A SENTENCE TO REMEMBER

“I was President of the United States of America, and I concluded that what matters is your family and your faith and your friends and that you’ve made friends who will last you a lifetime.”

— President George H.W. Bush
at Duke University commencement, 1998

ENTERTAINMENT AT THE CAPITOL CHRISTMAS TREES

Thursday:
Noon to 1 p.m., Terry C. Anderson, trumpet, Sun Prairie, Wis.
6 to 7 p.m., Kim Jacobs-Bowman piano students, Pierre.

Friday:
Noon to 1 p.m., St. Thomas More HIgh School choir, Rapid City.
6 to 7 p.m., Kim Jacobs-Bowman piano students, Pierre.

Saturday (Pie Day):
10 to 11 a.m., Kim Jacobs-Bowman piano students, Pierre.
11 to 11:30 a.m., Stanley County Elementary School choir, Fort Pierre.
1 to 1:30 p.m., Shrine of Democracy barbershop chorus, Rapid City.
1:30 to 2 p.m., Rapid City Children’s Choir.
2 to 3 p.m., Dakota Sunshine Singers, Aberdeen.
3 to 4 p.m., Hosanna Dancers, Pierre.
7 to 8 p.m., Roosevelt High School woodwind and brass choirs, Sioux Falls.

Sunday:
3 to 4 p.m., Mitchell Area Children’s Choir.

Monday:
Noon to 1 p.m., Edgemont High School band and choir.
7 to 8 p.m., Vocalist Kate Nelson and pianist Ron Smith, Pierre.

Tuesday:
Noon to 1 p.m., Hill City High School music students.
7 to 7:30 p.m., Ginny Lors, piano, Pierre.
8 to 9 p.m., Vocalist Tim Larson and pianist Ron Smith, Pierre.

Wednesday:
Noon to 1 p.m., Katie Sternke, piano, Pierre.
8 to 9 p.m., Vocalist Brian Oakland and pianist Ron Smith, Pierre.

PIERRE GOVERNORS SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
Wrestling: Friday-Saturday, at Rapid City invitational, 2 p.m. and 8 a.m.
Gymnastics: Saturday, at Aberdeen Central invitational, noon.
Girls basketball: Saturday, at Sturgis, 5:30 p.m.
Boys basketball: Opener Dec. 14 at Douglas.

Football: Six members of the state 11AA champion Governors earned All-State first-team recognition, and four others were accorded honorable mention when the All-State team was announced last week. First-team All-Staters are junior quarterback Garrett Stout, senior fullback Gage Gehring, senior wide receiver Zane Schuchard, senior tight end Jack Maher, junior defensive end Grey Zabel, and senior defensive tackle Nathan Schnabel. On the honorable mention list are juniors Cole Nelson and Cade Hinkle, senior Jace Wernsmann and sophomore Gunner Gehring.

Wrestling: The Governors’ trip to their season opener at the Watertown invitational was called off due to travel concerns ahead of the winter storm.

Gymnastics: Pierre was first among four teams at the season-opening quadrangular Thursday with a 133.95 score, followed by Huron at 130.150, Chamberlain at 116.500 and Stanley County at 97.000. Meg Erwin won the beam at 9.05, and Mikah Moser won in floor exercise at 9.45. In the all-around standings Erwin was second at 34.150 and Moser third at 33.900. The scheduled trip to Sioux Falls Washington’s invitational Saturday was cancelled by weather.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

“I rather like bad wine. One gets so bored with good wine.”

— Benjamin Disraeli

STANLEY COUNTY BUFFALOES SPORTS ROUNDUP

Wrestling: The Stanley County invitational scheduled last Saturday was cancelled by the weather and will not be made up.

Gymnastics: At the season-opening Pierre quadrangular the Lady Buffs were fourth with a team score of 97.000.

This week’s schedules:
Wrestling: Saturday, at Gregory invitational, 9 a.m.
Gymnastics: Saturday, at Wagner invitational, noon.
Girls basketball: Saturday, home vs. White River; Tuesday, home vs. Lyman.
Boys basketball: Friday, at Bennett County.

SULLY BUTTES CHARGERS SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
Wrestling: Thursday, at Lyman triangular, 6 p.m.; Saturday, at Faulkton invitaitonal, 10 a.m.
Girls basketball: Friday, at Eureka-Bowdle (in Bowdle).
Boys basketball: Tuesday, at Lyman.

Wrestling: The Chargers’ scheduled season opener, the Stanley County invitational, was cancelled due to weather.

HOLIDAY Q. & A.

Q.: How does Good King Wenceslas like his pizza?
A.: Deep pan, crisp and even.

