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Wednesday, May 9, 2012 Volume 112 • Number 5 308 S. Main, PO Box 950 Freeman, SD 57029 www.freemansd.com

I NSIDE : Music contest Local grade school students sing, play in Freeman

95¢

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CHANGING OF THE GUARD

INSIDE - Agriculture.....................................................p. 5 Area News ......................................................p. 2 Church News ................................................p. 8 Classifieds.............................................p. 14, 15 Forum...............................................................p. 4 Home................................................................p. 6 Miscellanea....................................................p. 2 Obituaries.......................................................p. 2 Public Notice.......................................p. 12, 15 Reflections ..................................................p. 16 Sports ............................................................p. 10 Social.................................................................p. 7 16 pages The Freeman Citywide Rum- mage Sale will take place Saturday, June 9 beginning at 8:30 a.m. The Freeman Athletic Association is once again organizing the event. Information and registration sheets are available at Merchants State Bank. The registration deadline is Friday, June 1. For more informa- tion call Emily Hofer at 925-7223. Cornbelt track meetThursday Seven teams, including Freeman High School, are scheduled to take part in the 2012 Cornbelt Confer- ence Track Meet in Freeman this week Thursday, May 10. Field events begin at 1 p.m. with running events slated to start at 3 p.m. Other participating teams in- clude Bridgewater-Emery, Canis- tota, Hanson, Marion, McCrossan Boys Ranch (new to the Cornbelt Conference this year) and Menno. The meet will include varsity, junior varsity and junior high com- petition. The last event, the 1,600 relay, is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. Freeman Academy was sched- uled to take part in the Tri Valley Conference Track Meet Tuesday, May 8. Both FA and FHS will take part in the Region 3B Track Meet in Centerville Thursday, May 17. The state meet will be held in Rapid City Friday and Saturday, May 25 and 26. FA, FHS to take part in regiongolf meet in Sioux Falls Golfers from Freeman Academy and Freeman High School will take part in the Region 3B Tournament in Sioux Falls next Monday, May 14. Elmwood will be the location for both the boys and girls. Other schools competing in Re- gion 3B are Alcester-Hudson, Bal- tic, Bridgewater-Emery, Canistota, Centerville, Garretson, Gayville- Volin, Irene-Wakonda, Marion, McCook Central-Montrose, Parker and Viborg-Hurley. Individuals placing in the top 20 will advance to the state tourna- ment. In addition, teams that finish first or second in the final standings may take an entire squad to state. The State ‘B’ Golf Tournament will be held in Rapid City Monday and Tuesday, May 21 and 22. The boys will compete at Hart Ranch while the girls will compete at the Elks. FHS competed in the pre-region meet at Central Valley in Hartford Monday, May 7. Results were not available in time for publication. Freeman Fishing Derby returning to arboretumJune 16 The eighth-annual Freeman Fishing Derby is scheduled to take place Saturday, June 18 at the Free- man Prairie Arboretum. Youth through age 15 are invited to participate; fishing gear will be available for those who do not have their own. Prizes will be awarded for fish caught in three age divisions. Watch the Courier in the weeks to come for more information. The Freeman Fishing Derby was started in 2005 by Chet Sorensen and Tom Stolp. Stolp continues to organize the event thanks to broad support from the business commu- nity. Citywide rummage planned June 9 Saturday Freeman native bringing trio of musicians back home ■ p 3 MCA A look at the life and death of an influencial musician ■ p 4 DonDiede Relays A look inside FHS’s biggest sports event of the spring ■ p 10 FHS hosting

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Return on investment Freeman Community Foundation honors local organizations, scholarship winners at banquet by Jeremy Waltner ith a city of Freeman ward map and the South Dakota state seal behind him, new Freeman Mayor Sam Sorensen is administered the oath of office by city attorney Dale Strasser Monday evening, May 7, the first meeting of a new year for local city govern- ment. Sorensen, who defeated Lonnie Tjaden in the incumbent’s bid for re-election last month, on Monday took his seat at the head of a table made up of old and new councilors alike; in addition to Randy Broders, Charles Gering, Scott Stern and CharlyWaltner, the new coun- cil includes Eva Olson and Donna Waltner, who replace Loren Tschetter and Royce Breneman. In his opening remarks to city officials, Sorensen called for hard work among elected officials and

spoke of a desire to come together for the good of the community. “We must remember, as city officials, we are in this together for the betterment of the city of Freeman. We must have conti- nuity as a council, have a healthy environment for the community and work together with each other for the common good of Freeman.” Sorensen’s first meeting included the eyes and ears of a notable audience member — his father, Chet, who 35 years ago took the oath of office as mayor of Freeman, a position he served for 12 years that became part of a 30-year career in local city government. For more on Sam Sorensen, his seat at the city table and the special connection he now shares with his father, see next weeks’ Courier . PHOTO BY JEREMY WALTNER

Big boost for the bus Thanks to unexpected funds from ROCS, transportation service set to begin in June by Jeremy Waltner “All good news.”

know about us much as I did four years ago. I think board member Ruth Strasser stated it best when she said, ‘I think the Freeman Community Foundation is really Freeman’s best kept secret.’” Future gifts to the FCF will help its endowment grow and benefit the community for years to come, Walter said. “One of our strategic goals as a board is to increase awareness of the wonderful and vital impact this foun- dation has made on the lives of the citizens of Freeman. Although there are many local organizations and charities that are extremely valuable and important to this commu- nity, the foundation differentiates itself in two significant ways.” The first, he said, is that the FCF has far-reaching im- pact. “There’s really no segment of the community that hasn’t benefited from the foundation,” he said. The second, Walter continued, is that the contributions made to the organization are long lasting. “Your resources make the Freeman community a better place to live for many generations to come.” Hofer recognized the board members who helped found the FCF in 1997 by name: Jackie Goosen, Stephen Rous- sos, Sharon Schamber, Dewayne Kieper, Brian Field, Lar- ry Horner, Glenn Roth and the late Pam Ortman. Roth, who has remained a board member every year since and will leave his post in 2012 because of term lim- its, was on hand at Thursday’s reception. Hofer addressed him directly. “Fifteen years ago, did you know the impact this foundation would have on the community?” she asked.

