Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo Cowboys bow their heads during a time of prayer prior to the start of the Winner Elks Rodeo on Saturday evening. This was the 54th year of the rodeo which is benefit for LifeScape. This year’s rodeo was dedicated to Tom Fenenga.
Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo Zechariah Cartledge of Orlando, Fla., center, is pictured with local first responders and law enforcement. He did a one mile run in Winner on July 18 to honor fallen first responders. Pictured in front from left are Justin Day, Kray Krolikowski, Cartledge and his father, Chad Cartledge, CEO of Running 4 Heroes. In back from left are Paul Schueth, Blake Nielsen, Kyle Swedlund, Sheriff Shawn Pettit and Alicia Nelson.
By Dan
Bechtold
Editor
Carrying
an American flag a 14 year old Florida boy crosses the highway at McDonalds for
a one mile run to honor fallen heroes in South Dakota.
Zechariah
Cartledge, Orlando, Fla., is part of the Running 4 Heroes organization.
This
organization started with a kid, an appreciation for first responders and a
mission to raise awareness and funds for those fallen in the line of duty.
Cartledge
was born with a gift of running. He was raised with an appreciation for first
responders and all they do for the community. As he grew older, Cartledge
decided to help the families of fallen first responders in a meaningful way.
In 2019,
Runner 4 Heroes officially became a non-profit. Cartledge runs one mile for
every first responder who makes the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. He
wants to honor those who gave up their life so we may live in a better world.
He was
on his way to honor a Valentine, Neb., police officer who was injured. He
wanted to do a South Dakota run to honor fallen first responders in this state
and chose a mile run in Winner. He ran from McDonalds to the Winner Drive-In
Theater on July 18.
He was
going to Valentine to deliver a $10,000 grant to injured police officer Jasmine
Hoefs.
On Dec.
16, 2022, officer Hoefs was assisting EMS getting to a patient that was having
a medical episode following a four day snow storm when she was accidently run
over by a front end loader. The impact caused injuries to her head and left
arm.
Since
the incident, Hoefs has undergone three surgeries to her face and shoulder as
well as reconstructive surgery to her left arm. More surgeries are to come.
Each
month the young runner gives a $10,000 donation to a first responder.
The high
school freshman has been doing this run for about four years.
When explaining how he got started he said: “I have always had a great
connection with first responders after learning more about what they do for our
community. I wanted to help my local community.
He does
the run all year long. When in school he will leave on a Friday and come back
on Sunday that way he does not have to miss school.
When
asked what he enjoys about the event he said he enjoys meeting new families in
new communities, getting to learn their stories. These are stories I would
never learn before. And getting to run
in places like Winner that I thought I would never be able to run in,” he said.
The
student notes the organization has given a total of over $800,000 back to local
communities.
“First
responders do so much for us. I want to let them know they are appreciated,” he
said.
Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo Emily Sachtjen, second from left, attended a youth trooper academy in Pierre. She was sponsored by the Winner American Legion and told of her experiences at Monday’s Legion meeting. She is pictured with her parents and Steve Nies, commander of the Winner Legion. Pictured from left are Nies, Emily Sachtjen and her parents Amy and Jamie Sachtjen. Emily Sachtjen will be a senior at Winner High School.
By Bosten Morehart
Staff writer
The Youth Trooper
Academy is full of great learning experiences and challenges that taught Emily
Sachtjen plenty of new things.
Emily Sachtjen
attended the Youth Trooper Academy from June 24 to June 26. The academy took
place in Pierre at the Law Enforcement Training Center.
Sachtjen first heard
about the academy when two troopers spoke at Winner High School.
“Two troopers came to
Winner High School and did a presentation on the academy, then they basically
gave you a form to fill out if you were interested and I filled it out, sent it
in.”
After filling out the
form she had an interview with the academy over the phone. She was then
selected to attend and was one of the 24 selected from across the state.
Sachtjen said she is a
little interested in law enforcement but also has other things planned out for
the near future. “I’m starting the process of enlisting into the Air National
Guard actually,” said Sachtjen.
Attending the academy
was a way for her to see if she would like to be in the law enforcement field
or not.
Enlisting in the
National Guard is something she has thought of for a while and has always
respected it. “The benefits are really nice but, I have just always had a high
regard for military people. I think it would be cool to be in it,” said Sachtjen.
The academy was for 17
and 18-year-olds just entering high school or those who have just graduated
high school.
While there she
participated in several different activities that showed those who attended
what some of the training the troopers go through is like.
Some of the activities
they did were EVOC Range, which is defensive driving, firearms training,
classroom work, and traffic stops. Her favorite one to participate in was the
EVOC Range.
During the defensive
driving course, they were able to go through a track learning technique of
defensive driving. “We got to drive some old, not very old patrol cars. Like I
got to drive a Dodge Charger and cruise around a whole track,” said Sachtjen.
During the firearms
training they were able to use some of the firearms that the state troopers
use. For the traffic stops, they did not actually pull anyone over, instead
they just practiced it.
