FORMER BAND MEMBERS, THIS IS FOR YOU!

The two-month summer season for the Capital City Band is at hand, and the band needs members. If you played in the high school band back in your day and you still have your instrument lying around, why not refresh yourself and join the band. (No auditions are required!) They contribute so mightily to Memorial Day, to Oahe Days, to the Fourth of July and to regular weekly concert nights in the park.

Here is a chance for adult musicians to show high school kids (and younger) that music is something that one can enjoy for a lifetime. And speaking of high school students, the band is open to you. What a great way to keep yourself fresh with your instrument as you await the fall band season!

The Capital City Band will practice at 7 p.m. this Sunday in the Riggs theater to prepare music for Monday morning’s Memorial Day program. After that the band rehearses usually at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday nights just ahead of the 8 p.m. concerts. So playing in the band takes only one night a week out of your summer!

Here is the season schedule for the Capital City Band:
— Sunday, May 26: Rehearse 7 p.m., Riggs theater.
— Monday, May 27: Play at Memorial Day program, Riggs theater.
— Wednesday, June 5: Rehearse 6:30 p.m., Steamboat Park; “Season Preview” concert 8 p.m.
— Wednesday, June 12: Rehearse 6:30 p.m., Steamboat Park; “Music from the Classics” concert and Elks flag presentation 8 p.m.
— Wednesday, June 19: Rehearse 6:30 p.m. for Oahe Days concert.
— THURSDAY, June 20: “Taste of Pierre” Oahe Days kickoff “Super Heroes” concert 8 p.m.
— Wednesday, June 26: Rehearse 6:30 p.m., Steamboat Park; “Movies” concert 8 p.m.
— Wednesday, July 3: Rehearse 6:30 p.m. for July 4 concert.
— THURSDAY, July 4: Fourth of July “Patriotic” concert 9 p.m.
— Wednesday, July 10: Rehearse 6:30 p.m., Steamboat Park; “Pops for Mom and Pop” concert 8 p.m.
— Wednesday, July 17: Rehearse 6:30 p.m., Steamboat Park; “Musicals” concert 8 p.m.
— Wednesday, July 24: Rehearse 6:30 p.m., Steamboat Park; “Director’s Choice” concert 8 p.m.

Any potential band member with questions can contact director Larry Johnson at ljohnson@pie.midco.net.

Dust off your band instruments and join in the summer of music along the river!

STATE TRACK MEET ENTRIES

PIERRE BOYS
Paul Adam: high jump, long jump.
Trevor Adamson: 300-meter hurdles.
Frank Becker: 400
Tucker Berens: 400, 800.
Cobey Carr: triple jump.
William Kessler: 110-meter hurdles.
Jack Maher: shot put, discus.
Hayden Shaffer: 3200.
Lee Snyder: pole vault.
Relays: 4×100, 4×200, 4×400, 4×800, medley.
Other athletes going for relays: Jack Walsh, Joshua Strand, Tucker Putzier, Isaac Polak, Alec Miller, Tyler Gere, Brady Gere, Justin Dowling, Trevin Black Bear, Vick Becker, Clayton Alban.

PIERRE GIRLS
Addison Cumbow: 100-meter hurdles.
Abby Ferris: high jump.
Emry Heiss: high jump.
Allyson Herrman: 300-meter hurdles.
Isabella Jackley: 200, 400.
Morgan Jones: high jump.
Jessica Lutmer: 1600.
Marissa Mathews: pole vault.
Mikah Moser: pole vault.
Mackenzie Rath: shot put, discus.
Addy Smith: 200.
Relays: 4×100, 4×200, 4×400, 4×800, medley
Other athletes going for relays: Kyanne Beck, Halli Drewes, Haylee Hauck, Brooklynn Herman, Autumn Iverson, Miah Kienholz, Emma Lusk, Emily Mikkelsen, Morgan Oedekoven, Megan Van Liere, Janaina Zanin.

STANLEY COUNTY GIRLS
Shantay Waldron: high jump.

