Discovery Bridge
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Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan PAGE 2B Saturday, October 4, 2008 DISCOVERYDedication2008 Oct. 11 Program Set To Celebrate Discovery Bridge BY RANDY DOCKENDORF randy.dockendorf@yankton.net KELLY HERTZ/P&D Yankton Mayor Dan Specht stands at the north end of the Discovery Bridge in late September 2008. The Oct. 11 dedication ceremony culminates nearly a decade of work to see the project realized. Discovery Bridge A Product Of Dreams, Hard Work, Discipline many of the same things it meant to those 20,000 area residents who showed up for the weeklong Jim Rohn, a business philosocelebration of the opening of the pher, said, Discipline is the Meridian Bridge 84 years ago to bridge between goals and accomthe week. It means the safe pasplishment. Every word in this sage of people from one great short quote speaks directly to the state to another. It underscores people who had a hand in buildthe importance of trade and coming the Discovery Bridge. merce for the region. It allows us The construction of the to showcase our culture, recreDiscovery Bridge didn t start with ations, and hospitality to our the first footing or the shovel of cherished visitors. dirt. It didn t begin More simply, it What does the Discovery Bridge mean to us? It means a farmer can when the contract was bid or when bring his grain to marmeans many of the same things it meant to the plans were ket. An employer can those 20,000 area residents who showed up for attract a valuable drawn. In fact, the project didn t start the weeklong celebration of the opening of the employee who takes when Congress pride in his or her Meridian Bridge 84 years ago to the week. first appropriated work. A supplier can money to the projbring products to us ect. and we can ship our products to and wildlife like the piping plover Instead, it began as a simple others around the world. A and least tern. While the process statement. hunter or fisherman can cross to seemed to crawl uphill at times, Somewhere, someone must meet with his uncle or her father each and every voice was critical have said in a meeting or over a to enjoy the outdoors. Or innoin its own special way. Those cup of coffee ... the future of our cently, it means a child can visit a working on the project soon area relies on a new bridge. I grandparent, sharing memories learned they would need extraorwould be willing to bet that exact dinary discipline to keep the projas they create new ones. comment was stated over and Thank you to all who worked ect above water. over again, probably for a few just a little on the dream. Perhaps The discipline of our local, years by different people in differ- state and national leaders to you worked a day or hour toward ent places. This idea of a new the goal. Thank you to all who achieve the goal was insatiable. It bridge was surely spoken equally took many years and many trips to worked a whole lot ... maybe you by folks from Nebraska and South Washington, Lincoln and Pierre worked several years or more Dakota. The dream was the begin- before the first appropriation of than a decade toward the goal. To ning of the construction. The con- money from Congress found its those who dreamt the idea, met struction of dreams is where all way to the banks of our Missouri around a table, traveled near and ventures really start. River. That was in 1998. Ten years far, or swung a tool, you are all Then, two or more people with later, we see the goals and disciequally important. Without one this same dream happened upon pline of many people in the form a another, our goal would have met each other. The concept began to concrete and steel accomplisha dismal fate. Instead, Discipline take shape and the goal was set. A ment we now call the Discovery is the bridge between goals and new bridge! Bridge. accomplishment and we call We, Nebraskans and South What does the Discovery that bridge the Discovery Bridge. Dakotans alike, bought into the Bridge mean to us? It means vision of a new bridge. Leaders began to meet in small clusters and spread the dream. It was talked about in coffee shops, Where service isn t just selling you a phone Mayor of Yankton BY DAN SPECHT boardrooms, and commission chambers. Folks traveled to Lincoln and Pierre to spread the word about the goal. Leaders then took flight to Washington D.C. to lobby congressmen and congresswomen for support of the bridge. However, projects like these take time and discipline. It seems as if everyone had a voice in the project: federal agencies, state departments, local commissions, area chambers, public meetings, For nearly two decades, South Dakotans and Nebraskans have worked side by side to make a new bridge a reality at Yankton. On Oct. 11, they will come together