THOUGHT FOR TODAY

“There are a lot of reasons to despair about our politics today. There is not a good enough reason to check out, to surrender to cynicism or to give up.”
— U.S. Sen. Cory Booker

DO YOUR HOMEWORK!

Election Day will be here before we know it. In fact, absentee voting begins Sept. 20. The voter registration deadline is Oct. 21. Election Day is Nov. 5.

There are several critical issues on this fall’s ballot, even if there aren’t many candidates races. There will be the presidential race, of course. In South Dakota the only statewide races are for U.S. House of Representatives and one seat on the Public Utilities Commission. For the U.S. House the candidates are Sheryl Johnson (D) and Dusty Johnson (R). For the PUC seat the candidates are Forrest Wilson (D), Gideon Oakes (L) and Kristie Fiegen (R). There are no legislative races in local District 24, so the current three legislators will all be elected without opposition.

If you are a responsible voter, you will study the ballot issues before you go to the polls. According to the Secretary of State’s website, these are the issues that currently have secured spots on the ballot:

Constitutional amendments:
— authorizing the state to impose work requirements on certain individuals who are eligible for expanded Medicaid.
— establishing top-two primary elections at which every voter will be allowed to vote.
— establishing a right to abortion. (NOTE: Abortion opponents are still trying to get this issue removed from the ballot.)

Initiated measures:
— prohibits taxes on anything sold for human consumption, including food.
— legalizes the recreational use, possession and distribution of marijuana.

Referred amendments:
— provides new statutory requirements for regulating linear transmission facilities; allows counties to impose a surcharge on certain pipeline companies; and establishes a landowner bill of rights.

Do your job! Learn what it is you are voting for or against! Be a responsible voter! Voting “no” on anything and everything, as one newly organized protest group suggests, is not being responsible. And don’t vote one way or the other because a certain group tells you to. They have only their own self-interests to protect.

BASEBALL UPDATE

Oahe Zap: The Zap had a nine-game losing streak going until the final game of the season when they won at Casper, 8-7. The team’s final record for the summer was 15-37.

Pierre Post 8: In the best two-of-three play-in series, Pierre lost to Watertown, 3-2 and 3-0, and thus did not qualify for the state Legion tournament. There were five seniors on this year’s varsity team—Nolan Petersen, Grayson Hunsley, Gunner Edson, Brayden Houlette and Miles Doyle—and all of them will be eligible to play again next summer if they choose except for Doyle. The team’s final record was 10-30.

State championship team: Post 8’s 13U team coached by Jonny Lyons won their state championship last weekend, going 5-0 in the tournament and 34-7-1 for the season. Pierre whipped Aberdeen in the finals, 11-4. In the tournament the boys outscored their opponents, 38-7.

Minnesota Twins schedule:
— Friday: Cleveland, 1:10 and 7:10 p.m.
— Saturday: Cleveland, 6:10 p.m.
— Sunday: Cleveland, 1:10 p.m.
— Monday: Kansas City,. 6:40 p.m.
— Tuesday: Kansas City, 6:40 p.m.
— Wednesday: Kansas City, 12:10 p.m.
— Aug. 15: at Texas, 7:05 p.m.
— Aug. 16: at Texas, 7:05 p.m.
— Aug. 17: at Texas, 6:05 p.m.
— Aug. 18: at Texas, 1:35 p.m.
— Aug. 19: at San Diego, 8:40 p.m.
— Aug. 20: at San Diego, 8:40 p.m.
— Aug. 21: at San Diego, 5:40 p.m.

