The Party’s Over

Well, the inauguration ceremonies are finished, but the memories are still fresh for a number of area residents who witnessed the events on television and in person at Washington, D.C.

Watch for more blogs and information.

Taking The First Step Against Cancer

BY RANDY DOCKENDORF
randy.dockendorf@yankton.net

It’s said the longest journey begins with a single step.

In the case of my mom, that single step kept her going — and going, and going — as she made her way around the quarter-mile track in her hometown of Corsica.

Walking one lap wouldn’t seem too momentous for many people. But the lap she took at this year’s “Relay For Life” signaled a victory in her battle with breast cancer beginning a decade ago.

Those feelings are surfacing again now, as October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

For years, Mom has heard about “Relay For Life,” where teams walk a track or other site overnight to raise funds in the fight against cancer. However, she hasn’t wanted to make the trip to Yankton, Mitchell or other larger communities which host the event.

But this summer, Corsica hosted the first Douglas County Relay For Life. The event drew teams and spectators from around the region.

I was visiting my family the day of Douglas County Relay for Life. I hadn’t even realized the event was being held that night until reading about it in the local weekly newspaper, The Corsica Globe.

“Did you want to go to this?” I asked Mom, thinking she wanted to see the activities.

“I’d like to go to the supper beforehand for the survivors and their families. Would you go with me?” she asked.

Sure, no problem, I said.

I wasn’t ready for the next question.

“I want to walk the survivor’s lap. Do you think I can make it?” she asked.

This was a major commitment for her. She was concerned about going the distance around the track. But she also needed to make a statement — for herself, for an aunt who was undergoing chemotherapy and for the family and friends we have lost through the years.

I reassured her that she could make the walk.

“There will be chairs around the track if you need to rest. You need to remember, it’s not a race,” I said. “You’ll have plenty of support from the other walkers, and I’ll be there for you on the sidelines.”

Then came her final question that I wasn’t prepared for at all.

“When I get done with the survivor’s lap, will you walk with me on the caregiver’s lap?” she asked.

Somehow, I felt as if we had already been taking that walk together for years.

Since joining the Press & Dakotan staff 15 years ago, I have covered Yankton’s Relay For Life event. Even when I wasn’t covering Relay for Life, I still went down to Riverside Park to watch teams walk laps.

Each year, I admired the walkers’ dedication and courage.

Then, in November 1998, Relay for Life’s mission touched me personally. During about a two-week span, my grandmother died, my father died — and my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Fortunately, Mom’s cancer was detected early, while still in Stage 1. She underwent surgery in March 1999, then began a series of radiation treatments here in Yankton. Thankfully, she did not need to undergo chemotherapy, but the radiation still proved intense.

With Corsica located 85 miles from Yankton, we faced a decision on how to handle the daily treatments. Some days, she stayed with me. Other days, my brother and aunt commuted with her.

Whether Mom stayed with me or commuted, we kept one ritual. She underwent her 11:30 a.m. radiation, then I picked her up for lunch. The standing lunch date kept up her spirits as well as her strength.

After finishing her series of treatments, she went on a Tomaxifen regimen. Each year came and went, until she reached the goal of cancer-free for seven years. She still remains faithful in getting regular exams for any sign of the cancer’s recurrence.

The news has not been as good for other family members and friends. Some have endured agonizing chemotherapy. And then there are those we have lost.

Ten years have passed since my mom’s struggle with breast cancer. But the battle never really ends, which is what made this year’s Douglas County Relay For Life so important for Mom.

At this summer’s Relay For Life, we went to the survivors’ meal in the Corsica school lunchroom. I was surprised to see so many people that I knew. I was even more surprised to learn they were all cancer survivors.

As 7 p.m. arrived, we walked over to the football field for the opening ceremonies. The survivors were invited to take their place on the oval track. Those diagnosed with cancer in the past year were placed at the head of the pack. The other walkers were divided into groups of years, with Mom standing in front of those who had survived for 10 years.

Then came a stunning request from the Master of Ceremonies.

“Will all of those in the first group now turn around and look at everyone behind you?” he asked. “This is your future. This is your hope. All of these people behind you have survived cancer, and you can, too.”

Suddenly, the atmosphere changed from fear and anxiety to one of comfort and support.

The survivors began walking around the track. Mom didn’t trudge along. She walked with determination, passing up the chance to rest along the way. Instead, she finished strong.

So strong, in fact, that she didn’t stop at the finish line. And she didn’t need to ask if I would walk the next lap with her. I was waiting, and we hit the same stride. We walked a second, third and fourth lap. And we walked again later in the evening, joined by my brother.

During our laps, I read the names on the 520 luminaries — paper bags filled with lit candles — encircling the track. The bags contained messages of joy and triumph for survivors, and messages of love and memories for those now gone.

I was also impressed by the relay teams, many of them carrying signs or wearing similar outfits. A group of Dakota Wesleyan University athletes from Mitchell joined a Corsica teammate who had lost family members to cancer.

In one of the most emotional moments of the night, a woman told the audience that she had asked her sister — who had just been diagnosed with cancer at the time — if she wasn’t filled with rage against God.

