Studebaker Car and Truck Show Returns To Custer Sunday, September 3, 2017

Spectators at the 2016 Studebaker Labor Day Car Show in Custer. File Photo: Custer Free Press

August 28, 2017

Custer’s favorite Labor Day car show will be held again this Sunday, September 3, 2017.  Returning to show their Studebaker and Packard cars and trucks will be drivers from South Dakota and five regional states.  On Sunday, members of the Studebaker Drivers Club will be showing their vehicles at 6th Street and Mt Rushmore Road from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. A variety of both restored and modified cars and trucks from the 1930’s to the 1960’s will be on display at the free show.  It will include two restored “Hawk” models which were the sports cars of the 1950’s as well as two “Avanti” models from the 1960’s which were produced with high-powered engines.  Visitors to the show can vote for their favorite car, receive a pamphlet on the history of the Studebaker Corporation, or buy tee shirts or caps with the Studebaker logo.

Two 2R-5 pickups from the 1950’s will also be on display. These were known in this era for their streamlined design and double enforced side walls to haul extra heavy loads will also be shown.  This was in contrast to all of the military and farm trucks which Studebaker was manufacturing.  And a new entrant this year is a restored sleigh.  The history of the Studebaker Corporation includes their early manufacture of horse-drawn wagons as well as sleighs.  The company was one of the first to design an electric model but soon switched to gas-powered.  At one time this company was considered one of the major manufacturer of automobiles.

The group will have an informal display of their vehicles at the Super 8 Motel during evening hours and will be cruising to Keystone on Saturday.  On Sunday evening, the group will attend a banquet where trophies will be given, based on visitor voting.  Four additional plaques will be given out.  Outstanding vehicles will be selected by: Mayor Corbin Herman, Fred Bauman of the Custer Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Studebaker Family, and columnist for Turning Wheels magazine, Ingvar Vik.

Three Black Hills National Forest Employees Selected for Inspiring Women Award

August 28, 2017

Custer, SD– Three Black Hills National Forest employees were recently selected to receive the Rocky Mountain Region – Inspiring Women Award.

Amy Ballard from the Mystic Ranger District was selected in the category of Outstanding Outreach, Volunteerism and Partnerships.  Amy has run the Moon Walk program for the past 20 years. She was instrumental in starting the Women in Science program 10 years ago and part of a statewide effort to bring science to rural grade school students via a teleconferencing system.

Laura Burns from the Hell Canyon Ranger District was selected in the category of Outstanding Leadership Achievement. She has led her team by providing excellent public service in recreation, trails, special use permits, wilderness management and roads management. She has been a community leader in representing the district on county land issues, working with federal highways on road projects and coordinating various volunteer groups to complete recreation facilities construction, preservation on historic properties and trail maintenance. Laura will retire on Sep 1, 2017 with over 38 years of service in the U.S. Forest Service.

Ami Schlosser from the Hell Canyon Ranger District was selected in the category of Outstanding Scientific Achievement. As a professional archaeologist, she leads her team in recognizing and recording the diversity of cultural artifacts found on the landscape. Her team has conducted extensive work in preserving historical structures including Harney Lookout Tower on Black Elk Peak and the Meeker Ranch.

“This well-deserved recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication and professionalism demonstrated by employees across the forest,” said Mark Van Every, Forest Supervisor.

The Black Hills National Forest has approximately 250 permanent and about 200 seasonal employees that embrace the U.S. Forest Service motto, Caring for the Land and Serving People.

For more information on the Black Hills National Forest, visithttp://www.fs.usda.gov/blackhills.

Changing Fast and Slow

Image: Silke Lemcke/Pixabay.com

By Peg Ryan
Mile High Pilates and Yoga

August 28, 2017

We know that everything is always changing.  Why is it then that some things seems to change too quickly while other things change way too slowly.  All it takes is a visit from friends or family members who don’t live near you.  It doesn’t matter how many Facebook posts you’ve seen through the years.  Seeing people in person always provides a jolt.  Children show enormous changes over what feels like a relatively short period of time.  Over the same time period the adults around them also change, but those changes seem more slowly paced.  The changes in young people appear dramatic to the observer while changes in adults might be less obvious, more subtle.  Yet we adults still know how much we are changing.  We may not notice it on a daily basis, but eventually change becomes evident.  You can try to stave it off with hair dye and physical fitness, but inevitably we move a bit slower.  Healing takes longer.  Certain actions require more effort or preparation.

