2023_04_EtcMagazine_Volume22_Issue4

April 2023

Volume 22 • Issue 4

Easter Sweets

Spring Kids Crafts

Down Home Fab House Remodel

2023 Summer Camps

Our camps are hands-on learning experiences that create memorable moments in a fun environment, resulting in wonderful opportunities for students of all ages.They fill up fast so be sure to sign up early!

ENROLL TODAY!

WashingtonPavilion.org/SummerCamps

Photos by Matthew Murphy

baking your day sweeter

We are baking mouth-watering cookies for the month of April that are sure to make your day sweeter!

Our cookie case is filled with over 20 flavors of cookies baked fresh every day! Our shop also serves ice cream, ice cream treats, brownies, and more. This month’s fan-favorite cookie flavors include, Frosted Sugar Easter Eggs, Carrot Cake and Key Lime Cookies!

out & about

et cetera 7

Lili Thomas:

Touring America with Dear Evan Hansen

concierge 10

Building Community

Through Cookies

calendar 14

April 2023

history 20

Eminija: the Town Site and the Mounds

BY MARY MICHAELS

Lili Thomas: Touring America with Dear Evan Hansen

Broadway Star Coming to Washington Pavilion

April 18-23

Buy Tickets at WashingtonPavilion.org

DearEvan Hansen is one of the most talked about theater productions, with a nationwide tour currently underway. The show comes to the Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls April 18-23.

With classical musicians for parents, it isn’t a surprise that Lili Thomas chose a career in the performing arts. However, the Dear

Evan Hansen actor says that, even with that upbringing, her parents didn’t set specific expectations about her future.

“My parents were pretty keen on having me find my own way artistically,” Thomas says. “They didn’t push me to follow their exact steps. I was a curious child, so they let me just explore.”

Thomas was born in Boston, where her

father served as co-founder and artistic director of the Boston Chamber Music Society. The family also spent time in Baltimore before landing in New York when Lili was about 9 years old. She recalls being an “animated” child.

“I’m sure my parents wondered where I came from,” she laughs. “They were classical

Pictured are Anthony Norman (Evan Hansen), John Hemphill (Larry Murphy), Lili Thomas (Cynthia Murphy) and Alaina Anderson (Zoe Murphy) in the 2022-2023 North American Tour of DEAR EVAN HANSEN.

musicians, and I was this loud, vibrant child who was always putting on skits for them.”

Her first role came in the second grade, playing the lead role in her school’s production of Snow White.

“My mom came to pick me up the day of auditions, and I was crying,” remembers Thomas. “She assumed I hadn’t gotten a part. I told her that I got Snow White. When she asked why I was crying, I sobbed ‘because I didn’t get the evil queen!’ So, from a young age, I guess, I had a love for a good character role.”

Growing up, Thomas recalls many times when her parents’ friends would mention auditions for this show or that show, but her mom would say “no.”

“It was really important to my parents that I learned how to be a person first,” says Thomas. “And now that I’m a mom myself, I am so grateful to my parents for that. I see how valuable it is for kids to have normalcy and routines and to develop the skills and traits they’ll need later on as they choose their career path.”

Ultimately, Thomas did focus on drama and musical theater and earned her degree from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Along the way, she developed skills in singing, dancing, acting and playing several instruments.

All of those skills came in handy when she landed a role in an off-Broadway production of The Hello Girls, a story about the women serving as telephone operators during World War I.

“I’m a bit of a history nerd,” admits Thomas, “so to put history and theater together in such a collaborative show was just amazing to me. We learned so much about the actual story of these women. There were just ten of us in the cast and we were the orchestra. We all accompanied each other. They became my family that I still talk to regularly, and this was a show that I really

needed at that point in my life. It was special.”

Thomas took time away from performing to raise her two children, and it was during that time she saw the original cast production of Dear Evan Hansen

“Here I was, a new mom, and then there’s this show with mother characters written with such depth and complexity,” she recalls. “They were succeeding, they were failing, they were trying their best. It was cool to see the industry writing parents like this. So then, here we are years later, and there was an opportunity to audition for this national tour.”

Thomas plays Cynthia Murphy, one of the mothers in the show. If you haven’t seen Dear Evan Hansen , you’ll find no spoilers here. Suffice it to say that Thomas was drawn to the role because of the opportunity to portray some of the real-life difficulties of parenting.

“It’s a really important show for families, especially those with middle or high schoolers. There’s a character that each audience member can relate to. You can see yourself in these characters and understand the importance of personal connection. That’s really something we learned during COVID, right? Connection is important. You are not alone.”

Although being part of a nationwide traveling tour is busy and can be exhausting, Thomas says the cast tries to experience the cities they visit.

“Of course,” she says, “it always depends on how you are feeling that week. If we have time, it’s great to get out and explore, but I know I always have to just listen to my body and rest if I need to. Our number one job is to be ready to do the show and be at our best for our audiences. That being said, I am a big foodie, so I love to eat my way across the country!”

Thomas grew up cooking with her dad, where he taught her to make a pork dish he called “Lili’s Pork Tenderloin.” She continues to cook that first dish she ever learned, but now she honors her first teacher by calling it “My Dad’s Pork Tenderloin” (see recipe in the box).

Thomas incorporates her love of cooking while on the road when she can, and that is certainly something her castmates appreciate. One week she worked on perfecting her Chicken Milanese since there was a show reference to her character making that dish. On another day, she made chicken soup for a

Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

cast member who wasn’t feeling well. Her goto ingredient, though, is actually duck.

“I love cooking duck breast,” says Thomas. “I learned the traditional French style in Paris.”

Cooking brings Thomas joy, she says, and she draws on experience working at several high-end New York restaurants to be able to share that joy through food.

“Cooking connects me to people. I can be creative and experiment with no pressure. Plus, I’m a mom. I love to feed people.”

Thomas says her family regularly requests her fried chicken, but she has also been perfecting her beef stroganoff and a tomatoless lasagna.

“That’s an interesting performance thing,” she says. “Some of the singers have acid reflux, and tomato dishes can aggravate that. So, I’m working on a non-acidic Bolognese sauce.”

Thomas balances show life and family life by making the most of her time off from performances at home with her kids or bringing them to where she is when they have breaks from school. She has been traveling with Dear Evan Hansen since June 2022 and says there is a renewed energy with each city they visit.

“Even though we are doing the same show every night, it’s different. Each time we visit a new city, we know those audiences have been waiting for us, waiting to see the show. There’s that sense of excitement and anticipation. So, it’s like having an opening night over and over again. I love that feeling.”

Follow along with her adventures @thelilithomas.

Want to see this great Broadway musical coming to Sioux Falls April 18-23? Buy tickets at WashingtonPavilion.org.

Lili’s Pork Tenderloin

Ingredients:

• pork tenderloin (Use one or two depending on how large. You’ll want at least 1 1/2 pounds of pork for about 4 people)

• soy sauce

• olive oil

• 1/3 cup cognac

• 1/4 cup LBV dark port

• 1 tsp. Dijon

• 2 shakes Worcestershire

• 2 tbsp. Irish salted butter

Instructions:

Cut pork into 1-inch-thick medallions. Put medallions in a large Ziploc bag and cover with soy sauce. Try to squeeze out as much air as possible then zip up (make sure the soy sauce is covering all sides of the medallions). Let sit for 20 min.

Combine and whisk together the Port, Dijon, and Worcestershire in small bowl. After 20 min., remove pork from bags and wrap tightly in a kitchen towel to remove any liquid. (This is very important, otherwise the pork will boil! They should be very dry before hitting the pan).

Put olive oil into the pan at med/high-high heat (the pan should be pretty hot because it will cool down once you drop all of the meat in). Place medallions flat, face down in the pan once the oil is hot. About 2-3 min./side (Turn and take out smaller/thinner pieces first. Poke with your finger. It should feel soft, but not mushy and definitely not firm, that means it’s overdone). Remove medallions and place on serving platter.

Optional: Deglaze with cognac. You can tip the pan slightly to flambé by letting the liquid touch the open flame and catch fire. The fire will go down as the alcohol burns out. You do not have to do this part! Instead, just keep it on the heat until it boils out about 1 min.

Over heat, add port mixture to pan and let the alcohol cook out as well. Pour the liquid from the bottom of the serving platter of pork into the pan and mix in. Turn off the heat and whisk in the pad of butter. Pour sauce over pork and serve.

(a.k.a. My Dad’s Pork Tenderloin)

Building Community Through Cookies

BY MARY MICHAELS | PHOTOS BY JULIE PRAIRIE PHOTOGRAPHY

6004 S. Cliff Avenue

605-271-2960

Cookieco.com

Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sundays closed

Sarah Storm has always loved baking, but it was more of a hobby until last month when she and her husband Aaron opened Cookie Co. in a new development just off 69th Street and Cliff Avenue.

“I love feeding people,” says Sarah. “It’s sort of my love language. I feel like food brings people together and fosters community.”

With a degree in art and business, Sarah has worked in graphic design, photography and e-commerce.

“I love business. It’s exciting to follow other businesses to learn from them and see them succeed.”

One of those businesses she had been cheering on from the sidelines was Cookie Co., a California-based company founded by Elise and Matt Thomas.

