Tomorrow is December already! Winter is almost upon us, although you wouldn’t know by looking around Deadwood. There’s very little snow in town — but there’s enough at the higher elevations that the ski resorts are OPEN for business.

Both Terry Peak and Mystic Miner at Deer Mountain opened after Thanksgiving. Conditions are still in the early season phase, but both locations are making snow to make up for Mother Nature. There’s probably 20-25 inches of real snow on the base, which is sure to get bigger, possibly even this week.

Check ‘em out at www.terrypeak.com and www.skimystic.com.

The holidays are sure sneaking up on us! And there’s no snow on the ground in Deadwood yet, and visitors and residents alike are enjoying the extended fall.

Thanksgiving is next week already … it seems like yesterday we were out on Main Street listening to Ron Dante and Davy Jones during Kool Deadwood Nites. Time sure does fly when you’re having fun!

Speaking of having fun (and there’s plenty to be had in Deadwood), but if you are looking to start, or continue, a tradition, think about cutting down your own Christmas tree this year. With a couple million acres of public land, the Black Hills has plenty of Christmas trees to choose from. And all you need is a permit from the National Forest Service. The permits are $10 and are sold throughout the Black Hills, including at the History and Information Center here in Deadwood. Call us at (605) 578-1876 for more details.

There’s just something about cutting down your own tree! Give it a shot – it’s a great family activity!

Have a great week everyone,
Lee

Howdy everyone:
The October white stuff sure didn’t last very long! And this November weather feels a lot like September here in Deadwood – it’s actually pretty dang nice!

There’s still snow in higher elevations, but here on Main Street snow piles are few and far between – quite a difference from one year ago when the blizzards shut us down! Everything is wide open in 2009, and spirits are high that winter hasn’t locked us up quite yet.

We are just a couple weeks away from Thanksgiving, and I surely hope everyone has enjoyed the fall so far. Things are a little quiet here in Deadwood (compared to the summer!), and it’s a nice time to come and visit.

Have a great week all!
Lee

This is a week for celebrating! This week marks 20 years of gaming and historic preservation in Deadwood – there are events daily throughout the week to mark the anniversary, here’s a schedule! Call us at 1-800-999-1876 if you have any specific questions – hope to see you this week!

20th Anniversary of Gaming and Historic Preservation Schedule of Events
November 2-7, 2009

Monday, November 2:
11 a.m.: Mayor Francis Toscana reads a proclamation
11:30 – Press Conference
11:45-1:15 p.m. – Dr. Suzanne Julin on the History of Gaming & Preservation, Franklin Hotel
6:30-8:00 p.m. – Deadwood You Bet Committee at the Masonic Temple

Tuesday, Nov. 3:
11:45 – 1:15 p.m. – Dr. James McLaird on Calamity Jane & Wild Bill Hickok, Deadwood Social Club
6:30-8:00 pm – Former and current Deadwood mayors and city commissioners at Deadwood City Hall

Wednesday, Nov. 4:
11:45-1:15 p.m. – Dr. David Wolff on Seth Bullock, Bullock Hotel
6:30 – 8:00 p.m. – South Dakota Gaming commissioners, Deadwood City Hall

Thursday, Nov. 5:
11:45-1:15 p.m. Michael Trump on the history of Prostitution in Deadwood, Lucky Nugget Gambling Hall

6:30 – 8:00 p.m. – Former and current Deadwood historic preservation officers and commissioners, Masonic Temple

Friday, Nov. 6:
6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Sounds of Deadwood social, at the Lodge at Deadwood, free, cash bar, cash donations for the Lords Cupboard

Saturday, Nov 7:
6:00 p.m. Social hour with Dixieland Band performing
7:00 p.m. 20th Anniversary Deadwood Gala Banquet at the Lodge at Deadwood, guest speakers and video presentations as Deadwood looks back on the first 20 years of gaming and historic preservation. Tickets are $25 and a reserved table of 8 is $200, and can be purchased through Black Hills Central Reservations, www.blackhillsvacations.com, or by calling 1-800-344-8826

Howdy folks! It’s Deadweird week in Deadwood! If you haven’t been to one of these Halloween parties, you owe it to yourself to at least come check out the spectacle. Costumes of all shapes and sizes will be out in force … after all, there’s over $5,000 in cash and prizes on the line!
But you don’t need to be in costume to enjoy. Events start at 6 p.m. at the Lucky Nugget, and the winners will be announced at 10 p.m. There will be plenty of entertainment, including an emcee, live band and food and drink specials.
Other places in town also take part in Deadweird – and open containers are allowed from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Main Street.
Definitely a can’t miss weekend! Hope to see you in Deadwood!

