Mt. Rushmore Wastewater Treatment System Team Receives Treatment Operation and Maintenance Award

KEYSTONE, SD – Mount Rushmore National Memorial wastewater treatment system team is the recipient of the 2017 Operation and Maintenance Wastewater Treatment Award presented by the South Dakota Department of Environmental and Natural Resources, DENR. 

The 2017 Operation and Maintenance Wastewater Treatment Award is for outstanding operation of the wastewater system and environmental compliance with its state surface water discharge permit during the year.  The award was presented during the 2018 South Dakota Water and Wastewater Association Wastewater Operations Seminar held April 11th and 12th at the Clubhouse Hotel & Suites in Pierre.

“Wastewater treatment is vitally important to our quality of life because it removes harmful pollutants that can spread disease and provides safe drinking water for use by all those downstream,” said DENR Secretary Steve Pirner.  “The winners of DENR’s Surface Water Discharge Permit Awards are to be thanked because they collect, treat, and maintain their wastewater treatment systems at the highest levels.”

Superintendent Cheryl Schreier noted, “We are pleased to have the outstanding work of our wastewater treatment crew recognized by the state.  Utility Team Members: Bruce McClure, Rod Hart, Courtney Leising, Clif Esper, Jim Strang, and Facilities Supervisor Doug Livermore consistently make the extra effort to ensure safe operation of the water and wastewater facilities while protecting our natural resources.”

Qualifications for the Operations and Maintenance Wastewater Treatment Award are based on a system’s compliance with state environmental requirements, the quality of the treated and discharged wastewater, monitoring reports, state inspections, and proper operation and maintenance of the wastewater treatment facility.

For additional park information, please visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial’s official website at www.nps.gov/moru.

U.S. AIR FORCE OFFUTT BRASS BAND TO PERFORM AT MOUNT RUSHMORE NATIONAL MEMORIAL

OFFUTT BRASS, the brass ensemble of the United States Air Force Heartland of America Band, is stationed at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. Comprised of two trumpets, French horn, trombone, tuba, and percussion, Offutt Brass showcases the service’s excellence and precision in every performance. From classical to jazz and popular music, this ensemble is dedicated to presenting the total spectrum of today’s musical literature. Photo: U.S.A.F

 

KEYSTONE, SD – Celebrate President’s Day at Mount Rushmore National Memorial and enjoy the sounds of Offutt Brass. The brass ensemble of the United States Air Force Heartland of America Band will be performing in the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center Theater from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm on February 20, 2017.

Stationed at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, the band is comprised of two trumpets, a French horn, trombone, tuba, and percussion. They perform a wide variety of music from classical to jazz and popular music. According to the band, “These talented Airman musicians proudly represent the more than 313,000 Air Force professionals around the world who relentlessly protect and defend the freedoms we cherish.”

There is no fee for the concert, however the $10 parking fee will be in effect. Active duty military personnel will park for free and parking for seniors is half price. Keep the parking receipt; it is valid for one year of parking at Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

For additional information about the site please visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial’s official website at http://www.nps.gov/moru or call (605) 574-2523.

The dates, times and locations for performances includes February:

• 18, 7:30 p.m. – Community Center Theatre, Belle Fourche
• 19, 4 p.m. – Community Center Theater, Sturgis
• 20, Noon – Mount Rushmore National Memorial amphitheater
• 20, 7:30 p.m. – Mueller Civic Center, Hot Springs
• 21, 7 p.m. – Douglas High School Auditorium, Box Elder
• 22, 7 p.m. – Performing Arts Center Historic Theater, Rapid City
• 23, 7:30 p.m. – Meier Recital Hall, Black Hills State University, Spearfish

Band officials noted that the performances are made possible through the support provided by local area partners including various local newspapers, city facilities and area arts councils. A short musical program will also be performed at Mount Rushmore on Presidents Day. In addition, Offutt Brass will perform master classes for music students at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and Black Hills State University.

Mason’s National Day of Celebration of the 75 Anniversary of Mt. Rushmore

 

By Herb Ryan

Keystone resident Don “Nick” Clifford, the last survivor of the Mount Rushmore mountain carving project, was for a 95-year-old man in surprisingly good health and humor. Don started working at Mt. Rushmore in 1938 as a “do it all” getting paid .55 cents an hour for an eight-hour day, six-day work week. Hired at the age of 17 Don said ” I think I was hired because Gutzon Borglum wanted to start a baseball team and everybody in Keystone where most of the crew was from knew that I was a good player”. According to Don, “it was not a bad place to work while it lasted. I was one of the guys who winched up workers from the ground, and eventually was one of the guys being winched up the mountain face after I was promoted to driller” Working with a jack hammer he worked on Roosevelt’s chin and also did some work on Lincoln. Don worked the project from 1938 – 1940. When World WarII started, all funding and materials were funneled to the war effort. Gutzon Borglum died March 6, 1941 at which time his son Lincoln assumed responsibility for the carving. The last work on the carving was in October, 1941. After the armistice of WWII it was decided to leave the carving as is in order to honor the artistic integrity of Gutzon Borglum.