“It all started on Instagram,” Sarah explains. “I found them on that site and started following them as they were trying to launch their business right when COVID hit. They had to

shift to baking out of their house and having people pick up orders from their driveway.”

Seeing the company’s mission of striving to be a “symbol of happiness, comfort, and hope” was a big draw for Sarah, so she reached out to Cookie Co. to inquire about being a franchisee. Now, the Sioux Falls store that opened just off 69th & Cliff in February is the first Cookie Co. in South Dakota and just the second in the Midwest. The next closest location is Gretna, Nebraska.

The company tagline is right on the front window – Gourmet Cookies Made Locally. That was the other big selling point for Sarah.

“I like to tell everyone we crack our own eggs and use real butter and sugar,” she says. “When you come in, you’re looking right into our kitchen, so you can watch us mix everything from scratch.”

The store is bright and airy with its white subway tile décor and an orange-tiled accent wall at the back of the kitchen. The cookie box lids feature the same bright orange.

Sarah went out to California for training last November, and then a team of trainers came to Sioux Falls earlier this year to help get the store ready to open. The company’s

founders were also here in Sioux Falls for the grand opening.

Everything started with the chocolate chip cookie when Cookie Co. first started, so that is always on the menu. Added to that are three rotating flavors that change weekly. Some flavors Sarah has already been able to feature include Monster, Fruity Pebbles, Whoopie Pie, Lemon Bar, Guava Pop Tart and Maple Bacon.

“We get a calendar that goes about three months out, so we know what’s coming,” she says. “It is so much fun to taste the new flavors.”

You can stop in for a single cookie, a 4-pack or a 12-pack. With a little advance notice, though, Sarah says, she and her team can put together additional size packs, fill a catering order and

even make mini versions of their sizable cookies.

If you need something to go with your sweet treat, Cookie Co. offers a variety of flavors to create your own custom soda. You can also take home some merch, such as a sustainable cookie tin that comes with a free 4-pack and a discount for refilling it. Need a new t-shirt or tank for your workout? Pick up the one that reads, “Will Run for Cookies.”

Sarah credits her family, as well as her great team, for being able to launch this new business venture.

“I couldn’t do this without my family’s support, and our staff is really great. I’m so blessed to have them. And now, I get to bake and work with people every day, which I love.”

April 2023

Behind the Scenes Tour of the Irene Hall Museum Resource Center

Saturday, April 1 10 a.m.

Irene Hall Museum Resource Center

4300 N. Westport Avenue

Take a look behind the closed doors of the Irene Hall Museum Resource Center and see the artifact storage and work areas. Space is limited, call (605)

367-4210 to register, $5. siouxlandmuseums.com

PBR: Unleash the Beast Saturday, April 1 6:45 - 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 2 2:45 p.m.

Denny Sanford Premier Center

Professional Bull Riding is making its way back to Sioux Falls for the First PREMIER Bank/

PREMIER Bankcard Invitational. Catch the loudest, rowdiest, and most energetic 3-day bull riding event at Denny Sanford PREMIER Center. INFO (605) 367-7288.

The Passion and the Cross March 31, April 1, 2, 5-8 • 7 p.m. April 2 & 8 • 4 p.m. Orpheum Theater Center

315 N. Phillips Ave. The Passion and the Cross is an enchanting journey back to the first century when Jesus walked the earth. The show begins in Galilee, at the peak of Jesus’ ministry, and ends just after His resurrection in Jerusalem. You will hear it all from those who were witnesses to the teaching, miracles and compassion of Jesus

Christ. Each scene and piece of music is intended to bring the Scripture and its first-century context to life while inspiring and connecting with a modernday audience. INFO (605) 367-6000.

South Dakota Symphony Orchestra: Mozart

Requiem

Saturday, April 1

7:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Washington Pavilion

South Dakota Symphony Orchestra Chorus, Mozart’s choral masterpiece is paired with the gripping thirteenth century purity of Part’s ‘Stabat Mater’. INFO (605) 367-6000.

Journey to the Cross

April 2

1 - 3:30 p.m.

Blessed Redeemer

Lutheran Church

705 Splitrock Blvd., Brandon

Make a change in your Easter this year! Bring your entire family to Journey to the Cross and use your senses to discover the true story of Easter. You’ll meet witnesses from the Bible, taste Passover foods, smell anointing oils and experience some of the events leading up to Easter morning. This is a walking journey with Passport in hand that takes about an

hour to complete. INFO 605-582-239.

Induction Cooking: Poached Chicken & Savory Leek Soup

Tuesday, April 4 5 - 6:30 p.m. Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum

Induction cooking is hotter, quicker, safer and far more intelligent than other cooking methods. Learn the basics of using an induction range hands on while preparing tender herb and butter poached chicken and a savory leek soup. INFO (605) 367-4414.

The Gruffalo

Thursday, April 6

10 a.m. & 1 p.m.

Washington Pavilion

Join Mouse on a daring adventure through the deep, dark wood in Tall Stories’ magical, musical adaptation of the classic picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. For everyone aged 3 and up. Join us for this amazing student matinee - now available to the public, school groups, preschools and daycares. The kids will love it! INFO (605) 367-6000.

Playing Favorites: 100 Great Artifacts Exhibit Opening Reception

Junkin’ Market Days® Spring Market

collecting candy-filled Easter eggs and other goodies! No registration required. INFO (605) 338-4009.

Phil’s Bird Walk Mary Jo Wegner

Arboretum

2nd Tuesday

April–September

8:30–9:30 a.m. (4/11, 5/9, 6/13, 7/11, 8/8, 9/12)

Follow along each month, April-September. Phil will have an informative hour getting us familiar with our South Dakota birds. We are so thankful for all the birdfeeders around the Arboretum that Phil maintains and fills for the benefit of everyone who enjoys Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum. The feeders attract many species of birds to our park. $10, FREE for Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum Members, kids free with adult, call 605367-4414 to register. www. maryjowegnerarboretum. com/activities/

Ceili Dance at the Old Courthouse Museum

Thursday, April 13 6:30 p.m.

Old Courthouse Museum

200 West Sixth Street Ceili (pronounced KAYlee) is an Irish social dance. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced dancer, Ceili dancing is a fun and energetic way to spend an evening. Get ready to dance to live music at the Old Courthouse Museum! Beginners welcome. Free admission.

The free-will donation bake

INFO (605) 367-4210 or siouxlandmuseums.com

Cooking Omelettes & Eggs

Thursday, April 13

5 - 6:30 p.m.

Mary Jo Wegner

Arboretum

Break a Few Eggs to Perfect Egg Dishes: OMELETTES & EGGS. Chef Georges Auguste Escoffier (1846 –1935) knew 147 ways to cook eggs; we will learn 4. Omelettes, scrambled, poached and pan fried eggs will all be prepared in this hands-on workshop using induction range technology. INFO (605) 367-4414.

Last Comic Standing (Sioux Falls Edition)

Friday, April 14

8 - 10 p.m.

The District Junior League of Sioux Falls Presents: Last Comic Standing Sioux Falls Edition. Comedians will be judged by a local celebrity judge panel. Junior League of Sioux Falls event will not only consist of huge belly laughs, it will also include entertainment throughout the evening including BlaveRave & The Unmentionables. INFO (605) 271-5600.

Sioux Falls Area Humane Society 15th Annual Paws to Celebrate

April 15

5 - 10 p.m. Sioux Falls Convention Center

Join us to raise funds to support our Sioux Falls Area Humane Society. 100% of the proceeds

directly benefit the animals of our community. Help provide life-saving medications, food, spay and neuter surgery and more. Online bidding, silent auction, seated main course. Hundreds of animal lovers come together for one night to help change the lives of homeless animals while they wait for their forever homes. Tickets: https://www. sfhumanesociety.com/paws

The Blue Ball Party With a Purpose

Saturday, April 15 6:30 p.m.

Hilton Garden Inn, Downtown

The event, hosted by Let Me Be 83, is a movement by the Rivere Foundation. The Rivere Foundation, doing business as Let Me Be 83, passionately advocates for better nutrition guidelines for people with diabetes. They follow an alternative diabetes management regimen, focused on low carb nutrition and the proper use of insulins that allows people with diabetes to achieve healthy blood glucose levels. This is an important goal, as elevated glucose levels are associated with complications of diabetes. It is their passion to

spread the word that until there’s a cure, there’s a solution! Enjoy a social hour + specialty drinks, unique low carb cuisine, live music and incredible entertainment, a custom low-carb dessert prepared specially for the night and party vibes...all night long! INFO letmebe83.org

Rosemaling

Demonstration at the Old Courthouse Museum

Tuesday, April 18

1 - 4 p.m.

Old Courthouse Museum

200 West Sixth Street

Eileen Halverson will be demonstrating the Norwegian folk art of Rosemaling (decorative painting) in the secondfloor hallway of the Old Courthouse Museum.

Stop in any time for a demonstration or to ask questions! INFO (605) 367-4210 or siouxlandmuseums.com

Dear Evan Hansen

April 18-21 • 7:30 p.m.

April 22 • 2 & 7:30 p.m.