Sioux Falls Canaries (Spencer Sarringar): The Canaries remain in first place in the American Association’s West Division by 1 ½ games over Winnipeg and 2 ½ over Fargo-Moorhead. Here are their games of the past two weeks and how Spencer did in each one:
— W Winnipeg 3-2 (0-for-4).
— W Winnipeg 3-1 (1-for-4, 1 walk, first-inning single).
— L Winnipeg 7-4 (1-for-3, 1 walk, 1 run, 5th-inning single).
— L Winnipeg 3-1 (0-for-1).
— W Fargo-Moorhead 4-3 (0-for-2, 1 walk, 1 RBI on sacrifice fly).
— W Fargo-Moorhead 8-2 (0-for-3, 2 walks, 1 run, 1 RBI on bases-loaded walk in ninth).
— W Fargo-Moorhead 8-6.
— L Winnipeg 8-2 (0-for-4).
— L Winnipeg 2-0.
— W Winnipeg 6-5.
— L Winnipeg 9-3 (0-for-3, 1 walk).
— L Lake Country 8-3.
The Canaries are home vs. Lake Country tonight; home vs. Milwaukee Friday through Sunday, at Winnipeg Aug.13-14-15, at Lincoln Aug. 16-17-18; home vs. Lincoln Aug. 21-22. You can follow Spencer and the Canaries at www.sfcanaries.com. Click on “Scores,” then click on “box score” for each game.

FOOTBALL UPDATE

— If you are in Pierre or East River and have access to KSFY-TV and KDLT-TV, you can watch all of the Vikings’ and Packers’ preseason games on live TV.

Vikings games:
— Aug. 10, 3 p.m., KSFY, vs. Las Vegas.
— Aug. 17, 3 p.m., KSFY, vs. Cleveland.
— Aug. 24, noon, KDLT, vs. Philadelphia.

Packers games:
— Aug. 10, 3 p.m., Fox, vs. Cleveland.
— Aug. 18, 7 p.m., KDLT, vs. Denver.
— Aug. 24, noon, Fox, vs. Baltimore.

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

Here is when Pierre Governors teams get their fall seasons started:

• Girls tennis: Aug. 16-17, home for Pierre invitational; Aug. 23-24, at Madison invitational; Aug. 29, at Rapid City vs. Brandon Valley and Stevens; Aug. 30-31, at Rapid City invitational.
• Volleyball: Aug. 27, home vs. Watertown; Aug. 30, home vs. Stevens; Aug. 31, home vs. Rapid City Central.
• Girls/boys soccer: Aug. 16, home vs. Aberdeen Central; Aug. 17, home vs. Brookings; Aug. 20, home vs. Roosevelt; Aug. 29, home vs. Sturgis; Aug. 30, at Stevens; Aug. 31, at Rapid City Central.
• Cheer/dance: Aug. 31, at Aberdeen Central invitational.
• Cross country: Aug. 30, home for Pierre invitational.
• Football: Aug. 30, at Aberdeen Central.
• Boys golf: Aug. 19, at Brandon Valley invitational; Aug. 20, at Sioux Falls Washington invitational; Aug. 26, home for Pierre invitational; Aug. 29, at Huron invitational.

