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Fast-pitch Softball Tournament Sept 15
Fast-pitch Softball tournament comes to Garretson for once in a blue moon! Lady Blue Dragons win 2 games!
The Class A/B fast-pitch softball games were held Sunday, Sept 15. Garretson played two games and both games resulted in a win for the Lady Dragons, first the Watertown Arrows (8-7!) and Dell Rapids (10-3).
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School Hires New Business Manager (Full Article)
The Garretson School board met in regular session on Sept. 9, 2019. The board ratified the hiring of a new business manager, adopted their budget for the coming year and talked about modifications to the building’s heating and cooling system.
After the usual business, and the approval of items on the consent agenda, the board was introduced to Supt. Guy Johnson’s new hire as the school’s business manager, Jacob Schweitzer. Schweitzer graduated from Northern State University and has experience in real estate and worked for a hotel management company in Aberdeen.
“I’m grateful for this opportunity,” Schweitzer. “I’m learning on the job but I’m confident I can give good service to the district.”
Board President Shannon Nordstrom and Guy Johnson both expressed satisfaction with Schweitzer, and with the experience of the two substitutes that have worked with the district previously, he’s gotten off on the right foot and they expressed hope that Schweitzer would be an asset for the district for years to come. As the first item of new business in the meeting, the board voted to ratify the employment of Schweitzer.
The board then approved claims, payroll and the financial report for the district.
Then it was onto old business, which was the approval of the 2019-20 budget. State law requires the district to have a budget passed by Oct. 1st.
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City Council has contentious meeting (Full Article)
The September meeting of the Garretson City Council was contentious. With two council members absent, the remainder of the council deadlocked on at least one decision regarding a septic tank, and had trouble making a decision on another issue regarding drainage.
The Garretson Parks Advisory Committee (GPAC or Parks Board) presented on their recommendations for the budget, which included moving ahead with the curb and gutter project at the JC Complex, security cameras at Splitrock Park and Devil’s Gulch, and beginning to set aside funds for upgrades to the playground equipment at the JC Complex. They also gave recommendations for upgrading the roads at Splitrock Park, though the council was unwilling to move forward on that.
GPAC also presented plans for a “lights in the parks” event, which would encourage local families to sponsor and decorate campsites in Splitrock Park and businesses to sponsor and decorate the entrance, bathhouse, playground, bridge, and picnic shelter. All proceeds would go toward the new picnic shelter that is planned for next summer by the playground in Splitrock Park. GPAC is planning on utilizing fundraising and grants for the entire project, and thought this would be a unique way to get the community involved plus continue tourism to the parks during the winter. The lights would be available for viewing on Friday and Saturday evenings from Thanksgiving to Christmas. They were requesting the go-ahead from the council to pursue this event and would work with the Commercial Club on this event, if the Commercial Club was willing. The council initially refused to come to a decision as a whole. After the council meeting, GPAC received permission to continue working on the plans for the event, however.
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Don Snyders inducted into Hall of Fame
Retired Alliance Communications General Manager Don Snyders was inducted in the South Dakota Cooperative Hall of Fame on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at the Holiday Inn City Center in Sioux Falls.
Don Snyders succeeded Ralph Schreurs as general manager in 1989. His legacy to the cooperative was making the right decisions at the right time with one ultimate goal in mind: offering members the best services possible at affordable prices.
When Don started as general manager, the company served four communities and approximately 2,500 customers. Local phone service, calling features and cable TV were the company’s core services. In 2015 when Don retired, Alliance had 11,600 customers and served 19 communities. While Internet was the company’s top-selling product, most customers still subscribed to phone and cable TV services.
One of the cooperative’s seven principles is concern for community. Don effortlessly embodied this principle through his interactions with community members and employees.
Customers and employees respected Don because he was an integral part of the community as a whole. He spearheaded many causes that have made area communities a better place to live. Garretson baseball players, for example, have access to one of the best fields in the state as a result of Don’s involvement with the baseball association. He helped raise funds to add a new concession stand, score board, fencing, storage shed and below ground dugouts. He also volunteers multiple hours a week keeping the field and its surroundings in pristine condition.
