THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Your life today is a result of your thinking yesterday. Your life tomorrow will be determined by what you think today.
— John C. Maxwell

ELECTION REMINDERS

The June 4 primary election date will also be the election day, in some cases such as Pierre, for city commission and school board contests.
The political ballot for each party will include, if there are declared candidates, the races for U.S. House of Representatives, legislative seats, and county commissioners, state’s attorney, coroner and treasurer.

Absentee voting will begin on April 19. The deadline for registering to vote on June 4 or for changing one’s registration (address change, party affiliation change, etc.) is May 20.

There is no governor’s race this year, and neither of South Dakota’s two U.S. Senate seats are up for election this year.

PIERRE GOVERNORS SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
— THURSDAY
Girls wrestling: at Brandon Valley.
Boys wrestling: at Brandon Valley.
Girls basketball: home vs. Lakota Tech.
— FRIDAY
Girls wrestling: at Huron.
Boys wrestling: at Huron.
Girls basketball: home vs. Sioux Falls O’Gorman.
Boys basketball: at Harrisburg.
— SATURDAY
Boys wrestling: at Brookings invitational.
Girls wrestling: at Aberdeen Central invitational.
Gymnastics: at ESD meet, Watertown.
Boys basketball: at Sioux Falls O’Gorman.
— TUESDAY
Girls wrestling: at Yankton.
Boys wrestling: at Yankton.
Girls basketball: home vs. Harrisburg.

Boys wrestling: At the annual East-West duals at home, the Governors won three and lost one in duals against Black Hills teams. Pierre won over Spearfish 67-7, Rapid City Stevens 42-29 and Rapid City Central 61-10 and lost a dual to Sturgis 36-22. That was Pierre’s first dual loss of the season, and the Govs now have a 6-1 record in duals.

Girls wrestling: Pierre won its home tournament with 171 points. Harrisburg was second with 101. Abby Lewis won an individual championship at 152 pounds. Runners-up in their respective weight classes were Sydney Uhrig, Dani Ringstmeyer, Kezrey Benning, Ireland Templeton and Heavenly Thompson. Shaylee Speck was third in her class.

Gymnastics: At the Harrisburg quadrangular Monday, Nevaeh Karber finished fifth in the all-around standings at 35.05. Pierre’s best place in individual events was Kirsten Korber tying for fifth in the vault.

Boys basketball: The Governors lost to Brandon Valley, 57-47, as Luke Olson had 21 points and Jett Zabel 11. On Tuesday the Govs nipped Aberdeen Central, 53-51, recovering from a 10-point halftime deficit. Dawson Getz had 16 points, Olson 15 and Zabel 13 as Pierre improved its record to 8-4.

Girls basketball: The Governor girls lost to Brandon Valley, 50-46, as Lennix Dupris scored 19 and Reese Terwilliger 15. On Tuesday the girls took down Aberdeen Central, 47-37, as Dupris scored 26. Pierre’s record is now 8-3.

STANLEY COUNTY BUFFALOES SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
— THURSDAY
Wrestling: at Sully Buttes triangular, Onida (with Potter County and Sully Buttes).
Girls basketball: at Crow Creek.
Boys basketball: at Crow Creek.
— SATURDAY
Wrestling: at Parker invitational.
Girls basketball: home vs. Cheyenne-Eagle Butte.
Boys basketball: home vs. CHeyenne-Eagle Butte.
— TUESDAY
Girls basketball: at Todd County.
Boys basketball: at Todd County.

Wrestling: At the Winner tournament two Buffaloes had two top-four placers—Spencer Sargent, fourth at 138 pounds, and Colton Brady, third at 165 pounds.

Boys basketball: The Buffaloes won a close 62-59 decision over Sully Buttes Tuesday, making 14 of 16 free throws along the way. Paxton Deal scored 20, Eddie Duffy 15 and Broch Zeeb 13. Earlier SCHS beat Potter County, 71-42, as Zeeb scored 29 and Kaden Montana 11. The Buffs’ record is 6-6.

Girls basketball: The Buffalo girls are now 0-13 after a 51-41 loss at Gregory Tuesday night.

SULLY BUTTES CHARGERS SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
— THURSDAY
Girls basketball: at Hitchcock-Tulare (in Tulare).
Boys basketball: at Hitchcock-Tulare (in Tulare).
Girls/boys wrestling: home triangular (with Potter County and Stanley County).
— SATURDAY
Girls basketball: at Warner.
Boys basketball: at Warner.
— TUESDAY
Girls basketball: home vs. Jones County.
Boys basketball: home vs. Jones County.

