Members of the Larchwood Development Corporation, formerly Larchwood 2000, spend a lot of their time brainstorming ways to make Larchwood a better place to live. At a Larchwood Development Corporation meeting in the spring of 2006, the subject of putting up an electronic sign was discussed. Conversations about how to bring the project to life centered around the different talents and dedication that community members were willing to commit for the cause. Larchwood Development Corporation kicked off the donations with a pledge of $5000. The City of Larchwood followed suit with another contribution of $5000. Larchwood City, Clerk LaVonne Reinke, researched and wrote a grant to the Community Foundation of Lyon County that was approved for $2500. Josh Feucht donated his labor and was the manager of the project, and Spud Grotewold from Tri-State Ready Mix supplied the concrete for the base of the sign. Travis Van Veldhuizen dug the holes for the sign posts, Darren Dubbelde fabricated the sign structure, Tim Breuer provided the forklift during the project and Justin Breuer donated labor during the project. Wayne Meyer of Meyer Electric provided the sign’s wiring, and Kevin and Julie Joachim supplied the lettering. Josh Feucht did the landscaping around the bottom portion of the sign, where organizers hope to plant flowers in the spring. Larchwood Lumber and Feucht’s Custom Cabinets rounded out the list of community contributors by donating assets for the completion of the project.

Those associated with the sign were thrilled that such a large percentage of the project happened as a result of committed members of the community who were willing and able to make the appropriate donations. The digital part of the sign was purchased from Pride Neon Sign in Sioux Falls. It will feature events for churches, organizations, West Lyon School, fundraisers, baseball games, and community announcements along with the time and temperature. LaVonne Reinke will update the sign with information called into the city office, and organizers are considering listing local birthdays for a minimal donation that will be funneled back into the community. The main focus of the sign will be on the community of Larchwood.

As volunteers worked on the sign, as their schedules allowed, the sign took a little longer than it would have if all of the functions had been contracted for hire. Even though it progressed a little at a time, Josh Feucht, as the manager of the project, was very happy to see the outcome and is thankful to all of the members of the Larchwood Development Corporation for their contributions with the Larchwood sign and throughout the rest of the year to help make Larchwood a better place to live, work, and play.

At their last meeting, the group voted to get involved with the Jesse W. Fell Walkway in the Larchwood Park. Future projects that the Larchwood Development Corporation is considering include a walking path that would lead to Meadow Acres Golf Course. They also hold the Larchwood Appreciation/Santa Day with area businesses, have a concession stand at Larchwood Family Days to raise money, and have also helped Larchwood Emergency Medical Squad make important purchases. Members of the Larchwood Development Corporation are Bonnie Vanden Bosch, Kevin and Julie Joachim, Wanda Wulf, Mark Dominy, Karl and Vicki Dieters, Joel Klatt, Marlene Gerber, Jamee Childress, Les and Carla Manning, Connie Douglas, Wayne Meyer, Terry Grotewold, Sandi Ter Wee, Lisa Snyders, LaVonne Reinke, Deb Blauwet, Dawn and Darren Dubbelde, Josh Feucht, Connie Brown, and Michelle Nelson.

The Larchwood Development Corporation meets the second Tuesday of every month at 12:00 p.m. at the Larchwood Community Center. Anyone is welcome to attend meetings and the group is always looking for new members.