THOUGHT FOR A NEW YEAR

“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.”

— Oprah Winfrey

PIERRE GOVERNORS SPORTS ROUNDUP

Gymnastics: At a home triangular with the Rapid City schools, the Lady Govs placed first at 135.700, followed by Stevens at 92.200 and Central at 54.550. Mikah Moser of Pierre won the all-around with a 35.550 total with Meg Erwin second at 34.400. Moser was first in each of the four individual events.

Boys basketball: The Governors are 2-2 heading into their January schedule. They lost to Brookings, 70-59, as Garrett Stout scored 30 points and Jack Maher 14. Pierre also lost to Sioux Falls O’Gorman, 77-40.

This week’s schedules:
Wrestling: Friday/Saturday, at Mid-Dakota Monster, Presho, 10:00 and 11:00.
Gymnastics: Thursday, at Aberdeen Central triangular (with Stanley County), 5:00; Saturday, at Brookings invitational, 12:00.
Girls basketball: Friday, home vs. Rapid City Stevens, 7:00; Saturday, home vs. Rapid City Central, 2:30.
Boys basketball: Friday, at Rapid City Stevens, 7:00; Saturday, at Rapid City Central, 1:30.

Girls soccer: Lady Govs coach Sidney Zanin was named Coach of the Year in that sport by the South Dakota High School Coaches Association.

Girls basketball: Pierre stands at 0-5 after a 57-39 loss to Brookings, a 56-47 loss to O’Gorman and a 53-37 loss to Harrisburg. Against Brookings Emily MIkkelsen had 14 points and Mackenzie Rath 12; against O’Gorman Rath had 17 and Mikkelsen 14, and against Harrisburg Mikkelsen was high with 19. Harrisburg jumped out 11-0 to start the game, then Pierre went on a 20-4 run to get back into the contest, but Harrisburg took control after that.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.”

— Nelson Mandela

STANLEY COUNTY BUFFALOES SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
Wrestling: Friday/Saturday, at Mid-Dakota Monster, Presho, 10:00 and 11:00.
Girls basketball: Thursday, at McLaughlin; Tuesday, at Potter County.
Boys basketball: Thursday, at McLaughlin; Tuesday, at Potter County.
Gymnastics: Thursday, at Aberdeen Central triangular (with Pierre), 5:00; Saturday, home for Hula Luau Invitational, noon.

Wrestling: In a home triangular the Buffaloes lost to Winner, 75-6, and tied Faulkton, 39-39.

Girls basketball: The Lady Buffs head into the new year with a 1-6 record. SCHS lost to Herreid-Selby Area, 52-30; to Kadoka, 73-25, and to Highmore-Harrold, 65-42.

Boys basketball: The Buffs are 2-3 after losses to Lyman, 64-60, and to Highmore-Harrold, 77-70.

SULLY BUTTES CHARGERS SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
Wrestling: Saturday, at Miller invitational, 12:00.
Boys basketball: Thursday, at Highmore-Harrold; Saturday, at James Valley Christian.
Girls basketball: Friday, home vs. Highmore-Harrold; Saturday, at James Valley Christian.

Girls basketball: The Lady Chargers defeated Lyman, 58-39, as Lauren Wittler had 28 points and 10 rebounds and Kendra Kleven 15 points and six boards. In a 49-40 loss to Parkston, Kleven and Wittler scored 12 each. SBHS stands at 3-2.

Boys basketball: The Chargers are 4-1 after a 72-35 win over Wall and a 56-49 win over Canistota at the Parkston Classic. Against Wall Cam Ogle scored 17, Nick Wittler 11, Jett Lamb 12 and Grant Johnson 10. In the Canistota game Ogle scored 13, Lamb 12 and Sebastian Frost 11.

PONDER THIS

“If you don’t say anything, you won’t be called on to repeat it.”

— President Calvin Coolidge

COUNTDOWN

2 days: NFL playoffs begin (Jan. 5).
2 days: Inauguration Day in Pierre (Jan. 5).
3 days: Golden Globe awards, NBC-TV (Jan. 6).
4 days: College football national championship game (Jan. 7).
22 days: Riggs High one-act plays (Jan. 25, 28).
24 days: “Rent” live, Fox TV (Jan. 27).
30 days: St. Joseph Elementary school carnival (Feb. 2).
31 days: Super Bowl LIII, Atlanta (Feb. 3).
34 days: Riggs High musicians at small-group contest, Kimball (Feb. 6).
36 days: State gymnastics meet, Brookings (Feb. 8-9).
40 days: Governor’s Awards in the Arts (Feb. 12).

COLLEGE SPORTS ROUNDUP

North Dakota State football: It’s January, and as usual the Bison are still playing football. NDSU plays Eastern Washington for the FCS national championship in Frisco, Texas, at 11 a.m. Saturday on ESPN2.

South Dakota State swimming (Wyatt Rumrill, Ashley Theobald): Idle for the past month, the Jackrabbits are still two weeks away from getting back into the pool competitively. That will be in a dual vs. St. Cloud State Jan. 19.

South Dakota State track/field (Rachel Propst, Riley Sears, Addy Eisenbeisz): The Jacks resume the indoor season Jan. 12 in a dual at North Dakota.

South Dakota track/field (Madason Tessier, Maddy McClure): The Coyotes go back onto the track Jan. 11-12 at the Iowa Invitational.

South Dakota Mines track/field (Theron Singleton, Erik Colman): First on the 2019 schedule for the Hardrockers will be BHSU’s Myrle Hanson meet Jan. 11.

Black Hills State track/field (Allan McDonnell, Kelsey Van Den Hemel): The Yellowjackets resume the indoor season at home Jan. 11 in the Myrle Hanson Open.

South Dakota State wrestling (Aric Williams): At the Midlands Nationals in Illinois, Aric Williams in the 141-pound class won his first match by a 9-5 decision over a wrestler from Harvard. Aric lost by fall in 3:38 to a Wisconsin wrestler, then lost 5-4 to an unattached wrestler. SDSU hosts Northern Iowa in a dual Jan. 11.

Augustana wrestling (Jebben Keyes): At Midland’s tournament in Fremont, Neb., Augie freshman Tuler Wagener was champion at 149, and redshirt freshman Daniel Bishop won at 184. Jebben placed third at 141 pounds, winning his third-place match in a 3:59 fall over a wrestler from Grandview (Iowa). Augustana begins the NSIC dual season at Northern tonight, then hosts DWU out of the league next Wednesday.

