Philip, SD

       The Philip FCCLA Chapter is once again hosting the community “Maggie Grace” Angel Tree in the Haakon County Court House. 

Maggie Grace was less than 10 months old when she died suddenly due to complications from a rare respiratory bacteria.  She touched the hearts of many people during her short lifetime.  The Angel Tree is dedicated in Maggie’s memory in the hope that needy children in the Philip area will be shown the true spirit and love of Christmas.  The Philip FCCLA Chapter, in conjunction with the local churches and the Haakon Community Health Office, will distribute the donated gifts to children in need in the area. 

Gifts will also be distributed in Jackson and Bennett Counties by the Jackson Community Health Office and the Bennett County Foster Child Program.  In years past, over 200 items were placed under the Angel Tree. 

 Gifts are for children ages infant to teenage.  To donate to the project, leave an unwrapped toy, book or new article of clothing under the tree located next to the Extension Office in the Court House on or before Wednesday, December 17.

Help make a difference in the life of a child!

The Maggie Grace Angel Tree is just one of almost 40 decorated trees and wreaths on display at the Court House.  Many organizations and businesses have gotten into the spirit of the holiday season and decorated a tree for everyone’s viewing pleasure.  Be sure to stop down and check them out. 

Kelly Rasmussen, the new Philip coach for the Horizons II program, plans to be in Philip on December 8th.  She is hoping for a quick meeting with as many Horizon participants as possible to discuss our progress on different projects and to assist us in any way possible.  The time and location for the meeting will be published later.

Eighteen people in two separate classes successfully completed the 13-week Financial Peace University.  Financial Peace kits were purchased with some Horizons funds and provided to community members free of charge.  (Materials and a spot in an FPU class typically ranges from $125 - $150!)

Classes covered such topics as Cash Flow Planning, Dumping Debt, Relating With Money, Understanding Insurance, Real Estate and Mortgages, Understanding Investment, Retirement and College Planning and many other subjects. 

During the thirteen-week period, participants kept track of credit card enticements that totaled over $600,000.  Class members also kept track of the total money they saved and the total amount of debt they paid off.

In just thirteen weeks, the two classes put nearly $16,000 in savings accounts and paid off just over $24,000!! 

One of Dave Ramsey’s (Financial Peace University founder)  joys in life is to cut up credit cards and several people did so.  This was a monumental moment for a few of our class members!

Here are a few anonymous comments from FPU grads:

“Just know that I look forward to being out of debt sooner than I ever realized possible!”

“I had no idea I could become debt free AND build wealth on the salaries we currently make!  No need to pray for a lottery win anymore….now it’s all about putting our noses to the grindstone and telling our money what to do!”

“It amazes me how much I learned about insurance - I feel so much better knowing what products I should buy and what products aren’t for me.”

“This entire program has been a blessing to our lives!  Thank you!  I’m going to tell everyone I see about it!”

Thank you to Roger and First National Bank for providing a location for our Tuesday night class!  Thank you to the Senechal for opening your doors to our Monday night class!  We ALL appreciate it!

A fall class (beginning near the end of August) is planned.  Space is VERY limited - if you are interested, let Britni know right away! 

SAVE THE DATE (Specifics will follow, but please mark your calendar for now!)

Monday, July 14th, 2008

YOU are invited to promote all the wonderful things your organization is involved in that promote our community. Please bring a sign (poster board) listing all the events, contributions, talents, etc. that your organization has that strengthen our community through volunteerism. Your posters will be displayed at the Fire Hall. This event is hosted by Horizons and will include an ice cream social at the Fire Hall Park to celebration our Horizons graduation!

Our goal is to emphasize how important your role is in our community and to encourage more people to join in your organizations efforts. Additionally, we hope that we can encourage community partnerships between individuals and organizations that are working on similar projects. Basically, we are encouraging the community to strengthen your power to make a difference by working together.

Lastly, all organizations that participate will have an opportunity to possibly receive a Sharing Community Spirit monetary award to be put toward one of your ongoing community betterment projects or a new project that your organization has wanted to do, but just needed a little extra encouragement for - It’s a lottery! All we ask is for your organization’s participation for this night where the focus is on fun and happiness derived from service to the community.

Please encourage your organization’s members, friends and family to come and please bring your lawn chairs! We hope you will help us spread the word about this event, and we look forward to seeing you there! Thank you again for the contributions you make to the quality of life we have here in Philip through arts and culture, education, community betterment, human services and economic development.

For the final round, let’s do something just a little bit different.