STANLEY COUNTY BOYS
J.D. Carter: 100, 200, 400.
Isaac Cliff: pole vault.
Brady Hoftiezer: shot put.
Evan Nordstrom: 100, 300-meter hurdles.
Reid Wieczorek: 800.
Relays: 4×100, 4×400.
Other athletes going for relays: Trey Frost, Trevor Habeck, Kade Van Dusseldorp.

SULLY BUTTES GIRLS
Brooklynn Bradford: triple jump.
Angela Guthmiller: shot put, discus.
Courtnie Weinheimer: 100.
Allyson Wittler: 200.
Lauren Wittler: shot put.
Stevie Wittler: 100-meter hurdles, 300-meter hurdles.
Relays: 4×100, 4×400, medley.
Other athletes going for relays: Calleigh Chicoine, Dani Frost, Jill Hofer, Avery Weinheimer.

SULLY BUTTES BOYS
Grant Johnson: 100.
Jett Lamb: shot put, discus.
Mackenzie Weinheimer: 200.
Relays: 4×100, 4×200, 4×400, medley.
Other athletes going for relays: Dohrion Eisterhold, Sebastian Frost, Morris Hofer, Quinn Jordre, Griffin Petersen.

PIERRE GOVERNORS SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
Track—Friday, state track meet at Brandon; Saturday, state track meet at Sioux Falls.
Girls golf—Thursday, at ESD invitational, Huron; Tuesday, at Brandon Valley invitational.

Track: At the Wendelgass meet in Huron Tucker Berens won the 800 in 2:01.29, and Hayden Shaffer won the 3200 in 10:37.23. Mackenzie Rath won the shot put at 40’5 1/4″ and won the discus at 120’8″.

Boys tennis: At the state tournament the Governors placed ninth of 24 teams and also were voted the Sportsmanship Award. Sioux Falls Lincoln won the team championship. Grant Judson placed fifth in Flight 5 singles, Luke Leingang sixth in Flight 6 singles and Jace Wernsmann ninth in Flight 1 singles. The duo of Matthew Hanson and Grant Judson placed ninth in Flight 2 doubles.

Girls golf: At the Brookings invitational last Thursday Pierre placed sixth among 12 teams with a 347 score. Annabelle Simpson tied for 12th at 83, and Halle Gronlund tied for 15th at 85. Other scores: Kaitlyn Swenson 88, Anna Otto 91, Ellie Simpson 92. On Monday at Watertown’s invitational Pierre was third, led by Gronlund’s fourth-place finish at 78. Jessa McTighe tied for 20th at 85. Other scores: Ellie Simpson 86, Otto 90, Annabelle Simpson 94, Swenson 95.

PACA honors: The Pierre Athletic Coaches Association named Jack Maher as Male Athlete of the Year, Mack Rath as Female Athlete of the Year, Steve Steele as Head Coach of the Year and Shawn Lewis as Assistant Coach of the Year.

STANLEY COUNTY BUFFALOES SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
Track—Friday, state track meet at Tea; Saturday, state track meet at Sioux Falls.
Girls golf—Next, state tournament at Aberdeen, June 3-4.

Track: At the Region 6A meet in Stephan the Buffalo boys placed third and the girls fourth. On the girls’ side Shantay Waldron qualified for state with a second place in the high jump at 4’6″. In boys’ events J.D. Carter was a triple champion, winning the 100 (:11.14), the 200 (:22.65) and the 400 (:53.06). Evan Nordstrom was second in the 100 (:11.22) and second in the 300-meter hurdles (:43.94). Reid Wieczorek won the 800 in a time of 2:22.25. Brady Hoftiezer placed second in the shot put at 46’8 1/2″. The Buffs’ 4×100 relay team won its race (:46.05), and the 4×400 team was second (3:58.28).

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

“The Earth is a great ship, sailing through the open seas of space. We have been entrusted with this beautiful ship, entrusted with its precious cargo of life. Let us be worthy of that trust until our watch is over.”

