Latest articles - Marshall County Journal

SHE'S READY TO PROTECT AND SERVE

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 10:07:00 -0500

    Marshall County has a new face on the sheriff’s office roster, and for the first time in county history, that face belongs to a woman.
    Morgan Rein was sworn in June 1 by Judge Sommers as the newest deputy with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office. She joins the department with prior law enforcement experience in South Dakota and a background that blends classroom training, field work and a long-standing interest in public service.
    Rein grew up in Willmar, Minnesota, and graduated from Willmar High School before eventually making her way to South Dakota in 2022. She completed an Associate of Applied Science degree in law enforcement at Lake Area Technical College and later worked in Moody County as a deputy. She is now continuing her education through South Dakota State University, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in criminology with a minor in psychology.
    Her path into law enforcement was not always set in stone, she said, but early experiences helped steer her in that direction.
    “I was pre-med when I was in West Texas,” Rein said. “Then I switched to criminology. I had contact with officers when I was younger and always wanted to be the first person there to help.”
She also noted that a family connection influenced her decision, with an older sister working in law enforcement and opportunities to complete ride-alongs helping solidify her interest.
    Before joining Marshall County, Rein gained hands-on experience in Moody County and took advantage of additional training opportunities, including negotiator school and ARIDE training, which focuses on identifying impaired driving and how drugs affect behavior and motor skills. She also attended an all-women training program in Texas that emphasized firearms, searches and patrol techniques.
    “I learned a lot about searching, shooting, and approaching people,” she said. “It really helped build confidence in all aspects of the job.”
    Just days before starting in Marshall County, Rein transitioned directly from her previous position, describing the move as a quick change but a positive step in her career. She said she was drawn to the area because of existing connections, familiarity with the community and the opportunity for continued professional growth.
    “I got to know the area and some of the people here,” she said. “It just felt like a good fit and a good place to keep building my career.”
    Rein’s arrival also marks a milestone for the department as the first female deputy in Marshall County history. While she acknowledges the significance, she said she focuses more on the work than the title.
    “I see it as just my job,” she said. “I think it’s awesome that more females are getting into law enforcement. I just feel like one of the guys and I fit in with everyone.”
    Still, she recognizes the importance of representation, especially for younger residents who may see her on patrol or at community events.
    “If any little girls see me, maybe they’ll think it’s possible to be in law enforcement too,” she said.
    Marshall County Sheriff Sam Swanson said Rein’s addition brings both experience and a fresh perspective to the department.
    “We will value Deputy Rein’s experience and knowledge,” Swanson said. “It’s always nice to have new blood and a new way of looking at things. She comes highly qualified and will be a positive for the department and the county. It will be nice to have a positive example of a woman in law enforcement, especially for young girls to look up to.”
    Rein said she is looking forward to getting to know the community and focusing on the day-to-day responsibilities of the job. “Just keeping everyone safe and getting to know people,” she said.
    When she is not on duty or studying, Rein enjoys reading, spending time with friends and family, going to the lake and watching crime and police dramas.
    As she begins her work in Marshall County, she said her approach will be straightforward and community focused. “I’m friendly and chatty,” she said with a laugh. “I like talking to people and making connections. If I see something, I’m going to deal with it, but I also want people to feel comfortable coming up and saying hi.”
    With that mindset, Rein steps into her role not only as a new deputy, but as a new presence in the community she now serves

A CROWNING TRADITION

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 09:57:00 -0500

Years ago, Alecia (Zuehlke) O’Neill was crowned 2001 Miss South Dakota by Nicole Nigg Philbrick of Sisseton. O’Neill is still active in the Miss SD organization and serves as a board member.

    Just a few weeks ago, a new Miss South Dakota was crowned in Brookings, where Kianna Healy of Hartford earned the 2026 title during the annual competition. While Brookings and Hartford are not in northeastern South Dakota, the pageant once again carried a strong local thread for Britton area residents, continuing a steady pattern of involvement from volunteers, former contestants and families connected to the community.
    For those involved, Miss South Dakota is far more than a weeklong competition. Founded in 1946, the Miss South Dakota Scholarship Program is one of the state’s longest running scholarship organizations for young women. It operates as a preliminary to Miss America, emphasizing academic achievement, talent, service and leadership while awarding scholarship dollars that have helped participants pursue careers in fields ranging from medicine and law to broadcast journalism and business. While stage competition is part of the event, organizers and volunteers stress that its deeper mission is preparing young women for life beyond the stage through confidence, communication skills and community engagement.
    Few people from Britton have remained as consistently connected to that mission as Kate Wismer. Wismer was crowned Miss South Dakota in 2007 after several years of competing at the local and state level, eventually advancing to the Miss America stage in 2008.
    Her path into the program began unexpectedly, she said, after singing at the Snow Queen Festival in Britton years ago. A former Miss South Dakota from Britton, Alecia (Zuehlke) O’Neill, encouraged her to connect with the state organization, leading her to compete at SDSU area locals before advancing to Miss South Dakota.
    “I kept competing because I could see the growth in myself,” Wismer said, recalling multiple years of participation before winning the title.
    That growth is also what brought her back to the organization long after her reign ended. Today, Wismer serves as a producer for Miss South Dakota, helping coordinate the state competition from behind the scenes. The role involves year round planning, from selecting themes and music to recruiting volunteers and building the stage production.
    “We’re empowering women, and women empower women,” she said, describing the philosophy that guides her work with contestants and volunteers. “It’s about lifting everyone up and watching them grow.”
    Wismer noted that the modern program continues to evolve, with a stronger emphasis on mental health, personal storytelling and confidence building. One newer component is the HERstory monologue, which allows contestants to share more personal narratives in place of traditional talent formats.
    Still, the foundation remains the same, she said, the four points of the crown, service, scholarship, success and style. While those values frame the competition, Wismer emphasized that many of the most meaningful outcomes happen off stage, where contestants gain interview experience, professional communication skills and lasting confidence.
    The impact of the program is also reflected in younger participants from the region, including 2024 Britton Hecla graduate Jayden Bender. Bender became involved with Miss South Dakota in a spontaneous way after being encouraged just a day before a local competition in Rapid City.
    She went on to earn the Miss Badlands title and competed at Miss South Dakota, where she said she was struck by the number of accomplished and driven women involved at every level of the organization, from contestants to volunteers and directors.
    “It took a lot of time and effort,” said Bender. “But I am grateful for the opportunity to grow. I learned a lot about myself during the week, and, most importantly, I realized that I cannot grow by staying in my comfort zone.”
    For Alecia Zuehlke O’Neill, those lessons have carried through more than two decades since she was crowned Miss South Dakota in 2001. O’Neill, also a Britton native, went on to compete at Miss America during a year marked by national tragedy following the Sept. 11 attacks.
    She recalled arriving in Atlantic City for rehearsals when the events of that day unfolded, shifting the tone of the competition entirely.
    “The competition no longer mattered,” she said, describing how contestants and staff came together in prayer and support before ultimately continuing the live telecast days later as a way to help restore a sense of unity and normalcy.
    O’Neill said the experience left a lasting impression, not just because of the competition, but because of the shared sense of purpose and connection it created among participants.
    Today, O’Neill serves on the Miss South Dakota board of directors and continues to advocate for the program’s mission. She said the scholarship opportunities alone make a significant difference, noting that some participants earn substantial funding for college even without winning the crown.
    More than scholarships, she said, the lasting impact comes from the sisterhood built through the program, connections that extend well beyond competition week. “It becomes a family,” she said, adding that former contestants, volunteers and even families remain closely connected for years.
    That sense of family is especially visible in Britton’s continued involvement. Wismer’s father, Mark Wismer, now serves as technical director for the production, helping build sets and constructing the runway used in Brookings. Caroline Furman assists in the dressing room and helps coordinate volunteers, while Cindy Zuehlke and other local volunteers also support backstage operations. O’Neill noted that her own mother has joined in dressing room support in recent years, reinforcing the multigenerational nature of the work.
    For those involved, the program has become a kind of annual reunion as much as a competition.
    Looking ahead, both Wismer and O’Neill hope the program continues to grow in ways that highlight its educational and leadership value. Wismer said she hopes more people recognize the skills gained off stage, public speaking, resilience, professionalism and confidence, as the true outcome of participation.
    “It’s not just about what happens on stage,” she said. “It’s about what these women take with them for the rest of their lives.”
    With another Miss South Dakota crowned and planning already underway for next year’s 80th anniversary of the program, Britton’s connection to the organization remains steady, rooted in volunteerism, tradition and a belief in the lasting impact it can have on young women across the state.

BRITTON LIBRARY RECEIVES OVER $35,000 IN GRANTS

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 09:49:00 -0500

    From accessibility improvements and technology upgrades to new books and updated community spaces, the Britton Public Library has secured more than $36,000 in grants and donations over the past several months.
    The funding comes at a time when the library continues to navigate budget challenges, prompting staff to actively pursue outside funding opportunities to support projects that might otherwise have been delayed.
    Among the largest awards was a $10,000 donation from the Carnegie Foundation. The Britton Public Library qualified because it was originally established as a Carnegie library.
    “This was a very generous donation from the Carnegie Foundation to libraries that were founded as Carnegie libraries,” Library Director Sonya Lang said. “Even though our building has changed over the years, we will always carry that designation because of our history.”
    The donation was awarded in recognition of America’s upcoming 250th anniversary and may be used at the library’s discretion, with no additional requirements attached.
    The library also received a $10,000 grant through the American Library Association’s Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities program. The grant is intended to help libraries improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
    As part of the grant process, the library hosted a public meeting seeking input from community members on accessibility improvements. While no public suggestions were submitted, library officials identified a need to update the circulation desk to better comply with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.
    Planned improvements include lowering the checkout counter, creating adequate knee space for wheelchair users, adding a second checkout window on the north side of the desk, removing the wall above the current desk to improve visibility between staff and patrons, and installing an indoor book drop.
    “The existing desk is not convenient for older residents or patrons with limited mobility,” Lang said. “Without this grant, we would not have been able to do this project at this time.” Lang credited Randy Roehr and Keith Beck for helping develop plans for the redesigned circulation desk.
    The library must submit an interim report on the project by Aug. 31, 2026. Grant funds must be spent by April 30, 2027, with a final report due June 30, 2027.
    Additional improvements are planned through an $8,000 grant from the Stephanie Miller-Davis Library Grant Program. Those funds will be used to update the library’s conference room and story-time room with new carpeting, adjustable nesting tables on wheels, colorful seating for the juvenile area and a Lego storage cart.
    A $7,000 donation from Venture Communications will allow the library to purchase a new computer desk and four new public-use computers. The donation carries no reporting requirements.
    The library also received a $1,200 Children’s Book Project Grant from the Pilcrow Foundation. The grant was made possible through a partnership with the Friends of the Britton Public Library, which contributed $400. The Pilcrow Foundation matched those funds at a two-to-one ratio, providing an additional $800.
    The funding will be used to purchase books for the library’s juvenile and children’s collections through the Pilcrow Foundation’s program. Once the books arrive, the library will share photos of the new additions on its Facebook page and with the foundation.
    Taken together, the projects will touch nearly every area of the library, says Lang.