April 23 • 1 & 6:30 p.m. Washington Pavilion Winner of six Tony Awards® including Best Musical and the 2018 Grammy Award, DEAR EVAN HANSEN is the deeply personal and profoundly contemporary musical about life and the way we live it. The Washington Post calls DEAR EVAN HANSEN “one of the most remarkable shows in musical theater history.” INFO (605) 3676000.

Founding Sioux Falls: Forth Dakota at the Pettigrew Home & Museum

Wednesday, April 19

1:30 p.m.

Pettigrew Home & Museum

131 N. Duluth Avenue

Join Siouxland Heritage Museums Director Bill Hoskins for a discussion of the early years of Sioux Falls history. $5 Admission. INFO (605) 367-7097 or siouxlandmuseums.com

Compass Center Gala

April 20

5:30 p.m. Join us for the 14th Annual Compass Center Gala on Thursday, April 20! The event will be hosted at the Sioux Falls Convention Center, beginning at 5:30 p.m.. Funds raised at the

Compass Center Gala will be used towards expanding the reach of impact of The Compass Center by supporting initiatives such as new programming for teens, the Little Navigators Preschool Program, art therapy and the rape crisis hotline. Ticketing Site: thecompasscentergala.com

Kid’s Activity Day Earth Day! at the Old Courthouse Museum

Thursday, April 20

9 - 11:30 a.m.

Old Courthouse Museum

200 West Sixth Street Kids can learn about history and make their own crafts to take home. 15-minute sessions run throughout the morning. Call to reserve times. Free admission.

INFO (605) 367-4210 or siouxlandmuseums.com

The Premiere Playhouse Presents: Cinderella

7 p.m. Showtimes

April 20 - 22, April 27 - 29

2 p.m. Showtimes

April 22 - 23, April 29 - 30

Orpheum Theater

Rodgers + Hammerstein’s musical is a retelling of the classic fairy tale. Although mistreated by her cruel stepmother and stepsisters, Cinderella is magically able to attend the royal ball and meet her prince. INFO (605) 3676000.

Junkin’ Market Days Spring Event

Friday, April 21 4 - 7 p.m.

W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds

Junkin’ Market Days® is an indoor market featuring local vendors as well as vendors from several different states. At the market, you can purchase boutique clothes, jewelry, home decor, furniture, candles, gourmet foods, and lots more!! This is a place for shoppers who are serious about shopping & fun! INFO (605) 367-7178.

Divas 3

Thursday, April 27 7 p.m. Washington Pavilion Divas 3 consists of powerhouse Las Vegas vocalists performing your favorite chart-topping hits. Their three-part harmony arrangements joined by piano and tracks pays tribute to some of

the biggest divas in music history including Cher, Dolly Parton, Whitney Houston and more. Three Voices... Four Decades of music. INFO (605) 3676000.

South Dakota Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven’s 9th Saturday, April 29 7:30 p.m. Washington Pavilion Beethoven’s glorious Symphony No. 9 and the famous “Ode to Joy” is a call for the triumph of universal brotherhood over desperation. Music Director Delta David Gier pairs this message with Reena Esmail’s “My Sister’s Voice” and a world premiere by Niloufar Iravani. INFO (605) 367-6000.

JOHN STIEGELMEYER

Coach of the 2023 Jackrabbit Football National Championship Team “IT TAKES THE WHOLE TEAM TO WIN”

PALACE THEATRE RESERVED SEATING & VIP RECEPTION AT STERLING’S CAFÉ & GRILLE

Chamber at (507) 2834061 for tickets.

Eminija: THE TOWN SITE AND THE MOUNDS

BY WAYNE FANEBUST

Inthe spring of 1857, town site speculators from the Dakota Land Company laid out 640 acres of land at the point where the Split Rock River flows into the Big Sioux River, in accordance with federal law. It was reported that a cabin was built and two men were left in charge of the site that was given the name “Eminija,” the Santee Sioux Indian word for the Split Rock River. The Dakota Land Company was headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, and was controlled by anxious and ambitious men who saw the frontier not as a place of natural beauty, but rather a source of wealth and power.

Big things were expected from this real estate experiment, including the shipment of goods and materials by steamboats, just then

one of the most expedient methods of travel for men and merchandise. Along with the town sites of Sioux Falls City, Medary and Flandrau, the paper town with the mysterious name, Eminija, was expected to enrich the speculators both financially and politically.

In November of 1857, a St. Paul newspaper that supported the Dakota Land Company reported that Eminija was slated to be the “head of steamboat navigation on the Big Sioux,” and that “several houses” were built there. If that was true, then the houses were unoccupied because at that point in time there was only a handful of men in the Big Sioux River region that was still part of Minnesota Territory. And yet the speculators continued to spread misinformation, to the extent that

51 men voted in the Eminija “precinct” in a so-called election in November of 1857.

In May of 1858, it was proudly announced that the Dakota Land Company would run a line of steamboats on the Big Sioux River from Eminija to Sioux City, Iowa. While there was some steamboat travel on the Big Sioux River, it was limited to a distance of about 30 miles from Sioux City. Another attempt made it only four miles up river where the steamboat encountered a “big pile of mud.” Yet despite the innumerable obstacles, the starry-eyed adventurers carried on as if directed by some invisible force. And they probably believed they could make any number of misrepresentations because no one was likely to travel to Eminija and challenge

Map of the fortified village site and the Eminija Mounds

courtesy of Christian Begeman

THE DAKOTA LAND COMPANY

The Dakota Land Company of St. Paul, Minnesota, arrived in Sioux Falls in June of 1857 as part of a town-planting party, which was in progress from Medary (near Brookings) to Commerce City (Canton) along the Big Sioux River. Because the prime town site at the falls was already claimed by the Western Town Site Company, a claim of 320 acres was made between 9th and 15th streets and Minnesota and Third Avenues, the current downtown area. The settlement was named Sioux Falls City. A quartzite building was erected on the west bank of the river crossing and housed The Dakota Democrat, the first newspaper in Dakota Territory.

FUNDED BY THE STATE PRESERVATION OFFICE BY THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.

AUTHOR UNKNOWN

MARKER LOCATION: SIOUX FALLS, 9TH ST. & 1ST AVE.

their version of the facts.

If the eager speculators took note of the mounds on a nearby slope, no written account appears in the surviving records of the company. And yet the conspicuous mounds and the stone effigies associated

with them had been there for centuries, dating back to 500 to 1000 AD. The ancient burial ground ultimately became part of a homestead, and it did attract the attention of amateur archeologists and curiosity seekers. Men, whose motives were other than purely

scientific, unceremoniously dug into the mounds, finding skeletons and other artifacts. Ignoring that these were sacred places of the dead, some of the pot hunters resorted to explosives and the use of heavy equipment. These rude acts had some desirable

consequences for they set in motion the search for answers — a quest that is ongoing. Who were these ancient people, where did they come from, and why did they choose this particular spot for creating the silent piles of dirt? And most of all perhaps: where did they go? The general consensus is that these Native Americans were a part of the Woodland Culture, a large group of indigenous people who also occupied land that is now part of Good Earth State Park along the Big Sioux River, a short distance from the city of Sioux Falls.

In 1922, archeologist W. H. Over examined the high ground west of the mounds above the Big Sioux River. His examination revealed the remains of a fortified village 85 feet above the flood plain. These villagers were part of the Plains Village Culture and were ancestors to the Missouri River Mandan People. Over believed the village was occupied for a short time between 1000 and 1200 A.D, and evacuated rather suddenly under pressure from a warring tribe.

In 1939, W. H. Over and fellow archeologist Elmer Meleen, conducted a scientific dig at the Eminija Mounds site. They examined skeletal remains of people that ranged from infants to older adults, along with other artifacts. They published their findings in an essay entitled “A Report on the Investigation of the Brandon Site and Split Rock Mounds.”

There are 15 remaining burial mounds, including one that features an old box elder tree growing out of it, called, appropriately the “Eminija tree.” The surviving mounds are protected by dedicated local people interested in historic preservation. This worthy effort was led by a Sioux Falls historian, the late Tom Kilian. Thanks to these efforts, it is

THE EMINIJA MOUNDS

The Eminija Mounds, the largest and most numerous burial mound group in South Dakota, were built by Native Americans of the Late Woodland Period and may date from 500 to 1000 A. D. The original group consisted of at least 38 dome-shaped burial mounds. They were scattered irregularly for nearly a mile along the edge of the Big Sioux River flood plain northwest of this spot. It is supposed the builders carried thousands of baskets of dirt to form each mound. The original height of the mounds is unknown. They are now three to four feet above ground level and the largest of the mounds are from 60 to 110 feet in diameter.

Today, only 15 mounds remain substantially intact. Some have been totally destroyed by artifact hunters, while others have been leveled by agricultural cultivation and natural erosion. In years past there have been numerous digging assaults on the mounds by amateurs. Sometimes they used destructive methods including horse-drawn scrapers and dynamite while searching for artifacts.

