to general commercial and highway service districts. The amendment will also monitor any owner who rents homes to vacationers for more than 14 days per year.
The amendment also requires vacation rentals to have conditional use
permits, but would allow vacation home rentals in general areas and low density and suburban residential areas. The new ordinance sets quiet hours for vacation rentals, a minimum renter age, occupancy limits, signage requirements and other regulations.
Many wanted the zoning part of the amendment corrected. As it reads now, vacation homes cannot be within 300 feet from a residence. For some, this is hard, as many vacation homes are on the same property as a home and built to be near each other.
John Clark, Silver City, owns multiple cabins on his property and finds it hard to build on a lot within 50 feet of a residential place.
“Something needs to be addressed about this issue,” he said.
Perhaps the heavily discussed problem was the issue of signage. The amendment now calls for owners to place a sign outside of their property, stating the company, the words ‘vacation home rental’ and the owner’s name and contact number. Many thought this action would open the vacation homes to robberies, vandalism and unwelcome guests.
“I am very much against this measure,” Rodney Alexander, vacation homeowner since 1990, said. “I am in a rural area and I am opening myself to bad things by doing this.”
Larry McCaskell, owner of High County Guest Ranch, found this amendment to be helpful for visitors and a good idea.
“It makes it uniform for all vacation homes across the Black Hills,” he said. “It makes sense from a marketing and advertising viewpoint, too.”
Charlie Johnson, chairperson of the vacation home exploratory committee, said this amendment was the owner’s choice. However, the only thing required is the sign being placed outside when guests are occupying the home. Many found the task of posting and taking down the sign bothersome.
Homeowners were also in the crowd, fighting against the commercialization of vacation homes. One homeowner did not appreciate his next-door neighbor using their house as a bed and breakfast.
“It’s not acceptable,” he said. “I never know who will be there.”
In an effort to solve this problem, Dan Jennissen, director of Planning and Zoning Department for Pennington County, said the new amendments would require the vacation homeowner to send out a form to neighbors stating his intent.
“The vacation homeowner would have to send out forms with his intent and a contact number where he could be reached at all times of the day,” Jennissen said. “This form must also be updated every year.”
Other homeowners wondered who would enforce the new ordinance regulations. While many of the rules overlap with the state, Pennington County will be forced to regulate the laws.
“You can’t count on the state to look at the ordinance and regulate it,” Ken Davis, chairman of Pennington County Board of Commissioners, Commission District 1, said.
By law the commission must have two hearings on the matter before voting on the topic. However, Johnson believes the commissioners will discuss the matter in three hearings, where the commission has to totally deny or accept the new ordinance. He also hopes to have the matter resolved by February.
“Overall, I thought the meeting went well,” he said. “I gained new perspectives on the topic.”

Missing fathers have more impact on families than previously believed

2011-12-15T09:01:00.000-07:00

By Bev Pechan

On the website dad4kids.com, there is a list titled “Statistics of a Fatherless America,” a sobering 11-page look at compiled data which looks at dozens of ways children growing up in fatherless homes are short-changed from what might otherwise be seen as natural expectations in growing happily to adulthood.
Having a male authority figure in the home does not guarantee this, of course, but according to numerous studies done in past decades as America changes socially and culturally, this missing link has proven to be more important than was thought in past generations. The term “feminocracy” — meaning female-dominated households – has produced its own set of statistics, these studies have shown.
In the case of sexual abuse, a study of 156 child victims found that “the majority of the children came from disrupted or single-family homes” and that while stepfamilies made up “only about 10 percent of all families, 27 percent of abused children lived with either a stepfather or the mother’s boyfriend,” said the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, a part of the U.S. Dept. of Justice. In addition, a 1984 study in Lansing, Mich., determined that “49 percent of all child abuse cases are committed by single mothers.”
Lois Bittner lives just outside of Hill City. She and her late husband, Ben, have provided a foster home for over 350 disadvantaged children over 38 years. “Most of the kids in foster care do not have a father actively involved,” she said. “Little boys need a man in their lives. They hung around Ben and wanted to be with him all the time.” Lois laughed when she told about one youngster who was so in need of a father figure...

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Robert Daniel Winfield

2011-12-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

Bob was born on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, 1959, in Moab, Utah. His parents are Wally Winfield (deceased 2006) and Danny (Murphy) Bergin (Tom), Hill City. He married Cynthia Wilenski Sept. 19, 1981, in Salt Lake City.
Education started in a oneroom school in the mountains above Gateway, Colo. He was a 1978 graduate of Grand County High School, Moab, with a BA in Industrial Arts, Southern Utah University. He worked as a machinist with lots of woodworking on the side.
Robert made hundreds of crosses to give to others: two at a time with the stipulation that one be passed on to a friend. Many were donated to youth organizations as fundraisers, even in Hill City. He requested that donations be taken, none were to be sold. Many were startled to hear him say in conversations “Thank you, Jesus,” but they soon realized he was sincere with his thanks. His faith came before all else. Many times, he quoted St. Francis of Assisi’s words, “Preach the Gospel always, if necessary, use words.” His actions always spoke louder than words. Yearly trips to Hill City and Mount Rushmore were the highlight of his year.
Diagnosed in the first grade with a congenital heart defect, faith and family kept Bob going through four major heart surgeries for the next 45 years, always with a joke to tell (or play on someone), a smile on his face and never a complaint about pain.
Bob Winfield died Nov. 27, 2011, at the University of Utah Medical Center cardiac unit. He was 52 years old.
Survivors are his mother, Danny (Tom) Bergin, Hill City; wife Cyndi Winfield; sons Staff Sgt. Daniel (Cheryl) Winfield USMC and Sgt. Andrew (Stacia) Winfield USMC; grandchildren Ashley and Brandon Winfield; siblings Cathy (Ken) Frame, Evanston, Wyo., Bill (Ann) Winfield, Reno, Nev., Mary (Mick) Graehler, Lexington, Ky., Liz Winfield, Los Angeles, Calif., and Jim Winfield, Wright, Wyo,; and 47 nieces and nephews.
Bob was preceded in death by his father and two brothers, Scott in 1989 and John in 2008.
Services were held at St. Olaf’s Catholic Church, Bountiful, Utah, on Dec. 3. Condolences may be sent to Cyndi Winfield, 225 W. Center, Bountiful, Utah 84010. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association.

Diabetes is an insidious predator, local family learns

2011-12-15T08:59:00.000-07:00

Unexpected passing — Pam Couts died Nov. 7 in Gillette from complications of diabetes. Before her sudden death, Couts told her mother her body was tired and it was hard to fight the disease. [Submitted Photo]

By Bev Pechan

Pam Couts was a lively, active and beautiful girl who had friends and family who adored her. Like all teens, she was involved in many activities, both at school and in her everyday life, but at age 13, she was diagnosed with type I diabetes, and in Pam’s case, “brittle diabetes.”
Pam died Nov. 7 at age 19 at her brother’s home in Gillette, Wyo., of complications from the disease. As a young adult who wanted to experience freedom on her own, she had decided to move back to Wyoming from Hill City, where she grew up. She had only a short time before her unexpected death texted her mother saying she felt her body was worn out and it was becoming more and more difficult to deal with the illness as it continued to take over her life. Hospital admissions and medical emergencies were frequent and because Pam wanted to be independent, her mother, Patty Snyder, said, she did not always remember to monitor her blood sugar readings on a regular basis, relying instead on three injected medicines to stabilize her condition and she rejected the idea of having to be hooked to an insulin pump. Measuring food portions on a daily basis was also difficult for her to maintain when she was out having a good time with friends, her mother said.
Snyder said Pam did not really take her disease “seriously” until about a year ago, when she spent a lot of time in and out of ICU and her blood sugar read 1475. “She was mad at the world. She didn’t want to have it (diabetes) and was in denial,” Snyder said. “She was angry a lot.”

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Elementary School Infested with holiday fun

2011-12-15T08:57:00.000-07:00

Pictures from the play "Royal Christmas Infestation" held Dec. 12 at the Hill City Elementary School.

INFESTED AT CHRISTMAS - The audience of parents, grandparents and friends were treated to a "Royal Christmas Infestation" at the elementary Christmas program Monday night. Kindergarten through third grade students created and wore costumes reflective of a variety of bugs. In front, from left are Hope Schroeder, Maggie Taylor, James Petty, Whitney Edwards and Anna Dean. [PN Photo/CAROL WALKER]

INFESTED AT CHRISTMAS - The audience of parents, grandparents and friends were treated to a "Royal Christmas Infestation" at the elementary Christmas program Monday night. Assisted by Lori Jones and the art department, kindergarten through third grade students created and wore costumes reflective of a variety of bugs.[PN Photo/CAROL WALKER]

PIPERS PIPING - Fifth grade students created flutes from PVC pipe and played the instruments as part of the elementary Christmas program on Monday night. This fall, fourth and fifth grade children studied music and art from the Baroque and Classical periods, which was also reflected in their 17th and 18th century costumes. From left are Queen Joey Fowler, King Nick Klima, Grace Gray, Taylor Edwards, Jessica Welu and Elissa Gruszynski. [PN Photo/Carol Walker]

BREAKING TO CHEW - Termites invaded the elementary Christmas program on Monday night and evoked a favorable crowd reaction as the five little bugs did a little break dancing and later sang with all the other bugs. They are, from left, Trace Houser, Jonathon Munoz, Cruz Busetti, Alex Carlson and Isaac Dean. Behind them is the Queen Bee, Kadyn Comer. [PN Photo/CAROL WALKER]

Hill City receives new ambulance

2011-12-08T08:44:00.000-07:00

New features — The newest ambulance, a red, 4-wheel drive rig. The ambluance is equipped with an air ride system, which not only makes riding in the back easier, but it also lowers the back cab for technicians bringing patients in and out of the back. [PN Photo/CARRIE MOORE]

By Carrie Moore

Hill City Ambulance Service recently received a new ambulance in addition to the two-year-old rig.
Slade Swedlund, executive director of Hill City Ambulance Service, Inc., said this new ambulance was desperately needed after the old ambulance was involved in a vehicle crash.
“The rig involved in the accident was taken out of service this past summer,” Swedlund said.
The ambulance service worked with its insurance agency to purchase a new rig before the end of the year. In order to have two rigs in service, Hill City Ambulance Service rented a 4-wheel drive ambulance with money from the insurance agency. With the money soon to reach its cap and the cost of repairs for the old ambulance, which were significantly more than the value of the rig, Swedlund decided to purchase a new ambulance by the end of the year.
“With the weather starting to change, we had to make a quick decision,” he said. “It made more sense to buy new. We bought this new ambulance because it was available at the right time and had all the qualities we were looking for.”
Most of the money used to purchase the new ambulance came from the insurance agency, with the rest coming from a loan taken out by the ambulance service. Swedlund priced different rigs with the manufacturer and tried a couple demos before deciding on a red ambulance equipped with 4-wheel drive and an air ride system.
“Not a lot of ambulance services have 4-wheel drive equipped rigs,” he said. “Because of our location and areas we cover, I felt it was extremely important to consider.”
The air ride system helps control the 4-wheel drive, as many consider the ride in the back bumpy. The system also automatically lowers the back of the ambulance when the double doors are opened.
“This makes it easier for the technicians who are working back there to get patients in and out.”
Two emergency medical technicians are always on call, while volunteers are sometimes called in to help. Usually, two technicians ride in the back of the rig, with more sometimes tagging along in another vehicle.
The old ambulance will soon be put up for bids. While the vehicle cannot be used as an ambulance, it is still acceptable for a work vehicle or could be purchased for its diesel motor. The Hill City Ambulance Service hopes to use the money from the bid to use toward the loan.

Missing and absent fathers seen as one of society’s biggest problems

2011-12-08T08:42:00.002-07:00

By Bev Pechan

Sit down for a few minutes with Jack Jewett of The Gathering Place and he will tell you that one of the major crises to face our country today is too often the absence of a strong father figure in the home.
In terms of dollars and cents, the costs to the American taxpayer for social intervention and programming to combat this trend is staggering. In terms of emotional turmoil, it is totally devastating.
Jewett says that men are capable of working within relationships, but often they do not know how to do this. This is one of the reasons he feels his weekly coffee and conversations for guys is important. More than anyone else, the male as a role model has more lasting influence in the lives of his children than anyone else, data has shown repeatedly. Jewett, who, in addition to sharing prayer ministries in Hill City, also serves as chaplain at Rapid City Regional Hospital and juvenile detention facilities and has conducted ministerial studies involving the family since he and his wife, Mary, established The Gathering Place in Hill City about four years ago.
And, Jewett admits, his younger years spent in Texas were not always on the right path, but after attending a weekly Christian Business Men’s Connection meeting in 1989 and hearing about relationship-building events himself, he began to see what he and many other men were lacking in their daily lives. It fit, and he knew where the remainder of his life’s work was headed.
“Men need to be in an accountability group for the rest of their lives,” Jewett has said, adding that men need to be in the company of other men who are willing to talk about how they feel, just as women do, but that many want to avoid any unpleasantness or conversation that will direct others to remind them of their responsibilities to themselves and their families.
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William “Bill” Robbins

2011-12-08T08:41:00.004-07:00

William “Bill” Robbins, 67, Hill City, died Monday, Dec. 5, 2011 in Hill City.
Survivors include his wife, Margie, Hill City; mother, Ruby Robbins, Hill City; son, Jeffrey Robbins, Hellertown, P.a.; daughter, Heidi Long-Lind, Hill City; brother, Mark L. Robbins, Culpeper, V.a.; two sisters, Julie Robbins Johnson, Sturgis; Jeanne R. Robbins Tyler, Millerton, Okla.; and six grandchildren.
Services will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Little White Church in Hill City.
Burial will be at 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Hill City Cemetery.
A memorial has been established to the Little White Church Building Fund.
His online guestbook is available to sign at www.osheimschmidt.com

Edgar Irvine Winger

2011-12-08T08:41:00.001-07:00

Edgar Irvine Winger was born in Ridgeway, Ontario, Canada on April 25, 1926, to Walter and Mary [Bort] Winger. He completed grade 13 in Ridgeway and received a scholarship to attend Ontario College of Arts in Toronto, Canada.
Ed became a U.S. citizen and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he served for six years working in information and intelligence. He was honorably discharged as a tech sergeant. After receiving a geological engineering degree in 1956 from the Colorado School of Mines at Golden, Colo., he worked in Worland, Wyo., where he met his wife-to-be, Janice Andersen. Janice and Ed were married in Moose, Wyo., in 1957. Ed was transferred to Talara, Peru, where he was employed by International Petrol Co. Their son Philip was born in 1958 in Talara.
The family moved to Belem, Para, Brazil, where Ed worked for Petrobras, the Brazilian oil monopoly, teaching Brazilian geologists well-site geology. In 1960, their son Michael was born in Belem.
Upon returning to the U.S., Winger was employed by the North Dakota Geological Survey in Bismarck, N.D., the Soil Conservation Service in Paoli, Ind., U.S. Forest Service in Elkins, W.V., U.S. Geological Survey in Casper, Wyo., and in Denver, Colo., where he was a Coal Classification Chief.
When Ed retired in 1981 a move was made to Hill City, S.D., where he enjoyed listening to classical music, painting, gardening and creating designs in stained glass. He was a voracious reader, always searching for truth.
Winger, 85, died at Rapid City Regional Hospital on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011.
Winger is survived by his wife, Janice Winger of Hill City; son, Michael Winger, Tacoma Park, Md.; brother ,David Winger, Lac La Biche, Alberta, Canada; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son Philip, four brothers and five sisters.
Edgar’s wishes were to be cremated and there are no services scheduled at the present time.
An online guestbook may be signed at www.osheimschmidt.com

Keystone bones identified as Michael Berry

2011-12-08T08:40:00.002-07:00

By Bev Pechan

After a long wait, closure is finally at hand for the family and friends of Michael Berry, Rockerville, who went missing in 2006, after he announced to acquaintances in Old Keystone that he was planning to hike up near the ruins of the Holy Terror Mine, a little more than a block away.
When then 61-year-old Berry did not return to his vehicle, parked near Halley’s Store, concern was raised and authorities were called in to search for him by sheriff’s helicopter and dogs, with no success. It was initially reported that Berry’s scent eventually led the dogs in the opposite direction, in the vicinity of the Big Thunder Mine. Mine owner Sandi McLain told the Prevailer several weeks ago that much of the creek around the mine was searched by authorities and the dogs to locate the scent there, but that the trail was evidently lost at some point.
Last spring, a logger came across skeletal human remains a short distance away that had apparently been there for some time. Fragments of clothing that could be used for identification suffered too much exposure to the elements and were decomposed to be of any use, it too was reported by Pennington County law enforcement. Of the searches made for identification of possible missing persons, Berry’s name came up as a likely victim, given the date of his disappearance and the location of the remains.
Though friends said they were unaware of any reasons Berry might want to disappear, it was noted that he was expecting a visit from a brother-in-law and left a note stating that the had gone hiking. Berry was relatively familiar with the area of Keystone he wanted to hike, his friends said, and thought little more about it.
Last March 21, the bones were discovered just off Iron Mountain Road in a remote and rugged area south of Keystone. Remains were sent to the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification and the results, recently announced, positively identified them to be Berry’s, based on DNA matches from a half-sister, which were compatible to Berry’s profile. No foul play was suspected and Pennington County considers the case closed, according to an official report released last week from Lt. Marty Graves of investigations.
Berry was artistic and a peaceful man, said some who knew him and of his desire to establish a peace park in the Black Hills. Several of his close friends, including Jacqui Hatzell of Rapid City, plan to have some sort of memorial gathering in his memory, but those plans are too delicate to speak of yet, Hatzell told the Prevailer by email. Upon hearing the news of Berry’s fate, Hatzell told the press, “I just miss my friend today. He was so much fun. He was just indescribable. I really miss him a lot.”

