Pierre Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament that was postponed last week due to inclement weather has been reschedule for Thursday, July 10^th at Hillsview Golf Coarse.  Please call the Chamber at 224.7361 for more information or to sign up your team!!

This Week...

Monday, May 12^th - Sunday, May 18^th 

Ø      See SD Week

Ø      Pierre 

The Pierre Convention and Visitors Bureau along with State Tourism and other CVB's from across South Dakota are celebrating National Tourism Week, May 10-18.  The purpose of National Tourism Week is to celebrate the value and scope of the nation's $740 billion travel and tourism industry, and the economic and social contributions it brings to Pierre. 

Pierre's theme this year, "Tourism, Training and Treasures," encourages travel to our local "treasures" and highlights the importance of tourism in Pierre and Fort Pierre.   

Statewide, the travel industry employed 34,621 people and had tax revenues of $941.1 million.  The impact visitors make on our economy totals a $2.35 billion dollar industry.  In Hughes County, we saw visitors spend $18.6 million, an increase of 21% from 2006.  Stanley County saw visitor spending at $2.6 million. 

For more information about See South Dakota Week, contact the CVB at 605.224.7361. 

Monday, May 12^th  

Ø      When AAAll Else Fails-Car Maintenance'-Women's Workshop

Ø      Lutheran Memorial Church

Ø      6:30-9:30 p.m. 

Missouri Shores Domestic Violence Center offers various "We Do" Workshops the 2nd Monday of each month from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Lutheran Memorial Church.  The topic for this month will be 'When AAAll Else Fails-Car Maintencance.'  These workshops are open to all women, nieces, granddaughters, aunts, friends and neighbors.  For more information, contact Missouri Shores at 224.0256. 

Monday, May 12^th - 17^th  

Ø      Treasure Hunt

Ø      Pierre 

To celebrate our local treasures, the Pierre CVB designed a treasure map highlighting several of our attractions.  You can participate in the treasure hunt any day May 12-17.  Participants will begin their hunt at the Chamber where they will receive their treasure map and first clue.  Treasure Maps are also downloadable on this website www.pierre.org.  Participants will then follow the clues, which will lead them to the various attractions in Pierre and Fort Pierre.  Prizes will be awarded to those who find all of Pierre's "treasurers."  Remember various attractions have different hours of operation, so your treasure hunt may have to continue to the next day.   

The Pierre Convention and Visitors Bureau encourage community citizens to get out and explore what is in your own community and to become ambassadors and share that information with visitors that come to visit Pierre. 

Monday, May 12^th - Friday, May 16^th  

Ø      See South Dakota Events

Ø      Cultural Heritage Center 

The South Dakota State Historical Society is hosting special programs at the Cultural Heritage Center each day from noon to 1 p.m., May 12 through May 16 for See South Dakota Week.  Attendees are encouraged to bring brown bag lunches during each of the daily programs.  The programs are all free and take place in the center's education room.  Monday, May 12th through Friday, May 16th Bring your kindergarten to fifth-graders to the museum from 3-4 p.m. to participate in a "Milk the Cow" contest.  Prizes will be awarded to the winner of each grade.   

Monday, May 12th Jason Haug, director of historic preservation, South Dakota State Historical Society, will discuss the development of county government in South Dakota including the heated conflicts that sometimes occurred between towns competing for county seat status. 

Tuesday, May 13th Lynn Spomer and Chad Tussing with the South Dakota GF&P will present "South Dakota's Outdoor Heritage: The History of Game, Fish & Parks."  This program ties in nicely to the Sportman's Paradise exhibit in the Hogen Gallery. 

Wednesday, May 14th David J. Ode, author of the double-award-winning "Dakota Flora: A Seasonal Sampler," will lead a tour of the Cultural Heritage Center grounds, identifying the local flora.  Join the walk and take 15% off the purchase of Dakota Flora, which Ode will also sign. 

Thursday, May 15th State archivist Chelle Somsen will be discussing the recent additions to the archives Web site, such as the cemetary database, the biographical index and the 1885 civil war census.  The discussion will include helpful hints on how to search and what to do with the information you've found. 

Friday, May 16th Stephen Rogers, architectural historian with the National Park Service, will discuss National Historic Landmarks and other historic sites worth seeing.

For more information call 773.6000.

Thursday, May 15^th

Ø      Free Online Hospitality Training

Ø      Capital University Center

Ø      8:30 a.m.; 1:30 p.m.; 5:30 p.m.

Attend the Free Online Hospitality Training hosted by the Pierre Convention and Visitors Bureau on May 15 at Capital University Center.  The training will be offered at 8:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. to give employees every opportunity to attend.  This training was developed by the College of Business and Technology at Black Hills State University for the SD Department of Tourism.  

The purpose of the training module is to refresh your hospitality skills.  The training consists of eight skill units and each skill contains a short 10-question quiz about hospitality done online at your own pace.  The training takes between one and two hours to complete, but it does not need to be completed in one sitting.  When finished, the employee will receive a certificate of completion from the State. 

