Broadcaster Press 11 July 5, 2016 www.broadcasteronline.com Weekly Column: This Fourth of July is a Time to Reflect on What’s Important By Sen. Mike Rounds Jean and I are blessed to have all eight of our grandkids nearby. They all live within a few minutes of our home in Ft. Pierre and we are fortunate to spend time with them most weekends. Among many other blessings they bring, they are also a constant reminder that the policy decisions being made today determine the kind of future we will leave for them. With election season underway and near-constant media coverage of presidential politics, it can often be frustrating when the focus seems to be on hair or pantsuits, rather than the policy issues that will lead to a more prosperous future. Even my young grandchildren are put off by the tone, and thankfully they prefer riding around on the lawnmower or “four wheeling” on the golf cart with me. The reality is, we are facing serious issues and the important discussions need to be prioritized. We ought to be talking about the problems we face, and more importantly, the solutions that need to be pursued. Independence Day is a good time to reflect on these issues. On July 4, 2026, just 10 years away, America turns 250 years old. As Americans, we will celebrate a historic time in the greatest country in the world. At the same time, our 250th birthday brings to bear a dangerous situation that we can forecast today. In 2026, it is projected that 99 percent of our taxpayer dollars will be spent on two categories: entitlement spending and interest on the national debt. That begs the important question: where will we get the money to spend on other critical items like national defense, roads and bridges, DAVID LIAS/FOR THE PLAIN TALK education or medical research? The crisis is not ten years Vermillion youth, with the help of Nathanial Vogel and Jacqueline DeGraff of The Dakota Players, down the road - it is right now. If we begin focusing on these perform “The Superhero Show” on the stage of the Vermillion High School Performing Arts Center problems today, we can address these challenges together. If Friday night, June 24. we kick the can down the road, 2026 will be historic, but not in a good way. Some in Congress are consistent in promoting higher taxes and more “free stuff.” Those plans inflate an already bloated federal bureaucracy, add to the federal debt and stifle job growth. Conversely, others in Congress simply support lowering taxes. Economically speaking, the solution is more complex. We need tax reform that will provide an environment where businesses want to invest in America, rather than at such a young age,” he said. BY DAVID LIAS create jobs overseas and keep profits overseas. We need to For 71 years, the Black Hills Playhouse has been produclimit the federal rule-making process that unfairly punishes david.lias@plaintalk.net ing acclaimed theatre in Custer State Park, entertaining job creators and restricts capital. Congress must regain its audiences while developing and employing artists in South role as the law-making body- not D.C. bureaucrats. We need A troupe of young actors from Vermillion accomplished the courage to address entitlement reform so that we can Dakota. something that can best be described as “super” last week. Associated with the University of South Dakota, the Play- save important programs like Social Security. We need to After only a week of rehearsal, 40 young people from the recognize that the best decisions are made at the local level house provides opportunities for students studying the arts community – many who are not yet teenagers – performed to interact with seasoned theatre personnel in a professional of government, not in Washington, D.C. Lastly, we need to “The Superhero Show,” on Friday, June 24, and delighted reduce the size of the federal government, and streamline it setting. their audience in the Vermillion High School Performing Arts through strategic reductions. The Dakota Players is a touring outreach company of the Center. Small victories are important and we’re seeing some Black Hills Playhouse. Actors like DeGraff and Vogel tour The Vermillion Community Theatre and The Dakota success in the U.S. Senate. We’re moving more legislation throughout South Dakota during the summer months, offerPlayers, an outreach of the Black Hills Playhouse, made the through the committees than we have in the past eight years. ing theatre productions and learning experiences to young performance possible. We’re making progress, but we have a long way to go. In the people throughout the state through weeklong musical “We’ve had a such a special time here in Vermillion,” said meantime, we all need to keep our focus on the problems facNathanial Vogel following the performance. “These kids have theatre residencies, workshops, and summer camps. ing America so we can work together to find solutions. We’ll Last Friday’s performance marked the acting debut for been fantastic, and as you can see, they’ve been working rehave a new president next year, and the leadership philosomany of the participating Vermillion kids. ally hard, and it really shows.” phy he or