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Preserving The Legacy. Investing In The Future ....
BHSS Foundation Marks 10 Years of Progress
Rapid City, SD -- As it marks its 10th year, the Black Hills Stock Show
Foundation is many things to many people.
First and foremost, it represents the history of cattlemen, who over 60 years
ago, seeing what had been created in this region of ranching, comparing it to
other parts of the country, said to themselves and others, ‘We have a story to
tell, right here at home.
And so it began.
What would become one of the largest winter stock show events in the United
States, had its beginnings around a kitchen table. First and second generation
cattlemen, families who had immigrated to Dakota Territory and settled the vast
plains and foothills of the Black Hills, had survived the Indian Wars, the boom
and bust (and boom again) of the gold rush, harsh droughts and devastating
winters.
From them and the country they settled would come the beginnings of cattle
production in the state of South Dakota. Today, what remains the state’s
single largest economy - ranching - began right here.
Interestingly enough, the third generation of those founders of the Black
Hills Stock Show sit around those same kitchen tables - some of who have been or
are board members of the Foundation.
“For me personally, being active in working for the Foundation’s mission
of preserving the legacy while investing in the future is a responsibility we
have to the those early-day pioneers of stock show,” says current Foundation
president Joe Norman, whose family settled in these parts in 1881. “Their
story shouldn’t be forgotten if we’re to continue in presenting quality
livestock shows.”
He’s got a reminder close at hand in his father Don Norman, who represents
the legacy that continues as the backbone of the event. For years, the
father/son team clerked sales and served on committees and boards that were
involved with the evolution of the show in one way or another. Don is an
inductee into the Black Hills Stock Show Hall of Fame and at the age of 82 years
young, can still be found in the barns as stock show approaches, putting up tie’s
and readying the stalling area for livestock coming into the event.
While considering the future endeavors and direction of the Foundation, it’s
important to first note the historical perspective of the event from which it
works to provide services. “Without that,” says John Johnson, who helped
organize the Foundation and serves as a director yet today, “we lose touch
with the basis of why the event came into being in the first place, and
subsequently the reasons for the incorporation of the Foundation.
“You have to go back to the beginning - to the days of the cattlemen who
created this event - people like Calvin Blair - to get a clear understanding of
what it means to ‘dance with the ones that brought you.’ They started this
thing on the premise of good cattle and a hand shake.”
He continues, “Now, 45 years later we all enjoy one of the most recognized
winter stock show’s and rodeo’s in the country. You have to respect that and
give something back that honors that early-day vision.”
It has been a slow but steady growth for the Foundation that over the past 10
years has provided funding for local, state and regional interests; over $50,000
in scholarships; $10,000 to the Western Junior Livestock Show; $70,000 in
support grants from helping to build rural hospitals to offering funds for
emergency rural volunteer fire fighting units.
It’s why people like David Dick, Philip Health Services Administrator,
Philip, SD point to the work of the BHSS Foundation as, “truly a part of the
vision of investing in rural life.”
Reflects Johnson, “When I think back to where we started and where we’re
at today, we’ve accomplished some things - we’ve made a difference to people
who through their participation in and support of the stock show through the
years - have made the event what it is today. ”
Doug Theel who puts in countless hours of service work for the Foundation and
serves as it’s vice-president points to the fact that, “in our part of the
country, there’s no shortage of good people doing good works. What there is a
shortage of are the funds and other support resources to get the jobs done.”
That includes direct support to the event as well. “The public at large
sees the stock show as this huge, overall presence with hundreds of thousands
people attending from all over the country,” he observes. “Yet within all of
that, are programs and services that require additional financial support if
they are to continue to be offered at the level the viewing and buying public
have come to expect.”
Central States Fair manager Ron Jeffries who also serves as a Foundation
director has first hand knowledge of what it takes to produce South Dakota’s
second largest public event. “It’s a massive undertaking. The Foundation
offers its support and services that enhance certain areas of the stock show.
The insight they bring is invaluable to staying grounded in the philosophies of
the original founders of this event.”
Raising funds through Stockman Club memberships and other fundraisers
throughout the year, the Foundation finds itself busy year round in order to
maintain and grow the level of financial support it provides. Last summer’s
Rural Volunteer Firefighters Initiative is a good example of the grassroots
connection the non-profit works to stay in touch with - in a responsive way.
Foundation director Connie Weishaar, Reva, who chairs the program that has
given over $11,000 to-date says that early on, “it became apparent the need
would out pace available funds.
It was a surprise to find so many underfunded rural firefighting units, just in
the area of this first release of monies - a 125 mile radius of Rapid City. We
hadn’t expected that and soon came to realize that $11,000 wouldn’t go very
far. Which is why we’re pursuing matching funds to further this effort.”
The Foundation has enjoyed good working relationships with other interests
that play an important role in the evolution of the stock show. In 1987, another
pioneer came along who would create the impetus to move the event to the
Rushmore Plaza Civic Center - over 140,000 square feet of controlled heat, air,
and ventilation - all under one roof.
“We were more than a little hesitant,” recalls Foundation director Bruce
Blair, Piedmont who served for many years as a Hereford breed representative and
director of the Central States Fair. “Change isn’t easy. So when Jim and
Julie Sutton began discussions about bringing the livestock show into the
facility and holding it in conjunction with PRCA rodeo, the idea was intriguing
but the logistics seemed impossible.”
Ask anyone with any history with stock show and they all say the same thing;
"Sutton Rodeo’s invitation to the Central States Fair to move its
winter livestock show to the Civic Center was the best thing that could have
happened for the livestock shows and sales," says Don Norman. "He’s
invested money in stock show events that attract progressive livestock
producers. We’re known across the country for the quality of cattle exhibited
here and Jim’s programs like Supreme Row are an important part of that.”
For his part, Sutton says, “We’re proud to be supporters of the
Foundation and part of the effort to preserve the legacy of this show and the
western heritage it was built on. The organization plays an important role in
keeping the event grounded in grassroots interests and needs.”
As the Foundation looks forward to the next 10 years, Johnson says, “I’d
like to think we’re holding steady to the mind-set of those people who have
gone before us. When all is said and done, if we don’t leave it better than
what it was before then we have failed.
“I’d like to think that as we try to adhere to the
founding principles of stock show, those early-day rancher’s would look on and
say, “Well done.""
For more information on becoming a Stockman’s Club member and for other
support opportunities with the BHSS Foundation, call 605-718-0810 or Email Foundation@BHSSF.com
Go on-line at www.BHSSF.com
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