THE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF PICTURE

The Pierre Governors, the Sully Buttes Chargers and 26 other teams enter the semifinal round of the high school football playoffs Friday night. Here are the pairings for the semifinals in all seven classes:

Class 11AAA: Sioux Falls Washington vs. Sioux Falls Roosevelt; Brandon Valley at Sioux Falls O’Gorman.
Class 11AA: Brookings at Pierre; Huron at Yankton.
Class 11A: West Central at Tea Area; Dell Rapids at Dakota Valley.
Class 11B: Sioux Falls Christian at Canton; Mount Vernon-Plankinton at Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan.
Class 9AA: Bon Homme at Wolsey-Wessington; Kimball/White Lake at Garretson.
Class 9A: Canistota/Freeman at Timber Lake; Howard at Britton-Hecla.
Class 9B: Faulkton Area at Sully Buttes; Castlewood at Colome.

Last week’s quarterfinal scores in Class 11AA:
#1 Pierre 54, #8 Spearfish 14
#4 Brookings 17, #5 Mitchell 7
#2 Yankton 23, #7 Sturgis 22
#6 Huron 20, #3 Harrisburg 7

Last week’s quarterfinal scores in Class 9B:
#1 Sully Buttes 52, #8 Kadoka Area 0
#4 Faulkton Area 36, #5 Burke 15
#2 Colome 58, #7 Colman-Egan 8
#3 Wall 28, #6 Castlewood 20

Championship games schedule at Vermillion:
Thursday, Nov. 8:
Class 9A, 10 a.m.; Class 9AA, 1 p.m.; Class 11A, 7:30 p.m
Friday, Nov. 9:
Class 9B, 10 a.m.; Class 11B, 1 p.m.; Class 11AA, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 10:
Class 11AAA, 7:30 p.m.

THE VOLLEYBALL POSTSEASON

Class AA: The 18 schools in Class AA still have regular-season matches this weekend. The top 16 qualify for the Round of 16 next Thursday, Nov. 8. Yankton and Douglas will be the two schools missing out on the postseason.

After this weekend’s play, the top 16 teams will be paired for the Round of 16—16 at 1, 15 at 2, 14 at 3, etc. The winners of those eight matches next Thursday will be the eight teams in the state tournament two weeks from now. Pierre as of today stands at No. 11 and cannot rise to 10th. If all stays the same, Pierre would play its Round of 16 match at Mitchell.

Class B: Region 2 continues play tonight (Thursday) after first- and second-round matches earlier this week. Sully Buttes had a first-round bye and won its second-round match so will be at home tonight against Herreid-Selby Area. That winner and the winners of 15 other regional third-round matches advance to the eight Round of 16 matches next Tuesday, Nov. 6. The eight winners there will advance to the state tournament.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

“Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first. Nationalism is when hate for people other than your own comes first. Nationalism is not to be confused with patriotism.”

— Charles de Gaulle

PIERRE GOVERNORS SPORTS ROUNDUP

Football: It took a matter of seconds for the Governors to take control of their quarterfinal playoff game at home against Spearfish. Garrett Stout returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a score, and the Spartans never had a chance after that. Stout also passed for three touchdowns and rushed for another as he completed six of 11 passes for 144 yards. Jack Maher caught a pair of Stout touchdown passes and scored another on the ground. Maguire Raske rushed for a score and caught another. Spearfish was held to five yards in the first half as Pierre won 54-14 to improve to 8-2 and advance to a home semifinal date vs. Brookings.

This week’s schedules:
Football: Friday, home vs. Brookings in state 11AA semifinal, 7 p.m.
Volleyball: Saturday, at Huron, 7 p.m.

STANLEY COUNTY BUFFALOES SPORTS ROUNDUP

Volleyball: The Lady Buffs’ season ended Tuesday with a 3-0 loss at Mobridge-Pollock in the Region 6A first-round match. Game scores were 10-25, 10-25 and 22-25. Stanley County’s final record was 6-17.

SULLY BUTTES CHARGERS SPORTS ROUNDUP

Volleyball: The Charger girls won a second-round regional match over Highmore-Harrold, 3-0, on game scores of 25-12, 25-19 and 25-20. Angela Guthmiller led SB with 12 kills, and Lauren Wittler had seven kills and three crucial service aces in the third set. SB is home in a third-round match tonight.

Football: The Chargers swamped Kadoka Area, 52-0, in a quarterfinal home game that ended after three quarters. The Kougars were held by the SBHS defense to 69 yards of total offense, 68 of them passing. Sully Buttes rushed for 156 yards and passed for 222, all of them from Nick Wittler who completed 14 of 17 passes. Morris Hofer scored two TDs on the ground from nine and 19 yards away and caught a 40-yard TD pass. Cam Ogle caught two Wittler passes for scores. Grant Johnson had a touchdown reception as the Chargers improved to 10-0 and moved to the semifinals.

This week’s schedules:
Football—Friday, home for state semifinal vs. Faulkton Area, 7 p.m.
Volleyball—Thursday, home in Region 2B third-round match vs. Herreid-Selby Area, 7 p.m.; Tuesday, in Round of 16 match (if tonight’s match is a win).

REASONS TO WRITE A LETTER

Include a self-addressed stamped envelope so you get a letter back, too.

Write a note to your letter carrier.

Write a letter to someone you just saw to let that person know how nice it was to see him or her.

Draw a self-portrait and send it to your friend.

Send an apology that you have been putting off.

FINALLY ELECTION DAY IS AT HAND

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in each time zone Tuesday as voters choose a variety of office-holders and decide the fate of five statewide ballot issues. (In Pierre the four voting locations are Faith Lutheran Church, New Life Assembly of God, Pierre Indian Learning Center gym and Lutheran Memorial Church.)

