Polo-Orient

KC plans youth free throw contest and pancake feed

Local Free Throw Contest

The annual KC Free Throw contest for boys and girls ages 9 to 14 will be held Sunday, January 26 at 1:00 p.m. in the Polo Gym. The contest is open to the young people from Orient-Polo communities.

Gathering in Faulkton to celebrate Maverick Speck’s 1^st birthday, January 8, and his grandpa, Rick Beidler’s 50^th birthday, January 18, were Maverick’s parents, Rocke and Kaylee Speck, Grandma, Mary Ann Beidler, Polo, Riley Beidler and friend Tyann Curtis, Jim and Diane Beidler, Courtney and Curt, Marilyn Campbell, Frankfort and Carol Baxter, Rockham.

Tom and Mary Lynn Lesselyoung, Redfield, visited Friday and Saturday with Bill and Lonnie Martinmaas and with her siblings in the area.

Friday, Jan. 17, Jack and JoAnn Schaefers attended mass at St. Thomas in Faulkton. After mass they visited, Leo and Connie Huss who were observing their 71^st Wedding Anniversary that day with some of their coffee hour friends. The Schaefers visited Irene Cordts and several of the Healthcare residents before taking the Husses to lunch for their anniversary.

On Sunday, Jack drove into Miller to spend some time visiting his sister, Kay Martinmaas at the Miller Healthcare Facility. Vic and Marion Martinmaas have also visited frequently with Kay.

KC Meeting

The monthly KC meeting was held Thursday, Jan. 2 with Jerome Schaefers, Ron Wieseler, Mike Anglin, Chuck Martinmaas leading the business. The free throw contest will be January 26 at the Polo Gym at 1:00 pm for boys and girls from the area.

The annual Pancake Feed will be hosted for the public Sunday, Mar. 2 in the Polo Gym. They hosted another successful blood drive. Louie Arens is the new chairman for drive that has been chaired by Jerome Schaefers for many years. The drawing was held for the gun raffle sponsored by the council. Tony Ruzicka, Belle Fouche, (Pat and Lorne Ruzicka’s grandson) was the lucky winner.

Altar Society Meeting

St. Liborius Altar Society met on January 9 in Mary’s Room with officers Rodey Martinmaas, Donna Schaefers and Chris Schaefers conducting the business meeting. Reports were given on the cookbook sales, which have received lots of favorable and grateful comments. The annual pre-Christmas cookie exchange social was held in Mary’s Room in December.

Cookbooks are still available by calling the new officers, Tammie Schaefers-president, Laura Martinmaas-secretary and Sharon Wieseler-treasurer, who assumed their positions for the remainder of the meeting.

The new list for those serving rolls after the weekly mass has been given out. The teams will continue to be notified when they need to help serve for funerals or other events in the parish, like furnishing for lunch or the KC Blood Drive. It was also reported Pearl Schlechter will make the quilt for the annual fall bazaar and JoAnn Schaefers name was drawn for door prize and to bring lunch for the next meeting.

Catholic Daughters Meeting

Court Our Lady of Fatima #1518 held their January meeting in Mary’s Room, January 16 at 9:00 am, with officers Marietta Wieseler, Cheryl, Mo and JoAnn Schaefers conducting the business.

Reports were given from the very successful December bake sale at the hospital and Tucker’s. Thank yous were received from Sandy Schulz, from Presentation College and from several recipients of the Christmas letter sent to 70 former religious leaders who served the parishes, our court adoptees, away members and for the seven Christmas packages mailed to active military from the communities. Helen Peterson continues to send the cheer cards from the court to numerous local and away people. Marietta had received a thank you call from the national office in New York for the donation sent following the 1903 Society the court served with the Redfield CDA in Zell.

Education Contest Themes: “Jesus loves us. How do we spread that love?” and “How do I promote peace in the world?” The contest is open to adult CDA members as well as the young people in K-12 from the communities. Chm. Mo Schaefers will get information to members as well as the CCD students in Orient and Polo. Local deadline is March 1.

Donations were sent to the We Care Prayers and Squares Club for the blankets they make for so many in the area. A donation was sent to the Benedictine Sisters at Watertown for the elevator that needs to be replaced at Benet Place at Mother of God Monastery.

The court will host their annual Mardi Gras during the annual KC Pancake Breakfast held at the Polo gym on March 2.

Weatherwise

One has to be cautious commenting on the weather since it is more unpredictable than an energetic toddler. For mid January however the weather has not kept events from happening like it has the capability of doing. We might see the single or teens digits and below freezing but the above zero temps is shrinking the snow cover very noticeably. We did get a reminder last week that the wind can still pack a mighty forceful blow.

Which leads us to the closing comment that no news is good news except when you are talking about the local column for the weekly papers.

Ruth A. Moller

Oh, the possibilities!

I have a little “thingy” on my desk at home that says, “Faith makes things possible, not easy.” 
As I enter into a new chapter of my life, that’s such a true statement.

Looking over the past many decades, things have not always been easy. Sometimes I didn’t have much choice in my decisions; sometimes I did, and not all of them were the right decisions. Sometimes I just muddled through.

But I did always have faith that somehow life would turn out as it is supposed to be. Sometimes it takes a leap of faith, and that’s what I did when I made the decision to move to Miller in the summer of 1995.

I was born in Hand County (Dr. Pangburn delivered me.) But I had no desire to live in a rural area once I graduated from high school. And for many years, I lived in several places, most of them good. I had pretty good jobs, raised my family, and kept pushing ahead.

Circumstances (a stupid second marriage) brought me back to the area, and I admit I saw work at The Miller Press as a lifesaver, although I thought of it as temporary. I couldn’t quite picture staying more than a couple of years.

However, 17 ½ years ago, my oldest grandson was a mere infant. So was my Ellie kitten. Wyatt, Tyler, Brooke and Zane hadn’t even been thought of at that time. 
But I settled in. I found I really liked the job. I really liked Paula and Gary as my employers. I liked my little house and yard space. I missed more populated areas, but I also came to appreciate the small-town atmosphere.

