Category Archives: News

Second Summer Night Set for July 13

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The second Winner Summer Nights will be held be held Thursday, July 13 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on Main Street.   The second block of Main Street will be blocked off for this event.   The theme is “Get Wet” and will feature several water games.

The sponsor will be Winner Dental Clinic and the Winner Area Chamber of Commerce.  The Black Lab will have the beer garden on this night.  Live music will be provided by Country Kraze.

The food vendors will include: Wings and More, Smoking Bull BBQ, Jennifer’s tacos, Spirit Gems and Elks Club.
McDonalds will sponsor an ice cream social starting at 6 p.m.

The activities will include a scavenger hunt sidewalk chalk, elephant march, hula hoop, ring toss, duck races, bubbles, squirt painting, bowling, sponge toss, face painting.

There will be a thin line relay starting at 8 p.m. This will be a competition between EMTs, law enforcement and fire department.

Race car drivers will have their cars on display in the parking lot on Third Street.

Canvas painting will be available.

Chandra Cudmore, one of the organizers of Winner Summer Nights, said the first event in June was great. “It exceeded all of my expectations. The community got involved and supported the event.  Cudmore added she was impressed with the businesses that helped the organizing committee.  Cudmore says she is super excited for the July 13 Main Street event. “It will only get bigger and better. People know what to expect and they have told all of their friends to attend.”

Persons are asked to bring their own lawn chairs to sit and enjoy the evening.

There will be rest rooms available.

The Winner Summer Nights has been extended one hour. Instead of ending at 8 p.m. it will end at 9 p.m.
This is a family friendly event. Come out and enjoy some fun, visit and enjoy some great food.

DWU Graduates

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DIPLOMA

Area students have graduated from Dakota Wesleyan University, Mitchell.

The graduates include: Austin Calhoon, Winner, bachelor of arts in mathematics; Skylar Forgey, Dallas, bachelor of science degree in business marketing; Taylor Haley, Winner, bachelor of science in biology; Austin Schroeder, Winner, bachelor of science in biology education.

South-Central South Dakota Resident Featured in June/July Issue of Successful Farming Magazine

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Bryan

Successful Farming, the most successful and recognizable brand in the agricultural industry, this week released its list of “10 Successful Farmers,” part of its special “10”-themed June/July issue featuring several lists of agricultural interest.

Bryan Jorgensen of Ideal, South Dakota, is one of Successful Farming’s people to watch in agriculture. The 10 individuals profiled by Successful Farming have established thriving agricultural operations and grown their businesses with innovative approaches for and adaptations in their farming operations.

Jorgensen Land and Cattle Company’s 7,000 acres of native grass pastures are filled with moisture- and nutrient-storing rich carbon and organic matter, supporting a strong microbe community that helps plants absorb nutrients. The surface vegetation also helps lessen wind and water erosion, while keeping the soil macro-pores open for water retention. Jorgensen, who runs the farm’s crop-production arm with his son, Nick, (his brother, Greg, and nephew, Cody, run the livestock portion) mimics Mother Nature to produce high yields.

Jorgensen’s largest crop is corn, planted on around 2,500 acres. He began no-tilling in 1990, then introduced crop rotation that replicates the native vegetation. After harvest, he implements this crop rotation and incorporates livestock—akin to the buffalo which grazed on the native prairie—to ensure soil health. Nature’s cycle works as well for Jorgensen’s cropland as it does the native prairie.

“At Successful Farming, we know our audience includes some of the most innovative, forward-thinking and ambitious agricultural professionals,” said Dave Kurns, Editorial Content Director of Successful Farming. “With this special issue, we wanted to recognize some of our readers who are redefining what it means to be a successful farmer. The 10 individuals featured have built healthy agricultural operations through ingenuity and flexibility in a changing industry. They demonstrate the vitality and importance of agriculture today.”

Pheasants Roll over Wagner

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Winner//Colome amateur baseball team shut out Wagner 12-0 Thursday at Leahy Bowl.

For the Pheasants, Drew Weber was the winning pitcher throwing all seven innings, allowing three hits and striking out five.

Austin Calhoon was 3-3 with four RBIs powered by two triples and a double. Austin Richey was 3-3 with a double and Jared Donahue was 3-3 with two RBIs.

Winner/Colome is 6-4 in Sunshine League play and 8-5 overall.

