Bob Frink Selected as Milbank Grandparent of the Year 

Chloe Hermans took first place in the Milbank area  2026 Grandparent Essay contest sponsored by the Milbank Area Retired Teachers and Personnel Association (MARTA). The event is open to all fifth graders and is held in conjunction with South Dakota Retired School Personnel (SDRSP) and AARP South Dakota.

Local winners:
1st Place –Chloe Hermans
2nd Place –Jade Hermans  
3rd Place –Hudson Hunt

The contest is designed to raise awareness of the more than 8,000 South Dakota children who live in grandparent-headed households, and to acknowledge the important  contributions of all grandparents.

Chloe’s essay (reprinted below) advanced to the regional and state competition. Kalista Aadland of Aberdeen was selected as the state winner, and she will read her essay at the SDRSP Convention in Pierre on May 5. Over 700 participants from across South Dakota submitted essays this year.

                                               AARP Grandparent Essay

by Chloe Hermans

I chose my grandpa Robert Allen Frink. He is my mom’s dad. He was born in Kansas City, MO on December 19, 1945. He is kind, fun, and cares for others. We do lots of fun things together like playing ping-pong or pool.

He is the best grandpa ever and this is why:

My grandpa likes to go out on the boat and go fishing on Big Stone Lake. Sometimes, I go with him and fish or swim in the lake. My parents usually come along, and so do my sisters. My grandpa always makes it the best time ever. One time we were out there for many hours and now it’s a time I could never forget.

Whenever I go to my grandpa’s house, we always play pool or ping-pong! One time playing ping-pong, we got 83 times going back and forth. Plus, my grandpa is really good at playing pool.

Also, my grandpa loves playing piano and saxophone. He plays piano at most church services and sometimes even plays saxophone at church. He is really good at both. He practices playing piano most nights, which he loves to do.

When my grandpa has clothes that he doesn’t wear anymore, he donates them to our community. If there is ever a natural disaster somewhere and people are in danger, then our community gives them the clothes. My grandpa cares about other people just as much as he does for himself. He is a Veteran. My grandpa is the BEST!

My grandpa also comes to some of my sporting events. I love it when he can attend! He’s always there for me. I love my grandpa.

In conclusion, my grandpa is fun, kind, and caring of others. Now you know why I think he is the best grandpa ever and deserves to be the AARP Grandparent of the Year.

Submitted Photo: left to right- Hudson Hunt, Chloe Hermans, Jade Hermans.