— Bishop Steven Charleston, Episcopal Church

SULLY BUTTES CHARGERS SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
Track—Friday-Saturday, at state track meet at Sioux Falls.
Golf—Next, state tournament at Yankton, June 3-4.

Track: At the Region 2B meet in Gettysburg the Charger girls were second behind Ipswich and ahead of Potter County while the boys were second behind Ipswich and ahead of Herreid-Selby Area. Courtnie Weinheimer won the 100 (:13.47). Lauren Wittler won the shot put (39’2″). Angela Guthmiller won the discus (118’6″). Stevie Wittler won the 100-meter hurdles (:16.14) and the 300-meter hurdles (:50.6). Brooklynn Bradford placed second in the triple jump (33’7″). SBHS girls relay teams were second in the 4×100 (:53.05) and second in the medley (4:44.59). Jett Lamb won the boys’ shot (54’4 1/2″). Mackenzie Weinheimer placed second in the 200 (:24.70) and Grant Johnson second in the 100 (:11.77). In boys’ relay events the medley team was second (4:00.09), the 4×400 squad second (3:44.28) and the 4×200 team a champion (1:35.47).

Golf: Three Sully Buttes golfers earned their way to the state “B” tournaments in Yankton June 3-4 at Monday’s regional in Huron. In girls’ golf Lauren Wittler placed second and Kara Huse fourth. In boys’ golf Nick Wittler placed seventh.

WEDDING DAYS

June 8: Chad Underberg/Bobbi Bourk.
June 8: Frank Turner/Jasmin Fosheim.
June 8: Joseph Rezac/Brittanie Blaseg.
June 18: Seamus McDonough/McKayla Marso.
Aug. 17: Lane Severyn/Anne Marie Holter.
Aug. 31: Devin Maki/Karlie Warne.

WORDS OF WISDOM

“Where we love is home, home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts. The chain may lengthen, but it never parts.”

— Oliver Wendell Holmes

COLLEGE SPORTS ROUNDUP

Women’s softball: Three South Dakota-based teams were in postseason play last weekend. Augustana had the most spectacular success, winning at Central Oklahoma in Edmond, 13-5 and 7-6, to sweep the best-of-three series. Augie now advances to its fifth-ever trip to the national Division II championships in Denver today through Monday. Augustana was national champion in 1991 and also went to the tournament in 1993, 1998 and 2012. In the Division I NISC (national invitation) regional at Ames, Iowa, USD lost to Purdue, 4-3 in eight innings and was ousted by Eastern Kentucky, 76-2. USD finishes the season with a 33-28 record. In the same regional SDSU beat Eastern Kentucky, 8-6; lost to Iowa State, 7-2, and was eliminated by Purdue, 4-1. SDSU finishes at 37-19.

South Dakota State baseball (Landon Badger): In the final series of the regular season, the Jackrabbits took two of three from NDSU, losing 3-2 and winning 2-1 and 8-1. Landon did not play in any of the games. Now 27-20 overall and 19-10 in the Summit League, SDSU goes to the four-team league tournament in Tulsa this weekend as the No. 3 seed and as such had to take on perennial champion Oral Roberts in the opening round yesterday. Top-seed Omaha played Western Illinois in the other game. The double-elimination tourney runs through Saturday, and the champion automatically goes into the NCAA Tournament, which ends with the College World Series.

South Dakota golf (Katie Bartlett): Katie was named to the Summit League’s All-Academic Team for golf.

Minnesota baseball (Nolan Burchill): The Gophers took two of three from Northwestern in the regular season’s final weekend, winning 5-4 and 6-5 and losing 10-3. Nolan did not pitch in any of the games. Now 26-25 overall and 15-9 in the Big 10, the defending conference champs go to the Big 10 tournament in Omaha through this weekend. Minnesota was to open play last night vs. Nebraska and would be playing either Indiana or Iowa today.

Summit League: For the first time since joining the Summit League, USD has won the Commissioner’s Cup for superiority in men’s and women’s athletics this school year. Coyote teams placed in the top three in 13 of their 16 league sports to earn 90 points, one more than SDSU and 10 more than NDSU. In women’s athletics alone USD had 62 points, followed by NDSU with 49. In men’s sports SDSU had 41.5 points, followed by NDSU with 31 and USD with 28.

