April 2025
Volume 24 • Issue 5
Egg Hunt
Scavenger Hunt Ideas
Mary’s Mountain Cookies
Open 2nd Location
Easy Delicious Spring Bread Recipes
IS OUR MOMENT
Now is the moment we’ve been waiting for. With new treatments emerging in the fight against Alzheimer’s and all other dementia, now is the time for hope. But not the time to stop.
Help us keep the momentum going in your community at the Alzheimer’s Association Walk To End Alzheimer’s®, the world’s largest fundraiser to fight the disease. Join us at alz.org/walk
2025 Walk to End Alzheimer’s Falls Park – Sioux Falls September 27, 2025 | 10:00a.m.
2025 National Presenting Sponsor
baking Spring sweeter
From Easter egg hunts to office party treats, we bake scrumptious cookies that are sure to make every day sweeter!
Our bakery case is filled with over 20 flavors of cookies baked fresh every day including seasonal flavors! We make our cookies by hand using quality ingredients and lots of love! Whether you need to satisfy your own sweet cravings or need catering for an event, we bake it easy for you! We also serve gluten-friendly cookies, brownies, ice cream treats and decorated celebration cookies!
Falls’ Favorite Women’s Magazine
concierge 7
Double the Dough-lights:
Mary’s Mountain Cookies
Opens Second Location
calendar 10
April 2025
history 16
The Powder House Explosion
out & about
DOUBLE THE DOUGH-LIGHTS:
Mary’s Mountain Cookies OPENS SECOND LOCATION
BY MARY MICHAELS | PHOTOS BY JULIE PRAIRIE PHOTOGRAPHY
Overthe past three years, Becky and Dave McElroy have spread joy through cookies with their business, Mary’s Mountain Cookies, located in The Cascade on North Phillips Avenue.
The company was founded in Colorado, in 1986, by Mary Johns, who went from being a cook on a dude ranch to taking a leap of faith to start her own business. The McElroys took their own leap of faith to become local owners after tasting the cookies at the Rapid City location.
Recently, their journey continued with the addition of a second location in Sioux Falls on South Cliff Avenue.
“When we opened the first store, we were focused on making that successful,” says Becky. “Over the past three years, we have been overwhelmed by our customers’ support and support from the Sioux Falls business community. We thought if we did ever expand, it would have to be the right opportunity at the right time.”
Then, the McElroys heard about the space that had previously been Cookie Co. on Cliff Avenue.
“Because this site had already been a cookie business, and some equipment was still there, it was easier to adapt to our business model,” Becky explains.
Hours:
Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Locations: NEW! 6004 S. Cliff Avenue 605-275-0062
Downtown at The Cascade 701 N. Phillips Avenue, Suite 120 605-275-0060
info@siouxfallscookies.com siouxfallscookies.com FB @marysmtncookiessf and @marysmtncookiessouthcliff
So, the family went to work on plans for their second location.
Just like the downtown store, the McElroys wanted the décor to pay homage to the mountain theme, which meant antiquing and searching for items like sleds, skis, snowshoes, lanterns and a collection of vintage thermos bottles. They were also pleased that the new space had a similar layout that allows customers to see the kitchen and watching the daily cookiebaking in action.
While the two Sioux Falls stores are locally owned and operated, the McElroys do have the support of the Mary’s Mountain Cookies
brand. In fact, founder Mary Johns was on hand for the opening of both stores.
“Our network of local owners is such a great resource,” Becky says. “We talk about business, of course, but we also have a little fun and share recipes when we are trying out ideas for seasonal flavors.”
Similar to other Mary’s locations, the
McElroys bake a wide selection of “daily” cookies that you will always find, with flavors like chocolate chip, frosted sugar, peanut butter, snickerdoodle, oatmeal raisin, blueberry oat, s’mores, sea salt caramel and monster. In addition, each month they will have three or four seasonal flavors.
In February, for example, one of the features
was Red Velvet. In March, they took a sugar cookie and added crushed Lucky Charms to create the “Lucky Treasure” cookie. April will highlight Spring, with Carrot Cake as one of the seasonal cookie flavors.
As you can imagine, making a flavor decision is not easy. But you don’t have to choose just one with their standing offer of
buy six, get two free.
While their mainstay is the display case filled with their delicious quarter-pound cookies, the McElroys also offer brownies (a hefty size at that!), gluten-friendly cookies and hand-scooped ice cream. Can’t decide between a cookie or a scoop of ice cream? Get the best of both worlds with their cookie ice
cream sandwiches.
The tall coolers, with the side plastered with national park stickers, is stocked with tubs of take-and-bake cookie dough and cups of edible cookie dough that come with a spoon in the center, so they’re ready to enjoy. Mary’s Mountain Cookies also has party trays and celebration cookies for your next office or
family gathering. And, if you do have a special event coming up, be sure to talk to Becky and Dave about their “cookie bus,” which is available for both public and private events.
From downtown to Cliff Avenue, Mary’s Mountain Cookies is baking up happiness and bringing the community together, one cookie at a time.
April 2025
The United States Army Band & Soldiers’ Chorus: The Final Frontier Wednesday, April 2
7:30 p.m.
Washington Pavilion
The U.S. Army Field Band & Soldiers’ Chorus journeys to the edge of the known universe with “The Final Frontier,” a video-integrated concert experience. Enjoy FREE admission to this wonderful show! Please note that we aren’t printing tickets
for this show. All guests are welcome to find the best seat that is available. Seating is first come, first served.
McCrossan Wildest Banquet Auction in the Midwest: Viva Las Vegas! Thursday, April 3
5:30 p.m.
Sioux Falls Arena
The 2025 McCrossan Wildest Auction in the Midwest is bringing the excitement and glamour of the Las
Vegas Strip to Sioux Falls! Mesmerizing cirque acts, jaw-dropping magic, and a show-stopping performance by “Elvis” himself. A fabulous meal, the chance to bid on exclusive items and experiences through our live and silent auctions.
Bachelors of Broadway Friday, April 4
7:00 p.m.
