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The Dell Rapids City Council will meet in regular session on Monday, February 2nd, at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Some of the items on the agenda include first reading of ordinance 816 – rezone request, public hearing for retail on/off sale malt beverage and SD Farm wine license request by Antiques and Artisans, outdoor event permit request, and the administrative report. The full agenda can be found by clicking here.
The meeting will be webcast live on Big Sioux Media.
The Dell Rapids St Mary Cardinal girls won the rematch against the Arlington Cardinals on Friday, January 30th. St Mary defeated Arlington 44-38 at Dell Rapids St Mary High School. The win comes six days after Arlington beat St Mary at the girls Dakota Valley Conference Tournament in Elkton.
Arlington held an early lead in the first quarter by three points with 5:07 to go in the quarter, but that would be their largest lead of the night. St Mary led 12-6 at the end of the first quarter. St Mary extended their lead to 10 points, their largest of the game, with 2:19 to go in the half. Arlington, however, cut the lead to 20-15 by halftime. Arlington closed the gap to just one point by the end of the third quarter at 27-26. St Mary was able to out-score Arlington 17-12 in the final quarter for the win.
St Mary was led by Lindsey Wolles with 13 points. Ally Mullaney added 12 points and seven rebounds. Kaitlyn Vortherms finished with nine points and four rebounds in the game. St Mary shot 25% (10-4o) from the field, 33% (5-15) from three-point area, and 68% (19-28) from the free-throw line.
St Mary improves to 4-10 on the year.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final | |
| Arlington | 6 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 38 |
| Dell Rapids St Mary | 12 | 8 | 7 | 17 | 44 |
Sheldon Siemonsma’s buzzer-beater to end the 1st quarter.
The Vermillion Tanagers took advantage of a tough shooting night for the Dell Rapids Quarrier boys basketball team, and the Tanagers gave the Quarriers their first loss of the season. Vermillion beat Dell Rapids 58-49 on Thursday, January 29th, in Dell Rapids.
After a buzzer-beater three-point shot by Sheldon Siemonsma to end the first quarter, the Quarriers led 15-13. However, Dell Rapids could not hold on to the lead. Vermillion regained the lead heading into halftime at 28-25. The Tanagers extended that lead to 37-31 by the end of the third quarter. Vermillion knocked down most of their free throws down the stretch to hang on for the win.
Dell Rapids finished the night shooting just 19% (14-72) from the field, 24% (8-34) from three-point area, and 87% (13-15) from the free-throw line. The Quarriers had a total of 43 rebounds, but only two assists as a team. They also had four steals and turned the ball over seven times.
Zane Schumaker led the team with 17 points, eight rebounds, and one assist. Ty Hoglund had 16 points, eight rebounds, and two steals. Sheldon Siemonsma added six points, and Riley Schmidt finished with five points. Ben Hammer had five rebounds and four blocked shots in the game.
Dell Rapids falls to 10-1 on the year and 6-1 in the Dak-12 Conference. The Quarriers will host Canton on Tuesday, February 3rd as part of a double-header. The game will be webcast on Big Sioux Media.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final | |
| Vermillion | 13 | 15 | 9 | 21 | 58 |
| Dell Rapids | 15 | 10 | 6 | 18 | 49 |
Highlights
Averi Pankonen scores on a layup.
The Dell Rapids Quarrier girls basketball team won their sixth conference game by beating the Vermillion Tanagers on Thursday, January 29th, in Dell Rapids by a score of 51-40.
Dell Rapids was able to grab a 13-12 lead after the end of the first quarter. Both teams scored nine points in the second quarter, and Dell Rapids led 22-21 at halftime. The Quarriers were able to get a little more separation by the end of the third quarter. Dell Rapids pushed their lead to six points over Vermillion at 34-28. The Quarriers then piled on 17 points in the fourth quarter while holding Vermillion to just 12 points.
Mikaela Stofferahn ended the night with 16 points. Averi Pankonen added 10 points, and Lindsey Morris finished with eight points.
Dell Rapids improves to 8-5 on the year, and 6-1 in the Dak-12. The Quarriers will play Elk Point-Jefferson in the Dak-12 Conference Classic on Saturday, January 31st.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final | |
| Vermillion | 12 | 9 | 7 | 12 | 40 |
| Dell Rapids | 13 | 9 | 12 | 17 | 51 |
Highlights
The Dell Rapids Quarrier wrestling team dropped two Dak-12 matches on Tuesday, January 27th, at West Central High School. The Quarriers lost to Tri-Valley 54-24. West Central also defeated Dell Rapids 64-12. The Quarriers will participate in the Brookings Tournament on Saturday, January 31st.