Even in retirement, he championed an aggressive plan to build a new daycare complex in Garretson, which was experiencing an extensive childcare shortage. Over the past few years, Don spent countless hours helping to secure funding for a new daycare facility along with searching for opportunities to trim costs from the total bill.
Additionally, Don built strong relationships within the Alliance community itself, which made him a leader that was easy to follow. Whether engaging in small talk at the office or publicly addressing employees during company gatherings, he had a genuine interest in the people he was leading. He knew his employees well, along with their spouses and children. He went above and beyond by attending funerals, graduations and weddings for employees and their family members. Employees knew they were fortunate to work for the cooperative because it felt like one large family.
This week's on-line issue is available for all to view! See what you're missing without an on-line subscription- a color issue, more photos, articles, and the ability to access your Gazette anywhere and anytime! Get your on-line subscription today!
Thunderstorms bring flooding! (Full Article)
Flooding Impacts Local Travel, Farmers
By Garrick & Carrie Moritz, Garretson Gazette
Heavy rains last week made for interesting travel, and heartbreak for farmers, as flooding was experienced around the region.
Many flooding records were broken on Thursday, September 12 through Saturday, September 14, after anywhere between 6 and 11 inches of rain fell in and around Garretson in a 5-day period.
Several of those records had been set as recently as March of 2019, when fast snowmelt and several storms had combined to create flood conditions.
With the late summer storms, many creeks and rivers were at their lowest points prior to the rains, which meant that the water rose, crested, and then lowered very quickly. Floodwaters flowed fast, causing a large amount of damage to culverts. Bridges are still being assessed for long-term damages.
In Garretson, Split Rock Creek overflowed its banks, quickly rising to fully submerge the Crappie Bridge near the dam in Splitrock Park. Long-time locals talked to by the Gazette could not recall that ever happening before.
Water levels just south of Jasper, MN were measured at 99.94 ft at 3:45 pm on Sept 12, breaking a prior record of 98.5 ft that had been set in 2014. South of Garretson, Split Rock Creek crested at 18.7 ft at 10:00 pm in Corson.
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Blue Dragon Soccer vs Trojans
by Amber Williamson, Head Coach
The Garretson Blue Dragon soccer team traveled to West Central on Tuesday, September 10th. The Junior Varsity started off the evening falling to the Trojans 0-4. Varsity followed and the Trojans jumped out to an early lead, scoring in the first minute. At the end of the first half, the lady dragons found themselves down 0-3. After a strong second half start, the Dragons got on the scoreboard with a goal from Paige Sterud.
Setting up the goal was Allison Ebbing with a beautiful corner kick and Jordyn Williams trapping the ball, which allowed Sterud to bury it in the back of the net. Unfortunately, the Trojans were able to score another two quick goals in the final 5 minutes of the game, beating the Blue Dragons, 5-1.
The Lady Dragons are looking to bounce back Tuesday, September 17th on the road vs. the Vermillion Tanagers. The varsity game will start at 5:00pm, with Junior Varsity to follow.
Legion Update: September 5, 2019
The Henry G. Fix Post 23 meeting was held on September 5th with 28 members present. The meeting was opened by Commander Brian Siemonsma. There were two special guests: Noah Reed - a local high school student, and Tara Hough - a new member to the post. The minutes of the previous meeting were presented and approved. Routine financial reports from the Finance Officer and from the Social Chairman were presented and approved. Bills were approved for payment.
The Service Officer reported that Orval Gene Knock has passed away and that our Post Colorguard attended the funeral in Lennox. Get well cards were sent to Mark Rosenbum and Mary Ann Swenson. New memberships goal is the same as last year at 220. We now have 117 paid memberships putting us at 53% of our goal and achieves the goal of 50% by September 11th! New members joining our post are: David Williamson (Vietnam Era) - Army, Matthew Hulscher (Present Era) - Army National, and Tara Hough (Vietnam Era) - Air Force. Transferring in members are: Jason Zeisler from Watertown, SD and Michael Jacobson from Elk River, MN.
