The Mount Rushmore National Memorial Society is dedicated to the preservation, promotion and enhancement of Mount Rushmore National Memorial and the values it represents through a partnership with the National Park Service. The Mount Rushmore History Association supports the educational, historical and interpretive activities at the park. The Mount Rushmore Institute provides an environment of learning and dialogue, inspired by Mount Rushmore, to advance the cause of freedom and the principles of democracy.
The Star-Spangled Banner Great Success Takes Great Partners Fall 2009 Diana Saathoff, Executive Director ndependence Day at Mount Rushmore is great event and other signature South years of a destination and a dream for thousands Dakota events like the Sturgis Rally, the Partnership Iof people. Deadwood Days of 76 and the Custer Many have waited Buffalo Roundup, to name some of the 79 Mount years to spend their biggies. Each is a unique event with great Rushmore Independence Day participation by federal, state, and county National here. Their stories are law enforcement and emergency services. Memorial Society heartwarming. Each has a host agency to take the lead, a Although this private enterprise to help fund the event Mount year’s foggy fireworks and each has the powerful promotional Rushmore display was a arm of the South Dakota Department of Saathoff History disappointment to all, Tourism. Association I heard again and again that our guests will The patriotic fireworks display come back another year. Even with Mother broadcasts internationally, positively Mount Nature’s wicked sense of timing, the patriotic impacting Mount Rushmore and the Rushmore display is here to stay. The public loves the National Park Service. For the visitor Institute event, our sponsors give generously and our industry, the impact is felt each year as partners put great effort and resources into hotels are filled, meals are consumed, Parking hosting it. souvenirs are purchased and new Division Special events like this cannot take place ambassadors for South Dakota go home without the cooperation and full integration and recount their fantastic vacation of partners—all working to make big things continued on p. 7 happen. Partnerships are the core of this
InsideSociety News p. 2 Park News p. 4
Institute News p. 5
Bookstore News p. 6
Parking News p. 7
Fireworks p. 8 RushmoreSociety News Avoids Economic Woes Gene Lebrun, President hat a wonderful summer creeks and President Lebrun, up an average of 4.1 % for western South Dakota, streams. addressing the over 2008, and 6.6% over the Black Hills and Mount Mount Independence Day budget. June and July W Celebration crowd Rushmore. Here it is August, and the Rushmore’s saw the best sales ever for in the park’s prairie, the valleys and the Hills are all Independence Amphitheater on those two months, and still green and lush! My family was out Day Celebration July 3rd. by mid-August the sales in early August and we toured the Hills began with were $29,000 over August and spent a few days in Custer State crowds of 2008. Park. It was obvious that the wildlife gathering It also has been is also enjoying Mother Nature’s early on July 3rd to enjoy a variety of an amazing year for the parking generous array of healthy plants and cultural and entertainment activities. concession. Through the end of July, grasses interwoven with running The day culminated with a once-in-a total revenue (and visitation) has been lifetime “northern lights” show over up 11% from 2008. That amounts to an the Memorial that evening. (For those increase of $250,000 in revenue! July of you who were not there, “northern was our first “million-dollar month” lights” is what fireworks look like when with gross revenue of $1,025,125. As of Thea combined Star-Spangled newsletter for theBanner set off during intense fog!) Having this writing, August is up 12% from last Mount Rushmore National Memorial Society, the Mount Rushmore History grown up in northern North Dakota, year. Association and the Mount Rushmore where I saw a lot of northern lights Interestingly, although the Institute shows, I thought that our man-made motorcycle count during the Sturgis Mount Rushmore National Memorial display of colored skies was unique Rally was down about 4.5% from Society President: Gene Lebrun and awesome! The great teamwork 2008, the car count during the same Mount Rushmore History Association Chair: Nancy Gowen among the various entities thanked period was up 28.6% from 2008 for an in this newsletter made the event overall traffic count increase of almost Mount Rushmore Institute President: Jim Nelson successful, in spite of the glitch in the 8% during the Rally. Thanks to Bob Parking Committee Chair: Leroy Ketel weather. (And, sponsors, we promise Mudlin and his crew at Presidential Executive Director: Diana Saathoff to fix the reserved parking problem for Parking and to Mason Short, parking Parking Division Manager: Mason Short next year’s event). division manager, for their fine work