Rangers place in top 10 at wrestling invitational

2011-12-08T08:40:00.000-07:00

Going for the legs — Dominick Schooler, 113 lbs., tries to bring down his opponent from Custer. The Rangers finished in the top 10 at the Custer Wrestling Invitational this past weekend. [PN Photo/CARRIE MOORE]

By Carrie Moore

The Hill City High School wrestling team placed in the top 10 at the Custer Wrestling Invitational this past weekend. The Rangers posted over 90 team points, which is team record at the Custer Invite.
“We posted runner-up finishes by Dominick Schooler, Marshall Swanson and Mario Lupercio,” coach Chad Ronish said.
Brent O’dell placed 5th while Wyatt Huntley and Jesus Meza placed 8th at the 22 team tournament.
Mitchell Peterson, Daniel Florres, Christian Castro and Gage Hoedak also competed well for the Rangers.
The Rangers are in action this week on Thursday in a Black Hills Conference dual with Hot Springs, and will take on the best of western South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska and North Dakota at the Rapid City Invite on Friday and Saturday.

Olde Tyme celebration draws a good crowd

2011-12-01T08:36:00.000-07:00

OLDE TYME SENSES – Residents and visitors to Hill City last Friday experienced a feast for their senses as the stores were decorated, band members from New Horizons Band of Rapid City played on the veranda at the Alpine Inn, Xi Alpha Chi Sorority served cookies and cider and chestnuts were roasted and available for tasting, all part of the Olde Tyme Christmas celebration sponsored by Hill City Area Chamber of Commerce and Black Hills Power. [PN Photo/CAROL WALKER]

By Carol Walker

Lights twinkled up and down the streets of Hill City, seasonal music was in the air and local merchants welcomed shoppers into their businesses during the Hill City Olde Tyme Christmas celebration last weekend. Rain and snow fell, hampering travel into town by some, but those who came enjoyed a feast for their senses.
Shops were decorated for the season, and throughout the day participating businesses offered hot chocolate and goodies to all their visitors. Visitors could register for $100 in Chamber Bucks as well as vote for their favorite jewelry fashioned by local artists. There will be a weekly drawing for Chamber Bucks throughout the Christmas season.
All reports indicate there were lots of people in town with Denise Etzkorn of the Hill City Area Chamber of Commerce remarking that she saw out-of-state license plates from Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oregon, Wyoming and Montana.
Her first Christmas as a Main Street business owner, Lorena Fries of the Farmer’s Daughter, said, “It was fabulous. The downtown and our shop was full from the time we opened until we closed in the evening, and it appeared people were really in the Christmas spirit.”
Jewels of the West and Warrior’s Work agreed that there were a lot of people in town, rolling in and out of the shops, but sales were about medium. Stone Faces Winery indicated that things were somewhat down due to the weather factor.
Larry Walker of Stagestop Leather and Gifts agreed that the icy roads and weather may have kept some people from coming to the Hill City celebration, but he did say it was a fairly good weekend and he was satisfied with it.
“One thing we did hear from people is that they were renting cabins, making it a tradition to come here for the Thanksgiving weekend. My wife, Judy, really pushes that idea all the time, tells people about the train, the parade, the chestnuts and so on,” said Walker.
Moni Matush, owner of the Alpine Inn, said lunch is usually really big for the Alpine on the Friday of Thanksgiving weekend, but dinner is typically slower, and this held true this year.
“I thought the celebration on Friday was really nice, and I liked the idea of ending at the train for the tree lighting and Santa Claus. Jon Crane was just a great Santa Claus,” said Matush.
Lori Nonnast was pleased with the traffic in the Jon Crane Gallery, saying it was bigger and better than any of the past three events the gallery has hosted. She believes the media coverage was great with the chamber pulling together advertising for the event.
Holli Edwards from Prairie Berry Winery said the crowd on Friday was good and Saturday, though a little slower, was still busy for them.
After chestnuts were roasted and cider and cookies were passed out on the veranda of the Alpine Inn, the parade began on the south end of Main Street Friday night. According to Deb Bruce, Hill City Area Chamber director, there were about 20 entries in the lighted parade.
Leading the parade was Vic Alexander driving his 1927 fire truck, decked out with plenty of Christmas lights, and carrying Anne and Tip French, the parade marshals for the event. Santa Claus went on to the 1880 Train grounds to oversee the lighting of the Christmas tree and meet with all the girls and boys who came to talk to him and receive a shiny, red apple.
Etzkorn stopped in to see the Trees and Trains exhibit at the South Dakota State Railroad Museum and was impressed by the creative decorations. She commented on the Pillen Optical tree, decorated with eyeglasses, the Boys and Girls Club special ornaments and the Turtle Town edible tree.
“I thought the weekend was wonderful. It was my first time to try roasted chestnuts, and it was so beautiful to see big, thick snowflakes coming down during the parade. I also thought Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus were just adorable,” said Bruce.
The Olde Tyme Christmas celebration in Hill City has become a tradition, and it looks like its popularity by many business owners, residents and visitors may make it a tradition that endures.

CATV ordinance passes unanimously

2011-12-01T08:34:00.002-07:00

By Carol Walker

The second reading of the Hill City Community Antenna Television (CATV) Ordinance passed unanimously with three of the four council members present on Monday night at the Hill City Council meeting. Steve Jarvis was absent.
Frank Bettmann, city attorney, after receiving comments from Brett McMacken, city administrator, and Councilman John Johnson, said edits were made to the document since the first reading two weeks ago, but none of the actual content was changed. Prior to the first reading the ordinance was trimmed down, with language specific to the current contract with Goldenwest removed.
“The purpose of this ordinance is not to spell out all the terms of the contract, but to include the basic terms. The city can negotiate other areas,” said Bettmann.
Definitions of what a cable system is were brought up to date and language was cleaned up regarding unauthorized cable use, according to Bettmann. He said the updated ordinance should take away the need to change the ordinance each time a new contract is issued.
Larry and Janeen Meier spoke to the council regarding changes made to Deegan Drive adjacent to their house. According to the Meiers, when the street was restructured last summer, a rock wall was removed on the edge of their property. They would like to know where the rock was deposited. Since they live in another part of the state most of the time, they expressed concern that they were not notified about work being done on the street. Even if the rock wall was on public right-of-way, they would like to have known about its potential removal so they could have retrieved the rock. The rock wall was put in place by the previous owners of the property.
“I don’t know specifically what you are referring to, but all of the work done on Deegan Dr. and Lacy’s Court was on public right-of-way. The only reason to remove the rock was if it was a drainage problem,” said McMacken.
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Vacation home rentals meeting at city hall Dec. 7

2011-12-01T08:33:00.002-07:00

By Bev Pechan

Vacation home rentals in the Black Hills are a popular venue for those who just want to beat the tourist crowds and enjoy a leisurely retreat surrounded by nature and outdoor activities.
That shouldn’t be a problem, but – nowadays, there is a hitch. If you aren’t within the proper zoning limits or haven’t been grandfathered in, renting out your pricey log home in the pines to help pay the mortgage may be illegal.
Rita Chapman, who operates Happy Trails Cabins in Silver City, is one who has been told by Pennington County Planning and Zoning that part of her long-standing hospitality business may not be legal. Others have heard similar admonishments. Starting last January, a group of interested and concerned county residents representing both sides formed a committee and met with county planning and zoning director Dan Jennissen and commissioner Ken Davis to work out a plan that would be workable to all concerned.
On Wednesday, Dec. 7, a public meeting regarding the new proposed ordinance will be held at Hill City’s city hall beginning at 6 p.m. There are reportedly homes within the city limits which also fall into this category and have been used, perhaps illegally, for some time. Those with questions and concerns are urged to attend the meeting and present their views.
Available only in the print version of the Hill City Prevailer, to subscribe call 605.574.2538.

Christmas in the Black Hills to air Dec. 12

2011-12-01T08:32:00.000-07:00

Cozy Sleigh Ride — Cast and crew takes a ride in a “horse drawn” sleigh for the taping of ‘Christmas in the Black Hills’ set to air Dec. 12 on Great American Country. [Submitted Photo]

This past week, the Black Hills Central Railroad hosted Country music star Tracy Lawrence for a scene in the country music special “Christmas in the Black Hills.” Tracy goes on a magical journey on the “Holiday Express” which you can still catch a ride on Dec. 10, 17 and 23.
Stars Big & Rich host this new Christmas special to air on the Great American Country (GAC) channel beginning Dec. 12. The show also features scenes in Deadwood and other locations in the Black Hills. Special guests include Thompson Square, Bradley Gaskin, Tracy Lawrence, Andy Gibson and the new trio The Farm.
The show was produced by High Five Entertainment out of Nashville, which hired the local Black Hills company, Crow Ridge Productions, Inc., to provide the grip truck and equipment for lighting as well as crew for grip, lighting, camera and sound.
Martin Fischer, president of High Five Entertainment in Nashville, said, "There's a lot of musical variety in Christmas in the Black Hills, but I believe the audience will really enjoy our on-location segments — Thompson Square on a sleigh ride near Deadwood and Tracy Lawrence on the 1880 Train in Hill City.
"Experiencing the Black Hills and meeting the people who live and work here were the highlights for the production team; the history, locations, and hospitality make the area a great place to shoot," he continued.
Rick VanNess, president of Crow Ridge Productions, said, “This was a fun production to work on. We pulled out the really big lights and actually lit the side of the mountain.” Rick did the location sound for all the remote locations such as on the train and the sleigh ride. After shooting the actual horse and sleigh, they rigged up a flatbed trailer and shot it again with all the crew on the trailer for close-ups of Thompson Square.
Big Kenny of Big and Rich made sure to shake hands with all the crew at the end of shooting and wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

Hill City runner receives scholarship

2011-12-01T08:30:00.001-07:00

Andy Coy, a junior at Dakota State University, was named to 2011 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes.
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced Friday that 159 mens and 296 womens cross country received the prestigious honor.
Student-athletes are nominated by their institution's head coach and must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and must have achieved a junior academic status in order to qualify for the honor.
Coy, son of Rusty and Cindy Coy, is studying biology and secondary education.

Grand Olde Tyme planned for this weekend

2011-11-23T09:02:00.002-07:00

CONVERSING WITH SANTA – Last year at Hill City’s Olde Tyme Christmas Celebration, Santa rode in the parade and then took time to talk to youngsters about their Christmas wishes. This year, after the parade on Friday night, Santa will be at the 1880 Train grounds to talk with all the Hill City boys and girls. [File Photo]

By Carol Walker

With memories of the traditional Thanksgiving meal still in mind, it will be time to take a stroll down memory lane and enjoy Hill City’s Olde Tyme Christmas Celebration, sponsored by the Hill City Area Chamber of Commerce and Black Hills Power, on Friday, Nov. 25. There are sights and sounds and tastes to enjoy all through the town.
“Hill City is the perfect Christmas city. It has an “Olde World Charm” unlike any other city in the Black Hills. We have unique shops, galleries, wineries, antique stores and dining,” said Deb Bruce, Hill City Area Chamber of Commerce director.
The Olde Tyme Hill City Christmas Parade has become a tradition, highlighting the annual celebration. Beginning after dark at 6:30 p.m., the parade takes a different route this year from Hill City High School north to Slate Creek Grille where most parade entries will exit the route. However, Santa Claus’s float will continue to the 1880 Train Grounds where he will have a sleigh waiting for him, and there he will take time to visit with all the boys and girls who wish to talk with him. The annual tree lighting will take place at that location and carolers will get people into the Christmas spirit.
Bruce emphasizes that the chamber is still looking for lighted parade floats, including horse drawn entries. Those interested should contact the chamber at 574-2368 for more information.
Earlier in the day, visitors may enjoy free hot chocolate and Christmas goodies at participating shops as they browse the unique treasures in town. As they shop, they can take a minute to vote for their favorite Christmas jewelry, handcrafted by local artists, on display at various stores. They can also sign up for the first weekly giveaway of $100 in Chamber Bucks, which will be repeated each week until Christmas.
At 11 a.m., Jon Crane Gallery will begin to give away 100 free mini-prints at the gallery on Main St. Later in the day at 2:30 and 4:15 p.m., the 1880 Train, Holiday Express will leave Hill City.
At 5 p.m. as people walk around in Olde Tyme dress for the Dickens Celebration, there will be traditional Christmas treats, roasted chestnuts from an open fire and hot apple cider, and live Christmas music on the veranda at the Alpine Inn.
Nov. 25 will also be the beginning of the holiday “Trees and Trains” exhibit at the South Dakota State Railroad Museum next to the 1880 Train. Decorated trees as well as operating model trains will be on display until Dec. 30.
“Holiday shoppers should treat themselves to a fabulous day of shopping and dining, then stay for the Dickens Celebration, enjoy our lighted parade, visit with Santa and experience our tree lighting. Come for the shopping and stay for the celebration,” said Bruce.

