Hello!
I know I sometimes seem like an overly optimistic champion of Lead – and I am. But having such a deep love for a place doesn’t mean you don’t also see its flaws. I was bemoaning some of Lead’s rough edges to a friend and she said, “Living in a small town is great, but you also bump into the things that every place has because it’s so much smaller – you can’t insulate yourself from those rough edges.”
As optimistic as I am about Lead, I’m also not naive about the reputation that I know we still often have. I’ve heard things like: “Don’t leave your tools out, people in Lead will rob you blind” and “Lead is full of meth addicts and hooligans.” None of which in my experience has been true to any significant extent than any other town in any other state.
This week was particularly rough on our street. The police were out and about (thanks, police!) and I was telling my husband how discouraged I was. “But look at our street, it’s getting better!” he said, “People are taking better care of their property and things are looking up, even in the two years since we bought our house!”
I stopped to consider what he was saying. It’s true, we painted our house, the neighbors painted theirs, several people got new roofs (thanks big hail storm of 2018!), invested in their yards and put in new retaining walls and front steps. Yes, there are still some problem hot spots, but small changes give way to larger changes as the whole neighborhood continues on that upward slant. Change for the better doesn’t happen overnight, and sometimes we get so used to everything we fail to really notice what’s happening around us.
If you drive down almost any street in Lead you’ll undoubtedly find a few old houses in disrepair, but look closely for those building permits taped to people’s windows. Look for people working slowly to improve their homes. As anyone with a house knows, it’s not a fast process when you’re trying to do things yourself and on a budget, but it does happen.
Someday (in probably only a few years) we’ll look back on this period when we were still a smidge crusty around the edges and wish for those days of unpretentiousness. We don’t live in a big HOA, or a gated neighborhood – there’s a lot of diversity on every street – there is room for everyone in Lead! Let’s embrace that for good (and occasionally bad), because someday we’ll miss this.
So here’s the weekly round up of what’s going on around town!
Today, Thursday, 9/19
12pm – Preservation Thursday – A Friendship of the West: Seth Bullock and Theodore Roosevelt. Meets at the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center, admission by donation.
5-7pm – September Chamber Mixer at Maya Jo’s Bed and Breakfast in conjunction with JK Bros Hauling and Snow Removal. Come meet these awesome business owners and enjoy some breakfast themed snacks, it is a bed and breakfast after all 🙂 And don’t forget to bring a friend or two. Call me if you need direction 584-1100
Friday, 9/20
1pm – Prairie Hills Transit Public Meeting. Come discuss the present and future of public transportation in the Black Hills. Meeting at their building in Spearfish. All welcome.
Lead-Deadwood Homecoming Parade, starts at 2pm in Deadwood and 3pm in Lead. And don’t forget the football game in Deadwood on Friday night starting at 6, with a tailgating party hosted by the National Guard starting at 4pm.
5:30-7:30pm – The Handley Recreation Center is hosting their weekly Family skate night. $5 admission includes skate rental! All ages for family fun!
Saturday, 9/21
It’s Smithsonian Museum Day! If you haven’t been to any of the awesome museums in Deadwood (Days of ’76, Adam’s House, Adams Museum) this is your chance to play tourist! Just go online, print out the voucher and visit for free!
Sunday, 9/22
1-5pm – Open Auditions for Brighton Beach Memoirs. This is the upcoming fall adult play at the Historic Homestake Opera House, and I may be a little biased because I’m directing it! I’m super excited so even if you’re not going to come try out, I hope you’ll come watch it in November!! Please use the HHOH entrance off Julius Street, we’ll be meeting in the SMART center. There are a few parts for teenagers so check out the full description and age categories on the Facebook event.
The Children’s Miracle Network Golf Tournament is being held at Spearfish Canyon Country Club and hosted by Regional Health. You can find more details on our events calendar.
Monday, 9/23
5-8pm – Auditions continue for Brighton Beach Memoirs – see Facebook for all details.
Tuesday, 9/24
11am – Music and Movement with Friends at the Historic Homestake Opera House. This super popular event returns. Designed for kiddos and their parents together, enter at back door off Julius Street.
12pm – Golden Gang Appreciation Luncheon – our annual event to thank our awesome volunteer group. Call for more information 584-1100
5pm – Winter Event Planning Meeting. There’s a lot going on this winter, some new events, some classic events and also preparing for Winterfest! Come down to Merchants and Miners Trading Post on Main Street to give us your great ideas and how you’re going to help implement them!
Wednesday, 9/25
12pm – Haunted Deadwood starts at the Days of ’76 Museum! Join Black Hills Paranormal Investigations (BHPI) has investigated hundreds of locations throughout the Black Hills and Wyoming – hear more about their discoveries in Deadwood. Admission by donation. Call Rose for more info 722-4800
5pm – Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening for Delzer Chiropractic at 318 Dixon Street! We’re super excited to have a chiropractor in town! I hope you’ll come support Dr. Justin Delzer in his brand new adventure!
Whew! We have a LOT going on!! Is your calendar as full as mine? All the fun happens in Lead!
See even more details and upcoming events by visiting our full calendar:
https://business.leadmethere.org/events/calendar
Questions? Comments? How have you seen Lead improving in the last few years? I’d love to hear from you!!
Reply right here, or call me 584-1100
Sierra Ward
Director