MC HOPES GRANT MIGHT HELP FUND HILLHEAD TOWER

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 09:47:00 -0500

    The Marshall County Commission met Tuesday. In highway matters, commissioners were informed that the City of Langford is planning to temporarily close a block of Main Street for several days during its July celebration.
    The board approved a permit application for work within or across county right-of-way for Lake Region Electric to install power lines.
    Under courthouse-related items, commissioners agreed to seek a quote for installing a handrail at the door. A 24/7 Fund Expenditure was approved to replace breathalyzer units at a cost of approximately $4,600.
    Emergency Management Director Logan Roehr provided an update on a potential Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) federal grant application. The proposal would support construction of a new, taller communications tower at the Hillhead Tower site, reaching approximately 240 feet.
    Commissioners also discussed plans to have a company strip and reseal flooring in the courthouse and community building, with consideration of completing the work at the highway shop.
    The Sheriff and E911 budget discussion focused on preliminary law enforcement contract figures that will be sent to municipalities for review.
    In facility maintenance items, commissioners approved replacing the northeast door at the community building near the senior meal site. House of Glass will complete the work for $5,962 and perform maintenance on additional doors.
    During 4-H programming discussion, the board approved travel registration costs for County 4-H Advisor Jennifer Ringkob to attend a national conference, with expenses to be shared with Day County. Commissioners also approved up to $1,000 for the purchase of an event tent for 4-H activities.
    The meeting concluded with an executive session for personnel matters, with no action taken afterward.
    In zoning business, the commission approved several building permits during its most recent meeting. Approved permits included Karole Chapin in White Township; Pat and Kathy Roney in Lake Township, with a variance; Michael and Grace Lehman in Dumarce Township; Steve Benson in Pleasant Valley Township; James A. Rabenberg in Pleasant Valley Township; and Ethan Cole in Newport Township.
    In other zoning matters, officials said a letter was received requesting reconsideration of a previously approved variance involving a deck in Lake Township. The applicant will resubmit a variance application, and the Zoning Board will determine whether the structure will remain as currently constructed.
    The Zoning Director also presented proposed changes to the Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation section of the county ordinance. The board will review the suggested revisions and take up further discussion at its next meeting. Abandoned cemeteries were also briefly discussed during the meeting.

LA BOARD TALKS BUDGET, BUSSING

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 09:45:00 -0500

    The Langford Area School Board met Monday evening, addressing a range of routine end-of-year business items along with early planning for the 2026-2027 school year.
Superintendent Shad Storley told the board the district continues to show stability as it moves forward with long-term planning and budgeting efforts.
    “When looking at the budget and the status of the school, we are very proud of where we’re at,” Storley said. “There have been sacrifices and we’ve followed through with priority lists. The big thing is sustainability, and we really feel like we’re there.”
    Among action items, the board talked about upcoming school board training dates, working to coordinate with the Associated School Boards of South Dakota. Members also set the 2026-2027 budget hearing date.
    The board approved a comprehensive plan related to the district’s special education cooperative, along with coaching work agreements for non-certified staff coaches.
    Transportation for the upcoming school year remains under review. Storley reported that the district received bids from two companies, Cheyenne Transportation of Webster and Harlowe’s based in Bismarck. A final decision on bus contracting is expected at a future meeting after board review of the proposals.
    Property and liability insurance renewal for 2026-2027 was approved, though with some cost increases noted.
    Board members also approved updated elementary, middle school and high school student handbooks. Storley said district administration reviewed the documents closely prior to approval.
    “We went through those with a fine-tooth comb,” he said. “Most of the changes were cleaning up language, but one of the bigger updates involves activities and planning to institute year-round expectations regarding tobacco and alcohol use.”
    Administrative reports indicated staff are wrapping up end-of-year reporting requirements for the South Dakota Department of Education.
    The board concluded the meeting with an executive session for personnel matters. No action was taken following the closed session.

Sattler Credits “100 Year Program” To Prolong Life

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 09:40:00 -0500

    In 1969 Day County native Roger Sattler picked up running with the goal of improving his health. Now at the age of 90 his routine has evolved into a full program of workouts and supplements to try and stay active for as long as possible.
    Born in Sisseton, Sattler grew up on a farm near Roslyn. He was drafted into the military at age 22 where he spent seven years before taking a job in Minneapolis, MN. While on a business trip Sattler said he read a book by a fitness instructor which inspired him to take up running.
    After building from one mile runs to distances over five miles he mentioned he began adding other exercises and vitamins to further improve his health.
    “The past 57 years I’ve been training and conditioning to stay in good physical health. Taking some of things that I take and doing the exercises I do has really been extremely beneficial to me,” Sattler said.
    One day he said the idea came to him to call his routine the “100 year program” with a goal of prolonging his life through strategic wellness. Though he calls it the 100 year program Sattler said he knows he doesn’t really have control over his longevity and the goal is really to be proactive in promoting his general health and quality of life.
    “I feel fantastic every day. Now that’s obviously not going to last forever – nobody is going to be on planet earth forever but so far it has been an absolutely amazing experience. Obviously I have no control over the actual age I live to but I really enjoy this whole journey,” he said.
    Some of the exercises he said he completes daily are push-ups, sit-ups, planking, running/power walking, light weight lifting and rocking heel to toe exercises which he said improves his balance. These exercises are combined with a list of dietary supplements which he said he has consulted with doctors to create.
    According to Sattler a few of the other physical feats he claims to have completed are 10,000 sit-ups in 80 minutes, 2,000 push-ups without stopping and he once walked from Apple Valley, MN to Webster, a distance of around 250 miles, in eight days.
    Despite these feats he said he hasn’t sustained any injuries related to his exercise and he actively encourages his friends and family to be more active.
    Now living near Minneapolis with his wife he said she sometimes worries he will hurt himself by doing too much but he is still currently planning on training for a marathon.
    For anyone who may be interested in beginning their lifelong health journey Sattler said he recommends consulting a doctor before starting any supplements or workout routines. After establishing a plan he mentioned it is important to grow and improve with greater distances and challenges.
    “A lot of people start for a couple weeks and then never go back to it because they think it’s too hard or their health is too far gone to begin again. Maybe that’s true but you don’t have to do extreme stuff to improve your health, just have consistency,” he said.
More on Sattler’s program:
    Roger Sattler credits a combination of nutrition, exercise and consistency for what he calls his “Life to 100” program. His daily routine includes apple cider vinegar, ground flax seed, honey, cinnamon, almonds and various supplements, along with aspirin, zinc and magnesium. Sattler also uses safflower oil both topically and as part of his diet. Throughout his life, he has completed a number of endurance and fitness challenges, including climbing Pikes Peak and Camelback Mountain, walking up the Eiffel Tower, completing the City of Lakes Marathon in 3 hours, 39 minutes and 29 seconds, and participating in four 150-mile bike rides for multiple sclerosis awareness. He also walked approximately 250 miles from Apple Valley, Minn., to Webster in eight days and has hiked both the South and North rims of the Grand Canyon multiple times.
    In recent years, Sattler has completed personal fitness challenges that included 10,000 sit-ups in 80 minutes, 50,000 toe-heel exercises in five hours and 100,000 toe-heel exercises in 8½ hours. Today, he continues an active lifestyle that includes more than 4,000 toe-heel exercises, 500 push-ups, 500 sit-ups and a five-mile run or power walk each day, along with planking and weight training several times per week. Sattler says he has logged approximately 70,000 running miles since taking up the sport in 1969 and continues to add to that total.

WAITING TO MEET BABY BROTHER

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 09:38:00 -0500

We are only three months away from meeting our baby boy, and the realization of that is finally starting to sink in.
    I know I talked about just winging it before, but now I want to prep a few things. The To Do list has officially been made, and for anyone who doesn’t know what nesting looks like, it’s not always painting a nursery or putting baby clothes away.
    Sometimes it’s hanging shelves, changing light bulbs, cleaning the gutters, and planting new trees.
    Don’t ask me why those things suddenly become urgent before a baby arrives… they just do.
    So, my husband has been hard at work the last couple of weeks and hardly even grunts anymore when I hand him another list. He understands my compulsive need to get things done, and also understands that I probably shouldn’t be doing most of it myself. Could I go grab the ladder and dust the ceiling fan? Technically, yes. Would I get in way more trouble for doing that than asking for help? Also yes.
    One of the biggest things my nesting brain keeps thinking about, though, is how great my girls are going to be as big sisters.
    Violet loves hugs and almost every day she’ll lift my shirt and rub my bare tummy to give baby brother hugs. I have to remind her now not to pull at my clothes in public.
    Autumn will come over, pat my tummy, and say, “Nice to meet you, baby.”
    And now we’re all anxiously waiting to meet him.
    I catch myself looking at the girls and daydreaming about them becoming big sisters. What will their first reaction be in the hospital? Will they get jealous of all the attention baby gets? Will they become little mommas, running for fresh diapers and bottles?
    All of those thoughts and emotions constantly run through my head.
    We’re so excited to meet him, but I think I’m even more excited to watch our girls become big sisters.
    No matter how it goes, I know this season is going to be one we’ll never forget. Life is about to change in all the best and busiest ways, and while I’m excited to finally hold our baby boy, I already know one of my favorite moments will be watching our girls meet him for the first time. Seeing them step into these new roles and grow together as siblings feels just as special as welcoming him into the world. Until then, we’ll keep checking things off the To Do list, soaking up these last few months as a family of four, and counting down the days until we finally get to meet our little guy.