Washington Pavilion Performed by three of New
York City’s top theatrical performers, Bachelors of Broadway offers soaring and thrilling melodies in contemporary three-part vocal harmony. This show breathes new life into classics from the Golden Age of Broadway with lush symphonic arrangements of songs from both contemporary and classical musicals, including Wicked, Phantom of the opera, Hamilton and more.
PBR: Unleash the Beast
Friday, April 4: 7:45 p.m.
Saturday, April 5: 7:45 p.m.
Sunday, April 6: 1:45 p.m.
Denny Sanford Premier Center
Catch the loudest, rowdiest, and most energetic 3-day
bull riding event at Denny Sanford PREMIER Center.
The Black Market Saturday, April 5:
9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Sunday, April 6: 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
WH Lyon Fairgrounds
The Black Market is formerly Benson’s Flea Market and features everything you can imagine, big and little, old and new, heavy and light! A nostalgic experience sure to bring back memories from childhood, stimulate excitement and provide hours of shopping entertainment.
Mozart’s “Great” Mass
Saturday, April 5 7:30 p.m.
Washington Pavilion
Don’t Miss Summer at the Pointe!
Lessons for all ages and ability levels! Morning and evening classes available.
Summer session runs May 27 thru August 7th
For more information, log on to www.playthepointe.com
Contact: Mark Vellek, Executive Director mark@playthepointe.com
Considered one of his greatest works, Mozart’s “Great” Mass comes to life with the vocal power of the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra Chorus.
Whose Live Anyway
Sunday, April 6 7:30 p.m.
Washington Pavilion
The current cast members of the Emmy-nominated TV show Whose Line Is It Anyway? are proud to present their new improv tour: Whose Live Anyway? 90 minutes of hilarious improvised comedy and song all based on audience suggestions.
Glenn Miller Orchestra Tuesday, April 8
7:00 p.m.
Washington Pavilion
The most popular and sought-after big band of all time returns to Sioux Falls at the Mary W. Sommervold Hall for one night only!
Junkin’ Market Days
Spring Event
Friday, April 11: 4:00-7:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 12: 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
WH Lyon Fairgrounds
The market features unique products such as boutique clothes, jewelry, home decor, furniture, candles, gourmet foods, vintage, antiques, and lots more!! This is a place for shoppers who are serious about shopping & fun!
LHS BOOK DRIVE
We are collecting gently used books to help raise money for the Lincoln High School Newspaper, The Statesman.
We are accepting used books from all genres! Fiction, Non-Fiction, Mysteries, Western, Romance
Please do not donate baby books, textbooks, dictionaries, encyclopedias or Reader Digests
Please drop your used books off at the administration office at LHS by May 9th, 2025.
May 30, 4-7 p.m. • May 31, 8-10 a.m. Lincoln High School
Dr. Kroeze: katie.kroeze@k12.sd.us Emily Geraets: emilygeraets@yahoo.com Melaine Schneider: melanieschneider02@gmail.com
Encompass Wellness: Your Path to a Healthier, Vibrant Life
At Encompass Wellness, we focus on more than quick fixes—we address the root causes of health concerns with personalized care. Our Adult Direct Primary Care Membership provides longer appointments, advanced diagnostics, and a holistic approach to your well-being. We offer cutting-edge treatments like peptide therapy for vitality and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) for balanced hormones. Through our partnership with Cleerly, we use AIpowered technology to monitor your cardiovascular health, preventing heart disease. Enrollment for our membership is currently limited to a select number of patients to ensure personalized and comprehensive care for each individual.
M-F
The Passion & The Cross Friday, April 11: 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 12: 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 13: 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Thurday & Friday, April 16, 17, 18: 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 19: 2:00 p.m.
Orpheum Theater
315 N. Phillips Avenue
Now in our 5th season in Sioux Falls, “The Passion and the Cross” is a one act, 2 hour and 7 minute musical featuring a cast of about 120 adults and children (the largest cast ever put on the Orpheum stage). This musical is an enchanting journey back to the first century when Jesus walked the earth, and unlike anything you’ve seen before.
Rob Schneider: Rescue Husband Friday, April 11
7:30 p.m.
Washington Pavilion
Rob Schneider is an accomplished actor,
comedian, screenwriter and director. A stand-up comic and veteran of the awardwinning NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live, Schneider has gone on to a successful career in films and television and continues his worldwide standup tour.
Sioux Falls Stampede vs. Fargo Force
Saturday, April 12
6:05 p.m.
Denny Sanford Premier Center
Cheer on the Sioux Falls Stampede of the USHL at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center as they take on opponents from across the country.
Tonic Sol-Fa
Saturday, April 12
7:30 p.m.
Washington Pavilion
Tonic Sol-fa has established itself not only as the most in-demand vocal group in the Midwest but also as one of the most successful independent acts in America. Don’t miss it!
Fiber Fun at the Old Courthouse Museum Sunday, April 13 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Old Courthouse Museum 200 West Sixth Street
Do you like to knit, crochet, needlework, or dabble in any other fiber arts? Come join members from the Crossthreads Fiber Guild for an afternoon of Fiber Fun! Attendees can work on projects, ask for suggestions, and just enjoy the company of fellow fiber friends.
INFO (605) 367-4210 or siouxlandmuseums.com
Rosemaling Demonstration at the Old Courthouse Museum
Tuesday, April 15
1:00-4:00 p.m.
Old Courthouse Museum 200 West Sixth Street
Eileen Halverson will be demonstrating the Norwegian folk art of Rosemaling (decorative painting) in the second-floor
hallway. Stop in any time for a demonstration or to ask questions! INFO (605) 367-4210 or siouxlandmuseums.com
Early Sioux Falls History: Fort Dakota
Wednesday, April 16
1:30 p.m.
Pettigrew Home & Museum
131 N. Duluth Avenue
Museum Director Bill Hoskins will continue the discussion on the development of early Sioux Falls between 1865 and 1870, with a focus on Fort Dakota. Admission is free. INFO (605) 367-7097 or siouxlandmuseums.com
Live & Local Presents:
Janice Gilbert and Lira Dance Theatre Company
Thursday, April 17
7:00 p.m.
