Category Archives: Local

By Dan Bechtold, Editor

Need some time to laugh, just sit back and relax. Well, you have to see the Winner Community Playhouse production of “Rex’s Exes.”
The opening weekend was this past Friday and Saturday with the cast getting a standing ovation on Friday night.

It is a funny Southern fried farce that will have you rolling in the aisle.

Whether you have had a bad day at work or a challenging week, there is no way to be sad while watching this show.

This play finds the Verdeen cousins of Sweetgum, Texas, on the brink of disaster again. Gaynelle, Peaches and Jimmie Wyvette are the hilarious cousins. Gaynelle, frustrated and frazzled from working too many two-bit jobs, stubbornly refuses to face the fact she turning the big 50. In a misguided effort to lift her cousin’s spirits Peaches, a sassy, mortuarial cosmetologist, is determined to throw Gaynelle a surprise birthday party.

Jimmie Wyvette, riding high on the success of her new wedding gown boutique for big gals—Wide Bride, reluctantly agrees to help Peaches surprise Gaynelle. There are a lot of twists and turns in this play.

Tami Comp as Gaynelle, Sarah Gustafson as Jimmie Wyvette and Barb DeSersa as Peaches are all excellent.

Michele Hagenlock does a good job as LaMerle Verdeen, the matriarch of the Verdeen clan. She is determined to have her good name restored.

There were fine performances by Donna Howland as Bitsy Hargis, a neighbor; Dan Patmore as the thought to be dead husband who has a dark secret; Doug Nelson, as a bounty hunter chasing Rex.

The play features three Winner High School students, Kenzie Irick, Meredith Calhoon and Kallie Foudray. Kenzie plays Cee Cee Windham, a TV show hosts and Kallie plays Marlissa Cruthfield, the third lady of Texas who comes to visit the Verdeen cousins.

Calhoon plays Gentle Harmony, a psychic who is called in to help Peaches.

But the real show stoppers are Linda Watson and Maurice Gustafson as Mamma Doll Hargis and Aubrey Verdeen. The two of them appeared as the same characters in the play “The Red Velvet Cake Wars” which was presented by the playhouse a couple of years ago.

A wonderful job of directing by Sandra York. Dan Patmore did not forego his technical director job to be in this play. He has created a wonderful set in this comedy.

The play will again be presented this weekend March 11 and 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the playhouse. For reservations call the playhouse at 842-1958.
I assure you, you will not be disappointed.

Winner youth wrestlers competed in the district tournament March 5 in Kimball. The top 8 placers make it the regional March 12 in Mitchell.

Results from the district include:

6 and under—Gus Tobin and Appolo Willuweit, 1st; Roukyn Robbins, 2nd; Cooper Craven and Teegan Shelbourn, 3rd; Avery Antelope, Logan Calhoon and Hunter Vrbka, all 4th.

7-8—Coy Shelbourn, Rylan Robbins, 1st; Hudson Peters, Brody Calhoon, 2nd; Ash Kaiser and Peydin Peterson, 4th; Robinson LaDeaux, 5th and Carter Craven, 7th

9-10—Ryken Orel, Kylah Biggins, Karson Keiser, Konner Osborn, Landon Calhoon, all 1st; Payton Fisher, Kellen Brozik, both 2nd; Keygan Biggins, 3rd; Kash Peterson, 4th; Kayden Fryer and August Bartels, 5th and Jack Ohlson, 6th

11-12—Maxton Brozik, Riley Shippy, both 1st; Kiersten Fryer, Riley Orel, Jack Peters, all 2nd; Stetson Shelbourn, 4th and Coy Assman, 5th

13-14—Kaden Keiser, Kaleb Osborn, Adam Cole, all 1st; Joey Cole, Achilles Willuweit and Aaron Gilchrist, 2nd and Owen Duffy, 3rd

Winner Wild girls basketball team won two games in the White River jamboree.

