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A SAFE THANKSGIVING WEEK AMID THE PANDEMIC? NOT LIKELY
A “happy” Thanksgiving is out of the question this year, no matter your political stance. (Why is a pandemic that plays no favorites a political issue? But never mind.) Nevertheless, happy Thanksgiving or not, there will be plenty of chances to exercise your “freedoms,” display your lack of fear and concern for others, and help spread COVID-19 in Pierre and Fort Pierre next week, and those opportunities are in addition to family holiday gatherings that will go on without change of plans and the hordes of shoppers who will descend upon Thanksgiving Night and Black Friday specials. The governor still says this is a marathon, not a sprint, and man, she is right about that at least.
Pierre’s Parade of Lights will take place Monday night. The lighting of the Christmas trees in the cozy confines of the Capitol is Tuesday night. Join the governor in not wearing masks and share the disease around you. The “Christmas at the Capitol” display of lighted trees begins Wednesday, Nov. 25, offering a place for crowds to gather every day until the day after Christmas. Fort Pierre’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony and events take place next Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. Also on that Friday next week the Cultural Heritage Center will have its annual holiday open house from 1 to 4:30 p.m.
Can South Dakota hit the magic 1,000 number of coronavirus deaths by Christmas? You can help! Don’t wear masks (such a sign of fear and weakness). Get together for holiday happy hours! College kids home for the holidays, get together for house parties. Stores, extend your shopping hours. Politicians, offer your worthless “thoughts and prayers” and your thanks to the front-line workers. (Your thanks don’t help them much.) The economy and “normality” and those personal freedoms are what matters, at all costs! We can do this!
Wide-open restriction-free South Dakota rang the bell last Thursday, hitting 2,000 new virus cases in one day for the first time. On Friday there came 1,611 new cases, hospitalizations reached 556, and the death toll rose to 568. Saturday saw 1,855 more new positive cases, and a whopping 53 more deaths raised the fatality toll to 621 with 18,747 active cases in the state. The same day the governor vowed to resist enforcing any precautions put in place by the Biden administration in January. Twenty-three additional South Dakotans’ deaths were reported on Sunday, bringing the toll to 614. Only 17 states have had more deaths per 1,000 residents than South Dakota. That day 1,199 more new cases were reported, and one in every 45 residents of the state was a victim of an active case of COVID-19 for a total of 19,360. Monday brought 897 new cases, but the number of active cases dropped a bit to 18,139. On Tuesday 1,006 additional new cases were added to the active cases total, which went back up to 18,624. Somehow there were no new reported deaths in Monday’s or Tuesday’s daily reports. But Wednesday’s report showed 30 new deaths, bringing the fatality toll to 674; 19,240 active cases and 1,387 new positive cases.
Forbes Magazine said South Dakota’s risk level shows “a breath-taking failure to manage the crisis.” North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska all imposed new restrictions last week, Governor Burgum of North Dakota, a staunch opponent of mask mandates, finally issued one and also restricted capacity of restaurants and events and suspended school activities until Dec. 14. Thirty-six of the 50 states have mask requirements of varying degrees, according to AARP.
In Michigan Governor Whitmer stopped indoor dining and in-person high school and college for three weeks. In response President Trump’s coronavirus adviser (in case you didn’t know he has one) urged Michigan residents to “rise up” against the new restrictions.
In South Dakota the Department of Public Safety has a TV commercial running these days. It suggests we “drive sober,” “slow down” and “wear seat belts.” So far as we know, no one has proclaimed this commercial to be taking away our rights. The commercial’s theme is “If we all do our part, we can save lives.” Isn’t it sad that the same doesn’t apply to the pandemic.
Governor Noem held a press conference yesterday afternoon and upheld her year-long statement that state government has been and continues to do a good job in controlling the virus. Asked how she responds to the requests from medical professionals that, for example, a mask mandate is necessary, Noem said she compares South Dakota with other states that do have mask mandates and thinks those states have worse situations than we do. She said her focus continues to be hospitalization space, not positive cases. I wish someone would have asked her why some hospitals ship patients elsewhere.
And on these positive notes, have a blessed Thanksgiving, even if it is a bit different from a normal year. If you care about your family, yourself and your community, stay home. Stay well! Please do only those activities that are essential to life for the next few weeks. You can do without Thanksgiving feasts and good times. You can do without crowding into the Capitol. Your help is crucial in stemming the tide that is drowning us. And if you’re in South Dakota, good luck with all of this because unfortunately the majority don’t care and won’t be any help at all.
