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The Standing Rock community is coming together once again to raise money for the area’s community center. On Oct. 12, a yard sale will be held at the center. All proceeds from items bought at the event will go toward the rebuild fund. 

The items for the sale were donated by community members. One of the organizers, Suzanne Dewberry, said that the yard sale funds will go to fixing a leak in the roof which is necessary for future restorations. 

There are now two buildings where one stood. The old community center, which is where much of the funding now goes to rebuild, was built 70 years ago. This site has been used for voting, family reunions, business meetings and other events. 

The new building, a pole barn, will be used for similar purposes, as well as a center for disaster preparedness, first responder meetings, and a safe haven for families affected by natural disasters in times of emergency. 

This is a community center through and through said Dewberry. 

“My husband’s father was working on the building in 1954 and built it with some other fellas,” she said. “Everybody in the neighborhood cut a tree down and let it lay for two years to dry, and that was cut up, and those timbers are still on the roof and the siding, and they are straight as an arrow.”

Not much has changed, as a new generation has taken it upon themselves to rebuild the old structure and expand. Members of the community with a skill, like an electrician or engineer, have offered their skills. While others will provide funds or their time to keep the center going. 

“Everybody seems to have a particular talent, and that’s why it came together as quickly as it did, and what we were able to accomplish as quickly as we did,” Dewberry said. 

The building will be full this month, as the semi-annual fish fry fundraiser is happening on Oct. 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. CT. The proceeds from these gatherings also go toward the rebuilding of the center.  

There will of course be food, as well as music from the Carrie Miles Band, a raffle and other activities. A drive-thru is available as well for those wanting to pick up food.