Lennox Community Guide

LENNOX SOUTH DAKOTA

INSIDE: • NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENT • 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION • ZERO ENTRY SWIMMING POOL • HISTORY OF LENNOX

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WELCOME from the

Stacy Duchene

Mayor INSIDE:

H

ello and welcome to the City of Lennox! I count myself one of the lucky ones to have been able to call this my hometown for so long.

With all the great things happening here, it’s an exciting time to be in Lennox!

It’s such a relief to have the warmer weather arrive after our long winter. With the great swimming pool, amazing ball fields, excellent recreation trail, and fantastic parks, the opportunities to get out and enjoy life in Lennox are many! We have a many options for getting a bite to eat with another in the works. Make sure you put the 4th of July events on your summer calendar — they are always a highlight of mine! I hope that you take the time to enjoy some of the events or amenities available.

The City of Lennox is a caring community where neighbors support each other and where families can grow and prosper in a safe environment. I love the comradery that is shown and shines bright all over town. When we’ve been hit with storm events, it is a testament to the citizens of this area when folks show up in droves willing to lend a helping hand. There is never a shortage of people helping people. This is one of the best things about living in our town.

5................. Discover Lennox 8-9 ..... Lennox School District 10.............Community Library 12................................History 13.................. Municipal Band 14-15 ....................... Baseball 16-17 ....... City Parks System 20-22 .................... 4th of July 26-27 ......City of Lennox Map 28-29 ............ Swimming Pool 30..........Lenkota Golf Course 31................Church Directory 33.............. Voter Registration 34-36 ........ City Development 38............ Lincoln County 4-H

If you are already a part of our community, thank you. If you just happened upon this community guide and are looking for a great place to call home or to have a visit, we hope you put Lennox at the top of your list!

Snap a picture of the QR Code to find out more about the City of Lennox Published by Lennox Independent LLC — The Lennox Independent 2023 With support from the

LENNOX AREA DEVELOPMENT CORP. 116 S. Main, PO Box 76 Lennox, SD 57039 605-647-2284 | www.lennoxnews.com Content designed & compiled by Anne Homan & Julia Eng Cover photo by Wendy Sweeter Lennox Community Guide | 3

! e m o h w e n r u o y , e s u o h Make our

DISCOVER LENNOX A Thriving Community in South Dakota

T

ucked away in the heart of South Dakota, you’ll find the city of Lennox - a thriving community that offers all the conveniences you could need. Lennox is a safe place to call home with 24/7 police protection, a large Volunteer Fire Department, and a strong Ambulance Department staffed by dedicated community members who are trained and equipped to handle any emergency situation.

Nestled between Highways 17 & 44, Lennox is just five miles off of Interstate 29 and 25 miles off of Interstate 90, making it a convenient place to live and work.

Lennox is a bustling community that offers something for everyone.

• From its locally owned businesses to its numerous opportunities for activities and events, there’s always something going on. One of the highlights is the annual July 4th celebration, which draws people from far and wide to the city.

• The Commercial Club offers scavenger hunts for kids through local businesses during the holidays, while the Parks and Recreation Department offers a variety of recreational activities.

Lennox offers a variety of local businesses & amenities: • Grocery Stores • Banks • Sanford Medical Clinic • Pharmacy • Veterinary Clinic • Pet Grooming & Boarding • Restaurants • Barbershop & Hair Salons • Chiropractors • Dentists • Childcare Facilities • Auto Dealership & Auto Mechanics • Archery Range • 9-hole Golf Course • Zero Entry Swimming Pool • Paved Walking/Biking Path • Hardware Store • Large Industrial Park • Variety of Churches • Food Pantry Lennox Community Guide | 5

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Lennox School District 41-4

EVERY SCHOOL. EVERY STUDENT. EVERY DAY.

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ennox School District 41-4 is a beacon of education and growth in the heart of South Dakota. This school system serves students from the communities of Lennox, Chancellor, Worthing, and rural areas in Lincoln, Minnehaha, and Turner Counties. With its mission to foster a collaborative community of learning, the district is dedicated to providing a quality education for all students.

