Our Towns 2016

OUR TOWNS 2016 EDITION

DEADWOOD | LEAD | SPEARFISH | BELLE FOURCHE

The businesses, organizations, and people that make a positive difference in the Northern Hills.

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EDUCATION FUNDING

SANFORD LAB

GAMING IN DEADWOOD

A look at lab experiments

Gaming grows

State Legislature changes school funding formulas

BLACK HILLS PIONEER

Page 2, Our Towns 2016

The Black Hills Pioneer

Education reform to be realized locally Governor’s three-pronged education bill proposal becomes law

BY JACI CONRAD PEARSON Black Hills Pioneer

NORTHERN HILLS — It was, perhaps, the hottest topic in the South Dakota legislature this session and, theoretically, South Dakota’s students are designed to benefit the most.

Gov. Dennis Daugaard signing the three components of his education proposal — HB1182, SB131, and SB133 — into law means education reform will be realized locally in the form of higher teacher pay, school funding formula reform, and new ways to recruit and retain more teachers to the state and subsequently, local districts..

“I thank legislators for partnering with me to pass this historic package of legislation. Thanks to their support, South Dakota will no longer be in last place for teacher pay and we will be able to better compete with our surrounding states,” said Daugaard. “This is going to make all the difference for our students whose achieve-

ment depends upon a good workforce of teachers.”

HB 1182 increases the sales tax by a half-penny and dedicates $36 million for property tax relief. The new revenue will increase South Dakota’s average teacher salary from $40,000 by setting a target average of $48,500. Individual teacher salary levels will be set by local school districts.

The bill requires school districts to use at least 85 percent of new funds for teacher pay or benefits.

SB 131 reforms the school funding formula to increase transparency and accountability. The bill also imposes new caps on school general reserve funds and on the growth of capital outlay levies.

SB 133 includes a number of proposals to recruit and retain more teachers and to create new opportunities for school efficiency.

How the changes will look and how they will be implemented in each district remains to be seen. Meetings with the state

have started, in order to help the districts implement the reform changes and, overall, response to the modifications is good.

Spearfish Schools Superintendent Dave Peters said the new education reform is sure to benefit his district, which has an average teacher salary of around $42,000.

“As is the case with all school districts, our teachers will receive a significant increase in pay because of the new formula, and that is obviously a positive change.

Being able to hire and retain teaching staff is critically important to our success,” Peters said. “This is a significant change in the funding formula for public schools, and we won't have all the answers on how the details will impact us for some time.

But, we have been asking for more money for teacher salaries for years, so it is positive in that regard, and well deserved.”

Belle Fourche Schools Superintendent Steve Willard said more money from the EDUCATION Pg 8

Courtesy photo

While HB 1182 will increase South Dakota’s average teacher salary from $40,000 by setting a target average of $48,500, there are those districts like Lead-Deadwood that are outside the reform funding formula because they are self-funded through property tax and receive no state aid. Pioneer photo by Jaci Conrad Pearson

The Black Hills Pioneer

Our Towns 2016, Page 3

Housing prices continue to rise as inventory tightens in the Northern Hills

BY LACEY PETERSON Black Hills Pioneer

NORTHERN HILLS — After more than a decade of head-snapping ups and downs, the housing market has settled into a steadier, less-spectacular groove in the Northern

Hills. In 2015, home prices rose 6.21 percent, following an 8 percent hike in 2014, according to data compiled from the Mount Rushmore Area Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service.

“The housing market is going great guns for both buyers and sellers in the Northern Hills,” said Beth Mathis, president of the Mount Rushmore Association of Realtors, which includes 198 realtors from the Black Hills, as well as 14 appraisers and 40 affiliates.

Nationally, sales of existing homes rose

by nearly 9 percent in September 2015 over September 2014, to 5.6 million, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). That’s the second-fastest pace since early 2007.

NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said the trend represents the release of pent-up demand by homeowners who have regained enough equity to sell and trade up.

However, when you combine that with homeowners who might move but are stuck because they don’t have HOUSING Pg 9

Courtesy photos

Page 4, Our Towns 2016

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The Black Hills Pioneer

Our Towns 2016, Page 5

Spread of beetles slowing in forest, but fight not over yet

BY MARK WATSON Black Hills Pioneer

BLACK HILLS — Aerial and ground surveys of the Black Hills National Forest show that the spread of the mountain pine beetles is continuing, but slowing.

The mountain pine beetle has ravaged approximately 447,000 acres in the Black Hills National Forest since the outbreak began in 1996. Between 16,000 and 17,000 acres were affected in 2015, and a similar average was affected in 2014.

“We are seeing positive results as we continue our work with partners and conservation leaders throughout the Black Hills. We will continue to perform landscape scale treatments to make the forest more resilient to insects and fire,” said Craig Bobzien, Black Hills National Forest supervisor.

Beetle-invested stands measured nearly 34,000 acres in 2012, 31,000 in 2011, 20,000 in 2010, and 9,500 in 2010.

Mountain pine beetle brood surveys were conducted at 13 locations by U.S. Forest Service entomologists in July 2015. Results showed an overall decrease in tree mortality across the forest as a whole, but there are still several areas of significant beetle activity.

Areas that have the highest current activity include the northwest corner of the forest around the Tinton area, approximately eight miles west of Lead and eight miles south of Spearfish, areas south and east of Custer and the west-central area near the South Dakota/ Wyoming state line, Forest Service officials said.

Dan Buehler, resource manager for Neiman Enterprises, said the largest expansion of bee-

tles is on the edge of Custer State Park, but he agreed that there is expansion in the LeadDeadwood, Deerfield and Rochford, Moon Campground, Cheyenne Crossing, and Sand Creek roadless areas.

“We’re striving to get to endemic levels.

We will never get rid of the bugs completely,” Buehler said. “You’re going to see flareups here and there. There are still 400,000 acres still high-risk stands out there across the forest.”

The Black Hills National Forest comprises 1.2 million acres in South Dakota and Wyoming.

Dave Thom, Black Hills regional mountain pine beetle working group coordinator, reported that the 14 partners involved in the beetle fight have spent an average of $18.2 million annually since 2012 for about 210,000 acres of treatment each year.

“That tremendous work has protected people and communities, created healthier forest conditions for the long-term, and reduced beetle populations, while supporting about 1,200 local jobs,” said Thom. “Work is most effective when coordinated across all lands.”

Buehler said the land around the Black Elk Wilderness, where there is no treatment allowed, remains a target for the bugs.

“The final number is something like 95 percent of the wilderness has been attacked and effected. That was just a breeding center,” Buehler said. “The Forest Service has done a really good job putting together the Vestal Project around Custer (which neighbors the wilderness.) It looks pretty darn good there.

This map shows 2014 density levels of mountain pine beetles, and a similar Now where is it picking up? Right around average of acres was affected in 2015. Courtesy photo BEETLES Pg 6

Pioneer file photo

Page 6, Our Towns 2016

SPEARFISH REC & AQUATICS CENTER

The Spearfish Rec and Aquatics Center has something for everyone! They provide a fun, safe and friendly place for personal growth, physical fitness and positive social development. They cater to families, seniors, adults, youth and special groups. They thrive on providing fun, active and affordable opportunities for the community and their visitors.

The facility is owned by the City of Spearfish and has been in business for more than seven years. Hours of operation are Sunday 12pm-6pm, Monday-Friday 5:30am-9pm and Saturday 8am-6pm. Open until 7pm summer weekends. They are located at 122 Recreation Lane and can be reached at 605-722-1430. Visit www.

SpearfishRecCenter.com for additional information.

The Black Hills Pioneer

Ace Hardware now open in Lead

THE OLIVE BRANCH

The Olive Branch, formerly State Street Coop, has recently opened in Belle Fourche.

The Olive Branch offers shoppers a unique relaxed shopping experience with a wide range of items and gifts; and having the business set up with several different "owners" allows each of them to work fewer hours than if they were in their own building.

Stop in and shop- from baby items, to jewelry, clothing, gifts, and more, there is something for everyone at The Olive Branch, located at 501 State Street, Belle Fourche.

OFFICE EMPORIUM

From left, Store Manager Reb Lindwurm, Store Operator Hunter Bregar, and Store Owner Bill Bregar pose inside the new Lead Ace Hardware location, which fills the 21,000-square-foot former Alco building space. The new store, which opened earlier this year, offers much more than just hardware and related supplies. Pioneer photo by Adam Hurlburt

BY ADAM HURLBURT Black Hills Pioneer Mary Riley prides herself on customer service and customer satisfaction. Providing great service, going the extra mile and having the patience to help each and every customer is what has taken the Office Emporium into over 50 years of service. She will help you with every step along the way.

They offer a variety of services including, custom picture framing, digital photo processing, office products, custom design, computer services and more! Office Emporium is also the only store that offers both FedEx and UPS shipping at one location. In addition to great service they also carry Fabric & Notions, SD Made Products, Unique Gifts and Greeting Cards, offer Graduation supplies and much more.

Office Emporium truly is your One Stop Shop. Stop in and see them today!

COEUR WHARF

Wharf Resources is an open pit, heap leach mining operation. They are committed to operating a safe, efficient and environmentally conscious gold mine in the Black Hills of South Dakota. This past year it was purchased by Coeur Mining. Wharf has been in production for over 30 years. During that period, Wharf has produced over 2.0 million ounces of gold and has a current reserve base of 560,000 ounces of gold. There are 205 employees at this time. They are Cyanide Code Certified under the International Cyanide Management Institute.

10928 Wharf Road, Lead 605-584-1441 • www.coeur.com

LEAD — It wasn’t a “grand” opening full of fanfare, speeches from local government representatives, and the like, but the opening of a new Ace Hardware store in March was a big deal in Lead, symbolically and otherwise.

When Lead’s Alco department store closed in January 2015, the 21,000-square-foot space became one more empty storefront in the community. A lot has changed since then — and continues to change — and the from Pg 5

BEETLES where those projects stopped.”

Buehler said the biggest threat going forward is toward Wyoming.

“The movement is progressing northwest,” Buehler said. “The Bearlodge (mountains are) still relatively clean, which is a good thing.

It is it’s own isolated island. If the winds maintain out of the north, northwest, hopefully it should just flare up and go back down.”

The beetles generally fly about 40 feet to find a non-infested tree, but occasionally the bugs will ride the air currents to make massive dispersals.

“It’s very typical to go out in the woods and find a red-needle tree and go 50 feet and find where they flopped over,” Buehler said. “Some (infested) areas have now converged.

January 2016 announcement that the empty Alco storefront would be filled by an Ace Hardware was more good news in a series of similarly positive announcements.

At the time, store owner Bill Bregar, of Lander, Wyo., said in addition to the typical hardware store fare, the Ace Hardware would feature clothing; soft goods like bedding; housewares; a pet section to include fish, hamsters, gerbils, lizards, and related supplies; a ranch section featuring horse feed and tack; BBQ grills; and more. Walk into

the newly-opened Twin City Ace Hardware in Lead today, and you’ll see Bregar kept his promise.

While the store is already quite full, Bregar said he and his staff of 17 locals are waiting on many more shipments of product.

“I wouldn’t say we’ll quite double our inventory through time, but it’s going to be at least a third more,” he specified.

Twin City Ace Hardware will hold an official grand opening weekend Friday, May 20 through Sunday, May 22.

When that happens, they have to pick up and go, it’s wherever the winds drop them. It’s Mother Nature putting them somewhere else.

“With all the operations we are doing this year, I think it is safe to say the growth is going to be down significantly,” he added. “We’re just not finding the bug-hit trees in the numbers that we have before.”

Buehler said Neiman Resources will continue to focus its logging operations on the high risk stands.

“We don’t want to lose them to bugs and put more excess fuel on the ground that’s going to burn in a wildfire. We want to treat those lands,” he said. “Thinning is the answer to the bugs. We have had major impacts on where we logged, opened up the stands, allowed those wind currents to go through and disperse those pherForest managers use thinning methods to help slow omones so they don’t have a mass attack and signal each other to come.” the pine beetle infestation. Pioneer file photo

The Black Hills Pioneer

Our Towns 2016, Page 7

Hours: Monday-Saturday 7am-7:30pm, Sunday 9am-4pm

145 Glendale Drive Lead, SD 605-559-1110

• Pet & Ranch Supplies • Outer Wear & Clothing • Sporting Goods • Camping Supplies • RV Supplies • Welding

Jake’s Laundromat (Formerly Gold Brick Laundromat)

Clean Facility — Parking Convenient Location 508 W. Main Street, Lead

(next to Common Cents Exxon Station)

605-591-9869

Bob Forcucci, Owner

605-580-0064 • SPEARFISH

Page 8, Our Towns 2016

The Black Hills Pioneer

from Pg 2

EDUCATION state means the potential to retain and attract good teachers. The current average teacher salary in Belle Fourche is $38,655.

“Additional dollars from the state will help raise salaries, encourage current teachers to stay employed with the district, and help the district attract highly qualified teachers to fill openings,” Willard said. “Time will tell what the positives and negatives are concerning all the educational bills that were introduced and signed into law. As of right now, I have a very positive outlook concerning K-12 public education in South Dakota.”

Lead-Deadwood Schools Superintendent Dr. Dan Leikvold said that, as with most things school finance related, this is a very complicated matter and probably more so for the LeadDeadwood School District, which is self-funded and receives no money per pupil in the form of state aid, as most other districts in South Dakota do. The average teacher salary in the

Lead-Deadwood School District is $43,956.

“As is widely known, due to the amount of money raised through local property taxes, the Lead-Deadwood School District has not received state aid under the state education funding formula based on per student allocation since 2006,” Leikvold explained. “Although the new state education funding formula based on teacher/student ratios has significantly increased the amount of state aid to schools in South Dakota, it still looks like the Lead-Deadwood School District will continue to be outside the new funding formula … Thus, the new funding will not noticeably affect teacher salaries in our district. As our school board has done in the past, we’ll continue to focus on the issue of staff compensation and staying competitive. Higher salaries clearly lead to more teachers wanting to come to our district and also helps get them to stay. In addition to recruitment and retention, I believe that on average, higher salaries tend to attract higher quality teachers as well.

Recruiting and retaining quality teachers is and will continue to be a very high priority in LeadDeadwood, because our community recognizes

how important teachers are in helping our children be successful.

Overall, Leikvold said the new revenue generated by the half-cent sales tax earmarked for K-12 education is extremely positive for the schools in South Dakota.

“I’d like to personally say thank you to Gov. Daugaard and especially to our District 31 legislators, Rep. (Tim) Johns, Rep. (Fred) Romkema, and Sen. (Bob) Ewing for taking a stand for teachers and children throughout South Dakota and getting this done,” Leikvold said. “Not all the information on how this will impact schools is available yet, but there are meetings to attend that we hope will provide more answers, and promised information due out later … that should help us understand the full ramifications better, and plan accordingly.”

Courtesy photo

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The Black Hills Pioneer from Pg 3

HOUSING enough equity, plus a notable lack of newly built homes, you have a shortfall of homes for sale.

That tight supply is the speed bump for many homebuyers, as well as for sellers who want to trade up. But inventory in the Northern Hills is much lower and strongly favors sellers, said Mathis.

“People just love Spearfish,” she said.

“Nestled in the ‘crown’ of hills, it provides beauty and scenic hiking and biking. It has everything you would want: low crime, perfect weather, and entertainment.”

Currently, inflation is nonexistent with no changes to the consumer price index from one year ago.

Some components are, however, making marked changes. Gasoline prices are below one year ago, rents are rising at near 4 percent, and medical care service prices are beginning to firm up after several years of slowing inflation.

“Mortgage rates can be impacted more by inflation than by federal policy. With inflation tame in 2015, mortgage rates

Our Towns 2016, Page 9 have been bouncing along historic lows,” said Yun. “But with anticipated higher inflation — probably to around 3 percent in 2016 — mortgage rates will be steadily pushed higher.”

Belle Fourche building permits and construction valuation totals in 2015 set records for the city: total construction valuation crowned $14,435,798, a 126 percent increase from 2014, representing 785 total permits and 10 new single-family homes.

According to the city’s engineering department, however, one contributing factor to the increase seen in Belle Fourche is the August 2015 hailstorm that caused damage to hundreds of buildings in the area.

Many building permits were issued for replacing shingles.

Sturgis issued 36 total permits, with total construction valuation of approximately $11,241,330 and representing 17 new single-family homes.

The city of Spearfish issued 458 building permits, with an approximate

construction valuation of $46,350,137 and 103 new single-family homes.

In Whitewood, there were 12 new building permits issued, with total construction valuation of $509,205, with four permits representing new homes.

Deadwood had 128 building permits, representing a total construction valuation of $11,227,893 and two of those permits were new residences.

Lead had 132 building permits, representing a total construction valuation of $3,548,763 with no new residences.

The data compiled from the Mount Rushmore Area Association of Realtors also showed a 2.17 percent increase in housing prices in the Northern Hills, which have been on a steading incline since 2010.

For example, in Spearfish, the average sales price of residential homes went from $194,271 in 2010

to $242,872 in 2015 — a 25 percent increase.

In the Lead/Deadwood/Central City area, the average sales prices of residential homes increased from $165,757 in 2010 to $183,995 in 2015 — an 11 percent increase.

The numbers of residential units sold in each community during 2015, compared to 2010, are: 251, up from 131 in Spearfish; 124, up from 49 in the Lead/ Deadwood/Central City area; 130, up from 55 in Belle Fourche; and 108, up from 66 in Sturgis.

So what is the 2016 housing market outlook? Expect a healthy growth in home sales and prices — at a slower pace than in 2015.

“This slowdown is not an indication of a problem — it’s just a return to normalcy,” writes Yun. “We’ve lived through 15 years of truly abnormal trends, and after working off the devastating effects of the housing bust, we’re finally seeing signs of more normal conditions.”

New construction and distressed sales are expected to return to more historical levels, and home prices are expected to follow at “more normal rates consistent with a more balanced market,” writes Yun.

Courtesy photos

Page 10, Our Towns 2016

BELLE FOURCHE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Belle Fourche is a community with strong leadership and alliances to help make the development process seamless. Belle Fourche Development Corporation, the city, the county, the school and business leaders within, help lead the way and tie it all together.

They are focused on aligning with companies to build community with WorkForce Development and Housing, Industrial & Rail Park, Business Expansion, and New Business Development.

The Belle Fourche location and transportation network can work well for you. Highway 85, 34 and 212 drive you from ports to plains and coast to coast. Complimented by the rail and our corresponding Industrial and Rail Park, manufacturers can make easy connections. Contact Hollie Stalder, executive director, today for more information 605892-5065 or www.bfdcsd.com.

The Black Hills Pioneer

Underground astronauts An overview of the Sanford Underground Research Facility’s groundbreaking experiments

VAST BROADBAND

Vast Broadband is a local communications company, providing high-speed Internet, high-definition television and digital telephone services for residential and business customers in South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa. They are committed to continuous service improvements and enhancements. They are continually expanding and upgrading their fiber optic network to deliver faster Internet speeds and more HD channels. The number one goal of Vast Broadband? To deliver to its customers the region's best products and best customer service . Visit VASTbroadband.com to learn more!

HART HOMES CONSTRUCTION & BLACK HILLS INSULATION

BUDGET APPLIANCE, FURNITURE & DOLLAR STORE

Budget Appliance & Dollar Store located at 613 State Street, Belle Fourche opened May 1, 1993 the day after Sears closed. Over the last 23 years they have sold different brands of appliances. Their appliance line today is Speed Queen, GE, and Crosley. They also carry furniture by Simmon and various vendors, Omaha Bedding and the dollar store items. The dollar store carries a variety of items ranging from beauty to kitchen supplies, toys, cleaning and more. Stop in and see what they have to offer.