Some of the major offices to be filled:

U.S. Representative—Tim Bjorkman (D), George Hendrickson (L), Dusty Johnson (R), Ron Wieczorek (I).

Governor/lieutenant governor—Kurt Evans/Richard Shelatz (L)(, Kristi Noem/Larry Rhoden (R), Billie Sutton/Michelle Levallee (D).

Attorney general—Jason Ravnsborg (R), Randy Seiler (D).

State Senate from District 24—Amanda Bachmann (D), Jeff Monroe (R).

State House of Representatives from District 24 (two to be elected)—Mary Duvall (R), Terry Keller (D), Tim Rounds (R), Brian Watterson (D).

The five ballot issues:

Constitutional Amendment W—changes campaign finance and lobbying laws, creating a government accountability board and changing certain initiative and referendum provisions.

Constitutional Amendment X—increases number of votes needed to approve a constitutional amendment.

Constitutional Amendment Z—establishes that a proposed constitutional amendment may embrace only one subject and requires proposed amendments to be presented and voted on separately.

Initiated Measure 24—prohibits contributions to ballot committees by non-residents, out-of-state political committees and entities that are not filed with the secretary of state.

Initiated Measure 25—increases state tobacco tax and creates a post-secondary technical institute fund for the purposes of lowering student tuition and providing financial support to the state technical institutes.

FOOTBALL CONTEST #9

All 21 of last week’s contestants picked Wisconsin to beat Northwestern. Bad choice! Nevertheless, Todd Palmer, Jon Boer and Eric Lusk had 8-2 records for 10 points each. At 7-3 for nine points each were Jeff Adel, Debra Bollinger, Laurie Johnson, Levi Neuharth, Eric James and Lane Kozel. Hanging in there at 6-4 for eight points apiece were Randy Pool, David Thoreson, Mikal Kern, Nathan Vetter, Jason Noyes, Shawn Hostler and Greg Dean.

This week’s contest (send your 10 winners by Saturday morning to parkerhome16@hotmail.com):
(1) Notre Dame at Northwestern
(2) Alabama at LSU
(3) Penn State at Michigan
(4) Iowa at Purdue
(5) West Virginia at Texas
(6) California at Washington State
(7) Utah at Arizona State
(8) NFL: Atlanta at Washington
(9) NFL: Green Bay at New England
(10) NFL: Los Angeles Rams at New Orleans

BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES

Thursday, Nov. 1:
Kelcy Curtis, Tate Uecker, Mark Kozel, Marc McGregor, Juanita McKeever, Melanie (Ramse) Turp.
— 4th anniversary, Mike/Rachel Fisher.
— 15th anniversary, Nathan/Nicole Welsh.
— 15th anniversary, Justin/Mindy (Stearns) Sivage.
— 10th anniversary, Jason/Amy Ondell.

Friday, Nov. 2:
Dax Larson, Glenda (Gill) Eisenbeisz, Jeremy Pullman, Tiffany (Sonnenschein) Anderson, Dee Clegg, Loois Ries, Deb Schuetzle, Taylor Hyde, Jasmin Fosheim, Cindy (Minder) DeFries, Eddie Welch, Brandon Lowery, Mat Dutt, Rochelle (Rutschke) Kenzy, Kevin Richter.

Saturday, Nov. 3:
Samantha Nielsen, Caden Thompson, Cortlyn Ahlers, Gus Runyan, Chris Rounds, Jarah (Smith) Vycital, Dale Bertsch, Randy Englund, Liz Hunt, Kevin Woster, Karla (Grueb) Kendrick, Darin Ries, Ed Baer, Emily Finley.
— 6th anniversary, Joe/Rachel Lomheim.

Sunday, Nov. 4:
Jerry Kern, Kristoffer Iwan, Kara Gloe, Desirae Van Roekel, Nancy Gordon, McKenna Hall, Jamie Porter, Ryan Wedin, Steven Blake.
— 23rd anniversary, Mark/Tanna Zabel.
— 40th anniversary, Kerry/Pam (Welch) Wenbourne.

Monday, Nov. 5:
Collin Unkenholz, Don Giesinger, Korey Nystrom, Nathan Auch, Tyler Steele, Kathy Falcon, Derek Hunsley, Molly (Weisgram) Maxwell.
— 2nd anniversary, Keenan/Carly (Feiler) Retterath.
— 2nd anniversary, Jason/Jessica Rumpca.
— 63rd anniversary, Virgil/Carol Mikkelsen.

Tuesday Nov. 6:
Nikki (Peterson) Kachelmyer, Ron Woodburn, Nate Kuchta, Lindsay (Stoeser) Heiss, Dan Workman, Jackson Rose, Izabelle Clark, Justin Briese, Weston Pierson, Michelle Kindle, Alvin Bartels, Maria Tracy, Eliana Erickson, Jeannette Beemer (#100).
— 8th anniversary, Brien/Amanda (Hove) Aadland.
— 8th anniversary, Casey/Aneliese Hight.
— 8th anniversary, Andre/Julie Melius.

Wednesday, Nov. 7:
Sue Gannaway, Kyle Sarringar, Maari (Sweetman) LaBrie, Blair (Simon) Picchietti, Kayla Nagle, Michelle (Wattier) Kezar, Cathy Wellner.
— 9th anniversary, Dustin/Kayla (Trebesch) Dowling.
— 9th anniversary, Tim/Rachel Schmidt.
— 3rd anniversary, Ryan/Beth (Feist) Baloun.
— 3rd anniversary, Christopher/Virginia Kaus.