— #MusicJokes

COUNTDOWN

1 day: ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas celebration, Onida (Dec. 7).
2 days: Pie Day at the Capitol (Dec. 8).
2 days: Surprise Package Christmas concerts (Dec. 8-9).
4 days: Georgia Morse Middle School band/chorus concert and art show (Dec. 10).
7 days: Hegg Brothers’ Holiday Jam concert (Dec. 13).
8 days: Onida elementary concert (Dec. 14).
11 days: Riggs High band/choir concert and art show (Dec. 17).
11 days: Stanley County Elementary concert (Dec. 17).
13 days: St. Joseph Elementary concert (Dec. 19).
19 days: Christmas Day (Dec. 25).
20 days: “Kennedy Center Honors,” CBS-TV (Dec. 26).
23 days: College football national semifinals (Dec. 29).
30 days: NFL playoffs begin (Jan. 5).
31 days: Golden Globe awards, NBC-TV (Jan. 6).
32 days: College football national championship (Jan. 7).

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.”

— Victor Hugo

COLLEGE SPORTS ROUNDUP

Northern track/field (Rachel Guthmiller): The indoor track and field season has begun at Northern. Rachel, freshman from Onida, is listed as a thrower, probably for the outdoor season since she is playing basketball this winter.

South Dakota track/field (Maddy McClure, Madason Tessier): At SDSU’s holiday meet to open the indoor season, Madason placed sixth in the 60-meter hurdles in :09.14. A redshirt freshman, Madason is the daughter of Suzanne Tessier of Yankton and the late Todd Tessier and the granddaughter of former Pierre residents Darwin and LaVila Tessier of Yankton. Maddy is a true freshman and the daughter of Sully Buttes alumnus Seth McClure and his wife, also of Yankton. Next meet for the Coyotes will be the Hawkeye Invitational at Iowa City Jan. 11-12.

South Dakota State track/field (Rachel Propst, Addison Eisenbeisz, Riley Sears): At SDSU’s holiday meet, Rachel placed second in the mile in 5:31.56 and 15th in the 800-meter run in 2:26.43. Addy tied for sixth in the high jump at 5’3″ and tied for eighth in the triple jump at 35’6″. Riley placed 10th in the high jump at 6’4 3/4″. Next up for the Jacks is a dual at North Dakota Jan. 12.

Augustana wrestling (Jebben Keyes): The Vikings had two second-place finishers, Clayton Wahlstrom and Luke Hohns, at a tournament in Kenosha, Wis. Jebben did not wrestle there. Augie goes next to the Midwest Classic in Indianapolis Dec. 15-16.

South Dakota State wrestling (Aric Williams): At Buena Vista’s tournament in Storm Lake, Iowa, SDSU had five champions, including Henry Pohlmeyer, Tanner Sloan, Blake Wolters, Zach Price and Clay Carlson. Aric scored two pins on his way to third place in his weight class. SDSU wrestles at Oklahoma in a Big 12 dual Friday night.

Northern wrestling: NSU lost a conference dual to MSU-Moorhead, 25-12. The Wolves’ three winners were Kolton Roth by pin and Caden Moore and Diego Gallegos by decision. At the Dragon Open in Moorhead NSU had three thirds and two fourths among the eight men who wrestled. NSU is home tonight in a conference dual vs. Mary, then goes to Dickinson State Friday.

Dakota Wesleyan wrestling: Eight Tigers wrestled at the Simpson Open in Indianola, Iowa, but all of them lost all of their matches. DWU goes next to the Doane Open in Crete, Neb., Saturday.

South Dakota State swimming (Wyatt Rumrill, Ashley Theobald): At the University of Minnesota’s meet in Minneapolis Ashley placed 19th in the 200 freestyle in 2:11.87 and 21st in the 100 breast in 2:35.41. She also swam a season-best :24.12 in the 50 freestyle. Wyatt swam a season-best :58.13 in the 100 breast stroke, becoming the ninth-best in that event in school history. He swam a season-best 2:07.72 in the 200 breast, the seventh-best time in school history, and placed seventh in the event. Wyatt was 15th in the 200 individual medley in 1:58.88 and swam on the third-place 200 medley relay team, which swam a season-best time of 1:34.16. SDSU swimmers are idle for the holidays until a dual against St. Cloud State Jan. 19.

South Dakota State football: On a snow-covered field in Brookings SDSU’s ground game took over and quickly led the Jackrabbits to a 51-6 win over Duquesne in the second round of the FCS playoffs. SDSU had 326 rushing yards to Duquesne’s 84. SDSU scored five rushing TDs, one interception return TD and one Taryn Christion touchdown pass. The #5 national seed Jacks go to Kennesaw Ga., Saturday at 1 p.m. CST to play #4 Kennesaw State in the quarterfinals.

North Dakota State football: The Bison dominated Montana State, 52-10, in the FCS second round. NDSU as #1 national seed will be at home throughout the playoffs, including an 11 a.m. game Saturday on ESPN against Colgate in the quarterfinals.

