Yellowstone Place Geyser

YPA President's Letter

2012-01-02T19:01:00.003-07:00

Lorraine Collins, YPA President

The fiscal year of Yellowstone Place Association ends December 31, so we will be having our first meeting of FY 2012 on Tuesday, January 10. We'll gather at the Cedar House for pie and coffee at 6:30 p.m. At that time we'll receive the Year End Financial Report so we can see the Association's financial situation. We will also discuss some new plans the board has developed to try to curtail our costs while maintaining the quality of our community. I hope you will come to the meeting. If you have any questions or concerns, now is the time to voice them.

Now that the Creekside School has added additional parking on the north side of the school and the City has designated the 5th Street from Yankee to the school as No Parking zones, traffic associated with the school has certainly diminished. Even before this, I thought we were lucky to have a school in that big field behind our houses instead of a Walmart or a series of apartment buildings. School officials have repeatedly said they want to be "good neighbors" to us, and I know we want to be good neighbors, too. So if you have any ideas about how to welcome the teachers and staff or children to our neighborhood, let me know.

This edition of the Geyser introduces some of our new neighbors (see below). We look forward to getting acquainted with them. In the meantime, I hope you have a jolly holiday season and a Happy New Year. Merry Christmas.

P.S. Don't forget the meeting on Tuesday, January 10 at 6:30 p.m. Pie and coffee at the Cedar House!

Lorraine

Welcome to the Rages family!

2011-11-19T10:08:00.001-07:00

Among our newest neighbors in Yellowstone Place, we're delighted to welcome Mark and Vivara Rages, shown behind their children (l-r) Melody, Abel, and Will. Mark works for Jim Meyer as an electronics and electrical engineer at Quarq. Vivara was born in Indonesia and has lived in five different countries. She has advanced degrees in journalism and mass communication from the University of Missouri. The Rages say they love their new neighborhood -- and we're delighted to welcome them to Yellowstone Place!

New traffic patterns in YPA neighborhood

2011-07-30T00:30:00.000-06:00

With the opening of Creekside School,there will be some changes in traffic on Yankee and Fifth Streets and Yellowstone Place.I talked to Cheryl Johnson, Public Works Director, today, so I thought I'd passalong the information.

Plans at present are that there willbe a stop sign on Yellowstone Place at Fifth Street, and a stop sign on Yankee at Fifth Street, aswell as one on Washington Streetat Fifth. Fifth, although it's only a couple of blocks long hereabouts, will beregarded as a "through street" so all streets entering it will havestop signs.

Also, the plan is to prohibitparking on Fifth between Yankee Street andthe school. This should be beneficial to us and should also discourage parentsfrom coming up Fifth to drop off their children. The school is determined toget parents to use the main, east entrance to drop off their kids. The Fifth Streetentrance is to be for faculty and school buses only.

Meanwhile, the City is going to buildsome handicapped entrances to sidewalks on Yellowstone and at the corner ofYankee and Fifth behind the Rec Center. The City is alsogoing to be tearing up some of the landscaping our neighbor Dorothy Gugel has done along Fifth Street, to extendthe sidewalk on the west side of Fifth toward the apartment complex there, alsoinstalling a railing over the drainage ditch. This will be done at no cost tothe landowners. Next year, the plan is to extend this sidewalk to Washington Street,assessing property owners. But this year kids walking to school will have towalk on the sidewalk behind the Rec Center and cross Fifth to get to the westside and then cross Yellowstone to get to the school. This is not exactly idealand it means Dorothy will be losingsome of her plantings, though the City says they will help transplant somethings.

Work on the sidewalk is going to beginon Monday (8/1/11).

Lorraine Collins

President

YPA neighbors are invited!

2010-12-29T22:30:00.000-07:00

2010-11-01T07:06:00.001-06:00

With a Halloween event at the nearby Rec Center, we saw lots of new spooks and goblins trick-or-treating around the neighborhood. It was a delight to see a familiar face as Casey "Subway" Nauta re-visited his old neighbors of YPA. Mom Christina and dad Justin were his escorts!

Food, fun and music at the YPA picnic!

2010-09-15T08:53:00.003-06:00

2010-08-19T22:59:00.004-06:00

2009-12-17T12:11:00.000-07:00

President's Letter

As another Fiscal Year for Yellowstone Place Association draws to a close, most things seem to be going along okay and we don't have any urgent concerns that I know of. That's good! The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for the 12th of January, 2010 and it will be at the Cedar House again in case any residents want to come hear the official treasurer's report of this Fiscal Year, or discuss any other matter. We'll meet at 6:30 as usual.
One thing we've been thinking about is the fact that though our Fiscal Year is from January to December, the Annual Meeting is scheduled for June in our Bylaws. We thought we'd talk about this at the January meeting and see whether the Annual Meeting, when we elect Board members, should be moved to January or whether the Fiscal Year should start in June, or whether we should just continue as we have. If you have any thoughts on the matter, let us know. I believe it will take a majority vote of a quorum of members to change the Bylaws if we want to do so.
I hope you have a happy holiday season and that the New Year brings good things!

Lorraine Collins,
President, YPA

YPA Meeting 10.20.09 @ Cedar House

2009-10-14T15:23:00.003-06:00

At 6:30 PM, Thursday, October 20 there will be a YPA meeting at the Cedar House Restaurant regarding the status of new East Elementary School construction on the Meier Property. Steve Williams of Williams & Associates will give a presentation about the construction plans, school layout, traffic, parking, and open space. After his presentation Steve will take questions about concerns YPA residents have about this project.

Donat and Temple join Board

2009-06-09T22:56:00.005-06:00

Dale Donat (standing at left) and Scott Temple (standing at right) were elected to the YPA Board of Directors during the 2009 annual meeting last night (6/9/09) at the Cedar House Restaurant. Donat will serve a three-year term, replacing Larry Miller, and Temple will serve two years, replacing Joani Toupal.

The Board elected officers during a brief session after the annual meeting. President Lorraine Collins (seated at left) and Vice-President Paul Dingeman (seated at right) were re-elected to their positions. Justin Nauta (standing center) will continue as Treasurer. Scott Temple was elected Secretary, and Dale Donat will serve as the new liaison for lawn/snow removal services.

We'll have further information about the meetings in a later posting -- but we wanted you to know who the slate of officers is for the coming year while the "ink is still wet!" Congratulations to all.

Meet your new neighbors...

2009-05-30T16:41:00.001-06:00

A few folks in Yellowstone Place have already had the privilege of welcoming our newest neighbors -- Chen Wu, Zack Cao, and their two delightful children, Lydia and Joseph. They have moved in to the garden home previously owned by Phil and Dawn Koehler.

We caught them relaxing on their front porch this weekend.

Chen Wu is holding daughter Lydia, who is three years old. Zack is holding six-month-old Joseph.

Originally from China, Chen and Zack were most recently residents of Oxford, Mississippi, where they earned advanced degrees in business at the University of Mississippi. Zack tells us he works in the Business Office at Black Hills State University and teaches part-time in the Business Department, where Chen Wu is a full-time professor.

As you have the opportunity, please welcome our newest neighbors to Yellowstone Place!

City sends notice of public hearing

2009-05-30T15:46:00.003-06:00

Many Yellowstone Place residents have received (5/30/09) the notice shown here:

Dues increase announced for YPA

2009-05-30T09:07:00.000-06:00

Yellowstone Place Association was formed in 2002, and an annual assessment was begun the following year to help pay for various expenses. Chief among these has been lawn care and snow removal, but legal work, preventative maintenance, and other continuing expenses have also been covered by the $90 monthy assessment.

Meeting earlier this month, the YPA Board of Directors, after considerable discussion over the past year, has determined that it is necessary to increase the assessment by 10 percent.