Mount Marty women’s basketball: The Lady Lancers were 8-7 heading into a game last night against St. Mary. MMC beat Rio Grande, 81-74; won over Lake Forest, 82-63, and beat Presentation in overtime, 88-84. The Lancers go to Morningside Saturday and to Northwestern next Wednesday.

Mount Marty men’s basketball: The Lancer men defeated Valley City State, 70-67, to improve to 6-11. MMC hosts Nebraska Christian tonight, then goes to Morningside Saturday and to Northwestern next Wednesday.

Northern men’s basketball: The Wolves are 9-3 overall and 5-1 in the NSIC as they head to Upper Iowa and Winona State this weekend. In a 71-69 loss to MSU-Moorhead, Parker Fox led NSU with 19 points.

Northern women’s basketball (Rachel Guthmiller): The Wolves lost to MSU-Moorhead, 60-51, and beat Metro State, 52-41. Brianna Kusler had 19 points in the first game and 20 in the latter. Now 5-7 overall and 2-4 in the NSIC, Northern goes to Upper Iowa Friday and to Winona State Saturday.

University of Sioux Falls women’s basketball: The Cougar women lost to Southwest Minnesota State, 77-61, and are now 3-3 in the NSIC and 8-4 overall. USF is home this weekend vs. Wayne State and Augustana.

University of Sioux Falls men’s basketball: USF lost to Southwest Minnesota State, 79-75, as Trevon Evans scored 29. Now 8-4 overall and 3-3 in the NSIC, USF hosts Wayne State Friday and Augustana Saturday.

Tennessee women’s basketball (Caleb Currier): The Lady Vols beat East Tennessee State, 80-61; Murray State, 99-78, and Belmont, 84-76. Now 11-1, Tennessee goes to Auburn tonight, then hosts Missouri at 1 p.m. Sunday on ESPN2.

Black Hills State men’s basketball: Idle since before Christmas, the Yellowjackets return to action this weekend at Western State (Colo.) and Colorado-Mesa.

Black Hills State women’s basketball (Remi Wientjes, Racquel Wientjes): The BHSU women haven’t played since before the holidays. They go on the road Friday to Western State and Saturday to Colorado-Mesa.

South Dakota State men’s basketball: After an 85-74 non-conference loss at home to Montana, the Jackrabbits won their Summit League opener at Western Illinois, 100-58, as six men scored in double figures, led by David Jenkins with 23. Now 11-5 overall, SDSU plays at Purdue-Fort Wayne Thursday and at USD Sunday afternoon on Midco Sports Network.

South Dakota State women’s basketball (Sydney Palmer): The SDSU women lost a non-league game to Wyoming, 77-70, then won their Summit League opener at Western Illinois, 93-84. Sydney had two rebounds in 16 minutes against Wyoming. In the WIU game she went 2-of-4 for four points with six rebounds and an assist. Now 9-5 overall, SDSU plays at Purdue-Fort Wayne Thursday and at USD Sunday at 1 p.m. on Midco Sports Network.

Dakota Wesleyan men’s basketball: The Tigers beat Cal-Miramar, 97-59; won in overtime over Antelope Valley, 92-91; lost in overtime to Peru State, 112-110, and beat St. Mary (Kan.), 100-77. DWU is now 12-4 overall and 5-3 in the GPAC, heading into last night’s Morningside game. DWU then goes to Dordt next Wednesday.

Dakota Wesleyan women’s basketball: The Tiger women won two games in Florida, 83-55 over Keiser and 74-51 over St. Francis (Ill.). After a home game against Morningside last night, DWU goes to St. Mary (Neb.) Saturday and to Dordt next Wednesday.

Incarnate Word women’s basketball (Liz Holter): The Cardinals lost to Rice, 74-63, as Liz was 1-of-3 in field goals for three points with one assist. Now 0-11, UIW played McNeese (La.) last night and goes to Nicholls (La.) Saturday.

Augustana women’s basketball (Katie Bourk): The Viking women are 14-1 overall and 6-0 in the NSIC. Augie beat Peru State, 94-60, and got 20 points from Shelby Selland in an 88-74 league win at Wayne State. Augie goes to Southwest Minnesota State Friday and up the street to USF Saturday.

Augustana men’s basketball: The Vikings beat Hastings, 93-86, and edged Wayne State in league play, 72-71. The latter game was won on a 26-foot buzzer-beating three-pointer by Matt Cartwright, who scored 22. Now 9-3 overall and 5-1 in the NSIC, Augustana goes to Southwest Minnesota State and USF this weekend.

South Dakota women’s basketball (Chloe Lamb, Ciara Duffy): The USD women went 1-2 in a tournament in Puerto Rico. In a 67-53 win over Grambling, Ciara scored 13 and Chloe had five points, three rebounds and an assist. In a 67-40 win over Loyola-Marymount, Ciara scored 24 and Chloe had four points and one block. USD gave Indiana a battle before losing 68-60. Chloe scored 18 points and had two rebounds, three assists and two steals, and Ciara scored six. In the Summit opener USD destroyed NDSU, 67-41, as Chloe went 3-of-7 for six points with five rebounds and two assists and Ciara was 3-of-8 and 1-of-2 for nine points with three rebounds and four assists. Now 13-2 overall and 1-0 in the Summit, USD plays at Denver tonight, then hosts SDSU at 1 p.m. Sunday on Midco Sports Network.

South Dakota men’s basketball: The Coyotes lost to Southern Mississippi, 66-60, then lost their Summit opener to NDSU, 71-65. After playing Denver last night, USD is home Sunday at 3:30 against SDSU on Midco Sports Network.

Dakota State women’s basketball: The Lady Ts lost to Dordt, 80-57, and to Northwestern, 103-52. Now 1-12 overall and 0-1 in the NSAA, DSU hosts Presentation and Dickinson State this weekend.

Dakota State men’s basketball: The Trojans lost to Jamestown, 99-78; beat St. Mary in triple overtime, 95-93, and lost to Peru State, 88-81. Now 5-12 overall and 0-1 in the NSAA, DSU is home this weekend vs. Presentation and Dickinson State.

South Dakota Mines women’s basketball: The Hardrocker women defeated Nebraska Christian, 65-32, in their only holiday game. Now 4-5 overall and 1-4 in the RMAC, Mines goes to Colorado-Mesa Friday and to Western State Saturday.

South Dakota Mines men’s basketball: The Mines men defeated Nebraska Christian, 84-78, on New Year’s Eve and now stand at 5-8 overall and 2-3 in the RMAC. Mines goes to Colorado-Mesa and Western State this weekend.