Some of us choose to fight with change.  Huge industries have been built around masking change.  There is hair dye and make up and cosmetic surgery.  Once this was primarily the province of women, but increasingly cosmetic counters are appealing to men also.  Our culture values youth.  And not just in terms of years, but also the way we look and behave.  Every day we are presented with images representing ideals.  Although we have learned that those images are rarely real, we can still feel that somehow we have to live up to those standards.

Then there’s the flip side:  recognizing change can feel like a losing battle so we resign ourselves and give up.  We think, “I can’t do ___ anymore (fill in the blank with whatever activity you’ve written off) so I’m just going to stop trying”.  Of course, eliminating or altering certain activities as we age can be a necessity due to our changing bodies.  A wise person learns to back off when expectations of one’s abilities stops matching the reality.  But even then change doesn’t have to mean all or nothing.  Life is rarely that simple.  There are often tweaks and modifications that allow us to continue finding things we can do that still give us pleasure.

In another version of the same problem, a person might recognize and accept change in themselves but then feel frustrated when others around them can’t or won’t do the same.  That person might think, “I keep telling them how much better things would be if they made this or that change, but still they won’t do it.” Unfortunately, none of us has any control over anyone else’s behavior.  Even our children.  Just as we are each different from our parents, are children are also separate individuals.  Of course, we all learn from each other, but each of us has our own way of interpreting and internalizing the inputs we receive. None of us ever really knows what goes on in another person’s mind.  For example, I might be thinking one thing when I say something to you, but you might hear what I say in a completely different way from my intention.  This is why as a teacher I am always looking for different ways of giving the same instruction.  Some people will learn from one method while others need another way to understand.  In my most recent post I talked about perception and how it varies for each of us. This is a prime example.  It does make relationships complicated.  But it’s also a reminder that human behavior is not always easily labeled.

Sometimes what feels like stagnation is really just super slow change.  Things don’t always happen on a time line we would like.  Progress on any front may seem painfully slow.  But frustration with the pace or nature of change usually occurs when making comparisons.  That might mean comparing things to some ideal that may or may not be achievable or comparing the present to a past that no longer exists and is never coming back.  Alternatively, sometimes it can feel like things are moving so fast that your head spins trying to keep up with it all.  You feel like you just want to hold on to something familiar rather than face the uncertainty of change.

No matter what we want, though, change is going to happen in its own time with or without us.  Our lives are brief and finite.  For us as humans time just keeps moving forward.  How much better it would be to simply accept what is and work from there.  Whatever stage your physical body is in at the present moment, it will be different tomorrow.  Not good or bad, better or worse.  Just different.  You might not feel yourself changing in this moment, but you are.  Go with the flow.  Be who you are.  As the song says, ” we are stardust; we are golden”.  Wherever you are right now it is where you are.  Tomorrow may be different.  But today is what it is.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the spectacular reminder this week of how small we really are.  Of course, I am referring to the eclipse. Regardless of our petty concerns, the stars and planets just keep moving.  On my walk today I listened to a podcast from Radiolab about the Voyager probe which has now gone beyond the edge of our solar system and is still moving.  Several years back, before it’s camera was turned off, Carl Sagan convinced NASA to turn the camera around for one final look back at our solar system from it’s vantage point more than 4 billion miles from our earth.  In that photo the earth is a tiny, barely visible blue dot.  Kind of puts everything back into perspective.