Thursday, Nov. 8:
Connie Blair, Rick Cronin, Molly Genzler, Laura Marsh, Jeff Everson, Shaun Keller, Conner Kramer.
— 4th anniversary, Terry/Yutzil (Rodriguez) Becker.

ZESTO SHERBET SCHEDULE

Thursday-Sunday: strawberry.
(Zesto closes for the winter this Sunday night.)

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

“Of all men, distrust most the man who tries to incite one set of Americans against another set of Americans.”

— President Theodore Roosevelt, October 1906

COLLEGE SPORTS ROUNDUP

Missouri Valley Football Conference standings: NDSU 5-0, Western Illinois 3-2, SDSU 3-2, Northern Iowa 3-2, Indiana State 2-3, Missouri State 2-3, USD 2-3, Illinois State 2-3, Youngstown State 2-3, Southern Illinois 1-4.

Augustana football (Peyton Zabel): The Vikings improved to 6-3 with a 52-24 win at Concordia-St. Paul. Augie is home Saturday at 1 p.m. vs. Winona State.

North Dakota football: UND lost at home to Weber State, 35-30. Now 5-3, the Hawks go to Idaho Saturday.

Presentation football (Michael Lyons): The Saints were doubled up by Dickinson State, 48-24. Now 5-4 overall and 3-3 in the NSAA, Presentation ends the season at home Saturday vs. Valley City State.

Black Hills State football (Shawn Schnabel): BHSU lost to Western State in Gunnison, 28-6. Now 2-7, the Jackets are home at 1 p.m. Saturday vs. CSU=Pueblo.

Dakota Wesleyan football (Lukas Chase): The Tigers won over Jamestown, 41-21. Lukas had five solo tackles and five assisted tackles, including 2 1/2 sacks for a loss of 12 yards and 3 1/2 tackles for loss for 13 yards. Now 2-7 overall and 1-6 in the GPAC, DWU is home vs. Doane at 1 p.m. Saturday.

South Dakota Mines football: The Hardrockers scored 42 points but gave up 84 in a loss at Colorado Mines. Now 4-5 overall and 3-5 in the RMAC, Mines is home vs. Chadron State at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Northern football (Alex Gray, Joe King, Colten Drageset, Jacob Howard): The Wolves defeated Mary, 28-23. Colten caught a touchdown pass on a 17-yard play in the second quarter to cut Northern’s halftime deficit to 20-16. Alex had three solo tackles, two assisted tackles, 1 1/2 tackles for loss and two pass breakups. NSU scored 12 points in the fourth quarter on a field goal, a touchdown and a safety to rally for the win. Now 3-6 NSU is home vs. Minnesota-Crookston Saturday.

University of Sioux Falls football: The Cougars whipped Upper Iowa, 34-7. Now 6-3 and still hoping for an at-large playoff bid, USF, however, has to go to No. 1 Minnesota State-Mankato for a noon kickoff Saturday.

South Dakota football: The Coyotes fell way behind early and were never in a 59-14 loss to top-ranked NDSU. Now 3-5 overall and 2-3 in the Valley, USD goes to Indiana State for a noon game Saturday.

North Dakota State football: The Bison continued to roll with a 59-14 win at USD, improving to 8-0. NDSU hosts Youngstown State at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

South Dakota State football: The Jacks, ranked No. 7, defeated No. 9 Illinois State, 38-28, to improve to 5-2 overall and 3-2 in the Missouri Valley. Taryn Christion threw for 292 yards, completing 18 of 28. SDSU led 28-7 at halftime and 35-7 after three periods before the Redbirds narrowed the final margin. SDSU is home at 2 p.m. Saturday vs. Missouri State.

South Dakota State men’s swimming (Wyatt Rumrill): The Jackrabbits in a triangular in Minneapolis lost to Minnesota, 241-49, and lost to Iowa, 248-50. Wyatt placed eighth in the breast stroke in :59.74 and ninth in the 200 breast in 2:14.36. His 400 medley team was fifth in 3:33.93. SDSU swims against USD and St. Cloud State in Sioux Falls Friday and Saturday.

South Dakota State women’s swimming (Ashley Theobald): The SDSU women lost to Iowa, 231-64, and lost to Minnesota, 251-46. Ashley was eight in the 200 freestyle in 2:02.88 and 10th in the 400 individual medley in 5:01.82. Her 400 free relay team was sixth in 3:52.94. SDSU goes to Sioux Falls Friday and Saturday to take on USD and St. Cloud State.

Black Hills State men’s basketball: The Yellowjackets are still two weeks away from their openers at Northern Nov. 16 and at Augustana Nov. 17.

South Dakota State men’s basketball: SDSU hosts the School of Mines tonight (Thursday) and is home again Tuesday against Grand Canyon at 7 p.m. on Midco Sports Network.

Augustana men’s basketball: The Vikings open the season at home tonight (Thursday) against Loras College.

South Dakota State women’s basketball (Sydney Palmer): The Jackrabbits dominated Concordia (Neb.), 80-46. Sydney was 1-of-5 in field goals, including 1-of-3 from long range, and 1-of-2 at the stripe for four points with three rebounds, an assist and a steal. SDSU is home vs. Mary tonight (Thursday) and at Marquette in Milwaukee next Tuesday.

Dakota Wesleyan men’s basketball: The Tigers defeated Bellevue, 86-77, led by Ty Hoglund’s 19 points. DWU then lost at USD, 77-61, as Hoglund scored 18. DWU plays at the Pentagon against Dakota State and Presentation Saturday and Sunday, then goes to Northwestern (Iowa) next Wednesday.