BY ADAM HURLBURT Black Hills Pioneer

LEAD — People often think of space as something “out there,” something separate from their world; a star-pocked obsidian blanket they gaze up at from time to time.

Space isn’t “out there”: it’s right here. But the modern Western psyche defaults to duality. If we continue to think of space as a destination then we’d better update the roadmap, because if someone in Lead wants to visit space they have a choice to make: “up or down?”

Lead’s Sanford Underground Research Facility is the past, present, and future home of some of the world’s premier high-energy physics experiments. Those who venture a mile down into this former gold mine are just as likely to return to the earth’s surface with revolutionary insights on the universe as those who leave the earth’s atmosphere, if not more so.

LUX and LZ

There’s currently one fully operational experiment at work underground, the Large Underground Xenon experiment, or LUX, the most sensitive dark matter detector in the world.

Physicists theorize dark matter, that undiscovered mystery stuff, makes up some 27 percent of the universe. Finding and subsequently defining dark matter would be one of the premier defining moments of science in the 21st century.

The vast majority of the scientific community believes dark matter works with gravity to hold all matter in the universe together.

Based solely on observable particle physics, all the galaxies in the universe should’ve

torn to bits ages ago, as they’re rotating fast enough to overcome the gravitational force created by the observable matter they’re comprised of. This led scientists to the notion that something else must be working with or in addition to gravity to keep everything together. That mysterious substance is UX ive currently undetected and does not sit d n r im a r k se n interact with the universe’s electroost ns i en m a t m magnetic force, meaning it doesn’t e ter e io m t of x p e r i m e n t i s t h i brat ws h its ad emit, reflect, or absorb light, hence o l a kind sh ic of e ec in the world. R “dark matter.” t o , wh LU i t e v o ph bes t en he X’s There are several theories on more This . tu gh e v t i r t s i e s n wo e e r t mi i what dark matter may be, and the l t p a i at o d rrays lt tha t. of photomu e prevailing one holds that it's made ht an ete ct g i en l f the ti up of so-called Weakly Interacting im rim ny flashes o e p p ort Massive Particles, or “WIMPs,” which ant e e ex vent inside th are thought to be all around us in massive quantities but practically invisible — electromagnetically neutral loners that very rarely, if whelming on the surface, where cosmic rays constantly rain down from the skies and ever, collide with other particles. background radiation levels are much higher But what if WIMPs do collide with other than they are beneath 4,850 feet of shielding particles on occasion? This is where LUX rock. comes in.

LUX’s photomultiplier tubes catch the LUX is a 6-foot-tall titanium tank filled light flashes emitted in the detector and log with 815 pounds of liquid xenon and an ardata about the energy generated by these colray of photomultiplier tubes. The detector is lisions. Scientists then sort through the subhoused in a two-story water tank filled with sequent gargantuan leagues of data in search ultra-purified water. That tank sits cozy one of the unique energy signature of a WIMP. mile below the surface of the earth at the Finding one brings us that much closer to Sanford Lab’s 4,850 level. finally defining dark matter, which is a very Xenon particles generate a burst of light big deal. when other particles collide with them. This But what happens if LUX doesn’t find any is what the photomultiplier tubes are there WIMPs? Simple: we build a bigger LUX. to capture. The detector is squirrelled away LUX 2.0 is already in the workings. so deeply under ground in order to limit the amount of particle interactions occurring at SANFORD Pg 12 any moment. That number would be over-

L e 5 e t c Th exp 201 one are indi

Licensed, insured, and experienced in all phases of construction, whether it's remodeling, additions, new construction, or commercial, Black Hills Insulation and Hart Homes provide affordable services without sacrificing workmanship. Customers are valuable to them and they show appreciation by returning calls, keeping you in the loop regarding your project, and keeping your budget and ideas in mind. Estimates are free.

Jesse Hart, owner, is proud to have lived in the Black Hills for 10 years. Let him make your idea or dream a reality- if you can think it, his businesses can build it.

A researcher stands inside the outer tank of the LUX dark matter experiment before it was filled with liquid xenon.

Photos courtesy of Matthew Kapust and the Sanford Underground Research Facility

The Black Hills Pioneer

Back to Nature Supplements & Natural Foods Holistic Wellness Center

825 14th St., Sturgis, SD, 57785 • (605) 347-2225

Back to Nature

Our Towns 2016, Page 11

See What’s New for Spring New Items!

~ Original Cowgirl Clothing t-shirts • hats • jewelry

~ Ruby’s Rubish T’s quirky fun faith based

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New Junk & Disorderly Room

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April 25-30, 2016

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• Free Samples • Door Prizes

• Mail Orders • Phone Consultations Welcome • Bulk Discounts Available

Hundreds of Monthly Sales at Wholesale Prices!

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520 N. Canyon St., Spearfish • 605-642-7996 www.bhphysicaltherapy.com

to help you with your home projects!

Plus

Your favorites are still here!

~ Local Artist Creations ~ Caramel Creations ~ Black Crow Candles ~ Mona B Bags & More!

Many new upcycled projects on the way!

509 Grant Street Downtown Belle Fourche

~ 605-210-1421 ~ shoprusticsoul@gmail.com

Stacey joins Thrivent Financial SPEARFISH, SD — Marcus Stacey of Spearfish, SD, has joined Thrivent Financial as an Associate Representative with the organization’s Rocky Mountain Region Regional Financial Office. Stacey offers comprehensive financial strategies, personal customer service and a wide range of financial products. His office is located at 110 E. Grant Street in Spearfish.

Before joining Thrivent Financial, Stacey worked at Lueders Food Center and is enlisted with the South Dakota Army National Guard.

Stacey graduated from Black Hills State University, in Spearfish, SD, receiving a Masters degree in Strategic Leadership and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

Stacey attends Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Spearfish.

“We see Marcus as a valuable addition to our office’s field staff,” said Managing Partner Matt Rauh, managing partner of the Rocky Mountain Region Regional Financial Office in Denver, CO. “We look forward to the energy and dedication MARCUS STACEY Marcus will bring to the team. He will play a key role in serving our members’ financial needs.”

Thrivent Financial is looking for talented individuals to join the organization. Those interested in a career with Thrivent Financial can visit www.thrivent.com/careers.

About Thrivent Financial Thrivent Financial is a financial services organization that helps Christians be wise with money and live generously. As a membership organization, it offers its nearly 2.4 million member-owners a broad range of products, services and guidance from financial representatives nationwide. For more than a century it has helped members make wise money choices that reflect their values while providing them opportunities to demonstrate their generosity where they live, work and worship. For more information, visit Thrivent.com/why. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Insurance products issued or offered by Thrivent Financial, the marketing name for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Appleton, WI. Not all products are available in all states. Securities and investment advisory services are offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., 625 Fourth Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55415, a FINRA and SIPC member and a wholly owned subsidiary of Thrivent. Thrivent Financial representatives are registered representatives of Thrivent Investment Management Inc. They are also licensed insurance agents/producers of Thrivent. For additional important information, visit Thrivent.com/disclosures.

Page 12, Our Towns 2016

FRONTIER GLASS OF BELLE FOURCHE

Roger & Diane McNary relocated to a new location South of Belle Fourche this past August. This has given them more room for service work in their new state of the art facility. Roger has been doing glasswork since 1984 and in 2008 the couple purchased Frontier Glass of Belle Fourche.

Servicing customers all over the Northern Hills from Rapid City to Buffalo, SD the small team provides friendly quality service to their loyal customers. While auto glass repair is their main focus, they are also able to provide home glass needs, including custom glass table tops, fireplace glass, screens, glass shelving and more. Frontier Glass is insurance approved and they welcome you to stop by and see them.

FORCOLI & SONS PAINTING

Forcoli & Sons Painting is owned by Bob Forcucci. Major Projects include: The Adams House Museum, Golden Hills Resort, Franklin Hotel, Deadwood Visitors Center, City of Deadwood historic light poles, Spearfish Canyon Lodge, Latchstring Inn, Matthews Opera House, Lawrence County Courthouse, Mineral Palace, Country Club Village, Great Peaks Realty and the new Creekside Apartments. Forcoli & Sons Painting retains the same quality employees year after year and adheres to their motto, “Perfection is Our Goal... Excellence will be Tolerated!” Call Bob at 605-722-7135.

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The Black Hills Pioneer from Pg 10

SANFORD Construction is set to begin on the LUXZEPLIN experiment, or “LZ” for short, after LUX shuts down for good sometime in 2016.

LZ will be twice as sensitive as LUX, its detector holding some 10 metric tons of liquid xenon compared to LUX’s one-third of a ton.

While LUX is the only currently active experiment at the Lab, it’s hardly the only thing going on down there. Four more groundbreaking high-energy physics experiments are currently in various stages of development, each cradling potential to fundamentally alter humanity’s understanding of the universe.

BHSU Underground Campus

Open to college students from institutions throughout the region, the BHSU underground campus at the Sanford Lab’s 4,850 level offers undergraduate students the opportunity to work with SURF scientists on the research and development phase of the Lab’s cutting-edge experiments, like the Majorana Demonstrator neutrino experiment and the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), by measuring the background radiation of experiment components with finely-tuned low background counters.

Measuring the background radiation of components used in or near these highly sensitive experiments is critical. These experiments hunt for extremely rare particle reactions at the sub-atomic level. The background radiation produced by, well, literally everything, produces particle reactions that the experiments can’t help but register. The lower the background the better. And it’s just as important for calibration and data assessment purposes to know the background numbers on everything in and around the experiments.

“A piece of titanium that goes into the construction of a cryostat, we could hold it in our hand it’s not a big deal, but all these materials give off some level of radioactivity, and the scientists need to understand how that can effect their data — it ends up being noise in the detector,” Mike Headley, executive director the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority said. “What these counters do is,

materials from these other bigger experiments get put into these counters and they get counted for a period of days — we try and understand what the radio purity of all these materials are.”

The underground campus offers more to students than access to low background counters. The cleanroom space is divided into two sections, an ultra-clean class 1,000 section for low background counting and a class 10,000 section set aside for other scientific pursuits, including those outside the physics field.

“The underground campus allows students from other scientific areas to participate in projects in their areas, whether it’s genetic sampling of some of the microbes that are present down in the mine, or geology, or a mixture of geology and microbiology — and even non-science students. We’ve got some interesting ideas about students in the arts pursuing some projects down there,” Dr. Charles Lamb, chair of BHSU’s School of Natural Sciences and co-director of the Sanford Science Education Center, said.

BHSU and the lab are also working to outfit the campus with communication equipment allowing live videoconferencing with Jonas Science Hall in Spearfish, the new Lead Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center, and nearly anywhere else in the world.

“The projects that are already underway and the projects that are being proposed at SURF are amazing, they’re awe-inspiring,” Lamb said. “The Underground Campus provides an opportunity for our students to do something that very few students anywhere would get a chance to do, especially undergraduate students.”

CASPAR

Next door to the BHSU Underground Campus we find CASPAR, the Compact Accelerator System for Performing Astrophysical Research, a collaboration between the University of Notre Dame, the South Dakota School of Mines, and the Colorado School of Mines. CASPAR will use a small, low-energy particle accelerator and detector to study the nuclear fusion reactions within stars that form more than half the elements on the periodic table.

“Every element heavier than iron comes from two different processes, both of them need neutrons. One of them is in very dense

and explosive environments, like supernova or neutron star mergers, and we are tackling the other part, which is the slow nuclear synthesis of those elements heavier than iron,” said Manoel Couder, an assistant professor of physics at the University of Notre Dame and a collaborator on the CASPAR experiment.

“Basically everything that is around us comes from stars, and everything had to go through multiple neutron capture stages to be what it is, so this is critical — it’s where we are from.

Without this we would not be here to talk about it.”

These kinds of nuclear fusion reactions occur in stars all the time, thanks in part to the astounding concentrations of matter in these celestial bodies. To produce and study such reactions on earth requires precision and very low background radiation levels, this makes the Sanford Lab’s 4,850 level ideal for CASPAR. When it’s up and running later this year, CASPAR will smash particle beams at high speeds into various target materials of interest to the scientists involved in the project. The physical footprint of the experiment, from accelerator to detector, will be roughly 30-40 feet.

Though CASPAR shares its name with a famously friendly ghost, its much more concerned with the nuclear reactions that occur in stars in the present than it is with those of the early universe.

“This is science that other colleagues working underground need from us, colleagues who study neutrinos, for example, from our sun need to know the cross section, which is the reaction probability of the nuclear reaction that takes place in our sun, and only a laboratory like this one at the Sanford Lab can provide them with that,” CASPAR Principle Investigator Frank Strieder said.

“Scientifically speaking, we believe we have a program that will keep us going from five to 10 years.”

Majorana

The Majorana Demonstrator collaborative experiment, like its fully operational LUX neighbor down the hall, will observe rare, low-energy particle reactions. Specifically, it will hunt for evidence of neutrinoless double beta decay, which has never been concluSANFORD Pg 13

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This graphic illustrates the two underground campuses at the 4,850 level of Lead’s Sanford Underground Research Facility.

Courtesy graphic

The Black Hills Pioneer from Pg 12

SANFORD sively seen. Double beta decay, however rare, has been conclusively seen: two neutrons inside the nucleus of an atom convert into two protons and eject two electrons and two antineutrinos. The thought is if the demonstrator can observe more instances of double beta decay its chances of catching neutrinoless double beta decay, in which two neutrons inside the nucleus of an atom convert into two protons and eject two electrons but no neutrinos.

This is only possible if neutrinos are not only electrically neutral but neutral in all ways, making the neutrino its own antiparticle — a Majorana particle. If the experiment can prove this our understanding of the universe will change drastically, necessitating alteration of the Standard Model of Particle Physics, just like the potential outcome of nearly every other experiment at the Sanford Lab. The Majorana Demonstrator experiment utilizes two electroformed copper cryostat modules containing strings of hockey pucksized germanium-76 detectors. The cryostats are cooled to negative 320 Fahrenheit and mounted in the center of a large shielding structure containing layers of lead and more electroformed copper, nestled one mile below the earth’s surface at the Sanford Lab’s Davis Campus.

The detectors are looking for the neutrinoless double beta decay of germanium-76, a unique isotope of natural germanium that would be subject to neutrinoless double

Our Towns 2016, Page 13 beta decay if the process does indeed exist in nature.

Last year, Majorana team members installed the first cyrostat and turned the experiment on for an engineering run. In February, the team finished constructing the seventh and final string for the second cryostat. The team plans to turn the experiment on in its completed form later this year.

Majorana Demonstrator scientists expect to work actively with the experiment for three to five years.

DUNE

It sounds like the plot of a science fiction blockbuster: An international team of scientists works tirelessly underground on an experiment that will beam trillions of curious particles some 800 miles straight through the earth, from a national accelerator lab in rural Illinois to four massive particle detectors in an abandoned gold mine deep below the streets of small town in South Dakota’s Black Hills.

But it’s true.

With more than 700 collaborators from roughly 150 institutions in 26 different countries, the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) is the largest international science experiment ever planned for U.S. soil and the largest single construction project in South Dakota state history.

DUNE aims to shed light on the mysteries of neutrinos, the neutral, invisible, weakly interacting sub-atomic particles thought to hold the key to far deeper understanding of the universe.

“It’s such a unique particle, it acts in a different way than any other particle that we’re aware of. That uniqueness is really what makes us want to understand more about it and what it means as far as how the universe was formed and how the universe is acting right now, in fact,” said Josh Willhite, project manager for the Long Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF), the moniker bestowed on both the particle accelerator and near particle detector facility at Fermilab in Batavia, Ill., and the far detector facility at the 4,850 level of the Sanford Lab in Lead.

Willhite said scientists theorized the existence of neutrinos in the 1930s, discovered them in ‘50s, and have been studying them ever since.

It’s quite fitting half of such a monumental neutrino experiment found a home at the Sanford Lab. A groundbreaking neutrino experiment developed underground at Lead’s then-active Homestake Gold Mine in the 1960s by astrophysicists Ray Davis and John Bahcall led to the discovery that neutrinos oscillate between three different “flavors,” the tau neutrino, muon neutrino, and electron neutrino.

With DUNE, scientists hope to pin down the specific mass of neutrinos. They also hope to find out if neutrinos are their own antiparticle.

Scientists postulate that if neutrinos and antineutrinos behave differently it might explain why there’s more matter than anti-matter in the universe — this crucial balance is responsible for the creation of all that we know exists.

How does it work?

A particle accelerator at Fermilab shoots

a beam of protons at a target. That collision produces a number of different particles; many of whiche produce neutrinos upon decay.

Those particles continue down a long pipe filled with gas, where the particles decay. A beam absorber at the end of the pipe filters off all but the neutrinos, which then pass through Fermilab’s near detector. The detector counts the neutrinos and notes their flavors. The neutrinos then continue on an 800-mile journey straight through the earth — no tunnel necessary — to the Sanford Lab, where the facility’s four particle detectors count the neutrinos and note their flavors once more. Scientists then scour the resultant data for evidence of neutrino oscillation along the journey and clues pointing towards specific masses.

DUNE/LBNF is currently in the design stage. Construction of the western arm of LBNF, located at the Sanford Lab, will cost some $300 million. The project is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and the international institutions collaborating on the project.

Willhite said the caverns that will cradle LBNF’s four particle detectors at SURF will be roughly 60 feet wide, 90 feet tall, and 500 feet long. Excavation is set to begin sometime in 2017.

In order to maximize DUNE’s potential for discovery, the Sanford facility’s detectors will be installed and turned on one by one while the excavation process continues. The goal is to have the first 10-kiloton detector switched on in the early 2020s.

The estimated life of the experiment is roughly 20 years.

This image shows one of the Majorana Demonstrator experiment’s copper cryostat modules during assembly at the Sanford Underground Research Lab’s 4,850 level.

The cryostat houses strings of germanium-76 detectors. The experiment is so sensitive that the work must be conducted in nitrogen-filled glove boxes to keep out any contaminates. Photo courtesy of Matthew Kapust and the Sanford Underground Research Facility.

Page 14, Our Towns 2016

The Black Hills Pioneer

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The Black Hills Pioneer

Our Towns 2016, Page 15

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The Black Hills Pioneer

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The Black Hills Pioneer

Our Towns 2016, Page 17

Caroline’s Cart comes to the Northern Hills

Shopping cart that accommodates special needs available at Lueders, Safeway

BY KAIJA SWISHER Black Hills Pioneer

Caroline’s Cart, a shopping cart created specifically to accommodate people with special needs, is now available at Lueders Food Centers in Belle Fourche and Spearfish and at Spearfish Safeway. Pioneer photo

by Kaija Swisher

SPEARFISH — After seeing a friend try to maneuver both her daughter’s wheelchair and a shopping cart through stores, Lori Deibert, of Spearfish, got motivated to do something about it in her community.

That’s when Caroline’s Cart, a shopping cart created specifically to accommodate people with special needs, provided a solution.

“It provides caregivers a viable option to transport a special needs individual through a store while shopping, without the impossible task of having to manipulate a wheelchair and a traditional shopping cart at the same time,” Deibert said.

“It features swing-out handles for convenient access to the seat, a contoured seat that holds a person up to 250 pounds, a five-point safety harness for security, a locking brake system for stability, and spacious cargo basket.”

Deibert, a board member of the Kenadi Jean Weis Foundation, named in honor of her 5-yearold granddaughter who passed away in 2014 from infantile spasms, an age-dependent form of epilepsy often associated with an anoxic brain injury at birth, explained that part of the foundation’s mission is to advocate for families of children with special needs, so when she learned about Caroline’s Carts in the spring of 2015, she knew it was the perfect opportunity.