In what Emily Hofer referred to as “our highlight,” the Freeman Community Foundation (FCF) formally honored its most recent grant recipients and scholarship winners at a dessert reception at the Prairie Arboretum Interpretive Center Thursday evening, May 3. Hofer, secretary of the FCF, and Nathan Walter, FCF board president, both of- fered comments at last week’s gathering. And while the event was in recognition of those on the receiving end of the local community foun- dation, Hofer and Walter both spoke of the value of the organization now in its 15th year. “What a great idea for a foundation,” Walter said; “an endowment that will perpetually give back to the greater Freeman community.” Walter said one of the goals of FCF officials is to pro- mote the organization in an effort to strengthen its vis- ibility in the community, and admitted that when he was first approached to be on the board of directors four years ago by past president Jill Aanenson, his first question was, “What is the Freeman Community Foundation?” “How is it possible I had never heard of this nearly half- million dollar foundation that has had such a broad impact on Freeman?” Walter said, noting that 44 grants and five service scholarships totalling nearly $100,000 have been awarded since 2000. “We believe there’s room for us to make a larger impact in Freeman,” he continued. “Unfortunately, most people 2012 RECEPTION

handicap clients in southeastern and south central South Dakota. Freeman was not scheduled to be part of the budget in 2012, leaving those involved with the local ROCS project seeking other financial sup- port. “It’s not like we were not going to have bus service available, but this pushes us further ahead than we an- ticipated,” said Kaufman, president of Freeman Community Transit. “We’ll also be able to broaden the scope of the service we offer; that’s the big thing.” The ROCS funding, which comes on top of local financial support al- ready committed, “really opens up the possibilities,” he said. While details — including rider fees — have yet to be worked out, those expanded services could in- clude at least one additional hand- icap-accessible minivan to supple- continued on back page: Bus

That’s how Norm Kaufman de- scribes the latest developments in the Freeman community’s effort to establish a bus transportation ser- vice to assist residents with errands and appointments, from a trip to the grocery store to the doctor’s office. It appears that service should be available by the first week of June — ahead of the schedule beset by funding limitations. An advertisement for drivers be- gins running this week, just as the articles of incorporation for Free- man Community Transit have been submitted to the state for approval. All of this comes on the heels of last week’s surprising news that Freeman Community Transit would be included in 2012 funding through ROCS (Rural Office of Community Services), which provides assis- tance to low-income, elderly and

continued on back page: Foundation

Down in the valley A photo essay by JeremyWaltner Down in the valley, around a gentle bend in the road, was a store. Its simple stature was out-simplified only by its name, and its impact on the area was far deeper than even the valley in which it rested. The Turkey Ridge Store never had a town per se to call its own; rather, it was a heart among the charcoal veins of the land, con- necting the people of one community to the next. The final owner called it the “hub.” East and slightly north stands the community of Hurley, east and slightly south, Swan Lake. Spring Valley is straight south, Menno straight west, Marion straight north and Freeman to the northwest. You can add Irene and Viborg to the neighborhood, too. How many farmers and housewives, children and passersby in between stopped at the Turkey Ridge Store to eat a candy bar, drain a Mountain Dew, pick up a bag of feed, can of beans, jug of milk or gallon of gas? Not anymore. No, the Turkey Ridge Store of Turkey Ridge, nestled in the heart of the Turkey Ridge Valley on Highway 18, run by a family devoted to the community, is closed. The front door is locked. The American flag waving to cars and trucks screaming by has been taken down. Mind you, other enterprises owned and operated by Bruce and Becky Ebbesen — the last to own the Turkey Ridge Store — are still viable. Yep, Turkey Ridge Oil and Ridge Kitchen Lunchwagon are still going strong. But not the store. Its closing Saturday, April 28, marked the end of a colorful chapter in the history of the store that dates all the way back to 1927 and no doubt stirred up some kind of emo- tion in those who remember buying dried goods, drinks, hardware, tires, feed and seed there, or taking a seat at the restaurant-style booth in the corner, where, as Becky puts it

through the emotion of the day, “we solved the world’s problems.” The history is rich. The pictures document today. Turn to page 9.

M iscellaneous Coming Events Any public event or organizational meeting held in Freeman will be list- ed upon request in this column as a public service. The Courier dead- line is Monday noon. Contact us at PO Box 950, Freeman, SD 57029; 605-925-7033 (voice); 605-925-4684 (fax); or email courier@gwtc.net. Wednesday, May 9 Freeman Public academic and athletic awards program, 10 a.m. Thursday, May 10 Track: Cornbelt Conference Meet, Freeman Track and Field, field events start at 1 p.m. Senior Citizen Center bingo, 1:30 p.m. Freeman Academy spring concert, Pioneer Hall, 7:30 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, City Hall, 8 p.m. Friday, May 11 Bethany Church Food Pantry, 508 S. Cedar, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 12 SSS concert, Mory Ortman and Co.: “From Porter to Puccini,” Pioneer Hall, 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 14 Senior Citizen Center mixed choir will practice, 1:30 p.m. Freeman Academy music recital, Sterling Hall instrumental room, 7 p.m. Freeman Public School Board meeting, Freeman High School, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 15 PALS weight support meeting, Ray Hofer’s Shop, 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 16 Senior Citizen Center noon potluck Freeman High School Baccalaureate, 8 p.m. Thursday, May 17 Reading Discussion Group, Freeman Public Library, 10 a.m. Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, City Hall, 8 p.m. Friday, May 18 Bethany Church Food Pantry, 508 S. Cedar, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 19 Freeman High School Graduation, 2 p.m. Freeman Academy Commencement, 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 21 Senior Citizen Center game day, 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 22 PALS weight support meeting, Ray Hofer’s Shop, 8:30 a.m. Thursday, May 24 Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, City Hall, 8 p.m. Friday, May 25 Bethany Church Food Pantry, 508 S. Cedar, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 29 PALS weight support meeting, Ray Hofer’s Shop, 8:30 a.m. Senior Citizen Center mixed choir will practice, 1 p.m. (note change of day and time) Wednesday, May 30 Senior Citizen Center monthly birthday party, 1:30 p.m. Freeman Ambulance......................................................................... 911 Freeman Regional Health Services..................................605-925-4000 Freeman Fire Department................................................................. 911 Freeman Police......................................................911 or 605-925-7025 Freeman Natural Gas Emergency................................ 1-800-245-6977 Hutchinson County Sheriff. ............................................................... 911 Turner County Sheriff........................................................................ 911 S.D. Poison Control Center........................................... 1-800-952-0123 COMMUNITY INSTITUTIONS Freeman City Hall.............................................................605-925-7127 Freeman Public Library.....................................................605-925-7003 Freeman Post Office.........................................................605-925-7386 Freeman Community Development Corporation. .............605-925-4444 HOW TO REACH EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Freeman Courier / May 9, 2012 / page 2

