THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Good friends help you find important things when you have lost them. Things like your smile, your hope and your courage.
— Doe Zantamata

PIERRE GOVERNORS SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
— THURSDAY
Girls golf: at Huron invitational, 10 a.m.
Boys tennis: home invitational, 11 a.m.
— FRIDAY
Softball: at Sioux Falls tournament.
Boys tennis: home invitational, 9 a.m.
Track: at O’Gorman invitational and Howard Wood Dakota Relays, Sioux Falls.
Girls golf: at Yankton invitational, 10 a.m.
Baseball: home vs. Mitchell, 8 p.m.
— SATURDAY
Track: at Howard Wood Dakota Relays, Sioux Falls.
Softball: at Sioux Falls tournament.
Baseball: home vs. Harrisburg, 3 p.m.
— MONDAY
Boys tennis: home for ESD Conference meet, 2 p.m.
Softball: home vs. Harrisburg, 4 p.m.
— TUESDAY
Track: home for Capital City qualifier, 1 p.m.
Baseball: home vs. Rapid City Stevens, 7 p.m.

Girls golf: At Aberdeen Central’s invitational Hadley Hart tied for eighth place with an 11-over-par 83. Annie Mosteller placed 19th with a 24-over 96.

Baseball: The Governors have a 9-4 record and still haven’t been able to play a home game, thanks to the weather and the schedule that has most of their home games in May instead of April. In the first seed-point standings, Pierre is fifth. The top eight teams will host best-two-of-three play-in series in lieu of regional tournaments, and the eight winners of those series will qualify for the single-elimination state tournament. The state tournament for ‘A’ teams has traditionally been a one-day event for four teams, so we will see how this works out. Pierre was weathered out of games against Brookings and Tea Area. They will try again this coming weekend to squeeze in a home game or two between rain showers.

Boys tennis: Pierre defeated Madison, 7-2, as the Governors got singles wins from all six players—Devin Dodson, Lucas Hight, Jacob Leiferman, Weston Northrup, Brady Lowery and Noah Lueking. The Dodson/Northrup doubles duo also won their match. Pierre lost a 7-2 dual to Lennox, the two points coming from Northrup in singles and Dodson/Northrup in doubles. On Monday at a quadrangular in Mitchell, the Govs beat Vermillion, 7-2, and lost to Mitchell, 8-1, and to Yankton, 9-0. Pierre’s record in duals is 5-12.

Softball: Pierre lost a home game to Watertown, 8-1. Noel Kist drove in the only Governor run. She also pitched a complete seven-inning game, giving u9p only two earned runs and two walks while striking out five. Pierre then lost to Mitchell, 11-3. The Govs committed nine errors. Erin Leiferman pitched six innings, striking out seven and giving up 13 hits and three walks. Pierre’s record is 2-7

STANLEY COUNTY BUFFALOES SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
— FRIDAY
Track: at O’Gorman invitational and Howard Wood Dakota Relays, Sioux Falls.
— SATURDAY
Track: at Howard Wood Dakota Relays, Sioux Falls.
— TUESDAY
Track: at Capital City qualifier, Pierre, 1 p.m.

SULLY BUTTES CHARGERS SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
— FRIDAY
Golf: at YTC Conference meet, Gettysburg, 10 a.m.
Track: at Howard Wood Dakota Relays, Sioux Falls.
— SATURDAY
Track: at Howard Wood Dakota Relays, Sioux Falls.
Golf: at Eureka invitational, 10 a.m.
— TUESDAY
Track: at Capital City qualifier, Pierre, 1 p.m.

Track: At the Yellowstone Trail Conference meet Addison Chicoine won the girls’ shot put event, and Payge Bakker was second in the discus. The 4×200 relay team of Jaycee Jaeger, Jaydn Jaeger, Caterie Yellow Hawk and Tahnie Yellow Hawk placed second. In boys’ events Kayden Westergren won the discus and placed second in the shot put. Teghan Westphal was second in the javelin and Gavin Barber second in the 400. The 4×200 team of Westergren, Westphal, Barber and Carson Mercer was second.

ZESTO SHERBET SCHEDULE

Thursday: lemon.
Friday-Sunday: strawberry butter.
Monday-Tuesday: orange.
Wednesday-Thursday: root beer.