COUNTDOWN

Today: Sully County Fair, Onida (Aug. 8-11).
Today: State Senior Games, Pierre (Aug. 8-11).
3 days: “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime” at Black Hills Playhouse (Aug. 11-17).
8 days: Central States Fair, Rapid City (Aug. 16-24).
9 days: BluntFest, Blunt (Aug. 17).
11 days: First day of school, Stanley County (Aug. 19).
11 days: First day of school, Riggs High School (Aug. 19).
11 days: Democratic National Convention, Chicago (Aug. 19-22).
12 days: First day of school, Agar-Blunt-Onida (Aug. 20).
13 days: First day of school, Pierre elementary/middle school (Aug. 21).
20 days: State Fair, Huron, (Aug. 28-Sept. 2).
23 days: Soccer Women’s World Cup (Aug. 31-Sept. 23).
28 days: NFL season opener (Sept. 5).
31 days: Minnesota Vikings season opener (Sept. 8).
34 days: Patriot Day (Sept. 11).
36 days: Pierre Players’ “She Kills Monsters” (Sept. 13-21).
37 days: Trojan Day at Dakota State (Sept. 14).
43 days: S.D. Festival of Books, Brookings (Sept. 20-22).
43 days: Absentee voting for general election begins (Sept. 20).
44 days: Swarm Day at Black Hills State (Sept. 21).
44 days: “M” Day at School of Mines (Sept. 21).
44 days: Lancer Day at Mount Marty (Sept. 21).
44 days: Homecoming at NDSU (Sept. 21).
45 days: First day of fall (Sept. 22).
49 days: Custer State Park buffalo roundup arts festival (Sept. 26-28).
50 days: Custer State Park buffalo roundup (Sept. 27).
50 days: Riggs High homecoming day (Sept. 27).
51 days: Homecoming at UND (Sept. 28).
58 days: Homecoming at University of Mary (Oct. 5).
58 days: Homecoming at Northwestern (Iowa) (Oct. 5).
58 days: Gypsy Day at Northern (Oct. 5).
58 days: Fort Pierre horse races (Oct. 5-6).
58 days: Viking Day at Augustana (Oct. 5).
58 days: Homecoming at University of Nebraska (Oct. 5).
58 days: Homecoming at Minnesota State-Mankato (Oct. 5).
60 days: State girls tennis tournament, Rapid City (Oct. 7-8).
60 days: State boys golf tournament, Watertown (Oct. 7-8).
61 days: Soccer playoffs begin (Oct. 8).
63 days: Minnesota Wild season opener (Oct. 10).
65 days: Hobo Day at SDSU (Oct. 12).
65 days: Dakota Day at USD (Oct. 12).
65 days: Blue & White Day at DWU (Oct. 12).
67 days: Native American Day (Oct. 14).
72 days: Cougar Day at USF (Oct. 19).
72 days: State cross country meet, Rapid City (Oct. 19).
72 days: State soccer championships, Yankton (Oct. 19).
74 days: Voter registration deadline for general election (Oct. 21).
77 days: 9-man and 11B football playoffs begin (Oct. 24).
79 days: Homecoming at University of Minnesota (Oct. 26).
79 days: State cheer/dance meet, Rapid City (Oct. 26).
85 days: 11A, 11AA, 11AAA football playoffs begin (Nov. 1).
86 days: All-State Chorus/Orchestra concert, Sioux Falls (Nov. 2).
87 days: Daylight Saving Time ends (Nov. 3).
89 days: General election (Nov. 5).
95 days: Veterans Day (Nov. 11).
98 days: Football championship games, Vermillion (Nov. 14-16).
99 days: Pierre Players’ “You Can’t Take It With You” (Nov. 15-23).
105 days: State volleyball tournaments, Sioux Falls (Nov. 21-23).
112 days: Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 28).
131 days: Each state’s electors meet to cast votes for President (Dec. 17).
134 days: FBS college football playoffs begin (Dec. 20-21).
139 days: Christmas Day (Dec. 25).
151 days: Congress counts electoral votes for President (Jan. 6).
165 days: Inauguration Day (Jan. 20).

WORDS OF WISDOM

When sleeping women awake, mountains will move.
— Chinese proverb

ZESTO SHERBET SCHEDULE

Thursday: root beer.
Friday-Saturday-Sunday: tutti fruitti.
Monday-Tuesday: lime.
Wednesday-Thursday: coffee.
Aug. 16-17-18: black cherry.
Aug. 19-20: orange.
Aug. 21-22: blue mood.
Aug. 23-24-25: strawberry cheesecake.
Aug. 26-27: NEW MYSTERY FLAVOR.
Aug. 28-29: pina colada.
Aug. 30-31-Sept. 1: raspberry.

PARKER’S PERSONAL NOTES

• A television viewing note: At 8 p.m. CDT this Sunday, Aug. 11, on MSNBC, “To Be Destroyed” is the latest installment of “The Turning Point” documentary series from executive producer Trevor Noah. This program explores a South Dakota community’s fight against book banning after five books, including one by best-selling author Dave Eggers, were pulled from the shelves.
• Football Contest participants: Our first slate of games will be posted on my Facebook page (Parker Knox) on Sunday night, Aug. 18, for the games the following weekend. You will have until the following Friday afternoon to get your picks turned in. If you want me to send you the list of games each week to your e-mail account, let me know at parkerhome16@hotmail.com.
• As we told you last time, this is the last-ever issue of the Midweek Update. Thank you, thank you to all who have read part of the time or all of the time over the past 27 years. It has been fun (and time-consuming) keeping Pierre area folks in touch with each other and their home communities. Again, thank you to Jon Sailer at www.everythingsouthdakota.com for continuing to post our Update each week these last few years.