Dell Rapids vs Tri-Valley Individual Results
Dell Rapids vs West Central Individual Results
Photo courtesy of Trisha Murphy.
Sioux Falls, SD: On Friday, January 23rd, Sing n’ Sprout, LLC., a Christian music and movement program for preschoolers, announced that they will launch a $75,000 crowd funding campaign using Indiegogo.com on February 5th, . After starting Sing n’ Sprout three years ago, Sing n’ Sprout has grown to 32 teachers, teaching their program to young children in Doha, Qatar, Rwanda and across the United States. To date, over 850 children have taken part in Sing n’ Sprout classes. Following a fully-funded campaign, Sing n’ Sprout plans to build on their success by rapidly expanding their teacher base to 500 teachers nationwide over the next two years.
Young children love to move, and Sing n’ Sprout has created curricula that maximizes this natural energy. Leaning into a combination of both traditional and original music about Bible verses and truths, Sing n’ Sprout guides children through a series of activities using props, body movements, and musical instruments—each one intentionally and effectively exposing them to another facet of our great God.
The Sioux Falls area, including Tea, Brandon, Dell Rapids, has six active Sing n’ Sprout teachers, offering classes throughout the year. Music and Movement programs are nothing new, however, Sing n’ Sprout offers something unique. Families are signing up for Sing n’ Sprout because it is faith-based and cost less than half the price of traditional music and movement classes.
Photo courtesy of Trisha Murphy.
“Sing n’ Sprout has been very well received in the Dell Rapids community. It provides a service that parents with young children have been searching for but haven’t been able to find locally.”
– Alicia Anhalt, Dell Rapids, teaches Sing n’ Sprout at Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids
Jenni Auvenshine, Sing n’ Sprout owner and teacher said, “I am ready for this next phase of our company. After successfully beta-testing our product, we know that Sing n’ Sprout classes are a fun and effective way for young children to grow with God through music as well as provide independent job opportunities for stay-at-home moms. Every step we have taken has been in faith. This next step may seem bigger, but we have to remind ourselves we are just putting one foot in front of the other.”
In order to expand their teacher base to 500 teachers over the next two years, Sing n’ Sprout will use the $75,000 to execute a website that effectively connects teachers to children and children with God, advertising and expanded curriculum.
Photo courtesy of Trisha Murphy.
Of the company’s big plans, Jenni believes this is just the beginning. “I know other traditional programs, like Kindermusik, have been very successful in using music and movement to improve learning in over one million children. What gets me excited is to think we could provide a Christian music and movement program that not only improves the mind and body of a child, but most importantly their spirit. It connects them with a God who loves them and wants to have a personal relationship with them. What better foundation can we hope to build on than that?”
During the Dell Rapids City Council meeting on Monday, January 19th, Tom Earley presented to the council the progress on the library renovation project. Earley told the council that the library has received around $24,000 in donations since his last update back in November 2014. Earley also mentioned different aspects of the project in the update.
“The ceramic tile in the bathrooms and entrance way have been installed. It’s looking good,” said Early. “The elevator installation is supposed to start next Monday (January 26th) and should take about two weeks. As that gets close to completion, they will schedule the dry wall people back in to get that area finished off.”
Early provided the council with a timeline for completion. He noted that the library staff is already preparing for the move from their current location in the River Community Church building (old elementary) back into the library. The estimation for the move is sometime in late March.
“We are on schedule for completion March 6th. The week of February 26th I think it is, or thereabouts, we will do the walk-thru for a bunch of us to see what needs to be addressed at that point,” Earley said.
The library was last dedicated on March 16th, 1910. Earley presented the idea of having a re-dedication ceremony once the project was completed.
“What we’d like to do, once the move is completed and once we’ve had time to figure out if everything is where it ought to be, we’d like to have a re-dedication ceremony, possibly in May. We would like this to be a community-significant event. It’s an important resource, and you guys have helped make it possible. It should be something significant in the life of our community,” he said.
Earley finally mentioned that the Library Board is constructing a short and long-term landscaping plan.
Library Director Brittany Moeller said, “I would add how appreciative we are to the community of Dell Rapids! Everyone has shown tremendous amounts of support during this project, and we are so excited to move back in! We have big plans for the new library, and we can’t wait to get them started!”
Elmer Edward Penning, 82, of Belle Fourche, died Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015, at home surrounded by his wife, Peggy, of 62 years and his loving family.
He was born July 13, 1932, in Dell Rapids, South Dakota, to Nic and Elizabeth Penning. He was one of 14 children and raised on the family farm near Dell Rapids. He graduated in 1950 from St. Mary’s Catholic School, working at JF Anderson Lumber Company in Trent, South Dakota, until he was drafted into the Army in 1952.
