By 
South Dakota’s America 250 celebrations began in South Shore, as the town celebrated the 125th anniversary of its incorporation on Friday, June 12, through Sunday, June 14.
The string band performs on Friday night. Photo Brandon Heim, The Watertown Current.
Activities began at the city park on the shore of Punished Woman’s Lake. A string band under the direction of Pastor Ken Nelson entertained the crowd, and the junior class of Waverly/South Shore High School hosted a fundraising brat feed.
The highlight of Friday evening was the Legend of Punished Woman’s Lake pageant, presented for the first time since 2018. Jon Meyer served as the narrator for the pageant with Brianna Gottschalk as Wi-wa-ke, and Evan Gottschalk as her sweetheart, Black Bear. Robert Grewing played Chief White Tail Wolf, and Ron Schmeling appeared as Chief Miose.
Evan and Briana Gottschalk undertook the lead roles in the pageant. Photo by Brandon Heim, The Watertown Current.
Additional pageant cast included Colten Schroeder, Ty Thompson, Matthew Meyer, Nick Scott, Dru Wientjes, Cutler Gottschalk, Landrey Thompson, Allen Heuer, Dustin Gottschalk, Jamie Dolen, John Patterson, Tony Huffman, Kevin Elmore, Conrad Henrichs, Oliver Henrichs, Isaac Meyer, Jayce Johnson, Emmett Henrichs, Ben Arthur, Ronan Jesz, Jacksyn Johnson, Clara Heuer, Andrea Koustrup, Bryn Wientjes, Brylie Schlotterbeck, Kendra Schroeder, Jerra Koustrup, Rachel Meyer, Braden Howell, Laurie Dolen, Amanda Heuer, Emily Heuer, Danielle Wientjes, Ashley Gottschalk, Michelle O’Farrell, Amber Koustrup, Ashlyn Koustrup, Ella Chrtt, Camryn Chrtt, and Avery Arthur. Lakota flute music by Kevin Locke.
The production crew included Billy Wientjes, Blake Wientjes, Scott Johanson, Kevin Owen, Aiden Mack, Mary Grewing, Hannah Heuer, Michelle Larsen, and Jessica Jackson. Tawny Arthur provided horses for the production.
Melanie Bach won the one-mile race. Photo by Brandon Heim, The Watertown Current.
Events on Saturday, June 13, began with a one-mile walk/run, which was won by Melanie Bach of Florence. The male winner of the race was Hayes Nawroth of Watertown.
A parade featuring dozens of entries made its way from Our Savior’s Lutheran Church through town and up Main Street. The parade’s grand marshal was Steve Wartenbee. Also leading the parade was Mille Montey Ransom, a member of the Class of 1943, the oldest living alumnae of South Shore High School. A variety of businesses and organizations were represented in the parade, as were a host of tractors and emergency service vehicles.
The former South Shore School building was open all day on Saturday, allowing former Comets to visit and reminisce. Trophies denoting the storied successes of the Comets and later the Coyotes were displayed as well. A lunch hosted by the South Shore Alumni Association served more than 200 people in the school gym.
Mollberg Field on the south side of town hosted a variety of children’s events throughout the day. Activities included face painting and bouncy houses, and the staff of Bramble Park Zoo was on hand with a variety of animals to enjoy.
Mille Montey Ransom, South Shore High School Class of 1943, led the parade. Photo by Brandon Heim, the Watertown Current.
On Main Street, music was provided by former resident Dorene Foster throughout the day. Foster said she enjoyed living in rural South Shore, and she and her family always felt like valued community members.
Tours of the recently restored burial mounds on Punished Woman’s Hill proved to be a popular activity as busloads of participants partook throughout the day.
Activities on Main Street included a plank race. Winning teams included the “Little Rascals,” Haylie Hansen, Joselyn Owen, Maycie Hansen, and Preslie Owen; the “Big Boys,” Evan Gottschalk, Dru Wientjes, Nick Van Sickle, and Dustin Gottschalk; and the “Outlaws,” Connor Maranville, Kyie Maranville, Jack Zimmerman, and Mitch Sorksen.
Dillon Kranz and Devin Urban were bean bag tournament champions. They are pictured with their coach, Benny Kranz. Photo by Brandon Heim, The Watertown Current.
The bean bag tournament was won by Dillon Kranz and Devin Urban.
Local favorite band, Urbandale Lane, closed Saturday activities with a street dance, playing a variety of music on Main Steet.
The festivities came to an end on Sunday, June 14, with a standing-room-only pancake breakfast at the South Shore Community Center, hosted by the Community Club.
“The South Shore 125th Anniversary was a great success,” said Mayor Jamie Dolen. “A lot of time spent planning and preparing, and all came together perfectly.”
Activities abounded for all ages. Photo by Brandon Heim, The Watertown Current.
Event organizers and town officials were pleased, even “surprised,” with the celebration’s turnout, which rivaled the town’s centennial in 2001.
Organizers Michelle O’Farrell and Peggy Meyer thanked the dozens of volunteers who contributed time, as well as those who helped celebrate the community over the weekend.
“I thought everything worked out wonderfully,” said Scott Johanson, a member of the town board. “It was a team effort, and it worked very well.”
“I was overwhelmed with pride with people in our community stepped up to make this a memorable event for so many,” Dolen said.
Runners at the start of the one-mile walk/run. Photo by Brandon Heim, The Watertown Current.
Grand Marshal Steve Wartenbee and his wife, Deborah. Photo by Brandon Heim, The Watertown Current.
Mayor Jamie and First Lady Laura Dolen in the parade. Photo by Brandon Heim, The Watertown Current.
The parade entry from Meyer’s Rec had a “Hee-Haw” theme. Photo by Brandon Heim, The Watertown Current.
One of South Shore’s youngest volunteer firemen in the parade. Photo by Brandon Heim, The Watertown Current.
Even the Jolly Roger made a parade appearance. Photo by Brandon Heim, The Watertown Current.
Harlan Matthes returned to his former stomping grounds. Photo by Brandon Heim, The Watertown Current.
Visitors tour the South Shore school. Photo by Brandon Heim, The Watertown Current.
Memorabilia on display at the school. Photo by Brandon Heim, The Watertown Current.
Crowds enjoy lunch at the South Shore School. Photo by Brandon Heim, The Watertown Current.
Children enjoy bouncy houses at Mollberg Field. Photo by Brandon Heim, The Watertown Current.
The “Big Boys” win a plank race. Photo by Brandon Heim, the Watertown Current.
People dancing to Urbandale Lane. Photo by Brandon Heim, The Watertown Current.
The line for breakfast went outside the doors of the South Shore Community Center. Photo by Brandon Heim, Watertown Current.