Helicopters grounded

2011-11-23T09:01:00.003-07:00

By Bev Pechan

Mike Jacob isn’t giving up. On Monday, Nov. 14, the Pennington County Planning Commission voted down Jacbob’s request 4-2 for a commercial helicopter tour operation along U.S. Highway 16, a couple miles from approaching the turnoff to Keystone and Mount Rushmore from the east. The parcel of land is a little over six acres and has already been zoned for highway service.
But, neighbors argue, the drone of helicopters will upset their preferred rural lifestyles and will have a negative effect on home values and the enjoyment of bed and breakfast clientele. Jacob disagrees, and last month invited residents and officials to watch helicopter take offs and landings from his proposed helipad site and to take a trial ride if they wished. It will also, residents say, provide a distraction to motorists as the helicopters fly over or within view of their vehicles in a location they argue is already hazardous to persons crossing the four-lane highway to get to their homes in a nearby subdivision.
After several starts and stops through government hoops, Jacob remains steadfast in obtaining his conditional use permit. It will be reviewed once more on Dec. 6 at the full meeting of the Pennington County Commission. According to the Rapid City Journal, commissioners Ken Davis and Ron Buskerud were joined by former Pennington County Sheriff Don Holloway in denying Jacob his permit last May. Holloway told the Journal he was “conflicted and could see both sides of the issue.” Commissioner Lyndell Peterson said he voted to approve, as Jacob had offered reasonable concessions to cooperate with his neighbors. Commissioner Nancy Trautman also supported Jacob’s proposal.
Jacob told the Prevailer after last month’s effort to reach out to Rockerville residents, that he had already invested as much in legal fees as the reported cost of the property which he has options on and that whether or not the Black Hills Aerial Adventures business is allowed to relocate there, he will probably consider purchasing the land anyway. “The property is zoned for highway service,” he said at the time. “That means an amusement park, casino or 24-hour gas station could go in there (at some time in the future),” he said. Jacob said he had no such plans and he disagrees that his small operation will have a negative impact on the area. He is hoping others will agree with him at some point.
Black Hills Aerial Adventures operates also at another location north of Custer and has been rated on TripAdvisor as a highlight of many vacations by visitors to the website. Jacob initially leased the former helicopter tour site in Keystone from Bruce Schiltz, who ran a business there for nearly a half-century. Keystone is known for being a busily noisy town during the summer, which survives entirely on sales tax revenue, and which Jacob has contributed to on a large scale. How this future loss of revenue will be made up is a question that must be balanced by businesses there that demand the city provide them with ever-increasing services. When Schiltz was forced to quit flying due to advanced age, he leased his property and some rights to Jacob. Complaints encouraged Jacob to find a suitable location away from Keystone.
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Gertrude ‘Trudy’ Trask

2011-11-23T09:01:00.000-07:00

Gertrude “Trudy” Trask was born in her grandparents’ home during a blizzard in Faith, S.D., Dec. 28, 1918, to Chester and Kate (Spilman) Johnson. As a young girl she lived on a ranch with her family. She attended elementary school in a one room school house on the prairie near Faith. She experienced the dust storms during the “Dirty Thirties.” She graduated in the class of 1937 from Faith High School.
That summer between high school and college she went to work at Palmer Gulch Lodge in Hill City, S.D., and was employed there for three summers. She attended Black Hills Teachers College and obtained a teaching certificate. She became a teacher at White Swan School, a one-room country school south of Dupree, S.D.
On Aug. 7, 1939, she married Kenneth Allen Trask of Hill City. They were married at midnight in a double wedding at Sylvan Lake. In September they went to the New York World’s Fair for their honeymoon, just as WWII began. They returned to their home in Hill City where they lived for 16 years before moving to Custer, S.D.
She was a bookkeeper at Trask Motors in Custer and became the manager there after her husband’s death in 1975. She was the manager of Custer Federal Credit Union; she worked summers at the Coolidge Inn Art Gallery in Custer State Park and was the bookkeeper at Allen’s Home Furnishings in Custer.
She was Past Worthy Matron of Eastern Star, member of Fidelis Club, PEO, a 70-year member of Eastern Star, member of Custer County Republican Women, Extension Club, Badger Clark Memorial Society, Custer Community Church Choir, volunteer treasurer of 1881 Courhouse Museum, board member of Custer Manor Nursing Home, 1982 Gold Discovery Days Parade Marshall, board member of Custer County Historical Society, member of the state board of directors of the Congregational Churches of South Dakota; delegate to the National United Church of Christ Conference and board member of Christian Ministry in the National Parks in South Dakota.
She loved to play bridge, was a beautiful seamstress, participated in several book clubs and was an avid traveler. She also enjoyed playing the piano.
Trudy died Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011, at Custer Regional Senior Care. She was 92.
Gertrude was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Allen Trask; her parents, Chester and Kate Johnson; daughter, Belva Lee Trask Duncan; three brothers, Daniel, Kenneth and Russel; and one sister, Ethel Lammers.
She is survived by her son, Allen (Gail) Trask of Custer; daughter, Rev. Dr. Virginia Trask Newton of Center Sandwich, N.H.; two sisters, Thelma Frame and Beverly Lindblom, both of Rapid City, S.D.; four grandchildren, Dr. Michelle Duncan of Winchester, Mass., Mark Duncan of Collierville, Tenn., Troy Miller of Harpers Ferry, W.V., and Nathan Trask of Rapid City; six great-grandchildren; 11 nephews; and seven nieces.
Visiting hours will be from 4-7 p.m. at Custer Community Church, Nov. 16 with Eastern Star Rites at 7 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at Custer Community Church Thursday, Nov. 17, at 11 a.m. Burial will be at 1:30 p.m. at Hill City Cemetery. The Rev. Bill Comfort and Pastor Dan Benedict will be officiating.
Pallbearers will be Mark Duncan, Troy Miller, Nathan Trask, Edward Gould, Jerry Frame and Dean Johnson.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers that memorial donations may be made to the Custer Library Foundation, 447 Crook St., Custer, or the Custer Community Church Scholarship Fund, 547 Harney St., Custer, SD 57730.
Written condolences may be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.

Frink to observe 90th birthday on Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T08:59:00.001-07:00

TURNING 90 - Russel Frink celebrates a milestone birthday this year when he turns 90. He is as much of the area’s history as are the rugged and sturdy buildings that still brave the weather in the Mystic area he grew up in. Russel for years has been the “go to” man for the history of early mining, lumbering and families who homesteaded in the area. Also a World War II veteran, Frink traveled to Washington, D.C., in September 2010 as a part of the Honor Flight. [Submitted Photo]

By Bev Pechan

Russel Frink is as much of the area’s history as are the rugged and sturdy buildings that still brave the weather in the Mystic area he grew up in. In fact, there isn’t much that happened around the Mystic and Castle Creek neighborhoods that Russel doesn’t recall. Before him, the Frink family was already well-established there. When President Calvin Coolidge visited the Black Hills in 1927, Russel’s father took him sightseeing by wagon and Russel still has his baby book which the president signed.
Russel for years has been the “go to” man for the history of early mining, lumbering and families who homesteaded here. Wife Pam says that Russel was always an adventurous sort, which served him well in later years, as his home-grown ingenuity often helped to solve technical and mechanical problems at places where he later worked, like at Boeing Aircraft, where he retired after 24 years and other West Coast military-industrial companies, following World War II. He also worked at a drop-forge in Wisconsin and at Homestake Mine, gaining invaluable knowledge that helped him in later life.
Pam said her husband was attracted to water at a young age and built himself a gunboat from a plank when he was about 13. He attached a small cannon to the front and was gliding down Castle Creek when he decided to fire off a round. The experiment flipped the gunboat and Russel went into the water. Undaunted, he later built a small one-passenger sailboat he called the Suzy Q and piloted it around in the dredge pond near his home. “Russel loved to fish and called himself ‘the King of Three Creeks’ – Rapid, Castle and Slate creeks,” Pam recalled.
With this affinity for water, it was not surprising that Russel chose to serve in the U.S. Navy in World War II.
He joined the Navy in 1941, before the bombing of Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7 of that year, serving aboard the USS Colorado. During that time, Pam said, hitches were for six years and he was discharged in 1946. While serving on the first Fletcher destroyer, he saw combat duty at Guadalcanal and was nearby when the fighting Sullivan brothers’ ship passed them. The late author Rex Alan Smith interviewed him at length for his definitive work on the war in the Pacific titled “Pacific Legacy” and Russel has talked to the veterans’ writing group which meets in Rapid City about his war experiences. He was aboard the Honor Flight of World War II veterans that went to Washington in September 2010.
After the war, Russel joined the National Guard and was sent to El Paso, Texas for training and then worked with the AWAX program, being in on the early edge of development in many of today’s high-tech defense systems.
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Fitzgerald helps kids in all aspects of life

2011-11-23T08:57:00.001-07:00

By Carrie Moore

To many, the school year is already half way done, but to new teachers in the Hill City school district, it’s just begun. While she may not be completely new, Lindsy Wathen, a speech-language pathologist, is the newest full-time addition to the Hill City High School. She previously worked in the high school part time last year.
Wathen, who grew up on a dairy farm near New Underwood, assess, diagnoses and treats all ages of students in areas of communication, such as articulation, language, fluency, voice and social skills.
“I chose this field because I wanted to help people, especially children, but I was torn between education and a career in the medical field,” she said.
Speech-language pathology fell somewhere in the middle between the two areas and gave Wathen the opportunity to choose between educational and medical settings. Wathen received her Bachelor of Science degree in communication sciences and disorders from Missouri State University and her Master of Arts in speech-language pathology from the University of South Dakota.
“Watching the students I work with make improvements and gains everyday is the best thing about my job,” she said. “Knowing that I had a small part of that success is a wonderful feeling.”
Wathen also loves the daily celebrations over new skills learned and observing how those skills help kids to perform better academically in the classroom and to be more effective socially in all aspects in their lives.
“Working with children of all ages, backgrounds and abilities keeps my job interesting and teaches me something new each day.”
Wathen moved back to the Black Hills after her husband’s job relocated him back to the area. It wasn’t a hard choice for Wathen to return — the scenery, shorter commute and smaller school district attracted her to the Hill City area.
“I love that Hill City has that small, hometown feel, yet houses diverse cultures, businesses and traditions,” she said.
And the area is also great for her family.
“I feel that my three young daughters are surrounded by a caring and supportive community,” she said.
“And stopping for bighorn sheep and elk on the way to work is pretty neat, too!”

Army values emphasized at Veterans assembly

2011-11-17T09:56:00.000-07:00

HONOR — Veterans and others in attendance at the Veteran’s Day program last Thursday at Hill City High School stand as the United States and South Dakota flags are placed by the Honor Guard. [PN Photo/CAROL WALKER]

By Carol Walker

Chief Warrant Officer Carstin Alan signed on with the Army National Guard 23 years ago to receive tuition assistance, but she stayed on because of the people, members of the National Guard whom she believes epitomize Army values.
Alan was the speaker for the Veterans Day Assembly sponsored by the Hill City High School Student Council last Thursday at Gins Court where veterans, students, staff and community members were in attendance. The seven Army values she emphasized were loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage.
“Those who serve in the military epitomize those values. Tony Verchio is a good friend of mine. When he was asked to go to Iraq, he took it seriously, and he was very professional about what he was asked to do,” said Alan.
She stressed that families also give up a lot missing things like birthdays, anniversaries and other important events. Verchio is currently in Iraq while his family goes on with life here in Hill City until he returns.
All the men and women of the military appreciate news and packages from home while they are deployed. Alan found that to be true while she was in Afghanistan.
“In Afghanistan, I realized the value of care packages. Mail call was just like Christmas every day,” said Alan.
She went on to say that the Afghan people appreciated the military presence there, because that made it safer for them. Including a little culture of the Afghans in her speech, she said when visiting a home there, a person must have three cups of tea.
“The first one is to warm you, as the winters are cold there. The second one is to get to know you, and the third cup lets you know you are part of the family,” said Alan.
Coming back from Afghanistan, she realized how truly blessed people are in America. As she completed her address to the crowd she said, “You blessed me by inviting me to be here and I hope God continues to bless us in America.”
The Hill City High School Band, directed by Amy Woodward, played the national anthem and “Salute to Freedom” as well as “March of the Armed Forces,” which encouraged particular branches of the military to stand as their song was played.
Lucas Brist and Kaitlinn Verchio welcomed the crowd, and other student council members participated in various ways to honor the veterans in their midst.
As Colton McKee read the poem by Donna Long, “Surely, Someone Will Come!” Sayge Wooldridge lit a candle of remembrance for veterans who are Prisoners of War and Missing in Action (POW/MIA). Kaitlynn Langenbau and Kylie Steever explained the meaning of all the items on the POW/MIA round table, set with a white cloth, a candle, a rose, an inverted glass, a lemon and a pinch of salt, but most of all, the empty chair.

Foster Grandparents: a good way to give back

2011-11-17T09:54:00.000-07:00

By Carrie Moore

With the holiday season quickly approaching, many are looking for ways to give back to the community. One way is through Foster Grandparents, a non-profit organization for volunteers age 55 or older to spend time, love and energy on children in the community. The program is in collaboration with local non-profit groups, such as the Boys Club, and schools.
“The whole purpose of the group is to make a difference in a child’s life,” said Marianne Fridell, coordinator of the Black Hills Foster Grandparents program.
Interaction with foster grandparents and grandchildren only happens through sanctioned groups, like non-profit agencies or local schools. According to Fridell, Foster Grandparents will celebrate the holidays with the students and children where they volunteer. Concerts are also planned at the Rapid City meeting in December, but they are just for the grandparents
“The only restriction is that it has to stay on site, through the sanctioned group,” Fridell said.
Foster Grandparents, which was created in 1965, has received numerous titles and praise for its hard working volunteers. In August of this year, Rapid City Mayor Sam Kooiker announced Aug. 19 as “Black Hills Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion’s Day,” due to the hard work of the program’s 110 volunteers. Those volunteers donated more than 80,000 hours of service in the last year. Sixty-four of the Foster Grandparents volunteers received Presidential Awards for their dedication — with five volunteers having been with the program over 10 years and donating more than 10,000 hours of service.
“This program is great and filled with remarkable people,” Fridell said. “One thing I’ve noticed is when the grandparents are talking about their grandchildren, they get a starry look in their eyes. You can tell they’re having fun and giving back.”
Currently, there are around 70 volunteers across the Black Hills. The program is currently seeking potential foster grandparents who are interested in volunteering with the Hill City and Custer school districts. Cities like Rapid City...

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Pamela Andreene Couts

2011-11-17T09:52:00.002-07:00

Pamela Andreene Couts was born June 23, 1992 in Evanston, Wyo.. She moved to Hill City with her family in 1998 and attended school in Hill City.
Pamela was a loving and caring person who would do anything for family and friends. Pamela died Monday, Nov. 7, 2011, at Gillette, Wyo.
Survivors include her mother, Patricia M. Snyder, and father, Norman L. Oestreich, Hill City; brother, Levon A. Snyder, Gillette, Wyo.; sister, Shenna M [Antonson] Roundtree and her daughter, Nevaeh, Keystone, S.D.; maternal grandmother, Myrna Olson and friend Daniel Nordin, Hill City; paternal grandfather, Alvin M. Oestreich, Hill City; aunt, Terry Anderson; cousin, Christie Thomas, Mandan, N.D.; great-uncle and aunt, Dolan and June Olson; cousins, Tad, Tana and Chistophe, Cloud Crouft, N.M.; great-aunt, Elma Reynolds, Hill City; and cousins Wade and Sharon Reynolds and children, Rapid City, S.D. and Bart Reynolds of Wyoming; great-aunt Kae [Vyla] Thomson and cousins Kent and Layton of Port Angelas, Wash; great-uncle Merlin Olson and great-aunt Marlene Olson and cousins Suzie, Ronda and Steve, Goldsboro, N.C.; aunts and uncles: Sandy and Gary Eschenbaum and children, Cody and Whitney, Jeri and Tom Poland and daughter, Ashley, Tami and Mark Skvicalo and children, Elijah and Nicholas, Stacey and Matt Remily; and step-brothers twins Max and Mark Oestreich and Matthew Oestreich.
Funeral service was held Saturday, Nov. 12, at The Lighthouse Assembly of God Church, Hill City, with the Rev. Brian Anderson officiating.
Burial followed at Hill City Cemetery.
An online guestbook for Pamela may be signed at www.osheimschmidt.com

Wathen takes part in children’s success

2011-11-17T09:51:00.002-07:00

By Carrie Moore

To many, the school year is already half way done, but to new teachers in the Hill City school district, it’s just begun. While she may not be completely new, Lindsy Wathen, a speech-language pathologist, is the newest full-time addition to Hill City High School. She previously worked in the high school part time last year.
Wathen, who grew up on a dairy farm near New Underwood, assesses, diagnoses and treats all ages of students in areas of communication, such as articulation, language, fluency, voice and social skills.
“I chose this field because I wanted to help people, especially children, but I was torn between education and a career in the medical field,” she said.
Speech-language pathology fell somewhere in the middle between the two areas and gave Wathen the opportunity to choose between educational and medical settings. Wathen received her Bachelor of Science degree in communication sciences and disorders from Missouri State University and her Master of Arts in speech-language pathology from the University of South Dakota.
“Watching the students I work with make improvements and gains every day is the best thing about my job,” she said. “Knowing that I had a small part of that success is a wonderful feeling.”
Wathen also loves the daily celebrations over new skills learned and observing how those skills help kids perform better academically in the classroom and be more effective socially in all aspects of their lives.
“Working with children of all ages, backgrounds and abilities keeps my job interesting and teaches me something new each day.”
Wathen moved back to the Black Hills after her husband’s job relocated him back to the area. It wasn’t a hard choice for Wathen to return — the scenery, shorter commute and smaller school district attracted her to the Hill City area.
“I love that Hill City has that small, hometown feel, yet houses diverse cultures, businesses and traditions,” she said.
And the area is also great for her family.
“I feel that my three young daughters are surrounded by a caring and supportive community,” she said.
“And stopping for bighorn sheep and elk on the way to work is pretty neat, too!”

