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Girl Talk
Sledding is great wintertime fun
By By Jill Meier
Challenger editor
Challenger editor
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EmailJanuary 16. 2013 6:00AM
As I drove by the McHardy Park sledding hill in recent weeks and saw and assortment of kids and moms and dads having fun screaming down the hill on their sleds, it sparked a few sledding memories from the days I spent tromping up a similar hill all for the simple thrill of a 30-second ride down it.
In St. James, we had the luxury of a sledding hill at Armstrong School. It was the gathering place for kids from neighborhoods on the north side of town. The kids who lived on the south side had a similar hill at my childhood church.
But today, both sledding hills have made way for progress. On the grounds of where Armstrong School stood, is now an assortment of apartment buildings. As for the hill at the church, a Christian day school took the place of the double-deck hill many years ago.
I’m not sure where kids in St. James take their toboggans today but it’s clearly evident here in Brandon that McHardy Park is a convenient location for sledders of all ages.
Speaking of McHardy Park, Ol’ Man Winter has cooled things off here this year, which makes for ideal ice-skating and hockey playing weather. If you haven’t strapped on your ice skates yet this season, you’ll want to give the local rinks a try.
And speaking of trying … kudos to the brave 45 people who took the plunge for Special Olympics Saturday in Brandon. I simply can’t imagine the chill that sets in the moment the plunger’s bodies hit the water. I saw many of their faces firsthand as I snapped photos on Saturday, and what I saw was pure surprise on their faces, an immediate need to exit the Dumpster and finally, a look of pride for taking the plunge for a good cause.
I told a Special Olympics of South Dakota staffer that jumping into 45-degree water isn’t on this weekly newspaper editor’s bucket list.
“Oh, once you do it,” he encouraged, “you’ll want to do it again.”
Sure, that’s what I was told when I had to try spinach for the first time.
True friends
There comes a point in your life when you realize who matters, who never did, who won’t anymore and who always will.
So, don’t worry about people from your past, there’s a reason why they didn’t make it to your future.
Some good advice
Never wear anything to Walmart that could make you an infamous member of the “They live among us” club.
Community organization needs
This week’s needs at the Brandon Area Food Pantry are pancake mix, syrup, paper plates, napkins, paper towels, laundry detergent, peanut butter, jelly and fruit juices. The BAFP continues to have an ample supply of canned vegetables. Before donating, please check the expiration date, as expired food items cannot be distributed. Monetary donations are always appreciated.
The BAFP is located at 406 Main Ave., and is open from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. To donate to the food pantry or for more information, call 582-7001.
The Brandon Lions Club also wants your aluminum cans. Proceeds from the sale of aluminum funds requests to the Club for vision and hearing impairment needs.
The Lions Club collection shed is located in the Sunshine Foods parking lot.
In St. James, we had the luxury of a sledding hill at Armstrong School. It was the gathering place for kids from neighborhoods on the north side of town. The kids who lived on the south side had a similar hill at my childhood church.
But today, both sledding hills have made way for progress. On the grounds of where Armstrong School stood, is now an assortment of apartment buildings. As for the hill at the church, a Christian day school took the place of the double-deck hill many years ago.
I’m not sure where kids in St. James take their toboggans today but it’s clearly evident here in Brandon that McHardy Park is a convenient location for sledders of all ages.
Speaking of McHardy Park, Ol’ Man Winter has cooled things off here this year, which makes for ideal ice-skating and hockey playing weather. If you haven’t strapped on your ice skates yet this season, you’ll want to give the local rinks a try.
And speaking of trying … kudos to the brave 45 people who took the plunge for Special Olympics Saturday in Brandon. I simply can’t imagine the chill that sets in the moment the plunger’s bodies hit the water. I saw many of their faces firsthand as I snapped photos on Saturday, and what I saw was pure surprise on their faces, an immediate need to exit the Dumpster and finally, a look of pride for taking the plunge for a good cause.
I told a Special Olympics of South Dakota staffer that jumping into 45-degree water isn’t on this weekly newspaper editor’s bucket list.
“Oh, once you do it,” he encouraged, “you’ll want to do it again.”
Sure, that’s what I was told when I had to try spinach for the first time.
True friends
There comes a point in your life when you realize who matters, who never did, who won’t anymore and who always will.
So, don’t worry about people from your past, there’s a reason why they didn’t make it to your future.
Some good advice
Never wear anything to Walmart that could make you an infamous member of the “They live among us” club.
Community organization needs
This week’s needs at the Brandon Area Food Pantry are pancake mix, syrup, paper plates, napkins, paper towels, laundry detergent, peanut butter, jelly and fruit juices. The BAFP continues to have an ample supply of canned vegetables. Before donating, please check the expiration date, as expired food items cannot be distributed. Monetary donations are always appreciated.
The BAFP is located at 406 Main Ave., and is open from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. To donate to the food pantry or for more information, call 582-7001.
The Brandon Lions Club also wants your aluminum cans. Proceeds from the sale of aluminum funds requests to the Club for vision and hearing impairment needs.
The Lions Club collection shed is located in the Sunshine Foods parking lot.
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