The South Dakota Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star has elected Grace Bick to the office of Grand Conductress and appointed Keith Sorge to the office of Grand Sentinal for the 202223 Session. Both Bick and Sorge are members of Juno Chapter in Vermillion. The Order of the Eastern Star is a Masonically related fraternity of women and men. The order is primarily social and charitable in nature, supporting many local services as well as statewide projects. Funding in the past year includes the Vermillion, Elk Point and Centerville Food Pantries, John Ryger Music Scholarships to two University of South Dakota students, the ESTARL (Eastern Star Training Awards for Religious Leadership), The Eastern Star Home in Redfield, SD and the Eastern Star Educational Scholarship.

The EPJ Cub Scout Pack 87 scouts have been busy since Oct. 20. They conducted a food drive to collect food for the Elk Point food pantry. The scouts learned about service to their community and decorated donation boxes that were placed at Jones Foods. They also created flyers that listed specific needs for the food pantry and stood outside Jones Foods and Fareway in Riverside handing the flyers to customers and asking for donations. On Nov. 1 Pack 87 delivered a trailer full of food to the Elk Point food pantry.

The South Dakota Well Drillers Association (SDWDA) announced that it is offering the “SDWDA Quality Groundwater Scholarships” totaling $10,000 to be divided between five deserving students. There will be one $4,000, one $3,000 and three $1,000 scholarships awarded.

The South Dakota High School Activities Association board of directors is considering adding more specific language to its policy against recruiting student athletes from one school to another. “We had a charge of recruiting this year,” said SDHSAA Executive Director Dan Swartos, noting that it was the first one in his six years with the association.

At some South Dakota schools, students are taking the lead in trying to get better sportsmanship at athletic contests. During a discussion on Wednesday of the association’s initiative to increase spor tsmanship among players, coaches and fans, members of the South Dakota High School Activities Association’s board of directors heard a message recorded by grade school students at Hoven. “You are our role models,” the young narrator tells the fans. “We see and hear everything you say and do. Please refrain from making any negative comments.”

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) launched a new online tool to help farmers and ranchers better navigate the farm loan application process. This uniform application process will help to ensure all farm loan applicants receive equal support and have a consistent customer experience with USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) regardless of their individual circumstances.

In celebration of National First Responders Day, which takes place annually on Oct. 28, and to show appreciation for all those who work tirelessly to ensure the safety and wellbeing of individuals in the communities they serve, Western Governors University (WGU) has launched a new scholarship designed for first responders and their spouses. Each First Responders Scholarship is valued at up to $4,000 and is open to EMTs, police officers, firefighters, corrections officers, dispatchers and their spouses who are interested in completing their bachelor’s or master’s degrees at the fully online, nonprofit university. New students can apply for the scholarship online at wgu.edu/ firstresponders through Dec. 31, 2022.

The community blood supply has been low due to lower donor turnout. LifeServe is calling on all blood donors to help boost this blood supply this fall. Someone requires a blood transfusion every two seconds. One hundred percent of the blood products needed by your community hospital come from LifeServe blood donors. Make an appointment at an upcoming neighborhood blood drive near you. Appointments required.

The November Friends Feast will be held Monday, Nov. 14 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Everyone is invited to participate in Friends Feast at Immanuel Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 607 West Main Street, Elk Point.