WE ALL SCREAM FOR THE KREEMEE

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 09:36:00 -0500

  Oh, sweet summer.
    While this week looks a little cooler with frequent rain in the forecast, last week certainly heated things up. I spent that 90-plus-degree day at a baseball game, which, though a bit steamy, was still a lot of fun.
    In addition to baseball, vacations and swimming, summer of course means ice cream. And if you live in or around Britton, or happen to be visiting, the Kreemee is the place to go for ice cream in this neck of the woods.
    Now known as Mac’s Kreemee, the place still has all the tasty treats you might remember from years gone by, along with some newer additions, including hand-scooped hard ice cream. If you follow Mac’s Kreemee on Facebook, you may have seen that they had to deal with a strange incident last week that resulted in some completely unmerited negative Google reviews. It was a whole thing that I won’t attempt to explain here. You can visit their Facebook page if you want the details.
    What struck me most, however, was the response. A flurry of glowing comments appeared on their social media pages, along with many appreciative reviews on Google and other review sites. Again, check out their page if you’re curious. That episode, combined with my overall love of ice cream, got me thinking about Kreemee memories from years gone by, so I thought I’d share a few.
    As a kid growing up in far-off Lake City, we didn’t get to Britton every day during the summer, but we made frequent trips for swimming lessons and eventually softball, baseball and countless 4-H activities. My mom was usually indulgent enough that a stop at the Kreemee was often part of the deal.
    My mom always loved a plain chocolate cone. As for me, some of my favorites were Oreo mint malts. And when they introduced those dirt bowl sundaes with gummy worms, I was all in. Parfaits loaded with hot fudge and peanuts were delightful as well. And if we stopped for an actual meal, a footlong hot dog couldn’t be beat.
    For us poor, deprived Lake City kids, our ship really came in during the early 1990s when, much to our delight and the detriment of our parents’ pocketbooks, a Kreemee opened on the edge of town. Owned and operated by Larry and Rosella Hinman, it quickly became one of our favorite destinations. We loved riding our bikes across the grassy field to get there.
    Eventually, the Andrews family, who operated the Kreemee in Britton, bought the Lake City location and ran it for a while. Those were the days. Sadly, and understandably, it eventually closed.
    Nowadays, most of my Kreemee visits revolve around two things.
    The first is my children. They, of course, love ice cream. The youngest still prefers a simple cone, while the oldest has started branching out into more creative options. He always wants a banana split, but I usually try to steer him toward something a little smaller so we’re not dealing with a full-scale sugar high for the next several hours.
    Thankfully, they’re finally reaching the age where they can eat ice cream without needing to be completely hosed down afterward. For a few summers, I showed up to the Kreemee armed with bibs and wet washcloths, fully prepared to clean not only my children but also the picnic tables around us.
    My other Kreemee visits are a little more secretive.
    Those are the times when I’m not with my family and want to order some actual food. The chicken strip basket is my go-to. I’ll happily make chicken nuggets for the kids at home, so they don’t usually get invited on these trips. If my family happens to be out of town or I can sneak away for a meal, you might find me slinking around town carrying a basket of chicken strips.
If you see me, please don’t report it back to my husband.
    Anyway, I hope you make a visit to the Kreemee soon. Aaron and Phil are doing a heck of a job not only keeping the place going but helping it grow in new ways. Even when faced with some negativity last week, I think they came out better for it thanks to a community that spoke up in support, and hopefully ordered a heck of a lot of ice cream to make up for the annoyance.
    Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go grab an Oreo mint malt.

NORTHERN FORT PLAYHOUSE MARKING 20 YEARS

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 16:32:00 -0500

    The Northern Fort Playhouse is back for another exciting season as it celebrates its 20th anniversary with two productions at Fort Sisseton Historic State Park’s South Barracks Theatre.
The 2026 season will feature the family-friendly musical “The World According to Snoopy” and the comedy-thriller “The 39 Steps,” offering entertainment for audiences of all ages throughout July.
    Opening the season is “The World According to Snoopy,” a high-energy musical revue based on the beloved Peanuts characters. The production offers a fresh take on the classic “Snoopy!!!” musical, featuring Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Sally, Peppermint Patty and Woodstock. Through a series of humorous and heartwarming vignettes, the show explores life, love and friendship from Snoopy’s unique perspective.
    Performances of “The World According to Snoopy” are scheduled for July 10, 12, 18 and 25.
    The season’s second production, “The 39 Steps,” is a fast-paced comedy adapted from John Buchan’s novel and Alfred Hitchcock’s classic film. The story follows Richard Hannay, an ordinary man who becomes entangled in a spy mystery after meeting a mysterious woman who is later murdered. Forced to flee as the prime suspect, Hannay embarks on a whirlwind adventure filled with disguises, intrigue and plenty of laughs. The production features four actors portraying dozens of characters in a theatrical parody of Hitchcock-style suspense.
    Performances of “The 39 Steps” will be held July 11, 17, 19 and 24. Friday and Saturday evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m., while Sunday matinees begin at 2:30 p.m.
    Admission to Fort Sisseton Historic State Park is included with theater tickets through the Northern Fort Playhouse.
    Tickets may be reserved by calling 605-467-3247 or by visiting the Northern Fort Playhouse website at www.northernfortplayhouse.net.

LOCAL TRAPSHOOTERS FOURTH AT STATE

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 16:01:00 -0500

By Tonya Harmon
Contributing Writer

    The Aberdeen Gun Club hosted the South Dakota State High School Clay Target League State Tournament on June 6-7, bringing together hundreds of student-athletes from across the state for a weekend of competition.
    The state trap tournament featured 860 athletes representing 52 high school teams, making it one of the largest youth shooting sports events in South Dakota. In addition, the state skeet tournament was held at the Aberdeen Gun Club and included 126 athletes from 15 teams.
    The Britton-Hecla/Langford Area High School Clay Target Team turned in an impressive performance throughout the tournament, highlighted by a fourth place finish in the varsity trap team standings.
    Senior Camden Dinger led the way, earning a trophy after placing third in Varsity Male Trap with a score of 98 out of 100 targets and fourth place overall. Other local shooters included Hunter Jensen, 96/100, ninth; Dylan Harmon, 96/100, 11th; Talon Dinger, 87/100, 65th; Dane Horter, 86/100, 79th; Abel Henning, 85/100, tied for 88th; and Ryker Bruns, 84/100, tied for 102nd.
    Rosalyn Rapkoch led the junior varsity shooters, hitting 80/100 and tying for 30th place. Olivia Effling hit 76/100 for 45th; Corbin Dawson, 71/100 to tie for 73rd; and Dalton Anderson, 67/100, 84th. In the Novice Division Regan Bruns hit 18/100 and placed 132nd.
    Britton-Hecla/Langford Area athletes also posted strong performances in the skeet competition. Hunter Jensen hit 88/100 to place 17th in the varsity division. Dane Horter broke 84/100 to win the junior varsity competition. Dylan Harmon was third with 82.100, and Camden Dinger 14th with 77/100.
    One of the unique aspects of the program is that trap shooting is open to students of all skill levels. There are no bench players - every athlete has the opportunity to participate and contribute to the team. The Britton-Hecla/Langford Area program emphasizes teamwork, responsibility, and sportsmanship while maintaining a strong commitment to safe firearm handling and range safety above all else.
    With a fourth-place varsity team finish and multiple top individual performances, the Britton-Hecla/Langford Area squad once again demonstrated why it is among the state’s premier clay target teams and five shooters will compete in the USA High School Clay Target League National Championship in Mason, MI, July 8-12. They include Dylan Harmon, Hunter Jensen, Camden Dinger, Talon Dinger, and Abel Henning. A total of 1,800 individuals and 240 teams will compete on the national stage.

MC ARCHERS AT STATE SHOOT

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 15:58:00 -0500

By Megan Biel
Contributing Writer

    A few Marshall County Archery members competed in the State FITA and State Field archery competitions held earlier this month and Treyton Biel has earned the right to compete in the National Tournament next week in Grand Island, NE.
    In the FITA contest, Rylee Carlson earned fifth place as a beginner, Rylan Carlson took second as a junior, and Treyton Biel took fourth in the senior division, all shooting compound bows. In the field competition Rylan Carlson took second as a junior and Biel was third as a senior.
    Every year, South Dakota takes the top four senior shooters with combined scores in the indoor, 3-D, FITA and Field competitions to the National Tournament. Biel earned that honor in 2025 to earn his way to the national event. While there, he will shoot with 4-H members from throughout the US and will compete in 3-D, FITA and Field archery. As a rule, South Dakota only allows an archer to go to the national tournament one time per division.
    Marshall County had a strong showing at the State Indoor Archery Shoot in Pierre in April, with 29 youth competing in the Compound with Sight & Release (CWSR) category and 16 of them competing again in the Compound-Open category.
    Earning Purple Ribbons in CWSR were Treyton Biel, Kaylee Carlson, Rylan Carlson, Lily Mundt, Emmett Priebe, Jase Stelzer and Tyler Wurst. Blue Ribbon placers were Jasmine Baule-Toledo, Colton Biel, Rylee Carlson, Gavin Cole, Paxtyn Cole, Camden Dinger, Talon Dinger, Olivia Effling, Tripp Hagen, Delilah Hockenbrock, Hunter Jensen, Daniel Jesz, Peyton Johnson, and Ella Mundt. Earning a Red ribbon in CWSR were Gannon Gefroh, Dane Horter, and Brek Stelzer; while Adelia Ashmore, Raegan Horter, Ethan Jesz, Parker Lambertz, Caden Salter, and Axel Styers earned White ribbons.
    Archers that shot a qualifying score of at least 135 out of 150 were able to shoot in the Compound-Open division at State. Rylan Carlson shot a 150 with 25 X’s for a second place finish in the Compound-Open division. Also earning ribbons in this division were: Blue: Emmett Priebe, Hunter Jensen, Kaylee Carlson and Treyton Biel; Red:Tyler Wurst, Jase Stelzer, Daniel Jesz and Rylee Carlson; and White: Ella Mundt, Lily Mundt, Parker Lambertz, Ethan Jesz, Talon Dinger, Gavin Cole, and Colton Biel.
    While in Pierre for the state shoot, archers could also compete on a 3-D animal course. Rylan Carlson placed first in his age group on the 3-D course in the CWSR division.
    Several Teams did very well at State. In CWSR, the beginner team of Rylee Carlson, Gavin Cole, Tyler Wurst and Adelia Ashmore placed fifth; the junior team of Rylan Carlson, Emmett Priebe, Colton Biel and Talon Dinger placed fifth; and the senior team of Kaylee Carlson, Treyton Biel, Hunter Jensen and Lily Mundt placed third.
    In the Compound-Open division, the beginner team of Rylee Carlson, Gavin Cole, Ella Mundt and Tyler Wurst was third; the junior team of Rylan Carlson, Talon Dinger, Emmett Priebe and Colton Biel placed second; and the senior team of Treyton Biel, Kaylee Carlson, Hunter Jensen and Lily Mundt was fifth.
    Marshall County Youth 4-H Archery wrapped up its 2026 season in the beginning of May with an end of year party at the Marshall County Sportmen’s Club with the kids taking advantage of the beautiful 3-D animal course. The club is very grateful to have such a nice facility to practice in safely.