As the tourism season started this at handling the many visitors as they History Association Division Operations Manager: Megan Matzen year, there were predictions and fears arrive and depart the park. Development Director: Mary Larkin of a slow year and season for Mount Please mark your calendars Rushmore. As it turns out, at least for the events coming up at Mount Finance Director: Lynn Bauter through the end of August, Mount Rushmore yet this fall, like An Evening Publications/Communications Director/ Membership Newsletter: Debbie Ketel Rushmore has been having a great with John Adams (see p. 3) and the season. The History Association’s Mount Rushmore Institute’s Achieving Administrative Assistant: Pam Wright bookstore operations for the first 10 America’s Energy Independence forum History Association Administrative Assistant: Jana Young months had a gross profit of $12,000 (see p. 5). over the same period in 2008 and Also, Society board members, Inventory Manager: Mary Bentley $24,000 over what was budgeted. A don’t forget to make your reservations Contact Information part of that has been the great job for the Annual Board Retreat on Society Office: Lynn Bauter, Megan Matzen and October 9-11, which will be held in PO Box 1524 crew have done in keeping down the Custer State Park at the new Creekside Rapid City, SD 57709 (605) 341-8883 expenses. The cost of goods sold is Lodge next to the Game Lodge. Fax: (605) 341-0433 down 2% from 2008. Retail sales are [email protected] www.mountrushmoresociety.com www.mountrushmoreinstitute.com The Society sponsored the three remaining World War II Navajo History Association Office: Code Talkers in their visit to the Mount Rushmore National Memorial park and receipt of an American 13036 Hwy 244 Keystone, SD 57751 flag during the July 3rd flag- 605-574-3142/1-800-699-3142 folding ceremony. [email protected] www.mtrushmorebookstore.com www.mountrushmoresociety.com p. 3 Good Luck Mary! Membership Gathers for Picnic Diana Saathoff, Executive Director Ruth Samuelsen, Vice President ociety Development Director ore than 80 Mount Mary Larkin is heading west S Rushmore Society members, after two years of great service staff and National Park to the Mount Rushmore Society. M Service staff gathered for the annual She is a very talented individual membership picnic held at the park who has on August 30. This was the first event done an planned after the new membership outstanding levels were promoted. The event job raising included a scrumptious meal by money, Xanterra Parks & Resorts, a dramatic awareness presentation by “Abigail Adams” and friends portrayed by Carol Saunders and a for projects Mount Rushmore quiz which tested at Mount the knowledge of those in attendance. Rushmore. Larkin Congratulations to Mary Kay Baker Mary and her husband, who came in first and Elf Swan who Dan, have decided to move back was the runner-up in the quiz! to California to pursue their So far the new membership respective careers. She will be program has been well received. Society member Judy Allen enjoys the meal greatly missed as she has done a during the Society Membership Picnic on To date, we have more than 3,000 terrific job for the Society. Mary Aug. 30 at the Memorial. members, including all membership immersed herself in the mission levels. We are excited about of promoting, preserving and Membership brochures are the possibilities for expanding supporting Mount Rushmore available at the Mount Rushmore membership opportunities, benefits through her very successful Society office by calling 605- and activities through ongoing fund raising and sponsorship 341-8883 or online at www. development of the Society’s efforts. She has been an integral mountrushmoresociety.com. electronic communication. team member in all aspects of sponsorship recruitment, grant writing, project planning Check out our Online Auction at www.mountrushmoresociety.com and event execution, including from Sept 21 to Oct 2 for your opportunity to purchase unique the presidential dinners, items and support Mount Rushmore! This way, you can be a naturalization ceremonies, part of the event even if you can’t attend on Oct 3rd. Independence Day fireworks, and membership activities. In addition, Larkin was RSVP instrumental in working with An Evening With John Adams 341-8883 Black Hills Harley Davidson, resulting in the donation of a The Mount Rushmore Society 2009 Harley Davidson patrol invites you to spend the motorcycle to Mount Rushmore. evening with a Most recently, Mary took true patriot! on the role of curriculum coordinator for the Mount Plan to attend our annual Rushmore Institute and has Presidential Dinner at made great strides toward Mount Rushmore National Memorial’s Carvers Cafe. advancing the organization and elevating the promotion October 3, 2009 and content of future Institute 5 pm Social . 6 pm Dinner/Program forums. On behalf of the board of directors, we thank Mary and This annual fund-raising event helps support projects and events at Mount Rushmore.