If you would like to register for the training call at 224-7361 by May 1. This training is being brought to you by the Pierre CVB and SD Dept. of Tourism

Thursday, May 15

Ø      Candidate Forum

Ø      Pierre Chamber of Commerce

Ø      6:30 p.m. City Commission Candidates, 7:30 p.m. Mayoral Candidates

The Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce, Democracy in Action, Zonta and AAUW are sponsoring a City Commission and Mayoral candidate forum May 15 in the Chamber's Community Room, 800 W Dakota Avenue.

Pierre residents are encouraged to submit questions they would like the candidates to answer. Questions can be submitted prior to the forum by e-mailing (contactchamber@pierre.org), faxing (224-6485) or dropping off information at the chamber. The questions will be considered by a group of panelists and asked by a moderator. There is no charge to attend the event.

Friday, May 16^th

Ø      Ag Agency Ribbon Cutting

Ø      Ag Agency

Ø      5:00 p.m.

The Ag Agency will be holding a ribbon cutting on May 16 at 5:00 p.m. to show off their new building.  They will also be having food and beverages.  The Ag Agency is located at 3351 Airport Road.  For more information, contact The Ag Agency at 224.8707.

Friday, May 16^th through Sunday, May 18^th 

Ø      Free Fishing Weekend

Ø      South Dakota 

Fishing from shore is a common experience among first-time anglers and there's no better time to give the sport a try than during the Free Fishing Weekend of May 18^th through May 20^th when no fishing license is required and admission is free to state parks and recreation areas.   For more information call Game, Fish & Parks at 773-3485. 

Saturday, May 17^th 

Ø      Pierre Jaycee's Sandbox Fill

Ø      Pierre/Ft. Pierre City Limits

Ø      All Day 

The Pierre Jaycee's will have their annual Sandbox Fill on Saturday, May 17^th.  Cost is $5.00 for the first wheelbarrow and $3.00 for every additional load.  Call the Chamber at 224-7361 to add your name to the list.  You must be home for the sand to be delivered to your house.   

Next Week...

Saturday, May 24^th through Sunday, May 25^th  

Ø      Oahe Speedway Races

Ø      Saturdays: Gates Open at 8a.m; Qualifying at 1p.m; Eliminations at 5p.m

Ø      Sundays: Gates Open at 8a.m; Qualifying at 9a.m; Eliminations at 1p.m

Ø      Oahe Speedway is located 14 miles north of Pierre on SD Hwy 1804.  

Come out to the Oahe Speedway on Saturday, May 24^th and Sunday, May 25^th for great drag strip racing.  Spectator Admission is Adults (18 and older),$8.00, Teenagers (13-17), $5.00, and Kids (12 & Under), Free.  For more information call 605-223-9885 or visit the website at www.oahespeedway.com for complete event information.  

Saturday, May 24^th 

Ø      Walk In the Park

Ø      10:00 a.m.

Ø      Farm Island Recreation Area 

Come take a walk through the park and learn about the Civil Conservation Corps and the impact it had on the local community on Saturday, May 24^th at 10:00 a.m.  For more information call 773-2885.   

Saturday, May 24^th  

Ø      Memorial Day Poker Run

Ø      10:00 a.m., Registration, 12:00 p.m., Departure

Ø      National Guard Armory 

The 152nd CSSB and 200th Engineer Company are hosting a Memorial Day Poker Run on May 24^th.  Any type of vehicle is welcome.  The registration fee is $10.00.  Registration starts at 10:00 a.m. at the National Guard Armory in Pierre, 3440 E. Highway 34.  The Poker Run will depart at 12:00 noon rain or shine.  The route will include the DK Lounge in Highmore, Orient Bar & Grill and/or The Steeple Bar in Orient, the Longbranch Saloon in Lebenon, the Fireside Lounge in Onida, Oahe Speedway, National Guard Museum and the Legion Post #8 in Pierre.  For more information, contact SSG Calvin Christie at 605-773-3449 or 605-690-0699.  Proceeds will benefit the SD National Guard Enlisted Association 2009 Conference to be held in Pierre. 

Monday, May 26^th   

Ø      American Legion Post 8 Memorial Day Program

Ø      11:00 a.m.

Ø      Riggs High School Theatre 

The American Legion Pierre Post 8 is hosting a Memorial Day Program on Monday, May 26^th at 11:00 a.m. at Riggs High School Theatre.  Everyone is invited to attend.  Refreshments will be served following the program at the American Legion Cabin.  For more information call 224-7681.  

Dates and times are subject to change without notice.  Please call the contact person listed with the event for more information.   

If you have any comments or would like to have something added to the What’s Happening, please email Heather at hkostboth@pierre.org the Thursday before the What’s Happening.  Or you may add events to our calendar at www.pierre.org.