Once, my daughter and family stopped by, and we had coffee downtown. Ryan and Wyatt got restless, and the friend with us said, “Let them go out and play on the sidewalk.” They did, and my daughter and her husband were amazed. At that time, they lived in Rapid, and would never have let the kids play away from them. Now, of course, they’re in Vegas, and things are even more stringent, although the boys are now much older.

So there are good points, I think, in wherever we find ourselves.

My eldest son, Tedd, asked me if I ever “Googled” Google Earth, and I said I have. He said he’d Googled Houston Avenue (in Crookston, Minn., where we lived). He said, “Nothing has changed…it’s just as it was.” I reminded him the house we’d lived had burned down, but he countered, “But that huge pine tree in the front yard is still there! Did you see it?”

I had seen it; it’s bittersweet.

Had we never left Minnesota, I think I would have quite happily spent my days there, big pine tree and all.

But there were moves…to Rapid City, to Huron, to Miller. And Rapid City became as dear to me (nearly) as Crookston. The main reason was the Hills, the history, the trees and rocks, and some very neat people I met.

I’m not sure I had “faith” I would ever get back to the Hills to live; perhaps I considered it more a figment of hope, because I had no idea how I could swing it. Thank God, my eldest son and wife decided I belong there, and have made it possible.

I won’t be sitting on my laurels; I’ll have to find some type of work to do. But the idea of waking up to a vista of hills and trees and the smell of pine makes me believe in that little “thingy” I have. Not easy, perhaps, but possible!

I received a Christmas card from an old friend from my School of Mines days. He’s become world-traveled and widely-known for his paleontology discoveries. But he’s still one of my dearest friends. Jim wrote, “Welcome back to the Black Hills! It’s about time!”

Amen! Faith makes things possible. 

January 15, 1914

Bert Sebring of Park Twp. spent a week in Miller, returning home last Friday. If there had been a prize for turkeys in the chicken show, he would have captured it good and strong on points. There was no prize, only praise.

Father Ambrose had a narrow escape from drowning in the Missouri River at the Lower Brule Agency last week. He was crossing the river with a team and buggy and had crossed the channel and was nearing the shore, when the team broke through, taking the buggy and all with them…Fr. Ambrose had extreme difficulty getting out from under the buggy, but at last succeeded and got onto the ice, but broke it again when almost to shore. He walked several miles to Medicine Crow’s for help. They returned and found the team dead, but succeeded in getting both horses out, and saving the harness and buggy.

Last Monday, January 12, was the 26^th anniversary of the great blizzard which swept the Dakotas and other northwestern states, which so far as loss of life is concerned, is the greatest in the history of this country.

January 16, 1964

Funeral services were held Jan. 15 for John Heilman, Sr., 83, Hand County pioneer. He was born at Hawkeye, Iowa in 1881. He came with his parents to Hand County, Dakota Territory, in 1884. He is survived by his wife and four sons, Henry, George, John Jr. and Elmer.

A heart attack, suffered while he was shoveling snow, took the life of John Nelson Saturday morning, Jan. 11. Nelson had completed shoveling a neighbor’s walk and was clearing the snow in front of his own home when the fatal attack occurred.

She finally arrived! Hand County parents of the first baby born at Memorial Hospital this year are Mr. and Mrs. Robert Peterman, Rockham. Miss 1964 is Barbara Lyn, born January 14 at 1:29 p.m.

January 10, 1974

Four Hand County 4-H members were awarded a trip to the National Western Livestock Show in Denver. Selected were Marie Neu, Rockham; Kathy Duxbury, Wessington; Susanne Fawcett, Ree Heights; and Cindy Johnson, Miller.

The Watson-Krauter Post of the American Legion of Wessington has announced plans for their dedication ceremonies for their new Post Home January 13, at the site of the recently completed structure on Wessington’s Main Street.

Another week of vacation? The St. Lawrence School cannot be resumed until after January 14, at the soonest. The gym is being repaired and the building is unsafe until the repairs are complete.

January 11, 1984

Temporarily at least, Miller has been chosen as the site of the CENDAK (water) Subdistrict office. The meeting, the second since the subdistrict’s formation, laid the basis of the organization by choosing the location, appointing Jim Lewis as part-time manager, and electing Robert Duxbury of Wessington as chairman.

As the divestiture takes place, confusion is growing in the public sector on at least one portion of the “break-up” of AT&T. What to do with your AT&T telephone? Under the terms of the divestiture, AT&T is only obligated to continue leasing telephones at the current rate for two years. After 1985, there is no guarantee as to where the price level will be set.

Jim and Aileen Gerdes were honored at an open house reception and dance Jan. 7 at the American Legion Hall, in celebration of their 40th anniversary. They were married Jan. 7, 1943, and have four children and five grandchildren.

January 10, 1994

At a cost to the city only slightly higher than the price of resealing the runway, Miller’s airport will receive three quarters of a million dollars worth of improvements this summer. The federal government will pay 90 percent of the cost, and the state will pay five percent.

Ree Heights: Everyone in town is hoping the rest of the year will be better than the start. The water pressure proceeded to decline on the first, to a time Jan. 2 that there was no water in town for use by the residents.

Education spending and health care reform will be hot topics during the 1994 S.D. Legislature, which began Jan. 11.

January 14, 2004

A dinner and dance will be held Saturday, Jan. 17 at the Miller American Legion to say “Welcome Home” to Francis Knippling of Wessington. It’s a token from the older Knippling grandkids, who want to demonstrate their love as well as their gratitude that their grandpa is doing well after a near-fatal accident and several days of touch-and-go.

South Dakota’s State Legislature convened Jan. 13. Leaders of both parties say education and money will dominate the 35-day session.