JACKS' NINE ADDS FOUR VICTORIES

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 15:56:00 -0500

    The Britton Lumberjacks varsity baseball team picked up four wins in the past week while the junior varsity squad added a pair of victories.
    The Jacks varsity nine split a twin bill with Webster on Monday, blanking the visitors 10-0 in the opener but falling 2-1 in the nightcap. and edged Irene 4-3 and fell to Freeman 10-1 in games played in Menno on Saturday. Friday the local nine derailed Emery 10-1 and last week Tuesday throttled Frederick 13-2.
    At Menno the junior varsity unit nipped Irene 6-5 and stopped Freeman 8-5 on Saturday and fell to Emery 8-3 on Friday.

Britton Varsity 10-1
Webster 0-2
    Britton broke open a 2-0 contest with an eight-run third inning and Kaden Mills limited Webster to a single hit in pitching the shutout.
    Mitchell Burger laced a pair of singles and knocked in two runs and Ben Suther added a pair of safties. Will Richter, Dylan Redler, and Jack Teveldal eaach singled.
    In game two Webster erased a 1-0 deficit with two runs in the second frame and neithjer team was able to push across another run.
    Burger took the pitching loss, striking out seven in four innings. Webster’s A. Mount fanned 14 and didn’t give up a walk. The Jacks out-hit the visitors 4-2 with Max Suther ripping a double and Ben Suther, Kaden Mills, and Chaz Vietor lacing singles.

Webster 000 0 - 0 1 9
Britton 208 x - 10 7 1
S. Schmieg and D. Rasmus; Kaden Mills and Colton Chapin

Webster 020 000 - 2 2 1
Britton 100 000 - 1 4 1
A. Mount and S. Schmieg; Mitchell Burger, Colton Chapin (5) and Ben Suther

Britton Varsity 4
Irene 3
Britton broke a 2-2 deadlock with two runs in the third inning and then weathered an Irene rally in the final frame for the win.
Redler doubled and singled to lead the Jacks seven-hit attack. Ben Suther added a pair of singles and Richter, Vietor, and Drew Heitmann laced safeties. Suther pitched six and two-thirds innings, allowing just three hits and striking out 11. Mills got the final out for the save.

Irene 020 000 1 – 3 3 3
Britton 112 000 x – 4 7 1
C. Wherry, J. Gustad (4) and E. Jorgensen; Ben Suther, Kaden Mills (7) and Drew Heitmann

Freeman Varsity 10
Britton 1
Freeman scored in all but one inning on the way to its win.
Ben Suther rapped a pair of base hits and Richter, Redler, and Nathan Folkman added singles for the Jacks. Lincoln Kilker started on the mound and absorbed the loss. Freeman’s Tschetter fanned 10.

Britton 100 000 – 1 5 2
Freeman 321 301 – 10 13 3
Lincoln Kilker, Dylan Redler (3), Emmett Symens (5) and Colton Chapin; E. Tschetter and R. Keppen

Britton Varsity 10
Emery 1
The Jacks put together a pair of three-run rallies to go with a couple of two-run outbursts to roll past Emery despite being out-hit 4-2.
Kilker and Ben Suther both doubled and Kilker collected two RBI’s. The Jacks benefitted from 13 walks and four Emery errors. Vietor was the winning pitcher, hurling six innings with seven strikeouts and Mills earned the save.

Britton 200 303 2 – 10 2 1
Emery 000 001 0 – 1 4 4
Chaz Vietor, Kaden Mills (7) and Colton Chapin; B. Koch, B. Jager (5), M. Uptagrafft (7) and Jager

Britton Varsity 13
Frederick 2
Britton took charge with a five-run third inning and added eight more runs in the final three frames.
Richter doubled and singled, Redler and Teveldal added two-baggers, Burger singled twice, and Ben Suther, Chapin, Folkman, and Mills had singles. Starting pitcher Chapin, Redler, and Mills combined for 11 strikeouts with Redler getting the win, fanning five in three innings of relief.

Britton 005 031 4 – 13 10 2
Frederick 000 000 2 – 2 5 3
Colton Chapin, Dylan Redler (3), Kaden Mills (6) and Ben Suther; B. Heuer, N. Heuer (6) and J. Bender

Britton JV 6
Irene 5
Britton erased a 5-3 deficit with two runs in the fifth and then added another tally in the final sixth inning for the narrow win.
Joseph O’Brien tripled and knocked in a pair of runs to lead the young Jacks. Luke Bosse also tripled and Max Suther, Blayden Downs, Benjamin O’Brien, and Brady Heitkamp singled. Bosse picked up the pitching win with two innings of relief, while starting pitcher Liam Peters struck out eight.

Britton 111 021 – 6 7 2
Irene 131 000 – 5 8 4
Liam Peters, Luke Bosse (5) and Bosse; E. Richard, A. Van Hull (6) and A. Stevens

Britton JV 8
Freeman 5
Britton broke open a 3-2 ballgame with a five-run outburst in the fourth innings to take control.
Max Suther tripled, singled, and knocked in a run, Drew Heitmann doubled and singled and had two RBI’s, and Liam Peters singled twice and collected two RBI’s to lead the Jacks. Bosse and Corbin Dawson added safeties. Suther picked up the pitching win, throwing five innings and striking out nine and Isaac Richter struck out the side in an inning of relief.

Britton 300 500 – 8 8 2
Freeman 101 120 – 5 6 0
Max Suther, Isaac Richter (6) and Drew Heitmann; D. Hough, C. Pietz (5) and A. Sykora

Emery JV 8
Britton 3
Britton cut a 5-0 Emery lead to 5-3 with three runs in the sixth but Emery answered with three of its own in the bottom of the sixth for the win.
Suther homered and singled and knocked in three runs and Dawson, Mills, and Heitmann singled for the local nine. Heitmann took the pitching loss, fanning four in three innings.

Britton 000 003 0 – 3 5 2
Emery 201 023 x – 8 10 2
Drew Heitmann, Isaac Richter (4), Benjamin O’Brien (5), Levi Mills (6) and Luke Bosse; E. Johnson, C. Bartscher (6) and Bartscher

U12 GETS ON WIN TRACK

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 15:54:00 -0500

Britton U12 baseball squad got on the winning track with a rain-shortened 13-2 win over Sisseton on Thursday.

Britton 13
Sisseton 2
Britton came up with 14 hits and scored in each of the four innings against Sisseton.
Corwyn Eye had three hits and two RBI’s, Hezekiah O’Brien tripled and singled, Wynn Mattson doubled and singled, Colton Biel and Archer Easthouse laced two singles each, and Crue Jones, Mark Folkman, and Weston Hastings singled. Easthouse was the winning pitcher with six strikeouts.

Roslyn 14-25
Britton 1-1
Roslyn used a 10-run fifth inning to break open a 4-1 game in the opener and exploded for 16 runs in the third inning of the nightcap in a Monday doubleheader.
Jones, Eye, Mattson, and O’Brien each singled in the opener. In game two Easthouse managed Britton’s only hit.

Groton 15-7
Britton 3-6
Groton put together two six-run innings on the way to its big opening win and broke a 6-6 tie with a counter in the fourth inning to earn the sweep last week Tuesday.
O’Brien singled twice and had two RBI’s, Jones and Eye both doubled, and Easthouse, Mattson, and Reeve Knecht singled in game one. In the nightcap Eye doubled and singled and had two RBI’s, and Jones, Biel, O’Brien, and Easthouse singled.

Groton 15
Britton 5
Groton scored in all but one inning, including a seven-run third, for the win on June 6.
O’Brien tripled and knocked in three runs, and Biel, Eye, Knecht, Folkman, and Mattson singled.

Roslyn 16-3
Britton 4-1
Roslyn led 7-2 in the opener and took charge with a nine-run fourth and then made a three-run first inning rally stand up to earn the sweep.
Biel and Knecht each rapped a pair of singles and Jones, Elias Leonard, Easthouse, Eye, and Folkman added base hits in game one. Easthouse had four strikeouts in two innings of work. In game two Eye had a pair of singles and Jones and Hastings each singled.

Sisseton Tourney
Roslyn 10
Britton 3
Roslyn scored in each inning to roll past Britton in the opening round of the Sisseton tournament.
Eye and O’Brien each had two singles, and Jones, EAsthouse, and Mattson added safeties. Folkman started on the mound and struck out six in three innings.