Augustana men’s basketball: The Vikings lost their NSIC opener to Wayne State, 65-54. A.J. Plitzuweit led the Vikings with 14. Now 3-3, Augustana goes to Winona State and Upper Iowa this weekend.

Augustana women’s basketball (Katie Bourk, Aislinn Duffy): Augustana had five in double figures, led by Lynsey Prosser with 15 points, in an 81-73 win over Wayne State in the NSIC opener. Now 8-1 overall, Augie goes to Winona State Friday and Upper Iowa Saturday.

Dakota Wesleyan men’s basketball: The Tigers lost to Briar Cliff, 94-90, led by Ty Hoglund’s 23 points. Now 7-3 overall and 3-3 in the GPAC, DWU’s three conference losses have been by two, two and four points. The Tigers after playing Mount Marty last night goes to Doane Saturday.

Dakota Wesleyan women’s basketball: The defending NAIA national champs are 10-0 overall and 6-0 in the GPAC after a 73-68 win over Briar Cliff. Sarah Carr was high with 21 points. DWU played Mount Marty last night and goes to Doane Saturday.

Mount Marty women’s basketball: The Lancer women defeated Jamestown, 78-64, led by Karissa Chamley’s 22 pojnts. After playing DWU last night, MMC goes to Concordia Saturday. The record prior to last night was 4-5 overall and 1-5 in the GPAC.

Mount Marty men’s basketball: The Lancers lost to Jamestown, 84-65, led by Chase Altenburg’s 12 points. A Saturday game at Nebraska-Kearney was postponed by weather. MMC took a 3-8 record into last night’s game against DWU. The Lancers will play at Concordia Saturday, then go on to Kearney Sunday to make up the postponed game.

Dakota State men’s basketball: The Trojans’ game against Bellevue Saturday was postponed by the winter storm and rescheduled for tonight. DSU plays at Briar Cliff Saturday.

Dakota State women’s basketball: The Bellevue game scheduled for Saturday was postponed until tonight. The Lady Ts play at Briar Cliff Saturday.

Northern men’s basketball: The Wolves defeated MSU-Moorhead, 70-54, in their NSIC opener. Justin Decker with 15 was one of four NSU men in double figures. Now 5-2 overall, Northern goes to Bemidji State and Minnesota-Crookston this weekend.

Northern women’s basketball (Rachel Guthmiller): NSU had no one in double figures in a 47-39 conference opener loss to MSU-Moorhead. Rachel in five minutes made her only field-goal attempt for two points with one rebound. NSU goes to Bemidji State Friday and Minnesota-Crookston Saturday, taking a 2-4 overall record.

University of Sioux Falls men’s basketball: The Cougars swamped Southwest Minnesota State, 94-72, in their NSIC opener. Milan Surlic, a junior from the nation of Serbia, was high man with 27 points. Now 6-1 overall, USF is home this weekend vs. Concordia-St. Paul and Minnesota State.

University of Sioux Falls men’s basketball: USF won its NSIC opener over Southwest Minnesota State, 69-57, led by Krystal Carlson’s 20 points. Now 5-1, USF hosts Concordia-St. Paul Friday and Minnesota State Saturday.

South Dakota men’s basketball: The Coyotes defeated Cal State-Bakersfield, 68-56, as Stanley Umude, sophomore from San Antonio, led USD with 19. On Tuesday USD lost at Colorado, 82-58. Now 4-4, the Coyote men are home Saturday vs. UMKC and Tuesday vs. Bellevue.

South Dakota women’s basketball (Chloe Lamb, Ciara Duffy): Three more wins this week have lifted the Coyotes’ record to 8-1. The biggest was a home win over #23 Iowa State, 64-59, as the team hit 12 three-pointers. Ciara went 5-of-15 (including 5-of-12 in threes) and 2-of-2 for 17 points with four assists and four rebounds. Chloe was 3-of-6 (1-of-3 in threes) and 2-of-3 for nine points with one rebound. In a 55-49 win over Green Bay, Allison Arens led USD with 18 points. Chloe was 2-of-6 and 2-of-2 for six points with five rebounds. Ciara was 1-of-5 and 2-of-2 for five points with four rebounds and one block. USD beat Missouri State, 85-74, Tuesday. Ciara was 8-of-12 (including 3-of-4 in thjrees) and 4-of-5 for 23 points with five boards and three assists. Chloe went 5-of-8 and 3-of-3 for 13 points with three assists and a rebound. USD is home Sunday against Bellevue.

Black Hills State women’s basketball (Remi Wientjes, Racquel Wientjes): The BHSU women opened their RMAC season with a 70-43 win over School of Mines. Morgan Ham led BHSU with 20. Remi was 2-of-9, including 0-for-3 in threes, for four points with six rebounds. Racquel went 0-for-3 and 1-of-2 for one point with two rebounds and a steal. Now 5-0 overall, BHSU is home for two more league games this weekend against Westminster and Dixie State.