Washington Pavilion
Experience an evening of heartfelt storytelling and captivating movement as singer-songwriter Janice Gilbert and LiRa Dance Theatre Company share the stage for a unique fusion of music and dance.
Kid’s Activity Day at the Old Courthouse Museum
Thursday, April 17
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 morning times. Call to reserve times. Free admission. INFO (605) 367-4210 or siouxlandmuseums.com
Behind the Scenes Tour of the Irene Hall Museum Resource Center
Thursday, April 17
2:00 p.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 conservation areas. Space is limited, call (605) 367-4210 to register, $5. siouxlandmuseums.com
Toast: The Ultimate Bread Experience
Friday, April 18
7:00 p.m.
Washington Pavilion
Toast is the No. 1 tribute in the world to the ‘70s hit band Bread! With a surprising fidelity rarely heard from a live tribute band, their sound is often described as spot-on to the original recordings.
Great Plains Zoo
Egg-Stravaganza
Saturday, April 19
10:00 a.m.
Great Plains Zoo
Get ready for an egg-citing Easter celebration at our annual Egg-stravaganza, proudly sponsored by the Sioux Falls Canaries!
Delightful egg hunts, egg-themed facts and fun, animals, story times, photo ops, and endless fun for the whole family!
7th Annual Downtown
Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 19
11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Downtown Sioux Falls
This family-friendly event invites participants of all
ages to explore downtown businesses, collecting Easter eggs filled with treats and surprises. It’s a delightful way to engage with the community, support local merchants, and enjoy a day of fun-filled activities. dtsf.com
BINGO!
Tuesday, April 22
5:00-6:00 p.m. Social,
6-6:30 p.m. meal, 6:45 p.m. BINGO
American Legion Auxiliary 1600 W. Russell St. $10 Chicken Fried Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Vegetable & Dessert. Meal reservation by April 17. Call Barb 605376-7972 or Jane 605682-1222. No reservation need for BINGO.
Ceili Dance at the Old Courthouse Museum
Thursday, April 24 • 6:30 p.m.
Old Courthouse Museum
200 West Sixth Street
Ceili (pronounced KAY-lee) 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. INFO (605) 367-4210 or siouxlandmuseums.com.
The Good Night Theatre Collective: The Sound of Music
Thursday-Saturday, April 24 - 26 • 7:30 p.m. Sunday, April 27 • 2:00 p.m. Washington Pavilion Closing out the season, Good Night will tackle one of the
best-loved classic musicals of all time. Featuring a mountain of memorable tunes, a guitar-toting gal about as iconic as musical theatre itself, and seven upstart children with a penchant for harmonizing — it’s our very own take on
The Powder House Explosion
By Wayne Fanebust
New Years Eve is a time of celebration when happy people party, drink and celebrate, sometimes a little bit out of control, but all of it geared to making memories. Everyone has a favorite unforgettable New Years Eve experience, but for some people, New Years Eve of 1936 was more than the usual loud sounds of song and celebration. For on that occasion, an ear-splitting explosion at a powder house about five miles east of downtown Sioux Falls rattled doors, shook walls and broke windows; thus bringing in the New Year in a manner that far exceeded all past celebrations. Sioux Falls was a growing city of about 35,000 residents and following the holiday blast, it found itself in the center of one of the greatest criminal investigations ever conducted in the Midwest.
When the police arrived at the site of the explosion, on property leased from Fred and Freda Dawley, they saw a crater 25 feet deep and 50 feet across. There was no sign of the building where the A. L. Larson hardware company had stored 3,300 pounds of dynamite, and 7,500 pounds of blasting powder. Shocked people in the area were baffled and clueless and could only guess at what had set off the loud blast that blew out windows in downtown Sioux Falls.
It was soon discovered that the explosion had killed one man, Floyd H. Parker, and seriously injured a woman named Helen Sieler. Parker was a small time criminal who was convicted and incarcerated in California. After his release from prison, he found his way to Iowa were he met
Helen Sieler, who caved into his charm and good looks. She was married when she met Parker, who passed himself off as Harold Baker. To Helen he was her Humphrey Bogart, and if that wasn’t enough, he was exceptional in other ways. He was gentle, sweet and kind and the dark-haired, hard-drinking woman with a tender smile entered the relationship with a dreamer’s sense of reality.
Parker met some shady men in Sioux City, including Billy Nesbit a local bartender and a long-time acquaintance of Helen Sieler. Nesbit was short enough to be called affable nature and his ability to make friends raised his stature considerably. He was accused of being a bootlegger, but never charged with that crime. He tended to gravitate toward shady activities and other men who were looking to make a quick buck even if it meant violating the law.
Harry “Slim” Reeves was a low-life, sleazy character who — while serving in the U. S. Army — was arrested and convicted of forging an officer’s name to a check. At 19, he found himself in Leavenworth, Kansas, prison saddled with a dishonorable discharge from the military. His crooked and sniveling personality was accentuated by a glass eye that he sometimes chose not to wear. Reeves also spent time in the South Dakota state prison having been convicted of robbery.
While in the South Dakota pen, he met Lee Bradley, who had been serving time for bank robbery. A man seemingly dedicated to a life of crime, Bradley was convicted of grand larceny in North Dakota at the age of 23, but he was just getting started. For he, Reeves and Nesbit came together and laid out the details of a crime in Sioux City that would bring them, along with Parker, into an unholy alliance that would result in death and destruction.
Billy Nesbit had an idea. He was acquainted with a jewelry dealer in Sioux
City who had spoken rather nervously about his business which was about to fail. The jeweler was not making a profit, but he had insurance. Now if only he could find a few men to join him in a conspiracy to defraud his insurance company, all would profit and walk away happy. Nesbit was naturally interested and he convinced Bradley, Reeves and Parker to work with him. Each man was to receive $250.00. Unfortunately for the jeweler and the gang, the plan went awry causing dissension in the ranks of the disappointed crooks.