O bituary

Cards of thanks Thank you to everyone who “brought and bought” at our recent bake sale, and a special thanks to Merchants State Bank for the use of their facilities. Also thanks to Norm’s Thrifty White Pharmacy and Freeman Community Development Corpora- tion for their help in advertising the sale. We are also very grateful for everyone who has donated or will donate to our May membership drive and especially to the people who orga- nized and will direct the drive through the month of May at churches in the area. Thanks, everyone! Freeman Regional Health Services Auxiliary Thank you to everyone who sent cards and the good wishes I received for my 80th birthday. You truly made my birthday special and one I’ll re- member for quite some time. A spe- cial thank you to my family for the surprise party and to everyone who helped celebrate with me. God bless each and every one of you. Stewart Kaufman MITCHELL: 1315 N. Main St., Suite 100 — 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m., May 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, 31 YANKTON: Human Services Cen- ter, Kanner Building, 3113 Spruce St., Suite 109 — 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m., May 1, 3, 4, 8, 10, 11, 15, 17, 18, 22, 24, 25, 29, 31 A complete statewide schedule can be found online; go to www. freemansd.com, click on “Other Links” and go to “Driver License Exams”. All stations remain open during noon hours although no drive tests will be given between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. No testing after 3:30 p.m. Applicants have up to six months before and 30 days after their birth- day to renew their licenses without written or driving tests. All applicants requiring the written and driver test must apply one hour before closing. People applying for or renewing their driver license or identification card need to provide documents to prove identity, date of birth and lawful status; a Social Security number and two documents proving your princi- pal address. Documents to prove identity, date HOW TO CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS Sen. Tim Johnson 136 Hart Senate Office Building Moisture last week...................... .73 Total May..................................... .73 Normal May. .............................. 3.05 Total April................................... 3.05 Normal April.............................. 2.33 Year to date (thru 5/07)............... 6.72 Normal year (thru April)............ 5.28 Above year (thru 4/30)................. .71 GRAIN MARKET Monday Closing - Central Farmers Coop May 7, 2012 Corn...........................................$6.10 Soybeans..................................$14.12 April 30, 2012 Corn...........................................$6.14 Soybeans..................................$14.41 May 9, 2011 Corn...........................................$6.52 Soybeans..................................$12.65 WEATHER May 1 84 56 0.35 May 2 81 48 0.00 May 3 81 60 0.00 May 4 75 56 0.00 May 5 70 58 0.38 May 6 67 50 0.00 May 7 67 46 0.00 PRECIPITATION SUMMARY of birth and lawful status include: • Valid unexpired U.S. passport • Certificate of Naturalization • Certificate of Citizenship • Valid unexpired permanent resi- dent card • Valid unexpired employment au- thorization document • Foreign passport with valid unex- pired U.S. Visa with I-94 Driver License Examinations May

Meals on Wheels (Subject to change) Thursday, May 10 Fried Chicken Friday, May 11 Baked Fish Saturday, May 12 Tavern on a bun Monday, May 14 Meat Balls Tuesday, May 15 Salisbury Steak Wednesday, May 16 Pork Cutlets Thursday, May 17 Roast Beef

East Freeman Earl Rose, 85, died May 1 in Iowa City, Iowa. His memorial service will be held on Monday, June 11, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Mennonite Church in Iowa City. His surviving family in- cludes wife Marilyn (Preheim), five daughters and their families, and sis- ter-in-law Irene Schrag of Freeman. Two area students, recent graduates of Hesston College in Kansas, Daw- son Waltner and Libby Waltner, are spending some time in Europe with the Hesston College Chorale. Parents of Dawson are Derrold and Peggy, and Libby’s parents are Kevin and Amy. prepared for the end which leaves you hanging and begs you to read the second book. (The second book does the same thing so you feel you need to read the third book to get the whole story.) After reading all three of the books I’d have to give them a rating of four stars for young people and maybe three and a half for adults. They did hold my interest all the way to the end of the third book and I did find I felt involved with the characters and was pulling for them to come through all of their adventures. New in May: Adult Fiction Too Close to Home (#1 Women of Justice), Lynette Eason The Confession (#14 Ian Rutledge), Charles Todd Into the Free , Julie Cantrell Sunny (#2 White Lines), Tracy Brown Poison Flower (#7 Jane Whitefield), Thomas Perry What Doesn’t Kill You (#2 Catherine Ling), Iris Johansen Adult Nonfiction Growing up Amish , Ira Wagler 30 Yoga Poses , Judith Lasater Beautiful Souls , Eyal Press Living with Your Exchange Student , Ina Cherington Winter King (Henry VII ), Thomas Penn He loved watching baseball and the Braves and Yankees were teams he would stay up late to watch. As daughters of a farmer, we expe- rienced lots of farm activities. Picking rocks, walking bean fields, chasing cows and even driving the truck home from a field, were activities done at a young age. Those who remember him as a fun-loving, spirited man include his daughters: Rhonda Steffen, husband Joe and sons Dylan and Derek, Yank- ton, Nancy Desler, husband Bill and children Emily and Nathan, Bella Vista, Ark., Carole Ball, husband Ja- son and daughters Nicole and Emma, Sioux Center, Iowa, and Jodi Mc- Gaffy, husband David and children Micah, Hannah and Josiah, Missouri Valley, Iowa; brothers: Dennis Hofer, Bobby Hofer, Elgin and wife Penny Hofer; sisters: Bernice Kjos, Jane and Don Schrader, and Gloria and hus- band Merrill Schneiderman. He was preceded in death by his wife Margie; his parents Dave and Elsie Hofer; brother-in-law Richard Kjos; and brother Junior Hofer. His funeral was held Monday, April 30 at 10:30 a.m. at Freeman Mission- ary Church with Rev. Stephen Rous- sos and Rev. David McGaffey officiat- ing. Organist was Goldie Groves with Becky Ebbesen as pianist. Pallbearers were Joe Steffen, Bill Desler, Jason Ball, David McGaffey, Craig Hofer and Ron Misar. Honorary pallbearers were Dylan Steffen, Derek Steffen, Micah McGaffey Nathan Desler and Josiah McGaffey. Interment was at Hutterthal Church Cemetery.

Freeman Academy Chapel Schedule Freeman Academy holds chapel every Monday and Friday on the sec- ond floor of the Administration Build- ing from 10:20 to 11 a.m. The public is welcome to attend. Friday, May 11: Lea Graber, Senate Intern in Washington, D.C. Monday, May 14: Selina Kunzi, “Paraguay” Friday, May 18: Freeman Academy Seniors, “Senior send off” Monday, May 21: Dan Freng, pastor of Emmanuel Church Freeman Academy Lunch Menu May 10-May 16 (subject to change) Note: All meals include tossed salad, fruit, dessert Thursday — Teriyaki chicken, rice pilaf, peas, strawberry pretzel dessert Friday — Minestrone soup, leftover desserts Monday to Wednesday — Cook’s choice A “Special Diet” menu for Meals on Wheels is available through Free- man Community Hospital. For infor- mation phone 925-4000.

James D. Hofer James D. Hofer was born July 16, 1935 to Dave and Elsie Hofer. He passed away April 27, 2012 at Avera Hospital in Yankton, S.D., of compli- cations from lymphoma. James grew up on a farm near Dolton, S.D. He left to serve in the Army and was stationed in Panama. After returning, he became interest- ed in a woman named Margie who worked at a café in Menno, S.D. They dated for several years and got mar- ried on April 25, 1964. They had four daughters: Rhonda, Nancy, Carole and Jodi. Jim loved farming. John Deere was the tractor of choice and he tried to instill that love in his grandchildren by supplying them with John Deere toys as well as rides on the tractor.

A rea N ews Around the town Saloma Furlong, author of Why I Left the Amish , along with her hus- band, David, spent some time in Free- man this past week at the home of Dennis and Shirley Ries, through the Mennonite Your Way hospitality trav- el. They are on a book tour through the mid-west. Saloma is featured in the film, The Amish, which can be seen on-line on PBS on American Experience . Saloma and David were delighted to visit South Dakota for the first time as well as one of the Hutter- ite colonies. Her book and DVD can be checked out at the Freeman Pub- lic Library. To visit her website go to www.salomafurlong.com.