Accordingly, all owners have been sent a letter spelling out the increase. Here is the text of the announcement.

The increase is effective July 1st, 2009.

Annual meeting set for June 9th

2009-05-24T22:34:00.000-06:00

NOTICE

The annual meeting of the Yellowstone Place Association will take place at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 at the Cedar House Restaurant. Dessert and coffee will be served. All owners and residents are encouraged to attend this meeting. Further information will be forthcoming in the print version of the Yellowstone Place Geyser.

How're your sprinklers working?

2009-05-23T13:52:00.000-06:00

Since sprinklers have now been turned on by Merle's Lawn Service (5/22/09), we've heard from only one owner about misalignment of sprinkler heads. Most issues are caught when the water is first turned on by workers -- but there are frequently problems that arise in the first few days.

Please contact Larry Miller at 722-6018 if your sprinklers are misaligned or you have other problems with the sprinkler system. We'd like to take care as many reported problems as we can during these first few days.

Water park opens this weekend

2009-05-19T21:34:00.001-06:00

Traffic in and out of Yellowstone Place may be a bit heavier this weekend with the opening of the new Rec Center Water Park just south of the Post Office. By all appearances, the facility is ready for an onslaught of youngsters -- and perhaps a few older folks, too! Thanks to Karen Miller for sharing this panoramic photo of the new park.

Dingeman named V-P of history group

2009-05-06T01:03:00.000-06:00

Yellowstone Place neighbor Paul Dingeman has been around Spearfish almost all of his life. His involvement and interest in the community is reflected in his election this week (5/5/09) as Vice-President of the Spearfish Area Historical Society.

Shown above are the 2009-10 officers of the society. Seated in front is Mary Selbe, Secretary; others (left-to-right) are: Dorothy Honadel, Treasurer; Cheryl Miller; Paul Dingeman, Vice-President; Callie Houghton; and Rand Williams, President. Not pictured is Laurie Williams-Hayes, Programs.

The historical society meets monthly (September-May) at the Spearfish Senior Citizen's Center. If you're interested in reading more about the society and its programs, visit Black Hills Journal and click on Spearfish Area History Postings on the left-hand side of the page.

Congratulations, Paul!

Well done, Belle Fourche!

2009-04-29T13:15:00.000-06:00

When we chose to retire in the northern Black Hills four years ago, we had lots of good reasons. The cultural and sporting events at Black Hills State University, beautiful Spearfish Canyon, Black Hills National Forest, and medical facilities in Rapid City and Ellsworth Air Force Base were among them. For us, Belle Fourche was NOT a factor in luring us here.

Then, nearly two years ago, we had an epiphany and revealed it in this old Black Hills Monitor posting.

In the two years since, we’ve grown to like Belle Fourche even more.

Last night (4/28/09) was the frosting on the cake that will keep us going back to Belle Fourche for more.

A full-house at the Belle Fourche Community Center reveled in one of the best Big Band concerts we’ve ever seen – and we’ve seen more than a few in Nebraska, Oklahoma, Mississippi and Pennsylvania over the past four decades.

The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, led by the talented and amiable Bill Tole from Pittsburgh, gave the crowd a toe-tapping performance that was a fitting finale to the 2008-09 Center of the Nation Concert Series. From Green Eyes and Amapola to June Night and So Rare, the 14-member orchestra – joined by vocalist Nancy Knorr – gave the audience a happy trip down memory lane. Too, it was heartwarming to see the orchestra populated not just by veterans like Nole, but several young musicians who were likely not even born by the time Jimmy Dorsey passed away in 1957.

Concerts like the one we enjoyed last night don’t just happen. They’re the product of a vision and lots of hard work by Belle Fourche citizens.

Let’s name names. All of the members of the concert association Board of Directors deserve credit. Board President Barry Pitt has served as emcee for a season of great concerts, including the Frank Vignola Quintent, Trumpet Invasion, Just Friends, Counterpoint, and – of course – Jimmy Dorsey! Good friend Bill Kunerth -- among the board members -- capably handled publicity again this year for the association!

Many sponsors like Lindstad Trout Farm & Lindstad Alignment and Brake (which was a sponsor for the Dorsey concert) are important. Black Hills Pioneer/Prospector, KBFS/KYDT Radio, Belle Fourche Post & Bee, and First Western Bank have all been strong supporters of the concerts and deserve a special “Thank You”!

A big tip of the hat to dozens of Benefactors, Patrons, Donors and Contributors, without whom this series likely couldn’t survive. Most importantly, the hundreds of people who purchase tickets that support the series. Even with the modest increase announced for next year, this is one of the best bargains in the northern Black Hills! Highway 85 between Belle Fourche and Spearfish is a busy road as northern Hills residents outside of Belle burn a path back and forth on concert evenings!

Belle Fourche can be rightfully proud of the Center of the Nation Concert Series. We hope all Yellowstone Placed residents are looking forward to the next season as much as we are!

Five refrigerators repaired in YPA

2009-04-27T09:40:00.000-06:00

A&E Factory Service has dispatched a repairman to replace faulty components in at least five Yellowstone Place residences.

As noted in our last posting (see below), the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission -- in conjunction with Maytag Corporation -- last month announced a recall of several refrigerator/freezers manufactured by Maytag and marketed under a variety of brand names. A faulty relay poses what they call "a serious fire hazard."

Dale Donat reportedly saw the announcement in a newspaper and arranged to have his unit repaired. He then shared that information with neighbors, and the A&E Factory Service representative this morning (4/27/09) told us that he has repaired five units on Yellowstone Place, so far.

If you've not yet checked to see if your refrigerator is affected by this recall, we urge you to review the information below and follow up as may be appropriate. The repair is valued at about $70, but it is performed at no charge to the owner. More importantly, it can give you a little peace of mind!

Fire hazard prompts product recall

2009-04-20T11:51:00.001-06:00

Thanks to the diligence and thoughtfulness of good neighbor Dale Donat, we've learned that at least two -- probably more -- Maytag refrigerator/freezers owned by residents of Yellowstone Place are under recall notices.

In a product recall announcement dated March 10, 2009, The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled about 1.6 million units manufactured by Maytag and marketed under the following brand names: Maytag®, Jenn-Air®, Amana®, Admiral®, Magic Chef®, Performa by Maytag® and Crosley®.

An electrical failure in the relay, the component that turns on the refrigerator’s compressor, can cause overheating and pose a serious fire hazard. Maytag has received 41 reports of refrigerator relay ignition, including 16 reports of property damage ranging from smoke damage to extensive kitchen damage. Both side-by-side and top freezer refrigerators are included in the recall. They were sold between January 2001 and January 2004 at a time when many of our Yellowstone Place units were being built.

Affected units were manufactured in black, bisque, white and stainless steel. They have model and serial numbers printed on a label located on the top middle or left upper side of the refrigerator liner.

The sample illustration above shows where you should be able to find this information.

Yellowstone Place residents who want to determine if their refrigerator is included in the recall should contact Maytag toll-free at (866) 533-9817 anytime, or you can go to either the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website or to the Maytag Repair website for further information. You can even schedule a service call on the Maytag website. We understand they are making repairs free of charge.

Thanks again to Dale Donat and Lorraine Collins for sharing this information, and please let your friends and neighbors know about this recall!

Storm wreaks havoc across the region

2009-03-24T22:48:00.000-06:00

Our spring storm came a little earlier this year, but it created blizzard conditions and dumped lots of snow on our area on Monday -- up to 30 inches in Deadwood, and even more in other areas.

By the time Lorraine Collins took the above picture on Tuesday, blue sky and sunshine was evident from time to time. Thanks to Lorraine for sharing the above photo; it's looking southwest from the Collins residence. You'll find more storm images in our YPA Photo Gallery!