It was Parker who displayed the highest degree of anger, because he had not received the money he was promised. He was still enamored with Helen when the five people decided to leave Sioux City in favor of Sioux Falls. The gang was on a mission of its own, but they weren’t alone in their unlawful schemes. They lived in a time of a post-war depression and prohibition and in the company of other desperate men and women including Bonnie and Clyde and the John Dillinger gang.
At Sioux Falls, Parker and Sieler checked into the A. Y. P. Hotel on Main Avenue. The other three took lodgings elsewhere and it was about 6 a.m. on December 31, 1936, when the tired travelers dropped their heads on unfamiliar pillows. If sleep gave way to sweet dreams, so be it, for something akin to a nightmare was waiting for them in the coming hours.
The next day, Nesbit and Bradley drove around Sioux Falls and late in the day. All five of them, having consumed a lot of liquor, headed for the powder house. It seems that Nesbit, Bradley and Reeves decided that Parker had to be eliminated, meaning killed, of course. And since Parker and Sieler were a tight couple, the three men thought it best to kill her too. The place to pull it all off was the Larson powder house.
At the powder house, the men, including Parker, worked on breaking the lock on the door of the shed. There was some confusion in the
Killed in the Blast
Seriously Injured in the Blast
Floyd H. Parker
Helen Sieler
The Three Convicted Murderers
record about who shot Parker, but after shots were fired, Helen left the car and ran over to her lover who was lying face down in the snow. Soon after, Reeves shot Helen, and he and the others believed she was dead. They tossed her into the dynamite shed and threw Parker’s body on top of her. She was still conscious and was shot several more times, after which the surviving crooks lit the fuse that later set off the explosion that was heard for miles around. Meanwhile, Nesbit, Reeves and Bradley left the scene immediately, driving through East Sioux Falls, crossing the Big Sioux River before entering Iowa.
Miraculously, Helen, although severely wounded, was able to crawl out of the shed before it exploded. She was rescued and taken to Moe Hospital in Sioux Falls, where she gave police a statement implicating Reeves, Nesbit and Bradley. Thanks to her doctors, Sieler survived and became known as the “woman who had ten lives.” But despite her wounds and suffering, she was more than willing to be a key witness in the prosecution’s case against the three escapees.
Reeves was captured first in Sioux City. He pled guilty to his part in the fake jewelry robbery and sentenced to 40 years in prison. But he still faced the South Dakota charges. Nesbit was apprehended next and after a lengthy jury trial in Sioux Falls, he was found guilty of murder in the first degree and sentenced to life in prison. Bradley was arrested in Yakima, Washington, in 1938. He was extradited to South Dakota, where he admitted to killing Parker and was sentenced to life in prison.
Although all three players were behind bars, interest in the strange case was slow to fade away.
The improbable nature of the crime and the personalities involved were such that stories were told over and over again to new generations of curious listeners. It was the frequent topic of old timers until there were no old timers left to talk about it.
Lee Bradley
Harry “Slim” Reeves
William Nesbit
recipes 21
Two Favorite Spring Loaves at home 24
Preserving History in the McKennan Park Neighborhood man in the kitchen 34 Take a Walk on the Wild Side
vino 36 Chocolate Eggs and Wine the a list 38 thrifting home 40
Planting Seeds: How an avid thrifter gets prepped for Spring
Two Favorite Spring Loaves
BY JO MCCLURE
Lemon Poppy Seed Bread
18 ounce white cake mix
3.4 ounce box instant lemon pudding mix
4 eggs
1 cup warm water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 teaspoons poppy seeds
Combine all ingredients except the poppy seeds in a large bowl and mix well. Fold in the poppy seeds. Pour into two greased 9x5 in loaf pans and bake at 350˚ for 35-40 minutes or until it passes the toothpick test. Cool for 15 minutes and then remove from pan and cool on wire rack.
Cinnamon Quick Bread
2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar, divided
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup buttermilk (or substitute listed below)
1 egg
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 Tablespoon cinnamon
Glaze:
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 1/2 tsp milk....or more if needed
Combine the flour, 1 cup sugar, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. In another bowl combine the buttermilk, egg and oil and stir into the dry ingredients just until moistened. In a small bowl combine the cinnamon and remaining sugar and set aside.
Grease the bottom only of a 9x5 inch loaf pan. Pour half the batter into the pan and then sprinkle with half the cinnamon and sugar mixture. Carefully spread the remaining batter and sprinkle with remaining cinnamon sugar mix. Swirl a knife through the batter a few times and bake at 350˚ for 45-50 minutes or until it passes the toothpick test. Cool in pan 15 minutes and then remove and cool on wire rack.
• Substitute for buttermilk - 1 cup milk (minus 1 tablespoon) and 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar and allow it sit for a few minutes until slightly curdled.
gonna get wed bridal showcase
Unveiled Magazine ties the knot with
bringing you the areas most anticipated wedding showcase of the year!
PRESERVING HISTORY IN THE
McKennan Park Neighborhood
BY MARY MICHAELS
It’s no wonder that the McKennan Park neighborhood is beloved by its residents and at the top of prospective homebuyers’ wish lists.
Designated as a historic district in 1980, the neighborhood includes a wide array of
home styles, from colonial and craftsman to bungalows and Tudors. Mature trees fill the yards and line the streets and, of course, at the center is the neighborhood’s namesake, McKennan Park, which is the city’s oldest developed park.
Residents in the neighborhood often stay there for a long time, with many homes being in the same family for decades. And, when the rare house does become available, it doesn’t stay on the market for long.
One McKennan Park resident had
“I had driven by this house many times,” the homeowner recalls. “I didn’t think it was probably right for me. I wasn’t sure I even wanted to look at it. But then I went online to look at the pictures in the listing, and something spoke to me.”
thoughts of “doing something different” but didn’t want to leave the neighborhood. Watching listings that came open within the district’s boundaries went on for about a year, but nothing seemed like the right fit. Then, a drive down the 21st Street
Boulevard changed everything.
“I had driven by this house many times,” the homeowner recalls. “I didn’t think it was probably right for me. I wasn’t sure I even wanted to look at it. But then I went online to look at the pictures in the listing, and
something spoke to me.”
