April 2014

Cobwebs & Dust Bunnies

“Play On!”

By Rick Abbot
Community play review by Wanda Swenson
Kudos to Bernie Davis and the cast of “Play On” for a delightful presentation and an afternoon of laughs. If you were not able to attend this community presentation or just didn’t take the time to go on either Thursday night or Sunday afternoon, you missed out on a healthy dose of fun.
This was a lighthearted spoof on what a theater group goes through while trying to prepare a play for opening night when the playwright is sitting in the wings making changes until the day before the curtain opens. It was pretty close to what really goes on when you are working with so many different personalities and situations.
I am amazed every year how well the characters are cast by Bernie. Knowing the community people as we do, it is interesting that the parts fit them so well. These actors had a ton of lines to learn for the three acts, and many times the lines were altered only a little from act to act. I’m pretty sure some of the dialogue was improvised, which made the play even more humorous.
Carrie Howard was hilarious as good and decent Polly Benish acting as “Lady Margaret.” She never broke character, even when things on stage got a little rambunctious, and she delivered her lines with the indignation becoming of royalty.
Jack Davis stole the show several times with his costuming choices. He puts the audience in stitches every year with his uninhibited portrayal of characters. It is evident he supports his wife’s efforts towards community involvement and wants her and the performances to succeed.
Chelsea Wenzel as Gerry Dunbar, the director, was spot on with her dictatorial and frustrated performance. I have directed plays, albeit middle school productions, and I can tell you, Ms. Wenzel did not underestimate the anxiety felt by directors as they get close to the final performance.
The Woonsocket School must be an interesting place to work from day to day if it is to be judged by the teachers who lent their talents to this play. The boisterous and bumbling sound, light and scene technician played by Jason Bruce, the meek but furtive, Brett Kroeger as “Lord Dudley,” and Armondo Rodriguez as the juvenile and immature Stephen Sellers were comical, madcap and kept the funny lines coming.
Veterans of the stage, Tom and Anita Fouberg were very believable as Diana Lassiter, the prim and proper ingénue, and Dr. Rex Forbes, an arrogant, irritated, man-in-charge kind of guy. They maintained the decorum of their characters, even when those characters were doing odd and inappropriate things.
Playwright Phyllis Montague, played by April Larson, perfectly maintained her character’s demeanor as the creative victim, and Sherryl Rankin as Aggie, the stage manager and prompter, was just as loud, pushy and antagonistic as she needed to be.
My only negative criticism is that the stage curtains were a distraction because they didn’t close smoothly and without significant help from stage- hands every time they were opened or closed, of which there were many in this play. There is not much that can be done about that when it is necessary to use a portable stage and backdrops. I remember from years ago, that stages used to be built into one end of auditoriums and gymnasiums, thus eliminating the problem directors must deal with today.
Thanks, Bernie and cast, for another entertaining presentation and please know that your many hours of work were greatly enjoyed by the community. I look forward to another one next year!!