So Rare

2009-03-21T02:16:00.000-06:00

Great entertainment can, indeed, be "so rare." But for area big band music lovers, any scarcity of good music will come to an end on Tuesday, April 28, when the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra appears at the Belle Fourche Community Center. The 7:30 p.m. performance will be the final event in the 2008-09 Center of the Nation Concert Series -- and what a way to conclude the season!

"So Rare," of course, was one of Jimmy Dorsey's great hit tunes -- albeit a bit later in his career, long after he and brother Tommy had split up. Their careers date back to the very beginning of the big band era. Jimmy Dorsey was born February 29, 1904 in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, where his father was a coal miner. His younger brother Tommy would be born the following year. Their first significant gig was with the "Scranton Sirens." By the mid 1920's, they joined the Paul Whiteman band and their careers took off; they also developed their own "on again-off again" Dorsey Brothers orchestras.

Both the Dorseys could play a multitude of instruments -- but Jimmy was best known for his alto sax work, while Tommy was a superb trombonist. The Dorseys died relatively young and have been gone many years -- Tommy in 1956 and Jimmy in 1957.

It's a testament to their talents that tribute bands about for both Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, and these bands usually retain the styles and arrangements of their namesakes while adding a bit of fresh material. It'll be interesting to see what this group, led by Bill Tole, will do with Dorsey's music. Here's a link where you can learn more about the current Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra.

For transportation from Yellowstone Place, call 642-6668 by 1 p.m. on Monday, April 27th; rides cost $6.00, payable to the driver (please remember that the driver does not make change); rides will depart 218 Yellowstone at 6:45 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28th!

Hudson Hall site of meeting

2009-03-19T23:43:00.000-06:00

Topics ranging from shingles to a planned neighborhood school are expected to be discussed on Tuesday, April 14th, when the YPA Board of Directors meets for its regularly-scheduled quarterly meeting. The 7:30 p.m. gathering will take place in Room B of Hudson Hall in downtown Spearfish. Hudson Hall is located at 222 West Hudson Street. All owners and residents are encouraged to attend the meeting.

Meier farm -- sale in the offing?

2009-03-11T14:21:00.000-06:00

News reports abound this week that the Spearfish School Board has selected the "Meier property" just north of Yellowstone Place as the site for a new East Elementary School building.

Here's a link to the Black Hills Pioneer story on the subject.

YPA board president Lorraine Collins has agreed to contact school superintendent Dave Peters to express our interest in keeping abreast of school plans as the project unfolds -- hopefully having some input to planning of the campus in a way that might minimize potential problems between the school and Yellowstone Place.

Of course, it's not a done deal, since the school district and Meier's must reach an agreement on the price of the land. We'll try to post any updates as they're made available.

Counterpoint comes to Belle!

2009-03-09T18:29:00.000-06:00

Who needs an orchestra?

Renowned choral maestro Robert De Cormier leads an eight person mixed choir for the next installment of the Center of the Nation Concert Series at the Belle Fourche Community Center.

Counterpoint takes the stage at 7:30 p.m., next Monday, March 16th in a performance that will include choral chamber music from around the world. The program will include classical works, the folk music of Stephen Foster and a host of spirituals and work songs all of which helped launch Robert De Cormier into legendary status.

Among the music you can expect to hear: Stephen Foster's Camptown Races and John Henry; traditional folk tunes like Frankie & Johnny and Walk Together Children. Add a dab of spiritual and classical music from the likes of Benjamin Britten and Maurice Ravel, and you have the ingredients for a delightful evening!

Join your friends and neighbors for another fun evening in the 2008-09 concert series as Robert DeCormier brings Counterpoint to the northern Black Hills.

For transportation from Yellowstone Place, call 642-6668 by 1 p.m. on Friday, March 13th; rides cost $6.00, payable to the driver (please remember that the driver does not make change); rides will depart 218 Yellowstone at 6:45 p.m. on Monday, March 16th.

And the deed is done!

2009-02-12T18:20:00.001-07:00

Willson's Tree Service returned to Yellowstone Place today (2/12/09) to finalize removal of two elm trees behind a couple of association units. The fall 2008 photograph above shows the larger of the two trees before it was removed. The February 2009 shot at right is absent the huge tree -- only a single, trimmed, large tree remains behind the townhouse unit. To see a few photos of this project, visit our YPA Photo Gallery.

More to be done...

2009-02-11T15:29:00.001-07:00

Willson's Tree Service has begun removal of trees behind 205 and 207 Yellowstone, as well as trimming of the tree behind 209. This photo shows a bit of what has been done so far. Note the huge stumps and other debris yet remaining. Willson's will return in the next day or two to remove them.

It's a Sunday matinee!

2009-02-05T19:50:00.000-07:00

Stand-by Yellowstone Placers! After a hiatus of nearly three months, the Center of the Nation Concert Series resumes Sunday, February 15th with a special matinee performance.

Lee Noah and Jimmy Martin will take the stage at the Belle Fourche Community Center at 4:00 p.m. for what promises to be another delightful presentation in the 2008-09 series. They’ll join forces for some great music and good humor in a show called “Just Friends,” featuring some top-notch piano music and delightful vocals.

Jimmy and Lee really are dear friends, who reportedly first teamed up many years ago as part of a night club act – now reunited and armed with a diverse repertoire of fine music ranging from a Ragtime Medley to All That Jazz. Other selections you might expect: American Bandstand, Chapel of Love Medley, Try to Remember, and some cabaret music at its finest.

We’re told that Jimmy Martin was a child prodigy, debuting with the Toledo Symphony shortly after his 5th birthday. Dee Noah has worked with the the Toledo Symphony, the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, and has also done some film work.

Join your friends and neighbors for another great concert! For transportation from Yellowstone Place, call 642-6668 by 1 p.m., Friday, February 13th ; rides cost $6.00, payable to the driver (please remember that the driver does not make change). Rides will depart 218 Yellowstone Place at 3:15 p.m. in order to make the 4:00 p.m. performance!

Residents welcome new year!

2009-01-12T14:52:00.001-07:00

Most members of Yellowstone Place Association congregated at the Miller home on January 11th to commemorate the new year – and to welcome our newest residents!

Mark and Ruth Chaplin have just moved in to 321 Yellowstone Place after spending several years in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, where they were completing a teaching obligation at North Central University. Mark is the new pastor at Calvary Temple Assembly of God Church in Spearfish. He is a native of North Dakota, but he’s also spent time in Pierre and Murdo. Ruth is a native of Colombia.

While a few Yellowstone Place residents are still away – perhaps in warmer climes – Karen Miller said it was the best turnout yet for the open houses they’ve hosted around the holiday season.

We didn’t capture everyone in these few candid photos – but almost!

YPA Board to meet

2009-01-05T15:14:00.000-07:00

A reminder that the YPB Board of Directors will conduct its regular quarterly meeting at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 13th, 2009, at the Cedar House Restaurant in Spearfish. All YPA residents are encouraged to join the Board for this meeting. Dessert and coffee will be served!

You're invited...

2009-01-02T15:43:00.000-07:00

2008-12-25T13:36:00.000-07:00

Kiefer funeral is Tuesday

2008-12-20T15:22:00.000-07:00

Funeral services for Donald Lee Kiefer are set for 11 a.m., Tuesday, December 23rd, at the Aldinger Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Spearfish. Visitation will be for one hour prior to services. Burial, with military honors, will be at the Black Hills National Cemetery.

Don Kiefer lived at 217 Yellowstone Place. Here is the text of the obituary as it appeared in the Rapid City Journal today. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Kiefer family.

