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2009: The Year in Review - Part IV
By By Jill Meier
Challenger editor
Challenger editor
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EmailJanuary 05. 2010 9:08AM
October
The Brandon Municipal Golf Course reached a milestone this year - 30 years in business.
Bryan Read, 45, was appointed to the position of city administrator for Brandon. Read will bring 20 years of city administrator experience to the position, which he’ll begin Dec. 1. He succeeds long-time administrator Dennis Olson.
Fred Assam Elementary is serving as the pilot site for the South Dakota School for the Deaf’s Auditory/Oral Program. This is the first year the School for the Deaf has contracted with Brandon Valley to provide the program. Eleven students in pre-school through fifth grade are participating this year.
The new facility additions at Brandon Valley High School were unveiled to the public during a public open house and dedication ceremonies. Added to the high school were two-stories of classrooms, a gymnasium, locker rooms, training room, weight room and community room. The added facilities were part of the $23 million bond voters approved in December 2007. The project came in about $1.5 million under budget, and the board decided to pay that same amount back to the bond.
A new chapter was written in Brandon Valley cross country history Oct. 10 as the Lynx boys won their first-ever Eastern South Dakota Conference crown. The Lynx edged long-time ESD champs, the Yankton Bucks, by a mere four points.
Elaine Zell of was inducted into the South Dakota State University Athletics Hall of Fame. The Brandon woman was honored for her accomplishments on the track as an SDSU Jackrabbit from 1979-1982, when she rewrote the SDSU record book in a number of events.
On the official “Make a Difference Day,” volunteers of all ages joined forces to move the Brandon Valley Area Food Pantry from its former location at 312 Main Ave. a block south to its new location at 406 Main Ave. It took volunteers just 40 minutes to move all of the donated goods to new food pantry location.
November
The Lynx boys cross country team had a disappointing ending to their best season in school history. The Brandon Valley boys, pegged as one of South Dakota’s most talented Class AA programs, captured second place at the state meet.
“It’s hard to feel bad when your worst finish all year was third place,” Lynx coach Larry Beesley said.
Robert Dykstra was elected by his peers to lead the Brandon Volunteer Fire Department as its chief.
Austin Sumner broke the state high school touchdown passing record in Brandon Valley’s 34-13 win over Mitchell in the opening round of the Class 11AA playoffs. Sumner surpassed the record previously set by Nathan Jacobson of St. Thomas More.
Todd Winkel broke ground for Brandon’s second funeral home, Heartland Funeral Home. The 7,000 square-foot building is going up at 1801 Frontier St., and should be ready for occupancy by March.
Student absences at Brandon Valley schools reached an all-time high of 9.54 percent - 1,554 student days missed - due to the H1N1 flu virus.
Brandon city councilors voted to budget $6,500 to $8,000 in 2010 for a series of concepts for swimming pool improvements. The study could also provide concepts for a new pool. The study is only the first step in the process of making upgrades to the pool or electing to build a new one.
The 2009 football season came to a close for Brandon Valley in the state semifinals against the eventual Class 11AA champs, Sioux Falls Washington Warriors. The much bigger and more powerful Warriors routed the Lynx 55-10 to put an end to the Lynx’s 10-2 season.
Five hundred doses of the H1N1 flu vaccine were administered at a clinic set up in the high school gym in Brandon Nov. 19.
The first ever Brandon Expo, an event designed to showcase Brandon Valley Area Chamber member businesses, drew approximately 300 to the high school commons, where more than 60 vendors set up shop.
A Brandon couple, Tim and Dawn Rohrbach, purchased a well-known Minnesota restaurant and bar, The Magnolia Bar and Steak House, located in Luverne.
December
Construction of a 300-foot sidewalk near Fred Assam Elementary got the green light and funding it needed from the Brandon Valley Board of Education. The sidewalk was originally scheduled to go in this fall, but weather delayed the installation to next spring. Board members agreed to spend $14,250 on the project that will give FAE students a safe passage to and from the school.
Jackie Christianson Schnellbach opened the doors to a new Brandon business, Dog & Cat Food Palace located at 208 E. Holly Blvd. The Dog & Cat Food Palace specializes in grain-free foods.
Carolyn Bill wrapped up a 40-year career as a bus driver for the Brandon Valley School District. A public open house retirement party on Dec. 13 was held to honor the 77-year-old for her 40 years of service.