North Dakota men’s hockey: In their only holiday game the Hawks beat the U.S. U18 team, 6-2. UND plays at Canisius in Buffalo, N.Y., Friday and Saturday.

WORDS OF WISDOM

“Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people. A nation does not have to be cruel to be tough.”

— President Franklin D. Roosevelt

BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES

Thursday, Jan. 3:
Jennifer McGruder, Ali (Bailey) Maurice, Dorothy Massey, George Bock, Kelsey Glynn, Rick Newman, Nathan Perli, Joie (Schuetzle) Jockheck, Bryson Harter, Bethany Jochim, Brent Lindbloom.
— 4th anniversary, Josiah/Heather Severson.
— 15th anniversary, Paul/Teresa Sowers.
— 15th anniversary, Reid/Leah LeBeau.

Friday, Jan. 4:
Jack Baker, Joanie (Flottmeyer) Blair, Josh Joy, Lavon Kozel, John Sterling.

Saturday, Jan. 5:
Debi Englehart, Mike Shoup, Jeff Schlekeway, Bowen Goehring, Mary (Hight) Wire, Maren Formanek.

Sunday, Jan. 6:
Bradley Dean, Nancy McKenney, Dan Currier, Scott Lovald, Brad Englund, Patrick Baker, Stephanie (Ellenbecker) Vandel, Deneen Clausen, Riley Hausmann, Crystal Ortbahn.

Monday, Jan. 7:
Ellen (Gormley) Hopper, Hannah (Waack) Carda, Alisa (DeMers) Bousa, Eileen Briggs, Jordan LaBrie, Lucy Bradley, J.D. Pohlman, Bryan Beck, Kim de Hueck, Peter Mickelson.

Tuesday, Jan. 8:
Grayson Hunsley, Bruce Pearson, Perry Job, Keaton Schneider, Drew Garry, William Coolidge, Erik Osterkamp, Sigrid Wald, Schelle Fuchs, Hudson Jarecke.

Wednesday, Jan. 9:
Mabel Kusler, Dan Rounds, Phil Howard, Aaron Chittum, Dan Rasmussen, Amy (Tate) Mancuso, Jamie (Jaeger) Spaid, Gavin Picchietti, Earl Lindell, Barry LeBeau, Katie Douglas, Melissa Foss, Cheri (McComsey) Wittler, Susan Pietrus, Deb (Marshall) Harkless, Carol Uecker, Chiles Heien.
— 9th anniversary, Merlin/Nicole (Mikkelsen) Schwinder.
— 3rd anniversary, Max/Kylie (Mundt) Erickson.

Thursday, Jan. 10:
Ben Gloe, Mallory (Petersen) Dekker, Evelyn Rounds, Landon Russell, Jason Irion, Rich Zabel, McLean (Thompson) Kerver, David Johnson, Tara (Dieken) Mangan, Kelli Koll, Ryan Fowler.

ADVICE FOR A NEW YEAR

“Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors and let every new year find you a better man.”

— Benjamin Franklin

HOCKEY UPDATE

Gillette Wild (Coleman Varty): In their only game over the holidays, the Wild won over Yellowstone, 6-1. Coleman assisted on two of the team’s goals. Now standing at 14-11-2-1, the Wild are in fourth place, five points out of third. Gillette plays at home against Great Falls Friday and Saturday.

Oahe Capitals: The boys varsity was scheduled to play Dickinson and Mandan in North Dakota last week, but the games were cancelled by the first of two winter storms The Caps are back in SDAHA league play this weekend—Saturday at 8:30 p.m. at Watertown and Sunday at 3 p.m. at Huron.

Oahe Lady Capitals: The girls varsity hasn’t played for three weeks. They resume league play at Huron at 3 p.m. Saturday and at Aberdeen at 11 a.m. Sunday.

Minnesota Wild: The Wild have lost four of their last five over the holidays. Minnesota lost to Pittsburgh, 2-1 and 3-2; lost to Dallas, 2-1 in overtime; lost to Chicago, 5-2, and beat Winnipeg, 3-1. Minnesota goes on an eastern swing to Toronto tonight, Ottawa Saturday, Montreal Monday and Boston Tuesday.

Sioux Falls Stampede: The Herd stretched its home-ice winning streak to five on New Year’s Eve with a win over Lincoln. Last week Sioux Falls had beaten Waterloo, 4-2, and Fargo, 5-3. The Stampede is home again Friday vs. Waterloo and Saturday vs. Des Moines.

Rapid City Rush: The Rush won a 4-3 shootout game over Wichita, then lost to Wichita, 2-1. In a three-game sweep by Idaho over the Rush, Rapid City gave up 21 goals in losses by scores of 9-1, 6-1 and 6-5. The Rush goes to Kansas City Friday and Saturday and on to Tulsa Tuesday.

BASKETBALL UPDATE

Midco Sports Network live games this week:
Friday: women’s basketball, Augustana-Southwest Minnesota State, 5:30.
Friday: men’s basketball, Augustana-Southwest Minnesota State, 7:30.
Saturday: high school basketball, Pentagon Barefoot Classic, four games at 5:00.
Sunday: women’s basketball, USD-SDSU, 1:00.
Sunday: women’s basketball, NDSU-Omaha, 2:00 (MSN2).
Sunday: men’s basketball, USD-SDSU, 3:15.
Wednesday: women’s basketball, Omaha-UND, 7:00.
Wednesday: women’s basketball, SDSU-Denver, 7:00 (MSN2).

Minnesota Timberwolves: The Wolves went 3-4 in the past two weeks, losing to Detroit, San Antonio, Atlanta and New Orleans while beating Oklahoma City, Chicago and Miami. After hosting Boston last night, Minnesota is home against Orlando Friday and the Los Angeles Lakers Sunday, then go to Oklahoma City Tuesday.

Sioux Falls Skyforce: The Force won three in a row, 108-95 over Canton, 114-94 over Maine and 129-114 over Iowa before losing Monday at home to Austin, 111-105. After playing Austin again last night, Sioux Falls goes west to Salt Lake City Friday, Northern Arizona Sunday and Agua Caliente Tuesday.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Our differences are not a detriment or a danger; they are a source of richness.”

