Broadcaster Press 3 November 27, 2018 www.broadcasteronline.com An Unusual Assignment By Daris Howard Black Hills National Forest Christmas Tree Tags Available Custer, SD – Christmas Tree tags are now on sale, and free to all 4th graders. The Black Hills National Forest is excited to continue the 4th Grade Free Christmas Tree Program again this holiday season. Fourth graders are eligible for a FREE Christmas tree permit through the Every Kid in a Park (“Every Kid”) Initiative. Every Kid is a nationwide call to action to build the next generation of conservationists. All fourth graders are eligible to receive a fourth grade pass that allows free access to federal lands and waters across the country for a full year. In order for students to receive a free Christmas tree permit, they must present a valid 4th Grade pass or paper voucher printed from the Every Kid in a Park website: https:// everykidinapark.gov/. To obtain the voucher, visit the website, click on the “Get your pass” button and follow the instructions. Print out the paper voucher and bring it with you to a District Office or the Supervisor’s Office on the Black Hills National Forest. Christmas Tree tags will be available November 15 – December 24, 2018 at Black Hills National Forest offices in western South Dakota and northeast Wyoming. White spruce, ponderosa pine, and western juniper are available and can be cut in many parts of the National Forest. Each permit is accompanied by a handout with guidance about appropriate tree removal. Trees may not be cut in developed recreation sites, Forest Service administrative sites, active timber sales, the Black Hills Experimental Forest near Rochford, the Black Elk Wilderness, the Beaver Park area near Sturgis or within Spearfish Canyon. Individual permits cost $10, up to a maximum of five permits is allowed per individual, and the maximum allowable height of cut trees is 20 feet. Permits require that you cut the entire tree, leaving no more than six inches of stump, and that you cut unused branches so they lay flat on the ground. The adhesive permit tag must be attached before a tree is removed from the cutting area; a citation can be issued for possession of a cut-butuntagged tree, even if a tag is available in person or in your vehicle. Trees should be placed in water as soon as possible to help keep needles fresh. Once indoors, trees should be placed away from stoves, heaters, or heating ducts. After Christmas, used trees should be disposed of properly as yard waste. Do not dump used trees on national forest land. There are no refunds for uncut trees or unused permits. Please note that Forest Service offices will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. December 24 is the last day permits will be sold at Forest Service offices. Private vendors (listed below) may sell tags until December 24. Tags are available by mail It was the day after Thanksgiving. As a police officer, Samuel was preparing to go on patrol, but he had to fill out the required reports first. Paperwork was the thing he hated most. He much preferred to be out on the streets. He finished his reports and looked at his assignment. He was going to be working in a poor section of the city. If there was one place Samuel liked to work, it was that section of town. He had made lots of friends in that area. Even though there was more crime there because of the poverty, the people whom he had come to know were more inclined to stop and visit, and it made work go by faster. When he worked in the rich areas of town, too often, people were so caught up in their fast-paced lives that he never got more than a nod from them before they hurried on their way. Samuel was just putting on his coat when he heard someone call his name. Samuel turned around, and there stood his sergeant. Samuel’s heart sank, thinking he was going to be assigned some more paperwork. “Officer Nakamura,” the sergeant said, “could you use a sandwich before you head out?” This statement took Samuel by surprise. Usually, his sergeant was all business. Samuel stood there for a minute, unable to speak. When he finally did speak, he just said, “A sandwich, Sir?” The sergeant nodded. “Yes. Turkey or ham, to be exact.” Samuel hardly knew what to say, so he just sputtered, “Uh, yeah, I suppose a sandwich would be nice.” As the sergeant handed Samuel a sandwich, he sighed. “My wife expected a lot of family members to come yesterday, but the storm forced most of them to turn back. She had cooked two turkeys and a ham and made enough rolls to feed an army. She said she’s not about to eat leftovers for a month, so she made them all into sandwiches and told me to give them away.” Samuel took the sandwich and took a bite. “This is very good, Sir. Thank you.” “Yeah, she’s a good cook,” the sergeant replied. “But I was just ready to get off work when I remembered the sandwiches. I don’t dare go home until I have given them all away.” The sergeant started back to his desk, and Samuel started to button up his coat. Suddenly, the sergeant stopped and turned back around. “What am I doing?” the sergeant said. “I don’t have to give the sandwiches away. I can just assign you to do it.” “How many sandwiches are there?” Samuel asked. “Three huge coolers full,” the sergeant replied, pointing to the coolers by his desk. “You can just put the empty coolers back by my desk when you’re done.” “But I was going out on a walking route,” Samuel replied. “Not anymore,” the sergeant replied. “You’ll need to take the patrol car.” With a nod, the sergeant said, “Happy after-Thanksgiving Day,” and he quickly left. Samuel looked in the first cooler and figured there was well over a hundred sandwiches in it. The other coolers were stuffed full as well. He wondered how and to whom he could give that many sandwiches. But then he smiled as he realized how stupid that thought was. He loaded the coolers into the patrol car and headed to his assigned area. He stopped first by an old basketball court where teenagers were playing ball. “Hey, anybody like a sandwich?” Samuel called out. Soon he had given out a few dozen sandwiches to some appreciative young people. Samuel stopped next at a place where homeless people hung out and were warming themselves around a fire. Though some