The Harrisburg Bridge—Fall 2023 | Q4

Photo by HHS junior Avanee VanDenHemel.

Taken as part of a photography class.

Story and more photos on page 24.

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GETTING THROUGH IT TOGETHER

In 2019, the City of Harrisburg made the decision to fund and build a roundabout at the intersection of Cliff Avenue and Willow Street. That process is nearing completion as we’re set to open the roundabout to through traffic in just a few short months! A roundabout will improve overall traffic in the nearby corridors and reduce congestion and improve efficiency during both peak hours and other times of the day. Sure, the construction has been nothing short of a headache for all of us. Yet an infrastructure project of this size is another mark of success in the community. We regularly post informational updates online and via text message. Visit www.harrisburgroundabout.com for the latest.

Other improvements have included the installation of new culverts and a shoulder expansion on Cliff Avenue near the Sioux Valley Coop; we paved 272nd Street from Highway 115 to Cliff Avenue; the sewer line expansion has connected the Mills Creek Development (northwest corner of town) to the water reclamation facility, and met some long overdue accessibility needs with sidewalk additions and improvements around town. These accomplishments also fulfill initiatives within the Master Transportation Plan of improving our network for future growth.

The work at Central Park also continues. The 9-hole disc golf course has seen an increase in usage. You might see a large scrape in the ground while you’re out walking – we’re landscaping for water runoff that should fill in as a creek bed over time. Keep an eye out for city-sponsored tournaments coming soon. Students from the HHS Home Builders Academy constructed and donated a concession building located at baseball fields B and C that was installed in 2022. Generous donations from the Harrisburg Community Foundation helped build a separate new concession building with an announcer booth on the second level.

The vision is to activate Central Park through core values of community, health and wellness, park stewardship, and inclusiveness to create a place to play for Harrisburg. I encourage you to review the master plan at www.harrisburgsd.gov, or attend a Parks, Rec, & Forestry Board meeting where regular discussion takes place to maintain momentum on planning and execution.

There are many recreational opportunities in our area, especially in the spring and summer. Seeing so many kids and adults of all ages outside proves we have an active and vibrant community. As we enter fall and winter, be sure to take a look at the latest Community Activity Guide. The Parks & Rec team is regularly adding new programs and events for both indoor and outdoor settings. Text the word REC to 605-777-0110 for the most up-to-date offerings.

School is back in session, traffic will increase, congestion will abound, changes will happen … and we’re all going to get through it together. Your patience through the last several months has been very appreciated! Be well. //

Derick Wenck

Mayor Derick Wenck, City of Harrisburg

Mayor Derick Wenck

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SOCIAL SECURITY DEATH & TAXES

COMING HOME

As school gets underway, this will be a bittersweet year in our household. Our oldest child and only daughter will be a senior at Harrisburg High. We’ve spent 17 years preparing for this, but now that it’s just around the corner, I look back and wonder how those years went so quickly.

I also have found myself starting to wonder what it will be like for her when she goes off to college and then returns home for a weekend or holiday break. Given the rapid pace of development in Harrisburg, I’m sure recent graduates come back and are surprised by how much has changed so quickly. With new businesses and schools popping up and new streets making their way through the heart of the city, do these young people even recognize their hometown when they return?

While the physical elements of Harrisburg are ever changing, I’m hoping that my children and yours will always remember the non-tangible characteristics of growing up in a small community. We hear the term “small-town charm” used to describe Harrisburg often, and while that may have different meanings for different people, it tends to paint a picture reminiscent of Mayberry. We are so blessed to live in a community where people look out for one another, where you can see someone in the grocery store and recognize them from church or your child’s activities, and where local businesses support the community.

This has been a tough year for businesses in the heart of Harrisburg. The road construction has taken its toll on foot traffic and sales, but our businesses continue to give back to the community. Now is the time for us to rally around them and show them our support. In small towns, neighbors help neighbors, and your local businesses are owned, operated and staffed by your neighbors. Not only that, but the dollars you spend locally also generate sales tax revenue that is then spent on improvements for you and your neighbors.

