Winner Advocate

Winner Advocate Covering Tripp County since 1910

Laura Brown-Advertising/General Manager
Dan Bechtold-Editor
Elisabeth Gregg- Graphic Artist
Jennifer Duffy- Office Manager
Rita Pravecek- Social Media/ Website
Charley & Norma Najacht-Owners
Charley Najacht-Publisher

09/17/2026

Splash pad location finalized

By Dan Bechtold
Editor
A location for a splash pad in Winner was approved at last Tuesday's meeting of Winner City Council.
It will be located on the west side of the tennis court at McDonald Park.
Several members of Beta Alpha ESA and others in support of the splash pad attended the meeting.
In a Facebook post, ESA said: “This is a community project and tonight’s unanimous vote and community support is a win for Winner. We are so incredibly grateful for each and every person who has supported this effort.”
In other business, Rhonda Gilchrist of Southern Plains Behavioral Health Services invited the council to the 4th annual butterfly release which will be held on Sept. 16. It will start at 6 p.m. in the garden area of T4 Foundation in the city building and then the group will walk to the city park for the release of the butterflies.
The garden area of T4 is in the back of the city building.
The butterfly release is held in recognition of su***de awareness month to raise awareness and offer hope to families and individuals affected by su***de.
Mayor Brad Schramm read a proclamation declaring September as su***de prevention month.
Public safety commissioner Mitch Miller reported in August there were 2,200 incidents entered into the CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch). The 911 calls totaled 1,031 and the administrative calls for the month were 4,875.
Miller explained he met with the Buffalo County Commissioners and Crow Creek Sioux Tribal Council and both have signed a 911 contract.
Finance officer Harly Kingbury reported on the presale of Labor Day carnival tickets. The Spirit Gems helped with sales and Kingsbury said they did a good job.
The council donated $1,000 to the Spirit Gems for their help.
An ordinance setting the first reading of the 2027 budget was approved. The 2027 budget totals $23,000,323.
A resolution was approved authorizing the expenditure of 3rd penny sales tax fund for municipal capital improvements and facility projects.
The projects where this money will used includes:
•Community center building exterior repairs approximately $95,000
•Digital sign installation at city hall for municipal public information and promotion of city of Winner, approximately $55,000
•Community center floor stripping and refinishing, approximately $10,000
A resolution was also passed authorizing the accumulation of funds for the purchase of a new ladder fire truck.
A resolution was passed authorizing the expenditure of funds from the city of Winner contingency fund for streaming equipment in the amount of $5,970.94. This equipment will be used for live streaming of Winner city council meetings and other uses authorized by the city.
Approval was given to surplus 2020 JT10 Ditch Witch boring machine.
Approval was given to pay request No. 5 for the Monroe Street project to Menning Excavation in the amount of $271,059.94.
The council set a public hearing for Oct. 5 for special assessments.
Sandra “Sis” Bice will retire from the corrections department on Sept. 30. She has worked in corrections for 20 years.

Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo Winner cheer/dance honored the seniors on the team Saturday. Pictured from left are C...
09/17/2026

Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo
Winner cheer/dance honored the seniors on the team Saturday. Pictured from left are Chloe Taggart, Autumn Cook, Lena DeMers, Brooke Headrick, Piper Mortenson and Suchi Chaudhari. The girls’ parents are standing behind them.

09/16/2026

A bingo benefit for Senior Meals

A bingo benefit for the Winner senior meal program will be held Sept. 19 at the Winner American Legion.
There will be a supper at 6 p.m. serving sloppy joes, hot dogs and beans. There will be a free will donation for food.
Bingo will start a 7 p.m.
There will be door prizes and 50 percent payback for bingo.
The Sons of the American Legion are helping to sponsor this event.

09/16/2026

Persons named to Sr. Citizens board

Five persons were chosen to serve on the newly organized senior citizens board at a meeting last Tuesday.
Chosen were John Meyer, Don Tuttle, Rene Holzer, Rocky Blare and Tony Coffman.
This group will meet to decide who will fill the officer roles.
As the senior citizens is now organized they will continue to work with ROCS, raise funds for the senior citizens center and work on improvements to the building.

Czech Fest was a huge success By Dan BechtoldEditorFrom polka music to colorful Czech clothing, the Tripp County 4-H cen...
09/16/2026

