Featured Member Marsha Sumpter

This is not going to be in the usual format.....believe me there is nothing usual or predictable about this lady.

For starters on the way to the interview I kept thinking you have a lot of unmitigated nerve Shirley. This lady has a column in the paper every week (in other words a pro) and I'm going to interview Her! She has broken so many preconceived ideas of what's the NORM! Talk about a non-conventional individual that would be just a brief description of Marsha Sumpter.

Marsha is/was the daughter of Wayne & Ruth Fairchild. They had 3 children, Marsha and her two brothers. Her Mother recognised her artistic nature and encouraged her to pursue these goals and HAS SHE EVER, just read on.

She attended rural schools (Fairplay & Marietta) went to Philip High School, but graduated from Central High in Rapid City. Her love of Art & Drama was the driving force even at this tender age. She felt she could get more in depth in these fields in the larger school systems. She jokingly related that Mr. Lodge (school superintendent in Philip) would probably not have wanted her to return anyway. This is another facet of Marsha that is so refreshing..her wonderful sense of humor. Especially the ability to laugh at herself. This gift was brought out in her revelation that she was always cast (even as a youngster) as an older women, a different nationality etc. while studying for the role of an older person, she couldn't get the gait/walk down perfectly. A horse kicked her, after the horse incident, the limp helped and slowed her walk down! Academically she related that school was always a challenge for her. But later in life she looked at her surroundings and DECIDED THAT SHE WAS GOING NO PLACE FAST. She was doing menial jobs working for peanuts (driving a school bus when her daughter was little driving a 100-mile route.) She even took her young daughter on the bus with her etc. At this time she was only 19 years of age, not much older than her High School students she was driving. So in 1964.she enrolled in National College of Business and graduated with a degree.

This is just a glimmer of Marshas' unique approach to goals in her life. Marsha spent a lot of the last few years taking care of her Mother and Edna Buswell (sisters)? Their mother was a Sherwood and MC Sherwood was a pioneer of the Midland Bank, which incidentally is where the FNB of Philip originated. If you search long enough, it appears that somewhere in her background she has a relative named Louisa May Alcott. Louisa was best known for her book ‘Little Women' published in 1868.

This brings out another gift of Marsha, loyalty. Years later after purchasing a home in Kadoka, they (Bill & Marsha) built an addition to their home so her Mother would have her own private resident of her own. This space now holds or has some of her many antiques her ancestors' art, paintings and such (they were all artists) or so it seems when you view all their accomplishments and treasures that Marsha so dearly loves. This is a unique little corner of her world. She even has a photo (perhaps a negative?) dated 1911 that is in color! Dolls, dishes and on and on....I could've spent hours in this room alone. But her treasures are all through her house, you can tell she loves being surrounded by all of these.

Second traditions she has smashed... young marriages don't last! Hog wash, she was married when she was 18 to a handsome young fellow from Arkansas that she met when he was stationed @ Ellsworth Air Force Base. They have been married now for 47 years. Bill was a Master Mechanic for Frontier Ford in Rapid City, this expertise proved invaluable in their Agriculture Venture .At the time they moved to the farm Marsha had been a legal secretary for 12 years.

They have two lovely daughters, Shelley Seager has two sons, Eric in Sioux Falls and Zack lives in Philip. And Sandra May who also has two children, Amanda lives in Watertown and Chase lives in Madison.

Third tradition...She has always met life with a quest for a new challenge. When she decided she wanted to fly, she just went and took lessons in 1988! Women really didn't do much of that sort of thing then, but she did. She has been associated with the Civil Patrol for 16 years. All the people volunteered for different positions, but no one wanted the Commander position so she took that!

Has been nominated for Spirit of Dakota, South Dakota Farm & Ranch Women and who knows what else. Marsha is most proud of her accomplishments in Agriculture, erosion management etc. She was the Pork producer's 1^st woman Executive Director and presently serves on the South Dakota Farmers Union Executive Board.

Her mentor was her Grandmother, Mother & Father for all their patience with her and husband Bill for never telling her she couldn't do things.

The last thing that truly amazed me...her business that she runs from her home. Marsha SELF TAUGHT herself to run all those machines. She started with a mail order set up of a computer, scanner, two printers and a plotter in 1995. Then along came heart surgery for Bill in May - the company wouldn't take back the equipment and refund the money. Next, her mother had open-heart surgery in June. The equipment was still unopened and she was still computer illiterate, but in 1996 Bill agreed to do pig chores so Marsha hauled all that equipment to the Black Hills Stock Show and learned under fire how to make signs, used the plotter and read a lot of books.