These sharply defined, highly visible mounds were first visited, mapped and named in 1860 by A. J. Hill, a St. Paul geographer. Nine of the mounds have been excavated, the first in 1869 by Dr. J. F. Boughter, a Fort Dakota surgeon. In 1883 A. H. Stites, who later became mayor of Sioux Falls, excavated the largest mound which, at that time, was ten feet high. He reported boulder outlines of a turtle and two large fish on

THE EMINIJA MOUNDS

opposite sides of the mound. These effigies have since disappeared. Professional survey groups found skeletal remains of at least 78 humans. All original burials were below ground level generally in the center of the mounds. Searchers found a few artifacts in association with the burials, including objects of bone, red ochre, varied ornamental beads, disks made of local and marine shells, and a few ceramic pot shards in Woodland patterns.

W. E. Myers of the Bureau of American Ethnology excavated several mounds in 1921 and believed there may also have been intrusive burials by both Ponca and Omaha Indians. All excavation studies of these mounds have been partial and exploratory. Much remains to be learned about the people who built them, their methods of construction, their burial practices, and the artifacts that accompanied the burials.

In 1988 through the vision and generosity of land-owners

Wendell and Eva Shafer an Easement for Historic Preservation in perpetuity was filed to protect the remaining mounds. The easement requires that the surface area must remain completely undisturbed as a cultural and historic resource for the people of this region.

unlikely that the mounds will be recklessly disturbed in the future, in large part due to the work of Kilian. He persuaded the Shafer family — that owns the property — to place an Easement for Historical Preservation on the hallowed grounds. This means that any further work at the site will be conducted by professional archeologists.

The so-called town of Eminija suffered an ignoble and humiliating fate. Although the Dakota Land Company touted the site in lofty terms, it never became the metropolis that the speculators wanted. First of all, unlike the Missouri River, the water level in the Big Sioux River was almost never deep enough for steamers to navigate. Then there was a political change in America that further dimmed the hopes and plans of the Company. Their success was tied the Democratic Party in both Minnesota and Washington, D. C. In 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected president at the head of the new Republican Party, thus sealing the doom of the St. Paul-based speculators, who could count on nothing from Congress.

While Sioux Falls and Flandrau (with an “e” added) grew and prospered, Eminija did not. Whatever was built there, it was left to the elements and has long since disappeared. At some point in time, Split Rock River was demoted to the status of a creek. When people paddle their canoes into the Big Sioux River from the mouth of the creek, they glide through the peaceful waters completely oblivious to the short, noisy history of the town site with the mysterious name. And yet not far away, the ancient Eminija mounds remain in noble solitude, marking the time as if waiting for historians and scientists to reveal the rest of their history.

DEDICATED IN 1998BY THE MINNEHAHA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY. BRANDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, CITY OF BRANDON, AND MINNEHAHA CENTURY FUND

TEXT AUTHOR: TOM KILIAN

MARKER LOCATION: RURAL BRANDON, SD

nest

at home 25

The Nate and Jessica Ligtenberg Home recipes 38

Just in Time for Easter

a-list 40

man in the kitchen 46

The Cruellest Month?

vino 49

How to Open a Bottle of Wine Without a Corkscrew

knick knacks of life 52

What if Life Was a Musical?

health & well-being 54

Everything You Should Know About Lower Back Pain

THE Nate AND LigtenbergJessica HOME

BY MARY MICHAELS | PHOTOS BY JULIE PRAIRIE PHOTOGRAPHY

“We immediately had a connection to the house because it had actually belonged to someone else who was part of the Ortman Clinic family, and Nate used to hang out here when he was young...”

Have you seen the popular social media posts where couples give a “How We Started” and “How It’s Going” update?

Well, here’s how it started…

etc. for her first caught up with Nate Ligtenberg and Jessica Kerher back in the spring of 2016, a few months after they had moved from the McKennan Park area to Canistota, where Nate is a chiropractor with the Ortman Clinic. Having grown up in Canistota, a friend of Nate’s used to live in the house, and he remembers visiting there after school.

“We immediately had a connection to the house because it had actually belonged to someone else who was part of the Ortman Clinic family, and Nate used to hang out here when he was young,” says Jessica. “The house had this great ‘70s vibe that we loved. We didn’t change anything structurally – just a little bit of style updating.”

At the time, Nate and Jessica had two kids, Nash and Nellie, they had not yet tied the knot, and Jessica was launching her eventplanning business, Serendipitous Events.

Now, how it’s going…

Nate continues to be busy at the clinic, Jessica’s business is booming, their third child Nixon and puppy Ruby joined the family and, they were married in the fall of 2016.

“The marriage was a surprise to everyone,” Jessica laughs. “We invited family and friends over. They thought they were coming to an engagement party, but it was actually our wedding!”

Fast-forward to 2021. After having great luck over the years with the appliances that were original to the house, the couple knew it was time to replace them. So, they purchased the appliances, but weren’t thinking about a major renovation, other than perhaps updating the kitchen island.

her

“The island was built lower than standard height for the previous owner,” Jessica explains. “It wasn’t as big of a deal for someone my height, but it didn’t work so well for Nate, and he loves to cook. We knew it should probably be replaced, but then, you know, life happens, and we just put a pause on some of that work.”

This is where things took an interesting turn because of Nate and Jessica’s connection to Chelsea and Cole DeBoer, a South Dakota couple that now hosts the HGTV show Down Home Fab.

“My company was the event planner for Chelsea and Cole’s wedding,” says Jessica. “And, my grandparents were neighbors of Cole’s parents, so we grew up together. That’s what we love about South Dakota!”

Knowing Chelsea and Cole made it easier for Nate and Jessica to say “yes” to being part of the new HGTV show’s first episode, which focused on a renovation of their home’s main living space.

The kitchen got a transformation that went beyond just the new appliances and “maybe the island” that Nate and Jessica had been planning. One wall came down, giving additional room to the kitchen and creating a more spacious dining area.

Nate and Jessica agree that the open floor plan was an exciting change. “It’s something we didn’t necessarily know we wanted, but we absolutely love it.”

The island gained height, counter space and storage, with its unique copper base and copper veining in the countertop. That same surface treatment was used for the backsplash behind the gas cooktop and around the fireplace in the den.

“I love copper,” Jessica says, “so to see that island base was really exciting. And they tied it in so well with the copper sink fixtures.”

The original kitchen flooring was ceramic tile, a project that Nate and Jessica say would have been a huge project on its own – and one they really weren’t excited about doing.

Needless to say, they were thrilled to see the new hardwood floor throughout the renovated space.

The kitchen cabinets are original to the house and were just resurfaced during the Down Home Fab project.

“We have always loved these cabinets with their diamond pattern,” says Jessica. “They are real wood and were still in such good shape. We’re happy they just got a little refresh.”

The couple was also pleased that the pantry cupboard with its fold-out shelves stayed next to the refrigerator, where it is handy for Nate’s cooking. Another cabinet with glass-inset doors, which previously sat against the wall that was removed, now sits next to the pantry cupboard where it can showcase some of the couple’s special dishes.

While there had been a separate dining room previously, it really was separated from the kitchen by the wall, so it didn’t get much use. Now, however, the couple says they regularly use the dining room for family

meals. And because everything is so open, the natural light from the windows flows throughout the house.

“We often yell to each other, ‘Come see the sunset!’ because we can see it so much better now.”

A favorite spot for Nate and Jessica is the sitting area just off the dining room.

This room had been kind of closed in before, but we still used it,” Jessica explains. “But now that it’s opened to the dining room and kitchen, we use it even more. It’s just funkier now.”

One wall is highlighted with three dark, textured wallpaper panels framed out with gold molding. A rustic wood coffee table sits in the middle of the seating area, which also has subtle animal print carpeting.

“Chelsea knows I love animal print, and they actually have this carpet,” Jessica says. “It’s so cool that they not only consider the homeowner’s style in their renovation projects, but they also put a little something of them in there as well.”

The conversation piece in the sitting area is something that Nate and Jessica picked up in Deadwood while on a little anniversary getaway to Deadwood – a bronzed, antlered deer head with glasses and smoking a pipe.

“We call him Gus the Buck,” Jessica laughs. “People might be surprised to know we like decorating with antlers. I grew up hunting and Nate joined in along the way. We both have trophy antlers incorporated into our décor.”

The den was another space the family used, but the couple says it previously looked “drab and brown.” The room features a woodburning fireplace, with stacks of wood on either side. They loved the beams across the ceiling, but they knew it needed more than what Nate calls a “weekend paint job.”

After the renovation, complete with a homemade antler chandelier, Jessica says the den is now their favorite room in the house

and fits their style perfectly.

“We’re not matchy-matchy, and we don’t really go for trendy. Think more like Yellowstone ranch,” she says, referring to the popular series. “And that’s what we got. It’s amazing.”

The main entryway is the one space that got something a little different. Rather than the warm, earthy colors and woods, it features a cool white and black tile floor and custommade starburst light fixture. A black and white side table and black, white and gold artwork on the wall tie the space together.

Functionality is the word the couple keep coming back to when talking about the updates to their home.

“It’s really important to us that furniture and décor have a purpose and a meaning,” Jessica says. “Opening up the space makes it so much more functional for our family and for when we are entertaining. I always thought I was a curtain person, but we love the look and ease of the new textured and cordless shades.”

And, when the couple points up to the new can lighting that goes all the way down the hall to the bedrooms, they both say, “How did we live without that before?”