Boys basketball: The Chargers lost to Stanley County, 62-59, Tuesday. Wesley Wittler scored 19 points, Gavin Colson 13 and Logan Severson 10 for SB, whose record is 3-6. The Chargers missed 12 of 21 free throws in the loss.

COUNTDOWN

1 day: Rodeo Rapid City/Black Hills Stock Show (Jan. 26-Feb. 3).
3 days: NFL playoffs conference championship games (Jan. 28).
7 days: State one-act play festival, Brandon (Feb. 1-3).
8 days: Groundhog Day (Feb. 2).
10 days: Grammy awards, CBS-TV (Feb. 4).
15 days: State gymnastics meet, Pierre (Feb. 9-10).
16 days: State wrestling team dual tournaments (Feb. 10).
17 days: Super Bowl LVIII, Las Vegas, CBS-TV (Feb. 11).
20 days: Ash Wednesday (Feb. 14).
20 days: Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14).
23 days: Region 3A wrestling tournament, Pierre (Feb. 17).
25 days: Presidents Day (Feb. 19).
28 days: State individual wrestling tournaments, Sioux Falls (Feb. 22-24).
29 days: Minnesota Twins spring training opener (Feb. 23).
29 days: Pierre Players’ “Clue: On Stage” (Feb. 23-March 2).
31 days: Pierre Concert Series, “Yu and I” (Feb. 25).
33 days: Georgia Morse Middle School musical, “The Lion King Jr.” (Feb. 27-29).

HOCKEY UPDATE

Sioux Falls Stampede: The Stampede split with Lincoln, losing 5-2 and winning by the same score. Now 19-15-2-1, Sioux Falls plays Dubuque twice in Texas—Thursday in Frisco and Friday in Dallas, then hosts Tri-City Tuesday.

Oahe Capitals boys varsity: In a three-game weekend homestand the Caps went 1-2. In a 7-0 win over Huron, Barret Schweitzer accomplished a hat trick, Devin Dodson scored two, and Dylan Dodson and Jarron Beck each scored a goal. Jaxon Jungwirth made 13 saves in his shutout. In an 8-3 loss to Brookings Schweitzer scored two more goals and Devin Dodson one. Spencer Anderson made 23 saves in goal. On Sunday the Caps lost to Rushmore, 5-1. Keller Herman got the lone Oahe goal, and Anderson made 23 saves. The boys’ next game is at home Feb. 3 vs. Brandon Valley at 8 p.m.

Oahe Capitals girls varsity: The girls lost to Mitchell, 4-3. Goals were scored by Cameron Larson, Brylee Kafka and Micah Buffalo, and Sophia Peschong made 17 saves. On Monday night the girls won at Brookings, 2-1, as Kafka and Larson scored goals and Peschong made 29 saves. The Lady Capitals’ next games will be at home Feb. 3 vs. Rushmore and Feb. 4 vs. Sioux Falls.

Rapid City Rush: The Rush lost their last two games at Idaho last weekend, 5-2 and 6-1. Last night at Utah the Rush lost 3-2. Rapid City stays in Utah for Friday and Saturday games.

Aberdeen Wings: The Wings split with Minot, losing 3-0 and winning 5-2. Aberdeen, now 19-15-2-2, is home Friday and Saturday vs. North Iowa.

Augustana men’s hockey: The first-year Vikings program earned its first-ever victory over an established Division I Power-Five school when winning at Arizona State, 5-4. Augie also lost there, 3-2. Now 7-12-3, Augustana is home against Ferris State Friday and Saturday in the first games to be played in their new on-campus Midco Arena.

Minnesota Wild: After a 7-3 loss sto Tampa Bay, the Wild reeled off three straight wins—6-4 over Florida, 5-2 over Carolina and 5-3 over Washington. Minnesota is home Thursday vs. Nashville and Saturday vs. Anaheim.

BASEBALL UPDATE

Oahe Zap: Added to the 2024 roster this week is Jacob Trusner, a returnee from last summer’s team. He is a sophomore infielder from Iowa Lakes Community College whose hometown is Monticello, Ill.

Post 8: A former player with Post 8 himself and more recently an assistant coach in the Legion baseball program, River Iverson has been hired as the new Post 8 varsity head coach.

COLLEGE SPORTS ROUNDUP

University of Mary women’s basketball (Chloe Lamb): The Marauders defeated Winona State, 76-50, and lost to Minnesota State, 76-66. Now 12-8 overall and 8-4 in NSIC games, Mary plays at Southwest Minnesota State Friday and at Sioux Falls Saturday.