Respond to this post with your top three “wishes” for Philip - those things that affect you directly, those things that you feel passionate about, those things that you believe would improve life here in our community.  Let’s just end up with a big list of things we can work on and dream toward.  Be specific - lay it out there!  Nothing is impossible!

Let’s leave this round open for a little longer than normal.  Comments received by May 26th, 9pm will be entered in a drawing for $100!

Dan Oedekoven will be in Philip on May 21 to meet with the members of the different action committees. The meeting will start at 6:30 and be held in the Conference Room at the Philip Hospital. All team members, please be there as this might be the last time Dan meets with us.

Financial Peace University participants kicked off their 13-week journey through a course designed to promote financial peace and security. From learning about the importance of saving to dumping debt to learning how to invest to build wealth, the classes are for everyone who wants to learn how to truly take control of their financial lives.

After hearing in study circles about interest in adult education finance classes, Financial Peace University was brought to our community and is being offered to interested individuals free of charge courtesy of Horizons and the Northwest Area Foundation. One group began last Monday night and a second group started last Tuesday night. The classes will run until the end of June. One more class will be offered this fall. To reserve a spot in the fall class, let Britni know right away.

Give your comments to the following question(s) for another chance to win $100!  Comments received by 7pm Friday evening will be entered into the drawing.  Please remember your comments are NOT judged!

In what ways have community members made a commitment to reduce poverty?
How does the community plan to make sure the entire community supports its plans and actions to reduce poverty?

When thinking about this question - remember this: Poverty is more than just money. Our community plan addresses a lack of quality housing, more daycare, better methods of communication (possibly a marquee sign) and a marketing plan to put Philip on the map.  To find out more about Horizons and what has been planned, scroll below to later posts.

Someone mentioned they couldn’t find where to post their comment.  Just click on the light gray “Comments” below this post.   

Here are the details just for reference:

Monday Night class begins April 7th at 6:30pm at the Senechal Lobby. 

Tuesday Night class begins April 8th at 6:30pm at First National Bank.  (Enter through the agency - class will be held in the bank conference room).

Just a note - the Tuesday night class is full, but we can still squeeze a few into the Monday night class.  Materials are on hand, so if you’d like to register for Monday - there is still time!   We have 3 names on the waiting list for the fall class.  If you are interested in that class, please let me know.  We don’t have an exact start time for the fall class, but we will start it early enough so that it ends well before the holidays get into full swing.

The Daycare Action Team will hold their next meeting on April 1, 2008 from 12:15pm-12:45pm at the Hospital Conference Room.

Bad weather kept a few people away from the marketing seminar held in Philip on March 26th, but twenty-five hardy souls braved the conditions to hear Dr. Milan Wall talk about “branding your community”. After a delicious meal, people from Murdo, Mission, Whitewood, Faith, Parmalee and Philip listened attentively to what Dr. Wall had to say and then spent time working on some questions and answers about their respective communities. Also in attendance were Kari, Carolyn, Dan and Dave Adrian from the USDA.

Did you miss the community-wide meeting Tuesday night? If you’d like to work with others in the community on building a new library, there is always time to join one of the committees.

The committees are:

Funding

Budget

Services

Technology

Building

Contact Alison at the library, 859-2442, for more information or to list your name on a committee.

Six study circles - four in Philip, one in Milesville and one in Midland - began meeting February 28th. Each group met for three weeks. Last night, seventy concerned citizens attended a community-wide meeting at the grade school gym to learn the outcome of those study circles.

At the first week’s study circle, each group discussed the current library, its services and the assets and challenges of the library’s current location. They also talked about ways to improve it now so as to better serve the needs of Haakon County. The groups also discussed their vision for library services in the county. This included everything from size and appearance to available technology and programs offered by the library.

During the second meeting, the groups studied and critiqued their vision. Participants discussed pros and cons to the group’s vision and how to promote the vision to the community.

The final meeting had each group brainstorming on how to move their vision into action. Specifically, they talked about how to raise funds and gather community support for a future library.

Tuesday night, the groups shared with the community all their ideas and topics gone over during the study circles. Alison, our librarian, reminded the listeners, ‘No matter how you feel about any of the ideas shared tonight, please remember that this is your community. Not any one person or group can choose the best course of action for a community’s library. This must begin on a community level with the community’s support. Embarking on the journey to build a new library will not be easy by any means which is why you need each other’s support as a community.’

Members of the Philip COMMUNITY MARKETING ACTION TEAM will meet April 7th at 6:30pm at THE STEAKHOUSE.