Sarah Fawcett, a fifth-grader at Miller Elementary, has been selected as the Redfield Area winner in the “S.D. Grandparent of the Year” essay contest, sponsored by AARP South Dakota and the S.D. Retired Teachers Association. Title of her essay was “Grandparents Need a Round of Applause.”

RETROSPECT

Submitted
ILLUSTRATED TALK participants were, l to r, Hunter Russell, Taylor Schlechter, Teanna Pawlowski, Tia Pawlowski, Megan Fiala, Kaili Wilson, Kylie Selting, Katie Manning, Torrey Anson, Cassidy Keck and Caleb DeBoer.

Twenty-one members of the Miller FCCLA Chapter participated in the District VII Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America meeting in Huron on January 14. This year’s theme was Super Heroes with the motto: “Up, Up, & Away with District VII FCCLA.” They met with 200 other students from seven neighboring chapters to take part in various activities sponsored by this student-run organization.

Contests, known as STAR Events, took place at this meeting. STAR stands for Students Taking Action for Recognition. Events that students participated in at the meeting included Illustrated Talk. The following students from Miller competed.

Illustrated Talk: Teanna Pawlowski – gold rating; Tia Pawlowski – gold rating; Megan Fiala – gold rating; Taylor Schlechter – gold rating; Cassidy Keck & Katie Manning – gold rating; Torrey Anson & Kylie Selting – silver rating; Kaili Wilson, Caleb DeBoer, & Hunter Russell – silver rating.

Members who received a gold or superior rating will advance to competition at the state meeting in Sioux Falls in April. Student members also participated in several different activities, including a Chinese auction and Photo Booth raising money for the FCCLA Scholarship Fund.

FCCLA, which stands for Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America, focuses on building strong leaders for America’s future. The organization has been around since 1945 and is now also known as “the Ultimate Leadership Experience.” The state meeting is set for April 27-29th in Sioux Falls. Students will compete in STAR Events and participate in various workshops and other activities. Students advancing on in STAR Events will travel to San Antonio, Texas in July to compete at the National Leadership Conference.

Submitted
FCCLA participants at the District VII FCCLA meeting from Miller were, top down: Hunter Russell and Caleb DeBoer; second row, Kaili Wilson, Megan Fiala; third row, Brook Joy; fourth row, Sylvia Wieseler, Shay Werdel, Elizabeth Waldner; fifth row, Martina Kittelson-Caviness, Tia Pawlowski, Kayla Boomsma; sixth row, Macey Klages, Maycee Mohr, Kylie Selting; seventh row, Kylee Boomsma, Cassidy Keck, Katie Manning; eighth row, Teanna Pawlowski, Taylor Schlechter, Torrey Anson. Front, Lexy Gimbel.

Good Samaritan Society, Miller

Residents learn about aviary birds

Miller First Baptist Church was in charge of our January 12 Sunday worship service. Pastor Joseph Raleigh led all aspects of the service. Sue Jones played piano for the singing portion of the service. Scripture used was Acts 4:32-35. The message was about Passover and Pastor Raleigh told us that “Jesus is the magnet that brings us together and draws us to God.”

Pastor Max Miller, Miller Trinity Lutheran Church, served protestant communion Monday morning.

Audrey Oligmueller came for reading Monday afternoon. She read from the book, “Good Old Days Going to Grandma’s House.” Two of the stories read were “Memories of Grandma’s House,” by Diane Dawson and “A Masterpiece for Grandma” by Jeanne Knape.

Miller United Methodist Church was in charge of Monday evening Hymn Sing. Bobbi Larson led the singing. She was accompanied by Janice Palmer on piano.

Father Chester Murtha, St. Ann’s Catholic Church, celebrated mass Tuesday morning.

Tuesday afternoon Bingo helpers were Avis Chipman, Darlene Cox, Dorothy Engelmann, Orville Kleinsasser, Harriet Kopplin, Violet Moncur, Maylou Oakley, LaVonne Puffer, Doris Schultz, Charlotte Taylor and Janice Wilbur.

Two residents attended the girls’ basketball game of the double header against Redfield Tuesday evening.

Wednesday morning activities included Rosary, led by Maylou Oakley, and men’s coffee.

Reverend Brian Jones, Miller First Presbyterian Church, led a Bible study on Hebrews 2:11-18 Wednesday afternoon. He encouraged us with his words: “Whatever it is that you’re struggling with, know that if no one else understands, God does.”

Card games were played Wednesday evening.

Thursday morning small group residents viewed and talked about the birds in our bird aviary, listened to facts about them and looked at bird pictures from a calendar.

Residents participated in January Word Fun activities Thursday afternoon. They ate homemade raisin bread from the breadmaker after the activity.

Board games were played Thursday evening.

Ladies coffee was served Friday morning. Balloon Bop was played Friday afternoon.

A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles.” – William Hazlitt

Gann Valley

Five generations visit at Sinkie get-together

A get-together by the Sinkie family was held in Wessington Springs at the Weskota Manor apartments.  Attending were Matt and Dulcy Sinkie, Taylor, Taryn and Tyra; Shelly Barber; Wade and Lana Anfinson and Matt of Waubay; Joe and Sheila Sinkie, of Hill City; Sara Peta, Haidlee Hanson-Sinkie, Mark Sinkie and Ashley Herrick, all of Mitchell.  A dinner was enjoyed and five-generation pictures were taken. 

Judy Gaulke and Alice Crater attended the Women in Blue Jean Conference in Mitchell Thursday evening and Friday.

Gene and Carol Grabin attended Eastern Star in Wessington Springs Monday evening.

The coffee crew and Gene and Carol Grabin joined the gals at the Courthouse for coffee Monday morning to wish Evelyn Wulff a Happy Birthday.

Linda Ness attended the Women in Blue Jeans Conference in Mitchell Thursday and Friday.

Barbara Sinkie, of Mitchell, visited Juanita Sinkie on Friday and took her shopping.

Dave Gaulke attended a Central Electric Cooperative meeting in Pierre one day last week.

