Jays go from duds to studs in one week. Coach Vanhove was too busy having a baby the last couple of months and forgot about a schedule change with Akron, so the Jays didn’t show up to the game and had to forfeit. My bad!
The Jays were 3-2 in league going into the game with Lennox on June 29 and we needed this one like Coach Bohl needs a brisk run in the morning. Nick Bonte and Dustin Steckler both threw a shutout and looked like pros vs joes. Jack Sparo looked lost at the plate, so we benched him for Skillman and not much changed there. Flanny did flanny things not really finding himself on the bases, but playing stellar D. Koch was unreal at short. Trey buck was a vacuum at third and Labrie dropped a fly ball at first. Brady Bonte came ready to play and was smacking balls left and right. Tayson Swatek played center. Deballs and Vanhove closed the door on the right side of the infield and Jays won 8-0. We take on Larchwood on Thursday. Big game, let’s go!!
Despite a strong start to the season, the Garretson 14U baseball team had a rough couple of weeks at the end of June, taking the loss on the last several games.
This past Saturday, they played a triangular with Parkston and Clark on the home field, and both opponents caught the upper hand on the young team. Parkston bested Garretson 8 runs to Garretson's one, and Garretson was unable to score a single point to Clark Area's 17 runs.
Parkston got the game started at the top of the second inning, when they put two runners over home base. Before that, Garretson successfully stopped three batters in three plays in the first inning. When Garretson's Isaiah Coburn attempted to cross home plate in the second inning, he was tagged out when Dylan Waltman grounded into a fielder's choice.
Garretson continued to play a strong defense throughout the 3rd and 4th innings, preventing Parkston from gathering any more points. Unfortunately, that streak ended at the top of the 5th, when two players touched home plate. Parkston cinched the game at the top of the 7th, claiming three more runs.
Garretson's Caiden Maack scored the only point for the home team when Isaac Stoterau popped a ball that resulted in a double play. Collin Olson and Coburn had successful hits for the Garretson team.
Stoterau toed the mound for Garretson 14U, allowing 8 hits and striking out three. Maack pitched relief, allowing one hit.
In the second game that day for both teams, Clark Area came out swinging, and scored nine runs in the first inning against Garretson. The 0-17 game left the team feeling defeated as they watched their opponents gather the points in four innings.
Clark Area's Jakob Steen had a banner game, as he allowed zero hits and zero runs from the Garretson team. In all, he struck out seven and walked four.
Garretson's Collin Olson was on the mound for the home team, striking out one and walking two. He allowed 17 hits over three and two-thirds innings. Caiden Maack pitched three plays in relief, allowing two hits.
For their final game of the season, the 14U baseball team played Elkton on Wednesday, July 5 (results not available at press time).
VIBORG, S.Dak. — The South Dakota FFA Association conducted its annual Leadership Retreat June 20 - 23, at Swan Lake Christian Camp in Viborg, SD. A total of 65 FFA members in grades 7 – 12 attended from across South Dakota with the theme of, “Into the Safari; Imagine, Explore, Discover.”
The Garretson FFA Chapter had 1 chapter officer and member in attendance. Those attending from Garretson were: Chapter Sentinel, Jacoby Costello and Advisor, Ms. Alysha Kientopf.
The retreats centered on a theme of, “Into the Safari; Imagine, Explore, Discover,” focusing on teaching members how to invest in their chapters’ journey and adventure to instill the FFA Motto, “…premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.” FFA members developed and enhanced their leadership skills and self-confidence through interactive learning. The program featured workshops that helped members discover the value of service, integrity, communication, perseverance, teamwork, and having a growth mindset. They will use these new skills and ideas to benefit their local chapters and communities. Retreat attendees also participated in a service-learning project helping the City of Centerville work on beautification projects around town.
The retreats were directed by the 2023-2024 State FFA Officers: President, Alyssa Feather, Wilmot; Vice President, Dustin Kolb, Belle Fourche; Secretary, Raesa Zelinsky, Brookings; Treasurer, Gretta Larson, Lake Preston; Reporter, Gabrielle Rebelein, Sioux Valley; and Sentinel, Emily Robbins, Elkton. Retreat staff also included Tori Dvorak, Scotland; and Taylor Tennant, Gettysburg; SD FFA Ambassadors and National FFA Eastern Region Vice President Gracie Murphy.
