Member Meetings in 2018
Generally meetings are held the second Monday of each month at 6:30 pm in the Hermosa Town Office basement meeting room (next door to the Post Office and HAHA Museum). Park in the HAHA parking lot and walk over.
New members are welcome! We'll gladly put your talents to work.
January 13 -- annual potluck, member meeting, Board election, and committee assignments.
February 12 -- meeting held in the Hermosa Library.
March 12 -- meeting held in the Hermosa Library.
April 9 -- meeting held in the Hermosa Library.
May 14 -- meeting held in basement meeting room of the Town Office building.
June 18 -- meeting date was changed to accommodate members' schedules. Basement meeting room.
July 9 -- meeting held at John Preston's Battle Creek Agency when the Town Office fire alarm malfunctioned.
August 20 -- meeting date was changed to accommodate members' schedules. Basement meeting room.
September 10 -- meeting held in basement meeting room of the Town Office.
October 15 -- meeting date changed due to weather and some member's schedules. Basement meeting room.
November 12 -- meeting held in basement meeting room of the Town Office.
December 1 -- meeting will be held at noon at the Hermosa School during the lunch break as we set up for the Christmas Carnival and Craft Fair (set up starts by 10:30 am).
HAHA Volunteers with Santa and Mrs.Claus, December 2018
We wrapped up another great year of HAHA events.
We wrapped up another great year of HAHA events.
Sunday, December 2nd, 2018 --- 7th Annual Christmas Carnival
and Holiday Craft Fair --- Hermosa School --- 10 am to 3 pm
and Holiday Craft Fair --- Hermosa School --- 10 am to 3 pm
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The 7th Annual Christmas Carnival & Craft Fair was held on Sunday, December 2nd at the Hermosa School gym
from 10 am to 3 pm. This was HAHA's annual Christmas FUNraiser. A large and happy crowd of children, accompanied by their adults, came for a lunch of soups and desserts (for a donation). Folks sat and talked with friends while the kids had fun-- games with prizes, hands-on activities. Each child received 10 free tickets to participate in the games and activities; additional tickets were for sale. Santa and Mrs. Santa posed for photos with children and adults. They also spoke with children about Christmas wishes. Twenty-some vendors sold decorations, crafts, food, jewelry, art and other treasures at the craft fair in the large gym. +-+-+-+-+ Thank you to Shelley at Pop's Grocery Shoppe and to Bert at the Hermosa Library for coordinating this event. |
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Volunteers Made it Happen!
We set up the HAHA Christmas Carnival on Saturday, December 1st, starting about 10:30 am. A large and good-natured group of volunteers showed up to help decorate the Hermosa School gym and set up the games for the kids and the tables for the craft fair vendors. We took a break at noon for a HAHA meeting while we enjoyed lunch donated by Pop's Grocery, then finished the Carnival set up. Everyone pitched in on Sunday to make the Carnival a success, and then helped clean up. What a wonderful thing! The Hermosa community salutes you.
We set up the HAHA Christmas Carnival on Saturday, December 1st, starting about 10:30 am. A large and good-natured group of volunteers showed up to help decorate the Hermosa School gym and set up the games for the kids and the tables for the craft fair vendors. We took a break at noon for a HAHA meeting while we enjoyed lunch donated by Pop's Grocery, then finished the Carnival set up. Everyone pitched in on Sunday to make the Carnival a success, and then helped clean up. What a wonderful thing! The Hermosa community salutes you.
October 21, 2018 -- Free Brunch -- Masonic Hall next door to HAHA
A Thank You to Our Neighbors in Eastern Custer County
HAHA Museum Open House 10:30 am to 2 pm.
HAHA members teamed up with our next-door neighbors, the members of Battle River Lodge #92, to host a free brunch of pancakes and breakfast casseroles.
Often HAHA events are fundraisers with a special event-- this time we thanked all of you in eastern Custer County who have been supporting us since HAHA's founding in 1999. We shared food and conversation, uninterrupted by speakers or fundraising. Folks came to meet new neighbors and get reacquainted with old friends.