once again for the Discovery Bridge s dedication ceremony. The program, featuring dignitaries from both Nebraska and South Dakota, is expected to draw hundreds of audience members from both states. That same teamwork has made possible the $23.9 million bridge, said Dedication Ceremony cochairman Tom Noecker. We are emphasizing both states (at the dedication). The reason, of course, is that this has been a team effort between the two states, he said. The cooperation has been fantastic. These folks really pulled together and tried to make this happen. The Discovery Bridge s backers sought to do more than replace the 1924 Meridian Bridge, Noecker said. The supporters also wanted a four-lane bridge to replace the one-lane, double-decker Meridian Bridge (which also had an Oct. 11 ribbon-cutting ceremony), he said. We knew back in the 1980s that the bridge needed to be replaced. It was a real effort to get this four-lane facility, he said. Both states worked together, and people made trips to (the state capitals in) Lincoln and Pierre. Instead of seeing themselves as divided by the Missouri River and state border, Discovery Bridge supporters looked at the opportunity to marshal resources from both states, Noecker said. I think the advantage is that we had contacts from both sides people from South Dakota that they knew in Pierre and people from Nebraska who had contacts in Lincoln, he said. That same sense of neighborliness has guided preparations for the Discovery Bridge dedication ceremony, Noecker said. He is co-chairing the event with Don Murdo Edwards. The program will feature most of the highestelected officials in both states. Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman will speak and take part in the ribbon-cutting ceremonies. The program also features speakers from both states congressional delegations: U.S. Sens. John Thune and Tim Johnson of South Dakota and Ben Nelson of Nebraska; and U.S. Reps. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin of South Dakota and Jeff Fortenberry of Nebraska. Two dignitaries, South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds and former Nebraska Gov. Charles Thone, have indicated they are unable to attend, Noecker said. State Sen. Jean Hunhoff of Yankton will offer the dedication comments in Thone s place, Noecker said. In addition, plans continue for the ribbon cutting to feature Heineman and a replacement for Rounds, if possible as well as a student from each state, he said. The ribbon cutting will also include the Building Yankton s Bridge (BYB), Dedication Ceremony and Chamber Transportation committees. Yankton attorney Matt Michels, a former South Dakota Speaker of the House, will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the program, which begins at 10 a.m. Concessions will be sold at the site. However, seating is limited and people are encouraged to bring their own chairs. The ceremony will be held on the south end of the bridge, Noecker said. Actually, you can park on the south end down to Highway 81. There is room for approximately 600 to 700 cars. If we need additional room, you can park in Yankton and walk across the (north end of the) bridge to the dedication ceremony. Combined Nebraska high school bands under coordinator Kim Sawatzke will play the musical prelude. The presentation of colors will be made by the VFW and American Legion posts of Yankton, the VFW post of Hartington, Neb., and the American Legion post of Crofton, Neb. The Yankton Children s Choir, directed by Deb Wiebelhaus, will sing the national anthem. The Rev. Gary Kimm of the United Church of Christ congregations in Coleridge, Neb.; Hartington, Neb.; and Newcastle, Neb will deliver the invocation. The welcome will be delivered by Cedar County (Neb.) Commissioner Frederick Pinkelman and Yankton mayor Dan Specht. BYB Chairman Jim Black will introduce the BYB, dedication and chamber transportation committees. PROGRAM, Page 10B please CONGRATULATIONS Your Wireless Store Inc. Becky Leapley Owner, Alltel Authorized Agent very isco e D ridg B Senator Jean Hunhoff District 18 Authorized and Paid for by Hunhoff for Senate Committee, Gale Erickson, Treasurer, 2511 Mulligan Dr., Yankton to the Citizens of South Dakota & Nebraska on the successful completion of the On The Cover An aerial view of both the Discovery and Meridian bridges, taken in September 2008 by Dave Tunge of Dakota Aerials, Yankton. 2503 Fox Run Plaza Yankton, SD 57078 Phone: 605-664-2355 One Block off Broadway Where understanding is a way of life Yankton Tabor Menno Funeral Resource Center, Tyndall 665-9679 1-800-495-9679 www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com Kevin Opsahl Funeral Director Tami Keller Funeral Director Cheryl Anderson Paul Opsahl After Care Counselor Pre-Arrangement Counselor