While the members worked on developing premier leadership and personal growth through their time at the retreat, the advisor’s also had their own teacher academy learning about Plant Pollinators and Propagation, implementing Bees into their programs, and Livestock Artificial Insemination. These programs included tours of Natural Beauty and Landscape Garden Center in Sioux Falls, SD, as well as hands-on activities propagating a variety of plants, preparing to artificial insemination livestock and looking at livestock female reproductive tracts.
The retreat was sponsored by Farm Credit Services of America, Army ROTC, South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Twin City Region Northland Ford Dealers, CHS Foundation, and SD Corn Utilization Council.
Retreat t-shirts were sponsored by SoDak Labs, SD Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers, Army ROTC, Plains Towing and Recovery, Hogemeyer Seed, Kibble Equipment, Latham Hi-Tech Seeds, SDSU Farmhouse Fraternity and Tractor Supply Company.
Scholarships for individuals to attend sponsored by: SD FFA Foundation, West River Electric Association, Sioux Valley Energy, and Walt Johnson Memorial.
The South Dakota FFA Association is a statewide organization of 5,668 agricultural education students in 110 chapters in every corner of South Dakota. It is part of the National FFA Organization, a national youth organization of 760,113 student members preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture with 8,612 chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Our mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Visit www.sdaged.org for more information.
After a weeklong break, the Garretson 16U baseball team headed out of town to take on Tea Gold last Thursday, June 29.
Despite Garretson's Treyton Decker hitting four balls at four at-bats and out-hitting Tea 10 to 8, the team was dealt a hard loss when the end of the game showed a score of 9-12.
Tea Gold started the game early, collecting four runs at the bottom of the first inning and two more at the bottom of the second before Garretson was able to make its comeback play at the top of the third.
The top of the first inning looked promising for Garretson, as Dylan Wolf, Ian Buettner, and Treyton Decker all singled, loading the bases. Unfortunately, a double play by Tea after Brecken Weir sent a ball to the second baseman meant two outs before a point was scored.
Garretson was able to get Tyler Erickson over home plate at the top of the third inning when Decker singled on a line drive to center field.
Now revived, Garretson made up for its earlier luck in the field and hammered home five players at the top of the fourth inning. Noah Schotzko reached first base on a walk, successfully stole second on the next play, and touched home plate on a line drive to left field from fellow player Riley Lafferty-Maack, who reached second base on that play. Lafferty-Maack reached third on a dropped strike to Carsten Rozeboom, and collected another point for Garretson when Erickson reached first on a grounder to third. Rozeboom was next to head over home plate when Wolf hit a ground ball and reached first on an error by Tea's shortstop. Wolf and Erickson both scored when Garretson's Decker doubled on a line drive to left field, leaving the score at 6-6.
Garretson successfully kept Tea from scoring at the bottom of the third and fourth innings, but the opponents weren't about to let that stand, and collected three more points in the bottom of the fifth inning. Despite Erickson collecting one more point at the top of the sixth and Tanner Baatz and Lafferty-Maack gathering two more at the top of the seventh, three runs from Tea at the bottom of the sixth sealed their lead and ended the game 9-12.
Erickson had three runs total while Lafferty-Maack had two, and rounding out the score were Wolf, Baatz, Schotzko, and Rozeboom.
Decker started the game toeing the mound for Garretson, pitching three innings and striking out nine while allowing three hits. Weir pitched relief and struck out six while allowing five hits.
Garretson played Baltic on the home field on Wednesday (results not available at press time), and heads to Flandreau on Monday, July 10. Their next home game will be on Thursday, July 13 at 5:30 p.m. at Tandberg Field.
The Dougy Classic Golf Tournament, hosted by the Williamson family, took place last August at River Ridge Golf Course. The tournament is held in honor of Doug Williamson, a beloved member of the Garretson community. Doug had strong ties to Garretson, having grown up on a family homestead south of the town and raising his children there.
