JULY

The Mina Lake Freedom Festival was held on July 3. The event featured guest speaker Vice Admiral Lyle Bien, a South Dakotan, and sky divers and airplane flyovers.

The Independence Day weekend was a stormy one for local residents. Ipswich weather observer had wind gusts of 70 to 80 mph on July 4.

Ipswich Sanford Health Clinic thanked locals for their support with drive-thru treats.

The South Dakota Department of Health distributed $500,000 grant funds for mosquito control and West Niles Virus prevention. Edmunds County received $3,000 and Ipswich received $2,500.

The Ipswich Class of 2020 had their commencement ceremony on July 18 in the school gym. Each graduate was allowed 10 guests to sit in chairs on the floor and 10 guests to sit in the bleachers. Jordan Richardt was the class valedictorian and Tessa Kilber and Grace Beyers were co-salutatorians.

Hannah Holsing was named the new director at the Tiger Post. She replaced Madeline Miller, who left the post to become a teacher.

Ipswich Masonic Temple was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Todd Hettich acquired the building, last known as the Tiger Post. He is remodelling the facility.

Second Lt. Jeromy Loken was among the National Guard members who returned to Aberdeen after a 10-month deployment to Europe. Guests at the ceremony in the Aberdeen Civic Arena included Gov. Kristi Noem, Senators John Thune and Mike Rounds and Rep. Dusty Johnson.

Ipswich native Gary Weitgrefe wrote a book about this bicycle trip to North Pole, Alaska from his home in Pierre. Destination North Pole - 5,000 km by bicycle was released in July.

AUGUST

The Ipswich City-Wide Rummage Sale was held on August 1. The Ipswich Commercial Club sponsors the annual event.

An open house was held on Aug. 3 in the new Tiger Post, featuring a picnic. The facility was open for the public to view also.

Open Houses were held on Aug. 22 in new businesses on Main Street - Grandma's Ceramics Shop, Real Dakota Photography and Escape Salon, as well in the Red Bobbin Salon and Ipswich Fitness Center, which have been on Main Street for sometime. They had a lunch, with funds raised going to the Tiger Post and Ipswich Athletic Boosters.

The school year began on Aug. 25. The school has a plan to deal with the coronavirus for the safety of students and staff - "Starting Well - Tiger Strong." Four new teachers joined the staff: Michael Champagne, K-12 Information Technology; Nate Collins, Vocal Music; Ashley Gibbs, Jr. Kindergarten through eighth grade Math and Science at Deerfield Colony; and Stephanie Kaiser, Middle School Language Arts.

IHS cross country, volleyball and Ipswich-Edmunds Central football began new seasons.

The Aberdeen Aqua Addicts had their last show on Aug. 27 for the season. The waterski troupe has many members from Edmunds County.

The Edmunds County 4-H Achievement Days was cancelled due to COVID-19 this year. Several 4-H'ers did take livestock projects to the South Dakota State Fair in Huron.

SEPTEMBER

A group of Native American riders and supporters stopped in Ipswich for the night at the Trail Days Arena. Their memorial ride began at Crow Creek and would conclude at Whitestone Hill State Historical Site, south of Kulm, N.D.

Ipswich hosted a Cross Country Invitational Meet on Sept. 12 at Split Rock Country Club.

Blake Lunders of Roscoe was killed in a tractor/sprayer crash near Ipswich on Sept. 14. He attempted to miss a deer in the roadway, but lost control.

The Ipswich marching band performed in the Roncalli March Band Festival on Sept. 30. The IHS band tied with Roncalli for first place. Ipswich also was honored as the Outstanding Flag Corp. Later they marched at the Groton Lake Region Marching Festival. Northern State University cancelled the Gypsy Day parade this year due the coronavirus pandemic.

This year's Gala Day homecoming festivities began on Sept. 28. Coronation was held at the Athletic Complex. Halle Heinz and Tyler Tran were crowned Queen and King. Their royal court included Halie Feldman, Paige Mehlberg, Bailey Pitz, Matthew Hettich, Joshua McQuarie, and Eric Severson. The parade, with a "Tiger Kingdom" Disney theme, was held on Oct. 2. The I-EC football team was scheduled to play Faulkton Area, but that game was cancelled due to COVID-19. Instead they played Great Plains Lutheran. The Tigers won 44-0.