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Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan PAGE 2B Saturday, October 4, 2008 DISCOVERYDedication2008 Oct. 11 Program Set To Celebrate Discovery Bridge BY RANDY DOCKENDORF randy.dockendorf@yankton.net KELLY HERTZ/P&D Yankton Mayor Dan Specht stands at the north end of the Discovery Bridge in late September 2008. The Oct. 11 dedication ceremony culminates nearly a decade of work to see the project realized. Discovery Bridge A Product Of Dreams, Hard Work, Discipline many of the same things it meant to those 20,000 area residents who showed up for the weeklong Jim Rohn, a business philosocelebration of the opening of the pher, said, Discipline is the Meridian Bridge 84 years ago to bridge between goals and accomthe week. It means the safe pasplishment. Every word in this sage of people from one great short quote speaks directly to the state to another. It underscores people who had a hand in buildthe importance of trade and coming the Discovery Bridge. merce for the region. It allows us The construction of the to showcase our culture, recreDiscovery Bridge didn t start with ations, and hospitality to our the first footing or the shovel of cherished visitors. dirt. It didn t begin More simply, it What does the Discovery Bridge mean to us? It means a farmer can when the contract was bid or when bring his grain to marmeans many of the same things it meant to the plans were ket. An employer can those 20,000 area residents who showed up for attract a valuable drawn. In fact, the project didn t start the weeklong celebration of the opening of the employee who takes when Congress pride in his or her Meridian Bridge 84 years ago to the week. first appropriated work. A supplier can money to the projbring products to us ect. and we can ship our products to and wildlife like the piping plover Instead, it began as a simple others around the world. A and least tern. While the process statement. hunter or fisherman can cross to seemed to crawl uphill at times, Somewhere, someone must meet with his uncle or her father each and every voice was critical have said in a meeting or over a to enjoy the outdoors. Or innoin its own special way. Those cup of coffee ... the future of our cently, it means a child can visit a working on the project soon area relies on a new bridge. I grandparent, sharing memories learned they would need extraorwould be willing to bet that exact dinary discipline to keep the projas they create new ones. comment was stated over and Thank you to all who worked ect above water. over again, probably for a few just a little on the dream. Perhaps The discipline of our local, years by different people in differ- state and national leaders to you worked a day or hour toward ent places. This idea of a new the goal. Thank you to all who achieve the goal was insatiable. It bridge was surely spoken equally took many years and many trips to worked a whole lot ... maybe you by folks from Nebraska and South Washington, Lincoln and Pierre worked several years or more Dakota. The dream was the begin- before the first appropriation of than a decade toward the goal. To ning of the construction. The con- money from Congress found its those who dreamt the idea, met struction of dreams is where all way to the banks of our Missouri around a table, traveled near and ventures really start. River. That was in 1998. Ten years far, or swung a tool, you are all Then, two or more people with later, we see the goals and disciequally important. Without one this same dream happened upon pline of many people in the form a another, our goal would have met each other. The concept began to concrete and steel accomplisha dismal fate. Instead, Discipline take shape and the goal was set. A ment we now call the Discovery is the bridge between goals and new bridge! Bridge. accomplishment and we call We, Nebraskans and South What does the Discovery that bridge the Discovery Bridge. Dakotans alike, bought into the Bridge mean to us? It means vision of a new bridge. Leaders began to meet in small clusters and spread the dream. It was talked about in coffee shops, Where service isn t just selling you a phone Mayor of Yankton BY DAN SPECHT boardrooms, and commission chambers. Folks traveled to Lincoln and Pierre to spread the word about the goal. Leaders then took flight to Washington D.C. to lobby congressmen and congresswomen for support of the bridge. However, projects like these take time and discipline. It seems as if everyone had a voice in the project: federal agencies, state departments, local commissions, area chambers, public meetings, For nearly two decades, South Dakotans and Nebraskans have worked side by side to make a new bridge a reality at Yankton. On Oct. 11, they will come together once again for the Discovery Bridge