The brunch was held at the Masonic Lodge which backs up against the HAHA Museum. We also had a Museum Open House so folks could stop in and see our exhibits, the progress we have made in improving this historic building, and our plans for ongoing renovations and the future of the grand old building
All were welcome and we had a great turnout!
A Thank You to Our Neighbors in Eastern Custer County
HAHA Museum Open House 10:30 am to 2 pm.
HAHA members teamed up with our next-door neighbors, the members of Battle River Lodge #92, to host a free brunch of pancakes and breakfast casseroles.
Often HAHA events are fundraisers with a special event-- this time we thanked all of you in eastern Custer County who have been supporting us since HAHA's founding in 1999. We shared food and conversation, uninterrupted by speakers or fundraising. Folks came to meet new neighbors and get reacquainted with old friends.
The brunch was held at the Masonic Lodge which backs up against the HAHA Museum. We also had a Museum Open House so folks could stop in and see our exhibits, the progress we have made in improving this historic building, and our plans for ongoing renovations and the future of the grand old building
All were welcome and we had a great turnout!
October 17 & 18, 2018 -- Laura Ingalls Wilder program -- HAHA Museum
presented by Linda Starbuck for third grade classes
coordinated by HAHA member Candice Leigh
On October 17th and 18th, third grade classes from Amber Snyder's Hermosa Elementary School class, and Sophia Zumpano's and Wendy Drew's classes from Custer Elementary School visited the Hermosa Arts and History Association museum for a presentation by Linda Starbuck about Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Ms. Starbuck, dressed in period clothing, shared stories and artifacts from each of Wilder's Little House Books. Students enjoyed a visit to the museum gallery after the presentation and learned more about pioneer life and life in early Hermosa, including a hands-on look at the old telephone switchboard.
presented by Linda Starbuck for third grade classes
coordinated by HAHA member Candice Leigh
On October 17th and 18th, third grade classes from Amber Snyder's Hermosa Elementary School class, and Sophia Zumpano's and Wendy Drew's classes from Custer Elementary School visited the Hermosa Arts and History Association museum for a presentation by Linda Starbuck about Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Ms. Starbuck, dressed in period clothing, shared stories and artifacts from each of Wilder's Little House Books. Students enjoyed a visit to the museum gallery after the presentation and learned more about pioneer life and life in early Hermosa, including a hands-on look at the old telephone switchboard.
October 5, 2018 -- Civil War Program -- HAHA Museum and Hermosa Cemetery
presented by Don Balyeat, coordinated by HAHA member Candice Leigh
A group of high school students from a Rapid City Christian High history class, studying the Civil War, came to the HAHA Museum on a field trip Friday, October 5th.
Don Balyeat, a Civil War historian from Sturgis, talked about the Civil War saber that is on display at the museum, which was passed along through a few local families before it was donated to the museum by the estate of Harold Hasselstrom.
Don also talked about Union and Confederate uniforms and flags, described the Battle of Antietam, and talked about the weight of history that can be felt on items that have been handled by uncounted people.
After the talk at the HAHA Museum, the class visited the Highland Park Cemetery, on the west edge of Hermosa, and learned the history of the Civil War cannons at the entrance.
Students then checked the cemetery map in the chapel, and looked for Civil War veteran graves. Due to the cold rain the field trip was shortened, and students weren't able to make rubbings of the graves as classes have in previous years.
presented by Don Balyeat, coordinated by HAHA member Candice Leigh
A group of high school students from a Rapid City Christian High history class, studying the Civil War, came to the HAHA Museum on a field trip Friday, October 5th.
Don Balyeat, a Civil War historian from Sturgis, talked about the Civil War saber that is on display at the museum, which was passed along through a few local families before it was donated to the museum by the estate of Harold Hasselstrom.
Don also talked about Union and Confederate uniforms and flags, described the Battle of Antietam, and talked about the weight of history that can be felt on items that have been handled by uncounted people.
After the talk at the HAHA Museum, the class visited the Highland Park Cemetery, on the west edge of Hermosa, and learned the history of the Civil War cannons at the entrance.