Doug actively participated in various community organizations, including the Garretson Jaycees and the slow-pitch softball team. He also served on the Garretson City Council and held the position of Mayor from 2000 to 2004. His dedication to the community and his love for Garretson inspired his family to organize the annual golf tournament as a way to remember him and support local causes.
Over the past three years, the tournament has successfully raised nearly $10,000, which has been donated to several Garretson community organizations. Beneficiaries of these donations include the Garretson Fire Department, Ambulance Service, Scholarship Foundation, American Legion Honor Flight, Children's Miracle Network (in honor of Tina Sandbulte), and the Garretson Parks Department.
Recently, checks were presented to the Garretson Food Pantry, Blue Dragon Academy, Fire Department, Historical Society, and the Community Scholarship Fund. The Community Scholarship Fund awarded a $2,000 scholarship to Chloe Flahaven, who will be attending the University of South Dakota in the coming fall.
The Williamson family would like to express their gratitude to the sponsors who contributed to the success of the Dougy Classic Golf Tournament. The sponsors include Jesse James Country Store, Garretson Food Center, Steve's Electric, Don's Auto, Sports Cabin, CHS Elevator, River Ridge Golf Club, Iverson Auto, Make It Mine, and Republic Distributing Company. Their support has been instrumental in making the tournament a resounding success and enabling the family to continue honoring Doug's memory while giving back to the Garretson community.
The first two Farmers Markets in Garretson's Split Rock Park have been a success, with vendors setting up on the green between the picnic shelter and the Visitors Center. Patrons were able to peruse the offerings, which have included made-from-scratch chips and salsa, fused glass art, local eggs, and locally-made fudge. During the opening market held on June 6, activities also included live music from Boston Steve and goat yoga from Bee Fit Yoga and Glean for Good.
The Split Rock Farmers Market will be held every other Tuesday throughout the summer, with the next one scheduled for July 11 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. All are invited! To become a vendor, contact Jessica Fueston at City Hall by calling 605-594-6721 or emailing .
How any times have you said the Pledge of Allegiance? If you are like me, it is hundreds if not thousands of times. Ever think about the ending? “With Liberty and Justice for All.”
The CO2 pipeline being surveyed to cross South Dakota farmland threatens the very idea of "liberty and justice for all." Why? Because like it or not, South Dakota is letting CO2 pipeline surveyors show up on anyone's farm, unannounced, move their heavy equipment across farmer's fields tearing up crops as they go and then drill. All this as a prelude to trenching across fields to install a liquid CO2 pipeline which will disrupt and freeze the soil around the pipe thereby reducing production all along the miles of pipeline - permanently.
What about the Liberty of an American farmer to do with his/her own land, what he/she wants to do with it? Where is it that we lose that Liberty to multi-billion-dollar corporations so they can make a buck and farmers can foot a permanent reduction in their production and in the value of their farm?
Where is the Justice that allows teams of lawyers and their hired guns to kick you off YOUR OWN property so they can profit? What happens to your Second Amendment that keeps these folks safe? Why can't landowners defend their land?
Stand your Ground? Not in South Dakota. Not even if you are standing on your own ground!
These CO2 pipelines are a scheme to pump US taxpayer cash into the pockets of out of staters and foreign owners. There is no benefit to South Dakota, but the burden is shouldered by South Dakota farmers.
Meanwhile, there is not even a whisper from most Republicans, Democrats, or even our Governor. Perhaps the hundred or so farms and farmers aren't a big enough constituency for the Governor or elected officials to care about.
Liberty and Justice for all? Not for South Dakota farmers and their families or their future generations.
What route did Jesse James and his gang take in their escape following the bank robbery in Northfield, MN? Regional lore tells of Jesse James jumping his horse over Devil’s Gulch at Garretson, SD.
There are also stories of Jesse passing through Pipestone County. Can these stories be proven? Join the Pipestone County Historical Society as they welcome guest speaker, Russ Swanson with his presentation, “Three Days in Dakota: The James’ Brothers Escape from Northfield.” Russ has researched regional newspapers accounts of the gang’s flight from justice and will share what he has learned about the infamous escape.
