Sanborn Central, SD

Picture #1: Letcher watertower

Picture #2: Bill Jamison Memorial Clock, which was donated by Gary Hurd and placed on Main Street in Letcher.

Picture #3: Rossy Basketball Court, which was built in memory of Dennis Ross at the Letcher Lake Park.

Picture #4: Welcome banners purchased by the Letcher Community Development Foundation with a grant received from the ALM Community Foundation. (These banners were made by Della Banks of Fedora, South Dakota.)

During the Study Circles, community assets were identified and discussed. Results from the community surveys are listed on the right hand side of the blog. Under “pages” click on “Survey Results” to see what others listed as community assets in Question #1.

What would you consider your community’s greatest strengths and assets?

Many of our community members had never considered themselves to be leaders, but during Leadership Plenty we learned that we all have unique talents and skills to offer. Our Horizons communities are made up of many diverse individuals, giving their time and talents for the betterment of their communities.

When the issue of poverty was brought up, we thought of it in terms of money and didn’t think we had much poverty in our communities. Participating in the Horizons project has helped us realize that poverty is not just about money. It can take on many different forms.

How has your awareness of leadership and poverty changed because of the Horizons program?

The following information is from “Friday Findings” by Horizons Project Director Kari Fruechte:

Statistics from Leadership Plenty Show Significant Changes

NWAF’s evaluation team has released their report from all the LP sites in Horizons. They found these statistics to be interesting as far as participants:

ü    16% of participants across the 7 states live in poverty.

ü    37% of participants across the 7 states live in 200% of poverty, meaning they are roughly one catastrophe away from living in poverty. 

The evaluators cited two main significant findings from the LP surveys:

1.  Knowledge of the group process and inclusive participation increased significantly.

2.  There was a significant increase in motivation of participants to actually work in their community by engaging people and feeling empowered to make real changes. 

As reported in the Mitchell Daily Republic, Letcher’s Jill Moody, whose name frequented the headlines during the National Finals Rodeo, was named the state’s top Independent Female Athlete by the South Dakota Sportswriters Association for her performance in barrel racing on the national rodeo circuit in 2007.

(more…)

Winter Conditions call for different driving tactics, Ice and Snow, take it Slow - slower speed, slower acceleration, slower steering, and slower braking. Give yourself extra time to reach your destination safely. It’s not worth putting yourself and others in a dangerous situation just to be on time.

• Drive with your headlights on.
• Ice and Snow, take it Slow, Drive for conditions. Don’t get overconfident with four-wheel drive. It won’t help you stop any faster.
• Drivers should allow additional room between their vehicles and others. Winter road conditions often result in longer stopping distances.
• Avoid abrupt actions while steering, braking or accelerating to lessen the chances of losing control of the vehicle.
• Look farther ahead in traffic. Action by other drivers will alert you to problems and give you extra time to react.
• Avoid using cruise control or overdrive. Don’t let your car make a bad decision for you.   Road conditions can change quickly.  Blowing snow can be frozen on road surfaces just over the hill, especially on sunny days.  Black ice can appear very quickly with no warning.
• Stopping on snow and ice without skidding requires extra time and distance. If you have anti-lock brakes, press the pedal down firmly and hold it. If you don’t have anti-lock brakes, gently pump the pedal. Either way, give yourself plenty of room to stop.

Safe Travel Around Snowplows

Snowplows are usually spreading anti-icing materials from the back of the truck and may need to stop or take evasive action to avoid stranded vehicles. If you find yourself behind a snowplow, stay behind it or use caution when passing. The road behind a snowplow will be safer to drive on.

• Don’t crowd the plow. Snowplows plow far and wide-sometimes very wide. The front plow extends several feet in front of the truck and may cross the centerline and shoulders during plowing operations.
• Plows turn and exit the road frequently. Give them plenty of room. Stay back at least 15 car lengths (200 feet).
• On multiple lane roads, watch for snowplows operating in either lane.
• Snowplows can throw up a cloud of snow that can reduce your visibility to zero in less time than you can react. Drive smart. Never drive into a snow cloud - it could conceal a snowplow.
• A snowplow operator’s field of vision is restricted. You may see them but they may not see you.

Donation boxes for the Toys for Tots program were placed at the Sanborn Central School. Thanks to everyone who made donations this year. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Please see the following note from Kathye Fouberg of Letcher:

“As usual, Sanborn Central graciously accepted our plea for help and stepped up to the plate, opened their hearts and pocketbooks and provided us with many necessary toys to fill our need. I do not have the complete figure totals as we are still working on 2 groups, but as of right now, with your help, we have provided for 194 families, 480 children with 34 children from Sanborn county along with 45 Aurora county children, who also helps us out with their donations. Since I am from Sanborn county myself, this gives me so much pride that “my people” continue to do an amazing job, year after year! Believe me, the rest of the group takes notice of what I bring from our little community!!