Augustana baseball: The defending national champions are two wins away from returning to the DII national tournament and a chance to defend their title. The Vikings won their half of the Central Regional with 12-10 and 8-6 wns over Oklahoma Baptist and in between them a 9-4 win over Arkansas-Monticello. Augie now hosts Central Missouri in a best-of-three super regional Friday at 6 p.m., Saturday at noon and, if necessary later Saturday. That winner advances to the national tourney in Cary, N.C., June 1-5.

South Dakota State swimming: Pierre senior Wyatt Rumrill has been named to the 2019 Google Cloud Academic All-District 6 team. He now advances to the national ballot for Academic All-America voting. Wyatt, who compiled a 4.0 grade-point average as a human biology major, set school records in the 100-meter breast stroke, the 100-meter breast stroke and the 100-meter individual medley as well as with the 400-meter medley relay team at the season-ending Summit League championship meet.

DID YOU KNOW?

Stomach acid is strong enough to dissolve razor blades.

COUNTDOWN

1 day: State track meets, Sioux Falls/Tea/Brandon (May 24-25).
1 day: Pierre Trappers opener (May 24).
6 days: Post 8 opener (May 29).
9 days: Crazy Horse volksmarch (June 1).
9 days: Casey Tibbs Match of Champions bronc ride (June 1).
11 days: State ‘B’ boys/girls golf tournament, Yankton (June 3-4).
11 days: State girls golf tournaments, ‘A’ Aberdeen, ‘AA’ Watertown (June 3-4).
14 days: South Dakota Shakespeare Festival, Vermillion (June 6-9).
15 days: Women’s soccer World Cup (June 7-July 7).
17 days: Tony awards, CBS-TV (June 9).
22 days: Black Hills Playhouse’s “Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood’ (June 14-30).
28 days: Oahe Days (June 20-22).
29 days: Riggs High Class of 2009 10-year reunion (June 21-22).
29 days: Riggs High Class of 1979 40-year reunion (June 21-22).
34 days: Democratic presidential candidates debates, MSNB (June 26-27).
43 days: Black Hills Playhouse’s “Side Show” (July 5-21).
47 days: Baseball All-Star Game, Cleveland (July 9).
50 days: Central South Dakota 4-H Rodeo, Blunt (July 12).

LIFE LESSON

Let your anger set with the sun and not rise again with it.

— Irish proverb

HOCKEY UPDATE

Sioux Falls Stampede: The Stampede stormed through the playoffs, completing the Clark Cup championship series with a 5-1 win at Geneva, Ill., against Chicago, sweeping the series. Five different men scored goals in the finale. Sioux Falls went 11-1 in the postseason—7-0 at home and 4-1 on the road. It is the third Clark Cup in franchise history, Sioux Falls having won it all in 2007 and 2015. Goalkeeper Jaxson Stauler made 20 saves in 21 shots against him in the final game and was named the series MVP.

GOLF UPDATE

PGA Champions Tour (Tom Byrum): The Champions Tour was off last week. They play at the Senior PGA Championships at Rochester, N.Y., today through Saturday.

FOOTBALL UPDATE

Sioux Falls Storm: Given an extra play with no time remaining due to a pass interference call against Nebraska on an incomplete pass that would have ended the game, the Storm scored on a two-yard touchdown run to pull out a 57-56 win. Now 9-2, Sioux Falls is off this weekend. The next game is at home June 1 vs. San Diego.

PONDER THIS

Let us be grateful to the mirror for revealing to us our appearance only.

— Samuel Butler

BASEBALL UPDATE

Minnesota Twins:
Friday—Chicago White Sox, 7:10, FSN.
Saturday—Chicago White Sox, 1:10, FSN.
Sunday—Chicago White Sox, 1:10, FSN.
Monday—Milwaukee, 6:10, FSN.
Tuesday—Milwaukee, 7:10, FSN.
Thursday—at Tampa Bay, 6:10, FSN, MLBN.

