Pictured with the S.D. Farmers Union Education Director, Rachel Haigh-Blume, the 2016 Torchbearers include, back row: Cole Van Gorp, Stickney, son of Randy and Jan Van Gorp; Braeden Walton, Mitchell, son of Scott and Lisa Walton; Shaun Snedeker, Woonsocket, son of Mark and Lisa Snedeker; Jonah Murtha, Parkston, son of Becky and Kevin Murtha; front row: Reece Schulte, Orient, son of Mark and Jil Schulte; Abbey Tschetter, Huron, daughter of Lisa Tschetter; and Madelyn Kline, Huron, daughter of Neal and Kristin Kline.

HURON – Shaun Snedeker, of Woonsocket, son of Mark and Lisa Snedeker, was one of the rural youth recognized for their commitment to community and leadership skills with the Torchbearer Award during an awards banquet at the 2016 S.D. Farmers Union State Convention, held in Pierre, Dec. 8-9.
Torchbearer is the highest level for South Dakota Farmers Union Education Achievement. This achievement showcases the time and dedication campers have given over the years to the education department as well as the communities they have served. A special thanks to their families whom supported this process and ensured campers were able to attend camp and other activities.
“South Dakota Farmers Union invests in youth starting at a young age to ensure the next generation of leaders in our rural communities. We appreciate these youth and their families who have invested in this program and are dedicated to the traditions and skills the program embeds in the students,” said S.D. Farmers Union Education Director, Rachel Haigh-Blume.

All eleven members of the Hope Circle met in the home of Sue Larson on Dec. 8, at 5:30 p.m. Attending were Vicki Linke, Evelyn Mitzel, Barb Coulthard, Jacki Aymar, Ruth Jensen, Patti Larson, Kim Hiemstra, Jannet Larson, Vickie Hines, JoAnn Schladweiler and Sue Larson.
Sue Larson read a Christmas devotional and prayer following the meal.
Vicki Linke, chairman, called the meeting to order. Sue Larson read the previous minutes and gave a treasurer’s report. JoAnn Schladweiler, W/ELCA treasurer, gave her financial report. Our 2016 Thankoffering total was $177.50.
Members of Hope Circle will once again be making candy trays to sell, which will benefit our Mission Action projects (health kits, layettes, school kits and quilts). They will meet at 2 p.m. at the Church to assemble the trays on Saturday, Dec. 17.
Christmas Eve services with Holy Communion will be held at 5:30 p.m. at Spirit of Faith Church. There will be no worship services on Christmas Day. The Annual Meeting will be held on Jan. 22, 2017, following a “Celebration Supper” at 5 p.m.
Correspondence was read from The Living Hope Alliance Church of Huron thanking our group for the 19 “Operation Christmas Child” shoeboxes we donated. Their church collected over l,300 shoeboxes for children in Mexico and Guatamala. (Over 124 million boxes have been distributed since 1993 through this International Relief Fund started by Billy Graham!)
A motion was made to give $100 of our yearly collection (Jar Fund) to the Sanborn County Food Pantry and $75 to the Vacation Bible Day Camp to be held in the summer of 2017.
Sixteen care baskets were filled for various shut-ins, new members, or those who have suffered a loss during the year or added a new baby to their family.
Secret Prayer Sisters were revealed with a gift exchange and new names were drawn for 2017. Exchange gifts were also shared.