Between basic training and a leadership course at Camp Roberts, California, he married Margaret “Peggy” Carol Hammond, on Jan. 12, 1953, in Hardin, Montana. Peggy then stayed with her family in Montana while Elmer was deployed to Korea, serving as a ‘forward observer’. On the way, he was able to meet his brother in Camp Fuji, Japan, who was on his way back from Korea.
He returned home to his job at the lumber company, soon managing in Trent, South Dakota. He always volunteered in many civic duties, even designing the school gymnasium. Anderson Lumber Company asked him to remodel and manage the lumber company in Nashua, Iowa, and he also bought and managed a Redi-mix plant as well.
In 1964, he left his management job to use his talents to serve in missionary work and moved his family to Bethlehem, South Dakota, to volunteer at what was then a Monastery. He was responsible for much of the concrete work, buildings and grounds. He also worked with 50 youth each summer who would come from Canada to volunteer. This was his Catholic faith at work.
In 1967, he moved his family to Belle Fourche when he went to work for Robbins and Stearns Lumber Company out of Rapid City, retiring after 18 years of service. In 1986 he managed for Neiman Sawmills, Inc. in Hulett, Wyoming retiring in 1992 to tend his gardens, orchards and grandchildren. He was a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church, lectoring for 18 years as well as being involved in many volunteer projects.
Grateful for having shared his life is his wife, Peggy, three daughters, Carleen Liggett & Cathy (Clark) Sowers, Belle Fourche, Peggy Sue (Dave) Mutchler of Keystone, six sons; Brett (ReNette), Tom (Mary), Chris (Sharon) of Hulett, Wyoming, Mike (Sheri) of Belle Fourche, Shawn (Jennifer) Saginaw, Michigan and Les (Debbie) Sundance, Wyoming; 38 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, two sisters, son, Joseph, grandson, Michael and great-grandson Josef.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 26, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, with burial to follow at noon at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis. Pallbearers will be his six sons, Brett, Mike, Tom, Chris, Shawn and Lester Penning and grandson, Joe Penning. Condolences may be left at www.klinefuneralchapel.com. The family suggests memorials to any prolife group.
Dell Rapids Senior Riley Schmidt has earned a 2014 National High School Athletic Coaches Association (NHSACA) All-American honor. Schmidt finished the 2014 season with 1,404 rushing yards on 140 carries with 19 rushing touchdowns. Schmidt also had 18 catches for 429 yards and two touchdowns. Schmidt was also a special teams force. He had nine kick-off returns for 356 yards and three touchdowns along with 11 punt returns for 240 yards and a touchdown. Schmidt scored both touchdowns for the 11A State Champion Dell Rapids Quarriers in the championship game against Madison. He won the SD Coaches Association Outstanding Back Award and the SD Sports Writers “Joe Robbie” MVP award for his efforts in the game. He won the same two awards in the 2012 championship game win over Harrisburg. 
Luke Loudenburg of Howard also earned the award. Honorable Mention All-Americans were Brody Grantham – Hamlin, Kurt Braun – Gregory, Weslee Dvorak – Parkston, Jonathan Kabambi – Harrisburg, and Braxton Large – Sioux Falls Lincoln.
The Dell Rapids Quarrier boys exploded for 92 points in a 92-59 win over the Elk Point-Jefferson Huskies on Saturday, January 24th, in Dell Rapids.
“Going into the EPJ game, our main focus was to improve our offensive movement and efficiency. Our players really bought into that focus, and we had great ball movement from the opening tip. We shot the ball much better, and I really think it was because of the better ball movement. We have very capable shooters from the perimeter and when the ball gets moved to a shooter that has a chance to have his feet set and get a good gauge on the rim, perimeter shots are easier to make,” said head coach Jason Fersdahl.
The Quarriers shot 54% (32-59) from the field, 44% (11-25) from three-point area, and 94% (17-18) from the free-throw line in the game. Dell Rapids also had 40 team rebounds, 21 assists, 11 steals, and only turned the ball over eight times.
Ty Hoglund finished with 31 points, five rebounds, and two assists in the game. Riley Schimdt had 22 points, four rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Sheldon Siemonsma added 11 points and three rebounds. Sam White tossed in 10 points and pulled down 13 rebounds. Zane Schumaker finished with nine points, nine assists, and four steals.
Dell Rapids improves to 10-0 on the year, and 6-0 in the Dak-12 Conference. The Quarriers will host Vermillion on Thursday, January 29th. The game will be webcast on Big Sioux Media.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final | |
| Elk Point-Jefferson | 12 | 21 | 16 | 10 | 59 |
| Dell Rapids | 28 | 24 | 21 | 19 | 92 |