Looking back at 2023

NEW LOOK FOR A NEW ERA – The July 5, 2023 edition announced the combination of the Ipswich Tribune and Roscoe-Hosmer Independent. The announcement was found on the first "Edmunds County Tribune." newspaper said the new Tribune will still be the same product, with stories about local residents, sports and legal notices. And there would be more opportunities for the local advertisers to reach customers. We thank for you support and positive comments we have received.

JULY

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ipswich announced plans to celebrate their 100th anniversary on July 16 in their home worship home in Schriver Funeral Home in Ipswich. Pastor Zach Sippert of Zion Lutheran and Redeemer Lutheran of Bowdle led the service. Pastor Mark Tiefel of Middleton, Wis. Was the guest speaker. He is the grandson of Leland Grams, who was the Zion minister from 1954 to 1985.

Dean Schumacher Memorial Fun Night was held July 8 in Hosmer. Dean's family donated an engraved commemorative rifle that was raffled off. Lowell Punt of Aberdeen was the winner. The proceeds of the event and raffle went to the Hosmer City Liquor Kitchen Renovation.

Tess, a two-year old Belgian Malinois dog, is the new Edmunds County canine officer. Tess has training in Drug Detection and Tracking. County Deputy Pete Eng has 20 years experience with K9 service. The project received donations from local businesses, organizations and individuals.

The Mina Lake Fireworks celebration was postponed to July 14. The festivities included Snowmobiles in the Water and of course the Fireworks Extravanganza.

The Traveling Lantern theater group presented "Rhonda Appleseed & the Tree that Learned to Speak" on July 28 in the Ipswich Bandshell. The two-actor play gave a variety of ideas the audience could preserve the Environment.

The 13th annual Hosmer Lawnmower Poker Run was held on July 29. The Poker Run was a fundraiser for the Hosmer Fire Department.

AUGUST

The annual Edmunds County 4-H Achievement Days began Aug. 2 with the dog show. "Shooting for Success" was the theme. Quincy Olivier was crowned the 2023 Queen. Cloverbud royalty were Princess Everly Kadlec and Prince Brantley Steen. Local 4-Hers earned ribbons for projects and livestock.

The Warner-Ipswich-Northwestern (W.I.N.) Jr. Legion baseball team competed in the South Dakota 2023 Class "B" Junior American Legion Baseball Tournament in Lennox. They placed sixth at the tourney.

The Storybook Land Theatre On Tour performed "The Perfect Dog" in the Ipswich Bandshell on Aug. 9.

A Kiddie Parade was held in Hosmer on Aug. 12, sponsored by the Cozy Creative Corner.

Edmunds Central science students visited the Great Smoky Mountain Aug. 7-14. The visited the caves of Tennessee and Kentucky.

The North Central football team will play a JV schedule this fall, due to projected student participation numbers.

Edmunds Central students went back to school on August 21. Homecoming festivities were held that same first week of school. Senior royalty candidate were Jacqueline Gallardo, Alanna Wiedrich, Ashton Aman, Grant Fischer, Anthony Miller, Mitch Mohr, and Krist Sauer. Chosen Queen was Alanna and King was Grant. The homecoming parade was Aug. 25, with a theme "Decades."

The Ipswich School school year began on August 23.

SEPTEMBER

Riders with the Whitestone Hill Healing Ride stopped in Ipswich on their way to the Whitestone Hill State Historical Site near Kulm, N.D. The ride commemorates the Sept. 3, 1863 battle when the U.S. Army attacked a Native American encampment at Whitestone Hill.

Ipswich hosted a Cross Country meet on Sept. 9 at the IHS athletic complex. The North Central boys placed third. The Miller boys and Potter Co. girls won the meet.

The Ipswich Subway Invitational Volleyball Tournament was played on Sept. 16. Eight teams, including Ipswich and North Central, competed.

Steve Roseland of Faulk Co. announced his candidacy for the District 23 State Senate seat.

The Wily Wizards 4-H Club volunteered at the Aberdeen Humane Society in the "Paws for a Cause" state community service project. They projects included walking dogs, socializing kittens, cleaning kennels and making dog treats.

The Prairie Wanderers Volkssport Club hosted a Volks Walk in Ipswich on Sept. 22. There were two 5K routes to walk. The club planned walks in area communities during the weekend.

The Ipswich Lions Club provided vision screening for area students, including Ipswich and Edmunds Central.

The Ipsodak National Honor Society Induction Ceremony was held on Sept. 28 in the Ipswich High School Theatre.

