Category Archives: Local

The Dr. Tony and Kay Berg Scholarship is set up as a permanent endowment to provide a $1,000 scholarship to a graduating student from Winner High School or an employee of Winner Regional Health wanting to pursue or continue their education in the healthcare industry. The Berg’s commitment to the Winner area and healthcare prompted their decision to establish this scholarship.

This  $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to the recipient in the second semester of their education to seek a career or advance their career in healthcare. The recipient must attend a school of higher education (to include industrial, technical, and four-year accredited universities).

The 2022 recipient of this scholarship is Shayla Bice who is the daughter of Tucker and Michele Bice. Shayla plans to attend Mount Marty University and will be seeking a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She hopes to continue her education to someday be a doctor.

The Benson Family Scholarship has also been set up as a permanent endowment by Robert and Judy Benson. This scholarship will provide $1,000 to a graduating student from Winner High School  who plans to attend a school of higher education (to include industrial, technical, and four-year accredited universities). Both Bob and Judy have been lifelong residents of the Tripp County area and are graduates from Winner High School. Their value of education and love for our community prompted the establishment of this scholarship.

The 2022 recipient of the Benson Family Scholarship is Emma Jorgensen who is the daughter of Cody and Abby Jorgensen. Emma plans to attend South Dakota State University and will be seeking a degree in Human Biology. Her long-term goal is to go to medical school and become a pediatrician.

Judy Benson is a long-time board member of the Tripp County Community Foundation board. Judy has had firsthand experience with the establishment of several scholarship funds and realizes the importance of investing our community.

Over the years the Benson’s and the Berg’s have been very generous donors to our foundation. Their contributions have increased the availability of grant funds for many non-profits in our community.

“We are very thankful for the Benson’s and Berg’s along with all those who have made any type of donation to the Tripp County Community Foundation. All donations ensure continued improvements and opportunities for our community,” said Dawn Covey, a member of the foundation board.

The scholarship funds administered through the Tripp County Community Foundation now total $13,750 each year.

By Dan Bechtold

Editor

Winner Food Center has been sold to County Fair Food Stores. The change will take place on June 6.

Tom and Steve Boltjes of Platte, owners of Winner Food Center, said they have also sold the Platte Food Center to County Fair.

County Fair owns three other stores in Mitchell, Dell Rapids and Valentine, Neb. They also have a convenience store in Mitchell.

Marc King purchased Winner Food Center in 1989. At that time the grocery store was located across the street where The Store is now located.

In 1996 the grocery store moved into its present location in a new building.

Tom and Steve Boltjes have owned Winner Food Center for about 15 years.

Denice Duffy has worked at Winner Food Center since June 1989 and is the current manager and will remain in this position.

Both Winner and Platte stores will be named County Fair. Current employees will be able to keep their jobs.

“We are very excited to be here,” said Justin Luther, owner of the company.

“The Boltjes family has done a great job. Winner and Platte have wonderful stores with wonderful long term staff. We are very honor and excited to take over the two stores and bring what County Fair does to the communities. We are big part of the community. We firmly believe that we shouldn’t just be a part of the community but a part of what makes our communities great,” explained Luther.

He added the ownership is adamant about being involved and supporting our communities.

Luther explained all staff will have their jobs. “We are lucky to have great, long term staff with a lot of experience. There are a lot of wonderful people working in both stores. We have no need to change. We hope they all stay and move forward with us as a company,” he said.

Right away there will be no cosmetic changes to the store. “We would like to get into the space and live in it before we make any changes. The staff and customers know the most about the store. We want to learn from them. We want to know what makes the store tick and what needs to be changed,” said the owner of County Fair.

County Fair is a family owned business that are fourth generation retailers. “We are very customer and staff oriented. We feel our County Fair staff is family. We sell groceries but this is a people business,” he said.

Eventually the signage on the front of Winner Food Center will come down and be replaced with the County Fair name.

“We think there is a lot of potential in Winner. We look around and see some investment in the community. It is great to see growth in small towns,” Luther said.

LifeServe Blood Center and Winner Regional Health are excited to announce their new lifesaving partnership. LifeServe Blood Center, ranked as one of the top 15 blood centers in the country, is now the sole supplier of all blood and blood products to eleven new hospitals across South Dakota including Winner Regional Health.

LifeServe Blood Center provides 100% of all blood products needed to more than 130 hospitals across South Dakota, Nebraska, and Iowa. Since the beginning of the year Winner Regional Health has been receiving blood products needed for patient care from LifeServe Blood Center.

 “Winner Regional Health is excited to be working with our new partner, LifeServe Blood Center. This partnership will allow us to continue to put the community first,” said Brady L. Kerkman, Director of Marketing & Philanthropy at Winner Regional Health.

100% of the blood products needed at Winner Regional Health and the surrounding area hospitals now come from LifeServe blood donors. The strength of the community blood supply is dependent on local donors, businesses and organizations that donate and sponsor blood drives with LifeServe Blood Center.

To ensure Winner Regional Health and its patients have the blood products they need, the community is hosting two blood drives in May. LifeServe Blood Center and Winner Regional Health are urging the community to boost the blood supply for local patients at these upcoming blood drives. Your donation will ensure those in your community in need of lifesaving blood products will receive them at a moment’s notice.

 Winner Community Blood Drive

Monday, May 23 from 10:15 am – 3:00 pm

Tuesday, May 24 from 12:00 pm – 5:30 pm

Tripp County 4-H Building

“We’re thrilled to be offering community members in Winner and the surrounding area the opportunity to make sure their donation stays local,” said Danielle West, Director of PR and Marketing at LifeServe Blood Center. “You never know when you, your neighbor, a family member, or a friend may need a lifesaving blood transfusion; and when they do, those blood products will come from blood donors who give with LifeServe Blood Center.