Black Hills State men’s basketball: Luck was with the Yellowjackets in a 57-56 overtime win in the conference opener at School of Mines. BHSU got a desperation three-pointer at the buzzer at the end of regulation time by Dez Stoudamire to force overtime, then won on a layup at the buzzer by Tyler Oliver after Mines had taken the lead with four seconds remaining. Oliver led BHSU with 17. BHSU, now 2-3 overall, is home this weekend vs. Westminster and Dixie State.

South Dakota Mines women’s basketball: The Hardrockers lost to BHSU, 70-43, as Sami Steffeck had 10 points. Now 2-2 and 0-1, Mines is home vs. Dixie State and Westminster this weekend.

South Dakota Mines men’s basketball: Mines lost a heartbreaking overtime game to Black HIlls State, 57-56, in the RMAC opener. Mitchell Sueken had 19 for the Hardrockers, who will be home this weekend against Dixie State and Westminster. Mines is 2-6 overall.

South Dakota State men’s basketball: The Jackrabbits defeated UMKC, 75-47, led by Mike Daum’s 26 points. SDSU won over Northern Iowa, 82-50, at U.S. Bank Stadium as Daum scored 24, Skyler Flatten 17 and David Jenkins 16. On Tuesday in an 88-80 loss at Memphis, Jenkins scored 35, Daum 18 and Flatten 13 before a crowd of 13,583. Now 7-3, SDSU is home Friday vs. Southern University and Tuesday against Savannah State.

South Dakota State women’s basketball (Sydney Palmer): The Jacks whipped Green Bay, 77-47, led by Macy Miller’s 21. Sydney in nine minutes had one rebound. On Tuesday the Jacks won over Chattanooga, 71-54, led by Miller with 17. Sydney in 10 minutes was 1-of-5 for two points with four rebounds. Now 5-3, SDSU is home vs. Drake Saturday and plays Oregon next Wednesday.

Incarnate Word women’s basketball (Liz Holter): The Cardinal women lost to Texas-Arlington, 97-49. Liz got into the game for seven minutes and was 1-of-2 in field-goal shots for two points with two rebounds. Now 0-8, UIW played at Minnesota last night and goes on to UMass Friday.

Tennessee women’s basketball (Caleb Currier): The Lady Vols remain unbeaten at 6-0 after a 76-63 win at Oklahoma State. After hosting Stetson last night, Tennessee plays at Texas Sunday.

North Dakota men’s hockey: The Fighting Hawks split with Minnesota-Duluth, losing 5-0 and winning 2-1. Now 8-6-1 overall and 2-4-0 in the conference, UND is home for a crucial pair of games against Denver. Both games are on Midco Sports Network.

South Dakota volleyball: In the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the Summit League champion Coyotes lost to #9 national seed Creighton, 3-0, on game scores of 14-25, 14-25 and 22-25. USD finished with a 21-10 record.

PONDER THIS

“Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”

— Theodore Roosevelt

BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES

Thursday, Dec. 6:
Isaac Williams, Brianna (Emerson) Bolger, Danielle (Ryan) Schroeder, Bob Hoisington, Steve Zarecky, Jon Beastrom, Dan Johnson, Ruby Renemans, Jason Knox, Darlene Stampe.

Friday, Dec. 7:
Bonnie Lahren-Gallagher, Jim Kuchta, Desirae Ludwig, Owen Picchietti, Sarah Parker, Sam Shaw, Jacob Severson, Alex Helbig, Homer Harding.

Saturday, Dec. 8:
Rhener Gordon, Tammy (Pool) Cole, Rochelle Scott, Carolyn Deal, Chris Markley, Kathryn Schuetzle, Erin McKillip, Tim Smith.
— Anniversary, Edd Hogan/Larissa FastHorse.

Sunday, Dec. 9:
Jackie Cook, Gary Drewes, Jerry Sperry, Mary Edelen, Les Traut, Tyler Coverdale.

Monday, Dec. 10:
Amber Robinson, Michael Tveidt, Weston Bruscher, Patti Fuchs, Camilla Karschnik, Penny Malevich, Kelsie Brandlee, Kaitlyn Richey, Sarah Moreno, Annabeth Haarstad, Franklin de Hueck, Alexi Axlund, Becky Lindekugel.

Tuesday, Dec. 11:
Christine (Riggs) Hawkinson, Mitch Boe, Sandy (Voller) DePountis, Joe Stolp, Teri (Donahue) Weischedel, Mari (Donahue) Kramer, Arden Rapp, Charlene Reed, Diane Giesinger.
— 14th anniversary, Josh/Amy Joy.

