by Carrie Moritz, Gazette
The Garretson community experienced a very tough year in 2022, but the second half of the year was an upswing.
The strengths of the community came through as people banded together to support each other, standing up for what they believed was right and providing time and resources to those suffering. They helped their fellow neighbors and welcomed new faces with open arms and hearts, and ended 2022 on a high note.
July
The middle of the year saw baseball in full swing, as the 14U, Legion, and Blue Jays amateur baseball teams took on their opponents and batted for the outfield. The Blue Jays were 6 and 0 by mid-July and would eventually take home runner-up at the state tournament, while the younger athletes took home both wins and losses.
July 4 encouraged the community to enjoy time together, as children played on inflatables and ate ice cream, adults enjoyed cornhole and kickball tournaments, and everyone was awed by the fireworks display put on in the evening.
The next weekend, Garretson residents turned out in force for a time of baseball, softball, and remembrance for the first annual Pack the Park, as the 12U teams faced off with each other in memory of Benton Howe. Howe would have been player #7 on the 12U baseball team in 2022. Over $18,000 was raised, and proceeds went toward the newly formed memorial scholarship that will benefit Garretson students for years to come.
August
August again saw the beginning of the new school year, as students filled hallways and greeted their teachers while admiring new playground equipment that had been installed late in the summer.
Football and soccer began their seasons, which would be difficult for both teams. Despite hard work by the athletes, each team was unable to overcome their foes. Soccer had two wins, while football had one.
Blue Dragon Academy wrapped up their summer programs as they looked ahead to their expansion project. The Garretson Childcare Association's $750,000 expansion to the 3-year-old building will include a large gym-like open area and addition to the kitchen, allow for a larger school-age program, and see the 1- and 2-year-old rooms separated.
September
The construction of 485th Avenue, a project that had acquired miracle funding from the state legislature earlier in the year, hit a snag as bids came in over-budget by nearly $85,000. The township came together to decide to move ahead with the project by borrowing funds and to pursue every possible approach in building a 30-year road.
The volleyball team stepped onto the court and showed its opponents who was boss, taking home the win for the first five games of the season. They would go on to win 18 games out of 25.
Remembrance continued to be key as the annual Team Tayden Ride and Healing Hope Ministries' Walk to Remember were held. Team Tayden took its 10th ride in 2022, helping raise funds in memory of Tayden Grohs for children living with cancer. Walk to Remember allowed anyone who had lost a child of any age to come together, process their grief, and support each other.
October
Harvest got underway in October. Garretson celebrated in style with its annual Pumpkin Festival, an event that was bigger than ever in 2022 with the addition of events at Depot Square. At the end of the month, Garretson youth enjoyed trick or treating with candy being given out at Split Rock Park, downtown, and up and down every street. The weather was perfect for the events.
Natural gas prices were again in the conversation as colder weather set in. While prices are likely to stay higher than they were historically, Garretson will still see reduced prices compared to other areas of the state due to "locking in" most of its usage prior to the surge in 2021.
State bureaucracy gave the school board some grief as they took on accreditation and a school improvement report issued by the state. While student attendance during 2020-21 was higher than other schools in the area, at-risk and special-needs students had a higher-than-average absence rate, forcing the school to develop a mitigation plan. At the same time, paperwork requirements for accreditation were much higher than they had been in past, worrying board members about potential teacher burnout.
November
November saw historic turnout at local polls as voters made their voices heard for county, statewide and national elections. At that time, two new county commissioners were elected, Jen Bleyenberg and Joe Kippley, and one commissioner, Gerald Beninga, was re-elected.
Garretson School alumni were making big splashes throughout the fall, with April Austin opening a new pastry and events shop on East 10th Street in Sioux Falls in October and Matt Jacobson taking second place in a Beard Clash in Corson in September.
At the school, student vocalists went to State Honor Choir as the board learned the school had been awarded a grant that would allow them to purchase three electric school buses. The board also voted to move ahead with athletic complex renovations, which, while extensive, are also overdue by several years. The project is estimated to cost somewhere between $1.5-1.9 million dollars. At the same time, the board weighed pursuing an opt-out for the General Fund.
December
The holiday season opened with the community looking forward to Hometown Christmas, where local businesses showed their appreciation for the support they receive throughout the year by hosting Santa, arts and crafts, and a community breakfast, among other activities.
The Garretson City Council was happy to announce the acquisition of 15 acres on the southern end of town, which will pave the way for future development. The development is likely to include a future city hall and events center.
Basketball and wrestling got underway, with wrestlers medaling at early tournaments. The wrestling team is comprised of twenty athletes, many of whom were new to the sport this season. The basketball rosters, while small, are packed with athletes who have plenty of drive. By the new year, the Girls Basketball team had racked up five wins and zero losses.