Chicago Cubs:
Thursday—Pbiladelphia, 1:20.
Friday—Cincinnati, 1:20, MLBN.
Saturday—Cincinnati, 1:20, MLBN.
Sunday—Cincinnati, 1:20.
Monday—at Houston, 1:10.
Tuesday—at Houston, 7:10.
Wednesday—at Houston, 7:10, ESPN.

Colorado Rockies (times MDT):
Thursday—at Pittsburgh, 10:35 a.m.
Friday—Baltimore, 6:40.
Saturday—Baltimore, 7:10.
Sunday—Baltimore, 1:10.
Monday—Arizona, 1:10.
Tuesday—Arizona, 6:40.
Wednesday—Arizona, 6:40.
Thursday—Arizona, 1:10.

Pierre Post 8 American Legion varsity:
Wednesday, May 29: home vs. Renner.
Friday, June 1: home vs. Brandon Valley, 4:00.
Sunday, June 3: home vs. Rapid City Post 320, 5:00.
Monday, June 4: home vs. Mitchell, 5:00.

Pierre Trappers:
Friday—home vs. Badlands, 7:05.
Saturday—home vs. Badlands, 7:05.
Sunday—open date.
Monday—open date.
Tuesday—at Spearfish, 7:35.
Wednesday—at Spearfish, 7:35.
Thursday—at Spearfish, 7:35.

High school baseball: For only the second time since Pierre has had spring high school baseball, the Governors will not be in Sioux Falls for the state “A” semifinals this weekend. At the regional semifinal Saturday Pierre swamped Huron, 14-0, as Grey Zabel threw an eight-strikeout no-hitter. A 10-run third inning propelled the Govs to the easy win. The championship game was switched to Watertown Monday, and there the Govs and Roosevelt went two extra innings before anybody scored. Unfortunately it was the Rough Riders, who got two walks, a sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly to manufacture a run in the top of the ninth. Pierre was retired in the bottom of the inning, and the season ended with a 14-6 record. The Govs had six hits in the 1-0 loss, but they were scattered, and nine baserunners were left stranded. Matt Lusk had two of the six hits.

High school baseball: Five members of the Governors team have earned All-Region honors for this season. They are Andrew Coverdale, second baseman; Andy Gordon, third baseman, pitcher, catcher; Garrett Stout, pitcher, shortstop; Grey Zabel, pitcher, and Matt Lusk, pitcher. Beyond that, Stout and Zabel were named to the All-State team, and Jack Maher was accorded Academic All-State recognition. In the seven years of high school baseball Pierre’s team has a record of 112-37. Governor teams were in the state tourney five times and were state runners-up twice.

Sioux Falls Canaries: To open the American Association season, the Canaries went 1-4 at Cleburne, Texas, losing 7-2, 4-1 and 11-9 and winning 3-1. At Texas (Grand Prairie) the Birds have won twice, 18-6 and 6-2. Sioux Falls continues its 13-game road trip to open the season with Friday through Sunday games at Gary-South Shore and Monday through Wednesday games at Chicago.

SOCCER UPDATE

Minnesota United FC: The Loons defeated Columbus, 1-0. They will be home Saturday at 7 p.m. vs. Houston.

Sioux Falls Thunder: The Thunder lost a NPSL game to Med City FC of Rochester, 2-0. Sioux Falls plays on the road Friday at Minneapolis City FC.

ZESTO SHERBET SCHEDULE

Thursday: coffee.
Friday-Sunday: blackberry.
Monday-Tuesday: blue mood.
Wednesday-Thursday: lemon cheesecake.

BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES

Thursday, May 23:
Kade Binegar, Matt Gill, Hunter Canode, Caroline Zebroski, Morgan Freidel, Jenny (Gors) Hodges, Billy Serbousek, Bob Jeffries.
— 10th anniversary, Neils/Kara (Gloe) Christofferson.
— 4th anniversary, Dustin/Tarin James.
— 7th anniversary, Maxx/Macy Vaudrin.
— 27th anniversary, John/Heather Forney.
— 66th anniversary, Darrell/Sue Robbins.
— 4th anniversary, Dmitri/Brittni Melius.
— 4th anniversary, Aaron/Claire Rumpca.