The Pheasants will host Mt. Vernon in a game July 6 at Leahy Bowl. This game will start at 8 p.m.

Winner/Colome Legion Split Games

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Three Winner/Colome Legion baseball pitchers combined for a no-hitter as the Royals defeated Todd County 17-0 in six innings on June 28 in Winner.

Riley Calhoon earned the win with 1 walk and 3 strikeouts.  Carter Brickman pitched one inning and Andrew Laprath threw the final two innings.

Nick Lantz was 2-4 with a double and five RBIs while Levi McClanahan added a triple and three RBIs. Cameron Biggins had two singles and two runs scored.

Winner/Colome Legion baseball team was nipped by Platte-Geddes 4-3 on June 27 in Platte.

Ty Bolton threw the entire game giving up four runs (1 earned), 8 hits, 2 walks and 9 strikeouts.

Levi McClanahan had a 2 run home run for the Royals. Riley Calhoon, Kelly O’Bryan and Cameron Biggins each had singles.

Jr. Legion Downs Opponents

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Winner Junior Legion baseball team defeated Valentine, Neb., 15-12 on June 27.

Pitching in the game were Oscar Pravecek, Dalton Baker and Phillip Jorgensen.

Leading hitters were Colby Kaiser with 2 hits, Jorgensen with 3 hits, Pravecek with 2 hits, Kameron Meiners with 2 hits, Bosten Morehart with 2 hits and Tyler Olson with 2 hits.

The Winner Junior Legion baseball team defeated Mission 20-9 on June 29.

Pitching five innings was Dalton Baker and allowed only 3 earned runs.

Leading at the plate was Colby Kaiser with 2 singles and a double. Baker had 3 singles, Phillip Jorgensen had 3 singles and a double.  Oscar Pravecek added a double and two singles.  Shea Connot had 3 singles and Tyler Olson had 2 singles and Bosten Morehart had 2 singles.

Jorgensen had 6 RBIs.  The Winner team had 22 hits.

Russ Whitley, 81

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whitley obit

Russell Whitley, age 81, passed away with his family by his side on June 26, 2017, at his home in Winner, SD.

Russell Oliver Whitley was born on April 23, 1936 in Burke, SD. Russ was the eldest of 5 children born to Oliver (Spec) and Dorthy (Ticknor) Whitley. Russ attended school in Nebraska and graduated from Naper High School. At the age of 15 he had his first job hauling propane for his dad. He then worked road construction in the summers and hauled propane in the winters. On Oct. 29, 1954, Russ married his life partner & high school sweetheart Sandra Jons in Bonesteel, SD. They were blessed with 4 daughters and 1 son. In 1962 Russ and Sandy moved to Burke where Russ began his career in the beer business, first as a semidriver for B & M Distributing then into the management position where their joint careers in the beer business began. Russ also was the first paid Deputy Sheriff for Gregory Countys. In 1967 B & M Distributing sold to Ober Torvik of Pierre. He moved the business to Winner and renamed it Torvik Distributing, managed by Russ (selling only Hamm’s and Falstaff and eventually Miller brands). This is also the same time that Russ moved his family to Winner. In 1969, Myron and Mable Kusler of Pierre, bought Torvik Distributing renaming it Whitley Central Distributing, still managed by Russ. In 1973 Russ and Sandy became the proud owners of Whitley Central Distributing, leaving the name the same. Also in 1973, Pabst brands were added. 1974, G. Heileman brands were added. In 1978 they purchased Nesbitt Bottling Co. acquiring the Schlitz brands. In 1982, Whitley Central Dist. became the first Coors Distributor appointed in the state of SD. In 2000, Mikes Hard Lemonade brands were added and 2001, Smirnoff brands were added. Through the years more brands were added including many imports, water, pop, and meat snacks.

He was a past President of the South Dakota Beer Wholesalers Association May 1, 2008, Russ and Sandy sold the business to Jerome Beverage in Pierre and retired after 46 years in the beer business.

Russ and Sandy enjoyed camping and traveling and spending time following their grandchildren to all their sporting events. They travelled to most of the states including Alaska and Hawaii and also traveled abroad to the Bahamas, Mediterranean, Turkey, Italy, Venice, and Greece.

Russ joined the Winner Volunteer Fire Dept. on Aug. 1, 1968 and served tirelessly for 28 years, 6 of those years serving as Assistant Fire Chief. After the sale of the beer businesses and retirement in 2008 of which Russ enjoyed immensely he continued serving by becoming a volunteer to drive veterans to doctor appointments to various parts of the state. Russ did this until a year ago when his health kept him from doing so.