— Pope Francis

FOOTBALL UPDATE

MINNESOTA 2019 SCHEDULE
Aug. 29: South Dakota State
Sept. 7: at Fresno State
Sept. 14: Georgia Southern
Sept. 28: at Purdue
Oct. 5: Illinois
Oct. 12: Nebraska
Oct. 19: at Rutgers
Oct. 26: Maryland
Nov. 9: Penn State
Nov. 16: at Iowa
Nov. 23: at Northwestern
Nov. 30: Wisconsin

NOTRE DAME 2019 SCHEDULE
Sept. 2: at Louisville
Sept. 14: New Mexico
Sept. 21: at Georgia
Sept. 28: Virginia
Oct. 5: Bowling Green
Oct. 26: at Michigan
Nov. 2: Virginia Tech
Nov. 9: at Duke
Nov. 16: Navy
Nov. 23: Boston College

Minnesota Vikings: Minnesota crushed Detroit, 27-9, and looked good in doing so, then blew a chance at a playoff berth with a season-ending loss to Chicago, 24-10. The Vikings finished at 8-7-1.

Denver Broncos: A disappointing season ended at 6-10 as Denver lost to lowly Oakland, 27-14, and to the Los Angeles Chargers, 23-9.

NFL games on TV this weekend:
Saturday, 3:30: Indianapolis at Houston, ESPN.
Saturday, 7:15: Seattle at Dallas, Fox.
Sunday, noon, Los Angeles Chargers at Baltimore, CBS.
Sunday, 3:30, Philadelphia at Chicago, NBC.

Vikings opponents next season: Home—Philadelphia, Washington, Atlanta, Oakland, Denver, Green Bay, Detroit, Chicago. Away—New York Giants, Dallas, Los Angeles Chargers, Kansas City, Seattle, Green Bay, Detroit, Chicago.

Broncos opponents next season: Home—Jacksonville, Tennessee, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Kansas City, Los Angeles Chargers, Oakland. Away—Minnesota, Green Bay, Indianapolis, Houston, Buffalo, Kansas City, Los Angeles Chargers, Oakland.

BASEBALL UPDATE

Pierre Trappers: New to the roster for the Trappers in their second season will be freshman infielder Nick Altermatt from Wabasso, Minn., and Minnesota State-Mankato as well as sophomore right-handed pitcher Andrew Brooks from Missoula, Mont., and the University of Mary.

Pierre Trappers: Here are the players signed to the 2019 roster so far:
Returnees—
Zane Phelps, Abilene Christian
Tate Ellison, Concordia (Neb.)
Niko Piazza, Scottsdale Community College
Michael Herrera, Abilene Christian
Eric Romo, Golden West Community College
Anthony Fidanza, Holmes Community College
Seth Brown, Bismarck State
Joseph Brazil, El Camino Community College
Jackson Back, Bemidji State
Newcomers—
Nathan Morris, San Joaquin Delta College
Bill Moreland, Northern Colorado
Sam Kalberer, Scottsdale Community College
Bran Marquez, California-Irvine
Johnny Pacheco, California-Irvine
Alex Gonzales, Cal State-Bakersfield
Jonathan Boulaphinh, Yale
Nick Spitt, Minnesota State-Mankato
Nick Altermatt, Minnesota State-Mankato
Andrew Brooks, University of Mary

NEOLOGISMS

Esplanade (v.)—To attempt an explanation while drunk.

WEDDING DAYS

June 8: Joseph Rezac/Brittanie Blaseg.
Aug. 31: Devin Maki/Karlie Warne.

FOOTBALL CONTEST #21

Contest #17 results: Jason Noyes was the winner at 7-3 for 10 points. At 6-4 for nine points were Levi Neuharth and Nathan Vetter. At 5-5 for eight points were Eric James, Jeff Adel and Jon Boer.

Contest #18 results: With one game cancelled, we had nine games to pick. At 7-2 Seb Axtman and Randy Pool earned 10 points each. At 6-3 were Levi Neuharth and Jared Martin. At 5-4 were Jeff Adel, Jason Noyes, Debra Bollinger, Jon Boer, Eric James and David Thoreson.

Contest #19 results: All 17 contestants went with the SEC bias and picked Georgia to beat Texas, so nobody’s perfect. In fact everybody is mediocre. At 7-3 for 10 points were Jon Boer, Nathan Vetter, David Ludwig and Shawn Hostler. At 6-4 were Levi Neuharth, Greg Dean, Jeff Adel, Randy Pool, Debra Bollinger and Seb Axtman. At 5-5 but still getting eight points were Kyle Richards, Mikal Kern, Lane Kozel and Laurie Johnson.

Contest #20 results: Too many people picking the Vikings over the Bears prevented the best scores, but David Ludwig survived that, missing only Penn State’s narrow loss to Kentucky, so with a 9-1 mark he got 10 points. At 8-2 were Levi Neuharth, Nathan Vetter, Jon Boer and Debra Bollinger. At 7-3 were Lane Kozel, Seb Axtman and Jared Martin.

Contest #21 (send your six winners to parkerhome16@hotmail.com by Saturday morning):

(1) FCS championship: North Dakota State vs. Eastern Washington.
(2) NFL: Indianapolis at Houston.
(3) NFL: Seattle at Dallas.
(4) NFL: Los Angeles Chargers at Baltimore.
(5) NFL: Philadelphia at Chicago.
(6) BCS championship: Alabama vs. Clemson.

THOUGHT FOR THE SEASON

When the carols have been stilled,
When the star-topped tree is taken down,
When family and friends are gone home,
When we are back to our schedules,
The work of Christmas begins.

To welcome the refugee,
To heal a broken planet,
To feed the hungry,
To build bridges of trust, not walls of fear,
To share our gifts,
To seek justice and peace for all people,
To bring Christ’s light to the world.

— Michael Dougherty, Unfundamentalist

NEWS OF PEOPLE AND EVENTS

Save the night of Friday, Jan. 18, if you’re in or near Pierre and Fort Pierre. Curt’s Crew, a support group for Curtis Egan as he battles cancer, will have a Curt’s Crew Celebration at Drifters that night, starting at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome. There will be a live auction at 7:30 p.m., the Sidehackers band will provide music starting at 9, and there will be live snacks and a cash bar. To contribute silent or live auction items, contact Nicole Gordon at 605-220-0269.

Services were held Dec. 22 at the United Methodist Church in Onida for Helen (Marshall) Roddewig, 87, who passed away Dec. 17. Helen graduated from Blunt High School in 1949 and earned a nursing degree at the Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in Mitchell. She worked in clinics and hospitals in Miller, Pierre and Onida and later at Dakota State Bank in Blunt. Helen married John Roddewig in 1954. They made their home on their farm in Sully County until moving into Onida in 2003. At the time of her death Helen was a resident at Kelly’s Retirement Home in Pierre. She is survived by three children, Sue Burgeson and her husband Milt of Onida, Curt Roddewig and his partner Jan Johnson of Onida, and Paula Ruedebusch and her husband Robert of Sioux Falls; four grandchildren, and a brother, Joe Marshall of Blunt.