Other miscellaneous COVID-19 notes: The Ivy League, which was the first major conference to cancel winter and spring sports last March, became the first to cancel all winter sports. . . . . . Black Hills State and the School of Mines canceled the remaining games on their already-shortened football seasons. . . . . . Mines has also announced there will be no fans admitted to any of the Hardrockers’ basketball games at least through December. . . . . . The Custer school district, which includes Hermosa, ruled that masks are now not required but recommended. . . . . . In El Paso, where they have tent hospitals and refrigerated trucks being used as morgues, an appeals court ruled against a temporary shutdown of non-essential businesses despite a surge in COVID-19 there. . . . . . . The Huron city council passed a 30-day mask resolution unanimously. . . . . . The Harrisburg school board instituted a mask mandate with more than 400 students out on quarantine. . . . . . In Rapid City where some of the schools had been closed and reduced to all online learning, a district-wide closing began Wednesday, and all subsequent learning will be done online. And with the school closed, at Central High for example the fall play has been postponed into December, and winter sports scheduled to start practices in November won’t do so until at least Nov. 30. . . . . . School of Mines and Black Hills State postponed their opening conference doubleheaders until January. . . . . . The Mitchell city council approved the first reading of a city-wide mask mandate. . . . . . The Department of Defense put South Dakota on its “do not travel” list, so if you were expecting a military family member to come home soon, don’t hold your breath. . . . . . “Even if I’m the only one,” Will Mortenson, who will be sworn in as one of District 24’s House of Representatives in January, said in an opinion piece in the Capital Journal that “I’ll be wearing a mask to the Capitol when I report for duty. I will likely subject myself to furrowed brows or an occasional scoff, but I don’t mind.” . . . . . In Philadelphia there is a new six-week ban on indoor dining. . . . . . In Chicago as a mandatory lockdown returned, store shelves began to become empty of necessary products. . . . . . The South Dakota governor’s office said they are “not happy” with a USA Today story that cast a dim light on South Dakota’s COVID-19 surge and state government’s lack of response to it. . . . . . Mitchell’s mayor, Bob Eveson, Tuesday declared an emergency in his city and issued an immediate mask mandate, and the complaints began flooding into city hall immediately. . . . . . The South Dakota State Medical Association issued a public plea to the governor: “You’ve got to help us.” . . . . . A member of the Trump administration urged Americans to go ahead with full-fledged Thanksgiving gathering plans, suggesting that those old people in the family would probably die in the next year anyway. . . . . . The city of Brookings extended its mask mandate for 60 days. . . . . . The Sioux Falls city council, after a mask mandate failed last week when Mayor Paul TenHaken cast the deciding negative vote, passed a mandate this week 6-2 after the penalty segment was removed from the original proposal. The mandate applies inside businesses and in city buildings. . . . . . Bishop Bruce Ough of the Minnesota-Dakotas Area of the United Methodist Church issued a statement urging all United Methodist congregations in South Dakota and North Dakota to make plans to celebrate Advent and Christmas online rather than in in-person worship. . . . . . Governor Walz in Minnesota will announce new restrictions, including guidance for winter youth sports. His state had 6,000 new cases and 26 more deaths Tuesday.
STATE VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT PAIRINGS
* Class “AA” at Brookings:
Upper bracket—Harrisburg vs. Sioux Falls O’Gorman; Watertown vs. Sioux Falls Roosevelt.
Lower bracket—Huron vs. Brandon Valley; Sioux Falls Washington vs. Aberdeen Central.
* Class “A” at Watertown:
Upper bracket—Sioux Falls Christian vs. Madison, Winner vs. Hamlin.
Lower bracket—Rapid City Christian vs. Dakota Valley, Hill City vs. Parker.
* Class “B” at Huron:
Upper bracket—Northwestern vs. Corsica-Stickney, Colman-Egan vs. Bridgewater-Emery.
Lower bracket—Chester Area vs. Faulkton Area, Warner vs. Hitchcock-Tulare.
NOTE: All three volleyball tournaments will be available live online through www.sdpb.org. The three championship matches Saturday will all be on live television—one of them on SDPB1, one on SDPB2 and one on SDPB3.
FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME SCORES
9AA: Platte-Geddes 42, Hamlin 12.
9B: Wolsey-Wessington 32, Dell Rapids St. Mary 14.
9A: Canistota-Freeman 12, Warner 0.