Don Kiefer dies

2008-12-17T16:58:00.000-07:00

We regret having to report that YPA neighbor Don Kiefer has died. We have little information beyond the following first obituary from the Rapid City Journal:

Donald L. Kiefer, 72, died Monday, Dec. 15, 2008, at his home.

Survivors include three children, Michael Kiefer, Spearfish; Alan Kiefer, Buffalo, Wyo.; and Gail Pullen, Spearfish.

Arrangements are pending with Aldinger Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Spearfish.

Winter arrives early

2008-12-14T14:12:00.000-07:00

We were impressed to see Merle and his yard service crew hard at it early this afternoon, removing the small amount of snowfall that fell last night in Yellowstone Place. That's the boss man himself at the wheel of the Bobcat plow.
.

Yellowstone Place residents have already seen substantial snow this season, and winter is still a week away! But the bitter cold that pushed into the northern Black Hills yesterday afternoon has brought temperatures we've not encountered in a good long while! The highest temperature of the day was -5 degrees at midnight, and Tmax Weather reports that the mercury dropped to -13 at about 6:30 this morning, supposedly our overnight low.

We recorded -24 on our backyard thermometer (a remote digital unit by Springfield) and a -19 on our front porch unit (a remote digital unit by La Crosse). At 2:30 p.m., winds at the Spearfish airport were in excess of 20mph and the temperature was -11, with a wind chill index of -36. The National Weather Service forecast for the next day or so isn't very encouraging:

This Afternoon: Patchy blowing snow and a chance of snow. Mostly sunny and cold, with a high near -12. Wind chill values between -37 and -42. Northwest wind around 18 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.Tonight: Patchy blowing snow and a slight chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around -20. Wind chill values between -36 and -41. West wind between 7 and 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

The sun has shone most of the day, offering a false sense of non-threatening conditions. The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill warning, advising area residents to be very cautious.

Be safe and keep warm!

'Tis the season!

2008-11-17T11:37:00.000-07:00

The holidays are just around the corner. From the frosty pumkins of Halloween.....to to the warm pumpkin pie of Thanksgiving...and the glimmer of the Christmas season. It's all enough to make even "Frosty" raise his hands in joy. We suspect grandchildren may have been the inspiration for this piece of workmanship -- or perhaps it was just a youthful adult at the Donat residence. In any event, it helped bring a few happy smiles to the neighborhood!

You're invited!

2008-11-12T16:17:00.000-07:00

All Yellowstone Place Association neighbors are invited to a New Year's Open House from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 11, 2009 at Karen and Larry Miller’s home. Former YPA neighbors are invited to join us, too, in celebration of the New Year! There’ll be snacks, drinks, and other munchies – including some delightful desserts! Of course, the greatest joy will be the fellowship of good neighbors. The Millers live at 309 Yellowstone Place. No RSVP is required, just come and join us for an informal neighborhood gathering!

Winter-like weather arrives

2008-11-09T23:38:00.000-07:00

Two feet of snow blown by strong winds last week didn't keep these kids from basking in the sunshine on Sunday (11/9) behind Dorothy Gugel's home.

Unlike our brethren up in Lead and Deadwood, where they picked up four feet of snow and more, we measured only about 24 inches -- most of it coming last Friday (11/7). A bit of it had melted by Sunday, but as you can sort of see above, the drifted and plowed snow still left lots of snow on the landscape.

~Note: be watching for the newest edition of the printed Geyser newsletter later this month. And don't forget the Trumpet Invasion concert this Tuesday evening (11/11) in Belle Fourche. Click here for details!

Performance is on Veteran's Day

2008-10-17T14:13:00.000-06:00

Man the turnstiles….here they come! It’s a Trumpet Invasion by father and son team Rich and Brandon Ridenour, the next performance in the Center of the Nation Concert Association series at the Belle Fourche Community Center will be on Veteran's Day, November 11th. The fun begins at 7:30 p.m.

A renowned musician, Rich Ridenour is a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan and has music degrees from both the University of Michigan and the Juilliard School of Music. He has built a formidable career performing concerts of great piano favorites ranging from classical masterworks to American ragtime, jazz and rock and roll. Recent symphony engagements include Guatemala, Detroit, Paducah, Jacksonville, San Antonio and Tacoma.

Rich has accompanied stars such as Carol Lawrence, Smokey Robinson, Larry Gatlin, and Mercedes Ellington. In the Belle Fourche gig, he teams up with his son, Brandon. They’ve been entertaining on stage together since Brandon was seven years old. They weave together some great music for all ages and a comedic presence that only a father and son can share!

Join your friends and neighbors for another fun evening in the 2008 concert series.

For transportation from Yellowstone Place, call 642-6668 by 1 p.m. on Monday the 10th; rides cost $6.00, payable to the driver (please remember that the driver does not make change); rides will depart 218 Yellowstone at 6:45 p.m. on Tuesday, November 11th.

A happy 80th for Jackie!

2008-10-10T12:58:00.000-06:00

Family and friends gathered October 5th at the American West Steakhouse in Belle Fourche to help YPA neighbor Jack Marousek celebrate her 80th birthday. Her five children and all but two of her grandchildren were among those gathered around Jackie (above) for the festive occasion.

Transportation for the birthday festivities was first class, including this posh family limousine ride through the Hills, followed by a birthday lunch at the Bay Leaf in Spearfish.

Most YPA residents know Jackie as a good neighbor – but they may not know of her remarkable background. Born in Wakonda, South Dakota, Jacqueline Jaquith went to high school and college in Vermillion, helping launch a successful career as a mother, grandmother, community leader and accomplished professional.

We knew that she was an attorney; what we didn’t know were these few assorted facts, taken from a list of her many accomplishments:

Only woman to graduate from the USD Law School in 1953
Practiced law with her father for one year in first father-daughter law partnership in South Dakota
City Attorney in Belle Fourche from 1981 – 1993
President of the South Dakota Municipal Attorneys Association
Board member of Associated School Boards of South Dakota

A scout leader, chairperson of the community concert board, and Sunday school teacher, Jackie has been involved in a wide range of community and civic activities.

Among the accomplishments of which she can be most proud was her 20 years as a full-time mother, raising five children: Linda, Steven, Gary, Charles and Genevieve, who’re spread across the country – but able to join their mother in celebrating this special day.

Happy Birthday to good neighbor Jackie Marousek!

Concerts begin Tuesday!

2008-09-26T11:10:00.000-06:00

From standards like Stardust, Always, and I Got Rhythm, to new sounds in acoustical jazz, you’ll delight in the opening concert of the 2008-09 Center of the Nation Concert series this coming Tuesday, September 30th. It's the Frank Vignola Quintet. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m., so don’t be late!

Frank Vignola is one of the world’s finest jazz guitarists. He’s had praise heaped upon him by none other than the great Les Paul, whose music – accompanied by the vocal stylings of Mary Ford – gave a whole generation some terrific music. You may even think you’re listening to Paul, but it’s pure Vignola, shattering the barrier between popular music and traditional jazz.

In addition to Vignola’s guitar, there are other skilled artists on mandolin, percussion and bass.

We’re told that the first half of the program will feature popular favorites like Summertime, Tico Tico, I’m Getting Sentimental Over You, and many more. Then comes even more fun, as the second half of the program allows the audience to try to “stump the band”! They may even be taking requests.

For transportation from Yellowstone Place, call 642-6668 by 1 p.m. next Monday, September 29th; rides cost $6.00, payable to the driver (please remember that the driver does not make change); rides will depart 218 Yellowstone at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday. Join your friends and neighbors for this opening concert of another fun season!

