M​ inutes, Not Miles, From Adventure

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CUSTER CONNECTIONS

The editorial below is from the website and Facebook page Proud Places

When a dam broke and flooded my town, I was out the door to volunteer at a shelter. My volunteering led to being on calls talking about federal disaster declarations and strategizing how to help my community recover.

On one of these calls Laura Clemons, the “goddess of disaster recovery” herself, said: “Watch out for those who say I support you, that word support means they are going to be advocates; you don’t need more advocates, you need activists.”

In a world that’s often messy and divisive, consider being an activist instead of an advocate.

When we consider ourselves advocates, there’s a tendency to makes introductions and hope someone else does the work. Advocates support from a distance. But activists do the work. Activists will pore through data, make calls, solve problems, strategize, restrategize, and fight like hell for the things they believe in. It’s both long and short term. It can be an emotional rollercoaster at times, but a ride that you don’t want to get off.

Our places need people with the energy to show up and fight for progress. From adding lighting to a park, to speaking up for change in board rooms, we need activists. Whatever it is that you to a park, to speaking up for change in board rooms, we need activists. Whatever it is that you believe strongly in, there’s a group in your community that needs you.

2021 is coming, how can you show up to serve your place and your people? 1. Create a shop local campaign for your small businesses (better yet, buy all your holiday gifts from local businesses, post about each one to set a trend and inspire others to shop local). 2. Band together with a group and create a fun festival 3. Lead an effort for more public art, a civic discourse dinner, an inclusion council, or run for an elected position. 4. Serve a board to give them information and not to receive it 5. Ask the hard questions–hearing the word no is the gateway to consideration.

Whether it’s speaking up for change in board rooms, or rallying neighbors to add beautiful lighting to a park, we need more activists than advocates.

We do NOT need more people sitting on boards apathetically keeping the seat warm.

We need the doers and dreamers; the big picture thinkers who are unafraid of starting small and getting their hands dirty by doing the work.

#LeadtheCharge

- Jenifer Acosta, Jenifer Acosta Development

From Proud Places https://proudplaces.com/we-need-more-activists

WEEKLY INSPIRATION Chamber Staff

Dolsee Davenport Executive Director [email protected]

Dawn Murray Office & Events Assistant [email protected]

Fred Baumann Information Associate [email protected]

Karen Heuer Information Associate [email protected]

Pat Hattervig Information Associate [email protected] 2020 Board Of Directors

Steve Olson - President John Stahl - VP Amy Bailey - Treasurer Amanda Allcock Jim Ashmore Diane Dennis Steve Engelbrecht Corey Virtue Bobbi Schmidt

Corbin Herman - City Liaison Mark Naugle - School Liaison Leah Scott - BID Liaison Kobee Stalder- CSP Liaison

CHAMBER HAPPENINGS RSVP to December Mixer

Participant Poster Participant information Printable copy

Hold a Mixer AREA EVENTS

1880 Train would like for you to know:

"We take the health of our community and staff very seriously! We have implemented the following changes for our Holiday Express rides to maintain the health of everyone as much as possible.

• All staff, excluding the engine crew, will be masked unless behind our glass partition at the ticket counters. • Santa, Mrs. Claus, and our Elves will socially distance from passengers where possible. Our staff will not be available for photographs this year. • Our management staff will actively manage seat assignments to prevent the co-mingling of separate parties on a bench seat by blocking select open seats.

For more information please visit our website: www.1880train.com"

ANNOUNCEMENTS Click for a Printable Copy United Way of the has 4 weeks remaining of our fundraising campaign season – and we are only at 52% of our overall goal of $2,052,000!

Donations are crucial as our nearly 50 nonprofit organizations are depending on our funding to alleviate some of Donations are crucial as our nearly 50 nonprofit organizations are depending on our funding to alleviate some of the stress on their organization due to the challenges of the pandemic.

Click here to see the campaign progress

Click here for United Way’s impact in Custer

PRESS RELEASES

Black Hills National Forest 1019 N. 5th St. Custer, SD 57730 (605) 673-9200 www.fs.usda.gov/blackhills

News Release Media Contact: Scott Jacobson (605) 440-1409

Apply Now for Summer 2021 Temporary Positions on the Black Hills National Forest Custer, SD; December 7, 2020 – Applications are being accepted for a variety of temporary positions on the Black Hills National Forest for the summer 2021 season. Positions in wildlife, range, recreation, hydrology, administration, and forestry. These are non-fire positions. “Many people aren’t thinking about the summer job they’ll want 6 months from now, so we’re trying to get the word out far and wide, so they don’t miss the opportunity to apply,” said Todd Butler, Customer Services Staff Officer. The application period is December 1- 11, 2020. A full list of available positions and associated announcement numbers can be found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd862000.pdf Apply today on www.usajobs.gov!