11B: Winner 18, Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan 14.
11AA: Pierre 38, Brookings 6.
11A: Tea Area 35, Canton 16.
11AAA: Brandon Valley 35, Harrisburg 14.
LEAVING NO DOUBT, GOVERNORS MAKE IT FOUR STRAIGHT
Pierre lost to unbeaten Brookings, 21-14, midway through the regular season. But the Governors, who had avenged their other loss to Yankton in the state semifinals, destroyed Brookings, 38-6, in the state Class 11AA championship game at Vermillion Friday and brought home to Pierre the school’s fourth straight state title and their fifth in eight seasons.
This was going to be the year the Pierre dynasty was likely to end, considering the talent that graduated after last season. But it didn’t happen. Whether the offense or the defense had a better game could be debated. Together they created a dominant force that left the Bobcats in a 28-6 halftime hole. Brookings never had a lead and did not score in the second, third and fourth quarters.
At the end of a drive that ignited the offense, Lincoln Kienholz scored from the 1-yard line on a quarterback keeper with 3:17 left in the first period, and Carston Miller converted the first of five straight extra-point kicks for a 7-0 lead. The highlight of that scoring march was a 49-yard pass from Kienholz to Aaron Booth. Brookings’ import from Minnesota, running back Josh Buri, scored from nine yards out at the 1:32 mark, but Cord Ellis blocked the extra point, so Pierre led 7-6 after a quarter, and Brookings would not score again.
The second quarter saw Kienholz toss three touchdown passes (actually four, but one of them to Jack Merkwan was nullified by a penalty). Kienholz hit Regan Bollweg on a 3-yard TD play at the 11:06 mark. When Kienholz intercepted a Bobcat pass and ran back a long return, the Govs were in business again. On the second play after the pass to Merkwan was taken away, Kienholz found Merkwan streaking into the left corner of the end zone to complete a 29-yard touchdown play with 8:12 on the halftime clock. The dagger in Brookings’ heart came when a fumble recovery by Bollweg, set up by pressure applied by Jayce Beastrom, gave Pierre the ball late in the half. Kienholz and Bollweg hooked up again from 10 yards out with 1:46 left.
A scoreless third quarter saw the Govs killing the clock on offense and stifling the Bobcats on defense. With 7:56 left in the game Miller added a 32-yard field goal to his extra-point credits after Raske’s interception had killed another Brookings possession. Finally the crowning touch came when Maguire Raske, completing a sensational football career for Pierre, dragged much of the Brookings defense with him as he churned forward into the end zone for the game’s final score.
Raske carried 28 times for 164 yards, and no one deserved to score the championship’s final touchdown more than he did. Kienholz carried 10 times for six yards and completed 10 of 19 passes for 151 yards. In receptions Merkwan caught four for 164 yards, Aaron Booth one for 49 yards, Raske three for 25 and Bollweg two for 13. For Brookings Buri had 16 carries for 122 yards. The Bobcats had 10 first downs to Pierre’s 17, outgained the Govs on the ground by 158 to 149 but were on the short end of the passing yardage, 24 yards to Pierre’s 151. The Governor offense was 6 of 12 in third-down conversions.
Preston Taylor, who was named the defensive star of the game, had five solo tackles and two assisted tackles, sacking Brookings three times. Josh Rowse had four solo tackles and three assisted tackles. Austin Foley had three solo tackles and five assisted tackles. In all 18 Governor players were listed on the tackle statistics.
Just like a year ago, the Pierre football program will lose a wealth of talent through graduation, but nobody is feeling sorry for Pierre quite yet, considering the underclassmen who will be back to seek a fifth straight crown. Seniors on the roster include Zach Letellier, Carston Miller, Regan Bollweg, Maguire Raske, Aaron Booth, Josh Rowse, Kahlor Hindman, Mac Kruger, Cord Ellis, Collin Brueggeman, Triston Curry, Jayce Beastrom, Adisson Westergren, Houston Lunde, Jakob Powell, Gunnar Gehring, Denton Beck, Preston Taylor and Peyton Schlekeway.
Head coach Steve Steele is assisted by a corps that includes Shawn Lewis, Jeff Schlekeway, Matt Thorson, Adam Spoehr, Nathan Naasz, Scott Neu, Brody Gilbertson and Elijah Campbell. Statistician J.C. Byer is another integral part of the team that will be missed via graduation.
