OUR VIEW: Week in review: the best, worst

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CHEERS to Schmeckfest, the annual rite of spring held in Freeman.

This year’s Schmeckfest started Friday and today, and will continue March 22-23 on the Freeman Academy campus, and will once again highlight German foods and crafts. Traditional ethnic events hold a place in our heart, since we love the idea of preserving our heritage.

Whether it’s the Schmeckfest, Czech Days in Tyndall or the Corn Palace Festival here in Mitchell, these kinds of festivals remind us where we came from.

CHEERS to Mitchell High School senior Kerri Young, a basketball star who last week was named South Dakota’s Gatorade Player of the Year. Young first earned playing time on the MHS varsity as an eighth-grader, and quickly became a force on South Dakota’s basketball courts.

After helping get the Kernels to two consecutive state title games, Young will graduate this spring and play for South Dakota State University. She’s a good role model and has done well during her time at MHS.

Speaking of South Dakota State University, CHEERS to the SDSU men’s and women’s basketball teams, both of which have qualified for the NCAA national tournaments.

The women earned their tournament berth with a victory over rival University of South Dakota last week in Sioux Falls.

The men topped North Dakota State in their conference title game. This is an exciting time for basketball fans in the Rushmore State.

HISSES to news that the unemployment rate in Mitchell has risen. According to a report published last week in The Daily Republic, there were 390 people in Mitchell looking for work but who couldn’t find jobs.

The resulting unemployment rate of 4.4 percent is the highest it has been since March 2011, when the rate was 5.3 percent.

Some believe the trouble could be a simple seasonal swing, but either way, the number is a bit disheartening. Let’s hope that number dips in the months to come.

CHEERS to Avera Queen of Peace Hospital for its big donation to help renovate the weight and conditioning room at Mitchell High School.

The local hospital pledged to match up to $70,000 in funding for the facility.

At present, a volunteer group is fundraising, with hopes of opening a new weight and conditioning room by early June.

Avera’s gift is a great boost, and should go a long way toward making the dream become reality.

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