Mar 31st, 2010
by Craig Wenzel.
BY CRAIG WENZEL TRUE DAKOTAN EDITOR
PHOTO COURTESY BRIAN GEVIK/SD PUBLIC BROADCASTING
When you sit down to supper at the Lee and Jackie Johnson residence in Wessington Springs, chances are pretty good that sports will be one of the topics of conversation.
Aside from a 29-year career in sports officiating, Lee and Jackie have managed to follow their children through the sports cycle at Wessington Springs High School and beyond. Their three children– Lacey, Laura and Andy– all played sports at WSHS. Lacey went on to a four-year basketball career at North Dakota State University in Fargo.
Mar 31st, 2010
by Craig Wenzel.
TRUE DAKOTAN PHOTO/DUKE WENZEL
SPRINGS AREA COMMUNITY CLUB (SACC) volunteer Jerry Higgins was on duty at the Springs Consignment Store when this picture was taken last week. The display board that is set up in the store tells the story of the club last year. The club donated over $15,000 to local individuals and organizations as well as paying $17,289.00 to Consignment Store consignors. The SACC club also operates the concession stand at ball games in the city park each summer. All of the money earned by the club is returned to the Wessington Springs area. The complete story is printed in the March 30, 2010 issue of the True Dakotan.
Mar 29th, 2010
by Craig Wenzel.
Water goes over the spillway at Lake Mitchell, north of Mitchell, SD, last week. Much of the overflow comes from the Firesteel Creek runoff that drains Jerauld County. Eventually it runs into the James River and then the Missouri River, the Mississippi River and then the Gulf of Mexico. That’s one busy creek!!! — Photo/Duke Wenzel
Mar 29th, 2010
by Craig Wenzel.
The following letter was written by Wessington Springs physician Tom Dean. It was printed in the March 30, 2010 edition of the Wessington Springs True Dakotan–
Dear Editor,
We have just been through a loud and contentious Congressional debate regarding reform of our health care system. I support the reforms. We need a more equitable, efficient and effective health care system. Studies show that between 18,000 and 40,000 uninsured Americans die prematurely each year because they fail to get timely medical care.
Mar 29th, 2010
by Craig Wenzel.
Here is what is happening in the Springs-area churches during the Easter season. Enjoy.
The Wessington Springs Community Good Friday service will be held at the UCC church on April 2 at 7:30 pm. The service is sponsored by the Wessington Springs Area Ministerial Association. The public is invited.
Clergy from three Wessington Springs churches will lead a candlelight service called the Easter Vigil this Saturday, Apr. 3, at 5:00 p.m., at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. Rev. Jan Price, pastor of Wessington Springs United Methodist Church, Rev. Sara Olson Dean, of Wessington Springs and Templeton United Church of Christ, and Rev. John Paulson, of Our Savior’s will lead the worship service.
Mar 29th, 2010
by Craig Wenzel.
Attending the open house --- Janice Schwartz was the second Manor Administrator after Helmuth Neuharth. She is shown back right with her daughters (Joanne on the left) and Judy (on the right). Also shown are Manor residents Helen Patton, right front and Maxine Miller, left front.
A 45th anniversary observation was held at Avera Weskota Manor in Wessington Springs on Thursday, March 18, 2010. Manor residents, some staff members and board members attended the party
Mar 29th, 2010
by Craig Wenzel.
TRUE DAKOTAN PHOTO/DUKE
AS THE OFFICIAL first day of Spring came last week, the Jerauld County countryside did indeed look the part. Canada geese are pictured on a dam a mile northeast of Springs in the photo above. Huge flocks of geese and ducks can be seen all over the county in the air and in area fields where they feed. The snow depth is now officially down to zero inches but many of the deep drifts are still around. A week of temperatures in the 40s and 50s should help melt the drifts and also dry up the farm lots where calving is in full swing. Yup, suddenly life is very good in Wessington Springs. Today (Monday, March 30, 2010) the sun is shining and it’s around 70 degrees!!!! As our parents used to say, every spring, “Well, looks like we made it through another one.” –Craig and Duke
Mar 23rd, 2010
by Craig Wenzel.
The WSHS Choir departed for Disney World in Orlando Florida on Monday, March 22. They are scheduled to perform at Downtown Disney at 11:00 AM on March 24th; and will return home Saturday, March 27. This group consists of 43 students, 2 directors and 11 chaperones. The public was invited to join them on Thursday, March 18 for a send-off concert in the gym. The trip is scheduled once every four years so that every music student in the school has a chance to participate one time.
The students spend much of the four years with fund raising events, trying to raise as much of the money as they can. Other money for the trip comes from donations from individuals, busineses and organizations in the community.
Mar 23rd, 2010
by Craig Wenzel.
BY CRAIG WENZEL
A four-day school week proposal was favored by 69 percent of the students who responded to a survey on the matter. Their parents favor the plan at a rate of 64%. But when it comes to Wessington Springs school staff members, the figure drops quite dramatically as only 30% of those who filled out the survey were in favor of the four-day school week.
Residents living in the Wessington Springs school district had the opportunity to express their feelings about a plan that could result in a four-day school week in the local schools. According to WSHS supt. of schools Lance Witte, there were 133 respondents to a survey that asked a series of questions.