The classroom section
of the training was for them to learn some of the criminal laws. Sachtjen
mentioned one thing that they learned is what part of the law enforcement needs
to have a reason to pull you over and who does not.
They also had the
chance to put on the “bite suit” and have the dogs sent after them. She was not
able to participate although she wanted to, because they only allowed those who
were 18 to do so.
The Highway Patrol was
not the only group there teaching them about law enforcement.
“They actually had a
bunch of different law enforcement groups come in, they had FBI, Army National
Guard, dispatchers came in, SWAT, the sheriff’s department came in a talked to
us.”
The different groups
that came in all talked about the different options you have when going into
the law enforcement field. That allowed for them to see that there are more
options other than just the Highway Patrol.
Sachtjen said that if
she was to go into law enforcement it would probably be as a state trooper for
the variety of work.
“I feel like they get
to go more places, like they have a bigger jurisdiction than the town policemen.
Town policemen usually have to stay in town versus highway patrolmen can go
into a wider area and they also get called into crash sites and they get to
help with some investigation stuff.”
During the week there
were six to eight mentors that were troopers who were instructing those who
attended. Those mentors shared stories with the academy students on their
experiences while working in the field.
Although she
experienced a lot while at the academy, Sachtjen mentioned that her favorite
thing was not just one activity that they did.
“My favorite thing I took away from it is, it was a challenge,” said
Sachtjen.
Early mornings of
physical training, days full of work, keeping everything in perfect order is
the challenge she mentioned, but that only gave her confidence.
“It was all just like
a big change for me because I had never done something like that before, it’s
nice knowing I can do a challenge like that.”
The Mid
Dakota Fair in Winner will open on Tuesday, Aug. 1. The fair runs through Aug.
5.
This
year’s theme is: 4-H Pride County Wide.
On Aug.
1, persons will enter open class exhibits from 5-7:30 p.m. The 4-H display
judge orientation will be at 5 p.m.
From
5:15 to 7:30 p.m. 4-Hers will enter and have interviews on their display
exhibits.
A consumer decision making contest will be
held from 5-7 p.m.
Persons
can drop off silent auction items from 5-7 p.m.
On Aug.
2 the rocket prep will be at the 4-H Center at 5 pm followed by the launch at
5:30 p.m.
The dog
show check in will be at 5:45 p.m. with the dog show at 6 p.m.
Check in
for rabbits and poultry will be from 6-8 p.m.
New to
the fair this year is a concert on Friday night in the rodeo arena featuring
Rowan Grace who was featured on The Voice and Winner’s own Emery Kaiser. The
concert, sponsored by the Winner Area Chamber of Commerce, will be from 8-10:30
p.m.
There
will be much more on the fair in the Aug. 2 issue of the Winner Advocate. Look
at the full page ad in this week’s Winner Advocate for a full list of fair
events.
The Mid
Dakota Fair is a community event. In addition to supporting 4-H members by
watching the animal shows, viewing their display exhibits, listening to public
presentations and watching the fashion show, the fair is a place anyone can
enjoy good food, compete in open class, have children play on free inflatables,
compete in pedal tractor pull, attend a dance or listen to a concert, bake a
pie for the pie contest or shop at the vendor show.
Tommy L. Vaughn, age
71, of Martin, South Dakota, formerly of Winner, died on Saturday, July 22,
2023 at the Bennett County Healthcare Center in Martin.
Tommy Lewis Vaughn was
born May 3, 1952, in Valentine, Neb., to Frank and Beverly (May) Vaughn. Tom
attended grade school in Sidney, NE while his father worked as a ranch hand and
later moved back home to South Dakota, graduating from Bennett County High
School in Martin. After high school Tom attended college in Chadron, Neb., and
again returned home to start working at Little Wound School in Kyle, SD. Tom
loved the education world so much he continued on to Rockyford School District
where he spent most of his career of over 30 years being a teachers aid in
special education, a bus monitor and a librarian assistant. One of his favorite
things was to read the Hank the Cowdog series which was the only books he would
ever read to the kids. The kids loved listening to Tom because he would always
laugh so hard reading the adventures of a silly cow dog it would turn into a
rage of laughter from the whole group.
Tom had a love of dogs
from a very young age. It was his first dog Brownie that actually taught him to
walk. That bond instilled a life-long love for a 4 legged best friend and also
lit the flame for his love of hounds and coyote hunting. Tom lived to load up a
set of coyote hounds in the box of his pickup, gather a family member or friend
and go out for hours on the hunt. It didn’t matter if he missed Thanksgiving
dinner or Christmas with the family, coyote hunting with his dogs was always
top of the priority list. The thrill of the chase brought MANY stories, laughs,
jokes and wondering how far the truth was stretched.
Tom also had a love of
horses and raised quality quarter horses. He had an eye for conformation and
good disposition. Tom stood a couple of studs horses and to this day there are
still horses with his bloodlines being used on area ranches and in local
arenas. He was always proud to produce a good mount for someone.
