Schedule of Events :: August 28, 2008

2:30pm - 4:30pm :: Philip Tours
State employees will tour Philip and participate in various roundtable discussions throughout the community.

2:30pm - 5:30pm :: Project 8 - Parking lot north of Philip High School
Project 8 is South Dakota’s effort to keep kids safe by making sure they are in the best child seat for their height and weight until they are at least 8 years old. Project 8 will distribute child seats to income-eligible families.

2:30pm - 5:30pm :: Fatal Vision Driving Course - parking lot north of Philip High School
It’s not safe to drive after you’ve been drinking and we can prove it! Take the Department of Public Safety’s Impaired Driving Simulation. You’ll get a chance to put on a pair of fatal vision goggles and take a driving test. We hope the results will prevent you from getting behind the wheel after you’ve been drinking.

3:30pm - 4:00pm :: Governor’s meeting with local students (by invitation only)

4:30pm - 5:30pm :: Capital for a Day Expo - Philip High School Armory
Talk one-on-one with Governor Rounds, cabinet, and elected officials to learn about services the state offers. First Lady Jean Rounds will be present to sell and sign copies of the South Dakota Governors Residence Cookbook - A Culinary Legacy Celebrating the First Families of South Dakota.

5:30pm - 6:30pm :: Dinner - Philip High School Fine Arts Building
The community is invited to dine with all Capital for a Day participants. Advance meal tickets are required for $5.00 each. Tickets are available at First National Bank, Ravellette Publications, The Pioneer Review and the City Finance Office.

6:00pm :: Governor’s remarks - Philip High School Fine Arts Building
The governor will speak briefly and then ask for questions and advice from the community.

Visit www.capitalforaday.sd.gov.

If I wasn’t convinced before, I am now - we are so fortunate to call such beautiful country “home”!

(For those of you having troubles viewing the show - the problem could be that you are on a network that has blocked YouTube. Check this out and if the problem continues, let me know…)

Brigitte Brucklacher has been selected as the 2008 South Dakota Family & Consumer Science Teacher of the Year and the 2008 South Dakota Career & Technical Education Teacher of the Year. She was honored at awards banquets on July 28th and 29th.

Brigitte is dedicated to teaching her students critical skills in the areas of parenting, nutrition, independent living, careers, and more.

We are very proud of you Mrs. Brucklacher! We wish you the best of luck at the regional and national levels!

(Brigitte is shown above during the Festival Days parade.  She is accompanied by her husband Bruce and son Gavin.)

http://fortpierredeadwoodtrail.com/

“Capital for a Day brings government to the people,” said Gov. Rounds. “Those who are unable to travel to Pierre on a regular basis have an opportunity to discuss their issues with the different agencies. It also gives state employees a chance to learn more about activities in the region.  I’m looking forward to visiting the Philip community and learning about topics important to the people living there.”

“I am very honored on behalf of our citizens, to welcome Governor Rounds and state government to Philip, ‘Capital for a Day’ on August 28, 2008,” said Mayor John Hart.  “The hospitality that Philip will extend, is what makes our community special and why we hope that you will return.”

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! 

The Philip Girls’ Softball team, along with leaders Edna Knutson, Arthur McIlravy and Jeremy Noteboom, got the privilege of watching the Black Hills’ Gold women’s softball team play in action against Team USA in Rapid City on July 15th. They also had a team photo taken with BHG after waiting in line for Team USA signatures.

Thoughts from Event Coordinator Christine Andrus:

We all were so happy with the way the Farmers Market turned out and are eagerly anticipating next week and beyond.

The vendors agreed that this first market was as an opportunity to learn what to bring next week as much as it is was a sales event. Many vendors sold out of their wares in the first hour and a half due to the great turnout and support of the community but also in part to the slim pickings of ripe produce. We will all be watching and waiting for our gardens to turn out more and more fresh vegetables. The season is just begining so there is plenty more to come.

The craft vendors also did very well. There will be some very creative work going on this week to resupply their booths! A big hit was the High School German Club’s baked goods and snowcone stand.  They were thrilled with the results of their fundraising efforts and look to be that much closer to their trip to Europe.

Another big winner were the downtown businesses. Businesses showed an marked improvement in traffic and sales compared to a usual Saturday according  to the owners who came to the market and spoke to us.  That’s great news as it has always been the goal of the Farmers Market to increase traffic and attract people to the downtown area on an otherwise slower day. 

Overall, we anticipate the event to grow in coming weeks and look forward to new vendors and different types of goods to keep things fresh and different. We hope the community will continue to support the Market and keep coming to see what is new and fresh and local.

A large crowd turned out for a fun afternoon!