He went to look at the house and made an offer the same day. Last October, the house was his.
What called out to him was the vintage charm of the 1925 house, with its wood shakes
on the exterior and original hardwood floors inside. Being more traditional and valuing the design elements from the era in which the house was built, the flow of one room to the next through arched doorways was another selling factor.
Almost immediately, he called on Denise Cotter and Michelle Marino from Houndstooth House.
“I have worked with Houndstooth House on other projects, so I just wanted them to come in and look at the house to give me
some ideas for the kitchen especially,” says the homeowner.
The previous owners had put on an addition that created a bigger kitchen with family room space. While the homeowner appreciated the additional room in the kitchen, he wanted to
take it back to a more period-appropriate design.
Anyone who has done a home remodeling project will probably tell you that one project begets another. This homeowner would agree.
“I was thinking kitchen updates, but once Michelle and Denise came in to look at it,
they were like, ‘Oh, here is what we need to do,’ and it was more than just a little update. But I knew the look I wanted, and they know how best to achieve that.”
The designers chose oak for the new cabinetry, finished in a color called “accessible
beige” so that the wood grain would show through, which they say is what you would see in a house of this era. To add visual interest, they added gold hardware in three distinctive styles – knobs, bar pulls, and cup pulls.
Because the homeowner didn’t need the
Almost immediately, he called on Denise Cotter and Michelle Marino from Houndstooth House. “I have worked with Houndstooth House on other projects, so I just wanted them to come in and look at the house to give me some ideas for the kitchen especially,” says the homeowner.
existing separate dining room (that room is now an office), Michelle and Denise created a dining space in what was the family room opposite the kitchen. To balance the kitchen and dining area architecturally, they added coordinating cabinetry on either side of the
window behind the dining table. The unique cabinet door fronts are finished with a natural rattan webbing.
With the entire space now dedicated to kitchen and dining, there was room to add an oversized island with seating, ample storage
and a cooktop. They moved the double oven to a wall closer to the cooktop, which freed up space to create a functional beverage center with additional cabinets.
A farmhouse sink was the perfect vintage addition to the kitchen, but they chose an
updated version in Cambria to complement the countertops. The backsplash tile has a rustic brick look that complements the character of the kitchen.
Between the kitchen and office, a half-bath was added with a custom vanity finished in moss
green for a pop of color. The white and black diamond tile flooring was chosen to match the look of the vintage black and white hexagonal tile in the upstairs bathroom – which also got an update by taking out a linen closet to provide enough space for a double vanity.
With all of the windows on the main floor, every room gets its share of natural light at various times of the day. So, whether the homeowner wants to work in his office where he can look out at the 21st Street Boulevard or sit in the living room in front of the restored
gas fireplace with its new white-painted brick that runs up to the ceiling, there are plenty of comfortable spots to just enjoy being at home.
The homeowner says that there are still “projects” to finish, from adding window coverings to additional landscaping that will
come with spring weather. Overall, though, his vision of a cozy Cape Cod home that pays homage to its 1920s roots has come to life.
Even the exterior got a refresh, thanks to the designers.
“All the pictures I had ever seen of the outside
of the house were white,” says the homeowner. “But I had this picture of a Cape Cod house that I showed to Denise and Michelle.”
The designers remember the picture that inspired the new exterior look of grey wood shakes with black shutters. When you see the
nostalgic touches throughout the home, from vintage photographs to the black candlestick telephone tucked into a phone nook in the office wall, it all just makes sense.
Like most neighborhoods that earn historic district designation, all of the houses in the
neighborhood tell a story.
This home’s story, according to the listing of historic places anyway, began as a “one-anda-half story Dutch Colonial building with shingle siding and a gambrel roof.” And the listing attributed the original ownership to a
traveling salesman named Earl Bletcher, who lived in the house from 1925 until 1939.
Now, thanks to the care of this homeowner who wanted to stay in this special neighborhood, he’ll continue to add chapters to this home’s story.
Something Big Is Happening in Luverne, Minnesota
The story is out. In 2025, Luverne will be home to the WORLD’S LARGEST NUTCRACKER! Standing 65 feet tall perched on an 8 foot base with 14 foot tall boots, this Uncle Sam-style nutcracker with a movable jaw will take up residence at Those Blasted Things at I-90 and Highway 75.
WHY A NUTCRACKER?
The story of Luverne’s affiliation with nutcrackers began more than 9 years ago. In 2016, Betty Mann, then president of the Rock County Historical Society, gifted her private collection of 2,500 plus to the Society’s new home on Main Street, the History Center.
As an avid traveler, Mann had visited hundreds of county museums over her lifetime. She heard so many of her fellow travelers say “when you’ve seen one county museum, you’ve seen them all.” She believed her unique, colorful collection of nutcrackers could be the hook to draw visitors. Mann’s donation did the job. Today, the collection has grown to more than 6,700 unique nutcrackers, which has helped the county museum, called the History Center, increase its annual visitor count nearly 17-fold, from roughly 300 in 2016 to 6,000+ in 2024.
CAN NUTCRACKERS HELP LUVERNE TOO?
In 2017, Luverne leaders hired destination branding consultant, Roger Brooks, whose track record of success has included work with downtown Rapid City and the Wisconsin Dells. Brooks was tasked with
analyzing community assets and making recommendations as to what Luverne could do to build community pride and increase visitor traffic.
In his final report, presented to 225-plus community leaders, Brooks recommended that Luverne should use the History Center’s nutcrackers as the “hook” to draw visitors and provided a list of things the community could do to make that happen. On the top of that list: 1) continuing to build the History Center’s collection into the world’s largest and 2) site the world’s largest nutcracker on property in Luverne. Today, the Just for Nuts nonprofit has completed the infrastructure, base and design and the fiberglass manufacturer from Ogden, UT is underway in the fabrication. The yet to be named “nutcracker” will be in place in 2025.
HOW DO “BIG THINGS” BENEFIT TOWNS?