she brings will greatly impact what America looks “We asked them at the beginning of the week, ‘how many He and Jacqueline DeGraff, both members of The Dakota like on our 250th birthday. I think all of us can agree on one of you are doing this for the first time?’ and a lot of them Players, served as co-directors and worked with Vermillion raised their hands,” Vogel said, “so this week has been great. thing: we want to leave this country better for our kids and youth all of last week. Together, they all performed “The Some of them had done this before, so they knew what to ex- grandkids. Superhero Show” last Friday night. pect, but for some of them, this was their first time on stage “It’s been a really crazy, hectic week,” Vogel said. “We like this, and they just took it in stride.” threw a lot at these kids; they handled it like pros. It was Vogel said he knew The Dakota Players’ goals were being fantastic, and we just want to say ‘thank you’ to them, for met as the week progressed and the young actors’ level of their time and energy.” confidence grew day by day. “The Superhero Show” tells the story, through music and “At auditions, they’re very timid, and we’re having them acting, of Polly Partridge, portrayed by DeGraff, and the say the lines, and they struggle a bit,” he said. “But by the end Eyewitness News Crew. They bring live coverage of all the of the week, after doing it so many times, you can see that action on Superhero Day, a special day of celebration in the they’re telling themselves, ‘I’ve got this.’ town of Sunnyville. Design/Build • Fiber Cabling • Commercial • Residential “Just seeing that confidence grow and develop is great,” Sunnyville is home to the beloved group of heroes known Service Calls • Boom Truck with Auger • Trenching Vogel said. “They added a couple of things to the show as the Superhero Alliance. Everyone in town is thrilled to celebrate Superhero Day – all, that is, except for Dr. Catastro- themselves. They’re so funny, and they thought about their Serving the characters so deeply, that they brought that to the table. phe, played by Vogel, and his gang of henchmen, the ChemiBeresford and That was super-rewarding. They love it; they just thrive off cal Scavengers. 1221 Cornell St., Vermillion, SD • 605-624-5642 Vermillion Areas 201 NW 13th St., Ste. 3, Beresford, SD • 800-560-2518 Catastrophe is determined to ruin Superhero Day by turn- that.” ing everyone in Sunnyville into super-villains. Meanwhile, Polly’s nephew, Paul, discovers that he, too, has super powers. Audience members were kept in suspense, watching to see if Paul would use his powers for good or evil. They watched in delight as the play ended with the actors expressing the power of being true to themselves, and how that is the ultimate key to happiness. “We started everything on Monday (June 20) and we hit it hard,” said Vogel. “We had 40 kids participating, including the cast and the student directors.” He is active with The Dakota Players this summer after graduating from USD in December 2015 with a bachelor of Located On West City Limits Road fine arts degree in musical theatre. His stage roles have included Bernard in “Boeing Boeing,” Charles in “Pippin,” and Grinch in “Seussical.” DeGraff graduated from the University of North Dakota in December 2015 with a bachelor of fine arts degree in musical theatre and a minor in dance. She grew up in Bismarck, N.D., where she spent her summers performing, teaching classes, and directing children’s ensembles at the community theatre. A few of her favorite credits include Jo in “Little Women,” This home offers an open floor plan with 2 bedrooms, full bath, kitchen, dining and living room Sheila in “A Chorus Line,” and Sandy in “Grease.” She has worked in other aspects of the theatre, but her all on the main floor. Kitchen features a center island and sliding doors just off the dining area primary passions are performing and working with young to the deck. Stove, refrigerator, dishwasher and microwave included. Laundry in lower level. artists. Future lower level finish could include 1 additional bedroom, full bath and a family room. “We (The Dakota Players) are an outreach program of the Black Hills Playhouse, so it’s nice to bring the whole theatre experience to the communities that we visit,” Vogel said. Lots Available From $24,900-$26,900 “Being able to do that all in a week – it’s a short amount of time – but to give these young actors that experience, from Additional Floor Plans Coming Soon! an audition to a performance, is something that everyone should have. “I’m glad that these kids all got that experience, especially 416 Broadway • Yankton, SD • 664-5555 Opportunity to perform on stage is ‘super-rewarding’ for Vermillion youth TODD’S ELECTRIC SERVICE “The Line To Power” 1-800-560-2518 Your New Home At... Westbrook Estates 2508 Wynn Way • $164,800 ankton Area Progressive Growth Economic Development www.broadcasteronline.com Fishing for a new J O B Check out the employment ads in the bp Since 1934 Broadcaster Press 201 W Cherry, Vermillion 605-624-4429 Lisa Williams Randy Kussman Stacy Schramm Norene Gibson Deb Specht Dan Specht Jill Ward