Good Morning!
My family has friends in Africa that we’re pretty close to. One day my mom was talking to one of them and trying to describe our seasonal changes. Being near the equator the guy could NOT fathom that there’s a WHOLE season where we can’t do ANYTHING of significance outside. We can’t farm, we can’t work on our houses, do any major infrastructure work, we can’t even really be outside for significant periods without lots of extra gear. So much of his life in Africa revolves around being outside, and while their crops still revolve around cycles, there’s never a time when every single plant is “dead”. He couldn’t even imagine a time when the weather is not only too cold, but it’s snowy and icy. It’s hard to believe, even for us, that in just a few more months it will be over 100 degrees colder!
Summer is in full swing in Lead and things are looking very lovely! Our flowers are soaking up the heat and the water and are very vibrant (thanks, Lead Beautification and our City Workers)! People are working like crazy to get projects finished, The Golden Ridge Hotel is popping right along, and it’s clear that it’s going to be awesome when they’re done! So much work has gone into that thing! People are buying up houses and fixing them faster than you can shake a stick! People that can’t fix them that quickly (hello jobs) are still making great progress. The road crews continue what proves to be an unending cycle of grating off pavement and putting pavement back down, and everyone is run off their feet with so much business!
Life in South Dakota is booming!
_____ Here’s what’s happening around town this week
Today, Thursday 7/22, 5:30pm – The Mayor will at the Dry on Julius to read the proclamation and thank the Thyssen Miners who rescued the people out of the burning apartment next to their building a few weeks ago.
If you’re curious to see how Mike is doing check here: https://www.caringbridge.org/
If you want to see what items the other displaced residents might need, call Kaitlin Wilks 605-545-6521 who organized the drive that was held last week.
Friday 7/23, 7pm – Northern Hill Community Band will be playing at the Homestake Opera House! If you missed their awesome performance at Gold Camp Jubilee, here’s your chance to see them again in Lead!
Weekend – Backpacking Clinic part 3 of 3. Spend two nights camping in the Black Hills with Explore Fitness & Adventures and master all the skills learned in the first two clinics! Cost is only $79, Dinners and Breakfasts Included! Email Katrina@
Saturday 7/24, 7pm – Brooke Kelly Band will perform original songs from their latest album that range from heartbreak and festival songs to rocking country at the Homestake Opera House. They are coming to you straight out of Montana on the Sweet Tequila Tour. Tickets are $25.
Sunday 7/25, 10am – JE Terrall book signing at the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center! JE is a local author of a series of mystery/western novels. With a background in medical and law enforcement, JE Terrall uses his life experiences and geographical history to write suspenseful thrillers.
7/26 – 7/31, Days of ‘76 in Deadwood! Rodeo, parade and other events! See schedule here: https://daysof76.com/
Wednesday 7/28, 9am-noon – Shepherd’s Pantry will be open at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 825 W. Main St.
Wednesday 7/28, 5:30-7:30 – Skate Night at the Handley Recreation Center
Wednesday 7/28, 8pm – The Chosen showing in Manuel Brothers Park with Lead Assembly of God.
________ Save the Date
Saturday, 7/31, 12-3pm, Summer Bash at Manuel Brothers Park hosted by Lead Assembly of God and sponsored by Kiewit/Alberici. Backpacks and school supplies will be provided, come enjoy food and gear up for fall!
August Pie Social, Thursday 8/4 – 4-6pm on the Ray Davis Ring Patio
Rally starts late this year, it will be 8/6-14, remember to stock up before you get caught in the crush!
Aspire Boutique will be hosting music, food, vendors and other event during Rally week!
______ News & Notes
A huge congratulations to our Outreach and Events Director, Christine, for pioneering Lead’s very first Renaissance Faire! She worked with an outside event planner to organize this event that was SO MUCH bigger than we could have ever imagined! We estimate that it drew over 1500 attendees. Thanks to everyone who attended and who made it a success! Christine worked extra hard to get more food, and between begging the restaurants and nonprofits to join us we are pretty happy that so much of the money went right back into Lead businesses and organizations! We hope that event was a success for all the businesses and we’re already dreaming even bigger for next year!
We’re putting together the August newsletter, if you have something for news & notes or you want to place an add, now is the time to get your requests in! Deadline for submission is tomorrow by end of work day.
With Love from Lead,
Sierra Ward
ED