Friday, May 24:
Adrian Freidel, Tony Jockheck, Hannah Maxwell, Gio Cappellano, Luke Schanzenbach, Betsy Valnes, Stephanie Paul.
— 16th anniversary, Gary/Molly Redden.
— 5th anniversary, Mick/Jenny (Ness) Hofer.
— 5th anniversary, Cody/Darcy (Unruh) Keiser.

Saturday, May 25:
Ryan Russell, Jessica Smith, Ronda (Zebroski) Kline, Dave Mack, Caitlin Reimers, Kris Schneider, Bronson Schiefelbein, Jennifer (Duba) Erlandson, Michael Lyons, Kristen (Hanson) Ganske.

Sunday, May 26:
Chuck Quinn, Isabel Gander, Jessica Lomheim, Will Mortenson, Ryan Goehring, Brandon Christiansen, Jackie (Schall) Shepherd, Adrie Frame, Beth (Yackley) Rinehart, Bergen Osterkamp, Abby Kennison, Tom Harmon, Chad Gran, Conor Cruse.
— 24th anniversary, Derk/Teresa (Tassler) Campbell.
— 12th anniversary, JoshMeagan Hove.
— 6th anniversary, Tim/Rachel (Knutson) Steece.
— 7th anniversary, Mike/McLean (Thompson) Kerver.

Monday, May 27:
Kristi (Kennedy) Van Winkle, Troy Fox, Audrie Morris, Emma Haberman, Mary Peterson, Debbie (Willingham) Hubbard, Erin Stars, Marcia Mack.
— 2nd anniversary, Ryker/Angela (Koch) Tieszen.
— 13th anniversary, Jason/Deanna Reitz.
— 2nd anniversary, Cody/Jessica (Blackmore) Nilson.
— 3rd anniversary, Alex/Nikki (Douglas) Jensen.

Tuesday, May 28:
Mary Heidelberger, Sarah Deters, Larry Johnson, Dave Hauschild, Brian Custer, Sophia Lundeen, Emma Lundeen.
— 14th anniversary, Brian/Nicole (Miller) Willis.
— 14th anniversary, Tom/Erin (Nielsen) Nielsen.
— 14th anniversary, Ross/Jessica (Duba) Castelli.
— 2nd anniversary, Taylor/Bethany Brock.
— 3rd anniversary, Ryan/Elizabeth (Nail) Miller.
— 8th anniversary, Chad/Amanda Jungman.
— 2nd anniversary, Damon/Jessica Thielen.
— 14th anniversary, Mike/Shirley (Licht) Shaw.
— 8th anniversary, Brian/Caitlin (Feller) Kemnitz.
— 3rd anniversary, David/Georgina (McKee) Smith.

Wednesday, May 29:
Hunter Hamre, Kimberly Coats, Cora Hachem, Dax Cappellano, Helen Stahl, Teagan Madden, Gail Opoien, Breanna Bishop, Austin Senger, Ray Hunsley.
— 9th anniversary, Matt/Kacy (Hutchinson) Gill.
— 26th anniversary, Dan/Deb (Kern) Workman.
— 9th anniversary, Tony/Jessica Jockheck.
— Anniversary, Ken/Joyce Koistinen.
— 10th anniversary, John/Callie (Buechler) Morris.
— 58th anniversary, Larry/Gail Lyngstad.
— 15th anniversary, Andrew/Darcy (Beck) Boersma.
— 15th anniversary, Dustin/Tina (Peterson) Ottenbacher.
— 15th anniversary, Mike/Meghann Klinger.

