The history of Garretson is a rich and multi-colored past, filled with many folks. The Gazette regularly takes a look back, showcasing photos, events, and people.
However, rarely have we covered the 1990's. At that time, the name of the newspaper was the Garretson Weekly, and it was owned and run by Margie Martens. Past newspapers are a wonderful way to take a glimpse into the past- you can see ads for businesses that existed at that time, names and faces that are familiar, and read about the concerns the community faced.
We pulled some random issues out of the vault, and have decided to showcase their contents. This week, we take a look at the March 3 and May 5, 1994 issues, highlighting headlines and events along with articles and a column.
The first article was published on March 3, 1994, and written by Karen Vandersnick. She did a wonderful round-up on vandalism that had occurred by rock climbers at Palisades State Park. In that same issue, the Lady Dragons ended their volleyball season with a loss to West Central, and two plays were performed back-to-back at Garretson School, "The Ladies of the Mop" and "This is a Test." Palisade Lutheran Church had its 120th Anniversary, and the Henry G Fix Post #23 had its 75th Anniversary.
Vandalism at Palisade Park
by Karen Vandersnick
Two miles from Garretson is a beautiful State Park that has a lot to offer- camping, hiking, picnicking, fishing, children's nature programs, just to mention a few. The Palisades State Park is also well known for rock-climbing.
Approximately 500 climbers register every year. They come from all over- Minnesota, Nebraska, Canada and particularly, Kansas City. There's even been ROTC training on these Quartzite Rocks.
Starting about 3 years ago, Mark Steck, Manager of the Park was approached by a rock climber wanting to put in about 180 permanent bolts into the rocks for climbing, claiming it was a safety measure. Because part of Mark Steck's responsibility is to preserve and protect the Park, along with accessibility to the user, this man was denied his request. Of all the climbers through the years, no one had ever made such a request. Later on, when this question was presented to hundreds of climbers, nobody felt it was a necessity.
Unknown to the park staff, three men, on their own, tried to pass a petition around to local businesses for support of the permanent bolts. They also went to the legislators in Pierre and tried to get it passed, claiming they had local support. This measure also failed.
Early last spring, the park was alerted to something amiss by other rock climbers. They could see someone hanging from a rope on the rocks below them and hearing a noise like a drill. Upon further inspection they could see something under the man's coat.
Mark Steck and fellow workers began surveillance. Throughout the summer, they discovered nine holes were drilled and permanent bolts were glued and attached for the purpose of climbing. They found X's marked on the rock wall where the next bolts were going to be drilled.
Through the surveillance, they were able to get pictures and see the men discussing plans. They weren't ever able to catch the actual drilling. Warrants were issued and the three men were summoned to court. They were originally charged with a felony. The men admitted their guilt to the detective of Minnehaha County.
Plea bargaining led to a charge of intentional damage to property- a Class 1 misdemeanor.
The in-state men were sentenced on Feb. 3, 1994. Their sentence includes a 24 month probation, they are banned from all S.D. parks for 1 year, they must pay restitution for repair of approximately $3,000, and give 40 hours of community service.
Rock climbing has become quite a sport and is also quite fascinating to watch. Check it out sometime at the Palisades State Park. Enjoy these facilities! Mark Steck and the other employees are taking very good care of it, preserving its natural beauty and providing a place of enjoyment for all its visitors.
Today, in 2022, Palisades State Park is one of the most popular state parks in South Dakota, in large part due to the rock climbing and hiking opportunities presented. The state acquired 250 more acres of land in 2019, more than doubling the size of the park. The newest section is under construction, and will go from 34 campsites to nearly 100 campsites. The entrance of the park will be moving nearly two miles southwest, much to the chagrin of Palisades Township and local business owners, who fear that even with increased traffic to the park, fewer people will see (and therefore experience) Garretson. The Garretson Commercial Club is working closely with the park to provide signs and literature promoting all that Garretson has to offer.
The second issue was published on May 5, 1994.