Here’s wishing you all a great school year, whether it’s your child’s first, last, or somewhere in between! And as our community continues to grow, may we all do our part to make sure that our smalltown charm doesn’t disappear. After all, we want our children to be able to recognize home when they come back to visit — no matter how old they are — and to remember that Harrisburg is a great place to call home.

// Chair of the Board, Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce

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PULSE DANCE STUDIO MAKING ATHLETICS LOOK EFFORTLESS

By Bob Fitch

The parents of Kara Van Voorst always instilled in her that she could do anything. “I believed them. I believe I can do anything and I’m just going to go out and work my tail off to make my dreams come true.”

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, but rooted in South Dakota, Kara became a dancer before even entering kindergarten. Dance became her life’s passion, especially under coach Melissa Strong at 5678! Dance Studio in Sioux City. She was on the competitive dance team at Dakota Valley High School in North Sioux City (including the team that won the first two of 13 consecutive state titles). She was on the dance team all four years at South Dakota State University under coach Christie Pekoske. Kara was the head coach at SDSU (2016-18) and at Harrisburg High School (2021 and 2022 seasons).

Six years ago, Kara’s passion manifested itself as Pulse Dance Studio in Harrisburg. Pulse launched with 40 student-athletes. Going into fall 2023, the studio is welcoming more than 450. The company’s rapid growth led Kara to recently break ground on a new studio just a few blocks west of her current location. A large crowd of Pulse families joined in the groundbreaking celebration.

The current rented facility has two 1,500 square foot studios. Kara will own the new building expected to open in January at the intersection of Willow and Honeysuckle. Pulse will have studios measuring 1,500, 2,000 and 3,000 square feet, with room for future growth.

Running a dance studio combined Kara’s passion for dance with her college studies in entrepreneurship, marketing and management. “I’m a big believer in fate. Whatever path you’re meant to take, you’ll end up on that path.”

A PHYSICALLY DEMANDING SPORT

“Dance is different than other sports because you’re supposed to make everything look effortless and perfect. There’s definitely artistic elements to dance, but it is so physically demanding. We’re a very athletic-based dance studio. We push really hard in our competitions and recital classes. Even in the summertime, our kids work on their conditioning through our Pulse power workout program. They’re lifting weights, they’re squatting and they’re working on agility.

“Whether they’re jumping, kicking or leaping, our athletes make it look easy. But, just like any athlete, there’s a lot of

work behind the scenes to make an incredible routine that blows you away.”

FROM CLASSIC BALLET TO FREESTYLE HIP HOP

There are six types of dance classes taught at Pulse:

• Acro: Tumbling skills incorporated into dance routines.

• Ballet: Classical dance focused on technique.

• Hip hop: Funky dance and fun freestyle.

• Jazz: High-energy dance with intense storyline.

• Lyrical: Elegance and emotion.

• Pom: Sharp, high-energy dance using pom poms.

There are classes for ages 3-18. Pulse has four assistant coaches who Kara praised for their energy, enthusiasm and expertise: Jean Stoick, Crimson McCall, Kassy Strable and Ashton Swift.

In the past year, Pulse athletes ramped up involvement in dance competition programs, going head-to-head against studios with much longer histories. The four Pulse competition teams brought home six grand champions, 11 first places, four second places, one third place, one fourth place, and one fifth place. In the upcoming season, five teams will compete, including at Nationals in Wisconsin Dells June 2024.

“This is my 27th year consecutively being in the dance world. So I feel confident in my skills and that I always give my kids 210 percent. But it was so validating to see our ‘little powerhouses’ go

Kara Van Voorst, founder, owner, coach and choreographer at Pulse Dance Studio.

out there and do so well in their first year of competition.”

Competition provides lessons in winning and losing graciously, as well as bouncing back from a disappointing performance. “We want to win. We want to go for that. But we can’t just talk about it, we have to be about it. How are you going to get there? It’s the same for us as coaches. I could sit here all day long saying I want to be the best coach ever. But if I’m not planning, training and putting passion into it, it’s not going to happen.”

FAMILY AND COMMUNITY

Kara’s husband, Kyle Van Voorst, is a precision ag specialist for Complete Ag Solutions of Inwood, Iowa. He also graduated from SDSU. He played football while she danced on the sidelines, yet the two didn’t meet until after college. They’ve been married for three years. “It’s awesome how opposites attract. I get excited about things and push him a little bit, while he keeps me a little more grounded,” she said.