No, the sister replied, because she was being brought closer to God through the ordeal. She also realized she could be called to her heavenly home.

The cancer victim did eventually pass away, but not before touching those around her with faith and courage.

I felt that same admiration for Mom as we walked that night side by side, taking each lap as it came.

It’s true, each journey begins with a simple step, even in the most trying of times. But as long as you have love and support, you are not forgotten — and you never walk alone.

Avon Man Named Teacher Of Year

It’s been quite the year — or at least, quite the past week — for the Avon school district.

First, Superintendent Tom Oster was named Friday as the new state Secretary of Education, replacing Geddes native Rick Melmer who is taking over the reins next month as dean of the School of Education at the University of South Dakota.

Then, math and science teacher Paul Kuhlman was named Sunday night as South Dakota’s Teacher of the Year for 2009. Gov. Mike Rounds made the announcement at the Teacher Leadership Conference in Pierre.

The only problem: Kuhlman was unable to accept his award. He was in Washington, D.C., as one of five finalists competing for the Discovery Education 3M Top Science Teacher. Oster accepted the award in Kuhlman’s place, and Rounds and Melmer called Kuhlman from the banquet in Pierre.

Kuhlman will now represent South Dakota in the 2009 National Teacher of the Year competition.

I interviewed Oster last week about his own career change. In some ways, his selection was no surprise. He has become visible across the state for his involvement in a number of education-related areas, including two state-aid task forces which included members from around South Dakota.

Oster has enjoyed his various roles in the Avon district, including football coach. He is serving as a replacement until the return of head coach (and principal) Tom Culver from his deployment in Iraq. The word from the South Dakota National Guard is that Culver’s unit should return later this month.

As for Kuhlman, he has crafted winning science teams which have earned national recognition. And the annual science fair has become a major event in Avon. His math and science classes also draw a large number of students, who go on to successful careers — or at least a deep appreciation and curiosity for math and science.

A tip of the hat to both Avon educators, and good luck to them in the future.

Charlie Battery Receives Call

Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 147th Field Artillery — including the Yankton-based Charlie Battery — have received official notification for a one-year mobilization and deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

They will depart South Dakota in April 2009 and return in April 2010, according to Maj. Orson Ward, the South Dakota National Guard’s public affairs officer. Charlie Battery previously served a deployment for Iraq from July 2004 to September 2006.

The Salem-based Bravo Battery also received the notification, but none of the current deployed members of Battery B are considered part of the mobilization, Ward said. Those soldiers are expected to return home from Iraq in mid- to late October, he said.

About a dozen Charlie Battery members are currently serving with Bravo Battery.

For Charlie Battery, the notification is not unexpected. They have been under a training alert for several months, and the notice gives them an official deployment timetable. Ward expects the deployment to go forward regardless of the outcome of this fall’s presidential elections.

Watch for more information in Tuesday’s Press & Dakotan.

While the deployment has been expected, that doesn’t make it any less difficult for the soldiers and their families. But I have been privileged to cover our soldiers — not just Charlie Battery but area units as well as local soldiers serving with other units — and know they are doing an outstanding job in fulfilling their mission.

We as members of the public can do our part by supporting the troops and their families, not just at the activation ceremonies but every single day. That support transcends any political beliefs about the war itself.

We have done it before, and I am positive that we will pull together again.

Shur-Co’s Springfield Expansion

Shur-Co. of Yankton announces Springfield expansion

SPRINGFIELD — Shur-Co. of Yankton announced an expansion today (Wednesday, Oct. 1) taking place in Springfield later this year.

Shur-Co. will continue to operate the corporate headquarters and factory in Yankton.

Shur-Co. manufactures tarp cover systems for applications in agriculture, marine, railroad, and construction.

“Springfield is a great place with a reputation of getting things done and moving things forward. We are excited to become a part of the Springfield community and economy,” said William Shorma, Shur-Co.’s president and CEO.

Increased demand for existing Shur-Co. products as well as a growing demand for its new Rushmore Buildings product line prompted the company’s expansion plans.

“The City of Springfield, South Dakota Governors Office of Economic Development (GOED), SD Planning and Development District III, and the Bush 2008 Economic Stimulus Plan aligned to create an environment to move this project forward aggressively,” Shorma said.

The Springfield location will initially employ about 20 individuals with an additional 10 associates added to the team by the end of 2009.

“We are pleased Shur-Co. decided to expand in South Dakota,” said Richard Benda, secretary, South Dakota Department of Tourism and State Development. “Helping existing companies expand in our state is a key component of our marketing efforts. We realize that these companies are the foundation of our economy and we work hard to make sure they continue to grow and prosper in our state.”

Shur-Co. will begin interviewing, hiring and training employees almost immediately for the new Springfield team. Most training will take place at the Yankton factory.

Some of the Springfield positions will be in customer service, national sales, engineering (mechanical/structural), drafter/designer, accounting, plant maintenance, metal fabrication, steel welding and industrial sewing.

Applications can be picked up at Shur-Co. in Yankton or the city office in Springfield.