Broadcaster Press 03 July 3, 2012 www.broadcasteronline.com One in a VerMillion Meet Dawn Bergeson By David Lias david.lias@plaintalk.net With several consecutive days of temperatures topping 90 degrees in the region this past week, the work is beginning to heat up for Dawn Bergeson and her crew of lifeguards at the Prentis Park swimming pool in Vermillion. Dawn is serving her seventh year as the manager at the pool. “I schedule the staff, I set up the swimming lessons, if we need people trained for giving swimming lessons, I provide that, and if we have a time when we don’t have enough lifeguards apply, I am a lifeguard instructor, water safety instructor and I do CPR and first aid,” Dawn said. She teaches four classes of swimming lessons at the pool. Five sessions of lessons are held during the week, from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Eight full-time people work a set schedule as lifeguards at the pool. A crew of seven part-time lifeguards supplements that staff. “The part time fill in during those times we need them,” she said. Several of the lifeguards have returned summer after summer to work at the pool. Some loss of those staff numbers is to be expected from year to year. “It depends on whether or not they’ve graduated from college,” Dawn said, noting that as individuals of her lifeguard crew grow up and receive their degrees, they eventually leave as they begin their full-time careers. The youngest lifeguard currently working at the pool is 15. “The oldest one, besides me, is 25,” Dawn said. One usually doesn’t see lifeguards in Vermillion or any other surrounding community until early summer, when the outdoor pools open. Dawn’s work at training the young women and men who ensure that swimmers remain safe begins much earlier, in March. “I teach in South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa,” she said. “In Minnesota, there are swimming pools in the schools, pretty much, and so I either teach at the schools or they may have pools in community centers.” In Vermillion, Wendy Johnson offers lifeguard training at the indoor pool at the DakotaDome. “They come here already certified, and we have in-services every Friday morning, and we go over what we have learned in class and just to refresh.” Dawn’s role as manager can hardly be called an office job, although she does have to spend some time indoors at the pool, filling out paperwork and helping people. Her work attire is the same as her lifeguard crew – a swimsuit. “I’m also in the schedule as a lifeguard, so I don’t stay in here,” she said, referring to the main building at the pool where swimmers check in before entering the premises. So far, the pool hasn’t been overrun with people trying to beat the heat. “It wasn’t too bad for it being so hot,” Dawn said. “I don’t know … maybe it’s the Fourth (of July) coming up and people are going out of town, or maybe they just don’t want to leave their airconditioning.” Swimmer numbers do consistently rise throughout the summer as the thermometers show the outdoor temperature ticking upward. “When it gets this hot, we do put an extra guard on during the day,” she said. “Usually, we have eight guards on duty; when it gets hot, we have nine working.” So far, the summer has Christopher Olson benefit is July 8 A benefit for Christopher Olson will be held Sunday, July 8 at the Eagles Club, located at 114 W. Main St. in Vermillion. Olson needs to have life-saving heart PRECISION PAINTING A17407 surgery in Michigan, and proceeds from the benefit will assist his family with expenses. He is the baby son of Brian and Ellen Olson, and the grandson of Don and Jane Olson. INTERIOR • EXTERIOR COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL Quality Workmanship, Reasonable Rates Since 1983 CLINT TUCKER • 624-4621 The event will begin at 4 p.m. with a spaghetti dinner, followed by an auction and entertainment at 5 p.m. The meal is $5 per person, and is free for those 12 and under. Free-will donations are welcome. Donations are also being accepted at Bank of the West – Christopher Olson Account. Supplemental funds are provided by the Clay County Chapter of Thrivent. We have Leather Belts that will fit you! Gift Certificates Size 28 to 56 that fit anyone! Boston Shoes to Boots 312 W. 3rd • Yankton • 665-9092 Patricia Curry: 605-661-2860 Andy Curry: 605-261-1202 Archie Dunham: 605-366-4625 Also see us at Siouxlandhomes.com www.dunhamcompany.com Classified Ads: Friday at Noon Display Ads: Friday at 11AM 201 W. Cherry, Vermillion, SD 57069 • 605-624-4429 Virtual Tours Elk Point, SD 402 E. Rose Street – $79,950 2-bedroom, 1-bath, many updates in kitchen and bath. 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Call for your showing today!! 24 hour notice preferred. This home qualifies for a rural development loan, with no downpayment! 10% OFF COUNTRY CLUB ESTATES/ RESIDENTAL LOTS IN ELK POINT “perfect” water temperatures at the pool. “I like working with the kids, and I like the outdoors. You can’t beat that,” Dawn said. DAKOTA SENIOR MEALS Served at the Main Street Center and Town Square, “Meals on Wheels.” Please call before 9 a.m. to schedule or cancel a meal at 624-7868. Menus listed below are for the week of July 3-9. Menus are subject to change without notice. All menus are served with whole grain bread and 1% milk, unless otherwise noted. Tuesday - Hamburger on Need a Belt? DEADLINES been going smoothly at the Prentis Park swimming pool. The lifeguards report that the recent hot weather has swimmers enjoying a Bun w/Lettuce and Tomato, Tater Tots, Baked Beans, Watermelon Wednesday - No Meals Thursday - Salisbury Steak in Gravy, Baked Brown Rice, Steamed Cabbage, Apricots Friday - Sausage Potato Omelet, Green Beans, Banana, Cinnamon Roll Monday - Ham, Baked Sweet Potato, Green Beans, Tropical Fruit James Heating & Cooling “Quality Service with Reasonable Prices.” “Serving the Vermillion Area Since 1993” Vermillion, SD 57069 • 605-624-9140 Our Services Include: • Furnace and A/C Replacement/Repair • Hot Water Boiler Replace and Repair • Air Duct Cleaning • Window Replacements • In Floor Heating Systems Licensed & Insured • Call for a FREE Estimate Thank You The family of Leo (Digger) Albers would like to thank family and friends for their prayers, memorials, cards, many acts of kindness and sympathy at a time it was deeply appreciated.