Two cost-saving measures are adding up to be significant savings for the Brandon Valley School District Food Service Department.
Gay Anderson, food service director, implemented two separate measures at the start of the school year, and those changes have saved the district in excess of $70,000 so far. The savings are a result of the district’s new commodity buying power and eliminating the use of disposable serving trays and eating utensils.
PrairieSons Inc. opened for business at 1117 N. Ash St., Dec. 2 in Brandon. The plumbing, ventilation, air conditioning and fire protection company is operating out of 22,000 square feet.
MED-Star Paramedic Service will provide emergency medical services in Brandon for a third consecutive year. The Brandon council approved the one-year contract Dec. 7.
A group of local teens have come together to show their peers and community that they are more than just your typical teenagers.
Organized in mid-September, Students Taking Action Together, or S.T.A.T., is a student-led group that focuses on promoting positive alternatives to alcohol or drugs.
For the first time in eight seasons, Brandon Valley came away from the 2009 State Oral Interp Festival with seven superior ratings. A superior ranking is the top award for oral interp competitors, and garnering seven superiors out of possible seven categories is comparable to winning a state football or basketball title.
Brandon Valley quarterback Austin Sumner, the Gatorade player of the year in South Dakota and the captain of the Argus Leader Elite 45 team, accepted a full scholarship and will play football for the South Dakota State University Jackrabbits.
The 6-foot-5, 215-pound senior, who owns eight state passing records, was a three-year starter for the Lynx, completing 259 of 411 attempts for 3,098 yards and 38 touchdowns this season. His career total of 7,636 passing yards ranks 79th on the all-time national list, ahead of the likes of three-time NFL MVP Peyton Manning.
Brandon fire fighters put their new No. 2 into service following dedication ceremonies on Dec. 14.
The Subway restaurant in Brandon is expanding by 915 feet. Owner Bill Leschovski is expanding the specialty sandwich shop into area formerly occupied by Dominos Pizza, increasing seating from 36 to 90. The conversion is expected to be completed before the end of the year.
The Brandon Municipal Golf Course reached a milestone this year - 30 years in business.
Bryan Read, 45, was appointed to the position of city administrator for Brandon. Read will bring 20 years of city administrator experience to the position, which he’ll begin Dec. 1. He succeeds long-time administrator Dennis Olson.
Fred Assam Elementary is serving as the pilot site for the South Dakota School for the Deaf’s Auditory/Oral Program. This is the first year the School for the Deaf has contracted with Brandon Valley to provide the program. Eleven students in pre-school through fifth grade are participating this year.
The new facility additions at Brandon Valley High School were unveiled to the public during a public open house and dedication ceremonies. Added to the high school were two-stories of classrooms, a gymnasium, locker rooms, training room, weight room and community room. The added facilities were part of the $23 million bond voters approved in December 2007. The project came in about $1.5 million under budget, and the board decided to pay that same amount back to the bond.
A new chapter was written in Brandon Valley cross country history Oct. 10 as the Lynx boys won their first-ever Eastern South Dakota Conference crown. The Lynx edged long-time ESD champs, the Yankton Bucks, by a mere four points.
Elaine Zell of was inducted into the South Dakota State University Athletics Hall of Fame. The Brandon woman was honored for her accomplishments on the track as an SDSU Jackrabbit from 1979-1982, when she rewrote the SDSU record book in a number of events.
On the official “Make a Difference Day,” volunteers of all ages joined forces to move the Brandon Valley Area Food Pantry from its former location at 312 Main Ave. a block south to its new location at 406 Main Ave. It took volunteers just 40 minutes to move all of the donated goods to new food pantry location.
November
The Lynx boys cross country team had a disappointing ending to their best season in school history. The Brandon Valley boys, pegged as one of South Dakota’s most talented Class AA programs, captured second place at the state meet.
“It’s hard to feel bad when your worst finish all year was third place,” Lynx coach Larry Beesley said.
Robert Dykstra was elected by his peers to lead the Brandon Volunteer Fire Department as its chief.
Austin Sumner broke the state high school touchdown passing record in Brandon Valley’s 34-13 win over Mitchell in the opening round of the Class 11AA playoffs. Sumner surpassed the record previously set by Nathan Jacobson of St. Thomas More.