The South Dakota Sportswriters Association’s annual year-end awards include the naming of Peyton Zabel as independent athlete of the year and Shawn Lewis as high school boys coach of the year. Zabel was Player of the Year in football and basketball and was outstanding in baseball during his senior year at Riggs High, was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers, then decided to attend college. He is a freshman at Augustana University where he will play baseball and will have four years of football eligibility remaining after redshirting this past fall. Lewis joined the wrestling staff at Riggs High in 2012 and has been head coach since 2013. The Governors have won six of the last seven state “A” championships.

Pierre Players has announced the cast for its upcoming production of “Bill W. and Dr. Bob.” Cast members will be Rodd Bauck, Bill Bossman, Jamie Werner, Alisa Bousa, Tony Mannu, Roxanne Smith and Tanqa Joseph.

The Christmas card from Mat and Bre Ripperger reveals they made a big move from their home of several years, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Sioux Falls last June. Bre was able to stay with Farm Credit Services in the field of crop insurance, and Mat accepted a regional plant manager position with Hancock Concrete. Their family includes Parker, 7, and Haylie, 4.

The Christmas letter from the Anderson family out on Fairway Drive states that Rob is still lawyering at the May Adam firm, and Sheri continues employment with the South Dakota Supreme Court. Their son Cash graduated magna cum laude from USD last May and is now a first-year law student at USD, representing the fourth generation of his family to attend law school there.

Jean Gomez, who was born in Pierre and lived all of her life here until seven months ago when she moved to Dickinson, N.D., to live with a daughter, died in Dickinson at the age of 87 on Dec. 26. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Wednesday at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Pierre. The former Lorraine “Jean” Zigler married Steve Gomez in 1957. After her children were raised, she worked as a mail clerk at several legislative sessions. She is survived by five of her six children, including Ann Marie in Chesterfield, Mo., Andrea in St. Louis, Anthony in Pierre, Andrew in Zion, Ill., and Allegra in Dickinson; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Among those who preceded her in death were her husband last February; a daughter, Mary Catherine, and a sister, Beverly Zigler.

Named Athlete of the Week two weeks ago by the Pierre Athletic Coaches Association were Preston Taylor of the wrestling team and Ava Flottmeyer of the gymnastics team.

Our sympathy to the Olson and Schneider families. Dale Olson of Harrisburg, the husband of Pierre native Kacie (Schneider) Olson and son-in-law of Bob and Kris Schneider, passed away at the age of 36 Dec. 26 under hospice care in Sioux Falls after a battle with melanoma since his diagnosis in the middle of last year. Dale worked as a steel foreman for Beck and Hofer Construction. He is survived by his wife, Kacie, and their daughter, Kendell, of Harrisburg; his parents, Lonnie and Sharon Olson of Spicer, Minn.; his in-laws, Bob and Kris Schneider of Pierre; and two sisters. A memorial service was held Dec. 29 at Shalom Lutheran Church in Harrisburg.

John and Carol Clausen and their daughters’ families spent Thanksgiving together at Eagan, Minn., where Heather (Clausen) and Josh Redetzke and their children—Macy, seventh grade, and Trey, third grade—live. Robyn (Clausen) and David Bauer and their children—Noah, fifth grade, and Lauren, third grade—still live in Billings, Mont. The Clausens lost John’s mother in June, but his dad is 90 1/2 now and resides in assisted living in Clark. John and Carol visited with him over the Christmas holiday.

The late Russell “Sox” Walseth will be among those inducted into the South Dakota Basketball Hall of Fame at the Ramkota Inn in Sioux Falls on March 23. Walseth starred on Coach Paul Marschalk’s 1944 state “A” champion Pierre Governors. He played college basketball at Colorado University. He coached men’s basketball for two seasons at South Dakota State in the ’50s, then coached the men at Colorado University from 1956 to 1976 and the women at CU from 1980 to 1983. His father was executive secretary of the South Dakota High School Activities Association in Pierre for many years.

Dan Donahue, 74, Fort Pierre, died Dec. 23 at the State Veterans Home in Hot Springs. Services were held Dec. 29 at the Pat Duffy Community & Youth Involved Center in Fort Pierre. He grew up in Fort PIerre, graduated from Stanley County High School and earned a B.S. degree in ag economy from SDSU. He served with the U.S. Army in Vietnam and earned the Bronze Star. He and his family lived all over the U.S. as he worked for Monsanto. He retired from Cone Ag in Pierre. He is survived by daughter Megan Richardson, son Michael Donahue, brother Pat Donahue, partner LaCinda Hanson, four grandchildren, a great-grandson and the mother of his children, Sharon Bricker. Among those who preceded him in death was a daughter, Katherine Donahue.

Named Warrior of the Month at Riggs High was Garrett Stout, junior quarterback who led the Governors to another state football championship. The award is presented monthly in conjunction with the South Dakota National Guard.

If it weren’t public knowledge before, it is now! This is Jay Mickelson’s last year at Riggs High School. He submitted his resignation, effective in May, to the school board recently, so he and Beverly are experiencing a lot of events for the last time this school year. During the past year the Mickelsons have enjoyed camping with their son and daughter-in-law, Drew and Nicole Mickelson, and their little guy, Taylor, who live in Aberdeen. The elder Mickelsons will have a second grandchild in March when Drew and Nicole expect a daughter. Meanwhile, Allison Mickelson is finishing a run in the musical “Elf” in Syracuse, N.Y., and has three more booked shows ahead of her in the new year.

Elizabeth Schaefer, senior at Rapid City Stevens, has signed a letter of intent to attend Augustana University and participate in track and field there.

Brandon Cruse and his crew completed another season of outstanding football officiating in the Big 12 and Mountain West conferences by working the Holiday Bowl game between Northwestern and Utah in San Diego on New Year’s Eve.

Seamus McDonough, the fiance of McKayla Marso, has received the 2018 True West Award from the Denver Center for the Performing Arts for his work at Boulder Dinner Theatre. Among his “job titles” at BDT are production stage manager, technical director, bar manager, master carpenter, master electrician, lighting designer and rigger, and, oh yes, understudy for major roles.