Palmer Gulch property owner says road issue at impasse for now

2011-11-10T11:37:00.000-07:00

PICTURESQUE PALMER GULCH ROAD – The winding, scenic road leading from Old Hill City Road to Palmer Gulch Resort and Mount Rushmore KOA from the back side is at the center of a controversy between opposing property owners. One group wants to widen the road to give better motorized access, while a group of residents who own land on both sides like things just the way they are. [PN Photo/ BEV PECHAN]

By Bev Pechan

In a part of the Black Hills that has been seeing extremely rapid growth in recent years, the question arises: how much progress is too much?
Rapid City attorney Doyle Estes says a request to the Pennington County Commission and county planning and zoning by the Palmer Gulch Road District earlier this year to upgrade the road which runs over the top of his property should not be allowed. If it goes to court, as it undoubtedly will, taxpayers may end up footing at least some of the bill.
At issue is the second access area to the Mount Rushmore KOA Campground and neighboring Palmer Gulch Resort. The complex is normally reached by South Dakota Highway 244, which runs west and east at the western edge of Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Palmer Gulch Resort , an historical lodging camp, lies in a secluded section of the property and is more rustic in its appeal. Palmer Gulch Road is a narrow, dirt trail that approaches these businesses from Old Hill City Road between Hill City and Keystone and has served vacationers for years in a non-intrusive way.
But, members of the Palmer Gulch Road District insist, times are changing and people often feel a need to move faster and better. Estes and his fellow property owners, who are attorneys and a federal judge, disagree. After all, this is why they chose the quiet acreage nestled under tall pines in the first place, they told federal and county officials and those who want to build a bigger, better road. Estes says he fears that bigger roads will mean more traffic and more noise as commuters began to use the road as a shortcut to other places.
Across the road, developer and contractor Jim Scull has purchased tracts of wooded and meadow lands that he is heavily promoting and which would hold hundreds of homes along a two-mile stretch on both sides of Old Hill City Road in the future, stopping at the entrance to Palmer Gulch Road.
This property is heavily signed as being available for homesites, with some roads already graded in. Decorative rail fencing marks the development, which includes numerous old mining claims and some original buildings from that colorful era.
Estes says the property he and his neighbors want to keep from encroachment is made up of five parcels of the Dr. Boyce estate, which also contain old mining claims. He says he and his adjoining property owners have no plans or desire to commercially develop this land and one of their biggest objections, he said, is the proposed destruction and removal of 300 to 400 established trees to widen the road.
“The property was purchased in 2001 and 2002,” Estes said. I found the property and then talked to friends. We (Estes and wife, Kathy Johnson) had dinner with them and talked them into going in on the purchase,” he said. The other property owners are Terry and Patty Harmel, Watertown retirees, attorney Tim Doherty and his wife, federal judge Karen Schrier. Former state attorney general Roger Tellinghuisan is representing Doherty and Schrier, attorney Harry Christensen represents the Harmels and Estes is representing himself and Johnson in the road dispute matter.
On the opposing side, Sioux Falls attorney Rich Cutler and family, who, as Recreational Adventures Co., own the Mount Rushmore KOA properties, are also ready to do battle to have their say on why they want to see Palmer Gulch Road widened and improved. Speaking for the Palmer Gulch Road District also is Al Johnson, who has been associated with the campground complex for many years and is president of operations.
One of the arguments for straightening and widening the road is not just for better two-way traffic flow, but “in case of any emergency, like a major forest fire, when Palmer Gulch Road might become an evacuation route,” Johnson told the Rapid City Journal, adding, “We had two accidents on that road within the last year.” Pennington County is being pulled into the dispute due to the fact that the privately-owned land lies under the road and is still on the tax rolls. Tellinghuisen earlier told the press that these residents are “adamantly opposed to wholesale changes. They think it’s going to encourage more traffic down this road and you’re going to encourage people to drive faster.” The county approved the road district formation last spring.
At the bottom of the argument is that while there is a public easement to a part of the road, it does not give the road district free rein to interpret that in any manner it chooses. The district wants the county’s blessing to improve that part of the road which is also on private property and that is where the combatants are stuck for now.
Estes says they will listen to options, including taking out far fewer trees than initially proposed and he said that Dave Slepnikoff of the U.S. Forest Service has suggested attention be focused instead on the use of Forest Service Road 357.1A, which runs nearby and could be improved by the district with no private property issues. Johnson countered that the road is longer and would cost the district more money to make the changes they have in mind. Johnson, Slepnikoff and Pennington County attorney Jay Alderman could not be reached for comment by the Prevailer at press time.
At this juncture, a solution has not been reached by either side and though Estes says his group will listen to proposals, they are as firmly committed to preserving their rights as property owners as is the Palmer Gulch Road District in attempting to assert theirs.

South Dakota’s Veterans deserve the best

2011-11-10T11:36:00.001-07:00

By Senator John Thune

For generation after generation, South Dakotans have proudly answered the call of duty and served our country with honor and distinction.
The service numbers for our state are astonishing to say the least. Approximately 32,000 South Dakotans served in World War I, 65,000 served in World War II, 26,000 in the Korean War, 28,000 in the Vietnam War, and 5,600 in the Gulf War. And, throughout the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, South Dakota National Guard members have been, and continue to be, repeatedly deployed.
These men and women risked, and continue to risk, life and limb for our freedom. Many who return home from war carry physical and emotional scars with them for the rest of their lives.Veterans make up 17 percent of South Dakota’s population. Many of these men and women served in multiple theaters, signing up again and again, despite injury and trauma.
Veterans throughout our state, particularly disabled veterans, face an array of challenges. These selfless men and women deserve the very best from their country. Whether it is offering a ride to church, mowing their yard, or simply saying ‘thank you’ for their service, South Dakotans are quick to help our state’s veterans.
Let us all to take a moment this Veteran’s Day to show our sincere gratitude to the veterans in our communities. We can never repay the cost of freedom that was earned on our behalf, but we can make sure that our veterans know that we are forever grateful for their service.

Senior Citizens’ antiques show a success

2011-11-10T11:35:00.000-07:00

“IT’S BEEN REAL GOOD, HONEY” – Said co-organizer Pat Belczak, who specializes in jewelry, watches and coins. Son Joe is a railroad enthusiast and collects and sells railroad items and firearms. [PN Photos/ BEV PECHAN]

By Bev Pechan

“It has been terrific,” said Wilma Behm, one of the organizers of the antiques show and sale last weekend. As has been in the past, people were lined up with their own treasures for appraisal by local experts long before the doors opened on Saturday morning. Pat Belczak, another committee member and organizer, said their group was very happy with the outcome of the two-day event, which has been on hiatus for a couple of years. Table rentals were filled also with waiting lists, both said, and vendors appeared pleased with their sales.
What’s selling these days? “Coins and jewelry,” Belczak says. “Mainly smaller items. Fenton glass is also popular,” she said. There were several examples on her table at reasonable prices. The Fenton Art Glass Co. has made quality and attractive decorative glass giftware items for more than a century, originating in Ohio, but since 1905, located in West Virginia. Fenton patterns in pleasing varieties of colors have endured, with even later and modern pieces being collectible as well. “Something used to have to be 100 years old to be considered an antique,” Belczak said, “but now that has been changed to 50 years.” One of the reasons for this, Belczak stated, was that the older antiques were harder to find and today’s modern families want items they can actually use in their homes on a daily basis.
Also, she said, European dealers have been buying American antiques and other countries have also followed this trend, tightening the availability of some items, such as furnishings and art.
And, the overall market has changed dramatically. In the 1970s, there was a renaissance of sorts when garage sales and flea markets became a great American pastime. Things hidden away for years suddenly appeared, attracting collectors at all levels. One of the hottest items of that era was Depression glass, the colored dishware made in hundreds of patterns by several companies and often given away as premiums in boxes of laundry soap, cereal or at gas stations with a purchase. It was the stuff their mothers and grandmothers used to have. Now it is still desirable, though considerably de-valued, due to today’s eat-and-go culture and frequent lifestyle changes.
Hummel figurines, limited edition anything and Cabbage Patch dolls are also not in much demand these days, nor are the once desired Beanie Babies, which, while not really old, at one time brought hundreds of dollars each in a frenzy that was the result of a very clever marketing program aimed at gambling on sales in the secondary market. Baby boomers, however, want to replace the things of their childhood. Think vintage Barbie and Ken, steel Tonka toys and Star Wars. They do not remember Hopalong Cassidy, Gene Autry or Roy and Dale. Their licensed products dominated the children’s collectible markets in the 1990s, but at prices only successful adult kids could afford. Transitioning generations can make a big difference.
Available only in the print version of the Hill City Prevailer, to subscribe call 605.574.2538.

Student council to collect can goods

2011-11-10T11:32:00.001-07:00

The Hill City Student Council has been collecting food for some time now for its annual Hill City School District Food Drive, says council member Lucas Brist. Students will be going door to door in Hill City and Keystone on Sunday, Nov. 13. It is the group’s second year of canvassing neighborhoods and food collected will go into the food bank at the Little White Church in Hill City.

Rockerville residents still want ‘no fly zone’

2011-11-03T08:59:00.001-06:00

TAKING A TRIAL RUN — A helicopter from Black Hills Aerial Adventures takes up county officials and interested parties to show them a proposed flight plan and demonstrate noise levels that could be experienced if owner Mike Jacob’s conditional use permit is approved. The six acre parcel lies between Highway 16 to the east and Silver Mountain Road to the west in a rurally- populated area west of Rockerville. [PN Photo/ BEV PECHAN]

By Bev Pechan

Mike Jacob of Black Hills Aerial Adventures says he doesn’t know what else he can do to appease some Rockerville residents who say that moving his helicopter tour business to their vicinity will be bad for theirs.
“I’m against it; nobody wants it,” said resident and business owner Marilyn Bolt in a phone call to the Prevailer last week. Bolt said Jacob invited those who felt they might be impacted by his operation to show up at the proposed site on Saturday, Oct. 29, to see for themselves how his helicopters would be flying and rides were given to those who wanted to see flight patterns from the air.
A large number did.
Last spring, when Jacob was looking at the approximately six-acre parcel, he said he talked to area residents, explaining what he planned to do and said he experienced no major objections from other landowners at that time, so he went ahead and applied for a conditional use permit. In the interim, he made an agreement with Keystone developer Bill Durst of Durst Investments to fly for this tourist season from a temporary helipad on top of a Keystone hilltop Durst is developing.
When Jacob’s permit application went before the Pennington County Board of Commissioners, however, Rockerville representatives showed up in numbers to heatedly protest the approval of the permit and the county subsequently denied the request.
One of the most vocal of the objectors is Chuck McLain, who lives in Sun Country Estates and says he does not want the helicopters flying over or near his property. On Saturday, he led a meeting of about 50 people at The Gaslight in Rockerville following the demonstrations, saying, “It’s an emotional issue. It’s going to change the way of life for this neighborhood forever – there are several generations here.” McLain has been a resident of the area since 2002. Continuing with his introduction, McLain fired the crowd up by telling of his concerns with entrance and highway crossing dangers. He was concerned also, he said, with the possible decline in property values as a result.
Bernie Christner, who lives on the other side of Highway 16 from Jacob’s proposed operation, stated the dangers of crossing the road at that point to get to Sun Country Estates as it is and said he feared drivers would be distracted further by seeing helicopters above them as they attempted to navigate the unmarked junction.
Available only in the print version of the Hill City Prevailer, to subscribe call 605.574.2538.

Holiday jewelry contest announced

2011-11-03T08:57:00.002-06:00

The Hill City Chamber of Commerce has a new first time event that will fit nicely into the overall tone of Hill City during the holidays.
Denise Etzkorn, chamber information specialist, says, “Many stores in town have handmade jewelry and local artisans have crafted much of it. This event is an opportunity to bring these creations to the forefront while encouraging artists to make a monument to Christmas cheer in a piece of wearable art, lovingly referred to as jewelry."
There will be fliers/applications throughout town and the surrounding area for contestants to submit their entries and to bring awareness of the event to the local community.
The objective, Etzkorn says, is to make Christmas-themed jewelry. Catergories are for Traditional Christmas, Whimsical Christmas and THAT is What I Want for Christmas! Each category will have three classes which can be entered: Beginner 15 and under, intermediate and advanced/ professional (one making at least $4,000 per year at their trade), for a total of nine awards. Judges for first to third places in each division are Ildi Wagoner, professional silversmith; Dana Voorhees, bead specialist, and Blanche Farrar, jewelry merchandiser.
Entries need to be accompanied by adequate jewelry display materials. Some materials may be available through the chamber on a first-come basis and is limited to the amount of display space available. An approximate value should be placed on each piece, whether or not it is offered for sale, and entrants are required to be responsible for the loss or safety of their items. The Hill City Chamber, events committee and participating merchants are not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged goods.
All businesses that wish to participate by having Christmas Jewelry Contest items in their stores will need to commit to a minimum sponsor donation and are asked to contact the chamber at 574-2368 for details.
Sponsors are also required to donate one item or gift certificate toward a People's Choice gift basket. The names of business sponsors may be included and will be listed on publicity produced to instruct visitors about where to view the Christmas jewelry.
Sponsor dollars will help offset advertising and prizes. Stores are asked to invite their favorite artists to participate. The chamber's objective is to deepen public appreciation for beautiful handcrafted jewelry and bring people to town.
Forms are available at the chamber office or online and applications need to be returned no later than Nov. 11. Jewelry items will be delivered to stores wishing to participate on Nov. 22 after judging has taken place. The events committee, along with the judges will choose the venue where each piece will be displayed.
All visitors that vote for the People’s Choice Award will have an opportunity to sign up for the weekly Hill City Chamber Bucks. Etzorn says, "We want to make sure our events present Hill City in its best light. For this reason, we are happy to offer a way for non-chamber members to participate. Let’s all work together."
For more information or to apply, contact the chamber at:info@hillcitysd.com or call 574-2368.

Helen Irene Morgan

2011-11-03T08:57:00.000-06:00

Helen was born June 19, 1920, in Keystone, S.D., to Gertrude (nee) Busteed and James Halley III. During her youth, she enjoyed watching the progress of the sculptures on Mount Rushmore.
She attended Keystone Elementary School and graduated from Rapid City High School in 1938. After attending the University of Nebraska for a year, she married Merlin M. Morgan of Wall, S. D. Soon after the marriage, the couple took off for sunny California. Merlin worked in construction, rising to the position of construction superintendent. After frequent moves, they settled in a lovely home overlooking San Francisco Bay, and there she displayed her talent for growing and tending beautiful roses and plants.
Helen selflessly shared her time with friends and relatives as well as serving as a leader in the Browinies and Girl Scouts. Her two daughters were the focus of her love and devotion, along with her husband, Merlin, whom she cared for through a lengthy illness.
Helen died in her home at the age of 91, on Aug. 21, 2011.
She is survived by her sister, Joan Lintz, Hermosa, S.D.; daughters Doreen (Bart) Bynum, Whittier, Calif., and Gloria (Dennis) Smith, Anchorage, Alaska; grandchildren Gary Smith, Elita (Richard) Muhlenbruch, all of Anchorage; six great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Student assembly to honor war veterans with program

2011-11-03T08:54:00.002-06:00

The Hill City Rangers and school administration will publicly honor and thank area war veterans with an assembly on Thursday, Nov. 10, from 8:45-9:30 p.m. in Gin’s Court, or the main gym of the high school.
Luke MacLean, social studies teacher, says, “Our full k-12 student and staff will be present.“
They will write hand-written invitations to veterans (as well as the families of the veterans) in the Hill City area, personally inviting them to attend the special program.
Guest speaker will be Chief Warrant Officer Carstin Alan, representing the South Dakota National Guard in Rapid City. Alan has recently been in Afghanistan and will share her experiences at the assembly.
The program will proceed as follows:
8:45-9:30 am
Welcome
Honor Guard
“Star Spangled Banner”
Guest Speaker, Chief Carstin Alan
“A Salute To Freedom – Arranged by Andy Clark”
POW/MIA Empty Chair
POW/MIA Table
Marches of the Armed Forces – Arranged by Michael Sweeney
Recognition of Veterans in the Audience
Closing
Everyone is encouraged to attend and to show support and appreciation for our veterans and troops.