Students then checked the cemetery map in the chapel, and looked for Civil War veteran graves. Due to the cold rain the field trip was shortened, and students weren't able to make rubbings of the graves as classes have in previous years.
August 18, 2018 -- Interview of HAHA's Founders
June Lee and Rick Mills, along with the late Doug Hesnard, were the founding members of HAHA.
HAHA member and historian Lilah Morton Pengra interviewed June and Rick on Saturday, August 18th, at the HAHA Museum, drawing forth their stories of the early days of HAHA-- from the 1986 Hermosa Centennial when June, Rick and Doug first collaborated, through the founding of the arts and history organization shortly thereafter, to the 1999 purchase of the old Masonic Lodge and the first fundraisers and community events sponsored by HAHA.
In addition to gifting us with her memories, June also donated boxes of historical items and documents to the HAHA Museum.
June Lee and Rick Mills, along with the late Doug Hesnard, were the founding members of HAHA.
HAHA member and historian Lilah Morton Pengra interviewed June and Rick on Saturday, August 18th, at the HAHA Museum, drawing forth their stories of the early days of HAHA-- from the 1986 Hermosa Centennial when June, Rick and Doug first collaborated, through the founding of the arts and history organization shortly thereafter, to the 1999 purchase of the old Masonic Lodge and the first fundraisers and community events sponsored by HAHA.
In addition to gifting us with her memories, June also donated boxes of historical items and documents to the HAHA Museum.
Rick Mills and June Lee with the Doug Hesnard Memorial Garden in front of the HAHA Museum.
August 9 - 12, 2018 -- Custer County Fair -- Hermosa Fairgrounds
HAHA Display Booth (in conjunction with the Hermosa Library Booth)
August 12th -- 2 pm -- Honoring HAHA member Clara Zechin
HAHA members volunteered time at the HAHA Display Booth to talk to members of the community visiting the fair about our organization's programs and the Museum renovations, and to ask for help identifying people in historic photos from the Museum's collections.
At 2 pm on Sunday, August 12th, an Executive Proclamation from the Office of Governor Dennis Daugaard was presented to HAHA volunteer Clara Zechin, who has made many noteworthy volunteer contributions towards the preservation and interpretation of the local history of Hermosa and the lives of the citizens of eastern Custer County, South Dakota.
HAHA Display Booth (in conjunction with the Hermosa Library Booth)
August 12th -- 2 pm -- Honoring HAHA member Clara Zechin
HAHA members volunteered time at the HAHA Display Booth to talk to members of the community visiting the fair about our organization's programs and the Museum renovations, and to ask for help identifying people in historic photos from the Museum's collections.
At 2 pm on Sunday, August 12th, an Executive Proclamation from the Office of Governor Dennis Daugaard was presented to HAHA volunteer Clara Zechin, who has made many noteworthy volunteer contributions towards the preservation and interpretation of the local history of Hermosa and the lives of the citizens of eastern Custer County, South Dakota.
Terri Bruce, representing the South Dakota State Historical Society, presented the award to Clara.
Clara was joined by family members to celebrate "Clara Zechin Day" on August 12th, 2018.
June 16th, 2018 -- Family History Workshop
"Opening that Shoebox & Preserving Family Stories"
Saturday, June 16 --- 9:00 am to 3:00 pm --- Town Office basement meeting room
Next door to the Post Office and the HAHA Museum --- park in the HAHA Museum parking lot
HAHA's first Family History Workshop was held Saturday, June 16th for a group of curious and attentive folks. This family history organization and writing workshop was designed to stimulate writing your family history and dealing with that shoe box full of family photographs. Taught by a museum specialist and an award-winning local author whose most-recent book is a family history written in journal form. You couldn't find a better duo to learn from.
Zane Martin-- Museum Specialist who works for the National Parks (Mt Rushmore, Jewel Cave, Devil's Tower)-- talked about organizing and archiving photos and other documents and items. She said that the time spent in determining what you want to accomplish, organizing your items, and keeping detailed notes on everything will repay you many times over in time saved as you handle your collection or pass it along to others. She also showed us many archival folders, envelopes, and boxes and spoke about the best ways to preserve items.
