Category Archives: Local

Legion wins state runner-up honors

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Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo
Winner/Colome Legion baseball team took runner-up honors at the state meet in Gregory. Pictured in front from left are Statton Morehart, Ryder Halligan, Justin Hausmann, Karson Keiser, Charley Pravecek, Maxton Brozik, Zac Olson, Landon Calhoon. In back from left are coach Shane Phillips, Ethan Bartels, Aiden Barfuss, Jack Peters, Adam Bohnet, Joey Cole, bat boy Maddux Phillips, Ashton Klein, Pierce Nelson and coach Dan Pravecek.

Despite a five run deficit in the sixth inning, Winner/Colome Legion team almost came all the way back to defeat Vermillion in the Class B Legion meet. However, the Royals fell in a heart breaker 8-7.

Despite the over 100 degree heat last Tuesday both team battled for a state title.

Vermillion took a 6-1 lead but Winner/Colome fired right back with five runs in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game at 6-6.

The both teams traded runs to tie it again 7-7. The regulation game ended 7-7 and the two teams headed an extra inning.

The game was delayed for about 10 minutes in the bottom of the 7th inning when Vermillion catcher T. J. Tracy went down with cramps and shortly after home plate umpire Doug Ruesik had to leave the game after dealing with heat-related issue.

When play resumed Vermillion was able to get the winning run.

Barfuss had two doubles and Joey Cole, one. Barfuss was the leader at the plate as he was 3-4 with 2 RBIs.

Charley Pravecek was 2-4.

Ethan Bartels pitched 6.2 innings and Barfuss, 1.1.

The Royals defeated Hartford Humboldt 8-7 on Friday in the first round of the state meet.

Hartford/Humboldt jumped out to an early 6-3 lead through four innings before the Royals came back with two runs in the fifth and five in the sixth to claim the victory.

Barfuss led the way at the plate as he was 4-4 with two runs and four RBIs. Joey Cole went 2-4 with three runs and one RBI.

Barfuss also won the win on the mound in three innings of relief.

Winner Colome defeated Redfield 10-5 on Sunday. The Royals big inning was the sixth when they scored 6 runs.

Barfuss had a home run and Cole a double.

Justin Hausmann pitched five innings and Ryder Halligan, 1.

On Monday, Winner/Colome lost to Gregory 9-3. The Royals has 4 hits. Barfuss had a home run and Barfuss a double.

Landon Calhoon pitched 3.1 innings and Kaden Keiser, 3.2.

The game on Monday set up who would play in the championship the next day.

The Legion team ended the season with a 16-8 record.

Cowboy Fair set for Colome

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It will be fun time in Colome on Saturday, Aug. 13 at the Cowboy Fair.

There are events going on all day and will conclude with a street dance.

A farmers market will be held in the Colome city park starting at 10 a.m.

All vendors are welcome.

The Colome Volunteer Fire Department will be having a basic fire education for kids. This will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The fire department will be set up next to the park. There will be fire safety awareness. The kids will get to try on some fire gear.

The Colome park committee will be serving lunch in the park from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The fair will feature a scavenger hunt which is being organized by Kathy Hrabanek.

There will be cowboy fast draw shooting starting at 11 a.m.

Wiffle ball will be played starting at 1 p.m. This will be located in the open lot between Skatetowne and the Vet’s Hall.

Persons can just show up to play wiffle ball.

There will be a car, pickup, motorcycle show on Main Street from 3-5 p.m. Persons can park on Main Street, take a picture of the vehicle and go into the Frontier Bar to register. A gift certificate will be given for every 25th car that registers for the show.

Starting at 5 p.m. there will be a cruise night as persons can drive around town to show off their vehicle.

Also a 5 p.m., an area will be marked off where persons can do a little tire smoke out and see who can burn some rubber.

There will be a street dance starting at 8 p.m. sponsored by Frontier Bar and 5 Leaf Clover.

The D. J. will be Elvis J. Freshly.

There will be sidewalk art all day where persons of all ages can take some chalk and draw a picture.

183 Ink will be doing tattoos in Dan’s Last Shot.

Country Charm Café will have food and refreshments. In addition, the café will have cornhole and horseshoe plus a mechanical bull.

All are invited to Colome to have a good time on Aug. 13.

Summer night set for Aug. 12

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The final Winner Area Chamber of Commerce summer nights for the season will be held Aug. 12.

It will be held on the third block of Main St. and will be from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

Frontier Motors is the sponsor and they have a lot of fun things planned.

Kids will be entertained by Special K’s the clown and her bubble show, Felix the clown is a balloon tier. Sweet pea is a clown and does face painting.

There will be magic tricks with Jerry Snyder. Snyder plans to do two shows—one at around 6 p.m. and the second one at 7 p.m.

There will be other games for persons of all ages.