Wednesday, Dec. 12:
Evelyn Hopper, Wanda Goodman, Tara Dowling, Steph (Vogel) Lund, Lukas Tedford, Laura (Hansen) Mikkelsen, Kyle Neuberger, Brian Pibal, Eric Sibson, Josh Rose, Abby Lingle, Jennifer Tobin, Joyce Williams, Jeff Ice, Marietta Heath, Starlene Flax.
— 3rd anniversary, John/Kylie Potts.

Thursday, Dec. 13:
LeAnn Poile, Gerri (McKenney) Carpenter, Taylor Martin, Lincoln Elizabeth Fitzke, Jason Bakeberg, Joey Kafka, Karlea Stahl, Carter Howard, Lila Edelen, Michael Voeltz, Natalie Magedanz, Ric Severson, Dianna Knox, De Knudson, Troy Thomas, Ramsay McKee.

FOOTBALL CONTEST #15

Last week upsets were scarce, so most of our contestants had high scores. Jeff Adel up in Gettysburg and David Thoreson in Rapid City had perfect 10-0 scores for 10 points each. At 9-1 for nine points each were Eric James, Megan Wellnmer, Will Mart, Nathan Vetter and Greg Dean. At 8-2 for eight points each were Debra Bollinger, Levi Neuharth, Jon Boer, Mikal Kern, Randy Pool, Seb Axtman and Lane Kozel.

This week’s games (send your 10 winners to parkerhome16@hotmail.com by Friday afternoon:

(1) Army vs. Navy
(2) FCS quarterfinal: Colgate at North Dakota State
(3) FCS quarterfinal: South Dakota State at Kennesaw State (Ga.).
(4) FCS quarterfinal: Maine at Weber State.
(5) FCS quarterfinal: UC-Davis at Eastern Washington.
(6) Div. II semifinal: Ferris State (Mich.) at Minnesota State-Mankato.
(7) NFL: Denver at San Francisco.
(8) NFL: Indianapolis at Houston.
(9) NFL: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago.
(10) NFL: Philadelphia at Dallas.

HOCKEY UPDATE

Gillette Wild (Coleman Varty): The Wild dominated Butte twice, 5-0 and 5-2. In the first game Coleman assisted on Gillette’s first goal and scored the third goal. In the second conest he scored the first goal and assisted on the second and third goals. For the season he leads the team with 16 goals and 26 assists. Gillette, now 10-10-2-1 and up to fourth place in the seven-team league, plays at Yellowstone Friday.

Rapid City Rush: One-goal games continue to be the case for the Rush—three more of them this past week. Rapid City defeated Utah, 6-5, in a shootout; lost to Utah, 4-3; beat Utah, 3-0, and lost at Allen, 3-2. After another game at Allen, Texas, last night, the Rush will be at Wichita Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Sioux Falls Stampede: The Herd lost to Tri-City, 7-3; beat Des Moines, 5-3, and lost to Des Moines in overtime, 5-4, after rallying from a 4-0 deficit. Sioux Falls plays at Sioux City Saturday.

Minnesota Wild: After a 4-2 loss to Columbus and a 5-3 loss to Toronto, the Wild rebounded with a 3-2 win over Vancouver. Minnesota plays at Calgary tonight, at Edmonton Friday and at home Tuesday against Montreal.

Oahe Capitals: Despite the weather warnings and all, the Caps managed to get in both of their games last weekend, and both were wins in league play where Oahe is now 2-0-0. The Capitals beat Rushmore, 3-2, in a thriller. After a pair of early Spencer Wedin goals, Adam Ankrum poked in a rebounding puck for the winning goal late in the final period. Tate Mueller had 25 saves. Then Oahe dominated Huron, 6-1. Wedin had two goals and four assists, Talon Griese two goals and three assists, Raef Briggs a goal, Clay Ambach a goal and an assist and Cole Nelson one assist. Mueller made 21 more saves. The Capitals will be home against Yankton at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Oahe Lady Capitals: The girls are now 0-4-0 in league play. Oahe lost to Huron, 4-2, as Brooklynn Herman and Ashton Lee scored a goal apiece. Abigail Stewart-Fromm made 30 saves in goal. Oahe then lost to Watertown, 8-4. Lee scored all four Lady Caps goals, and Kaitlyn Swenson had two assists. Stewart-Fromm made 34 saves. The girls’ next game is at Rushmore Dec. 14.

WORDS OF WISDOM

“The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis.”

— Dante Alighieri

FOOTBALL UPDATE

NFL games on local TV this week:
Thursday: Jacksonville-Tennessee, 7:20, Fox.
Sunday: Atlanta-Green Bay, noon, Fox.
Sunday: Denver-San Francisco, 3:05, CBS.
Sunday: Philadelphia-Dallas, 3:25, Fox.
Sunday: Los Angeles Rams-Chicago, 7:20, NBC.
Monday: Minnesota-Seattle, 7:15, ESPN.

Denver Broncos: Denver won its third straight game, 24-10 at Cincinnati, and with a 6-6 record stayed in the race for an AFC wild-card spot. Denver plays at San Francisco at 3:05 p.m. Sunday on CBS.