The Haakon County Public Library Board and the Friends of the Haakon County Public Library initiated study circles in Haakon county to address library services and needs.

The study circles will serve the community by offering open and facilitated discussions for the community to share their opinions about library services and the library’s future. There will be a series of three meetings for each study circle group. At the first meeting each group will discuss the current library services and if they meet the needs of the county and the group will create a vision for library services in the county. Advantages and disadvantages to the visions will be discussed in the second meeting. At the final meeting participants will discuss how to move their vision into action. Lastly, the Board and the Friends of the Library will host a community wide meeting to discuss what happened at the study circles so the community can help to choose the path for future library services.

There will be 6 study circles in Haakon County. Please join us to share your opinion and vision for the library!

PHILIP:

Monday: 6:30 - 8:30 pm, Senechal. March 3, 10, and 17

Tuesday: 12:00 - 2:00 pm, Courthouse. March 4, 11, and 18

Wednesday: 6:30 - 8:30 pm, Courthouse. March 5, 12, and 19

Thursday: 6:30 - 8:30 pm, Senechal. Feb. 28, March 6, and 13

MILESVILLE:

Wednesday: 6:30 - 8:30 pm, Hardingrove E-Free Church. March 5, 12, and 19

MIDLAND:

Thursday: 6:30 - 8:30 pm, Midland Library. March 6, 13, and 20

If you have any questions, please call Alison at the Library. 859-2442

On the evening of January 14th, the Visioning Committee presented to members of the community Philip’s Strategic Plan. A good crowd was on hand to hear Kent Olson talk about the goals we’ve chosen to work on for the improvement of Philip. Dan Oedekoven & Kari Fruechte were on hand to celebrate with us and to tell us what we can look forward to in the meetings coming up.

Philip will be a community that continues to grow in population and resources through the 21st century.  The western values of the area will result in residents and newcomers alike wanting to stay in our vibrant and viable community to raise future generations.

Philip residents will know and care for each other with a wealth of resources and educational opportunities and will do so for all stages of life.

Parents will be assured of the physical well-being and educational growth of their children.  Families will rest easy at night in safe, affordable housing within the community.

Gainful employment will be available for all who wish to work.

Philip will continue its regional leadership while building relationships across the trade area.

Philip will witness and support the ongoing creation of new and innovative businesses and community infrastructure that result in community growth and prosperity.

Philip’s Horizon Group is having their Strategic Planning Celebration Supper at The Steakhouse on Monday, January 14, at 6:30pm.  The supper is free and everyone is welcome. 

The dictionary defines poverty as “the state of having little or no money and few or no material possessions”.

After attending the Study Circles and the LeadershipPlenty training sessions,  members of Philip’s Horizons group see poverty in a different way:  lack of sufficient day care (the four in our community all have waiting lists),  absence of nice affordable housing in the community (there is little or none),  a crowded, inadequate library (it’s been that way since 1964),  a better way to communicate community events (a strong gust of wind will blow the sign over that is placed at the intersection of Center & Pine),  a sports complex that needs to be improved and enlarged (Philip would no longer have to travel to Kadoka to hold their own track meet),  and a lack of marketing of Philip as a great place to live & raise a family.

Philip is fortunate in many ways:  we have a main street that is flourishing, a great school system, a medical complex (new up-to-date hospital, dentist, chiropractor, eye care center, physical therapy center, nursing home, assisted-living center and ambulance service) that services many area communities,  five major ag-related businesses that also serve a wide area and a manufacturing concern that is a world leader in its field.   Philip is wealthy in that it is a community that cares about its members and its future.

With determination and hard work, we hope to change some of what we see as poverty.

Give us time, kids. Give us time.   Earlier,  second graders gave us some ideas of what they thought Philip needed:  a dirt track,  a NASCAR track and a castle.   Who knows?   Anything is possible if we work hard at it.

Sierra says…

BENEFITS

The SilverLeaf (Assisted Living Center)

Physical Therapy

Hospital

Chiropractor

THINGS THAT NEED TO CHANGE

“Build a sports complex on the empty lot by the baseball fields.”

“Plant grass or build a rec center on the ‘dust bowl’”.

Thank you Sierra!

Once again, the Philip FCCLA Chapter is sponsoring the community “Maggie Grace” Angel Tree located at the Haakon County Courthouse.

Maggie Grace was born an angel on February 20, 2002, to loving parents Doug & Karen of Rapid City. They devoted their lives to Maggie and her brother Isaac by showering them with love and happiness.

