ALUMNI ASSOCIATION NEWS

The HSHS Alumni Association, with assistance from both the City of Hot Springs and Kel Lorenz, has completed the restoration and facelift of the Kidney Springs bandstand.

 

The project began three years ago when the Alumni went to the City and received approval to redo the badly deteriorated bandstand at an estimated cost of  $20,000. The Alumni offered to manage the project and pay 50% if the City would pay the other half. 

 

The Alumni was interested in this project since the bandstand was the site of many former school pep rallies. The pep rally would begin when the entire student body, following the HSHS marching band under the direction of Gail Hilgenberg, arrived at Kidney Springs Park after snake dancing their way down the old viaduct from the high school. In those days before artificial noisemakers were banned from the stands, a cowbell was awarded to the class who, in the opinion of the teacher-judges was the loudest in performing the B-I-S-O-N cheer. This was an honor not taken lightly and the members of the winning class were privileged students for the week. 

 

Kel Lorenz, the cement contractor and a HSHS graduate, offered to upgrade the material used and provide a portion of his labor as a donation to the Alumni Association. Lorenz began the cement work in the summer of 2007 when the weather permitted the multiple step process to proceed and it was completed in the fall. His contribution more than doubled the value of the project.

 

In addition to the cement work done on the bandstand itself, the pipe railing around the top edge was repaired and painted and electrical power was added to the bandstand that will accommodate modern electrical equipment.

 

The restoration was dedicated to Gail Hilgenberg, the music director at HSHS for many years. During his tenure as a respected member of the HSHS faculty, he developed the HSHS band into an organization that was the envy of all Black Hills towns. The new stone marker notes his contribution to music in Hot Springs and also corrects the dates relating to John Mueller, the City Band Director who was responsible for the erection of the original bandstand.

 

The Alumni will complete the final phase of the project next spring when the area around the restored bandstand will be landscaped. 

 

All of the HSHS Alumni who contributed to make this project a success can feel very proud. You are invited to visit the bandstand the next time you are in town.

 

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HSHS Alumni Association Meeting

9 January 2008

 

The meeting was called to order at 7 P.M. by President Dave Batchelor.  Members present were Dave, Larry Mowry, Scott Harkless, Mel Engebretson, Vickie Nekuda, Randy Shur, and Wanda Aaberg.  Noreen Petty was absent. 

 

Dave B. reported that Noreen has requested that she be replaced as secretary due to ill health.  She will remain as a board member however.  Wanda A. volunteered to fill the secretary position.

 

Minutes of previous meeting were approved.  Mel passed out detailed financial reports for the years of 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008.  Currently, $5,442.63 remains in T & A account at the school and these funds will be used to fund scholarships until the account is depleted. A balance of $1,431.51 remains in the previously approved Bandstand project. Mel assured us it would be more than adequate for completing the landscaping, the final phase of the restoration project.  Larry M. motioned to approve financial reports, seconded by Vickie N. Unanimous vote.   

 

The board approved the reinstatement of Randy S., Wanda A., and Dave B. for a term of three years. Election of officers was held.  Larry moved that we keep current officers: Dave B. President, Brett N. Vice President, and Mel E. Treasurer(241 South 6th, Hot Springs, SD 57747),  with Wanda A., added as Secretary.  Dave indicated that he would serve one more year as president then will step down, as he felt someone else should be president.  The motion was seconded by Randy S. and unanimously approved. 

 

The Alumni Association is attempting to put a complete collection of HS High School Annuals in the Fall River County Museum.  Dave reported he is missing pre-1920 and after 1982 Annuals.  Wanda reported that the HS Library has a large number to donate to our cause.  A motion was made by Wanda to purchase one from the school from this year forward.  It was seconded by Scott H. and passed unanimously. Larry made a motion to buy a ½ page ad in the 2007-8 annual with the expenditure not to exceed $75.00.  The motion was seconded by Randy and passed unanimously. 

 

Mel and Dave gave a report on Alabough fire funds pass- through which raised $100,000.00 for victims of the Alabough Fire. The Alumni Association account was used for that since it was tax exempt and donors would qualify for tax deductions.  Mel is collecting and saving checks from that activity and will provide the cancelled checks to the HS Chamber of Commerce when the fire fund is depleted. 

 

The scholarship committee report was given by Larry M.  The initial amount deposited in a CD for the Susanne Jett Davis fund was approximately $10,000.00. The interest from this CD will be given annually to a HSHS graduate who spent two years as a student in the vocal or band programs. The qualifications are two years in music, with at least a 3.0 GPA.  The scholarship amount would be approximately $500.00 a year.

 

The deadline for scholarship applications is 10 April.  Brett was asked to put an announcement in HS Star now and another mid-March stating the deadline date and where and how to acquire an application. 

 

Teacher of the year nominations are due by 12 February.  The selection committee will meet on the 15^th of February to make the selection from the three nominees - one from Elementary, one from Middle school, and one from High School.  One outstanding teacher will be picked from these three to receive Teacher of the Year award at the Chamber banquet on 1 March.

 

Mel is in charge of the landscaping at the refurbished bandstand and said there was enough money in the Bandstand account to do the project.  The lilac bushes need to be removed and as soon as weather permits she will do that project with as many volunteers as needed.  There will be a sign prohibiting skateboarding on the risers and the doggy bag post will be moved. 

 

The dedication ceremony will be the third week of June.  The evening of Friday the 20^th is our first choice if Sid Phelps is free to perform, otherwise Tuesday the 17^th.   Dave will contact Janet and Mrs. Hilgenberg with this information so they can make plans to attend.  The Mayor and John Mueller III will also be asked to speak.  The Chamber is planning to include this in a 125 HS celebration and will provide a community picnic in conjunction with the dedication.   

 

A motion was made by Vickie, seconded by Randy to pay Lucille Birkholtz $200.00 for this year’s website maintenance. 

 

Dave asked Scott H. to contact Barry Epstein, who is marketing director of Pine Hills Retirement, about setting up a mailing list on Excel using the current class lists with a link to the HSHS Alumni Site to keep both lists in sync. 

 

Dave attended a school board meeting and informed them of our willingness to help purchase band uniforms.  He was told by Jami Dow that she had contacted several schools and had arranged for uniforms to be donated to HSHS. 

 

On behalf of the Hot Springs Horizons committee, Brett made a request for money to help get a Boys & Girls Club off the ground here in Hot Springs.  The school has already agreed to the use of their facilities until a more suitable building can be built. Hence he felt we should be involved.  The committee has been working closely with the Boys & Girls club in Hill City, the regional director from Watertown, and HS Schools in getting underway.  He stressed the need for a youth center for ages K-12th grade with a focus on K-8^th.  Projects such as sports, the arts, cooking, etc. would be offered.  This would not be a Day Care although hours would be from 4 till 7 in the evenings with a maximum of 20 hours per week.  Initial dollar amount for the project would be between $50,000.and $150,000 with the cost of a full time paid director being the greatest expense.  They would rely on volunteers to coordinate the after school programs.  Brett made a motion we donate $5,000.  He felt $5,000.00 from the Alumni Association would show serious plans were being made and may inspire other organizations, and business to donate money to the project.   After much discussion, Brett made the motion and it was it was seconded by Larry to donate $5,000.00 initially payable at some point in the future when the program gets off the ground.  Mel suggested we establish an Alumni Association scholarship program for providing assistance to kids who may not be able to afford the fees. The proposed pledge of $5,000.00 passed with 7 to 1 with Randy S. voting no. 

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 PM...