Philip will celebrate spring right where it all happened one hundred years ago. It will be a big party, drawing together the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of area homesteaders and early pioneers to a place they can call home. For many, it will mean traveling back from where life has taken them.

Spring is a time when a young man's (and lady's too) fancy can throw caution to the wind.

Thankfully, Philip is not a hotbed for serious crime, but while having fun, it may be a good idea to keep your eyes open and your mind engaged.

Rose Heeb, daughter of Dean and Cheri Heeb of Midland, is one of 26 young women from around the state who will compete for the title of Miss South Dakota 2007, June 6 through 9, at the Mueller Civic Center in Hot Springs.

Heeb's brother, Cecil, will be her escort, walking her down the walkway during the preliminaries of the evening gown event.

All contestants competed at local competitions throughout the state to qualify for the state pageant.

The 57th annual West River Math Contest was held at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City on Monday, May 14.

About 475 students, representing 21 schools, competed.

Prizes were awarded in each division for first through fifth place in A and B school divisions. An overall winner in each division was also determined.

The only exception to this is the masters test and all students, whether class A or B, are tested against each other. The top five place winners receive medals and certificates and the overall winner receives a plaque.

The wind and competition could not stop the Philip Scottie team from adding to its list of state qualifying members.

The Region 7B Track and Field Meet, held in Kadoka on Thursday, May 17, had eight schools represented. The Philip girls' team earned second place with 118 points, behind the first place Kadoka team. The boys' team soundly took first place with 163 points, with Kadoka trailing behind with 112.

"Overall it was a fantastic day," said head coach Jerry Rhodes. "We won the boys 7B region and were runner-up with the girls.

Dalles Craig Brucklacher, age 18, of Philip, died Wednesday morning, May 16, 2007, as a result of an automobile accident south of Philip.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 22, at the high school, with Pastor Mark Ford officiating.

Music was provided by Barb Bowen, prelude/postlude pianist, Skye Brucklacher, prelude flute, Philip High School Choir, accompanied by Marilyn Millage, and congregational hymns.

Ushers were J.J. Walker, Jay Baxter, Lee Dennis and Casey Seager.

Emma E. Rauch, age 103, of Belvidere, died Wednesday, May 16, 2007, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.

Funeral services were held Saturday, May 19, at the Belvidere Community Church in Belvidere, with Pastor Gary McCubbin officiating.

Music was provided by Syd Iwan, pianist, with congregational singing. Ushers were Mitch Norman and Eric Lainier.

"You get a pretty good grasp of what Philip is like just by going to PhilipSouthDakota.com," said DJ Rush at the Philip Chamber of Commerce meeting on Monday, May 14. Rush and local computer and website expert, Lukasz Stanczyk, illustrated improvements of the Chamber of Commerce website which have already been implemented.

"We can make this a real community website," said Rush. "It's the same information, just presented differently, plus more."

"People will see new things every day," said Stanczyk.

"You go by this place almost every day," said Hans Hanson. "Now when a little boy asks, 'What's that, Daddy?,' it can and should be talked about. It should be remembered every day."

Hanson has led a board of directors and a growing following of other volunteers in creating a legally registered Veteran's Living Memorial placed west of the American Legion in Philip.

"You go by this place almost every day," said Hans Hanson. "Now when a little boy asks, 'What's that, Daddy?,' it can and should be talked about. It should be remembered every day."

Hanson has led a board of directors and a growing following of other volunteers in creating a legally registered Veteran's Living Memorial placed west of the American Legion in Philip.

The newly repaired and painted Philip Roping Arena will be a focal point during the Philip Centennial celebration. It will also become a point of history itself.

Twenty-five top class cowboys - all from within 100 miles of Philip - will match their rodeo abilities against "50 of the rankest saddle bronc stock around," according to the advertising poster.

Three progressive rounds of action will pit world famous Korkow and Mosbrucher bucking stock versus saddle bronc riders such as World Champions Chad Ferley (2006) and Jeff Willert (2005), NFR 2006 Average Winner J.J.