While the renovations aren’t even a year old, the couple says the home feels like it’s been this way forever, and they are grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Chelsea and Cole.

“I don’t know if we would have been brave enough to make some of these choices on our own,” Jessica says.

The home has quite a history for the couple – from Nate’s childhood hang-out spot to the place where they got married and grew their family. To tell a little bit of their “How it started and how it’s going” story, the family created a little time capsule box and placed in under the new dining room flooring.

“Maybe someone will find it there some day, and they’ll learn about our story and about the history of this home we love so much.”

Just in Time for Easter

BY JO MCCLURE

Carrot Cake

1 package yellow cake mix

1 1/4 cups mayonnaise

4 eggs

1/4 cup water

2 teaspoons cinnamon

2 cups shredded carrots

1/2 cup walnuts or pecans

1 can cream cheese frosting

Combine the cake mix, mayo, eggs, water and cinnamon in a large bowl and mix until well blended. Stir in the carrots and nuts and pour into a greased 9x13 inch baking pan. Bake at 350˚ for 40-45 minutes or until it passes the toothpick test. Cool for a couple hours and frost with cream cheese frosting.

Lemon Cake

1 package lemon cake mix

4 eggs

15 ounce can lemon pie filling

3 ounce block cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 cups powdered sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla

In a large bowl, beat the cake mix and eggs. Fold in the pie filling and spread into a greased 10x15 inch baking pan. Bake at 350˚ for 18-20 minutes or until it passes the toothpick test. Cool for an hour. Beat the cream cheese, butter and powdered sugar in a small bowl until smooth. Stir in vanilla and spread over the cooled cake. Store in the refrigerator.

Fragrances of Spring

Junk in the Trunk carries a wonderful line of 100% soy candles in the beautiful fragrance of spring. Junk in the Trunk. 1918 W. 41st St., Sioux Falls. (605) 338-5510.

The Colors of Easter

Hop on in to Blue Mound Liquor for an adult egg hunt! The colors of Easter abound. Blue Mound Liquor. 319 W. Main St., Luverne, MN. (507) 449-5052.

Gift Giving Needs

Visit the Christmas Haus inside the Rock County History Center for all your gift giving needs. Unique gifts by local artists anyone on your gift giving list will love. 312 E. Main St., Luverne, MN. (507) 283-2122.

Outdoor Fun!

Spring is just around the corner. It’s time to stock up on the terrific outdoor toys your kiddos will love. Perfect for Easter baskets too! Kidtopia. Dawley Farm Village, 901 S. Highline Pl., Sioux Falls. (605) 275-4825.

Goodbye to Winter!

It’s time you said goodbye to the winter blues and said hello to our feel-good blues! Blue finishes such as Breeze and Blueberry, shown here, are dramatic used as an accent or stunning when the focus of your design. The Blueberry door features a Homestead finish which features a variety of finishing techniques. Visit our showroom today and ask one of our friendly designers about how to add these blues to your project, as well as many other colors and styles, from StarMark Cabinetry. Today’s StarMark Custom Cabinetry. 600 E. 48th Street North. (605) 977-3660.

I Do!

Engagement rings galore at Faini! Available in all sizes and shapes for center diamonds. 6203 S. Old Village Pl. 69th & Western. (605) 339-6956.

Save the Date!

Mallrats Presents: MTV Unplugged

Friday, June 23, 2023 • 7:30pm Historic Palace Theatre. palacetheatre.us or 104 E. Main St., Luverne, MN. (507) 283-4339.

$25 tickets, on sale May 22!

SDSU Coach John Stiegelmeyer

Coach Stiegelmeyer presents “It Takes a Whole Team to Win”

Monday, May 1 • 5:30pm Palace Theatre • Luverne, MN

Open to the public FREE of charge — sponsored by Luverne Initiatives for Tomorrow. Reserved seating and VIP reception at Sterling’s Cafe & Grille also available for $50/person. Advance tickets for this only. Call the Luverne Chamber at (507) 283-4061 for tickets.

Save Up to $100!

$100 mail-in rebate on a set of four tires on now! Expires April 30, 2023. $100 when purchased with a GM or BuyPower card . Eligible tire brands: Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear, Hankook and Pirelli. Call the Luverne, MN. (507) 283-9171; Rock Rapids, IA (712) 472-2595 or Sibley, IA (712) 754-4651 location for details!

Op

JOHN STIEGELMEYER

Coach of the 2023 Jackrabbit Football National Championship Team

“IT TAKES THE WHOLE TEAM TO WIN”

PALACE THEATRE RESERVED SEATING & VIP RECEPTION AT STERLING’S CAFÉ & GRILLE

Spring Whimsy

Advanced Tickets Only | $50/Person

Food | Beverage | Fellowship | Inspiration

$20 of Ticket Purchase Tax Deductible Donation to L I FT

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE LUVERNE AREA CHAMBER | 507.283.4061

Beat the winter blahs by painting one of the new adorable and whimsical spring pieces at Color Me Mine. 3709 W. 41st St. (605) 362-6055.

Two Wheels!

Explore the natural beauty of Luverne on two wheels! Loop through the beautiful parks, iconic destinations and hidden gems on the newly-completed 7.5 mile trail. Trailhead located at 601 E. Main St. Luverne.

Happy Hour!

Join us to make your hours happier!

Sunday - Saturday 3pm - 6pm.

Late Night Happy Hour: Saturday & Sunday 10pm - midnight. 69th Street & Western Avenue. (605) 271-7170. mcnallysip.com

Best Bridal Experience

Ellie Stone Bride is located at 69th & Western and will bring you the best bridal experience in the Sioux Falls area. When you purchase here, you are not just a customer — you become part of the family. Photo courtesy of Solis Photography. Ellie Stone Bride. 69th & Western. (605) 332-8841.

Recital Ready

Make sure your dancer is recital ready with a quick stop at The Dance Line. Tights, hair accessories and so much more. The Dance Line. 2115 S. Minnesota Ave. (605) 335-8242.

100th Year of Walt Disney

Celebrate the 100th year anniversary of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse. We have several pieces including a whole lit village featuring Mickey Mouse buildings and accessories. 40% off select Mickey items for all of April! Country ‘n More. Heather Ridge Village. 69th & Western. (605) 361-9797.

Have an Awkward Space?

Have an awkward space or nook that needs a little something? Let us help you design custom cabinetry for that area. A bar? A desk? We do it all. Dakota Kitchen and Bath, Inc. 4101 N. Hainje Avenue, Sioux Falls (605) 334-9727.

New Reuben Pizza!

Be sure to stop by Charlie’s Pizza now through Easter to try our new specialty Reuben Pizza! You will love it! Charlie’s Pizza. Heather Ridge Village. 69th & Western Ave. (605) 275-2212.

Spring Into Spring

Spring into spring in style — when you shop at Mainstream Boutique. A women’s fashion and accessories boutique for women of all ages. Excellent customer service, quality merchandise, affordable boutique pricing and a fun environment! Come check us out!

716 S. Highline Pl., Sioux Falls. (605) 334-3817.

You Are One Smart Cookie!

If you are planning for an upcoming graduation, let Mary’s Mountain Cookies help cater your celebration! We have many cookie flavors to choose from. Looking for a unique gift for your grad? We also have gift cards available. Call us for more details on catering your graduation event at (605) 275-0060.

Spring Market • April 21-22

W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds - Expo Building www.junkinmarketdays.com

April 21 • 4pm - 7pm April 22 • 9am - 4pm

Boutique clothing, home décor, jewelry, gourmet foods, one-of-a-kind finds.

The Best Gift Ideas!

Looking ahead to Mother’s Day and summer weddings, we have the best gift idea for you! Our new line of cutting boards and charcuterie boards can be personalized with a special memory, phrase or monogram. Check them out today! Houndstooth House. 101 W. 37th St. Sioux Falls or call us at (605) 271-2278.

JMD

Class of 2024!

It’s YOUR turn! It’s time to schedule your Ultimate Senior Portrait Session. We only photograph 50 fabulous seniors each year and we want you to be one of them. Each Senior Portrait Session includes a free family portrait session fee and a free cap and gown session. We believe every senior is unique and we look forward to showing the world just how incredible you are. (605) 359-6640 or jp@julieprairie.com

High Fashion & High Comfort

The Oslo Set features a self-storing extension leaf, soft upholstered chairs, and a weathered chestnut finish. High fashion and high comfort, this is a style to be caught dining at. Furniture Mart. 140 E. Hinks Lane, Sioux Falls. thefurnituremart.com or (605) 977-7890.

69th Street & Western Avenue

Sydney Leigh photo

The Cruellest Month?

BY JIM MATHIS

T.S.Elliot began his epic poem The Waste Land, proclaiming “April is the cruellest month.” But given the winter we’ve had, April will have to be pretty rough to out-cruel any month since November of last year. It was a brutal winter. Too much snow. Too much cold. Too much winter. According to the calendar, the first day of spring (or the vernal equinox, as it’s formally known) happened on March 20 this year. But my yard was still deep in snow. The ground was frozen solid. It sure didn’t feel like spring. And as far as I’m concerned, the first signs of spring have little to do with dates on the calendar or seeing the first robin; to me the season begins when the first tender stalks of asparagus push through the newly-thawed ground. I will be there when they show up at The Food Co-op even before the farmer’s markets open. Then, and only then, will it truly feel like spring. (For those of you checking your calendars for signs of spring, the Falls Park Farmer’s Market opens May 6 this year.)