Her mom, Barbara Christopher, started the family’s chain reaction moves to Harrisburg. She works in the IT department at the Harrisburg School District. Kara’s dad, Roger Holt, is the most recent family resident in Harrisburg. He’s worked at Ace Hardware for several months and recently purchased a home in the city. Her brother and sister-in-law, Jared and Shannon Christopher-Holt also live in the Harrisburg school district.

“Harrisburg is a unique community. It still has that small town feel, but you also have big town things that are happening.” She was intentional in her choice of Harrisburg for her business. “I saw a need within this community and I knew I’d be the one who could fill it. It’s been a big blessing, not just for myself, but for the families who have been looking and wanting an option like this for their kids. Harrisburg is such a wonderful, warm community that fits my personality and my coaching style.”

Kara praised the camaraderie of dancers and their parents. “Even when our kids compete against each other, we stay together as the ‘Pulse family.’ They totally believe and trust in the vision and direction that Pulse is going. I cherish all our Pulse dancers and families who believe in and love Pulse as much as I do! Pulse would not be where it is today, building a new studio, if it wasn’t for their support and intense passion.” //

Pulse dancers and families turned out in force for the groundbreaking at the studio’s future site. Photos courtesy Pulse Dance Studio.

The Pulse team after receiving awards at a recent competition.

The Pulse Platinum dance team.

SCENES FROM HARRISBURG’S

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

AUGUST 1ST

PHOTOS BY JON KLEMME

THE VIEW OUT THE WINDOW LOOKS DIFFERENT, BUT HARRISBURG STILL FEELS LIKE A SMALL TOWN

By Garrett Gross

Brock Aldrich has been in the Harrisburg community for nearly his entire life, and he’s seen a lot of changes over the years. Looking out the windows of his Cliff Avenue office, the view is a lot different than when he was growing up here 30 years ago.

Brock’s family originally moved to Harrisburg in 1992. He grew up on Maple Street at a time when the town’s population was about 800. “The community I grew up in was, and still is, a great place to raise a family,” he said. “We rode our bikes everywhere; to get candy and pop at the gas station, to our friends’ houses, to the dirt pile or even to go to fishing at Lake Alvin.”

Brock and his three siblings all went through Harrisburg schools. He graduated in 2003. “My experience going to school is very different from what kids have now. K-12 was all

in one building (now Liberty Elementary), the only gas station was Food n’ Fuel (now City Hall) and Lake Ole was a corn field that seemed to flood every year,” he recalled. “I remember it being a bit of a struggle to get the first new school bond passed to build the new high school (which is now South Middle School) and we were the first class to not graduate in the old school.”

Brock and his wife, Pearl, will celebrate their 10th anniversary in September. They have two daughters, Eloise and Hazel. Eloise is seven and a first grader at Adventure.

Brock and Pearl Aldrich with their daughters, Eloise and Hazel, along with the family dog, Bernard.

Hazel is four and just started preschool. Their dog, Bernard, rounds out the family. Bernard is a Humane Society mutt who will be 10 in December.

In the community, Brock serves as the president of the Harrisburg Lions Club and is active in the Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce as well. He and Pearl also spend a lot of time with their girls in their many activities which includes swimming, dance and rock climbing.

Professionally, Brock has been a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones since 2018. Brock has his series 7 and 66 certifications and is currently studying for the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ exam. Prior to his current role, Brock was in the grocery industry for 20 years before transitioning into the financial industry. He made the change in order to pursue a career where he could be his own boss and be able to provide for his family while serving the community he grew up in.

Brock enjoys his role with Edward Jones, especially getting to know and understand his clients at a personal level. “We develop a personalized investment strategy for each client and then we partner with them throughout their lives to make sure we are staying on track.

“None of what I do here would be possible without the support of my Branch Office Administrator Suzy Meiners. She

started with me a few weeks before we opened our doors in December of 2020. She has been the real MVP of our office. She is truly a great business partner and keeps everything running smoothly; I get the impression most of our clients would much rather talk with her than me most days,” he joked.