“Big attractions,” such as the Mitchell Corn Palace, World’s Largest Pheasant in Huron and Jolly Green Giant in Blue Earth, Minnesota, are free photo ops for travelers. 40,000+ visitors annually snap their photos at the Jolly Green Giant. Unique attractions create buzz and conversations that increase tourism in in turn, boost the town’s economy.
OTHER BIG ATTRACTIONS
There are plenty of other reasons to plan a trip to Luverne. History, art and shopping buffs will find:
• History Center, in addition to thousands of nutcrackers, enjoy displays of pioneer life and two Luverne Automobiles built between 1910-1918
• Herreid Military Museum, whose two floors feature stories and artifacts of veterans like Capt. Quentin Aanenson who was featured in Ken Burns’ 2007 documentary, THE WAR, and Father Francis Sampson, whose real-life story was fictionally recreated in the movie, SAVING PRIVATE RYAN
• Hinkly House, designed and built in 1892 from community founder R. B. Hinkly features an underground cave where he stored dynamite he used in mining Sioux quartzite
• Brandenburg Gallery, features over 100 photographs of award-winning nature photographer Jim Brandenburg
• Historic Palace Theatre, a vaudeville theater built in 1914 and restored to host the world premiere of THE WAR, which today offers newly released movies and scheduled live performances
• Verne Drive-In, enjoy the latest run double feature movies under the stars from Memorial Day through Labor Day•
Wayside Chapel, this tiny chapel offers a unique opportunity for contemplation and prayer just 2 miles north of Luverne on Highway 75
• Unique shops ranging from Those Blasted Things and First Comes Love to the Sewing Basket, Dragonfly, Redeemed Remnants, ReBorn Home Furnishings, Sassy Seconds and the Christmas Haus
For outdoor fans who like to hike, bike, climb and explore, you’ll enjoy:
• Blue Mounds State Park with miles of trails, 100+ feet rock climbing walls, bison buggy tours into a herd of 70+ bison
• Touch the Sky Prairie, over 1,000 acres of Northern Tallgrass Prairie Refuge teaming with birds, wildlife and hundreds of native prairie plants
• Luverne LOOP, Blue Mounds Trail and Ashby Memorial Trail offering 15+ miles of paved trails in and around Luverne with E-bike rentals and bikes to borrow
• Luverne City Park, offering acres of a beautiful maintained park complete with shelters and multiple playground centers
• Quentin Aanenson Airport, home to Skydive Adventures, where the brave enjoy weekend opportunities to skydive
• The Lake, just blocks from Main Street, offers swimming, fishing, kayaking and canoeing with all the amenities close by
If you’re a fan of festivals, consider checking out annual events such as:
• Tour de Loop Family Bike Ride – June 5
• Buffalo Days Cruise-In – June 6
• Buffalo Days Parade & Expo – June 7
• 4th of July at The Lake
• 63rd Hot Dog Nite – July 10
• 1st Annual Nutcracker Fest – July 11
• Rock County Fair – July 24-26
• 74th Tri-State Band Festival –September 26
After a day of exploring, visitors can relax and recharge at Functional Nutrition, Howling Dog Saloon, JJ’s Drive-In, Los Bravos, The Bean, The Bullpen, Wildflower’s Coffee Boutique and the award-winning Take16 Brewing Company.
For more information about Luverne, visit luvernechamber.com. Or follow us on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/luvchamber
Take a Walk on the Wild Side
BY JIM MATHIS
Every now and then, I’ll find myself wandering around the grocery store looking for inspiration; something new, something different, or perhaps a forgotten favorite. Last week, in one such moment at the Co-Op on 18th and Minnesota, I saw a package of frozen, ground wild boar. Bingo! My brain immediately went to Wild Boar Ragù.
Yes, there’s a brand of cheap pasta sauce called Ragu at the megamart, but that’s not what I’m talking about. Ragù is a class of Italian pasta sauces made with ground or minced meat, vegetables, and often, tomatoes. Bolognese, for example, is a kind of ragù. I’ve been cooking a lot of Italian lately, and that may seem odd when this article will appear next to Riccardo’s, and he runs the best Italian restaurants in town.
But Italian cuisine is pretty accessible, allows for improvisation, and is great for quick weeknight meals. Some of my favorite pasta dishes come together in the time it takes to boil the pasta. And even with the barest of pantries, you can create a tasty meal.
I’ve had Wild Boar Ragù before at a fancy Italian restaurant, so the thought of making it at home was intriguing and seemed like the prefect task for a Sunday afternoon. I started by looking up about a halfdozen recipes online. Many shared similar ingredients, and most were like Bolognese I’ve made many times. So, I took direction from several and came up with the following. It was really good. And my beloved and I got about three meals out of it. And as with most good recipes,
Wild Boar Ragù
Ingredients:
• 1 pound ground wild boar
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 1-1/2 cups dry red wine, separated
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tablespoon fresh sage (chopped)
• 2 tablespoons Italian Seasoning (see note)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 medium onion (chopped)
• 2 carrots (diced fine)
• 2 stalks celery (diced fine)
• 4 ounces chopped fresh mushrooms
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 pound of dried pasta (pappardelle is traditional but use whatever noodle you like!)
Instructions:
Generously season the wild boar with salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Add 1 cup dry red wine, minced garlic, sage and Italian Seasoning. Cover the bowl and marinate in the fridge for 4 to 24 hours.
Remove the meat and marinade from the fridge and let it come to room temp. Meanwhile, heat a large pot (like a Dutch oven) over medium heat and add olive oil. Sweat the onion, carrots, celery and mushrooms with a big pinch of salt. Stir and cook until onion is translucent and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
Add the ground wild boar and marinade to the pan. Stir and cook the wild boar until the meat is brown and no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks.
Add the remaining wine, scraping up any brown goodness that may have stuck to the pan. Stir in tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, bay leaves, and red pepper flakes to the pot. Reduce the heat to mediumlow, cover and simmer for an hour to hour and a half, stirring occasionally. Skim off fat that forms on the top. Taste the ragù and adjust salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste. Serve with pasta and a hearty red wine (preferably Italian!) Enjoy!