Mount Marty men’s basketball: Cody Schilling’s Lancers lost to Dickinson State, 77-70, and lost to Bethany (Kan.), 77-69. Jailen Billings had 17 and 19 points, respectively, in those two season openers. After playing at Waldorf last night, Mount Marty plays at the Pentagon against Presentation and Dakota State Friday and Saturday.

South Dakota men’s basketball: The Coyotes opened their season with a 77-61 win over Dakota Wesleyan. Trey Burch-Manning had 20 points and Triston Simpson 17 in Todd Lee’s coaching debut at USD. The Coyotes are off till a home game vs. York next Wednesday.

University of Sioux Falls men’s basketball: The Cougars tip off their season in Marshall, Minn., Nov. 9-10 vs. two Kansas teams, Fort Hays State and Emporia State.

Northern women’s basketball (Rachel Guthmiller): The Wolves open their season in Kansas City against Pittsburg State and Arkansas Tech Nov. 9-10.

Presentation men’s basketball: The Saints are 2-2 in the new season. They lost to Jamestown, 89-86; won twice over Providence College, 136-81 and 125-70, and lost to Briar Cliff, 98-73. The Saints play in Sioux Falls Friday and Saturday against Mount Marty and Dakota Wesleyan.

Presentation women’s basketball: The Saints are 2-1 after losing to Jamestown, 71-49, and beating Providence College twice, 94-49 and 77-60. Presentation plays in Sioux Falls Friday and Saturday against Mount Marty and DWU.

South Dakota Mines men’s basketball: The Hardrockers open the season at SDSU tonight (Thursday).

South Dakota Mines women’s basketball: The Hardrockers open their season at Colorado State tonight and at Northern Colorado Friday.

Mount Marty women’s basketball: The Lancer women opened their season against Waldorf last night and play Presentation and Dakota State Friday and Saturday in Sioux Falls.

Black Hills State women’s basketball (Remi Wientjes, Racque Wientjes): BHSU opens the season in Texas Nov. 9-10 against Texas A&M-Kingsville and Texas A&M-International.

Augustana women’s basketball (Katie Bourk, Aislinn Duffy): The Viking women go to St. Joseph, Mo., to open their season Nov. 9-10 against Washburn and Southern Nazarene, then host Mount Marty Nov. 12.

Dakota State women’s basketball: The Lady Ts opened their season with a 99-58 loss to Northwestern (Iowa) and a 106-87 loss to Briar Cliff. DSU plays DWU and Mount Marty at the Pentagon this weekend.

Dakota Wesleyan women’s basketball: The defending national NAIA champions tipped off their season with a 60-55 win over Valley City State, led by 18 points from Rylie Osthus. DWU plays Dakota State and Presentation in Sioux Falls this weekend, then goes to Iowa on Tuesday and to Northwestern (Iowa) Wednesday.

South Dakota women’s basketball (Chloe Lamb, Ciara Duffy): The Coyotes open Nov. 7 at Creighton.

University of Sioux Falls women’s basketball: The Cougar women open Nov. 9-10 vs. Ouachita Baptist and Henderson State.

Black Hills State cross country (Kelsey Van Den Hemel): The BHSU runners go to the RMAC conference meet in Denver Saturday.

South Dakota State cross country (Rachel Propst): The SDSU men won the Summit League meet team title, placing seven among the top 10 finishers and eight within the top 15 for all-league recognition. Next up for the top runners is the Midwest Region meet in Peoria, Ill., Nov. 9.

South Dakota cross country (Caleb Lusk, Maddy McClure): The USD women won the Summit League championship for the fifth straight year, squeaking out a one-point win over NDSU and had four all-league runners within the top 15. The USD men finished third behind SDSU and NDSU. Eldon Warner became the first-ever USD runner to win an individual Summit League title in 24:58.59. USD enters the Midwest Regional in Peoria, Ill., Nov. 9.

South Dakota Mines cross country (Theron Singleton): The Hardrockers run in Denver Saturday at the RMAC conference meet.

Northern wrestling: The Wolves open their season at home against Concordia (Minn.) next Thursday and at the DWU Open Nov. 10.

South Dakota State wrestling: The season is here! The Jacks host their Daktronics Open Sunday.

Dakota Wesleyan wrestling: The Tigers open their season Saturday at the Jamestown Open.

Augustana wrestling (Jebben Keyes): The Vikings go to Brookings for the Daktronics Open Sunday to open their season.

Northern women’s soccer (Tori Thorpe): The Wolves shut out Minnesota-Crookston, 3-0, and lost to Bemidji State, 1-0. Now 9-8-1 overall and 7-7-1 in the NSIC, Northern is done for the season.

South Dakota State women’s soccer: The Jacks defeated UND, 2-1, to finish the regular season at 12-5-1 overall and 7-1-0 in the Summit. SDSU earned the No. 1 seed in the four-team Summit tournament and will host. SDSU plays Omaha at 3 p.m. today (Thursday) with Denver playing NDSU at 6 p.m. The winners play for the championship and an NCAA tournament berth at noon Saturday.

Black Hills State women’s soccer (Katie Nielson): The Yellowjackets’ long season came to an end with an 11-4 loss to UC-Colorado Springs and a 6-0 loss to Metro State. In the first match Katie had two shots on goal and scored her fourth goal of the season at 36:44. BHSU finished at 0-17-1 overall and 0-12-1 in the RMAC.

Concordia (Minn.) women’s soccer (Morgan Hluchy): The Cobbers lost to Bethel, 4-0, and won in overtime in the season finale, 3-2 in overtime. Morgan had two shots on goal in the win. Concordia finishes at 8-8-3 overall and 4-6-2 in the MIAC.

Northwestern (Iowa) men’s soccer (Cole Cruse): The Raiders shut out Dordt, 6-0, and lost to Hastings, 3-0, to finish the season at 10-6-2 overall and 6-3-2 in the GPAC.