Sisseton 9
Britton 5
    Sisseton scored three times in the fourth to take control of a tight 6-5 contest.
    Biel doubled and singled and Jones and O’Brien had base hits.
Groton 14
Britton 6
    Groton broke a 2-2 tie with two runs in both the third and fourth innings and then exploded for eight tallies in the fifth to decide the contest at Sisseton.
    O’Brien doubled and singled and had two RBI’s, Eye and Easthouse both singled twice, and Jones had a base hit to lead the Britton attack. Easthouse started on the mound and fanned four in three innings.

598 POUNDS OF FISH CAUGHT AT THAYERS TOURNAMENT

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 15:49:00 -0500

Total Of 598 Pounds Of Fish Caught
    Twenty-five two-person teams hauled in 598.2 pounds of fish during the two days of the 25th Annual Harvey Thayer Memorial Fishing Tournament held at Roy Lake Saturday and Sunday.
    The team of Chris and Emma Dahl took top honors with 42.6 pounds, followed by John and Chris Eye with 40.0, Scott and Brent Thayer 38.2, Eric and David Wegleitner 34.1, and Jerod Hudelson and Landon Thayer 33.1.
    Teams catching the largest fish included: John and Chris Eye and Tony Carlson and Mason Brubakken, tied for biggest walleye on Saturday at 6.0 pounds; Chris and Emma Dahl and Scott and Brent Thayer, tied for biggest northern on Saturday at 6.7 pounds; Craig and Julie Teveldal, biggest bass on Saturday at 3.2 pounds; Ricky and Trevor Smith, biggest walleye on Sunday at 6.3 pounds; and Codie Jones and Dean Zierden, biggest northern on Sunday at 7.0 pounds.
    The purse for the tournament was $4,000.

U10 BASEBALL GETS WINS

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 15:36:00 -0500

The Britton U10 Junior Jacks baseball team won two of six contests in a busy week.
The local nine took the opener with the fourth grade Aberdeen Smittys travel team 13-1 on Monday but dropped the nightcap 7-2, was swept by Sisseton on Thursday 10-7 and 8-6, and split with Webster Blue last week Tuesday, losing the opener 2-1 but winning the second game 5-3.

Britton 13-2
Aberdeen 1-7
Britton scored 13 runs in the first three innings to roll past Aberdeen in game one. Gage Beck laced three singles and Tatum Deutsch had a pair of safeties and three RBI’s to lead the way. Kandrick Jones, Gannon Peters, Oliver Suther, and Isaac O’Brien each singled. Deutsch was the winning pitcher and fanned seven batters in two innings, not allowing a hit.
In game two Aberdeen scored five runs in the third to take control. Britton out-hit the visitors 4-3 with singles by Jones, Deutsch, Suther, and Corven Schmieg. Four Britton pitchers combined for 10 strikeouts.

Sisseton 10-8
Britton 7-6
Britton jumped out to a 7-0 lead in game one but Sisseton responded with back-to-back five-run rallies for the comeback win and turned the same trick in the nightcap, rallying from a 6-3 deficit with five tallies in the third.
Deutsch, Beck, Jones, and O’Brien laced singles in game one and Deutch fanned six batters in two innings of work. In game two Jones doubled and Deutsch, Suther, and Brek Stelzer singled. Beck struck out six batters in two innings of relief.

Britton 1-5
Webster 2-3
    Webster grabbed a 2-1 lead after one inning and both teams went scoreless the rest of the way as Webster picked up the opening win.
In the second contest the Britton nine jumped out to a 5-0 lead and held on for the win.
    James Raabe managed the only Britton hit in the first contest and Jones and Peters each pitched two innings and combined for 10 strikeouts.
     In game two Peters laced two singles and had two RBI’s, Suther tripled and knocked in a pair of runs, and Jones, Raabe, Deutsch, Richter, O’Brien, Schmieg, and Zach Vrchota singled. Four Britton pitchers combined for nine strikeouts.

A VERY (UN)RELAXING WEEKEND

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 10:02:00 -0500

    My husband left me...but only for four days.
    Indeed, last Thursday he packed up our children, an excess of luggage, bicycles, baseball equipment, and fishing poles and headed south. Don’t worry, our marriage is still sound. He took the kids on a mini trip to northeast Iowa, where he is originally from. It was a good time for a trip, just not one that involved me. The kids had not started swimming lessons yet, and Jackson was not about to miss baseball practice or games.
    As for me, I was busy to the point of barely being home anyway. Work, a Chamber of Commerce golf tournament, the Fort Sisseton Festival, cattle branding, and a few frivolities of my own choosing kept me running all over creation.
    When their trip became a reality, I will admit there was a small moment of rubbing my hands together and planning my “big empty house” weekend. I considered things like a new release movie in a distant city or a little getaway, but quickly decided I was already running enough. Instead, I told myself I would relax at home. Spoiler alert, that is not exactly what happened.
    Thursday started with everyone trying to get out the door. I tried not to micromanage my husband. He is, after all, fully capable of packing and getting everyone loaded. Still, I could not resist sending a few “don’t forget” lists anyway. Hair accessories, summer reading books, baseball gloves, and all the essentials I was certain might otherwise be forgotten.
    Then they were gone with only minimal help from me.
    I worked a full day Thursday, and that is when the real “relaxation prep” began. I came home in a whirlwind and decided I needed to do everything possible to prepare for a perfectly restful weekend. Naturally, that meant I spent the evening like a human tornado. Chairs were moved, every room was picked up, laundry was flying, and floors were prepped for sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping.
    Then came the outside chores. My husband usually mows, but I could tell the lawn was not going to wait four and a half days. So I decided to tackle it myself. I do not mind mowing, but we have a beast of a riding mower that I do not fully trust. I pushed it out of the garage because I avoid reverse whenever possible for safety reasons, got it going once, stopped, and then could not get it started again.
    That led to a lovely five to ten minute phone call with my husband, where he coached me from hundreds of miles away while I argued with the mower and questioned all my life choices. Eventually, success. I got it running and knocked out the lawn, trimming and all.
    After that, it was back inside for floors and finishing up the house reset. I told myself again that all of this chaos was actually in service of future relaxation, which at that point felt highly questionable.
    Then I decided I would reward myself with a home cooked meal, something the kids would not normally eat and something I could enjoy with leftovers for the weekend. By then it was getting late and my energy was fading fast. The meal was great, but my big plan for relaxation, watching a movie, did not happen until well after 10 p.m.
    At that point, I was so tired I stood through the last 10 minutes just to stay awake. I think I enjoyed the movie, but honestly I may have been asleep while standing.
    The next few days followed a similar pattern. I tried to balance relaxation with productivity and somehow ended up accomplishing both and neither at the same time. There were moments of sitting down, followed immediately by noticing something that needed to be cleaned, fixed, or reorganized.
    By Sunday, I did manage to go fishing and slow down a bit, so I will call that a partial success. Fresh air, a little quiet, and actual sitting still without a mental to do list felt almost suspicious.
    Let’s just say this. As a mom and a busy woman, I am not entirely convinced I know how to relax properly anymore. Still, it was a good weekend, and I know my family had a great trip. Now I just look forward to seeing them again and watching the house I cleaned for four days get undone in about one hour.

EMBRACING REINS, ROOTS AND REAL HORSEPOWER

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 09:53:00 -0500

Josh Olson fills the seed canisters on his dad Tom Olson’s antique John Deere 999 corn planter while Tom looks on. The planter, which is more than 100 years old, still plants two rows of corn at a time using horse drawn power. Tom also hopes to hand harvest the corn in the fall.

    Like many farmers across northeast South Dakota this spring, Tom Olson of rural Langford was recently putting in corn. But Olson’s fieldwork looked a little different than most.
    Instead of sitting inside the cab of a modern tractor guided by GPS, Olson sat behind a team of Percheron horses, reins in hand, planting corn with a John Deere 999 planter that dates back more than 100 years.
    Olson was literally using horsepower.
    The antique planter, built in the early 1900s, plants two 42-inch rows at a time, a far cry from today’s equipment capable of planting more than 40 rows in a single pass. Seed is poured into round metal canisters, and with the steady pull of the horses and Olson keeping a careful eye on the rows ahead, the old machine still does exactly what it was built to do generations ago.
    While Olson owns modern farm equipment, semi-retirement gave him the opportunity to slow down and try something different.
    “I’d always wondered what it would be like,” Olson noted.
    The curiosity was rooted in family history. Olson remembers his father, Bernard, using a similar planter years ago. When Tom spotted the John Deere 999 at an auction in Webster a little over a year ago, the memories came rushing in.
    “My dad Bernard had used a similar planter, and I wondered what it would be like to plant with it,” he said.
    He bought the planter and discovered it was still in remarkably good shape, having spent most of its life indoors. Aside from constructing a replacement piece or two, the machine was ready to head back to the field.
    Olson planted with the antique equipment last year and enjoyed the experience enough to do it again this spring. This year he planted acres of both sweet corn and field corn, estimating he could plant about an acre per hour.
    He also seeded around seven acres of oats using his horse team and an antique Van Brunt grain drill that is even older than the corn planter.
    His son, Josh Olson, wasn’t surprised to see his father embracing the old-fashioned way of farming.
    “I knew he loved working with his team, so it wasn’t surprising,” Josh said.
    Josh even helped track down old manuals for the planter to help get it field ready again.
    For Olson, using the antique equipment has deepened his appreciation for the generations who farmed before him. He marvels at how much agriculture changed during his father’s lifetime alone, from the two row planter he now uses as a hobby to modern equipment capable of planting more than 60 feet at once.
    “What a change,” Olson said.
    Still, despite the slower pace, Olson says there is something rewarding about farming the way his forefathers once did.
    “It’s peaceful to do,” he emphasized. “You don’t have the noise of a tractor and can just enjoy your surroundings and the team.”
    This year’s planting season also carried another layer of nostalgia. Olson planted Pioneer seed corn during the company’s 100th anniversary year. He said the milestone was meaningful because both his father and his father-in-law, Gene Roth, planted Pioneer seed in their day as well.
    And Olson’s old fashioned farming experiment will not end at planting season.
    When harvest arrives, he plans to once again gather the crop by hand with the help of his horses, much like farmers did decades ago.
    As long as he is able, Olson hopes to continue planting with the antique equipment, preserving not only the machinery, but also a quieter way of farming that is quickly disappearing from the countryside.