“Even though the population of Harrisburg today is more than 10 times what it was 30 years ago, I love that Harrisburg still feels like a small town,” he said. “When I go through town, I still see kids on their bikes, fishing around Lake Ole, and playing at the parks. Everyone seems to look out for each other and genuinely enjoys living here. It is great to see the local business community thriving – what we would have done to be able to get groceries without having to drive to Sioux Falls growing up!” //

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HARRISBURG THROUGH-AND-THROUGH

By Bob Fitch

Beginning on the family dairy farm near Lake Alvin, life’s journey has delivered him to the streets of Harrisburg.

“Dairy farming is never easy. It was my grandpa, my dad, two uncles, myself and, once in a while, a neighbor kid would help. We had probably just shy of 250 head we milked, plus we raised all our own calves and heifers. Now you can’t even go to the bank and get a loan for a herd that small.”

On any farm, there is always something to be fixed. “That’s one thing that always fascinated me, to figure out how stuff worked. I’d start tearing apart motorcycles or lawn mowers or golf carts on the farm just to see if I could figure out how things worked; then try to put them back together and have no parts leftover. Once in a while you’d end up with an extra screw or a bolt or a nut and you’d go, ‘All right, where’s that go?’ About a half hour or an hour later, after you got it running, ‘Oh, that’s where that piece goes.’”

He graduated from Harrisburg High School in 1998 in a class of about 65. His girlfriend’s son graduated in May 2023 – in a class of approximately 400. He’s always lived and worked close to Harrisburg, even when he was getting a

degree in diesel technology at Lake Area Technical College in Watertown. (He graduated in 2000.)

“I turned wrenches for a couple companies in Sioux Falls; and worked for a couple of farmers around the Harrisburg area during harvest or planting season. Grandpa or Dad or I always knew somebody who needed help – especially the older farmers who didn’t have kids who stuck around. I was always glad to help,” Dave said. After getting his degree in diesel technology, he “tinkered on semi’s” at a number of local companies.

Then he was in construction for about seven-and-a-half years, running lots of heavy equipment building streets and highways. “I worked on a lot of airports and big highway jobs. I got to know my way around heavy equipment, the safety aspect of it, operations and what the equipment will actually do if you just let it.”

Building highways and airports plus turning wrenches on the farm and in a mechanic’s shop were perfect preparation for his current job working in the Public Works Department for the City of Harrisburg. For the last four years, he’s engaged

David Rennich is a ‘double’ first responder. He’s on call both as a member of Harrisburg Volunteer Fire & Rescue and also as an employee of the City of Harrisburg’s Public Works Department.

David Rennich monitoring a controlled burn in the Lake Alvin area.

David Rennich is Harrisburg through-and-through.

in whatever needs to be done for the municipality’s water, sewer or streets. In addition to relying on his coworkers to improve his skills, he’s also taken advantage of opportunities for professional training and certifications – all with the goal of better serving the citizens of Harrisburg.

“I grew up with most of my coworkers. So that makes the job easy and fun, when you can give each other a bunch of crap throughout the day.” Diagnosed as type one diabetic when he was six, having full health benefits through the city has been a gamechanger for him personally. “This is one of the first times I’ve had full health benefits. That’s a big deal,” he said.

Giving back to the community by serving on the Harrisburg Community Fire Department the past eight years is the realization of a childhood dream. “As a little kid, I used to run around on the golf cart with a little blue light on top. Grandpa would ask me what I was doing and I said, ‘I’m gonna go put out a fire.’ It’s something that I always wanted to do.” Roots in Harrisburg provided the chance to fulfill all his childhood ambitions – farm, run heavy equipment, be a mechanic and be a fire fighter.

“One of the things I’ve always liked, even before I got on the fire department, is when a sports team makes it to a state tournament, the fire department

gets asked to escort the team out of town. That is still small-town Harrisburg. The kids, the parents, the coaches and the community love seeing Harrisburg Fire and Lincoln County Sheriff escort their kids to the state tournament, every season and every sport.”

