Home Page | Rotary Club of Custer

This website is for the use of the membership of Custer Rotary Club, it's leadership, and the public. Please browse the information, suggest additions and changes, or ask questions in "Contact Us". If you login as a member of our club, you can access additional club and club management information.

Rotary International is the world's first service club organization, with more than 1.2 million members in 33,000 clubs worldwide. Rotary club members are volunteers who work locally, regionally, and internationally to bring peace and stability to the world by providing water and sanitation, disease prevention and treatment, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, economic and community development, peace and conflict prevention/resolution. One of the major commitments is to eradicate polio from the face of the world. Our motto: Service Above Self.

Please click "Read More"!

Lights for the Mickleson Trail

Peg Ryan from Custer City Council & Colleen Hennessy from the Recreation Committee spoke to members about a proposed plan to light the citywide Mickelson Trail with solar lights.

New Librarian

Jessica Phelps, new Custer County Librarian, spoke of her background and the current & future of the library. The main focus of the Library Foundation & library funds will be the Hermosa Library.

The Storehouse at Custer

Storehouse volunteer, Kim Canete, updated the Custer Rotary Club on what’s happening.
Custer Rotarian, Rob McWhorter presented $500 check to Kim for the Storehouse.

Nice Challenge!!

“Rotary President John Carson (R) and Custer Lions President Fred Mills (L) each presents $500 checks to the Custer area Meals on Wheels program to assist seniors who cannot afford their meal costs. Accepting the checks are Senior Meals Site Manager Tiffany Wilcox (CL) and Cook Katy Ryan (CR). The Lions had challenged the Rotary to match $200, but the Rotary bumped the challenge up to $500 each, which the Lions bravely rose rose to meet!"

Christmas for Kids!

Cory Virtue shared with the Custer Rotary Club, The Christmas for Kids program. They raise funds for kids in the community for Christmas presents. They average over 100 kids per year. Custer Rotary is donating $500.00 to the program. Thanks for what you do Cory!

Happenings at the Y

Our own RexJorgensen, Director of Custer YMCA, receives a $500. Donation from Custer Rotary President John Carson. He then gave the club an update on the Y. Last year they set a record for total membership. With a new bus for the Y, and the many programs, the Y has been busy. This last year there were about 35 employees, with lots of volunteer help. The Y and Custer school district collaborated on different programs. Thanks Rex for a successful Y!

Dennis Krull, new District 30 Representative

Newly elected District 30 Representative Dennis Krull, updated Custer Rotary Club on his goals! We look forward to your leadership as you represent us in Pierre! Thanks for taking time to update the Club.

Crazy Horse Memorial Donation

CEO of Crazy Horse Memorial, Whitney Rencountre, accepting a $500 gift donation to The Indian University of North America from Rotary Board Member, Marguerite Cullum.

Monument Hospital Admin

Barb Hespin Marketing Director of Monument Hospital at Custer gave the club an overview of the Custer Hospital. She pointed out many of the challenges due to Covid 19 and how many health care givers have had burn out.

She shared some of the avenues that are being pursued to improve.

Thanks Barb for the insights.

CEO of Crazy Horse Memorial

Recently appointed CEO of Crazy Horse Memorial, Whitney Rencountre II, gave the Custer club an update on what’s happening at Crazy Horse Memorial. There are approximately, 65-70 employees, and during tourist season, as many as 125-130 employees.
Whitney Rencountre II, is Crow Creek Hunkpati Dakota from the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe and is the CEO of the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation. Whitney previously served as Associate Director and Instructor at The Indian University of North America.

Sheriff Marty updates

Sheriff Marty updated the club on many of the activities that have kept the sheriff’s office busy. Some of the programs that they run, such as the ankle bracelet that they use to monitor those that need drug testing, and breathalyzer tests, rather than incarceration. That save the county thousands of dollars. We appreciate all you and the department does for the city and county. Many thanks!