"Spooktacular" pictures from Halloween Weekend

2011-10-27T10:09:00.000-06:00

CREEPY COBWEBS — Anyone entering the Keystone Library and Community Center will have to pass go at the graveyard to get to the books and videos. Librarian Diane Rohde has lots of fun seeing what sort of holiday scenarios she can “scare up” throughout the year. [Submitted photo]

SPOOKY SCHOOLHOUSE — There appears to be some unusual activity in the foreground of this photo taken Friday at the Keystone School Museum. The wispy images were not visible in another shot taken seconds before. [PN Photo/BEV PECHAN]

READY FOR A GOOD SCARE — Mitch McLain waits to scare willing visitors in the graveyard at the haunting of Keystone event. The event runs Oct. 28 to the 30. Tickets are $6.50 each or $15 for an all-access pass. [PN Photo/Deb Petterson]

Shafer resigns at city council meeting

2011-10-27T10:06:00.000-06:00

By Carol Walker

During the public comment period at the Hill City Council meeting on Monday night, Brenda Shafer, city utility clerk, announced her resignation, effective immediately. She said her decision to resign was based on what she sees as business practices that do not follow city ordinances, an intolerable working environment, a lack of communication and inconsistencies in policy.
In a phone conversation later, Shafer said she had requested that all concerned sit down and talk, but that was denied. Also denied was a request to discuss the concerns in a city council executive session.
“I felt this was my only avenue in hopes that the council would ask questions. If Dave [Gray, mayor,] or anyone from the council would like to discuss the specifics, I would be willing to meet with them,” said Shafer.
Also turning in her resignation Monday morning was KC Bunch, administrative coordinator for Hill City, who handled accounts payable, human resources, payroll, organizing planning and zoning meetings, and manning the front desk when Shafer was gone. Bunch expessed concerns similar to those of Shafer during a phone conversation on Monday night.
“I would say there have been unethical business practices. I don’t feel ordinances of the city have been upheld correctly when it comes to the water account, specifically that ordinances have not been impartially upheld. I felt the situation was out of control, enough for immediate departure instead of resigning with a two-week notice,” said Bunch.
She also said she would be willing to answer any questions council members or the mayor may have.
Mayor Gray stated over the phone that when the council emerged from executive session Monday night, they voted to authorize Brett McMacken, city administrator, to hire a temporary employee until positions could be filled with the city.
“The city administrator was also asked to prepare the recruiting process to find a permanent replacement. He will look at the duties and responsibilities of the two jobs to decide whether or not two fulltime employees will be hired,” said Gray.
Gray said he was as surprised as anyone in hearing Shafer’s resignation, and before a temporary staff person is hired, McMacken and Becky King, city finance officer, will likely put in some long hours to take care of city business.
According to Bunch, she and Shafer were under the supervision of King, who is appointed by the city council and answers to that governing body.
Gray said during the executive session procedures for handling water bill payments were discussed and it appeared the city ordinance was followed. He said they are looking into the issues presented by Shafer and they are asking questions. He also said, whomever is hired, when they are trained, they will be told, “Here’s a list of policies and procedures. Here’s a list of your duties.”
In other business, the council received a proposal from Hill City American Legion Post 160 to place in the Hill City Cemetery a solar-powered light on the flagpole, which was originally supplied by Post 160. In a letter to the council, signed by Keith Hayes, it stated the reason for the light is to be able to fly the American flag and the POW/MIA flag 24 hours a day. The Legion will provide the light, installation and maintenance for the light and flag. The council unanimously approved the proposal.
Deb Bruce, Hill City Chamber director, reported that about 90 people attended the annual chamber banquet last Tuesday at Prairie Berry Winery. The slate of officers was approved with Jim Denevan as president; Michelle Olson, treasurer; and Lorena Fries, secretary. Kirk Hulstein of Black Hills Badlands and Lakes (BHBL) addressed the crowd, and Bruce said he stated that 27 percent of visitor spending comes from within the state.
Bruce said according to BHBL tourism numbers, Hill City was down 7.8 percent, but she said the decline was not as marked as some other Black Hills communities.
The council approved the chamber’s event application for the Olde Tyme Carriage Parade on Nov. 25 and the Kris Kringle bazaar and parade on Dec. 10.
Paula DeMars, city librarian, reported that though summer visitation was down, circulation was up. In September things changed.
“Our September visitation shot up. There were nearly 4,500 visitors in September. After school the kids are blasting us for about two and a half to three hours,” said DeMars.
She is pleased with the use and believes it may be due to library after-school programming. About 175-250 youth come in after school each day, predominantly fifth, seventh and 10th grade students.
DeMars said the summer reading program was a success with 48 students and 19 adults participating. Prizes were given for reading, with the grand prizes being two bikes donated by the Tin City Masons.
Fifth semester SDSU nursing students submitted a letter to the council suggesting the need for a public health nurse in Hill City. The group reached that conclusion after conducting interviews with Linda Marchand, public health regional manager; Marcia Benning, former Hill City public health nurse; Sarah Booth, Hill City EMT; and others.
Their letter stated, “We believe that the lack of a public health nurse is a detriment to the community because many of the services previously provided by the nurse are no longer available to the community. Individuals must now travel to Rapid City or Custer to obtain public health services.”
The mayor attended a Hill City ambulance meeting where replacement of the wrecked ambulance was discussed. The council was told the new ambulance is already on its way. Due to the emergency nature of the situation, the ambulance service did not have to seek bids, shortening the acquisition process.
Gray said Pennington County officials are conducting research on the travel management plan.
“They are looking at everything such as damage to roads, the amount of traffic and the number of collisions,” said Gray.
The next city council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 14, at 5:30 p.m. at city hall.

Keystone parking problems carries over to private owners

2011-10-27T10:05:00.005-06:00

By Bev Pechan

First it was lack of parking for summer visitors in Keystone. Now the arguments have scored a foothold in another area as well. Recent town board meetings have directed and redirected questions about the public right-of-way on Cemetery Road and the potential hazards caused by people who on certain stretches of the narrow road.
At last Wednesday’s meeting, the topic was still front and center regarding a strip of land donated to the city by Bruce Schiltz approximately six years ago to widen portions of the irregularly-shaped roadway. At the core of the argument was the decision of Judge Merton Tice, who at that time, directed that the determining factor for the width of the road was to start in the center of the pavement and extend outward from there. Schiltz who was involved in litigation over the issue, said that he remembers the outcome differently. The problem is that the existing roadway has become dangerous from employees using it as a thoroughfare and customers at Big Time Pizza and Roosevelt Inn parking along the shoulder of the already too-narrow street. Schiltz was represented by his attorney, but was not present at last week’s meeting.
City attorney Mitch Johnson stated the judge’s ruling, right or wrong, was the law. The confusion, he said, concerns Tice’s determination to figure the width of the roadway at 33 feet from the center of the blacktop. He did not take into account that the road has different widths at varying intervals. Johnson reported to the board that he has held a meeting with city engineer Gary Renner and Schiltz’s counsel to discuss the findings of fact and conclusions of law as the decree was originally given on the 16 1/2-foot public right-of-way. Schiltz’s attorney told the board that his client owned lot 12 and people were parking on that also, trespassing on private property. It was decided by board president David Cofoid to post No Parking At Any Time signs between lots seven and 12 to deter customers from extending into the street and onto private land. Also discussed was the addition of a concrete sidewalk with curb and gutter to accommodate pedestrians, making it impossible for vehicles to park in the area.

Available only in the print version of the Hill City Prevailer, to subscribe call 605.574.2538.

Kenneth “Doc” Leonard

2011-10-27T10:05:00.001-06:00

By Bev Pechan

Kenneth Ordell “Doc” Leonard was born in Long Pine, Neb. in 1923. A longtime fixture in the Keystone community, Doc has been described by all who knew him as a giving and trusting person. It was a tradition for him to purchase and give away Shrine Circus front row seats each year to family and friends and he always furnished the ice cream at Keystone’s Senior Center birthday meals. He volunteered also for many years in the area by giving free medical exams to school children and young people who were trying out for sports.
Leonard, Rapid City, died unexpectedly from complications of heart failure at a nursing home in Rapid City on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011. While many people knew Doc Leonard and about his generosity, not many knew much about him, due to his reserved and quiet manner.
Doc was trained in the medical profession at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine and served with the National Naval Medical Center and at the Naval Hospital in Bremerton, Wash. He was also a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, the retired Marines Association in Rapid City, the Shriners and Shriner’s Clown Club and Keystone’s Mount Aetna Masonic Lodge, the Keystone Senior Center, Keystone United Church of Christ, and the Keystone Area Historical Society, local involvements he was very proud of. He also served as trustee on the Keystone Town Board. In 1965, Doc was a partner in the Keystone Museum tourist attraction with fellow historian and gun enthusiast Jim Aplan, Tilford.
Doc was also an anthropologist and student of American Indian history. Jim Aplan said that while the two worked at their Keystone enterprise, Doc would often drive all night to dance with the Crow Indians in Montana and was adopted by Crow leader Tom Yellow Tail, receiving the name “Good Bird.” He also took medical supplies on these trips, conducting medical exams and treating Indian families at Crow Agency, Garrison, N.D., and at Fort Berthold at no charge and would return to Keystone in time to work at the museum beforeheading back to the reservations once more.
Doc was adopted into North Dakota’s Affiliated Tribes of Hidatsas, Arikaras and Mandans. Former Mount Rushmore superintendent Gerard Baker has said that Doc Leonard was adopted as a tribal member by his extended family in North Dakota and the two had a close friendship over the years. Doc returned to Fort Berthold many times to participate in honoring dances for Gen. George Armstrong Custer, who employed many of their tribesmen for guides.
In the mid-1980s, Arikara leader Wesley Plenty Chief invited him to be present at the solemn mass burial of Indian remains, repatriated from museums, at the former Arikara village site north Pierre.
Jim Aplan said Doc Leonard was internationally known for his collections and knowledge of antique firearms. “He served 40 years on the board of the Museum of the Fur Trade in Nebraska and 30 years on the board of the Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody, Wyo. He had one of the ultimate gun collections in America at one time – guns that belonged to famous people.” Two of his most impressive collections, Aplan said, were his Hawken and Henry rifles. A revolver formerly owned by Doc Leonard sold this year at auction for $125,000 and was considered a bargain at that price, according to a national antiques publication. Aplan said that just a couple weeks ago, Doc and his brother spent the better part of a day visting with him in his booth at Rapid City gun show. A month ago, Doc rode with his Marine Corps friends in Keystone’s Holy Terror Days parade while someone else was wearing his familiar Shriner Keystone Cop clown suit. Friends said Doc was looking forward to moving back to Keystone in the near future.
Survivors include former wife and friend Joann Leonard, Rapid City; daughter Sharon Leonard, Rapid City; son Scott Leonard, Enola, Penn.; brother Klane Leonard, Basset, Neb.; stepdaughter Lisa Marshall, Rapid City; stepson Kevin Stuart, Rapid City; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife and a daughter, Susan. A brief memorial service was held Monday, Oct. 24, at Kirk Funeral Home. There was no funeral service. Cremains will be taken to Basset, Neb., for burial under the direction of Kirk Funeral Home, Rapid City.

Middle school football finishes season

2011-10-27T10:04:00.001-06:00

The Hill City Ranger Middle School football team had a very successful year, with the eighth grade team finishing undefeated, 4-0, and the seventh grade team finishing with a record of 3-1.
The eighth grade team consisted of a combination of seventh and eighth grade players. The seventh grade team consisted of a combination of sixth and seventh grade players.
Eighth grade players include David McKeen, Corbin Goodsell, Isiah Smidt, Shawn Kuhnel, Jake Bauer, Garrison Lhotak, Wacey Ferguson, Luis Escobar and Nathan LeBeau. The eighth grade team started its season against Custer, who they defeated 14-6. The team then won against Hot Springs, 40-19, and Newell, 32-13. The team ended its season against Custer and defeated the Wildcats, 26-0.
The seventh grade players include Ty Scott, Adam Haiar, Lissandro Escobar, Jeff Gillaspie, Braidyn Buchholz, Brenden Johnson, Caleb Oliver, Ryan Skillingstad, Joshio Villalobos and Cody Brockhouse.
The seventh grade football team also includes sixth graders. They are Jake Larson, Chance Simmons, Gavin Timmer, Bridger Knapp, Matthew Maxfield, Jacob Harris, Michael Satter, Noe Escalante and Daemon Mead.
The seventh grade team began its season against Edgemont, who they defeated 30-20. They then defeated Douglas, 21-12, and Custer, 47-0. However, in the last game of the season, the seventh grade team lost to Lead-Deadwood, 18-28.

Wust el Balad plays to a packed theater

2011-10-20T09:15:00.001-06:00

ANCIENT MEETS TODAY — Ahmed Omran, front, playing the oud, an ancient, pear-shaped stringed instrument, creates melodies that bring together old and new sounds and rhythms. With him are two other members of the Wust el Balad group, Ahmed Omar, bass guitar, left, and Mohanned Gamelelden (Mizo), percussion. The seven-man Egyptian group performed before a full house Sunday night at the Hill City High School theater at the first concert of four that will be presented as a part of World Fest. [PN Photo/CAROL WALKER]

It was a grand climax for the week as Wust el Balad came to the stage before a packed theater at the Hill City High School last Sunday night. From the time the Egyptian group checked in at Pine Rest Cabins on Oct. 9, their days were filled with a visit to Crazy Horse, workshops with people of all ages at Hill City, Custer, Hermosa and STAR Academy, a little free time and then the culmination, an energetic concert in Hill City.
Children and youth attending the school workshops brought their parents to the concert, and many others came on their own Sunday night, necessitating additional chairs to be set up wherever there was room in the theater, which has approximately 350 seats. An enthusiastic crowd clapped, tapped and cheered the group on as they presented a mix of Egyptian music, from traditional to blues to reggae, songs that expressed love, daily life, spirituality, peace and freedom.
“We are absolutely thrilled with the turnout for the concert. I think credit goes to Chris VanNess and the job she did in advertising for the event. Every child took home a postcard about the concert and there was advertising in Spearfish, Rapid City and Hot Springs in addition to Hill City and Custer,” said Erica Welu, one of the organizers for the event.
Earlier in the week, Wust el Balad met with groups of students of all ages, giving them the opportunity to play some of the instruments, learn a few dance steps and interact with men of another culture. The children and youth learned at least one Arabic word, “Salaam,” meaning peace. For Ahmed Omar, working with the children was a highlight of the week.

Available only in the print version of the Hill City Prevailer, to subscribe call 605.574.2538.