“When Kenadi outgrew the infant seat and didn’t have the trunk support to sit up in a typical shopping cart seat, I would hold her in my lap on the motorized scooter at Walmart,” Deibert said of her own experiences. “This was not ideal for buying groceries, but Kenadi loved the ride.”

One in five Americans lives with a disability, and six million of those individuals are schoolaged children, Deibert said, pointing out the need for options like Caroline’s Cart.

“We have at least 10 local families with uniquely-abled children, as well as 146 residents of the Northern Hills Training Center in our own municipality,” she said, adding that the carts are ideal for the senior population, as well. “These patrons will find shopping to be easier, and the goodwill they feel toward these stores that offer Caroline’s Cart will translate into more customer loyalty.”

The cart is named after Caroline, daughter of Drew Ann and David Long of Alabaster, Ala. Caroline has special needs, and Drew Ann who worked to make the cart design a reality.

Manufactured by Technibilt, a company headquartered in Newton, N.C., Caroline’s Carts are now available at supermarkets and shopping centers, and “Drew Ann’s hope is that one day all retailers will provide an equal opportunity shopping experience for parents and caregivers of special needs children by furnishing them the option of a Caroline’s Cart,” states the Caroline’s Cart website.

As Deibert researched about Caroline’s Cart, she learned it was approved at various stores across the nation, but none of the carts had made CAROLINE’S CART Pg 19

Page 18, Our Towns 2016

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The Black Hills Pioneer

Our Towns 2016, Page 19

from Pg 17

CAROLINE’S CART it to the Black Hills area. She began writing letters, emails, and Facebook messages to various businesses, and she learned that Target would be rolling out Caroline’s Cart at store locations nationwide in March, including the Rapid City location.

She also spoke to representatives of Safeway and Lueders Food Centers and received positive feedback. “… before I even finished telling them why I wanted it and the benefits for everyone, Doug (Lueders, owner of Lueders Food Centers) was on the telephone ordering not one, but two of Caroline’s Carts — one for each of their store locations in Spearfish and Belle Fourche,” Deibert said.

Two days later, she heard from the Safeway corporate office, letting her know that the company ordered one for its Spearfish store. Deibert also recently learned that Caroline’s Cart is now approved for Walmart in the U.S., so she has approached local management and written letters and emails to the corporate office, waiting to hear back.

Suzanne Purvis, of Spearfish, recently used Caroline’s Cart with her daughter, Cynthia, at the grocery store.

“I think it’s just awesome,” Suzanne said, describing that before the cart was available, she would push Cynthia in her wheelchair and pull a shopping cart behind her, which meant she wasn’t able to see Cynthia’s face while shopping, which Caroline’s Cart allows her to do. “This is big, right here, being able to have her face me and be able to talk to her while we’re walking through the store.”

The cart makes the shopping process much easier for Purvis, and she said that she is excited to have the option available in local stores.

“I’ll most definitely be using this (cart) from now on,” she said, thanking the Kenadi Jean Weis Foundation board members for their work to bring the carts to the Northern Hills.

“Caroline’s Cart will provide a quality product for individuals who need assistance, enabling them to partici-

Pioneer photo by Kaija Swisher

Cynthia Purvis tries out Caroline’s Cart, a shopping cart created specifically to accommodate people with special needs, now available at Lueders Food Centers in Belle Fourche and Spearfish and at Spearfish Safeway. Courtesy photo pate in mainstream society with their family through the everyday activity of grocery shopping,” Deibert said. “ I hope that every retail store nationwide will eventually have one of Caroline’s Carts.”

Deibert thanked the community for its support, generosity, and kindness to the Kenadi Jean Weis Foundation:

“We are changing lives because of each and every one of you,” she said.

For more information on Caroline’s Cart, visit carolinescart.com, and to find out more about the Kenadi Jean Weis Foundation, visit teamkenadi.com or its Facebook page.

Page 20, Our Towns 2016

The Black Hills Pioneer

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The Black Hills Pioneer

Our Towns 2016, Page 21

Saloon No. 10 fundraising team begins the year with a bang

BY RACHEL ANDRESEN Black Hills Pioneer

DEADWOOD — The Saloon No. 10 is one of the most well known bars in Deadwood. But one thing that might not be well known is Saloon No. 10’s passion for fighting cancer through Relay for Life. Their success within this organization has helped the Northern Hills Relay for Life Division with so many opportunities to care for cancer patients and their families in the area.

Relay for Life keeps the money local, to help with research, make wigs, covers transportation costs to chemo treatments — it all stays within the district.

Bev Cartner, a longtime friend and employee of the Saloon No. 10, was diagnosed with cancer over 15 years ago. The Keehn family, owners of Saloon No. 10, held their first fundraiser to tackle her medical bills.

Bev passed away in 2001, and in her memory, the Saloon No. 10 family decided to start

their Relay for Life team and respectfully named it Bev’s B’s in hopes to create the chance for families to find hope in their own battles with cancer.

Saloon No. 10 Assistant Bar Manager and member of the Keehn family, Charlie Struble has been active in the Bev’s B’s fundraising team for many years. When asked about her feelings towards this organization, Struble remarked, “Knowing that we are making a difference, big or small, at least one person’s life is being affected for the better. Hearing survivor stories about kicking cancer’s ass keeps us all going. It’s more than worthwhile to see these strong people fight and prevail.

It may sound like we are helping them, but they are helping us be the best versions of ourselves more and more every single day.”

The Bev’s B’s team consists of 10 direct members including Struble, her mother, Lori Keehn, and Struble’s aunt, Louie Lalonde.

All three women work at the Saloon No. 10 and put their hearts into every dollar donated.

American Cancer Society brings hope to Western South Dakota

BY RACHEL ANDRESEN Black Hills Pioneer

DEADWOOD — More than one million Americans get cancer each year.

Countless organizations are making a difference to raise money towards cancer research and cures. One such organization that has been making waves in South Dakota is Relay for Life.

But what is Relay for Life? Relay for Life is the signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Many fundraising events are held under the Relay for Life banner in more than 5,200 communities and 20 countries worldwide.

Each Relay for Life event is important to its surrounding community, but the true power lies in the combined commitment to help save lives.

In May 1985, Dr. Gordy Klatt walked and ran for 24 hours in Tacoma, Wash., to raise $27,000. This is how Relay for Life was conceived. Since those first steps, the Relay for Life movement has grown into a worldwide phenomenon, raising

nearly $5 billion to fight cancer.

Midwest Division Senior Manager Lindsey Holmquest remarks that the American Cancer Society puts every donation to work, investing in groundbreaking research in every type of cancer, as well as providing free information and services to cancer patients and their caregivers.

“We’re fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer, in your community and everyone else’s,” she said.

There are many ways to get involved in a variety of Relay for Life events.

Here in the Northern Hills, the American Cancer Society office is located in Spearfish. However, participants come from all over Lawrence and Butte counties as well as many others. Since 2009, the Northern Hills Division has raised over $750,000.

One standout team that has contributed to cancer research through the organization is located in Deadwood.

CANCER SOCIETY Pg 25

Bev’s B’s and Relay for Life’s coordinator Lindsey Holmquest display their 2015 Nationwide Top Ten Per Capita Award at the Saloon No. 10’s Bingo Night in Deadwood. The Saloon No. 10 team consistently is the top fundraising team for the local Relay for Life. Pioneer photo by Rachel Andresen The team’s contributions have not gone unrecognized. In 2015, the No. 10 team raised $70,094 towards Relay for Life. They were recognized as a Nationwide Team of Excellence for the sixth consecutive year in 2015, which put them at the number one spot in the Midwest Division of the American Cancer Society. The team is also ranked as 40th in the entire nation.

This year, the team has set a goal of raising $100,000 for the American Cancer Society. Some events that Saloon No. 10 holds include their lingerie shows twice a year, an erotic toy bingo every Monday night, and many others. But the talk of this year’s fundraising? The Saloon No. 10 has

teamed up with Spearfish’s Black Hills Cycles to custom build a charity motorcycle to raffle off during the 76th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Raffle entries cost $100, and the bike will be unveiled after a poker run on June 12. The Saloon No. 10 estimates that the bike will raise over half of their projected year end goal of $100,000. Struble hopes that Saloon No. 10 will reach closer to $125,000 by the end of the year. The team raised $25,009 in March during their “St. Panties Day” lingerie show fundraiser.

The public is welcome to participate in the fundraising events. For more information, on events visit www.saloon10.com or relay. acsevents.org.

Page 22, Our Towns 2016

DEADWOOD EYECARE & MOUNTAIN VALLEY VISION CENTER

The Black Hills Pioneer

Northern Hills Training Center introduces ‘Steps for Success’ Julie Lewandowski, Northern Hills Training Center employment specialist, leads the new workshop teaching employment preparedness skills.

Courtesy photo

Deadwood Eyecare is located at 88 Charles Street in Deadwood. 605-578-1761 www.deadwoodeyecare-visionsource.com.

Mountain Valley Vision Center is located in Spearfish at 1236 North Ave. 605-642-2645. www.mountainvalleyvision.com.

Both practices strive to give the best eye care experience. Their doctors are skilled in the detection and treatment of ocular disease. In oder to help you see and look your best, they stay current on the latest advancements in eye wear technology, as well as fashion trends.

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CORY'S TIRE FACTORY AUTO SERVICE CENTER

Family-owned Cory’s Tire Factory of Belle Fourche has been serving the Northern Black Hills for just over a year now. “In that short time, we’ve already serviced over 3000 vehicles” said Owner, Cory Brown.

Cory’s Tire Factory now offers their factory-direct tire pricing and full auto service and repair at a location much more convenient for customers in Belle Fourche, Spearfish, Lead-Deadwood and many other surrounding communities. Store manager, Kevin McKay loves being in Belle Fourche. He said, “We’re making new friends every day”.

Stop in and see them at 1909 5th Ave. in Belle Fourche or call 605-723-7700.

SPEARFISH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

Spearfish Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) is a private, non-profit corporation formed in 1980 for the purpose of improving lives by creating economic opportunities for the community and its citizens. The primary focus of SEDC is business expansion, attraction and retention, resulting in the creation of quality jobs. In 2015 private investment in development in the City of Spearfish was more than $46.3 million. Employment grew 2%, and sales tax collections increased 5%. Business development and job growth supports economic vitality and sustainability, while improving the quality of life in the community. SEDC is here for "growing business by nature." For more information, contact Stephanie Salazar, Executive Director, at 642-3832 or visit www.spearfishdevelopment.com.

WOLFF'S PLUMBING & HEATING, INC.

Owned by Greg Hartman, Scott Hartman and Jef Mattern, Wolff’s Plumbing & Heating has been in business for 70 years. Wolff’s covers all aspects of plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Whether you have a new construction project, a remodel or need service, with 38 employees, they can get the job done.

Wolff’s Plumbing & Heating won the CIC Master Craftsmanship Award for Davis Campus (the underground lab at Homestake Mine) as well as the CIC Craftsmanship Award for the BHSU Central Plant upgrades. They are located at 614 S. 32nd Street in Spearfish. For your residential, commercial or industrial job, contact Wolff’s at 605-642-5755.

BY LACEY PETERSON Black Hills Pioneer

SPEARFISH — The Northern Hills Training Center has provided support and services to adults with developmental disabilities in the Black Hills for more than 35 years, and recently its staff implemented a workshop regarding a recently-adopted federal mandate.

In 2014, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) was created to provide state and local areas the flexibility to collaborate in an effort to better address the employment and skills needs of current employees, jobseekers, and employers.

The center currently provides support to approximately 150 people across the Northern Hills to assist these individuals in becoming active members of their communities.

To provide a variety of choices for these individuals, the center’s supports are offered in a variety of residential settings, such as group homes, supervised apartments, and traditional community and family housing.

"We help individuals who have very limited vocational skills to work them up to our ultimate goal of having them working in the community," said Ryan Aalbu, NHTC program manager.

Aalbu said that although the mandate creates more work for center staff by pushing them to more actively seek employment options and encourage its supported individuals to do the same, he believes it will have a very positive impact on everyone involved.

NHTC introduced its inaugural “Steps for Success” workshop at the end of January.

The eight-week program involves preparedness training curriculum to teach grooming habits, professional dress, interview preparedness and practice, filling out employment applications, and maintaining a positive working attitude.

The center estimated that 75 to 80 indi-

viduals within its population would need to complete the program to be compliant with the mandate.

Five individuals began the course, and three of those were recognized during a graduation ceremony March 22 to honor their accomplishments in the program.

"I think it went really well," said Julie Lewandowski, NHTC employment specialist. "We are excited to acknowledge they did well."

The center received assistance from the Black Hills State University Enactus group, a student organization whose mission is to promote the spirit of entrepreneurship by advancing financially sustainable projects that benefit humankind to assist, educate, and empower its peers and those in the local community and beyond.

Dr. Barbara Looney, management assistant professor at BHSU’s School of Business and one of the team’s advisors, said assisting Northern Hills Training Center staff was a natural fit for the Enactus model of using entrepreneurial action to improve lives.

The team helped the center’s administrators assemble the instructional materials for the series of job placement workshops for its clients.

Bailey Sadowsky, the Enactus team’s design specialist, organized the instructional materials based on the NHTC’s staff guidelines, where team members posed for and staged a series of photographs that illustrate the skills and the processes needed for career placement.

The photographs share examples of appropriate and inappropriate workplace behavior.

The team assembled these materials into eight detailed slide show presentations covering both soft and hard employment skills.

The program was awarded a $3,000 grant from the South Dakota Community Foundation that assisted with the cost of printed materials, laptops, and flash drives used during the workshop.

Aalbu said the training has been a learning experience for both the staff at the training center, as well as the individuals they serve.

"The class really opened our eyes, too," said Alabu. "Some individuals voiced interest in some jobs that we might not have pegged them for, so it was a good discovery tool for us as well."

One hundred and five of the center’s 145 individuals the program supports are employed and earning a paycheck, and 28 of those are independently employed and making more than minimum wage with employers like McDonald’s and others in the community.

Local business owners were invited to attend NHTC’s first employer panel April 5, when attendees had the opportunity to hear from current employers and learned about the hiring process and financial benefits available to businesses.

The panel, the first of its kind, was held in the Fred Romkema Center behind Northern Hills Training Center at 625 Harvard St. in Spearfish.

"We are hoping employers will take that first step and come see what we are about and what our mission is," said Aalbu.

"We've come this far; there's no turning back," said Alabu. "It's changed those individuals' lives very positively."

When an individual acquires a job, the center initially provides job coaching, and when the individual feels comfortable with their new position, the coaching fades out to let natural supports kick in.

Reliability and dependability are two of the benefits that the NHTC staff said a prospective employer would receive in an employee hired from the workshop.

Businesses interested to learn more about hiring qualified jobseekers from Northern Hills Training Center may contact Ryan Aalbu at 642-2785, ext. 237, or Julie Lewandowski at 642-2785, ext. 231.

The Black Hills Pioneer

Joshua M. Hilpert josh@hilperthale.com

Our Towns 2016, Page 23

Rachel N. Hale

rachel@hilperthale.com

Criminal Defense • Civil Litigation • Family Law • Bankruptcy • Property and Business Transactions • Estate Planning •Probate

1010 Ballpark Rd, Ste 4 • PO Box 156 • Sturgis, SD 57785

605-720-4048 • www.hilperthale.com

OUR TOWNS Special Edition

is produced by the Black Hills Pioneer newspaper 315 Seaton Circle, Spearfish, SD 57783 (605) 642-2761 • (800) 676-2761 • www.bhpioneer.com Letitia Lister, publisher | Mark Watson, managing editor Dru Thomas, advertising manager | Alison Walk, layout The publisher will not be responsible or liable for misprints, misinformation or typographic errors herein contained.

Publisher also reserves the right to refuse any advertising deemed not to be in the best interest of the publication. © 2016 BLACK HILLS PIONEER, all rights reserved.

We would like to take this time to thank our employees and customers for their loyalty and support in the last 15 1/2 years. We are grateful to our employees whose hard work & dedication is seen through our high quality standards and products. We appreciate your business and we will do our very best to continue to meet your needs.

Your continued patronage and suggestions are a vital part of our growth. And for that we are most grateful. Thanks again!

We look forward to serving you for many years to come. ~ Alana & Larry Strickland

Page 24, Our Towns 2016

RUSTIC SOUL

Rustic Soul has a variety of unique items to offer- something for everyone. Vintage, old, junktiques, funky, repurposed, reused, repainted, "Resouled" furniture and home decor. The store has evolved since opening over 2 years ago and now includes many unique gift items and t-shirts along with the fun trendy pieces for home and garden.

Rustic Soul has several talented, local crafters and creative folks who sell in their store. From metal work, handpainted signs, hand forged wrought iron pieces, handmade natural soaps, handmade jewelry, woven goods and more. They also carry Caramel Creations, Bling Hats by Olive & Pique, and more.

KATHLEEN'S UNIQUE BOUTIQUE

Kathleen's Unique Boutique has been under the ownership of Doreen Cooper for 22 years. Doreen believes the reason for her long-standing success is not only the customer service her store provides, but also the fact that she truly enjoys what she does. Kathleen's strives to give every customer personal attention and a "personal shopping" experience. The store has changed its direction and look in subtle ways throughout the years to keep up with styles, trends, affordability, and the needs of the customer base it serves.

Doreen is the fourth owner of Kathleen's, which has kept the original name since it was first started

by Kathleen Howe in the late 1970's. Kathleen's has always been synonymous with quality and style and although prom, pageant, and special occasion gowns and dresses have become a huge part of the business, they have always carried many upper-end lines along with fun casual wear at a lower price.

Come see the great styles offered at 622 Main Street in Spearfish, and visit facebook.com/kathleensboutique to see what people are saying about Kathleen's!

BLACK HILLS ENERGY

Black Hills Energy is proud to be the electric utility provider to towns throughout the Black Hills region. Rebranded from our legacy name of Black Hills Power in 2016, Black Hills Energy embarks on a new era of brining safe, reliable, service to our customers. Since 1883, our customers have relied upon Black Hills Energy's local service and enjoyed a relationship with a company that's engaged in the community.

Black Hills Corporation's acquisition of Source Gas, completed in February, fits our growth strategy to create value for our customers and shareholders alike. The complementary service territories, operational strengths and aboveindustry-average growth make a diversified utility stronger. The combination builds on our morethan 130 years of experience in the energy utility business and allows us to effectively provide the safe, reliable service our customers depend on.

The Northern Hills area is served by walk-in offices in Spearfish and Sturgis that are open Monday through Friday from 9am to noon, and 12:30 to 4pm. Customer Service is reached at 800-742-8948 and on www.blackhillsenergy. com, where customers will find electronic billing options and energy efficiency solutions at www. bhesavemoney.com

The Black Hills Pioneer

Black Hills braces itself for another banner tourism year BH Tourism Index, national park recreational visitors, taxable sales, and hotel occupancy all up

BY JACI CONRAD PEARSON Black Hills Pioneer

NORTHERN HILLS — With the 75th anniversary of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally bringing record numbers to the Black Hills tourism industry and its ancillary businesses in 2015, area experts were bracing for business to back off a bit. However, thus far this year, all indicators point to continued growth in the tourism sector, bolstered by continued low gas prices and boosted by other special anniversaries and ongoing celebrations and events.

Mike Gussiaas, vice president of Marketing for the Black Hills and Badlands Tourism Association, said that last year, industry officials had pretty high expectations going in, and 2015 definitely ended up being one for the record books.

