Author Archives: Rita Pravecek

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.