Notes:
1) My favorite Italian seasoning, made by Graziano Brothers in Des Moines, is now available at HyVee in the Italian section. This is the only Italian seasoning I’ve ever used. My mom used to buy it in little plastic bags with twist-ties, now it comes in fancy little shaker jars!
2) This makes enough ragù for three meals for my beloved and I, so I divided the sauce and froze two batches for later.
“Yes, there’s a brand of cheap pasta sauce called Ragu at the mega-mart, but that’s not what I’m talking about.”
there’s room for improvisation. Don’t feel like trying wild boar? Ground pork will work. Want it hotter? Add some Calabrian chilis. Don’t like mushrooms? Leave them out.
This is a dish that I’ll make again, but more than anything, it shows some of the techniques that work for many Italian staples. And as I said, there’s a lot of room for your own interpretation. Go ahead, make it your own!
Do yourself a favor, eat something good today.
When he’s not in the kitchen Jim runs ADwërks, a little advertising agency out here on the prairie.
ANARANZ
Chocolate Eggs AND WINE
BY RICCARDO TARABELSI
One of my most favorite memories from my childhood is waking up Easter morning and finding a big chocolate egg on the kitchen table. My parents would “surprise” me every Easter with one of the best chocolate eggs made by one of the best chocolate companies in Italy: Perugina. These
eggs are a kid’s dream because not only do you get a chocolate egg (which measures about 10 inches in height,) but the egg is hollow with a toy inside! My wife and I continued this tradition when children were younger, and they loved “cracking” the chocolate egg open to reveal their surprise every year. Of course,
as I get older, one of life’s most exquisite experiences is finding a wine that pairs with unbelievable chocolate.
Pairing wine and chocolate is not a straightforward pairing. It will take a bit of experimenting to find the best wine and chocolate combinations. Some prefer the
Carpe Chocolatum!
wine to be as sweet as the chocolate, and for others this causes the chocolate to take on a distinct sour note. When pairing wines with chocolate, your best bet is to match lighter, more elegant-flavored chocolates with lighter-bodied wines; likewise, the stronger the chocolate, the more full-bodied the wine should be.
For example, a bittersweet chocolate tends to pair well with an intense, in-yourface California Zinfandel or even a tannindriven Cabernet Sauvignon. The darker the chocolate, the more tannins it will display. However, when you pair this darker chocolate with a wine that has stout tannins, the chocolate will often overshadow or cancel out the wine’s tannins on the palate and allow more fruit to show through.
Similar to “formal” wine tasting, if you experiment with several varieties of chocolates, work from light to dark. Start with a more subtle white chocolate and end
on a dark or bittersweet chocolate.
White chocolate tends to be more mellow and buttery in flavor, making it an ideal candidate for a Moscato d’Asti, from Italy’s Piedmont region. Another phenomenal choice for white chocolate is, somewhat surprisingly, Pinot Noir. I attended a Riedel tasting many years ago, led by none other than George Riedel himself. One of the first pairings he introduced was Pinot Noir and white chocolate. Decadent, eye-opening, flavor explosion. I don’t know what else to say. You HAVE to experience it for yourself. George Riedel was very specific when describing how to allow the chocolate to melt in your mouth first, then sip on the Pinot Noir. There was this unusual “melding” effect that took place, one that I like to recreate on occasion. It’s like creating all-new flavors that didn’t exist before. Trust me, you need to experience this.
Dark or bittersweet chocolates need a wine
that offers a roasted, slightly robust flavor itself, with perhaps a hint of its own chocolate notes. Cabernets, Zinfandels, and the esoteric Italian grape varietal Aglianico have a history of perfecting the dark chocolate match, resulting in an unparalleled tasting combination.
All this talk of chocolate and wine is making me salivate… literally. So here’s your homework: invite some friends over and have a blind tasting, except this time, line up some Swiss and Italian chocolates with your wines… and expand your palate!
Carpe Chocolatum!
Riccardo loves experimenting with new flavors with his wife, Marybeth, and their three sons, Dante, Berent, and Jaxon, all of whom can be seen at their restaurants: R Wine Bar & Kitchen, Brix Wine Bar, Maribella Ristorante, Vespa Catering, and Trio Jazz Club. Contact Riccardo at riccardo@rwinebar.com.
New Location!
Kanaranzi Creek has moved - hop on over and visit us at our new location: 771 Main Street, Edgerton, MN. Open Wed-Friday 10am – 5pm, Saturday 9am - 1pm.
You Are One Smart Cookie!
If you are planning an upcoming graduation celebration, let Mary’s Mountain Cookies help bake your event sweeter! We have many cookie flavors to choose from and can cater any size event. Looking for a unique gift for your grad? We also have gift cards available! Call us for more details on catering your graduation event. Downtown 605-275-0060 or South Cliff 605-275-0062.
New Arrivals!
The Dance Line brings the cutest in dance wear for you! Fashion-inspired dance wear that stands out and gets you noticed! The Dance Line. 2115 S. Minnesota Avenue. (605) 335-8242.
Looking for Something a Little Different?
Try adding a few lift-up doors. Access to the same space while creating a unique design in your cabinetry layout. They can be used in Frameless cabinet for a sleek modern look or Face-frame cabinets for a clever way to store small appliances out of sight.
See one of our designers at Dakota Kitchen and Bath, 4101 N Hainje Ave., Sioux Falls SD
Spring Things
Spend some quality time and paint some adorable spring critters at Color Me Mine. Lots of delightful pieces to choose from. Color Me Mine. 3709 W. 41st St. (605) 362-6055.
Create Beautiful Pieces with Ease
You can paint all your home furnishings with Dixie Belle, upholstery, wood, glass and more. Explore our versatile, easy-to-use paints and create beautiful, unique pieces with ease. Quality and affordable. Get yours at Junk in the Trunk. 1918 W. 41st St. (605) 338-5510.
Sioux Falls Local Best
Thank you for once again naming Julie Prairie Photography a Sioux Falls Local Best! We are so grateful for the many years and the countless clients. We’d love to hear from you if you are looking for a high school senior, family or commercial photographer. Visit the website at julieprairie.com or drop an email at jp@julieprairie.com.
