Looking back at 2021 - July to December

JULY

The Edmunds County Horse Show was held in Ipswich. The champion showman was Quincy Olivier.

The Mina Lake Freedom Fest began with a 5K Walk/Run. There were activites throughout the day for the entire family. The day concluded with fireworks and music by Avenger Joe.

The COVID Delta variant was detected in Edmunds County.

The Ipswich American Legion was honored by District 4 with the "Go Getter" award.

The Edmunds County Special Foods Contest was held.

Work was done on the Ipswich Athletic Complex. A new surface was installed on the track and a new concession and bathroom facility was built.

Jeff Peterson of Florida drove his bicycle through Edmunds County on his way to the Bristol All-School Reunion. He began the trip near Seattle, Wash. He spent time with Cliff Anderson of Roscoe, a friend from high school. The Sea2Key ride would end at Key West, Fla.

The Ipswich Lions Club donated $5,000 to the Ipswich ambulance to help with the purchase of a power cot for the ambulance.

Work to restore the stained glass windows at the United Church of Christ began. Willet Hauser Architectural Glass of Winona, Minn. did the work.

AUGUST

The Storybook Land Theatre presented "Dear Edwina Jr." in the Ipswich Bandshell on August 3, sponsored by the Ipswich Library.

Edmunds County Achievement Days activities were held August 4-6 in the 4-H Building in Ipswich. The 2021 theme was "Through the Decades with 4-H." Bridget Fuhrmann was crowned the 2021 Queen. Cloverbud Royalty honors went to Princess Addison Galbraith and Prince Treyton Hutson.

The Ipswich City-Wide Rummage Sale was held on August 7. The sale is sponsored by the Ipswich Commercial Club.

A dance recital was held in the Ipswich School Theatre on Aug. 7. Dancers of all ages, students of Ashley Geist-Cusick, presented their dances.

"Touch a Truck" was held on Aug. 11 near the north baseball field.

Practice began for IHS football, cross country and volleyball teams. The football season on Aug. 20 in Langford and volleyball began on August 24 against Aberdeen Christian. The cross country season opened on Aug. 27 in Pierre.

The 2021-22 school year began on Aug. 24. New teachers are Sydney Krauter, Pembrook Colony teacher; Shannon VanHeerden, third grade; Doug Duncan, Title Math; and Tricia Nehlich, PK-12 grade full-time certified substitute.

A State Bridge Dedication Ceremony was held in Mobridge to honor Army Combat Veteran Private Bruce Ruby. The ceremony was held in the Scherr Howe Event Center on Aug. 30. Pvt. Ruby, o Ipswich, was killed in action in France in 1944.

Work began on the repair of the Mina Lake spillway.

The 2020 Census results showed Edmunds County population is 3,909, down from 4,041 in 2011.

SEPTEMBER

Carole Curtis was inducted into the State 2021 Volunteer Hall of Fame at the State Fair in Huron on Sept. 5.

The school had their first Growth Day. The IHS students did improvement activities in the community.

IHS Homecoming Week began Sept. 13 with Coronation in the School Theatre. Queen Kirsten Anderson and King Carson Gohl were crowned. The members of the Royal Court were Holly Anderson, Emily DeRaad, Chloe Jager, Zach Geditz, Ty Kadlec and Luke Peterson. The Tigers defeated Warner in the Gala Day Football game.

The Tigers football team played the Herreid/Selby Area Wolverines in the new Northern State University stadium in Aberdeen. The Wolverines were the 46-28 winners of the battle between the two unbeaten teams.

The Ipswich Lions Club provided vision screening for Ipswich and Edmunds Central students using the South Dakota Lions Foundation Vision Van.

The S.D. Rural Electric Assn. Annual Charity Ride made a stop at F.E.M. Electric in Ipswich. A variety of vehicles rode in the fundraiser, stopping at several area locations. The money raised helps coop families.

The Ipsodak National Honor Society inducted 16 new members in a ceremony in the School Theatre.

The IHS marching band participated in the Roncalli Marching Band Festival. They also marched in the NSU Gypsy Day parade and Lake Region Marching Band Festival in Groton.

OCTOBER

Ipswich hosted the Lake Region Conference cross country meet at the Split Rock Country Club.

The Ipswich Flower and Garden Club hosted an Italian Supper on Oct. 8 to raise funds for upkeep at the Pioneer Village.

Work has been completed on a basketball court south of the Ipswich Athletic Complex. A bench has been placed near the court in memory of Julie (Heinz) Johnson, a 1983 IHS graduate. The basketball court is part of the first phase of a new city park.

The IHS boys and girls were Region 4B runners-up, so both teams qualified for the State B cross country meet. The Ipswich girls team placed fourth at the state event and the boys were eighth.

The 7-1 IHS football played playoff games. The Tigers defeated Lemmon/McIntosh, but were stopped by Canistota-Freeman in Ipswich in the second round.

A quartet of IHS singers sang in the All-State Chorus in Rapid City. Singers were Emily Knoll, Chloe Jager, Jacob Bakken and Gavin Wollman. The alternates were Savannah Coisman, Tasia Rivera, Lawson Santema and Kaden Boettcher.

The Ipswich Ambulance Assn. Hosted a Trunk or Treat Halloween event on Main Street Ipswich.

NOVEMBER

The County Commission had a public hearing before approving changes to two Commissioner Districts due to Census 2020 changes.

The Ipswich volleyball was narrowly stopped 2-3 in the first round of the Region 2B volleyball tourney in Highmore against Highmore/Harrold.

The annual Edmunds County 4-H Recognition Event was held on Nov. 7.

The Ipswich School had a Veterans Day program in the School Theatre. Jesse Knittel was the guest speaker. He spoke about U.S. Flag ettiquette.

The Ipswich Snow Queen Festival was sponsored by the Ipswich Commercial Club. Tasia Rivera was crowned the 2022 Snow Queen with Kathryn Kilber crowned the 2022 Junior Snow Queen. Ila Walker was the senior citizens Snow Queen at Avantara. Deanne was Frosty. Emily Knoll and Gracyn Kadlec were the senior and junior talent competition winners.

Ipswich football players Zach Geditz and Luke Peterson were named to the 9AA All-State football team. Honorable mention picks were Carson Gohl and Ty Kadlec.

DECEMBER

IHS sophomore Sam Grabowska qualified to participate in the State Oral Interpretation Festival in Huron. He competed in the humorous division. He earned a Superior rating.

The Elementary Christmas Concert was held on Dec. 2 in the School Theatre. Then the Middle School and High School musicians presented their holiday concert on Dec. 9.

The Ipswich Commercial Club sponsored their annual Hometown Holiday weekend. Local businesses planned special events. The annual Highway of Hope Vendor and Craft Fair was held on Dec. 11. The event raises funds for pediatric cancer research.

The Wily Wizards 4-H Club sponsored their annual Christmas in the Courthouse, featuring Christmas trees on each floor of the Courthouse.

The girls and boys basketball and wrestling seasons began.

Lawson Santema and Gavin Wollman were chosen to play in the North Area Honor Band at Northern State University in Aberdeen.

The Holy Cross Parish youth choir presented "O Come Let Us Adore Him!" on Dec. 22