Georgia Tech women’s basketball (Caleb Currier): Tech lost to North Carolina, 73-68, but won over Boston College, 69-54. Now 13-6 overall and 4-3 in the ACC, the Yellowjackets play at Virginia Tech and at home vs. Florida State Sunday.

Black Hills State men’s basketball (Jackson Edman): The Yellowjackets lost both games on a far-western trip in the RMAC. In an 80-57 loss at Colorado-Mesa, Jackson did not play. In an 82-69 loss at Westminster (Utah) he got in for five minutes and went 1-of-2 and 1-of-1 for three points with a steal. BHSU is home Friday vs. New Mexico Highlands and Saturday vs. CSU-Pueblo.

South Dakota State wrestling (Regan Bollweg): The Jackrabbits won a pair of home duals, 29-16 over Northern Colorado and 39-3 over California Baptist. Regan did not wrestle in either dual. SDSU is home Friday vs. Air Force.

South Dakota State women’s track (Jessica Lutmer, Lydia Hill): No results of the women at the Jim Emmerich meet could be found. Next on the Jacks’ schedule is the Bison Open at NDSU Feb. 2-3.

University of Sioux Falls men’s wrestling (Josh Rydberg): USF split a pair of duals at Nebraska-Kearney. USF lost to CSU-Pueblo but won over Ouachita Baptist 33-12. Josh did not wrestle in either match. Now 2-6 in duals and 0-3 in the NSIC, the Cougars go to Minot State Friday and to Mary Saturday.

Dakota State track (Houston Lunde): At the Jim Emmerich meet at SDSU, Houston placed 15th in the weight throw at 45’4 1/2″ and 19th in the shot put at 40’3 1/4″. DSU competes this weekend at the NAIA preview meet in Brookings.

Northern women’s basketball (Katie Bourk): The Wolves beat Concordia-St. Paul, 71-61, and beat Minnesota-Duluth, 81-70. Now 14-4 overall and 9-2 in the NSIC, Northern goes to USF Friday and to Southwest Minnesota State Saturday.

South Dakota State men’s track (Rylan McDonnell): At SDSU’s Jim Emmerich meet Rylan placed fifth in the high jump at 22’2 1/2″. Next for the Jacks is the Bison Open Feb. 2-3.

South Dakota State swimming (Morgan Nelson): SDSU lost a dual at USD 214-86. Morgan placed third in the 100-meter breast stroke event in 1:17.87. She swam on the SDSU “B” team in the 200 medley relay, placing fifth in 2:04.19. Next meet is the Coyote Invitational in Sioux Falls Feb. 2-3.

Dakota Wesleyan men’s basketball (Nick Wittler): The Tigers defeated Mount Marty, 77-63, and lost last night to Northwestern, 68-60. Nick did not play in either game. Now 10-10 overall and 5-7 in the GPAC, DWU hosts Midland Sunday.

Dakota Wesleyan wrestling (Aric Williams Tyson Johnson): DWU lost a 24-23 dual to Briar Cliff. At 149 pounds Aric lost a 14-11 decision, and at 157 Tyson won my major decision 13-2. Last night on Senior Night DWU lost to Morningside 23-20. Aric won by fall in his match, and Tyson lost his by decision. DWU competes Saturday in the GPAC duals.

University of Sioux Falls women’s wrestling (Toby Bryant): Idle last weekend, the USF women go to Minot State for a dual Friday.

Augustana swimming (Ella Ward-Zeller): The Viking swimmers remain idle until the NSIC meet in Sioux Falls Feb. 14-17.

South Dakota men’s basketball (Max Burchill): In USD’s 74-73 overtime win over St. Thomas, Max had one of his best games ever. He was 6-of-8 in field goals (5-of-7 in threes) for 17 points with three rebounds, an assist and a steal. In a 73-55 loss to SDSU, he was 1-of-4 (1-of-3 in threes) and 2-of-2 for five points with a rebound and an assist. Now 9-11 overall and 2-3 in the Summit, USD goes to Denver Thursday and to Kansas City Saturday.

WORDS OF WISDOM

January is a time of quiet and new happenings. January is the perfect time to reflect on how you want to live your life. January is the perfect time to refocus on your priorities and set goals.

