Over 250 people attended the Elk Point Chamber Street Dance Saturday, June 24. People able to enjoy good food between all of Elk Point’s restaurants and great drinks served by area business between the Elk Point and Jefferson communities. They were treated to pleasing music provided by Madison Avenue featuring Elk Point native Ben Hanson while Mother Nature set the mood with an aesthetically pleasing sunset.

As a way to celebrate Father’s Day, Wel-Life residents were able to spend the morning outdoors fishing in the Elk Point City Pond on Saturday, June 17. Verlyn and Angie Portz were thanked for their help and for providing the poles and equipment for the residents to be able to fish. Other employees were also thanked for coming in on their day off to provide this experience for the residents.

A contest hosted by the VFW Auxiliary has a local winner. Margaret Breyfogle of Elk Point recently won 1st place at the South Dakota State level for the 2023 VFW Auxiliary Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest. State entries in the National contest will be judged at National Headquarters. A total of $34,000 will be awarded to 13 students with the 1st place National winner receiving a $15,000 scholarship. Winners will be announced during National Convention, along with the winners of the 3-Dimensional Patriotic Art Contest and Illustrating America. These contests, sponsored annually by the VFW Auxiliary, recognize up-and-coming artists and encourage patriotism in youth.

The city of Elk Point plans to extend their bike and pedestrian trail paths, which sparked a discussion by the Elk Point-Jefferson School Board June 12. The board approved an easement for the bike trail on and near their property.

In May 2023, the Elk Point Volunteer Fire Department (EPVFD) made a donation of $25,000 to the Elk Point Fire Protection District (EPFPD) to help with the costs toward a new 300 gallon tanker. The tanker was acquired by the EPFPD in 2022.

With the last day of school and the first day of summer, children will be out more frequently enjoying the nice weather and the outdoors. They might also be out on recreational vehicles. While some areas allow for the use of recreational vehicles, there are rules for people to abide by.

The Elk Point-Jefferson High School Parking lot was recently utilized for more than just parking. On Wednesday, June 6, the Elk Point Community Ambulance, Elk Point Police Department, Elk Point Fire Department, North Sioux City Ambulance Department, Union County Sheriff’s Office, Union County Emergency Management and Mercy Medical utilized the parking lot for a mass casualty training.

Leader-Courier will have an early deadline for the July 6 edition. Anyone needing to place an advertisement, public notice, an obituary, or story idea, needs to submit it to us no later than Noon on Thursday, June 29.

The Dakota Showdown Horse Trainer Challenge is underway this summer, providing 20 rescue horses and ponies with a unique opportunity to find their forever homes. Organized by Gentle Spirit Horses Rescue, this exciting event will showcase the incredible partnership between these equines and 20 dedicated volunteer trainers. The highly anticipated finale will be held on Aug. 12-13 at the Horseman’s Sports Arena in Mitchell, SD, with the horses and ponies competing in basic skills, over trail obstacles and finally presenting a freestyle exhibition open to the public.

The insect pictured at right, looks like a butterfly, but isn’t. It is in fact a moth – a cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia) to be exact. This moth is the largest native moth to North America. They can feature a wingspan of up to 7 inches.