Former Pierre elementary teacher Kay Huxford continues to live in Rapid City where she keeps busy musically playing tenor saxophone in the jazz/dance band and the baritone sax in the concert band at Canyon Lake Activities Center. She also volunteers at the YMCA and works part-time at the Firehouse Brewing Company’s wine-tasting room. Kay traveled in 2018 with her mom, who is now 93 and still living on her ranch; they went to Palm Springs, Calif., in February and to a family wedding in Oregon in July. Kay’s three kids and all her grandkids are in Rapid City, so she feels blessed to be able to share in their lives and activities up close. Mike and Becca Huxford have Elliot and Oliver, both 7, and Wesley, 5. Kevin and Caren (Howard) Huxford have Caleb, 16; Logan, 14; Cybil, 9, and Lenox, 8. Angie and Kellen Pfleger are the parents of Cora, 9; Evelyn, 8, and John, 5.

Gladys Maberry, 87, died Dec. 23 at Avera St. Mary’s Hospital. Services took place Dec. 29 at Oahe Presbyterian Church. The former Gladys Garber was a native of Blunt and was married to the late James Maberry. She is survived by two sons, Wayne Maberry and his wife Vickie and Buell Maberry and his wife Maxine; her daughter, Sayra Jayne, and her husband Jeff; nine grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; three sisters, Vivian Smalley, Danna Mercer and Pat Wendt, and two brothers, Bennie Garber and Gary Garber.

Governor-elect Kristi Noem has selected Hughes County sheriff Mike Leidholt to be secretary of the Department of Corrections. Leidholt has served as sheriff for the past 24 years. Noem has also reappointed Mark Lauseng to his current position as executive director of the South Dakota Housing Authority.

A retirement party for Sheriff Mike Leidholt will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11, at the River Cities Transit community room, 1600 E. Dakota Ave. Everyone is welcome to attend the free open house.

Dusty Johnson, Riggs High graduate in 1996, will take his oath of office as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives today (Thursday). He is one of more than a hundred new members among the 535 members of the two houses of Congress.

How is this for a trip between semesters? Austin Lentsch and the other members of Harvard University’s premiere jazz a capella group, Din & Tonics, have left on a spectacular winter tour which has these stops: Sarasota, Fla., Jan. 4-6; San Francisco, Jan. 6-9; Shanghai, China, Jan. 9-17; Los Angeles, Jan. 17-20; Chicago, Jan. 20-23; New York, Jan. 23-26. He will post photos on Facebook, so check out Austin’s page there.

A memorial service for Gabriel Gilkerson was held Dec. 28 at River Center Church. He passed away at Avera St. Mary’s Hospital Dec. 22 at the age of 37. The son of John and Kristen (Hins) Gilkerson grew up at Sunset Lodge in western Sully County and graduated from Agar High School in 1999. He attended Northwest Technical Institute in Grand Forks, N.D. He later worked for family businesses, including Steamboat Inc., Dakota Septic and his uncle’s furnace business. He is survived by his wife, the former Chantel Smith, of Fort Pierre; his stepdaughter, Sky; his parents, and two brothers, Zack Gilkerson and Ben Gilkerson, both of Pierre.

Officers of Pierre Economic Development Corporation (PEDCO) for 2019-20 were elected in December. Ron Wagner of First National Bank will be chairman, and Andy Hubbard of BankWest as chairman-elect will take over the chairmanship in 2021. Also elected were secretary Mark Anderson of Pierre Job Service and treasurer Kim Easland of American Bank and Trust. Directors are Doug Abraham of the May Adam law firm, Trace Beck of Beck Motors and Gordon Woods of South Dakota Intrastate Pipeline Company.

Cheryl Satrang, 67, Fort Pierre, died Dec. 26 at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Services were held Jan. 2 at Lutheran Memorial Church in Pierre. A native of Britton, Cheryl and her husband, Mayhlon Satrang, moved to Pierre in 1975. She worked for the Department of Social Services for more than 30 years. The Satrangs both were very active in the Pierre Area Senior Center and the High Plains Wildlife Association. Cheryl had recently been living in Rapid City while battling pancreatic cancer, with which she was diagnosed in November. She is survived by her husband in Pierre; their daughters, Kathy Braddock and her husband Fred of Rapid City and Karen Holloway and her husband B.J. of Rapid City; three grandchildren, and two brothers, Leonard Miller and Glen Miller.

Last Saturday’s Pierre-Harrisburg girls basketball game marked the first time in South Dakota High School Activities Association history that a game was officiated by an all-female, all-Native American crew. The three officials were Amber Sierra, Mary Freddie and Genevieve DeMent-Osborn.

Nathan Auch and Alisia Whitaker became engaged during the holidays.

Services for Olga (Hynes) Grandpre, 91, Aberdeen, formerly of Conde, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 4, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Groton. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. tonight (Thursday) at the church with rosary there at 5 and a wake service at 7. She died Dec. 28 at Mother Joseph Manor in Aberdeen. Mrs. Grandpre grew up at Conde, attended Northern State College and taught in one-room rural schools. She and her husband raised their six children on the family farm. She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Earl Grandpre of Aberdeen; their six children, Paula Thomas of Fargo, Suzanne Gross and her husband Kim of Sioux Falls, Bob Grandpre and his wife Becky of Elkhorn, Neb. (formerly of Pierre), Donn Grandpre and his wife Renee of Aberdeen, Brian Grandpre of Aberdeen, and Joan Monson and her husband James of Aberdeen; 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

CONSIDER THIS

“Love. It doesn’t seem to matter where we’re from. Black, white, gay, straight, rich, poor, young, old. We’re either in it, out of it, looking for it, needing it, missing it, wanting it.”

— Singer Michael Buble, quoted in Parade magazine

THE 2018 PARKIE AWARDS

One of the ways to keep one’s sanity and hope in this country these days is to focus on something else—sports, for example. So again this year many of the Parkie Awards—but not all—will be given in that category. Congratulations to all the winners and lumps of coal to the award winners who are really losers.

Miracle of the Year award: To the rescue of the soccer team and coaches trapped in a cave in Thailand by rising water.

Collapse of the Year award: To the top-seeded Houston Rockets, who missed 27 consecutive three-point shots in a second-half collapse and lost to Golden State in Game 7 of the NBA Western Conference finals.

Quote of the Year award: To President Trump, who said, “I always want to tell the truth. Whenever I can, I try to tell the truth.”

Starting the Year Off Right award: To then-UCF coach Scott Frost, coaching his last game before heading to Nebraska, who guided the Knights to a perfect 13-0 season in the Peach Bowl last Jan. 1, beating Auburn of the SEC, 34-27.

It’s All About Me award: To the college football players who continue to bail on their teams and refuse to play in their bowl games because injuries might affect their draft status.

