Estelline, SD

One of the ideas that came out of our small groups was a message board or two around our community in order to keep people informed of what was going on and to advertise and promote local business.  Little did we know at that time that the idea was sowed that it would come so soon or so large.  With funds left over from the 125th town celebration and additional fund raising from the Estelline Alumni Association a new electronic display board has been purchased and installed at the end of our main street and main highway.  The board mirrors our historic gazebo.  Area non-profits are encouraged to use the board to inform about upcoming events.  Horizons used the board to promote our Strategic Plan Celebration and advertise our blog site.

Welcome , especially if you arrived at the blog using the pen or clip you got at the Strategic Plan Celebration! Turnout for the game and Whopper feed (burgers eaten –700) brought a large number of cpmmunity members together January 25th. The school space was decorated with pictures of Horizons Projects and groups as well as the Plans and blue fridge clips and bluegrip design black ink pens on a balloon flanked table. If you did not get a Plan or handout, ask at the bank.
“Where do I sign up” takes some time to select from the many options. Turn in your volunteer sheet at the bank also, or speak to the other Horizons volunteers to get involved.
We were fortunate to have Extension representatives Kari, Carla and Cheryl from SDSU as well as Sandra from Hamlin County. Their Northwest Area Foundation inout has started us on the next Horizons projects with confidence. Our goal of alternative energy development has found an oopoportunity -the school is a possible site for a Wind for Schools turbine thru the Wind Powering America program and we have qualified volunteers ready to support the education and economic facets of the installation. What a great opportunity to celebrate at Celebration! Host schools will be selected by February 15th; watch the blog for future activity in alternative energy.

Sandford Health and community representatives met Monday and changes in Clinic operations are being studied. Another meeting 1st of May may bring additional information and different plans.
In the meantime, support and patronize our local businesses and services.

The Estelline Area Horizons project would like to invite the area community to the Estelline High School on January 25 for a Free Whopper Feed from 5:00 to 7:00 pm prior to the Estelline boys’ basketball game. We would like to share the Community Strategic Plan that has been developed with help from the surveys completed by community members over the last several months. Should you not be able to attend and wish to receive a plan, please contact Reliabank Dakota at 873-2261 for a copy.
estelline-strategic-plan-final-version.doc

Heads up!

Sanford Management proposes slashing clinic hours by 1/2 and comparable reduction in employee hours. Talk to Mike W if you are able to help; letters in support of the clinic need to be collected and used at a meeting Monday, January 14th.

Horizons survey supports more services; our letter follows …

11 January 2008
To: Stanford Clinic Management
From: Linda Svec, Community Member and Strategic Planning Committee of Northwest Area Foundation Estelline Horizons program

Regarding: Clinic hours proposed reduction

This community opposes cutting access to Estelline Clinic from 40 to 20 hours per week.

Availability of services is a critical feature in quality of life. In an effort to address issues of poverty (many of which are delineated by access as well as finances), our program surveyed more than 20% of the community. Compilation completed January 2008 indicated more services, not less, were desirable; several entries even requested 24 hour on call health service.

Before instituting the proposed reductions, we request thorough revaluation of the situation and assistance in making the current clinic improved and viable.

Community Garden planning is off to a great start; the formation of a group of successful gardeners to lead the effort has begun. Supplying signage and tools for the garden is the next identified use of Green Committee Recycling Trailer funds.
Farmer’s Market seems a long way off in the snowy days of January, but growing produce in the quantity we intend needs to be followed by marketing. We have an excellent opportunity for interested community members to explore the options and form the charter group of marketers; a one day workshop on the subject will be conducted Saturday, February 2nd at the Northern Plains Biostress Laboratory (SDSU). Indicate your interest by calling Linda Svec at 873-2651 to participate (registration will be paid with Horizons funds) before January 15th.

Working Draft – December 28, 2007 The finalized version of Estelline’s strategic plan will be available next week. Here is the working draft of the plan. Suggestions are most welcome!

Introduction

We define community as all residents in and around Estelline. If you are reading this you are part of the community. Throughout this document when we refer to Estelline, we mean the city residents, rural residents, and the surrounding area including Dempster and Lake Poinsett. (more…)