On December 10, 2002, Maggie died suddenly from complications of a very rare respiratory bacteria. She touched the hearts of so many people in her short nine months of life.

The Angel Tree is dedicated in Maggie’s memory in the hope that needy children in the area will be shown the spirit and love of Christmas. The Philip FCCLA Chapter in conjunction with the local churches and the Haakon Community Health Office will distribute the donations to children in need in the Philip area.

Gifts beyond our community need will be distributed by the Jackson Community Health Office and the Bennett County foster child program. There are already 70 children identified in these counties.

“Last year the response was tremendous with over 200 items collected under the tree,” according to Brigitte Brucklacher, Philip FCCLA adviser. She added, “We hope this year’s giving equals or surpasses that amount.”

To donate to the project, leave an unwrapped toy, book or new article of clothing under the tree located next to the Extension Office in the Courthouse on or before Wednesday, December 19.

Gifts are for children ages infant to teenage. If you know of a child in need or would like additional information, please contact: Brigitte Brucklacher, FCCLA adviser, at Philip High School at 859-2680.

Help make a difference in the life of a child!

One of the top list-makers in Study Circles was the idea of Adult Education classes. People wanted to see classes on everything from cake decorating and dancing to financial planning and computer knowledge. Horizons is pleased to announce that in the near future we will be offering several Financial Peace University courses.

Financial Peace University is a 13-week program developed by best-selling author and radio talk show host Dave Ramsey. Dave teaches each class via video, which is then followed by group discussion for accountability and motivation. Here are the topics covered:

Super Saving
In this lesson, Dave explains the Seven Baby Steps that will guide you throughout FPU. You will also learn the three key reasons why you should save money—and why you must start now!

Relating With Money
This lesson will teach spouses how to communicate and work together toward success. Also, singles will learn the importance of teamwork and parents will find out how to teach their kids about money.

Cash Flow Planning
Unlock the secret of developing a monthly spending plan that really works.

Dumping Debt
It’s time to debunk the myths that most people believe about debt! In this lesson, Dave Ramsey reveals the truth about the credit lies and gives you a plan for walking out of debt with confidence.

Credit Sharks in Suits
What is a credit score, anyway? Join Dave as he unpacks your credit rating and shows you how to handle collectors when they call.

Buyer Beware
Dave Ramsey draws on decades of experience to reveal the power and influence that marketing has on your everyday buying decisions. Let the buyer beware!

Clause and Effect
In this lesson, Dave walks you through the world of insurance, carefully explaining what you need—and what you need to avoid.

That’s Not Good Enough!
Discover the seldom-used secrets of buying only big, big bargains—every time! Before you know it, you’ll be saying “That’s not good enough!”

Of Mice and Mutual Funds
Dave breaks through the jargon surrounding long-term investing and empowers you to make your own decisions about your investments!

From Fruition to Tuition
Dave walks you through the maze of retirement options and helps you figure out the right path for you. You will also learn how to plan for college so your kids can graduate debt free!

Working in Your Strengths
This lesson will show you how to avoid dead-end or mind-numbing jobs and provide tips for job hunting, writing a résumé, and acing an interview. Plus, you’ll learn tips for finding extra jobs if you need cash to attack your debt snowball.

Real Estate and Mortgages
Dave draws on over 20 years of real estate experience to teach you how to win when buying or selling your home. Plus, he’ll dissect all of the common mortgage options available today, showing you what to choose—and what to avoid.

The Great Misunderstanding
Warning! This lesson will challenge the way you think about money. Dave will show you how generous giving can completely revolutionize your attitude and improve your finances, business and relationships.

Typically, the cost for each individual or family kit for Financial Peace University is approximately $139.00. Horizons is fortunate to bring this series of classes to 34 individuals/couples for FREE. We will begin running classes sometime after the new year begins. Depending on interest, we will likely break those 34 into 3-4 separate “classes”. Watch for upcoming announcements. This is one you won’t want to miss. It’s educational and it’s for EVERYONE - even if you feel like your financial life is completely under control, let these classes serve as a refresher!

If you’d like to read more about this program, you can find additional information here

In 1994, a group of women started brainstorming on how they could make Philip a better place to live. That original group of eight now numbers fifty-four. Nowadays, their projects are just as numerous.

They began with Art in the Park for local talent with the ladies serving brats, hot dogs and root beer floats and haven’t stopped since.

