Pack the Park was a success this past weekend, with lots of fun had by all; the July school board meeting set the stage for the coming school year; soil health school is coming and farmers are remaining optimistic about this fall's crop; four men were inducted into the Blue Jays Hall of Fame last week, and 16U baseball had a very busy week last week, with four games in five days, plus more!
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Marjorie Louise Sakry was born on March 6, 1923 to Charles and Elva (Vandersnick) Bonte in Geneseo, Illinois. She was raised on a farm near Annawan and moved near Sherman, South Dakota when she was two years old. She walked cross country to a country school in Rock County, Minnesota near their home and graduated from Garretson High School in 1941. Marjorie met George Sakry while taking lunches to the threshing crew that he was on and began dating. They married on Tuesday, October 31, 1944, while George was on leave from the United States Navy. They traveled by train to St. Paul for their honeymoon, staying at the home of George's sister, Irene Hoye. After the honeymoon, George and Marjorie moved to San Diego, California where George finished his tour of duty while Marjorie worked as a waitress. After George's discharge they returned to the Sherman area and farmed until 1968. Marjorie was a dedicated farm wife and remained on the farm until 2019 when she entered the care of the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone. She passed away peacefully there on Friday, July 14, 2023 at the age of 100.
Marjorie will be remembered for her love of God, family, and farm, as well as her exceptional embroidery and crocheting skills. She was ever inviting visitors to "not be a stranger" and always had delicious baked goods at the ready to welcome them. Grandchildren knew they could always depend on Grandma's cookie jar and she helped teach many of them to play Kings in the Corners. Marjorie was a faithful fishing companion to George on their many trips and prepared countless meals and desserts for those who joined them. She also loved to garden and canned many jars of food throughout her life.
Marjorie was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Garretson, South Dakota where she was a member of the Circle (Ladies Aid), taught CCD, and cleaned the church.
She is lovingly remembered by her five children, Gary Sakry of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, Duane (Sandy) Sakry of Dell Rapids, South Dakota, Joyce (Greg) Renneberg of Reedsburg, Wisconsin, Jim (Janice) Sakry of Mesa, Arizona, and Paul (Lynn) Sakry of Crooks, South Dakota; 12 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; and many loving nieces, nephews, family members, and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, George; parents, Elva and Charles Bonte, Sr.; brother, Charles Bonte, Jr.; and one great-granddaughter, Ariel Sakry.
Marilyn Skalland, 96, of Brandon, South Dakota passed away on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at the Good Samaritan Society Sioux Falls Center. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at George Boom Funeral Chapel in Brandon. Funeral services will follow the visitation at 7:00 p.m. Graveside services will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, July 20, 2023, at Split Rock Lutheran Cemetery in rural Brandon.
Marilyn Thompson, daughter of John and Verna (Severson) Thompson was born February 9, 1927, in rural Lincoln County. She grew up east of Schindler, South Dakota and attended Springdale Lutheran Church. She graduated from Harrisburg High School with the class of 1945. She began her career working at a bank in Sioux Falls. She was united in marriage to Roger Skalland on March 6, 1949, at First Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. They spent many years living on the Skalland farm place and Marilyn worked for Minnehaha County Human Welfare Services from 1972 until 1984. Marilyn and Roger moved to Sun City, Arizona where she worked for O’Keefe Realty. After suffering a stroke in 2000, Marilyn moved back to Sioux Falls. She enjoyed playing the piano, dancing, golf, and travelling. Above all she loved spending time with her family.
Left to cherish her memory are her children, Steven (Mary Jo) Skalland of Brandon, Nancy (Don) Dickey of Garretson, and Mary Kay Tiesen of Rapid City; four grandchildren, Brian Dickey, James (April) Dickey, Shane Dickey, and Derek Brower; seven great grandchildren, Rex, Beckett, Max, Izzy, Van, JayLee, and Amelia.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Verna; husband, Roger; brother, Earl (Wanda) Thompson; and sister, Eleanore (Norman) Skalland.
Pack the Park was a success this past weekend, with lots of fun had by all; the July school board meeting set the stage for the coming school year; soil health school is coming and farmers are remaining optimistic about this fall's crop; four men were inducted into the Blue Jays Hall of Fame last week, and 16U baseball had a very busy week last week, with four games in five days, plus more!
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How a community responds to crisis and tragedy says a lot about it. How the community responded to the death of Benton Howe last year shows off a true heart of gold for the Garretson area and its people.
This Saturday, July 15 starting at 6 p.m. and going until late, the Second Pack the Park event will take place at the Jaycee's Complex.
Last year, Pack the Park accomplished many things, first and foremost by holding a community gathering in memory of 11-year-old Benton Howe, who lost his life in a spring 2022 UTV accident. Baseball was one of his favorite sports to play.
2022 archive photo
Pack the Park also showcased the talent of Garretson's youth baseball and softball players at the age between coach-pitch/kid pitch and the high school leagues. The games allowed the kids to get out on the field and have fun, not knowing what was going to happen next (for example, one inning was run backwards by the batters, who had to run to third base instead of first).
Another goal was to raise funds for the Benton Howe Memorial Scholarship, and the event raised over $18,000. It was supported in some fashion by nearly every business in Garretson. Approximately a dozen volunteers helped with umping, tickets, working the fields, concessions, and more. Organizers are hoping to make this Pack the Park Even bigger than the first.
UPDATE 7/13/23: Due to scheduling conflicts, the city council will begin meeting on the first Monday of the month on October 2, 2023, instead of August 7, as was initially stated in the print edition. The next regular meeting of the council will be on Monday, August 14. This has been updated in the article.