Linda Ness visited in the home of Neil and Laurie Beauchamp in Winner on Sunday.

Joe Sinkie participated in the Farm and Home Show at Miller with a booth for his Derby Elk Resort and campaign seat for U.S. Senate.

Friday Carol Grabin visited Sonia Shelske at her home and did some quilting.

Judy Gaulke visited with Zola Ashley at Wessington Springs on Monday and picked up Juanita Sinkie for a Legion Auxiliary meeting in Gann Valley.

Gene and Carol Grabin attended the Farm and Home Show in Miller on Saturday.

Ken and Elaine Wulff joined Kevin and Crystal Wulff and Kristian in Kimball for dinner on Sunday.

Windy weather seems to be the norm lately. Temperatures up to 40 has melted some of the ice.

All of us could take a lesson from the weather.  It pays no to attention to criticism.

Industry is stepping up and taking action to build future agricultural employees, farmers, ranchers and leaders by ensuring funding for FFA programs.  Elevators across SD worked with the SD FFA Foundation to launch the I Believe in the Future of Agriculture, raising $11,056 for FFA programs. “The I Believe in the Future of Agriculture campaign allows for a unique way to support local FFA chapters, and FFA across the state of South Dakota.” Sandy Osterday, South Dakota FFA Foundation Board President says. “Resources collected will have a direct impact on our number one priority—young people in agriculture.”

Agriculture producers, FFA supporters and alumni turned their words into deeds by donating grain and funds to local FFA chapters and the SD FFA Foundation.The funds raised from the I Believe in the Future of Agriculture campaign will be split equally between the 25 local chapters designated by the donors and the South Dakota Foundation. At the local level, the funds will support FFA chapter leadership programming, community service activities and other innovative projects that promote agriculture. State level funds will support statewide programs, grow the capacity of FFA chapters—both current and potential new chapters—and ensure leadership for the organization into the future.

Participating elevators include ADM Benson Quinn of Hitchcock Tulare; Ag First Farmers Cooperative, Aurora; Cargill – Parker & Emery; Central Farmers Cooperatives; CHS Midwest Cooperatives; Country Pride Cooperative; Foothills Seed Inc.; Harrold Terminal LLC; Miller Terminal; North Central Farmers Elevator; Northern Plains CHS Service Center, Southwest Grain and SD Wheat Growers. Their promoting the campaign, connecting with producers, and assistance with donations enabled the campaign to be a success. 

Donations can still be made securely online at the South Dakota FFA Foundation’s website: http://www.sdffafoundation.org. For more information about the campaign, contact Gerri Ann Eide, South Dakota FFA Foundation Executive Director, at 605-765-4865 or gerri@sdffafoundation.org or go to www.sdffafoundation.org.

Mike Caviness | The Miller Press

Vendors, area farmers,ranchers and townsfolk filled the exhibit area January 17 at the annual Farm and Home Show. The crowd was on hand to attend a beef supper followed by a talent show Friday evening. The weekend event was sponsored by the Hand County Livestock and Crop Improvement Association.

The January school board meeting was called to order by Connie Schoeder at 6:02 pm on Jan 13,2014. Board members present were Bertsch, Hurd, Rombough, Runge, Schroeder, and Zacher. The board approved the agenda, minutes of December 9, 2013 meting, financial report, and payment of presented bills.

The Community Center Committee was present to request that the school board rescind the original resolution to transfer ownership of the vacant school building to the city and instead transfer that ownership directly to On Hand Development Corp. It has become apparent to the committee that following procedures required by city government rules will be too time consuming in making the changes to the school the committee feels are necessary.

The Committee has a time frame of starting removal of the old mechanical room, demolition of the old building, and having a new mechanical room in place and working by October 2014. They will adjust their schedule as needed to not interfere with current use. Community Center committee member have spoken with Puetz Construction about the work that needs to be done. The committee felt they have a good reputation and past work history in the community. Puetz worked on both the courthouse and hospital projects.

Pete DeGeest was questioned about the removal of the debris. DeGeest referred that question to Ron Blachford, who shook his head in the affirmative.

Superintendent Mike Ruth shared, “The oil tank is in need of being filled and is scheduled for later this week.” Schroeder, “Do we have that money budgeted?”

Ruth, “Yes, we have enough budgeted for two more fills, if it stays +35 degrees we should be ok, if it goes back to -35 degrees we may be in trouble.” Ruth also stated that the cleaning of the facility is being handled by Dale Alumbaugh, and no complaints have been raised.

Mrs. Caffee stated RTI (Response To Intervention) bench mark testing will be done with the K-3 grades. This testing is done three times a year. Board member Connie Schroeder asked, “Have we seen any results of this testing?” Mrs. Caffee replied, “We are seeing less Special Ed referrals because of this testing. The cost of the testing was $1,200 and seem to be well worth the investment.”

After each round of testing a collaboration meeting is held. Two floating subs are hired, so teachers can attend these meetings.

Mrs. Caffee will be attending a principals conference in Deadwood. She is looking forward to sharing great ideas when she returns.

Mr. Shoemaker will be meeting with teachers over the next weeks gathering information on classes for next year. There are currently 14 students in pre-calculas that would be interested in a calculus class next year. The students relayed to Mr. Shoemaker that they would like to take this class with a live teacher vs taped delayed classes. The Jr. high and 6th grade will be attending the quiz bowl in Pierre on Feb. 5^th. The schedule for students over the next weeks are very full with numerous activities.

Mr. Shoemaker has signed up for a web casting class. The school would be able to set up an iPad and broadcast over the web student activities. These broadcasts would be archived for future viewing. The ability to watch these broadcasts would be free for the school and the end viewer. A sign up and password would be needed. The White River School is currently participating and they state, ” It is great.”

The superintendant’s report started with the announcement that Jamie Mentzer was named second team All State Volleyball class A and Christina Koeck and Jenna Heilman were named Academic All State for Volleyball.