“In 2015, we saw record attendance at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Mount Rushmore, Devils Tower, Minuteman Missile, and the Custer State Park Roundup,” Gussiaas said. “Collectively, the national parks in the Black Hills and Badlands region saw 564,465 more recreational visitors last year, up 13.7 percent over a super busy 2014. We tracked over 117,094 extra room nights in 2015 and taxable sales were up $110 million — $33 million in August alone; thanks to the 75th Rally — versus 2014.”

In the end, Black Hills and Badlands Tourism Association estimated that 2015 was up 11.3 percent through their Black Hills Tourism Index, which compiles national park recreational visitors, Black Hills hotel occupancy, taxable sales, and Deadwood gaming’s total handle.

“The BH Tourism Index is a way for us to measure and easily report if people are coming, if they’re staying, and if they’re spending money,” Gussiaas added. “Coming off a year like that, instinctively, most start bracing for a down year. We have reasons to think though, that 2016 is going to be another amazing year as well. Mount Rushmore is celebrating its 75th anniversary of completion, and the National Park Service has been promoting their ‘Find Your Park’ promo for two years now, building up to their centennial this year.

These events, along with all the buzz and media attention we’ve had over the past couple of years, has a lot of people

thinking about the Black Hills for the first time.”

Gussiaas said that actual traffic to the region since the beginning of 2016 is already up over 2015, as well: “Our Black Hills Tourism Index was up 3.39 percent in January, and so far, national park recreational visitors are up 16,209

visitors over 2015 in January and February. Taxable sales are up 4.3 percent and Black Hills Hotel Occupancy 3.3 percent — more people are already visiting, staying, and comfortable spending money.”

TOURISM Pg 25

Industry officials are predicting the 2016 visitor season to be another stellar year.

Pioneer file photo

The Black Hills Pioneer

Our Towns 2016, Page 25 town. Whether they are coming for history, gaming, outdoor adventure, shopping or entertainment — we deliver an ideal getaway for all interests.”

from Pg 24

TOURISM Deadwood

Deadwood Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau Marketing Director Amanda Kille agreed that tourism in 2015 set records and estimated Deadwood’s annual visitorship to be more than 1.5 million.

“There is no doubt Deadwood benefited from the 75th Sturgis Rally and the 50th anniversary of the Buffalo Roundup last year,” Kille said. “Likewise in 2016 we expect to see increased numbers …

Our outlook on tourism in 2016 remains positive. The Black Hills are traditionally a drive market, and Deadwood is no exception. Gas prices are expected to stay low through 2016, which should result in another strong visitation year.”

Kille provided visitor numbers on several Deadwood attractions.

“Despite having a significant road construction project impeding traffic flow to Mount Moriah Cemetery for much of the 2015 tourist season, the attraction’s numbers were only lowered by 1.6 percent,” Kille said. “Total visitation across all Deadwood History properties, including the Adams Museum, Adams House, Days of ’76, and HARCC was 72,500.

Numbers were comparable to 2014 even though two of Deadwood History's properties are located in an area of town that was impacted by the 2015 road construction project. In 2015, the Trial of Jack McCall saw a 7.59 percent increase over 2014 attendance numbers.”

In 2015, Mickelson Trail usage was roughly 60,000 for the year, with 2,565 annual passes sold and daily sales of 17,417.

The 2015 Deadwood Gaming handle was up 2.91 percent in slots and 7.16 percent in table games.

“Last year hotel occupancy was up 2.68 percent, making 2015 Deadwood’s highest rate of occupancy since 2008,” Kille said. “Take into consideration that Deadwood had 323 more rooms in 2015 than we did in 2008, which makes the 2015 percentages even more impressive.”

So what draws visitors to Deadwood?

“Our intercept and email studies tell us that overnight visitors choose Deadwood because of its history, gaming, and the ability to walk to various locations creating an environment of energy and activity,” Kille said. “They also see it as the perfect place to wind down because of the available evening entertainment and authentic atmosphere. We all work together to provide the best experience possible for every tourist that arrives in

from Pg 21

CANCER SOCIETY The Saloon No. 10 Bev’s B’s team raised $70,094 last year and were recognized as a Nationwide Team of Excellence for the sixth consecutive year in 2015. This ranking landed them as the number one fundraising team in the Midwest Division and the

Lead

Although visitorship numbers for 2015 are unavailable, Lead Area Chamber of Commerce Director Melissa Johnson said the town is very optimistic about the upcoming summer season.

“Last season our Main Street was still under construction, so this summer we look forward to a construction free season,” Johnson said. “I think visitors are looking for the adventure and outdoor recreation, as well as the golden history and a distinctive, charming and not overly crowded town with good people and entertaining things to do.”

Besides outdoor recreation, including skiing, snowmobiling, hiking, etc., Lead’s more traditional main attractions include the Black Hills Mining Museum, Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center, and Historic Homestake Opera House.

Spearfish

Visit Spearfish Executive Director Mistie Caldwell said that while the city’s annual visitorship is very difficult to measure in numbers, officials base tourism success on hospitality dollars, which, for 2015, showed nearly 9 percent growth over 2014.

“The 75th Rally was very big in 2015, but our early visitor inquiry numbers are strong,” Caldwell said. “Our requests are up from last year.”

Caldwell cited many area attractions, which are highlighted in the Welcome to Spearfish magazine.

“Spearfish Canyon is our number one attraction with lots of outdoor recreation and a very scenic drive, D.C. Booth Fish Hatchery, Matthews Opera House, High Plains Western Heritage Center, the Spearfish Rec and Aquatics Center, and great dining and evening activities,” Caldwell said. “Some of our crowning events are the Festival in the Park, Downtown Friday Nights. In July, guests are treated to The Phantom of Matthews Opera House.”

Caldwell cited a number of things driving tourism numbers.

“The town and its people — we are friendly and accommodating. We are welcoming and there is great food, lodging and entertainment here,” Caldwell said. “Spearfish is very outdoor activity driven — hiking, biking, rock climbing, and driving the scenic byway.”

40th fundraising team in the nation.

All of the Saloon No. 10’s fundraising events are open to the public.

No matter the amount, any donation made to the American Cancer Society made in the Midwest stays within the region to fight the disease on our home front. There are many ways to get involved through the various events held year-round. These

The D.C. Booth Fish Hatchery is a popular visitor spot in Spearfish. Pioneer file photo Gussiaas said that already, indications are that Americans want to travel more in 2016, just like they did in 2015.

“The Traveler Sentiment Index has been growing as an industry standard used to gauge the state of potential travelers and it’s actually higher this year than last year — 120 versus 106 in 2015 and the highest recorded since its inception in 2007,” Gussiaas said. “And we’re already starting to see this increased interest in our region and, it seems, from people who are ready to go. We’re seeing more traffic, getting more calls to our Info Center, and more engagement in our social channels.

“Traffic to our website is up 42 per-

are held throughout local communities, at Black Hills State University, online, and on a global level. The American Cancer Society even holds fundraisers for their “Bark for Life” campaign to fight canine cancer.

For more information on how to get involved, visit www.cancer.org or relay.acsevents.org to find an event near you.

cent and those that we call conversions, people who request more info or take some other committing action, are up 104 percent from Jan. 1. Starting in mid-February, traffic jumped up 71 percent, and our goal conversions are up 249 percent.

Even last year, we didn’t see early activity like this, which makes us hopeful.”

Gussiaas added that from what can be surveyed and measured so far, the tourism association knows that people commit three to six weeks prior to traveling.

“So a sizable disaster can change things,” he added. “Barring any weather or economic disaster though, it should be another huge year for tourism in the Black Hills.”

Total Northern Hills Relay for Life funds raised: 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

$ 91,188.88 $117,403.13 $107,599.76 $106,638.71 $109,270.42 $110,033.32 $119,462.83

Page 26, Our Towns 2016

The Black Hills Pioneer

We Have Something for Everyone!

Watch for new inventory & weekly shopping specials

Your Destination Store

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CH

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• Christian & Inspirational Books & Gifts!

• Park Design Gifts • Christine Alexander • Cinch • Miller Ranch • Cruel Girl • Annie Oakley • Cowgirl Tuff

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Tired of replacing your washer and dryer every 5-10 years?

Time to try a

Speed Queen Speed Queen is designed to run 25 years for the average household.

5 year parts and labor warranty included.

Come see what else we have to offer:

Speed Queen, GE, & Crosley Appliances Mattresses • Greeting Cards • Watkins and Lots, Lots more! ere We’re h e to sav y! ne you mo

100s of items in our Dollar Store!

Quality at affordable prices!

Open: Mon.-Fri. 9am-5pm, Sat. 9am-2pm 613 State Street, Belle Fourche • 605-892-2030

The Black Hills Pioneer

e h t l a Ste t h g i l t Spo

622 Main Street, Spearfish | 605-642-3843 Find us on

facebook.com/kathleensboutique

Our Towns 2016, Page 27

South Dakota

State Certified Ready Site with Rail Access

– August 2016 –

Page 28, Our Towns 2016

The Black Hills Pioneer

NOW ON SALE!

Anything Goes! is the only carpet guaranteed to look as beautiful years from now as it does today. It was built to endure the most stringent testing conducted on any carpet and is guaranteed to endure for years to come.

3 No crush 3 No mat 3 20 years guaranteed - no exceptions

3 Installed with pad

605.642.7300

731 Main Street • Downtown Spearfish facebook.com/warmfloordesigns warmfloordesigns@gmail.com

Pursuing optimal wellness with tradition & excellence for 40 years.

After 26 great years of service, Nelson Chiropractic is proud to announce the retirement of Louise Hart! Thank you Louise for all of your hard work and dedication to us.

In her replacement, Deb Carr (Bjorn and Devons mother) will be joining us May 1st.

We also want to make it known that this year we will we be celebrating 40 years of Nelson Chiropractic in the Black Hills. We would like to thank our employees, our patients and the community for there continued support.

Sincerely, Nelson Chiropractic Team Dr. Bjorn C. Nelson Dr. Devon Wentz Dr. John S. Nelson

1930 North Ave. | Spearfish, SD

Located on North Ave. and off of Exit 10 Open 6 days a week

605-642-5196

The Black Hills Pioneer

Our Towns 2016, Page 29

New and moved businesses

Northern Hills communities saw quite a few new businesses open their doors. Other businesses changed ownership, expanded, or moved.

H&R Block

SPEARFISH — H&R Block has moved to 1330 North Ave. in Spearfish. Richard and Sandy Tschetter own this H&R Block as well as the one in Lead. The Spearfish location is more visible from the former location on Illinois Street and is handicap accessible. When the Tschetters purchased the H&R Block in Lead in 2013, all of the previous employees were kept on and are still working there.

Gene’s Lock Shop

SPEARFISH — Gene’s Lock Shop has moved from 521 N. Main St. It is now located at 3345 E. Colorado Blvd. Bryan and Angela Viehauser moved their business to a bigger building in order to better serve their customers. They provide automotive keys for car keys that have been lost, or remote keys that are able to unlock cars. Gene’s Lock Shop also services commercial businesses around town, as well as master key systems, high security systems, and surveillance systems. They provide services from Sundance to Rapid City and everywhere in between. Recently, they have been able to add a large inventory of gun safes and also added a garage to work on car locks.

Bunky’s BBQ

SPEARFISH — Spearfish added Bunky’s BBQ to its list of eats. Bunky’s BBQ is located at 125 Hwy. 14 and features four different meats: pulled pork, chicken, pork ribs, and brisket. It is owned and operated by Forrest Cain, who made his own smoker and smokes his food with local hardwood, oak, and other area wood. All meat is fresh and cooked by Cain, who takes it from raw to ready to eat. Bunky’s BBQ is able to cater for weddings, graduations, and other parties, and for a delivery charge, delivers up to 25 miles away. Customers are also able to call in an order and pick it up for no extra charge.

Café 608

SPEARFISH — Café 608 is a sleek new business located at 608 Main St. The cafe features breakfast, soups, and sandwiches, as well as their signature homemade cinnamon rolls and bacon brownies. Owners Yvette and Anthony Holguin make everything fresh, homemade, and preservative free.

Sierra Design Signs

SPEARFISH — Sierra Design Signs has moved from 333 Heritage Dr. #3 and is now located at 2735 First Ave. and is still owned and operated by Andrea Milano, who has been the sole owner for the last 20 years. Sierra Design Signs makes decals, banners, marketing materials, business cards, posters, brochures, and more. They also have certified vehicle wrap installers, and with the move, are now able to do screen printing, embroidery, LED signs, billboards, and more.

Edward Jones

SPEARFISH — Following the November 2015 retirement of Everett Burgeson, Ryan Meredith and Collin Cantalope split Burgeson’s accounts and serve as financial advisors for Edward Jones, providing services for IRA, college savings, and other investments. Branches are located at 120 W. Hudson St. and 745 N. Ames St. Suite #1.

Hudson & Main

SPEARFISH — Melodie and Jerry Knaup are the new owners of Hudson and Main located at 544 Main St. Hudson & Main offers home decor, beginning and advanced chalk paint classes, and an eclectic style sure to have something for everyone. They have added live air plants, which are dirtless plants that live on air and sunlight alone. Melodie partakes in vintage upcycling and chalk painting, which is a unique aspect of their business.

Jimmy Johns

SPEARFISH — Jimmy Johns joined Spearfish in July 2015 and is located at 1420 North Ave. One of the owners, Troy Schulz, explained that food gets delivered in 10 minutes or less within two miles of the store. Jimmy Johns also offers discounts to veterans and senior citizens.

Schulz’s partner is Ben Anderson, and they make their food fresh every morning and have 20 employees to get the job done.

BUSINESSES Pg 31

Sierra Design signs in Spearfish moved to a new and larger location on First Avenue. Pioneer photo by Dustie Clements

Page 30, Our Towns 2016

The Black Hills Pioneer

Recognized by the most

IMPORTANT

Community Critics in the Northern Black Hills: DEADWOOD CHAMBER MEMBERS NEW MEMBERS IN 2015 Action Mechanical Inc. Ainsworth Benning Alex Johnson's Bill Walsh Black Hills Above & Beyond Tours Black Hills Rally Weddings Black Hills Wedding Chapel Blackstone Lodge & Suites Bloomin Love

Broken Arrow Trading Company Copper Mountain Resort Dakota Shivers Dakota Taxi Deadwood Bicycles Deadwood Mini Golf ET Sports Fassbender Photogenic Collection Fastbreak Screen Printing Flat Earth Art Company Garrett TenBroek, CPA

Gene's Lock Shop Higby House High Point Networks Kiwanis Club of Lead Kodiak Arcade Lasting Impressions Maya Jo's B&B Meade County Times Naked Winery Northern Hills Fly Fisher Northern Hills Recreation Association

BE A PART OF ONE OF THE MOST PROGRESSIVE CHAMBERS IN SOUTH DAKOTA • Internet Directory Listings & Links - Award-winning website with record number of visits in 2015. New mobile reponsive capability added in 2016.

• Membership Official Guide Listing - Large distribution across a four-state region in 400+ locations. Also distributed to meeting planners, travel shows, mailed to individual inquiries, included in relocation packets and downloaded 6,000+ times on Deadwood.com annually.

• Membership Labels or Electronically - Chamber membership list for labels.

• Relocation Inserts - Provide us with your information and we will mail it out with our initial replies.

• Convention Welcome Packets -We will include your information in thousands of attractive welcome packets to conventions and meetings held in the city and surrounding communities.

• Monthly Mixers - A personal invite to all monthly mixers with an opportunity to share your business information and talents with our members in a relaxed atmosphere.

• Visit & Ribbon Cutting - Put your business in the news with a visit from the Deadwood Chamber Staff.

• FAM’s - Familiarization Tour host. Deadwood is asked to host many tour group leaders, travel agents and travel writers to familiarize them with our area.

• Economic Information - Community profile, demographic information, general business statistics, business development assistance.

• Annual Events - The biggest and best events in the region bring tens of thousands of people to the area.

• Chamber Board Room - Use of the Chamber Board Room for business meetings.

• Wild Bill Coupon Booklet - Thousands of coupon books are printed and distributed to Deadwood visitors each year. It is a one time only coupon and entitles discounts or special promotions from participating Chamber member buinesses.

• Free Publications - Each year the Deadwood Chamber prints, distributes and mails multiple promotional pieces featuring Deadwood Chamber businesses including: Visitor Guide, Inspiration Guide, Deadwood Map, and more.

• Chamber Gold Bucks - Chamber member gift certificate redemption program.

• Training Program - Free training programs are available to Chamber members, their managers and employees. Available programs include: hospitality training for frontline employees, hospitality training for owners and managers, and FAM tours for frontline employees.

Nugget Saloon Pour House Pizza Quality Quick Print - Midstates Re/Max in the Hills Rocky Mountain Installation T&M Trail Rides Thunder Cove Hotel Tri-State Livestock News/Farmer & Rancher Exchange Watiki Weather - Tite Exteriors

DEADWOOD CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jeanna Dewey - President Tracy Island - Vice President Chuck Turbiville - Treasurer Tony Sieber - Secretary

Pat Roberts Rich Turbiville Carmella Biesiot Louie LaLonde Tom Rensch Austin Burnham Chuck Williams Mike Trucano

Kevin Kuchenbecker Wes Pleinis Rhonda Van Den Eykel Michelle Fischer Steve Schaeffer Tom Blair Marsha Nichols Dr. Dan Leikvold

DEADWOOD CHAMBER STAFF

Lee Harstad, Executive Director Dory Hanson, Controller/Office Manager Marta Artz, Membership Director Sarah Anderson, Event Coordinator Amanda Kille, Marketing & Sponsorship Director Dawn Burns, Sales Director Alexis Lemmel, Marketing Communications Specialist Sharon Burns, Information Specialist

HISTORY AND INFORMATION CENTER STAFF Approximately 150,000 Guests Visit The Information Centers Each Year Meggan Pierce, Information Specialist

For more information on Membership with the Deadwood Chamber, call 605-578-1876.

767 Historic Main St. Deadwood, SD

605-578-1876 www.deadwood.org

The Black Hills Pioneer from Pg 29

BUSINESSES Quik Signs

SPEARFISH — Quik Signs remodeled its building located at 2925 E. Colorado Blvd. Features of the remodel include exterior renovations and changes to the interior that opened up the space. The remodel prompted the Spearfish Area Chamber of Commerce to award Quik Signs with the Business Beautification Award. With the remodel, more space was opened up, allowing owner Kelsie Darling to hire a second graphic designer.

Flying E Floral

SPEARFISH — The newest flower shop in town, Flying E Floral is located at 521 N. Main St. and is run by owner Shawna Eastman. Flying E Floral is a full-service flower shop and boutique. Eastman delivers as far as the Black Hills National Cemetery and sells all types of flowers. She also sells boutique items such as clothing, jewelry, handmade truffles, purses, and more.

Anytime Fitness

SPEARFISH — Anytime Fitness has remodeled and expanded. Still located at 2735 First Ave., Anytime Fitness now has more room for members. Before the remodel, the gym space was cramped, but now there is more room for members to move about freely. The remodel and expansion enabled Anytime Fitness to add new equipment such as treadmills, ellipticals, and weight lifting equipment. There are also more personal trainers with flexible hours, so members are able to get comfortable with one trainer if they choose. Anytime Fitness lives up to its name; key fobs that members have are able to work at all Anytime Fitness locations, so when members go on vacation, they can workout anywhere there is an Anytime Fitness.

Our Towns 2016, Page 31

Domino’s

SPEARFISH — Domino’s in Spearfish moved from 741 N. Main St. and now sits at 1410 North Ave. #7.

Owner Allen Ewrin owns 18 other stores and likes to stay involved with his employees.

