The Prairie View Gospel Barn in Gregory, South Dakota will host Kenley and the Udders Reunion and Hymn Sing  on Friday, July 2nd at 7:00 p.m. central. Doors open at 6 p.m. before the concert begins at 7 p.m. This event will be a free will offering.

The City of Winner will have their meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the Winner City Council Chambers.

The Gregory City Council will meet tonight in regular session at 6:00 p.m. at Gregory City Hall.

The Chamberlain City Commission will meet at 6:00 p.m. tonight at the Chamberlain City Offices.

The National Grasslands Visitor Center in downtown Wall is now open to the public, safely welcoming visitors from around the world to discover America’s four million acres of public prairies.

Open free of charge from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Labor Day, the center features exhibits, films, and ranger-led interpretive programs which explore the deep roots of America’s 21 national grasslands. Rangers also provide information about recreational opportunities on the Buffalo Gap National Grassland and adjacent public lands, including the Badlands and Black Hills. Visitors of all ages can earn their Grasslands Junior Ranger badge, and get their park passport stamped. The center’s Black Hills Parks and Forests Association store offers a variety of books, guides, apparel, and souvenirs to make a memorable and enjoyable trip.

To protect public health and safety, building capacity is limited to 20, and visitors who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 must wear a mask. Cooperation and understanding of these regulations is appreciated.

“We’re pleased to be able to safely welcome visitors back inside,” said National Grasslands Visitor Center Director Travis Mason-Bushman. “Our rangers are eager to share the many stories of the national grasslands, and to help visitors responsibly enjoy the sublime beauty of South Dakota’s public lands.”

Rangers are also conducting guided tours of the center’s outdoor Living Landscape, replicating a slice of restored native prairie, and providing interpretive programs through cooperative agreements with nearby Badlands National Park and Minuteman Missile National Historic Site.

The National Grasslands Visitor Center is the only visitor center and museum dedicated to telling the story of America’s 21 National Grasslands. Located in downtown Wall, South Dakota, the center offers exhibits, films, ranger-led interpretive programs, and a Black Hills Parks and Forests Association store which, together, foster public understanding and enjoyment of the 3.8 million acres of public prairies managed by the Forest Service nationwide.

South Dakota State University’s Dakota Lakes Research Farm will host its annual field day on June 24, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. The field day will feature plot tours, highlight research happening on the farm, as well as presentation and demonstrations by SDSU faculty and SDSU Extension specialists.

Topics that will be discussed include:

• Oats and Forage – Melanie Caffee, Assistant Professor in the Department of Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science and SDSU Oat Breeder
• Winter Wheat and Crop Variety Testing – Sunish Sehgal, SDSU Assistant Professor and Winter Wheat Breeder; Jon Kleinjan, SDSU Extension Crop Production Associate
• Field Pea Variety Testing – Chris Graham, SDSU Extension Agronomist
• Long-term Impacts of Crop Rotations on Soil Under Both Irrigated and Dryland Conditions – Natalie Strum, SDSU Graduate Research Assistant
• Soil Phosphorus Testing – Brennan Lewis, SDSU Graduate Research Assistant
• Livestock Integration and Long-Term Soil Health Retesting – Cody Zilverberg, SDSU Adjunct Professor; Sutie Xu, Assistant Professor in the Department of Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science

A meal will be provided for attendees. There is no cost or required registration. Everyone interested is encouraged to attend.

The field day is sponsored by the Dakota Lakes Research Farm Corporation.

The farm is located approximately 17 miles east of Pierre on Hwy 34. For more information on the SDSU Dakota Lakes Research Farm Field Day contact Miranda Trautman at 605-224-6357 or at Miranda.Trautman@sdstate.edu.

“Great info on a topic that is difficult enough for those that are prepared and frustrating for those unprepared.”

That was just one of the many responses Leacey Brown, South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension Gerontology Field Specialist, received after hosting the online obituary workshop, “Heirlooms: Creative Life Writing,” in April. On July 8 from 7 to 9 p.m. CST, SDSU Extension will once again provide adults the opportunity to preserve their life stories in their own words while crafting a document that is available for family and loved ones when most needed.

“After the April session, we had several participants mention they were not only going to start working on their own obituaries but planned to draft their parents’ and spouses’ tributes,” says Brown.

Free and open to the public, the workshop will be taught by Molly Barari. Originally from Kearney, Nebraska, the freelance writer has called Rapid City home since 2008. She has written for several local publications and also teaches creative writing classes for adults through Community Education of the Black Hills and the South Dakota Humanities Council. This summer, Barari will graduate with her doctorate degree in adult and higher education from the University of South Dakota. Barari believes that writing your own obituary is a unique opportunity to preserve your legacy.

“Obituaries should have personalities, just like the people they represent,” says Barari. “This workshop helps you write down important life events in your own voice. It’s never too soon to start preserving your legacy.”

For the workshop, participants should have access to a notebook and pen or a Word program on their computer. All ages of adults are welcome to attend.

This program is made possible by the South Dakota Humanities Council, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Space is limited, so participants are encouraged to register soon.

Registration can be found on the SDSU Extension Events page.

For more information, contact Brown at 605-394-1722 or Leacey.Brown@sdstate.edu.

Nominations are now open for the 2021 Rural Dakota Pride awards sponsored by South Dakota Farmers Union to celebrate rural volunteers.

“Volunteers are how things get done in rural communities,” said Karla Hofhenke, S.D. Farmers Union Executive Director. “This award is one way our organization celebrates citizens who give of their time and talent to support their communities.”

Nominate a volunteer today

As the state’s largest agriculture organization, S.D. Farmers Union understands the integral role healthy communities play in supporting our state’s family farmers and ranchers.

“South Dakota’s agriculture producers and their communities are closely connected. In good economic times they both prosper. When times are tough due to low commodity prices or extreme weather conditions, they both feel the pain,” said Doug Sombke, SD Farmers Union President. “The Rural Dakota Pride honor is one of many ways SDFU works to show our support for both.”

Do you know someone who gives of their time or talent to make your community a better place? Nominate them today by visiting sdfufoundation.org and filling out the online nomination form. Nomination forms can also be requested by contacting Hofhenke at Karla@sdfu.org or calling the South Dakota Farmers Union state office: 605-352-6761.

Nomination deadline is July 10, 2021. Learn more and meet the 2020 Rural Dakota Pride Honorees by visiting www.sdfufoundation.org.

There was a Burke School Board Election on Tuesday. There were 7 people running for 3 positions (three year terms) for school board:

Chad Bauld

Kolt Schonebaum

Justin Hood

Holly Mosterd (incumbent)

Lindsey McCarthy (incumbent)

Tamra Glover (incumbent)

Jon Smikle

Chad Bauld, Justin Hood, and Lindsey McCarthy won the three positions with 248, 169 and 147 votes respectively.

The Winner City Office is currently accepting applications for an accounts payable clerk. The job offered competitive  pay, incentives and benefits.  Applicants must have some financial experience. To apply call the city at 842-2606. The closing for this job is June 17^th.