Three Garretson businesses were caught selling alcohol to minors in an undercover sting by the county. Hometown Christmas is coming up on December 11 with a parade of lights, and Garretson resident Doug Clark received quite a promotion. Plus, the 2021 GHS football team was honored at its recent banquet, two Garretson students are participating in "The Christmas Carol" at the Orpheum in Sioux Falls, and the quarter Honor Rolls for High School and Middle School students are out!
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Garretson, SD – Garretson High School and Community Blood Bank join up to bolster community support towards the community’s blood supply and impact local patients’ lives by hosting a fall community blood drive on Wednesday, December 1 between 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Garretson High School (505 2nd St.).Donors can schedule an appointment by calling the High School office at 605-594-3451.
“With continued high demand for blood in the region for the foreseeable future, Community Blood Bank has declared a critical blood shortage for type A and O to assist patients needing blood transfusions,” states Ken Versteeg, Executive Director, Community Blood Bank. “It has been hard to catch-up and build a stable supply of blood for our community hospitals in the last several weeks. Just as we see some improvement, we have several unexpected calls for blood that places us in a critical state once again. It is ever so important that we fill our blood drive appointment capacity to ensure we are maximizing all opportunities to catch up with usage. Please donate blood when the bloodmobile is at Garretson High School on December 1.”
Donors must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with a signed parent consent form), weigh 110 lbs or more and be in good general health. It is recommended that a person eat and drink plenty of fluids prior to donating blood. Please bring an ID with you at the time of donation. For more information log onto www.cbblifeblood.org.
Community Blood Bank is not affiliated with other blood bank organizations and takes pride in being a self-sufficient organization, thanks to the generosity of our local blood donors.
It has been a little while since I have written an editorial for the paper. I mentioned a controversial topic while visiting with Carrie and she thought it would be an interesting editorial topic. Last week there was a Mayor’s Council meeting in Sioux Falls, and it was sponsored by the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. It involved mayors from Lincoln, McCook and Minnehaha Counties. A guest speaker met with us via Zoom. John Suthers is the mayor of Colorado Springs and the former Attorney General of Colorado. He spoke with us regarding recreational marijuana.
As many of you may know, medicinal marijuana was legalized, and as a city we have been working to create rules for a dispensary. The state has also been working on laws regarding who qualifies for medicinal marijuana. Recreational marijuana was on the same ballot but has been challenged in the SD Supreme Court. The Supreme Court heard the arguments on the topic four months ago, and we are waiting to hear the results. I’ve noticed that there are people gathering names for petitions to legalize recreational marijuana. I’m very confident that no matter what the Supreme Court rules, we will be dealing with this topic again.
Mayor Suthers brought up some interesting points about Colorado’s laws regarding marijuana. If you don’t know recreational marijuana was legalized in Colorado some time ago. His first topic was “The Lies of Recreational Marijuana”. The first lie is that legalizing marijuana will eliminate the black market sales of marijuana. Colorado has found that the black market sales have actually increased due to the higher prices of legal marijuana. This in in addition to the legal sale of the drug. The second lie is that the sales tax revenue will help fund education. There is some increased funding to education, but it is far out-weighed by the increased costs of law enforcement. The third lie is that legalizing the sale of marijuana will keep it out of the hands of underage users. They have found that after marijuana was legalized, youth consumption has significantly increased.
Mayor Suthers also noted that there were several mistakes or oversites that the state of Colorado made when they legalized recreational marijuana. Allowing “home grow” marijuana makes it very difficult for law enforcement to enforce who is growing and how much they’re growing. There are cartels renting houses and running growing operations out of these residences. Colorado also did not set a limit on how much THC can be in a product. Marijuana businesses have created products that have extremely large amounts of THC. Large amounts of THC create psychotic behavior and they believe that it has increased the suicide rate among teenagers. They have also found that there is no way to test for impaired driving with THC users. Mayor Suthers also promised that if marijuana were legalized in our state, crime would increase not decrease. Looking at how much our current crime is drug related, it wouldn’t surprise me.
It is important for South Dakota to have a strong, reliable work force. Testing positive for THC severely limits the available jobs at which a user could work. South Dakota has several problems already with work force, legalizing marijuana would only make these problems worse. Lastly, Mayor Suthers emphasized that recreational marijuana is a big business controlled by big out of state companies. Even small local dispensaries are quickly bought out by bigger companies.
As we move forward with this topic I just wanted to give people a few things to think about. Are there really any benefits to allowing recreational marijuana? Is this the legacy that we want to leave for our children? Thank you for your time and I hope that everyone has a safe and blessed Thanksgiving.
