2022 - Looking Back at first half

JANUARY

Ipswich Snow Queen Tasia Rivera and Junior Miss Ipswich Kathryn Kilber participated in the 2022 76th South Dakota Snow Queen Festival in Aberdeen January 7-15. Ipswich senior contestant Emily Knoll qualified to participate in the finals of the State Talent Competition. She was the third place winner, singing and accompanying herself on piano on a song she wrote.

The Edmunds County Conservation District Annual Soil Health Clinic was held in the Ipswich School Theatre on Jan. 11.

The South Dakota Legislature Session began on January 11. District 23 legistators were Senator Bryan Breitling and Representatives Charlie Hoffman and Spencer Gosch.

The Ipswich Area Wrestling Booster Club hosted the AAU Youth Wrestling tournament in Ipswich on Jan. 23.

The Holy Cross Knights of Columbus hosted a free throw competition on Jan. 23. There were 21 Participants. Division winners could compete in the regional competition in Aberdeen.

FEBRUARY

Benefits were held for local residents. A Fundraiser meal and silent auction for Skeeter and Joann Miller was held on Feb. 5. The Millers passed away in January from complications of COVID-19. The Ipswich School honored the Millers on Feb. 17 with a "Save You a Seat" evening. A Breakfast/Bingo Benefit was held on Feb. 13 for Elaina Morales. She was diagnosed with Gastroparesis, a disorder that slows or stops the movement of food from your stomach to the small intestine.

COVID-19 home test kits were available locally throughout the state. Tests could be found at pharmacies, county courthouses, schools, and other publicly accessible locations.

The FEM thermometer sign was featured in a photo with the temperature on Feb. 7 at 55°.

A group from the South Dakota Army National Guard 147th Army Band performed in the Ipswich School Theatre on Feb. 11. The country/classic rock band Drive On peformed.

Gramm Funeral Home became Leonard-Gramm Funeral Home with the addition of Matt Leonard to the staff.

The Ipswich Trail Days committee announced Aaron Watson would be the 2022 concert headliner for the June event.

Three Ipswich/Bowdle wrestlers qualified for the March State B Tournament in Sioux Falls Feb. 24-26. Brady Unser, Kadyn Weisser and Tanner Frickson earned State B trips at the Regional 1B Tournament in Britton on Feb. 18. Frickson placed sixth in the State Tourney.

Ipswich students were pages to District 23 Legislators this year. Student pages included Evan Onken, Jailey Hutson, and Lawson Santema.

The IHS junior class went to Pierre on Feb. 14 for the Legislative session. They met with District 23 Legislators, toured the Capital and observed the Legislative session.

The Ipswich Girls Basketball team was defeated by North Central 31-20 in the opening game of the District 2B Regional Tournament on Feb. 23 in Ipswich. The game was postponed from Feb. 21.

Todd Hettich was chosen as the winner of the 2021 Ipswich Betterment Award.

MARCH

A benefit was held on March 13 in the Roscoe Legion for Brandon Malsam, who worked out of the Valley Telecommunication Ipswich office. He had brain surgery in January. He continued to recuperate in St. Paul, Minn. He was dealing with multiple medical issues.

The Ipswich boys basketball was stopped in the Region 2B tournament by Lower Brule 73-59 there. Lower Brule and Potter County were the 2B Region bracket champions.

Anna Nierman was chosen to play in the South Dakota Middle School All-State Band in Mitchell March 4-5.

Scott Moore of Ipswich announced he was a Republican candidate for District 23 House of Representative.

Ipswich art students were winners in the South Dakota Jr. Duck Stamp competition. Quincy Olivier and Kirsten Anderson were first place winners. Quincy was a winner in the Northern State University Art Wars. Her drawing was a first place winner.

The IHS track and field team began competing in indoor meets.

Emily Hauck was named the Outreach and Resource Development Coordinator for the North Missouri Area Conservation Districts serving Edmunds and McPherson counties.

Fourteen Ipswich Area Wrestlers competed at the State AAU Wrestling Tournament in Sioux Falls March 25-27. Sophie Knittel was a first place winner in the Girls 100 division.

IHS athletes were named to the basketball Lake Region Conference All-Conference Teams. Girls team members were Katie Bierman, first team, and Quincy Olivier, honorable mention, Boys team members were Taylor Thorson, first team; Ian Beyers, second team; and Ty Kadlec, honorable mention.

APRIL

The IHS Prom was April 2. The theme was "Red Carpet Affair."

Jonathan Waldner announced he is a candidate for Edmunds County Sheriff.

Avantara Ipswich announced its plans to close the local nursing home facility. Ipswich council members had a public meeting to discuss what could be done to save the facility. Eventually it was decided nothing could be done.

An Ipswich School cast presented "Larceny and Old Lace" on April 22 in the School Theatre.

Construction began on U.S. Highway 12 from Ipswich to Aberdeen.

The Edmunds Co. Commission accepted the resignation of Sheriff Todd Holtz. The County Sheriff was offered to Deputy Kyle Couchey. He declined the position. Then they appointed Deputy Jonathan Waldner to the position.

MAY

IHS musicians presented their Pops Concert on May 5. Senior musicians honored included: Chloe Jager, most valuable vocal student; Taylor Thorson, most valuable band student; and Jacob Bakken, Award of Appreciation for his four years of support.

The Ipswich boys and girls track and field teams were the winners of the Lake Region Conference meet in Ipswich on May 10. The boys' team was also the Region 2B champions. The girls team was the Rgion 2B runners-up.

Twenty-three IHS seniors graduated on May 14. The class dedicated the commencement to their classmate Kylee Sanborn who died in 2019. The 2022 valedictorian was Trevor Beyers. Co-Salutatorians were Ty Kadlec and Chloe Jager.

IHS Awards was held on May 16. Several seniors earned awards and scholarships. Named IHS senior athletes were Emily DeRaad, Ty Kadlec and Carson Gohl. Senior Scholar winners were Trevor Beyers and Chloe Jager.

Ipswich juniors to attend Girls State were Baylee Kulesa, Ashlyn Weig and Quincy Olivier in Vermillion. Evan Onken attended Boys State in Aberdeen.

JUNE

Ipswich golfers earned trips to the State B Tournament in Rapid City June 6-7. The boys team won the Region. Team members were Luke Peterson (Region champion), Chet Peterson, Tucker Kadlec and Jace Konsor. Mollie Simon also qualified for the State B meet. The boys' team had a three-way tie for fifth place at the State B.

The Ipswich boys track and field won second place at the State B Track and Field Meet.

Holy Cross Parish hosted a Summer Art Program June 6-10 for youth and adults. Sculptor Darwin Wolf led the classes.

Several races were decided at the Primary Election on June 7. Jonathan Waldner was elected Edmunds Co. Sheriff. Elected to represent District 23 were Scott Moore and James D. Wangsness for the House and Senator Bryan Breitling. The Republicans had no competition in the November election.

Three candidates vied for two seats on the Ipswich School Board. Carol Pond and Justin Davis were re-elected on June 21. Christina Hettich also ran.

Trail Days 2022 headliner Aaron Watson was unable to appear in Ipswich. Canaan Smith filled in as the event headliner. The opening act was Thomas Mac. Several activities were held during the June 17-19 event. Bullriding preceded the concert on June 18. The theme for the June 18 parade was "Year of the Tiger."

The City Council accepted the resignation of Finance Officer Amy Jaenisch.

Richland Church welcomed Stephen Duncan as the new assistant pastor.