Dave also volunteers as a member of the “chain gang” at HHS football games. “Watching a lot of those kids progress through high school and football, it’s amazing to see the talent come up from freshmen to seniors. It’s always fun standing on the sidelines looking up in the stands and seeing past football players. You might not remember their names, but you know they played football here at some time. Even though they might not have a kid playing on the field, they are still in the stands cheering on Tiger football or basketball or wrestling or volleyball.”

Looking back at some of the small towns HHS played when he was a football player, some of those towns are on the downswing, even moving from 11-man to 9-man football.

“The schools, population and game attendance in a lot of those towns has changed so much. Kids grew up and they’ve moved out of the area. There’s a lot of those small communities that are

slowly starting to dissipate where they don’t retain families.”

Harrisburg’s increase in population has come with growing pains, but that’s a better alternative than what those other communities are going through, he said. “There’s still a lot of people in this community who have been here their whole life. And, even though the town has grown, it’s still small-town Harrisburg. There’s just a few more people in the family. New people have become our neighbors and we look out for them.” //

David Rennich with his girlfriend, Kari Knaus, and her children, Austin, Connor and Savanah. Kari works at Fareway; Austin and Connor work at Combined Pool & Spa; and Savanah is a junior at HHS. Dave was shopping at Fareway where he met Kari while she was working.

HARRISBURG SCHOOLS

FALL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

TUESDAY, AUG. 29

8 a.m. Boys Golf at SF Willow Run

4 p.m. Boys Soccer at SF Washington

6 p.m. Girls Soccer at SF Washington

7 p.m. Volleyball at Yankton

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 30

8 a.m. Boys Golf at Spring Creek

THURSDAY, AUG. 31

4 p.m. Girls Tennis vs Vermillion

5 p.m. Cheer & Dance at Watertown

5/7 p.m. Boys/Girls Soccer vs Watertown

7 p.m. Volleyball at Tea Area

FRIDAY, SEPT. 1

8 a.m. Boys Golf at SF Elmwood

6 p.m. Cross Country at SF Yankton Trail

SATURDAY, SEPT. 2

6 p.m. Football at Brandon Valley

TUESDAY, SEPT. 5

4 p.m. Girls Tennis vs SF Christian

THURSDAY, SEPT. 7

4/6 p.m. Boys/Girls Soccer at Pierre

5 p.m. Cheer & Dance at Yankton

FRIDAY, SEPT. 8

9 a.m. Girls Tennis vs RC Stevens

10 a.m. Boys Golf at Yankton

3 p.m. Girls Tennis at SF Jefferson

SATURDAY, SEPT. 9

8 a.m. Girls Tennis vs Spearfish

10:30 a.m. Cross Country at SF Yankton Trail

11a.m./1 p.m. Girls/Boys Soccer vs Aberdeen Central

11 a.m. Girls Tennis vs RC Central

2 p.m. Girls Tennis at Brandon Valley

3 p.m. Volleyball vs Mitchell

6 p.m. Football vs RC Stevens

MONDAY, SEPT. 11 10 a.m. Boys Golf vs Brookings

TUESDAY, SEPT. 12

10 a.m. Girls Tennis at Watertown

5 p.m. Cheer & Dance at Brandon Valley

6/8 p.m. Girls/Boys Soccer at SF O’Gorman

7 p.m. Volleyball at Dakota Valley

THURSDAY, SEPT. 14

10 a.m. Girls Tennis at Brookings

4/6 p.m. Girls/Boys Soccer at SF Roosevelt

7 p.m. Volleyball at Huron

FRIDAY, SEPT. 15

10 a.m. Cross Country at Norfolk NE

10:30 a.m. Boys Golf at Mitchell

5 p.m. Football at SF Lincoln

SATURDAY, SEPT. 16

11 a.m. Cheer & Dance at Brookings

TUESDAY, SEPT. 19

10a.m. Boys Golf at Watertown

4/6 p.m. Girls/Boys Soccer at Brookings

7 p.m. Volleyball at SF Washington

THURSDAY, SEPT. 21

1 p.m. Girls Tennis at Yankton .

