The Haakon School District 27-1 Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting on Monday, May 19, 2008.

The board approved the certified contract for the 2008-09 school year for Eileen Pipal as the Special Education (SPED) instructor. Classified contracts were approved for LaRae Carley, Lana Elshere, Karen Nelson, Mary Nelson and Edith Slovek to be next year's SPED aides.

The Region 7B Track and Field Meet was held in Kadoka on Thursday, May 15th.

All first and second place winners earned the right to compete at the state meet on Friday and Saturday, May 23rd and 24th in Sioux Falls. If an athlete matched or surpassed a specific time or distance in their event during the season, then they automaticially earned a berth at state.

Philip girl athletes going to state include Josie Guptill and Kayla O'Connell in the 300 meter hurdles. The 1600 meter relay team of Lindsay Mann, O'Connell, Kady Pinney and Guptill also qualified.

The S.D. Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network (SD BRIN) and USD Foundation are sponsoring the Lawrence Brothers Science Camp for science-interested students entering the 7th, 8th and 9th grades this fall. Located on the campus of the University of South Dakota, the camp runs from July 14-18.

This year's theme is "Light and Vision." The $250 fee will cover all expenses; scholarships are available. Students will be housed in the USD residence halls.

For more information, including applications and scholarship forms, please see the Web site at http://usd.edu/lbc/.

Grace D. Wasser, age 94 of Hartford, South Dakota, died May 20, 2008, at the Leisure Living Assisted Living in Hartford, South Dakota.

Grace D. Dooley was born October 17, 1913, in Ramona, South Dakota, the daughter of David and Theresa (Schuster) Dooley. She grew up in the Ramona area and graduated from Ramona High School in 1931. She obtained her teaching certificate from Eastern State Normal School at Madison. She then taught at rural schools in the Ramona area for two years. In 1936 she moved to Sioux Falls where she worked as a dental assistant for five years for Dr. H.J.

Edward M. Ptak, age 94, of Pierre, formerly of Philip, died May 20, 2008, at St. Mary's Hospital in Pierre following a short illness.

Ed Ptak was born November 1, 1913, in Tabor, SD, the eldest of three sons born to Thomas Ptak and Rosie (Kortan) Ptak. They enjoyed growing up on a farm south of Dante, SD. He attended high school in Geddes and Wagner.

Following graduation, he received a teaching certificate from Springfield Teacher's College and taught school in a small country school. He enlisted in the National Guard, 109th Engineer Combat Battalion when WWII broke out.

Bernard W. Fennell, "Bernie #1", went out front to smoke his pipe one last time on the afternoon of May 3, 2008. He had fought bravely for his life during his final two months following major surgery in February.

In its 30th season, the Philip Drama Group will be presenting the glitzy, feather-filled, sequin-studded "Nunsensations - The Vegas Review"

This will be the group's third Nunsense musical. On stage will be the veteran talent of Barb Bowen, Maureen Palecek, Cindy Nuzum, Carmen Fees, Deb Smith and Anita Peterson.

The Philip Drama Group will offer four performances, all beginning at 7:00 p.m. The first two times will be in Philip on Thursday and Friday, June 5th and 6th, in the Fine Arts Building.

by Del Bartels

Two candidates are running for Haakon County Commissioner District IV seat, incumbent Mel Smith and Nick Konst.

District IV is also known as Precinct 19. It is that area within Haakon County that includes all residences located south of Pine Street and south of Grindstone Road; towards the east end of Pine Street, the precinct line turns south and follows South Stewart Avenue and then turns back east near Cherry Street.

The polling place will be in the community room of the Haakon County Courthouse. Polls open at 7:00 a.m. and will close at 7:00 p.m.

by Del Bartels

Vivian Minard admits that in the last 10 years she has become far more politically minded. She has even changed political parties.

But, she isn't too extremely radical, since it took her 90 years of living before she got around to the most recent 10.

Minard will turn 100 on June 4th, 2008. Her celebration will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 31st, in the dining room of the Philip Nursing Home.

In 1993, after telling one of her daughters that she wasn't going to drive anymore, she renewed her driver's license for another five years.

The pre-region high school golf meet was held Thursday, May 8th, at Hart Ranch near Rapid City.

The Philip High School Orange Team took first place with a three player total score of 275. Lemmon took second with a total of 296, Wall finished in third with a 299, and Newell Maroon Team finished in fourth with a 319.

Medalist honors went to Philip's Jordan Smith, who played an 18-hole score of 85. Darick Eisenbraun of Wall earned third place with a score of 89, and Philip's Caleb Clements claimed a close third with a 90.