Almost 100 teens and staff from across South Dakota gathered in the heart of the scenic Black Hills recently to celebrate the elements of rural life - member-owned cooperatives.

by Del Bartels

"The best thing about the State FCCLA meeting is what happens here," said Julie Bell, this year's state FCCLA advisor. "We develop student leadership skills and how to work as a team."

The 2008 Leadership Training for the Family Career Community Leaders of America was held at the Brucklacher compound near Philip on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 24 and 25. For the past six or seven years, the session has been held on the campus of South Dakota State University.

Eight Philip High School rodeo contestants placed high in the standings during the South Dakota High School Rodeo Finals in Belle Fourche, June 25 to 29.

Trey Fortune excelled in the Boys Cutting event. He took seventh in the second go, ninth in the short go and in the average. For the season he placed 11th. Trey saw action in two other events, steer wrestling and team roping.

Jade Nelson took second in the second go of calf roping and was 10th in the average.

A memorial service will be held for Judy A. (Thorvaldson) Peters, age 65, of Bloomington, MN, who passed away on July 3, 2007, after a courageous four-year battle with appendiceal cancer. The service will be held Thursday, July 10, at 10:00 a.m. at the Hilland Cemetery.

Judy is survived by her husband, Dennis; a son, Christopher (Michele); grandson Logan; mother Beulah; brother John (Janice); sister Karen (Gordon); many aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Judy was a graduate of the Anker School of Nursing and University of Minnesota.

Bernice M. Cvach, age 86 of Kadoka, SD, died June 24, 2008, at the Kadoka Nursing Home as a result of complications from Multiple Sclerosis.

Funeral services were held Monday, June 30, at the Belvidere Presbyterian Church with Rev. Gary McCubbin officiating.

Music was provided by Syd Iwan, organist, and Chris Overgaard, soloist.

Usher was Leonard Carlson. Eulogy was given by Wesley Cvach. Register book attendant was Bonnie Madsen.

Dean Nachtigall, 63, passed away suddenly at his home near Owanka, SD, on June 23, 2008.

Dean was born in Rapid City, SD, on April 3, 1945, to John and Lura (Roberts) Nachtigall. He grew up and attended grade school in the Lakeside area. After graduating from New Underwood High School, he attended Huron College and Black Hills State before coming back to ranch on the home place in 1966.

Dean married Barbara Brown in 1966 at Rapid City. They lived on the home place before moving onto their own place in 1970.

Haakon County residents can now stop at the auditor's office and pick-up their prescription drug cards, announced Haakon County Auditor Patricia Freeman, Tuesday, July 1.

The cards will allow county residents to save a little money on their prescription medications that are not covered by insurance. The savings area vailable through a plan the Haakon County Board of Commissioners recently obtained through the National Association of Counties.

The Haakon County Commissioners signed up for a prescription drug discount card program earlier this year.

Construction of a proposed 36-inch crude-oil pipeline through Haakon County is not expected to start until 2011. Actual excavation on any piece of land is estimated to take seven weeks, with complete land reclamation taking less than two to three years. Then the pipeline will be out of sight and no problem for landowners.

This was the summation at an informational open house on Wednesday, June 25, at the Fine Arts Building in Philip. Project Director Ken Murchie presented an overview, then opened a question and answer period for the audience.

Haakon County Highway Superintendent Kenny Neville informed the Haakon County Board of Commissioners at their Tuesday, July 1, 2008, meeting that as of now President George W. Bush has not signed a disaster declaration that would allow Haakon County to receive federal aid dollars for repairing roads, bridges and culverts damaged in the June flooding.

The declaration involves other counties within South Dakota. Neville stated he had been told that the declaration had been given to the President.

Three Rivers Special Services Cooperative has moved its office to Philip after being in Midland for the past 10 years.

Business Manager Kathy Arthur has taken office space at 100 East Pine Street. This is the north office section of the Philip Ambulance Service building. "The ambulance service has done a great job on remodeling the office for Three Rivers. Stop in to see the office and say hello," said Arthur.

Three Rivers' former address was 204 Main Street in Midland. The new address will be 100 East Pine Street, PO Box 615, Philip, SD 57567.