President’s Report

“Make new friends—but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold.” Any Girl Scout will remember this little song. I never tire of hearing it. It is applicable to any age person.

I keep coming back to that as I write my last column as your SDML President. What an experience this has been! I am anxious to see a great many of you in Watertown October 6-9 for our annual SDML Conference! Thank you is all I can say to both the SDML staff and to Mayor Thorson and his staff as well as the community of Watertown for hosting this year’s event. I know a lot of time and effort has gone into the planning of this conference. Great speakers, workshops, networking, vendors and of course DOOR PRIZES! (Everyone knows I love to participate in the door prizes!)

As I get ready for this event, I also am counting down the days to retirement. This last year has flown by and soon it will be December 31st and I will end my 27 year career in government finance. I will not bore you with any of my ramblings on that subject. I am going to leave that for the conference! kept it nearby and read it from time to time. The following is the message in that greeting card. I would like to share it with you now:

“A life well lived is a precious gift of hope and strength and grace from someone who has made our world a brighter, better place. It’s filled with moments sweet and sad, with smiles and sometimes tears, with friendships formed and good times shared and laughter through the years. A life well-lived is a legacy of joy and pride and pleasure. A loving, lasting memory our grateful hearts will treasure.”

Thank you all for being my friend and colleague. I am so proud to be a part of the South Dakota Municipal League. God Bless you all.

Several years ago, I sent a sympathy card to the family of a very dear friend and high school classmate of mine. I do not know who wrote this; but I copied this and have Jeanne Duchscher President