By Dan Bechtold/ Editor
A large cast does an excellent job in the comedy “Deliver Us From Mama” presented by the Winner Community Playhouse.
The opening weekend was this past Friday and Saturday. The play will be presented Oct. 8 , 9 and 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the playhouse.
For reservations persons can call 842-1958 or they can e mail wicoplay@gwtc.net
Saturday evening’s crowd was small but it allowed for great social distancing. It is safe for persons to come to the playhouse and enjoy a show. There is hand sanitizer provided plus if persons want to wear a mask they are most welcome.
Now, let’s get to what I thought of the play. This is about a dysfunctional family that takes a road trip from Los Angeles to Birmingham, Ala. It is a road trip with a mother, daughter and son. The three main characters are Tami Comp asa bossy mother, Brandy Biggins as the daughter and Gunyr Fitzgerald as the son whose wife is in labor and he wants to get to Alabama as fast as possible. Comp and Biggins are veterans of the Winner stage. This was the first appearance of Fitzgerald in a Winner production. He is a high school student and I was so impressed with his acting. This is not to take anything away from Comp and Biggins as they also did a great job. All three had a lot of lines to learn and were on stage most of the entire production, rarely getting a break. That is hard to do and they pulled it off well.
Behind the three main characters there is a large supporting cast. They include: Ronnie High Rock, Carm Cheatum, Dan Patmore, Emily Moser, DougNelson, Mary Backus, Roxanne Farley, Charles York, Barb DeSersa, Randy Farley and Cheril Meiners. Some of the actors played dual roles. In this two act comedy, there are lot of scene changes as you can image as a family travels 2,000 miles across the country. The first act has six scene changes and the second act has five. The transitions were fast and efficient.
On this trip, the family encounters zany aliens near Roswell, N. M., witnessing an off the wall last minute wedding with relatives, being stopped by police in Texas for driving too slow and escaping a wild all night New Orleans court of law.
You have to see it to see all the wacky and crazy stuff that happens in this play. Do they make it to Birmingham in time for the birth if the baby? You will have to go to the play to find out.
Sandra York again does a wonderful job of directing the play and this time she had many more actors and actresses to work with.
Dan Patmore is the technical director and made all the mechanics of scene changes and props work well. It takes a lot of work to put on a production and the audience gets to see the fruits of that labor.
So, this weekend, come support the Winner Community Playhouse and enjoy this wonderful play.
A lifetime membership was presented to Daniel Pravecek in appreciation for his support of the VFW and the VFW auxiliary.
Dan and his wife Betsy provide a home for the annual wreath project, a major fund raiser for the group. Dan is the son of Ray and Janna Pravecek, lifelong residents of Tripp County. Ray is a Vietnam Veteran serving through 1969-1970. Ray a graduate of Winner High School and Southern State Teachers College was just completing his first year of teaching and coaching when he was called into service.
The VFW auxiliary has sponsored the annual wreath project for many years and had encountered numerous problems to find a suitable location for storing and for assembling the wreaths. This is where Dan and Betsy stepped in to offer their large, heated Quonset as a home. As a result of this generous commitment the members have a permanent place and can continue to sponsor the annual sales.
In addition to taking orders, which are now underway, the wreath committee spokesperson, Jana Pravecek said they are responsible for picking up and delivering the supplies to the Winner location. Also, the Auxiliary members deliver the orders; they place the wreaths on the gravesites in the local cemeteries as well as at the National Black Hills cemetery.
It is a labor intensive project over a small window of time; but, the wreaths make a beautiful statement as they are on display from early November through January. The auxiliary members and volunteers place and remove the wreaths each year.
To order please contact Brenda Muhs @ 840-1040, or Connie Heggestad @ 840-9933.
The auxiliary is very involved in the local community and on the State level. It is the goal of the Auxiliary to support the veterans and their families in any way needed.
The VFW Auxiliary is active in many ways including the following: -Legislative endeavors to strengthen Veteran benefits -supporting the Avenue of Flags and the Tripp County Veterans museum -participating in Christmas tree project at the courthouse and Capitol, Trunk and Treat, and awarding flags for KWYR Trivia -caring for members through Cancer Grant Program -assisting youth programs: Patriot’s pen contest, Voice of Democracy contest, Patriotic art project and others -supporting recognition programs for teachers, fireman and community members-Collecting supplies for veterans and making hospital and shut-in visits -a National Anthem singing contest -Charters of Freedom
VFW Auxilary #4674’s annual membership drive is underway, It is the goal to contact current members and those who are eligible for membership and wish to become a member. Membership was opened to men several years ago. Questions can be directed to Brenda Muhs, Local President, Rosemary Connot, Secretary, Marsha Risseeuw-Dar Sabol, membership co-chair or any member.