Since then, the computer has been upgraded, more equipment has been added. She can make cups, mouse pads, special shirts, printed banners, decals for equipment and also can fill the bill for large promotion/advertising on trinkets, thing-a-ma-jigs, doodads, what-cha-may-call-its and pens. The best way to know if she can do your job is to "call and ask".

I truly enjoyed sharing the time I spent with her. She invited me back and she might regret that....it would be my pleasure.

Thanks Marsha. Shirley

July, 08 Featured Members

Bernice & Grady Crew

This couple that I had the pleasure of interviewing stirred memories of a better life in South Dakota. A feeling of freedom, that becomes apparent on the prairies. The sparse population invariably calls more attention to each & every individual. You get this feeling when talking with the Grady "Crew" - Grady and Bernice Crew. How's that for a play on words? J

Grady is a 4^th generation rancher.

His Great Grandparents homesteaded on the Badlands wall and had travelers to the Badlands stay with them in the early 1900's. The Crew's have been in the ranch and tourism industries ever since.

Taking the advice of Gradys' mother to be diversified, Grady & Bernice added the crop insurance business: Crew Agency and built the Badlands Trading Post, a seasonal tourist gas station and gift shop.

In this interview, I'm going to try and share some thoughts that they shared with me. With about 15 employees at the Badlands Trading Post and the Crew Ranch, they consider them as more family and partners than employees. Grady and Bernice stressed how much they enjoy working with the employees that work at the Badlands Trading Post and the insured from their crop insurance business: Crew Agency. From the crop insurance agency they get gratification from the fact that they are able to help the farmers and ranchers through bad times, like the drought. Ranching is their way of life; they love the land and enjoy all that goes with ranching.

Their common interest in agriculture is what brought them together Incidentally, they are so attuned to one another, that they kind of have their own language and you feel as though you are eavesdropping on them, J but it was a lovely visit with two special people.

Grady was born in Quinn, SD to Keith & Dorothy Crew. He attended 1^st - 5^th grades in Interior, then 6^th grade in Wall, and 7^th - 12^th.grades in Kadoka. He graduated from SDSU with two degrees: Agriculture Business and the 2^nd in Economics.

Since they met in 1976 @ SDSU and got married in 1978, they readily admit that they spend all their time together, they can talk forever. They have common goals, focus and dreams for the future. Those common goals brought them together in the first place. It was interesting listening to them talk.

I would have to say that the pride that they feel for their 2 children, is something that the also agree on. Caleb 23 is done with college and is their partner on the ranch. He shares their love of the rural ranch life. Caleb enjoys team roping when he has time. He never wanted to do or go anywhere but the ranch.

. Jamie, 20, is in her 3^rd year at the University of Wyoming majoring in Communications and Marketing. Her love of reading was the reason her Father gave her the nickname "Word Doctor". She is home for the summers and works at all 3 businesses.

. It's wonderful to meet a close knit family like this. Once again it was my pleasure. Thanks Bernice & Grady for giving us a peek into your world.

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Bernice & Grady Crew

This couple that I had the pleasure of interviewing stirred memories of a better life in South Dakota. A feeling of freedom, that becomes apparent on the prairies. The sparse population invariably calls more attention to each & every individual. You get this feeling when talking with the Grady "Crew" - Grady and Bernice Crew. How's that for a play on words? J

Grady is a 4^th generation rancher.

His Great Grandparents homesteaded on the Badlands wall and had travelers to the Badlands stay with them in the early 1900's. The Crew's have been in the ranch and tourism industries ever since.

Taking the advice of Gradys' mother to be diversified, Grady & Bernice added the crop insurance business: Crew Agency and built the Badlands Trading Post, a seasonal tourist gas station and gift shop.

In this interview, I'm going to try and share some thoughts that they shared with me. With about 15 employees at the Badlands Trading Post and the Crew Ranch, they consider them as more family and partners than employees. Grady and Bernice stressed how much they enjoy working with the employees that work at the Badlands Trading Post and the insured from their crop insurance business: Crew Agency. From the crop insurance agency they get gratification from the fact that they are able to help the farmers and ranchers through bad times, like the drought. Ranching is their way of life; they love the land and enjoy all that goes with ranching.

