May 16th, 2012
by Craig Wenzel.

When the red, red robin comes poop, poop, poopin’ along
BY CRAIG WENZEL
FROM THE TRUE DAKOTAN – MAY 15, 2012
We enjoy our patio this time of year… even put up feeders to attract wildlife out of nearby South Gulch. Each spring the patio area includes foliage and flowers that might be a source of food and shelter for rummaging gulch critters — birds and butterflies, wild turkeys, deer families, squirrels , bunnies and such..
May 8th, 2012
by Craig Wenzel.

South Dakota’s First Lady was in Wessington Springs on Wednesday, May 2, to read to the third, fourth and fifth grade classes.
Linda Daugaard, wife of Gov. Dennis Daugaard, has announced two of the initiatives she will work toward during her time as First Lady of South Dakota. Both are aimed at improving literacy among South Dakota’s youth.
The First Lady will be promoting the Reach Out and Read program, administered by the Department of Social Services. The program provides age-appropriate books to infants through 5-year-old children during child well-checks.
Apr 7th, 2012
by Craig Wenzel.
The spring edition of Children’s Care Hospital School’s “Reflections” came out last week, celebrating the school’s 60th anniversary. The lead story announced “the end of the polio era”. This photograph on the back page shows the school’s wheelchair basketball team with Springs native Marion Kludt on the left. Marion, who died a few years ago, was an inspiration to most people around Wessington Springs as he worked as a bookkeeper and went about his life with grace and enthusiasm. He was a sports fan all of his life and followed Springs teams regularly He also competed in wheelchair basketball as an adult, as well as playing golf in the local league and bowling at Pla-Mor Lanes. Others in the photo include, from left, Kludt, Terry Feay, Gayle Moen, Ron Anderson. Walter DeMarrias, front. The Children’s School is inviting the public to its 60th birthday party on Friday, March 30, 2012 at Sioux Falls. For information go to www.cchs.org. The Village People will perform and two raffle drawings will be held.
Mar 6th, 2012
by Craig Wenzel.
TRUE DAKOTAN/DUKE WENZEL
WILD TURKEYS ARE MAKING A BIG comeback in Jerauld County if this flock of 35-40 is any indication. The photograph was taken on Thursday, February 16, 2012, in South Gulch below Prospect Hill Cemetery in Wessington Springs. About a decade ago the South Dakota Deparment of Game, Fish & Parks eradicated the original flock of western variety to a wilder eastern wild turkey several years ago, hoping the new breed would stay away from farms and towns. The process of rebuilding the wild flock has been slow but over the past few years they have showed a steady gain in population. It is not known when the turkey hunting season will be restored in the county, but it probably isn’t far away.