At Monday's city council meeting, representatives from the American Legion approached the council to request the fireworks shows be held on Independence Day in the future. For the past two years, the display has been scheduled for July 3rd.
As of Monday, July 10, work has finished on the 5th Street Bridge, allowing it to re-open for traffic.
Legion representative Andy Lyngen made the request on behalf of those attending (during public comment).
"Two years ago we had to change responsibilities due to requirements from the NFPA [National Fire Protection Agency]," he said. "The American Legion gave the city the right to those fireworks with the understanding that we would be contacted, consulted, included in conversations and decisions."
He and councilor Tom Godbey reminded the city that last year, it had been decided to have other events, including a kickball tournament and food trucks, but this year, there were no other events planned. Fireworks had originally been scheduled for Monday, July 3, but weather concerns moved them to Friday, July 7.
"In a discussion in our most recent meeting, we are strongly encouraging the city to leave Independence Day on July 4th for the fireworks presentation. Plan your events for that day... leave Independence Day where it is. Let us remember why we have that independence and let us celebrate it. Not just as veterans, not just as general people in the public, but as Americans. We should be honoring that day for the significance of becoming an independent nation."
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Pierre, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) today announced the final tail collection total for the fifth year of the Nest Predator Bounty Program as part of Gov. Noem’s Second Century Initiative. For 2023, 50,552 total tails were submitted by 2,481 participants.
The 2023 program saw the highest level of youth participation since inception, with youth under the age of 18 composing 46% of total participants. Youth participation has steadily increased, with last year's participation at 32%.
“It is very exciting to see the next generation out trapping and getting involved in wildlife management,” said Kevin Robling, GFP Department Secretary. “Youth participation continues to increase each year of the program, and we are so proud to see more youth and families getting outdoors.”
New for 2023, every participating youth received one free live trap when submitting their tails for the first time. In total, 1,014 live traps were distributed to youth across South Dakota.
“In an effort to get more youth involved in trapping, we offered a free live trap for every youth participant,” continued Robling. “We also renamed our Youth Trap Giveaway in honor of Benton Howe. Each week one participating youth under the age of 18 was drawn to receive a raccoon trapping starter kit, trapping handbook, a knife, and a write-up remembering Benton Howe’s love for the outdoors.”
The 2023 program opened for South Dakota youth under the age of 18 on March 1. The program then opened to all South Dakota residents on April 1. The cap of 50,000 tails was reached on June 29.
Overall, participation was up for the program, with 5% more participants than in 2022.
“The primary nesting season is complete, conditions across most of the state looked excellent for pheasant production, and we’re looking forward to seeing this excitement transition to the fields this fall,” concluded Robling.
Jesse James sculpture donated by Bob Stiefvater, who also designed and welded it.
The Garretson Art Trail is live! The final piece of art has been placed, a statue of Jesse James that was designed, welded, and donated by Bob Stiefvater.
After a delay from the expected start date of Jesse James Days, the Art Trail is officially ready to be followed. Brochures, which are an interactive portion of the trail, will be found at the Visitor's Center in Split Rock Park and in various retail locations around Garretson. The Art Trail can be compared to the Sculpture Walk located in Sioux Falls, but with its own twist- there are photographs, paintings, metal art, and more.
Trail followers are encouraged to fill out the brochure, then drop it in the mail to receive two water bottle stickers and a Garretson City of Parks postcard. In addition, all received brochures will be entered into a drawing for four $100 Garretson Commercial Club gift certificates.
During this week’s meeting, the Minnehaha County Commission voted unanimously to authorize a new $1.5 million property tax opt-out to help balance future budgets.
Susan Beaman
Deputy Auditor Susan Beaman, who presented several slides to commissioners on the budget and opt-out process, reminded them of what had been previously discussed during recent budget meetings.
Under the current laws, government entities are only allowed to increase property taxes by 3% or the rate of inflation (whichever is lower).
However, since COVID, inflation rates have greatly exceeded that 3% limit, putting the county in a bind to maintain what commissioners have said is already a “very frugal budget.”
Fortunately, since COVID, federal APRA funds have been available to help the county balance the books, but Beaman said those funds expire soon.
And that put commissioners in the position to call for an opt-out.
At the meeting, it was explained this opt-out won’t have to be levied for another year, so there won’t be any immediate cost to taxpayers for the new action.
But there still will be a property tax increase.
In 2019, the commission voted to take a $6.5 million opt-out, although those funds were not to be used all at once.
Currently, there is still $1.5 million left in that opt-out, and that amount will be levied to balance the FY2024 budget.
The resolution for the new opt-out is designed to call for $1.5 million each year over the next 25 years, if it is needed.
Commissioner Joe Kippley questioned the lengthy duration of the opt-out, but it was explained that the county doesn’t need to take the money each of those 25 years. Commissioners can choose not to use those funds, if they are not needed, and they can also cancel that opt-out at any time.
Commissioner Dean Karsky said that using smaller amounts of money on a regular basis was better than getting behind and have to ask taxpayers to cover a huge opt-out unexpectedly.
He went on to say that this was also the philosophy of the Sioux Falls School Board.
And having the opt-out on the books a year before it would be needed and levied allows for better abilities to plan.
But again, it was emphasized just because the county can levy these funds does not mean it will do so.
The final step in the process is now up to the public. Registered voters who don’t think the opt-out process should be used can circulate a petition to stop the action.
That petition must contain the valid signatures of 5% of the registered voters in Minnehaha County.
This petition needs to be filed with the auditor’s office within 20 days after the first publication of the ordinance, which should be around mid-August.
The next meeting will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 18, on the third floor of the Minnehaha County Administration Building at 6th and Minnesota in Sioux Falls.