The District is home to top-notch facilities that include: • Lennox High School • Lennox Junior High School • LWC Intermediate School • Lennox Elementary • PreK-4th grade Worthing Elementary School • District administration office located in Lennox Elementary • Construction will begin on a brand new Performing Arts Center is scheduled to begin in April 2024 Students in the Lennox School District are offered a wide range of course offerings, with over 100 options available at Lennox High School, including Advanced Placement and Dual Credit programs.

8 | Lennox Community Guide

The school district prides itself on maintaining small class sizes, which helps create a safe and fun learning environment for all students. The district also boasts an excellent special education program, providing support and resources to those who need it.

In addition to offering quality academic programs, the Lennox School District has excellent extracurricular offerings: • Boys & Girls Tennis • Boys & Girls Basketball • Boys & Girls Golf • Cross Country • Softball • Track & Field • Wrestling • Volleyball • Football • Cheerleading • FFA • Theater • Band • Vocal Music • Debate & Oral Interp • HOSA • National Honor Society

2022 State Report Card for Lennox School District

source: https://www.lennox.k12.sd.us/

ENROLLMENT GROWTH source: https://www.lennox.k12.sd.us/

2023 1,167

2017 1,079 2013 1,032

Lennox Community Guide | 9

COMMUNITY LIBRARY Discover Adventure Through the Pages

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he Lennox Community Library is a hidden gem that offers much more than just books. Located at 208 West 5th Ave, the Community Library is a joint venture with the LWC Intermediate School library and is accessible to the public via the west entrance, where ample parking is available.

MEET AUDREA BULLER Current Library Director Audrea Buller, who was named the New Librarian of the Year recipient in September 2021, works tirelessly to make the library the best it can be.

“We have added an early childhood area after we lost the elementary kids to their own library area in the elementary school.

It has been a great success with moms that come in with very young children,” said Buller.

In addition to physical resources, the library also offers digital resources and online collections. Recently, the library’s digital library collection went through an update and is now Libby, replacing Overdrive.

DID YOU KNOW? You can check out State Park Passes at the Library for three days. The State worked with the State Games and Fish Department to offer these to the libraries, allowing patrons to go to their local library and check one out to visit a state park in the area.

10 | Lennox Community Guide

“You may use the Libby app to read or listen to 1,000s of books/audio books that are available for free with your library card,” said Buller.

During the school year, the library also offers story time for young preschool-aged kids along with Lego Building Clubs and Robotics for other kids. In the summer, the Library offers a full line-up of activities in the summer, running from the beginning of June to the end of July.

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WHAT’S IN A NAME A Look Back at Lennox’s Rich History

The early settlers of Lennox worked hard to build a community that offered a range of services and opportunities for its residents. Today, Lennox is still a thriving community with a proud past and a bright future. The town offers residents a unique blend of modern conveniences and small-town charm, making it a wonderful place to call home.

1879 Lennox has a rich history dating back to 1879 when the Milwaukee Railroad came through and the town was established. It was named after B.G. Lennox, the private secretary to S.S. Merrill, a prominent executive of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad. The town was initially known as Ben Lennox, but it was later shortened to Lennox.

In 1885, Lennox was a thriving community with a variety of busi-

1885

HISTORY PRESERVED The City’s rich history is preserved through the Lennox Area Historical Society and its museum located at 305 South Main Street.

The three-story brick building houses numerous artifacts and items donated by local residents that have significance to the Lennox area.

12 | Lennox Community Guide

nesses and amenities. It had 4 general stores, 2 blacksmith shops, 3 saloons, 2 hotels, a harness shop, 2 boot and shoe shops, 2 implement houses, a livery barn, 2 hardware stores, a lumberyard, a clothing store, 2 millinery shops, a ball room, a drug store, a physician, an attorney, 2 loan agents, 3 churches, a school building, a butter packing house, an army post, and a cornet band!

ORIGINS OF THE ORIOLE MASCOT The origin of the name, Orioles, was said to begin in the 1930’s. Bernard Buus said that the team needed a name while he was an upperclassman at Lennox High School. The uniforms were orange and black and school funds were lacking for new uniforms. Bernard suggested the name Orioles be adopted because Canton also had a bird title.