Mr. Ruth stated, “I met with Nancy Lewellen today, the land has surveyed, platted and has gotten all the required notary stamps. The land surplus will be ready for an action item at the February meeting.”

E Board Solutions is offering Miller to be part of its pilot program for its policy handbook. The policy handbook would be online, and be monitored by E Board Solution for necessary changes. The cost would be $600 annually but would help the policy manual stay in compliance with the changing times.

The insurance committee met at 4:30 on Monday night. The main focus was how is the affordable care act impacting our staff. Tim Zacher stated, “The price is going up.” There was a lot of discussion on this matter, with several different ideas. The insurance committee will explore some of these and make a report at the next meeting.

Wrestling room renovations are moving forward. Puetz Construction/Architects is meeting with Mr. Ruth and Ryan Resel on Tuesday, Jan. 14 to present some options.

The board waived the fees for the Rustler Roost Fundraiser on Jan. 14, Knights of Columbus fundraiser Feb. 21, and the Miller Booster Club Fundraiser on Feb. 8, 2014.

Approval was given for Kohlman, Biersbach and Anderson to perform the annual school audit for Fiscal year ending June 30, 2014.

Open enrollments were granted to three students, for the remainder of the 2013-14 school year.

Three board members up for re-election are: David Fremark, Cindy Rombough and Michael Runge. These are three-year terms. The date set for the election will be Tuesday, April 8, 2014.

The board approved the request of the MEA to be recognized as the official bargaining unit to the Miller School District.

The board entered executive session for the express purpose of superintendent evaluation at 7:14 p.m.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:18 p.m.

The next meeting will be Feb. 17 at 6:00 p.m.

Nutrition Site

Served at Miller Housing sites and home delivered meals. For information, call, 853-2869

Thursday, Feb. 6

Hot turkey sandwich, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, peach crisp, bread/butter

Friday, Feb. 7

Tuna & noodles, peas, apples slices, bread/butter

Monday, Feb. 10

Beef stew w/biscuit, corn, glazed fruit medley, bread/butter

Tuesday, Feb. 11

Pork chop, 3 bean casserole, saucy vegetable casserole, pistachio salad, bread/butter

Wednesday, Feb. 12

Cranberry chicken, stuffing, baby carrots, pears, bread/butter

Ree Heights

Main street talk focuses on propane prices

The weather this past week has been one that was cold for the most part with wind and some snow. The winds were very strong again on Sunday with us having a little snow. For brief times it looked like a blizzard out, but is was short lived. We had below zero temperatures for some of the mornings. We did have our January thaw the first part of the month and were thankful for that as the last half has been somewhat colder but on the average the month was nicer that we have had in the past.

The main talk for this week was the price of propane as it is going up high and fast. Many have lowered the temperature in their houses and businesses.

Delton and Carole Beck were Sunday dinner guests at the Jeff and Margie Parmely home in Miller.

Carole Beck attended the boys’ and girls’ basketball games that were held on Thursday evening in Miller. Trevor Parmely played in one of the games.

I was reading a book about dinosaurs to my grandsons, and three-year- old Luke got scared. “I don’t like T.0 Rexes,” he said. Even the big brother, five-year-old, Jack replied. Don’t worry, Luke. Dinosaurs are extinct now. They haven’t been around since, like, the 1900s.”

A benefit will be held Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 at the Leola School for the family of Jonathan Goeshel, who was born preterm on January 17, 2013, weighing just one pound three ounces. His condition has required constant care at Avera McKennan Hospital’s NICU, including 24-hour oxygen support and nutrition supplied by a feeding tube.

The benefit will include a dinner and live auction with matching funds provided by Modern Woodmen of America.

Jonathan is the son of Will Goeshel and Deb Leonard of Leola and great grandson of Wayne and Helen Fawcett of Miller.

:kcaB gnikooL

January 30, 1914

Frank Kindle, a highly respected citizen of Alden Township, died Friday, Jan. 23. He went to St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen a short time ago to be operated on for appendicitis and tumor, and was thought to be getting along fine, until he had to have a second operation, from which he did not recover. He was born in Bohemia and came to this country with the rest of his family in the early days.

The South Dakota ice men are in trouble this year. The winter is so mild, there is little if any ice on the ponds. The ice on the pond at Miller, which is usually about two feet thick at this time of year is less than eight inches thick and the ice and the ice-making season is just about past for this year.

Mrs. Glen Willett went to the State Capitol town Monday to undergo an operation for appendicitis at St. Mary’s Hospital. She was accompanied by her husband and her sister, Mrs. Fred Sieman, who will remain with her.

February 1, 1924

Mrs. Glen Willett received a letter from her father, J.W. Wenrick, who is spending the winter in Texas. He reports that the Watkins and Leyson families have fine gardens and have cabbage, spinach, carrots and lettuce ready to sell. He plans on being home by March, so that he can get his garden in Ree Heights planted.

The stork left a big baby boy at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Scott last Thursday. Mother and baby are doing nicely.

Miss Marion Mead is at Vayland, where she is teaching during the illness of the regular teacher.  

February 2, 1934

Lester Kopecky, 19-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. August Kopecky of Ree Heights, passed away Monday morning at the Pierre hospital. Lester has been in ill health for some time and had been under doctors’ care for several weeks. Funeral services were held at the Ree Heights Congregational Church Wednesday afternoon. Lester was a native of Ree Heights and attended school here. Besides his parents, he leaves to mourn his departure three brothers, Frank, Earl and Roy, all of Ree Heights; also two sisters, Mrs. Smith of Herman, Minn., and his twin sister, Lillian, who resides at home.

Misses Helen Mead and Ellen McKelvey found it quite difficult to drive to their school Wednesday morning in the dust storm from the northwest.

February 4, 1944  

Horace Morrow, who is employed in the shipyards at Portland, Ore. has been visiting his sister, Mrs. Albert Rath, who is confined in the Miller hospital. He is also visiting his mother and other relatives and friends.