Minnesota Vikings: The game was tied 10-10 early in the fourth quarter, but New England scored twice to beat the Vikings, 24-10. The loss, temporarily at least, knocked Minnesota out of an NFC wild-card spot. Another tough game is ahead as the Vikings play at Seattle Monday night at 7:15 on ESPN.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

“Hatred corrodes the container it’s carried in.”

— Quoted by Sen. Alan Simpson in his eulogy at President George H.W. Bush’s state funeral

BASKETBALL UPDATE

Midco Sports Network live games this week:
Friday: Women’s basketball, Minnesota State-Southwest Minnesota State, 5:30 (MSN2).
Friday: Men’s hockey, UND-Denver, 7:30.
Friday: Men’s basketball, Minnesota State-Southwest Minnesota State, 7:30 (MSN2).
Saturday: Men’s hockey, UND-Denver, 7:00.
Saturday: Men’s basketball, NDSU-Eastern Washington, 7:00 (MSN2).
Sunday: Women’s basketball, NDSU-UW Milwaukee, 1:00.
Tuesday: Men’s basketball, SDSU-Savannah State, 7:00.
Wednesday: Women’s basketball, SDSU-Oregon, 7:00.

Sioux Falls Skyforce: The Force beat Northern Arizona, 127-106, then won in Stockton, Calif., 113-108. After a road game at Santa Cruz last night, the Skyforce hosts Texas Saturday and Agua Caliente Monday.

Minnesota Timberwolves: The Wolves extended their winning streak to four with a 128-89 win over San Antonio. After a 118-109 loss to Boston, Minnesota rebounded Monday by rallying from 19 points down to beat Houston, 103-91. After a home game vs. Charlotte last night, the Wolves go west to Portland Saturday, Golden State Monday and Sacramento next Wednesday.

NEOLOGISMS

The Washington Post conducted a contest among its readers for alternate meanings for common words. For example:

coffee (n.): the person upon whom one coughs

PARKER’S PERSONAL NOTES

— A colleague of Debra Bollinger in Richmond, Va., has a friend who is a teacher, and her class hopes to receive Christmas cards from all over the country. If you are so inclined, send your card to: Beckett Ellott; Pole Green Elementary School; c/o Mrs. Eaves’ 1st-grade class, Mechanicsville VA 23116.

— The Kennedy Center Honors for 2018 were bestowed in a ceremony in Washington last Saturday night. The telecast, one of the best specials on TV each year, will be on CBS-TV Dec. 26. Receiving the Honors this year are the “Hamilton” creative team of Lin-Manuel Miranda, Thomas Kail, Andy Blankenbuehler and Alex Lacamoire as well as Cher, Reba McIntire, jazz musician Wayne Shorter and composer Philip Glass. Gloria Estefan will host the telecast. Among the many performers will be Kelly Clarkson, Renee Fleming, Kristen Chenoweth, Cyndi Lauper, “Hamilton” original cast members and more.

— Refuse to let Christmas cards and Christmas letters die! Do your part! And mail them before the postage rate goes up—again. And if you want to share the contents of your Christmas letter with me and thus with Midweek Update readers, send me one to 1508 Pennington St., Rapid City SD 57703. We all want to know what you’ve been up to and what’s in the works.

— One reason it’s good to be retired and available to stay home when the occasion warrants is that I can watch in their entirety such beautifully televised events as the state funerals. One thing this nation does extremely well is sending off its faithful servants, such as President Bush yesterday. If I ever get back to Washington, one must-see place to visit will be Washington National Cathedral. The soaring music I have heard from there has always been spectacular, and, man, would I love to get my hands on the keyboards of that mighty organ for five minutes!

NEWS OF PEOPLE AND EVENTS

Our sympathy to Karen and all of the Lindbloom family. Dr. B. O. “Lindy” Lindbloom passed away Tuesday at the age of 88. A memorial service will be held in April.

Nick and Liz (Winter) Marso revealed on Facebook this week they are expecting their first child in June.

Liz Schaefer of the Rapid City Stevens state championship team was selected by the Argus Leader sports staff as a first-teamer on its volleyball Super Six, the top six players statewide regardless of classification. She was also one of the four candidates for Miss South Dakota Volleyball.

All-State quarterback Garrett Stout, who is still just a junior at Riggs High School, has committed to South Dakota State University where he plans to play baseball, another sport at which he excels.

Our sympathy to Kim and Bob Stahl on the death of Kim’s sister-in-law, Angie Callahan. She passed away under hospice care Nov. 29 in Woodbury, Minn.