For more information on the Black Hills National Forest, visit us online at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/blackhills

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Now thru December 18 Community Christmas Cash

Drawings: December 4 December 11 December 18 December 17 Chamber Mixer at Laughing Water Restaurant 5pm-7pm

December 24-January 3 Chamber Office Closed Aspen+Pine Realty Heather's Top Notch Cleaning P​ ayfurther, LLC R​ ock Solid Enterprises, LLC D​ iane's Custer Vacation Rental W​ icked Espresso/ Little Wicked Inn K​ eating Resources S​ tar Ridge Advertisments World Fossil Finders Museum LLC AJ's Ore Car Saloon C​ entral Hills Crane Service C​ uster's Last Chance RV Park & Campground L​ aMonte's Auto Sales & Rentals Addiction Recovery Centers of the Black Hills P​ & C Custom Interiors, LLC “Dave's World” Tours & Shuttle Services 1880 Train 1881 Courthouse Museum A Walk in the Woods Abundant Life Fellowship Acupuncture 4 Health, Inc Adventure Rentals Aflac Blue Cross/Blue Shield AJ Productions- Allen & Jill Kirkham Alpha Builders, LLC American Legion Post #46 Ameriprise Financial An English Touch Day Spa Art Expressions Arthur, Laurie Baker’s Bakery Barmore Enterprises Bavarian Inn Bear Country USA Beaver Lake Campground Beesley Law Offices, PC Begging Burro BH Burger and Bun Company Black Hills Aerial Adventures, Inc Black Hills Area Community Foundation Black Hills Balloons Black Hills Bungalows Black Hills Chemical Black Hills Electric Coop Black Hills Energy

Black Hills Federal Credit Union Black Hills Natinal Forest Service Supervisor's Office Black Hills Parks & Forest Association Black Hills Towing Branch Construction Branch Construction Broken Arrow Campground & Horse Camp Buffalo Ridge Camp Resort Buglin’ Bull Restaurant & Sports Bar Coffee Shop and Grill, LLC Calamity Peak Lodge Carson Drug Carson, John & Diana Certified Folder Display Service, Inc Chalet Motel Chamberlain McColleys Funeral Home Chapel in the Hills Circle B Chuckwagon Claw Antler & Hide Inc Coca-Cola Bottling Co High Country Common Cents Community Education of the Black Hills Craig Hindle Construction Custer Ace Hardware Custer Ambulance Service Inc Custer Area Arts Council Custer Car & Pet Wash Custer Community Church Custer County Airport Custer County Candy Co. Custer County Chronicle Custer County Conservation District Custer County Democratic Party Custer County Library Foundation Custer County Republican Central Committee Custer Campground Custer Crossroads Church Custer Do it Best Custer Golf Corp/Rocky Knolls Custer Heating & Air Conditioning Custer Hospitality Custer Lion’s Club Custer Lutheran Fellowship Custer Mountain Cabins & Campground Custer Mt Rushmore KOA Custer Real Estate

Custer Rotary Club Custer Senior Center Custer Seventh-day Adventist Church Custer State Farm Custer U-Haul Custer’s Gulch RV Park & Campground Custer’s Gulch RV Park & Campground Dacotah Bank Dakota Cowboy Inn Dakota Cowboy Restaurant Dakota Greens - Custer Greenhouses & Nursery, Inc. Day’s Inn Denial SD Double D Bed & Breakfast Double Diamond Ranch, LLC Edward Jones- Jim Meyer Edward Jones-Kris Zerbe Elk Haven Vacation Cabins Elk Ridge Park Evergreen Media Fennell Design, Inc. First Interstate Bank Fort Welikit Campground Four Mile Old West Town & Campground Freeman’s Electric Service, Inc French Creek Campground & RV Park French Creek Log Homes Garland Lee Goff Attorney at Law Gold Camp Cabins Gold Pan Saloon Golden West Telecommunications Good Karma Jewelry Green Owl Media & Photography Green Real Estate & Investment Group, LLC - Custer Green Real Estate & Investment Group, LLC- Sherri Lockhart Grizzly Gulch Adventure Golf H & R Block Harney Peak Chapter, NSDAR Hartwick, Jackie Heart of the Hills Catering Heaven’s Gate Hennessey, Collen & Jim Frank Hidden Lake Campground & Resort High Mountain Outfitters Highmark Credit Union Hills Inn

Horatio’s Homemade Ice Cream HUB International Limited Jenny’s Floral Jewel Cave National Monument Jorgenson Log Homes, Inc K2 Masonry & Concrete Ketel Thorstenson Ketel Thorstenson Kitchens by Karla Kraus, Don & Karen Lamonte’s Auto Center Lampert Properties Lee, Patti & Jim Lewis Realty Keller Williams LFC Veterinary Service Lifeways Limestone Services, LLC LIU-Lasting Impressions Unlimited Inc Living Outreach Church Lost Sock Lynn’s Dakotamart McDonald Chiropractic McGas LLC Mickelson Trail Mickelson Trail Affiliates Miner’s Cup Mini Art Studio Moccasin Springs Monument Health Custer Hospital National Memorial Mountainview Baptist Church Mt Rushmore Brewing Co. Mt. Rushmore Resort & Lodge at Palmer Gulch Nelson’s Oil & Gas Inc New Trails Ministry, Inc Nielsen Enterprises, LLC NXTLAW PC Operation Black Hills Cabin Our Place Pacer Minerals, LLC PAMS Getaways Pine Rest Cabins Pizza Hut Pizza Mill Pizza Works Pleasant Valley Farm and Cabins, LLC Pounding Fathers