A former instructor at Lennox High School in the 1930s, C. Maurice Wieting, did not remember the specifics of how Orioles came about, but did remember prior to that time the girls’ basketball team, which claimed the State Championship, were called the Golden Tornadoes when he first joined the faculty. The first yearbook, issued in 1931, was designed for and bore the name, Oriole.

THE BAND PLAYED ON

Lennox’s Municipal Band Oldest in SD History Lennox is proud to be home to the oldest musical organization in South Dakota, the Lennox Municipal Band. With roots dating back to 1883, this group of volunteer musicians has been entertaining the community for over a century. The Municipal Band is made up of musicians from Lennox and the surrounding area, ranging in age from 12 to 80+.

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LET’S PLAY BALL Lennox’s Baseball Roots Run Deep

OWNS

1900 LENNOX BR

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“BASEBALL IS GROWING IN OUR TOWN AND I COULDN’T BE ANY MORE HAPPY TO SEE IT.” DREW SWEETER

Lennox High School Head Baseball Coach & Lennox Baseball Association Board Member 14 | Lennox Community Guide

aseball has a unique history in Lennox, dating back to the 1880s, and the sport has figured prominently since..

The earliest recorded team in Lennox dates back to 1890, when the Lennox amateurs played under the name, the Lennox Browns. The Lennox Browns soon became a prominent team in the area, and the sport continued to flourish.

“I love hearing stories about the old Lennox Browns and how their games were located at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds where the horse ring is located,” said current Lennox High School baseball coach and board member of the Lennox Baseball and Softball Association, Drew Sweeter.

Sweeter remembers hearing there would be anywhere from 500 to 800 people at any Browns’ game.

Lennox continues to draw large crowds at the ball diamonds. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a fan, there’s always a game to catch during the spring and summer months.

Lennox’s American Legion team was established in 1927, and in 1953, they won the Legion State B Championship title thanks to the impressive pitching of Marvin (Mike) Poppens.

“The Lennox Legion also has a rich history when it comes to baseball,” said Sweeter.

Sweeter recalled in the 90’s the Legion Post 174 had some very good teams that have had some good runs, claiming the State B Championship in 1993. The Junior Legion State Title was won by Lennox in 2017 and 2018.

“And since 2018, we’ve been in the top half of the state for high school, which keeps growing onto that strong history,” added Sweeter.

2019 was a banner year for Lennox as the baseball team won the High School State Tournament and the Senior Legion State Tournament.

“Lennox has had some pretty good baseball teams here in the last few years or so. We had a team win state at the Legion and high school levels,” said Sweeter.

“We have plenty

of good younger teams as well. Our little league program is too notch and is only getting better.

Baseball is growing in our town and I couldn’t be any more happy to see it.”

Westerman Park is home to a spacious baseball diamond that hosts high school, amateur, legion, and teenage games, while the softball diamonds are used by high school and youth teams, as well as church leagues. For young ball players, the T-ball field located at 7th Ave. and Blaine is a dream come true, with its well-manicured grounds being a popular destination for young players during the spring and summer months.

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DISCOVER THE OUTDOORS Parks, Ball Diamonds, Campsites & More

The City of Lennox is a bustling hub of outdoor recreation and activity.

With its magnificent park system, residents and visitors of all ages are offered endless opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. There are also numerous activities and events planned for kids throughout the year, from sports and recreation to arts and education. To register your kids for Lennox Park and Rec events, visit www.lennoxparkandrec.com.

WESTERMAN PARK Westerman Park, located on South Main Street, is a prime example of the City’s commitment to providing the best for its residents.

This sprawling park features a variety of amenities: • Zero-entry swimming pool with slides and diving boards • Playground • Picnic shelters • Baseball & softball diamonds • Tennis courts • Horseshoe pits • Basketball court • Skate park • Bandshell • Lush flower gardens • Campsites equipped with electrical facilities, and a convenient restroom and shower facility on-site. Reservations can be made through the City Office at (605) 647-2286.