OCTOBER

Ipswich Homecoming festivites were October 2-6. Chosen Homecoming Queen Karlie Gohl and King Chet Peterson. The royal court included Hannah Beyers, Evelyn Tran, Hailey Usselman, Trevor Heinz, Xavier Kadlec, and Kadyn Weisser. The Gala Day Homecoming Parade was Oct. 6. The theme was "Traveling with the Tigers."

An Open House at the new Yellowstone Motel was held on Oct. 13 in the remodelled Ipswich hospital.

The Edmunds Central School Board achieved a Bronze Level honor from the ASDBD for their participation in ALL activities: Act, Learn, Lead and honoring the work of school boards who strive to serve students.

The IHS football team qualified in the first round of the 9AA Football Playoffs. They faced the 7-1 Howard Tigers on the road. Howard won 60-14.

The North Central boy Cross Country were the runners-up in the 4A Regional meet in Chamberlain. The team qualified to compete in the State A competition in Sioux Falls. The NC runners were Gabe Johnson, Anthony Miller, Avery Wells, Drew Arbach, Aaron Ingerson and Jason Arbach. Girls qualifying for State A competition were Melanie Dallenbach and Grace Roth.

Four Ipswich runners qualified to compete in the State B Cross Country meet in Sioux Falls: Xavier Kadlec, Madisyn Gellhaus, Gracyn Kadlec and Bella Henderson. State Medalists were Xavier, 18th and Madisyn, 22nd.

The Ipswich Snow Queen Festival was Oct. 22 in the School Theatre. Crowned Miss Ipswich Snow Queen Karlie Gohl, with first runner-up Evelyn Tran (also senior Miss Congeniality). Crowned Junior Miss Ipswich Snow Queen was Anna Nierman, with runner-up Lindsey Mehlberg. Hope Wagner was the junior Miss Congeniality. Little Princess was Cortlynn Kessler and Prince was Andrew Pitz.

Ipswich Ruby Bosanko was honored for her 30+ years as Ipswich librarian. She retired Oct. 31. Cindy Percy is the new librarian.

Singers chosen to sing in the South Dakota All-State Chorus were: Ipswich quartet – Savannah Coisman, Gracyn Kadlec, Gunnar Knittel and Adam Kanable; Edmunds Central quartet – Alanna Wiedrich, Sierra Haney, Sadie (David) Vargason and Mitch Mohr. The 2023 S.D. All-State Chorus and Orchestra was held in Rapid City.

Area youth celebrated Halloween. Trunk or Treat festivities were held in Ipswich and Roscoe. The Edmunds Central FFA also hosted a Halloween party.

NOVEMBER

The North Central volleyball team won the first round of the 6A Region tournament against Dupree. Miller stopped NC in the next round.

Ipswich volleyball team was stopped by Herreid-Selby Area in the first round of the 6B Region Tourney.

The Edmunds Central School District had an election on Nov. 7 to discontinue School Board representation areas. The question was defeated 64-61.

The Edmunds Central School hosted a Veterans Day program on Nov. 9.

Alanna Wiedrich was crowned the 2024 Edmunds Central Snow Queen on Nov. 11 in Bowdle. The EC and Bowdle Snow Queens were crowned in a combined event. Jillian Fischer was crowned Junior Miss Edmunds Central Snow Queen. Kearstin Pietz was voted Miss Congeniality.

Public meetings were held in several county locations to discuss plans to build a new law enforcement next to the Edmunds County Courthouse in Ipswich.

A cast of Edmunds Central actors presented "Squad Room".

The holidays were celebrated at Holiday Fairs. The first in Hosmer on Nov. 25. Ipswich planned their Hometown Holiday Weekend Nov. 30-Dec. 2.

DECEMBER

Edmunds Central FFA members participated in the 2023 State Leadership Development Event (LDE) in Rapid City.

The annual Christmas at the Courthouse had their lighting event on Dec. 1.

Edmunds Central and Ipswich students competed in the Oral Interpretations Regional competition. Three IHS students qualified for the State Festival in Harrisburg: Sam Grabowska, Shaylee Coisman and Savannah Coisman. Sam earned superior awards at the state. The IHS team also won a Class B Team Excellence Award.

The Edmunds Central School was one of six South Dakota schools named as finalists in the Samsung Solve Tomorrow STEM Competition.

The Roscoe Community Club planned activities to celebrate Christmas, including caroling, visiting with Santa and a Lighted Parade on Dec. 17.

Ipswich Commercial Club Christmas Lighting Contest winner were David Coisman, Chris and Jennifer Simon and Deanne Hoyle.