I know people who travel the back roads and byways to carefully protected and undisclosed locations each spring to pick stalks that grow in ditches and around abandoned farm houses. Armed with a pair of garden shears, a plastic bag and good sense of direction (or a maybe a GPS) they return each year to clip their prize. Although I really like asparagus, I have never been lucky enough to stumble upon one of these hidden patches of green goodness. And those who know the

location of the growths aren’t sharing. Once you’ve located fresh, tender asparagus, it is versatile, easy to prepare and the humble stems can brighten up any thing from salads to pastas to risottos. The most common preparation is steaming gently; the kitchen supply stores will even sell you a special tall, skinny pot made just to steam the spears, while keeping the tops out of the water. But since spring also brings the beginning of grilling season, that is where much of mine will be cooked.

Asparagus, when steamed or lightly stirfried has a sweet and grassy taste. But roast or grill those same spears and the flavor becomes much richer and nuttier. Just be careful not to let them get too charred or they get a little bitter. My all-time favorite is to wrap bundles of asparagus in thinly-sliced prosciutto. If the stalks are pencil thin, I’ll put 5 or 6 in a bundle, if they’re thicker, I’ll wrap 3 stalks at a time. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle on some fresh-cracked pepper (the prosciutto brings the salt) then grill for 3 to 4 minutes on each side. If you do it right, the bundles will stand up like proud little soldiers on the edge of the plate. And that, in my humble opinion, is just about as good as a vegetable ever gets.

A flowering perennial, asparagus is a cousin of onions and garlic. And while the onions make you cry and the garlic will give you foul breath, asparagus has its own downfall; it makes your pee smell funny. Some claim it doesn’t affect them, but scientific studies

have shown it happens to all of us, but some just can’t smell it. My parents thought I was nuts when I mentioned it, but my sister backed me up. So much for the scent and sensitivity being genetic. At first, I thought it was just me. Then the so-called Naked Chef Jamie Oliver mentioned it on TV. Aha! I thought; I am not alone. Not alone indeed. A little research uncovered an abundance of references in science and literature. French novelist Marcel Proust once wrote that the vegetable “transforms my chamber-pot into a flask of perfume.” I wouldn’t call it perfume, but Proust was known to be a bit flowery.

Asparagus isn’t the only thing that appears only in the spring; morel mushrooms and ramps (sometimes called wild leeks) are even more prized springtime treats. A few specialty stores like The Food Co-op and Look’s will occasionally get fresh morels and ramps. Don’t be shocked when your see the price… these little morsels can be expensive. Despite the cost, when they come in, they will likely disappear fast, so you’ll want to sign-up for email alerts or watch their Facebook posts for their arrival. I’ve been known to leave the office early and change dinner plans when the first of the spongy morel mushrooms arrive, simmering them gently in butter with a little garlic, served atop a medium-rare ribeye.

The rare little honeycomb-like mushrooms are notoriously hard to cultivate, but they grow wild in wooded areas throughout our

“And as far as I’m concerned, the first signs of spring have little to do with dates on the calendar or seeing the first robin; to me the season begins when the first tender stalks of asparagus push through the newly-thawed ground.”

area. Consequently, if you’re a brave soul, you can find your own under oak or elm trees in shelterbelts or parks. But don’t bother asking where to find them, morel hunters will take their favorite hunting spots to the grave or pass them down like cherished heirlooms.

Ramps occasionally show up in Sioux Falls stores, years after they became the darling of East Coast menus. If you’re lucky enough to find a few of the pungent, garlicky shoots, I recommend sautéing in a little bacon fat until they just begin to caramelize. That will tame the

garlic taste and bring out the natural sweetness. That, my friends, is just this side of heaven. We must enjoy the sweet stalks of spring while we can. The local asparagus will be around for only about six to eight weeks before it fades from the stores and markets, only to be replaced by bundles from far away lands. The ramps, if you can find them, will be gone before that and the morels are the most finicky of them all. If you don’t hunt for them yourself, you may only get one or two chances to pick them up. But once spring gives

way to summer, we’ll turn our attention to the tomatoes and sweet corn that thrive in the summer heat, and while those are delicious, I’m begging to miss spring already.

Do yourself a favor, eat something good today!

If you’re willing to share the secret location of your asparagus or morel patch, Jim can usually be found at ADwërks, an ad agency he owns in Sioux Falls.

HOW TO OPEN A BOTTLE OF WINE

Without a Corkscrew

BY RICCARDO TARABELSI

Iknow what you’re thinking: “No way. There’s no possible way of doing it. He’s just using this title to get me to read a cute story about some wine I’ve never heard of.” Now, some of you may be thinking outside the box: “OK, I got it! No corkscrew, no problem. All you need is needle-nose pliers, a monkey wrench, a compass, a spool of thread, some baking soda, and a stick of gum.” Creative,

yes, but aside from any MacGyver-like contraptions, the only “tool” you need can be found in any household bathroom… But first, you have to read my cute story.

I was 22-years-old, young and in love. I was heading to my girlfriend’s one bedroom studio apartment in Somerville (pronounced with a Boston accent, SUH-MUH-VILLE) just 10 minutes outside of Boston. She had just

graduated from nursing school, and I wanted to celebrate her achievement with one of the finest bottles of Italian wine: Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale. As I was driving through Arlington (AH-LINGTON) I had visions of my girlfriend’s face as the delicate wine poured into her glass, me looking into her eyes, raising our glasses in a toast to her achievement. She was making dinner for

us, and I was eager to impress her with this remarkable bottle of wine.

Since I am from Florence, I was especially looking forward to introducing her to a distinguished representative of Tuscan wines. Traditionally, Chianti producers are more concerned with quantity rather than quality. I’m sure most of you remember drinking Chianti from a straw-covered fiasco that Italy became famous for, and that still haunts the Italian wine industry today. The wine from those flasks was typically light, flat, and so bitter that it would make your mouth pucker. In an effort to increase quality and to make the world recognize the depth of the Chianti and Chianti Classico zones in the heart of Tuscany, these regions were upgraded to D.O.C.G status in 1984. This Italian wine regulation system allows only certain geographical areas of Italy to have the designation of being “controlled and guaranteed” by the government. Chianti now follows those rules by submitting samples annually and must abide by criteria that limit

wine makers to things like which grapes can be used, where the grapes can be grown, and how long it can be aged. Ruffino, a pioneer in the hills of Chianti, got its start in 1887.

As I was turning off of a rotary in Meford (MED-FED), I went over the finer points of the wine in my mind so I could really impress her. Ruffino Chianti Ducale was first produced in 1927. Made from blending 90% Sangiovese, 10% Colorino, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, this wine undergoes malolactic fermentation (a process that is used to reduce the acidity in red wines,) and is then aged in oak casks for approximately 24 months. The wine is a pretty ruby red in color and has red fruit aromas with a hint of spice. Upon taste, this Chianti Classico is fullbodied and velvety with some nice mature fruit tones. Pairing is a cinch: Tuscan salami or prosciutto is its soul mate, but any pasta with a rich red sauce is also ideal. Knowing that my girlfriend was a making a spaghetti dish with a fresh tomato sauce, I knew this wine would make our special evening exquisite.

I arrived promptly, with bottle in hand, and rang the doorbell. She answered with a smile, and we both went upstairs to her scenic third floor studio. Inhaling the sweet aroma of fresh tomatoes and seeing her kitchen table decorated with folded cloth napkins, crystal wine glasses, and candles, I was certain this was going to be the perfect evening with perfect food and the perfect wine. Then it dawned on me… what good was my wine going to do if I couldn’t get it open? I had forgotten the most invaluable tool to a wine lover: the corkscrew! I knew that she didn’t have one in her apartment because she wasn’t much of a wine drinker, and she was on a nursing school budget (“Let’s see, should I buy a stethoscope or a corkscrew?”) So, there I was, trying to impress a beautiful girl with a bottle of beautiful wine, and I had screwed up the evening beautifully.

“Beautiful,” I thought to myself in a sarcastic tone. “Now what am I going to do?” If there’s one thing I’m not, it’s a quitter. I knew there had to be a way of getting the bottle open

without having to act in desperation and break the bottle. I prefer my wine without shards of glass. Then a thought struck me: if there’s one person who would know if it was even possible to open a bottle of wine without a corkscrew, it would be my dad. My dad grew up in Aleppo, Syria, a place where resources were limited, and so he often had to fend for himself and rely on his creativity. I had to get a hold of him, so I excused myself by telling my girlfriend that I had to get my corkscrew out of my car. She said, “Hurry, I can’t wait to taste this wine with our dinner.” I responded nervously, “Neither can I.” As I shut her door behind me I whispered to myself, “If I can only get this bottle open.” Descending the stairs, I hit the speed-dial button and called my dad on my cell phone. I quickly explained the situation, and he calmly answered, “Get a towel.” I said, “What?” He repeated, “Get a towel… and make sure you find a wall with a stud.”