South Dakota women’s soccer (Joana Zanin): The Coyotes lost to NDSU, 1-0, as Joana had three shots and two shots on goal. USD finished the season with a 1-0 win over UND to finish at 9-7-2 overall and 4-4 in the Summit.

King’s College men’s soccer (August Axtman): The Monarchs ended their regular season with a 1-0 loss to Eastern University, finishing at 5-2-0 in conference play and 11-5-2 overall for the regular season. In the semifinals of their conference tournament Tuesday, King’s won in overtime over Manhattanville, 1-0. Gus had one shot in the match. The finals match comes Saturday against Eastern.

Mary volleyball (Korie Tetzlaff): The Marauders defeated Minnesota-Crookston, 3-1, and lost to Bemidji State, 3-1. Now 4-22 overall and 1-17 in the NSIC, Mary goes to Minnesota-Duluth and St. Cloud State this weekend.

Dakota State volleyball (Nicole Sarringar): The Trojans defeated Mount Marty, 3-1, as Nicole had 17 assists, one service ace and three digs. In a 3-1 loss to Valley City State, she had 17 more assists and seven digs. DSU lost to Dickinson State, 3-1, as Nicole had 15 assists, one ace and 10 digs. In a 3-1 win over Briar Cliff she had 19 assissts and nine digs. Now 15-12 overall and 6-6 in the NSAA, DSU is home this weekend against Waldorf and Viterbo.

South Dakota volleyball: The Coyotes defeated Western Illinois and Purdue-Fort Wayne by 3-0 scores, their fourth and fifth straight 3-0 sweeps. USD then lost at Denver, 3-2. Now 16-9 overall and 10-3 in the Summit, USD plays at Omaha Sunday.

South Dakota State volleyball: SDSU lost to Denver, 3-0; lost to NDSU, 3-1, and defeated UND, 3-2. Now 5-20 overall and 2-10 in the Summit, the Jacks play at Omaha Friday and at home vs. Oral Roberts Sunday.

North Dakota men’s hockey: The Fighting Hawks won the Hall of Fame game in Las Vegas over rival Minnesota, 3-1. UND is home this weekend vs. Wisconsin at 7:30 Friday and 7:00 Saturday on Midco Sports Network.

MARQUEE MESSAGES

From the marquee at Indian Hills Community Center in Colorado:

IRONY.
THE OPPOSITE
OF
WRINKLY

TRIED TO GRAB
THE FOG
I MIST

WHEN YOU’RE DOWN
BY THE SEA
AND AN EEL
BITES YOUR KNEE
THAT’S A MORAY

IF YOU SUCK
AT PLAYING
THE TRUMPET
THAT’S
PROBABLY WHY

COUNTDOWN

2 days: Jeannette Beemer’s 100th birthday bash (Nov. 3).
3 days: Daylight Saving Time ends (Nov. 4).
5 days: General election (Nov. 6).
5 days: Riggs High indoor marching band concert (Nov. 6).
7 days: State football championships, Vermillion (Nov. 8-10).
9 days: Sully County Snow Queen pageant, Onida (Nov. 10).
14 days: State volleyball tournaments, Sioux Falls (Nov. 15-17).
18 days: Pierre’s Parade of Lights (Nov. 19).
19 days: Capitol Christmas trees lighting ceremony (Nov. 20).
21 days: Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 22).
22 days: Fort Pierre’s Christmas tree lighting celebration (Nov. 23).
26 days: Statewide Day of Giving (Nov. 27).
29 days: State oral interpretation tournament, Watertown (Nov. 30-Dec. 1).
29 days: Pierre Players’ “Whodunit, Darling?” (Nov. 30-Dec. 3, Dec. 6-8).
36 days: ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas celebration, Onida (Dec. 7).
39 days: Georgia Morse Middle School band/chorus concert and art show (Dec. 10).
46 days: Riggs High band/choir concert and art show (Dec. 17).
48 days: St. Joseph Elementary School Christmas concert (Dec. 19).

THINK ABOUT THIS

Four things you can’t get back:
— the stone after it’s thrown.
— the word after it’s said.
— the occasion after it’s missed.
— the time after it’s gone.

— Carly Tile

HOCKEY UPDATE

Oahe Capitals boys varsity: Rob Kittay’s Caps begin the season with a pair of exhibition games this weekend—home vs. Huron at 7 p.m. Saturday and on the road at Huron at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Rapid City Rush: In a three-game home series against Allen, the Rush lost 3-2 in a shootout, lost 6-5 in overtime and won 2-0 on an Adam Carlson shutout. Rapid City thus earned four of a possible six points from the weekend series. Rapid City plays three at Tulsa tonight, Friday and Saturday, then returns home next Wednesday against Fort Wayne.

Sioux Falls Stampede: The Herd is off to the best start in franchise history at 6-1-2. The Stampede won its fifth straight Friday, 3-2 over Sioux City, then lost to Sioux City in overtime, 4-3. Sioux Falls is home vs. Fargo at 6:05 p.m. Saturday and plays at Des Moines Sunday.

Gillette Wild (Coleman Varty): Coleman had another great weekend as Gillette lost 5-4 and won 2-1 against Bozeman as both games went into overtime. Coleman scored two goals and one assist in the Friday loss and assisted on the winning overtime goal on Saturday. Coleman has nine goals and 16 assists so far this season and leads his team in points with 27. Gillette, now 4-6-2-1, plays two at Bozeman this weekend.