Blood donors do more in one hour than most will do in a lifetime by giving the gift of life! If you’re interested in donating blood or hosting a blood drive at your business or organization, visit lifeservebloodcenter.org or call LifeServe at 800.287.4903.

LifeServe Blood Center is a non-profit, community-based blood center that has served the needs of local hospitals and patients in our regions since 1963. As one of the 15 largest blood centers in the country, LifeServe Blood Center is the SOLE provider of blood and blood products to more than 130 hospitals located across Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota. LifeServe is committed to saving lives by providing premier service to volunteer blood donors and access to a safe, quality blood supply for hospitals and patients. Your donation with LifeServe will help save your neighbor, a friend or family member or a stranger on the street. YOU make a difference in YOUR community. For more information about blood donation or to schedule an appointment to donate blood, call 800.287.4903 or visit www.lifeservebloodcenter.org.

Twelve students will graduate from Colome High School on May 14. The graduation will be at 4 p.m. in the Colome gym.

The graduates are Alex Davis, Jesse Larson, Kasie Leighton, Caden Munroe, Drew Musilek, Brayden Seegers, Dustin Sell, Riley Shippy, Haley Thomas, Maya Vandenbark, Katelyn Welker, Elizabeth Yeaman.

The commencement address will be given by Wade Juracek, the CHS government teacher.

Supt. Dr. Debbie O’Doan will present the valedictorian and salutatorian. Maya Vandenbark is the valedictorian and Katie Welker is the salutatorian.

The valedictorian speech will be given by Maya Vandenbark.

Legion awards will be presented by Jeff Hrabanek of the Colome American Legion.

There will be several scholarships presented.

The diplomas will b awarded by Matt Bolie of the Colome School Board.

The junior escorts will be Morgan Gill, Landi Krumpus, Kaden Pechota and Jordyn Ring.

The sophomore ushers are Shaleena Kingsley, Joseph Laprath, Tianna Larson and Emma Vandenbark.
The freshmen handing out the programs are Westlie Cahoy, Hadley Harruff, Aspyn McKenzie ad Camryn Seegers.

The class flower is the white chrysanthemum and the colors are green and white.

The class motto is: “Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory” –Dr.Suess

8^th grade diplomas will also be awarded. The 8^th grade graduates are: Paige Beckers, Rystan DeSmet, Jordan Drummond, Madison Dufek, Seth Heath, Cash Hemming, TayShaun Hoffer, Keasha Kartak, Alex Larson, Aleah Musser, Emme Nelsen, Savannah O’Bryan, Gracie Rohde, William Slaymaker, Kallan Totton.

Remember the Colome graduation on May 14 starts at 4 p.m.

There will be 45 seniors who will graduate from Winner High School on May 14. Commencement will be at 2 p.m. in the Winner Armory.

The student speakers will be Hattie Hespe and Madaline Watzel.

An outstanding faculty award will be presented by Ellie Brozik, student council president.

The WHS band under the direction of Nicole Pierson will play the processional and a special selection.

The diplomas will be awarded by Mike Calhoon, chairman of the Winner School Board.

Seniors graduating with high honor are Finnegan Bartels, Adam Bohnet, Ellie Brozik, Joseph Cole, Slade Cournoyer, Jenny Guan, Jenna Hammerbeck, Hattie Hespe, Emma Jorgensen, Kaden Keiser, Adrienne Lewis, Marissa Meiners, Michael Olson, Kolbie Osborn, Charley Pravecek, Kelsey Sachtjen, Sidda Schuyler, Bella Swedlund and Jackson Vesely.

Honor graduates are Shayla Bice, Alex Bohnet, Kathleen Dreyer, Alani Old Lodge, Kaleb Osborn, Elijah Peterson and Ryan Sell.

President’s award for educational excellence will go to Adam Bohnet, Ellie Brozik, Joseph Cole, Slade Cournoyer, Jenna Hammerbeck, Hattie Hespe, Emma Jorgensen, Adrienne Lewis, Marissa Meiners, Michael Olson, Ryan Sell.

Regents scholars are Finnegan Bartels, Shayla Bice, Adam Bohnet, Alex Bohnet, Ellie Brozik, Joseph Cole, Slade Cournoyer, Kathleen Dreyer, Jenna Hammerbeck, Skyler Hansen, Hattie Hespe, Emma Jorgensen, Adrienne Lewis, Kylar Meek, Alani Old Lodge, Michael Olson, Kaleb Osborn, Kolbie Osborn, Elijah Peterson, Charley Pravecek, Kelsey Sachtjen, Sidda Schuyler, Ryan Sell, Bella Swedlund, Jackson Vesely.

Members of the National Honor Society are Finnegan Bartels, Adam Bohnet, Alex Bohnet, Ellie Brozik, Joseph Cole, Slade Cournoyer, Jenna Hammerbeck, Hattie Hespe, Emma Jorgensen, Kaden Keiser, Adrienne Lewis, Marissa Meiners, Alani Old Lodge, Kolbie Osborn, Elijah Peterson, Charley Pravecek, Kelsey Sachtjen, Sidda Schuyler, Ryan Sell, Bella Swedlund, Jackson Vesely.

The graduation ushers are Brindy Bolander, Justin Hausmann, Aleya Miller, Rowdy Moore

The graduation program attendants are Chaz Blotsky, Joselin Kludt, Tessa Mann, Dalton Petersen.

The senior class advisors are Valerie Ewing, Austin Calhoon, Candace Patmore and Jayd Schuyler.

The class flower is the purple hydrangea, the class colors are purple and gold and the motto is “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.”—Dr Seuss