PIERRE GOVERNORS SPORTS ROUNDUP
Volleyball: In their SoDak 16 matchup at Brandon, the Governor girls lost to Brandon Valley, 3-1, on game scores of 17-25, 16-25, 25-22 and 15-25. Pierre’s final record is 7-13. Seniors lost to the program through graduation will be Austyn Wiebe, Kayli Severyn, Morkia Mutchelknaus, Miah Kienholz, Raegan Wiebe and Kenzie Gronlund. Setter Miah Kienholz was named to the honorable mention list of the all-ESD Conference team.
Athletes of the Week: Last week the Pierre Athletic Coaches Association selected Cord Ellis of the football team and Reese Terwilliger of the volleyball team as their Athletes of the Week for the previous week.
STANLEY COUNTY BUFFALOES SPORTS ROUNDUP
Football: Four Buffaloes were named to the SESD all-conference team. They are Nathan Cook, Sydney Tubbs, Trey Frost and Tracy Neilson.
BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES
Thursday, Nov. 19:
Aiden Dykstra, Brad Cruse, Kaid Knox, Kylor Knox, Bethany (Goeden) Intorn, Taylor Lindekugel, Rob Shoup, Alice Geraets, Rachel Zuercher, Chris Pope, Dee Ann Stevens, Caroline Tschetter, Bonnie Small, Karla Byrum, Ken Weinheimer, Jim Sampson, Mike Anderson.
— 9th anniversary, Jared/Kim (Weischedel) McPherson.
— 9th anniversary, Michael/Macy (Welsh) Kaiser.
Friday, Nov. 20:
Sarah Magdanz, John Forney, Ethan Ellefson, Ryker Tieszen, Austin Wagner, Blake Dean, Jerry Tveidt, Rigley Kulesa, A.J. Neuberger, Cammy (Clark) Theeler.
Saturday, Nov. 21:
Peggy Rose, Thomas Voeltz, Mark Logan, Chuck Hamre, Ashton Wood, Evelyn Decker, Delaney Jarecke, Dawson Jarecke.
— We fondly remember Tyler Wilcox, who passed away 15 years ago today.
Sunday, Nov. 22:
Kelly Culberson, Lowen Kulesa, Gavin Gabriel, Jesse Herra Al King, Jane (Trumble) Husman, Will Nebelsick, Judy (Sonnenschein) Larson, Brad Like, Hannah Melius.
Monday, Nov. 23:
Kerry (Ingram) Rounds, Sarah (Zellmer) Johnson, Cody Van Houten, Benjamin Saniuk, Eva (Schmidt) Reed, Elaine Konechne, Laurie Johnson, Tom Tipiton, Allyson Pierce, Erin (Schiefelbein) Jones, Jenny Weingart, Knox Englehart, Wendy (Kaiser) Wulf, Cora Vogel, Gage Deal.
Tuesday, Nov. 24:
Todd Meierhenry, Sharon Hoelscher, Brooke (Lee) Cronin, Kaishia (Bernard) Anderson, Tom Roberts, Harper Lucas, Janet Hofer, Mae Virginia Gibson, Pam Kean, Monica Paxton, Jared Boyer, Mary (Wendt) Curtis, Tucker Stoeser.
— 14th anniversary, Jerid/Megan (Joachim) Jaeger.
Wednesday, Nov. 25:
Randy Hilding, Deann (Asheim) Mohlman, Ezekiel Ross, Kyle Hollingsworth, Cliff Garber, Reggie Hansen, Cadi Imsland, Ken Koistinen, Tyrell (Allardyce) Jeniges, Bob Ruedebusch, Matt Mancuso.
— 9th anniversary, James/Jill (Rounds) Sleger.
— 17th anniversary, Jamie/Crystal Dvorak.
Thursday, Nov. 26:
Patti (Marso) Petersen, Julie Bright, Thea (Miller) Ryan, Coy Knudson, Kristin (Rausch) Hangebrauck, Christina (Zellmer) Nath, James Berreth, Brian Myers, Curt Rawstern, Jackie Forster, Tom Martin, Stacey (Shepherd) Schumacher, Lauren Retterath, Melissa Kirkpatrick.
— 10th anniversary, Jeff/Taya (Dockter) Runyan.
— 9th anniversary, Michael/Kylie Knudson.
Friday, Nov. 27:
Emory Aguirre, Randy Briese, Matt Flyger, Lynn Sevening, Gracie Kuper, Gretchen Lord Anderson, Donny Kuper, Mary (Likness) Keeler.