Dakota Smiles Mobile Dental Program to Visit Custer School District

 

 Dakota Smiles Mobile Dental Program

Sept. 11-15 & 18-22, 2017

 The Dakota Smiles Mobile Dental Program is here once again in Custer School District, on Sept. 11-15, & 18-22, 2017, with trucks that are fully equipped dental offices on wheels. Children receive quality oral health services, including cleanings, preventive services, fillings. The staff and volunteers of the Dakota Smiles program will treat children up to age 21 who do not have a dental home or who haven’t seen a dentist in two years or more. No one will be turned away for inability to pay.  Please help spread the word.  Call the Custer Elementary School Office, Mon.-Thurs., from 8-4pm to schedule appointments – 673-4483. Any questions, contact Nurse Witt at jean.witt@k12.sd.us.

Photos – Jefferson Starship and Atlanta Rhythm Section at Pageant Hill in Custer, SD

Jefferson Starship and Atlanta Rhythm Section at Pageant Hill in Custer, SD. Jefferson Starship played Friday, August 18 and Atlanta Rhythm Section followed on Saturday evening August 19, 2017.
Large files, let em load for best resolution.
All Photos:Herb Ryan Photography

Jefferson Starship

Jefferson Starship lead vocalist, Cathy Richardson. Photo: Herb Ryan Photography

 

Jefferson Starship drummer Donny Baldwin. Photo: Herb Ryan Photography

 

Jefferson Starship keyboard David Freiberg and lead vocalist Cathy Richardson. Photo: Herb Ryan Photography.

 

Jefferson Starship. Photo: Herb Ryan Photography

 

Atlanta Rhythm Section

Atlanta Rhythm Section. Photo: Herb Ryan Photography

 

Atlanta Rhythm Section drummer Rodger Stephan. Photo: Herb Ryan Photography

 

Atlanta Rhythm Section bassist Justin Senker and guitarist Steve Stone. Photo: Herb Ryan Photography.

 

Rodney Justo Atlanta Rhythm Section lead vocalist. Photo:Herb Ryan Photography

 

Atlanta Rhythm Section Guitarist, David Anderson. Photo: Herb Ryan Photography

 

Atlanta Rhythm Section keyboard player Dean Daughtry. Photo: Herb Ryan Photography…. Hey Dean, nice jacket. . 

 

Great job by the “Jumbotron” video camera operator.Photo: Herb Ryan Photography

WORLD FAMOUS “BURNING BEETLE” SPECTACULAR – IMAGES – JANUARY 21, 2017

It was a large appreciative crowd that was entertained by the many hard working volunteers of the “2017 Burning Beetle Spectacular” Please enjoy the photos and feel free to share. Herb Ryan/Custer Free Press

 

The beetle burns and fumes at the 2017 Beetle Burn Saturday evening at Pageant Hill in Custer South Dakota. Special dental design by Custer DR. Rebecca Kretschmar ? Photo:Herb Ryan/Custer Free Press.

 

A group of Custer High School drummer’s and nefarious torch carrying citizens from far and wide descend on the hapless Beetle effigy at the 2017 Beetle Burn Saturday evening at Pageant Hill in Custer South Dakota. Photo:Herb Ryan/Custer Free Press.

 

Custer Volunteer Fire Department Cadets keep an eye on the crowd at the 2017 Beetle Burn Saturday evening at Pageant Hill in Custer South Dakota. Photo:Herb Ryan/Custer Free Press.

 

Beetle Burn volunteer Paul Horsted (bending over) lights the fireworks fuse at the 2017 Beetle Burn Saturday evening at Pageant Hill in Custer South Dakota. Photo:Herb Ryan/Custer Free Press.

 

Fireworks display at the 2017 Beetle Burn Saturday evening at Pageant Hill in Custer South Dakota. Photo:Herb Ryan/Custer Free Press.

 

Custer Volunteer Fire Department Chief Joel Behlings keeps a watchful eye at the 2017 Beetle Burn Saturday evening at Pageant Hill in Custer South Dakota. Photo:Herb Ryan/Custer Free Press.

 

Keith Burden entertains earlier in the afternoon at the Custer High School 2017 Beetle Burn Saturday. Burden was one of several performers who keep the blood thirsty crowd under control before the beetle burn march. Photo:Herb Ryan/Custer Free Press.

