$ students get a chance to play and participate. “Eventually though, we all realize it’s a numbers game,” Rolfes said. Every year schools in rural areas dream of population explosions and fight with urban state senators for funding, hoping to remain in the game he said. After two years of retirement, it’s not the teaching Rolfes misses as much as Friday nights. Rolfes started coaching basketball at Wynot and after a couple years, moved into an open spot on the football coaching staff. He has been a permanent influence on Wynot sports and especially football until he retired, leading the Wynot youth in a strong presence on the football field and garnering second place at state. Rolfes was happy to pass the reins over to younger coaches, a very competent young coaching staff he said, who do a good job with the Wynot youth. Still sports were always important to Rolfes. “When I was growing up, playing baseball during the summer in every other small town in the area was all we had to do,” Rolfes said. So, it was a natural move to try out for baseball at Wayne State, when he enrolled in classes. Rolfes walked on during fall tryouts and made the team. He played college level ball all four years and held the record for the fastest runner on the team while he was there. In the summer months, he played for the South Central League and also the Cedar County league for 12 years. “My fondest memories are, as I said, Friday nights but I am very happy with the years I played baseball,” Rolfes said. “It’s hard to say which memories are more special.” Two years into retirement, Rolfes is enjoying his grandkids and all their sporting events. He and wife Rose have three grown children and seven grandchildren. In between he golfs and does some deer hunting but he can still be seen walking down the halls at Wynot High School. “Sometimes I substitute teach, when I feel like it,” Rolfes said once again smiling. Other times like during the summer months, he can be found in his ½ acre garden behind his house. He is also involved with teaching driving education during the school year in Wynot and during the summer months, at Hartington High School and Cedar Catholic High School. And then there’s the Wynot sports’ results he writes for a local paper. But Rolfes’ newest endeavor is city government. He is the chairman of the Wynot Village Board and in his second term of service to Wynot’s residents. “I wanted to be involved and do some public service,” Rolfes said. “Things were stagnant in Wynot and we needed change. It’s been a mixed bag.” Wynot is booming and houses are being built. There is a lot of activity around town Rolfes said and the board is looking for ways to further economic development in the small town. New businesses are interested in setting up shop and they need help. Grant funding is being explored while the Village works to pay off the recent funding for street and water upgrades. A Veterans Memorial is under construction in the Village Park and he thinks the community is just getting started. “We hope to form an Economic Development group of area volunteers or an investment group to address these issues and have a special goal to develop a housing subdivision,” Rolfes said. But along with lack of funding, land availability is a challenge to Wynot’s growth. Rolfes is excited to explore solutions and grow Wynot’s future. “I have no desire to live in the big city,” Rolfes said. “I like rural Nebraska and love living in Wynot.” vBy Linda Wuebben 500 Sign-on Bonus vROLFES continued from page 5 Production Positions Available For Full-time Night and Day Shift Openings •Competitive compensation package •Shift differential for nights •Excellent benefits package •Company paid life insurance, short and long term disability, ten paid holidays, 401K plan with company participation and a company sponsored retirement plan •Monthly profit sharing •Attendance bonus check Interested candidates please apply in person and/or by mail: Attn: Jane Larson, HR Mgr. 2500 Alumax Rd, Yankton, SD 57078 or email: Jane.Larson@sapagroup.com Sapa Extrusions North America is an Equal Opportunity Employer where all phases of employment are based strictly upon the qualifications of the individual as related to the work requirements of the position. This policy is applied without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, marital status or any other category protected by law. HISVOICEvSEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017v11