This week, we are continuing our look back into the somehow not-so-recent past, the 1990's. The other week, we took a look at 1994 after pulling some random Garretson Weekly newspapers from the archives. This week, we continue that look into the 90's by seeing some headlines and articles from 1995.
(A feature of the new Gazette office are the nine framed collages of Garretson Weekly newspaper photos from the 1990's. These photos, which were coated in wax so they could stick to the template broadsheet prior to printing, were hung on the wall of the prior office by the Weekly crew. Most of the photographs were saved and placed into the frames, and are available for viewing to the public during office hours.)
In April of 1995, the community celebrated the ground breaking for Spirit Canyon Apartments, which are still a popular choice for income-based living in Garretson. Located behind Palisades Healthcare and connected to that building by a hallway, Spirit Canyon Apartments were built for those age 62 or older or handicapped. According to the 125th Anniversary book, the first occupants were Orlen and Agnes Berge. Agnes resided in the apartment for the next twenty years before moving over to Palisades Healthcare. The apartments are operated today by Covenant Property Management and are not affiliated with the same company that owns and operates Palisades Healthcare.
Other headlines in the April 13, 1995 issue included features on Legionette and Legionnaire of the Year, De Vonna Engebretson and Tom Tyrrell, and a train derailment that occurred west of the Co-op office. The cause of the April 3 derailment was unknown but it closed the 5th Street entrance/exit from town for a time until the rest of the train cars could be moved.
Ground Breaking for Spirit Canyon Apartments
The ground breaking ceremony Wednesday, April 5th earmarked the beginning of the construction of an 11-apartment unit in Garretson. At 1:00 p.m. the ceremony featured a rural flair with an old fashioned one bottom plow, pulled by a horse team of "Brownie and Meg" owned by Grant Kringen of Garretson, officially breaking the ground on the site northwest of Palisade Manor Nursing Home.
The unit will be constructed by Mueller Lumber of Mitchell, with VandeWalle and Associates of Sioux Falls as the architect. Financing has been obtained through the Farmers Home Administration, now known as Rural Economic and Community Development.
Dignitaries assisted in the ground breaking by holding onto a bar attached to hte handles of the plow. Included in the ceremony were: Garretson's Mayor Ray Larson, Trace Davids of Rural Economic and Community Development, John VandeWalle of VandeWalle and Associates, Bob Kerwin of Mueller Lumber, Palisade Manor Administrator Gloria Schultz and Board members Ron Nelson, Julie Snyders, Deb LaCross, Mary Ann Carlson, Bobbi Jo Sakry, Norm Benson, Norb Bruggeman, David Sorenson and Harlowe Sundem, and Helen Sanders of Garretson, who submitted the winning name for the new apartment unit.
The entire complex will be on ground level designed for people over age 62 or handicapped. There will be one- and two-bedroom apartments with a community room and laundromat for the tenants to share. The Spirit Canyon Apartments are considered low-income congregate housing units which means they offer added services such as meals, housekeeping, laundry services, beauty shop and an emergency nurse call system linked to the nursing home.
The June 29, 1995 issue of the Weekly featured Jesse James Roundup Days (now called Jesse James Days), which were held the third weekend of June. Activities included the Jesse James Road Race, an annual performance of "The Legend of Jesse James" by the Jesse James Players, and area youth experienced a kids tractor pull for the first time. The annual street dance was extremely successful, with a record-breaking 3,750 paid attendees.
Another popular annual event held was the State Dutch Oven cook-off, which featured winners Wayne Pierret and mother Linda Pierret in the Meat Category and Jessica Jacobson and Lisa Kurtz in the Dessert Category. Garretson had the public judge the results by sampling the different recipes and voting for their favorites. The Weekly then featured six of the recipes from the contest, two of which are reprinted below.
Champion Dessert- Berry Pie
by Lisa Kurtz & Jessica Jacobson
Bottom crust:
1 cup flour, 1/2 cup Crisco, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 cup cool water
Combine and roll into ball. With rolling pin, flatten as thin a crust as possible for best crust results and to cover most of Dutch Oven. Bake as directed.
Top crust:
3/4 cup flour, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/3 cup butter
Combine with a fork so all ingredients are evenly crumbly. Place on top of fruit mixture and bake as directed.
Filling:
2 cups strawberries, 2 cups blueberries, 1 cup plums
2 1/4 cups sugar, 1/4 teaspoon almond flavoring, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon salt, 4 1/4 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 cup cold water
Mix cornstarch and water. Add sugar, salt, and plums and allow them to cook until thick and bubbly. Stir in strawberries and blueberries, almond flavoring and cinnamon. Place in pot lined with a pie shell. Bake with 8 coals on the bottom and 16 on top until top crust is dry, crumbly, and golden brown. Serves 10.
Champion Meat/Vegetable - Dutch Oven Tamale-Taco Pie
by Linda Pierret & Wayne Pierret
Dutch oven size: 10"; serves 6-8
Pre-Preparation: Start 25-30 coals in a coffee can. When coals are hot or ash gray, transfer to rock bed and proceed with the preparation.
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds hamburger, 1/2 cup diced onion, 1/2 cup diced green pepper, 1/4 teaspoon chili powder, 1 20-ounce can enchilada sauce, 30 tortilla chips, 2 cups cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup sliced olives (optional)
Preparation: Brown meat; drain grease. Add onion, peppers and seasoning. Cook for 5 minutes. Layer in a greased Dutch Oven. Tortillas, hamburger mixture and cheese. Repeat 3 times. Sprinkle with sliced olives and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