Ordell Krogstad, age 92, of Baltic, died on Sunday, November 14, 2021 at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. Funeral services were held on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at East Nidaros Lutheran Church, rural Baltic. Interment was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the East Nidaros Cemetery or the Baltic Veterans Memorial.
Ordell was born on March 3, 1929 in Sioux Falls to Oscar and Agnes (Steen) Krogstad. He was baptized and confirmed at the Willow Creek Lutheran Church. He graduated from Lyons High School in 1947 and South Dakota State University with an Agricultural degree. Ordell married Doris Winterton on June 25, 1950. He served in the United States Army from 1951 to 1953. Ordell and Doris operated a dairy farm in rural Baltic with their family.
Ordell served the community in many different capacities: Baltic American Legion, East Nidaros church council and head usher, Baltic School board, Farm Bureau, 4-H Dairy Superintendent at the Sioux Empire Fair and 4-H Leader, Land O’Lakes District board, Norse Glee Club, and caretaker at the East Nidaros Cemetery for 25 years. After retirement, Ordell was able to locate and buy his 300 Utility International that he bought new in 1957. After restoring it, he enjoyed participating in tractor shows and rides, especially the Yankton Old Iron Association tractor ride. He also spent 15 years assembling bikes at Toys R Us in Sioux Falls.
Survivors include his wife of 71 years, Doris, Children: Susan (Rod) Schaffer, Detroit Lakes, MN, Ronald (Kristi) Krogstad, Baltic, Robert (DeeDee Carey) Krogstad, Baltic, and Craig (LaDonn Powell) Krogstad, Renner: Grandchildren: Melissa (Greg) Mostad, Todd (Heather) Schaffer, Ben (Tonya) Stoner, Andrea (Nathan) Chase, Amber (Mike) Lesnar, Scott (Jamie) Krogstad, Chet Hillstrom, Erik Krogstad, Tait Krogstad; Jacob (Marta Fitzer) Krogstad, Kirby (Sydney) Krogstad, and Natasha Powell; 10 great-grandchildren; sisters Vicky Howe, Doris (Arne) Brown, and Margaret Tidemann; brothers Adrian Krogstad and Glen (Carol) Krogstad; sister-in-law’s Janet (Mike) Marsh, Charlyn Krogstad; brother-in-law Ken (Beverly) Winterton and many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Agnes (Steen) Krogstad; infant son Dale; sister Madeline Winterton; and brothers Richard and Allen.
Veterans Day is always a big day in our area, and this year was no exception. Last year all celebrations were canceled because of COVID-19, but for Veterans Day this year they pulled out all the stops.
Henry G. Fix Post #23 of the American Legion awarded Frank Koens a Lifetime Achievement Award for his 55 years in the service of the Post’s Honor Guard. “Anyone who knows Frank, knows what a great guy he is,” said Jeff Sylliaasen. “A Korean war veteran, and a Legion member here for more than sixty years, he’s served 55 years in the Legion Honor Guard,” said Commander Tony Grandy. “Frank is truly a great man and his service exemplifies the things that our post stands for.”
The Garretson School in conjunction with Henry G. Fix Post #23 hosted a Veteran’s Day program for the public, organized by former GHS Teacher and Post Americanism officer Bob Bennett. With a student-led ceremony and performances from the High School choir, Elementary choir, and GHS band, there was a large crowd of parents and veterans in attendance.
At the Legion Dugout later that evening was a smaller crowd, likely due to the high winds, freezing rain and ice with sleet and snow that had begun to fall. Even so it was a good crowd by dinner time. Lori Luke sang and led those gathered in song.
The Legion Auxiliary was celebrating their 100th year anniversary, and had gathered historical records and artifacts to show all those gathered, from photographs of Gold Star Mothers to the minutes of the first year as well as Post Newspapers from the 1920’s and 30’s.
The Veteran asked to speak this year was Arden Sorenson. As he is shy about public speaking, he let his son Matt Sorenson do the talking for the most part. Arden and Matt were on the recent Midwest Honor Flight #7 that several Henry G. Fix Legion members took part of.
“It was a great honor and a privilege to go,” said Arden.
Though Matt himself is not a veteran, he has had a distinguished career in the Minnesota State Patrol. He spoke about what an honor and a joy it was to go with his father to Washington, D.C.