SEVERE WEATHER SIGNALS

TAKE COVER: A long steady three-minute blast of the high and low notes at the same time. This signal means danger is im- minent and you should seek shelter immediately. . FIRE ALARM: A siren with alter- nating and repeating high-low- high-low tones summons mem- bers of the Freeman Fire Depart- ment to the fire station. It is used when requested by the fire de- partment to ensure enough fire- fighters respond to an alarm.

Check it out ... at the FREEMAN PUBLIC LIBRARY A weekly column by Barbara Zeidl

With the movie making the rounds, and the sound track music selling big, there is much interest in the books for the Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins. These books are in our young adult section and are being read by children and adults all over the world. Amazon gives a short description of the first book: In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining capitol surrounded by 12 outlying districts. Long ago the districts waged war on the capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, The Hunger Games , a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the games. The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. I read that and thought I wouldn’t really care for it all that much, so I put off reading them for quite a while. But under pressure from nieces and nephews, I gave in and gave it a read. It was pretty much what I thought it would be, a story that is probably of more interest to young people. Still, it was an interesting book, and the story does keep your interest. However be

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We Take It Personally You’ve heard the expression “Don’t take it personally.” When it comes to our customers’ financial needs we take the opposite approach. We like to take the needs of our customers personally. We make sure that a customer gets the kind of service that he deserves. Frankly, we appreciate your business and we know that the only way we can expect to keep your business is to earn the right to have it. The Advantages Of Banking With An Independent Bank There are several advantages of banking with an independent bank; • Independent banks have the authority to act on your loan request without consulting someone from out of town. • Independent banks have the best record when it comes to re-investing your deposits in the loc l commu ity. • Independent banks have a tendency to treat their customers on a more individual basis.

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FREEMAN PUBLIC LIBRARY HOURS Located at 322 S. Main Street — Phone 925-7003 Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tuesday & Thursday: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. • Saturday: 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Books to Salem Home: 2nd and 4th Thursday: 9:45 a.m. RUBBLE & APPLIANCE SITE HOURS Located 1/2-mile West of Freeman on North County Road (Summer Hours Began Wednesday, May 2; Wednesdays 3 p.m.-8 p.m. and Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m.) COMPOST, TREE & BRANCH SITE HOURS Located 1/2-mile West of Freeman on North County Road Monday through Saturday: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. RECYCLING DROP-OFF Freeman Recycling Center located on Cedar Street Open 24-hours a day, seven days a week

M ERCHANTS S TATE B ANK Freeman, S.D. - 925-4222 Hurley, S.D. - 283-5255 Irene, S.D. - 263-0170 Viborg, S.D. - 766-4255 Toll Free - 1-866-228-9747 • www.msb-sd.com “YOUR HOMETOWN BANK SINCE 1899” Member FDIC

www.thune.senate.gov Rep. Kristi Noem 226 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 202-225-2801 (voice)

202 225-5823 (fax) Toll-free number and South Dakota office info: TBA www.noem.house.gov

Freeman Courier / May 9, 2012 / page 3

Freeman students excel at local vocal, instrumental contest

Freeman Academy Twenty-two Freeman Academy students participated in the second annual Freeman Public School El- ementary Solo and Ensemble Contest on Friday, May 4 at Freeman Elemen- tary. Freeman Academy took 57 events including 21 vocal solos, 6 vocal en- sembles, 22 instrumental solos, and 8 instrumental ensembles. Results in- cluded 56 superiors and one excellent. Vocal solos receiving superior rat- ings were: Ryan Haggerty, 8 th ; Ian Hofer, 8 th ; Jorge Sánchez, 8 th ; Polly Carlson, 8 th ; Emma Littel-Jensen, 8 th ; Bethany Wollman, 8 th (I+), Sarah Miller, 8 th (I+); Hannah Yoder, 8 th ; Derian Voigt, 7 th ; Steven Sánchez, 7 th ; Jesse Balzer, 7 th (I+); Stephen Walt- ner, 6 th (I+); Tristan Kellar, 6 th ; Ryan Brockmueller, 6 th ; Lindsay Thomas, 6 th ; Annie Carlson, 6 th (I+); Kaitlyn Epp, 5 th ; Andrea Wollman, 5 th , (I+); Jaden Thomas, 5 th ; Jackson Waltner, 5 th . Receiving an excellent solo rating was Marissa Hofer, 7 th (II+). Vocal ensembles receiving superior ratings were: 7-8 th grade ensembles: 7-8 th girls ensemble (I+) (Polly Carl- son, Emma Littel-Jensen, Sarah Mill- er, Bethany Wollman, Hannah Yoder, Marissa Hofer); 7-8 th boys ensemble (I+) (Ryan Haggerty, Ian Hofer, Jorge Sánchez, Jesse Balzer, Steven Sán- chez, Derian Voigt); 7-8 th grade mixed ensemble (I+) (Polly Carlson, Ryan Haggerty, Ian Hofer, Emma Littel- Jensen, Sarah Miller, Jorge Sánchez, Bethany Wollman, Hannah Yoder, Jesse Balzer, Derian Voigt). 5-6 th grade ensembles: 5-6 th mixed (I+) (Ryan Brockmueller, Annie Carl- son, Tristan Kellar, Lindsay Thomas, Stephen Waltner, Kaitlyn Epp, Jaden Thomas, Jackson Waltner, Andrea Wollman); 5-6 th girls ensemble (An- nie Carlson, Lindsay Thomas, Kaitlyn Epp, Andrea Wollman); 5-6 th boys en- semble (Ryan Brockmueller, Tristan Kellar, Stephen Waltner, Jaden Thom- Freeman Public Approximately 55 students from Freeman Public, grades 5-8, partici- pated in the second annual Freeman Public School Elementary Solo and Ensemble Contest on Friday, May 4. Out of 80 entries, students from Freeman Public earned 72 superiors and 8 excellents. Fifth-grade soloists earning a supe- rior rating were: Rachel Petts, alto sax and voice (I+); Dausyn Pravecek, ten- or sax (I+) and voice; Kaylee Auch, trumpet and voice; Sarah Wipf, flute (I+) and voice; Hannah Eberts, oboe; Shay Saarie, voice (I+), mallet and snare; Morgan Dannenbring, voice and clarinet; and Shannon Helma, trombone. Sixth-grade soloists earning a supe- rior rating were: Bryce Dannenbring, alto sax; Hannah Smith, clarinet; Ash- ley Glanzer, trumpet; Tracy Ander- sen, flute; Charles Harbarts, baritone; Karlie Maske, voice; Emily Kirschen- man, voice; Brennan Haggerty, bari- tone; Brayden Edwards, voice, mallet and snare; Ashley Watson, voice. Seventh-grade soloists earning a superior rating were: Noah Hofer, voice; Preston Gall, voice; Chris Petts, voice (I+) and trumpet; Jalen Kaufman, tuba; Karen Schamber, voice; Samantha Schrag, flute; Bai- ley York, voice; Lacey Wipf, voice (I+) and horn; Natalie Goosen, alto sax; Matthew Beynon, alto sax; Erika Sage- timpani and mallet; and Levi Waldhauser, snare. Eighth-grade soloists earning a