Minnesota Wild: The Wild won their fourth and fifth straight games with a 4-1 win over Los Angeles and a 3-2 win Colorado. On a Canadian trip Minnesota lost at Vancouver, 5-2, but won at Edmonton, 4-3. The Wild pays at St. Louis Saturday (7:00, FSN) and at San Jose Tuesday (9:30, FSN).

BASKETBALL UPDATE

Minnesota Timberwolves: The Wolves are 3-4 in the young season. This week they lost to Toronto, 112-105, and to Milwaukee, 125-95, but won over the Los Angeles LeBrons, 124-120. After a game against Utah last night, the Wolves play at Golden State Friday (9:30, ESPN); at Portland Sunday (8:00, FSN); at the Clippers Monday (9:30, FSN) and at the Lakers next Wednesday (9:30, ESPN).

Sioux Falls Skyforce: The new G League season opens this weekend. The Skyforce is home Friday vs. Fort Wayne at 7 p.m.; on the road to Iowa Saturday; home vs. Memphis Monday (6:30) and home next Wednesday vs. Northern Arizona (6:30).

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“So here we are in this new age. Call it a time of rage and fear. Or reframe it. Call it a time of purpose.

“It’s a time when our fundamental American values—of fairness, justice, tolerance, inclusion, decency, dedication to truth—are tested daily. But the test is not a defeat. It’s a summons to the crusade.

“Go vote.”

— Chicago Tribune columnist Mary Schmich

GOLF UPDATE

PGA Champions Tour (Tom Byrum): At the Invesco QQQ Championships in Thousand Oaks, Calif., the second stop in the Charles Schwab Cup series, Tom shot a 66-72-75=213 3-under par weekend at Thousand Oaks, Calif., earning $36,480. The Champions Tour takes this weekend off before resuming play at the Charles Schwab Cup Championship in Phoenix Nov. 8-11.

FOOTBALL UPDATE

NFL games on local TV this weekend:
Thursday: Oakland-San Francisco, 7:20 p.m., Fox.
Sunday: Minnesota-Detroit, noon, Fox.
Sunday: Kansas City-Cleveland, noon, CBS.
Sunday: Los Angeles Rams-New Orleans, 3:25 p.m., Fox.
Sunday: Green Bay-New England, 7:20 p.m., NBC.
Monday: Tennessee-Dallas, 7:15 p.m., ESPN.

Midco Sports Network live games this week:
Thursday: Men’s basketball, NDSU-Concordia, 7 p.m.
Friday: Men’s hockey, UND-Wisconsin, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday: Football, SDSU-Missouri State, 2 p.m.
Saturday: Men’s hockey, UND-Wisconsin, 7 p.m.
Tuesday: Men’s basketball, SDSU-Grand Canyon, 7 p.m.
Tuesday: Women’s basketball, NDSU-Mayville State, 7 p.m. (MSN2).

Denver Broncos: Denver lost at Kansas City, 30-23. The Broncos will be home against Houston at 3:05 p.m. Sunday.

Minnesota Vikings: Turnovers cost the Vikings dearly against New Orleans. Minnesota was on a roll toward a two-score lead late in the first half when Adam Thielen’s fumble following a long reception was returned and set up the Saints for a score. Then in the second half a Kirk Cousins pass was intercepted and returned for a TD, and the Saints never trailed after that in a 30-20 win. Minnesota, now 4-3-1 and in second place in the NFC North, plays Detroit at noon Sunday on Fox.

SOCCER UPDATE

Minnesota United FC: The Loons’ season ended with a 3-2 loss at Columbus. The final record was 11-20-3, and Minnesota finished in 10th place in the 12-team Western Division of MLS. The Loons scored 49 goals and allowed 71.

WHY ENGLISH IS SO HARD TO LEARN

I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.

PARKER’S PERSONAL NOTES

• This year’s “Broadway’s Best” series on PBS begins this Friday night with “An American in Paris.” The four-part series continues with “The Sound of Music” on Nov. 9, “The Road to Broadway” on Nov. 16, and “Harold Prince: The Director’s Life” on Nov. 23. Show time is 8 p.m. CDT Friday.
• There is a bunch of news of my own family in the Update just below. If you’re tired of my personal news items, sorry! You are welcome to contribute your family news items any time. Just send them to parkerhome16@hotmail.com. Otherwise, the only news I get is what I stumble across on Facebook!
• It is startling to realize that a person has to be 45 to have even been alive during the Watergate crisis of 1972-74 and older than 50 to remember anything about it. We call your attention to “Watergate,” a six-hour documentary spread over three nights on History Channel. Oscar-winning documentarian Charles Ferguson has put together what TV Guide calls “a punchy, in-your-face approach to his retelling of the political scandal that glued a nation to their TV sets during the summer of 1973.” The break-in at Democratic headquarters, the Senate hearings, the White House tapes, the eventual resignation of the President—it’s all there for you to record and savor. Ferguson has subtitled his documentary as “How We Learned to Stop an Out-of-Control President.” The program airs on History Channel at 8 p.m. CDT this Friday, 8 p.m. CDT Saturday, and 8 p.m. CST Sunday.
• And that reminds me to remind you—if you really have to be told—to turn your clocks back an hour Saturday night.
• USA Today published an interesting feature this week entitled “America’s Best 50 Cities to Live.” They judged cities of at least 8,000 residents and fewer than 25,000 residents on such subjects as overall quality of life, affordability, safety, access to entertainment and cultural attractions, and transportation options. Not to our surprise, the Midwest was best represented among the 50 selected cities. Brandon was ranked 38th, and Pierre came in 26th! Here are some of the other Upper Midwest cities in the ranking: 50th, Williston, N.D.; 47th, Storm Lake, Iowa; 45th, Hays, Kan.; 44th, Albert Lea, Minn.; 43rd, Andover, Minn.; 42nd, Hutchinson, Minn.; 41st, Sturgeon Bay, Wis.; 39th, North Liberty, Iowa; 31st, Thief River Falls, Minn.; 30th, Elk River, Minn.; 29th, Spencer, Iowa; 27th, Jamestown, N.D.; 24th, McPherson, Kan.; 23rd, Pella, Iowa; 22nd, Johnston, Iowa; 18th, Whitefish Bay, Wis.; 16th, Dickinson, N.D.; 13th, Sartell, Minn.; 11th, Carroll, Iowa; 10th, New Ulm, Minn.; 7th, LeMars, Iowa; 2nd, Mandan, N.D. In case you’re interested, the Houston suburb of West University Place, Texas, got the No. 1 ranking.
• If you need to be reminded of why it is imperative that you vote early or at least on Tuesday, go to www.cbs.com and track down the last five minutes of this past Sunday’s episode (Oct. 28) of “Madam Secretary.”