The schedule for the inauguration in Pierre has been finalized. Saturday, Jan. 5, will begin with legislators taking their oaths of office in their respective chambers at 11 a.m. The oath of office for the governor, lieutenant governor and other elected state officials begins at noon in the rotunda. The Capitol Ball in the rotunda begins at 6:30 p.m. with the grand march set for 7. Music will be provided by Pierre’s Over Forte orchestra. The Inaugural Ball at the Ramkota begins at 8 with the grand march at 9. Music there will be by the South Dakota National Guard’s 147th Army Band. Tickets for each ball cost $25 and can be purchased online at pierretickets.com, by phone at 1-800-962-2034 or in person at the Chamber of Commerce office. For more information on inaugural events find the Facebook page entitled SDinauguration.

Brad Maskovich has begun 2 1/2 weeks of radiation treatments for cancerous nodules in his lungs. The treatments are taking place in Sioux Falls.

Mark your calendars for 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17, when the Plains Folk band will perform a concert at First Congregational United of Christ. Prior to that, Plains Folk will entertain at the Northridge Plaza mall at 1 p.m. Dec. 15 and at the Capitol at 11 a.m. Dec. 16.

This year’s is the 25th annual ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas celebration in Onida. Always held on the first Friday of December, this Friday is the day. There will be hay rides from 5:30 to 7:30 and family train rides from 5 to 7 p.m. Santa Claus will arrive by fire truck at 7 p.m. at the Phoenix Center. Mrs. Claus will listen to Christmas wishes at the Phoenix Center from 4 to 7. Fireworks at 7:30 set off at the courthouse will be followed by the Parade of Lights. Local businesses will have open houses and serve goodies and hot drinks. Crafters and exhibitors will show their wares at the Phoenix Center and the Bakery Cafe from 3 to 8 p.m.

This is the weekend for the Christmas concerts by Surprise Package. Both held at Community Bible Church, their Saturday concert begins at 2:30 and their Sunday concert at 7 p.m.

Tom Ellefson and his family are participating this month in a living Nativity at their church, the Castleton United Methodist Church in Indianapolis. Tom is minding the camels in the scene while his wife Tiffany and their children are portraying shepherds.

Crowned Miss Congeniality as well as Junior Snow Queen at Codington County’s Snow Queen pageant in Watertown was Zowie Goddard. She is the daughter of Sully County native Will Goddard and his wife, the former Sara Thorson, who graduated from Riggs High School. (News courtesy of The Onida Watchman)

Georgianne Kimbley of Blunt passed away at the age of 86 Nov. 25 at Avera St. Mary’s Hospital. Services were held at Feigum Funeral Home Nov. 30. The former Georgianne Coleman married George Kimbley in 1950 in Hopkinsville, Ky. The Kimbley family made their home in Blunt for many years. She is survived by her daughter, Loretta Harkless and her husband Jan of Blunt; her son, Harry Kimbley and his wife Pat of Gillette, Wyo.; six grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Among those who preceded her in death were her husband and another son, Charles Kimbley.

On Nov. 28 the oncology team at the Avera Cancer Institute in Pierre delivered the first radiation treatment in the new Helmsley Center. Comprehensive cancer care services are now fully operational in central South Dakota.

Emory Grace, the daughter of Morgan Sibson and Elias Aguirre of San Angelo, Texas, was born Nov. 27, weighing 9 pounds, 9 ounces. Emory is the granddaughter of Eric and Julie (Shangreaux) Sibson and the great-granddaughter of Barb and Tim Bjorneberg and Rich and Lori Shangreaux.

The Tri-M Music Honor Society at Riggs High School is competing with the same organization at Tea Area High School in a canned food drive. Donated items will be given to the Pierre-Fort Pierre Food Pantry. The winning school will get a trophy and bragging rights! You can take your food items to the Georgia Morse Middle School concert Dec. 10 and the Riggs High School concert Dec. 17.

Julie (Hinckley) Schultz of Blunt passed away at home Nov. 26 at the age of 49. Services took place Nov. 29 at Feigum Funeral Home. The daughter of Jim and Lauralea Hinckley grew up in Blunt and graduated from Sully Buttes High School in 1987. She attended the University of Mary for a year. Julie married Brian Schultz in 1991, and they raised three daughters. Julie worked for two years at the South Dakota Wheat Commission, then worked for Dakota State Bank, now First Dakota National Bank. She served as organist at St. John’s Catholic Church in Harrold for many years. She is survived by her husband, Brian Schultz of Blunt; three daughters, Jessica Rausch and her husband Lee, Jaymi Schultz and Jordyne Schultz; three grandchildren; her parents; her sister, Jeri Wiebe and her husband Troy of Pierre; her brother, Justin Hinckley, and her mother-in-law, Winona Schultz.

Colton Hartford, Rapid City Stevens quarterback, earned honorable mention on the Class 11AAA All-State football team. His dad is Pierre native Dr. Joe Hartford and his wife.

After 32 years of service to the legal profession, Jerry Wattier was honored at a retirement party hosted by the Riter Rogers law firm Nov. 29.