Have a great week,
Lee

It’s going to be a busy and fun week Nov. 1-7, 2009, as Deadwood celebrates the 20th anniversary of gaming and historic preservation! There will be activities throughout the week – here’s a schedule! The highlight of the week will be a banquet on Nov. 7, open to the public, at the new Lodge at Deadwood. Hope to see you there!

20th Anniversary of Gaming and Historic Preservation Schedule of Events
November 1-7, 2009

Sunday, November 1:
Noon – Mayor Toscana reads proclamation, “Wild Bill” fires gun to kick-off the week, Franklin Hotel

Monday, November 2:
11:45-1:15 p.m. – Dr. Suzanne Julin on the History of Gaming & Preservation, Franklin Hotel
6:30-8:00 p.m. – Deadwood You Bet Committee at the Masonic Temple

Tuesday, Nov. 3:
11:45 – 1:15 p.m. – Dr. James McLaird on Calamity Jane & Wild Bill Hickok, Deadwood Social Club

6:30-8:00 pm – Former and current Deadwood mayors and city commissioners at Deadwood City Hall

Wednesday, Nov. 4:
11:45-1:15 p.m. – Dr. David Wolff on Seth Bullock, Bullock Hotel

6:30 – 8:00 p.m. – South Dakota Gaming commissioners, Deadwood City Hall

Thursday, Nov. 5:
11:45-1:15 p.m. Michael Trump on the history of Prostitution in Deadwood, Lucky Nugget Gambling Hall

6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Former and current Deadwood historic preservation officers and commissioners, Masonic Temple

Friday, Nov. 6:
6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Sounds of Deadwood social, at the Lodge at Deadwood, free, cash bar, cash donations for the Lords Cupboard

Saturday, Nov 7:
6:00 p.m. Social hour with Dixieland Band performing

7:00 p.m. 20th Anniversary Deadwood Gala Banquet at the Lodge at Deadwood, guest speakers and video presentations as Deadwood looks back on the first 20 years of gaming and historic preservation. Tickets are $25 and a reserved table of 8 is $200, and can be purchased through Black Hills Central Reservations, www.blackhillsvacations.com, or by calling 1-800-344-8826

Howdy all and welcome to Monday – it was a blast in Deadwood this past weekend, and the weather cooperated fully on Saturday! (yea, I know, it snowed yesterday and is snowing today, but it’s going to melt awfully soon!)
We had about 50 weiner dogs racing, and 6 solid beer barrel teams – and plenty of polka dancers, brat eaters, wife-carriers and even more spectators. Definitely an Oktoberfest for the books! We are now on to Deadweird, which is one of the most fun costume contests in the region. Oct. 31, Lucky Nugget, over $5,000 in cash and prizes — start planning your costume, and your trip, today.
And for you football fans out there, today is a big day for many fans in this region of the country. Minnesota vs Green Bay, Monday Night Football! Going to be a good game and I just know my Vikes can make it happen. There are some retired Vikings players in town, and they will be signing autographs tonight, also at the Lucky Nugget.
While Mondays aren’t known as the best days of the week, this one is going to be good!
Have a great week!
Lee

OK, so we got a teeny bit of snow today … but it wasn’t enough to even cover the streets! Highs in the upper 50s this weekend so don’t let any talk of snow slow you down (or slow the weiner dogs down!)…
Hope to see you this weekend in Deadwood!
Lee