With sincere thanks,
Kathye Fouberg on behalf of Mitchell Area Law Enforcement”

Every time I click on the blog site, I see more exciting things happening in Artesian, Letcher and Forestburg; Rifle Raffles, a ham drawing, food pantry updates, post office open house, santa coming - Whew! It makes me want to check it out in person. Thanks for eveyone who is involved in the community.
For those of you who don’t have a copy of the Written Strategic Plan, contact a memeber of the Horizons planing committee to obtain one and see the many ways you can be involved in moving rorward into the future.
Stay Warm and Happy!!!!

(Click on picture to enlarge.) 

Pioneer Days in South Dakota, Published in Volume 30 of an unknown Letcher, Sanborn County newspaper in 1921 or 1922

The Following Interesting Story Is Told By Resident Who Has Been On The Ground Since 1877

(By R.E. Dowdell)

In the summer of 1873 G.W. Hunter, George C. Walker and W.E. Taft filed on claims on the Jim river at a spot designated by the Indians as “Big Grove.” At this point the original town of Forestburg was dedicated five years later. Here Ross Whalen, W.S. Stuart and A.H. Colton became the pioneer merchants.

In the summer of 1874 those two pioneers were joined by Cyrus B. Ingham, W.G. Santee and W.R. Belcher, two of whom settled at Brookings crossings at a point known to your readers as John Brown’s Mound. The first sky pilot was Reverend John Morris, Episcopal missionary, who filed on a piece of Dakota soil at the mouth of Dry Run just south of the south line of what is now Sanborn county, here he erected the first church (a stone edifice), the first church in this section of Dakota Territory. It was with consternation that these pioneers faced the approaching winters. The buffalo was well nigh a thing of the past and the great herds of a few short years before were reduced to mere remnants and were shy indeed. The antelopes which were plentiful and fine eating in the fall were a poor substitute for meat in the spring.

Two years passed and no death or birth had been recorded, but on April 4^th, 1875, to W.G. and Mrs. Santee a child was born and he was christened Glenn. The Wayside Inn in which Glenn was born stood on the banks of the Jim in one of the most beautiful glens of the famous valley and will long be remembered by all who journeyed up and down the pioneer stage road which passed its door. Few who journeyed failed to pause, ask questions, drink of the sparkling spring water and be refreshed. For nearly three years those pioneers journeyed to Firesteel, a distance of twenty miles, for their mail, but on July 12^th, 1875, a postoffice was established at the Santee home and W.G. Santee became the pioneer postmaster and R.F. Alerton the first mail carrier from Firesteel to Forestburg. (more…)

A food drive was held recently at the Sanborn Central School. The class (one each in elementary, middle school, and high school) that collected the most pounds of food earned a pizza party. All proceeds went to the Sanborn County Food Pantry. Members of the school’s Spirit Club organized this annual event.

All together the Sanborn Central Rebels donated approximately 800 pounds of food to the Sanborn County Food Pantry! The winning classes were 1st grade with 103 pounds (4th grade was a close second with 101 pounds), 8th grade with 103 pounds, and Tracy Moody’s advisory group in high school with 98 pounds.

The Sanborn County Food Pantry appreciates the large amount of food that was donated to the food pantry once again this year! The big Christmas baskets are distributed around December 20th and can be made available up until Christmas Day in the event of an emergency.

If you know of anyone who has experienced some tough times (health issues, medical bills, loss of income, etc.) and needs some holiday cheer, please contact Mary Ackman at 495-4183 (work) or 248-2446 (home).  Remember…the food pantry has food all year long if someone is in need and the names of recipients are kept confidential.

There will be a pancake/sausage benefit breakfast for David Schwemle at the 4-H Building in Forestburg on Sunday, December 9th from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  As a result of complications from diabetes, David has been hospitalized, had several months of therapy, and is yet unable to work.  Proceeds will help David with his medical expenses.  This event is sponsored by Thrivent Financial of Sanborn County and Sanborn Central Horizons II.  For more information contact Dotty Zoss at 248-2541, Julie Davis at 495-4218, or Margo Edwards at 495-4366.

Please see the following thank you from Dave Schwemle which was printed in the Sanborn Weekly Journal:

“I would like to thank all my friends, neighbors and the Horizons II Group for their support and help in making the Thrivent Pancake and Sausage benefit held in my behalf so successful. I’d like to especially thank all those who helped in organizing and did all the work setting up, serving and cleaning up at the benefit. I was very happy to see so many people who took the time and donated so generously at this busy time of year. Thanks again and Merry Christmas.

~Dave Schwemle”