This presentation will be held at the Pipestone County Museum on Tuesday evening, July 11, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Cost to attend is $5.00 or $3.00 for members of the Pipestone County Historical Society and FREE to children 12 and under.
The museum is located at 113 S. Hiawatha Ave. in Pipestone. For further information you may call the Museum at (507) 825-2563 or email at . The Museum is open from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
In these days of a divided Congress and divisive Supreme Court decisions, people may not remember the saying, “All politics is local.”
But that axiom seems to be the driving philosophy for new Minnehaha County Administrative Officer Tom Greco.
Moving over to county government after spending seven years as the Sioux Falls City Clerk, Greco is quick to point out the “strong leadership roles” in city and county officials.
Tom Greco
Like a good husband, the New York native came to Sioux Falls, his wife’s hometown, in in 2016 to take on his job with the city.
He became a part of local government after supporting the United States during a 20-year career in the U.S. Army.
The “retired” lieutenant colonel most recently served with the Corps of Engineers in Florida, but his experience goes back to 1995, when he was commissioned after graduating from West Point Military Academy.
Between then and 2015, he served as a professor of political science at West Point, as well as being deployed to Iraq.
But it was his job with the Corps that had him working with not only the federal government, but local governments, as well.
While he said much of the mind-set in the military seems to focus on federal politics, he added, “People who make stuff happen are right here” at the local level.
He specifically cited, “the line on the first floor (at the Treasurer’s and Auditor’s offices), human services and law enforcement” as integral parts of the county and everyday life.
And while Greco did say he is still “wrapping his arms around the volume of things the county does,” he is ready for the challenges of “being the person on the ground” who helps commissioners and other county agencies get the information they need to do their jobs.
However, he doesn’t want it to sound like he does everything.
“The folks here do a lot of the work,” Greco said. “We have a lot of good people, and it is a pleasure to be a part of the team.”
He explained that he has been working for the county since March 15, and most of that time, he had the help of the previous county administrator Carol Mueller, who retired on June 15.
Mueller had been working with local government for many years in several capacities, and Greco said working with her was a great benefit.
Now, the main parts of his new duties are similar to what he did with the city of Sioux Falls, just swapping out “councilors” for “commissioners.”
A big part of what he does is making sure the commissioners have what they need for their meetings.
As city clerk, he was also in charge of city elections, but he won’t do that with the county.
He did voice some of his disappointment with voter turnout for local elections.
He said the more popular mayoral elections garner more votes, but the turnout is still only about 30% of registered voters, and that non-mayoral city elections typically see a much lower percentage of voters.
Being reminded that “all politics is local,” Greco added that he would like to see more “engagement” in those elections.
Recently, the race for an open seat on the Sioux Falls School Board brought out only 6% of the electorate, even though some are being very vocal about “parental control” in schools.
When not working for the betterment of local politics and governments, Greco likes to go camping, do woodworking, and travel, as well as spending time with his wife and three children.
He said two of his kids are “grown up” and one is still at home in high school.
He also mentioned that he acts as a recruiter, for prospective students interested in West Point, and, during tax season, he volunteers helping low-income people and senior citizens prepare their federal returns.
And now, Greco can add his new position with the county to his long resumé of serving people.
But he laughed when asked about his career and said that in his life, “I’ve really only had four jobs.”
In high school he worked in an ice cream shop, he graduated in 1991, and went to West Point, after which he served in the Army, before joining the city of Sioux Falls in 2016.
And now, he takes on job four with Minnehaha County.
Overall, though, Greco feels good about where he is now, emphasizing again, “It’s a pleasure to be a part of this team.”
Beachy Bracelets, a small startup by Aubrie Genzler, Jouie Snedeck and Eryn Hanson is selling handmade bracelets to raise money for the Pack the Park benefit to be held on July 15. Their bracelets are available for sale at Annie’s Coffeehouse, the Garretson Food Center, and the Palisades Art Gallery. They are pictured here with Susan Haygood, artist in residence and proprietor of the Palisades Art Gallery.