as, Jackson Waltner). Instrumental solos receiving supe- rior ratings were: Polly Carlson, 8 th flute (I+); Hannah Yoder, 8 th oboe; Sarah Miller, 8 th clarinet (I+); Lindsay Thomas, 6 th clarinet; Kaitlyn Epp, 5 th clarinet; Tristan Kellar, 6 th saxophone (I+); Andrea Wollman, 5 th saxophone; Ian Hofer, 8 th trumpet; Stephen Walt- ner, 6 th trumpet (I+); Jackson Waltner, 5 th trumpet; Jesse Balzer, 7 th French horn (I+); Annie Carlson, 6 th French horn (I+); Ryan Haggerty, 8 th trom- bone (I+); Bethany Wollman, 8 th trombone (I+); Emma Littel-Jensen, 8 th trombone; Ryan Brockmueller, 6 th trombone; Marissa Hofer, 7 th bari- tone; Jaden Thomas, 5 th baritone; Jef- frey Graber, 8 th snare drum (I+) and xylophone (I+); Derian Voigt, 7 th snare drum; private student, Meredith Graber, 5 th flute. Instrumental ensembles receiving superior ratings were: 7 th & 8 th ensem- bles: woodwind trio (I+) (Polly Carl- son, Hannah Yoder, Sarah Miller); brass quartet (Ian Hofer, Jesse Balzer, Emma Littel-Jensen, Marissa Hofer); trombone duet (I+) (Ryan Hagger- ty, Bethany Wollman); percussion duet (Jeffrey Graber, Derian Voigt). 5th and 6 th ensembles: clarinet duet (Lindsay Thomas, Kaitlyn Epp); sax- ophone duet (Tristan Kellar, Andrea Wollman); brass trio (Stephen Walt- ner, Jackson Waltner, Annie Carlson); low brass duet (Ryan Brockmueller, Jaden Thomas). Students study with Freeman Academy directors Amy Hofer Vetch (vocal) and Donna Ries (instrumen- tal). Other private instructors include Mike Benton, Dan Graber, Nicolle Hofer Timmerman and Sonja Walt- ner. Accompanists included Amy Hofer Vetch, Donna Ries, Dan Gra- ber, Sonja Waltner, Deb Schmeichel, Janet Balzer, Heather Haggerty and students Ryan Haggerty and Annie Carlson. superior rating were: Dillon Starner, bassoon (I+), bass clarinet and voice; Kayla Rollag, clarinet; Christa Pe- terson, flute; Taylor Johnson, voice; Katie Goossen, trombone; Carlie Muchmore, voice (I+); Jordan Hauck, voice; Tanner Rupp, voice and bari- tone; Rebecca Eberts, voice and trum- pet; Kaitlyn Mehlhaf, voice and trum- pet; and Ashley Skinner, alto sax. Sixth-grade soloists earning an ex- cellent rating were: Bryce Dannen- bring, voice; Karli Maske, trombone solo. Seventh-grade soloists earning an excellent rating were: Jalen Kaufman, voice; Xavier Ward, tenor sax; Nata- sha Hofer, clarinet; and Erika Sage, voice. Fifth and sixth grade ensembles earning a superior rating were: fifth woodwind trio; sixth trumpet duet; sixth baritone duet; sixth flute duet- (I+); fifth sax trio; fifth and sixth boys ensemble; and fifth and sixth mixed ensemble (I+). Seventh and eighth grade ensem- bles earning a superior rating were: seventh and eighth mixed ensemble; seventh and eighth woodwind choir; seventh grade girls ensemble; seventh and eighth brass sextet; eighth girls ensemble (I+); eighth boys ensemble (I+); and seventh and eighth percus- sion trio. Ensembles earning an excellent rat- ing were: fifth and sixth girls ensem- ble and seventh grade boys ensemble.

This was the scene a half-mile north of Freeman shortly after firefighters and EMTs arrived around 5:45 p.m. Sunday. The driver of the Buick LeSabre, Craig Bland, pictured, was transported to Freeman Medical Center. His pas-

senger, Natalie Dykstra, was extracted from the rear seat of the vehicle be- fore being taken by ambulance to Freeman Medical Center and, finally, by air to Sioux Falls. PHOTOS BY JEREMY WALTNER

First responders called to rollover; driver charged with DUI by Jeremy Waltner

a shirt when rescue units arrived on scene. He had large cuts on his face and a large scrape across his back; he was transported to Freeman Medical Center by ambulance shortly after first-responders arrived. The passenger, Natalie Dykstra, also of Freeman, was trapped in the back seat of the vehicle, which is where firefighters and EMTs focused their attention. “We tried to do as much as we could with as little discomfort as possible,” said Freeman Fire Chief Blaine Saa- rie, who said rescue personnel took its time because of possible spinal injury. “The victim was in pain,” said Saa- rie. Dykstra was removed from the ve- hicle and loaded into the ambulance at 6:10 p.m. — 30 minutes after the call first came in. Saarie said he was very pleased with both the number of firefighters who responded — 18 — and their work on the scene. Those efforts in- cluded disabling the car’s battery, securing the area and executing a dif- ficult extraction. “The guys did a great job” said Saarie. “I was very happy with their The cast of the FACC production, in order of appearance, includes: Herald......................Jonathan Olthoff Stepmother ...................Polly Carlson Joy .........................Bethany Wollman Portia .........................Kaitlyn Melhaf Cinderella...................... Sarah Miller Queen ..............................Lacey Wipf King........................... Ryan Haggerty Chef............................ Jeffrey Graber Prince ..........................Jorge Sanchez Godmother ..................Hannah Yoder The members of the Freeman Area Children’s Choir will comprise the chorus of townspeople. The show is directed by Kris Carl- son, artistic, Mavis Ortman, music, and Marnette Ortman and Sonja Walt- ner, assistant directors, and will be ac- companied by Barb Yoder. The public is cordially invited to enjoy this production, and to enjoy some dessert following the show. Tickets will be available at the door. Freeman Academy Spring Concert to be held May 10 The Freeman Academy Music De- partment will hold its spring concert on Thursday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m. in Pioneer Hall. The High School Vocal Department and full band (7-12) will present a variety of music. The per- cussion ensemble and low brass quar- tet will also perform. Music awards will be presented during the evening. Freeman Academy music recital planned May 14 The Freeman Academy Creative Arts Program will be hosting a music recital on Monday, May 14 at 7 p.m. The recital will take place in the in- strumental room in Sterling Hall. Private instructors who teach strings, woodwind, brass, piano or voice have encouraged their students to participate. The public is welcome to attend.

