Family and friends celebrated Tom and Francis "Vern" McDonnell's 99th birthdays Saturday, May 15, at the Philip Nursing Home.

The McDonnell twins were born May 15, 1911, on their parents' homestead north of Quinn. Dodging the question, Tom said, "Vern says that he can't remember who is older. I know that I came here 99 years ago with nothing, and I still have it."

Vern has been in the Philip nursing home for a few years now.

The Haakon School District 27-1 Board of Education has finalized the contract distributions for next school year, except for one.

Jerry Rhodes is retiring as the Philip High School social studies instructor. His position will be filled by Kory Foss, previously from Mobridge, who will also be the head boys' basketball coach and assistant football coach. Danielle Foss will be taking over the teaching responsibilities of Theresa Deuchar at the Milesville rural learning center. Deuchar will be replacing Judy Longbrake as the instructor at the Cheyenne rural learning center.

The Philip boys' golf team traveled to Hart Ranch south of Rapid City to compete in the Monday, May 10, Black Hills Invitational Golf Tournament.

"The Black Hills Invite was held at the Hart Ranch golf course Monday with the meet being called after nine holes due to rain. It was the first meet without wind, but a steady downpour from start to finish. At times clubs were flying farther than the golf shots. A tough day of golfing!

The South Dakota State University rodeo team completed their regular season by capturing the women's championship in the Great Plains Region.

The SDSU women's rodeo team overcame an 800 point deficit this spring. The men's team finished in the regional reserve champion spot for the season.

The Philip Scotties traveled to Sturgis to compete in the annual Black Hills Track Classic Saturday, May 8.

The boys half of the Scottie team was very strong in the relays. They won the 4x100 meter relay, the 4x200 relay and the 4x400 meter relay.

The boys' open 400 was a special feature, invitation-only race. Casey Cvach earned second place in 50.37 seconds, and Jeff O'Connell earned fourth place in a time of 51.12 seconds.

The girls half of the Scottie team was highlighted by Josie Guptill in 100 meter hurdles.

Dennis Lurz, age 63 of Kadoka, South Dakota, died May 11, 2010, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.

Dennis D. Lurz was born December 8, 1946, in Quinn, South Dakota, the son of Harold J. and Mildred I (Trople) Lurz. He spent his early childhood days in Wasta and later the family moved to Philip, where he graduated from Philip High School in 1964. As a young man he entered the US Army where he served in Germany. After his honorable discharge in 1967, he made his home with his parents in Kadoka.

He worked at the H&H Gas Station for several years.

Frances M. Heckert, age 79 of Philip, SD, died Thursday, May 6, 2010, at the Rapid City Regional Hospital.

Frances M. Heckert was born February 5, 1931, in Denver, CO, the daughter of Joseph and Armina (Taylor) Meketuk. She was raised in Denver until the age of five, when she and the family moved to Englewood, CO. She attended grade school in Englewood through the sixth grade, when the family moved onto a farm in Missouri for one year, before moving back to Englewood. She continued her education there, graduating from high school in 1949.

Jodie Lynn Mathison, age 36, of Alameda, CA, died April 24, 2010, at the Alameda Hospital surrounded by her family and close friends.

Jodie was born February 22, 1974, in Omaha, NE, to Charles and DeMaris (Paulson) Mathison. When Jodie was two years old, the family moved to Marshalltown, IA, where Jodie received her primary and secondary education.

Jodie's primary education was received at Clemons Lutheran School. During high school at Marshalltown High she was active in debate, mock trial, tennis and band.

Bessie Brozik, age 90 of Rapid City, SD, died Wednesday, May 5, 2010, at Fountain Springs Health Care in Rapid City.

Bessie Bouska was born November 10, 1919, the daughter of Czech immigrants Anton and Francis (Vtipil) Bouska in Wagner, SD. At a young age, she moved to Gregory with her family where she spent her growing up years.

Bessie married Frank Brozik on September 26, 1945. The couple lived north of Gregory where they farmed and raised two daughters.

Reverend Frezil Westerlund, Philip, and the four congregations she serves have been censured by the Reverend David Zellmer, bishop of the South Dakota Synod.

Their offense is believing that practicing homosexuals should not be allowed to fill the pulpit. The congregations have expressed their belief that changes in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's teaching and policy on homosexual behavior violate the teaching of the Bible. They have joined the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC), an association of traditional Lutheran congregations.