Gadgets Technology

SPEARFISH — New business Gadgets Technology is located at 2525 Paramount Dr. #200. Gadgets Technology sells custom computers and other electronic accessories.

Chad Volkers is the owner of Gadgets Technology, and his employees are able to provide technical support and cellphone repairs.

Jacket Zone

SPEARFISH — Another Jacket Zone has been added to Spearfish, making the number of stores four in the Black Hills. Located at 617 Main St., the newest addition sells Black Hills State University clothing, bumper stickers, foam fan hands, and much more. There is a Jacket Zone in the bookstore in Spearfish, the bookstore at the Rapid City campus, and another store on Main Street in Rapid City.

Keller Williams Realty

SPEARFISH — Credential Realty has changed its name to Keller Williams Realty and is located at 2401 W. Main St. With 70 realtors, Keller Williams Realty is able to service all of western South Dakota. Jon Mehlhoff is the team leader.

Crow Peak Vapor

SPEARFISH — Paul Provorse opened Crow Peak Vapor at 1940 North Ave. Suite #2 in September 2015.

Crow Peak Vapor is a full-service vape shop that sells 24 different flavors such as strawberry, watermelon, and

vanilla custard. Provorse sells items including e-liquids, e-cigarettes, full starter kits, and more. He will soon open a new, 4,400-square-foot warehouse with a pharmaceutical-grade clean room for creating and distributing e-liquids.

Spearfish Paint

SPEARFISH — Spearfish Paint is the newest paint shop in town as of July 2015. Found at 1714 North Ave., customers have a wide variety of colors to choose from with Benjamin Moore products, Purdy, and Wooster.

West River Studio

SPEARFISH — West River Studio has moved from 541 W. Jackson Blvd. to 722 Main St. As well as being more accessible, West River Studio continues to teach painting classes several times a week. The staff host private parties as well as office parties, bridal showers, and more. West River Studio is owned and operated by Nancy and Gary Tripp. It also sells unique beads, jewelry, and leftover canvases from classes.

Homestake Chophouse

LEAD — Samuel Newell and Chris Renaud are the new owners of the Homestake Chophouse.

The Chophouse is located at 106 Glendale Dr. The Homestake Chophouse has the possibility for large, onsite banquets in the future. David Brueckner of Cheyenne Crossing is in public relations for the Chophouse, and Executive Chef Aaron Richards and Arthur Wijenbergh run the restaurant.

Dakota Shivers Brewing

LEAD — Dakota Shivers Brewing opened in 2015 at 717 W. Main St. Dakota Shivers Brewing is owned and operated by Steve and Linda Shivers. This nano brewery is

West River Studio at 722 Main St. in Spearfish continues to host its popular sip and paint classes. Pioneer photo by Dustie Clements

BUSINESSES Pg 32

Page 32, Our Towns 2016

DANA DENTAL ARTS

The Black Hills Pioneer from Pg 31

BUSINESSES

“Family Dentistry” takes on a new meaning at Dana Dental Arts. Proudly serving the Spearfish area since 1974, Dr. Michael Dana has been joined in the practice by his children Dr. Brad, Dr. Nicole and Dr. Monique.

Dr.’s Brad, Nicole and Monique have each received Fellowships and Masters in Implantology from the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, allowing them to add this expertise to the many comprehensive dental services offered at Dana Dental Arts. Family friendly care and scheduling complement the latest technology and patient centered approach which the entire Dana Dental Arts staff are pleased to provide.

SPEARFISH FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

In business for 79 years, the Neiman Family has owned and operated sawmills in the Black Hills since the 1930’s.

They are one of the largest producers of Ponderosa Pine products in the United States. Their products include Heartland Wood Pellets, pine shavings, boards and more.

Nieman Enterprises is a certified member of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. This commitment insures the long-term stability of their company and guarantees future resources through a cycle of renewability.

Spearfish Forest Products employs over 200 people plus 170 contractors, loggers and truck drivers. They are located at 1510 W. Oliver in Spearfish and can be reached at 605-642-7741.

LYNN'S DAKOTAMART

truly one-of-a-kind in the area; all beers are made by the Shivers’ own recipes and are hand crafted on site. Dakota Shivers Brewing is a self proclaimed “mom and pop” show. The most popular items are the Dark Matter RyePA, Whistle Blowin’ Stout, and their flagship beer 5280.

The Stampmill

LEAD — The Stampmill in Lead is back. Owners Amy Boysen and Kevin Wehner bought out their business partners and have renamed the restaurant from Bumpin Buffalo to The Stampmill Restaurant and Saloon. It is still located at 305 W. Main St. in Lead. In the summer, outdoor seating is available and in the winter they hold events such as trivia, bingo, and live music. The Stampmill Restaurant is owner-operated and has a handful of staff. Wehner is culinary trained and has 30 years of cooking.

Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center

LEAD — The new Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center sits at 160 W. Main St., and its mission is to encourage lifelong learning. The visitor center sits at the top of the former Homestake Gold Mine Open Cut, which is one mile long, half a mile wide, and 1,200 feet deep.

Jerry Greer’s Engineering

DEADWOOD — Jerry Greer’s Engineering is a new shop that makes reproduction antique Indian Motorcycle parts for bikes dated 1936-1953, located at 136 Sherman St. The owners are Todd and Lore Ksenych. They also have a warehouse that stores over 6,000 part numbers that they are able to ship all over the world through their website. They have a full-time mechanic experienced in full restoration of motorcycles. Jerry Greer’s Engineering also provides individual parts and repairs such as engine rebuilding, wheel assemblies, oil pump repair, and cylinder rebuilds. They are the largest manufacturer and supplier of the antique Indian Motorcycle parts.

American West Restaurant

Lynn's Dakotamart is dedicated to being the "better choice" grocery store. They pride themselves on great customer service, providing groceries at a value, operating clean stores and having employees that care.

Today, Don & Jim Feist, the second generation of the Lynn Feist family, operates nine full-time grocery stores in South Dakota - located in Sturgis, Lead, Belle Fourche, Faith, Custer, Hot Springs, Martin, Pierre and Ft. Thompson; one Dollar Giant store in Rapid City, a stand alone liquor store in Rapid City, and two convenience stores, one in Lead and one in Hot Springs. The corporate office is now located in Rapid City, SD. Lynn's Dakotamart has been in business 48 years.

BELLE FOURCHE — The American West Restaurant reopened in its former location at 1807 5th Ave. on July 1. The restaurant is known for its steak tips and serves a wide variety of food options including burgers, Mexican platters, and pasta.

The American West Restaurant is still under the same ownership of Todd and Kathy Fierro, and they have downsized to

The Stampmill in Lead is back. The restaurant changed from Lead’s Bumpin Buffalo. Pioneer photos by Dustie Clements make the atmosphere more comfortable, as well as changing the decor and adding menu items.

Butler Towing

BELLE FOURCHE — Butler Towing opened in July 2015 at 10850 1/2 Big Bear Ln. Owner John Butler said he provides 24-hour towing, lock service, and scrap iron.

Black Hills Tint

BELLE FOURCHE — Black Hills Tint has moved from BUSINESSES Pg 33

ET SPORTS

Ellis Tripp and 3 generations of family have provided the Northern Hills with products to make your outdoor living a lot more fun! A huge supporter of Belle Fourche and several local groups; E.T. Sports was named 2015 Chamber Community Pride Award recipient. E.T. Sports is proud to have been your friend in the Tri-State area for 52 years.

They carry Polaris and Kawasaki ATVs, Kawasaki motorcycles and PWC, and Lawn Boy, Snapper, & Big Dog garden products. They have a full service and parts department included in their new state of the art building located South of Belle Fourche. Call 605-723-4ATV or stop in today and see what they can do for you- you'll be glad you did!

A massive visitor center at the edge of Lead’s Open Cut gives visitors an in-depth look at the history of gold mining and modern physics experiments.

The Black Hills Pioneer

Our Towns 2016, Page 33

from Pg 32

BUSINESSES 518 5th Ave. and is now located at 19077 U.S. Hwy 85.

Black Hills Tint features auto detailing, and its staff are certified to install security, architectural, business, and residential tinting. The employees are professionally trained in auto detailing. If able, customers should set up an appointment; however, walk-ins are welcome.

ET Sports

BELLE FOURCHE — ET Sports has moved from 1905 5th Ave. to 19111 Hwy. 85. The new building provides space for retail sales of ATV’s, motorcycles, UTV’s, sport bikes, and more. They have departments for whole service and parts, selling parts for Kawasaki, Polaris, CFmoto, and Hammer Head. The business has been run by the Tripp family since 1964 and continues to run under the name today.

The Plumber

BELLE FOURCHE — The Plumber has moved and is now located at 1905 Fifth Ave. The Plumber services the Northern Black Hills including Spearfish, Belle Fourche, Lead, Deadwood, Sundance, Wyo., and Hulett, Wyo. The type of services The Plumber offers are for bathtub fixtures, leaks, and sewer augering, and they are also able to snake pipes with a camera to get a more advanced look at the situation.

Cory’s ET Tire Factory

BELLE FOURCHE — Cory’s ET Tire Factory is a new business that opened up at 1909 Fifth Ave. It is owned and operated by Cory Brown and provides full mechanic services as well as tire services and sales.

Mechanical services include brake servicing, alignments, fluid exchanges, and more. Cory’s ET Tire Factory is part of a large co-op buying group so is is able to have lower pricing on its parts.

The Olive Branch

BELLE FOURCHE — The State Street Co Op. has changed location and is now The Olive Branch. The Olive Branch is a boutique located at 501 State St. It is collectively owned by seven different people: Debra Mccart, Aspen Hanson, LaRae Hanson, George Wilson, Jan Stansberry, Heidi Woelber, and Nina Sinkbeiner.

Mccart offers women’s clothing, jewelry, purses, and other accessories. Aspen Hanson handles children’s clothing with Lazy Ones sleepwear and Kiddy Corral.

LaRae Hanson provides handmade cards and inspirational gifts. Wilson runs Cowboys-Too, which offers western clothing and items. Stansberry runs International Knots and sells handmade knitted items such as loom shawls and other clothing. Woelber has Calamity Janes and sells cowboy boots, belts, and boot socks. Sinkbeiner sells

ET Sports in Belle Fourche opened an expanded facility in 2015. Pioneer photos by Dustie Clements wool products such as pelts and blankets and also sells home decor. The Olive Branch is a specialty gift store with a large variety for everyone.

Frontier Glass

BELLE FOURCHE — Owners Roger and Diane McNary have expanded Frontier Glass to 19048 Hwy. 85. The move has provided more room to accommodate more customers. Frontier Glass provides glass work for vehicles as well as residential and small commercial.

With two shops in town, they are ready for business to continue booming.

Econo Lodge

BELLE FOURCHE — Motel 6 has changed its name to Econo Lodge and changed ownership. Kip Kuehl is a managing partner with Jeff Blessing acting as manager.

The hotel has 50 rooms, an indoor heated pool, interior corridor rooms, and a continental breakfast including waffles. The rooms have been remodeled to feature tile flooring in the bathrooms, new artwork, and new bedding.

Rainbow International Restoration of theBlack Hills

BELLE FOURCHE — Community Carpet Care Collins Cleaning has changed its name. It is now called Rainbow International Restoration of the Black Hills and is located at 614 Seventh Ave. Owners Gary and Margaret Collins joined the Rainbow Restoration fran-

chise in 2015. They deal with water damage restoration, smoke damage cleaning, and air cleaning. They have trained and certified technicians ready to clean up just about any mess. Visit their website for more information: rainbowintl.com/black-hills.

Untamed Nail and Beauty Salon

BELLE FOURCHE — New business Untamed Nail and Beauty Salon provides the pampering you need including hair color, haircuts, perms, waxing, nail services, and indoor tanning. The salon is located at 520 Fifth Ave. and is run by owners Kayleigh Chihack, Kami Elshtre, and Chelsie Shearer, who operate their salon with a rustic Western vibe.

Subway

BELLE FOURCHE — Subway has changed ownership and is now run by Craig and Tara Knapp. One Subway is located at 1400 Mill St. while the second is located in the Cenex located at 10982 U.S. Hwy.-212. In the Cenex location, the tile and equipment has been updated, and both stores kept the same great employees.

Scott Peterson Motors of Belle Fourche

BELLE FOURCHE — Scott Peterson Motors completed its shop expansion in February 2015 at 30 Fifth Ave. With the shop expansion, the parts department has moved into the old service building. The new service building was built in 2013. The expansion tripled the space to be more accommodating for customers and technicians as well as making room for a new car delivery lane. This September, Scott Peterson Motors will celebrate their 25th year in Belle Fourche.

Scott Peterson Motors of Sturgis

STURGIS — Scott Peterson Motors of Sturgis moved from Junction Avenue to its new location at 1 Ford Place. It sits on a large lot with a state-of-the-art repair shop and Ford dealership. Customers are able to get their vehicles fixed as well as peruse the large selection of Fords in the lot. With the expansion, customers are able to be served better than ever.

Arby’s

STURGIS — Sturgis gained a new fast food chain in

Scott Peterson Motors of Sturgis opened in its new location at 1 Ford Place, last year.

BUSINESSES Pg 34

Page 34, Our Towns 2016

NELSON CHIROPRACTIC AND ACUPUNCTURE

Since 1976, Dr. Nelson has been providing chiropractic treatment to the community.

Treating those in need of athletic sports injuries, as well as prevention, is a top priority at Nelson Chiropractic in addition to nutrition, acute trauma care and acupuncture. Recently joining the practice is Dr. Devon Wentz and Dr. Bjorn Nelson.

Together they are able to get the body to an optimal level, focusing on the overall wellness of each patient. Set up your next appointment by calling 605-642-5196.

TRI-STATE REALTY, INC.

The Black Hills Pioneer from Pg 33

BUSINESSES 2015. Located at 2882 Dickson Dr., Arby’s provides something other than burgers or pizza. The food is cut fresh daily. The owners are Carter Miller and Rick Bentley, and they are renting the second half of the Big D building for their business.

STURGIS — AutoMax is a used car dealership located at 1544 Lazelle St. and provides a wide selection of makes and models as well as competitive pricing. Before being put out on the lot, each vehicle is thoroughly inspected to assure quality.

Customers are able to testdrive the vehicle they are thinking of buying.

Big D

Brickhouse Bargains

STURGIS — The Big D gas station has expanded to 2800 Junction Ave. Owned by Don Policky and run by Paul McArthur, Big D has 11 gas pumps and offers regular fuel, midgrade fuel, premium fuel, and diesel.

Papa John’s

STURGIS — Papa John’s has been added to the variety of restaurants available in Sturgis. It is located at 2800 Junction Ave., in the same building as Big D. Papa John’s shares its owner and district managers with Big D as well. Don Policky is the owner and Paul McArthur is the district manager who oversees the business. Papa John’s sends out limited time offers that change monthly and is carry-out only.

Black Hills Energy Since 2002 Tri-State Realty has stayed on top of the latest in the real estate market of this region. The agents provide expertise in all aspects of real estate including residential, farms and ranches, agriculture lands, building lots and commercial.

Owner/Broker Robert Gerkin is licensed and serving clients in South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana and North Dakota. Robert is joined by agents Alan Kindsfater and Skyler Massie. These local agents have in-depth knowledge of the area. Enlist their help and you'll be glad you did! Stop by their office at 1828 5th Avenue in Belle Fourche or call 605-892-2113.

FIRST GOLD HOTEL & GAMING

AutoMax

STURGIS — Black Hills Power changed its name to Black Hills Energy in December of 2015. The name changed to keep up with other outlets of Black Hills Corporation and to further maintain its mission to improve life with energy. The other utilities in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, and Wyoming already operate as Black Hills Energy. When Black Hills Corp. acquires a natural gas utility called SourceGas, that will be renamed Black Hills Energy as well.

Black Hills Energy remains at 1251 Otter Rd., and all services will remain the same.

Jake’s Collision Repair of Sturgis

STURGIS — Jake’s Garage has changed its name to Jake’s Collision Repair of Sturgis when it moved from 3345 E. Colorado Blvd., Spearfish, to 2416 Junction Ave., Sturgis. The shop went from a 3,000-square-foot building to an 8,000-square-foot building, as well as going from three employees to six. Jake’s Collision Repair of Sturgis is a state-of-the-art collision repair facility, and all employees are I-CAR certified and work with the latest and greatest technology for auto body repairs.

STURGIS — Brickhouse Bargains is a new thrift shop that opened in September of 2015 at 1012 Main St. in Sturgis.

Brickhouse Bargains is owned and operated by AJ and Holly Brickhouse and offers a unique service to Sturgis. They sell home decor, home furniture, and more. Brickhouse Bargains sells items from local artists such as sculptures, photography, antler lamps, and homemade purses. It also provides custom painting services for furniture.

Domino’s

STURGIS — Domino’s has opened a store at 1057 Main St. in Sturgis. The new building has space to seat 60 guests, and they provide dishes including pizza, pasta, salad, sandwiches, and dessert. Domino’s delivers all day until midnight on Monday through Thursday and until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Domino’s is open year-round and stays open during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Sturgis Guns

STURGIS — Sturgis Guns opened at 2324 Junction Ave. in July 2015. Owners Justin and Tammy Vohn sell fishing licenses, firearms, knives, and ammunition. All brands of guns are available, and handgun training is available through Jerry Klusak. Sturgis Guns’ mailbox is a six-foot-tall revolver, and gun giveaways happen monthly when customers take pictures in front of the mailbox and post the pictures on the website.

Sturgis T-shirts and Gifts

STURGIS — Sturgis T-shirts and Gifts is a new shop located at 1861 Lazelle St. Sturgis T-Shirts and Gifts sells boutique clothing, designer jewelry, home decor, and gifts for all ages.

There is a large range in shirt sizes. Also available are Sturgis items and tourist things like postcards and trinkets. Owner Ursula Ward travels to find things that are different and unique to sell at her store.

First Gold Hotel & Gaming is committed to providing our customers with the very best customer service possible now and in the future! We offer free on-site parking in our covered parking garage, 190 deluxe hotel accommodations and 5 luxurious suites, all your favorite slots, live blackjack & roulette games, serve 3 buffets everyday featuring USDA Choice Prime Rib Nightly. Also, enjoy crab and prime rib every Friday & Saturday night. Sign up for your free Gold Club Players Card and start earning cash back now! www.firstgold.com/1-800-274-1876

MACK'S AUTO BODY, LLC

For the past 23 years, Mack’s Auto Body has been offering the following “in-house” services: frame, body & spray facility; and plastic media stripping. Owner Eugene Mack takes pride in all his work and is a “hands-on” boss involved in every aspect of the job. Mack’s Auto Body backs their work with a 100% warranty.

Sturgis Guns opened at 2324 Junction Ave. Pioneer photo by Dustie Clements

The Black Hills Pioneer

Our Towns 2016, Page 35

2015 $1.2 billion handle up more than 3 percent from 2014 Deadwood gaming ends year with positive spin

SIP-N-PAINT AT WEST RIVER STUDIO

Sip-N-Paint is a fun step-by-step acrylic painting party!

Everyone is encouraged to explore their "creative side" while an enthusiastic facilitator guides you through a pre-selected painting, Sip-N-Paint sessions take about two hours, require no previous experience, and make the perfect Date Night, Ladies Night Out, or Party to celebrate any occasion. Several sessions are offered weekly, in addition to many other "creative" options!

They also host monthly "Paint It Forward"Sip-N-Paints as fundraisers for locals in need. Beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages are available for purchase. Drop in at 722 Main Street, Suite 1, Spearfish to shop or play! Visit sipnpaint.net for full class schedule.