When I got back upstairs to the apartment, I explained to my girlfriend that I had forgotten

my corkscrew. Disappointed, she picked up the bottle and stared blankly at the detailed label. Then I heroically said, “But I think I can get it open.” She looked at me incredulously. I grabbed a towel out of her bathroom, folded it in half, then half again, and again until it was nice and thick. I cut the foil off of the top of the bottle with a knife, and then I located a sturdy wall. Facing the wall, I planted my feet, held the folded towel against the wall with my left hand, and held the body of the bottle with my right hand. Then, I did just as my dad had instructed; I lifted the bottle so that the bottom of the bottle was aiming towards the towel on the wall. And then I did the unthinkable: I closed my eyes and swung, striking the base of the bottle against the fluffy towel. I opened my eyes to see that the bottle was still intact and that my girlfriend’s jaw had dropped in amazement. I looked at the cork, and it was still snuggled tight in the bottle. So, I lifted the bottle and repeated the firm blows. After about 8 or 9 times, the unimaginable happened: the cork was actually sliding out! It works!

I forget how many times I had to whack that bottle, but eventually enough of the cork slid out so that I could grab it with my fingers and twist the cork out. “Unbelievable,” I thought. I didn’t believe it either as it was happening, but it is a true story. So, if you’re ever caught without a corkscrew (and are conveniently locked in your bathroom with a bottle of wine) you now have the knowledge to impress friends at a party or just try it to see if it really works. By the way, my girlfriend in this cute story has now been married to me for almost 26 years. I guess that bottle trick won her over.

Riccardo and Marybeth are the owners of R Wine Bar & Kitchen, Brix Wine Bar, Maribella Ristorante, and Vespa Catering, all in Downtown Sioux Falls. They love entertaining guests at their restaurants along with their talented team. They will spend Easter with their three sons Dante, Berent (fiancée Molli,) and Jaxon. Contact Riccardo at riccardo@rwinebar.com.

WHAT IF LIFE WAS A

Musical?

Our daughter, Parker, is participating in her first school play –Edison Middle School is putting on a musical, Cinderella. And it got me thinking, what if life were a musical? I wondered, what my soundtrack would consist of if events, whether they are mundane or extraordinary inspired songs?

Whatta mess, whatta mighty good mess

The other day I was air-pressing my morning coffee and suddenly coffee spurted everywhere. My clothes, the counter, the floor – coffee and fresh grounds everywhere. It was a Saturday morning, all I wanted was my cup of fresh coffee with some foamed cream on top…and here I was with a roll of paper towels wiping down my kitchen. As I worked, Salt-N-Pepa’s song, “Whatta Man” began filling my head … but in the spirit of a true musical, the lyrics applied to the situation. WHAT A MESS!

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine…Please don’t take my sunshine away.

BY LURA ROTI

This lullaby comes to mind every time I see the sun!

It has been a winter.

Our family escaped for a few sun-filled days to Florida in February and oh was it nice to worry about sunscreen - not bundling up! But because anyone reading this is probably sick of winter and hearing about winter. Instead of focusing any more energy on cold, ice and snow, let me share two reasons I like South Dakota winter more than Florida winter:

1. Certain bugs can’t survive the cold. As we were leaving the theme park garage, my husband, Shon, turned on the air in our rental car. Suddenly he slammed on the brake and yelled. Our daughter, Parker, and I looked just in time to see the butt-end of a very large cockroach scurry into the dashboard air vent. Shon had seen the insect come out one vent and scurry into the other. He said it was the size of a mouse. Because our luggage shared a vehicle with a cockroach, we left it outside overnight when we returned home. Google told me cockroaches cannot live in below zero temperatures.

2. Traffic. Many years ago, I interviewed one of my favorite college professors and in the course of our conversation, I asked him what kept him at South Dakota State University. I knew there had been other offers over the years. Among the many reasons, he mentioned, “I like living in a state where you never sit at a traffic signal more than one rotation.”

In Florida, it sometimes took us 45 minutes to go 3 miles. And the road rage? Kind of over the top.

They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.

I didn’t know the name of the song connected to these lyrics until I sat down to write this column and needed to know. Its title is “Big Yellow Taxi.”

The first few lines of this song often come to mind when I drive Downtown Sioux Falls and pass nearly empty parking lots beside towering 1970s/80s-era financial institutions.

They paved paradise and put up a parking lot

With a pink hotel, a boutique, and a swinging hot spot

Don’t it always seem to go

That you don’t know what you got ‘til it’s gone?

They paved paradise and put up a parking lot

Blocks of beautiful, historic brick and quartzite buildings were clear-

cut to make room for parking lots and banks. Citizen advocates are the only reason the Washington Pavilion and Old Courthouse still stand.

Our neighborhood experienced similar losses.

At one time our neighborhood was zoned for multi-family housing. So, instead of fixing up historic houses, like the one that once was home to Look’s Meat family, developers tore them down to build apartment complexes.

Drive through the Cathedral Historic District and you will begin to notice at least one if not two apartment buildings on nearly every block.

Then, because of neighbor advocates, the neighborhood was rezoned single family. Today, many historic homes have been restored or are currently undergoing major restoration.

Can you tell I’m a bit passionate about this? Fortunately, I’m not alone. I live in a neighborhood filled with preservation advocates. And the City of Sioux Falls has a Board of Preservation made up of citizen volunteers who work diligently to ensure historic homes and commercial properties within our historic districts are protected.

As I write this paragraph about being surrounded by a community of individuals who care, the lyrics to Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds” stream through my mind. What a good reminder.

Everything You Should Know About Lower Back Pain

BY JARETT C. BIES, AVERA HEALTH

Lower back pain is the most common orthopedic problem in the world. The pain can sideline you from your life.

“The good news is for acute back pain: almost everyone recovers,” said Joshua Schwind, MD, Avera Orthopedics. Lower back pain is either acute (a sudden onset) or chronic (ongoing).

Basic health foundations can help your back:

• Plenty of moving, activity and exercise

• Healthy weight

• Quality sleep

• A diet that helps maintain an ideal weight

• Avoiding tobacco use

Healthy weight takes pressure off the muscle, nerves and bones that make up your back, and those parts only recover when you get good rest. Nutritious eating and regular exercise lead to a good weight and body mass index (BMI), while avoiding tobacco lets your body build and rebuild bones in its best way.

“You can help bulletproof your back against pain with these health steps,” Schwind said. “Yet for some, back pain may be inevitable.”

Where Back Pain Starts

We think we can shovel snow for two hours, or that we can move that heavy table from the dining room downstairs. Then the pain in your lower back begins

“When your back hasn’t done that sort of activity for a while, there’s an overload to the body. That can lead to injury or pain,” said Mark Ponstein, DPT, clinical physical therapist with Avera Therapy. “When the load of the activity exceeds our body’s ability, we can get injured. That’s why staying active and keeping muscles strong is so important.”

Red Flags of Back Pain that Show Serious Problems

When lower back pain comes with limited control of your bladder or bowels, it’s important to see a specialist. Or, if your mobility and quality of life are severely challenged by intense, unresolved pain.

“Those are red flags that can indicate a more serious problem,” said Schwind, who sees orthopedic patients for spinal needs related to trauma, deformities and degenerative conditions. It’s also of concern to have fever with lower back pain in patients younger than 15 or older than 65 as fever may indicate an

infection that needs timely care.

When pain occurs, finding the cause of the pain is step one. When the pain is acute with a sudden onset, you may consider orthopedic urgent care. Or check with your primary care provider for the best next step.

Treatments to Overcome Lower Back Pain

Physical therapy is where many patients can start finding solutions for lower back pain and tailored education can help patients be part of the solution. Physical therapists realize that “packages of pain” are often lower-back related and your provider can help you figure out the root cause.

“Symptoms from the lower back can show up as pain and/or an abnormal sensation in the groin, buttocks, thigh, lower leg or foot,” Ponstein said.

Calming the pain is step one, but then it’s time to find long-term solutions. Physical therapy can introduce you to particular exercises and stretches that work best for your lower-back pain and help you keep it from coming back.

“We are puzzles, as people,” Schwind said. “One set of exercises might help Patient A, but movements in another direction are best for Patient B.”

“We can help people of any age get stronger, more flexible and to reach their goals,” Ponstein said.

In some cases, advanced imaging, such as MRI and CT, can help identify next steps which could include steroid injections or surgery.

“Some conditions of the spine are responsive to surgical intervention, if more conservative measures do not provide lasting relief,” said Schwind. “Disc herniations, crowding of the nerves – or stenosis – or malalignment of the spine, where one vertebra slips forward (spondylolisthesis) are well treated with surgery.”

Get help with your lower back pain at Avera. org/orthopedics.

“We are puzzles, as people,” Schwind said. “One set of exercises might help Patient A, but movements in another direction are best for Patient B.”

Bring the Fun

BY JESS WEISCHEDEL

Sometimesthe weather doesn’t allow for a traditional Easter egg hunt outside. Do not let that stop you! Here are some ways to bring the fun indoors. Easter doesn’t have to be the only time to enjoy these unique egg hunts for kids inside your house.  Come up with your own ideas to incorporate into the ones below and send your children on an adventure.

