Warriorette 50th reunion

Dan Bechtold/winner advocate photo
The 50th reunion of the Warriorettes was held Feb. 5. This is a group picture of the women who attended the reunion at the Winner Country Club. Lying in front is Lena DeMers. On the floor are Chloe Taggart, Adrienne Lewis, Amanda Blare, Emily Sachtjen, Addi Heenan, Amanda Edwards and Suchi Chaudhari. Seated from left are Darci Pollard, Cindy Peterson, Jill Sitzman, Carol Phillips, Diane Kludt, Verna Koskan and Darla DeKraai. Standing from left are Starla Diez, Lynda McNamara, Joyce Kartak, Chandra Day, Cyndy DeMers, Mona Evans, Janet Bruun, Cheril Meiners, Sarah Taggart, Marlee Schaeffer, Betsy Watzel, Lori Schaeffer, Samantha Novotny, Stephany Shaheen, Deb Assman, Kirdy McLaughlin, Brenda Jorgensen and Gina Day.

Golden West Announces 2022 Construction of Fiber to the Home in Clearfield

WALL, SD – Golden West Telecommunications will expand its fiber network in the portion of the Clearfield exchange that is in Tripp County. Fiber allows for greater bandwidth and speed and offers a more reliable and secure connection to the world for all telecommunications services including phone and internet in the town of Clearfield.

The Fiber to the Home (FTTH) project will convert homes and businesses from copper cable to long, thin strands of glass called optical fibers. These fibers use pulses of light to transmit data and are immune to environmental factors such as electrical currents and water.

“Fiber is one of the best investments Golden West can make on behalf of its members,” Golden West General Manager and CEO Denny Law said. “Strong and secure broadband internet connections are a necessity these days. Fiber optic technology will provide residents and businesses in Clearfield with a seamless online experience and new opportunities in the coming years.”

The cooperative is working to upgrade its entire service territory to fiber within the next five or six years. In addition to Clearfield, Golden West will also complete fiber projects this year in rural Bonesteel, Bridgewater, Corsica, rural Enning, and the town of Mission, including the communities of Antelope and White Horse.

Three contractors will complete the project in Clearfield on behalf of Golden West. These include Travis Electric taking care of wiring at homes and businesses, Ripley’s handling construction, and RVW, Inc. covering easements, permits, and inspections. Golden West will take care of customer service.

FTTH is a multi-stage project that can take up to a year to complete depending on factors such as weather. Current customers will be transitioned to the new fiber optic technology after construction is done late in 2022 or early in 2023. At that time, customers will be able to subscribe to the fastest internet speeds Golden West offers.

Visit goldenwest.com/FTTH for an overview of the project, to submit questions, and fill out a form for a chance to win valuable prizes. Please contact Golden West with any additional questions, concerns or comments by calling 1-855-888-7777 (option 3) and asking for the Engineering Department.

Since 1916, Golden West has been providing telecommunications services across the state of South Dakota. A member-owned cooperative, Golden West provides business and residential customers with advanced broadband internet, phone, and cable TV solutions. We strive to exceed the expectations of our members so they can live, work, and play in the place they choose to call home. Golden West is proud to be an equal opportunity provider and employer. Learn more at www.goldenwest.com.

3 COVID cases reported Monday

The South Dakota Department of Health reported on Monday there were three new cases of COVID-19 in Tripp County.

There are 140 active cases.

Here is the weekly summary for Tripp County.

On Feb. 1, there were 9 new cases reported and one new death was reported. This brings the number of deaths in Tripp County to 22 since COVID started.

On Feb. 2 there were 5 new cases reported and 183 active.

On Feb. 3, there were 3 new cases reported with 157 active.

On Feb. 4, there were 6 new cases and 152 active.

Winner to be profiled on Dakota Life

Winner will be featured in an upcoming episode of Dakota Life on South Dakota Public Broadcasting.

On Feb. 16 Dakota Life staff will be in Winner to interview persons for possible stories.

The interviews will held at the Winner American Legion from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Mike Scott, executive director of Winner Area Chamber of Commerce, has lined up time slots for persons to talk to PBS.

Some of the persons who will be interviewed and organizations that will have representatives are Yvonne Hollenbeck, Harvey Naasz, Tripp County Museum, Leahy Bowl, Tripp County Courthouse with veterans memorial and Charters of Freedom, Spirit Gems, Winner Drive in Theater, Community Connections, Tony Berg talking about the Rotary Park, Elks Rodeo, Pix Theater. Scott says there will possibly others who will be interviewed.

From these interviews PBS will pick around five stories they want to feature in the half hour show. A crew will come back to Winner in March to do the filming. The show will be aired on April 7. Prior April 7, there will be a public viewing in Winner, possibly at the Pix Theater.