Good fellowship at YPA picnic

2008-09-19T11:11:00.000-06:00

Despite threatening skies and cooler temperatures, we had a nice turnout of Yellowstone Place neighbors for the September 11th picnic in Jorgensen Park. In the foreground above are Karen Miller, Roberta Koehler, Jackie Marousek and Lorraine Collins. If you're interested in seeing a few more picnic photos, just click here. Weather preempted our 2007 picnic, and we were determined to get the best of Mother Nature this year! Thanks to Dawn Koehler, Lorraine Collins, Joani Toupal and Karen Miller for helping organize our gathering.

Concert season opens September 30th!

2008-09-12T11:31:00.000-06:00

Another great season is about to get underway for the Center of the Nation Concert Association series at the Belle Fourche Area Community Center Auditorium. Here’s the 2008-2009 schedule for the talented groups that will be taking the stage this season!

Five quite diverse musical concerts are on the schedule this year with everything from Big Band to delightful a capella performances. Here’s the full schedule for the coming year:

Tue., Sept 30 @ 7:30 p.m.— Frank Vignola Quintet (guitars and strings)
Tue., Nov 11 @ 7:30 p.m.—Trumpet Invasion (Rich&Brandon Ridenour)
Sun., Febr 15 @4:00 p.m.— Just Friends (Jim Martin & Dee Noah/cabaret)
Mon., Mar 16 @ 7:30 p.m.—DeCormier’s Counterpoint (a capella ensemble)
Tues., Apr 28 @ 7:30 p.m.— The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra (Big Band)

Admission is by season tickets only. No tickets at the door. For tickets, contact: Vi Shaw at (605) 723-3707, Lorraine Klingler at (605) 892-3602 or Connie Husband at (605) 892-2370.

For transportation from Yellowstone Place, call 642-6668 by 1 p.m. on the last business day before each concert; rides cost $6.00, payable to the driver (please remember that the driver does not make change); rides will depart 218 Yellowstone at 6:45 p.m. (3:15 p.m. for the 4 o’clock concert on February 15th). Join your friends and neighbors for another fun season!

Picnic set for tomorrow (Thursday!)

2008-09-10T15:16:00.000-06:00

A pot luck picnic for Yellowstone Place owners/residents is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., Thursday, September 11th at the shelter in Jorgensen Park. Bring your own plates and tableware and a dish to share with neighbors. Beverages and cups will be provided! Thanks to Dawn Koehler, Lorraine Collins, Karen Miller and Joani Toupal for helping plan and organize this neighborhood picnic. See you there!

A heads up on preventative maintenance

2008-09-08T14:51:00.001-06:00

The Board has hired Larry Heinbaugh to perform a few preventative maintenance tasks in the next few weeks.

He'll be cleaning the rain gutters of sand and other debris that may have gathered in the troughs over the past few months.

He'll also be doing some sealing of sidewalks and driveways, where necessary.

Some of you have already met Larry Heinbaugh of "Larry's Handyman Service." If you've not yet met him, say hello when he's in your vicinity.

Mark your calendar!

2008-08-26T18:06:00.000-06:00

Tell Your Neighbors!

2008-07-28T10:41:00.001-06:00

Board meets Tuesday night

2008-07-13T07:24:00.000-06:00

The Yellowstone Place Association Board of Directors will meet this Tuesday night, July 15, at 7 o'clock. The meeting -- a regular quarterly gathering for the Board -- will be held at the Collins home (#310).

The meeting is open to any and all YPA members who'd like to attend. If you have an item you'd like placed on the agenda for Board consideration, contact Board president Lorraine Collins at 642-7206.

Nauta's open new store

2008-07-09T14:16:00.001-06:00

Yellowstone Place neighbors Justin and Christina Nauta have opened their new Subway store in south Spearfish, just in front of the Super Wal-Mart store.

For those of us who've been to their store on the north side of town, we know it remains busy-busy-busy. The new store opened today (Wed., July 9).

To the right is Casey Nauta, under the supervision of his grandmother, waving a friendly "Hello" to oncoming customers! Our congratulations to Justin and Christine!

Congratulations, Dawn!

2008-07-08T17:17:00.000-06:00

Yellowstone Place neighbor Dawn Koehler was recognized as the Spearfish Hospital Employee of the Month for June 2008. The Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation at the hospital, Dawn has worked for the hospital for some 29 years. We were alerted to the milestone by a feature that appeared in the Lawrence County Journal, which included a cropped version of this photograph in its June 28th edition. Dawn and her husband Phil live at 221 Yellowstone Place. Congratulations, Dawn, from all your friends and neighbors in Yellowstone Place!

City installs safety railing

2008-06-25T10:54:00.001-06:00

A city worker puts the finishing touches on a safety railing along the sidewalk that runs on the north side of Yellowstone Place. YPA President Lorraine Collins said she's pleased that the City of Spearfish responded so promptly in fabricating and installing the unit. There had been much concern that the sharp drop-off posed a serious safety hazard, particlarly in the winter time when the dropoff was obscured by snow or the sidewalk was wet or icy. The installation was completed on Tuesday, June 24th. Many thanks to the folks at City Hall and on-site who got the job done!

Collins, Toupal and Dingeman elected to Board

2008-06-10T22:46:00.000-06:00

Lorraine Collins, Joani Toupal, and Paul Dingeman were elected to the Yellowstone Place Board of Directors on Tuesday (June 10) during the YPA Annual Meeting at the Cedar House Restaurant.

Joani and Paul will serve three-year terms, while Lorraine -- who has served as Acting President during much of the year -- will serve a two-year term. For Joani, it was a return to the Board, having finished a stint last June. Paul was appointed to the Board in late 2007 to fill a vacancy.

We are delighted that all three of these neighbors have agreed to serve the association. All three have already contributed much time, talent and energy to helping make Yellowstone Place a great place to live!

Justin Nauta presented a Year-to-Date Financial Report. He stated that the association is in good financial shape; despite legal fees and expenses related to updating the CC&Rs and roof repair expenses, we still have $12,313.86 in the bank.

Larry provided a summary of activities related to snow removal and yard maintenance. While damaged sprinkler heads have been repaired and most sprinkler systems activated, there are still a few tasks to be completed by Merle, including hydrant repairs and cleaning of gutters and downspouts. We'll also pursue the re-planting of a tree, some tree trimming, and a few other items.

Lorraine noted that fence repairs are needed behind the north units; Joani said she has the name of a person who has done repair/maintenance work in the neighborhood and would share it with the Board. We'll also share that information with all residents. Lorraine is also working with the city regarding a storm sewer problem on the north side of the street.

Mid-session, a severe thunderstorm passed through Spearfish, and many attendees departed. During a brief Board of Directors meeting after the Annual session, Lorraine Collins was elected President; Justin Nauta, Treasurer, and Larry Miller, Secretary. Lorraine and Justin were authorized to be the official bank signatories for YPA accounts.

Because of the abbreviated gathering, some topics -- including a summer/fall social gathering and other topics -- were postponed. The next Board of Directors meeting will be at 7 o'clock, Tuesday evening, July 15th. While this is a Board meeting, we invite any and all resident to join us.

Floods wreak havoc in our area

2008-06-10T14:20:00.000-06:00

Extremely heavy rains doused the northern Black Hills last week, causing numerous streams and rivers to go out of their banks. On Thursday, the Millers measured 5.25" of rain in their Yellowstone Place gauge in one 24-hour period. Downtown Spearfish experienced flooding when Spearfish Creek rose out of its channel and went up over Jackson Boulevard. There were other areas in the Spearfish vicinity that experienced flooding -- but nothing like our friends in Meade County.

Above is Janet Roorda's house in Belle Fourche, which has incurred much damage throughout the community. Many YPA neighbors will remember Jan and her late husband, Dick, who lived in Yellowstone Place for several years. Jan also served as YPA President for a time.