COUNTDOWN

Tonight: Pierre Educational Foundation’s Evening of Excellence (May 2).
2 days: All-State jazz band and show choir concert, Aberdeen (May 4).
2 days: Oahe YMCA half-marathon (May 4).
4 days: Riggs High choir concert (May 6).
4 days: Stanley County elementary concert (May 6).
5 days: ESD Conference boys tennis tournament, Pierre (May 7).
7 days: Riggs High bands concert (May 9).
7 days: Sully Buttes High pops concert (May 9).
8 days: Sully Buttes High spring play (May 10).
8 days: Sioux Falls Canaries season opener (May 10).
9 days: ESD Conference track meets, Brookings (May 11).
10 days: Mothers Day (May 12).
11 days: Blunt elementary concert (May 13).
11 days: Georgia Morse Middle School band/choir concert (May 13).
11 days: State ‘A’ boys tennis tournament, Rapid City (May 13-14).
12 days: Stanley County High awards night (May 14).
12 days: Last day of school at Sully Buttes (May 14).
16 days: Sully Buttes High graduation (May 18).
17 days: Stanley County High graduation (May 19).
17 days: Riggs High graduation (May 19).
18 days: Voter registration deadline for June 4 elections (May 20).
19 days: ESD Conference girls golf tournament, Yankton (May 21).
19 days: SoDak 16 softball games (May 21).
21 days: State track meets, Sioux Falls (May 23-25).
21 days: Oahe Zap season opener (May 23).
23 days: Pierre air show (May 25-26).
25 days: Memorial Day (May 27).
28 days: State softball tournaments, Aberdeen (May 30-31, June 1).
32 days: State girls golf tournaments, AA Yankton, A Sioux Falls, B Brookings (June 3-4).
32 days: State ‘B’ boys golf tournament, Brookings (June 3-4).
33 days: South Dakota primary election and local elections (June 4).
45 days: Tony awards, CBS-TV (June 16).

WORDS OF WISDOM

“At my age people often ask me if I’m passing the torch. I explain that I’m keeping my torch, and I’m using it to light the torches of others because, only if each of us has a torch will there be enough light.”
— Gloria Steinem

BASEBALL UPDATE

Minnesota Twins schedule:
— Friday: Boston, 7:10 p.m.
— Saturday: Boston, 1:10 p.m.
— Sunday: Boston, 1:10 p.m.
— Monday: Seattle, 6:40 p.m.
— Tuesday: Seattle, 6:40 p.m.
— Wednesday: Seattle, 6:40 p.m.
— Thursday: Seattle, 12:10 p.m.

COLLEGE SPORTS ROUNDUP

South Dakota State track (Rylan McDonnell, Jessica Lutmer, Lydia Hill): SDSU sent some athletes to meets in Iowa and California. They go to USD’s tune-up meet this weekend.

Northern softball (Tessa Bryant): The Wolves swept all four games last weekend—10-3 and 13-4 over Bemidji State and 7-1 and 8-6 over Minnesota-Crookston. The season ends with an overall record of 25-23 and a conference mark of 11-17.

Northern track (Addison Cumbow): At the Drake Relays Addison was part of Northern’s shuttle hurdles relay team, which placed seventh in a school-record time of 1:01.73. The Wolves go to NDSU’s tune-up meet Friday.

South Dakota State baseball (Brady Hawkins): The Jackrabbits’ game against Dakota Wesleyan and one of the games against Oral Roberts were canceled. SDSU did play ORU twice, losing 16-4 and 13-5. Now 17-22 overall and 9-10 in the Summit League, SDSU plays Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Northern Colorado, Monday at Air Force and next Wednesday at Nebraska.

Dakota State track (Houston Lunde): DSU sent some athletes to the Drake Relays. The Trojans go to USD’s tune-up meet this weekend.

Texas State baseball (Peyton Zabel): The Bobcats won one of three weekend games against Arkansas State, losing 5-4 and 8-7 in 10 innings and winning 10-0 in seven innings. On Tuesday the team lost to Texas-San Antonio, 11-9. Peyton came in as the fourth reliever, pitched 2 1/3 innings, facing 11 batters, striking out six, walking just one, giving up two hits and three runs (none of them earned runs). One batter grounded out, and another flied out. Now 22-24 overall and 8-13 in conference play, Texas State is home for three this weekend vs. Old Dominion.

Augustana baseball (Jack Sutton): The Vikings took two from Southwest Minnesota State, 11-5 and 10-3, then lost two of three vs. Minnesota State, losing 7-2 and 14-5 and winning 3-0. Prior to last night’s doubleheader against Northern, Augie was 36-8 overall and 27-6 in the NSIC. The Vikings host Minot State Friday and Saturday in the last regular-season games. The NSIC tournament will be May 8-11 in Bismarck.