BACK TO NATURE

Jodi Harris, ND, SRT, has owned and operated Back to Nature Natural Foods and Supplements Holistic Wellness Center since 1996. She has been practicing herbology since 1986 and homeopathy since 1990. Jodi is also well known for her talk radio show, Herb Talk, on KBHB. In addition to the great variety of natural foods, organic meats and produce, and supplements, Back to Nature also offers services such as energy clearing, hair analysis, spiritual response therapy, reflxology, and much more.

Back to Nature has hundreds of monthly sales at wholesale prices, and discounts are available for buying in bulk. Visit Jodi at Back to Nature, 825 14th St., Sturgis, today!

Growing even more with the advent of craps, keno, and roulette added to the mix, the table game handle in Deadwood was up more than 7 percent last year, contributing a total of $68 million to the overall handle for 2015. Pioneer photos by Jaci Conrad Pearson

THE PAW SPA GROOMING & BOARDING

BY JACI CONRAD PEARSON Black Hills Pioneer

DEADWOOD — Gamers helped put a positive spin on Deadwood gaming numbers, as the industry showed positive increases in the overall handle in both the overall slot machine and table game categories for 2015.

Strong performance in most months combined to bring casinos’ cumulative results up over 2014 levels. According to the annual year-end summary issued by the South Dakota Gaming Commission in January, gamers visiting Deadwood in 2015 dropped nearly 1.2 billion in machines and on tables, a 3.15 percent increase over 2014 levels, with the ultimate result being roughly $101 million in taxable adjusted gross revenues for the industry in 2015.

Of that, 9 percent, or $9.1 million was collected as state tax and distributed to various entities across the state.

Under the handle comparison category, table games had a cumulative handle of $68 million for 2015, up more than 7 percent over 2014 levels.

Under this same category, slot machines had a handle of $1.1 billion, up nearly 3 percent over 2014 levels.

"Yes, 2015 was a good year for Deadwood," said Celebrity Hotel and Casino General Manager Ken Gienger.

Mike Rodman, executive director of the Deadwood Gaming Association, said that the 2015 Deadwood gaming handle was up by 2.91 percent in slots and 7.16 percent in table games.

GAMING Pg 38

We are a “Bed & Breakfast” for pets. We offer individual suites, TVs, a large play room, homemade treats from our bakery, all the amenities of home, a “Spa” day with individual appointments, a towel warmer and a large spa tub. Located at 25 Kirk Road in Deadwood. Laurie Vrem is open Monday – Saturday for grooming appointments and is available for boarding seven days a week.

Please call now to set up a spa day for your furry family members at 605-559-3009. Big And Small We Groom Them All

BERTOLOTTO REAL ESTATE & AUCTION INC.

Since 1925

Approximately 3,167 slot machines accounted for nearly $1.1 billion in coin-in in Deadwood during 2015, up nearly 3 percent over 2014 levels.

Through their service they have helped South Dakotans rediscover a dream that's as old as America itself; love of the land, and the dream of owning a property.

United Country-Bertolotto Real Estate & Auction, Inc., has been serving the people of South Dakota with their real estate and auction endeavors since 2006.

Their professional knowledge and love of the South Dakota Territory coupled with expertise in real estate and auctions allows them to provide their sellers with innovative marketing programs as well as their buyers with vast resources and information. They pride themselves in making a difference through possessing great ethics, integrity, professionalism, and outstanding Real Estate and Auction services.

Page 36, Our Towns 2016

The Black Hills Pioneer

The Hub of the Hills!

Howdy’sZA

WHITEWOOD PLA Full Line Grocery Produce • Dairy • Beer Health & Beauty Aids • Gas

TOW TEC

TOWING & RECOVERY

Deli-Fresh Hot & Cold Sandwiches made daily Full Time Meat Cutter

24 HOUR SERVICE

Call for your special needs!

605-490-1837

605-269-2648

Doug Hemenway • Whitewood, SD

Full service for the Northern Black Hills

I-90, Exit 23 • Whitewood, SD Open: Mon. - Sat. 5am, Sun. 6am

Northern Hills Sod Farm Reputable, Quality Sod

Serving the Entire Black Hills & Eastern Wyoming

Roch & Rita Bestgen

• 3D Blend Bluegrass • Locally Grown • Freshly Harvested • Delivery Available

Dr. Will John Johnson (605) 717-2428 1001 Meade St. Whitewood, SD Open weekdays with evening hours on Tues. and Thurs.

605-347-9606

Open Saturdays by Appointment.

Toll Free: 888-760-3131

www.northernhillssodfarm.com 20138 126th Place, Whitewood, SD 57793 6 miles north of Sturgis 6 miles east of Whitewood

Come in and check out our uniquely designed clinic!

Specializing in

Automatic and Manual Transmission Repair ALSO

ROBERT A. DOUGLAS PRESIDENT

605-269-2211

LOWE ROOFING INC. SINGLE PLY & METAL ROOFING SYSTEMS

Engine Computer Diagnostics Drive Train Repair General Repair Robert D. Haiwick, Owner

605-269-2418

1125 Meade Street • Whitewood, SD

The Black Hills Pioneer

Our Towns 2016, Page 37

Visions by Goodwill creates recycling, job service opportunities in Spearfish

BY RACHEL ANDRESEN Black Hills Pioneer

SPEARFISH — Goodwill’s newest center, Visions, has transformed from a family donation center to an innovative recycling facility around the Great Plains.

The Spearfish Visions location opened on Jan. 14 and has received positive feedback from the community in achieving its goals to better their surrounding area.

Goodwill’s newly addressed mission statement upholds that they, “Work to enhance the dignity and quality of life of individuals and families by strengthening communities, eliminating barriers to opportunity, and helping people in need reach their full potential through learning and the power of work.”

With that in mind, Visions quest to fulfill the needs of their neighborhood is being met throughout its 22-store district.

Great Plain’s Visions district has recycled more than 16 million pounds of a variety of products through resale and recycling in the last year. The recycling process is broken down to 12 categories of items which are then put to use in new ways such as recycling plastic bags into lawn furniture.

Visions has also given individuals the opportunity to learn skills that can prepare them for the job market through programs such as their voucher program, connection centers, resume services, and vocational training while also reaching out to local families. Through events such as their shoe and mitten party,

Goodwill's store associates stand at register with newly designed layout at the Spearfish Visions location.

Pioneer photo by Rachel Andresen Goodwill donates winter necessities to children in need during the cold months.

Spearfish Visions store is currently looking for spring and summer clothing, as well as housewares such as dishes and pitchers, as donations.

“We are always in need of blue jeans,” said

associate Heather Faulkner.

Visions by Goodwill of the Great Plains is located on 931 E Colorado Blvd. in Spearfish.

The store with items available for purchase, as well as donation drop, is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

The Hub of the Hills!

SONSET STATION CASINO, LAUNDROMAT & CONVENIENCE The “I” Bar+Grill Specializing in Fresh Baked Pizza 605-717-2418 Lots of Parking All Rooms Ground Floor with Outside Entrances 888-888-9091 · 605-722-7574

600 Whitewood Service Road, Whitewood, SD www.ironhorseinnsturgis.com

A DIVISION OF NORTHWESTERN ENGINEERING

Providing

FAMILY HAIR CARE Arleta 605-269-2210 April 605-430-1826

1005 Meade Street • Whitewood, South Dakota

1322 Laurel St. Whitewood, SD 605-717-1003

AFTER 48 YEARS IN BUSINESS, THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING NEW.

Fax: 605-717-1004

Jeanie Daniels, Manager

A & J Supply carries a large selection of hardware, welding and building supplies.

Also have iron, steel and treated posts.

A & J Clothing has a complete line of work, western and fire-resistant clothing by Carhartt and Wrangler.

Boots, shoes and moccasins by Redwing, Justin, Muck, Hush Puppy and Ariatt. NEW kids boots by Ariatt & Justin.

Family owned & operated since 1968

wood products for the local and surrounding areas.

Mon - Fri 7:30am - 5:30pm • Sat - 8:00am - 4:00pm

The Whitewood location is home to a state-of-the-art computer managed wood preservation plant.

605-269-2434 • 1-800-564-0224 1020 Laurel Street • Whitewood, SD 57793

HOURS:

Page 38, Our Towns 2016

The Black Hills Pioneer

from Pg 35

GAMING “This total gaming action came very close to Deadwood’s banner year in 2012," Rodman said. "Deadwood, like the rest of the Black Hills tourism industry, reaped the benefits of lower gas prices and the 75th anniversary of the Sturgis Bike Rally. ” Gienger said he would like to see the business community stay focused on making the next day better than yesterday.

“We are seeing more customers staying at our hotels, our retail tax income is up, our gaming revenue is up, storefronts on Main Street are becoming occupied,” Gienger said. “We have the welcome center being built, Highway 385 into Deadwood is looking very good, there are plans to improve the appearances to the entrances to Deadwood, we have organizations from the chamber, Deadwood Business Club, Deadwood Revitalization Committee, the city, and those great small volunteer groups who work in the background that help improve this town of Deadwood. You take these organizations and blend them in with what the businesses are doing, and you can see and feel the improvement Deadwood is accomplishing. It’s a challenge, and Deadwood, as a whole, is meeting that challenge.”

Pioneer photo by Jaci Conrad Pearson

Get the quality building products you need, from

one reliable source.

NOW IN 2 LOCATIONS:

Lumber • Hardware • Valspar Paints • Cabinets Plumbing • Electrical • Window Screen Repair Picture Framing • Traeger Smoker Grill Dealer Estimates for homes, Decks, Garages & Pole barns

Great Service, Selection & Price across the board.

DAKOTA LUMBER

18751 US Hwy 85, Belle Fourche 605-892-4041

DAKOTA HARDWARE

2222 Junction Ave., Sturgis 605-347-4031

www.dakotalumber.doitbest.com

Lynn’s

48 Years

Dakotam a rt of providing

Hometown Value!

Your Hometown Neighborhood Market!

In 1968, the founder of Lynn’s, Inc., Lynn Feist and his wife, Georgia, purchased their first grocery store in Faith, SD. Throughout the years, their business has been blessed with continual growth.

Today the second generation Feist family operates nine full-line grocery stores in South Dakota and two convenience stores in Lead and Hot Springs.

Hills Grocery Store Locations…

Belle Fourche, SD 600 National Street

605-892-4330

Custer, SD

800 Mt. Rushmore Road

605-673-4463

Faith, SD

Lead, SD

114 Main Street

145 Glendale Drive

605-967-2622

605-584-2905

Hot Springs, SD

505 South 6th Street

605-745-3203

The company is dedicated to being the “Better Choice Retailer” in the communities we serve by providing Better Quality, Better Service & Better Value!

Sturgis, SD

1111 Lazelle Street

605-347-4483

Locations in…

Lead & Hot Springs

The Black Hills Pioneer

Our Towns 2016, Page 39

BHSU counts down Top 10 moments of 2015 Black Hills State University celebrated numerous accomplishments in 2015.

Here are the Top 10 moments of 2015 at BHSU as selected by university officials:

10. BHSU advances green initiatives; Spearfish Local sees exceptional growth

The Black Hills State University Spearfish Local Program launched a new badge program in January, an initiative to help better identify where to find local produce in the Northern Hills. Businesses that sell or cook with local food can display the badge in their windows and highlight their support of the local economy.

To further enhance the work of the program, Spearfish Local received a $100,000 grant from the USDA Local Food Promotion Program. The grant will be used to incubate a local food hub for the Northern Hills and provide fresh, healthy meals to more locations. The food hub will be able to identify needs in the region for particular foods, which could help farmers expand their businesses with in-demand crops.

9. Athletics

High achieving scholar athletes — BHSU scholar athletes recorded impressive grade point averages in 2015. The total combined GPA for BHSU scholar-athletes was nearly 3.0 for the 2014-2015 academic year. The women’s basketball team recorded the highest GPA out of all the Yellow Jacket teams with a 3.559. The scholar-athletes’ GPA exceeded the academic eligibility requirements set by the NCAA Division II. New programs — BHSU added two new sports, now offering 14 NCAA sports. Women’s soccer was added to the women’s lineup, with the first games slated for 2016.

Women’s triathlon had a successful start in 2015. Women’s triathlon is offered through a USA Triathlon grant in conjunction with the NCAA. BHSU is one of only eight schools, nationally, to receive the three-year grant for the emerging sport.

First national competition as NCAA Division II — The BHSU Yellow Jacket cross country team competed at the

BHSU athletics continues to build upon its NCAA Division 2 success. Pioneer file photo NCAA National Championships for the first time in school history. The Yellow Jackets placed 14th at the national meet held in Joplin, Mo. The team dedicated its success to former team member Gage McSpadden, who passed away in July after being struck by lightning.

8. Campus and community engagement

BHSU and Spearfish are recognized for their exceptional synergy.

BHSU students love living in Spearfish, which has received numerous national rankings as one of the best small

towns in the nation. The community welcomes BHSU and collaborates on many activities, community service, and initiatives. BHSU Night at Spearfish Downtown Friday Nights last summer was a huge success with hundreds of people wearing bright green BHSU T-Shirts. The Spearfish community and local businesses also wore BHSU T-shirts during move-in weekend to show their appreciation and to welcome new students and their families to Spearfish.

7. Record donations

The BHSU Alumni and Advancement office had a record year for donations in 2015 with nearly $10.2 million in donations, according to Steve Meeker, vice president for University Advancement. With the 2015 donations, the foundation has raised more than $40 million in the past eight years.

6. University named top school for student veterans

BHSU continues to enhance its dedication to military veterans. Black Hills State University was named to Victory Media’s 2016 Military Friendly Schools for the sixth consecutive year. BHSU also made the Military Times’ list Best for Vets: Colleges 2016 for the third year in a row. In 2015, BHSU also was named a Top School in the Military Advanced Education (MAE) Guide to Colleges and Universities.

5. More than 600 students graduate

BHSU gradated more than 600 students in 2015. Of the 628 that graduated, there were 100 master degrees, 484 bachelor degrees and 44 associate degrees awarded.

BHSU also honored two outstanding alumni with honorary doctorate degrees during the 2015 fall and spring ceremonies. Michael Shann received an honorary doctor of public service degree for his work producing the closing ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic For the sixth consecutive year BHSU has been deemed “Military Friendly.” Pioneer file photo by Mark Watson

BHSU Pg 40

Page 40, Our Towns 2016

DAIRY QUEEN GRILL & CHILL OF BELLE FOURCHE

The Black Hills Pioneer from Pg 39

BHSU Games. Jerome Greene received an honorary foctors of letters and literature degree for his career as a National Park Service employee and award-winning author.

Dairy Queen is introducing several new items this spring. 3 Royal Blizzard Treats including Royal New York Cheesecake filled with Strawberry, Royal OREO® Cookie filled with Fudge, & Royal Rocky Road Brownie with peanuts filled with marshmallow. In addition, they have added to their lineup 3 Funnel Cake options, Mini Blizzard Cakes and PhotoCake where you are able to customize your cake with a personal photo and greeting.

Finally, DQ is announcing a Happy Hour from 2-5pm weekdays where you can enjoy discounts on Premium Fruit Smoothies, Ultimate Frappe drinks and Iced Coffees.

These items and more signature favorites can be found at the Belle Fourche location off of Hwy. 85.

AMERICINN

4. International partnerships increase

BHSU increases the number of international partnerships in 2015, including the University’s first ever partnership with an African country. BHSU and Botho University in Gabarone, Botswana developed an international partnership in March. BHSU representatives also traveled to six universities in South Korea and three in China in 2015, establishing new or sustaining existing MOU agreements between BHSU and its partner universities. A group returned to Botswana in November to present research on malaria and work in the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead. Faculty and staff also visited the Philippines to make plans for a service learning opportunity there. BHSU currently has 52 international students from 29 countries and is connected with more than 30 countries where students can travel, learn and complete their degree.

3. BHSU Underground Campus Opens at Sanford Lab

While life seems to be moving at a faster pace, the staff at the AmericInn welcomes you to relax and recharge on a Serta Perfect Sleep bed in our refreshed rooms, stay connected with wired and wireless internet, and in room coffee. Bring your swimsuit to enjoy their heated indoor pool and hot tub! Wake up to enjoy the complimentary hot, homestyle breakfast including waffles, omelets, gluten free items, fresh fruit and much more. This AmericInn is a completely pet free and smoke free property with reasonable rates. Come for special occasions or just to give yourself a relaxing break!

JAKE'S LAUNDROMAT

The BHSU Underground Campus at Sanford Lab in Lead opened in 2015 and is in use by students and faculty. BHSU, in partnership with the Sanford Lab, constructed a cleanroom and adjoining workspace at the 4,850-foot level of the lab for multidisciplinary research.

The BHSU Underground Campus is a unique research environment for students, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

The Sanford Lab offers educational opportunities for students in a variety of disciplines from music to science to education. The initial use of the Campus will be used for physics, biology and geology research, as well as short-term projects from a variety of majors.

2. New additions, renovations on campus

The BHSU campus continue to evolve to meet the needs of our students. Crow Peak Hall, the first new residence hall in 50 years, opened for students this fall. Crow Peak Hall is a 50,000-squarefoot residence hall that connects the University’s two existing halls with a central living area for all three buildings.

The Sanford Science Education Center opened in Jonas Hall in 2015. The Center offers new science labs, interactive classrooms and displays for visitors to campus. The new addition is a branch of

Courtesy photo the Sanford Science Education Center, which also has facilities at the Sanford Lab in Lead.

The Admissions Welcome Center also opened in the BHSU Student Union. The Welcome Center offers a space for campus visitors to meet with counselors, faculty, staff and other students while at BHSU. New athletic suites were added to Lyle Hare Stadium in 2015, as well, offering an opportunity for Yellow Jacket fans to watch football games inside a suite.

1. BHSU-Rapid City

Black Hills State University-Rapid City was established to provide increased higher education opportunities in the state’s second largest city. The former University Center was renamed Black Hills State University — Rapid City in April. In addition to the rebranding, new programs and additional options for classes were added throughout the year. Students now have the option of choosing from 49 BHSU programs at the Rapid City location.

Jake's Laundromat is a clean facility with parking conveniently located at 508 W. Main Street in Lead.

This business (formerly Gold Brick Laundromat) has been owned by Lynette Chitwood and Tammy Fazio for 8 1/2 years.

INTEGRITY MEATS

Integrity Meats is a custom & state meat processing plant. They carry South Dakota made cheese, Hutterite chickens, fresh & frozen cuts of meat, halves or whole sides of beef and pork, and a variety of ready-to-eat products including summer sausage, salami, German sausage, chipped beef, jerky, beef sticks, and pickled items. They also offer wild game processing in the fall.

Their excellent customer service allows them to put quality and honesty at the top of the list.

Serving customers for over 15 years, stop by and visit them today at 404 Industrial Street, Belle Fourche.

Crow Peak Hall, the first new residential hall constructed in 50 years. Pioneer file photo

The Black Hills Pioneer

Our Towns 2016, Page 41

Let Our Family Care for Your Family!

• Latest Technology • Laser Cavity Detector • Minimal Sedation for Anxiety

• Digital & 3D X-Rays • Drilless Dentistry • Hard & Soft Tissue Laser

COSMETIC DENTISTRY

GENERAL DENTISTRY

• Veneers • Bonding • Tooth Colored Fillings • Tooth Colored Crowns • Braces

Dr. Mick, Dr. Nicole, Dr. Monique, and Dr. Brad are all proud alumni of Black Hills State University! Dr. Nicole, Dr. Monique and Dr. Brad all graduated from Spearfish High School!

