Whetstone Valley, SD

April 8—Estelline Community Center (219 N Main) 6:00—8:30 PM Local TimeA light supper will be served. The seminar is free and open to the public.Horizons community members will be reimbursed for mileage.Registration is required for the meal.Call Debbie Bortnem to sign up at 688-6191 by April 1.<Two sessions will be offered:><LICENSING & MANAGING FARMERS MARKETS — Rhoda Burrows SDSU Cooperative Extension ServiceHorticulture Specialist><USING A CERTIFIED KITCHEN   — Clark Hepper or staffSouth Dakota Department of Ag>

Subject: Local Food Marketing Workshop - THURSDAY>>Marketing food raised on family farms will be the subject of a workshop> at 7:00 PM on Thursday, March 25th at the First United Methodist Church> of Ortonville (803 Roy Street).>> The growing local food movement continues to provide unique marketing> opportunities for farmers prepared and willing to aligning themselves> with this movement.  This special evening workshop is geared towards> farmers that want to find out some of the important ways that area> farmers have found to tap into the local foods movement.  This special> free evening workshop would also be of interest to people that are> thinking of entering the local foods market for the first time.>>Presenting farmers are Audrey Arner of Moonstone Farm, a grass based> poly-culture beef farm, Mike Jacobs who operates Easy Bean Farm, a> Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm and Helaine Fonder from JMJ> North Fork Organics, a certified organic dairy farm.> Mooonstone farm has been successful in marketing to restaurants, on> farm sales, other direct marketing endeavors and they also operate an> on farm store as well as an agri-tourism Broodio that provide farm> stays.  Easy Bean Farm has been a CSA farm since 1999 and delivers> produce each week to over 200 shareholders.  JMJ North Fork Organics> was the first certified organic farm in South Dakota and markets their> milk with Organic Valley.>>This diverse presentation will give people a great idea about how local> farmers have pursued different value-added food ventures and have been> successful.>> For more information contact Tom Taylor at 320-269-2105 or> ttaylor@landstewardshipproject.org>

By Dixie HendricksThe Heart of the Whetstone Valley Horizons Team not only has a vision like was stated last week in the Wilmot Enterprise, but also a mission statement, goals, and objectives.Our mission statement is to support the vision by making an action plan to reduce poverty in our area.  Our desire to have all of the combine “Heart of the Whetstone Valley” community involved in the healthy future of Wilmot, Corona, and the Central Big Stone Lake Area.  We plan to do this is by engaging all resources in building and sustaining a positive outlook as we move into the future.
Three main goals have been set by The Heart of the Whetstone Valley Horizons group. And under each goal, objectives have been developed.  The first goal is to promote our area as a good place to live.  Our objectives include the creation of a resource guide that highlights and supports local businesses, develop and distribute Welcome Baskets to new members of the community and promote and market the area to attract more businesses and residents.Our first pamphlet was available the night of “bingo” at the Harvest Festival 2009 and business coupons and door prizes were given with  the support of the local businesses.
 We have purchased a sign on wheels, which will give the community the ability to advertise our upcoming events.  Those of  you who wish to use the sign for a special announcement are welcome to do so.  I encourage each and every one of you to realize that you, too have a place on the “The heart of the Whetstone Valley Horizon” team.  Your ideas, support, and encouragement are welcome.Upcoming event: Marketing food raised on  a farm workshop on Thursday, March 25 at 7:00 pm at the First United Methodist Church of Ortonville, MN

Due to flooding in the city of Corona, the Horizons community graduation is postponed until April 3, 2010 after the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Come one!  Come All!  The town of Corona, SD is holding its annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  The Parade is going to start at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 17, 2010.  Come for the fun and make some new friends and catch up on “old” acquaintances.