"Belle Fourche is a disaster area," Jan wrote to friends and relatives last Friday. Indeed, Governor Mike Rounds declared the entire state a disaster area due to heavy rains and widespread flood damage. Jan Roorda said rivers and creeks in Belle Fourche converged quickly and many people were evacuated from their homes. She said she was asked to leave her premises on Thursday, which was a good thing because there was a major water surge about 3 o'clock Friday morning that put everything under water.

As of this date, work is still being done to cope with damage from the flood. Streets closed. Homes flooded. Wells breached.

The first six months of 2008 have offered extremes that even South Dakotans find a bit unusual. From enormous winds in January to heavy snowfalls and record moisture in May. And now a very wet start to June. The photo at left shows the drainage area on the south side of Yellowstone Place. It's usually dry across this stretch, except when there's a heavy rainfall. On Thursday of last week, it reached the highest level we've seen in three years.

The rapid downpour caused at least two neighborhood downspouts to overflow. In that regard, YPA has made arrangement for Merle's Yard Service to clean gutters and downspouts in the next week or so.

Annual Meeting - June 10th

2008-05-22T23:24:00.000-06:00

A reminder that the annual membership meeting of the Yellowstone Place Association will be at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 10th at the Cedar House Restaurant in Spearfish. While election of Board members is on the agenda, along with a few other business items, there'll also be ample opportunity to visit with your neighbors and get acquainted with new residents! Coffee and desserts will be available, and we hope to see you there!

YPA residents volunteer at Chamber

2008-05-05T18:30:00.000-06:00

Two Yellowstone Place residents were among the dozen or so volunteers honored last week (April 28) by the Spearfish Chamber of Commerce. Joanne Banthin and Karen Miller were among the group recognized by the chamber.

The volunteers assist with a variety of tasks, including -- among other things -- convention registration, organizing and assembling convention packets, preparing visitor information mailings, staffing the visitor center, answering telephones, and providing administrative assistance to chamber staff. Thanks to Marketing Coordinator Melissa Barth for allowing us to use this photograph.

Spearfish Chamber of Commerce volunteers include (seated): Shirley Perkovich, Norma Merkel, Joanne Banthin, and Lyla Peterson. In back (standing): Madaline Custis, Dorothy Sherban, Janet Deegan, Rena Boersma, Ella & Duane Erickson, Rose Anderson, and Karen Miller.

The Blizzard of '08 -- but in May?!

2008-05-05T15:37:00.000-06:00

As beautiful as it was, the "Blizzard of '08" wreaked much havoc across western South Dakota and eastern Wyoming. The Rapid City Journal reported that at least 1,500 utility poles were broken -- most of them in rural areas, causing widespread power outages. Utility workers from out of state are assisting area utility companies in efforts to restore service to all customers. Harding county to our north was particularly hard it. And now, some area residents are being advised of a flood watch throughout much of the region.

YPA neighbors Joanne Banthin and Lorraine Collins contributed a number of photos from around our neighborhood. We've set up a special photo gallery that you might enjoy.

Welcome to Spring in the Black Hills

2008-05-02T15:05:00.000-06:00

Who'da thunk it? After basking in near-80-degree temperatures during the past week, Spearfish residents awoke May 2nd, 2008 to about two feet of very wet snow and drifts substantially higher. That's good news for helping us gain ground on the drought; however, now much of the area faces the prospect of some flooding next week. This IS South Dakota, so we shouldn't be surprised.

Free "Vanished" Exhibit at BHSU

2008-04-23T19:05:00.000-06:00

We’re a bit late in posting this item, but it appears to be well worth pursuing for Yellowstone Place residents who can visit this exhibit.

Most of us are aware that many Japanese-Americans were interned in camps across the country during World War II.

Less well known is that fact that the U.S. Government interned some 15,000 German-American civilians, including citizens and 4,058 Latin-American Germans brought here and later exchanged for Nazi-held American citizens. Perhaps the least known chapter of American WWII history, its legacy has implications for today. Housed in a school bus converted into a mobile museum with its own 21-seat theater, VANISHED illustrates this unknown story through narrative texts, artifacts and multi-media.

The exhibit will be in Spearfish – near the Black Hills State University Student Center, I believe – from 10 a.m. to 1p.m., tomorrow (Thursday, April 24th). It’s open to the public free of charge.

Storm season is here

2008-04-21T19:59:00.001-06:00

This week (April 21-25) is Severe Weather Preparedness Week – a good time for all Yellowstone Place residents to consider what they would and should do during times of severe weather.

If you don’t have a NOAA Weather Radio, they’re available at most retail electronics stores, and prices have come down markedly in the last few years. These are excellent devices that can wake you up in the middle of the night, if need be, to alert you to impending severe weather.

If you’re at home when severe weather strikes, here are a few suggestions offered by emergency management folks:

· Go to the basement or small interior room on the ground floor, such as a closet, bathroom or hallway · Get under the stairwell or a sturdy table and cover yourself with pillows or blankets · Avoid the corners and exterior walls of the house · Stay away from windows and do not open the windows.

A few web sites worth visiting for further information include the Rapid City office of the National Weather Service, and the South Dakota Office of Emergency Management, as well as the South Dakota Department of Health.

If you have questions or desire further information, you can call the Lawrence County Emergency Management office in Deadwood at 605-578-2122.

Our Neighborhood Handyman?

2008-04-11T19:31:00.000-06:00

We thought, because of her invitation to be a member of the Handyman Club of America, that we might enlist good neighbor Lorraine Collins to be our YPA "handyman." Perhaps that might be a bit premature, as Lorraine suggests in her recent column for the Black Hills Pioneer, which she has also graciously allowed us to re-print in our Black Hills Monitor blog site. As you might expect, her narrative contains a good message!

Board Meeting Reminder

2008-04-01T18:56:00.000-06:00

No April Fool's Joke!

2008-04-01T11:58:00.000-06:00

There was a bit of excitement Tuesday morning (4/1/08) when suspicious animal tracks were spotted in the neighborhood. We found them behind #309 and suspected they were made by either a very large dog or a mountain lion. We snapped a few photos, looked on-line for a bit of guidance, but finally took the photos to the nearby U.S. Forest Service office.

That’s Karen Miller (below right) looking at the tracks behind the Riley residence at #313. The tracks (below left) measured six inches across and eight inches in length.

The Forest Service biologist indicated that the tracks could have been made by a mountain lion, but the photos were not conclusive. Upon returning to the neighborhood, we spotted a couple of local Spearfish police officers inspecting the tracks – and they had no doubt that these were mountain lion tracks.

We followed the tracks from lots just west of Yellowstone Place, crossing the walking path to the front of Chesnuts, in front of the Garhart and Jones residences, and then heading west along the irrigation canal and out of the neighborhood.

If you'd like to know more about identifying mountain lion tracks, we found Cooper's Rocky Mountain Lion Sactuary site among the best.

We often have deer wandering into our yards – and into the field just north of Yellowstone Place – and that fact apparently wasn’t lost on the mountain lion. Let's hope this is a rarity!

Wood's Tea Company!

2008-03-28T19:10:00.000-06:00

One of the great activities that Yellowstone Place members enjoy is our long-standing participation in the Center of the Nation Concert Association performances in Belle Fourche. This month, many of our residents braved a late winter storm to enjoy Riders in the Sky. They were fantastic! Our hats off to Barry Pitt and all of the folks at the Belle Fourche Area Community Center who make these concerts possible -- and thanks to all who are season ticket holders, thus helping ensure some great shows.

Hold on to your hats.....it's two in a row! The delightful Wood's Tea Company arrives in Belle Fourche on Tuesday, April 8th, for yet another fine concert in a terrific series. They're an acoustic group that performs bluegrass, sea shanties, American folks songs, and some fiery Celtic tunes, too! Using up to 12 instruments, they've toured nationwide in all of the lower 48 states, including the prestigous Lincoln Center. They've also appeared on PBS and National Public Radio.

