To the Editor and this grand community,
A thank you to this community is long overdue from the Wessington Springs Church Concessions Group. So thank you to all who volunteered this year as we served the Foothills Rodeo on the first of July and the Kyle Evans Memorial Wagon Train and the Bad River Youth Roughstock series Rodeo the second weekend of September. With fewer congregations able to take part in this service ministry the volunteer pool was shrunk a bit, but those who signed up and worked excelled in their endeavors and another successful season was had.
There is a team of mathematicians figuring out just how successful we were this year, but as usual all our net proceeds will be divided up among the cooperating congregations, and they will in turn put these moneys towards the greater good of His kingdom and that’s what it is really all about. Mixing it up with friends of other denominations is fun all by itself and serving the folks who attend these events is a reward as well. We are blessed in this rural area to have these opportunities to serve our Lord and His people in this unique way. So many to thank especially, first our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for keeping all our rodeo contestants and workers safe from serious harm and our thanks to Him for good weather even though there was threats otherwise. Special thanks to the Foothills Rodeo Committee and the Wagon Train folks for again entrusting us with this challenge. Thank you too to folks like L&M Sanitation who do their job picking up after us all, more unsung heroes. We thank the Jerauld County Commission for listening and agreeing to finally put a concrete base under their concession stand. Should add years to the life of that important building, and county highway staff for their assistance and keeping the grounds ready.
The Conservation District once again allowed use of their walk-in cooler for beverages etc. for the 4th of July weekend events. The city of Wessington Springs always lends their trailer for our use and picnic tables too. Aaron and Chris Cashman got the stand moved for the concrete work and placed it back when the pad was ready, we especially thank them for that. Great work men! And then there is our board, special thanks to Penny, Kari, Fran and Darold for attendance at meetings and making plans and decisions that set out how we get things done and get the volunteers we so need. Liza too, for her part in helping Darold out with their part. Last but most, Laura the amazing woman who gets the ordering done, the scheduling handled, arranging so much of what we do with nary a complaint. Well, maybe a little friction at times, but what would one expect, she has to work with me. ‘Nuff said!
Thankful, that is what I am as the chairman of this exceptional group, working for and with these amazing organizations. Like so many other groups in and around here that work and plan events for the enjoyment and betterment of our community, these are good folds doing a job for us all without pay or getting to enjoy these events that get put on.
Two last things to mention before I close this thank-a-thon, continue to pray for the life of our St. Joseph Catholic community as they contemplate what their future here might be. For sure the WSCCG would hate to lose them. And after 24 years of heading up this WSCCG organization, I am praying for and soliciting for a new vice-chairman for 2027 to learn the ropes and lead this outfit into the future as I hope to step down after year 25. A good couple would really be a great answer as Laura would like to lighten her load too! We’ll see.
Thank you Lord and thank you community! Couldn’t do this without all of you!
Sincerely and with humble thanks to all,
Hub Kieser, Perennial Chair of the WSCCG