“The ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was perhaps my dad’s favorite part of the whole trip,” Matt said. “The dignity, respect and professionalism of the guards honoring our dead heroes, honors our living ones too. It puts a tear in my eye just thinking about, and the whole trip too, how much joy it brought my dad. And the Post raising 15-grand for a future honor flight, that’s just amazing and everyone here has a lot to be proud of. Our Veterans are in good hands, and they know you truly care for them.”
Commander Tony Grandy gives Jeff Sylliaasen and Marty Lubke 5 service awards. Right: Matt Sorenson
Veterans Day Program 2021 at the Garretson School
Legion Commander Tony Grandy also gave service commemoration awards to Marty Lubke and Jeff Sylliaasen, which are given out for every 5 years of service. The big award given out during this Veteran’s Day program was to Frank Koens, who was awarded a lifetime achievement award for 55 years of service to the American Legion Post #23 in the Honor Guard!
Koens spoke only briefly, but was humble and thanked his fellow veterans for the privilege of serving with them. It was a wonderful way to end the program, the spirit of fellowship and camaraderie high.
Front Row (L to R): Manager Coyer Buchholz, Rian Smidt, Jaelyn Benson, Maren Bonte, Lily Ranschau, Lexi Gawarecki. Middle Row (L to R): Manager Colton Buchholz, Manager Caylix Buchholz, Tayler Benson, Aleah Wagner, Sydney Olson, Grace Hove.Back Row (L to R): Asst Coach Lauren Stoterau, Asst Coach Kelsey Buchholz, Erin Steen, Aliyah Leedy, Anna Jones, Logan Bly, Sam Shellum, Alli Gawarecki, Kaylin Koch, Head Coach Dennis Northrup, Athletic Trainer John Shape. Photo by Angie Bly
This last Thursday through Saturday, the Garretson Lady Dragons hit the road and headed to Rapid City for the SD State Class A Volleyball Tournament. The team faced off against Elkton-Lake Benton, Dakota Valley, and Sioux Falls Christian in their bid for state champion. While they prevailed against Elkton-Lake Benton and Dakota Valley, Sioux Falls Christian took the win in the championship round, leaving the Dragons with the runner-up title.
The trip to the state tournament was the first since 1997, and only the second in school history. In their prior bid at State the team was unable to pull off any wins. This makes the runner-up title an enormous accomplishment.
The 2021 season for the Dragons was solid, with a record-breaking overall win-loss score of 29-2. They were the Class A Region 3 overall champions, and in the SoDak 16 tournament they took down the Redfield Pheasants in three sets.
Photo courtesy SDPB
In 2020, the Dragons were shut down in the region playoffs after a tense 5-set game with Baltic, ending their season with 18 wins and 5 losses. In 2019 they lost to Madison in the SoDak 16, which up to that point was the best the team had done since 1997.
Leading the team were Head Coach Dennis Northrup, who also brought Hill City and Aberdeen to state tournaments under his tutelage, and Assistant Coaches Kelsey Buchholz and Lauren Stoterau. Northrup's first year with Garretson was in 2019.
The game against the Elkton-Lake Benton Lady Elks on Thursday, Nov 18 started off rocky, with the Dragons losing the first two sets 23-25 and 18-25. The Dragons turned it around during the third set and taught the Elks that they weren't done yet, hitting back with a 25-15. The team then used that momentum to propel themselves to the finish line in set four with a score of 25-20. In the fifth set, Garretson showed the Elks why they'd only had one loss so far this season and trounced the opposing team 15-5.
The Lady Elks would go on to win the consolation championship by defeating Hamlin and Hill City.
The Dragons then had a little less than 24 hours to rest and recuperate, and took on their next opponent, Dakota Valley. This team was polled as the number two favorite to win after Sioux Falls Christian. The Lady Dragons didn't allow that to set them back, winning the second and fourth sets 25-19 and 25-17. Dakota Valley attempted to overcome the feisty team, making the Dragons eat the first and third sets 21-25 and 19-25. Garretson didn't back down in the fifth set and came from behind, then pulled ahead and won 15-12.
Dakota Valley ultimately took 3rd in the tournament after winning against Wagner.
Saturday evening was the third and final game, with the State Championship on the line. Garretson was up against the Sioux Falls Christian Chargers, a powerhouse team that has won the championship for the past five years in a row.
Despite the challenge, Garretson didn't let the Chargers steamroll them. The Dragons were ecstatic at making it this far, breaking several school records and going down in GHS history. They played their hearts out and made several good plays, at times pulling ahead. The SFC ball was described as a bullet, and the front defensive wall was made up of athletes 6 feet tall or taller.