— 16th anniversary, Gary/Bobbi (Martin) Drewes.
— 16th anniversary, Boice/Jamie (Mesteth) Hillmer.
— 5th anniversary, Rick/Shelbi (Hostler) Schimpf.
— 44th anniversary, David/Kathy Hausmann.
— 44th anniversary, Mike/Laurie Kelley.
Saturday, Nov. 28:
Travis Lindekugel, Katie (Zeller) Murphy, Kacie (Schneider) Olson, Maxx Vaudrin, Kim (Deffenbaugh) Altermatt, Ryan Hipple, Scott Colwill, Ella Frohm.
Sunday, Nov. 29:
Marcie (Fuhrer) Holsteen, Luke Steece, Dallas Cronin, Reid LeBeau, Kallie Heibel, Lisa Blake, Michael Hardwick, Bobbi (Bourk) Undeberg, Corey Westover, Kayla Prince, Sarah Burger, Ashleigh Baker, Josh Tetzlaff.
Monday, Nov. 30:
Holly (Byrum) Jacobs, Joanna Peterson, Robyn (Bramblee) Bothwell, Cole Hoelscher, Michael Gardner, Jake Stewart, Mary (Storsteen) Dieken, Elizabeth Heidelberger, Jay Vogt, Vea Bea (Bourk) Thomas, Chris Boom, Todd Palmer, Lynsey (Meyer) Anderson, Robbin (Volmer) Figge.
— 46th anniversary, Rodney/Janice Haag.
— We fondly remember Myron Kusler on his birthday.
Tuesday, Dec. 1:
D.J. Stars, Sharon England, Kristin (Rau) Hayward, Lena (Burtts) Hammell.
Wednesday, Dec. 2:
Brady Douglas, Kristin Gunderson, Scott Weischedel, Randy Weischedel, Cayden Jensen, Tyler Bryant, Liam Dehne, Jamie (Driscoll) Olson, Brock Rose, Andrew Heymans.
Thursday, Dec. 3:
Shawn Ludemann, James Lee, Brandon Cruse, Louise Snodgrass, Heath Olson, Amy Stotts, Kyler Gabriel, Hannah Harmon, Hallie Holden, Porter Hunsley, Trey Redetzke, Landon Lizotte, Nolan Ortbahn, Jake Imsland, Brad Heckenlaible.
— 4th anniversary, Rip/Heather (Schreiner) Ray.
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
Directions: Draw a box of 16 squares in a 4×4 format. Number the boxes in your top row 1, 2, 3 and 4 from left to right. Number the boxes in your left-hand row 1, 5, 6 and 7 from top to bottom.
Clues:
ACROSS—
(1) Israeli dance.
(5) “— and Andy,” radio show many decades ago.
(6) Auto parts firm.
(7) Mean, offensive term.
DOWN—
(1) — Christian Andersen.
(2) Arabian country.
(3) A lariat is one.
(4) Without delay.
Puzzle answer at the bottom of this Update.
COLLEGE SPORTS ROUNDUP
Northwestern (Iowa) football (Morris Hofer): The Red Raiders are 7-1 after defeating Briar Cliff, 38-21. Northwestern is idle until Nov. 28 against Jamestown in the regular-season finale. The NAIA has no postseason playoffs this fall, having earlier postponed them until next spring with the playoffs starting in April.
Dakota Wesleyan men’s basketball (Bradley Dean, Nick Wittler): The Tigers defeated Briar Cliff, 65-53. Bradley went 3-for-11 (2-for-9 in threes) and didn’t have a free throw as he scored eight points with eight rebounds, one assist and a steal. Saturday’s game vs. Doane College was postponed. After playing Dordt last night, DWU is home vs. Hastings Saturday, goes to Dickinson State Nov. 27, and hosts Dakota State Dec. 2.
Mount Marty men’s basketball (Lincoln Jordre): After the Lancers’ game vs. Doane was postponed, they lost to Briar Cliff, 88-79. In his first action for Mount Marty, Lincoln got in for five minutes and went 3-for-5 in field goals and 3-for-4 in free throws for nine points with three rebounds. Mount Marty plays at Morningside Saturday, hosts Midland Tuesday, goes to Doane Nov. 28 and plays at Briar Cliff Dec. 1.
Dakota Wesleyan football (Cobey Carr, Isaac Cliff): The Tigers are 3-5 after beating Jamestown College, 35-16, in Bismarck. DWU ends the season with a home game Saturday vs. Concordia (Neb.).