We have already had a week of winter, though it has been quite mild this winter, and if the little ground hog knows his stuff, we are due for six more weeks of winter. Because of the ice storm last week, Ree Heights was without electricity for three hours Thursday night. The trouble was due to broken lines and frozen automatic switches.

Mrs. Erwin Bauer and little daughter, Karen, returned home Sunday from Miller, where they have been staying   while little Karen was threatened with pneumonia.

February 5, 1954

Sunday afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Bob Seaman and son and Mr. and Mrs. M.J. Bute from Miller were Sunday supper guests at the Dean Henson home.

Col. Johnnie Cowan of Mather Air Force Base, Sacramento, Calif., arrived Thursday night for a 30-day leave, to visit his folks, Mr. and Mrs. Fenton Cowan.

Ernest F. McKellips, Alcester banker, 65, has announced his candidacy for governor, and Jim Magness, prominent local livestock auctioneer, has announced his candidacy for lt. governor, both on the Democratic ticket.  

January 31, 1964

Funeral servies were held at Calvary Bible Church in Wentachee, Wash., January 22 for John Ernest Specker, 74, retired carpenter, orchardist and farmer. He was born in Odessa, Mo., November 2, 1889, and moved to S.D. in 1908. He married Margaret Berry in 1915 at Ree Heights, where he operated a ranch, and did carpentry. Mr. and Mrs. Specker built the original buildings on a farm one mile north of Ree Heights and resided there for 15 years. The family then moved eight miles north to a farm known as the Gage place. In 1936 the family moved to Wentachee, Wash.

The Sacrament of Holy Baptism and the reception of new members was held in the Tri-Church Sunday. There were 16 infants and adults baptized and 10 adults and six children confirmants received into their respective churches.

In the article, “Men in the Service” from Fort Richardson, Alaska, Army Pvt. Robert G. Rodman, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Rodman of Ree Heights, is scheduled to participate in Exercise Polar Siege, a 12-day field training field training in Alaska. Polar Siege, the largeset maneuver to be held in Alaska, will involve more than 10,000 US and Canadian troops, will take place over 24,000 square miles of wilderness and the first cold test of weather of the Army’s new infantry brigades. Rodman is a graduate of Ree Heights High School in 1960 and before entering the Army was employed by the Ree Farm Equipment in Ree Heights.

February 1, 1974

Even if the ground hog should see his shadow Saturday, this has been very nice while it lasted. The temperature reached a high of 53 degrees on the 29.

Alice Pietz, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Pietz, Ree Heights, has completed and fulfilled the requirements and 2,100 hours needed to apply for her SD Cosmetologist license. Following her graduation from Stewart’s School of Hairstyling in Aberdeen, she has accepted a job in the French Lady Beauty Salon in Huron.  

February 2, 1984

Jeff and Jody Eschenbaum and Don and Mar Fawcett have formed a full-blood Gelbvieh partnership with the purchase of “Angela,” at the 1984 Western Stock Show. Angela is a two-year-old full-blood Gelbvieh, and a full sister to Admiral. She is sired by Hochrein out of a Belgrad dam. Angela is at home south of Ree Heights, where she is awaiting the March 31 arrival of a full-blood Uni baby.

Newton Semmler hosted a card party Friday evening for his birthday. Guests were Eldon Bouren, Marv Hasart, Wayne Brock, Butch Evans, Bernie Brady and Allen Hanson.

The Ree Heights Community Club with Lillian Schock as hostess, had a special potluck dinner Sunday, Jan. 22 for the 40^th wedding anniversaries of Mr. and Mrs. John Iverson, which was January 16, and Mr. and Mrs. Ed Pietz, which will be February 14. 

Good Samaritan Society, Miller

Residents enjoy spiritual enrichment, fun and games

Jim Crackel gave a devotional, “Choose for or Against God,” for Sunday worship service, Jan. 26. Scripture used was Joshua 24:2a, 13-15.

Audrey Oligmueller read to us from the book, Good Old Days on the Farm, Monday afternoon. Two stories she read were, “Father’s Day” by Norman M. Cheney and “Barn Raising, 1910” by J.J. Gotch.

Darlene and Jesse Hammer led Monday evening hymn sing. Jesse led the singing. Darlene played piano and accordion. The two also sang a duet, “Keep on the Sunny Side.”

Father Chester Murtha, St. Ann’s Catholic Church, celebrated Mass Tuesday morning.

Bingo games were played Tuesday afternoon. Helpers were Avis Chipman, Darlene Cox, Kim Edwards, Dorothy Engelmann, Judy Haessing, Carolyn Johnsen, Oriville Kleinsasser, Harriet Kopplin, Violet Moncur, Maylou Oakley, Doris Schultz, Charlotte Taylor and Janice Wilbur.

Jane Gilk led Rosary Wednesday morning.

Pastor Scot Tutt, St. Lawrence Community Church, led a Bible study about “Temptation” from Matthew, chapter four, Wednesday afternoon.

Card games were played Wednesday evening.

Small group participants played “I Spy” Thursday morning.

Social time was held Thursday afternoon. Scrabble games were played Thursday evening. Ladies coffee was served Friday morning.

Residents played a game of Balloon Bop Friday afternoon.

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” –Mahatma Gandhi

January 29, 1914

The Current Event Club met Thursday afternoon at the home of Mrs. R.L. Smith, in celebration of the 80^th birthday of Mrs. Charlotte A. Fales, a member of the club. Mrs. Fales is a charter member, and also the senior member of the club when it was organized about five years ago. She is hale and hearty at 80 years.

Death again visited the Halbig home in this city, and on Saturday the spirit of Mrs. Halbig was called to its Maker. Barely two short weeks before, her aged husband, Christian Halbig, was laid to rest.

The Boy Scouts of this city held their annual election and wiener roast and election last Saturday. Scoutmaster is Rev. J.H. Kearton.