Tripp County reported no new cases of COVID-19 on Monday.
However, since last week the number of confirmed cases has risen by 23. As of Sunday, Tripp County had 181 cases with 54 active. This week Tripp County recorded one death from the virus.
Statewide, there are 4.274 active cases and currently 241 people are hospitalized. There have been 248 deaths.
COVID-19 patients occupy 9 percent of the state’s hospital beds.
Winners have been announced in the Winner High School homecoming parade on Friday.
The best use of the theme was the Class of 2022 and 8th grade student council.
The best decorated was the class of 2023.The most creative was the class of 2024 and Peppy.
Harry K Ford had the best business entry.
Most appropriate to homecoming was Winner Regional long term care center and Parade Marshal.
The best class reunion entry was the class of 2000.
Three area college students have been honored on the NAIA national awards day. Honored were Ronae Klein, Winner, a junior in women’s golf at Dakota Wesleyan University; Drew DeMers, Winner, junior in baseball at DWU and Reed Harter, Colome, senior in baseball at DWU.
The day recognizes the association’s highest individual honors and achievements of NAIA student athletes.
Harvey Kewley, 74, was called to his eternal resting place on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, at Bethany on 42nd in Fargo, ND.
Harvey Leroy Kewley entered this world on Aug. 16, 1946, in Witten, SD, born to Leroy and Myrtle (DuBray) Kewley. He grew up and attended schools in Witten. After graduating, Harvey enlisted in the US Army and served two tours of duty.
Harvey was a man of many talents, but he loved caring for others and so his work as a caregiver was his true passion. He was a hard worker and passed on his work ethic to his children.
Harvey loved all of his family, especially his kids. He enjoyed hunting and fishing very much. Harvey was a man who could quickly make friends with complete strangers, a trait that helped him in life and as a caregiver.
He is survived by his children, Sarah Kewley, Fargo, ND; Josh Kewley, Valdosta, GA; Lee Kewley; Fargo, ND; Anne (Steven)Bokas, Tampa, FL; siblings, Larry, Wayne, and Monte Kewley.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Barb Wilcox.
A memorial service was held at 12:30 pm, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo, ND. Burial was at the Fargo National Cemetery.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.hansonrunsvold.com.Arrangements by Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home – Fargo, ND.
John Benda, 92, returned to his maker onJune 30, 2020. He resided at the Randolph County Nursing Home in Sparta, Illinois, until the time of his death.
Funeral services for John will be held Oct. 9 at 10 am, at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis South Dakota where his ashes will be placed in Columbium with military veterans’ honors.
John was born on April 20, 1928 in Ainsworth, Neb., to his parents John & Belinda (Hendrickson) Benda who resided at that time south of Millboro, SD. The eldest of the children, John grew up on the family farm and ranch outside Winner SD alongside his 5 other siblings.
He attended schools in Winner and Ainsworth, NE where he graduated in 1946. Immediately after graduating high school, John joined the newest branch of the military, the United States Air Force. He was one of the first trained group of airman mechanics for Jet propulsion.
He was part of the post WWII peace keeping troops sent overseas to Okinawa Japan with the 26th Fighter Squadron in 1947. He left the military with honors at the rank of sergeant.
John entered college after the military, playing football for both Nebraska State (1950) and Ohio State (51) until an injury ended athletic goals.
John was a high school and college athlete participating in several sports such as football, boxing, and baseball. In team sport photos, he was always in the middle of the back row, being one of the tallest athletes on a team. John relocated to Kansas City, Mo., where he met his first wife Florence M. (Greulich) Benda. The two were married in 1954 for 24 years. They had three childrenand relocated to St. Louis, Mo, in 1969.
John was remarried in 1986 to Ceil Wachter and later separated. John lived his final years in the town of Sparta Illinois, just southeast of St. Louis, Mo.
John was a Christian celebrating at different Christian denomination churches throughout his life. John or Jack as many referred to him, spent his life pursuing a variety of business careers. A few of which were heating & cooling, a funeral home, motel, restaurant, and moving & storage company.
Our father was a kind and gentle man. You never heard him speak negative or discriminatory of others, and you liked him for those reasons.
John is survived by his sister Mazie Marcella ( Benda) Brandt of Rapid City. His three children Carol Ann (Benda) Bennett of St. Louis Mo., John Joseph Benda of Superior, Mont., and Neil Richard Benda of St. Louis, Mo. John has many surviving In-Laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
John was preceded in death by his parents John Benda and Belinda (Hendrickson) Benda. His sisters Peggy Marrie (Benda) Ballou and Cornelia Ann (Benda) Yost.
His brothers Robert Willard Benda and Russell Vac Benda. Wife Florence Marie (Greulich) Benda.
Donations can be sent in John Benda’s behalf to your favorite charity of choice.
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