THANK YOU FOR THESE MESSAGES!

From Suzi Stein in Texas: “You’re a legend. You’ve kept us all connected across the miles and through the years. Well done, thy good and faithful servant!”

From John Weeldreyer in Pierre: “I was one of the original receivers of the mailed Update in the fall of 1996. Have always enjoyed catching the Updates.”

From Dawnita Forell in Pierre: “Thank you!”

From Kyle Richards in Rapid City: “One of my go-to reads every week. Loved the variety and seeing what others were doing and their comings and goings. Salute to you from all of us ‘Pierre-ites’ near and far. We all appreciate your diligence on it and your professionalism for being accurate.”

From Margaret Ellefson in Pierre: “This will be missed. It has always felt like you never moved away!”

From Barb Hillestad in Pierre: “Thank you for the years of helping us keep track of each other and celebrate all kinds of firsts and greats. It has been the kind of news everyone looked forward to reading. And as a retired teacher of language, I never worried even once about misspelled words or grammatical errors. Your wisdom has inspired all your readers. Peace!”

From Karen Lindbloom in Pierre: “Thank you, Parker. What a pleasure to read your column all these years.”

From Thea Miller Ryan in Sioux Falls: “Thank you, Parker.”

From Mary Thoen Heidelberger in Rapid City: “Thank you, Parker.”

From Ellen Johnson in Kansas City: “Thank you for keeping me up to date.”

From Juanita McKeever in Minnesota: “So grateful for the gift of your Pierre happenings, especially since our move from Pierre. It has been a wonderful gift to still read about the activities, awards, special events in the lives of so many friends there. I will surely miss reading your words. Thank you, Parker.”

From Brenda Ruby in Pierre: “Thanks so much for your years of service. Although I’ve just been a ‘lurker,’ it’s been wonderful reading about the goings-on in Pierre/Fort Pierre. I will miss the little touch of South Dakota. God bless!”

From D.T. Meyer in Pierre: “I saw that you are wrapping up what I think is the best report of local news and people I have ever read. Thank you for all you have done.:

From Alberta Flansburg Olson in Black Hawk: “I knew this day would come. I just wasn’t ready for it yet. I have always thoroughly enjoyed reading your newsletter. When somebody else asks about something, I Google your news to find the answer. You deserve a break to just enjoy and be in the moment. Just wanted you to know I will greatly miss your news.”

From Jeannette Schipper in Sioux Falls: How we will miss you and your updates! You have been a link to all things and everyone Pierre that we never would have had without you. Pierre is an outstanding community, and you kept us close even though we have been gone for years. Keep sharing your light!”

From Gail Lyngstad in Pierre: “You have done one great job of keeping the news from Pierre and around reaching those near and far. Thank you!”

From Jamie Damon in Sioux Falls: “Thank you for doing this for so many years. I will miss it. I enjoy reading it every time it hits my e-mail.”

From Fern Barnett in Pierre: “Thank you for sharing not only all the events happening, birthdays, anniversaries, deaths, your humor and your outlook on life.”

From Jason Noyes in Sioux Falls: “This is something I look forward to on Thursdays all year long. I really hope you are like Brett Favre here and tease that this is it but then keep it going for four or five more years!”

From Debra Bollinger in the Black Hills: “Congratulations on so many years of the Midweek Update. Always enjoyed it! Be well, my friend!”

From Karon Schaack in Rapid City: “I will miss your Update for sure, but I completely understand. Thanks for the many years of connections.”

From De Knudson in Sioux Falls: “Congrats on your incredible run of your Midweek Update. Impressive! You will have more free time to enjoy life.”

From Lynne Guthrie in Pierre: “Thank you for all the years of Updates.”

From Peggy Hofmeister in Arkansas: “Thank you for your years of dedicated efforts to keep us all informed. It has meant so much to me personally after leaving Pierre about 25 years ago to be able to read about those whom we knew and loved there. You have been appreciated by so many, but we wish you well in the retirement (how many have you had now?!).”