January 30. 1964

Five youths ranging from fourth to sixth graders were charged with a series of break-ins reported in recent weeks. The youths admitted to one or another of the entries at Fullerton Lumber, Melhoff’s, Red Owl and Peavey Elevator.

Services were held in St. Ann’s Catholic Church for Miss Rose Donahue, a pioneer of South Hand County. She had been a resident of Hand County since 1883—before South Dakota was a state. She was born in New York City March 7, 1875. She was the last member of the family of four children who moved to DeWill, Iowa and then to Spring Lake Township, Hand County, Dakota Territory, in 1883.

Myrna Cotton – With the passing of Rose Donahue, the saga of the Donahue family ends except for the propagation of the family through grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Miller was only a siding when the Donohues came here. They had a wagon, horse and ox when they started out to their farm 18 miles south of town. The first home was a crude sod shanty. For some time the Donohues worked in Miller, then walked to and from the farm on weekends, carrying the groceries. They burned cow chips, twisted hay, roasted barley and ground it for coffee, and sometimes had to stay in bed to keep warm…Often Indians came and Mrs. Donohue gave them all the bread she had. The Donohues went to the store in Spring Lake and traded in eggs for six cents a dozen. The children never tasted ice cream as children, and were about 18 years before they tasted bananas.

January 24, 1974

Friday and Saturday, Jan. 25 and 26, are the dates for the annual Farm and Home Show, to be held at the Miller Armory. Crop exhibits and home ec exhibits will be on display.

The Hand County Extension Service will hold an educational meeting, intended to help the public understand how the metric system will fit into their daily lives.

Mrs. Jack Ufen had a suggestion published in the Family Clinic section of the Parents’ Magazine. It suggested that a child’s rock collection could be made into an attractive rock garden and thereby end the clutter in the child’s room.

January 25, 1984

Wilber’s Feed and Seed, Inc. is having a grand opening celebration for their new seed cleaning plant and retail store January 27 and 28.

Jodi Campbell, 5’11” senior forward on the Miller Rustlers girls’ basketball team, was selected to the girls’ All-State Basketball second team. The teams are selected by the S.D. Associated Press sportswriters. This is the second time that a Miller Rustler girl has received this coveted honor.

CNW Railway had a derailment last Thursday evening, causing damage to several grain cars. The derailment happened approximately three miles west of Miller.

January 24, 1994

Under a plan for the distribution of state aid to schools proposed by Gov. Walter D. Miller, the Miller School District would lose an estimated $217,037, which represents approximately 27 percent of the amount of state aid the school is receiving this year.

Two national FFA officers visited Miller Wednesday morning, Jan. 19, to talk with local FFA members about the importance of goal setting, getting involved in FFA activities and working with others.

The Central Plains Arts Council recently appointed Shar Gard and Bob Steers as board members. Others on the board are Mike McCallum, Deb Willert, Mable Wagner and Tootie Hargens.

January 28, 2004

Early-day churches dotted the ‘vast, silent places,’ by Ruth Robertson. Early churches in Hand County, long gone, included Beulah Presbyterian Church; Burdette Methodist Church; St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Burdette; Carleton Community Church; Cottonwood Lake Methodist; North Hand County Sunday School Association; St. Mary’s Catholic, Zell; St. Michael’s Lutheran; Sunbeam Congregational; and Wheaton Congregational Church.

A Character Counts (CC!) training session for teens was held Jan. 20 at Miller. Miller High School youth and Jan Gimbel, FACS instructor, participated in the training.

RETROSPECT

With the frigid temps it seemed appropriate to have activities centered around snow related topics. No one is too small to accomplish big things was a theme in the book The Biggest, Best Snowman, by Marjory Cuyler. Another book read, The Missing Mitten Mystery, by Steven Kellogg, was about a tree that grew mittens. What to do with “a ba-zillion” mittens??? Why, give them as Christmas gifts, Valentine gifts, etc., of course! As a follow-up activity the kids created snowy snowman pictures using various techniques – tearing circles, cutting trees, sponge painting snow banks, and spatter painting a snowstorm. Their creations can be seen on display at Hand County Library.

January is “Be Kind to Food Servers Month” and to honor those at school that work to provide meals and snacks the Roost kids made thank you cards, complete with illustrations and mention of their favorite foods. After discussing the many, many jobs the food service people do, the kids had a new appreciation for and awareness of the work involved in food service.

The kids spent most of three days experiencing a variety of kinds of puzzles in observance of National Puzzle Day. Puzzles are brain challenges, not just jigsaw puzzles, but a whole lot more – word searches, find the hidden picture puzzles, math problems, mazes, sudoku puzzles, crossword puzzles, riddles, and more. Puzzles are problems that need solving and require varying amounts of concentration and knowledge.

And, on the one “balmy” day of the week they couldn’t resist soaking up the fresh air and warm sun on the playground. It was just too grand outdoors to spend very much time inside. The kids will be glad when they can spend more time outdoors and shed some layers of winter wear.

For information about the K-6 out-of-school time program call 853-0180.

Rustler Roost N E W S

Submitted

NO KICKS AND GIGGLES HERE! It’s “Put on the thinking cap time” as Miss Smith helps talk the kids through a sudoku puzzle. Kids l-r: Logan Peterson, Colby Harrell, Jesse Hughes, Journey Palmer, Cassi VanDerWerff, Jolie Palmer, Cora Peterson, Jon Andersen and Tyler Hartmann.

Republican Legislative leaders appear to be a bit more sensitive to the issue of openness of their own caucuses than do their Democratic counterparts.

That may be due to Democrats having had an open caucus meeting, while Republicans have studiously kept theirs closed.

During separate news conferences with members of the South Dakota Newspaper Association Jan. 30 in Pierre, each were asked if it were time for the Legislature now to be covered by the same rules they have placed on other governmental units.

Senate Republican leader Tim Rave, Baltic, indicated it was naïve to think that Democrats would not at some point have to have private meetings to discuss strategy.