Lions receive approval for flagpole placement

2011-10-20T09:12:00.001-06:00

By Carol Walker

After many appearances before the Hill City Council and much discussion, Marv Matkins, on behalf of the Hill City Lion’s Club, was able to gain council approval for the placement of a flagpole and an American flag in the garden area near the Slate Creek Grille.
For several months, the Lions Club has been on a mission to place the flag in a prominent place in Hill City. The request to install the flagpole at the garden near “Patriarch,” the bronze buffalo on the corner of East Main St. and Railroad Ave., was denied due to concerns expressed by the Hill City Arts Council and insufficient details submitted to the city council. Proposing an alternate project location in the garden near the Slate Creek Grille evoked comments of concern from the Evergreen Garden Club, an organization which has put effort and money into refurbishing that garden.
However, at Tuesday night’s meeting, Matkins said installing the flagpole would only involve the movement of a few rocks in the garden in order to create the base for the pole. The rocks would be put back in place when completed. He also said John Knapp was willing to put the lighting costs, which are estimated to be less than $9 a month for electricity, on his bill for the Slate Creek Grille, and the Lions Club would reimburse him.
“I think it will be a heck of an addition to Hill City. The Lions will maintain the flag. They will probably have to replace it every couple years at a cost of about $150. Darrell [Sullivan] at the post office said he would take care of putting it at half-mast when it is necessary,” said Matkins.
With only minimal discussion, the council approved the project by a unanimous vote.
The flagpole was donated by Telco Federal Credit Union, and the 10 ft. by 15 ft. flag was a gift from Lions member Jay Hendrickson. Eventually a plaque dedicating the flag to all veterans will be installed, but Matkins said he would bring that before the council when wording was determined.
Matkins also spoke to the council regarding a request for approval of a use on review, a variance and a building permit for a lot in the Hillyo Addition in Hill City. A Colorado couple would like to move a manufactured home onto the lot, which requires a use on review by the council. Since city ordinance requires homes to be no more than six years old, the 1998 home requires a variance, and because the couple would like to put in a basement on the lot, a building permit is also necessary. Brett McMacken, city administrator, said this lot, discussed at a previous meeting, does not yet have approval of a plat.
“If they can get approved for this, it is only about 200 ft. to hook up to a water and sewer line. We will have it designed by the engineer and sent to Pierre for approval, and we will get a performance bond. The weather could be an issue for getting the work done, so it could be next spring when this all gets done. Any damage to the home in the move will be taken care of. This couple will do all that is necessary to make it right. They want to be good neighbors,” said Matkins.
Frank Bettmann, city attorney, expressed concern over all that was being requested prior to the lot having a final plat. He said a building permit should not be issued with all the contingencies and construction should not begin before the final approval of the plat.
Gwen Lipp, a homeowner in the vicinity of the lot in question, also expressed concern over the fact that the steps are not in place.
“At what point do variances and exceptions stop? We bought our house with the assumption that rules would be in place. I don’t think it’s fair. We followed the steps to get into our home. I don’t think we need to lower our standards to develop property,” said Lipp.
Matkins said there are several doublewide manufactured homes there now. He called Custer, Keystone, Whitewood and other communities and discovered none of the towns had requirements for a manufactured home to be no more than six years old. Their requirements were based on condition of the home. He said if these contingencies were approved, he would use the money from the sale of the property to take care of the plat and extend the water and sewer.
“I’m sympathetic to your situation, but I think you need to be sympathetic to the council and what you are asking them to do,” said Bettmann.
The use on review, variance and building permit were brought up individually, but each one died for lack of a motion.
Deputy Bruce Johnstone introduced Colter Furst who has nearly completed his training and will be on the job as a Hill City deputy the first part of November. Furst moved here from Rochester, N.Y. where he was in law enforcement for one year. Johnstone also announced that Kurt Weber retired and is currently in the country of Jordan where he will teach law enforcement.
McMacken reported on the Run Crazy Horse Marathon, giving kudos to Emily Wheeler for the organization of the event.
“Emily puts together a quality event. She does what she says she is going to do. I haven’t received any negative comments on the event,” said McMacken.
Several of the council members attended the South Dakota Municipal League conference in Sioux Falls and said it was informative. The governor addressed the league and his comments were cautiously optimistic, according to McMacken.
The next city council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 24 at 5:30 p.m. at city hall.

Barbara Maurine Pennel

2011-10-20T09:10:00.000-06:00

Barbara Maurine (Lynde) Pennel was born Nov. 7, 1922, to Allen and Lyla (Hill) Lynde in Peterson, Iowa. On Oct. 11, 1943, Barbara married Warren Pennel and they moved to Rapid City where she was a linotype operator for the Rapid City Journal for 38 years before retiring. Barbara loved reading, knitting, crocheting, roses, gardening and wrestling, from Texas wrestling to WWF.
Barbara Maurine Pennel, 88, died Monday, Oct. 11, 2011, at Fountain Springs Healthcare, Rapid City.
She is survived by her children: Pat, Rapid City, Kevan (Rochelle), Jacksonville, Fla., Kelton (Cathy), Rapid City, Terry (Sue), Piedmont, S.D., Danette Pennel, Rapid City; brothers Robert (Donna) Lynde and Donald (Norma) Lynde; sister Viola Heckert and sisters-in-law Virginia Pennel (Hill City) and Lois (Pennel) Halley, Keystone.
“G.G.” as Barbara was known to her grandchildren, is also survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Warren O. Pennel, Sept. 30, 1998, and son Dan.
Barbara’s wishes were that no funeral service be held. A graveside farewell was held Friday, Oct. 14, 2011 at Black Hills National Cemetery with Pastor Bruce Baum officiating.
Behrens-Wilson Funeral home was in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be conveyed to the family at www.behrenswilson.com

Two Ranger runners on to state meet

2011-10-20T09:08:00.001-06:00

HAPPY QUALIFIERS — Kala Mc Donald, left, and Skylar Ross, right, will be representing their home team this weekend at the state cross country meet in Sioux Falls. Here, they show off their hard-won medals. [Submitted photo]

Both the boys and girls varsity cross country teams, as well as the junior varsity teams, competed in the regional meet in Belle Fourche last Friday, with many runners faring well in the competition.
Qualifying for the state meet on Saturday, Oct. 22, in Sioux Falls was Kala McDonald, placing 15th with a time of 18:08, and Skylar Ross, placing 20th with 18:33.
Also competing was Sammy Woodward, who placed 24th with 18:54, Michal Wiederhold, placing 35th at 19:46, Makaley Anderson, in at 41st with 20:52 and Kristi Maxfield right behind her at 42nd with 20:56 for a time. The girls team placed 6th overall with 90 points.
Competing in the girls junior varsity race was Amara Pennel, who placed fourth.
The boys team placed 10th overall with 152 points and was led by Jared Price at 32nd with a time of 20:08. Casey Sullivan placed 40th at 20:51, Micah Pennel, 42nd with 20:54, Christain Castro, 46th at 21:36, and Justin Lewis, 52nd with a time of 23:33.
“Everyone ran well and worked hard,” coach Dan Asheim said. “I am very proud of each and every one of them.”

The Farmer’s Daughter now under new ownership

2011-10-12T16:49:00.002-06:00

LOOK WHO’S WEARING THE APRON NOW – There has been a change of command at The Farmer’s Daughter. New owner Lorena Freis, right, puts on the familiar apron formerly worn by Brenda Nolting, on the left. The two women will be working together while Freis learns the business, which she is looking to expand. [PN Photo/ CAROL WALKER]

By Bev Pechan

Brenda Nolting created a special ambience for the Alpine Inn corner in the seven years she has owned “The Farmer’s Daughter,” located on the corner of Main and Elm streets, across the street from the Alpine Inn. Her transformation of the old Iron Horse Standard gas station to a quaint and interesting antiques, gifts and bric-a-brac shop has been eye candy for locals and tourists alike, who were always curious to see what she could come up with next.
But, Nolting told her friends, there were things she and her husband Don needed and wished to do with her family, and running the business often prevented that from happening. So she commented one day to Hill City businesswoman Lorena Freis, “I need to sell it,” whereupon, Freis said she replied, “Gosh, I’d love to buy it!” The Freises took possession on Oct. 1.
Nolting, who is president of the Hill City Chamber of Commerce, said recently, “After much prayer and conversation, Don and I have decided to sell The Farmer's Daughter. We love the shop and the Hill City community, but my family has been void (of) their mom for seven years now and we have two high school students and three beautiful grandchildren that only see their grandmother on Sunday evenings — if she closes the store on time. We were able to find the one person that we felt could take the shop to the next level. We have sold The Farmer's Daughter to Lorena Freis of Hill City.”
Freis and her husband, Rick, also own Dakota Hard Surface Cleaning, which they will continue to operate out of their Hill City home.
But, she says with enthusiasm, the idea of taking what Nolting had at The Farmer’s Daughter and expanding on it is exciting for her. In addition to the existing inventory, Freis plans to add estate finds and will help persons with dispersals of their home contents. She is personally interested in the retro items of the 1950s, old jewelry and items of regional interest.
The Alice Bailey collection, which the Noltings owned and displayed in the store, records the history of a prominent black family from the Southern Hills and was included in the sale of the business. The Smithsonian Institute has indicated an interest in some of these items on black history to display, Freis said, and she is to have an inventory ready for them to look over this week. The popular old song “Won’t You Come Home, Bill Bailey?” is reportedly credited to this family’s heritage.
Freis says she does not know everything there is to know about antiques, but she plans to attend some classes and has had help so far from knowledgeable friends and consignors.
“I come from a long line of garage sale experts,” she laughed.
Nolting says of Freis, “She has a great business mind, good heart and a kind spirit. She is perfect for the shop. I will be around during the transition period, then I will find work closer to home.”

Rebecca Jean Williams

2011-10-12T16:48:00.002-06:00

Rebecca Jean Williams was known to her friends and family as Becky. She was born Aug. 18, 1956, in Amarillo, Texas to Charlie and Beverly (Taylor) Lynn. She grew up in Amarillo and graduated from West Texas State University, receiving a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She worked at the Amarillo Livestock Auction, Clifford Auctions, the Amarillo National Bank and the Herring Bank. After moving to Hill City, S.D. in 2003. She worked at Rushmore Forest Products.
Becky married her partner of many years, Douglas L. Williams. Together they shared their love of horses, all things cowboy, Professional Bull Riding, beautiful country and their precocious cats. Becky loved spending time with her family, riding horseback, talking long walks, spoiling her cats, arranging flowers and gardening.
Rebecca Jean Williams died Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011. She was 55.
Becky is survived by her husband, Doug, Hill City; daughter Mandee Ross, Bella Vista, Ark.; grandchildren, Destinee and Hunter Ross, Montana and Cassandra Wheeler; mother, Beverly Lynn; sisters Claudia Mask, Kay (Larry) Vickers and Cody Rust; nephews Monte, Kip and Flint Mask, Justin Moss and Casey Rust and families; nieces, Sparklynn and Katie Rust, and her extended family, Darrell Winterfield and Ronnie Patterson. Becky’s loving touch will be forever missed by all who knew her.
Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Oct. 14, at the Chapel in the Hills/Stavekirke in Rapid City.
As an expression of sympathy and in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to one of the following charities: SunCatcher Theraputic Riding Academy, P.O. Box 3975, Rapid City, SD 57709 (http://www.suncatchertra.org) or PBR Riders Relief Fund, 101 W. Riverwalk, Pueblo, CO 81003 (www.riderrelief.com)
Friends may sign Becky’s guest book at www.kirkfuneralhome.com

Keystone helicopters back before county board

2011-10-12T16:47:00.002-06:00

By Bev Pechan

Mike Jacob is not giving up. The past couple of years of doing business in Keystone has been challenging to say the least, Jacob admits, but the popularity of his helicopter tours near Mount Rushmore leaves him just as determined to continue providing flights that take in the beauty of the Black Hills from the air.
After relocating a portion of his Custer-based Black Hills Aerial Adventures to the former site of the helicopter operation run by Bruce Schiltz over several decades, townspeople and adjacent businesses said they did not want the noise and fumes they claimed Jacob’s helicopters allegedly caused and attempted to get the business to shut down or move.
In the summer of 2010, some business owners and residents close to the helicopter operation demanded the city conduct a noise study to prove that their rights were being encroached upon. The study, conducted over the Fourth of July weekend that year proved inconclusive. Measurements reportedly found elevated periods of excessive noise at times of takeoffs and landings. However, traffic noise, sounds from mock gunfights at the downtown Ruby House location and other events occurring at certain times often equaled and sometimes exceeded that of Jabob’s business.

Available only in the print version of the Hill City Prevailer, to subscribe call 605.574.2538.

Hill City competes in Lakota Nation Invitational

2011-10-12T16:46:00.000-06:00

RANGER RUSTLER – Allie Henderson was named to the LNI All Tournament team at the volleyball matches held in Rapid City recently. The Rangers have a two-win and four-loss record for the event. [Submitted photo]

By Shawn Woodward

The Hill City High School volleyball team competed in the Lakota Nation Invitational volleyball tourney in Rapid City on Oct. 1.
Scores from the matches gave Hill City decisive wins over Red Cloud 25-12 and 25-23 and also over Takini with scores of 25-14 and 25-15. They lost to White River 11-25 and 15-25, Crow Creek 20-25 and 23-25, Oelrichs 16-25 and 25-27 and Cheyenne-Eagle Butte by 16-25, 15-25 and scored a narrow win in the second game at 25-23. Allie Henderson was named to the All-Tournament team.
The team also traveled to St. Thomas More on Tuesday, Oct. 4 and lost all three games. The Rangers played very well the first two games, losing 22 – 25 and 17 – 25 before the Cavaliers showed why they are one of the top teams in the area defeating the Rangers 8–25.
The team will host Hot Springs on Thursday, Oct. 13 with the nineth match starting at 4:30 p.m. and the JV and varsity to follow. It will also travel to Custer on Monday, Oct. 17, with the JV match starting at 4:40 p.m. .and the varsity to follow.

Lots of fun at Hill City Carnival

2011-10-06T08:40:00.000-06:00

IN THE HOLE – A budding golfer attempts to get the ball in the hole at the homecoming carnival last Friday at the Ranger football field while his mother watches on the sidelines. [PN Photo/CAROL WALKER]

There’s been a change in Hill City’s weather

2011-10-06T08:34:00.003-06:00

By Bev Pechan

The balmy days of autumn have remained steady in past weeks and the riotous color Black Hills residents and tourists have come to expect will be gone before long. Catching the latest weather forecast is a ritual most locals rely on, due to the capricious nature of regional weather patterns.
Jim and Maureen Wodahl have been recording Hill City’s official daily weather at their Major Lake residence “one week shy of 23 years,” as Maureen noted when sending their last readings to the Prevailer on Sept. 16.
She is no stranger to changes in the temperature.
“My dad started it (recording the weather) in Ottumwa in the ’20s,” Maureen said. “When he married and left home, my grandmother took it on. Then when she was 90, my dad took it back again. Then in 1988, I took it over here in Hill City from Gene Barker. So our family has been doing the observing for nearly 90 years.”
Hill City’s weather station is now located at the city’s wastewater treatment plant, where it is being monitored seven days a week under the supervision of Jim Evans, public works. Evans charts the data over a 24-hour period and supplies the readings to the National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Included in the monthly form are items such as fog, ice pellets, glaze, thunder, hail and damaging winds, along with precipitation. There is a separate listing for additional descriptive remarks, such as the size of hail, amounts of lightning, frost and so on, to give a permanent record of weather patterns and occurrences.

Available only in the print version of the Hill City Prevailer, to subscribe call 605.574.2538.

World Fest brings Egyptian music and culture to Hill City

2011-10-06T08:34:00.002-06:00

By Carol Walker

One of only a handful of Midwestern cities, Hill City was chosen to host the 2011-13 Arts Midwest World Fest. Residents of the Black Hills and surrounding area have an opportunity to experience the music and culture of Egypt when Wust el Balad comes to Hill City next week. As the first of four concerts over a two-year period, Wust el Balad, one of the most popular folk-rock bands in the Arab world, offers a blend of traditional Middle Eastern vocals with contemporary Latin rhythms and jazz.
“It’s rare for small and mid-size Midwestern communities to host ensembles from Egypt,” said Marsha Leininger, one of the local organizers for the event. “The music and culture Wust el Balad shares will be absolutely fascinating and different from what we generally hear. The ensemble will be in Hill City for a full week and we expect this residency will be a delightful experience for our entire community.”
Area residents have an opportunity to meet Wust el Balad at a free community reception on Tuesday, Oct. 11,, at 6:30 p.m. at the Best Western Golden Spike in Hill City. Leinginger said people will hear a sampling of the groups’ music, enjoy some hors d’ oeuvres and welcome the eight band members.
Just two days later, on Thursday, Oct. 13, a free community workshop is scheduled at 4 p.m. at the Hill City High School Theater. This is open to adults and students of all ages. According to Leininger, the workshop is sure to offer a good piece of music, a learning opportunity, a chance to interact with the musicians and a question and answer time.
The culmination of the week-long residency is a public concert on Sunday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m. at the Hill City High School Theater. The cost for adults is $5, students $2, and children under 6 years old are free. Tickets may be purchased at the door or by credit card by calling 574-3200. Other places in Hill City to purchase advance tickets are Jewels of the West, Dakota Nature & Art, Jon Crane Gallery, Warrior’s Work & Ben West Gallery and Black Hills Bronze.

Available only in the print version of the Hill City Prevailer, to subscribe call 605.574.2538.

