Conde, SD

The Noetlich family of Doland stood in awe of the gifts from the community that were delivered just one week ago tonight. They had lost EVERYTHING in a house fire on a minus 24 degree night in January. Horizons had provided the seed of laundry basket and essentials and the community filled it to more than over flowing. It was, indeed, a Happy Valentines day for the family and a Valentines Day they will remember!

Several members of Conde’s Horizon group met on Sunday, February 10th to test their baking skills. Approximately 8 doz. large, heart-shaped, sugar cookies were baked and beautifully decorated to be sold at the DC girls’ Valentine basketball game in Conde. The event was a success as those in attendance purchased the cookies as a treat for themselves or for their Valentine ” sweetie.” Proceeds from the cookie sale will help the Conde High School student council sponsor a spring semi-formal dance. Thanks to the gals who donated supplies, baked and decorated the cookies and sold them the night of the game. The Conde students thank you and appreciate the community’s support of their activities.

Last summer some of Conde’s streets were decorated in red. Thanks to Horizons and the Northeast Area Foundation, residents and visitors are greeted with red street banners to welcome them to town. Several of the banners were removed to hang Christmas decorations but will soon be replaced and lining main street again. Thanks to the volunteers for hanging the banners and for use of equipment. Thanks Horizons for bringing a little “color” to town.

It is only Tuesday and we are on a roll! We will have a blogging class with the school journalism class, the non perishable shower collection center is set up in the Plains Commerce Bank in Conde,to be delivered to the Noetlich family in Doland on Valentines Day. The Sr. Citizens have signed up for after their dinner time on Tuesdays to help with the City Pizza Garden when spring comes. It has been requested that the Miniature Golf Course be ready for the “Quest” kids treat in May; Quest being the healthy eating and snacking class being given at the school for 3rd through 6th grade by Cooperative Extension. Really important is a glimmer of hope that the House Bill 1158 for the Conde School may be smoked out for consideration from the 36th day. We have spent alot of time on the school element, keeping in touch with our Legislators by e-mail. To e-mail your Legislator is very simple; all you have to do is put in this address: http://legis.state.sd.us/email/LegislatorEmail.aspx. We were recognized for being at the Cracker Barrel session in Aberdeen on Saturday and we will go again!! The saving of our school is so important to our small town and especially since we do not receive State Aid. It has been so wonderful for the community to work together for this common cause to keep us from further poverty. And it is only Tuesday! Hope your week is going well also!

Have you ever heard of a Pizza Garden? We hadn’t either, however, through Cooperative Extension we have learned that it is a wonderful tool to bring all segments of our town together. Conde has a place and now we are going to be having a sign up for those that want to be a part of it. We are poling the Sr. Citizens tomorrow as a start and will contact the school children and their parents soon. Naturally plenty of plans will need to be in place so that we are ready for gardening time this spring.
The Garden is planted in a circle; naturally you plant vegetables (herbs, onions, tomatoes, peppers) that are needed for Pizza sauce. Some wheat is planted to signify the wheat for the flour. Some corn is planted to signify the food given to animals to have meat for your pizza. Naturally, when the vegetables are ready we will host a canning class and then have a pizza party with all of those who helped with the educational project.

Conde Horizons II will sponsor a non perishable shower for the Noetlich family that lost everything in a house fire of their home near Doland. Non-perishable items can be brought to the collection point at the Plains Commerce Bank in Conde and will be delivered to the Noetlich family on Valentines Day. No outdated or used items, please.

The Conde Horizons II team has set the last Thursday of every month to meet with Cheryl Jacobs to make sure that we are making progress, “walking the plank” so to speak to make sure our vision is coming to fruition. Our meetings will begin at 4:00 in the afternoon and will be held at the Community Center. Our first meeting with Cheryl will be held February 28th. Everyone is invited and more information will be coming as the date gets closer.

With the aid of the Conde High School students, the communities of Conde, Doland and Mellette showed their support to the Dan & Teresa Noetlich family at the BB games in Conde on Tuesday night. Those in attendance generously donated over one thousand dollars to this “DC Charger” family who lost their home and belongings in a house fire at Doland. This overwhelming support shows good will between all the neighboring small town communities and makes one proud to be a part of them. Good luck to the Noetlich family and thanks to all for your kindness and giving.

Area residents be sure to attend the DC Charger girls and boys basketball games in Conde on Tuesday beginning at 4pm with the junior varsity games followed by the varsity teams. We will not only show support of our basketball teams but also for the Dan and Teresa Noettlich family of Doland as they lost their home and all belongings in a house fire last week. The Conde school students and community will be showing their support for this family with various fundraising efforts. There will be lots of food and fun.

As a proud member of Conde’s Horizon II team I decided it was time that I try to keep up with technology and learn to blog. I want to thank “the blondes ” Jessica and Erin for attending the workshop and teaching us this great method of communication. Conde has a strategic plan in place for future projects and goals for the community but our main focus right now has been on saving our school. Several members of the Conde Horizon community have traveled to Pierre on several occasions to witness our govt. in action on issues relating to our school. We have experienced many highs and lows. Although it appears our voices have not been heard there are several lawmakers out there that do understand the concept of rural South Dakota and it’s values. We thank them for their support. It is time to get the word out to all of South Dakota what is happening to the future of it’s rural population. The magical number for closing schools right now is enrollment of 100, it should be no surprise when that number is increased to 200 in the near future. What happens to our Horizon’s communities that have been working to better the way of life for it’s residents when there is no school? Our school ,we feel is the core of our hometown. I encourage all residents of Conde to join the ” C Team” in working to fight to keep our school here at home. Be aware of what our government is doing, make your voice heard by e-mailing or writing legislators right now during this years legaslative session. I am proud to have been raised, educated, married and now reside in rural Conde. I am as well proud that my children are graduates of Conde High School and are proud to call Conde home. Our forefathers paved the way for us, let us do the same for Conde’s next generation.