Sanborn Central, SD

As per a story reported on the KELOLAND news:

Eight schools in South Dakota have been picked for a wind energy program that teaches students the fundamentals of the renewable source.

South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Chairman Gary Hanson says “Wind for Schools” is designed to provide tools, build knowledge and form interest in wind energy at all levels.

One school each from eight selected districts will have a small wind turbine installed, receive specific curricula and be supported by local utility providers.

Districts include Douglas, Sanborn Central, Faith, Selby, Aberdeen, Elkton, Stanley County and Sioux Falls. The eight schools were selected out of 32 that applied.

The PUC expects the program to expand over the next several years, giving more schools the chance to participate.

As reported in the Rapid City Journal:

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory provided a resource and site assessment for each applicant. The PUC coordinated the application process for the program and arranged for financial and other support from utility providers.

“I think the Wind for Schools program has real potential to be a success story for South Dakota,” said Steve Kolbeck, PUC vice chairman. “The schools’ administration and teachers are excited about the project and local utility providers have pledged their support and enthusiasm as well. I envision the entire community rallying around this project,” he said.

The Wind Application Center at South Dakota State University will check each selected site, oversee the turbine and equipment installation and provide other technical help.

Wind for Schools is a national outreach program from Wind Powering America, a component of the U.S. Department of Energy and NREL.

(more…)

The Artesian Coffee Stop is opening August 8th in the Artesian Community Center. Coffee, rolls and donuts will be served each Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Free will donations will be accepted and profits will be used for community projects.

The Sanborn Central Horizons II Graduation Celebration was held on Saturday, July 26th at the 4-H Building in Forestburg. Pizza was served and the Extension staff brought cake to celebrate the accomplishments made through the Horizons II project.

The laptop computer and printer were presented and will be housed at the Letcher Library, along with the digital camera. Anyone wanting to use the equipment should contact Mary Ackman at 248-2242.

A check for the remaining $8,500 was received from the Northwest Area Foundation. Also, each of our three communities received two Horizons signs to put up in our community.

THANK YOU to the Northwest Area Foundation and South Dakota Cooperative Extension Service!!

Click here to see a slide show of the graduation ceremony.

Celebrating 21 Horizons II successes is a new publication from the SDSU Cooperative Extension Service. This 8-page tabloid highlights the many successes documented by the 21 communities across South Dakota that recently completed the Horizons II project.

To read more about the great things happening in South Dakota communities click here.

Artesian resident Sue Richard applied for and received a $10,000 grant for municipal pool and bath house renovations. The grant will be used for upgrades to the pool and bath house to provide residents of the area with a healthy and safe place to gather.

The grant for the swimming pool was received from the Avera Health Board of Directors. Sister Mildred Busch said the board is pleased to be able to impact the health and vitality of rural communities.

Sanborn Central Horizons II had a float in the parade on July 4th at Artesian’s 125th Anniversary Celebration.

Fifteen volunteers helped paint Missy Hoffman’s house in Letcher on June 28th as part of the Paint South Dakota program. This annual event is sponsored by the Letcher Community Club and the South Dakota Housing Development Authority. The Paint South Dakota program buys the paint and volunteers do the painting on a Saturday in June. This is the fourth year that the Letcher Community Club has participated in the program.

Arlene Dorris’ house in Artesian was painted on June 28th.

IMPORTANT NEWS!

SDSU’s Cooperative Extension Service is seeking 15 new communities for the Horizons III project!

The application deadline is August 5, 2008. The Horizons project is open to communities with populations of 5,000 or less where the poverty rate is 10% or greater.

To apply or get more information, communities should call Horizons project director Kari Fruechte at (605)688-4946 or email her at Kari.Fruechte@sdstate.edu.

Read more about the Horizons III project here.

Everyone is invited to attend the Sanborn Central Horizons Graduation Celebration on Saturday, July 26th at 7:00 p.m. at the 4-H Building in Forestburg (click on the poster above for more information).