Black Hills State football (Josh Breske, Josh Rowe, Gage Gehring): Due to COVID-19 concerns, the Yellowjackets canceled the remainder of their season.
South Dakota Mines football (Matt Heilman): Because of the spread of COVID-19, the remainder of the Hardrockers’ season was canceled.
Morningside bowling (Alex Badger): The Mustangs’ scheduled tournament at Hastings, Neb., was canceled. They are idle now till Jan. 16-17 at the Midwest College Classic at Addison, Ill.
South Dakota men’s basketball (Max Burchill): USD has been added to Kansas State’s Little Apple Classic in Manhattan, Kan., taking the place of SDSU, which bowed out to join a Sioux Falls tournament. To open their season, the Coyotes will play Colorado next Wednesday and Drake Nov. 27.
South Dakota women’s basketball (Chloe Lamb): The Coyote women will play at the Sanford Pentagon in a three-day tournament over the weekend after Thanksgiving. These are so far the only games currently announced before the Summit League schedule starts Jan. 2-3. In Sioux Falls the Coyotes will play #1-in-the-nation South Carolina Nov. 28, #21 Gonzaga Nov. 29 and Oklahoma Nov. 30.
Black Hills State women’s basketball (Racquel Wientjes): Racquel, senior guard from Sully Buttes High School, and her Yellowjacket teammates will have a schedule of only all-RMAC opponents. BHSU starts on the road Dec. 4-5 at Western Colorado and Fort Lewis.
FOOTBALL CONTEST #14 (Games of Nov. 21-22)
Send your winners of these games to parkerhome16@hotmail.com by Saturday morning. We will count the first 10 of these games that are actually played:
(1) Indiana at Ohio State
(2) Wisconsin at Northwestern
(3) Appalachian State at Coastal Carolina
(4) Cincinnati at UCF
(5) Kansas State at Iowa State
(6) Oklahoma State at Oklahoma
(7) NFL: Philadelphia at Cleveland
(8) NFL: Tennessee at Baltimore
(9) NFL: Dallas at Minnesota
(10) NFL: Kansas City at Las Vegas
FOOTBALL CONTEST #15 (Games of Nov. 26-27-28)
Send your winners of these games to parkerhome16@hotmail.com by next Wednesday night, Nov. 25. We will count the first 10 of these games that are actually played:
(1) Iowa State at Texas
(2) Nebraska at Iowa
(3) Notre Dame at North Carolina
(4) Oregon at Oregon State
(5) Pittsburgh at Clemson
(6) Oklahoma at West Virginia
(7) Texas Tech at Oklahoma State
(8) NFL: Houston at Detroit
(9) NFL: Washington at Dallas
(10) NFL: Baltimore at Pittsburgh
(11) Georgia at South Carolina
(12) Arizona at UCLA
(13) Kentucky at Florida
FOOTBALL CONTEST #16 (Games of Nov. 28-29)
Send your winners of these games to parkerhome16@hotmail.com by Saturday morning, Nov. 28. We will count the first 10 of these games that are actually played:
(1) Penn State at Michigan
(2) Minnesota at Wisconsin
(3) Maryland at Indiana
(4) Northwestern at Michigan State
(5) Auburn at Alabama
(6) NFL: Las Vegas at Atlanta
(7) NFL: Carolina at Minnesota
(8) NFL: Arizona at New England
(9) NFL: Kansas City at Tampa Bay
(10) NFL: Tennessee at Indianapolis
(11) Mississippi State at Mississippi
(12) Utah at Arizona State
(13) SMU at East Carolina
HOCKEY UPDATE
Sioux Falls Stampede: The Stampede lost twice to Fargo, 5-3 on the road and 5-0 at home, to open the season. Sioux Falls is home Friday vs. Omaha, Saturday vs. Sioux City and next Wednesday vs. Des Moines.
Oahe Capitals boys varsity: Idle last weekend while Coach Steve Steele had a football engagement, the Capitals return to action in the Rendezvous tournament at the Thunderdome in Rapid City this weekend. Oahe’s games are 5 p.m. Friday vs. Casper; 11 a.m. Saturday vs. Billings and 7:30 p.m. Saturday vs. Rushmore. Then they will play Sunday morning, either at 8 a.m. in the Seed 3-Seed 4 game or at 10 a.m. in the Seed 1-Seed 2 game.