people quickThe 41st Celebration of the ly disappeared at the site St. Lucia Tradition at of his patrol car, they just Dalesburg Lutheran Church as quickly came back when 30595 University Road they heard he was offering Sunday, December 9th • 3pm free sandwiches. Scandinavian Program and Food Samuel continued passFreewill Collection ing out sandwiches wherSponsored by Dalesburg Scandinavian Association. ever he went, to the old, For information or in case of to children in threadbare inclement weather call: 605-253-2575 coats, and to everyone he or visit www.dalesburg.org met. His shift ended before the sandwiches were gone, but he continued until every last one was given away. for Health When Samuel came to 216 West Main Street • Vermillion, SD work the next day, his sergeant apologized for givGive the gift of health ing him such a strange asthis holiday season. signment. But Samuel just Stop in for your Gift Certificates today! smiled and told what he had done. Open Monday thru Friday “If your wife ever cooks Lois Hazen, LMT For appointments, call 624-6732 too much, I’d be happy to www.loismassages.com give it away again.” After the sergeant told his wife about it, she made it an annual tradition to cook too much and make the leftovers into sandwiches. And Samuel looked forward to sharing the food on his beat. It was one of the few reports he looked forward to writing about. Welcome! Massage 3x ...the Value from the Forest Supervisor's Office, 1019 North 5th Street, Custer, SD, 57730. Enclose a check or money order in the amount of $10 for each tree permit, up to a maximum of five trees per individual as well as a self-addressed stamped envelope. The Forest Service will mail tags and cutting instructions. Permits are available at the following Forest Service locations: Forest Supervisor's Office and Hell Canyon Ranger District - Custer 1019 North 5th Street Custer, SD 57730 Phone: 605-673-9200 Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Hell Canyon Ranger District - Newcastle 1225 Washington Boulevard Newcastle, WY Phone 307-746-2782 Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nebraska National Forest / Fall River Ranger District 1801 Highway 18 Bypass Hot Springs, SD Phone: 605-745-4107 Office Hours: Mon. through Fri.: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cash or Check Only Christmas tree permits may also be available from the following private vendors thru December 24 (where open): Heart of the West Conoco 632 Main Street Hill City, SD 57745 605-574-9001 Sunday – Saturday: 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Custer Ace Hardware 833 Mt. Rushmore Road Custer, SD 57730 605-673-2227 Monday – Saturday: 7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Sunday: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. For more information on the Black Hills National Forest, visit http://www. fs.usda.gov/blackhills Clay County Historical Society Annual Christmas Tour of Homes Friday, December 7, 2018 4:30-7:30 p.m. Tickets $20 - available at the Austin-Whittemore House, Davis Pharmacy and from Lisa Johnson at the Spa at Wynie Mayes in Vermillion For more information call 605-624-8266 or claycohistory@yahoo.com Holiday Markets December 1 • 10am-1pm December 15 • 10am-2pm (extended hours) Clay County Extension/4H Building 515 High Street Produce, meats, herbs, honey, soaps, breads, baked goods, pickles, salsas, jams/jellies and unique gifts Vermillion Area Farmers Market www.vermillionfarmersmarket.org 605-659-3399 We accept cash, check, debit and SNAP benefits Find what you need for your holiday activities - all local! 2018 VERMILLION HOLIDAY STROLL THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6 • 5 P.M. - 8 P.M. Stop by these local businesses for treats, beverages, and sweet DEALS on your holiday shopping must-haves! Saturday, December 1, 2018 9 a.m.-Noon Open To The Community Shop for gifts or for yourself in Sant’a’s Workshop featuring local vendors Heart of the Hills Exxon C-Store 201 Main Street Hill City, SD 57745 605-574-2077 Sun. – Thur.: 5:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. Fri. – Sat.: 5:00 a.m. – Midnight Bearlodge Ranger District 101 South 21st Street Sundance, WY Phone: 307-283-1361 Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. St. Agnes School 909 E. Lewis St., Vermillion, SD For Your Classified! 605-624-4429 Deadwood Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center 501 Main Street Deadwood, SD 57732 605-578-1876 Monday thru Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hardware Hank 770 Mountain View Road Rapid City, SD 57702 605-343-5150 Mon. through Fri.: 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Saturday: 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Sunday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Northern Hills Ranger District 2014 North Main Street Spearfish, SD Phone: 605-642-4622 Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Breakfast With Santa • French Toast Breakfast • • Pictures with Santa • • Kids Crafts & Activities • • Only $5 per person • Deadwood History & Information Center 3 Siever Street Deadwood, SD 57732 605-578-2507 Monday thru Sunday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundance Travel Center 2823 E. Cleveland (Hwy14) Sundance, WY 82729 307-283-1200 Open 24 Hours, 7 days per week. Mystic Ranger District 8221 South Highway 16 Rapid City, SD Phone: 605-343-1567 Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Minitman Too (formerly Buckstop) 611 East Jackson Boulevard Spearfish, SD 57783 605-642-4793 Monday thru Sunday: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Accepts check or cash only Cenex Convenience Store 2030 Lazelle Street Sturgis, SD 57785 605-347-3305 Monday thru Saturday: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Vermillion Parent Teacher Organization will be gift wrapping in the lobby of McVicker Plaza for a freewill donation. #SHOPLOCAL #LOVERMILLION • Blue Monarch • Charlie’s • Coyote Twin Theater • Davis Pharmacy • Hartford Steak Co. Tavern • Sharing the Dream • The Bean • The Iron Rooster • The Spa at Wynie Mae’s • THiNK Thread & Ink • Valiant Vineyards • Varsity Pub • Vermillion Area Chamber & Development Company • Vermillion Vision Clinic • Willson Florist