FESTIVAL DRAWS AROUND 11,000

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 09:46:00 -0500

    Four warm and sunny days in a row resulted in a successful 49th Annual Fort Sisseton Historical Festival. According to park staff, the event saw another strong turnout, with approximately 11,000 visitors, surpassing last year’s attendance.
    Some of the highlights included Lakota necklace-making and hoop dancing workshops led by Dallas and Star Chief Eagle, with support from the South Dakota Arts Council. The plant and book bingo event raised nearly $3,000 for projects at the fort. Visitors also enjoyed Doc Terra’s medicinal garden presentation and her “terrific tonic” said to cure nearly everything that ails you. New food and craft vendors were also popular additions.
    Thursday evening, a longtime festival fixture was honored when LeRon Knebel was surprised with a birthday celebration for his 82nd birthday. Knebel has been involved with the festival for 29 years.
    Saturday afternoon, barrel racers took to the arena for the Fort Sisseton NBHA Barrel Race, sponsored by the Buckhorn Rodeo Association, with competitors posting strong times across youth, senior and open divisions.
    In Youth 1D, Lily Mundt finished first with a time of 16.182, followed by Gabby Hanson in second at 16.503. Youth 2D saw Payton Mack take first place with a time of 17.646. In Youth 3D, Bentley Hill placed first at 19.238, Ana Pioske was second at 21.511, and Claire Pioske was third at 21.557.
    In Senior 1D, Sheila Voelsch earned first place with a time of 15.846. Senior 3D competition went to Tracy Cutler, who placed first with a time of 18.449. There were no placings in Senior 2D.
    Open 1D results were led by AbbyJo Treeby in first at 15.679, followed by Sheila Voelsch in second at 15.846, Linda Schlosser in third at 16.069, Taya Sandal in fourth at 16.082, Gabby Hanson in fifth at 16.515, Jamie Goetz in sixth at 16.549, Morgan Yetter in seventh at 16.613, Lily Mundt in eighth at 16.632, and Jessica Woods in ninth at 16.647.
    In Open 2D, McKenna Gloe placed first with a time of 16.841 and Payton Mack was second at 17.646. Open 3D saw Tracy Cutler take first at 18.449, Linda Schlosser second at 18.583, Jennifer Sandal third at 19.517, and Claire Pioske fourth at 22.072.
    Looking ahead, park staff say preparations are already underway for a milestone year. The 50th Annual Fort Sisseton Historical Festival is scheduled for June 5–7, 2027, with plans for an expanded lineup of events and activities.

COUNTY PLANS FOR RUNOFF, LEARNS OF POSSIBLE FUNDING FOR FORT ROAD

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 07:15:00 -0500

    The Marshall County Commission met Thursday and addressed several items related to the June 2 primary election and the upcoming Republican gubernatorial runoff election.
    Commissioners conducted the joint canvass of the primary election results along with representatives of local government entities that participated in the election, including Kelli Erickson of the Britton-Hecla School Board, Laken Werner of the City of Britton and Matt Fries of the City of Langford. Because the canvass was conducted jointly, the participating entities are not required to canvass results separately at their own meetings. The canvass was approved and forwarded to the South Dakota Secretary of State.
    The board also conducted the post-election audit drawing, selecting Precinct 1 races for governor and District 1 House representative for review. The audit is scheduled for June 17.
    Commissioners approved a precinct location resolution for the Republican gubernatorial runoff election, which will be held Tuesday, July 28. Marshall County Auditor Megan Biel said absentee and mail-in voting will begin June 12. Voter registration for the runoff election must be completed by July 13.
    Biel noted the county will use hand-counted paper ballots for the runoff election, a method that many South Dakota counties are adopting because it saves both time and money.
    Voters who cast ballots at the Marshall County Community Building in Britton during the primary election will vote at the Britton Event Center for the runoff. Precincts 1, 2, 3, 8 and 9 will vote at the Event Center, while polling locations in all other towns and townships will remain unchanged. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
    In other business, Highway Superintendent Dustin Hofland reported the county may have secured additional funding for the Fort Sisseton Road project, potentially totaling up to $500,000. Hofland also said the county was still waiting for asphalt to become available for pothole repairs, noting that the plant producing patching material had not yet opened as of last week.
    The commission approved a courtroom audio-visual equipment upgrade. Through a grant from the Fifth Judicial Circuit, the county will receive $10,000 toward the project and will be responsible for approximately $2,300 in remaining costs. The upgrades will integrate courtroom audio with the computer system used for virtual hearings and testimony and allow remote audio to be recorded directly into the court record.
    Commissioners also received an update from Kristin Hofland of GROW South Dakota. The board appointed Andrea Kilker to serve on the Northeast Council of Governments board and discussed inquiring about Erin Collins-Miles serving as a member-at-large for the organization.
    In zoning matters, the commission approved a variance request submitted by Terri Glodrey in Lake Township.
    During discussion items, commissioners determined that a previously permitted fence (Building Permit No. 61-25) is compliant and that no further action is necessary. In regard to a previously approved variance for a deck, applicants were given 60 days to complete the requirements outlined in the original motion approved Sept. 9, 2025.
    Commissioners also approved a drainage permit submitted by Kirk Rabenberg in Waverly Township with no changes.
    The board approved plats for Quamen Ravine Outlot 1 in McKinley Township and Quamen Ravine Outlot 2 in Veblen Township.
    Building permits were approved for Terri A. Glodrey (variance) and Amy Jo Vietor, both in Lake Township; Wallace Holman in Buffalo Township; Mackenzie Montague in Eden Township; Sandra King in Hamilton Township; Michael and Myra Stavick in Veblen Township; and Jeff and Janine Wing in Red Iron Lake Township.
    In other business, the board adopted Ordinance 77, which updates the Marshall County Zoning Ordinance. The ordinance will become effective June 30, 2026. Commissioners also adopted the Marshall County Comprehensive Plan, which will take effect June 30, 2026.

COUNCIL APPROVES VARIANCES, THANKS OUTGOING COUNCILMEMBERS

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 07:10:00 -0500

    The Britton City Council met Monday night, first convening as the city’s zoning board to consider three variance requests. Variances were approved for JTP Properties, owned by Joey Pierson, for a house project; for Erin Collins-Miles for a home addition; and for Barb McLaughlin for a shed.
    Acting Public Works Supervisor Cameron Gerken updated the council on the city’s ongoing water meter replacement project, noting that a few meters still need to be installed. Council members revisited the possibility of adding a surcharge to water bills to help pay for the project.
    Discussion focused on whether larger commercial water meter users should pay a higher surcharge than residential customers. The city plans to investigate how many users fall into each meter category before making a decision.
    The council also discussed enforcement of the city’s ordinance regarding trees and shrubs encroaching into alleys. Gerken and Mayor Clyde Fredrickson said alley widths vary throughout town, but the goal is to maintain enough clearance for garbage trucks and propane delivery vehicles. Another letter will be sent to residents with overgrowth issues. Property owners will have until Aug. 15 to trim vegetation before the city completes the work and bills residents.
    Council members briefly discussed repainting lines on Main Street. No action was taken, but the city plans to contact the South Dakota Department of Transportation to see whether the work could be coordinated with future highway line painting.
    The council approved a request recommended by the Britton Economic Development Board involving an operating loan for a local business. Under the arrangement, the business owner will provide collateral and the city will pledge a $25,000 certificate of deposit as collateral for the remaining portion of the loan.
    Event Center Director Laken Werner reported that G&R Controls recently completed a routine site visit at the Event Center and indicated that a lengthy list of repairs may be needed, including some potentially costly items. Werner said she had not yet received the final report.
    Werner also announced that the city pool will be closed June 20-21 because of staffing shortages.
    In his public works report, Gerken reminded residents that only vases and items built into headstones are allowed to remain at the cemetery. Other items, including flowers and shepherd’s hooks, were supposed to be removed by June 1, one week after Memorial Day. City crews will begin removing prohibited items next week.
    Gerken also said the city plans to more strictly enforce the ordinance limiting stays at the RV park to 10 days because extended stays make mowing and maintenance difficult.
    The council discussed street patching materials as well. Gerken said Jensen Sand & Gravel does not offer a price break for larger quantities, and council members asked city crews to measure the areas most in need of repair so the city can determine how much material to order.
    At the close of the meeting, Fredrickson thanked outgoing council members Tim Dahme, Brian Beck, Cristy Davidson and Lindsey Kimber for their service. Newly elected council members will be sworn in at the next meeting July 13.

B-H BOARD APPROVES NEW WRESTLING COACH

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0500

    The Britton-Hecla Board of Education met Monday evening, addressing preliminary budget planning, staffing matters and a range of routine approvals.
    Superintendent Steve Benson told the board that, given state funding levels and declining enrollment, future budgeting will remain tight. He noted the district may need to consider an opt-out in coming years, though any approved funding would not be received for at least a couple of years.
    The board approved a comprehensive plan, working agreements for classified staff and an out-of-district summer services contract that will provide transportation for students traveling to Aberdeen during the summer months.
    Members also set driver’s education rates at $275 per student for in-district students and $315 for out-of-district students, and established pay for instructor Paula Hanson.
    Open enrollment requests were approved for several students, including a kindergarten student from Langford and first- and third-grade students from Sisseton. An early graduation request was also approved.
    In staffing matters, the board approved a wrestling coach working agreement with Krayle Stormer and accepted the resignation of custodian Brad Brandt.
    Board members reviewed and certified Canvas school board election results and issued certificates of election. They also approved administrative contracts for principals, the activities director, network administrator, business manager and superintendent.
    First readings were approved for the student handbook, activities handbook and staff handbook.
    During his report, Benson provided updates on the district’s track facility and discussed potential vehicle options.
    The board then entered executive session for personnel matters. Following the closed session, members approved a consulting agreement with outgoing business manager Madi Neiber to assist with training, reporting and end-of-year financial tasks.