Garretson stopped many of those bullets and served them back, putting on a solid defense. However, they were unable to overcome the lack of openings the Chargers left, and the Dragons lost 15-25 all three sets.
This left Garretson with the State A Runner Up title, a huge accomplishment for a team that hadn't had too many solid wins until three years ago, when Coach Northrup took the reins.
"I want to apologize for not making it to State our first year," said Coach Northrup, during a welcome home rally held on Sunday. "[In 2019] I saw there was more talent here than in all of Aberdeen Central. There was just too much history to overcome." He noted that the mental game is 50% of the play, and if you walk into a room truly believing you're going to win, it intimidates the other team.
"One word to describe these girls is genuine," said Asst Coach Buchholz. "They give the best of themselves on the court and in the classroom.
"I think the coaches knew there was something special about this team this last summer already. There's just something there. I'm proud of what you girls have accomplished and how you've grown this past year."
Congratulations GHS Volleyball Team!
Aliyah,
We are Proud beyond words! Congrats on a Great Season! Love, Mom & Dad
Rian, Congratulations! We are proud of you! Love Dad, Mom & Shea
Congrats #13 Kaylin Koch! We are beyond proud of you and what your team has accomplished this season! What a great team of girls that fought every step of the way and showed everyone what these Blue Dragons can do!
Love,
Mom and Dad
Congratulations to Grace and all the volleyball team! Go Blue!!
"So Proud of you Alli & Lexi " from Dad & Juli
> Congratulations to our #1, Maren Bonte! We are so, SO proud of you, watching you play and grow over these past 4 years has been wonderful and exciting, we are going to miss seeing you on the court next season! Love, Mom and Dad
> To our Lady Dragons Volleyball team and our Coaches, you are all amazing, we have loved every minute spent with you, Congratulations on this memorable and well deserved season! The Bonte’s
Congrats Lady Blue Dragons Volleyball!
You had an amazing season and should be so proud of your hard work and accomplishments!
Alli #14 and Lexi #17, we love watching you play!
Love, Mom and Mike
Anna #12 on the team, #1 in our hearts
We are so proud to be a Lady Dragon parent & fan! Thank you for the amazing season! You will forever have a place in Garretson school history! We love you! The Jones Family
Congratulations Sam & team on a great year of volleyball!
Lily, you are beautiful inside and out! Your light shines so bright. I am so proud of you and all your Achievements. Your teammates and you are a true team full of life, love, and determination. God has blessed us all by having you in all our lives. Your Presence is Intoxicating! Keep Shining! So glad you are My TigerLily! I love you so much! Love your Mom, Meredith R.
We are so proud of the leadership you provided the team and your work ethic that you exemplified. We are very proud of you. Love Papa and Ammy Rekstad
You just made a huge mark on Garretson‘s school history!
Also, thank you to the coaches and trainer for your countless hours of dedication on and off the court.
Team, your teamwork, hard work, and determination was a blessing to our community. We all looked forward to every game; you provided excitement and fun during this whole season. You brought us all together! You pulled out each other’s strengths! You showed us how to dig down deep and make it happen! Everyone of you will go far in life! With deep appreciation and love to all.
The Rekstad’s…Bruce, Karen, Meredith, Triston, John and family
Congratulations Lady Blue Dragons on an outstanding season! It has been amazing seeing your team grow over the past four years. We are so proud of all you have accomplished. Erin, it has been fun watching you play volleyball since 5th grade. We will miss cheering for you and the other seniors next year. -Tim and Ingrid Steen
Logan- thanks for the memories! Congratulations! Love you so much!
Blue Dragon Volleyball- what a season! Your smiles and celebrations lit up every gym you entered. Your determination and ability to bounce back was inspiring. You lifted each other up when needed and were a true example of TEAMWORK! You taught younger Blue Dragons how to show sportsmanship and character on and off the court. Our little town will be talking about this season for many years to come. We are so proud of every one of you! John & Angela Bly
To our beloved Aleah (#10) & to her amazing teammates and coaches,
We are so unbelievably proud of you! All of your hard work, sacrifices, commitment and passion paid off. You are all so talented & amazing! You never gave up, you treated each other with dignity and respect throughout the entire season…and that is a WIN! Nothing can dim the light that shines from within each and every one of you. Congrats to you all!! Senior girls, we will miss you more than you’ll ever know. Thank you to all of our friends & family for showing the Blue Dragons all the love & support you have this season.
Do it again next year!!
Dan & Michelle Wagner
Proud of your teamwork, perseverance, and hard work at state!