Linda M. Hasselstrom-- rancher, author of non-fiction and poetry, and resident writer and instructor at Windbreak House Writing Retreats-- spoke about the craft of writing a family history, and gave us many handouts covering research resources, decisions to make while putting together a family history, and suggestions for great storytelling instead of compiling a dry list of people and dates, so that people will enjoy reading what you create. One of her best bits of advice was to focus on a single theme/time period/person/event/topic rather than trying to write an enormous history covering everything that happened over many generations. She said, "You can always write another book."
The workshop participants also shared good suggestions for research resources, local copy shop publishing, and stories of what worked and what didn't while putting together family and community histories.
Nearly everyone who came was interested in future classes, especially one covering the details of how to convert older photos, slides, film, and recordings into current digital formats.
If you also are interested, send an email asking to be included on the HAHA Family History mailing list
[email protected]
Here is the Workshop Agenda:
9:00-11:30 AM
"Opening that Shoebox: Dealing with Family Photographs"
Presenter: Zane Martin, Museum Specialist (National Park Service -- Mount Rushmore, Jewel Cave & Devils Tower)
Topics:
1. Suggestions for sorting, dating, organizing
2. Resources for repairing & reprinting
3. Techniques for preserving
5. Copyright issues
11:30-12:30 PM
Bring your own brown bag lunch -- Drinks & dessert were provided.
A brief Museum tour was given after lunch.
12:30-3:00 PM
"Writing & Preserving Family Stories" -- Strategies and techniques for recording, organizing and writing your family history.
Presenter: Linda M. Hasselstrom, author of 17 published books of nonfiction and poetry about the local area
(see Linda's website, www.windbreakhouse.com, and FaceBook page www.facebook.com/WindbreakHouse)
We’ll discuss several aspects of creating your family history, including
"Opening that Shoebox & Preserving Family Stories"
Saturday, June 16 --- 9:00 am to 3:00 pm --- Town Office basement meeting room
Next door to the Post Office and the HAHA Museum --- park in the HAHA Museum parking lot
HAHA's first Family History Workshop was held Saturday, June 16th for a group of curious and attentive folks. This family history organization and writing workshop was designed to stimulate writing your family history and dealing with that shoe box full of family photographs. Taught by a museum specialist and an award-winning local author whose most-recent book is a family history written in journal form. You couldn't find a better duo to learn from.
Zane Martin-- Museum Specialist who works for the National Parks (Mt Rushmore, Jewel Cave, Devil's Tower)-- talked about organizing and archiving photos and other documents and items. She said that the time spent in determining what you want to accomplish, organizing your items, and keeping detailed notes on everything will repay you many times over in time saved as you handle your collection or pass it along to others. She also showed us many archival folders, envelopes, and boxes and spoke about the best ways to preserve items.
Linda M. Hasselstrom-- rancher, author of non-fiction and poetry, and resident writer and instructor at Windbreak House Writing Retreats-- spoke about the craft of writing a family history, and gave us many handouts covering research resources, decisions to make while putting together a family history, and suggestions for great storytelling instead of compiling a dry list of people and dates, so that people will enjoy reading what you create. One of her best bits of advice was to focus on a single theme/time period/person/event/topic rather than trying to write an enormous history covering everything that happened over many generations. She said, "You can always write another book."
The workshop participants also shared good suggestions for research resources, local copy shop publishing, and stories of what worked and what didn't while putting together family and community histories.
Nearly everyone who came was interested in future classes, especially one covering the details of how to convert older photos, slides, film, and recordings into current digital formats.
If you also are interested, send an email asking to be included on the HAHA Family History mailing list
[email protected]
Here is the Workshop Agenda:
9:00-11:30 AM
"Opening that Shoebox: Dealing with Family Photographs"
Presenter: Zane Martin, Museum Specialist (National Park Service -- Mount Rushmore, Jewel Cave & Devils Tower)
Topics:
1. Suggestions for sorting, dating, organizing
2. Resources for repairing & reprinting
3. Techniques for preserving
- Print or digitize
- Marking instrument & technique
- Adhesives
- Paper
- Covers & albums
5. Copyright issues
11:30-12:30 PM
Bring your own brown bag lunch -- Drinks & dessert were provided.
