by Bill Kunkle

Special to The Pioneer Review

Those who look at western South Dakota as beer-drinking, pickup driving, country music-listening liberals have a lot to learn. Oh, good folks here do that and they add color to the region, but it’s much more than that today.

When a September evening cools this land of valleys and hills, what’s most beautiful are the shadows’ cool fingers stretched across flutes of parched brown.

by Bill Kunkle

Special to The Pioneer Review

Those who look at western South Dakota as beer-drinking, pickup driving, country music-listening liberals have a lot to learn. Oh, good folks here do that and they add color to the region, but it’s much more than that today.

When a September evening cools this land of valleys and hills, what’s most beautiful are the shadows’ cool fingers stretched across flutes of parched brown.

Shakespeare stated that all the world is a stage, and all the men and women merely players. One man in his time plays many parts. The older age shifts along with spectacles on nose; his youthful clothes too wide for his shrunken frame; and his manly voice turning again toward childish treble. The last scene of all is second childishness and mere oblivion; without teeth, without eyes, without everything.

I say “No” to this. Yes, I feel old, so very old, and I know that I will leave this world with what I brought into it – nothing, not even teeth.

But wait.

by Del Bartels

The Haakon County School Board 27-1 meeting on Monday, October 17, was held at the Milesville School.

Roger Porch was the first guest speaker, who reported on the progress of the state committee that will eventually make recommendations to the State Department of Education on school funding. The committee meetings are open to the public, though not to open or audience testimony.

Porch summarized the consideration of sparsity – comparing the average daily membership (number of students) with the square mile area covered by the school district.

Anytime a child has an accident, it's tragic. The last thing that you want to happen is for your child to be hurt on a holiday, it would forever live in the minds of the child and the family.

There are many ways to keep your child safe at Halloween, when they are more prone to accidents and injuries. The excitement of children and adults at this time of year sometimes makes them forget to be careful. Simple common sense can do a lot to stop any tragedies from happening.

Help your child pick out or make a costume that will be safe.

The Jones County/Midland Rebels defeated the Lyman County Raiders during the Friday, October 14, football game at Presho 22-14.

The first quarter saw defensive and offensive action, but no score for either team. It ended with the Raiders closing the gap toward their goal line.

Ten seconds into the second quarter, Lyman’s Drew Reuman punched through with a one yard drive for the first touchdown of the game.

The Jones County/Midland and Lyman volleyball match on Tuesday, October 11, at Presho could not have been much closer.

Three of the five games went down to two point differences, and the total of the game scores was just one point in favor of Lyman.

The Philip Scotties hosted the Lyman Raiders on Thursday, October 13. The volleyball match did not go well for the Scotties, though a come-back possibility was briefly seen. The match ended in four games; 11-25, 23-25, 25-22, 16-25.

Serving: 71 of 77 (7aces). Leaders: Tylissa Fitch - 15 of 15 (3 aces), Sierra Slovek - 13 of 13 (2 aces), Marissa Mann - 11 of 11.

Receiving: 53 of 93. Leaders: Jodi Williams - 20 of 30, Kayla O’Connell - 7 of 11, Tylissa Fitch - 15 of 23.

Setting: 69 of 73 (17 assists).

The Lady Scotties participated in the Douglas Volleyball Tournament on Saturday, October 15, in Rapid City.

The first match was against St. Thomas More. Philip won two out of three games to claim the tournament match. The scores were 25-20, 20-25, 25-12.

Serving: 65 of 68 (4 aces). Leaders: Sarah Foland - 13 of 13 (1 ace), Sierra Slovek - 11 of 11, Taylor Holman - 11 of 12 (1 ace).

Receiving: 30 of 56. Leaders: Sarah Albrecht - 8 of 15, Sarah Foland - 11 of 16.

Setting: 74 of 77 (20 assists).

The Philip Scotties defeated the New Underwood Tigers 49-0 during the Friday, October 14, football game at New Underwood.

The first quarter saw most of the scoring. Bo Slovek ran in an 18 yard touchdown. The extra point attempt failed. Casey Cuny returned a Tiger punt for 54 yards and a second Scottie touchdown. Cuny ran in the conversion. Almost immediately, Cuny then rushed the ball in the remaining two yards for another touchdown. Ralph Simons kicked in the extra point. Slovek finished a 13 yard pass play for yet another touchdown.