In the last two years, the Wood's Tea Company has lost two of its original members. In 2006, fiddler Chip Chase died as the result of a motorcycle accident; then last year, group founder Rusty Jacobs died of a heart attack. These were enormous setbacks, but surviving members Howard Wooden and Mike Lussen, along with Tom Mackenzie, carry on the abiding sound of Wood's Tea Company, joined by one of a rotating group of top-flight fiddlers.

And for the April 8th show in Belle Fourche, they'll be joined by the sweet sounds of songstress Patti Casey, who has appeared on Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion nationwide radio show. A prolific songwriter, Patti is a native of Vermont and has won top honors at folk festivals across the country.

Mark your calener for 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 8th for the Wood's Tea Company at the Belle Fourche Area Community Center -- the next great event in the Center of the Nation Concert Association series. Don't forget, the bus leaves Yellowstone Place at 6:30 p.m., and you do need reservations from Prairie Hills Transit. See you there!

Riders in the Sky

2008-02-26T10:29:00.000-07:00

Get ready for great fun when Riders in the Sky gallop in to Belle Fourche for another Center of the Nation concert performance on Thursday, March 27, 2008!

These guys have been performing for 30 years, bringing their great music and good humor to audiences nationwide. They’ve given well over 5,200 fun-filled performances, and they’ve also racked up numerous Grammy Awards for their music, which is steeped in the rich American music traditions of Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, and the Sons of the Pioneers.

The four talented Riders are Ranger Doug (Idol of American Youth), Woody Paul (King of the Cowboy Fiddlers), Too Slim (“A Righteous Tater”) and Joey (the CowPolka King)!

We understand from Barry Pitt at the Belle Fourche Area Community Center that ticket demand is so great for Riders in the Sky that the concert association has arranged for a matinee performance. That'll be at 4:00 p.m., in addition to the regular 7:30 p.m. show. Audrey Temple reports that busses to the concert will depart Yellowstone Place at 3:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Residents must call for bus reservations.

Bill Kunerth, who handles publicity for the event, reminds us that even those without season tickets can attend the afternoon performance. Tickets are $15 and are available at First Western Bank and Speidel's Tax Service in Belle Fourche, or by calling Mary Ellen Warren at 892-3418; Bess Arbuckle at 723-4577, or Mary Wendt at 892-3115. Season ticket holders may attend either the 4 p.m. matinee or the 7:30 regular performance.

To learn more about Riders in the Sky, you can visit their web site. They're performing this week at the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City. Then they'll be making a swing through Texas, Arizona and Nevada before coming to Belle Fourche. Make plans now to attend one of these great shows on Thursday, March 27th!

Board Meeting Postponed

2008-02-22T09:26:00.000-07:00

The quarterly YPA Board of Directors meeting scheduled for April has been postponed one week. The meeting will take place at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 15th at the Cedar House Restaurant, 130 Ryan Road in Spearfish.

The original April 8th meeting conflicted with a Center of the Nation concert performance by the Woods Tea Company. Since many Yellowstone Place residents are season ticket holders, it was agreed to delay the session one week.

All members of the association are invited to attend the Board meeting. Coffee and desert will be available, and we hope to see you there!

CC&Rs Approved

2008-02-07T15:22:00.001-07:00

As will be reported in the printed Geyser in a few weeks, the Yellowstone Place Association has approved an amended and restated set of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs).

Twenty-three members returned signed consent forms by January 25th, expressing their approval. Thanks for supporting the revision of this important document!

Full copies of the new CC&Rs - and the Bylaws approved last June - have been distributed to the membership. Consistent with existing CC&R requirements, we will wait 60 days before filing the new document with the Register of Deeds at the Lawrence County courthouse.

If, by chance, you did not receive a copy or have misplaced it, please contact YPA Secretary Larry Miller at dakotamillers@rushmore.com (722-6018) for another copy. Also, please note that the new CC&Rs, Bylaws, a Calendar of Events, and other documents are available on-line. Check out those resources in the right-hand column!

101 mph Winds Take Toll

2008-01-28T13:51:00.000-07:00

The first and last weekends of January 2008 were not kind to Spearfish. Mother Nature unleashed strong winds January 4-5, causing considerable roof damage to several Yellowstone Place Association buildings. While some repairs were made, more nasty weather intervened and delayed further repairs.

Then, of course, came even stronger winds this last weekend. One experienced observer clocked wind speeds at 101 miles per hour in Lawrence County. Tractor-trailers were swept from the roads -- one even rolled and blocked I-90 just up the road at Exit 10.

Mother Nature opened a small window of opportunity Monday morning (January 28), and both Frank Cortez and Carroll Goodsell took to the roofs to make repairs. It was a bit windy, but the sun was shining and the temperature topped 51 degrees by noon.

Alas, by 2:00 p.m., winds had shifted from the northwest and temperatures tumbled to 14 degrees. The National Weather Service issued an Urgent Winter Weather Message, so our "window of opportunity" was small, indeed.

The good news is that all roof repairs have been made.

We've posted a few snapshots to the YPA Photo Gallery, showing some of the damage done by the winds, and a few shots of workers replacing shingles. There are also some other neighborhood pictures that you may not yet have seen.

Live and Learn!

2008-01-09T19:24:00.000-07:00

Perhaps some of you have already taken courses through Community Education of the Black Hills. There's a wide variety of topics -- from Arts & Crafts and Money Talk to Computers and Gardening.

What makes it even more attractive is that some 25 courses will be offered right here in Spearfish!

At the top of the catalogue listing is Homeowner's Association Q & A with.....(drum roll) Richard Pluimer! As you know, Yellowstone Place Association legal issues have been handled by Dick; and most of you also know that he's the brother of former YPA resident (and President) Janet Roorda. This seminar gives basic information and insight into some of the questions and decisions that we members face. Discussions about covenants, by-laws, city limitations, and a variety of other topics are on the agenda. How timely is that!? The sesssion is set for 6:00-9:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 17th at Spearfish High School. There is a $29 fee.

If you'd like more information about this course, or any of the Community Education offerings, visit their web site at http://www.clccommed.org/.

Zetroc Construction Repairing Roofs

2008-01-08T21:57:00.001-07:00

During the Yellowstone Place Association Board of Directors meeting Tuesday evening (Jan. 8) it was announced that Zetroc Construction of Spearfish has begun repairing damaged roofs in Yellowstone Place.

High winds whipped through Spearfish last weekend and extensive roof damage was done in several neighborhoods. Unofficial reports indicated wind speeds may have exceeded 75 miles per hour. Damage to roofs in Yellowstone Place was found on at least four buildings.

Weather permitting, we expect Zetroc Construction will conclude their work on Friday, January 11th.

Residents will be notified when actual work begins on their building, so they'll be aware of workers accessing the roofs in order to complete the necessary repairs.

Batten Down the Hatches!

2008-01-05T11:16:00.000-07:00

Strong March winds have arrived a couple of months early! We had some very high winds around the Black Hills region last night and this morning. Unofficially, wind gusts were reported at higher than 46 mph around 2:30 this morning in Spearfish.

It appears some roof damage has occurred on some Yellowstone Place Association units. Our insurance company has been notified.

However, it looks like we’re not out of the woods yet, with the National Weather Service issuing a High Wind Warning in eastern Wyoming with wind gusts between 50-60 mph possible. A National Weather Service Hazardous Weather Outlook issued Saturday morning for the Spearfish area said gusts could reach up to 37 mph today.

Hold on to your hats!

YPA Board to Meet

2008-01-03T09:51:00.001-07:00

The regular quarterly meeting of the Yellowstone Place Association Board of Directors is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 8th, 2008. It'll take place at the Cedar House Restaurant, 130 Ryan Road (intersection of Ryan & North Main) in Spearfish.