From Julie Osnes in Pierre: “Thank you, Parker. I always enjoyed reading your Updates. Enjoy unplugging!”

From Derek Harley in Minnesota: “Pierre will certainly be losing an incredible gem of a news reporter that you don’t find much any more.”

From Tim Smith in Rapid City: “What a legacy! Unbelievable!”

From Joyce Williams in Pierre: “What a gift your updates have been for all these years! You made keeping track of births, deaths, accomplishments, movings and schedules easy. Your column on things to be thankful for was always a good reminder. Wishing you blessings for good health and good times with family and friends.”

BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES

Thursday, Aug. 8:
Brady Mullett, Marla Willard, Dylan Dowling, Dantae Dvorak, Sam Holden, Kristen Job, Molly Kreycik, Roger Johnson, Mike Herman, Drew White, Korina Deal, Jayce Tetzlaff, Patrick Gengler, Declan Pope, Daniel Timmons.
— 9th anniversary, Ryan/Cassie Blake.
— 9th anniversary, Ali/Rachel (LeBeau) Hachem.
— 26th anniversary, Jonathan/Andrea (Viken) Urbach.
— 26th anniversary, Nathan/Jill (Storsteen) Weber.
— 15th anniversary, Max/Lisa Huber.

Friday, Aug. 9:
Brynn Sogaard, Remington Reilly, Mary Sieck, Megan (Joachim) Jaeger, Jenny Hallenbeck-Orr, Rebecca (Zebroski) Neises, Collin Livermont.
— 27th anniversary, Chris/Sarah (Kringel) Hibbitts.
— 21st anniversary, Chris/Jenny Derry.
— 60th anniversary, John/Linda Knox.
— 49th anniversary, Terry/Janet Hofer.
— 38th anniversary, Jeff/Lisa Mammenga.
— 21st anniversary, Nick/Brittany (Bailey) Jarecke.
— 16th anniversary, Justin/Stephanie (Mutschler) Pierson.
— 27th anniversary, Chuck/Hope (Hoover) Brenny.
— 10th anniversary, Ryan/Kelly (Lingle) Royer.

Saturday, Aug. 10:
Kyndal Van Zee, Gracie Weinheimer, Christopher Nath, Sue Light, Stella Lindbloom, Stephanie Bengs, Ron Lutz, Laynee Brandt, Kaydee Hewlett, Liv Smith.
— 12th anniversary, Dustin/Cidna Pitlick.
— 22nd anniversary, Thomas/Dulcie (Bellander) Stotts.
— 22nd anniversary, Joseph/Michelle (Maskovich) Soulek.
— 22nd anniversary, Toby/Amber Bryant.

Sunday, Aug. 11:
Susan Quinn, Tom Opoien, Scott Lamb, JoAnn Nelsen, Alex Ludemann, Archie Haag, Mike Snyder, Terry Becker, Courtney Sheffield.
— 6th anniversary, Nick/Sasha (Kean) Bishop.
— 6th anniversary, Steve/Cassie Long.
— 24th anniversary, Mark/Meghann (O’Day) Kjolsrud.
— 12th anniversary, Jim/Lindsey (Jungwirth) Costello.
— 17th anniversary, Jonathan/Sarah (Yackley) Ploeger.
— 17th anniversary, Austin/Lindsey Schneider.
— 17th anniversary, Clinton/Missy (Drew) Figland.
— 18th anniversary, A.J./Amanda (Huck) Stoeser.
— 39th anniversary, Dave/Denette (Eisnach) Becker.

Monday, Aug. 12:
Courtney Zander, Taylor Murtland, Molly (Wilbur) Budmayr, Lindsay Ambur, Cooper Hogan, Bp Rosane, Mary (Holm) Keahey, Kari Anderson.
— 7th anniversary, Chris/Ashlee Voller.
— 45th anniversary, Dave/Marcia Mack.
— 18th anniversary, Tim/Lindsey (Simons) Ferber.
— 24th anniversary, Christopher/Jessica (Yost) Cox.
— 24th anniversary, Kevin/Julie Lors.
— 18th anniversary, Jeff/Jamie (Stokke) Lemire.