 

Listening to opening remarks at the Mason’s National Day of Celebration of the 75 Anniversary of the Completion of Mt. Rushmore, September 8, 2016. Photo:Herb Ryan/Custer Free Press. (L-R) Don”Nick” Clifford, Carolyn Clifford, – – Cheryl Schreier Superintendent Mt. Rushmore National Memorial and Shane Alexander, Grand Pursuivant Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. – SD. Photo:Herb Ryan/Custer Free Press

 

Descendants of the Deadwood Chinese Masonic Lodge founder Fee Lee Wong at the Mason’s National Day of Celebration of the 75 Anniversary of the Completion of Mt. Rushmore, September 8, 2016. (L-R) Edith C. Wong, Beatrice Wong, Robert Leung Mullikin and Anna W. Wong. Photo:Herb Ryan/Custer Free Press.

 

Ira Briggs, Jr. from Eagle Butte Lodge #172 offers a Native American prayer of thanks at the Mason’s National Day of Celebration of the 75 Anniversary of the Completion of Mt. Rushmore, September 8, 2016. Photo: Herb Ryan/Custer Free Press

 

Members of the Rapid City Fire Department Pipe and Drum Band stand at attention after playing America The Beautiful/Marine’s Hymn at the Mason’s National Day of Celebration of the 75 Anniversary of the Completion of Mt. Rushmore, September 8, 2016. (L-R) Photo:Herb Ryan/Custer Free Press

 

Masons attending the Mason’s National Day of Celebration of the 75 Anniversary of the Completion of Mt. Rushmore, September 8, 2016. Photo:Herb Ryan/Custer Free Press

 

Mt. Rushmore Road Downtown Business District Resurfacing Scheduled for September 18th Completion

Mt. Rushmore Road, downtown Custer, SD. Photo:Herb Ryan/Custer Free Press

 

Custer, SD – South Dakota Department of Transportation  project engineer Keith A. Winter said ” Many of you have probably noticed the traffic control in downtown Custer, this is in preparation for the micro-milling operation”. According to Winter, “the milling project which will start Monday September 12 should only take four days”. The project consists of micro-milling (removal of the existing top 1 ¼” of asphalt surface), and an overlay of asphalt. In the urban sections, traffic stops/delays will be kept to a minimum as two-way traffic can be maintained in the lanes unoccupied by the construction equipment. Paving could begin as early as September 19, 2016. All Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) work has been completed in the downtown Custer business district.

Mount Rushmore Society Sponsoring ” Find Your Park Festival”

Centennial Festivities

Keystone, South Dakota – Centennial Celebrations are in full swing!  Beginning Saturday August 20 with the Find Your Park Festival through Friday August 26 a variety of celebrations are being held both in Rapid City and at Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

Main Street Square in Rapid City on Saturday August 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Mount Rushmore Society is sponsoring a Find Your Park Festival.  Learn about your backyard, visit a variety of booths and participate in activities focused on your national, state and local outdoor organizations.  Junior Rangers can participate in a special passport program, meet Smokey Bear in the afternoon and enjoy the music of Phil Baker. 

Founders Week at Mount Rushmore National Memorial offers multiple ways to celebrate.  Daily Monday through Friday, August 22 -26^th at 11:00 am meet a park ranger on the Grand View Terrace to join a walk chronicling the first 100 years of the National Park Service.  Experience duct tape art at the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center or share a park memory or birthday wish at multiple stops throughout the park.

On the Centennial Day, August 25, join additional festivities.  Shake hands with Theodore Roosevelt, reenactor Gib Young, who will be roving throughout the park posing for photographs and presenting a program at 2 p.m. in the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center.  Xanterra will have a special event from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the Carver’s Café patio and beginning at 2:30 p.m. enjoy a slice of centennial birthday cake and Thomas Jefferson ice cream courtesy of Xanterra.

The August 25 evening program will begin at 7:40 p.m. with a focus on the National Park Service Centennial.  Start thinking about your favorite place, learn about the history of the National Park Service, hear what Theodore Roosevelt has to say and consider the future of the National Park Service.  Join us as we begin our next century!