Prairie Hills Transit Premier Family Eyecare Real Estate Center of Cuter/ Bradeen Auction Regency Custer State Park Ventures (State Game Lodge, Sylvan Lake Lodge, Legion Lake Lodge, Blue Bell Lodge, Blue Bell Trail Rides and Jeep Tours, Rockcrest) Road Runner, Inc. Road Runner, Inc. Robert Reich & Christine Chamberlin Rocket Motel Rockin R Rides Roost Resort Rush Mountain Adventure Park Rushmore Photo & Gifts, Inc Rushmore Vacation Rentals S & B Motor Parts Sage Creek Grille Sander Sanitation Sentinel FCU Servall Uniform & Linen Shady Rest Motel Shanklin’s of Shanklin’s of South Dakota Shepherd of the Hills Evangelical Lutheran Church Simon Contractors of SD, Inc Skogen Kitchen South Dakota Air & Space Museum South Dakota Outdoor Shop Southern Hills Animal Clinic Southern Hills Tactical, LLC Southern Hills Title, Inc Spokane Creek Cabins & Campground St John the Baptist Catholic Church Starr Insurance Steele Collision Stockade Lake Cabin Studt Construction, Inc Subway of Custer Sunset RV Park Sunshine Storage Sword Law Office PC Sylvan Rocks Climbing School and Guide Service Syncomm Management Group Tall Grass Landscape Architecture Tanglewood Estate The Custer Beacon The Custer Wolf

The Purple Pie Place The Star Lodge of the Black Hills Thom, Dave Under Canvas United Way of the Black Hills Vector Design and Print VFW Post# 3442 VFW Post# 3442 Vineyard Black Hills Western Skies Real Estate Wheel’s West Campground Whitetail Springs Ranch Windsong Valley Gardens Workforce Diversity Network of the Black Hills Xanterra YMCA, Custer Zonta of the Black Hills

Custer Senior Center

Click Here for December Calendar ​Click here to Check out the Custer School District Calendar for upcoming school events!

HUMOR HELP WANTED

Jewel Cave National Monument is happy to announce its 2021 seasonal positions are available on www.USAJobs.gov, starting today - Wednesday, December 2nd. Most positions are open for applications through Thursday, December 10th. However, be advised that some positions are limited with the number of applicants, which means the closing date(s) may happen earlier than slated.

The quick links below will take interested applicants directly to the position descriptions. Please feel free to share the information with your colleagues, family, and friends. As many of you know, 2020 witnessed some challenges as compared to past years. To prepare for the future, we are starting our recruitment process and are looking forward to assembling a dynamic team for next season ... with optimism for improved visitor experiences. Whatever you can do to share this information (far and wide) would be very much appreciated.

Best wishes, and have a wonderful holiday season ... Park Guide www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/584994200

Park Ranger www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/585418800

Visitor Use Assistant (Fee Collection) www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/585248800

Biological Science Technician www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/584734900

Administrative Support Clerk (OA) www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/584815900

Park Ranger (Protection) www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/584310000

Jewel Cave National Monument - Introduction Information www.nps.gov/jeca/getinvolved/workwithus.htm Work With Us - Jewel Cave National Monument (U.S. ) Employment with the National Park Service (USA Jobs) This hiring program is open for any interested applicants meeting specific qualifications, regardless of educational background or enrollment standing. www.nps.gov

USDA Forest Service is Hiring for Temporary Jobs Denver, Colo., Nov. 3, 2020— The USDA Forest Service is hiring for temporary or seasonal jobs across the nation. Temporary positions with the USDA Forest Service are a great way to gain valuable experience, work outdoors, and get exposure to different careers. The positions are in fire, trails, timber, administration, recreation, fisheries and archeology. There are also opportunities to be rehired and compete for permanent positions after completing 24 months of employment as a temporary employee. The application period for fire positions starts November 16 (over), and for non-fire positions starts December 1, on www.USAJOBS.gov. We look for dedicated individuals from all walks of life, of all abilities, to join our workforce. Apply for our temporary jobs and make a long-lasting impact on the world. Available Positions: Visitor Information Assistant Archaeological Technician Forestry Technician Engineering Technician Biological Technician And more

Visit the Forest Service website for locations and additional requirement information. Apply on USAJOBS. For more information, contact Human Resources Management at (877) 372-7248, Option 2. USAJOBS Application Process Apply on www.USAJOBS.gov, November 16 – 26 for fire positions (over) Apply on www.USAJOBS.gov, December 1 – 11 for non-fire positions Establish a profile and build or upload a resume at the USAJOBS site. Be sure to schedule adequate time to complete this process, as it can be lengthy. For assistance, go to: www.USAJOBS.gov/help For more duty location information, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/r2/jobs. For more duty location information, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/r2/jobs.

Our Address: 615 Washington Street Send Us An Email Custer, SD 57730

Phone Numbers: Connect With Us 605-673-2244 800-992-9818 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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