16 | Lennox Community Guide

WEST EVERGREEN PARK For families and friends looking to spend quality time together, West Evergreen Park, located on West Fourth Avenue, is an ideal destination.

• Playground equipment • Picnic shelter (available to rent) • Sand volleyball courts

Lennox Community Guide | 17

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OLD FASHIONED 4TH OF JULY Street Dance, Parade, Fireworks & More

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he City of Lennox celebrates the Fourth of July with a bang every year with its Old Fashioned Fourth of July event. This tradition, which began in 1984, has become a staple in the community, attracting thousands of visitors to enjoy a day full of activities and entertainment.

In 1984, members of the St. Magdalen Catholic Church congregation, organized “Old Fashioned Fourth of July” activities for the day with the hopes it would become an annual event. The event continued to grow and grow with the summer of 2023 marking the 39th anniversary.

Now, the Lennox Commercial Club sponsors the Old Fashioned Fourth of July event, which starts with a Cruise Night and Street Dance that gets everyone in the mood for a fun-filled weekend.

A lot planning goes into the weekend of fun.

Brenda Sinning, Lennox Commercial Club secretary, said before the band performs at this year’s street dance they will have already booked a band for the following year.

“It’s crazy how quickly they book up,” Sinning said, noting everyone has to be very organized to pull the event off.

Several volunteers from the community help make the event possible, with volunteers helping set everything up at the Park and on Main Street.

20 | Lennox Community Guide

Lennox Community Guide | 21

OLD FASHIONED 4TH OF JULY Street Dance, Parade, Fireworks & More THE MAIN EVENT The parade highlight’s the day’s activities on July 4th, featuring floats and participants from the local community.

A Firecracker Roadrace is also a highlight for area runners on the day.

Westerman Park is the hub of the celebration following the parade, where visitors can enjoy arts and crafts booths, food vendors, and a variety of activities for all ages. Kids will have a blast participating in the Kiddie Tractor Pull, while sports enthusiasts can catch a game of baseball.

The day comes to a close with a performance by the Lennox Municipal Band in the Jacobs Memorial Bandshell, followed by the much-anticipated Old Fashioned 4th of July Fireworks Show. With so much to see and do, the Old Fashioned Fourth of July is a day of community pride, fun, and memories that will last a lifetime.

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1. Lennox Rubble Site 2. Evergreen Park 3. Tee-Ball Field 4. Skate Park 5. Camping Area 6. Band Shell 7. Zero-entry Pool 8. Picnic Shelter & Public Restrooms 9. Baseball & Softball Fields 10. Baseball Grandstand 11. Westerman Park Playground 12. Petal Pals Flower Garden 13. Countryside Subdivision 14. Community Library 15. Fire Station 16. Community Hall 17. Police Station 18. Ambulance Garage

26 | Lennox Community Guide

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NOX

Lennox Community Guide | 27

DIVE INTO SUMMER Zero Entry Pool Offers Something For Everyone

The Lennox Swimming Pool is a summer destination that draws visitors from near and far. Located at 100 Park Drive, the pool features a range of amenities that cater to visitors of all ages. Whether you’re looking to relax in the sun, enjoy a refreshing swim, or challenge yourself with a high dive, the Lennox Swimming Pool has something for everyone.

SUMMER DESTINATION One of the standout features of the Lennox Swimming Pool is its zero-depth entry, which makes it accessible to people of all abilities. Heated water ensures that visitors can enjoy a comfortable swim, even on cooler days. In addition to the main pool, the facility also features a high dive and a low dive, as well as deck sprays, lap lanes, play structures, a basketball hoop, and light concessions.

The pool officially opened in the Summer of 2020. After a strong fundraising project, the opening provided an amenity to the Lennox Community that appeals to citizens of all ages and promotes being active and enjoying the outdoors together. Those involved were incredibly grateful for the outstanding residential and business support they received to make this project possible.

The pool is available to rent for parties at $200/2 hours, Fridays 7PM - 9PM, Saturday and Sunday 10AM - 12PM or 7PM - 9PM. 28 | Lennox Community Guide

Pool Hours: Sunday-Monday, 12PM - 9PM, with different activities taking place during various time slots. Open swim runs from 12PM - 5PM, followed by Family Swim from 5PM 7PM (with a family member who is 18 years or older required during this time).