Please check at the Information Center for a schedule of special events.  Programming and hours are weather dependent.  For additional information, please visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial’s official website at www.nps.gov/moru or call (605) 574-2523.

www.nps.gov

Independence Day and National Park Service Centennial Celebrations at Mount Rushmore National Memorial in July.

Keystone, South Dakota – Independence Day and National Park Service Centennial celebrations held at Mount Rushmore National Memorial come together in July.    

The month opens with a special art quilt exhibit.  During the month of July, 13 art quilts will be on display in the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center.  The art quilts were created by Fiber Works, a group of textile artists from the Lincoln-Omaha, Nebraska area, to celebrate the National Park Service centennial.  The artists were inspired by their favorite national park site. 

“The National Park system is a gift to all Americans.  For one hundred years places of historical significance, structures of great merit and many of the natural wonders of our country have been preserved and protected.  The National Park system is a symbol of what it means to be an American.  We each felt moved by our chosen park or monument to design a piece of fiber art to represent it.  We hope others will enjoy viewing the pieces we have created from our hearts,” stated Cynthia Levis of Fiber Works.

Continuing the celebration, July 4^th will be a great day for a variety of park events.  Beginning at 8:30 in the morning in the Carvers Café there will be a press conference with the presidents featuring George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt fielding questions from the audience concerning their politics, philosophies and presidency.  During the day the presidents will be presenting short talks, answering questions and be available for photographs

Throughout the day enjoy the incredible melodies of Sequoia Crosswhite flute player and storyteller offering insights to his Lakota heritage.  Look for Sequoia at the Youth Exploration Area.  Award winning hoop dancer Jasmine Pickner will transform simple hoops into beautiful forms using music and stories to teach the audience about native dance.  Jasmine will be dancing on the Grand View Terrace at 11:30 and 2:30.

Top off your day with a special evening program featuring Face Vocal Band from Boulder Colorado creating music, vocals and amazing sounds.  Face provides an almost unbelievable musical experience.  Between musical sets Junior Rangers will have an opportunity to step on stage and take their oath of office.  They will join the audience in celebrating the centennial by learning about National Park Service history and listening to the presidents providing insight into their time in office.  The evening will culminate with Park Ranger Darrell Red Cloud performing the Lakota Flag Song followed by Face Vocal Band performing the national anthem, national park rangers with the retreat of the United States flag and finally the illumination of the sculpture in white light.

For a July 4^th schedule of all activities offered, please visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial’s official website atwww.nps.gov/moru or call (605) 574-2523.

Public Meetings Planned for Mickelson Trail – Mt. Rushmore Connector Trail

 

Rapid City, SD – Public meetings will be held June 14 and June 16, 2016 to discuss a proposed trail that would connect the Mickelson Trail near Hill City, South Dakota to Mount Rushmore National Memorial. 

Black Hills National Forest with Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Federal Highways Administration as cooperators, have received an application from South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks (SDGFP) for a Special Use Permit to place a 14 to 16 mile non-motorized trail across federally managed lands.  In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, the Forest Service, Federal Highways Administration, and National Park Service are working with a contractor (HDR Engineering) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) which will identify and analyze possible environmental and social impacts of the project to make an informed decision on whether to approve the proposed action, or other alternatives to the project which are formulated with public input.

Two public meetings will be held and all persons interested in this project are invited to attend:

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Hill City High School
Commons Area
488 Main Street
Hill City, SD 57745

Thursday, June 16, 2016

5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Hilton Garden Inn
815 E Mall Drive
Rapid City, SD 57701

If an action alternative is selected in the EIS process, the Forest Service would:

·         Issue a Special Use Permit for the trail

·         Complete site-specific amendments to the Forest Plan

The Rushmore Connector Trail would also require a decision and authorizations from the National Park Service.

Any persons with disabilities who require assistance should contact Rebecca Baker, HDR Engineering, prior to the meeting at 605.977.7756 orRebecca.baker@hdrinc.com. If you are hearing or speech impaired call 1-800-877-1113 or 711: TTY.

For further information regarding this Project, please contact Scott Jacobson, Forest Service Public Affairs Officer, at 605-673-9216. Information is also posted on the project website at www.rushmoreconnectortrail.com. Comments on the project must be in writing and may be sent to the Forest Service at comments-rocky-mountain-black-hills@fs.fed.us, with “Rushmore Connector Trail” in the subject line. 

Visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/blackhills for more information on the Black Hills National Forest.