Upcoming Events
March 2025 monthly CCRW meeting
The Codington County Republican Women will be meeting on Friday, March 21st at 11:30 at 2nd Street Station in Watertown. The cost for the luncheon is $12. Our speakers TBD.The Codington County Republican Women will meet on Friday, March 21st at 11:30 at 2nd Street Station. Our speakers will be Jeanne Horning, who will cover highlights from this past Legislative Session, and Brianne Brown, who will discuss valuable information on Safe Haven Baby Boxes. Please come to our meeting to hear from these amazing speakers! The cost for the meal is $12.00. See you there! Please join us for a very informative meeting!
Membership Letters and Forms
New 2025 Membership Letters/Forms are now available as pdf files for printing by clicking on the link/s at the top of this page.
Past Events and Activities
February 2025 monthly CCRW meeting
The Codington County Republican Women meeting was held on Friday, February 21st at 11:30 at 2nd Street Station in Watertown. The first speaker was Brookney Delgado, the new director of the Haven Crisis Pregnancy Center. She talked about what is happening at the Center, including the services and goods provided to those needing help. Our other speaker was Jeanne Horning who gave us an important Legislative Update and reviewed which bills have and have not passed during the current legislative session. CCRW members brought canned/boxed items for the Salvation Army. Thankyou for attending and hearing from these amazing speakers!
January 2025 monthly CCRW meeting
The Codington County Republican Women meeting was held on Friday, January 17th at 11:30 at 2nd Street Station in Watertown. The new SDFRW President, Beka Zerbst, spoke about her experience and conducted the Installation Ceremony for our CCRW Officers. We also heard from Jeanne Horning, who highlighted a few bills that are of interest this Legislative Session (including school choice) and explained how to access the Legislative Research Council (LRC) website (see link at top of this web page). CCRW members brought canned/boxed items for the Salvation Army. Thankyou for attending and hearing from these amazing speakers!
December 2024 monthly CCRW meeting (20 Dec 2024)
CANCELED Due To Weather
Next Meeting 17 Jan 2025
CCRW Members Decorate Christmas Tree
At Capital in November
November 2024 monthly CCRW meeting
The Codington County Republican Women will be met on Friday, November 15th at 2nd Street Station. Our speaker was Dale Bartscher, Executive Director of SD Right to Life. Dale has been an inspirational leader who has worked tirelessly to protect the lives of our precious unborn babies! He spoke to us about the many issues SD Right to Life has been involved in and had a lot of information to share. He reminded us that although Amendment G was defeated this past November we must remain active in preventing future efforts to pass measures such as this.
CCRW Volunteers Canvas for No on G
On Sunday, Nov 3rd 2024, Codington County Republican Women along with the Life Defense Fund members went canvassing in Watertown for No on Amendment G.
October 2024 monthly CCRW meeting
The Codington County Republican Women held their monthly meeting Friday, October 18th at 11:30 at 2nd Street Station in Watertown. The speaker was Aaron Levisay, a historian, who spoke on: How Our Country Began, and the States vs. the Federal Government. Glen Vilhauer running for Senate District 5 also spoke about his candidacy. Roger Papka talked about the importance of Patriotism and Getting Out the Vote. CCRW volunteers also met at the Wheel Inn and stuffed bags of treats for the Watertown Firefighters (CCRW's next Caring for America Project) and preparing postcards to send to the battleground states to get out the vote!
SDFRW Convention 27-29 September 2024
CCRW officers and members attended the SDFRW Convention in Rapid City on 27-29 September 2024. Speakers at the convention included American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, SD Rep Dusty Johnson and SD AG Marty Jackley.
September 2024 Ladies in Red Fundraiser
The 2024 Ladies in Red Fundraiser was held at noon on Friday, September 20th at 2nd Street Station in Watertown. The speaker was Melissa Magstadt from the South Dakota Department of Public Health (DOH). She talked about SD DOH mission and vision,birth facts, prenatal care, infant mortality rates and programs to mentor and support mothers, fathers and families. She also discussed a new video that SD SOH produced and just released on 1 Sep 2024 with the focus of providing clarity for medical practitioners regarding life-threatening conditions in pregnanacy. The link to the video is available on the DOH website appears below.