Aberdeen Wings: The Wings remain unbeaten at 8-0 after 6-3 and 4-1 wins over Fairbanks. Aberdeen plays at Minot Friday and Saturday, then goes to Fairbanks Nov. 27-28.
FOOTBALL UPDATE
NFL games on live TV this weekend (subject to change by networks):
* Thursday: Arizona at Seattle, 7:20 p.m., Fox and NFL Network.
* Sunday: Pittsburgh at Jacksonville, noon, CBS.
* Sunday: Detroit at Carolina, noon, Fox.
* Sunday: Dallas at Minnesota, 3:25 p.m., Fox.
* Sunday: Kansas City at Las Vegas, 7:20 p.m., NBC.
* Monday: Los Angeles Rams at Tampa Bay, 7:15 p.m., ESPN.
Denver Broncos: The Broncos were stomped by Las Vegas, 37-12. They are home the next two Sundays against two more tough opponents, Miami and New Orleans.
Minnesota Vikings: It was a stressful game in Chicago where the Vikings almost always lose, but they held on to beat the Bears Monday night, 19-13, despite a missed extra-point kick and a Bears’ 104-yard kickoff return. Minnesota, which has won three in a row, all over NFC North opponents, is now 4-5 and back in the race for a playoff spot. The next three Vikings opponents—Dallas, Carolina and Jacksonville—have a combined record of 6-22. The Vikings will be home Sunday vs. Dallas and Nov. 29 vs. Carolina.
SOCCER UPDATE
Minnesota United FC: The playoffs begin in Major League Soccer this weekend. The Loons host Colorado in their first-round game at 6:30 p.m. Sunday on ESPN.
COUNTDOWN
14 days: Pierre gymnastics opener at Huron (Dec. 3).
15 days: Pierre Players’ “Save Time Next Year” (Dec. 4-6, 10-12).
15 days: State oral interpretation tournament (Dec. 4-5).
16 days: Pierre wrestling opener at Rapid City (Dec. 5).
21 days: Riggs High choir concert (Dec. 10).
22 days: Pierre girls basketball opener vs. Harrisburg (Dec. 11).
22 days: Pierre boys basketball opener at Harrisburg (Dec. 11).
22 days: Rapid City Rush season opener (Dec. 11).
25 days: Riggs High band concert (Dec. 14).
25 days: Each state’s winning electors meet in state capitols (Dec. 14).
32 days: Georgia Morse Middle School band/choir concert (Dec. 21).
33 days: NBA season opens (Dec. 22).
36 days: Christmas Day (Dec. 25).
37 days: Last day of “Christmas at the Capitol” (Dec. 26).
43 days: College football national semifinals (Jan. 1).
48 days: Joint session of Congress to count electoral votes (Jan. 6).
51 days: NFL playoffs begin (Jan. 9).
53 days: College football national championship game (Jan. 11).
54 days: First day of legislative session (Jan. 12).
PARKER’S PERSONAL NOTES
- There will not be a Midweek Update next week on Thanksgiving Day. The next issue will be in two weeks on Thursday, Dec. 3.
- Dylan Jost was a student at Custer High School while I worked at the Chronicle there in 2005-2007. Then I saw him again when he was a student at USD and I was living in Vermillion. Now last week I saw him on the TV screen in “Chicago P.D.”
- It’s a bummer to score 94 points in a football game and still lose, but that happened to Montezuma, Iowa, last week in the 8-man state semifinals in Iowa. Montezuma lost to Remsen St. Mary’s, which scored 108 points. Hopefully those schools will have new defensive coordinators next season.
- So far as I have heard, the eight-team Division I men’s basketball tournament at the Sanford Pentagon is still on for next week Wednesday through Friday. Dayton and Ohio State both pulled out because, when they returned to their home state from a COVID-19 haven like South Dakota, they would have had to quarantine for 14 days. Utah also withdrew. Replacement teams are Utah State (coached by former USD coach Craig Smith), St. Mary’s (Calif.) and South Dakota State, joining Creighton, Wichita State, Memphis, Texas A&M and Wichita State. All of the games, if they are played, will be televised by one of the ESPN networks.
- Here’s an alternative for your Thanksgiving Day television viewing if you choose not to watch the taped parades, the NFL football games and the dog show. The TBS channel from noon to 5 p.m. CST will show the 10 episodes of “Friends” with Thanksgiving Day themes, one from each season that show was on the air.