NEWS OF PEOPLE AND EVENTS

South Dakota Supreme Court Justice Steven Zinter passed away this week from complications related to surgery at Mayo Clinic. Justice Zinter was appointed to the high court by Governor Janklow in 2002. Prior to that, he served as assistant attorney general for the state from 1975 to 1978; as an attorney in the private sector from 1978 to 1986, during which time he was Hughes County’s state’s attorney from 1980 to 1986; and as a circuit judge in the Sixth Judicial Circuit from 1987 to 1997. Among his survivors are his wife, Sandy; their daughters, Sarah and Kelly, and five grandchildren.

Kit and Amanda Bramblee of Pierre are the parents of a daughter, Paisley Grace, who was born Oct. 22, weighing 9 pounds, 2 ounces. The Bramblees also have a son, Bodie, 5.

Sioux Falls area residents, mark your calendars for supper on Friday, Nov. 9, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Shalom Lutheran Church, 1000 E. Maple St., Harrisburg. This is a community supper and benefit for Dale and Kacie (Schneider) Olson. The admission price is a free-will donation for what is described as “the ultimate loaded baked potato bar” with desserts and giveaways. All proceeds will go to the Olsons to help with the expenses of travel and treatments for Dale’s recently-diagnosed cancer. Kacie is the daughter of Bob and Kris Schneider of Pierre.

Our sympathy to Pastor Tom and Gail Opoien of Tea. Gail’s mother, Marcella Krogstad, passed away Tuesday. The Opoiens lived in Pierre when Tom was one of the pastors at Lutheran Memorial Church in the early 2000s. The funeral service for Mrs. Krogstad will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Heritage Lutheran Church in Brandon. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Minnehaha Funeral Home in Dell Rapids.

Gail Miller, who with his wife Delores owned and operated The Jewel Box in downtown Pierre for 20 years from 1965 to 1985, died at home in Pierre Oct. 16. Services were held at Lutheran Memorial Church Oct. 22. He grew up at Wall. After leaving The Jewel Box, Gail went to Bullhead City, Ariz., where he built a strip plaza and apartment building.

Last week’s Athletes of the Week as selected by the Pierre Athletic Coaches Association were Tucker Berens of the cross country team and the competitive dance team.

A fund-raiser for Todd Johnson will be held at Gator’s Pizza from 5 to 8 p.m. next Tuesday, Nov. 6. Todd is home recovering from a serious motorcycle accident earlier this month.

Michael G. Gordon, 52, son of Linda and Carroll Haisch of Pierre and the late Gerald Gordon of Hot Springs, died Oct. 24 in Golden Valley, Ariz., at the home of his uncle and aunt who with hospice cared for him during his battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born in Pierre and lived in many places. He married Paula Uecker in 1985. He was accomplished in the fields of welding and masonry. His survivors include his daughter, Michelle Olson and her husband Shane; his grandson, George; his parents, Linda and Carroll Haisch; his brother, Lowell Gordon and his partner, John Ostgarden of Portland, Ore.; his sister, Latresa Zeller and her husband William of Pierre; and his stepsisters, Alisa Andersen and her husband Steve of Fort Pierre, Deborah Meilke and her husband Lane of Aberdeen, and Stephanie Durkin and her husband David of Upper Marlboro, Md.

Tess Erwin is the recipient of the Warrior of the Month designation at Riggs High School. She was nominated by chorus director Rodd Bauck. The award is co-sponsored by the South Dakota Army National Guard.

Leonda (McMullen) Wright, 70, Blunt, died Oct. 22 at Ipswich Care and Rehabilitation. A celebration of her life will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, at Feigum Funeral Home, preceded by visitation from 1 to 2 p.m. Leonda graduated from Blunt High School in 1966 and attended Stewart’s School of Hairstyling in Aberdeen. She married Billy Wright in 1970. She worked in area salons before owning her own salon. Later she worked at Century Manufacturing until retiring. She is survived by her son, Derik Wright of Rapid City; her daughter, Chelsea Hattum and her husband Todd of Harrold; eight grandchildren, a great-grandchild, and her sister, Elette Crain and her husband John of Blunt.

Brandon Cruse and his football officiating crew were at Colorado Springs to work Boise State’s 48-38 win over the Air Force Academy last Saturday. This Saturday watch for Brandon in the white hat at the Oklahoma State-Baylor game in Waco, Texas. That game kicks off at 11 a.m. Saturday on FS1.

Curtis Egan was recently diagnosed with a medulloblastoma (solid tumors in his brain and spinal cord). He met with his team of doctors at Mayo Clinic in Rochester on Oct. 24 to establish a treatment plan. Curtis began proton therapy on Monday of this week. That treatment will be followed by a break and then a chemotherapy regimen.

