Woonsocket

The Woonsocket Development Corporation is having a mural painted in Woonsocket, just east of Lake Prior.  Fundraisers are now going on to reach our goal of $30,000. We now have $16,000 raised, but we still need support.  There is a fundraiser going on, up until July 4, for a chance to win a briefcase full of $4,000. Tickets are available at local businesses, or you can contact Gay Swenson, and she will make sure you get tickets. Tickets go for $20 for a single ticket, 3 for $50, or 6 for $100. 

The Development Corporation has commissioned, local artist, Kenzee Schafer of Wessington Springs, to help us in finally being able to complete this project.  She has worked with the Corporation, visited several sites in town, and has taken the ideas of what we would like the mural to include. “Old Historic Lake Prior History” will encompass the theme of the mural.

Kenzee Schafer is a very accomplished artist, and we are very fortunate that she said she would complete this project for us.  She took the Congressional Art Show Award, which was then framed in Pierre, and then sent to our nation’s capital and will hang in the Capitol building. The City of Woonsocket and others have come a long way to make Lake Prior a destination for families and everyone to come enjoy. The people of Woonsocket enjoy everything we have around the lake daily. This mural will be one more way that we can enjoy our lake view, draw others from outside our community to come visit, and see what we have added to our beautiful city.

Tom Ogle has given the Development the go ahead, to paint the mural on the grain storage building on the east side of Lake Prior. It will be viewable from Highway 34, to anywhere around the lake. This building is 13’ tall, and 130’ long, so it is not a small mural project. The total project cost is $30,000. Kenzie will be painting the mural with an automotive paint, which is spendy, but will have lasting adherence. Painting on metal is something that she has been doing for the last several years, so it is not new to her. Feel free to visit her on: Facebook, Kenzee Schafer.

The Development Corporation is taking this project on, not only because it is going to be a beautiful addition to Woonsocket, but it will also showcase a local artist, Kenzie Schafer, who we will definitely be hearing more about in the future.

A checking account has been set up at the Woonsocket Dakotaland and at First National Bank for donations toward this “Mural Fundraiser” or checks can be sent to Gay Swenson, 23020 397th Ave., Woonsocket, SD 57385. Dakotaland has a Venmo account set up using @woondev with a pin of #2205. First National Bank has a Square account set up, via credit or debit card, from the link: https://square.link/u/aeFCuHCQ.   

This is an investment in Woonsocket, just like our theatre project, pool project, and many others have been.  Your support is very much appreciated.

The Woonsocket Development Corporation appreciates your support.

At the Dakotas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church held last week in Sioux Falls, Spirit of Faith Lutheran-Methodist Church in Woonsocket received the Multiplication Matters award for 2023. The conference was attended by over 300 United Methodist pastors and laity from North and South Dakota. Spirit of Faith Pastor John Anderson accepted the award on behalf of the congregation.

According to the Spirit of Faith Facebook page, “The Multiplication Matters Award recognizes congregations and individuals who give birth to new faith communities and invite people to Jesus. Our story of taking a risk six years ago to become Spirit of Faith, and our remarkable growth in multiplying new disciples (128 new members since 2020, currently) earned us this award.”

…See a picture in this week’s issue of the Sanborn Weekly Journal!

The communities of Woonsocket, Artesian and Letcher each held their own Memorial Day programs to honor fallen U.S. soldiers.

Woonsocket American Legion Post #29 Memorial Day services began with ceremonies at the cemetery and at the Sanborn County Courthouse Memorial to honor our “Unknown Dead.” The special service included a salute to fallen comrades, a ceremonial shooting of three volleys in honor of the deceased, which was rendered by Dick Regynski, Duane Peterson, Keith Senska, Jessica Scheer, Steve Tornow, Jim Hegg and Dave Kogel.  

Commander Joel Rassel welcomed a nice crowd to the Memorial Day program held at the community center.  Members of the Legion presented the Colors, followed by the POW-MIA flag to signify “You Are Never Forgotten.” Paula Linke presented the Invocation and then all joined together in the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem.  Past Boys Stater Blake Howard then presented “In Flanders Field” and past Girls Stater Natalie Evans presented “America’s Response.”

David Kogel and Paula Linke read the Roll Call of War Heroes, the names of deceased veterans of Post #29 and the Woonsocket area. After the roll call, Taps was played to remember those heroes who have passed.  

Legion Scholarship 2023 winner Acaiya Schultz presented her scholarship essay on the topic “Americanism:  What is it and how I can promote and preserve it?”

Special speakers for the day were members of the Town ‘N Kountry Kids Red Group 4-H Club.  The group began with a reading that explained the “Missing Hero Table,” a memorial honoring those military service members who made the ultimate sacrifice. 4-H members put together the table with objects that symbolized the missing hero to include a white tablecloth, a rose, candle, Bible, a slice of lemon, a pinch of salt and an upside down glass.  For example, a pinch of salt symbolizes the tears of our missing soldiers and the families who long for them. Next the 4-H Club explained the meaning of the poppy and handed out a poppy to everyone in attendance. The 4-H group sang “God Bless the USA” and 4-H Leader Lisa Snedeker gave a short message on the importance and meaning of Memorial Day.

The Memorial Day Program concluded with a Benediction and the Retiring of the Colors. The American Legion Auxiliary served refreshments after the service.

The Artesian Memorial Day program was well attended.  Commander Karen Lambert was the MC for the program. Chaplain Karen Klinkner read the prayers. Josh Starzman, Tom Fridley, and Bill Austerman carried the flags and did the gun salute. Col(R) Mary Christenson was the Memorial Day speaker.   Sara Fridley from the Prairie Winds Quilts of Valor presented Quilts of Valor to Bob Hendrix, WW2 veteran; Howard Moore, Korean War veteran; and Karen Lambert, Vietnam War veteran. The American Legion Auxiliary members Holly Mckillop, Kathy Austerman, Dee Bechen, Laura Pearson, Karen Klinkner and Pam Moore served the lunch.

…See pictures in this week’s issue of the Sanborn Weekly Journal!

  • Weather

    Failure notice from provider:
    Connection Error:http_request_failed
  • Upcoming Events

    February 2025
    Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
    January 26, 2025 January 27, 2025 January 28, 2025 January 29, 2025 January 30, 2025 January 31, 2025 February 1, 2025
    February 2, 2025 February 3, 2025 February 4, 2025 February 5, 2025 February 6, 2025 February 7, 2025 February 8, 2025
    February 9, 2025 February 10, 2025 February 11, 2025 February 12, 2025 February 13, 2025 February 14, 2025 February 15, 2025
    February 16, 2025 February 17, 2025 February 18, 2025 February 19, 2025 February 20, 2025 February 21, 2025 February 22, 2025
    February 23, 2025 February 24, 2025 February 25, 2025 February 26, 2025 February 27, 2025 February 28, 2025 March 1, 2025
  • Recent Posts

  • Contact Us

    Ph/Fax: 605.796.4221
    Email: swj4221@icloud.com

    PO BOX 218
    Woonsocket, SD 57385
  • Archives