Water walking takes place from 7PM - 8PM, Monday through Thursday. Swimming lessons begin in June and continue through the first week of August.

Lennox Lennox Community Community Guide Guide || 29 31

ESCAPE FROM THE EVERYDAY

Tee-off at Lennox’s 9-Hole Course

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estled on the west edge of Lennox, the Lenkota Country Club provides a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. With a beautiful nine-hole golf course, the club is the perfect destination for golf enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

The clubhouse, open from 8AM to dark on weekdays and 7AM to dark on weekends, offers a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. From the panoramic views of the surrounding countryside to the relaxed ambiance, golfers will find everything they need to enjoy a day on the links. If you’re looking for a peaceful retreat and a round of golf, head to the Lenkota Country Club at 27953 SD HWY 44.

DID YOU KNOW? In addition to the golf course, the Lenkota Country Club also boasts a Banquet Hall, available for rental for special events.

30 | Lennox Community Guide

LENNOX AREA CHURCHES Opportunities to Worship in the Area

Lennox is home to a variety of faith-based organizations, providing spiritual support and guidance to its residents. In addition to the numerous area churches, the community also operates a food pantry, known as The Exchange, which is located inside the Lennox Ebenezer Presbyterian Church. The Exchange serves the temporary needs of residents in the Lennox and surrounding area and is supported through the generosity of local churches and community donations.

■ LENNOX EBENEZER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, P.C.A. 205 W 1st Ave., Lennox, 605-647-2659

■ WEST PRAIRIE LUTHERAN CHURCH, ELCA 46788 282nd St., Lennox, 605-647-5923

■ FAITH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH U.S.A. 46622 278th St, Lennox, 214-3864 or 605-647-5863

■ ST. MAGDALEN CATHOLIC CHURCH 417 E 6th Ave, Lennox, 605-647-2187

■ DELAWARE REFORMED CHURCH 46587 285th St, Lennox, 605-647-5868

■ FIRST ENGLISH LUTHERAN CHURCH, NALC 120 E. 2nd Ave., Lennox, 605-647-5140

■ SECOND REFORMED CHURCH 1017 S Elm St., Lennox, 605-647-5417

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THE LENNOX

VOTER REGISTRATION

Make Your Voice Heard

T

he City of Lennox is located in Lincoln County. Lincoln County is one of the most popular places to live in South Dakota with a County population of nearly 68,000. The Lincoln County Courthouse is located in Canton, SD.

Voter registration forms and absentee ballots are available at www.sdsos.gov.

The deadline for registration is 15 days before any election. Your registration card must be received by the Lincoln County Auditor’s Office by this deadline to vote in the next election.

Registration cards post marked on the 15th day do not qualify as being received by the deadline.

YOU CAN REGISTER TO VOTE IF:

• You are a citizen of the United States • You are 18 years of age or older on the next election day • You are a resident of South Dakota • You are not under a sentence of imprisonment for any felony conviction • You have not been judged mentally incompetent by a court of law You may register at any of the following locations: • Lincoln County Auditor’s Office, 104 N Main Street Suite #110, Canton, SD • Online at the Secretary of State’s Website at www.sdsos.gov

Lennox Community Guide | 33

A PLACE TO CALL HOME New Housing Development Makes Dream Home A Reality On the north side of Lennox, homes are springing up in the new Countryside Subdivision at a rapid pace. In 2022, a total of _____ new houses valued at ______ were built in the new development, helping the community smash its previous annual building permit record. When completed, the Countryside subdivision will boast nearly ____ single and multi-family homes and cover over eighty acres of land. While construction in the new neighborhood is now full steam ahead, the journey to get the development going was full of starts and stops.

Andrew Kuyper, Senior Mortgage Banker at Plains Commerce Bank and longtime Lennox area resident, joined the Board of Directors for the Lennox Area Development Corporation (LADC) when the Countryside Development was still just an idea.

“The organization was just finishing up the Meadows Subdivision on the south side of town when I was appointed in 2018,” he said. “They had secured a right-of-first refusal on more land to the north for another, larger housing development, but the group wasn’t sure how to get things started.”

