Author Archives: Rita Pravecek

All customers of the Winner Advocate with a paid up subscription will be getting a refund when the newspaper closes.

The paper will be issuing refunds in September.

Six South Dakota librarians have graduated from the Public Library Training Institute, which took place in June at Northern State University in Aberdeen. The institute, sponsored by the South Dakota State Library, is a program of continuing education for librarian practitioners, support staff, and trustees of South Dakota public libraries who do not have library degrees.

Misti Burns of the Tripp County Library, was one of the six to earn a certificate of public library management.

Twenty-two students from 19 libraries across the state, including library directors, trustees, and staff, attended this year’s institute.

 “This year, our students delved into crucial aspects of library advocacy and administration. They explored topics such as workplace wellness, grant and policy writing, copyright law, collection management, and workplace safety. We were fortunate to have professionals share their knowledge and expertise with the group. This could not have happened without Brenda Hemmelman and JoAnne Freitag from the State Library planning and overseeing the event,” said George Seamon, State Librarian for the South Dakota State Library. “I know that all participants are excited to bring their new knowledge back to their libraries.”

The Public Library Institute started in 1985 at what was then Northern State College in Aberdeen. Financial support is provided by the South Dakota State Library in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services in Washington, D.C.

Students attend in-person classes for one week in June and then take additional classes online between summers. No prior formal library science education or previous college attendance is required.

Librarians who attend all three years receive a Certificate of Public Library Management and are recognized as certified library practitioners.

The Winner Advocate asked some local people to comment on the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, the Republican candidate for president.

Trump was speaking at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday when the shots rank out.

“First and foremost we need to all extend our prayers to all who were killed and wounded in such a horrendous event,” said Jody Brozik, former Mayor of Winner

“Although this type of an incident should never happen, we live in a dark world and these events continue to occur. Precious life was finished or altered because of this tragedy.

“Thank goodness candidate for president Trump received only minor injuries in this tragedy. In our current environment this may have become a fuse to a much more painful scenario for the United States,” said Brozik.

“Looking at only the facts of the event that occurred, there needs to be a deep dive into all the failures that allowed this to happen. This was a gross negligence by several different agencies. They must be corrected.

“Measures must be taken to allow any man or woman to speak to the public during an election campaign about their thoughts and ideas for this country without fear of such evil. We the people deserve to hear all campaigns and decide which candidate is best for the future of our country in our personal opinion.

“Fair and free elections is what sets the United States of America apart as the guiding light to the world. If we fail in correcting these processes we will become a Banana Republic and our forefathers vision will be dust,” added Brozik.

Erin Tobin said the assassination attempt on Donald Trump is a deeply troubling event that highlights the urgent need for unity and civility in our country. “Such violence is an attack on our democratic principles and undermines the very fabric of our society. As Americans, we must come together to foster a culture of respect and dialogue, ensuring that political differences are resolved through a peaceful and constructive means. Only by doing so can we build a stronger, more resilient nation,” said Tobin.

Mitch Miller, public safety commissioner for the city of Winner, said he was appalled when saw the news. “I was disappointed in a lot of things. I am think we should work on improving security for Donald Trump and President Biden. There are a lot of elements in society today that are not pure. Some people have an evil intent. We need to be more strict and more thorough with our security procedures. I wish Donald Trump the best. He is a leader,” said Miller.

Tony Coffman, pastor of the Methodist Church in Winner said, “We shouldn’t be surprised something like this took place. Words matter. Things we say matter. The shooter was only 20. So, since he’s been about 10 years old he’s heard the rhetoric that Donald Trump is a dictator, evil, wants to end democracy, etc, etc. If someone isn’t stable or mature enough to understand the idea of nasty political rhetoric, those words can cause a lot of very unreasonable fear in a person.

“As a country, we need to learn to be able to disagree again and our government officials need to be examples of this kind of ideal. As long as both sides throw around such hateful language, we can expect things like this to continue.”

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley said: “Violence of any kind, whether directed at public figures or private citizens, has no place in our society. Thank you to the law enforcement officers who rushed to protect former President Trump and those at the rally. We also extend our condolences to the families of those who have either died or have been injured as a result of the shooting.”

The 12th annual Winner Area Chamber of Commerce BBQ pit row and Frontier Motors car show  will be held July 27 on Main Street.

The first two blocks of Main Street will be blocked off for this event. Also a portion of Third Street will be blocked off. Persons are asked on Friday night and Saturday  to remove their vehicles from Third Street.

Grillers will be competing in the categories of ribs, pork butt and brisket.

This year the BBQ tasting has been moved up to  6 p.m. with awards and team prizes awarded at 7 p.m.

Those in the contest can starting firing up the grills at 4:30 a.m.

The Winner Chamber will provide the meat and contestants can start picking up the meat at 4 p.m. on Friday, July 26.

There will be $5,000 worth of prizes with payouts to first, second and third in each category. There will be an overall grand champion chosen.

A prize will be awarded for the best side and the winner will receive $100.

There is still time for a team to sign up to take part in the barbeque. Persons just need to call the Chamber office at 605-842-1533.