Dakota Wesleyan baseball (Jonathan Lyons): The Tigers lost their last four games, 7-2 and 8-1 to Mount Marty and 3-1 and 3-1 to Concordia. The season ends with a record of 15-35 overall and 7-21 in the GPAC/.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“It cannot be that a President of the United States can attempt to steal an election and seize power but our justice system is incapable of bringing him to trial before the next election four years later.”
— Former U.S. Congresswoman Liz Cheney

PARKER’S PERSONAL NOTES

• You will note a bit of news about Chris Sonnenschein’s kids in the news section below. So if you have a high school graduate somewhere and you have Pierre, Fort Pierre or Sully Buttes ties, let us know at parkerhome16@hotmail.com. We’d love to share your graduate’s news.
• Last weekend I happened to be working at a Republican candidates forum and social in Rapid City as house manager for the Performing Arts Center in whose building the event was held. I enjoyed visiting with Blunt native and Sully Buttes alumnus Mark Howard, whose wife Taffy was one of the candidates onstage. Mark and Taffy have two sons and now two daughters-in-law and their first grandchild. Another of the local area candidates is Curt Voight, who was principal at Sully Buttes in the early ’80s, and I introduced myself to him briefly after the event. He, too, is running for the legislature in the June 4 primary election.
• PAWS Animal Rescue in Pierre, according to its Facebook post earlier this week, was swamped with messages and donations after the story in Governor Noem’s book about her shooting to death her 14-month-old puppy, Cricket. Anyone else wishing to contribute to PAWS’ special fund can do so by sending checks to PAWS at 1530 N. Lowell Ave., Pierre SD 57501. The fund will be used to care for and train dogs that are brought in to PAWS.

BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES

Thursday, May 2:
Stacy (Zeigler) Cwach, Josh Joel, Chris Henrichsen, Debra Bollinger, Jared Vermundson, Ross Vander Vorste.
— 21st anniversary, Murray/Jennifer Thompson.
— 15th anniversary, Mike/Terri Mehlhaf.
— 15th anniversary, Mat/Bre Ripperger.

Friday, May 3:
Addilene Sanderson, Cari (Jorgenson) Leidholt, Jason Dodson, Sarah Neuhauser, Rebecca Shatek, Brooke (Severson) Lusk.
— 10th anniversary, Derek/Stephanie (Wells) Todd.
— 16th anniversary, Devin/Beth Weingart.

Saturday, May 4:
Noah Odden, Shelby Guthrie, Jessica Larson, Brett Anderson, Jared Tabbert, Deb Rumrill, June (Cary) Classen, Suzanne (Somsen) Moe.
— 5th anniversary, Eric/Lauren Gilbertson.

Sunday, May 5:
Karen Kern, Blake Anderson, RhyAnna Schoenhard, Wren (Bishop) Hollingsworth, Bev Sprenkle, Weston Kusser, Jared Martin, Kit (Hartley) Schmidt, Max Hanson, Maxwell Johnson, Carissa Ott, Tevan Bryant, Track Lindekugel, Shelly (Schochenmaier) Buseman.
— 12th anniversary, John/Courtney (Zander) Fisk.
— 12th anniversary, Jason/Lexi Zeigler.
— 12th anniversary, John/Ashlee (Novak) Rounds.
— 13th anniversary, Mike/Kate Clegg.

Monday, May 6:
Josh Rose, Isaac Maxwell, Tammy (Helgeson) Cruse, Colton Schutz, Brecklyn Mitchell, Jean Person, Rashelle Tassler, Nancy Zuercher, Molly Hanson, Nicole (Ormesher) Lukkes.
— 18th anniversary, Dan/Jessica Rasmussen.
— 18th anniversary, Moe/Rochelle Reede.
— 7th anniversary, Justin/Mackenzie (McKeithan) Jensen.

Tuesday, May 7:
Brayden Frick, Vicky (Eldridge) Reagle, Amanda (Nystrom) Van Balen, Kris Dozark, Sophie Intorn, Tenley Lindekugel, Jessica (Hoyme) Oltman, Sharon Erlenbusch, Devin Rounds, Beckee (Snyder) Biasi, McKenzie Dulas.
— 8th anniversary, Tyson/Janelle (Flottmeyer) Keller.
— 8th anniversary, Garrett/Tess Weber.
— 19th anniversary, Pete/Nichole (Hunsley) Metzinger.
— 19th anniversary, Shane/Brandi (Kebach) Jackson.

Wednesday, May 8:
Tanner Norman, Christi Kuiper, Amber (Ness) Stout, LeRoy Foster, Shelley (Stewart) Wickersham, Kathy Lingle, Bob Graff, Daniel Fry, Kaitlyn Magee, Michael Kendall.
— 14th anniversary, Jason/Jodi (Cowan) Harder.