MIDCO SPORTS NETWORK LIVE GAMES

— THURSDAY
Women’s basketball: USD vs. Denver, 7 p.m.
— FRIDAY
Men’s hockey: Augustana vs. Ferris State, 7 pm.
— SATURDAY
Women’s basketball: UND vs. St. Thomas, 1 p.m.
Men’s hockey: Augustana vs. Ferris State, 6 p.m. (MS2).
Men’s hockey: UND vs. Denver, 6 p.m.

BASKETBALL UPDATE

Other college basketball (besides that listed above in College Sports Roundup):
— USD women (13-7, 2-3): Beat St. Thomas 63-61; lost to SDSU 73-55.
Next: Thursday, home vs. Denver; Saturday, home vs. Kansas City.
— SDSU men (11-9, 4-1): Beat Omaha 90-87; beat USD 73-55.
Next: Thursday, home vs. Kansas City; Saturday, at Oral Roberts.
— SDSU women (13-5, 5-0): Beat Omaha 92-55; beat USD 73-55.
Next: Thursday, at Kansas City; Saturday, at Denver.

Sioux Falls Skyforce: The Force split with Maine, winning 116-112 and losing 131-125. The team is home Tuesday vs. Rio Grande Valley.

Minnesota Timberwolves: The Wolves beat Memphis, 118-103; lost to Oklahoma City, 102-97; lost to Charlotte, 128-125, and last night beat Washington, 118-107. A long road trip takes Minnesota to Brooklyn Thursday, San Antonio Saturday and Oklahoma City Monday, then they play Dallas at home next Wednesday.

FOOTBALL UPDATE

NFL football this weekend:
— AFC championship, 2 p.m. Sunday, Kansas City at Baltimore, CBS.
— NFC championship, 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Detroit at San Francisco, Fox.

FOOTBALL CONTEST #27

Send your two game winners to parkerhome16@hotmail.com by Sunday morning:

(1) AFC championship: Kansas City at Baltimore.
(2) NFC championship: Detroit at San Francisco.

PARKER’S PERSONAL NOTES

• My 1956 graduating class from Onida High School, which had 31 members (largest OHS graduating class up to that time), lost another member this past week when Geri Ripley Smith passed away. If my counting is accurate, we 80-plus-year-olds who are still surviving number 19 out of 31 while we have now lost 12 classmates.
• As a funeral for which I was organist concluded last Friday morning, Pierre resident Kevin Espeland came up and said hello, having recognized my name from the printed funeral program. I asked about his son Alec. According to his Facebook page, Alec and his wife Megan have two daughters, two dogs and two horses (at least!). He is an emergency medicine physician at University Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas, and also owner of Vertex Equine Sports Therapy.
• If you were involved in choral music at SDSU between 1986 and 2003, you know who Dr. Charles Canaan was. He was professor of music and director of choral activities there all of that time, directing numerous choirs among other duties. He passed away unexpectedly last weekend after suffering a massive stroke during vascular surgery at Monument Health’s hospital in Rapid City. I first came across Dr. Canaan way back in 1992 when I took son Jason to Brookings for SDSU’s music scholarship auditions in the spring of his senior year. Dr. Canaan was one of the judges. His and my paths crossed several times over the years. We both ended up in Rapid City, and for the past two years he and I have been among the three organists at South Canyon Lutheran Church. Dr. Canaan is survived by his wife of 62 years, Joan; three sons, nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and a brother. The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. this Friday at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Rapid City. Those who would like to do so can contribute to the Charles Canaan Scholarship at SDSU.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

What great thing would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?
— Robert H. Schuller

BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES

Thursday, Jan. 25:
Seth Hipple, Luke LeBeau, Zoey Ann Hanson, Shawna Erickson, Stephanie Bowers, Nate Neufeld, Stephen Nielson, Mary Joyce Rounds, Jonathan Kreycik, Aidan Dozark, Reed Ludwig, Audrey Perli, Tawna (Williams) Millington.

Friday, Jan. 26:
Ruth Rehn, Sandi (Ahrendt) Beckman, Owen Schnabel, Solomon Erlandson, Diana Tibbs, Dustin Ortbahn, Logan Bouchie.
— We fondly remember Luke Melius, who passed away 12 years ago today.

Saturday, Jan. 27:
Maxwell Fergen, Josh Schwartzkopf, Matt Jensen, Rory (Groseclose) Mennenger, Karen (Fossen) Cudmore, Megan (Linn) Bertsch, Matt Kelley, Aidan Javurek-Humig, Peggy (Huebner) Urquhart, Andy Woster, Tanya (Hoagland) Hardiman, Karen Wyly, Shana (Holsteen) Read.