Tuesday, Aug. 13:
Andi Mancuso, Finn Meiners, Leto Knudson, Kory Davis, Misti (Currier) Baumberger, Sam Herrscher, Charissa Howard, Bobbi (West) Hanson.
— 8th anniversary, Jerry/Aly Bollinger.
— 13th anniversary, A.J./Tisa Wharton.

Wednesday, Aug. 14:
George Summerside, Eloise Cermak, Wyatt Rumrill, Ethan Harder, Kristi Barnhart, Andrew Johnson, Mike Walton, Mike Zellmer, Rebecca Cruse, Michaela Stroup, Tim Maher, Jordyn Ripperger, Heath Stoeser, Gay Rhoades, Spencer Thomas, Jackson Goodman.
— 54th anniversary, Mike/Diana Vogel.
— 14th anniversary, Chris/Victoria Bell.
— 14th anniversary, Justin/Jill Gilmore.
— 43rd anniversary, Tony/Shiela Mangan.
— 19th anniversary, Nate/Tracie (Seyfer) Vogel.
— 20th anniversary, Rick/Katie (Skrondahl) Melius.
— 37th anniversary, Doug/Deb Smith.
— We fondly remember Phil Trautner, who passed away 21 years ago today.

Thursday, Aug. 15:
Kathy (Hoover) Pautz, Meredith (Lee) Roebuck, Hunter Roberts, Jason Christenson, Danny Snow, Jesse Nystrom, Heath Houdek, Jack Steece, Brian Kemnitz, Jared Dutton, Ellie Knudson, Dianne Weyer, Autumn Iverson.
— 17th anniversary, Sam/Amber (LaBrie) Shaw.
— 15th anniversary, J.D./Amanda Lauing.
— 44th anniversary, Mark/Glennis (Parsons) Zarecky.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“I always thought someone should do something until one day I realized I was someone.”
— President John F. Kennedy

NEWS OF PEOPLE AND EVENTS

Important Pierre Players community theater dates:
— Sept. 13-15 and 19-21: Performances of “She Kills Monsters.”
— Sept. 16: Auditions for “You Can’t Take It With You.”
— Nov. 15-17 and 21-23: Performances of “You Can’t Take It With You.”

Kelly (Tobin) Kent lived in Pierre until junior high. She and her mother and sister moved to Myrtle Beach, S.C. Kelly became a social worker, moving back to South Dakota and now works for the Veterans Administration. Recently she appeared on a KOTA-TV piece about a health fair that pointed out resources available to veterans and their families.

Folks who knew Steph Arne or went to school with her should check her Facebook page (Stephanie Arne Davison) to follow what she and her husband have been going through these past few weeks. In a Facebook message this week, Steph said that anyone with questions about infertility, IVF or surrogacy is welcome to contact her.

Conrad and Kaitlyn (Severyn) Adam of Sioux Falls revealed on Facebook that they are expecting their first child in August.

One of Pierre’s superb hockey players, Carter Sanderson, who will be only a high school junior this fall, has dreams of playing his sport at the highest level. He has decided the University of North Dakota will be his college choice when that time comes. In the meantime he will be playing with the Muskegon, Mich., team in the U.S. Hockey League, so he will attend high school there this fall while playing with the Muskegon team.

Pierre native Jeff Parker (twin brother of Jayne Parsons), after seven days of tests at the University of Colorado Hospital and the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Center, has been diagnosed with Stage 4 glioblastoma. He is beginning treatment immediately at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix.

Marilyn Spaid, 91, died July 31 at Edgewood in Pierre. Her funeral took place Monday at First United Methodist Church. The former Marilyn Eldridge attended grade school while on the family ranch south of Fort Pierre. She spent grades 6-12 in Pierre, then earned a teaching degree at Black Hills State Teachers College. She taught briefly at the Felicia School just west of Blunt. In 1951 Marilyn married Bob Spaid. They lived in Denver while he was a military policeman with the U.S. Air Force. After his service they moved back to the Spaid family farm and raised their children there. Marilyn is survived by three sons, Russell (Candy) Spaid of Pierre, Ronald Spaid of Blunt, and Robert (Connie) Spaid of Blunt; her daughter, Robin Auch (Randy Bauer) of Pierre; nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Among those who preceded her in death were her parents, her husband, three sisters, and a young son, Richard.