The second picture is Custer Club President John presenting Sheriff Marty a token of appreciation that he can use for writing up new tickets.

Road Cleanup

Thanks to the crew who showed up for the road cleanup. Pictured above, are From L to R - Frank Urrutia, Greg Giese, Nathan, his two daughters and Rob McWhorter. Not shown: Fred Hlava, Marguerite Cullum, Mike Chase, and John Carson.

District Governor Visit

District 5610 Governor John Schneider visited the Custer Rotary Club. He presented the club with his program, outlining some of the goals for this coming year. He also reviewed with the club, Rotary Internationals vision. Rotary International's President this year is Jennifer Jones from Canada, the first RI female President.

DG John, presented Custer Rotary President John Carson with this years banner, and a memento of a Rotary handbag.

Thanks John for taking the time to visit our club and give us your insight.

We also had Lydia Austin from Custer State Park give us an update on the upcoming Buffalo Roundup.

Robert Martin’s Vietnam Story

Custer County Veterans Service Officer Todd Fish.

Custer County Veterans Service Officer Todd Fish, shared what Veteran’s benefits are available to Custer County Veterans.

The Custer Court House Museum

Wanda Wheeler from the Custer County Couthouse Museum provided an interesting program with games of artifacts from the museum. She gave us some great information about the history and some stories about the courthouse. Thanks for a good programWanda.
Custer Rotary President John Carson presented Wanda with a contribution of $500 for the Museum.

New Member Fred Hlava

New member Fred Hlava presented to the club his history, and a lot of his past experiences in his many different positions. You have led an interesting life Fred! Thanks for letting us get to know you better.

CUSTER HONORED ROTARIANS

HONORED ROTARIANS

Roy Roadifer

We Honor Past President Rotarian, Roy Roadifer, he passed away on 8 Dec, 2020. We remember Roy, as a loyal Rotarian, a knowledgeable geologist, always explaining things about the Black Hills, and a wonderful Humanitarian. He was a multiple Paul Harris Fellow. Roy had been an active member for over 26 years and had over 19 years of perfect attendance. He had served in Okinawa during WW2.
To his wife Ramona, and family, our condolences.

Jill Kettle

We Honor Past President Rotarian, Jill Kettle, who passed away unexpectedly on November 16th. Jill's constant smile and can do attitude was always there as she got things done! She was a hard working Rotarian that lead by example! Jill was an active member of Custer Rotary since 2014. Her leadership at the Custer Senior Center kept it vibrant, and alive. Jill was very active in several local service organizations. She was always giving of herself to help others, a Paul Harris Fellow and True Rotarian. Our Sympathies to Ron and her family, and the dogs she loved.

Sue Brown

We Honor Past Custer Rotarian Board member, Sue Brown. Sue passed away May 10th. She will be remembered for her wonderful smile, and the many who were touched by her generosity, and kindness.
She served on the Boards of many nonprofit organizations in the fields of education, housing, and women’s issues including the Sioux Falls Housing and Redevelopment Commission, South Dakota Housing Development Authority, YWCA, Habitat for Humanity, United Way and Volunteers of America. She also served on the Boards of the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Rotary. She served two terms on the Sioux Falls School Board, worked as a financial services representative for her husband’s business and became President/CEO the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation in 1995. She retired from that position in 2006. Both the School Board and Community Foundation were works that matched Sue’s passions, and she considered these opportunities two of the turning points in her life.

First Rotaract RPIC talks about creativity, community, and hats

As World Rotaract Week (13-19 March) kicks off, Rotaractor and public image coordinator Philip Flindt shares his secrets for planning exciting events.

Measuring our results: Making sure that we’re changing lives for good

Measuring our results: Making sure that we’re changing lives for

Recipient of Rotary’s new Sylvia Whitlock Leadership Award takes a global approach

Recipient of Rotary’s new Sylvia Whitlock Leadership Award takes a global

Bigger than polio

Women make up two-thirds of Pakistan’s polio workforce. Meet five of these dedicated women.