Bring out the barrel, we’ll have a barrel of fun…!
Or something like that! Happy last week of September everyone – and we here in Deadwood are welcoming October with a bang – OKTOBERFEST! If you haven’t experienced Oktoberfest Deadwood-style yet, you owe it to yourself to come take in the festivities – We have a lot of things planned, and there’s definitely some great entertainment for the whole family.
Hope to see you this weekend in Deadwood!
Oh, and don’t believe the weather forecasts you heard earlier this week – there’s no snow forecasted, and Friday and Saturday’s forecast looks just peachy! Come on up to Deadwood!
Here’s a schedule of events:

Friday, October 2nd, 2009
Noon-4pm: Oktober Polka Fest at Lucky Nugget Gambling Hall
6pm: Brat giveaway at Oyster Bay
5-9pm: Oktober Polka Fest at Lucky Nugget Gambling Hall
8:00pm Beer Belly Contest at Oyster Bay

Saturday, October 3rd, 2009
11.30am: Registration for the Wiener Dog Races on Main St in front of Bullock Hotel (info below)
Noon: The Brat Give away at Lucky Nugget Gambling Hall
Noon-4pm: Oktober Polka Fest at Lucky Nugget Gambling Hall
1:00pm: The 2nd Annual Wiener Dog Races kick-off on Main Street in front of The Bullock Hotel
2pm: Registration for Beer Barrel Games in front of Gold Dust
2pm – 4pm German Cook-Off at various locations
3pm: The 2nd Annual Beer Barrel Games kick-off on Main Street in front of The Gold Dust
6pm: Awards at Lucky Nugget
5-9pm: Oktober Polka Fest at Lucky Nugget Gambling Hall
8pm: Wife Carrying Contest at Lucky Nugget Gambling Hall

Sunday October 4th 2009
12-5pm: Oktober Polka Fest at Lucky Nugget Gambling Hall

Greetings Deadwood fans!
Can you believe that we are starting at October next week?! The Deadwood Jam was last weekend, and rain again struck. But the bands were great and the crowd braved the elements and got an awesome show. This past weekend was absolutely beautiful. And our next event OKTOBERFEST is just around the corner.
I’ve also found a new favorite slot machine – Butterfly 7s. I’ve always preferred the machines like this with a few reels with 7s, and it’s a 9 line penny machine so I can’t complain. Most places in town have the machine or one similar. I’ve also been playing 4-card poker, but I can’t say that it’s my new favorite game! It is a lot of fun, though!

Ok, so OKTOBERFEST – want to get a team together for the beer barrel games? Or do you think you have the fastest Wiener Dog around? Call the Chamber 1-800-999-1876 for more information!

And here’s the schedule of events:
Friday, October 2nd, 2009
Noon-4 p.m.: Oktober Polka Fest at Lucky Nugget Gambling Hall
6 p.m.: Brat giveaway at Oyster Bay
5-9 p.m.: Oktober Polka Fest at Lucky Nugget Gambling Hall
8:00 p.m. Beer Belly Contest at Oyster Bay

Saturday, October 3rd, 2009
11:30 a.m.: Registration for the Wiener Dog Races on Main St in front of Bullock Hotel
Noon: The Brat Give away at Lucky Nugget Gambling Hall
Noon-4 p.m.: Oktober Polka Fest at Lucky Nugget Gambling Hall
1:00 p.m.: The 3rd Annual Wiener Dog Races kick-off on Main Street in front of The Bullock Hotel
2 p.m.: Registration for Beer Barrel Games (keg rolling, struedle eating, stein holding, brat throwing, tray running and more) in front of Gold Dust
2 p.m. – 4pm German Cook-Off at various locations
3 p.m.: The 3rd Annual Beer Barrel Games kick-off on Main Street in front of The Gold Dust
6 p.m.: Awards at Lucky Nugget
5-9 p.m.: Oktober Polka Fest at Lucky Nugget Gambling Hall
8 p.m.: Wife Carrying Contest at Lucky Nugget Gambling Hall

Sunday October 4th 2009
12-5 p.m.: Oktober Polka Fest at Lucky Nugget Gambling Hall

Hope to see you in Deadwood soon!
Lee