Thursday, May 9:
Justin Sarvis, Angie (Konechne) Eide, Tiffany (Jastorff) Gillies, Katelyn Kreycik, Adele Hall, April Lees.
— 21st anniversary, Michael/Tara (Adamski) Kogelmann.

NEWS OF PEOPLE AND EVENTS

Onida native Chloe Lamb has been named director of player development and assistant coach of the women’s basketball team at the University of Minnesota. Chloe played basketball at USD for current Minnesota coach Dawn Plitzuweit from 2017 to 2022. Since leaving USD, Chloe has spent two years as assistant women’s basketball coach at the University of Mary in Bismarck.

The Riggs High choirs will present their “Broadway” spring concert at 7 p.m. next Monday, May 6. Preceding the concert awards will be presented at 6:30.

Christopher Fox, 61, Fruitdale, S.D., died unexpectedly Monday. He was married to the former Krinda Smart of Pierre. Her father Bill was manager of the Kings Inn for many years, and her late mother, Roxanne, did day care in Pierre. He is survived by his wife, three sons and two grandchildren. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Belle Fourche Rec Center auditorium.

The Riggs High bands’ spring concert, “Movies and Dragons,” will be at 7 p.m. next Thursday, May 9, preceded by the jazz bands playing at 5:45 p.m., followed by awards.

A memorial service for Maxine (Erp) Blasdell, Onida native who died March 27, will be held at 11 a.m. this Saturday, May 4, at the Southeast Pierre Community Center.

Jessi (Huber) Herrscher (Riggs ’97), who teaches biology and leadership at Ridgevue High School in Nampa, Idaho, was named Region 3 Advisor of the Year by leadership students.

Pierre native Chris Sonnenschein’s older son, Clay, is a senior at Harrisburg High School and a track athlete and will graduate this month. Next fall he plans to join his sister, Jersey, as a atudent at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix. Chris has another son, Brody, who will be a senior at Harrisburg next school year.

Stanley County native James Rankin announced his plans to retire after six years as president of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Dr. Lance Roberts, current provost and vice president of academic affairs, will serve as interim president while the search goes on for Rankin’s successor. Dr. Roberts’ wife is the former Jerilyn Cass of Pierre.

Rick Rodness, 78, died in Highmore April 24. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. tonight (Thursday) at Lutheran Memorial Church. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the church, followed by inurnment at the Onida cemetery and lunch at the Phoenix Center. Rick grew up in Sacramento, Calif. He had a life-long career as a master paint contractor. Among the local facilities blessed with his talents are St. Mary’s Hospital, the Agar elevator, the Sully County courthouse in Onida and Riggs High School. In 1985 he married Vicki Rose, welcoming her two children into his family, and they had a daughter together. The family moved to Onida in 1992 and to Pierre in 2002. Rick married Laurie Schumacher in 2013, blending their families together. He is survived by his wife, Laurie; his daughter, Vanessa (Zach) Marks; his stepsons, Scott (Angie) Jorgenson, Chris Schumacher and Derek (Hope) Schumacher; his stepdaughter, Valerie Jorgenson; 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Some former Pierre residents were very close to but safe from the gigantic tornadoes that blew through the northern and western suburbs of Omaha, especially Elkhorn, last Friday afternoon. Bob Grandpre said, “We were lucky and fine. A tremendous amount of damage in the area. The tornadoes tracked just north of us, and some were on the ground close to 40 minutes. There’s been hundreds of homes damaged.” Bob’s son-in-law, Joe Wilson, lives with his wife Nikki and their three children 10 houses down from the Grandpres, said, “We were very close to where the largest damage occurred. It was building up right on top of us, and it was something I’ve never seen before. Sos thankful we are safe here.” Another Pierre native, Kristen Job, lives in a part of Omaha farther south. “The storms skirted where I live,” she said. “All good; just hail.”

Trevor Sundahl, 22, died of cancer April 24. A truck meet in his honor will begin at 4 p.m. this Saturday, May 4, at the American Legion cabin in Pierre. Trevor graduated from Riggs High School in 2020 and worked at Capital City Motors. He is survived by his parents, Cathie and Kelly Llamas; his brothers, Hunter Llamas and Levi Kolda; his sister, Estrella Llamas; his girlfriend, Crystal Brau; his grandmothers, Joel Pfeifle and Linda Sundahl, and his grandfather, Jose Llamas.

PONDER THIS

The only people who are mad at you for speaking the truth are those people who are living a lie. Keep speaking the truth.
— Carlos Dominguez