NOTE: A silent action was held at the event. Funds will be used for Caring for America Project.
August 2024 monthly CCRW meeting
The Codington County Republican Women had their August meeting on Friday, August 16th at 11:30 at Pizza Ranch in Watertown. Hugh Bartels, Byron Callies, and Fred Deutsch spoke about our very important Ballot Measures that we will be voting on in November. Lee Gabel provided information on important Watertown issues that we need to know including progress on the proposed justice facility..
Members also filled goody bags and delivered them to our Watertown Police and Firefighters.
TARS Camp Day in Watertown, SD - August 9, 2024
TARS students gathered for a day in Watertown, SD to engage in numerous activities to include learning about our armed forces flag folding procedure, the mission of the Haven Crisis Pregnancy Center, gun safety, the history of the Republican Party from Watertown's mayor, and more.
TARS Campers Learn About Flag Folding
Veterans and active duty personnel demonstrated and taught the campers proper US flag folding procedures. They also discussed US flag disposal etiquette along with the importance of our flag throughout history. The TARS campers also participated in a competitive game on US flag knowledge.
TARS Campers Learn About Haven Crisis Pregnancy Center and Life Defense Fund
A Life Defense Fund representative explained the mission and purpose of Watertown's Haven Crisis Pregnancy Center. She invited a mother and father from Platte with their baby of 6 months to meet with the TARS campers. The importance of defeating Amendment G also was discussed and the Life Defense Fund's role in leading the efforts to do so.
TARS Campers Learn About Gun Safety and Self Defense
A retired Air Force Security Forces E9 taught the TARS campers about the proper handling of handguns and gun safety. For example, the 1st rule of gun safety is to assume a gun is loaded and the 2nd rule is to never point a gun, loaded or unloaded, at any person. He also discussed self defense principals and pertinent South Dakota laws.
TARS Campers Meet with Staff Members from Dusty Johnson's Office
Staff members from the office of the US House Representative, Dusty Johnson, discussed the importance of being a Republican. TARS campers also participated in a phone based informative game.
TARS Campers Meet with Watertown's Mayor
Ried Holien - Mayor of Watertown, National Republican Committeeman and former state Senator - discussed Republican Party history, talked about the RNC, where delegates cast their ballots and why elections matter. TARS campers also toured the Melette House, home of South Dakota's first Governor.
TARS Camper Participants
TARS End Long Day with Some Fun
TARS campers ended the day with some fun at Thunder Roads (go-carts and miniature golf) followed by a generous host supper.
Many Thanks
Thanks to everyone who participated in making TARS Camp Day a success - Individuals who provided meals and transportation, speakers, hosts, veterans, active duty personnel, government officials, CCRW members and the TARS campers for participating in a learning experience about citizenship, families, their community, state and country.
July 2024 monthly CCRW meeting
The Codington County Republican Women held their monthly meeting at Pizza Ranch in Watertown on Friday, July 19th. Our first speaker was Melissa Magstadt, our SD Health Secretary. She described many examples of how her agency is facilitating cooperation among various medical entities in South Dakota in addressing issues important to the health care of South Dakota residents. Our second speaker, Allison Kauffman, the developmental director for the Haven Pregnancy Center, talked about ways in which Haven is providing supplies and counseling to women who find themselves in a pregnancy crisis.
Thanks to those who brought items for the Haven Center such as diapers, new clothing and monetary gifts.
Also, thanks to everyone who participated in the picture sponsored by the Life Defense Fund on Wed. July 17th at the Interstate McDonald's parking lot with our "Vote No on Amendment G" sign.
July 4th Parade in Watertown
CCRW and TARS decorated a float for the 2024 Watertown 4th of July parade on a very rainy day.