An alleged drunk driver crashed his car near Freeman late Sunday after- noon, May 6, and his passenger was airlifted to a Sioux Falls hospital after being transported by ground to Free- man Medical Center. Hutchinson County Sheriff Jim Zeeb said Freeman resident Craig Bland was northbound on 438th Ave. — the gravel road that runs north of the Verizon cell tower — when he lost control of his vehicle. “A witness said they saw him fish- tailing; he never slowed down and lost control,” said Zeeb, who estimat- ed Bland’s age in the mid 20s. The car, a late 1990s model Buick LeSabre, entered the west ditch on the passenger’s side and rolled once, coming to rest west of the west ditch about a half-mile north of the North County Road, Zeeb said. Freeman’s ambulance, fire and police departments all responded to the call around 5:40 p.m. Hutchinson County Sheriff Deputy Jack Fitzler arrived on the scene around 6 p.m. Bland, who Zeeb says was arrested and charged with DUI, was out of the vehicle and walking around without The Freeman Area Children’s Choir will present its annual spring dessert theater Friday, June 1, at 7:30 p.m. in Pioneer Hall, located on the Freeman Academy campus. This year’s musical is Rodgers & Ham- merstein’s Cinderella . First seen as a television spectacu- lar in 1957, and remade for television in 1965 and 1997, Rodgers & Ham- merstein’s Cinderella spins its own version of the traditional story, wo- ven through with such beloved songs as “In My Own Little Corner,” “Ten Minutes Ago” and “Impossible.” 2012 will mark the third time this beloved fairytale takes the stage in Pioneer Hall. Rodgers & Hammer- stein’s Cinderella was first produced by the Freeman Area Children’s Choir in 1999, and was the musical produc- tion for Schmeckfest 2006. A revival of Cinderella is opening on Broadway for the 2013 season. Senior Citizen Center news Thursday, May 10: bingo will be played, 1:30 p.m. Monday, May 14: mixed choir practice, 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 16: noon potluck, A to K bring a hot dish, L to Z a salad or dessert. Monday, May 21: Game day, 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 29: mixed choir practice, 1 p.m.; note change of day and time. Wednesday, May 30: monthly birthday party, 1:30 p.m., celebrat- ing all May birthdays with cake and ice cream. Norman Hofer will present a talk and PowerPoint presentation “The Life and Times of J. J Mendel.” Knodel, Zeeb reunion set June 3 The Knodel and Zeeb reunion will be held Sunday, June 3 at Memorial Park in Yankton. Dinner will be pot- luck with coffee provided. Plants for Periodicals underway at library The Friends of the Library silent auction fundraiser, Plants for Periodi- cals, is underway at the Freeman Pub- lic Library through May 12. Proceeds will go toward sustaining and expand- ing the periodical selections.

Freeman firefighters and EMTs work to remove the passenger from the back seat following Sunday’s single-vehicle rollover. The extraction took about 30 minutes, largely because rescue personnel were concerned about spinal in- jury. “We tried to do as much as we could with as little discomfort as possible,” said Freeman Fire Chief Blaine Saarie.

Neither Zeeb nor Saarie knew the condition of the vicitms Monday morning.

efforts. They work well together.” Zeeb said both Bland and Dykstra are new to the Freeman community.

FACC to present Cinderella June 1

Quilts sought for Quiltfest 2012 SMCHA offering scholarships The Swiss Mennonite Cultural and Historical Association is offering a scholarship in the amount of $500 to students who are preparing for the ministry or other full-time Christian service. Scholarships are for the 2012-13 school year. The application deadline is July 1, 2012.

Applicants must have membership in one of the seven Swiss-Volhynian churches in Kansas or in one of the two Swiss-Volhynian churches in South Dakota, or be of Swiss-Volhyn- ian descent. Interested persons may call 316- 283-3815 or Clark Graber, 605-925- 7599, for more information.

Cetera Shoppe and the three banks in Freeman. The featured quilter this year is Phyllis Schrag. There will be dem- onstrations/talks given each day. The raffle quilt was made by June Pull- man, Joy Arhart and Monica Hofer. The Quiltfest committee members are June Pullman, Joy Arhart, Kath- leen Miller, Betty Albrecht, Bonita Tieszen and Jeri Butkus.

Old and new quilts are being sought for Quiltfest 2012, which will be sponsored by the Freeman Acad- emy Auxiliary in Sterling Hall on the FA campus June 29 and 30. Those interested can request forms from the Quiltfest committee at Box S, Freeman, SD 57029 or contact June Pullman, 825-4277. An entry form is printed below, and forms are also available at the Et

Ortman and Co. to perform Saturday

Freeman Academy Auxiliary Quiltfest Entry Form Sterling Hall, Freeman Academy Campus, Freeman, S.D. (One Entry Per Form)

The final concert of the 2011-12 Freeman Academy Studio Subscrip-

tion Series will be held Saturday, May 12 at 7:30 p.m. in Pioneer Hall. Mory Ort- man and Com- pany will present “From Porter to Puccini,” fea- turing Shannon Kessler Dooley, soprano, Martha Bartz, mezzo so- prano, Dr. Mory S. Ortman, tenor/ piano and John Dooley, baritone. Local guest art- ists performing will be Sherilyn Ortman, piano and Jordan Ort- man, saxophone. Dr. Mory S. Ortman, a Free- man native and 1989 graduate of Freeman Acad- emy, works as a free-lance musi- cian in New York City. His work includes accom- panying audi- tions and lessons, coaching and mu-

Name

Address

City/State/Zip

Phone

Check One Bed

Baby Quilt

Wall-

Challenge

Quilt

hanging

Martha Bartz

Check Whatever Applies Hand Quilted

Machine Quilted

Tied

Hand Appliqué

Machine Appliqué

Name of Quilt

Size: Width

Length

Year Made

Mory Ortman

Made By

sic directing. Ortman also serves on the music faculty of Adelphi University and teaches chamber music, directs the opera workshop and serves as staff coach/accompanist. This concert is included as part of the Studio Subscription Series for ticketholders and admission is also available at the door. All tickets in- clude a dessert reception. For further information contact Amy Hofer Vetch at 925-4237, ext. 240.

John Dooley

Owner

Description/Remarks

Corrections/ clarifications

The Freeman Courier strives to be accurate. Anyone who believes information is in error is encouraged to contact the newspaper by emailing courier@gwtc.net or calling 605-925- 7033.

