The Philip High School senior music trip to New York City, this year from March 30 to April 3, was "amazing," "awesome," "great," and "what an experience" according to music instructor Barb Bowen relating the most heard expressions from the seniors.

After being in high school chorus or band, or both, for all four years of their Philip High School years, the senior students then had to earn their individual funds to afford the trip.

Our loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away on March 20, 2011.

Bill was born October 5, 1919, in Ash Creek, S.D., to W.J. and Mary Wilson. He grew up on a dairy farm in South Dakota and served in the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1935-36. He worked as a ranch hand in Wyoming and was an extra in the movie "Bad Man of Wyoming" filmed in Jackson Hole in 1940.

Melvin Harnisch, age 90, of Wall, S.D., died Tuesday, April 5, 2011, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.

Melvin William Harnisch was born March 26, 1921, on the family farm near Clayton, S.D., in Hutchinson County, the son of William John and Emma J. (Werning) Harnisch.

Melvin was baptized into the Christian faith on April 24, 1921, by Pastor F. Freeze at Clayton, and confirmed on May 27, 1934, by Pastor A.W. Kraft. He remained a member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church his entire life, and served several positions for the church.

Frederick "Fred" Long, age 63 of Rapid City, formerly of Philip, S.D., died Friday, April 8, 2011, at the Bella Vista Golden Living Center in Rapid City.

Fred was born September 9, 1947, in Philip to Leroy and Esther (Clawson) Long. He was baptized and confirmed in the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Philip and graduated from Philip High School in 1965 where he excelled in studies and music. He furthered his studies at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, S.D., and graduated with a bachelor of science degree with a major in Accounting in 1969.

R.L. (Bud) Andersen, spokes-man for TransCanada, met briefly with the Haakon County Board of Commissioners at their meeting Tuesday, April 5.

Andersen said the U.S. State Department will conduct another environmental review before they issue a presidential permit. Because the pipeline crosses the Canada/U.S. border a presidential permit is needed for the project to move forward.

Andersen said the department would publish their supplemental environmental impact statement in April and then take public comments for 45 days.

Scotchman Industries of Philip will be bringing in all of its world-wide sales representatives over a two week period for training on new products.

The type of gathering has not been held by Scotchman for four or five years. Jerry Kroetch, Mike Albrecht, Bob Van Lint and Scott Olivier will be the main trainers during the two weeks.

Fifteen salesmen will be in Philip during the first week and 15 during the following week, totaling 30 factory representatives. The first group arrived Sunday, April 10, and will stay through Thursday, April 14.

Amanda Jensen has returned to her hometown area and to her own doctor in order to finish her eighth and final rotation as a pharmacy student.

A 2004 Midland High School graduate and daughter of Clint and Brenda Jensen, Midland, she is currently in her fourth year at South Dakota State University. Jensen began her learning rotation at Philip Health Services, Inc., March 28. Through April 29, she will be experiencing hands-on situations mainly under the supervision of PHSI's Dr. Dave Holman, but also under the guidance of Dr. Coen Klopper and Physicians Assistant Terry Henrie.