Some of Curtis Egan’s friends have established a fund-raising account for him with a goal of raising $20,000. Early this week they reached that goal, but don’t skip your chance to help out as the guys have extended the goal to $30,000. Find the page using this link:
https://www.facebook.com/donate/196172677949012/

Nancy (Rempfer) Hunsley, 73, Rapid City, formerly of Pierre, died at Rapid City Regional Hospital Oct. 17. A memorial service was held at the Isburg Funeral Chapel Oct. 26. The daughter of the late Alvin and Gertrude Rempfer, Nancy graduated from high school at Onida. She married Don Hunsley in 1966. She worked as a medical receptionist at Medical Associates Clinic for 46 years. She is survived by three children, Kathy Falcon and her husband Ernesto, Jim Hunsley and his wife Heather, and Becky Bear and her husband Ryan; six grandchildren, and her sister, JoAnne Rempfer. Among those who preceded her in death were her parents, her husband in 2006, sister Kristie Rempfer and brother Mark Rempfer.

Aaron and Kelsey Trimble, who live in the Rapid Valley area on the east side of Rapid City, received word last week that a 25 1/2-foot Colorado blue spruce just outside their front door has been selected as the official South Dakota state Christmas tree. It will be uprooted next Wednesday and hauled to Pierre where it will be the focal point of this year’s Capitol Christmas trees display in the Rotunda.

Riggs High singers selected to participate in All-State Chorus in Rapid City last weekend were Anya Jones, Heather Hanson, Eli Houdyshell, Michael VanDeWiele, Mickenzie Tucker, Morgan Reiser, Levi McKinley, Max Sevier, Sarah Hancock, Jordan Morley, Will Kessler and Lincoln Mefferd. The Stanley County singers there were Shantay Waldron, Dominic Salinas, Kaylie Rathbun and Ravin Ayers.

Long-time Pierre businessman Curtis Neuharth died at the age of 89 at Avera Maryhouse on Oct. 20. Services were held Oct. 26 at Lutheran Memorial Church. In 1939 he moved with his family from Eureka to Pierre, and he graduated from Pierre High School in 1947. After attending USD for two years, he went to work in 1949 at the Paul Noren Insurance Agency. He and Ione Nellermoe married in 1950. He partnered with Paul Hengel in a local service station, then worked at Bert’s Shoes in 1954 and at Continental Oil Company in 1959. In 1962 he and Fritz Forney incorporated Forney Neuharth Oil Company. Curt later sold real estate for Poulos & Barge. In 1982 he became executive director of the South Dakota Petroleum Marketers Association and held that position until his retirement in 1992. He served as sergeant-at-arms in the state Senate until 2006. He worked in numerous local organizations during his long business career. He is survived by his wife; their four children, Pamela Moen and her husband Dan, Bruce Neuharth and his wife Mary Lou, Nance Orsbon and her husband Ben, and David Neuharth and his wife Lisa; nine grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

This will be opening weekend for “Macbeth,” the second show of the Black Hills Community Theater season in Rapid City. Jason Knox has the role of Banquo. Performance dates are Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons Nov. 2-4, 9-11 and 18-20. Meanwhile, Jason and his 7-year-old son, Parker, have also been cast in BHCT’s December holiday show, “Fezziwig’s Feast,” in which they will play Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim, respectively. Holly (Knox) Perli’s older daughter, Olivia, has the lead female role of Esmerelda in “Hunchback of Notre Dame,” Central High School’s fall play to be performed Nov. 15-16-17. Holly and Olivia will also be in the cast of “Newsies,” the Broadway musical to be performed by the ACTS (Advocates for Creative Theatre Students) organization in Rapid City Jan. 10-11-12. The cast includes not only students but also adults from the community. And finally in Tucson, Ariz., Ryan Parker Knox has the role of Ed in “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time,” which opens tonight (Thursday) and runs through Nov. 18 at The Rogue Theatre.

Life-long Sully County resident Patricia “Pat” (Nelson) Smith of Onida died at home Sept. 27 at the age of 100. She is survived by her daughters, Patricia Crotwell and Penelope Smith; her son, Henry Smith III; 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Brig. Gen. Henry Smith Jr., and her daughter, Pamela Puig.

Our sympathy to Jan and Tim Larson and their family. Jan’s mother, Dorothe Robbins, passed away at the age of 97 at the Estelline Care Center Oct. 27. Visitation will be at Zion Lutheran Church in Miller from 5 to 7 p.m. tonight (Thursday). The funeral service will be at that church at 10:30 a.m. Friday. Mrs. Robbins was the eighth of 11 children of the late Emil and Dora Dubbe. She went to Humboldt High School and South Dakota State. She and her late husband Lloyd lived their entire married life on a farm near White. Among her many other activities, Mrs. Robbins played the organ for 70 years. After the death of her husband in 2005, she continued to live at the farm until moving into Brookings in 2009 and later to the Estelline facility in January 2016. She is survived by her five children, David Robbins of Gaylord, Minn., Richard Robbins of Wheatland, Wyo., Steven Robbins of Eldora, Iowa, Jan Larson and her husband Tim of Pierre, and Mark Robbins of Beulah, Wyo.; 16 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, a sister and two brothers.

Former Pierre resident John Rychtarik (Riggs High Class of ’65) will have his art works on display in a show at the Eastbank Art Gallery, located in the 8th & Railroad Center in downtown Sioux Falls, from now through Dec. 1. There will be a show-opening reception from 5 to 8 p.m. this Friday, and Rychtarik will give an artist’s talk at 6 p.m. John and his wife, Joan, moved to Sioux Falls after they left Pierre and now live in Brookings.