Fort Pierre native Martin Calkins and his wife, Marlin, are expecting their first child in two months. They live in Carbondale, Colo., but recently revisited Cabarete in the Dominican Republic, which is where they originally met while Marty was teaching there.

U.S. Army Cpl. Robert A. Bartlett, 22, of South Dakota, killed during World War II, was finally accounted for on May 20 of this year. The funeral for the son of the late Amos and Alice Bartlett of Blunt will be held at the United Methodist Church in Blunt at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, and the service will be livestreamed into the Blunt school gym. Bartlett will be laid to rest at Pleasant Hill Cemetery outside Blunt with full military honors. In July 1944 he was assigned to Company A, 744th Tank Battalion, as a crew member of an MSA1 Stuart light tank. His unit was engaged in battle with German forces at Saint Germain-d’Elle in France. On July 21, 1944, his tank was struck by an enemy shoulder-fired rocket. Two crew members were able to escape, but Bartlett and one other were never seen or heard from again. Eventually Bartlett was declared missing-in-action. Germany never reported him as a prisoner of war, so in September 1950 his remains were declared non-recoverable. While studying unresolved American losses in that area, a defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) historian determined that the tank recovered from the area belonged to Company A. The remains of two men were exhumed in April 2018. Scientists since identified Bartlett’s remains. A rosette will be placed next to his name on the walls of the missing at Normandy American Cemetery along the coast of the English Channel in France.

Seth Waitman and his wife, Taragade Waitman, now have their own small business called Sway Villa, a private beachfront retreat on a secluded beach along the Gulf of Thailand coast in the city of Nakhan Si Thammarat. They have a Facebook page entitled Sway Villa. And you can see photos of the Waitmans’ beautiful little boy.

Since high school baseball became a thing in Pierre, Steve Gray has been the Governors’ only coach. He has decided to retire from the head coaching position and will be succeeded by Scott Raue, who coached the Post 8 varsity many years ago. Under Gray the Pierre high school team had a total record of 182-72, went to the state “final four” six times and won one state championship. (Ness courtesy of KCCR Sports)

Harold “Ted” Rice, who had lived in Pierre only since 2022, died July 28 at Edgewood. Mr. Rice spent most of his life in Peoria, Ill. He is survived by two sons, Michael Rice of Rapid City and Jon (Sue) Rice of Pierre, and two siblings.

Dennis and Joyce Williams began the summer with a flight to Switzerland where they spent nine days and on by rail to northern Italy for nine more days. Since then the Williamses have spent much time in weeding, mowing and pruning as well as traveling to grandchildren’s tennis and baseball events. They have seen all of their family, including grandchildren, this summer except for the oldest grandson, who moved from Missouri to North Carolina where he works as an air traffic controller in the tower at the Charlotte airport.

Andy and Janelle (Kvislen) Carda’s kids are in school already. Their schools in Mount Juliet, Tenn., east of Nashville opened on Aug. 1. Janelle told me last year that the schools there start so early because they have such hugely long breaks during the school year. The Cardas’ kids are son Chase, who is a senior this year, and daughter Lavin, who is a freshman.

Rachel Williams has been selected as the new chief executive officer of the Oahe YMCA, succeeding Aaron Fabel, who resigned in February. Rachel has worked for state government for 11 years, most recently at the Bureau of Finance and Management. (News courtesy of Dakota Radio Group)

Dale Kiepke, 77, died July 23. A celebration of his life will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, at the American Legion cabin. Dale graduated from Blunt High School in 1965. He served with the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968, a period which included two tours of duty in Vietnam. Dale married Lorrie Lund in 1969. They raised five children and divorced later. From 1970 until his retirement he worked for 48 years with A-G-E Corporation. Dale married Ricki Bloomenrader, and they spent 28 years together until her death in 2022. Survivors include his five children, Jeff (Ruth Ann) Kiepke, Tonia (Chris) Theel, Brenda (Steve) Walton, Dawn (Kasey) Smith and Melanie Kiepke; 12 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren, and three sisters, Doris Engel, Carol (Ron) Fisher and Helen Kiepke.