wish her all the best in her future 605-341-8883 endeavors. Save the Date! www.mountrushmoresociety.com www.mtrushmorebookstore.com www.mountrushmoreinstitute.com National Park Service News Summer at Mount Rushmore Navnit Singh, Director of Interpretation and Education s the Memorial winds down several tribal councils, from another very busy brought in programs Asummer season, I would like to which proved to be take this opportunity to share the many tremendously popular successes. and attended by capacity As of this writing, the park and our crowds. partners benefited from the increased Ranger Ed Menard visitation this summer compared to the assisted numerous scout same period in 2008. The visitors, in troops nationwide turn, benefited from one of the most and coordinated their robust interpretation and education participation in the programs in several seasons. Thanks to park’s evening retreat our ability to hire more seasonal park flag ceremony. Ed rangers (21 total) than previous years, also skillfully created we were able to offer visitors a greater and managed duty Sculptor-in-Residence Ranger Kim Henkel (left) chats variety of programs. assignments and with Society member Helen Magnussen and past History Association staff member Megan McFarland (foreground) Our talented group of rangers schedules for the largest during a Sculpting Workshop made possible by the History applied two weeks of formal training seasonal staff in years. Association. to develop a variety of themes for He and his team of our interpretive programs. We were rangers kept the Lincoln by the non-stop activities in the pleased to include History Association Borglum Visitor Center programs Amphitheater, the crowds of visitors Bookstore staff as part of that formal operating during the summer. and the overwhelming approval of training. Ranger Jason Ginder assembled the Amphitheater crowd during the Ranger Rhonda Schier concluded and coordinated another outstanding fireworks display despite the limited the Mountains of History semester- training program for the seasonal staff. visibility. long study of Presidents Washington His expertise as a Midwest Region Overall, Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and Lincoln. The educational institute interpretive coach proved valuable attendance at the park increased hosted 45 teachers of history to a when he was selected to perform as significantly (compared to last year) three-day summer seminar in Rapid a key instructor in the Interpretive even though the number of visitors on City. She also taught study methods of Coaching Workshop in Hot Springs. motorcycles increased only slightly. primary source historic documents, Jason has also seized the initiative with The Sturgis Mayor’s Ride hosted utilizing a strategy developed by the the creative design and content of park 300 riders during a short visit to the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American newspapers and brochures. Memorial. History. Our sculptor-in-residence, Finally, the park initiated planning Ranger Blaine Kortemeyer Kim Henkel, conducted six highly for a historic partnership with CyArk, continued to provide top-notch successful and popular hands-on a California-based nonprofit group, support as part of the Memorial’s sculpting workshops at the Borglum to laser scan and digitally record Industrial Rope Access Team, the only View Terrace and taught fundamentals the Memorial carving and grounds certified one of its kind in the park in the art of clay portraiture and stone utilizing state-of-the-art technology. service. In addition, Blaine increased carving. I am proud of the performance of the number of special programs Although the weather was our staff and deeply grateful for the offered at the park’s popular Heritage less than desirable, the park’s support from the History Association Village. Native American performers, Independence Day Celebration on which helped to make this a truly artists and speakers, representing July 3rd was a success as evidenced remarkable summer season. Catch the Ken Burns’ six-part documentary—The National Parks: America’s Best Idea—on South Dakota Public Broadcasting beginning Sept. 27. See www.sdpb.org for TV schedule. The Society is a proud underwriter of this event. www.nps.gov/moru p. 5 July 3, 2009: Rich in Family Entertainment Debbie Ketel, Publications Manager very year on July 3rd, visitors look forward to the wonderful fireworks Eover Mount Rushmore, but those who spend the day at the park also enjoy great family entertainment. Retro Bill, the DARE Safety Buddy, brought his drug-free message to kids several times during the day. Gib Young portrayed President Theodore Roosevelt in the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center. Hoop dancer Jasmine Pickner enthralled the crowd with her talent, and the audience Pictured left: Retro Bill inspires young people to live a life free of drugs during the July 3rd was treated to F-16 and B-1 flyovers during Amphitheater entertainment. Pictured middle: The Takola Color Guard honors the Navajo the day. Musical acts included Brass in Blue Code Talkers during a special flag-folding ceremony. Pictured right: Coca-Cola sponsor (the U.S. Air Force Heartland Band Brass and representative Tura Synhorst and her daughter take advantage of watching the Amphitheater entertainment from the sponsorship area via the big screen. Ensemble) and The Mitguards. Rosebud Sioux tribal member Robert Moore sang Color Guard and flag presentation to native language to send coded messages the National Anthem, Battle Hymn of the Navajo Code Talkers Arthur Hubbard, Joe in the battle fields. The Society is proud Republic and the Lakota Flag Song. Morris and George Willie for their service to have sponsored this group of honored The highlight of the evening was the during WWII. They were part of specially individuals during the Independence Day flag-folding ceremony featuring the Tokala trained Navajo boys selected to use their Celebration.
