The Philip boys won the team title for the Philip-Wall boys high school golf invitational on Thursday, April 21. The meet, held at Lake Waggoner Golf Course, was shortened to nine holes due to the rainy weather.

Scotties’ Fred Foland won a four-person, two-hole playoff to earn the home medalist title. Foland shot a 40 in regulation before winning the playoff. Brit Miller earned third.

The Philip “Black” team ended with a score of 122. Fred Foland shot 40; Brit Miller - 40; Jordan Smith - 42; and Dak Carley - 43.

The Philip “Orange” team finished with 167.

The Philip Invitational Track Meet was dominated by the Philip girls. Twelve schools competed in the meet held in Kadoka on Saturday, April 23.

Jodi Williams qualified for state in the 200 meter dash with a time of 27.1 seconds, and in the 400 meter dash with a time of 61.5 seconds. She had previously qualified in the 100 meter dash.

The Philip girls team earned 147 points, 39 ahead of the second place Kadoka team. The under-manned Philip boys’ team came in seventh place.

Marvin Ray "Pete" Wells, age 89, of Kadoka, died Sunday morning, April 24, 2005, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital.

Services were held Wednesday, April 27, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Kadoka, with Pastor Gary McCubbin officiating. Pallbearers were Dick Vosberg, Don Wells, Paul Marvin, Tim Merchen, Kyle Amiotte and Ken Wilmarth.

Graveside services were held on Wednesday, at Wessington Cemetery in Wessington, SD, with Pastor Alan Sager officiating.

Wayne D. Esmay, age 78, of Murdo, died Monday morning, April 25, 2005, at St. Mary's Healthcare Center in Pierre.

Visitation will be held 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, April 27, at the United Methodist Church in Murdo, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.

Services will be held 1:00 p.m.

Lyle Dean Haynes, 45, Martin, SD, died April 20, 2005, after losing a courageous battle against cancer.

Lyle Dean Haynes was born January 7, 1960 in Martin, SD, to William and Lucille Haynes. As a young boy, he lived with his family on a farm and ranch near LongValley, SD. Lyle graduated from Bennett Co. High School in 1978. He attended Laramie Wyoming Tech for auto body.

Lyle married Janelle Faye Kennedy on September 2, 1983. To this union was born a daughter, Allison Joyce, and a son, Austin William. Lyle lived and worked in the Bennett County area all of his life.

Dakota Lorraine (Threadgold) Hildebrandt Nelson, age 83, of Sturgis, formerly of Wall, died Tuesday, April 26, 2005, at the Sturgis Community Healthcare Center.

Visitation will be held 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, April 29, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Wall, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Saturday.

Services will be held 10:00 a.m.

Lowell Ellis, 83, Sturgis, died Saturday, April 23, 2005, at the Fort Meade VA Medical Center.

Visitation will be Wednesday from 2:00 until 7:00 p.m. with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and Thursday one hour prior to the services at Kinkade Funeral Chapel.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 28, 2005, at 11:00 a.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel with Pastor Dennis Reich officiating. Burial with military honors by the Sturgis Veteran's Honor Guard will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery.

Diane Delores Gegelman, age 52, of Gillette, WY, passed away on Friday, April 22, 2005, at her home after a courageous battle with cancer.

Memorial services for Diane D. Gegelman of Gillette, WY, were held Monday, April 25, at the Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Scott Firminhac of The Trinity Lutheran Church officiating. A memorial service was also held on Tuesday, April 26, at the Emanuel Lutheran Church in Creighton, SD, with Pastor Monty Dell and Pastor Scott Firminhac officiating.

Bernice Viola Weigandt, age 83, of Murdo passed away April 19th, 2005, at her home.

Services were held Friday, April 22, at the Messiah Lutheran Church in Murdo with Pastor David Brinkmeyer officiating.

Music for the service was provided by Doris Convey, organist, with congregational hymns. Register book attendant was Elsie Joy. Ushers were David Geisler and Donald Weber.

The little town of Philip is dying. Wrong!

Ever since the first tiny settlement towns began longing for “big city” status, the small communities of America have been dying – or so people say. If that is true, then explain the ideas of “suburbia,” of “bedroom communities,” of living in a “country home,” and explain the “main street rot” being experienced by the bigger cities. There are many more such questions whose answers are obvious.

Though so many people live in metropolises, what do they dream about? What is depicted on TV and in magazines?