Other projects include assisting in refurbishing the Memorial Field sign and the landscaping in front of the sign, selling t-shirts with the Philip logo, purchasing ‘Welcome to Philip’ banners & Christmas banners for the downtown area, helping the city to purchase Christmas decorations for downtown, purchasing large flowerpots for downtown and caring for the plants during the spring & summer, holding an annual blood drive, giving to the Ministerial Association to help people in need and many, many more.

Their largest project was the Fire Hall Park. They were involved in landscaping, seeding, installing a sprinkler system and a covered picnic area. They continue the upkeep on the Park.

They give ‘Good As Gold Awards’ and ‘Kids Who Care Awards’ to individuals in the community.

Their biggest fund raiser and the project that truly identifies them is the ‘Birthday Ladies’ with several hundred birthday songs having been sung by them through the years. For a fee, they will travel around town and serenade individuals celebrating birthdays. They wear hats that fit the season and sometimes appear in black hats and veils should you be reaching an important milestone of life.

The goal of the organization is to do everything that is necessary to make Philip A Better Place To Live.

Grace says…

ASSETS

“The Kiddy Park is an asset because it is a nice place for kids to play.”

“The swimming pool is an asset because it is a good place for adults and kids to spend time in the summer.”

“The hospital is an asset because it is nice to not have to go far to see a doctor if you are sick or hurt.”

“The library is an asset because it is nice to go find a book or research on the computer.”

“The movie theater is an asset because it is nice to go watch a movie on a weekend and not have to go to Rapid City.”

IT WOULD BE NICE IF…

“…we had a place to spend time like an arcade or a fitness center to go and work out at.” (Perhaps this vacant building.)

“…we had a more roomy library so you could read there or have a place for more new books.”

“…we had a sidewalk on the school hill so we wouldn’t have to walk in the street or in the mud.”

Thank you Grace!

Jeb says…

ASSETS

“Picture one is of the Fire Hall Park. It is very well kept and is a nice place to have a picnic with your family.”

“Picture two is of the elementary playground. It has all new stuff that is better and safer than the old stuff.”

“Picture three is of the Kiddie Park. It is fun for all children. I enjoy taking my niece to the park.”

“Picture four is the swimming pool, which is fun for all ages and everyone enjoys it.”

THINGS THAT COULD BE CHANGED

“Picture five is of the football field. It needs to be ripped up and redone.”

“Picture six is of the ‘dust bowl’. It needs to be ripped up and grass needs to be planted.”

“Picture seven is of the softball field. The bleachers need to be painted and the concessions stand should be redone.”

THANK YOU JEB!

Tate says….

“The football field needs to somehow be fixed up. It would be nice if the bare spots had grass.”

“Not very many towns have a Kiddie Park as nice as this one!”

“This is the old museum. I think they should do something with this building. Either reopen it or put it to use in some other way.”

“Not very many towns have a movie theater!” (This is Philip’s very own Gem Theater!)

“Very few towns have as nice of a hospital and nursing home as we do!”

Thank you Tate!!!

We asked Mrs. O’Connor (English teacher) to help us out with a project for Visioning. She and Kelly came up with an assignment that she gave to the Junior class. We asked them to take 6-8 photos: a few of those being of things they liked about our community and a few of those being of things they thought need to be improved. With the photos, we asked that they give a little write-up about why they chose the things they did.

We’ve got lots of pictures to scan in and share - so I’m hoping to be able to post at least one student’s work per day. Bear with me. Scanning photos is not my favorite thing to do (wink) and I need to enhance several of them. The new digital technology sure makes the photos taken with disposable cameras look less than desirable!

So - THANK YOU Mrs. O’Connor and the Junior Class at PHS. We appreciate and value your input and dedication to the Horizons project!

The Strategic Planning Committee will meet  Monday, November 12, at 6:00pm in the Sacred Heart Church basement. This is the fourth and final meeting for the committee to set the goals, objectives, implementation steps and timeline for Philip’s Strategic Plan.

…a hit with the teachers AND students! 

Our Horizons group was contacted by the Haakon Education Association to assist in assembling and installing a brand new playground at the elementary school.  Donations were received throughout the school year, and many new pieces were ordered.  Several Horizons volunteers spent a 13-hour day at the playground getting it ready in time for the start of school.

In preparation for Philip’s Centennial celebration in June, the Horizons Parks & Recreation Task Force set out to clean up Bad River Park.  Bad River Park had been flooded several years ago and was never cleaned up.  Many volunteers spent several weekends picking up debris and mowing.  The existing outhouses and boundary posts were cleaned, sandblasted and repainted.  Many people attending the celebration were thrilled with this effort as they were able to pitch tents and spend time in the shade there.