With Scheduled Topics Such as: Register Today! Global Demand for Energy America’s Energy Plan Current Energy Legislation Achieving America’s Wind Energy Development on Energy Independence American Indian Lands With Confirmed Speakers: Friday/Saturday, September 18-19, 2009 Dustin Johnson of South Dakota Mount Rushmore National Memorial Public Utilities Commission
www.mountrushmoreinstitute.com Matt McGovern of Repower South Dakota Sponsored by Michael Connolly of Campo Kumeyaay A two-day institute featuring nationally renown Nation energy experts to examine the challenges to Mike Eggl, Senior Vice President of developing economically feasible global energy Basin Electric Power Cooperative sources. Professor Patrick Garry of The Univer- sity of South Dakota School of Law $100 for entire conference . $50 student fee for entire conference Robert Gough of Intertribal Council on $40 for 1 day . $40 for keynote only Utility Policy Al Grosboll, Legislative Officer of the Basin Electric Power Visit www.mountrushmoreinstitute.com for more information or call 605-341-8883. Midwest Environmental Law & Policy Cooperative Center South Dakota Rural Electric Association With Evening President Katherine Hamilton of Keynote Speaker Greg GridWise Alliance East River Electric Power Wortham, Executive Cooperative Director of the Great Braden Houston of Citizens Energy Rushmore Plains Energy Alliance Matthew McLarty of Midwest Electric Power of Sweetwater Texas Environmental Law and Policy Center Cooperative and more! History Association News New Publication ‘Carved High’ Debbie Ketel, Publications Manager
e are pleased to announce Today, Rodger is happily married, has our newest self-published two kids and a thriving photography Wbook, Carved High, with business located in Rapid City. South Dakota photographer Rodger A people person from the inside Slott. out, Rodger loves to compose a shot With a combination of Slott’s to tell a story or evoke a mood. Rodger photography, historic photos and embraces complex lighting challenges historic quotations, this book captures and is inspired by all kinds of design, the different angles and moods of including graphic, architecture, Mount Rushmore National Memorial’s interior, product and fashion. architecture and landscape. Carved In fact, Mount Rushmore High is a keepsake of the spirit presented a new challenge for and vision that have made Mount Rodger—to capture angles of the Rushmore an American icon. Memorial not normally seen in print Beginning mid-September, books Born overseas, raised in the and portray this national park to the and enlarged prints from Carved Midwest and trained in Dallas, TX, world in a unique way. High will be part of the silent auction Rodger Slott of Flashbox Photo Studio The 40-page book is 8 x 6.5 and and the online auction to benefit An was mentored by some of the best retails for $9.99. Beginning in October, Evening with John Adams (see p. 3) photographers in the U.S. from various it can be purchased online at which will be held October 3. disciplines. He sold his first image to www.mtrushmorebookstore.com or a publication more than 25 years ago. by calling 1-800-699-3142. Bookstore Sales Megan Matzen, Operations Manager he Mount Rushmore History Association Bookstores are Tfaring well with some of the best sales ever, thanks to the tremendous summer staff that we had this year. We had our best July ever in bookstore sales and our second-best Mount Rushmore Commemorative Scrapbook KIt Collector’s Coin June. That is taking into account over $12.95 $9.95 15 years in this business! We are pleased that sales continue to grow instead of decline so that we can support Mount Rushmore even more every year. As always, we are always trying to add to our product mix. The Mount Rushmore Scrapbook Accents (seen right) are a new member to our stores. They go great with our Mount Rushmore Scrapbook Kit which has been updated. Please remember to look for new merchandise on our Bookstore Sales Associate Richard Brook Mount Rushmore Scrapbook Accents website, (above) is an example of the enthusiastic Work Campers that manned our stores $4.99 www.mtrushmorebookstore.com. this summer. He and his wife, Linda, Your membership entitles you to a 15% stayed with us this summer and plan to discount on your purchase. Become a Fan work for the Grand Canyon Association of the Mount this winter. Rushmore Society! www.mtrushmorebookstore.com p. 7
continued from p. 1 fantastic vacation experience to others. South Dakota Tourism estimates that even our foggy fireworks reached 9.5 million households via broadcast and was featured in 250 news segments. This results in more than $300,000 in advertising value and $970,000 in publicity value. In years past (with better weather), the broadcast reached over 62 million viewers, making this event one of South Dakota’s strongest promotional vehicles. Through these unique visitor Author Jean L.S. Patrick was part of a book signing in the events, people from all over the Mount Rushmore History Association Bookstore on July 3rd to world come to experience cultural promote her books, Face to Face with Mount Rushmore and Who Carved the Mountain? The Story of Mount Rushmore. and diverse programs they can only She was able to meet with visitors and answer questions find here. As we have since 1930, about these two important books that were published by the the Society will continue as a proud History Association. They can be purchased at National Park Service partner and will www.mtrushmorebookstore.com. continue to look for innovative ways to incorporate new park partnerships in the future.
