For Great South Dakota Products Bill Beshara DHS55 Announces a new 2011 Catalog

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Bill and Wanda (Dakota Pride Manager) have streamlined and focused on their own unique Dakota Pride tm products and for 2011 they have a completely new on-line catalog process.

Bill's best-of-the-best BBQ Sauce is now available in a bottle. He developed it over many years of restaurant use and it is now available in his secret formula.  Try it!

Wanda is charge of the Cashew Crunch as seen on Andy Rooney’s "60 Minutes"!  All the candy is made right there in the Black Hills of South Dakota, with pure butter, sugars and a coconut topping. They cook it in small batches with all natural ingredients, no preservatives, artificial color or flavorings.  For 2011 there is chocolate covered crunch including caramels and mint.  This whole line of hand made candies are wonderful.

Meteor Fire on Spearfish Crow Peak

The South Dakota Magazine reported a sighted meteor striking Crow Peak and causing a forest fire on November 6, 2008.  For those who have forgotten Crow Peak is largest mountain West of Spearfish.  The publication reports in part "Our good buddy Grant Peterson of Depot Radio in Brookings told us this week that his son, Randee, saw a meteor falling from the sky onto Crow Peak shortly before a forest fire was reported there last week. He lives in Spearfish, and has a good view of the mountain from his deck.  Fortunately, the fire was quickly contained by firefighters. It only burned a few acres. The official cause was unknown, but authorities said it was possible that a meteor ignited the forest brush."

See complete report: http://www.southdakotamagazine.com/editors_notebook.php?p=2421

Picture view from the Attic Room at Aunt Apple's Inn, Spearfish SD http://www.auntapplesinn.com/amenities.html

True Thought from Funky Winkerbean today 11-06-08

I don't think Winkerbean will mind that we dhsclassmates share this profound truism.

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Deadwood Historical Preservation Committee Wall of Fame

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Deadwood City Hall in 1895. Photographer unknown. Note the wooden sidewalks on both sides of Main Street. It looks like the photo was taken from the subflooring level of the yet-to-be-built Franklin Hotel.

Credits: Photos from Black Hills Studios

The historical Deadwood City Hall and Fire Department (bottom left of building) burned in 1952. On the top floor, hung high on the walls beyond reach, were paintings of important people and the mayors. It was open to the public at all times. There were also numerous displays of all sorts of historical items. It was a wondrous place to spend time and connect with Deadwood's historical roots and visions. It was a sad, irreplaceable loss.

A handsome brick Deadwood City Hall of period architecture now stands at 102 Sherman Street. To recapture visions and deeds of individuals who have made new or innovative contributions to Deadwood's heritage, a Wall of Fame has been established in the City Hall. There is a public nomination process under the guidance of the Deadwood Historical Preservation Commission. See application form http://www.cityofdeadwood.com/vertical/Sites/%7BECDE07BE-19F7-4F11-A017-CFDAD3EEEE69%7D/uploads/%7BE0153713-872D-46D5-A487-EA01E080EF58%7D.PDF

With the help of Dustin Floyd for timely image copies and Commission approval, I am able to share a few of the Deadwood notables (Mr. Krug, George Beshara, and Sheriff Dick McGrath). Their Wall of Fame copies follow in the next three postings.

Credits: Dustin Floyd dustin@tdgcommunications.com and Deadwood Historical Preservation Committee http://www.deadwoodhistorylink.com/

Robert H. Krug, Deadwood Wall of Fame

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Credits: Dustin Floyd dustin@tdgcommunications.com and Deadwood Historical Preservation Committee http://www.deadwoodhistorylink.com/

Mr. Krug was the Deadwood High School (DHS) Principal and he touched every student he ever knew. He was the "shock and awe" of respect and responsibility that guided each us of students to achieve success in our lives. He instilled a life ethic that never failed us. Mr. Krug was the most impressive person I have ever known.

If any of us end up in Hell, he gave a little training on that too when you were "called" to his office :(.

