Faith, SD

A couple people from the Horizons group attended a seminar in Philip recently that looked at how small communities can market or brand their community.  Dr. Milan Wall from the Heartland Center in Nebraska presented some very useful information on taking the assets your community has and building on them to solidify our future.  He showed some success stories and tried to related those examples to things pertinent to each community.   The idea is to build on things your community has - be it the Stock Show and Rodeo, the SUE exhibit, our new Community Center, the Western Lifestyle, or a multitude of other assets we have and show them off to the world.  Creating success with current assets will carry over and fuel successes for other things the community wants or needs.  One thing that we came away with was that you can even market your people and the lifestyle and that is something we have - good people and a wonderful lifestyle.  Faith is a respected community and has always been know as a community of “Can Do” people and that is a tremendous asset!   Meetings like these seem to remind you of what we really have - I would challenge everyone to take a moment to think about what we really do have (which is alot) and then maybe think of how we can use those things to our advantage and fuel more things.  Every person in our community can be our best promoter - if asked about Faith are you a promoter??  Or do you say nothing is going on and things are doom and gloom?? If you think nothing is going on then you’ve ignored the requests to attend Chamber meetings, Council meetings, Fire Dept, Stock Show, Church functions, School Board, etc. etc. etc…., you’ve missed the youth athletic events held 3, 4, or five nights a week and you missed the One Act plan just presented.  Take 2 minutes and look at what we really have(email if you need suggestions, we’ve made a LONG list) and the next time someone asks about Faith really tell them what’s here and what we have - be just as proud of being from Faith as Faith is of having you!!!!!!

Committees from the Faith Chamber of Commerce and the Faith Volunteer Fire Dept. met on Monday night the 24th to start getting ready for this years Demolition Derby to be held on Saturday June 14th. Discussion was held on the amount of added prize money, which organization will be responsible for which aspects and so on - mostly just a brainstorming session to get things rolling. There are still some things that have to be finalized before anything is set in stone, but we’ll be keeping you posted. The committee must go to a City Council meeting as well as a Faith Stock Show meeting to ask permission to use the arena and coordinate scheduling. We’re anticipating a larger turn out of spectators this year with the “SUE” exhibit being here, so we want to make sure all the i’s are dotted and t’s crossed. Working with the Stock Show Assoc. and the 4-H Rodeo to properly prepare the arena before and after the Derby will be key, particularly this year since the 4-H rodeo is being held the weekend after Father’s Day and the arena will need to be put back in tip top shape.  Any idea’s, thoughts, suggestions, or volunteers are welcome - contact the Chamber or the Fire Dept!

Horizons wants to clean up our community! We are looking for volunteer groups such as churches, 4-H & other clubs, etc. Or individuals interested in helping us out. Some activities include painting, raking, planting flowers, general clean up, & repair. We would like to spruce up our city park, paint some poles & signs, & distribute some garbage barrels & flower planters around town. We would also like volunteers to help the elderly & others get prepared for April’s ‘City Wide Clean-Up Month’. This would possibly include cleaning yards, moving some large objects, and other various chores. If interested in helping to make our community a more beautiful place or would like to receive some help sprucing up your property, please contact Debbie Brown at the city office at 967-2261 or Jon or Katrina Collins, in the evening, at 967-2834.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping to clean up our community.

The Horizon’s Fitness Committee has applied for a grant with Hamburger Helper. The grant will enable us to place new playground equipment at the Sports Complex for the children of the community to use, while their siblings are playing soccer, t-ball or baseball. We need the communities support by going onto http://www.myhometownhelper.com/ViewProject.aspx?id=41261 and commenting on why this would important in our community. We only have until March 31st for everyone to comment. You must be 18 years of age. If anyone has questions they can email speterson@takini.net for more information.

The Faith Student Council held its 2nd Annual Kickball Tournament on March 18th at the Faith Community Center.  Seven teams were entered and ready to play.  This years champions were named, “Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner”  It is a double-elimination tournament where anyone in the high school or staff are eligible to play. Several parents and community members also attended to cheer on their favorite team. It was a fun night for everyone!

The Kids Easter Egg Hunt will be held Saturday March 22nd at 11am in the Faith City Park. The age divisons are 0-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-9, 10-12. Some of the prizes that you might find in an egg include Uncirculated Set of Quarters, $5.00 Cash, Italian Soda, John Deer Sound Keys, Jump Rope, Barnyard Card Game, Kids Workshop Bird Club House, Crossword Puzzle, Personal Pizza’s, Lip Balm, Jack in the Box, 3-D Foam Art Set, Spiderman Card Game, Monopoly Card Game, Artist Set and great candy. Everyone is invited particpate and join in the fun, it is said the maybe the Easter Bunny might stop in and help the youth the eggs.

The silver easter egg was found on Saturday by Justin Haines under wood pellets south of the Faith Pool next to the propane tank. Thanks to everyone who participated in the hunt and HAPPY HUNTING for the golden egg.

The Faith Chamber has brought back the FAMOUS GOLDEN EASTER EGG HUNT and have added a silver egg to the excitment. The silver egg is hid and the gold egg will be next week. Ask for your clues when you shop the local businesses to find the egg. The lucky winner will recieve a basket full of prizes donated from local businesses. Check back soon for an update on prizes. Please feel free to comment on how your hunting is going.

We are working on having a gold and silver Easter egg hunt and also an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids.

The Easter Egg Hunt for the kids will take place on Saturday March 22nd at 11:00am in the City Park. We would like to have special prizes in each age division for the kids. If there is a business that would like to donate something large and then businesses to donate small items that would get them into your store after the hunt. Some ideas that were mentioned have been candy bars, ice cream cones, coins or even a balloon or toy. For the bigger prizes it could be anything savings bond, a toy or anything.

The Gold and Silver Easter Egg hunt will start on the 10th of March and the silver egg will be hid the first week and the gold the second week. All businesses that donate to the baskets will receive clues to hand out to customers.

Deb Brown
Phone 605-967-2261
Fax 605-967-2266
faith@faithsd.com

Shawn Peterson
Phone 605-538-4399 ext
Cell 605-863-2267
Fax 605-538-4130.
speterson@takini.net

On Saturday, April 5, 2008, the Faith High School will host its prom.  Each year, we also have a post prom party afterwards for the students.  This helps keep a safe, drug and alchohol free environment for the students and still have a full night of fun!

 We are contacting you, the businesses and citizens to ask for sponsorship for this activity.  We appreciate either cash donations or prizes.  The cash donations are used to purchase additional prizes for the students, provide food, and entertainment for the evening.

 If you are willing to donate to this worthwhile event, please drop your cash donations or prizes off at Farmers State Bank, PO Box 187 Faith, SD 57626.  The checks can be made out to Post Prom Committee.

Thank you so much for your time and consideration.  Please feel free to call Donella Elshere at 788-2812, or Famers State Bank at 967-2191 and ask for Donella or Teresa if you have any questions.