APRIL 1, 2014
The Sanborn County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, April 1, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. with Chairman Ebersdorfer presiding. Other members present were: P. Larson, S. Larson and Ohlrogge. Absent was Blindauer. Also present was Auditor Larson. Motion by P. Larson, seconded by Ohlrogge, to accept the minutes as presented. Motion carried.
HIGHWAY
Lee Goergen, Highway Supervisor/Weed Supervisor, met with the board. Replacing culverts and bridges was discussed at length.
JIM TAYLOR
Jim Taylor, Attorney at Law, met with the board to clarify some drainage issues and to give some advice on collecting a poor lien.
DIRECTOR OF EQUALIZATION
The yearly job evaluation for Mark Meyer, Director of Equalization, was conducted. The letter from the Department of Revenue, Property Tax Specialist Karla Harkness about the compliance audit and a sales ration audit for Sanborn County Director of Equalization Office was read. The department received a good report.
Motion by P. Larson, seconded by S. Larson, to hire Penny Farris for the Director of Equalization at a starting salary of $33,500.00. After receiving her certification the salary will increase to $35,000. She must have worked 90 days before she could receive the increase. Farris will take over the duties on July 1st. Motion carried.
GOOD FRIDAY
The courthouse will close at 12:00 noon on April 18 in observance of Good Friday.
BILLS
Motion by Ohlrogge, seconded by P. Larson, to accept the following report and pay the following bills. Motion carried.
Register of Deeds $2,611.75
Avera Health Plan, Insurance $14,080.29
AFLAC, Insurance $1,614.85
AFLAC, Insurance $313.98
SD Retirement System, Retirement $7,517.08
SD Retirement System, Spouse Option $36.98
Small Business, Insurance $76.00
Huron Regional Medical Center, Wage Garnishment $85.00
Sanborn County, Real Estate Taxes/Lien $529.89
EMC National Life, Insurance $392.51
First National Bank SD, Tax Liability $34,873.34
EMC National Life, Insurance $59.90
Sanborn County Treasurer, Taxes in Trust $3,120.99
Artesian CIA, Annual Contribution $50.00
AT&T Mobility, Air Card $39.99
Beadle County Sheriff, Prisoner Care $610.00
Best Western Ramkota, Travel Expense $181.98
Butler Machinery, Repairs $989.58
Cedar Shore Resort, Travel Expense $169.90
Dakota Counseling/Stepping Stones, Quarterly Support $625.00
Double D Body Shop, Grille Guard $632.00
Express 2, Fuel $120.16
Express Stop, Fuel $37.01
Fed Ex, Shipping Fees $32.57
KO’s Pro Service, Repairs $518.40
Larson & Nipe, Monthly Expense $1,000.00
Diane Larson, Travel Expense $158.56
Letcher Summer Recreation, Annual Contribution $50.00
Mid-American Research Chemical, Supplies $1,438.00
Med-Tech Resource, Inc., Supplies $252.92
NorthWestern Energy, Electricity $418.86
Sanborn County Ambulance, Fuel/Meals $191.27
Santel Communications, Phone/Internet $1,424.24
SDACO, Registration Fee $525.00
Woonsocket Appreciation Day, Annual Contribution $50.00
March payroll before deductions:
Commissioners $2,774.21
Auditor $4,598.52
Treasurer $4,598.53
States Attorney $3,133.24
Courthouse $2,948.67
Assessor $5,687.06
Register of Deeds
$4,463.52
Sheriff $7,423.97
Public Welfare $114.60
Nurse $1,888.08
Ambulance $675.00
WIC $56.08
Extension Office $1,012.30
Weed Salary $1,824.75
Drainage $225.00
Road and Bridge $23,694.36
Emergency Management
$412.00
Sobriety Testing $207.12
There being no further business, motion by P. Larson, seconded by S. Larson, to adjourn the meeting. The board will meet as a Board of Equalization on April 8, 2014 and to conduct any business that may come before the board. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be April 15.
Diane Larson
Sanborn County
Auditor
Published one at the total approximate cost of $42.25.
SJ33-1tb

Unapproved Minutes
April 2, 2014
The Town of Artesian Council met on April 2, 2014 in regular session at the Artesian Community Center. Council Member Effling called the meeting to order with Council Member Richard, Finance Officer Ebersdorfer and Tom Fridley present.
The minutes of the March 5, 2014 and March 17, 2014 meeting were read. Motion to approve by Richard, seconded by Effling; motion carried. Finance Officer reports and vouchers were read. Motion to approve by Richard, seconded by Effling; motion carried.
The following vouchers were presented for the month:
Monthly Disbursements March 31, 2014:
USDA, Sanitation 757.32, Sanitation 358.68
Dawson Construction, Sanitation 987.60
Fire Department, General 125.00
Payroll Expense, General 85.83
Tom Fridley, General 42.00, Sanitation 140.00
Kurt Effling, General 160.00, General 63.49
Candace Danek, General 160.00
Sue Richard, General 120.00
Molly Ebersdorfer, General 500.00
CorTrust Bank, General 5.00
Sanborn Weekly Journal, General 88.14
SDML, General 11.00
USDA, Sanitation 66.13
Sanborn Central – FFA, General 50.00
Kurts Repair, General 1,500.83
Xcel Energy, General 1,195.20
Old Business:
Committee Reports:
Lagoon:
Streets:
Sewer/garbage: Reviewed accounts receivable. Discussed past dues.
Pool:
New Business: Motion by Effling, seconded by Richard, to reject lawn mowing bid. Motion carried.
The next meeting will be May 7, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. at the Artesian Community Center.
There being no further business brought before the Council, meeting adjourned.
Molly
Ebersdorfer
Finance Officer
Town of Artesian
Kurt Effling
Mayor

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