The Wild defeated Bennett County 41-3. Leading scorers were Bella Swedlund, 23; Kelsey Sachtjen, 9; Emma Jorgensen, 5; Sidda Schuyler, 2; Hattie Hespe and Kelbi Meiners, all 1.

In the second game, Winner defeated Swoosh 29-18. Swedlund scored 20 points, Hespe, 5 and Sachtjen. 4.

The Wild ended the season with a 20-1 record.

The Winner Wilder competed in the White River jamboree in the 3rd and 4th grade division.

In the first game, Winner defeated Lyman 8-2. Keely Kuil had 6 points and Ava Craven, 2.

In the second game, Winner won 28-2. Kuil scored 10 points, Craven, 8; Kylie Sachtjen, 6 and Lilly Barfuss and Gracie Root, 2 each.

Several Tripp County Shooting Sports 4-Hers have qualified for the next level of competition and will advance to the state meet.
Winner Seed is sponsoring the youths who go to state.

The qualifiers in archery are: Megan Brozik, CWS-R 126.03; Browdy Kocer, CWS-R 121.02; Wade McClanahan, compound open 150.24; Ryder Mortenson, CWS-R 110.03; Tane Pravecek, CWS-R 144.08; Rylee Schroeder, CWOS 75; Madison Weidner, CWS-R 123.05.

BB gun—Derek Fenenga, 320; Ellison Kaiser, 335; Ashlynn McPhee, 282; Rylee Schroeder, 315; Clay Sell, 317; Ryan Sell, 337.01; Alex Week, 277

22 rifle—Parker Baker, 214; Spencer Calhoon, 238.02

22 pistol—Wade McClananahan, 246.905; Tane Pravecek, 231.01

air pistol—Parker Baker, 126; George Clark, 102; Emmarie Kaiser, 141; Hunter Osborn, 140 and Wade McClanahan, 156.

The Winner Area Chamber of Commerce Taste of Winner will be held March 17 at the Winner Bowling Center.

Persons can enjoy appetizers, chili and desserts from 6-8 p.m.

To enter the Taste of Winner, called the Chamber at 842-1533.

The Southern Belle Cattlewomen will be holding its beef basket challenge.

Winner Cash will be awarded in each category, people’choice and best decorated.

(Winner, SD) – Winner Regional Healthcare Center will host a Scrubs Camp on April 8, 2016. Area high school students will have an opportunity to explore a variety of health career options during Scrubs Camp. Scrubs Camp is a one-day hands-on learning experience. Campers will hear from healthcare professionals who will discuss what they do and how they got into their chosen career field. They will also be able to participate in exciting hands-on activities and receive personalized career guidance plans. Scrubs Camps are designed for 9th through 12th grade high school students with an interest in the healthcare field. There is no charge to attend, lunch is provided at the camp and students will also receive a free complimentary gift. Scrubs Camp will be held on April 8 at Winner Regional Healthcare Center. Pre-registration for the camp is necessary.

One of the most pressing issues facing the healthcare industry today is the critical need for healthcare providers. This is especially true for South Dakota. In the coming years, thousands of additional healthcare workers will be needed in South Dakota. Scrubs Camps were designed to encourage students in South Dakota to consider pursuing a career in healthcare. The Scrubs Camps are made possible through the collaborative effort of the South Dakota Department of Education Office of Curriculum, Career and Technical Education and South Dakota Department of Health Office of Rural Health.

Interested students may obtain an application at the front desk of Winner Regional or by contacting Winner Regional’s Education Coordinator Sharon Naasz at (605) 842-7150. Applications are due March 25, 2016.

Calah Covey of Hamill received the James “Buddy” Carmichael memorial scholarship which was presented during the Black Hills Stock Show banquet.

James Carmichael passed away in 2007 and his family who ranches near Meadow created a scholarship to honor the memory of this man who had a great appreciation for livestock, especially Hereford cattle.

Covey is a senior at Winner High School and plans to attend South Dakota State University in the fall. She will pursue an animal science degree with emphasis on reproduction. Covey would like to go into embryology while maintaining her Hereford herd.