Keep Smiling!
Jellycat Joy
Explore Jellycat’s enchanting plush toys & gifts. Delight in these soft companions that inspire joy and imaginative play for all ages. Oodles of new friends available at Kidtopia. 901 S. Highline Pl., Sioux Falls. (605) 275-4825.
Vintage Books
Add depth and character to any room with vintage books. Choose from a huge array at the Nauti Nice booth at I-29 Antiques. South on I-29 to Tea exit 73, then 1/4 mile west. 46990 271st St. Tea, SD. (605) 368-5810.
The Best Choices!
Our Weathered finishing technique is unique. It opens up the soft grain portion of the Red Oak providing more depth and texture to your design. Weathered Snow further accentuates the open grain by adding a light colored glaze. Visit our showroom today for a complimentary design and ask one of our friendly designers about these choices from StarMark Cabinetry. Today’s StarMark Custom Cabinetry. 600 E. 48th Street N. (605) 977-3660.
PLANTING SEEDS:
How an avid thrifter gets prepped for Spring
BY BOBBI LYNN GAUKEL
Ihave a theory to test out with you. My theory is that about 99% of thrifters also love nature, and especially Spring. How do I know this? Because thrifting is essentially caring about the earth and taking responsibility for the things we consume. For me, this underlying motivation has always been focused on the spring garden. You’ll find me sowing seeds of all kinds in April, in the hopes of growing more and more things in the garden this summer. April can be tricky because especially in South Dakota, it’s not actually spring-like a lot of the time. We still have weather to contend with, which can go anywhere from hot and sunny to a blizzard in the blink of an eye. Finding spring while thrifting, however, is always a fun experience.
Plants and Thrifting Just Go Together.
Every year around this time, I start to gather up my houseplants and take stock of where they are at, health-wise. One thing I love to do is take cuttings from the vining plants I have around the house. And what do cuttings need? Containers, of course! The thrift store is a haven for the coolest containers for plants all year round. I gather up all kinds of things, from old coffee mugs (like this stoneware mug from famed 80s designer Rodolpho Padilla) to vintage liquor containers that sparkle in the sunlight. I also recently came upon a cute honeycomb shaped wall planter that I’m on the hunt to find a spot for. Adding in extra greenery all around my house just keeps me living in my happy place and reminds me of how summer is just around the corner.
Faux is better than No Faux.
Don’t have a green thumb? That’s perfectly okay, because thrift stores are jam-packed with all kinds of faux greenery, especially when spring rolls around. Even though I enjoy real plants, I also collect well-made faux greenery, like plastic succulents that have a realistic look. I also like a few floral stems when the season demands more color. Once again, the container matters, and my collection of various vases such as this mid-century hand painted vase with strawberries – which are trending, btw – is one of my favorites. If you’re not into retro, you can also find more modern vases like these ‘face’ vases by Justina Blakeney, the name behind the Jungalow® lifestyle brand. Virtually all my decorative vases are thrifted and collected over time. You just need to be patient, and you’ll find exactly the right fit for your style.
Don’t Forget to ‘wear’ Spring!
As much as my home décor is looking far more spring-like these days, it’s still a little too early for my wardrobe to really reflect the new season. Okay, yes, I’m still hanging around most days in sweatshirts and leggings. But that is not stopping me from planning what I will wear thru the warmer days ahead of me. I have a nice collection of floral silk scarves that usually make their way to my wardrobe of colored t-shirt tops. I haven’t given up sweaters yet, either. But I like brighter colors and lighter, natural fabrics like cotton and linen for SD in spring. I’ll be on the hunt for things to add to my closet in April, for sure. In addition to wearables, I recently came upon a small jewelry box signed by the artist Barbara Baatz. Nothing makes me happier than learning about someone new! This New Jersey ceramicist made a series of abstract pieces in the 70s that make my heart very happy. Do your thrifting habits change in the spring? If so, the thrift stores are bursting, so get out there and plant some seeds. After all, we made it through winter, and we deserve it!
friends& family
Unique Easter
Scavenger Hunt Ideas
BY JESS WEISCHEDEL
Make this Easter extra special with a scavenger hunt that goes beyond just finding eggs. Here are 5 unique Easter scavenger hunt ideas the whole family will love!
Puzzle Piece Egg Hunt
Take a simple puzzle (store-bought or homemade) and place one piece inside each egg before hiding them. Kids must find all the eggs and put the puzzle together to reveal a hidden message, picture, or the location of a grand prize.
Reverse Easter Egg Hunt
Let the kids take charge and hide eggs for the parents to find! Give each child a set number of eggs and let them hide them around the house or yard. Parents must search for them while kids give funny hints. This role reversal is a fun way to boost creativity and let kids take the lead.
Secret Code Egg Hunt
Write a secret word or phrase on small pieces of paper and cut them into individual letters. Place one letter inside each egg. Once all eggs are found, kids must unscramble the letters to reveal the message (like “Happy Easter” or “Go to the fridge for a surprise!”).
Relay Race Egg Hunt
Turn the scavenger hunt into an active game! Divide into teams or let each child play solo. Instead of simply collecting eggs, kids must carry them in a spoon (like an eggand-spoon race) back to a basket. If they drop an egg, they must go back to the starting line. The first team or player to fill their basket wins a prize.
Riddles & Challenges
Egg Hunt
Make each egg contain a fun challenge or riddle before the next clue is given. Write a mix of easy riddles (like “I’m cold and live in the kitchen, open me when you are hungry!” = the fridge) and fun challenges (like “Do 10 jumping jacks before you get your next clue!”). Kids must solve or complete each one before moving on.
No matter which scavenger hunt idea you choose, these creative twists will make Easter extra special for your family.
Ruby Roo, best friend of the McElroy family
Tabitha, best friend of Nadene Roelfsema
Vixen, best friend of Amy, Zachary, Winter and Andrew
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.
Sarge in Charge, best friend of Kathie Smith
Jovi, best friend of Kelli
Lulu, best friend of the Bouwman family
SNACK. FUE GO. FUEL
