The South Dakota State Historical Society recently awarded nearly $63,000 in grants for five historic preservation projects including the Odd Fellows Home in Dell Rapids. This is the 17th year for the grants, which come from Deadwood gambling revenue set aside for historic preservation in the state. The grants are awarded twice a year. The next deadline is October 1.
Memorial Day Schedule
Dell Rapids will have many Memorial Day programs the morning of Monday, May 26th. At 8:00 a.m. there will be a program at the Logan Reformed Cemetery. At 8:40 a program will be held at Stordahl Cemetery. 9:00 will be the program at Willow Creek Cemetery. Downtown Dell Rapids will have a short parade at 10:00. At 10:15 will be the River Ceremony. A program will be held at 10:45 at the Dell Rapids Cemetery, and then the brat feed at the American Legion will start at 11:00. IN case of rain, the events will be held at the Dell Rapids Public School gym.
- 8:00 – Logan Reformed Cemetery
- 8:40 – Stordahl Cemetery
- 9:00 – Willow Creek Cemetery
- 10:00 – Parade downtown Dell Rapids
- 10:15 – River Ceremony
- 10:45 – Dell Rapids Cemetery
- 11:00 – Brat Feed at the Legion Hall in Dell Rapids
Governor Daugaard Urges Safe Travel On Memorial Day Holiday
Governor Daugaard Urges Safe Travel On Memorial Day Holiday
PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Dennis Daugaard is urging South Dakotans to make safe, smart choices and have a fatality-free Memorial Day weekend.
“We have traveled and celebrated the Memorial Day weekend without a highway fatality twice in the last three years,’’ Gov. Daugaard said. “We can do it again this year if we all make safe choices on the highways. Traffic laws are there for everyone’s protection. Let’s all take care, and travel safely.’’
The Memorial Day weekend is traditionally the start of the summer travel season in South Dakota, and traffic is likely to be heavier than usual, Gov. Daugaard said. He asked motorists to follow speed limits, avoid distractions, make sure everyone in the vehicle is wearing a seatbelt and have a sober driver at the wheel.
The Governor noted that the 2014 Legislature passed a law making it illegal to text and drive.
“While that law doesn’t officially take effect until July 1, texting and driving is dangerous and ill-advised,’’ Gov. Daugaard said. “The upcoming holiday weekend is a good opportunity for all drivers to remind themselves to keep their eyes off their phones and on the road.’’
Memorial Day weekend in South Dakota was free of highway fatalities in 2013 and 2011. One person died during the holiday reporting period in 2012, statistics from the State Office of Highway Safety show.
City Council Meeting: 5/19/14
The Dell Rapids City Council will meet in regular session on Monday, May 19th, at 7:30 p.m. at the Dell Rapids Chambers. Some of the items on the agenda include public hearing on ordinance 798, first reading on ordinance 799, library utility project change order, SE sewer extension project bid award consideration, Garfield Ave bridge bid award consideration, surplus property committee update, Veteran’s Park proposed improvements, Community Garden update, and golf cart ordinance update.
The full agenda can be found by clicking here.
Naming the Island near Dell Rapids
The South Dakota Board on Geographic Names was created by the 2009 SD Legislature to recommend replacements for offensive names for geographic places. It recently completed its original mission of removing the word “squaw” from the names of SD features.
The Board is now taking proposals on other name changes and names for currently unnamed SD geographic features. In June they will begin public testimony on names for an unnamed Minnehaha County creek and an island in the Big Sioux River near Dell Rapids. “Quarry Island” is the only suggested name thus far. The public can suggest additional options by linking here to see who to contact: http://www.sdbgn.sd.gov/contact.aspx
National Nursing Home Week
This week, May 11-17, is National Nursing Home Week. This year’s theme is “Living the Aloha Spirit.” Dells Nursing and Rehab Center has been doing theme days for their staff all week. Monday was Hawaiian Shirt Day. Tuesday was Hat Day. Wednesday was Farmer Day. Thursday is Wacky Hair Day, and Friday is Wear Your Favorite Scrubs Day.
Staff and residents will be having fun activities. They will be making leis, coconut bowling, Hawaiian warrior, making fudge, and smacking a piñata.
In Hawaii, the word “aloha” has a deeper significance than a simple greeting or farewell. In Hawaiian culture it is important to treat yourself and others with aloha, to interact with love and respect and joyfully share life. By applying this spirit of aloha to daily life, the people of Hawaii are encouraged to treats others with deep care, respect and humility, leading to individuals creating a better world. Key concepts of aloha spirit include unity, kindness, truthfulness, humility, and patience.
Special DRHS School Board Meeting: 5/16/14
The Dell Rapids School Board will hold a special meeting on Friday, May 16th, at 7:00 a.m. in the MS/HS DDN room. Items on the agenda are consideration of surplus building offer, consider of surplus donation, and approval of personnel report.
The official agenda can be found by clicking here.
Wienermobile Stops in Dell Rapids
The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile made a stop in Dell Rapids for Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 11th. The Wienermobile was at County Fair Foods from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. County Fair Foods employees also grilled hot dogs between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
There are currently eight active Wienermobiles in existence today. The Wienermobile with vanity license plate IWSHIWR made the stop in Dell Rapids.
Dell Rapids Middle Schoolers Top Earners for Hoops for Heart
The Dell Rapids Middle School students in 5th and 6th grades raised $3529.00 during the Hoops for Heart fundraiser to benefit the American Heart Association. The Dell Rapids students were the top middle school earners in the states of South Dakota and Minnesota. They raised nearly $1,000 more than any other schools in the two states. The American Heart Association says that about a $50 donation helps save one life through CPR training. The students can say they helped save 70 lives with the donations raised.
For their efforts the Dell Rapids Middle School Physical Education department will receive between $300-$400 to spend on new equipment.
Congratulations to the Dell Rapids Middle School 5th and 6th graders!
Funds Raised for School Garden with Penny War
The Dell Rapids Elementary students raised money all week, May 5th-May 9th, for the school garden with a “Penny War”. The teams were broken up by grades: Kindergarten/K-Prep, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, and Staff. Each group had a collection jar in the library. All week long students could add coins and bills to whichever jar they chose. The total amount of pennies in the jar were counted to determine the winner, however, silver coins and bills counted against the number of pennies in each jar. As an example, 200 pennies in a jar with two quarters would result in a final total of 150. The team that had the most “penny count” at the end of the week earned a root beer float party.
The Kindergarten/K-Prep classes won this year’s “Penny War”. The entire elementary school raised $1,772 for the school garden without the matching funds from Modern Woodmen of America!