s dedication ceremony. The program, featuring dignitaries from both Nebraska and South Dakota, is expected to draw hundreds of audience members from both states. That same teamwork has made possible the $23.9 million bridge, said Dedication Ceremony cochairman Tom Noecker. We are emphasizing both states (at the dedication). The reason, of course, is that this has been a team effort between the two states, he said. The cooperation has been fantastic. These folks really pulled together and tried to make this happen. The Discovery Bridge s backers sought to do more than replace the 1924 Meridian Bridge, Noecker said. The supporters also wanted a four-lane bridge to replace the one-lane, double-decker Meridian Bridge (which also had an Oct. 11 ribbon-cutting ceremony), he said. We knew back in the 1980s that the bridge needed to be replaced. It was a real effort to get this four-lane facility, he said. Both states worked together, and people made trips to (the state capitals in) Lincoln and Pierre. Instead of seeing themselves as divided by the Missouri River and state border, Discovery Bridge supporters looked at the opportunity to marshal resources from both states, Noecker said. I think the advantage is that we had contacts from both sides people from South Dakota that they knew in Pierre and people from Nebraska who had contacts in Lincoln, he said. That same sense of neighborliness has guided preparations for the Discovery Bridge dedication ceremony, Noecker said. He is co-chairing the event with Don Murdo Edwards. The program will feature most of the highestelected officials in both states. Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman will speak and take part in the ribbon-cutting ceremonies. The program also features speakers from both states congressional delegations: U.S. Sens. John Thune and Tim Johnson of South Dakota and Ben Nelson of Nebraska; and U.S. Reps. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin of South Dakota and Jeff Fortenberry of Nebraska. Two dignitaries, South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds and former Nebraska Gov. Charles Thone, have indicated they are unable to attend, Noecker said. State Sen. Jean Hunhoff of Yankton will offer the dedication comments in Thone s place, Noecker said. In addition, plans continue for the ribbon cutting to feature Heineman and a replacement for Rounds, if possible as well as a student from each state, he said. The ribbon cutting will also include the Building Yankton s Bridge (BYB), Dedication Ceremony and Chamber Transportation committees. Yankton attorney Matt Michels, a former South Dakota Speaker of the House, will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the program, which begins at 10 a.m. Concessions will be sold at the site. However, seating is limited and people are encouraged to bring their own chairs. The ceremony will be held on the south end of the bridge, Noecker said. Actually, you can park on the south end down to Highway 81. There is room for approximately 600 to 700 cars. If we need additional room, you can park in Yankton and walk across the (north end of the) bridge to the dedication ceremony. Combined Nebraska high school bands under coordinator Kim Sawatzke will play the musical prelude. The presentation of colors will be made by the VFW and American Legion posts of Yankton, the VFW post of Hartington, Neb., and the American Legion post of Crofton, Neb. The Yankton Children s Choir, directed by Deb Wiebelhaus, will sing the national anthem. The Rev. Gary Kimm of the United Church of Christ congregations in Coleridge, Neb.; Hartington, Neb.; and Newcastle, Neb will deliver the invocation. The welcome will be delivered by Cedar County (Neb.) Commissioner Frederick Pinkelman and Yankton mayor Dan Specht. BYB Chairman Jim Black will introduce the BYB, dedication and chamber transportation committees. PROGRAM, Page 10B please CONGRATULATIONS Your Wireless Store Inc. Becky Leapley Owner, Alltel Authorized Agent very isco e D ridg B Senator Jean Hunhoff District 18 Authorized and Paid for by Hunhoff for Senate Committee, Gale Erickson, Treasurer, 2511 Mulligan Dr., Yankton to the Citizens of South Dakota & Nebraska on the successful completion of the On The Cover An aerial view of both the Discovery and Meridian bridges, taken in September 2008 by Dave Tunge of Dakota Aerials, Yankton. 2503 Fox Run Plaza Yankton, SD 57078 Phone: 605-664-2355 One Block off Broadway Where understanding is a way of life Yankton Tabor Menno Funeral Resource Center, Tyndall 665-9679 1-800-495-9679 www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com Kevin Opsahl Funeral Director Tami Keller Funeral Director Cheryl Anderson Paul Opsahl After Care Counselor Pre-Arrangement Counselor
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