• Implants • Fillings • Extractions • 1 Appointment Root Canals • Gum Disease Treatment • Dentures

Michael R. Dana, DDS, PC 1306 Main St Spearfish, SD 605-642-7727

1814 5th St Rapid City, SD 605-342-6038

www.danadentalarts.com

Page 42, Our Towns 2016

The Black Hills Pioneer

History in the making

Homestake Opera House Executive Director Sarah Carlson poses in the building’s soon-to-be interpretive center, a museum dedicated to the history of Lead’s cultural hub of the past 101 years.

Pioneer file photos by Adam Hurlburt

Opera house interpretive center to tell the tale of Lead’s cultural hub

BY ADAM HURLBURT Black Hills Pioneer

LEAD — The walls in Lead’s 101-year-old Historic Homestake Opera House tell a uniquely dramatic story: a story of booms and busts, a story of triumph and tragedy, and a story of resurrection. The story’s documented comprehensively in many places, but not in the opera house itself. A new

From left, Sh irlene Josep h, as Violet three of the Weston; TJ 13-person ca Schmidtz, a st of the dark House in Le s Beverly We ly comedic d ad. ston; and C rama, “Aug helsie Ba ust: Osage C ounty,” at th uer, as Johna Monevata e Historic Ho are mestake Op project on the second floor of Lead’s era Historic Homestake Opera House is cultural hub is set to change this in a big currently in the late planning stages way.

“The interpretive center will of its transformation into the Historic How big? 1,876-square-feet-big. tell the whole story of the Homestake Homestake Opera House interpretative The former Phoebe Apperson Hearst center.

Library on the second floor of the OPERA HOUSE Pg 53

The Black Hills Pioneer

Our Towns 2016, Page 43

is 60 years old!

Help us celebrate during

National Nursing Home Week

OPEN HOUSE Sunday, May 8th and Monday, May 9th 1:00-4:00 p.m.

David M. Dorsett Healthcare Community, 2016 w of Spearfish An aerial vie althcare on e with Dorsett H orner,1959 c ft le r e w the lo Wing was The Clarkson 26, 1956 e n n Ju dedicated o

Page 44, Our Towns 2016

The Black Hills Pioneer

Having a beautiful yard means more than a neatly mowed lawn. Maximize the beauty of your yard, home or business.

We offer: • Landscaping • Tree & Shrub trimming or removal • Lawn fertilization & weed control • Lawncare • Sprinkler services • Power raking & aeration • Spring cleaning & many more services

Servicing Residential & Commercial Properties Call us today at 605-559-1009!

RE/MAX In The Hills Serving the Northern Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming!

Specializing in

• Residential • Commercial • Land • Multi-Family properties

Visit our website to preview listings or meet our agents www.HomesInTheBlackHills.com Marysia McDowall • Kathy Whitelock Bud Hannah • John Teupel • Penny Doering • Liz Clement Lori McNeese • Angi Varland • Ashley Goodrich • Deb Stewart Dorcie Johner • Dan Bahmuller • Heidi Lewis • Dylan Rowe Sandy Donahue • Shelby Lund • Kristin Buckmaster

1145 N. Main Street, Spearfish, SD • 605-642-2500 remax@rushmore.com

Community Partners

The Black Hills Pioneer

Our Towns 2016, Page 45

Photo Cre dit:

Sanford U ndergrou nd Researc h Facility

History • Science • Education Get t your firs ne -O Hole-In e into th t!

Open Cu

Gift Shop & Visitor Center OPEN YEAR ROUND!

Golf • Mountain Bike Rentals • Trolley Tours 160 W. Main St., Lead, SD 57754 • 605.584.3110 http://sanfordlabhomestake.com/site

D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery & Archives Your free federal lands attraction!

VISIT. LEARN. INSPIRE. Did you know that the nation’s largest fisheries-related archives is housed right here in Spearfish? D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery & Archives has over 175,000 artifacts! The hatchery receives research requests and visitors from all over the nation and world, and samplings of the artifacts are on display in the museum, ice house and fisheries rail car on the hatchery grounds. D.C. Booth is America’s gathering place for all things fisheries - preserving our fisheries history to inspire present & future conservationists. The hatchery is proud to announce that in 2015 over 160,000 people visited D.C. Booth!

Thanks to advocacy efforts, D.C. Booth is still open under the continued operations of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The Booth Society, Inc., the non-profit support group of the hatchery, is continuing to advocate for U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service positions to be re-filled and D.C. Booth to remain open with the full archives collection remaining at Spearfish. The Society would like to thank the community for their continued support to save this national treasure ever since closure threats started in 2013.

You can support the hatchery & advocacy efforts by becoming a member of the Booth Society at www.dcboothfishhatchery.org/contribute.

Hatchery grounds are open year-round; venues are open May-September.

See you at the hatchery!

Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Black Hills Post #5969 Deadwood

Post 5969 became reality in February 1946, when Jim Shea and Toby Dahl acquired a charter from the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States of America (referred to as the VFW). Toby Dahl was the first Commander in the old City Building. When it burned down, the club was moved to Main Street.

The current location on Pine Street was moved into in 1964. Remodeling was done, to a building that had been a car dealership and home to several grocery stores, to accommodate Post functions. In 1994 the facade was restored to original appearance with assistance from post members and Deadwood Historical Preservation.

One of the earliest community services provided by the VFW was serving as Honor Guard for fallen comrades. Many may recall the Lighting of Bikes for area children. As a nonprofit organization we are continually enlarging our outreach in service to the community supporting youth programs and providing assistance to our Veterans.

The present Post Commander is Toby Edstrom. Veterans who have fought on foreign soil are encouraged to apply for membership. Any surviving wife, husband, son, mother, grandmother, daughter or sister is eligible to apply for the Auxiliary. More information is available by calling our Post at 722-9914.

Any time you see an American flag being marched up Main Street or hear the Star Spangled Banner being played please place that right hand over your heart in remembrance of those who fought to preserve our way of life. It is a matter of respect. They deserve no less.

Community Partners

Page 46, Our Towns 2016

The Black Hills Pioneer

KIWANIS CLUB OF LEAD

A local service club dedicated to providing assistance to our local youth and the elderly.

Chartered in 1925, the Kiwanis Club of Lead has been actively supporting the Lead and Deadwood communities for over 90 years. We now have three new clubs in the area to help with service projects and fundraising activities: the Lead-Deadwood High School Key Club for high school students, the Builders Club for middle school students and the Noon Kiwanis Club, a newly formed club that meets at the Stampmill. Some of the projects we support include:

The Community Birthday Calendar and the Prospector Bowl.

$1,000 Scholarships for 2 graduating Seniors • Kids Voting American Legion Boys & Girls State • RIF American Legion Baseball • American Legion Government Day Little League Baseball • PTO • Students of the Month & Year Lead-Dwd HS Art Club • Lead-Dwd HS Speech & Debate Lead-Dwd HS Athletics • Post Prom • Lead Rec Center Library Tapes • Community Christmas • Festival of Trees Northern Hills Crisis Outreach • Neighborhood Housing Angel Tree • Senior Tree • Dictionary Project for 3rd Graders Lead-Deadwood Elementary Triathlon Sing each month at Golden Ridge Assisted Living Facility

Meetings every Monday night at 6:00 p.m. at the Lotus Up in Lead. The public is welcome.

Anyone interested in learning more, please contact a Kiwanian or call 584-1777

Northern Hills Training Center has been serving Spearfish and the surrounding communities for 40 years. During the early 1970s and a national movement of deinstitutionalization, a group of Spearfish parents initiated the effort to start a facility for people with Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities. With the help of community leaders, Northern Hills Training Center was founded. We currently support approximately 145 individuals through our four primary services: residential, prevocational/vocational, medical, and service coordination.

The goal of residential services is to provide assistance and support, through a wide variety of daily living skills, to people so they have opportunities to become as independent as possible within their living environment. In order to provide a variety of choices for people, these supports are offered in a variety of settings including group homes, supervised apartments, traditional community housing, and family homes.

Our prevocational/vocational program staff help people prepare for and find employment in the community. These choices may include working independently or on a NHTC supervised crew.

The medical/nursing staff supports people in assessing their health needs and assisting them to access the necessary health care services in Spearfish and surrounding communities.

A gift to your library is a gift to the entire community.

Hearst Library 315 W. Main • Lead, SD 57754

605-584-2013

Our library is located on Lead’s Main Street between the Historic Homestake Opera House and the Black Hills Mining Museum.

~ Stop in for a cup of coffee or tea ~ stay to read the paper or take advantage of the

FREE internet & wireless access!

• Library cards are free with proof of Lawrence County residency.

• AVAILABLE FOR CHECKOUT ARE:

New release print books, audio books, e-books, movies and magazines

Each person supported has a service coordinator who is responsible for coordinating the necessary services, supports, and funding.

• PROGRAMS THE LIBRARY OFFERS:

To learn more about NHTC, please visit www.

NHTC.org or follow us on Facebook. If you are interested in employment at NHTC, apply online at www.nhtc.org or stop in for an application.

Visit our website: www.leadlib.com • E-mail: Library@cityoflead.com

625 Harvard Street, Spearfish, SD 57783 www.nhtc.org

Preschool story hour, home school library skills class, library reading group, adult knitting group, adult coloring and summer reading programs for kids of all ages.

Library Hours: Mon. & Tues. 10am-7pm • Wed., Thurs., Fri. 9am-5pm • Sat. 9am - 1pm

Community Partners

The Black Hills Pioneer

Our Towns 2016, Page 47

SIMULATED

UNDERGROUND MINE TOUR

Constructed with pride by local miners!

GOLD PANNING MUSEUM & GIFT SHOP Official Mining Museum of the State of South Dakota

323 W. Main St., Lead • 605-584-1605 www.blackhillsminingmuseum.com

Deadwood Elks Lodge #508 PO Box 584, Deadwood 578-1333 Club 722-5224 Secretary

The Adams Museum is the Black Hills’ oldest history museum. In 1930 pioneer businessman W.E. Adams founded the Adams Museum in downtown Deadwood with the purpose of preserving and displaying the history of the Black Hills. He donated the building to the City of Deadwood and placed the operation of the organization in the hands of a board of directors.

The Adams Museum is home to some of the Black Hills’ greatest treasures including Potato Creek Johnny’s gold nugget, beloved American illustrator N.C. Wyeth’s pencil sketch drawing of Western legend Wild Bill Hickok, the mysterious Thoen Stone record of the Ezra Kind party’s discovery of gold in the Hills in the 1830s and a one-of-a-kind plesiosaur (marine reptile).

In addition to exhibits on all three levels, the Adams General Store is located on the main floor.

Open year round, the Adams Museum is wheelchair accessible.

A suggested donation of $5 per adult, $2 per child is appreciated.

Call 605-722-4800 for information on group tours.

54 Sherman Street Deadwood, SD 57732 605-578-1714 DeadwoodHistory.com

If you’ve been around the Hills for a while, there is a good chance that your children, or even you, have directly benefited from one of the many Elks sponsored programs. Besides operating the largest privately funded scholarship program in the U.S., The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks sponsor a nationwide youth free-throw contest called Hoop Shoot, supports the D.A.R.E. Drug Awareness program in schools along with numerous programs and activities specifically for Armed Services Veterans.

Locally, Deadwood Lodge #508 sponsors an annual Easter Egg Hunt and the Lead-Deadwood Middle School Student of the Month awards. Each spring, our Youth Appreciation Banquet honors the achievements of over 300 students and their families from around the region. We are a contributor to the Post Prom events in all of the area high schools, contribute to numerous local athletic events and send a high school student representative to Boys and Girls State each year. Additionally, we answer many individual funding requests for those in need. Members of Deadwood Lodge #508 truly exemplify the Elks mantra “Elks Care, Elks Share”.

The Deadwood Elks Lodge lounge, once the hub of Deadwood’s social dance scene, is much quieter these days. Located right above Deadwood Harley Davidson and next to the Franklin Hotel, it still sports a full bar and is open weekend nights. Recent renovations have restored its magnificent view overlooking Deadwood’s Main Street. Members enjoy one of the best vantage points for taking in Deadwood’s many busy events.

Community Partners

Page 48, Our Towns 2016

The Black Hills Pioneer

The meticulously restored 1892 Victorian mansion with original contents chronicles Deadwood’s transition from a raucous mining camp into a prosperous and technologically rich city. The home recounts the triumphs and tragedies of two of Deadwood’s founding families.

The Queen Anne-style home was built by pioneer businessman Harris Franklin, complete with stained glass windows, thoroughly modern 19th century plumbing and electricity, hand-painted canvas wall coverings and telephone service. W.E. Adams purchased the home in 1920, and after his death in 1934, Adams’ second wife Mary closed the doors.

The home sat silent for almost 60 years. In 1998, under the direction of the City of Deadwood’s Historic Preservation Commission and the Adams Museum, historic preservation experts painstakingly restored the mansion to its former glory. The home is open daily in the summer when the beautiful gardens are in full bloom. During the fall and winter, the mansion serves as a stage for special and private tours. The Adams House Gift Shop, adjacent to the house, features unique gifts. The Historic Adams House

Live re-creations of the town’s rich history started in 1924 through the Days of ‘76 celebration and award-winning rodeo. The celebration began as a way to honor Deadwood’s pioneers – the prospectors, miners, muleskinners and madams who poured into the Black Hills in 1876 to settle the gold-filled gulches of Dakota Territory.

Deadwood’s newest museum documents the celebration and rodeo. The Days of ‘76 Museum features exceptional displays of carriages, firearms, American Indian artifacts and illustrates Deadwood’s enduring friendship with Buffalo Bill Cody.

The Days of ‘76 Museum is wheelchair accessible. The gift shop is located on the first floor. Admission is $6.00 for adults, $3.00 for

children ages 7 – 13 and free to children 6 and under. The museum is free to Deadwood History members.

Open year round, the Days of ‘76 Museum is wheelchair accessible.

Call 605-722-4800 for information on facility rentals and group tours.

18 Seventy Six Drive Deadwood, SD 605-578-1657 DeadwoodHistory.com

is wheelchair-accessible on the first floor.

Spring hours begin in April, Tuesday – Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Closed Mondays. Summer hours are May through September, open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Call for details on winter hours.

Admission is $8 for adults, $4 for children ages 7 – 13 and free to children 6 and under. The museum is free to Deadwood History members. Call 605-722-4800 for information on facility rentals and group tours.

22 Van Buren Street Deadwood, SD 57732 605-578-3724 DeadwoodHistory.com

Community Partners

The Black Hills Pioneer

Our Towns 2016, Page 49

The Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center (HARCC) serves as a destination appealing to historians, geologists, genealogists, authors, scholars and the general public. It is a research center with a reputation for thoroughness assisting in multi-disciplined fields of study serving a local, state and national audience. The facility is designed to host a variety of public programs, workshops, concerts and lectures that appeal to a diverse and multi-generational audience. The HARCC provides public access to an unprecedented collection of historically valuable archival materials, offering a unique perspective of Black Hills history.

Open year round to the public, the HARCC is wheelchair

accessible.

Room rental and document reproduction rates are available. Call 605-722-4800 for information on facility rentals.

Business hours are Monday – Friday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

150 Sherman Street Deadwood, SD 605-722-4800 DeadwoodHistory.com

Welcome to Belle Fourche,

The Center of the Nation Visit our Unique Businesses, Great Merchants, Services & Eateries American West Restaurant AmericInn Lodge & Suites Belle Fourche City Belle Flowers, Gifts & Decor Belle Fourche Livestock Belle Fourche Physical Therapy Belle Inn Restaurant Bentz Equipment Belle Laundry & Dry Cleaning BH Pioneer/Prospector

Black Hills Real Estate Team Branding Iron Steakhouse Budget Appliance & Furniture 2 Bunney's Body & Collision Center Butte County Post Dairy Queen Dakota Financial Services, Insurance Plus at NH Federal Credit Union Dakota Lumber E.T. Sports Fast Break Screen Printing & Embroidery First Interstate Bank Frontier Glass Hersrud's of Belle Fourche

Hills Interiors Homestead Nursery Integrity Meats Jackson Dental Jem Enterprises, Inc KBFS-KYDT Life Light Creative, LLC Lifestyles Lindstad Alignment Leuders Food Center Man Cave Mason's 5th Ave./BuckStop New China Garden Olive Branch Patty's Place Pete's Clothing/ Western Wear Pioneer Bank & Trust Posy Palace

Randy's Tire & Lube Reid Motel Ross Equipment & Rental Roundup Building Center Runnings Rustic Soul Sand Creek Printing South Park Lanes Southside Conoco Stadium Sports Bar and Grill Stereo's N Stuff Sunset Motel Tim Speidel Busines & Tax Services Tri-State Construction Tri-State Museum Wells Fargo West Tire & Alignment

"Keeping Belle Fourche in Business."

Center of the Nation Business Association

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Mother & Fathers Day Drawing..................... May Crazy Days ............................. July 29-30 Halloween Parade............... October 31 Light up the Night Christmas Kickoff & Fireworks ..................... November 25 Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Page 50, Our Towns 2016

The Black Hills Pioneer

Spearfish Foundation for Public Education helps local schools soar

BY DUSTIE M. CLEMENTS Black Hills Pioneer

SPEARFISH — The Spearfish Foundation for Public Education (SPFE) was founded in 2001 in order to gather money to support the schools of Spearfish. While the foundation provides tremendous help to the Spearfish School District, the two are independent from each other. Through the SPFE, members of the community are able to donate funds to the foundation that are then allocated to areas of the school district that need it most.

“The goal of this partnership is to allow members of our community to invest in the success of any and all of the classrooms, programs and activities of the Spearfish schools,” said Mary Pochop, who serves as co-chairwoman on the foundation’s board of directors.

Spearfish School District Superintendent Dave Peters referred to the Spearfish Foundation for Public Education as the district’s “best cheerleaders.”

“The foundation started when the school district was suffering from political interference ... the morale boost at

The Spearfish Foundation for Public Education funds STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) programs like the science day pictured here, when Spearfish High school students assist elementary-aged students with science experiments. Pioneer file photo by Kaija Swisher the beginning was more important than the money,” Peters said.

The superintendent spoke about how teachers and students alike were disheartened by the lack of extra pro-

grams and funding for activities and how the Spearfish Foundation for Public Education helped change that. “(The foundation) is great for boosting morale, and we

Community Partners PUBLIC EDUCATION Pg 55

Trinity United Methodist Church Founded in 2004 LIKE THE NORTH STAR Our mission in life is to point people to Jesus.

Jesus isn’t found in a bunch of rules and regulation. A relationship with Jesus should be a guilt-free experience. It doesn’t have to take all the fun and excitement out of life. It happens when you get to know Him in a real, active, organic, life-changing way.

When you come and visit us, expect to be comfortable. Jeans and T-shirts are the normal attire. We’ll worship and pray and our lead minister, Matt, will talk for a while. Don’t worry, though- we don’t let him talk too long!

We’ll take communion and, if you are a believer in Jesus, you’re welcome to take it with us. There will be an offering for people who call North Point home; we don’t expect you to give when this happens. We just want you to get to know us, to see if we’re a good fit for you.

Celebration Service is at 10:05am Sunday mornings in the Spearfish High School Auditorium

Sunday Worship Service 9:00 a.m.