The band will be Westbound.

There will be food vendors available.

This will be a great event to close out the summer.

Jump Start

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On Monday, Aug. 8th through Thursday, Aug. 11, the Winner Elementary School will be conducting its 4th year of Jump Start.  Jump Start is for Begindergarten/Kindergarten students NEW to the Winner Elementary School.  This is a time to get the new students aquatinted with the building and the routines in school. 

Jump Start begins at 8 am and runs until 11:30 am.  A breakfast snack and lunch will be provided at no cost.  On the first day, we ask that parents/guardians accompany their students to the office, and school secretary, Lorna Phillips will direct them to their classroom. 

The Winner School District will provide transportation for the Ideal and Winner Housing communities.  If you need transportation call the elementary school office at 842-8170 by noon on Aug. 5.

If you have any questions feel free to stop at the elementary school office or call.

Schlomers open new business

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Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo
Winner Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting July 26 at the new Accent Florals at JNS Cornerstore. The business is owned by Jon and Nelle Schlomer. Pictured in front from left are Dee Foster, Keasha Bauer, Kathy Nielsen, Nelle Schlomer and Mike Scott, executive director of the Chamber. Second row from left are Rick Shippy, Steve Nielsen, Justin Zeigler, Jon Schlomer, Kathy Calhoon, Dennis Calhoon, Lexy Mach and Vicki Shippy. Not pictured are Deb Kindt and Kody Assman.

By Dan Bechtold

Editor

A new business has opened in Winner which preserves a Main Street building and continues the tradition of a flower shop.

Accent Florals at JNS Cornerstore is owned by Jon and Nelle Schlomer. The business is located in the former Winner Gas & Electric building.

The Scholmers purchased the building in March from Steve and Kathy Nielsen who owned Winner Gas & Electric for 35 years.

When the Scholmers purchased Winner Gas & Electric they were approached by Dennis and Kathy Calhoon to buy the flower shop.

“We did not want to see another business close on Main Street. It was close to our home ad we just wanted to see Main Street thrive,” said Jon.

The Scholmers bought the flower shop and Nelle said it was a perfect combination with the Main Street store front to add a floral shop.

Dennis and Kathy Calhoon owned Accent Florals for many years.

The design team from Accent Florals has moved into the former Winner Gas & Electric building. Kathy Calhoon is the lead designer. Deb Kindt and Kody Assman are designers. Lexy Mach and Nelle are learning to be designers.

Also working at the store are Dee Foster and Vicki Shippy.

Nelle says the new business has expanded the gift line including more baby gifts, birthday, anniversary gifts. The couple have brought back the Jelly Bellies which are really popular and are offering a line of specialty coffees.

New to the gift line will be Christian memorabilia.

Nelle says they have fabulous glass blown pheasants that will make nice gifts or decorations.

The business will offer same day delivery on flowers and gifts.

In addition to expanding the gift line, the business has a beer and wine license.

The business is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Monday through Friday. It is closed on Saturday.

Nelle says the business still has a lot of electrical and hardware parts from the former Winner Gas & Electric. There are furnace filters that are still for sale.

“We are still trying to sell through the Winner Gas & Electric items,” said Nelle.

To order flowers or gifts persons can call 605 842-2346. Persons can also order flowers from the website at accentfloralswinner.com

Winner Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting at the new business on July 26.

June Janette Lester, 74

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June Lester, 74, of Rapid City, SD, formerly of Winner, SD passed away on Sunday, July 24, 2022 at the Monument Health Hospital in Rapid City, SD.

Funeral services were held on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022 at 11 a.m. at the Mason Funeral Home in Winner, SD. Burial  followed in the Colome City Cemetery in Colome, SD.

June Janette Lester left this world on July 24, 2022 at the age of 74. She died fighting the battle with cancer and was surrounded by her family at her time.

She was born in Winner, SD to Duane and Vera Patton and lived and attended school in Colome, SD. She eventually moved to Rapid City where she became a beautician and a very good one and loved what she did for over 40 years. She met the love of her life Gary Lester shortly after moving to Rapid City and they had one daughter, Jami Jo Lester. June had a huge heart and always thought of others. Some of her greatest joys were her grandchildren, Richard, Terrance, Shawntessa, and Christian. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and daughter.

She was preceded in death by her mother, her father, and 2 brothers.

She is survived by her daughter, her grandchildren, 7 sisters, 2 brothers, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Tallan Smith, 27

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Tallan Smith, from Yankton, SD, passed away on June 4, 2022 at the age of 27. Tallan was hospitalized on June 2 after being resuscitated from drowning. She spent the following days surrounded by family and friends.

Tallan has chosen to be an organ donor and was able to provide others a better quality of lift through her generosity. A celebration of life will be held at Colome City Cemetery, Colome, SD at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, August 13, 2022 followed by a luncheon at the Colome American Legion Club at 1:00 p.m.