I was visiting Deadwood and met him walking on Stewart Street not long before he died. I worked up my courage to speak to him and shake his hand. I told him about my college education, my family, and my great job as an engineer. His eyes twinkled when I told him how much I appreciated him and all that he did for me. He quietly said "thank you," shook my hand, and we went our ways.

George Beshara, Deadwood Wall of Fame

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Credits: Dustin Floyd dustin@tdgcommunications.com and Deadwood Historical Preservation Committee http://www.deadwoodhistorylink.com/

In an earlier post Ann Stanton wrote eloquently about a Destination in the Wilderness and how the Jewish people had contributed to the Deadwood historical heritage.

Lebanese immigrants and their families also made their contributions to Deadwood. Grandfather George Beshara (above), his family, and the Shama Family stand out for recognition in the family grocery business and service. Their stores were well placed at the opposite ends of Deadwoood, Shamas in 1st Ward and Besharas in 4th Ward.

The 4th of July was a big time and celebration for the Beshara Family. They would divide up the family on both sides of Charles Street and wale away with a ton of fireworks in all directions. It was a sight to watch. Pete Beshara stored the fireworks in his "Barrel," a fast food and soft drink stand next to Martin's Sinclair filling station. Sadly, one night the Barrel, full of fireworks, caught fire and burned to the ground in a spectacular fashion. That ended the Beshara fireworks wars. Funny to note that Pete was a fireman too.

The Besharas like to tell a story about George who refused to allow waste of anything, especially food. When they ate grapes he made them swallow the seeds saying they were good for them. That was before we had seedless grapes.

Sheriff Richard T. McGrath, Deadwood Wall of Fame

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Credits: Dustin Floyd dustin@tdgcommunications.com and Deadwood Historical Preservation Committee http://www.deadwoodhistorylink.com/

Lawrence County Sheriff McGrath's full name is Richard T. McGrath. I and many others knew him as "Dick". He was much shorter in height than average but commanded respect because that was what he gave others. He was my personal role model and mentor, I enjoyed being around him and the Sheriff's office. He appointed me a Deputy Sheriff in 1957 but I had to agree to stay in college, graduate, and get good job in industry. He said I could always come back later and learn to be a full-time Deputy. I graduated in engineering in 1959 and went to work for the Boeing Company. Dick's advice and guidance were excellent. My Deputy appointment probably expired with the next Sheriff who was Chuck Crotty DHS56. See copy of my appointment certificate and badge below.

Dick told me about his face-off with "Tiny" and his gang in the middle of Main Street. Tiny glared down at him and said "I have heard a lot about you and you look kind of small to me!" Dick looked him in the eyes and said "Ya, I am but I carry a BIG gun!" Dick carried a .357 Magnum which was considered a cannon handgun in those days. In one earlier scary shoot-out it took six shots from his .38 to stop the bad guy. From then on he carried a handgun that would stop someone with one shot. At the time, the FBI training and creed were, "We don't draw our gun to warn or wound." So Tiny was informed and smart enough to leave and live.

I believe that Dick was influenced by Deadwood's visiting FBI Special Agent Tony Shea, who encouraged Dick to attend the FBI's law officer's training and certification. Dick's natural talent and ethic made him a legendary success from this training. I have a family friend who was an FBI Special Agent. In the early 1970s he had a summer assignment at the Rapid City FBI office. My friend's FBI special skill led him to work closely with Sheriff Dick McGrath and he observed that Dick was truly greater than his legend.

In my days, Dick had a frequent sidekick, an SD State Patrolman named Jim Rumboltz. Jim was a giant of a man and they made an odd couple. Jim was a legend in the State Patrol, too. The mere presence of the two of them ended trouble before it began. They would laugh together about avoiding trouble, but when they were tested they did not flinch and always prevailed.

Hugh McGrath, Dick's brother, has told me that Rumboltz wrote a book in later life. Hugh looks just like Dick. (See picture of myself, Margaret Vancas McGrath DHS53, and Hugh at the 2007 All DHS Reunion). The bloodhound dog in the WOF was after my time . . .