Czech Fest was a huge success
By Dan Bechtold
Editor
From polka music to colorful Czech clothing, the Tripp County 4-H center reverberated with stories, food and music of the Czech Republic.
The first Winner Czech Fest was held Sept. 12 and was a rousing success.
Many people in this area of south central South Dakota can trace their ancestors to the Czech Republic. It is a culture that has deep meaning to many people. And that culture, food and music of that country could be found in Winner one pleasant Saturday. From a tractor pull, where men actually pull a tractor, to a fashion show and steinholding contest there was lot to see an do.
The Tabor Beseda Dancers put on a wonderful show.
There was even a kolache contest with 25 entries. Barb DeSersa won the prize for most unique kolache with a peanut butter and jelly creation
Susan Calhoon won the prize for traditional and best overall.
And in fact, you could find a photographer enjoying a kolache (Yes, more than one) while snapping pictures.
The tractor pull drew a large crowd and was sponsored by Grossenburg Implement.
First place went to the tire shop at Grossenburgs. Second went to a team named Strong Ox and third to Gimpy. There were two youth teams that placed.
Renae Kaiser helped to spearhead the Czech fest.
She was raised by her grandparents Dick and Donna Franz. Donna was 100percent Bohemian. “We grew up learning the Czech culture and my great grandmother, Martha Ambroz made the best kolaches,” she explained.
Kaiser said she started doing a lot of family genealogy and research of where the Ambroz family came from in the Czech Republic.
Through this research kaiser decided she and her three sibblings were going to make a trip to the Chez Redpublic. The trip was a year ago at this time. Kaiser explained they still have family living in the southern area of the Czech Republic.
To raise money for the trip, Renae and her brother, Rich sold kolaches.
“When we got back to the States were really passionate about starting a Czech fest in Winner and that is how the whole idea stated,” she said.
Kaiser put together a committee and then put feelers out on Facebook if there was anyone who wanted to serve on this committee and plan a festival. Among those on the committee were Renae and her three sibblings (Rich Frantz, Reann Frantz and Christal Assman), Susan Fott, Rich Fott, Jerrel Tyburec, Barb DeSersa, Amanda Williuweit and Carol Brown. There were others who helped this core group.
When asked how she felt the day went, Renae explained she felt it went well. “I was nervous, I did not know what to expect and who was going to come,” she said. In fact there was a lady here from Arizona and one from Colorado.
There are plans to make this fest an annual event to showcase the rich heritage of the Czech Republic.

Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo Travis Walker was inducted into the Winner School Hall of Fame on Friday. Walker grad...
09/11/2026

Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo
Travis Walker was inducted into the Winner School Hall of Fame on Friday. Walker graduated from Winner High School in 2003 and is currently a professor in the department of chemical and biological engineering at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. He is pictured with his wife Kat and their two sons Dane and Kai.

Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo Seth Daughters was inducted into the Winner School hall of fame at the football game ...
09/11/2026

Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo

Seth Daughters was inducted into the Winner School hall of fame at the football game on Friday. From high school, Daughters went on to play football for South Dakota State University. He is pictured with his wife Danielle and their three children—Braylee, Jones and Evy.

Demo Derby Winners Named Winners have ben named in the Winner American Legion demolition derby held on Sunday, Sept. 6.T...
09/11/2026

Demo Derby Winners Named

Winners have ben named in the Winner American Legion demolition derby held on Sunday, Sept. 6.
The weld class had eight cars and drivers were from South Dakota, Nebraska and Iowa.
Winners of this class: 1. Tony Roth, Mitchell;. 2. Derek Cleveland, Aberdeen and 3. Quenton Timm, Minder, Neb. The mad dog was Cleveland.
The Tom Strand award went to Lane Hall.
The stock class had 18 cars and drivers from South Dakota.
Results include: 1. Joe Lehman, Pierre; 2. Keaton Liable, Marion and 3. Breven Bolander, Winner. The Mad Dog was Tanner Elder.
The Tom Strand award went to Nathan Wildeboar.
The Cut and Go class had six cars all from South Dakota.
Breven Bolander of Winner took first place and Spencer Earll, Wood, was second.

Tim Pravecek of Winner was inducted into the 4-H hall of fame at a ceremony Sunday at State Fair in Huron. Pravecek has...
09/10/2026

Tim Pravecek of Winner was inducted into the 4-H hall of fame at a ceremony Sunday at State Fair in Huron.
Pravecek has served the Tripp County and South Dakota Shootings Sports program for over 33 years. His commitment has
been instrumental in the growth and success of the Tripp County program, helping transform it from one with limited resources into a thriving program where youth have access to the equipment, training,
and support needed to succeed.
A passionate supporter of youth development, Tim has extended his impact beyond 4-H by building strong partnerships with organizations such as the Tripp County Arrowsmyths and the Rosebud Rod,
Arrow and Gun Club. Known throughout the community as a trusted resource, he has introduced countless families to shooting sports and helped create opportunities for youth to learn, compete, and grow.
Tim's leadership has also made a lasting impact at the state level.
He has volunteered at numerous South Dakota 4-H Shooting Sports
events, including fall and spring state shoots, participated in annual planning meetings, and helped guide the future of the program. He
served as chief range officer for the shotgun discipline in 2005 and 2006 and has coached several national teams in multiple disciplines
Through more than three decades of volunteer service, Tim has positively influenced generations of young people, promoted safe
and responsible shooting sports, and built a legacy of leadership, mentorship, and commitment that continues to strengthen 4-H and communities across South Dakota.

09/10/2026

Cast chosen for fall play

The cast has been chosen for the fall production of the Winner Community Playhouse.
“The Wild Women of Winedale” is the play that will be presented Oct. 1, 2, 3 and Oct. 9-10 at the playhouse. The production will be at 7:30 p.m. each night.
The cast includes: Nancy Hoogendoorn, Mary Backus, Michele Hagenlock, Barb DeSersa, Kierra Bainter and Vickie Barfuss.
The play focuses on three women at the crossroads in their lives.
The play is directed by Sandra York with Dan Patmore as the technical director.
This production is a Jones, Hope, Wooten play and the Winner Community Playhouse has done several of these plays.

Address

325 S. Monroe Street, Suite 119
Winner, SD
57580

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Tuesday 9am - 1pm
Wednesday 9am - 1pm
Friday 9am - 1pm

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