The main challenge in getting the development started was financial. Engineers estimated that the first phase of the project alone would cost $2 million, far more than the non-profit LADC could afford. Board members spoke with homebuilders from across the region to see if a private company would be better suited to take on the project, but early conversations proved fruitless.

34 | Lennox Community Guide

“I realized pretty quickly that the LADC shouldn’t be looking for a homebuilder, we should be looking for a developer. We needed someone who could do the complete build out, the streets, sidewalks, curb and gutter, all the utilities, not just build houses.”

Luckily for the LADC, Kuyper knew who to turn to. As a mortgage banker, Kuyper had gotten to know Kelly Nielson, owner of Nielson Construction in Harrisburg, who had experience in developing new housing subdivisions in smaller communities throughout the greater Sioux Falls region.

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“I pitched the idea of coming to Lennox to Kelly, and he loved it,” Kuyper said. “We could offer the land at a competitive price, and we had a clear need for more housing in the community based on market studies. However, we learned that financing the project was going to be tricky.”

To be able to afford the purchase and development of the land, Nielson requested an incentive known as Tax Increment Financing (TIF). TIF allows developers to borrow against future property tax revenues in a new development to help pay for public infrastructure. Under state law, TIF revenues count against a municipality’s constitutional debt limit, and the City of Lennox was unable to afford the project. The LADC, Nielson Construction, and the city all quickly pivoted.

“We requested that Lincoln County grant the TIF since they have a greater debt limit, and we faced a lot of skepticism at first,” Kuyper said. The LADC, the City of Lennox, and the Lennox School District mounted a lobbying campaign to persuade county officials to support the project. Advocates emphasized that new housing in Lennox wouldn’t lead to population decline in other parts of the region. With an expanding school district, growing major employers like Sioux Steel and Wilson Trailer, and more people moving to smaller communities surrounding Sioux Falls in search affordable housing and rural lifestyles, Lennox needed the Countryside Subdivision to meet existing demand.

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After nearly eighteen months of work, Lincoln County approved the TIF, and Nielson Construction broke ground on the development in October of 2021. Kuyper credits teamwork amongst different community members for the success of the project.

“We had the right people involved. If you look at who’s part of the LADC, the City of Council, and the School District, you’ll find that we have a nice mix of people with a variety of different backgrounds, connections, and experiences. Everyone had a vested interest in the community and the knowledge needed to move things forward. Most importantly, we had a lot of folks who wouldn’t take no for an answer. We always found a solution.”

Today, Kuyper and the LADC are looking to take advantage of the momentum created by the growth in housing.

“Lennox has historically struggled to attract and sustain dining and retail businesses. With all the new housing coming in, our population is steadily getting closer to about 3,000, which is when I think we’ll really start to see more opportunities for more of those kinds of businesses and amenities to come to town. Additionally, when we think about attracting another big employer, you need to have enough housing to accommodate their workforce. The Countryside Subdivision will open a lot of doors for Lennox.”

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LINCOLN COUNTY 4-H

Helping Form Future Leaders

T

he Lincoln County 4-H grounds are located at just outside of Lennox on Highway 17.

The grounds currently house the 4-H office, as well as space for shooting sports and static exhibits during achievement days. Fundraising continues to build livestock facilities and a rodeo/ horse arena on the property.

To learn more about 4-H in Lincoln County, go to https://lincolncountysd.org/168/4-H-Resources or call 605-764-2756.

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Leave a legacy FOR GOOD. FOR EVER.

Making Our Local Communities Stronger The Lennox Area Community Fund is a charitable endowment working to strengthen the vibrancy of the Lennox, Chancellor and Worthing communities — for good, for ever.

WORKING TOGETHER, MAKING AN IMPACT Thanks to the support of generous donors, and through the power of endowment, the Lennox Area Community Fund has awarded hundreds of meaningful grants to nonprofits and causes throughout the Lennox, Chancellor and Worthing areas since 2004.

In doing so, we’re touching the lives of people and families right here at home and building a brighter tomorrow for future generations.

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