Additional information will be mailed. Please enclose a s elf- addressed, stamped envelope and the completed form. Mail by June 1 to: Quiltfest, Box S, Freeman, SD 57029

Shannon Dooley

F orum

Freeman Courier / May 9, 2012 / page 4

EDITORIAL Freeman Community Foundation a good example of building community

T welve years ago, the Freeman Community Foundation reached a milestone as it sur- passed its initial $100,000 fundraising goal. Established three years earlier to provide an ongo- ing funding source for local projects, organizers set out to solicit contributions totaling $100,000 by July 1, 2000. That campaign was successful and earned the local foundation a $50,000 matching grant from the South Dakota Community Foundation. This year the Freeman Community Foundation anticipates another milestone as it expects to sur- pass the $100,000 mark in grants and scholarships awarded to local projects during the past 12 years. The latest round of recipients was announced as the FCF held its annual spring banquet at the Prairie Arboretum Interpretive Center May 3. The $12,200 awarded for five different projects and two scholar-

The foundation wasn’t structured to reflect church, school or business loyalties; it was structured to focus on the larger community in a way that had never been done before. Generosity The fundraising effort to establish the founda- tion was successful because it gained the support of the larger community. People saw the merit of

The success of the foundation over these 15 years is a tribute to the community that took on the chal- lenge of establishing a foundation and then imple- menting it successfully. But in addition to the important financial impact the foundation has had on the community, the foun- dation also reflects the attributes that have enabled the Freeman community to remain vital over the The foundation, launched in the late 1990s by a small group of committed individuals, built on the rich community tradition of generosity and sup- port. But this was a new idea. By having a broad, inclusive community base and mission, it not only established an endowment as a funding source, it also bridged the divisions that often separate us. decades. Vision

Execution The success of the foundation is reflected in the diversity of projects that have been funded by the foundation. Ongoing leadership has provided wisdom, balance and focus on how the funds are allocated. From major bricks and mortar — the library and community center — to smaller proj- ects — equipment for our first responders and play- ground equipment for our youth — the foundation has strengthened the quality of life for virtually ev- ery resident in the community. The foundation has gained community-wide respect and acceptance. Obviously, it’s great to celebrate what the foun- dation has become and done to help build and strengthen our community. But it would be a mis- take to stop there. The foundation can and should grow and that will happen only if people continue to support it with contributions. The example of John R. Walz’s generosity is one that should be both an inspiration and a challenge. More information about the foundation is avail- able on it’s website or by visiting with any of the foundation board members. Freeman Courier editorials reflect the opinion of news editor Jeremy Waltner and publisher Tim L. Waltner.

the goals and objectives of the foundation and responded with contri- butions that moved it from concept to real- ity. And while the ini- tial contributions were critical to that success, a significant gift in the spring of 2008 from the John R. Walz estate, to- taling over $333,000, in- creased the endowment of the FCF and dramati- cally expanded what it can do for our commu- nity.

Freeman Community Foundation Board of Directors Nathan Walter President Jill Weber Aanenson Vice-President Emily Hofer Secretary Wade Lager Treasurer

ships brings the total amount of mon- ey awarded to support local projects since 2000 to $85,600. Two rounds of grants will be awarded in 2012 and foundation officials believe that will swell the amount of money provided to assist local community projects above the $100,000 mark.

Barry Uecker Ruth Strasser Stewart Hofer Glenn Roth

freemancommunityfoundation.org

VIEWS FROM OUR COLLEAGUES The truth about postal reform and efforts underway in Congress Reed Anfinson, Swift County (Minn.) Monitor News and president of the National Newspaper Association

EDITOR’S NOTE: Reed Anfinson, who publishes a weekly newspaper in Minnesota, is the president of the National Newspaper Association. NNA, of which the Courier is a member, has been instrumental in efforts to maintain and strengthen the United States Postal Service. South Dakota’s senators split their votes on S1789, which NNA strongly supported. Sen. Tim Johnson voted yes and Sen. John Thune voted no. Now that US Senate has passed a bill, S1789, to reform the ailing US Postal Service, critics are trying to disable the bill on its way to the House of Representatives. Business Week recently catalogued unhappy stakehold- ers, including postal unions, postal manage- ment and some Republicans who wrongly think the bill burdens taxpayers. Rep. Darrell Issa, R-CA, whose own bill awaits action in the House, blasted “special interests.” But Business Week says, “Consid- ering how many people are unhappy with the bill, it isn’t clear which special interests Issa is referring to.” Some see the Senate bill as the inevitable product of the sausage machine. But it is nei- ther a budget buster nor processed meat. It is the expression of a better vision of the Postal Service. If you consider that survival of the service means maintaining the circulatory system for a $1.1 trillion mailing industry - or in other words, making sure cash, greeting cards, packages and newspapers and magazines ar- rive on time, the Senate bill is good medicine. Consider some of the alternative fixes. Issa’s bill would let USPS immediately end Saturday mail, close half the mail pro- cessing centers and thousands of post offices, and put a new board of political appointees in

308 S Main - Box 950 • Freeman, SD, 57029-0950 605-925-7033 • courier@gwtc.net Independent Newspaper TIM L. WALTNER, PUBLISHER Gordon Gross. ..................................................... Driver/Mail Erik Kaufman. ......................................... Contributing Writer S. Roy Kaufman................................................. Proofreader Kathy Kleinsasser..............Asst. Office Manager/Typesetter Jason Scharberg.................................. Advertising Manager Jeremy Waltner..................................................News Editor Linda Von Eye.............................Office Manager/Typesetter about as much as he listens to country western — hardly at all. But MCA and the other Beastie Boys — Michael “Mike D” Diamond and Adam “Ad- Rock” Horozitz — brought a different brand of rap to the turntable, and their heavy punk influence could be heard loud and clear on their first major commercial release, License to Ill, in 1986. In many regards, Ill was the right album at the right time for a hip hop scene that had been dominated by a largely misunderstood black culture. The Beastie Boys not only proved that white boys could rap well, it contradicted the notion that hip hop was nothing more than drug-induced noise created by heavy-packing thugs. Ad-Rock, MCA and Mike D brought a play- ful culture to the scene that would have been laughable had it not been done so well, and critics and listeners alike lauded the Beastie Boys’ debut. Licence to Ill , the first full-length hip hop record ever to hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, is Columbia Records’ fastest-selling al- bum of all time and has topped 9 million in album sales since its release 26 years ago — a number I suspect will climb in light of MCA’s death. Particularly in their early years, the Beastie Boys were undisputedly a party band, a label charge. The new board would be expected to trim workers’ benefits and maybe wages, and direct the Postmaster General to favor profit over service. At the other extreme might be Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-VT, who wanted to keep every- thing open. Labor unions backing him say that USPS will heal as the economy heals. Then there is the White House’s notion: to raise postage rates. For Sens. Susan Collins, R-ME, and Joe Lieberman, I-CT, neither extreme is suited to long-term survival of USPS. To many experts, Issa’s approach is likely to frighten away businesses that mail. The Lieberman-Collins bill agrees that USPS needs a more flexible, less costly workforce. It keeps mail flowing through today’s network while cost-cutting is underway. For example, they would end Saturday mail delivery in two years, but only if USPS has taken other big steps toward financial viability. They would allow the closing of postal plants now, if USPS preserves local mail delivery speed. Is their bill the product of compromise, or of a different vision? Consider: • The Postal Service’s plant-closing plan is based on a desire to amass more mail at auto- mated urban centers, where costly machines sit idle much of the day. To optimize ma- chines, USPS would haul mail much farther. But the hauling would slow the mailstream, particularly in small towns and rural areas that are far from mail plants and create a set of second-class citizens who get and send mail more slowly than urban dwellers. It will also hamper smaller communities’ quests for eco- nomic development. • Many Americans say they wouldn’t miss Saturday mail. But USPS builds its system around senders, not receivers. Who would