As always, members of the association who would like to attend the meeting are welcome to join us. The coffee pot will be on!

If there are lingering questions about the latest proposed amendments to the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs), this would be a good opportunity to discuss them further.

Happy New Year!

The Santa Cruz River Band

2007-12-20T22:07:00.000-07:00

Earlier this year, the Santa Cruz River Band traveled to Washington, D. C. for a performance at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. It surely was a special event for these three talented musicians, who are on the road some 250 days a year across the United States and Europe.

Gilbert Brown, Michael J. Ronstadt (younger brother to Linda), and Ted Ramírez make up the Santa Cruz River Band, from Tucson, Arizona. Performing in English, Spanish, and Native American languages, they present a powerful musical program filled with the history and mystical lore of the Great American Southwest. Their music is authentic and original, rooted in music styles of the U.S. and Mexico.

And now they're about to share their rare brand of music with Yellowstone Place residents who regularly attend the Center of the Nation Concert Association performances in Belle Fourche. This trio is the next act on the concert bill this season, and they'll appear on Thursday, February 7, 2008 at the Belle Fourche Area Community Center beginning at 7:30 p.m.

-
If you'd like to get a sneak preview of theSanta Cruz River Band, take a peek at this video recorded during their February 6th show at the Kennedy Center. -

We've heard good reviews on the first two concerts of this season -- The Hunt Family Fiddlers and Michel Lauziere (the balloon guy!) -- who had very diverse types of great family entertainment. We're pretty sure you're going to be delighted with theSanta Cruz River Band.

In March, be looking for another blockbuster performance -- it's Riders in the Sky. These guys are top flight musicians with a great twist of humor you're sure to enjoy. More about them later! Right now, get set to enjoy the Santa Cruz River Band in February. By the way, they have a pretty nifty web site, too.

See you at the concerts!

Open House Sunday from 3:00-5:00 pm

2007-12-11T16:38:00.000-07:00

Join us this Sunday, December 16th for a Holiday Open House at the Millers, 309 Yellowstone Place. There'll be plenty of holiday treats and refreshments -- and lots of good conversation to get better acquainted with your Yellowstone Place neighbors and help celebrate the season. We hope you'll drop in any time from 3:00 -5:00 p.m. this Sunday, December 16th!

~~Karen & Larry Miller

The Geyser is on the Street!

2007-11-21T17:28:00.000-07:00

Racing to beat the turkey to your doorstep, the latest edition of The Geyser was delivered to residents today (November 21). A few of our migratory neighbors and select others will receive theirs via the U.S. Postal Service.

A few highlights from The Geyser:

We're delighted to announce the addition of Paul Dingeman (owner of #208) to the YPA Board of Directors. You may remember that Paul was the good neighbor who repaired and refinished all of our benches last summer. You'll see his handiwork in the "Photo Gallery" included under Topics of Interest in the column to the right. Thanks for your willingness to serve, Paul!

As announced in a previous posting, Lorraine Collins (#310) also stepped forward last month to fill a vacancy. As you might suspect, there's not much pay.......well, okay....there's NO pay.....but the work is important, and Lorraine and Paul will be performing a valuable service for their friends and neighbors. Additionally, Lorraine has been tapped to serve as Vice President, while V-P Larry Miller takes over chores as Secretary.

Included in the printed Geyser is a summary update on insurance issues that was prepared in an effort to help better inform residents regarding current insurance coverage and to share Board views regarding possible changes in insurance. We've also developed a comprehensive spreadsheet that reflects projected coverage and premiums for 2008. You'll note that while total coverage of insured property in YPA goes up more than 8%, total premium costs are down more than 10%. The spreadsheet may be accessed by clicking on "Insurance" in the Topics of Interest.

There's also an updated Financial Report, and it appears we're still solvent. Thanks to Treasurer Justin Nauta for preparing this report.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Nautas Recognized by BHSU Today

2007-11-06T15:26:00.000-07:00

Christina and Justin Nauta have been highlighted in the weekly BHSU TODAY student newspaper published at Black Hills State University. The article and a photograph of Christina were included in the October 19, 2007 edition.

The Nautas were recognized for the many things they’ve done for BHSU, including -- among other things -- sponsorship of tailgate parties for a wide range of school activities. Members of the Green and Gold Club, the Nautas also extend discounts to BHSU students who use their BHSU “Buzz Card."

Of course, we’ve know for some time about the generosity of the Nautas (YPA residents at #301). They’ve donated ice cream to our annual picnic, and Justin has stepped forward to serve as Treasurer of the YPA Board of Directors.

The Nautas operate Subway stores in Spearfish, Sturgis, Belle Fourche, and Lead. They’ve recently remodeled their Spearfish store and plan to open a second facility near the new Wal-Mart in south Spearfish in early 2008.

The Nautas are no stranger to the Geyser. Their little boy, Casey, was featured in a Geyser photo earlier this year.

We're including here the full text of the Brianne Bussell article in the BHSU newspaper. Congratulations Christina and Justin Nauta for recognition that you certainly deserve. It’s good having you as neighbors!

Richard Roorda (1950-2007)

2007-11-05T09:06:00.000-07:00

We were saddened to learn that Rich Roorda died Saturday, November 3, of a massive heart attack. Rich and Janet were Yellowstone Place residents until earlier this year, when they sold their home at #215 and moved to Belle Fourche.

Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 7, at the Christian Life Center. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, November 6, at the Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche, and one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for the Belle Fourche Ambulance and the Children's Cancer Institute. Friends may sign the on-line guestbook created by the funeral home.

A native of Hollandale, Minnesota, Rich grew up on the family farm and graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1969. He attended Mankato State University. Rich married Janet Pluimer in 1969. They had two children, Heidi and Lucas. For more than 20 years, Rich was involved with sales, first with Turbiville Electric and then with KSLT Christian radio He began work with AFLAC in 2003. Rich's full obituary can be found in the November 5th Rapid City Journal.

Lorraine Collins joins YPA Board

2007-11-03T14:44:00.000-06:00

Yellowstone Place Association President Mike Jones has announced that Lorraine Collins of #310 has agreed to serve on the association Board of Directors. That's Lorraine in the passenger seat of Keith's Model T!

Lorraine fills the vacancy left by the resignation of Audrey Temple. We hope to announce the filling of the remaining vacancy in the very near future.

We look forward to tapping Lorraine's experience as we move ahead to tackle a range of issues. At the top of the list: working to resolve lingering insurance matters.

Welcome to the Geyser

2007-10-23T11:57:00.002-06:00

Yellowstone Place is a townhouse development in Spearfish, South Dakota, located on the northern slopes of the beautiful Black Hills region. Begun in the late 1990s, Yellowstone Place is a blend of both townhouses and stand-alone garden homes.

I've served as editor of the Geyser newsletter for the past few years. Since on-line communications is becoming more and more prevalent, I have created this web site as an on-line counterpart of the printed Geyser. Recognizing that many of our homeowners are likely to prefer continuing to receive the newsletter in print form, this site should be seen as an additional way that members -- and others -- can receive information about the association.

The site offers considerable access to other documents and information that our members might find of interest. "About Yellowstone Place" in the right-hand column is linked to that information. If you have topics or information you'd like to share with members, just let me know. The only requirements are that the information be relevant to the association and that it is suitable for public dissemination. As editor, that'll be my chore; however, I see this role more as a facilitator than gatekeeper. We hope you'll join in and add your two cents worth.

Obviously, we're just getting started, and your comments and suggestions would be most helpful. By the way, this blog can be either "Open" for all web visitors or "Closed" so only select persons can gain access. Thanks. -- Larry Miller, Editor