A brief Museum tour was given after lunch.
12:30-3:00 PM
"Writing & Preserving Family Stories" -- Strategies and techniques for recording, organizing and writing your family history.
Presenter: Linda M. Hasselstrom, author of 17 published books of nonfiction and poetry about the local area
(see Linda's website, www.windbreakhouse.com, and FaceBook page www.facebook.com/WindbreakHouse)
We’ll discuss several aspects of creating your family history, including
- format (maybe it should be a cookbook!);
- scope (An ancestor born in 1625 might have 67 million descendants today)
- personalizing;
- the dark side: crime and misdeeds
- using your journal
- documenting sources, and
- whether you need an index
- publishing
May 20th, 2018 -- Jack Zasadil Day
Jack Zasadil Day was Sunday, May 20th. Zasadil family, both local and from across the country, as well as friends and those interested in this man of many talents, joined us at 2 pm at the Hermosa School for memories and music honoring Johannes "Jack" Zasadil, Hermosa's violin-maker.
* Donna Evjen presented a brief bio of Jack Zasadil.
* Beverly Groth, coordinator of the event, told about Jack's violins and narrated a slide show (from the collection of Zasadil slides and memorabila donated by Ben Roose).
* Carol Knowles, Concert Master of the Black Hills Symphony Orchestra, gave a brief talk about how violins are made.
* Beverly Groth introduced Special Guests and Zasadil Family.
* Violin (and bass fiddle) owners and family spoke briefly, giving their memories of Jack's violins and his life.
* Suzuki Violin Students gave a short concert.
We then went to the HAHA Museum to view special exhibits of Jack Zasadil's life and works, where refreshments were served. Some people also took a short walk from the museum to view the Zasadil stone house and the old Hermosa bank building where Jack Zasadil had his violin shop.
Event sponsored by The Hermosa Arts & History Association.
Coordinated by Beverly Groth with help from Donna Evjen, Candice Leigh, and others.
Special thanks to Ben Roose for the wonderful donation of the Jack Zasadil Collection.
Jack Zasadil Day was Sunday, May 20th. Zasadil family, both local and from across the country, as well as friends and those interested in this man of many talents, joined us at 2 pm at the Hermosa School for memories and music honoring Johannes "Jack" Zasadil, Hermosa's violin-maker.
* Donna Evjen presented a brief bio of Jack Zasadil.
* Beverly Groth, coordinator of the event, told about Jack's violins and narrated a slide show (from the collection of Zasadil slides and memorabila donated by Ben Roose).
* Carol Knowles, Concert Master of the Black Hills Symphony Orchestra, gave a brief talk about how violins are made.
* Beverly Groth introduced Special Guests and Zasadil Family.
* Violin (and bass fiddle) owners and family spoke briefly, giving their memories of Jack's violins and his life.
* Suzuki Violin Students gave a short concert.
We then went to the HAHA Museum to view special exhibits of Jack Zasadil's life and works, where refreshments were served. Some people also took a short walk from the museum to view the Zasadil stone house and the old Hermosa bank building where Jack Zasadil had his violin shop.
Event sponsored by The Hermosa Arts & History Association.
Coordinated by Beverly Groth with help from Donna Evjen, Candice Leigh, and others.
Special thanks to Ben Roose for the wonderful donation of the Jack Zasadil Collection.
Enjoy a Slide Show of Jack Zasadil Day
April 28th, 2018 -- HAHA Presents a Hermosa Saturday Afternoon
A Tribute to Hermosa's Railroads
Saturday, April 28th --- 2:00 to 5:00 pm --- Hermosa School Gym
A combined benefit for HAHA and the South Dakota State Railroad Museum
Rick Mills, director of the SD State Railroad Museum, told the story of the “Railroads of Hermosa -- 1886 to 2018” The afternoon included mini-raffles, silent auctions, and live auctions of a few special items to benefit both museums. Luscious hors d'oeuvres were served. Music by Hank Harris (guitar and vocals) and Chris Johnson (bass) was a mix of folk tunes and original compositions, many with a railroad theme.
