Simpson Honored as Hometown Hero

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Freya Simpson, Tripp County Librarian, has been recognized as a Home Town Hero.

Freya was honored at a recent Retired Teachers Meeting in Winner. Freya started her position on Dec. 1, 2008. As a county librarian ,she has the responsibility to make the library function well; to make the public feel welcome and to accommodate their library needs.

She said she is constantly challenged to keep our library up to date in this fast paced 21st Century. To help reach that goal she achieved Public Libraries Accreditation. This is to be done every three years. Current accreditation continues until 2017. She instituted a new library digital system, Destiny, which allows a continual assessment of what is needed and what should be weeded out. She believes the library should provide a safe, clean and friendly place for the public and staff.

One of the biggest challenges is to keep up with technology, public access to computers, and WI-FI; E-books and more. Just recently she, with the help of the library staff, kicked off the first Lego challenge which will provide opportunities for kids from age 5-9 to work/play with Legos and to stretch their imagination and creativity. This after school program will continue for two times a month for the next three months.

Each fiscal year, Freya presents a comprehensive report of the budget, activities and requests to the County Commissioners and to other interested groups. This reveals a tremendous record of activity at the library including the out of town visitors who stop by to read the newspapers and to use the internet. This is an increasing activity indicated by a high number of requests.

The library is funded through the Tripp County Budget, the City of Winner and through various other charitable givings. Guidance for the library come through a Library Board and through a group known as Friends of the Library.

Freya makes use of the local newspaper and the radio to inform patrons of the various services available, new programs and even for requests of needed items . She said, “We live in a caring community and it’s an honor to serve our patrons”.

The award was presented by Marsha Risseeuw, local Modern Woodmen Hometown Awards chair.

QB Club has Big Impact on Athletic Program

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By Dan Bechtold, Editor

Through its dues and fundraisers the Winner Quarterback Club is there to support, assist the athletic program at Winner High School.

In so many ways, the quarterback club has an impact on the community and the school district.

The officers of the club are: Jason Bartels, president; Scott Schuyler, vice president; Suny Bruun, secretary/treasurer and Sara Hammerbeck, incoming secretary/treasurer.

Kauer Family Donates to Community Foundation

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The family of the late Lawrence “Larry” Kauer donated $3,000 in memorial money to the Tripp County 4-H trust fund that is maintained by the Tripp County Community Foundation.

Kauer’s family wanted to put the money someplace where it would be used in remembrance of him into perpetuity. They also requested that the earnings from these funds be used to sponsor the Tripp County Club feeder calf pen of three contest. This is a new contest that was started in 2014 and until now has not had a permanent sponsor. Larry enjoyed taking care of his calves. He was excited that a young 4-Her chose to show one of his calves and he loved helping wash and groom that calf.

As most people know, Larry lived to help others and especially enjoyed those things where kids were involved.

50 Years of Selling Avon

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By Dan Bechtold, Editor

Fifty years ago, Clarice Poler of Colome started selling Avon products.

Avon is the world famous manufacturer and seller of cosmetics and personal care products.

For the Colome woman it was a change to start an exciting career.

She started selling on Nov. 8, 1966 and has no plans to retire. However, this month she will celebrate a milestone with Avon.

Her sister, Dorothy Rohde sold Avon and was moving to town. She asked Clarice if she would like to take over her job. Poler explained she received encouragement from several people to take on the new job.

She was assigned a certain area to sell and had between 40 to 50 customers. Mainly working in the rural area. She would drive and visit the women, showing them samples of new products and taking their orders.

Play is a “Must See”

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By Susi Brown Riedl

Recently I had the pleasure of seeing the play “Delval Divas.” This play takes place in a correctional facility of Delware Valley.

This is a humorus play about white collar criminals and the “hardships” they encounter.

This play hosts many different twits from embezzling, insider trading and medicare fraud to manicures and pedicures to name a few.

Winner is fortunate to not only have a wonderful community theatre to host such events but we are also lucky to have a wonderful cast who works tirelessly on the set, learning lines and giving Winner our own cultural experience.

This is a must watch show. Come support our community and see a great show.

The play will be presented Oct. 28 and 29 at 7:30 p.m. at the playhouse. The doors will open at 7 p.m.

For ticket reservations call the playhouse at 842-1958.

Spirit Gems Plan haunted house

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The Spirit Gems will be hosting a haunted house as a fund raiser Oct. 28, 29 and 30.

The Spirit Gems are going to be performing at Disney World in Orlando, Fla., the week before Christmas.

Hysteria House will be located in the former Rich’s Rec building at 126 E. 4th St.

The haunted house will be open on Oct. 28 and 29 from 7-11 p.m. and Oct. 30 from 7-9 p.m.

There will be several scary rooms.

Persons are asked to bring a canned food donation for the Winner Food Pantry.

Area Ranchers Rank High in Angus Association

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Raven Angus of Colome ranked second largest in registering the most Angus beef cattle in South Dakota with the American Angus Association.

Jorgensen Ranches of Ideal ranked as the third largest and Roger and Shelly Joseph, Winner, ranked as the sixth largest in registering the most Angus cattle in South Dakota with the American Angus Association.

Angus breeders across the nation in 2016 registered 334,607 head of Angus cattle. “Our growth this fiscal year continues to demonstrate strong demand for Angus genetics and solidifies our long-held position as a leader in the beef cattle industry,” said Allen Moczygemba, association chief executive officer.