Treasure Map Egg Hunt

Hide one egg in each room of your house, then draw a treasure map that will help your child find them.  Mark each egg on the map with a number, and tell them they need to find them in order.  Put together an Easter basket full of goodies and hide this in another room.  This will be the “treasure” at the end, but they need to find all of the eggs in order before they can hunt for the treasure.  Show the room on the map where the Easter basket prize is by using a star or an “X” to mark the spot where the treasure is “buried”. Explain to the kids that they must find

one at a time in the order of the numbers on the map and enjoy the fun as they work their way through the rooms and work together to get to the treasure. If they start to argue or if they need help with finding the egg, gently guide them by giving them hints or telling them if they are getting “hotter” or “colder”. If your kids need help keeping track of the eggs they have found, give them a marker to cross off each room they discovered the egg in. When all the eggs have been found and each room has been crossed out, the treasure can be found!  Once they find it, celebrate with them, and let them enjoy all of their goodies together and feel a sense of achievement.

Puzzle Pieces Hunt

Find a puzzle with pieces that will fit inside the eggs, then put it together yourself to make sure all of the pieces are accounted for.

Place 2-3 pieces inside of each egg, making sure the pieces inside connect with the others in the same egg.  Tell your kids they can only find one egg at a time, and that the pieces inside need to be connected before they can find the next egg.  The puzzle has to be all completed in order to win the prize, or move on to the next “level”.  This is a great way for children to work together in finding the eggs and putting the pieces together as they go.  You can reward them with something special or let them move on to another egg hunt as another level of several egg hunt games with a bigger prize at the very end.

Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt

Create a list of items to hide in the eggs, such as small toys, temporary tattoos, neat rocks, stickers, candy, coins, or other trinkets.  Draw a checkbox next to each item and assign an egg color to each child if more than one is going to be playing.  Fill the eggs and make sure you hide them where the kids can access them, yet still feel challenged by the search.  Let your kids know what color eggs they need to look for, and how to track their progress.  You can give each child their own list, or make a separate checkbox for each one.  You could also give them each an assigned color marker to keep track of who is finding which item on the list.  Once all of the items are found, you can give them a group reward or name the winner as the first one to finish finding all of the items.

Spelling Scramble Egg Hunt

Choose a prize for your kids that you can use as the word to scramble and hide inside the eggs.  For example, if you want to give your child a cupcake as the reward for the hunt, you can write each letter of the word, “cupcake”, on small pieces of paper and hide them in 7 separate eggs.  Hide them around the house so that the word will be scrambled when your child has all the pieces of paper from the eggs they find.  Once your child guesses the correct word and has all of the letters in order, present them with their prize and embrace the moment as they enjoy!

Any of these egg hunts can be done outside as well if you adjust the details based on the child’s ability and the space available. Remember the most important thing is to have fun and give your children an experience to smile about.

Best BOOKS

These are just some of the wonderful books for children we have come across this month. We hope to share with you some you have not seen before and also introduce others being released in the near future. Enjoy.

And Then Comes School

by Tom Brenner

Cooler mornings, cicadas buzzing, apples ripening . . . Can shopping for school supplies be far behind? The evening before the first day means laying out your outfit, loading up your backpack, and filling a lunch box with your favorite things. When the alarm goes off, there’s Dad’s extra-special breakfast (and, of course, some picture-taking), then the feeling of bubbly excitement as you and your friends climb onto a bus, ready to see your new classroom and meet your teacher. Whether the reader is a child who is eager to return to school or a younger one trying to imagine what school is like, this upbeat and lyrical ode—the fourth in the And Then Comes series—holds sure appeal for returning students and firsttimers alike.

Ages 4 yrs - 8 yrs candlewickpress.com

A Bed of Stars

by Jessica Love

Going to bed each night can be dark and scary. The night sky stretches out endlessly, making one sensitive child feel small in comparison. So Dad comes up with a plan: a night of camping out in the desert. Together, the two load up Darlin’, the old pickup truck, and drive over the mountain with the radio on, stopping to shoot the breeze at a junkyard before setting up camp, jumping in sand dunes, and lying back to name all the birds they can see. After sunset, when the young thinker feels tiny against the vast sky, Dad knows just what to ask—and just what to say—to soothe away fears. Maybe this night spent under the stars (and a surprise from Mom and the baby later) are just what is needed to show that the universe is a friendly place. From acclaimed author-illustrator Jessica Love comes a story of small moments between father and child that affirms the comfort of finding one’s place in the world.

Ages 4 yrs - 8 yrs candlewickpress.com

Arthur, the Always King

by Kevin Crossley-Holland

As Brave as a Lion

by Erika Meza

No matter how fast I go, or where I end up, my brave lion sticks with me—my lion’s always there!

When she and her lion are together, one little girl feels like she can do anything. Whether she’s afraid of the dark, or too shy to speak and in need of finding her voice, her big, bold companion always looks out for her. But one day, the inseparable pair decide to climb the new, dizzyingly high rocket slide at the playground together, and the girl discovers that even lions sometimes get afraid. Can she summon the strength to be his lion when he needs her? Joyful, expressive artwork glowing with bright primary colors brings to life the story of a special bond—and a child’s discovery of unexpected courage.

Ages 3 yrs - 7 yrs

candlewickpress.com

Translated, adapted, told, and retold, the stories of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table have captivated imaginations across time. Now comes a lavishly illustrated, masterful retelling sure to enthrall a new generation of readers. From the tale of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight to the quest for the Holy Grail, stories both familiar and unfamiliar are woven into a vivid tapestry of Arthurian lore that spans from the king’s conception to his final battle. Merlin, Guinevere, Lancelot, and other timeless characters come to life as complex men and women in a rich and atmospheric feat of storytelling that feels at once historical and fantastical, otherworldly and fully human. A compelling collaboration between internationally acclaimed author Kevin Crossley-Holland and three-time Kate Greenaway Medal winner Chris Riddell, this beautiful volume is sure to be treasured by readers of all ages.

Ages 10 yrs and up candlewickpress.com

A Is for Australian Reefs

by Frané Lessac

Along the Australian coastline, underwater reefs are bustling with the most amazing sea creatures living on the planet. What can blow bubble rings and swim through them? What has teeth on its eyeballs? What creature makes itself nearly invisible to predators by using camouflage? What poops out sand? More than 25 percent of all sea creatures live in coral reefs, also called “rain forests of the sea.” This book introduces readers to everything from playful dolphins to deadly Irukandji jellyfish, leafy sea dragons to brainy octopuses, and walking sharks to whimsicallooking zebra seahorses. With gorgeous patterns and colors and substantial entries exploring each creature’s anatomy, diet, threats to survival, and more, Frané Lessac brings us a truly fascinating undersea exploration of the awe-inspiring Australian reefs.

Ages 5 yrs - 8 yrs candlewickpress.com

A Brave Bear

by Sean Taylor

It is a hot, hot day. Dad Bear says, “I think a pair of hot bears is probably the hottest thing in the world.” So Little Bear suggests they go to the river to cool down. Along the way, Little Bear tries to impress Dad Bear by doing a big jump from one rock to another, but he falls over. When he picks himself up and keeps going, his dad says, “I think a brave bear is probably the bravest thing in the world.” For very young children just beginning to dare to do new things and their supportive and loving parents, this gentle read-aloud might just be the best thing in the world.

Ages 0 mos - 3 yrs candlewickpress.com

100 First Words: Nature

illustrator: Edward Underwood

With bold, easy-to-lift card flaps, this stylish first words book is full of objects for children to recognize in nature. Every word is brought to life with charming artwork by home-ware designer Edward Underwood. And with flaps to lift on every page, little ones will enjoy exploring this book over and over.

Ages 0 mos - 3 yrs candlewickpress.com

Animal Atlas

by Ingela P. Arrhenius

Lift the flaps in this quirky 3D atlas as illustrator Ingela P. Arrhenius takes the youngest of readers around the globe, introducing an enchanting selection of animals. Did you know that flamingos hide their heads while they sleep? That a Galápagos tortoise can live for a hundred years? That baboons have pink bottoms? Or that a peacock’s tail is used to impress potential mates? With interactive flaps and a central pop on each colorful spread, this is a stand-up gift for small children who love animals of all stripes.

Ages 3 yrs - 7 yrs candlewickpress.com

c u t e k d s i

Aidan :: 1 YEAR

Ethan :: 4 YEARS

Brooklyn & Beckham :: 6 YEARS

Each month we will choose and feature cute pets. Your pet could be next, so send in a picture today.

Email your photo – just one per pet – to etc.mag@sio.midco.net. Please make sure they are high-resolution photos (the highest setting on your camera). Include in email: pet’s name and owner’s name. Pet owners must own the rights to all submitted photos.

Oakley, best friend of the Woodyard family

Henry, best friend of the Kelly family

Leo, best friend of the Mammenga family

Milo, best friend of the Solt family

Max, best friend of the Frank family

Willow, best friend of Wess Pravecek Beaudee Jangles, best friend of the Thu Family

Rex, best friend of the Johnson family