The big car show is also held on Main Street. Registration is from 2-4 p.m. at the former Stormy’s building  at the corner of 4th and Main Street.

The car show will be from 4-7 p.m. with lots of prizes awarded. There will be several divisions in the car show.

The BBQ is a full day of activity so come to Main Street and enjoy a full day of fun.

There will be a Kids Q barbeque. The age categories are 6-9 and 10-14. Grilling will start at 10:30 a.m. and is to be turned on by noon.

Winner Chamber will provide two pounds of hamburger to each contestant.  The youth can bring their own grill or the Chamber will provide one.

Dakota Honey of Winner is the Kids Q sponsor.

The Chamber would like parents to pre-register their kids if they are going to be in the kids Q.

Fun in the sun continues with the bean bag tournament which has become very competitive over the years. Sign up starts at noon. There will be a 100 percent pay back for first second and third place.

For the third consecutive year there will be a calcutta for the main barbeque. This will start at 2 p.m.

There will be musical entertainment on Main Street. From noon to 3 p.m. VT Rockin Country will be playing and from 3-7 p.m. will be Neo Johnsons.

Tickets for the BBQ are $12 in advance or $15 at the gate.

Tickets can be obtained at the Chamber office.

“Come out and enjoy the day,” says Mike Scott, executive director of the Chamber.

By Dan Bechtold

Editor

A new foundation has been established in the Tripp County area to help those affected by drug and alcohol use.

It is called the T4 Foundation and was started by Baleigh (Turnquist) Cerv. The co-director is Andrea Kindt.

The T4 stands for the four Turnquist children who lived in a home with alcoholic father.

Cerv says the new foundation provides trauma support for children and families that may have a loved one in active addiction.

The new organization has a GoFundMe account and they would appreciate any donations to help support this endeavor.

The foundation is currently doing a supply drive. Totes have been placed outside the office of Main Gate Counseling in the city building and on the second floor of the Tripp County Courthouse. Persons can leave travel size hygiene products including deodorant, body wash, shampoo, tooth paste, tooth brushes and  soaps. Persons can also leave books for kids, coloring  books.

Cerv explained the aim is to put together packets that have hygiene items, plus grocery and gas cards and a list of resources that are available to provide help. These will be given to families who may have a loved one battling addiction in the hospital.

Cerv explained gas and grocery cards will help for people who do not have money for gas or to buy food.

Also planned as a fundraiser is a kickball tournament which will be held on Labor Day, Sept. 2 at McDonald Park. Registration is at 3 p.m. and the tournament starts at 4 p.m.

Both Cerv and Kindt are addiction counselor trainees who are working at Main Gate Counseling and work under Cathy Mayes.  The two women have to put in 2000 hours of work before they can take their state board test.

Cerv said they would like to spread the word about the new foundation as much as they can in the community.

“Our goal is to work closely with local law enforcement, hospital, Southern Plains, Winner Resource Center and other entities to provide support by offering resources for healing and education on addiction along with 1 on 1 support meetings,” said Cerv.

She said she has an associate degree in human services and is two semesters away from getting her bachelor’s degree.

Kindt says she is a recovering alcoholic and has spent time in prison. Kindt  said she would like to go to school to get a degree.

Cerv said the idea of starting a founding has been on her mind for long time but she finally took the leap to go ahead and start one.

She and her Turnquist sibblings have lived in an environment with an alcoholic family member.

“I had a rough childhood and there is nothing for the kids and spouses of the addicted person,” she explained.

Cerv is very open about her life growing up. She says she is sharing here dad’s story to help people. It is so often you don’t talk about it, you don’t acknowledge it, you just live with it. I want people to know that is not how you should have to deal with it.”

Cerv note her fathere, who died in 2022, was a businessman and  amazing mechanic who had a “horrible horrible alcohol addiction.” She noted it was not seen in the community. “My dad hid it very well until it got to the  point where it was affecting his health,” she said.

Cerv added the four Turnquist children were blessed to have a good family support system. She noted people have told her how proud they are of the things the Turnquist children have accomplished.

Cathy Mayes of Main Gate says both Cerv and Kindt are going to make good counselors because they have walked in the shoes of people who need help.

Andrea said she was that mother who put her kids through hell. She now wants to give back to the community and be a good resource to provide information.

“We are a family here at Main Gate. It has been a healing process just sharing our stories at the office,” said Cerv.

Persons who want to made a donation can send it to Main Gate at 325 S. Monroe St. Suite 110 or use the go fund me page.

There is all sorts of information on T4 Foundation face book page.

In May, the three ladies at Main Gate went to the state convention. Cerv had the chance to visit with Angela Kennecke of Emily’s Home and former KELO-TV anchor.

“I ran my idea for a foundation before Angela and she felt it was great,” said Cerv.  She also did a podcast with Kennecke.

The foundation is in its infancy but the two co-directors are working hard to get the word out and get donations.

“We want to make sure kids are taken care of emotionally and physically,” said Cerv.

For support or more information persons can call 605-842-0312, 605-840-0306 or 605-842-6610.