Steve A. Kroetch, age 54, of Philip, died Wednesday, January 18, 2006 at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Mass of Christian burial was celebrated Saturday, January 21, at the Philip High School Auditorium with Father Ron Garry as celebrant.

Altar servers were Bethany and Kelsie Kroetch. Music was provided by Marianne Frein, organist, and Maureen Palecek, vocalist. Lector was Rita O’Connell. Ushers were Alan and Adam Rislov, Ross and Josh Kroetch, Ben and Jason Arnold and Michael Scozzaro.

Alice M. (Fosse) Henschel, 95, died on Saturday January 28, 2006, at the Bennett County Nursing Home in Martin, SD.

She was born to Roynald Fosse and Sigrid (Running) Fosse on October 20, 1910, in Haakon County, SD. She and her family lived on a farm near Hilland, SD, where she attended church and school. She graduated from Central High School in Rapid City, after which she attended Normal School in Spearfish. She received her teaching certificate and began her teaching career at Interior.

My children’s eyes were bright with wonder as I told them a bedtime story about a classic struggle.

The night sky was aglow with the shining of the moon. It out-shown the stars. It was a warm night. All was good and right with the world.

A slight breeze brought a coolness to the air. Off in the distance, a cloud could be seen coming from the far north. Before very long it filled a quarter of the sky. It was a storm cloud. It grew and became darker than the night. The bright moon was unmoving.

The January 29 Rapid City Journal carried an opinion piece by Sam Hurst criticizing ranchers who are opposed to designating the public lands in the Indian Creek area of the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands as wilderness. Hurst stated that ranchers who hold permits to graze livestock on public lands are “welfare ranchers”, subsidized by the federal government to compete against ranchers who don’t happen to have grazing permits.

My husband and I own a ranch and have a livestock grazing permit on the National Grasslands.

Nick Drury arrived home from Iraq this last weekend. Heidi, his wife, had gone to meet him at Fort Dix in New Jersey, and family and friends were waiting for them in Philip ... so were flags and a welcome home banner in the front yard.

Nick has to report back to his post in New Jersey. The family will be moving with him on February 10, in order to get settled into post housing by his report date of February 20. The Drurys have two daughters; six-year-old McKennah and four-year-old Meghan.

The Scottie wrestlers hosted the Philip Triangular Wrestling Meet on Tuesday, January 3.

Miller hosted the Jones County/Midland Lady Coyotes and the Platte Lady Panthers basketball teams. Platte defeated JC/M, 45-33.

JC/Midland 9 19 25 33

Platte 10 19 29 45

Jones County/Midland scorers: Caitlin Eckert - 8, Amy Petoske - 7, Alyssa Krogman - 6, Staci Royer - 5, Karissa Miller - 4, Mandy Strait - 3. The Coyotes made 3 of 8 free throws (37 percent).

Platte scorers: Hilaree Greise and Jenny Kimball - 12 each; Austin Taylor - 9; Chelsea Cutler - 6; Shewndra Hoekensen, Annie Kuipers and Robi Samuelson - 2 each.

The Philip Scotties boy’s basketball team lost their home game on Friday, December 6, with a final score of 63-69. The Scotties came back with a vengeance in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough to defeat the Jones County Coyotes. The surge brought the Scotties within only seven points of a win.

Philip 7 23 38 63

Jones County 18 41 54 69

Philip field goals: 29 percent. Two-pointers - 21; three pointers - 2; total - 23. Philip made 15 of 29 free throws (52 percent).

Jones County field goals: 55 percent. Two-pointers - 24; three-pointers - 1; total - 25.

The Philip girls’ basketball team traveled to the White River Classic Double-double Header to go face-to-face against the Saint Francis Lady Warriors on Saturday, January 7. The Scotties came away victorious with a final score of 67-51.

Philip 17 29 44 67

St. Francis 12 24 34 51

Philip scorers: Lindsay Mann - 13, Kenzy Pinney - 10, Bailey Bergesen - 9, Heather Finn and Jodi Williams - 7 each, Sierra Hook and Sarah Albrecht - 6 each, Kaylee Nelson - 5, Sarah Foland and Tylissa Fitch - 2 each. The Scotties made 15 of 32 free throws (47 percent).

St.

The Jones County/Midland Lady Coyotes hosted the Wall Lady Eagles at Midland on Thursday, January 5. The Coyotes defeated the Eagles, 61-48.

JC/Midland 11 28 44 61

Wall 6 17 26 48

Jones County/Midland scorers: Amy Petoske and Alyssa Krogman 16 each, Shelby Peters - 10, Karissa Miller - 6, Caitlin Eckert - 5, Staci Royers - 4, Mandy Strait and Katie VanDam - 2 each. The Coyotes made 19 of 25 free throws.