When Tom is mentioned
to family members and friends it’s always said he was a practical jokester. He
loved teasing and telling stories, he loved laughing and you could always pick
his giggling out of a crowd. The stories were never too far fetched with Tom
around.
Tom’s last years were
spent in the Winner nursing home. While there he was blessed to have met his
special friend Carla. Carla would sit with Tom for hours every day keeping him
company, keeping him in touch with the family and making sure everything for
Tom was comfortable and in order. She was such a gift to him and we are forever
thankful for her friendship to Tom.
Survivors include his
sister Twila Goodman and brother Dave Nelson. Nephews Rob and Shawn Goodman, JR
and Travis Nelson and niece TR Nelson and a host of other relatives and
friends.
He was preceded in
death by his parents Frank and Bev Vaughn, brother Michael “Butch”
Vaughn, uncles Bud and Dan May, aunts Zona and Ramona May, and Marnie White
Wolf; cousins Jerry, Tammy and Pam May, nephew Chad Nelson and special friend
Carla Lebert.
Visitation will be
held 5-7 p.m. on Sunday, July 30, at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic
Church in Martin.
Funeral services will
be held 11 a.m. Monday, July 31, at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Martin,
with Father Tyler Dennis officiating.
Interment will be at
the Martin Community Cemetery.
Arrangements are with
Rush Funeral Home of Philip.
Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo This is the new shed that was build at the Winner Elementary School. It was one of several summer projects that are underway by the school district.
By Bosten Morehart
Staff writer
The Winner School
District has a busy summer going as they are working on several different
projects at the high school/middle school and elementary.
At the elementary they
are building a new storage shed on the South side of the school. They are also
replacing the fence there on the north, south, west sides of the school.
All of the windows and
a few of the doors are also being replaced there at the elementary.
Concrete by the high
school and vocational building is being removed and new concrete is being
poured there.
Inside the high
school/middle school, there is also several different changes happening. They
are installing a kitchen in the FACS room so that they are able to learn and be
hands on in the same room.
The high school/middle
school is also putting in a new intercom system with digital clocks in each
room and in the hallways.
Being installed at the
elementary also is a new air condition/heating system for the gym.
All of these projects are paid for with ESSER money, this is money the school district received for COVID 19.
Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo Monica Metzger, new president of the Winner Rotary Club, presents a plaque to outgoing president Jeff Schramm. Metzger took over as president on July 6.
Mock business exercise
from school ended up becoming a real business for Taylor Jacot with West River
Massage.
Jacot came up with the
name of her business during a mock business exercise while she was in school.
While the name fits geographically that is not the only reason she chose that
name.
“I wanted something
professional, I didn’t want something weird, I just wanted something straight
to the point.”
While she mentioned
wanting it to be straight to the point and professional, she also mentioned it
being easy to remember.
Jacot started her
massage therapist career at day spa Mystique Edge in Rapid City. She worked
there for a year right out of school.
While working there,
she learned from massage therapists who have been in the business for a while
before she went out on her own. “I didn’t want to go on my own right away. I
was kind of nervous to do it but then after a year of massaging I felt
confident enough, so I wanted to start my own thing,” said Jacot.
On May 22 of this
year, she opened shop in Burke where she rents out part of the Deep Healing
Salon. So far, business has been going well and she even has some customers who
come in once each week to once a month.
She is not where she
would like to be for the number of massages each week, but she Is happy with
where she’s at. “I’ve been averaging about 10 to 13. So, for just starting out
and I am new to Gregory, so no one knows me. It’s a slow start, but I’m pretty
happy with how it’s going,” said Jacot.
The challenges she has
with being new to the area is not being known but is very happy with how she
has been treated. “So, just kind of being unfamiliar with the people, other
than that, everyone’s been pretty welcoming, and everything has been going
pretty smoothly,” said Jacot.
Some of the types of
massages Jacot offers are regular full body, therapeutic, relaxation, deep
tissue, she is also just starting to offer two new forms of massage.
“I also offer cupping
now; I can do just an area of cupping, or I can do a full body with cupping. I
can also do hot bamboo full body or just an area.”
One of Jacot’s goals
is to reach 20 massages a week but her other goal comes from motivation of the
owner of Deep Healing Salon, Darcy Duerfeldt.
“She’s one of the few
that does really deep tissue and really therapeutic and she really knows her
stuff. That’s kind of what I’m trying to aim at I kind of want to do the things
that she’s doing.”
Jacot’s favorite thing
about her job is being able to help people and give them the treatment that
they need. “If they come in and they are in pain, I like them leaving better
and also progress. If I can actually help fix their issue after a period of
time that’s what makes me satisfied with what I do,” said Jacot.
Even though she wants
to keep her business on the smaller, simpler side of things, she wants to keep
doing education so she can provide more services to clients.
West River Massage is
located at 637 Main in Burke. It is located in the Deep Healing Salon which
shares the building with the senior center.
You can contact Taylor
Jacot by text or call at 1 (605) 517-5030 or email at
Taylor.Jacot.lmt@gmail.com.
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