Music was sponsored by the generous support of the South Dakota Arts Council, and the SD State Railroad Museum's “Hobo Fund” members Casey and Erin Crosbie, Reed Richards, Fred Whiting, and Ernie Grafe. Thank you!
Proceeds will be used to provide funding for educational efforts and operations at the two museums, and will help fund the new stairway being built in the HAHA Museum. Both HAHA and the SDSRM are 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations.
A Tribute to Hermosa's Railroads
Saturday, April 28th --- 2:00 to 5:00 pm --- Hermosa School Gym
A combined benefit for HAHA and the South Dakota State Railroad Museum
Rick Mills, director of the SD State Railroad Museum, told the story of the “Railroads of Hermosa -- 1886 to 2018” The afternoon included mini-raffles, silent auctions, and live auctions of a few special items to benefit both museums. Luscious hors d'oeuvres were served. Music by Hank Harris (guitar and vocals) and Chris Johnson (bass) was a mix of folk tunes and original compositions, many with a railroad theme.
Music was sponsored by the generous support of the South Dakota Arts Council, and the SD State Railroad Museum's “Hobo Fund” members Casey and Erin Crosbie, Reed Richards, Fred Whiting, and Ernie Grafe. Thank you!
Proceeds will be used to provide funding for educational efforts and operations at the two museums, and will help fund the new stairway being built in the HAHA Museum. Both HAHA and the SDSRM are 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations.
Enjoy a recap of the Saturday Afternoon event.
March 25th, 2018 -- Workday at the Museum
Members of Our Savior's Lutheran Church Hermosa SD formed a Thrivent Action Team and helped with HAHA building restoration Sunday, March 25th.
The volunteers, including the Church Youth Group (middle school students from Hermosa), insulated the first floor east room as a service project. HAHA members Dan and Shelley Martin coordinated the safety protection, ladders and scaffolding, and supervised the work.
HAHA owes a huge thank you to Pastor Deb Grismer, the Church Youth Group, and many others for putting this together. For their volunteer work this spring, the Youth Group will be awarded money from Thrivent to fund a youth service trip this summer.
Photos courtesy of HAHA member Candice Leigh.
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Thrivent is a not-for-profit, membership organization of Christians that offers life insurance, annuities and mutual funds, but whose goal is to “blend faith, finances and generosity” and “support programs that help build stronger families, churches and communities.”
Members of Our Savior's Lutheran Church Hermosa SD formed a Thrivent Action Team and helped with HAHA building restoration Sunday, March 25th.
The volunteers, including the Church Youth Group (middle school students from Hermosa), insulated the first floor east room as a service project. HAHA members Dan and Shelley Martin coordinated the safety protection, ladders and scaffolding, and supervised the work.
HAHA owes a huge thank you to Pastor Deb Grismer, the Church Youth Group, and many others for putting this together. For their volunteer work this spring, the Youth Group will be awarded money from Thrivent to fund a youth service trip this summer.
Photos courtesy of HAHA member Candice Leigh.
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Thrivent is a not-for-profit, membership organization of Christians that offers life insurance, annuities and mutual funds, but whose goal is to “blend faith, finances and generosity” and “support programs that help build stronger families, churches and communities.”
See our Youth Group volunteers in action!
January 13th -- HAHA Annual Potluck and Board Election
Election of Board of Directors and Officers was held at the annual member potluck and business meeting, held on January 13, 2018 at Linda M. Hasselstrom's writing retreat house. See the HAHA Board of Directors page to learn more.
Election of Board of Directors and Officers was held at the annual member potluck and business meeting, held on January 13, 2018 at Linda M. Hasselstrom's writing retreat house. See the HAHA Board of Directors page to learn more.