Headlines that week included a photo of several inches of snow received on Thursday, April 28 while thunder rumbled, and "Several Awards given at FFA Annual Banquet," in which Grant Kringen was named "Honorary Chapter Farmer." The FFA Advisor that May was Doug Dorn, President was Michael Clark, and Vice President was Frank Quamen.
The following are two articles from that issue, the first addressing the old depot building that used to be located on Main, and the second, a weekly column by Bob Karolevitz that used to run on page 2. Karolevitz (1922-2011) was an American author and humorist from Yankton, SD. His humorous columns appeared in the Garretson Weekly under Editor/Owner Margie Marten's column, "Always Ramblin'."
BN to give up Depot building
Burlington Northern Railroad has decided to relocate their Garretson office in Bob Brendsel's building (old laundromat) on Main Street next to the Post Office. The old depot building at the north end of Main will no longer be used by B.N., and will be demolished, or be moved from the site.
The old depot is a landmark of Garretson. The question arises, "Should the building be saved for historical purposes?" The depot building has been offered to the Garretson Historical Society; transfer would include the cost for moving the depot from its current site by the new owners. A new location for this building has not been decided, nor how the building would be used or maintained.
The Historical Society would like input from the community on either support or objection of such a project. In the past this community has shown great support of all projects that the Society has taken; the Society would like the general feeling of the public whether such a project should be considered or not.
History demands the Gazette follow up on what happened to the depot. According to an article written by Oran Sorenson and published in the 125th Anniversary book, the building was purchased by the Historical Society, and with the help of the Art Nordstrom family and local volunteers, the building was moved to the area just west of Split Rock Creek. Grand plans for the building included acting as a museum and as a backdrop for plays by the Jesse James Players. After a few years, use was less than anticipated, and the building was beginning to fall into greater disrepair due to settling. The depot was then moved onto Sorenson's property, where it was restored, despite being told by every contractor (and even past employees) to burn it down. It can still be viewed by appointment today.
Moving mattresses is massive maneuver
by Bob Karolevitz
If you've never had to move a mattress, this column is not for you.
I'm talking strictly to all those poor unfortunate folks who, at one time or another, have had to wrestle with one of the world's most unmanageable objects.
Mattress manufacturers and designers are, without doubt, diabolical fiends out to destroy the physical well-being and emotional stability of the rest of us.
They probably get up on the wrong side of the bed each morning, go to their factories and then plot new ways to make their Beauty Rests and King Koils even more difficult to tote than before.
Producing mattresses without handles is a despicable crime, but what's even worse is to have handles, only located in places where they do absolutely no good. They offer nothing but false hope and splendid opportunities for hernia repair.
It's my opinion that the people who design those ill-placed handles are either the products of poor potty training in their youthful years or were the victims of some sort of misadventure having to do with a mattress.
I fully understand that mattresses have to be the necessary shape to fit a bed and thick enough to be comfortable, but in a nation where we've got sufficient brains to make Patriot missiles and microwave popcorn, we certainly should be able to find somebody who can solve the mattress maneuverability mystery.
I told Phyllis that the next time we have to move a mattress, we're going to get ice tongs or hay hooks to do the job. I'm tired of having my hands slide up and down the edges looking for a place to grab ahold.
Actually, I've got an easy solution. The government should require all manufacturers to make mattresses with retractable wheels like they have on airplanes. Or how about two loops on one edge through which a long pole can insert so two people - with the pole on their shoulders - can carry a mattress like a dead wildebeest on a successful African safari hunt?
I know this problem isn't quite as critical as the post-Desert Storm mess in Iraq, the national deficit or even the fate of Bo Jackson. But at the actual moment when one is in the throes of moving a mattress, it is bigger than anything!
There should be a patron saint for mattress-movers - someone to pray to. Or, better yet, someone to perform miracles.
Pianos, refrigerators, sofas, obese drunks and new-born calves all have their special impediments in the carry department, but as heavy or unwieldy as they may be, they don't hold a candle to the miseries of moving a mattress.
Say, that's a good idea!
Next time I'm called upon to transport that detestable collection of lumps on my beddy-bye, I'll just hold a candle to it and call in the local firefighters.
That's the only way to handle a mattress. You've got to gang up on It!