Join us in our new facility 2 miles north of Spearfish on Hwy 85

Fellowship following Worship • Christian Education for all ages Lord's Cupboard • Christian Ministry Center

Opening Summer 2016

111 S. Main Street, Lead - 605-584-1328

The Black Hills Pioneer

Our Towns 2016, Page 51

$210 million development proposed for northwest end of Spearfish

DAKOTA LUMBER & DAKOTA HARDWARE

Dakota Lumber, located North of Belle Fourche, is a second and third generation lumberyard that has been locally owned and operated by the Bowman Family, who are proud to have served Belle Fourche and the surrounding communities since 1979. On July 1, 2014 the Bowman Family established Dakota Hardware in Sturgis after acquiring Johnston’s Hardware Hank, on Junction Avenue, and are looking forward to joining and serving the Sturgis Community and the surrounding areas. Stop by either location for all your home project needs or call 892-4041 in Belle Fourche and 347-4031 in Sturgis.

JACKSON DENTAL

Dr. John and Dr. Christopher Jackson believe in providing their patients with the best that dentistry has to offer in technology while giving their patients the Small Town Friendly Service they deserve. The team at Jackson Dental strongly feel, that by caring about their patients like family they can achieve the best overall health for their patients. Your smile matters to them. Community involvement and love for the area, by the entire team, makes Jackson Dental a unique and friendly place to be. Call for your next appointment 605892-6347.

RE/MAX IN THE HILLS This artist’s rendition shows what the proposed Dakota Meadows development could look like. The development, located near the intersection of Interstate 90 and Highway 85 could include 400-500 acres of housing, a 322,000-square-foot outdoor lifestyle shopping center, an indoor hockey arena, a school, and more. Courtesy illustration

BY MARK WATSON Black Hills Pioneer

SPEARFISH — Spearfish could see an explosion in population and retail growth should a proposed development on the northwest end of town come to fruition.

Local developers are proposing the Dakota Meadows project. The project isn’t just another housing subdivision, but a development designed to draw people to the area with amenities to include an indoor hockey arena that could host other sporting events and trade shows, a 322,000-square-foot outdoor lifestyle shopping center, three hotels and restaurants, an outdoor sports complex, a furniture store, a school, a travel center, and 400-500 acres of home sites near the intersection of Interstate 90 and Highway 85 at Exit 10.

Local developers Joe Jorgensen, Vic Uttke, Doug Hoff, Rick Furnish, and Wayne Klein formed Two Bar T Ranch, LLC, and are proposing the project.

The developers believe the realistic valuation of the project coming in at $210 million would generate approximately $52.2 million in new property tax, and nearly that amount in sales tax over the course of 20 years — enough to build the event center and the water,

sewer, and roads for the project.

The need for additional retail services was made clear in a 2013 retail gap analysis conducted by The Retail Coach. That study showed that the city was losing nearly $200 million annually from people shopping out of town.

A 2014 study conducted by GreenPlay, LLC showed that the city is in need of more sports fields and other recreational offerings.

“This is our wish list,” said Mark Kazmer, a spokesman for the development company. “There is nothing here that is definite, and there is nothing here that is out of play. A lot of these facets are facets that have come to us wanting inclusion.”

The outdoor lifestyle shopping center would be either an outlet mall with known outlet brands, or a center that incorporates brands not found in the Black Hills. The center would have an open-air concept. Kazmer said that serious discussions have been made with a number of well-known, national businesses on expanding to Spearfish, but he is not able to discuss the names of the companies at this stage.

On the west end of the shopping center would be the Termesphere Gallery, home to internationally-renowned and Spearfish-based artist Dick Termes’s

six-point perspective spheres.

The gallery is currently located on Christensen Drive, and the move would make the gallery much more visible.

“We’re looking for an opportunity to expand and get Dick’s work out,” said Kabe Termes, president of Termesphere Inc. He said the gallery would also serve as a facility to teach about art, math, and science and would be a world-class attraction.

The east end of the shopping center would feature an indoor sports arena designed for hockey. The developers have reached out to the North American Hockey League and have an ownership team interested in bringing a franchise to Spearfish to compete inside the 4,300-seat arena. There are 24 North American Hockey League teams in the country and six are within a day’s drive.

Additionally, a second sheet of ice could be attached to the arena for youth and adult leagues and public skating.

“That part could be paid off in about nine years,” Kazmer said.

Much of the debt retirement could be made with $5 skate night events.

Yankton built a $1 million indoor arena and paid it off in nine years with their DAKOTA MEADOWS Pg 52

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Page 52, Our Towns 2016

BLACK HILLS STATE UNIVERSITY

The Black Hills Pioneer from Pg 51

DAKOTA MEADOWS Anything is possible at Black Hills State University, where nearly 4,400 students are engaged in high-quality academic programs. The masters-level campus offers 77 academic programs in Spearfish, Rapid City, and online.

BHSU is a vital contributor to the vibrant Spearfish community, creating opportunities and driving economic growth while providing quality and affordable education for the region. The community attends a wide array of sporting and cultural events on campus. BHSU actively participates int he downtown atmosphere through the Jacket Zone store on Main Street and the involvement of faculty, staff, students, and alums throughout the region.

1200 University St., Spearfish www.BHSU.edu • 605-642-6343

SPEARFISH AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Spearfish Area Chamber of Commerce is a local organization whose main goal is to promote and protect the interests of the business environment and the betterment of our community. We encourage you to get active in your community, volunteer, shop local and engage in a chamber committee with which your passion aligns. Together we are stronger; together we make a difference.

Stop by the Spearfish Area Chamber of Commerce at 106 W. Kansas Street in Spearfish, call 605-642-2626 or visit www.spearfishchamber.org to find out how you can get involved.

RAINBOW INT'L. OF THE BLACK HILLS

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BLACK HILLS PHYSICAL THERAPY

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successful skate nights, Kazmer said.

The arena could be reconfigured for other sporting, cultural, and community events such as concerts and tradeshows.

Kazmer said that the South Dakota High School Activities Association has been contacted about the arena hosting state tournaments if the event center is the right size.

The development would also feature soccer and softball fields and basketball courts.

Close to the outdoor sports fields would be room for a school.

The Spearfish School District has seen rapid growth in recent years with the unexpected exception of the last school year in which the district saw a decline in enrollment.

Dave Peters, superintendent of the Spearfish School District; said planning for enrollment growth is extremely difficult, but he has looked at several properties around Spearfish to build a new school including land at the proposed development.

The district’s long-range plan would add an intermediate school in the future, but no timeframe was given.

Peters said that the Spearfish Middle School will likely be renovated, transforming teacher planning spaces into classrooms.

The elementary schools have been expanded as much as land will allow and the capital outlay fund is “pretty much tapped out, so any major construction would need to be bonded,” he said.

Peters said he appreciates being involved in the planning and discussion of the potential development, but “it’s hard to make a commitment without knowing if the kids are coming.”

Kazmer said the development plans also include an 11-acre travel center/ truck stop, a furniture store, three motels including an upscale hotel next to

the event center, a state tourism center which would likely include a Visit Spearfish presence, and 400-500 acres of home sites with walking and bike trails. The home sites would range in size from typical city lots to 2-10-acre lots with vistas.

Just factoring in the 600,000 square feet of commercial space, property taxes should amount to $52.2 million over the course of 20 years, developers estimate.

Funding for the massive development would be made possible through private investment, with hopes of a business improvement district (BID), tax incremental financing districts (TIFD), and P3 financing. P3, public private partnership, allows capital investment first to fund the project and lease it back to a public entity. A P3 financing group has already indicated interest in the project, the developers said.

Kazmer said some of the city’s hotel owners expressed concern about the proposed addition of three new hotels.

But using the current occupancy rate of 54 percent and with the addition of three new hotels with 80 rooms each, the new development would bring an extra $28,000 in BID dollars per year.

Kazmer said arena and sports complexes should draw more visitors to the city and increase hotel occupancy.

Hockey has a large following, and some tournaments will cause all hotel rooms to be filled. The recent state hockey tournament in Brookings filled all hotel rooms, and some attendees had to stay in Sioux Falls, according to Kazmer.

A TIFD, an economic development tool, is a public financing system that uses future increases in property tax to reimburse the costs of public improvements built within a designated boundary. The value of all the properties inside the district is assessed, with the total amount of property tax generated by all those properties noted as the base property tax revenue. All property revenue above this amount, for the term of the TIFD, is captured to refund the costs of the public improvements. This amount over the base is called the “tax

increment,” and over time, property values are presumed to increase in part due to infrastructure improvements brought about by the project itself. When the TIFD retires, the total taxation values revert to the original taxing entities.

A Sales Tax Increment Financing District can earmark the sales tax generated from the development to help pay for the construction and improvements to the area.

The area around Cabela’s in Mitchell was constructed using this method, Kazmer said.

Spearfish Mayor Dana Boke said there are more discussions needed but “the concept is exciting. There are needs within the community for more sporting event venues to host tournaments.”

She said the city is initiating studies into the proposed development’s feasibility and infrastructure requirements.

“We’re talking a lot of money here,” she said. “There are so many details we need to get ironed out.”

Boke said the aquifer on the north side of Lookout Mountain is different than the one the city currently draws from and that wastewater would likely need to be pumped to the wastewater treatment plant before that could happen, and the plant itself would need to be looked at for capacity capabilities.

“There are a lot of exciting things that are planned that would be great for Spearfish,” Boke said. “There is a lot of opportunity here.

“We need to continue to strengthen the downtown area and make it our core,” she said. “This would enhance and bring other types of businesses into town.

Competition isn’t always a bad thing, but I am very protective of our downtown.”

Kazmer said support from nationally-recognized retail businesses looking at expanding to the Spearfish area view the Dakotas Meadows project favorably, and the state has expressed continued support. Lawrence County commissioners continue to debate a land swap proposal for land the county currently owns in the area, for a parcel nearby.

The Black Hills Pioneer

Our Towns 2016, Page 53

DAVID M. DORSETT HEALTHCARE COMMUNITY

David M. Dorsett Healthcare Community has been a part of the Spearfish community since 1956. David and Olive Dorsett envisioned a place where seniors could experience a culture of healing in an environment that promoted quality of life. Thanks to their generosity, our community became a reality and it has been serving those in need for 60 years. Our 100-bed rehabilitation and skilled care center is conveniently located near Queen City Medical Center and Spearfish Regional Hospital. We have made it our mission to provide the highest quality care in a compassionate and positive environment.

PHILLY TED'S CHEEZSTEAKS

The Homestake Opera House in Lead received a new grand piano. The new piano will help the opera house provide quality musical entertainment for generations to come. Photo courtesy of the Homestake Opera House

from Pg 42

OPERA HOUSE Opera House and Recreation Center, from the first brick laid to present day and into the future,” Historic Homestake Opera House Executive Director Sarah Carlson said.

The walls are all but ready to showcase the opera house’s story through multiple exhibit stations, each focusing on specific aspects of the space across its history. The stations will tell tales through archival photos, original historic artifacts, detailed replicas, and related ephemera.

Last year, the original seasoned Douglas fir wood floor in the interpretive center was refinished. The beautiful floor was covered with vinyl flooring relatively early in the history of the opera house, and the vinyl was covered with carpet in the early 1990s.

Volunteers from Black Hills Power, Wells Fargo, and Rapid City Regional Health assisted in removing the tarpaper left atop the original wood in September, and Dustin Ell, of Spearfish’s Flooring Services refinished the 101-year-old wooden floors to like-new condition in November.

Carlson said the interpretive center project is being funded and developed alongside the stage renovation and the opera house’s full operations.

“This is something that we’re able to do because of the many helpers and vol-

unteers that we have involved,” she said.

Homestake Opera House staff and volunteers have been working hard on designing, developing, and assembling the different stations of the interpretive center’s comprehensive history exhibit.

Exhibit stations will focus on sections of opera house history with technical aspects — the movie theater station, for example, will feature short films and/or plaques explaining the workings of the technology of the day.

Each exhibit station will also feature a memory book in which visitors may recount relevant tales from their own experiences at the opera house and rec center.

“One of the neat things about this project has been trying to make this tangible for people, especially those who grew up in the building. I can’t wait to see their reactions,” Carlson said. “When people come in, even if they’ve been here their whole lives, they’re going to see images that they’ve never seen before that have been found through years of research — artifacts from the building’s history, everything from billiard balls, original light fixtures untouched by the fire of 1984, original swimming pool benches, the original popcorn machine, film reels, and more.”

With much of the Homestake Opera House’s physical history going up in smoke in a catastrophic fire in 1984, the original artifacts to be displayed in the interpretive center are as rare as they are valuable. But a principle driving

factor behind the creation of the interpretive center is to tell the story of the opera house in a tangible, engaging way.

While replicas would surely suffice — and will have to in the place of pieces that only exist now in photos — nothing connects people to history better than original artifacts.

“We’re very proud to be able to tell the story in this way. This is the stuff that people get excited about, you can’t help it, it’s history come alive. These things are so special because they’ve been through a lot,” Carlson said. “And we are looking for more. To those reading this, know that there’s a place for these objects and we will take them with no questions asked. People have been dropping things off here for years; we’ve been lucky enough to store them, retain them, cherish them, and now display them.”

The Historic Homestake Opera House interpretive center is tentatively scheduled to open on Mother’s Day weekend.

Those with artifacts they wish to donate and those looking to volunteer or make monetary donations should contact Carlson at 584-2067 or homestakeoperahouse@gmail.com.

Carlson specifically noted the opera house is looking for volunteer tour guides for the interpretive center and sponsors for each station in the comprehensive exhibit. Sponsors will be named at each station on a plaque mounted on an original brass end cap from the seat rows in the theater.

Todd and Barb Colgrove opened Philly Ted's with "Family" as their theme. They had found an awesome product and wanted to share it with the community they love so dearly. They opened the shop, located at 134 Ryan Rd., in July 2013, and have enjoyed building relationships with their customers ever since.

Philly Ted's brings a big-city taste to the Northern Hills at a great price. Everything is cooked fresh using fresh, local ingredients. The cheesesteaks are authentic, grilled to order, and served on freshly baked breadjust like Philly.

For more information stop in, call 605-559-0344, or visit us on the web at www.phillyted.com.

VERSATILE CARPETS & INTERIORS

Versatile Carpets & Interiors provides sales & installation of all types of flooring and window fashions.

Owned and operated by Tim and Lois Verhulst, Versatile Carpets & Interiors has been in Spearfish for 40 years.

They are the Black Hills’ exclusive distributor of STEP Warmfloor® radiant underfloor heating, roof de-icing and snow melt systems. To see everything they have to offer, visit Versatile Carpets & Interiors at 731 N. Main Street in Spearfish. They can also be reached by phone at (605) 642-7300.

ACE HARDWARE, LEAD

As your local Ace Hardware, our store is a member of the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the industry. As part of a cooperative, every Ace Hardware store is independently owned. Each store is unique and tailored to meet the needs of the local community. We are all committed to being "the Helpful Place" by offering our customers knowledgeable advice, helpful service and quality products.

Bill Bregar is the owner of the newest Ace Hardware store that opened last month in Lead.

145 Glendale Drive, Lead • 605-559-1110

Page 54, Our Towns 2016

The Black Hills Pioneer

Pioneer file photo

by Kaija Swisher

2015 totals show second-highest building permits on record for Spearfish 458 permits were issued, representing more than $46 million in total valuation

BY KAIJA SWISHER Black Hills Pioneer

SPEARFISH — Though it didn’t top Spearfish’s 2014 record-breaking building permit totals, 2015 came in a close second.

“Yes, we did have another impressive year for building permits,” Tom Paisley, building official, said. “In fact, it was the second-highest valuation totals that we have ever recorded, coming in at $46,350,137.82, and the second-highest number of permits ever issued at 458.”

Of those totals, there were 103 new single-family homes constructed,

up six from 2014.

In 2014, the building department issued permits with a total valuation of $49,103,173.91 for the year, reflecting 513 total permits and 97 new single-family homes. In 2013, there was approximately $36 million in total valuation, with 84 new single-family homes built.

Construction valuations totals were close in 2010, 2012, and 2013, with a dip in 2011, reflecting 44 new single-family homes and total construction valuation around $18.7 million. Since 1991, the next closest record for total new construction value was 2004, at approximately $44 million; and the year with the most single-family homes built was 2005, when 169 new homes cropped up in Spearfish.

Nine new commercial building permits were issued in 2015, including the new Atlas building, home to MassMarkets,

in the Exit 14 industrial park, as well as for projects currently undergoing work, such as the Qdoba/City Brew building to be constructed along North Avenue where the Cedar House was located; Black Hills Urgent Care, on the corner of Main and Michigan streets; and North Point Christian Church, off of Highway 85 north of Exit 10.

“Those projects have had foundation work done and will be completed in 2016,” Paisley said.

He added that 2016 is already starting out well in the building department.

“We have received six new house plans already this week and a few commercial alterations,” Paisley said. “We have also been in contact with a few architectural firms that are working on some exciting projects for 2016.”

He praised the staff at the building department, the contractors in the area, and architects, engineers, and draftsmen who

In 2015, the city of Spearfish had its second-highest building permit valuation totals ever recorded at approximately $46.4 million, not quite topping 2014’s totals of $49.1 million. Some of the projects completed in 2015 include the city’s Atlas building in the Exit 14 industrial park, shown above under construction in June 2015, and the Qdoba/ City Brew building under construction in spring 2016. Pioneer photo by Dustie Clements

all work together through the permitting process to bring projects to reality. He added that the city would be adopting the 2015 edition of the International Building Codes soon, updating from the 2012 edition currently used.

Building permits are required for new construction, additions, alterations, remodeling, repairs, and demolition.

For any questions about building permits, contact the building department 642-1335. Forms, applications, and more cityofspearinformation is available at cityofspear fish.com/departments/building_services/ index.php.

Other cities in South Dakota also had good building years in 2015. The value of building permits in Rapid City was the third-highest in city history, at $219 million, and construction in Mitchell and Sioux Falls set records, with building permits totaling more than $44.7 million and $675 million, respectively.

The Black Hills Pioneer

Our Towns 2016, Page 55

from Pg 50

PUBLIC EDUCATION can do programs because of them that we normally wouldn’t be able to do,” he said.

Pochop explained that the funding is used both in and out of the classroom and noted that it supports not only regular classes and scholarly areas are provided funding but extra programs are available as well, “STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programs, social studies/government programs, the fine arts (drama, music, art, debate/speech), gifted and talented education programs, after school assistance programs, (tutoring) and many others (are available now)”.

The SPFE is a 501(c)3 non-profit.

Pochop explained that donating to the foundation is beneficial because all donations are tax deductible and funding priorities include “funding immediate academic needs in our public schools and establishing a permanent endowment for the future needs of our schools.”

The Spearfish Foundation for Public Education is a fundamental stepping stone to making education great for the students of Spearfish. Pochop is very passionate about the foundation itself but also about the peoplethose who donate., “The educational programs that exist through the SFPE would not exist without the generous donors in our community, and the teachers and administrators who strive to make our public schools the best for our children and future children,” she said..

The Spearfish Foundation for Public Education funds clubs like RAVE (Recording, Audio, Visual, Engineering), an organization at Spearfish High School that allows students to pursue various interests. Pioneer file photo by Kaija Swisher “Receiving a quality education is a community commitment. We thank the citizens of Spearfish for their continued financial support and the personnel at the Spearfish public schools for their dedication and

Thanks for 3 Great Years!

Here’s to many more!

Stop by to see our weekly specials!

Weekday Lunch Special Available 11am-1pm

commitment to quality education.”

Community members who would like to donate toFor more information on the Spearfish Foundation for Public Education, or to make a donation, can do

so by visiting visit spearfishschools.org. and clicking on the donate button at the top right of the home page.

No matter the season, we remain committed to providing plumbing, heating and cooling solutions that keep you and your family comfortable year-round.

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605-559-0344

Page 56, Our Towns 2016

The Black Hills Pioneer