When a major 7.0 earthquake struck Anchorage, Alaska, last Friday, several persons with local connections posted the news of their safety. Nancy (King) Knutson, a native of Blunt and the daughter of Lowell and Thelma King of Pierre, said, “Wow! That was one crazy earthquake!” She said her family were all fine, and their home sustained only minor damage. Pierre native Brady Smith, son of Barry and Diane Smith, who is stationed at Anchorage, said he was taking a shower when the earthquake hit. “A few things fell over, but it could have been much worse,” he said. Brady said some of their friends had a lot of rooms in their homes trashed. The Smiths’ children stayed with friends that night because the roads in the area were so seriously damaged.

Governor-elect Kristi Noem announced these cabinet appointments last week:

— Secretary of public safety, Craig Price (superintendent of the Highway Patrol since 2011).
— Secretary of transportation, Darin Bergquist (in that position since 2008).
— Secretary of revenue, Jim Terwilliger (currently state economist and deputy commissioner of the Bureau of Finance and Management).
— Secretary of tourism, Jim Hagen (in that position since 2011).
— Secretary of game, fish and parks, Kelly Hepler (in that position since 2015).
— Secretary of labor and regulation, Marcia Hultman (in that position since 2014).
— Secretary of health, Kim Malsam-Rysdon (in that position since 2014).
— Secretary of environment and natural resources, Steve Pirner (first appointed to that position in 2000).
— Commissioner of Bureau of Administration, Scott Bollinger (in that position since 2017).
— Commissioner of Bureau of Human Resources, Laurie Gill (in that position since 2013).
— Interim appointments: Pat Snow, commissioner of Bureau of Information and Technology; Laurie Feiler, secretary of corrections.

Life-long Sully County resident Marlin McKenney died Dec. 1. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. tonight (Thursday) at the United Methodist Church in Onida. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the church. A 1954 graduate of Onida High School, the son of the late Theron and Edith McKenney joined the U.S. Army in 1955. While serving in California, he met the former Nancy Zabel, and they were married in 1957. Marlin farmed and ranched in the Onida/Agar area much of his adult life. He later focused on a career as a truck driver. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; their children, Gerri Carpenter and her husband Bruce, and Brian McKenney and his wife Kathy; his sister, Monita Paulson; nine grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Another daughter, Marlene, and siblings Claryn and Maxine preceded him in death.

The oral interpretation state tournament in Watertown that was postponed by the winter storm last weekend will now be held at Riggs High School Friday and Saturday. Sessions are open to the public. The full schedule can be found at www.sdhsaa.com. Pierre students competing in various divisions are Sara Hancock, Kayla Peplinksi, Levi McKInley, Chase Uecker, Morgan Reiser, Ruben Brown, Jordan Morley, Eli Houdyshell and Jordan Thompson. Qualifying from Stanley County High is Mia Fernandez.

The final three performances of Pierre Players’ “Whodunit, Darling?” will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Call 224-7826 for ticket reservations.

First Congregational United Church of Christ will host a Christmas cafe and bake shop from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday. There will also be a Christmas store where children can shop for inexpensive gifts for parents and others.

The 152nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion of the South Dakota Army National Guard, which just last week was informed of a deployment to the Middle East beginning next summer, is part of a reorganization plan of the SDANG. The 152nd will be relocated so that it is based in Brookings. The 200th Engineer Company based in Pierre is not affected by the reorganization plan.

The most recent Students of the Month in the Stanley County middle school and high school are: senior, Mady Titze; junior, Riley Briggs; sophomore, Tristen Nemec; freshman, Kaden Heezen; eighth grader, Abby Wyly; seventh grader, Mattie Duffy; sixth grader, Hayden Roggow.

Chris Corbin, husband of Pierre native Portia (Hurney) Corbin, was ordained as a deacon in the Episcopal church Sunday. Chris is missioner for leadership development for the Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota. Portia is pastor at Christ Episcopal Church in Lead and also directs the diocese’s camp in the Black Hills. The Corbins have a daughter, Louisa.

The recipients of the 2019 South Dakota Governor’s Awards in the Arts have been announced. The ceremony and banquet will be held in Pierre Feb. 12. This year’s recipients:

— Dwayne “Chuck” Wilcox, Rapid City, for distinction in creative achievement.
— Dr. Ronald M. Reed, Rapid City, for outstanding support of the arts by an individual.
— John Colson, Brookings, for outstanding service in arts education.
— The Heritage Center at Red Cloud Indian School, Pine Ridge, for outstanding support of the arts by an organization or business.
— Lakota Funds, Kyle, for outstanding support of the arts to native nations with lands in South Dakota.

A FINAL THOUGHT

“There are good ships and wood ships, ships that sail the sea, But the best ships are friendships. May they always be.”

— Irish proverb quoted by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney at President George H.W. Bush’s state funeral