Their common interest in agriculture is what brought them together Incidentally, they are so attuned to one another, that they kind of have their own language and you feel as though you are eavesdropping on them, J but it was a lovely visit with two special people.

Grady was born in Quinn, SD to Keith & Dorothy Crew. He attended 1^st - 5^th grades in Interior, then 6^th grade in Wall, and 7^th - 12^th.grades in Kadoka. He graduated from SDSU with two degrees: Agriculture Business and the 2^nd in Economics.

Since they met in 1976 @ SDSU and got married in 1978, they readily admit that they spend all their time together, they can talk forever. They have common goals, focus and dreams for the future. Those common goals brought them together in the first place. It was interesting listening to them talk.

I would have to say that the pride that they feel for their 2 children, is something that the also agree on. Caleb 23 is done with college and is their partner on the ranch. He shares their love of the rural ranch life. Caleb enjoys team roping when he has time. He never wanted to do or go anywhere but the ranch.

. Jamie, 20, is in her 3^rd year at the University of Wyoming majoring in Communications and Marketing. Her love of reading was the reason her Father gave her the nickname "Word Doctor". She is home for the summers and works at all 3 businesses.

. It's wonderful to meet a close knit family like this. Once again it was my pleasure. Thanks Bernice & Grady for giving us a peek into your world.

Featured Member - Alice Harty

This has the possibility of being one of my shortest interviews, but it sure was an enjoyable one. This little girl is a ‘regular ball of fire.' She stands about 5'7" and weighs between 122 - 125lbs, soaking wet. Talk about a little "f--- in a hot skillet" (thanks for this adage JH), she just flits around doing big people stuff between all those BIG and small animals that she loves so much. I'll give you a hint, if you want to get on her good side, you'd better love animals also.

Meet our very own local Veterinarian, Alice Harty. If you've ever had the pleasure of watching her at her profession, she doesn't back off from anything. This skinny, frail looking girl has never missed driving a BIG team of horses in any of our local parades and she is soooo little! We are so lucky that she now resides in our area!

Alice (Heldorfer) Harty was born in Bancroft, IA. Her parents Don & Karen still live there on their farm. They are still farming but have backed off of livestock for the time being.

She is one of five siblings: Kathy lives in Spirit Lake, IA. Kevin is in Naples, FL. Bill presently lives in Brookings, SD, but is soon to be transferred to New York. He works for Daktronics as a Video Systems Specialist and Tony, the youngest, lives in Clear Lake, IA.

Alice graduated from North Kossuth High School in Swea City, IA. About the ONLY time she ever deviated from her animals was during High School where she did get involved in the Drama Club. She did her undergraduate studies at SDSU, and then finished up Iowa State. Again this little slip of a girl played Intra-mural softball and Flag football at Iowa State. She says they were Champions or 1^st runner up for three consecutive years. This didn't surprise me as I get the feeling that she is VERY competitive.

Her extra curricular activities the she enjoyed were ‘Little International College Livestock Show' and a variety of other clubs and organizations (all involving livestock of one sort or another) that she was involved in.

She met Tommy Harty when she was called out to his folks' place while they were castrating horses. Maybe that's not a romantic setting for you, but it sure was for Alice. He had a deep passion for ranching and animals. Guess what first attracted Alice to Tommy?   He proposed to her on December 7^th and they were married in 2003. This shouldn't surprise anyone, but they enjoy team roping together and fishing when they can get away.

Alice said her Mom would be her mentor in life. She gave her her love of animals. Alice marveled at how she could balance chores, housework, fieldwork, cooking, making quilts, and do almost anything. One of the teachings that she gave Alice was "You'll never learn anything if you don't try." She related that they are and were a close family.

This is just a personal observation of mine as I was reflecting back over the many interviews that I have done for the Chamber...this was one of an awful lot of pretty wonderful people that we are fortunate to have in our community. I have enjoyed each and every one of them and Alice is sure no exemption to this list. If you don't know her, please make yourself acquainted with her, she'll be the one that's mostly on a dead run, has a wonderful engaging smile, and looks rather frail (but don't let that fool you). I'm surprised that I could catch her for just these few moments.

Thanks ever so much Alice, it was my pleasure.