Sunday, Jan. 28:
Kathy (Dalton) Smith, Katie Schultz, Josh Dehne, Zachary Deal, Cindy Jaeger, John Culberson.
— 40th anniversary, Rick/Deb LaBrie.

Monday, Jan. 29:
Ramona Lomheim, Hazel Baumberger (#108), Howard Grinager, Chuck Bartlett, Tyson Nafus, Alex Beckwith, Jim Ulmen.

Tuesday, Jan. 30:
Michele Hoscheid, Kelly Neiles-Brindza, Laura Hofer, Julie Osnes, Randy Pool, Weston Williams, Cory Holmes, Isaa Stoeser, Rebecca Gruba.

Wednesday, Jan. 31:
Jeff Pierce, Brandon Hendrickson, Jane Stewart, Jaylen Wilson, Tony Bevers, LKevi Reiprich, Elsie Grace Vogel, Darin Newcomb, Don Hoepfer, Wendy Ramler, William Tousley, Blake Freidel, Tracy Berg.

Thursday, Feb. 1:
Carl Hawkinson, Ed Jacobson, Brogan Heckenlaible, Katrina Hewlett, Colin Brown, Mary Hoover, Jeremiah Oltmann, Kallie (Dresbach) Hall, Nicholas Edwards, Cole Severson, Tracy (Shangreaux) Boom, Kaylee Kampfe, Blake Norman, Lygia Garrett-Davis Libel.
— We fondly remember Jim Severson and Andy Gerlach on their birthdays.

NEWS OF PEOPLE AND EVENTS

Mallory (Petersen) Dekker of Rapid City, a graduate of Riggs High School and a 2011 Black Hills State graduate who returned to the Hills and founded Rapid City’s nonprofit Black Hills Studio of the Arts (BHSA), has been selected for Yamaha’s 40 Under 40 Music Educators Class of 2024. The article showcasing 40 music educators who do atypical things in the name of music education will be published in a special Yamaha publication in February.

Stephen Swath, 90, died Jan. 20 at Avera Maryhouse. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 26, at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church.

Donald Huebner, 74, died Jan.. 13. A celebration of his life will begin with a prayer service at noon this Sunday, Jan. 28, at the Pat Duffy Community & Youth Involved Center. Don served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He married Kay Sargent in 1969, and they raised two children. Don worked for the federal government’s General Services Administration for 33 1/2 years until retiring. He later worked at the Dunes golf course. Surviving are his wife, Kay; his son James (Tara) Huebner; his daughter, Shelly (Troy) Gette; four grandchildren; his sisters-in-law Jean (Mike) West, Georgia (Robert) Autre and Berniece Sargent; a brother-in-law, Jerry Walker; nephews and nieces and many other relatives. Among those who preceded him in death were his parents; his sisters, Joanne Cowan and Judy Swanson, and many other relatives.

The Christmas letter from Jim and Rosa Iverson is always a treat, and this year it showed they were definitely on the move during 2023. There was a full-family trip to Honduras for a niece’s wedding, and an April trip with Jim’s sister, Sister Janice, to Texas, and a Washington D.C. trp in June to see son Christopher, daughter-in-law Nino, and their newborn son, Mateo Daniel. Chris and his family have moved out of the city into Rockville, Md. Rosa went back in October to be sure her new grandson knows who she is. In August Jim, Rosa and Sister Janice went to Los Angeles to visit their oldest sister, Colleen, and her husband, David, both of whom are in their late 80s and going strong. Then came a flight to Alaska to visit Bill and Jackie (Jim’s brother is married to Rosa’s sister). The Pierre Iversons frequently went to the eastern side of the state to see J.J. in Watertown, Ashley and family near there, and Angie and husband Anthony in Sioux Falls. J.J. has been in Watertown for five years as sales associate for Zimmer Biomet, serving as consultant to doctors in the region who perform joint replacement surgery. He has become a golfer, and another of his favorite roles is uncle to Ashley’s two girls. Mia is already in kindergarten, and Sloane is 1 year old. Ashley’s husband, Jason Feyereisen, still works for Tessier’s Inc., and the company provided him with a new work truck in 2023. Ashley is in her seventh year with the surgery department in the O.R. at Prairie Lakes Hospital. She has also taken on a PRN position at Avera St. Luke’s in Aberdeen, providing coverage as needed in their surgery department. In Sioux Falls Angie is in a new position with ther S.D. CEO East Woman’s Center where she advocates for women entrepreneurship as bilingual program coordinator. She, Anthony and their three-legged dog, Desmond, enjoy living downtown.