Gold Medal award: To SDSU wrestler Seth Gross, who brought home the 133-pound national championship, and to USD pole vaulter Chris Nilsen, who won the NCAA championship in his event.

Photo of the Year award: To the photographer who snapped Sully, President George H. W. Bush’s service dog, lying next to the President’s casket as he lay in state at the Capitol.

No to the No-No’s award: To all those voters who vote “no” against everything but who in the Rapid City election on a new arena saw a 64% “yes” vote.

Gee, What a Surprise award: To LeBron James, who for months had us believing he might actually consider going somewhere other than to the Lakers.

It’s Becoming Meaningless award: To the all-too-common practice of lowering the U.S. flag to half-staff. It seems as if the flags are always at half-staff, and any more we have to wonder who is being honored. If we don’t know, then it’s meaningless. For example, every former South Dakota legislator who passes away has not earned this recognition.

Profound Statement from a Coach award: To Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh, who can’t beat Ohio State but can come up with such profundities as this: “Fat is the enemy of speed.”

Television Special of the Year award: To the live presentation of “Jesus Christ, Superstar” on NBC last Easter Sunday. John Legend and Sara Bareilles were magnificent in the lead roles, and the music, the special effects and the fact that it was happening live made the whole thing an exhilarating experience in live theater, even though we saw it from home.

High School Basketball Moment of the Year award: To last winter’s Sully Buttes boys, who, down by 10 points starting the fourth quarter of the state “B” championship game, went on a 20-0 run and won the state title over Clark-Willow Lake, 58-55.

Personal Parenting Moment of the Year award: To my daughter Heather, who by herself took her three boys–ages 13, 4 and 4—to Denver for a weekend of fun and games, and despite the traffic and all, had the courage to stay at a downtown hotel.

Watch Him While You Can award: To Yankton sophomore Matthew Mors, a must-see athlete when his state champion team comes to your town (and he has a supporting cast, too). You have only 2 1/2 seasons left to see him in action because he won’t be playing his college ball anywhere near us except on your TV screens.

No One Will Agree With Me award: To me who despises the NFL players’ choreographed celebrations after touchdowns, tackles, interceptions, and all. Make the play and go sit down.

To Tell the Truth award: To Fort Pierre/Draper native James Rankin, who, in his first press conference after becoming president of the School of Mines, was asked if, when a freshman there 44 years earlier, he ever imagined being the school’s president, said, “I think at that point I was just worried about becoming a sophomore.”

The Game’s Never Over award: To the Cubs, who were down 9-1 early against Atlanta and still down 9-5 with two out in the eighth inning but scored nine runs and won 14-10.

Really We’re Better Than That award: To the hundreds of frightened youngsters separated from their families at the border as the mighty U.S. flexed its muscle against some of the most vulnerable “enemies” it could find.

She Plays Like a Girl award: To Notre Dame’s Arike Ogunbowale, who sank a last-second game-winner to knock off mighty UConn in the national semifinals, then two nights later hit a miracle three-pointer at the buzzer to win the national title over Mississippi State.

Take a Stand award: To the many outstanding and courageous students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., who made a vocal nationwide stand against needless gun violence after the Valentine’s Day massacre at their school and were joined by thousands across the country in March For Our Lives gatherings.

We’re the Best at Something award: To the U.S. men’s curling team which won the gold medal at the Winter Olympics.

Woman Power award: To all-around athlete Mackenzie Rath, who tended goal for the state champion Lady Govs soccer team at the same time she was kicking field goals for the state champion football team. She plays basketball and does track and field, too, and she’s probably better than you at chess, charades and poker, too.

Welcome to the Community award: To the Helmsley Center, which brings personal cancer care to central South Dakotans and enhances Pierre’s role as a regional medical center.

Red State award: To USD, whose men swamped SDSU in Vermillion, 87-68, one night and whose women won in Brookings the next night, 67-61, last January. The women defeated ’em again in Vermillion in February. OK, we’ll admit that at the Summit League tournaments those teams from up north won both the women’s and men’s title games, and the state was blue once again.

Revolving Door award: To the Trump administration whose turnover rate is so high the roster of employees changes almost every other week.

Dakota Dominance award: To the DWU women, national NAIA basketball champions; to the Augustana baseball team, national Division II champions; to the Northern men, who reached the national title game in Division II basketball; to the SDSU football team, which reached the FCS national semifinals again, and to the USD women’s basketball team, which roared through last season’s Summit League regular season with a 14-0 record.

Don’t Speak Unless Spoken To award: To this woman named Alexa, new to our house, who keeps talking even when not asked a question.

Sports Play of the Year award: To the Minneapolis Miracle. The Vikings, down 24-23 after the Saints scored a field goal with 0:25 left in the NFC playoffs last January, had the ball on their own 39 with time for one play remaining. Case Keenum hit Stefon Diggs, who dodged a Saints tackler, stayed in-bounds and went on for a 29-24 game-winning touchdown.

Headline of the Year award: To the New Orleans Times-Picayune whose front-page headline the morning after the Minneapolis Miracle read, “Expletive! Expletive! Expletive!”

Top o’ the Morning award: To John, Norah and Gayle, the “CBS This Morning” crew who get me caught up with the world each morning.

Rally Kings award: To the Patriots, who trailed Jacksonville by 10 points with nine minutes left in the AFC championship game and had all of America’s haters excited, but who rallied to win 24-20 and march on to another Super Bowl.

A Celebrity One Can Cheer For award: To crooner Michael Buble, to whom life is great again now that his 5-year-old son Noah has beaten liver cancer. And each of his albums is better than the previous one.

Gut-Check award: To last year’s boys basketball Governors, who had to win on Senior Night to stay eligible for the postseason. Down by 17 in the third quarter to Watertown, Pierre rallied to win 55-52, scoring the last seven points of the game, five of them on Peyton Zabel free throws among his 34 points.

Thanks for the Theater Experience award: To Black Hills Playhouse, which is always a treat, but which last summer happened to give my daughter, granddaughters and me seats onstage as part of the set of “Oklahoma!” It was difficult not to sing along with the actors who were close enough to touch.

Queens of the Ice award: To the U.S. women’s hockey team, winners of the Olympics gold medal. They trailed Canada 2-1 late but tied it up, then survived a Canadian power play for the last 1:35 of overtime; then on the sixth shot of a shootout, got a goal from Jocelyn Lamoreux-Davidson and a save by goalkeeper Maddie Rooney to win it and stop Canada’s streak of four straight gold medals.

Pad Your Own Wallets award: To the humans in positions of power who will continue to make political decisions that help destroy the only planet we have. Of course they won’t be around to see what their actions have wrought.