Olsons
Photos courtesy Angie Bly, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, and Brandon Valley Journal
On Wednesday, November 10 six red hat ladies: Julie Hight, Marjorie Maschino, Geneva Skorr, Margie Martens, Virginia Solheim, and Bernie Simmons drove to Sioux Falls to have lunch at Kaladi's bistro and then went to the Ronald McDonald House by the Sanford hospital.
We had a tour of the house that has 28 beds, a TV room for the families, an exercise room, a game room, and a laundry room.
In order to stay at the Ronald McDonald house, the child being treated or in the hospital needs to be 21 years and younger and live beyond a 30-mile radius of the house.
Since 1985, they have served 23,000 families.
Avera hospital also has an eight-bed house. They are funded by donations from various businesses and fundraisers.
The Red Hat ladies baked about 6- to- 8 dozen cookies to leave for the families to enjoy. The families are able to make all of their meals and also do their own laundry free of charge
using whatever is in the pantry and freezers.
They are always in need of volunteers to help out or donate for meals. This is a very rewarding way to be giving back to families who are going through a difficult time.
First I would go to the tsore and buy a turkey. Next I would bring it home and tehen I weuld cook it and tehen I weould put it in the uvin. Then I would turn the uvin on at 10000 dgrees. Finlee I weuld eet it.
By Miranda
First go to the store and buy a turkey. Next you go home and you get it rede. Then put it in the uvin 27 minits and 20 awrs. Finally et it.
By Ella
First I will by a turkey. Next I will tayck the raper off. Next I will put it in a pan. Next I will put it in the ofin. Next I will set how hot it will be for 500 and 20 minits. Finally I will tayk the turkey out of the ofin. Next I will get the silvwer. Next I will get the plats. Next I will put the turkey on the playt. Next I et it.
By Marshall
First I would go to Wolnrt and get u turkey. Next bring it hom. Then tak taper of. Cuk for five, heat is 500. Finally take it ot and serve it to family on plane.
By Carter
First, I go to the store and get a turkey. Next go home and on rap it andput it in a pot on the stov. Then put the heet on at 46 dgrees for 12 owrs. Finally tak it out off the stov and put it on the taybl and eat it with silverwayr.
By Miles
First go to the store and buy a turkey. Next you go home and get it rede. Then put it in the ofin for 27 minis for 25. Finally eat it.
By Anadale
First I would go to the store and buy a turkey. Next take the pakij of off it of the turkey. Then put in the uvin 10000 one mite. Finally take it out.
By Alison
First you go hutin to cech a turkey. Next you cut it with a spedrol nith. Then you put it in the oven at 40000 at ten mentenis. Finally you trnd the ovin off and cut it up and you prt it on a plat and you git silveril and you eat it!
By Mitchell
First you hut and find a turkey. Next we cut it up and take the fethers of. Then put it at 20 hwrs and trn it on. Finally it’s done. Lets take it out and get sum plas and cut up the thrikin now we can et it.
By Harley
First I will go to buy a turkey. Next I take of the wrapre. Then put it in then make it prfit. Finally I eat it.
By Liam
First go to Wolmrt and get a turkey. Next get it sit in the avin and kak it at 112 dugres for 2 minits. Then pet it owt and et it.
By Zacharie
I wid hut for a turkey and I wuld tack the fethdr and cook it 2 mini and I wid tack it owt and et it.
By Benjamin
First you buy a turkey. Next take the wrap off. Then thay haf to pot it in the uven at 13 dugrez for 30 sekinz. Finally win it iz dun tak it owt and et it wif yor famele.
Thanks to the holiday, we are early this week! Enjoy!
The Lady Dragons Volleyball team not only made it to state, but came away with the Runners Up title, an enormous accomplishment for the athletes and the school as a whole. Frank Koens and other veterans were honored at the recent Veteran's Day events, and we get some great recipes from Mrs. Brun's first grade class!
There's a lot going on in our community. Keep up with all of it with the Community Events Calendar on page 4 in the on-line or paper version. With your on-line subscription, you can download it here and have it easy to hand!
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Thanks to the holiday, we are early this week! Enjoy!
The Lady Dragons Volleyball team not only made it to state, but came away with the Runners Up title, an enormous accomplishment for the athletes and the school as a whole. Frank Koens and other veterans were honored at the recent Veteran's Day events, and we get some great recipes from Mrs. Brun's first grade class!
As an on-line subscriber, you are able to view extra photos, articles, and an issue of this week's paper in a flipbook format! Always feel free to contact us at if you have story ideas, letters to the editor, or questions.