 

L-R, Pat Baird, Jeff Baird, Hank Fridell and Marianne Fridell perform earlier in the afternoon at the Custer High School 2017 Beetle Burn Saturday. The group was one of several performers who keep the blood thirsty crowd under control before the beetle burn march. Photo:Herb Ryan/Custer Free Press.

From DHL Pilot to Pizzaman – It’s All in The Wrist

January 20, 2017
By Herb Ryan

CUSTER, SD – Steve Giraud, owner of Pizza Works in Custer, SD probably qualifies as the only pizzaman with 30 years experience flying commercial aircraft in South Dakota. Steve was a pilot for DHL flying Boeing 737’s, Airbus 8300’s and DC-8 commercial aircraft out of Cincinnati, Ohio. In 2012, DHL laid off all its air crews when they decided to go with a contract carrier. Wanting to stay in the Cincinnati area, the decision was made to buy a local business, but steve said “nothing looked good, bad locations, devious sellers, and shady characters did not instill confidence in the area’s we were looking”.

Giraud knew Gary King the owner of Custer Pizza Works, and his daughter had worked for him in the summer. Giraud said, ” when I found out he was selling, we got together and I bought the business because this was a man I trusted”. The first year in business did exactly what King said it would do. The menu is a little different from Kings, the pizza formulas that he sold Giraud are the same ones used for twenty years.

Giraud explained that they are somewhat of a throwback in the pizza industry that now uses frozen pizza crust, frozen pre-chopped veggies and other prepared toppings. The difference he said was ” we still do it the old school way, we make our own fresh pizza dough, use real Wisconsin cheese and chop our own vegetables every day”. Giraud mentioned,  Pizza Works is setting up a loyalty program that gives one point for every dollar spent. You can sign up with your email at Pizza Works in Custer. And continued, Pizza Works Pizza will be available in Hill City in two weeks at Mountain Treats located next to Harley Davidson on Main St.

For the remainder of the winter Pizza Works is offering a Tuesday Night Special – “All You Can Eat Pasta” for $4.99

Pizza Works winter hours:

• Sunday, Monday, Tuesday- 11:30 to 2:30 and 4:30 to 8:30

• Wednesday- Closed

• Thursday, Friday, Saturday- 11:30 to 8:30

Pizza Works
429 Mt. Rushmore Rd.
Custer, SD 57730

(605) 673-2020

Theresa Clemens manager in training for the new Hill City Pizza Works serves pizza to Allen Trask and Debra Mayer Thursday evening January 19, 2017 at the Custer Pizza Works Custer Area Chamber of Commerce event. Photo: Herb Ryan/Custer Free Press

 

Pizza Works manager Jarred Yates demonstrates a variant on the “levitating pizza dough spin” Thursday evening January 19, 2017 at the Custer Pizza Works Custer Area Chamber of Commerce event. Photo: Herb Ryan/Custer Free Press

 

The owner of Custer Pizza Works Steve Giraud demonstrates his ” dance like an egyptian” pizza dough spin” Thursday evening January 19, 2017 at the Custer Pizza Works Custer Area Chamber of Commerce event. Photo: Herb Ryan/Custer Free Press

 

A Pizza Works employee checks a sandwich Thursday evening January 19, 2017 at the Custer Pizza Works Custer Area Chamber of Commerce event. Photo: Herb Ryan/Custer Free Press

 

Pizza Works employee Dakota Jacquemin prepares a “to go” for a customer Thursday evening January 19, 2017 at the Custer Pizza Works Custer Area Chamber of Commerce event. Photo: Herb Ryan/Custer Free Press

Santa Claus Pronounces 25th Annual “Christmas For Kids” in Custer SD Huge Success

Custer, SD – Saturday afternoon was the 25 Annual “Christmas For Kids” at the Jr/Sr High School on Wildcat Lane in Custer. Hundreds of children and their parents enjoyed  free hot dogs and drinks as they waited their turn to meet Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. The event is paid for through auctions, local donations and the efforts of many volunteers and sponsors. This year $10,000 dollars was raised to purchase toys for the event. The children were excited to meet Santa, AKA Arvon Hamilton and Mrs. Claus, AKA Ann Hamilton and all Santa’s helpers, but most of all, they were happy for the early christmas presents.