Jon Boer, who taught in the Redfield and Lyman school districts after college, is elementary principal in the Deubrook Area Schools district just north of Brookings where he has been for seven years.

USD alumni and friends in central South Dakota are reminded of a USD Update get-together at Drifters in Fort Pierre on Aug. 27 from 4 to 6 p.m. Sheila Gestring, president of the university, will be there along with others from the campus.

Pierre Players community theater has announced the cast for the fall show, “She Kills Monsters,” which will be performed Sept. 13-15 and 19-21. Tickets will go on sale Sept. 3. Cast members include Shelby Bergeson, Sophia Maunu, Justin Munyer, Bill McDonald, Amanda Roadcap, Sarah Kanz, Lanie Stulken, Isaac Gonzales, Tasina Smith, LaTrisha Pullman, Jaci Baker, Gunner Nordvold, Taylor Land, Josie Bowman, Lyla Seeley and Jaeryn Shields.

Gene Stampe, whose wife Darlene passed away only a month ago, died July 27. His funeral was held Aug. 5 at New Life Assembly of God. Gene grew up on a ranch in western Sully County. His family moved after his seventh-grade year to a farm near Rutland, and Gene graduated from Rutland High School in 1951. In 1953 he married the former Darlene Ripperger. Drafted into the U.S. Army, Gene served at Fort Knox, Ky. Preparing at Fort Riley, Kan., to be deployed to Korea, he instead was deployed to German y. In 1956 Gene and Darlene moved to western Sully County. They raised their four children there and lived there for 57 years until 2014 when Darlene moved into Pierre for health reasons. Gene was also a long-time DeKalb seed products representative. Since breaking his pelvis in a fall in January 2021, Gene had lived at Avera Maryhouse. He is survived by his sister, Marilyn Hanson of Madison; three sons, Scott (Mary) Stampe of Spearfish, Tim (Melanie) Stampe of Pierre and Jamie (Jody) Stampe of Rapid City; nine grandchildren; one step-grandchild, and nine great-grandchildren. Among those who preceded him in death were his wife; his daughter, Cindy Keitch; his sister, Shirley Feeney, and a stepdaughter, Laura LoCoco.

Pastor David Zellmer has been named interim executive director of Lutherans Outdoors of South Dakota. Pastor Zellmer, who has spent 40 years as a pastor, including time at Lutheran Memorial in Pierre before becoming ELCA Bishop, also has a long history with Lutherans Outdoors.

A celebration of the life of Anita (Odens) Zastrow will take place this Saturday, Aug. 11, at the Springfield Community Center in Springfield, S.D., from 1:30 to 4 p.m. If you wish to communicate with Steph, you can reach her at Stephzley@gmail.com in advance.

Former Pierre Governor wrestler Kahlor Hindman was involved in a serious motorcycle accident in Tampa, Fla., last Thursday. A fund-raiser to raise money for his medical expenses and his parents’ travel expenses will be held at the Pizza Ranch in Fort Pierre next Monday, Aug. 12, from 5 to 8 p.m. Kahlor moved to Tampa less than a year ago. Since his hospitalization in a coma, he has had neurological surgeries and surgery to stop internal bleeding. He sustained multiple broken bones and ligaments and will require medical attention for a very long time.

The family of Betty Norman, 94, who died April 30, invites friends to join them for a memorial visitation in her honor at the Isburg Funeral Chapel next Tuesday, Aug. 13, from 4 to 6 p.m.

Pheasants Forever officially dedicated The Stengle Tract, a 560-acre addition to the Frozen Man Creek game production area in Stanley County. The Build A Wildlife Area project was made possible in part by Pierre native Nicole Stengle, who donated $150,000 toward the addition in honor of her late father, John Stengle.

PONDER THIS

Help save our country. Vote blue!