 “We have given them a bunch of ideas and we will let them decide which direction they want the show to go,” said Scott.

Persons who have questions about Dakota Life in Winner can call Scott at the Chamber at 842-1533.

Dakota Life has been around for 24 years and in the  past has contained a series of stories from a variety of different places.

The show’s producers have decided to do something different. They decided to take the show on the road and visit specific communities.

Since September, each episode has been dedicated to just one town and so far the show has profiled communities such as Flandreau, Mobridge, Milbank, Springfield and Murdo.

David Allen Jones, 66

David Allen Jones , age 66, passed away on Feb. 2, 2022 at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls SD.

Dave was born August 22 ,1955 to Lewis and Elizabeth Jones in Corsica SD. Dave loved to tinker with engines , fishing and watch racing.

Dave is survived by his wife Connie Jones and children Sandra (Corey) Scott [Mason and Aiden],Neil Jones[TaShawn, Elizabeth, and Jemma], Tina (Sean) Gann[Isabella,Riley, and Baxter], Douglas Jones [Allison and Lucas] and Sisters Patty Stone, Kathy Duwa, Annie Krofran brothers Robert Jones and Joe Jones.

Dave is preceded in death by his parents Lewis and Elizabeth Jones and brother Thomas Jones.

Service will be held at later date.

Alfred LeRoy Miller, 83

Alfred LeRoy Miller, was born March 12, 1938 to Russell/Lucy (Barclay) Miller in Rosebud, SD and was a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. He went home to be with Jesus Feb. 1, 2022.

Al was raised on a farm outside Winner, SD, joining the USAF after graduating from Winner High School in 1956. After their March 3, 1961 wedding Al and Jan realized Al’s dream to live in the Black Hills. Here they built their 60 year legacy, loving and serving others,  selflessly prioritizing faith, family and others. Al worked hard to provide for his family, in the USAF, and working for National Cash Register and as Miller Painting.

Serving his community through Scouts, Canyon Lake Little League and his church, many will remember being driven to Diamond Willow Ministries, Pine Haven Christian Children’s Home, Neb-wyo-dak Camp or a Christ In Youth Conference. Others will remember the 25+ years he served as Property Chairman at his church. While completely comfortable around vans, buses and buildings, Al will be treasured most by those he mentored while on a ladder, hunting deer or fishing a beaver pond.

He’s survived by wife Jan, sons Lee (Jane) of Rapid City, SD; Rusty (Connie) of Papillion, NE; and Corey (Julie) of Beaumont, TX. Grandchildren Alyssa (Drew) Meyer, Tyler (Addie) Miller, Kayla (Tim) Hawkins, Jayme (Joe) Simon, Austin Miller, Jaycee Miller, Ian Miller and Mikaela (Collin) Argo. Also by great grandchildren Jamison, Whitman and Sutton Hawkins; Macy and Millie Meyer and Reed and Lena Simon.

New COVID cases total 5

There were five new COVID-19 cases reported in Tripp County on Jan. 31. Results also show five probable cases.

There are 209 active cases in Tripp County.

Here is a look at last week’s COVID numbers for Tripp County.

On Jan. 26, a total of five new cases were reported with 213 active.

On Jan. 27, the new cases climbed to 12 with 212 active.

There was a decrease of two cases on Friday with new cases totaling 10 and 211 active.

Persons are asked to continue to follow CDC guidelines to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Meiners named outstanding member

Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo
Cheril Meiners, second from right, has been named the outstanding member of the Winner Community Playhouse. The award was presented Jan. 27 at the annual meeting. Chuck and Norma Keiser, last year’s recipients, presented the award. Pictured from left are Chuck Keiser, Tom Meiners, Cheril Meiners and Norma Keiser.

Cheril Meiners has seen the back side of every stage curtain owned by the Winner Community Playhouse.

The faithful prompter of community plays was honored Thursday night  with the outstanding member award presented by the Winner Community Playhouse.

The award was presented by Chuck and Norma Keiser, last year’s recipients.

A prompter is a very important part of any play. If an actor misses a line or forgets one they now the prompter has their back and will get them back on track.

Meiners has spent countless hours of chair warming with a script on a music stand. It is illuminated only enough to read the lines.

Meiners has rearranged her life to fit with rehearsals and performances because she enjoys the job of prompting.

Prompting is one of the most difficult duties because no actor steps on stage without needing a cue at sometime.

Being in front of the main curtain, an actor or actress has a warm comfort in knowing the prompter has their back.

At one time,  Meiners took a small role on stage wearing butterfly wings and pushing a cart.

Meiners is a member of the board of directors of the playhouse.

This year the Winner Community Playhouse began its 48th year.

A  spring show is planned for March 18,19 and March 24, 25 and 26.