Parking News Parking Shows Interesting Trends ur summer in the parking talking about the numbers. Usually, South Dakota is facility has been extremely mix of traffic. the number one state of origin for Obusy with record numbers We saw strong visitation with around 10% of the of visitors and revenue. Our traffic is growth in car total visitors. During the Rally, South tracking very closely with the reports traffic, which has Dakota came in 36th with just 0.9% from the rest of the tourism industry led us to believe of total bikes. The following states throughout the Black Hills. Through that we saw more were the winners: California 7.3%; the end of July, FYTD, we were up “non-Rally” Colorado 6.4%; Canada 6.3%; Texas 11% over 2008. visitors to the Parking Manager 5.5%; and Illinois 4.7%. From an operational standpoint, Black Hills this Mason Short We are looking forward to a great Bob Mudlin and Presidential year, which tracks fall to complete some maintenance Parking, Inc. staff are doing a stellar well with the strong visitation numbers projects that the crush of summer job at keeping up with the traffic. that we’ve seen since May. traffic hasn’t allowed us to address. It For instance, in July they parked a Additionally, we assisted the will be nice to have these completed record of 100,628 cars, buses and Sturgis Rally Department and the and keep our facility in tip-top shape motorcycles—averaging just a little South Dakota Department of Tourism to greet our visitors. over 30 seconds per transaction at the in tracking the visitation statistics of I would like to thank Diana busiest times. bikers for a study on the impact of Saathoff, Leroy Ketel, Gene Lebrun We saw some interesting traffic motorcycle tourism in the Black Hills. and the Society board of directors during the Sturgis Rally this year— It was a unique mix and significant for the opportunity to serve in this not just interesting bikers—I’m change from our normal summer position. Mount Rushmore National Memorial Society Mount Rushmore History Association Mount Rushmore Institute NONPROFIT PO Box 1524 Rapid City, SD 57709 US POSTAGE PAID Rapid City, SD Address Service Requested Permit No. 618
Media Sponsors: ThankSponsors you to all our 2009 Fireworks Sponsors! George Washington Level:
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San Bois Health Services Theodore Roosevelt Level: Friends of the Fireworks Level: 1880 Train--BH Central Railroad Custer State Park Assurant Keystone Chamber Rushmore Photo & Gifts Custer State Park Resort Company Dean Kurtz Construction Bangs McCullen Law Firm Ted & Mary Linda McBride President’s Slide/Rushmore Tramway Golden West Telecommunications Great Western Bank BankWest Inc. Mid-Dakota Diesel, LLC Suzanne Siegel Gunderson, Palmer, Nelson & Ashmore Lawyers Hills Materials Company BH Central Reservations Montana Dakota Utility West River Electric Assc. Ketel Thorstenson, LLP Liberty Jeep Superstores BH Community Bank Northern Plains Eye Foundation Western Communications, Inc. Mount Rushmore’s White House Resort NWE Management Company Gary & Gloria Brown Robert & Carolyn Perry Western Dakota Insurers RE/SPEC Inc Rossum & Neal Realtors Robert & Sharon Dominicak Prairie Berry Winery Wyss Associates Security First Bank Simpson’s Creative Printing Executive Lodging of the BH Ramkota Companies Glenn & Aride Barber Wells Fargo Richard & Nancy Gowen Richard & Ronald Reeve Lee & Joanne Groskopf H&R Block Reptile Gardens Gary & Peggy Allen Hill City Chamber Roosevelt Inn William & Peggie Waugh