June monthly CCRW meeting
The Codington County Republican Women held their June monthly meeting at Pizza Ranch. Our keynote speaker was Norman Woods, the director of Family Voice, (formerly Family Heritage Alliance). He spoke on a couple different issues: LGBTQ and Christianity and also Legislation to Protect our Kids from Pornography. We also heard from 2 of our TARS students on the plans for TARS Summer Camp in the Black Hills this year. Cindi Stein also provided an update on the efforts of The Life Defense Fund to defeat Amendment G and keep abortion until birth out of the South Dakota Constitution.
2024 GOP Convention in Pierre
May monthly CCRW meeting
The Codington County Republican Women held their May monthly meeting on Friday, 17 May 2024 at Pizza Ranch. We heard from our school board candidates: Brock Manzey, Zach Thompson, Kari Lohr and Jon Iverson, and from our auditor: Brenda Hanten. We also delivered a series of "Brave" books to the Watertown Christian School after the meeting.
Lincoln Day Dinner Apr 26 2024 at 2nd Street Station
The 2024 Lincoln Day Dinner was held on 26 Apr 2024 at 2nd Street Station. CCRW members again had a baked goods silent auction fundraiser with the help of TARS, our hardworking Republican students. It was a great evening with many speakers including the keynote, US House of Representatives member Dusty Johnson; SD District 4 House candidates Barb Guenette, Vanessa Namken, Kent Roe and Dylan Jordan; SD District 4 Senate candidates Fred Duetsch and Stephanie Sauder; SD PUC Commissioner candidate Kristie Fiegen; SD National Committeewoman candidate Heidi Engelhart; SD District 5 House candidates Byron Callies, Josephine Garcia and Matt Roby; SD District 5 Senate candidate Glen Vilhauer; Codington County States Attorney candidate Rebecca Morlock Reeves; and Codington County Commissioner candidate Charlie Waterman. A first ever SDFRW legacy award was presented to Judy Trzynka for her many years of service including serving as a former president of SDFRW. Master of Ceremonies was SD Commissioner of School and Public Lands, Brock Greenfield. And to wrap up the evening Roger Papka conducted an auction of a donated patriotic quilt in which the proceeds went to the CCRW. Many Thanks!
April monthly CCRW meeting at 2nd Street Station
Meeting and lunch 19 Apr 2024, at 11:30 AM, at 2nd Street Station in Watertown. We heard from our many amazing candidates running for office. We heard from Becky Morlock Reeves, running for Codington County State's Attorney. Also on the program were our District 4 House Candidates: Barbara Guenette, Kent Roe, Vanessa Namken, and Dylan Jordan; and our District 4 Senate Candidates: Stephanie Sauder and Fred Deutsch. We also heard from our District 5 House Candidates: Dr. Josephine Garcia, Matt Roby, and Byron Callies.
Deuel County Lincoln Day Dinner
Several members of CCRW attended the Deuel County Lincoln Day Dinner in Clear Lake, SD on April 6, 2024. They heard from many candidates or their representatives.
March monthly CCRW meeting at Pizza Ranch
Our guest speaker for the 15 Mar 2024 CCRW monthly meeting was Watertown Mayor Ried Holien. He spoke on what's happening here in Watertown. Ried is also our National Committeeman and he informed us on what is happening with local, state, and national elections. Jeannie Horning also provided a legislative update on 7 of the 500 bills before our state congress this year. In addition, Wendy Schultz talked about some landowners' rights issues.
February monthly CCRW meeting at Pizza Ranch
Our guest speaker for the 16 Feb 2024 CCRW monthly meeting was Kristie Fiegen, Vice Chairman of the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission. Kristie explained her duties and role as a commissioner and the importance of considering facts and being objective in making decisions concerning public utilities issues. Our other speaker, CCRW member Jeanie Horning, provided an update on the important legislative issues before the our representatives. Also voting delegates attended a gathering at the Backroads Coffee Shop before the meeting.
January monthly CCRW meeting at Pizza Ranch
Meeting and lunch held at usual time and place,19 Jan 2024, at 11:30 AM, at Pizza Ranch in Watertown.