B-H BOYS GOLF SQUAD TIES FOR 17TH AT STATE

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:16:00 -0500

CORRECTION: JACE REIN'S SCORE HAS BEEN CORRECTED.

The Britton-Hecla boys golf squad tied for 17th among 24 teams in the Class B state golf tournament played at the Brookings Country Club last week Monday and Tuesday.
    Jace Rein led the Braves with a 81-79-160 for the 36 holes, tying for the 28th spot in a 141-golfer field. Lofton Heer placed in a tie for 48th with a 81-84-165, and Charles Schuller was tied for the 120th spot with an 87-96-183.
    “State B boys golf was a good test for our group,” said B-H coach Ryan Nack. “One big takeaway from these two days has to be our mindset. When we don’t execute a shot like we envisioned we need to find ways to move on the best we can. Celebrate the little victories along the way as well. My goal this year was to take a team to state, and having three boys qualify this year is a win in my book. I am excited about the future of our golf program. Thanks to all golfers this year as well as assistant coaches Maynard Bosse and Garret Knebel.”
    Bon Homme came from five shots back the second day to win the boys team title with a 472 total, followed by Philip at 478, Clark-Willow Lake 480, Hill City 481, Wessington Springs 482, Edmunds Central 489, Miller 492, Wall 493, Faulkton Area 497, De Smet 501, Garretson 502, Viborg-Hurley 503, Timber Lake 505, Webster Area 506, Gettysburg 507, Britton-Hecla 508, Howard 508, Lyman 510, Platte-Geddes 520, Sioux Falls Lutheran 521, Hanson 526, Stanley County 530, and Warner 535.

BRITTON U10 NINE CLAIMS TOURNEY TITLE

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 15:55:00 -0500

Britton’s 10U baseball team opened its season with a bang, sweeping a twin bill from Groton on Thursday and winning three games to earn a tournament title in Sisseton on Saturday.
Coach Brandon Peters’ squad rolled past Groton 8-3 and 8-2 to kick off its summer campaign in Groton. At the Sisseton tourney the local nine walloped Sisseton 24-2 in the opener, rolled past Border West 16-5 in semifinal play, and trounced Milbank 19-7 in the title game.

Britton 19
Milbank 7
Britton scored four runs in both the first and second innings to lead 8-6 and then exploded for 11 runs in the third frame to put the game away.
Three Britton batters collected three hits each. Gage Beck ripped three doubles and collected five RBI’s, Gannon Peters hit a triple, double, and single and knocked in three runs, and Tatum Deutsch doubled twice and singled and had three RBI’s. Oliver Suther was the winning pitcher with relief help from Peters.

Britton 16
Border West 5
Britton jumped out to a 9-1 lead after the first innings and cruised to the win over Border West.
Kandrick Jones doubled and singled and knocked in three runs to lead the local club. Peters and Suther each collected three RBI’s. Deutsch earned the pitching win with relief help from Beck and Isaac O’Brien.

Britton 24
Sisseton 2
Britton scored three runs in each of the first two innings and then stepped on the gas with seven tallies in the third and 11 more in the fourth to derail Sisseton.
Beck went 4-4 at the plate with a double and three singles and had a pair of RBI’s. Deutsch added four safeties and three RBI’s, and Tripp Hagen doubled and collected four RBI’s. Suther and` Jones also picked up three RBI’s each. Deutsch was the winning pitcher and O’Brien hurled two innings of relief. The duo combined for nine strikeouts and did not walk a batter.

Britton 8-8
Groton 3-2
    Britton jumped out to a 5-0 lead after three innings and added three insurance tallies in the fifth on the way to a win in the opener. In game two the local nine broke open a close 3-1 contest with five runs in the fourth.
    Beck laced a pair of safeties and knocked in a run to lead Britton at the plate in the first contest. Peters, Hagen, Andrew Bolzer, and Zak Kanizar added singles. Deutsch picked up the pitching win, fanning six in two innings. Beck came on in relief and struck out five in two frames.
    Peters had two hits and two RBI’s to lead the way in the nightcap. Deutsch, Beck, Suther, Hagen, and Jones added singles. Jones was the winning pitcher with relief help from Peters, Tyler Wurst, and Hagen. The four hurlers combined for 10 strikeouts.

FINAL STATE AND COUNTY ELECTION RESULTS TALLIED

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 15:51:00 -0500

    Marshall County voters mirrored statewide trends in several key Republican primary races Tuesday, while also helping determine the nominees who will advance to the November general election.
    Statewide, Republicans set up a runoff election for governor after no candidate reached the 35% threshold required to win the primary outright. Political newcomer Toby Doeden led the four-way race with 31% of the statewide vote, followed by Gov. Larry Rhoden with 25%. U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson finished third with 23%, while House Speaker Jon Hansen received 21%. Because no candidate secured at least 35%, Doeden and Rhoden will advance to a runoff election July 28.
    Marshall County voters favored Rhoden, who received 32% of the county vote (235 votes). Doeden followed with 29% (210 votes), while Johnson received 25% (180 votes) and Hansen garnered 14% (100 votes).
    In the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, incumbent Mike Rounds defeated challenger Justin McNeal statewide, receiving 76% of the vote. Marshall County voters gave Rounds even stronger support, with 84% (598 votes) compared to McNeal’s 16% (110 votes).
    Attorney General Marty Jackley won the Republican nomination for South Dakota’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, defeating James Bialota by a statewide margin of 79% to 21%. In Marshall County, Jackley received 85% of the vote (589 votes), while Bialota earned 15% (102 votes)
    Republicans in District 1 also selected their nominees for the South Dakota House of Representatives. Voters were allowed to choose up to two candidates in the four-person race. Statewide district results showed Nick Fosness leading with 1,855 votes (30%), followed by Daniel Kjos with 1,664 votes (27%). Logan Manhart received 1,398 votes (22%), and Keith Miller finished with 1,355 votes (22%).        Marshall County voters also favored Fosness and Kjos. Fosness led the local vote with 496 votes (41%), while Kjos received 387 votes (32%). Manhart collected 166 votes (14%), and Miller received 162 votes (13%).
    Fosness and Kjos will advance to the general election in November.
    Results for local races including Britton city council, Langford trustees and Britton-Hecla School Board remain the same as reported in last week’s Journal.
    Election results remain unofficial until they are canvassed and certified.

JACKS OPEN CAMPAIGNS

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 15:45:00 -0500

The Britton-Hecla Lumberjacks varsity baseball squad split a season-opening doubleheader with Groton last week Monday and the junior varsity/junior high team split three twin bills with Webster last week Monday, Groton last week Tuesday, and Milbank on Monday.

Jacks Varsity 5-12
Groton 7-10
    The varsity dropped the opener to Groton 7-5 but came back to take the nightcap 12-10.
    Groton led 3-0 after three innings of the first contest. The Jacks cut the margin to 5-4 with two tallies in the top of the sixth but Groton countered with two in the bottom of the inning and held on for the win. Ben Suther doubled and singled to lead the Jacks at the plate. Colton Chapin added a double, Lincoln Kilker laced a single and had three RBI’s, and Mitchell Burger and Jack Teveldal each singled. Chaz Vietor was tagged with the pitching loss.
    In game two the local nine led 12-1 in the top of the third and weathered a nine-run Groton rally for the win. Suther doubled and singled and knocked in three runs, Burger laced a pair of safeties, Will Richter singled and collected three RBI’s, and Teveldal singled. Kilker was the winning pitcher.

Jacks JV 3-8
Webster 5-3
    Webster broke a 1-1 tie with four runs in the third inning and held on for the opening win, while Britton used a five-run first frame to take control in the nightcap.
    Britton out-hit Webster in the opener 4-3 behind singles from Henry Kilker, Luke Bosse, Blayden Downs, and Jackson Medhaug. Liam Peters took the pitching loss in relief of Max Suther.
    Isaac Richter and Levi Mills teamed up to pitch a no-hitter in the nightcap with Richter fanning eight and Mills three. Britton managed just two hits, singles by Suther and Kilker, but the local nine took advantage of 11 walks.

Jacks JV 4-3
Groton 1-14
    Britton scored two runs in both the first and fourth innings to hold off Groton in the opener, and Groton bounced back by scoring in each inning of the nightcap in a four-inning victory.
    Max Suther rapped three singles, Blayden Downs singled twice, and Levi Mills, Corbin Dawson, Liam Peters, and Jacob Folkman added base hits for Britton in the opening win. Drew Heitmann went five innings on the mound, fanning seven, and earning the pitching win. Mills pitched two innings of relief and struck out four.
    Britton managed just a single hit in the nightcap, a Folkman single. Kilker took the pitching loss in relief of Downs.

Jacks JV 5-3
Milbank 1-11
    Britton scored singles runs in five straight innings to derail Milbank in the opener and Milbank used a nine-run fifth inning to take the nightcap.
    Peters had a strong pitching performance in the opener, hurling six innings while allowing just three hits and no walks and striking out eight. Suther led the local nine at the plate with a homer,, single, and two RBI’s. Heitmann doubled and Kilker singled.
    In the second game Britton led 3-2 before Milbank’s final inning explosion. Folkman’s single was Britton’s only hit.

FOR FULL STATS, SEE THIS WEEK'S JOURNAL

CHAMBER HOSTS TOURNEY

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 15:35:00 -0500

    Seventeen teams competed in the annual Britton Area Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament held at the Britton Country Club on Friday.
    Taking top honors in the event was the Marshall County Journal foursome, carding an eight-under-par 60 in the scramble event. The VFW squad won a tiebreaker to take second place in the first flight with a 62, and HealthFirst Chiropractic was third, also with a 62.
    Winning the second flight was Werner Auto with a 66, followed by Horton, Inc. with a 67 and Britton Country Club at 68. Holland’s 1 took first place in the third flight with a score of 67, followed by HH Design at 76 and Karen’s Daycare 1 with a 77.
    Pin prize winners included TJ Johnson, longest drive for man on number two; Angel McGregor, longest drive for woman on number three; Steve Young, longest putt for man on number four; Sage Ford, longest putt for woman on number six; Dani Dahme, closest to pin for woman on number eight; and Kent Holland, closest to pin for man on number nine. Named best dressed team for the tournament were the two squads representing Karen’s Daycare.