NEWS OF PEOPLE AND EVENTS
Kelly Hepler is retiring in December as secretary of the Department of Game, Fish and Parks. He has held that position since his appointment by Governor Daugaard in 2015. The deputy secretary, Kevin Robling, has been promoted to the secretary’s position on an interim basis.
Gary Whitney, 79, passed away from Lewy Body Alzheimer’s Nov. 12 at the State Veterans Home in Hot Springs. HIs funeral was held Wednesday at First United Methodist Church in Pierre. Gary grew up and attended school in Fort Pierre and earned degrees from Black hills State and USD. In between colleges he served in the U.S. Marine Corps. In 1965 he married Sharron Lippert. Gary worked as the state director of emergency management. He is survived by his wife, Sharron; his daughters, Kerry Charnesky and her husband Scott and Heather Schneider and her husband Andy; four grandchildren, and two sisters, Beverly Blaze and Susan Smith.
The local Houdek band, which includes Pat and Jen Baker, Tom and Molly Valentine and others, have a new album, “Undercover,” with a release date of Nov. 27.
Beverly Jean Wire, 89, Mitchell, passed away peacefully Nov. 13 at Firesteel Healthcare Center in Mitchell. She is survived by three children, Laverne (Carol) Wire, Ron (Mary) Wire and Colleen (Robert) Bouman; her grandchildren, Heather Olson, Tasha Seten, Jared Wire, Angie Fouts, Amy Samuelson, Brad Wire, Casey Hight and Dustin Hight, and their families, and 17 great-grandchildren. Among those who preceded her in death were her husband, Donald; twin sons David and Daniel; her parents, two sisters and a brother.
Veteran football official Mark Smith says he is retiring from wearing the striped shirt and blowing his whistle after 41 years. He and his crew worked the Class 11B state championship game at the DakotaDome last Friday afternoon.
Geraldine “Gerry” Wernsmann, 91, Pierre, died Nov. 11 at Avera Maryhouse. A memorial service was held Tuesday at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. Mrs. Wernsmann attended high school at Polo, graduating in 1946, then attended Notre Dame Junior College in Mitchell. She and Ralph Wernsmann were married in 1950. They raised their six children on a farm south of Polo. After losing her husband in 1985, Gerry stayed on the farm for a time, then in 1992 she came to Pierre to be near some of her children and grandchildren. She volunteered at the Cultural Heritage Center and gave Capitol tours. She is survived by her six children, William Wernsmann and his wife Michelle of Casper, Wyo., Joan Simons and her husband Lloyd of Pierre, Karen Schlaak and her husband Richard of Pierre, Mark Wernsmann and his wife Liz of Gillette, Wyo., Luke Wernsmann and his wife Suzy of Miller, and Anthony Wernsmann and his wife Valerie of Pierre; 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and a sister, Genevieve Blindert.
Long-time Onida area residents Dan and Nancy Weischedel will mark their 60th wedding anniversary on Friday, Nov. 20. Greetings can be sent to them at 1220 Otter Rd. #20, Sturgis SD 57785.
Doris Donner, 86, died at the Avantara nursing home in Pierre Nov. 12. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at Feigum Funeral Home. A native of Kansas, Doris married Lester Donner in 1953. They made their home in Pierre and raised their three children here. She worked at the Department of Health, serving under 11 different governors, until retiring in 1995. Doris married Bob Porter of Onida in 1999. She is survived by her children, Les Donner and his wife Lisa, Alana Suiter and her husband Sheldon, and April Kelly and her husband Scott; three grandchildren, and her husband, Bob Porter, and his children and grandchildren.
Four local athletes are among the students in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference schools who earned recognition on the NSIC’s all-academic team for fall sports. They include Jacob Howard of Onida and Joe King of Pierre in football at Northern, Tori Thorpe of Pierre in soccer at Northern, and Mackenzie Rath of Pierre in soccer at Minnesota State-Mankato.
CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWER
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ON ENDURING THE PANDEMIC
“I’m slowly learning that, even if I react, it won’t change anything. I won’t make people suddenly love and respect it. It won’t magically change their minds. Sometimes it’s better to just let things be, let people go, don’t fight for closure, don’t ask for explanation, don’t chase answers and don’t expect people to understand where you’re coming from. I’m slowly learning that life is better lived when you don’t center it on what’s happening around you and center it on what’s happening inside you instead. You can own yourself and your inner peace.”
— Unknown author
Thanks, Parker, for telling it like it is. The Governor is from another planet. Probably they have no common sense or respect for one another. I would like to see your article in every S.D. newspaper. Shirley Licht