Thursday, May 30:
Linda Lomheim, Jason Rodgers, Jordan Bordewyk, Trish (Curtis) Schroeder, Brienna Binger, Jamie Lamb, Judy Rapp, Eric Lebida, Aaron Propst, Kristin McNeely, Jaxon Griffith, Priscilla Sommer, Paul Schoenfelder.
— 4th anniversary, Austin/Moriah (Wagner) Gross.
— 4th anniversary, Drew/Nicole Mickelson.
— 4th anniversary, Will/Shuree Mortenson.
— 4th anniversary, Jason/Kelsey Mangan.

PARKER’S PERSONAL NOTES

— As this paragraph is being typed on Wednesday morning, the Rapid City schools had a two-hour-late start as did Sturgis/Meade. There is no school at all in Spearfish. We here on the east side of Rapid City had an inch or two of heavy, wet snow overnight, but on the other side of town nearer the higher elevations they had a foot in places. End-of-school picnics and parties in the park? Not a chance. Everything is soaked. Hopefully a baseball field or two will dry out enough to allow games to be played soon. After all, summer is here. Supposedly.

— Except for a couple quick trips up to Sturgis, on Monday I made it outside of the city limits of Rapid City for the first time in a year as I went to Pierre for the Jay Mickelson retirement concert and celebration held at the Methodist church. What a night! The church was full, both main floor and balcony, We hear many of you were able to watch on Facebook. It was great for me personally to greet so many Pierre friends for the first time in many years, and of course that church was “home” to me for more than 20 years. I had been given the opportunity by Jay and Bev to play on the pipe organ the march that was composed for their wedding 46 years ago. A brass choir played a fanfare composed for Jay’s 1993 Latin Banquet by Larry Johnson’s brother James. Drew Mickelson read “I Am A Teacher” from “Chicken Soup for the Soul.” A video of the Il Divo quartet singing “Amazing Grace” raised the roof of the church, I’m sure! Karen Lindbloom blew all of the rust and dust out of the organ pipes with a stirring rendition of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” Kevin Kumpf, a man whose voice I hadn’t heard before, beautifully performed “Thank You.”A jazz combo played Tom Johnson’s arrangement of “Stranger on the Shore.” Diane Kehrwald sang Maria Von Trapp’s “I Must Have Done Something Good” from “Sound of Music.” Joni Willoughby sang “For Good” from “Wicked.” Max Sevier performed a Native American honoring song. Jay himself sang “Bring Him Home” from “Les Miserables” as a prayer for those serving and about to serve in the military. Rodd Bauck celebrated Jay’s upcoming freedom from teaching by singing “Free” from “A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum.” A young man named Cody (sorry I don’t know his last name!) with a rich, bass voice read Psalm 23 as none of us have ever heard it before. The First UMC bell choir played just as they have for almost all of the Latin banquets over the years. Jay sang “It Is Well With My Soul” in a manner that still three days later brings a lump to my throat. And we all joined in “Oh, How Lovely Is The Evening.” All of this was woven into one flowing concert by a script written by Jay and Bev and read from the podium by faculty members Terry Becker and Ashley Boone. It was all marvelous, perfect and meaningful, and afterward there was a chance to meet and greet in the church’s Trinity Center and at the Ramkota. Thanks to the Mickelsons for the invitation to me to be a small part of the celebration. And to you Pierre folks, it was awesome to see you all.

NEWS OF PEOPLE AND EVENTS

Correction: Last week’s item about Jeff Pool completing his master’s degree from Minnesota State-Mankato stated he is an alumnus of Sully Buttes High School. Actually he graduated from West Central High School in Hartford.

The 90th birthday of Gaylord Norman will be celebrated at an open house at 1144 Fairway Drive in Pierre from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 1.

Rodney Monson, 74, Fort Pierre, died May 15 at Avera St. Mary’s Hospital in Pierre. Services were held Wednesday at Isburg Funeral Home. Rodney attended school in Stanley County. He married Nancy Volmer in 1970. He worked as a janitor at the Longbranch and as a groundskeeper for the state. His survivors include his wife, Nancy’ his children, son Terry Monson and his wife Sharon, daughter Julie Smith and her husband Thad, and son Josh Monson and his wife Shannon; six grandchildren; his brother, Ervin Monson, and his sisters, Kathy Fuller and Rosie Olson.