Todd Winkel broke ground for Brandon’s second funeral home, Heartland Funeral Home. The 7,000 square-foot building is going up at 1801 Frontier St., and should be ready for occupancy by March.
Student absences at Brandon Valley schools reached an all-time high of 9.54 percent - 1,554 student days missed - due to the H1N1 flu virus.
Brandon city councilors voted to budget $6,500 to $8,000 in 2010 for a series of concepts for swimming pool improvements. The study could also provide concepts for a new pool. The study is only the first step in the process of making upgrades to the pool or electing to build a new one.
The 2009 football season came to a close for Brandon Valley in the state semifinals against the eventual Class 11AA champs, Sioux Falls Washington Warriors. The much bigger and more powerful Warriors routed the Lynx 55-10 to put an end to the Lynx’s 10-2 season.
Five hundred doses of the H1N1 flu vaccine were administered at a clinic set up in the high school gym in Brandon Nov. 19.
The first ever Brandon Expo, an event designed to showcase Brandon Valley Area Chamber member businesses, drew approximately 300 to the high school commons, where more than 60 vendors set up shop.
A Brandon couple, Tim and Dawn Rohrbach, purchased a well-known Minnesota restaurant and bar, The Magnolia Bar and Steak House, located in Luverne.
December
Construction of a 300-foot sidewalk near Fred Assam Elementary got the green light and funding it needed from the Brandon Valley Board of Education. The sidewalk was originally scheduled to go in this fall, but weather delayed the installation to next spring. Board members agreed to spend $14,250 on the project that will give FAE students a safe passage to and from the school.
Jackie Christianson Schnellbach opened the doors to a new Brandon business, Dog & Cat Food Palace located at 208 E. Holly Blvd. The Dog & Cat Food Palace specializes in grain-free foods.
Carolyn Bill wrapped up a 40-year career as a bus driver for the Brandon Valley School District. A public open house retirement party on Dec. 13 was held to honor the 77-year-old for her 40 years of service.
Two cost-saving measures are adding up to be significant savings for the Brandon Valley School District Food Service Department.
Gay Anderson, food service director, implemented two separate measures at the start of the school year, and those changes have saved the district in excess of $70,000 so far. The savings are a result of the district’s new commodity buying power and eliminating the use of disposable serving trays and eating utensils.
PrairieSons Inc. opened for business at 1117 N. Ash St., Dec. 2 in Brandon. The plumbing, ventilation, air conditioning and fire protection company is operating out of 22,000 square feet.
MED-Star Paramedic Service will provide emergency medical services in Brandon for a third consecutive year. The Brandon council approved the one-year contract Dec. 7.
A group of local teens have come together to show their peers and community that they are more than just your typical teenagers.
Organized in mid-September, Students Taking Action Together, or S.T.A.T., is a student-led group that focuses on promoting positive alternatives to alcohol or drugs.
For the first time in eight seasons, Brandon Valley came away from the 2009 State Oral Interp Festival with seven superior ratings. A superior ranking is the top award for oral interp competitors, and garnering seven superiors out of possible seven categories is comparable to winning a state football or basketball title.
Brandon Valley quarterback Austin Sumner, the Gatorade player of the year in South Dakota and the captain of the Argus Leader Elite 45 team, accepted a full scholarship and will play football for the South Dakota State University Jackrabbits.
The 6-foot-5, 215-pound senior, who owns eight state passing records, was a three-year starter for the Lynx, completing 259 of 411 attempts for 3,098 yards and 38 touchdowns this season. His career total of 7,636 passing yards ranks 79th on the all-time national list, ahead of the likes of three-time NFL MVP Peyton Manning.
Brandon fire fighters put their new No. 2 into service following dedication ceremonies on Dec. 14.
The Subway restaurant in Brandon is expanding by 915 feet. Owner Bill Leschovski is expanding the specialty sandwich shop into area formerly occupied by Dominos Pizza, increasing seating from 36 to 90. The conversion is expected to be completed before the end of the year.
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Brandon Valley's new indoor activity center was unveiled to the public during an open house/dedication ceremony this fall. The activity center has the capacity to seat between 2,800 and 2,900 and features three full-sized college basketball courts. In addition to the gym, new locker rooms, weight room and a community room were also included in the building project. Challenger file photo |  |
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