on how they see USPS. Is it a corporation? Is it a government agency responsible for bind- ing the nation together? Fact: it is a Government-Sponsored En- terprise or GSE, more like Fannie Mae than like IBM or the Defense Department. It has to use business tools, but carry out a public mission. And it has enormous power in the marketplace. Consider, for example, its new Every Door Direct Mail program, which di- rectly competes with many private businesses. Members of Congress who mistakenly see postal reform as an exercise in deregulating a company may actually unleash a powerful federal agency, while those who look to rais- ing postage so generous worker benefits can continue could pull the plug on the economic engine that keeps jobs alive. It isn’t compromise that is needed, but a clear-eyed vision based on a full understand- ing of the needs of all who the Postal Service serves. Postal management today has an im- possible task, expected to accomplish busi- ness goals without the cost-controlling tools businesses have, and expected to achieve government ends without federal support. Congress owns this confusion. Only Congress can fix it and it will continue to need to fine- tune its solutions as communications cultures change. No bill passed today will avoid the need for legislation in the future. Neither “de- regulating” it nor hiking rates will get USPS to stability. Nor will abrupt and disruptive ap- proaches to labor costs. Senators Collins and Lieberman, along with co-sponsors Tom Carper, D-DE, and Scott Brown, R-MA, have devoted endless hours to understanding the challenge and to crafting the next steps toward fixing it. Their approach deserves considerably more respect than it is getting. last week. Since his death Friday, a host of news or- ganizations on television, in print and online have devoted considerable time and space to MCA, which says an awful lot about the kind of impact Adam Yauch and the Beastie Boys have had in many different circles. Musicians around the world, and no doubt the people of Tibet, continue to pay their re- spects. I spent part of my weekend paying my re- spect by clicking through my collection of Beastie Boys albums, and became struck by a lyric from “Bodhisattva Vow,” a cut off Ill Com- munication , released around the time MCA latched onto the teachings of Buddhism: “For the sake of all beings I seek/The en- lightened mind that I know I’ll reap/I give thanks for this world as a place to learn/And for this human body that I’m glad to have earned.” Rest in peace, MCA. And long love the Beastie Boys. Jeremy Waltner is news editor of the Courier and strongly encourages readers to check out Coldplay’s moving and classy tribute to MCA — a rewrite of “(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party).” You’ll have no trouble finding it online.

be hurt by a 5-day delivery regime? Anyone who depends on timely mail delivery. Shut- ting down the system two days a week — three when Monday holidays occur — would create delay, according to the Postal Regula- tory Commission. Then there are those who need prescriptions delivered when they are at home; small-town citizens who get the news- paper by mail and businesses needing 6-day cash flows. • Closing small post offices seems a no- brainer to city dwellers who spot those one- room POs at the roadside on the way to the beach. Surely not all are needed. But rather

than closing them entirely, USPS could have circuit-rider postmasters to open them a few hours a day. That is affordable if worker ben- efits are brought into line with the private sector. For those communities, a circuit rider could continue their links to the world. • The Congressional Budget Office says the Senate bill would cost $33.6 billion, add- ing to the federal deficit. But postage-payers, not taxpayers, carry that burden. Taxpayers face a liability as the funder-of-last resort only if postage revenues dry up — which is more likely to happen if the mail slows to a crawl. Finally, members of Congress may differ

KALEIDOSCOPE MCA, the Beastie Boys and a greater influence Jeremy Waltner, Courier News Editor

but surely, as albums multiplied, the layers of that image were shed and new ones emerged; creativity, artistry and influence from genera to genera — largely thanks to the talents given to MCA — came to define the Beastie Boys above anything else. And Yauch, widely considered the soul of the hip hop trio, became known for something far more important: political activism. Yauch, who adopted Buddhism after a trip to Nepal and Kathmandu in the early 1990s, became a champion for the Tibetan indepen- dence movement, which seeks political sepa- ration from the People’s Republic of China. He co-founded the Milarepa Fund, which raises money for and promotes awareness of the effort for Tibetan freedom, and organized a number of benefit concerts for the cause. Those concerts included the Tibetan Freedom Concert, a series of rock festivals in North America, Europe and Asia from 1996 to 2001 featuring some of the world’s biggest acts in music, including R.E.M., Red Hot Chili Pep- pers, U2, Pearl Jam and Radiohead. That set the course for MCA’s final decade of life; his last years were spent in meditation central to his faith, promotion central to his cause, love central to his family, and — yes — music central to his soul. What is presumably the final album ever to be made by the Beastie Boys, the Hot Sauce Committee , was released

they encouraged and embraced through songs like “(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party)” and “No Sleep ‘Till Brooklyn” from License to Ill . But a more grounded and artistic side emerged on their sophomore effort, Paul’s Boutique released in 1988 — incidentally my favorite of their seven-album resume. This sampling-heavy recording further showcased the artistic mastery of the trio and has only gotten better with age. The same holds true of those that came after Paul’s Boutique , includ- ing Check Your Head, Ill Communication, Hello Nasty, and releases of the later years — To The 5 Boroughs, The Mix-Up and, finally, The Hot Sauce Committee . They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland on April 14 of this year — 3 ½ weeks prior to MCA’s death. But it’s not the Beastie Boys’ impressive resume that, in the wake of MCA’s death, has me reflecting on the gift they have been to music the past quarter-century, but rather their growth as a band and contribution to the larger community. That is particularly true of Yauch. For many who see things in black and white, the Beastie Boys are defined by a party boy im- age they developed early on; that is, after all, where they started. But it’s far from who they became. Slowly

“Get up and groove with the rhythm in your soul.” – MCA, from ‘Pass the Mic’ I learned of the news

last Friday morning in six letters that jumped off my Facebook news feed like an Adam Yauch lyric busting out of the speak- ers: “RIP MCA.” A double take followed. Then I scrolled down the page and found another post: “MCA, RIP. Dang.” Then another: “Beasties forever.”

Adam Yauch, known as MCA in the pio- neering rap trio Beastie Boys, was dead at the age of 47, a victim presumably of parotid salivary gland cancer, which he was diagnosed with in 2009. Facebook told me first of MCA’s death, and a host of Internet sites — including cnn.com — confirmed the sad news shortly thereafter. To say I felt like I had lost a friend would be overly and unnecessarily dramatic, but it’s sort of true. I have long considered the Beastie Boys top- shelf entertainment and groundbreaking mu- sic, and this from a guy who listens to hip hop

Just Curious A Weekly Courier Q&A Last week we asked: Are you registered to vote? Your answer: Yes - 21, 88%; No - 3, 12%; No, but I will be registering - 0, 0%. This week we’re asking: Have you ever been inside the Turkey Ridge Store? To vote, go to www. freemansd.com. Look here weekly for the previous week’s results. ______________________________________________ Just Curious is a weekly feature that seeks an online answer. A new question will be posted every Monday at 10 p.m.

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