Russ was also a member of the WELS Synods of various Lutheran Churches in Nebraska and South Dakota.

Mike Schwinler, 60

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schwinler obit

On June 27 we said goodbye to our husband, father and best friend. Mike was surrounded by the four people who meant the most to him his wife Jodi, his daughters Megan Lehmkuhl and Molle Palmer and his son Merlin Schwinler when he decided he was ready to see his parents again.

Mike did not want a service.  He did ask that everyone have a drink and remember the good times we all had with him.

The family will have a private get together at a later date.

Lloyd Stukel, 77

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stukel obit

Lloyd Thomas Stukel was born on Oct. 29, 1939. Lloyd spent his very early years on a farm just outside of Gregory, SD. He is the oldest of six children. When he was very young, the family moved into Gregory for a short time. They then moved to Minneapolis where Lloyd spent most of his life.

Lloyd attended the Michael Doweling School for handicapped children. He loved school. He learned to button his clothes, walk, and read, among other things. He attended school until age 16 when he began working for United Cerebral Palsy. He had worked for several companies through UPC including putting together Tonka trucks, counting store cents-off coupons, and putting together fabric sample books. He worked for UPC for 30 years and says, “I loved every minute of it.”

Lloyd and his mother moved to the Winner area in 1985 after his father passed away. Lloyd spent many hours visiting friends, helping his mother around the house and watching sports. Years ago he rescued an abandoned puppy he called Pepper. When he was still home, Lloyd would spend time driving in his electric wheelchair, and walking Pepper at the same time.

Lloyd was a long time member of the Winner Regional Long Term Care Facility. He enjoyed watching his favorite team, the Twins, on TV, church services, the many musical events, and any opportunity to dress up in costume. In fact, Lloyd was one of the winners in a Halloween costume contest. Lloyd is best known around there as someone who likes to play harmless, yet fun tricks on the staff. Winner Regional Long Term Care Facility was very happy to name Lloyd the Resident of the Month in 2003.

GFP REMINDS BOATERS TO PRACTICE SAFE BOATING

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SAFEBOAT

The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) is joining a national effort to highlight boating safety.  Operation Dry Water took place June 30 – July 2 promoting boating safety and responsible use of alcohol while boating across the country.

“We want to ensure that recreational boaters, paddlers, kayakers and others have a safe place to enjoy South Dakota’s waters,” said Joe Keeton, boating law administrator. “Alcohol impairs judgment and reaction time on the water just as it does when driving a car, even more so because with the added stressors of sun, heat, wind and noise on a boat. Choosing to consume alcohol while boating puts everyone at risk, including passengers and people in the water. Our goal is to remove anyone choosing to operate a vessel impaired and to keep everyone on the water safe.”

Alcohol consumption and boating continues to be an issue and is listed as the leading known contributing factor in all fatal boating accidents nationwide. As part of the national event, GFP will conduct extra boating safety patrols statewide to promote safe and responsible boating practices heading into the holiday weekend.

Tips to staying safe on the water this summer:
Boat sober. Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in recreational boater deaths*. Alcohol and drugs use impairs a boater’s judgment, balance, vision and reaction time.

Wear your life jacket. 83% of drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket*.

Take a boating safety education course. 77% of deaths occurred on boats where the operator did not receive boating safety instruction, where instruction was known.

Use your engine cut-off device. Many boating accidents involve operators or passengers who have fallen overboard. Wearing an engine cut-off switch lanyard or wireless engine cut-off device will shut the engine down if the operator is ejected or falls overboard.

File a float plan. Leave a float plan with at least one person on land so they know where to find you if needed. You should be able to rely on this person to notify local law enforcement if you do not return within a reasonable hour of expectancy.

Check the weather. Not only can poor weather spoil a trip, but it can also cause an emergency situation out on the water.
Keeton noted that state regulations require all children under age seven to wear an approved personal flotation device anytime a boat is moving at greater than no-wake speed. He recommends taking the next step and keeping a personal flotation device on all occupants in the boat at all times.

“Before heading onto the water, check your equipment,” Keeton said. “Fire extinguishers, life jackets, throwable flotation devices are required and must be in good working condition. The best way to prevent an unwanted tragedy on the water is to be prepared.”