For EVERYONE that has worked with and through the process of Horizon over the past year and a half, we will be having a graduation celebration as we near the completion of the project. That means for those who were involved in starting it, study circles, leadership classes, vision, or currently – this is for you.Part of the project was to work towards a $10,000 grant.  We have already received $1500 of that grant. We are hoping we have completed everything well enough to receive the rest and hopefully we will find out that day. To celebrate our success and accomplishments we will have cake and ice cream at the Corona Learning Center in Corona on March 17^th. The graduation celebration will be at 7 pm.In the afternoon, we will also have a float in the parade which starts at 4:30 pm. Please plan to attend and bring your friends.

The next Horizons meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 9th, at 5:30 pm an the Corona Learning Center.  It will be a working meeting for the group so that we can work on assembling a float for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade to be held in Corona, SD on St. Patrick’s day, March 17.

The local Food Pantry has been restocked by donations from the St. Mary’s and First Presbyterian Churches and the youth from the AWANA program.  The Food Pantry is located at the Horizon’s Replay Thrift Store, 606 Main Street, Wilmot, SD.  It can be used by anyone who needs food and personal care items.

By Cheryl Rondeau-Bassett (Community Club President)   Due to the inclement weather during the Winter Wonderland Weekend in January, the Snow Ball community dance was postponed.  While the show, “Star Gazing in the Snow” did go on, many people were unable to attend, so the decision was made to present the community variety program again with the dance.     The show and dance will be held at the Wilmot Community Center in Wilmot on March 6.  The show will start at 7 p.m. with the dance to follow at 9 p.m.     Returning will be Dr. Phil, a popular television personality who hosts an advice show where he tackles a different topic on each show, offering advice for his guests’ troubles.  Returning for an encore performance are the Scandinavian-American characters of Ole, Lena, Sven and Lars who pay a visit to Dr.  Phil for advice about the love triangle Lena has found herself in.   Also returning will be Larry the Cable Guy who provides stand-up comedy to ‘git-r-dun.’  He was one of the co-stars of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour and even though the whole troop isn’t available  this year and the Redneck Girls couldn’t make it back,  he will keep you rolling laughter about family, shopping at Wal-Mart and Redneck humor.  Lucy and Viv, of “I love Lucy” will entertain as they are stationed on the wrapping station of an assembly line at a Candy Factory.  Lucy always finds a way to save the day so not one piece of candy gets past the two of them.Maxine and friends will be back for the encore presentation.  Maxine is a cartoon character who provides her general commentary from her own point of view is usually negative and with a crabby twist, although her friends may just decide she has the right answers to run for President.In between the new and the old style of humor will be several musical stars including:  Carrie Underwood with “Jesus take the Wheel,”  Ricky Van Shelton and “I’ll leave This World Loving You” and “From a Jack to a King,” and other great songs from top stars through the years.  All characters and artists are performed by area talent for this community variety program including:  Mike Davis, Ray Christianson, Gerald Swayze, Dori Minder, Scott Butler, Mike Madsen, Patty Herniman, Janelle Reyels, Rhonda McFarlane, Julie Nelson, Carol Theye, Saraya Bronson, and Bob Arndt.”Star Gazing in the Snow” is a presentation of the Wilmot Community Club as a fundraiser for the many projects of the group.  Cost of the show is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children.  Admission includes the Snow Ball (dance) with the “Crossroads” band providing music following the program.(Unfortunately we can’t get the singers from up north to come back — but it’ll be a good show anyway — hopefully the weather will cooperate and the lights will stay on!)

By Cheryl Rondeau-Bassett posted in The Wilmot Enterprise, December 31, 2009.The Heart of the Whetstone Valley Horizons Group will be holding their next  meeting at 5:00 pm on Thursday, January 11 at the Horizons’ Replay Thrift Store on Main Street in Wilmot.Topics include the recent food/clothing/toy drive held for Christmas; volunteer workers at the Thrift Store; the FRESH educational seminar planned for January 28 and the grant funds to be allocated to the local group.  Everyone is welcome to attend and join the group in their work and to improved the quality of life for those in the Wilmot/Corona/Central Big Stone Lake area.   There are no membership dues.