Ranger Homecoming is crowned with big win

2011-10-06T08:31:00.001-06:00

The Hill City Ranger football team improved to 2-4 by defeating Upton, Wyo., by a score of 36-21, behind a dominating performance by the offensive line that pushed the Rangers to 399 yards of rushing. The Rangers controlled the ball on the ground and controlled the clock rushing the ball 48 times.
The offensive line anchored by seniors Derek Skillingstad, John Lucas and Jesus Mesa was able to seal the front line of the Bobcats all night, allowing the running backs a free shot at the Upton line-backers and secondary. Gage Skillingstad posted 281 yards of rushing on 30 carries and senior Adrian Munoz posted 69 yards on nine carries.
“The O-line was able to control the line of scrimmage creating holes for Gage and Adrian to accelerate through. It is tough for anyone to stop those two once they get their shoulders squared and moving forward,” said head coach Chad Ronish on the running game. “Getting Derek back really helps our offense, as he can really control the end of the line.”
The Rangers got help on special teams via a strong kicking game from Mario Lupercio and Lucas, and some great plays by punter Lucas, who scrambled for a 30 yard 1st down off a bad snap, a 4th down conversion from Dylan Thomas to Derek Skillingstad to keep a drive alive and three touchbacks on kicks from Lupercio keeping Upton on a long field.
“Mario is an asset to the team because he puts the kick deep down the field on a consistent basis,” said Ronish.
The defense once again came up big with turnovers and some big stops in the second half. Lucas had a pair of interceptions that were able to take the momentum out of Upton’s passing game.
“When we got into the second half, they were able to find the seam in our passing defense,” said Ronish about the two third quarter scores by Upton. “Once we made our adjustments and started getting to the ball and the quarterback, we made it difficult for them to move the ball.”
The Rangers showed a little grit coming from a 21-16 third quarter deficit to stop the Bobcat offense and put 20 points on the scoreboard, including Gage Skillingstad’s third rushing touchdown, and a pair of fourth quarterr passing touchdowns from Dylan Thomas to Dietric McConnell.
“We have played a lot of fourth quarters where our kids have nothing to prove but pride. This one was a big fourth quarter comeback and put the seal on the victory,” Ronish said.
For the homecoming crowd, the victory put a cap on a great week for the Rangers. The varsity gets a week off before hosting Sundance, Wyo., on Oct. 14, which will be Parents night and “Tough Enough to Wear Pink,” where the Rangers will pay tribute to our friends and family who have perished from their fights with cancer and celebrate those who are cancer survivors. Everyone is encouraged to wear pink to the game.

Royal Fans

2011-09-28T16:07:00.002-06:00

Crowned only moments before, Homecoming King Adrian Munoz and Queen Matea Alexander showed their school spirit on Monday night by attending the burning of the “H”, a symbol of the power of the Rangers. The two seniors will reign over the homecoming festivities throughout the week.

Business questions Keystone’s billing

2011-09-28T16:05:00.002-06:00

By Bev Pechan

It was water that was again a major topic of discussion at last Wednesday’s Keystone town board meeting.
First, a special meeting was held before the regular meeting began regarding the city’s billing of Dallas and Mary Dietrich for water usage at their Keystone Mall stores, Rattlesnake Jake’s and Good Tyme Photo. The Dietrichs complained they were billed for an excessive amount of water.
City clerk Bobbie Johnson said the Dietrichs’ readings were not always taken at the site and that a former employee had at times estimated the bill instead of conducting a physical reading.
“The numbers were carried from the summer prior, and when we did a reading in the fall of 2010, the reading was for 766,200 gallons,” which, according to Johnson was read from a remote. “I don’t know where the numbers came up, but I wrote a work order to check it,” she said.
Johnson explained there was more than one remote involved and it is unknown what the actual figures may have been or which device was actually used. The Dietrichs employed the mall’s plumber to remove their meter for the winter and the meter was then switched out for a new one.
A toilet leak was acknowledged, which they erroneously thought had been repaired, according to Johnson. She said she wasn’t sure which sets of numbers may have been used to calculate water use for that period. When the new meter was installed, Johnson said it was not known if the correct numbers were transferred, causing additional confusion.
The Dietrichs paid the entire bill under protest. After considerable discussion Wednesday, the board agreed to credit them for 62,510 of the 111,510 gallons they paid for. A similar situation involving Durst Investments will be brought before the board at a special meeting on Thursday, Sept. 29, at 7 p.m.
City attorney Mitch Johnson reported to town officials that he has not heard from South West Water regarding Keystone’s early takeover of its wastewater system. Previous discussions with the company were favorable for the city acquiring the plant prior to its present lease/ purchase agreement which expires in 2018.
The matter of where the center and boundaries of Cemetery Road are located was brought up once more, attempting to clarify the actual boundaries with the two sides still in apparent disagreement. Attorney Johnson told Bruce Schiltz, who had donated a portion of land along the road to make it less hazardous, that whether it was what Schiltz thought he had agreed to or what the judge ordered in a previous lawsuit, the judge’s ruling was the defining answer.
Judge Merton Tice, Johnson said, ruled “five years ago” that the measurement should be taken from the center of the road bed out to the shoulder area for a distance of 33 feet – or 16.5 feet from the center line in either direction. Schiltz, however, said the road was uneven in spots and this should not be the deciding factor.
Trustee Ray French interjected, saying, “So where the road is now isn’t right? You can’t change a survey.”
Johnson asked Schiltz, “What constitutes the center of the road? You have to have a declaratory judgement. A judge can do anything he wants.”
Schiltz did not appear satisfied with the answers received, but made no further comment.
City engineer Gary Renner discussed the Third Street bridge seal-coating project. Renner told those present that he called two weeks ago to get a price update for doing the work and was waiting to hear back. Both ends of the asphalt approach will also be replaced, he said.
Public works manager Jerry Przybylski said he received a single bid from M & H Builders to repair the roof on the Meinecke picnic shelter in the city park in the amount of $1,173.47, which will now be a metal roof. Przybylski also asked for input from members of the community for ideas to implement in the new Watson Park addition and volunteers to help with cleanup and preparation of the site.
Board president David Cofoid made a motion to spend $5,000 to repair the walk bridge in the city park, with labor provided by the city. Both trustees Sandi McLain and French voted to approve.
Librarian Diane Rohde reported that the Pennington County Commission is reviewing contracts for county libraries and she was assured funding would be approved. The date set for the kids’ Halloween Carnival is Oct. 29.
Trustee McLain announced a grant was received for over $5,200 from South Dakota Tourism for promoting “A Haunting in Keystone” and trustee David Cofoid ended the meeting by announcing that sales tax revenues for the town of Keystone were up two percent through August.

Christmas lights stay in HC budget

2011-09-28T16:04:00.000-06:00

By Bev Pechan

Hill City’s council meeting on Tuesday got off to a positive start when finance officer Becky King successfully swatted a fly on the first try.
City administrator Brett McMacken explained to council members how it would be possible to place a 22-foot by 32-foot addition on an existing home as a retirement residence, but said, “It needs city approval because of a variance request.”
The home, located on North Newton and below Museum Drive, has a weird-shaped lot.
“A 25-foot setback required from the front (of the lot) would encroach on the setback and the house,” he said.

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Are kids growing up too fast?

2011-09-28T16:03:00.000-06:00

By Bev Pechan
While I don’t usually promote that “other” paper, did any of you happen to catch the Dennis the Menace cartoon in last Friday’s issue?
Did it bring back memories?
For those who missed it, Dennis and a pal are sitting under a shady tree by his home, leisurely playing in the sandbox. Barefoot. I’m sure those are real metal Tonka trucks, not today’s breakable plastic ones.
A mother and her daughter are walking hand-in-hand down the sidewalk – both are wearing dresses. Mom has a hat – and there is a car in the garage of the home across the street, meaning someone is actually there. Both residences have the traditional white picket fence.
I remember it. My kids, who are Baby Boomers, remember it. Today’s kids don’t have a clue. Honestly, how many kids do you see outside playing anymore? With stay-at-home moms?
Playtime allowed kids to learn and experiment and pretend. They could be anyone and anywhere they wished to be. When they got tired of it, they could go home and there was someone in it. It was possible that someone also baked cookies that afternoon and served them milk from the refrigerator.
In the cartoon, Dennis’s mother is home and she is calling him.
Do you remember how safe you felt? Working dads came home at night and all was right with the world. Most of them, anyway. Those who didn’t weren’t very highly regarded by the rest of society.
What is out there today that is so painful, young humans – and many adults – cannot overcome the fear of it? Where can children feel safe today? Who is home when school is out?

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Daniel W. Benventano

2011-09-28T16:01:00.002-06:00

Daniel W. Benventano – aka “DJ Dan” – 58, Keystone and formerly of Denver, Colo., died at Rapid City Regional Hospital, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2011.
“Dad was involved in telecommunications all his life,” said his daughter, Julie Mamrot.
For the past three years he was a DJ at the Rushmore Rock Sports Bar in Keystone and then with BaRLees, the current owners. In about 2002, Daniel moved to Newell, S.D., and then to Keystone in 2007, where he immensely enjoyed the outdoors.
“He loved Halloween and Christmas – especially Christmas,” Julie remembered, “and he loved going shopping.”
Fishing and hunting were great experiences and Daniel had a sense of humor that made people laugh. This is how Julie would like his friends to remember him.
Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Julie (Ben) Mamrot, Keystone, and an uncle, Sonny Beaver, Newell, S. D.
Memorial services were held Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Keystone United Church of Christ with Pastor Chuck Landon officiating.
Inurnment will take place at a later date.

Rita Renae Hobart

2011-09-28T16:00:00.000-06:00

Rita Renae Hobart, 58, Rapid City, died peacefully in her home on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011.
Rita was born May 28, 1953, in Aberdeen, S.D., to Richard and Julie (Jessen) Rice. As a young girl she lived with her family on a farm near Rockham, S.D. Later, she moved to Redfield, S.D., where she attended school. After a few years, Rita moved to Mitchell with her family where she continued school and graduated high school.
While in high school, Rita played the flute and enjoyed glee club, choir and pep club. After graduating, she attended South Dakota State University in Brookings for one year. During college, she studied in Germany for a period of time and said this was one of the most memorable times of her life.
On Oct. 6, 1973, Rita married Steven Michael Hobart in Rapid City. They lived on a ranch near Deerfield, where she enjoyed hunting, gardening and playing with her children.
While raising their five children, Rita attended Black Hills State University and graduated in 1988 with a degree in elementary education and special education. She has taught as a special education teacher at New Underwood School and most recently at Central High School.
Rita loved music, worship and prayer, devoting herself to God, family and friends and was also an active member of the Dove Christian Center for over 10 years. A loving mother, grandmother, wife, daughter and sister, she loved the Black Hills.
Survivors include three sons: Scott Hobart, Washington, Ill., Nick Hobart, Hill City, and Mike Hobart, Custer; two daughters, Tiffany Johnson, Tokyo, Japan, and Michele Sabino, Aurora, Ill.; her father, Richard Rice, Wessington Springs, S.D.; her mother, Julie Rice, Oakdale, Minn.; brothers Russell Rice, Rapid City, and Rodney Rice, Custer; sister Rochelle Rasmussen, St. Paul, Minn.; and seven grandchildren.
Services were held Saturday, Sept. 24, at Dove Christian Center, Rapid City, the Rev. Tim Stuen officiating, with burial at Hill City Cemetery.
A memorial has been established.
Her online guestbook is available to sign at www.osheimschmidt.com.

Rangers continue to improve on the gridiron

2011-09-28T15:56:00.002-06:00

By Chad Ronish

The Hill City Ranger football team continues to improve on the season, but is still looking for the wins to match the progress.
Last week the Rangers logged 500 yards of offense, but only put 20 points on the scoreboard. Untimely mistakes and penalties are plaguing the Rangers as they approach the Red Zone.
The Rangers are moving the ball well between the 20s, using the running game anchored by tail backs Gage Skillingstad and Adrian Munoz, both of which posted 130 yards of rushing last week against Lead.
Ranger quarterback Dylan Thomas is a continued rushing and passing threat, having amassed 500 yards of passing and six TD’s through the air so far this season. Thomas’s favorite receiver, Dietric McConnell, has been on the end of all six of the passing TD’s and has compiled most of the yardage, but senior tight end Johnny Lucas has become an incredibly valuable possession receiver keeping Ranger scoring drives moving.
The defense has been very stingy and opportunistic so far providing 17 turnovers in five games to keep the ball in Ranger possession. The defense has been able to hold running and passing games in check in most of their games, but have fallen victim to big plays by the opposing teams that have created the point deficits for the Rangers.
Gage Skillingstad, Johnny Lucas, Kenner Langenbau, Adrian Munoz and Jesus Meza continue to be the defensive leaders for the Rangers, although many of the younger players have contributed to the Ranger defense this year.
The Rangers are looking forward to the return of senior end Derek Skillingstad this week for homecoming vs. Upton. The game should be an exciting game as the last time these two teams met, the game was decided by two points.
The Rangers have a week off after homecoming and then finish out the season with Sundance, Wyoming and Red Cloud.

Thieves around Hill City looking for loot

2011-09-22T08:42:00.002-06:00

By Bev Pechan

Karen Boland says she’s been robbed by a party or parties who probably were looking to make money by selling scrap metal from items taken from her rural Hill City property. These are things thieves normally won’t take unless times are tough, Boland said.
For example, she is missing a distinctive yellow rear John Deere tractor wheel. It is 42 inches in diameter and weighs about 500 pounds. She still has the other, which has a tire on it, but the bare metal one is gone.
Then there is a very heavy cast iron deck for a McCormick Deering grader, which has a tool box and a very old blacksmith mandrell made of iron. Gone. A dark-colored door for a 1964 Ford pickup and a 30-inch by 14-inch heavy metal box filled with horse shoes is also gone. So are metal T fence posts, Kelsey-style metal wheels, a cream-colored and silver-colored car port frame, more scrap metal, rebar, conduit pipe and a car battery.
Boland says she isn’t positive about how many trips the robbers made to remove the heavy materials, but she knows for a fact the yellow wheel was still at her property on Sunday, Aug. 21.
On Aug. 30, she was picking chokecherries nearby and noticed the items were gone. Quickly, she made posters, began scouring junk and salvage yards and called the sheriff’s department.
“They assigned me a case number and also an investigator, who happened to be on vacation,” Boland said.
No law enforcement officer has come to see her so far, she said, adding that she has spent hours combing salvage yard inventories by herself but has turned up empty-handed.
“They were getting tired of me showing up,” Boland stated.
Boland says she doesn’t know why someone would want these items except for resale, but getting them off her property would have been a major undertaking, even if it was one item at a time. She is asking anyone who might have information to contact her at 574-2788 or call the Pennington County Sheriff’s Department in reference to case number 128235.

Watson Park welcome addition to Keystone

2011-09-22T08:41:00.001-06:00

By Bev Pechan

When the 1972 Flood roared through Keystone that evening of June 9, Nellie “March” Watson had climbed on a table and was looking for her dropped slipper, but the water was coming up too fast.
Neighbor Bill Zwetzig, his son, Brian, and Jim Huffman entered the house and found March perched on her bobbing piece of furniture. It was dark and cold and, Zwetzig said, the mud and silt was already several inches deep inside the house, making it difficult to even open the door.
“I said, ‘How’re ya doin’, March?’ And she answered, ‘I’m doing OK. How are you fellows doing?’” Zwetzig reported.
He told her they had come to take her to his house where she would be safe. He recalled that he had a 100-foot hemp rope to help with rescues and said houses around them could be heard breaking apart.
“It was noisy,” he said.
Zwetzig said people were stranded on the roofs of mobile homes. He recalled one trailer being tipped over and figures that probably kept the Watson home from going down Battle Creek, as it blocked the path of the water’s movement.
“I had a house full of wet people (that night),” Zwetzig remembered.
The Watson house, as well as that of her mother, Lucy Jane Baird, was completely destroyed in the flood, along with some rental trailers on the property. This prompted Watson, then about 75, to leave Keystone and move to California where other family members lived.
That site, encompassing approximately 20 acres, is now the location of March Watson Park and abuts Keystone’s city park, lying just behind the Keystone Community Center. It was dedicated on Sunday, Sept. 11, during the Holy Terror Days celebration, with several members of the Watson family on hand.
Available only in the print version of the Hill City Prevailer-News. To subscribe, call 605-574-2538.