The Edmunds County 4-H program received a $2,500 grant. Edmunds County farmer Andy Weisser chose 4-H for the funds he received through America's Farmers Grow Communities, sponsored by Bayer Fund.

OCTOBER

The Edmunds County Heifer Futurity Contest was held on Oct. 3 at the Trail Days Complex. The 2020 winner was Chesney Olivier with Jacob Jung receiving Reserve Champion.

The Lilac House opened in Ipswich. The newly-remodelled home features sleeping rooms. Elaine Kub is the owner.

The Ipswich Girls Cross Country won the Region 4B tournament. The IHS Boys were the Regional Runners-up. Each team earned trips to the State B Cross Country in Rapid City. The girls placed third at the State B and the boys were eighth.

The Ipsodak Chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) inducted 11 new members.

The Ipswich Lions Club was named Club of the Year for Lions District 5 South West.

The Ipswich/Edmunds Central football team won the first round playoff game, defeating Britton-Hecla in Ipswich. The Tigers were stopped by Warner on the road.

Local youth could get Halloween treats at the Trunk or Treat event sponsored by the Ipswich Ambulance. Vehicles lined a block on Main Street handing out treats.

NOVEMBER

Voter turnout for Edmunds County was more than 75% for the Nov. 3 General Election. Elected to represent District 23 in the South Dakota Legislature were Sen. Bryan Breitling and Representatives Spencer Gosch and Charlie Hoffman.

There was not a Veterans Day program this year due to COVID. The were was an American Legion ceremony at the cemetery.

The Ipswich Volleyball team was 2B Co-Champions. The Tiger and Faulkton Area won their brackets in the Region 2B Tournament. Ipswich was stopped by Hitchcock-Tulare in the SoDak 16 tourney.

Lindsey Grabowska was crowned the Ipswich Snow Queen on Nov. 14, Karlie Gohl the Junior Snow Queen. Tarynn Kleffman was voted Miss Congeniality. First grade Princess and Prince, chosen at randem, were Trinity Jones and Braxton Rye. Lorraine Reidt was the Senior Snow Queen.

Ipswich City has a decorated Christmas tree in the South Dakota Capitol in Pierre this year.

Ipswich-Edmunds Central football players were on the Lake Region Conference All-Conference team. Josh McQuarie, Matt Hettich, Luke Peterson, Zach Geditz and Carson Gohl were on the the honor list. Ian Beyers was an honorable mention pick.

IHS volleyball players were on the Lake Region Conference All-Conference team. Chesney Olivier was on the first team and Paige Mehlberg and Lindsey Grabowska were on the second team.

DECEMBER

The Wily Wizards again hosted the Christmas at the Courthouse event with Christmas trees on display in the hallways and community room.

Ipswich Tigers were chosen for the South Dakota Coach's All-State teams. Senior Chesney Olivier was on the State B volleyball team. I-EC football players Zach Geditz, Luke Peterson and Matthew Hettich were on the 9A football team. Josh McQuarie was an honorable mention pick.

Holiday concerts this year have been divided to ensure smaller audiences. The Pre-school through second grade concert was held on Dec. 3 followed by the 3-5 grade concert that night. Parents were invited to attend and the public was asked to livestream the concert. The same was done on Dec. 10 for the Middle School and then High School musicians.

The winter sports seasons began. The first wrestling meet was Dec. 5 at Ft. Pierre. Girls basketball season began on Dec. 8 at Sully Buttes. The boys opened at home on Dec. 12 against Waubay/Summit.

The Ipswich Commercial Club hosted their annual Hometown Holiday Weekend Dec. 10-12.

Ipswich received a shipment of small bicycles from All Kids Bike for use in Kindergarten physical education.

The Ipswich Lions donated funds to the Ipswich music department for a trailer.

Eugene Conn, Sr. died when the utility terrain vehicle he was driving broke through the ice southwest of Hosmer on Dec. 26.