The concert choir from Roosevelt High School in Sioux Falls where Robyn Starks Holcomb is director has been named a finalist for the 2019 American Prize in Choral Performance.

The Sundays at the Legion summer music series begins this weekend on the deck at the American Legion cabin. The Jimmy Shine band will provide the music from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, May 26.

Matt Blake learned he is being transferred out of his Iowa National Guard unit in Iowa City to a new one called Trial Defense Services (TDS). He will be defending Iowa soldiers in disciplinary actions. At his last drill with the 67th Troop Command Matt was awarded with an Iowa Commendation Medal for his service to the unit.

Meredith Keeler has completed her first two years of optometry school and will be seeing patients in June. She has two years of study remaining at Midwestern University/Arizona College of Optometry in Glendale.

Auditions for Pierre Players’ summer musical, “Peter and the Starcatcher,” will be held at the Grand Opera House at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 28. For questions on the show call Hannah Carda at 222-7723.

Travis Fitzke officially has “Doctor” preceding his name. He was bestowed the doctor of podiatric medicine degree at Kent State University in Ohio last week. He will begin his residency at Sanford in Fargo in July.

The summer worship services at the Oahe Chapel, located on Highway 1804 at the east end of Oahe Dam, begin this weekend. The people from Southeast United Methodist Church are responsible for this first 8 a.m. service.

Mike Schmidt, 57, Rapid City, formerly of Pierre, died May 18 at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls. There will be two funeral services—today (Thursday) at 11 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Pierre and Friday at 3 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Clear Lake. Mike served in the U.S. Army, including three years in Germany. He moved to Pierre on 1989. He and Laura Snow were married in July 2017, and they moved to Rapid City that year. He is survived by his wife, Laura; his mother and stepfather, Esther and Ron Krause of Clear Lake; his brother, Robert Schmidt of Clear Lake; his sister, Margie Arnold and her husband Mike of San Antonio; his stepchildren, Stephanie Snow of Minneapolis, Danny Snow of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Megan Fischer of Pierre and Brittani Snow of Pierre, and two step-grandchildren.

When Jayne (Knox) and Clark Kraemer of Rapid City were in the Dallas-Fort Worth airport last week while returning from a nephew’s graduation in Memphis, they happened to sit at a table next to Pierre native Barry Johnson and his son. Barry noticed Jayne’s South Dakota shirt and Clark’s Northern State University shirt and asked if they are from South Dakota. Barry said he is returning to Pierre next month for his Class of 1979’s 40-year reunion during Oahe Days. The Johnsons live now in Stillwater, Okla., after many years in Champaign, Ill.

Last week’s issue of The Onida Watchman revealed these upcoming plans for the 2019 Sully Buttes graduating class:
Morris Hofer—Northwestern College (Iowa), ag business major, football.
Kara Huse—School of Mines, biomedical engineering major.
Bailee Langdeau—Headlines Academy, cosmetology.
Jack Mercer—Mitchell Tech, precision agriculture major.
Sam Mercer—Mitchell Tech, precision agriculture major.
Jaret Morris—work.
Kallie Murphy—online study of human services.
Braeden Peery—Bemidji State, fishing team.
Brittney Todd—Lake Area Tech.
MacKenzie Weinheimer—National Guard basic trainijng, Black Hawk mechanic emphasis.
Lauren Wittler—Northern State, criminal justice and political science majors.
Brooklynn Bradford—Black Hills Beauty College, cosmetology.
Cade Currier—SDSU, agriculture science.
Sebastian Frost—USD, entrepreneurship and business management major.
Cameron Ogle—Mitchell Tech, precision agriculture and agronomy major.

The annual Fields of Grace day of faith, family, fun and Christian music at the ballpark in Arlington has been scheduled for Aug. 17, starting at 1:30 p.m. Performers this year will include Micah Tyler, Austin French, Caitie Hurst, David Dunn and Jacob Daniel (Jacob Shoup). For information go to www.itickets.com/events/410692.