Keystone phone service undergoing changes

2011-09-22T08:40:00.002-06:00

By Bev Pechan

Remember how uncomplicated things were when there was only Ma Bell to consider? For Keystone residents who haven’t looked over their entire Mount Rushmore Telephone Co. phone bills in the past couple of months, now should be the time. Delaying payment of your bill could cost you. Or leave you without service.
“We are just following practices that others have begun to do. We really have been very lenient in the past,” said Trinity Rapp, who manages the Keystone office for the Hanson family of Minnesota, who own other telephone companies located in South Dakota, Minnesota and Ohio.
Rapp said some of the changes were put in place in July and others were supposed to begin in August but, she said, “It takes time to implement everything and customers will begin to see more of the new way of doing business on their October bill.”
From now on, Rapp says, billing payments are due on the 15th of the month and must be paid by the 10th of the following month or the account will be suspended. The bills are issued on the first of every month. If there is a past due amount, customers will see a disconnect notice on their bill. If it is not paid in full by the 10th, service will be temporarily suspended without further notice.
Rapp said the days of paying telephone bills 90 or more days late or asking for special considerations is over for consumers and this is a growing trend among service providers everywhere. Making it tougher in Keystone, perhaps, is the additional problem of transient seasonal workers who suddenly leave town with unpaid telephone bills and give no forwarding address, she added.
Available only in the print version of the Hill City Prevailer-News. To subscribe, call 605-574-2538.

Wet run

2011-09-22T08:39:00.001-06:00

Rangers Jared Price, left, and Casey Sullivan had a wet run when the competed in the Eldon Knudson Invitational at Rocky Knolls Golf Course in Custer last Thursday. A chilling drizzle created a damp course. Colton Njos of Belle Fourche placed first in 17:29. Sullivan headed up the Rangers, coming in 50th with a time of 21:07, followed by Price at 54th with at time of 21:33, Michah Price at 58th with a time of 22:19, Christian Castro at 64th with a time of 22:48, Airon Babbs at 65th with a time of 22:59 and Justin Lewis at 66th with a time of 25:35. The team came in 10th. The girls fared better with Kayla McDonald receiving a medal at 12th place with a time of 17:58. Michal Wiederhold came in 30th with a time of 19:15, Karley Dean was 36th with a time of 19:47 and Kristi Maxfield came in 38th with a time of 19:59.

Technology changes the way life is lived

2011-09-22T08:37:00.000-06:00

By Mary Gales Askren

I have fallen victim to technology.
My girls are probably thinking, “Finally, she’s getting on board the 21st Century.” They have been encouraging me to embrace the opportunities technology offers for quite a while. I’ve resisted.
I’m a bit like my deceased cantankerous grandmother in that respect. Her philosophy was: if what I’m doing works, why change?
She washed clothes with a wringer washer right up to the time she died in 1988. I don’t know when she purchased it, but as long as it worked, she didn’t see the need to get one of those newfangled automatic washers.
Similarly, I didn’t see the need for a computer when PCs were finding their way into homes across America. What would I do with a computer?
Consequently, every computer I’ve ever owned has been a gift from someone. My latest is a cool little netbook with WiFi (whatever that is) that my daughter and her husband used when they were deployed and for which they no longer have a use. It’s small enough to fit in a purse.
Obviously, I didn’t rush out to get a cell phone, either. Why would I want to be available 24/7 to everyone? I had a landline and an answering machine. As far as I was concerned, that provided folks with adequate access to me.
My daughter didn’t agree, so she bought me a cell phone and set up a family plan for us. Once I discovered I could mute the thing, or put it on vibrate, I found it to be an acceptable replacement for the landline. I didn’t have to worry about constant interruptions, which had been one of my pre-cell concerns.
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HC council has first reading of ’12 budget

2011-09-14T10:19:00.004-06:00

By Carol Walker

At the regular meeting of the Hill City Council on Monday night, Becky King, city finance officer, gave the first reading of the 2012 budget.
Requested in the general fund was a total of $1,035,721, which King broke down into several categories, the highest ones being highways and streets at $140,802 and the debt service at $220,963 with $110,000 going to the principal and $100,963 for interest. In the Liquor Lodging and Dining Sales Tax fund a total of $105,000 is requested, broken down into $80,000 for the Chamber of Commerce, $5,000 for the Arts Council and $20,000 for Christmas decorations.
The water fund would total $203,000, and the sewer fund would be $323,923, included in that the debt service at $14,976 toward the principal and $47,268 for interest. The total for the entire 2012 budget would reach $1,667.644.
It appears to be “back to the drawing board” for the Hill City Lions Club regarding the placement of a flagpole in Hill City, as the Hill City Council did not approve the site suggested for the flag pole.
Originally the Lions Club asked that the flagpole be placed in the garden near “Patriarch,” the bronze buffalo on the corner of Main Street and Railroad Avenue. The Hill City Arts Council was opposed to the placement there, so an alternate site was suggested in the garden near the Slate Creek Grille. The Evergreen Garden Club expressed disapproval for the flag at the alternate site, having recently expended efforts to do rock work and improve the garden area there.
At the last council meeting, the possibility of placing the flagpole in the open area between Teddy Bear Town and Patriarch was suggested. In discussions with Marv Matkins of the Lions Club, Brett McMacken, city administrator, said he asked Matkins about a third alternative, but was told the club was not pursuing another site.
They did, however, submit an estimate of the cost for moving and installing the flagpole, a map showing the exact location and details regarding who is responsible for the costs associated with it. The only thing the city would be responsible for is the ongoing electricity for lighting the flag. Vic Alexander suggested that if a person knows the wattage of the light, the power company could give a fairly accurate estimate of the cost of electricity.
“Originally, they were talking about three lights, and now they are looking at placing one light on the Slate Creek Grille sign that would shine on the flag. Apparently one disk light would project where you needed it, no matter which way the flag was blowing in the wind,” said McMacken.
Mayor Dave Gray suggested it was not in the city’s best interest to have a light placed on private property. Roger Broer said if the Lions Club agreed to maintain the garden area there, the garden club may be more agreeable to the flagpole placement there. McMacken said it would only be a 30-inch hole, about eight ft. deep, however a concrete pad would surround that hole.
A motion was made to accept the site, but it died for lack of a second.
A request was made for plat approval for a lot in the Hillyo addition in Hill City. This same plat came before the council at a previous meeting, but it was sent back to the planning and zoning commission for more discussion.
McMacken submitted to council members a document showing the code regarding the city requirements prior to approval of a plat. He said basically it boils down to either all of the infrastructure needs to be in place, or the applicant must post a bond saying the work will be completed within a designated frame. McMacken said a two-year time frame is too long because costs can increase within that period of time and the original bond amount may not cover all the costs for infrastructure.
“First he must get construction drawings and get a cost estimate for the project. Then he must send it to the state for DENR [Department of Environment and Natural Resources] approval. Then we can figure out the bond amount,” said Doug Sperlich, city engineer.
He went on to say the council can then approve whatever time frame it is comfortable with for completion of the work. He said six months is a little short. At the suggestion of Sperlich, the council approved the plat as drawn but would wait to see an engineer’s plans and DENR approval before giving final approval.
Both Sperlich and McMacken gave glowing reports on the street improvements currently taking place on Deegan Drive and Top ‘O Hill. Under the direction of Sperlich, Bob Herman, a seasonal/temporary employee hired to carry out the work, has moved a lot of dirt, cleaned out ditches, unearthed and replaced culverts, and currently seeding in the road ditches is being done by permanent city employees.
The city set up a review period for Herman’s work, which could result in a pay increase. In light of the job being accomplished, the council voted to increase his pay to $17.25 an hour, a 75 cent hourly increase. He will work until the ground freezes and resume work in the spring on Bishop Mt. Rd., Newton, Allen Gulch, Short and Spruce streets.
The council approved a request for $9,000 in street improvements in two locations. One would be to create a more gradual asphalt slope to either side of a berm on Museum Drive as well as perform concrete work to stabilize the storm water drainage path, preventing further erosion at the bridge abutment. The cost is $6,000.
The other would be to cut, remove and replace asphalt on the cul de sac portion of Sluice Run Court where an area of asphalt has settled and dropped below the existing curb and gutter level. This prevents storm water to efficiently drain. The cost is $3,000.
The appointment of Roger Broer as a planning and zoning commissioner was approved by the council. He will replace Steve Jarvis who is now a member of the city council.
McMacken invited council members to a meeting scheduled with Forest Service and Game Fish and Parks officials on Tuesday to resurrect discussions about Major Lake.
The next council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 26, at 5:30 p.m. at city hall.

Weekend quilt show brings masterpieces to Hill City

2011-09-14T10:19:00.000-06:00

At the Mistletoe Ranch, from left, first, second and third prizes were given to the women who created the unique quilts. They are “Tumbling Rainbow,” created by Carol Posthumus, quilted by Judy Woodworth; “Mary Ellen’s Gift II” by Celia Bradley, quilted by Marie Brewer; “and Crystal Stars” by Lois Massa, quilted by JoAnn Hoffman.

By Carol Walker

Sunny skies prevailed over Hill City last weekend, making it a perfect time for hundreds of quilted masterpieces to be displayed on Main Street, in the high school and outside the Mistletoe Ranch. Quilters and quilt admirers came to be inspired or simply enjoy the cavalcade of color at the Hill City Area Quilt Show and Sale sponsored by the Hill City Chamber of Commerce, the Quilt Corral, Mistletoe Ranch, Prairie Berry Winery, Elm St. Pizza, Hill City Arts Council and other area businesses.
“I thought it went very well. Everywhere you looked in Hill City there was color,” said Deb Bruce, chamber director.
In addition to seeing their quilts displayed in full glory, many quilters went away with special prizes. On Saturday, votes were cast in several categories of quilts in the downtown area and at the high school. Winning $250 in cash for the Arts Council award was Deb Winter of Piedmont for her “Scrappy, New York Beauty.”
One hundred dollars in chamber dollars were awarded to the following individuals: Marie Brewer of Hermosa, People’s Choice, “Winner’s Bouquet;” Marilyn Hoelscher of Hill City, Committee Choice, “Blooming Bouquets;” Marty Dove of Hot Springs, Mayor’s Choice, “Grandma’s Flower Garden;” Donna Hansen of Nunda, Seniors’ Choice, “Double Wedding Ring” and Bev Peterson of Rapid City, Kid’s Choice, “Amarylis.”
On the lawn of the Mistletoe Ranch, about 230 quilts were displayed with the top three hung side by side. First place award and a $200 gift certificate for Quilt Corral was given to Carol Posthumus of Rapid City for “Tumbling Rainbow,” and it was quilted by Judy Woodworth. Second place and a $150 gift certificate went to Celia Bradley of Hill City for “Mary Ellen’s Gift II,” which was quilted by Marie Brewer. Lois Massa of Custer took third place and a $100 gift certificate for her “Crystal Stars” which was quilted by JoAnn Hoffman.
Available only in the print version of the Hill City Prevailer-News. To subscribe, call 605-574-2538.

Hill City MEALS program in jeopardy

2011-09-14T10:17:00.002-06:00

By Ron Kazmierczak

The MEALS program at the Hill City Senior Center and the deliveries made to home-bounds in Hill City may be stopped unless participation increases significantly.
Here are excerpts from the Western South Dakota Senior Services pamphlet, titled: “MEALS Program:”
“What is the MEALS Program? Hot nutritious noon meals are served weekdays in communities throughout western South Dakota. Participants may enjoy a meal with their friends and neighbors at 29 group dining sites, located in 16 communities in the region. In addition, friendly volunteers deliver meals to people who are homebound and unable to prepare a meal themselves.
“This is a service of Western South Dakota Senior Services, a private, non-profit organization whose purpose is to promote the well being of senior citizens through nutritious meals, nutrition education, socialization and other supportive services. The program is supported through the Federal Older Americans Act, participant donations, the State of South Dakota and local fundraising efforts.
“Who is invited? Anyone 60 years of age and older is welcome to come. If the spouse of an eligible participant is under 60, he or she may participate also.”
The Hill City Senior Center hosts the MEALS program in its facility, but all operations relating to the program are separately managed. So why is the program in jeopardy of being cancelled here? The answer is – lack of participation and insufficient participant donations.
Available only in the print version of the Hill City Prevailer-News. To subscribe, call 605-574-2538.

Wow – is summer gone already?

2011-09-14T10:16:00.002-06:00

Seems like after a cold winter, cold and wet spring and then the plunge into scorching summer, we wouldn’t have to be looking winter in the face so soon. Fall color hasn’t arrived yet, but Keystone had a hard freeze last week and there was frost on the ground this morning as I drove to work. The furnace has kicked on a few times and as I look at the limp and wilted flowers and vines at the 1880 Train depot in Keystone, I wonder where summer went.
Time goes a lot faster as one gets older, I believe. When I was young, summer vacation seemed to last the whole summer, which seemed much longer than it really was. And when you still believed in Santa Claus, it seemed Christmas would never get here, even though Saturdays and evenings were taken up for practice in school and church programs, leaving little spare time to pursue other things. But then, we did not have the homework loads that kids today receive and so I suppose it was a trade-off.
After school in my era, there were radio programs, not TV shows. You had to use your imagination to see the scenes created by the script and listen to the range of voices of the cast. It was never difficult to pick out the villain early on. Was I ever surprised, though, to see photos of some of these actors later and find out that they looked nothing like my active mind created them to be.
But the sound effects were great. Rattling a piece of tin worked wonders for driving rainstorms and coconuts clip-clopped together for horses hooves in dusty, Western towns put the listener right at the action on a deserted street. Creaking doors seemed to be a specialty of the sound-effects man.
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Leo V. Waeckerle

2011-09-14T10:16:00.000-06:00

Leo V. Waeckerle, 92, Box Elder, died Friday, Sept. 9, 2011, at Rapid City Regional Medical Center.
Waeckerle was born Sept. 16, 1918, at Bancroft, S.D., to William Henry and Mary Agnes [McTighe] Waeckerle. He attended school at Bancroft and graduated from Bancroft High School in 1936.
After high school, he was in the Civilian Conservation Corps and worked in the Black Hills area. He then entered the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942 and was honorably discharged in 1945.
He married Leola Mary Quinn on Nov. 27, 1944, at Grand Island, Neb. After the war, they returned to the Bancroft area and farmed. They moved to the Black Hills in 1961.
Leo worked for Northwestern Engineering in construction of building Interstate 90 through South Dakota as a heavy equipment mechanic. In 1976, he began working for Ellsworth Air Force Base as a civil employee as a heavy equipment mechanic. He retired in 1984.
After Leo’s retirement, he became very active in the Loyal Order of Moose at Rapid City Lodge #1137 and served as an officer several years, including Governor of the Lodge. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and gardener.
Survivors include his wife, Leola Waeckerle, Box Elder; four sons, William “Bill” Waeckerle, Akaska, S.D., Leo “Tom” Waekerle, Placerville, Calif., John Waeckerle and Steven “Steve” Waeckerle, Box Elder; four daughters, Sharon Schafer, Schererville, Ind., Carolyn [David] McGriff, Crown Point, Ind., Eileen [Doug] Hamm, Hill City, S.D., and Pauline [Kenneth] Currier, Bancroft, S.D.; 23 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren; and numerous great-great-grandchildren.
Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, Sept. 12, at Blessed Sacrament Church, Rapid City, with burial at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis. Military graveside services were presented by Rushmore VFW Post 1273 and the South Dakota National Guard.
An online guestbook may be signed at www.osheimschmidt.com.

Japanese IES reps visit

2011-09-14T10:14:00.002-06:00

By Carol Walker

Late in August, Hill City played host yet another time for a group coming in to scope out the Heart of the Hills. Mr. and Mrs. Makoto Tagai of International Education System (IES) came with Osamu Hoshino, the South Dakota Tourism office Japanese representative.
The IES was established in Provo, Utah, in 1990 to provide support programs for international students from various countries of the world. The organization was given the responsibility from the Utah Catholic High Schools of operating and managing the international student department as part of the school system.
As one way of exposing the international students to the American culture and lifestyle, they take them on excursion trips during the school year. Places they have typically visited are Disneyland, the Grand Canyon, the Arches and other National Parks as well as going to a dude ranch.
“Osamu Hoshino has told Mr. Tagai, the president, that Mount Rushmore is a must-see place for foreign students to better understand America and its history. I also told him that the Black Hills area is full of attractions which can compete in the international level. In other words, it is a great place to take international students for their study tours,” said a S.D. Dept. of Tourism official in a letter to the Hill City Chamber of Commerce.
Available only in the print version of the Hill City Prevailer-News. To subscribe, call 605-574-2538.