Two teams from Karen’s Daycare earned best dressed team honors in the annual Britton Area Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament held on Friday. Team members from left to right are Kay Friebel, Karen Roehr, Patty Roehr, Lynn Carlson, Brody Carlson, Sandy Peters, Jameson Peters, and Deb Hagen.

HONKERS START SEASONS

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 15:29:00 -0500

Claremont’s Legion and Junior Legion baseball teams opened their summer campaigns last week with Webster downing the Legion squad 6-2 and the Junior Legion nine splitting a twin bill with Sisseton, taking the opener 3-0 but falling in the nightcap 10-4.

Webster Legion 6
Claremont 2
    Claremont led 1-0 after three innings but Webster rallied for three runs in the fourth and added three more in the sixth for the win.
    “Three errors and eight walks doomed us, and we couldn’t get a timely hit,” said Claremont coach Joe Gustafson.
    Case Reints doubled, and Chris Cutler, Korbin McKane, and Wes Morehouse singled for the Honkers. Rennan Bruns took the pitching loss and struck out six.
Claremont Jr. Legion 3-4
Sisseton 0-10
    Claremont broke a scoreless tie with a run in the fourth and that’s all the Honkers needed for the opening win, but Sisseton erased a 4-2 deficit to earn the split.
    Reints turned in a dominant pitching performance in the opener, allowing just two hits and striking out 10 in going the distance in the five-inning contest. Harry Cutler and Morehouse each laced RBI singles, Nick Cutler doubled, and Carter Glines, Nate Schuller, and Reints added safeties.
    The Honkers out-hit Sisseton 3-2 in the nightcap but three errors and 11 walks proved costly. Reints, Nick Cutler, and Glines each singled for Claremont.

SOFTBALL BEGINS FASTPITCH

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 15:26:00 -0500

    The Britton U12 softball team opened its inaugural fastpitch season with a sweep over Webster on Friday and then dropped a twin bill at Groton on Saturday, while the U10 squad dropped two to Webster and split with Groton.
    The local U12 nine opened its summer campaign by stopping Webster 8-6 and 9-5. No statistics were available for those contests. Groton won the Saturday opener 8-2 and then took a squeaker 13-12 for the sweep.
    In the 10U contests Webster earned a 5-1, 1-0 sweep. Groton took the opener 4-3 on Saturday but Britton bounced back with a 3-0 shutout.

Groton U12 8-13
Britton 2-12
    Groton broke open a 3-2 game with five runs in the third to take the opener and then drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the final frame of the nightcap for the walk-off win.
    Britton managed just a couple of hits in the opener – singles by Tinley Beck and Lenyx Jones – and Beck drove in both runs. Sage Phillips took the pitching loss. The local nine turned three double plays in the contest.
    In game two each team scored in every inning. Groton broke a 3-3 tie with five in the second, Britton answered with four in the third but Groton matched that, and then Britton erupted for five in the final inning to knot the contest at 12-12, setting up the game-winning walk. Jaelyn Heitmann singled twice, Jacey Melroe ripped a double and collected three RBI’s, Grace Folkman singled and had two RBI’s, and Alayah Krutsinger had a safety.

Webster U10 5-1
Britton 1-0
Webster scored four runs in the first inning of the opener and maintained that margin on the way to victory and then pushed across a run in the final inning of the nightcap for the sweep.
Faustina Rapkoch and Shea Hastings both singled for Britton’s only hits in game one. Hastings went the distance on the mound, striking out six. In game two Hastings, Bentleigh Rein, Alyssa Kanizar, and Hayden Peters each singled and Rapkoch pitched all threre innings with four strikeouts.

Britton U10 3-3
Groton 4-0
    Groton rallied from a 3-2 deficit with a pair of runs in the final inning to take the opener, and the local nine gave up just a single hit and played errorless ball in the field to earn the split in the nightcap.
    Britton out-hit Groton 9-8 in its opening loss. Emsley Eimers and Delilah Hockenbrock both laced a pair of singles, Rein tripled, and Peters, Rein, Harper Steiner, and Sadie Mills each singled.
    In the nightcap Rein had a pair of singles and Rapkoch, Mills, Steiner, and Maria Sanchez Colmenarez added base hits. Mills went the distance on the mound, allowing just one hit and fanning six batters.

HOT GIRL SUMMER? MORE LIKE PREGNANT PENGUIN SUMMER

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 09:07:00 -0500

  Ah yes, the heat, the sunshine, and that sweet taste of freedom that comes with a Midwest summer. This is the season we’ve been dreaming about since those long winter months when we were bundled up by the fireplace while our husbands were outside shoveling snow and questioning all of their life choices.
    Summer in the Midwest is practically a reward for surviving winter. It’s the season of fresh air, swimming, fishing, working on our tans, and gathering around a bonfire with friends. After months of scraping ice off windshields and wearing enough layers to resemble a marshmallow, we earn every minute of it.
    This summer, however, looks a little different for me.
    At six months pregnant, “Hot Girl Summer” has officially been replaced with “Pregnant Penguin Summer.” Instead of gracefully strolling around in cute swimsuit, I’m waddling from place to place, searching for shade, snacks, and the nearest air conditioner.
    There will be no White Claws while I float peacefully on my tube. No spending hours burning on the beach in pursuit of the perfect tan. And perhaps the greatest tragedy of all, no mowing the lawn.
    I know, I know. Most people would celebrate getting out of mowing duty. But not me. I genuinely love hopping on the mower and spending hours turning a jungle of grass into a perfectly trimmed lawn. It was my first job as a kid working at John Deere. There’s something oddly satisfying about those neat little lines and watching the yard transform before your eyes. It’s therapeutic. It’s peaceful. It’s my version of self-care.
    Unfortunately, much like horseback riding, mowing comes with one major issue: too many bumps for the baby. Apparently, my little passenger isn’t interested in joining me for lawn-care adventures. Ugh.
    So instead of mowing, tanning, and sipping summer drinks, you’ll probably find me parked in a lawn chair, feet up, snack in hand, looking suspiciously like a penguin that wandered into the wrong season. Part of me wants to use a liquor bottle as a water bottle this summer just for the entertainment value and to keep everyone on their toes, but I’ll behave. This summer may not be exactly what I imagined, but it’s bringing something far more exciting than a tan line, a baby.
    Still, if anyone needs me, I’ll be sitting in the shade, watching my husband mow our lawn and trying not to tell him he’s doing it wrong.

A GOOD SUMMER READ

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 09:05:00 -0500

    Happy June! Quick question: Is summer over yet? Of course, I’m kidding. What kind of sane person would actually want summer to fly by?
    Still, things are looking a little different at our house this year. For the most part, my husband is staying home with our two kids this summer, so we’ve been joking quite a bit about “Daddy Day Care.” I was a little skeptical of this arrangement at first, but I figured Tom had earned it. Last summer seemed to consist entirely of classes for his teaching program. This year, he wanted to actually spend time with the kids and maybe accomplish a few things around the house, such as planting a garden.
    I will admit there is one thing I miss: my quiet lunch breaks where I could watch The Price Is Right in peace.
    The whole arrangement has gone pretty well so far. However, I do have a tendency to eye everyone suspiciously each morning and wonder exactly what they plan to accomplish that day. To keep the kids somewhat on track, we started using summer checklists. Things like making the bed, brushing teeth, getting dressed, playing outside and doing something creative. So far, it seems to be working.
    One item high on my list was reading. Jackson just finished first grade and is already a strong reader, testing above grade level. I’d like to keep that momentum going and avoid the dreaded summer learning loss. The school helps by sending home information about summer reading challenges. Students can either read a certain number of books or earn Accelerated Reader points.
    Many parents and grandparents are probably familiar with AR points. Accelerated Reader has been around since the 1980s. Kids read books, take quizzes and earn points based on the length and difficulty of what they’ve read. This is Jackson’s first summer with the AR option. His official goal is 20 points by the end of summer, but he’s already set a personal goal of 25.
    This excites me more than it probably should. Why? Because those reading quizzes are essentially book trivia, and if you’ve read this column more than once, you know exactly how I feel about trivia.
    This also brought back a memory from my own school days. At some point during my middle school or high school years, Britton-Hecla started incorporating AR into the curriculum. I honestly can’t remember exactly when. What I do remember is discovering that I could take quizzes on books I had already read.
    For a kid who already loved reading, this was fantastic news.
    I tested on all the Harry Potter books and pretty much everything else I was reading anyway. There were fewer quizzes available back then than there are today, but there were still enough options to keep me busy.
    I will confess to one somewhat questionable strategy.
    Occasionally, I took quizzes on books I hadn’t technically read but had watched the movie adaptation of. This is risky business because you never know how faithful a movie is to the source material.
    One day, however, I decided to really push my luck. Our family has watched the Lonesome Dove miniseries more times than I can count. I could probably quote large sections of it from memory. At some point I may have attempted to read the actual book, but have you seen that thing? It’s nearly 900 pages long.
    So I did what any ambitious student would do. I took the AR quiz anyway. And somehow, against all odds, I passed. Even better, Lonesome Dove was worth a pile of points.
    I eventually finished second in my class for AR points. If memory serves, the only person who beat me was Shawna Swanson, who was an absolutely prolific reader and thoroughly deserved the title.
    Back in the present day, Jackson has been doing great with his reading goals. He’s already nearly a quarter of the way to his summer target. We’ve taken quizzes on books we’ve read dozens of times. We’ve tried quizzes on newer books. And we’ve also learned the valuable lesson that sometimes rereading and reviewing before a test is a very good idea.
    I will admit it’s been difficult not to shove my 7-year-old aside and take over the book trivia myself, but I’ve managed to restrain that impulse. The program seems to have him genuinely excited about reading, and that’s a win in my book.
    Still, I can’t help but wonder what the librarian and school administration would think if a second grader showed up this fall having passed the AR test for Lonesome Dove. That might raise a few eyebrows.