Bound to Happen Eventually award: To the basketball team from Maryland-Baltimore County, the first-ever No. 16 seed to beat a No. 1 seed in the men’s NCAA basketball tourney, and they did it by 20 points over Virginia.

Your Look Was Quite Appropriate award: To Billings West senior Tyler Linfesty, “the plaid-shirt guy,” who appeared in the background directly behind the President at a Trump rally with a puzzled expression on his face. He was soon replaced by event staff and ordered to leave the building.

Give Me the Ball award: To Northern’s D.J. Pollard, who scored five points in four seconds off the clock to lift NSU back into a tie with Queens in the national semifinal game and force overtime. NSU was down by five with 0:22 left when Pollard was awarded three free throws. He made the first, made the second, missed the third, but Gabe King grabbed an offensive rebound, passed to Bo Fries who passed to Pollard, who sank a trey to tie the game. The Wolves won in the second O.T. and went on to the national title game where they lost by two to Ferris State.

Summertime Treat award: To the concessions people at Post 22’s Fitzgerald Stadium who prepare my summertime guilty pleasure, a walking taco, at every game.

Sportsmanship award: To Sioux Falls Christian golfer Kate Wynja, who had apparently won the state “A” girls championship and with it the team title when she realized she had signed an incorrect scorecard. She informed her coaches, they informed tourney officials, she was disqualified, and she and her school, though losing the state championship, stood tall.

Don’t Go There award: To one of baseball’s best, free agent Bryce Harper of the Nationals, who one of these days will decide to play elsewhere. Just don’t make it the Yanks or the Cardinals, please. You would, however, look great in Cubbie blue.

Welcome to Pierre award: To the Trappers baseball organization and the Expedition League, which brought college-age baseball to Pierre and reintroduced baseball to fans of all ages.

You Just Don’t Get It award: To football fans who wildly cheer for their players ejected for targeting as they leave the field. The dudes have just cost you their services for the rest of the game, plus the penalty yardage, and you’re applauding their achievement?

Momentum Changer award: To the Cleveland Cavaliers’ George Hill and J.R. Smith. Hill missed the second of two free throws which would have won Game 1 of the NBA finals over Golden State. Then Smith got the rebound, thought his team had the lead (the score was tied) and dribbled out the clock, forcing overtime. The Warriors roared away to win in O.T.

Best New TV Shows award: To “New Amsterdam,” “S.W.A.T.” and “F.B.I.”

Leaving the Door Open For Us award: To Oregon State’s baseball team, national champs at the College World Series again. Down 3-2 in the ninth inning, the Beavers saw Arkansas let the series-winning foul pop-up drop among three players behind first base. OSU then got a single to tie the game and a two-run Trevor Larnach homer to take a 5-3 lead. OSU won to live for another day, and then freshman Kevin Abel pitched a two-hitter and retired the last 20 Hog batters to win his fourth game of the CWS and give the Beavers the title.

Make a Grown Man Cry award: To the Twins, who brought out legendary hometown boy Joe Mauer in catcher’s gear to catch one pitch in the ninth inning of the last game of the season to get one farewell ovation. A month later he announced his retirement.

Whether the Weather award: To the Lady Govs soccer team, which didn’t let snow, wind and cold bother them much in the state “AA” championship match. Pierre beat Stevens, 2-0, to win its second straight state title.

They’re Also Champs award: To last year’s Pierre wrestlers (fourth straight state “A” title and sixth in seven years) and the Pierre football team (second straight 11AA championship).

High School Football Play of the Year award: To the Sully Buttes tandem of QB Nick Wittler and receiver Grant Johnson. In the 9B title game vs. Colome, the Chargers trailed by six on their own 4-yard line with no timeouts left. They went 96 yards to tie the game as Wittler let fly a perfectly-placed ball into Johnson’s open arms, and he went the rest of the way to a score. Unfortunately SBHS eventually lost in O.T. but finished second in the state for the second straight year with an 11-1 record.

It’s Only a Game award: To Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who said, after his defense let Miami score a last-second miracle pass-and-pitch play to beat his team, 34-33, “It’s only the National Football League. No one died.” Yes, but could you have played some defense for one final play?

TV Holdover Shows of the Year award: From me, a guy who does not watch TV shows anywhere except on the principal networks, to “Madam Secretary,” “Blue Bloods,” “This Is Us,” and the Chicago drama triad (Med, Fire, P.D.). Great casts, great entertainment!

Music in Motion award: To USD’s Summit League cross country champion Eldon Warner, who also has the male lead in USD Opera’s spring show.

Well, That Explains It! award: To Oklahoma State football coach Mike Gundy, who said, while discussing why kids don’t go into farming these days, “They don’t want to be out in the heat working. They’d rather be inside watching TV or playing Fortnite.”

Death Plays No Favorites award: To the many people, famous and otherwise, we lost in 2018, such as Stephen Hawking, Billy Graham, Aretha Franklin, Burt Reynolds, Neil Simon, George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush, John McCain, Roy Clark and those you and I both know who left us too soon.

Earn Your Keep award: To former Vikings kicker Daniel Carlson, who missed three field goals in the September tie at Green Bay and was promptly fired the next day. If that had been a win instead of a tie, the Vikes would be in the playoffs instead of home till August.

You Are Pure Evil award: To friends who moved to Florida’s Gulf Coast during 2018 and seem to delight in reporting the temperature there and showing photos of themselves lounging alongside their pool.

College Basketball Play of the Year award: To Onida’s Chloe Lamb, whose dramatic three-pointer from out in the weeds beat Michigan State for the USD women in the WNIT tournament last spring.

Expansion Is A Good Thing award: To Capital Area Counseling Service, which will be getting a new facility from which to better serve central South Dakotans.

I Love Baseball But Not This Much award: To anybody who stayed up to watch the end of World Series Game 3 between two unlikable teams—Red Sox and Dodgers. It lasted 18 innings and ended at 12:30 a.m. on the West Coast (3:30 in Boston), and it was the only Series game the Dodgers won.

Hope For The Future award: To Husker football fans who see some light at the end of what has been a long tunnel.

We Get a Kick Out of You award: To USD freshman soccer player Joana Zanin from Pierre whose curveball goal for the Coyotes made it on to ESPN’s “SportsCenter” Top 10 plays one night last fall.

Keep the Faith award: To all of us who, despite the fact many of us had bad things happen in 2018, in some cases horrible things, are still here, rarin’ to go into a new year. May it be a year of blessings and fun and the good life for all who read this.