Big Stone City Fourth Graders Host Spaghetti Fundraiser on Thursday

Fourth graders from the Big Stone City School will host a to-go or delivery spaghetti supper and raffle on Thursday, February 25, from 4:30 – 7 p.m. Tickets for the dinner are five dollars for ages five and up.  

Raffle tickets are available at the door at the time of pick up or during delivery. Get one ticket for a dollar, six tickets for five dollars, and 12 tickets for $10. The drawing will be held via Facebook at 7 p.m.

The students hope to raise enough money to take a trip to the Black Hills this May. The annual trip brings to life what fourth graders study each school year about South Dakota and its history.

According to Jennifer Cronen, Title 1 and RTI coordinator at Big Stone City School, this is the only fundraiser the students hold to pay for the trip. The 11 fourth graders are responsible for collecting donations from area businesses for the raffle and selling the raffle tickets. She says, “Our amazing cook, Shelly Anderson, will make the meal — complete with spaghetti, meat sauce, garlic bread, and dessert. The students and their parents will act as servers.” 

If you prefer delivery, call the Big Stone School by February 24. Delivery is available only in the Big Stone City and Ortonville city limits. Call the school at 605.862.8108.

“The 2021 trip is the 21st annual trip for Big Stone School and it is planned for May 10-14. Staff members from the school accompany the students. Cronen says, “We arrange transportation according to the size of the class. Some years we take a bus, and other years we rent a large passenger van.”     The group travels along Highway 212 and stops in Pierre to tour the South Dakota Capitol and Heritage Museum.  After reaching the Black Hills, they stay at Custer Mountain Cabins. They also visit Mammoth Site to see the Ice Age fossils, take in the Custer loop scenery and wildlife, and check out Wind Cave if it is open. Other highlights include  viewing the Crazy Horse Memorial and, of course, Mount Rushmore. 

The group also drives through Bear Country for a chance to watch black bears, elk, mountain lions, and buffalo.  According to Cronen, the children always consider it a special treat to visit Rushmore Taffy to see how saltwater taffy is made, and, best of all, to sample it.

“On the way home,” Cronen says, “We stop in Chamberlain and at the Corn Palace. The students get to experience many of the amazing things about South Dakota.”