“I don’t know if it is an issue of transparency,” said Rave, “as much as I think at some point folks get to have private, open discussions where they don’t worry about it showing up on the front page of the local newspaper.” Those conversations are going to take place, he added, whether you ban caucuses or not.

House Democratic leader Bernie Hunhoff, Yankton, said however, that party caucuses are open, but “we do close for personnel issues.”

At issue is that the Legislature currently is exempted from the laws that other publicly elected bodies are required to follow concerning caucuses.

Rep. David Lust, R-Rapid City, however, noted that every bill introduced gets at least one hearing in a Legislative committee, two in fact if it makes it through both houses, plus notice before it appears on each of the Senate and House floors.

“I don’t know why the discussions we have prior to further the state’s business, especially when it is followed by going to the floor, the session or the committees.”

With the sheer size of the Legislature–105 members-their business in caucus, Lust said, needs to be held in confidence.

About 30-35 states have completely closed caucuses, said Lust, and “Washington, D.C. no different.”

It was important, he said, that legislators, especially freshman legislators seeking to learn procedures, have a “safe haven in which to express themselves.”

A number of open meeting bills were killed by last year’s Legislature, even with the study and endorsement of the Governor’s Open Government Task Force.

And yet, said Argus Leader Editor Maricarrol Kueter, this year the South Dakota High School Activities Association has come under scrutiny for its lack of openness, but that “percolated from… the lawmakers themselves.” She questioned why that issue gained such momentum this year over last.

The short answer, said Lust, was the “public outcry” for some of the decisions the association has been making.

This session, one of the task force bills is coming back, that of providing police logs, minus the mug shots included last year. SB85 this year would clarify that police logs, or calls for serve, are a public record. Today, those records are released at the discretion of law enforcement.

Senate Democratic leader Jason Frerichs, Wilmot, said usually in Pierre “the doors are pretty well open…but, I would say that we will continue to look for ways to enhance openness and look for how we can mirror the expectations we have for local governments.”

Newspaper editors and reporters from around the state participated in press conferences as part of SDNA’s annual Newspaper Day at the Legislature event.

The Miller Area Health Board (MAHB) is made up of Miller area students, school faculty, and community members, whose purpose is to create an overall healthy environment for our school and community.

The MAHB is excited to announce a Winter Wellness event planned for Saturday, Feb. 8 during the basketball games. This event promises to be an action-packed evening designed to keep the students and community members moving.

We will have students from 1st grade through 6^th grade boys and girls participating in basketball skills during the junior varsity boys’ halftime (around 5:30 pm). The students that participate in this activity will have their names put into a drawing for a chance to win a basketball with the signatures of the varsity team members.

During the girls’ varsity game, children from pre-school to 3^rd grade will have an opportunity to dance with the cheerleaders and also win some special cheer prizes.

Community members and students (age 12 and up) can sign up for 10 minute intervals to keep three pieces of exercise equipment moving throughout the entire boys’ and girls’ varsity games. For each 10 minutes of exercise the participant will be allowed to put their name in a raffle to win prizes at the end of the games. If the machines are kept busy throughout the entire varsity games, a few students who have taken part in the evening will be drawn from a hat to “pie” coach Castle, superintendent Mike Ruth, and principal Steve Schumacher.

The concession stand will also be serving healthy options for your enjoyment during the games.

There will also be some other fun activities throughout the basketball games to keep the crowd moving to promote wellness and team spirit. So lace up your tennis shoes, throw on your Rustler t-shirt or MMM t-shirt, bring your rally towels and join the fun at Winter Wellness Night on Saturday Feb. 8 during the Platte vs. Miller basketball games. Help the MAHB promote health and wellness in our school and community.

Jerod Fisher | The Miller Press

Nick Ortmeier drives against a Wildcat defender. The younger, non-varsity players and teams will be highlighted on their home court Februrary 10.

Come enjoy a night of youth basketball

On Monday, February 10, something quite special will be happening in the Miller Armory. This night will be filled with the sounds of school band melodies, cheering spectators, and the squeaks of sneakers upon a wooden floor. This is not unique to a town, which will, during the winter, gather two to three times a week and worship its local basketball teams. Monday night is special because instead of a classic varsity double header, it will be an ode to the junior high and junior varsity basketball programs less commonly seen in the public eye.

February 10 offers a unique opportunity for the younger athletes to experience basketball the same way that the varsity teams do. The night will begin with the seventh grade boys’ basketball team playing at 4 p.m. and the eighth grade boys’ team playing at 5 p.m. The girls’ junior varsity basketball team will play once the junior high games have concluded shortly after 6 p.m. and the boys’ junior varsity team will finish the night once the girls’ JV game has finished. This night will be garnished with all of the amenities of a typical varsity game. The junior high band will have the opportunity to play amongst a crowd of their own peers and Miller inhabitants. There will also be a fully functioning concession stand.

This is intended to be a fundraiser for the Miller youth basketball programs hoping to increase support and awareness for those younger players who are not commonly in the spotlight but remain just as passionate about the game. “We are trying to promote our lower level activities. The varsity sports seem to get all of the ink and it’s time to do some things with our younger kids because those younger kids will eventually be our varsity players,” said athletic director and girls’ varsity coach Darin Hunter. Hunter has been a cornerstone of the operation and hopes to spread the word about this special event to increase participation. The Miller basketball program plans to raise donations to help support youth basketball by asking $3 admission for adults and $2 admission for students in order to enjoy the games.

Coach Hunter believes that it is paramount to continue supporting youth athletics. Student participation in sports has increased in the past few years. In addition to basketball, grade school football programs have been in place for over ten years, the Miller AAU youth wrestling program currently features more than thirty children, and grade school volleyball programs are now in place as well. None of these programs would be possible without help from the community and volunteer opportunities are always available for students or adults hoping to do more.

Everyone is encouraged to attend the games on Monday, February 10 for a celebration of Miller’s young athletes and everything they have to offer.