 

A Custer family waits to meet Santa at the 25 Annual “Christmas For Kids” held at the Jr/Sr High School on Wildcat Lane in Custer, SD Saturday, December 10, 2016. Photo: Herb Ryan/Custer Free Press

 

Children who were given numbers earlier, wait for their turn to visit Santa at the 25 Annual “Christmas For Kids” held at the Jr/Sr  High School on Wildcat Lane in Custer, SD, Saturday, December 10, 2016. Photo: Herb Ryan/Custer Free Press

 

One of Santa’s elves organizes a massive pile of presents backstage at the theatre at the 25 Annual “Christmas For Kids” held at the Jr/Sr High School on Wildcat Lane in Custer, SD, Saturday, December 10, 2016. Photo: Herb Ryan/Custer Free Press

 

Santa’s local helpers (l-r)-Betty Sowder, Susan Swindal and Shirley Parsons working in the kitchen serving free hot dogs, chips and drinks at the 25 Annual “Christmas For Kids” held at the Jr/Sr High School on Wildcat Lane in Custer, SD, Saturday, December 10, 2016. Photo: Herb Ryan/Custer Free Press

 

Two happy boys with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the 25 Annual “Christmas For Kids” held  at the Jr/Sr High School on Wildcat Lane in Custer, SD, Saturday, December 10, 2016. Photo: Herb Ryan/Custer Free Press

 

Notice of Openings in Custer School District, Custer , SD

 NOTICE OF OPENINGS IN CUSTER SCHOOL DISTRICT

November 7, 2016

PIANO ACCOMPANIST to assist CHS/CMS vocal music teacher with rehearsal, concerts, & other performances, approx., 9 hrs/wk, $15.29/hr, DOE. Open until filled. CSD Classified Staff Application form and complete a criminal background check.  Contact Custer School District, 527 Montgomery St., Custer, SD  57730, 605.673.3154 or see www.csd.k12.sd.us.

SUBSTITUTE CLEANERS – needed at all schools. Must complete CSD classified application packet and complete a criminal background check. $11/hr DOE.  

SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS – needed at all schools. Must complete CSD substitute application packet, submit proof of highest level of education, and complete a criminal background check prior to starting.  Minimum requirement, HS graduate.  Pay range $75/day-$100/day.  Retired CSD Teachers start at $100/day.

HERMOSA TRACK COACH – starting spring 2017 – $1,575 starting stipend

All positions require a background check, and are open until filled unless stated otherwise.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Custer School District, 527 Montgomery St., Custer, SD  57730. PH: 605.673.3154 FAX: 605.673.5607, Mon.-Thurs., 8:00-4:30 p.m., or Fridays, 8 a.m.- 1 p.m. Current CSD employees interested in a position must submit a letter of interest to Mr. Mark Naugle, Supt. of Schools.  All other interested applicants must complete a CSD Job Application available at the address above or at http://www.csd.k12.sd.us.  EOE.

NON-DISCRIMINATION
The Custer School District 16-1 does not discriminate on the basis of race or color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy), disability, sexual orientation, age, religion and creed, military/veteran status, or marital status, in admission or access to or treatment or employment in its programs and activities: and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.  For inquiries concerning the District’s compliance with Title VI or the Age Discrimination Act please contact the Superintendent of Schools, 527 Montgomery St., Custer, SD, 57730, (605) 673-3154; for Title IX please contact the Activities Director, 1645 Wildcat Lane, Custer, SD, 57730, (605)673-4473; or for Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) act please contact the Special Education Director, 527 Montgomery St., Custer, SD, 57730, (605) 673-3154.  For further inquiries contact the South Dakota Regional Office for Civil Rights, Kansas City Office, U.S. Dept. of Education, One Petticoat Lane, 1010 Walnut Street, Suite 320, Kansas City, MO, 64106, phone (816) 268-0550, TDD (800) 877-0599, Fax (816) 268-0559, e-mail: OCR.KansasCity@ed.gov