Philip, South Dakota, is a town where the siren blows at 10 p.m. to remind kids to get off the street and go home. The siren also starts coyotes howling at the town outskirts. But that’s just for kids. Adults and coyotes can howl all night if they want to.

People often say, “Why would anyone want to live in the Dakotas, it’s so dead.” I used to think it was to admire the pretty women, but have learned there is more.

I thought about this when looking through my address book to make some changes.

Ruth Virginia Schneider, 83, of Eugene, Oregon, passed away November 4, 2005 at Porter Hospice, Centennial, Colorado.

Ruth was born August 20, 1922 in Grandy, Nebraska, to Guy and Ethel Morrison.

My children quietly ask for my time. I wish that they would shout for it. My son half-looks at a book, and half-looks at me. You would think that even thick, old me would get that kind of hint.

Well, now I can take a deep breath and maybe get around to all the things that have not been yelling at me. The football, volleyball and cross country seasons are over. A large chunk of farming chores are over, though never all.

As the Haakon County Public Library Board of Directors works on a new library facility, they have created a five-year plan that outlines operations and growth areas.

The strategic plan states that the library’s mission is to expand educational opportunities for the adults and children of the community. This would be done by enriching their lives through full access to information, entertainment, service and lifelong learning.

The board has eight main goals they want to accomplish within the next five years.

by Del Bartels

The closure of a rural school and sorting out insurance discrepencies were the main topics at the Haakon School District 27-1 board meeting on Monday, November 14.

The Deep Creek School will be closed after this school year. Student numbers will diminish through one family going to Pierre and one student who will attend the Philip school. The closure does carry the condition that the school could reopen if enough student-aged children reenter the area.

The financial reports through October were approved except for two items.

SEE PHOTO GALLERY FOR MORE "DOME" PICTURES!!

The excitement was high and audience attendance even higher. The last person leaving Philip was reminded to shut off the lights, as the spectators followed their Scotties to the DakotaDome.

The Scotties earned the right to play the top-ranked and undefeated Hanson Beavers (11-0) for the Class 9A championship on Friday, November 11, in Vermillion.

It was the Scotties’ first game in the DakotaDome and their first chance to play for a state title.

Matching seasonal workers, mostly agricultural related, with employers has become not only a business, but a rewarding experience for Trudie Klopper of Philip, SD.

Klopper, a native of South Africa, came to Philip when her husband Dr. Coen Klopper accepted a job at Philip Health Services. The couple and their family had previously been in Canada where her husband had been a physician.

Dear Editor,

I disagree with last week’s article proclaiming the need for foreign workers. Rural USA has a surplus of young hard-working people.

Dear Editor,

Reading the article in the Rapid City Journal about the Foland/ Game Fish & Parks dispute has just put me over the edge. And so I’m taking advantage of our right to freedom of speech, and appreciate this Letter to the Editor section.

Being a previous resident of Haakon County. I understand the different way of life and mentality that comes with living in a rural setting. I have lived in the “big city” for over 10 years now and feel I have an unique perspective: I know both rural and urban lifestyles.

The Philip Lady Scotties hosted the New Underwood Tigers for a volleyball match on Thursday, October 27. The Scotties won three out of the four games played 25-14, 17-25, 25-12, 25-7.

Serving: 88 of 94 (13 aces). Leaders: Sierra Slovek - 21 of 22, Sierra Hook, 10 of 12 (5 aces), Taylor Holman - 13 of 13 (3 aces), Sarah Foland - 14 of 15 (2 aces).

Receiving: 40 of 55. Leaders: Sarah Albrecht - 16 of 20, Sarah Foland - 8 of 8.

Setting: 101 of 102 (28 assists). Leader: Taylor Holman - 98 of 98 (28 assists).

Hitting: 115 of 128 (36 kills).