If we have any readers in Florida, take note: The 70th annual South Dakota Picnic in Florida will be held Saturday, Feb. 24, at noon at the Grace Lutheran Church fellowship hall in Lakeland. All former South Dakotans, whether permanent or seasonal residents or even visitors to Florida, are welcome. Bring a main dish or dessert to share. The church is at 745 S. Ingraham Ave., Lakeland FL 33801. Any questions may be directed to June Clark at 863-646-1131.

Beatrice Geraldne (Geri Ripley) Smith, a 1956 graduate of Onida High School died at the age of 85 at Hawarden Regional Hospital in Hawarden, Iowa, Jan. 18. A memorial service at Hawarden American Lutheran Church will be held at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by Porter Funeral Home. The daughter of Walter and Bertha Ripley, after high school in Onida, went to Washington, D.C., in 1957 with a friend to work as a secretary at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. While in Washington, Geri met Jerome (Jerry) Smith of Hudson, S.D. They married on Dec. 31, 1959, and traveled the world at various jobs, and their three children were born on three different continents. Jerry died at the age of 34 in 1972. Geri raised her three children in Hawarden where she worked for West Sioux Veterinary Clinic for more than 40 years. Late in life she lived at Oak Hill Assisted Living in Hawarden and the Akron Care Center in Akron, Iowa. Survivors include her three children, Michele (Tim) VanWyhe of LeMars, Iowa, Kevin (Laree) Smith of Hawarden, and Karla (Dan) Socarros of West Des Moines; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law and two brothers-in-law. Among those who preceded her in death were her husband, her parents, siblings Dale Ripley and Sharon Ripley Donnelly, step-siblings Delmar Ripley and Theola Thomas, and son-in-law David Lauters.

Gary Johnson of AGE Construction, along with sons Andy and Gerad, was in Los Angeles last week. Gary became president of Beavers Construction Association at its 2024 awards dinner.

Blunt native Nadine Harsn, 66, died Jan. 17. Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday at Feigum Funeral Home, followed by a celebration of her life there at 3 p.m. The daughter of Calvin and Karen (Walker) Harsin grew up at her paternal grandmother’s Chuck Wagon Cafe in Blunt. She graduated from Sully Buttes High School in 1975 and attended a technical school in Denver. She worked for Van Camp Insurance in Pierre and later in medical services for the state. She is survived by her daughter, Amanda Harsin; three grandchildren, and three sisters, Vicki, Bonni and Kami.

A delightful Christmas letter from Dale and Eileen Bertsch detailed in full the various projects they found to do during 2023 at their home of 33 years on Madison Avenue. They did most of it themselves, but sons Todd and Adam, who share the Adam’s Roofing business, are nearby to help when needed. Each of the boys, their Pierre-native wives, and their two children each provide plenty of company in the house, both when construction/renovation projects are underway and when they aren’t. Their sign-off sentence: “Life is good, grandkids grow up too fast, and all of a sudden our sons are the age we thought, at one time, was old.”

A prominent artist who lived for a time in Pierre, Marion Toillion, 88 died this week. For service information go to the website of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel of Spearfish. Marion grew up on a farm near North Platte, Neb. She started drawing when she was a young girl, and she never stopped. She and her husband, Dave, were married in 1955, and they had four children. Dave was an engineer, so the Toillions lived in many places around the world, settling in Cheyenne, Wyo., for a time They spent two years in Buenos Aires, Argentina, then later in Pierre until Dave retired. With their children grown, Marion and Dave lived in such places as Santa Fe, the Philippines and Saudi Arabia. Once Dave finally quit taking consulting jobs, the couple settled in Spearfish. Marion continued to paint daily. Her works appear in many galleries, and she has participated in numerous art shows. She is survived by her children, Debra Monroe, Mark Toillion, Kathryn Sigle and Steven Toillion; 14 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. Among those who preceded her in death were her husband, infant son Thomas, her parents, and three siblings.

PONDER THIS

When a man unprincipled in private life, desperate in his fortune, bold in his temper, despotic in his ordinary demeanor, known to have scoffed in private at the principles of liberty; when such a man is seen to mount the hobby horse of popularity to join in the cry of danger to liberty, to take every opportunity of embarrassing the general government and bringing it under suspicion to flatter and fall in with all the nonsense of the zealots of the day, it may justly be suspected that his object is to throw things into confusion that he may ride the storm and direct the whirlwind.
— Alexander Hamilton