Tallan was born in 1994 in Rapid City, SD to Roxie Harter then from Colome, SD and Brady Knight from Winner, SD. Roxie and Tallan moved to St. John, WA in 1998. In 1999, Tallan gained a beautiful additional family when Roxie and Steve Smith were married. Tallan completed grades K-12 in St. John. Tallan went to South Dakota State University the following year then lived in Washington, Colorado, and California before moving back to South Dakota. Within each community, Tallan made life-long friends because of her fun, accepting, and loving personality.

Tallan was working at Rock Bottom Grillhouse at the time of her passing, and was blessed with an amazing work family there.

Many simple pleasures in life brought joy to Tallan. She especially loved scary movies, caring for any and all animals, collecting tattoos, and spending time with her friends and family. Tallan enjoyed the art of makeup and hair; she especially loved Halloween.

As a kid, she entertained her family with the many plays she wrote and directed using her younger sister and cousins as the cast. Tallan continued to love writing into adulthood. Tallan’s beautiful smile and belly laugh were infectious and she loved to talk your ear off from the time she was a toddler.


Tallan will hold a special place in all of our hearts. We will always remember her as the kind, funny, adorable, ridiculously photogenic, big hearted, Sunny-in-Philly quoting, Buffy the Vampire watching, Harry Potter obsessed, animal lover she was. She was uniquely fearless like a lion and scared of her own shadow at the same time. Most importantly, Tallan loved big…always.

Tallan is survived by her parents, Steve and Roxie Smith and sister Maggie of St. John, WA; her father Brady Knight of Vermillion, SD; her brothers Griffin Knight of Omaha, NE and Jacob Knight of Avon, SD; her grandmothers, Lisa Knight and Willa Kindt of Avon, SD; her grandfather and grandmother, Don and LaVonne Ring of Colome, SD; her grandmother Kay Smith of St. John, WA; her grandfather and grandmother, Bud and Gina Knight of Wright, Wy; her boyfriend Steve Koster of Yankton, SD; as well as many additional loving family members and more friends than one can imagine.

We miss you so very much dear Tal. We will keep your love, your kindness, and your compassion for others alive. You left your mark on all those who knew you. We are your new legacy of love.

Bernard (Barney) Ross, 86

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Bernard (Barney) Ross, 86, of rural Millboro, SD passed away on Sunday, July 24, 2022 at the Winner Regional Long Term Care Center in Winner, SD.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, July 30, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner, SD. Burial followed in the Ascension Chapel Cemetery in Millboro, SD.

Bernard Ross was born on Aug. 12, 1935 at home in Todd County to William & Irene Ross. He was the youngest of 11 children. Bernard attended St. Francis Indian Mission School in South Dakota through the 9th grade. He served in the Navy from Jan. 28, 1955 – Sept. 18, 1957. He was stationed in Newfoundland. 

He married Shirley Bauch on Aug. 15th, 1960. Together they raised 3 sons, 3 adopted boys, and several foster kids. Barney enjoyed visits from his grandchildren, watching old westerns, and doing braiding’s and leatherwork.

Survivors include Wes Ross family; Shane and Kathy Ross family from Winner, SD; Travis Ross and 2 adopted boys, 9 grandchildren, and 15 great grandkids.

He was preceded in death by his father, mother, wife Shirley Ross, 7 brothers, 3 sisters, 1 granddaughter, and an adopted son.

BBQ winners

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Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo
Mardi Pederson serves up some food at the pit row BBQ on Saturday.

BS BBQ Rebels was the overall grand prize winner in the Winner Area Chamber of Commerce BBQ pit row on Saturday.

The results include:

Ribs—1. Checkered BBQ, 2. Guys and Grills, 3. BS BBQ Rebels

Pork Butt—1. Guys and Grills, 2. Packin Heat, 3. BS BBQ Rebels

Brisket—1. Roll N Smoke, 2. Porkwana BBQ, 3. BS BBQ Rebels

Side dish—Roll N Smoke

There was a kids contest. The winner of the 6 to 9 year old division was Braxton Olson and 10 to 15 was Owen Paul.

Winner summer help were honored by the Winner City Council

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Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo
City of Winner summer help were honored by the Winner City Council. Pictured in front from left are Lila Balsiger, Katherine Jankauskas, Rylee Root, Gracie Root, Cora Moss and Shayne Day. Middle row from left are Sidda Schuyler, Josey Kludt, Melanie Brozik, Brindy Bolander, Rachelle Stephens. In back from left are Daisy McIntyre, Ellie Brozik, Tessa Sieh, Jenna Hammerbeck, Lilly Barfuss, Kelby Meiners, Karlee Brozik, James Gregg, Caleb Boerner and William Boner.
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