Americanism Officer Bob Bennett reported that Boy State students will start registering on January 1, 2020. Material has been received on oratory contest and will be provided to the school. We are looking for students to compete as in the past! Noah Reed spoke of his experiences at the Academy School in Texas. He has also been helping Post 23 member Steve Austin as part of his senior project. The Legislative report was given by the Post Commander. Bill Oxford of Iowa has been selected as the National Commander.
Athletic Officer Jeff Konechne reported that the 15-16 year olds placed at State Tournament this year. The tournament was held in Garretson and many folks from all around the area commented on our great facilities and people in the community.
The original contractors hired to fix the south side sidewalk have failed to perform. We will be working the project within the Post and will incorporate the needed drain tile for proper drainage. We still have 100th Anniversary books available for sale at the Treasure Chest or by contacting Owen Wiese or Marty Luebke.
The next Legion breakfast will be October 6th, serving omelettes, scrambled eggs, and ham from 9 am to 1 pm. Our next post meeting is Thursday, October 3rd with the meal at 7 pm and meeting at 8 pm. Next county meeting is October 29th in Garretson. We will put together a meal and supporting volunteers to help. The groundbreaking ceremony for the new Veterans Cemetery will be Monday, September 9th at 9 am. The location is 1 mile east of Renner, then 2 miles south, then ½ mile to the east. All are invited and encouraged to attend. The Legion Golf Tournament will be held September 21st and 22nd in Hartford.
The raffle drawing was held. Winners this month are: Julie Zweep, Brad Frerk, Tim Stark, and Paul Koch. The meeting was closed by the usual closing ceremony at 8:50 pm.
Obituary: Wesley Duane Heesch, 89, Sioux Falls, formerly Garretson
Wesley “Wes” Duane Heesch
May 17, 1930 ~ September 13, 2019
Wesley Duane Heesch, 89, Sioux Falls, formerly Garretson, died peacefully, Friday, September 13, 2019, at the Sioux Falls VA Hospital.
Visitation will be 5-7pm, Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at Heartland Funeral Home, Brandon, with a short service at 7pm. Funeral services will be 1pm, Wednesday, September, 18, 2019, at the United Church of Garretson. Burial will follow at Summit Hill Cemetery, rural Garretson, with Full Military Honors.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established.
Wesley (Wes) Heesch, son of Claus and Mae (Zweep) Heesch, was born on May 17, 1930 on the family farm in Edison Township near Garretson, SD. He grew up on the farm, receiving his education at Fairview #101 Country School, and graduated from Garretson High School in 1947. During this time he was baptized and confirmed in the Evangelical and Reformed Church, now known as the United Church of Garretson.
Wes volunteered and entered the United States Marine Corp in 1951 and served until November 30, 1953, including a year spent in the Korean War Zone as a member of the U.S.M.C. Fighter Squadron VMF (N) 513 of the Marine Corps air wing.
After his Honorable Discharge, he returned to the Garretson area and began farming. In 1954, he married Dellora James. In 1961, the family moved to Omaha, NE and Wes began a career in the trucking business as an owner-operator. During this time he traversed the U.S., coast to coast and border to border. An eye surgery ended his trucking career in 1974.
In 1976, he married Mary Ann Tousley in Council Bluffs, IA. Shortly thereafter, they moved back to SD and farmed. In 1988, they moved to Higgins, TX, where Wes ended his working years as a wheat farmer. He retired at the age of 80, subsequently moving back to Sioux Falls to be near family and friends.
Wes will be deeply missed by his seven children, Sherry Bear, Hartington, NE, Timothy (Debbie) Heesch, Olathe , KS, Sandra (David Johnson) Olson, Sioux Falls, Laurie (Dusty) Davis, Wakefield, NE, Chris (Karen Anderson) Heesch, Coon Rapids, MN, Daniel Heesch, Columbus, OH and Jacob (Amber) Heesch, Lubbock, TX; fifteen grandchildren; twenty-six great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; numerous nieces and nephews; sister-in-law, Matie Heesch, Sioux Falls.
Wes was preceded in death by his parents, Claus and Mae (Zweep) Heesch; two wives, Dellora and Mary Ann; and two brothers Delbert Heesch and Marvin (Lois) Heesch.
Online condolences at www.heartlandfunerals.com
