Horsted among those honored at banquet

It was an evening of celebration last Thursday at the Custer State Park Event Barn as members of the Custer Area Chamber of Commerce gathered for the annual Chamber Membership banquet.
Among this year’s award winners was Paul Horsted who presenter Carrie Moore said volunteers his time and talents with many organizations, entities and events, such as Gold Discovery Days, Burning Beetle, the Custer Area Arts Council, the Custer Historical Society and the 1881 Courthouse Museum, to name a few. Most recently, Horsted, along with the 1881 Courthouse Museum/Custer Historical Society, commemorated the 150th anniversary of the Custer Expedition, which kicked off the gold rush in the Black Hills.
“I know for a fact this individual’s passion and work preserving and documenting our history are not done,” Moore said. Horsted is also an accomplished photographer and author, now well-known for his “Exploring with Custer” and subsequent books that feature his then and now photography of the area.
Horsted called the award “unbelievable,” while also crediting his wife, Camille, for a lot of what he has accomplished.
“Thanks to all the people in this room and others,” Horsted said. “(Custer) is a wonderful place to work and live. I’m touched by this.”
The first award of the evening, the President’s Choice Award, was presented by chamber board president Amy Bailey. Bailey presented the award to Johnathan Stahl, who Bailey said has made contributions that have significantly impacted the chamber and wider community.
“He has a remarkable ability to listen and make sure every voice is heard,” Bailey said of Stahl. “He is a generous supporter of the community.”
Bailey said Stahl guides the chamber through tough decisions and also gives to the community through numerous donations, including buying Gold Discovery Days carnival tickets for children who cannot afford them.
Stahl said he was proud of the way Custer works hard and works together.
“The numbers don’t lie,” he said, referencing an earlier speech that discussed how visitation to Custer was up once again. “Everyone keep striving forward. This place will never fail. Never.”
Stahl said it has been an honor to serve the community through the chamber for nine years.
Receiving the Government Employee of the Year Award was Custer State Park conservation officer Ron Tietsort, with presenter Lori Kraus Svoboda saying Tietsort’s dedication to teamwork and excellence and has gone above and beyond as a dedicated and inspirational conservation officer, 15 years of which has been spent at Custer State Park.
Kraus Svoboda said Tietsort has a contagious work ethic, provides unconditional support to those at work and has landowners all around the Black Hills that consider him a friend.
“Custer State Park would not be the same without his tirless dedication, personal sacrifices, humor, knowledge of the Black Hills and complete passion for his job,” she said.
Tietsort said he did not see the award coming, but that he appreciated the recognition.
“Thank you to everybody,” he said. “It’s been an awesome career.”
Receiving the Community Service Award was the Kenneth Kuper VFW Post 3442. Presenter Carrie Moore said post members have performed many different community service activities, from giving someone a ride to the doctor to delivering meals for folks who are not able to drive. The group also gives away scholarships to students and supports high school activities as well as other local nonprofits.
VFW member and chamber board member Corey Virtue accepted the award on behalf of the VFW.
“As veterans it’s our honor to support our community and do what we can for our folks, our school, whatever it is,” he said. “This is truly an honor.”
Sander Sanitation driver Mick Buffington received the Outstanding Service Award, with presenter Miranda Boggs touting Buffington as one of a dying breed of hard workers who drives over 200 miles a day and works long hours to serve the Southern Black Hills. Boggs said his employer said Buffington goes above and beyond and represents them with dignity and respect.
“Being a garbage man is a thankless job. There is absolutely nothing glamorous about picking up discarded waste,” Boggs said. “The service is many times overlooked and expected, but he does it with care.”
Buffington thanked Boggs and the crowd and said in the 12 years he has been working for Sander Sanitation he has had met many people he wouldn’t have otherwise met, received gifts and had many more people thank him for what he does. He disputed the notion it’s a thankless job.
“Thankless? No,” he said, saying many of the people he has met through work he now calls friends. He then pointed to his plaque. “Obviously not.”
The Business of the Year Award was presented to the Gold Pan Saloon, with presenter Bailey saying the Gold Pan has set a benchmark for excellence in the town, recently expanded by purchasing Calamity Jane’s, and has given back a great deal, including being among those leading the charge for fundraising for the annual fireworks show.
Bailey said the Gold Pan’s “unwavering community spirit embodies the essence of what it means to be a leader in the community.”
Gold Pan employee Hannah Saxon accepted the award on behalf of the Gold Pan, and highlighted all the changes and events going on at the business.
“I’m excited about all the things we have going on. Most importantly we are thankful for continued support we get from the community and all of you,” Saxon said.
Saxon said the Gold Pan may be a tourist stop for a few months in the summer, but it is a spot for the locals year-round.
“On behalf of (owner) John (Parker) and the Gold Pan, thank you so much for this,” she said. “We look forward to another great year.”
The evening began with Bailey’s husband, Russ, filling in for absent chamber director Dawn Murray to present highlights of the tourism year, which included visitation at the chamber office being up 24 percent as compared to last year, with 20,000 visitors stopping in. Custer State Park reported a 7.2 percent increase in visitation, he said, and hotel stays were up as well.
“Every year you look at the numbers and think, ‘you can’t keep increasing,’” he said. “’There’s no possible way. Eventually there has to be a plateau.’ Well, it isn’t this year.”
Bailey said Custer continues to excel in person-to-person connections with visitors, and the business community does an outstanding job of participating in all of the chamber’s events.
“That’s the best part of Custer,” he said.