4 p.m. Cross Country at Brookings

5/7 p.m. Boys/Girls Soccer vs SF Lincoln

7 p.m. Volleyball vs SF Lincoln

FRIDAY, SEPT. 22

6 p.m. Football vs SF Roosevelt

SATURDAY, SEPT. 23

10 a.m. Cheer & Dance vs multiple schools

2:30 p.m. Volleyball at Brandon Valley

SUNDAY, SEPT. 24

4 p.m. Coronation HHS Homecoming

MONDAY, SEPT. 25

10 a.m. Boys Golf at Yankton

2 p.m. Girls Tennis at Pierre

7/9 p.m. Variety Show

HHS Homecoming

Spring/ summer event photos by Jon Klemme.

STATE CHAMPIONS: The Harrisburg American Legion Gold team captured the state title this summer.

HHS signing day for future teachers.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 26

8 a.m. Girls Tennis ESD at Pierre

9 a.m. Boys Golf at Spring Creek

5 p.m. Cheer & Dance at SF O’Gorman

5/7 p.m. Girls/Boys Soccer vs SF Jefferson

7 p.m. Volleyball at SF Roosevelt

THURSDAY, SEPT. 28

2 p.m. Cross Country at Watertown

5/7 p.m. Boys/Girls Soccer vs Huron

FRIDAY, SEPT. 29

6 p.m. Football vs SF Washington

SATURDAY, SEPT. 30

5 p.m. Cheer & Dance at Sanford Pentagon

MONDAY, OCT. 2

8 a.m. Boys Golf State at Brandon G.C.

TUESDAY, OCT. 3

9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Conferences

8 a.m. Boys Golf State at Brandon G.C.

THURSDAY, OCT. 5

TBD Girls Tennis State at Sioux Falls

7 p.m. Volleyball at Western Christian

FRIDAY, OCT. 6

TBD Girls Tennis State at Sioux Falls

6 p.m. MDT Football at RC Central

SATURDAY, OCT. 7

11 a.m. Cross Country ESD SF Yankton Trail

MONDAY, OCT. 9

5 p.m. Cheer & Dance at Sanford Pentagon

Our publications are based on families and their stories. Our goal is to build community

HHS Girls Golf. Photo courtesy South Dakota Public Broadcasting.

HHS Boys Track.

TUESDAY, OCT. 10

7 p.m. Volleyball at Pierre

THURSDAY, OCT. 12

3 p.m. Cross Country Metro at SF Yankton Trail

5 p.m. Cheer & Dance ESD at Aberdeen Central

7 p.m. Volleyball vs Aberdeen Central

FRIDAY, OCT. 13

7 p.m. Football at Brookings SDSU

SATURDAY, OCT. 14

5/7 p.m. Soccer State at Brandon Valley

TUESDAY, OCT. 17

7 p.m. Volleyball vs SF Christian

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 18

7 p.m. Nat’l Honor Society HHS

THURSDAY, OCT. 19

6 p.m. Football vs SF O’Gorman

7 p.m. Band Concert HHS

FRIDAY, OCT. 20

4 p.m. Volleyball vs RC Stevens

4:45 p.m. Volleyball vs Douglas-Box Elder

5:30 p.m. Volleyball vs RC Central

SATURDAY, OCT. 21

TBD Cheer State at Sanford Pentagon

TBD Dance State at Brandon Valley

TBD Cross Country State at SF Yankton Trail

9 a.m. Volleyball vs Sturgis Brown

10:30 a.m. Volleyball vs Spearfish

TUESDAY, OCT. 24

7 p.m. Volleyball at SF O’Gorman

MONDAY, OCT. 30

7 p.m. Volleyball vs Watertown

THURSDAY, NOV. 2

7 p.m. Volleyball at Brookings

This was the first year for a SDHSAA-sanctioned girls softball season.

HHS Boys Tennis.

HHS Girls Track.

PHOTOS AND DIGITAL DESIGN DEMONSTRATE CREATIVITY AND PROMOTE CRITICAL THINKING, PROBLEM SOLVING

By Bob Fitch

For generations, students of all ages and abilities have proven themselves masters in the art of doodling. Others advance to painting, formal pencil sketches, pottery or sculpture. In the last several years, visual expression via photography and digital design are the fastest growing art classes at Harrisburg High School.

Level two photography and digital art classes have been added at HHS because so many students want to expand upon the lessons they learned at level one. Next year, a section of “advanced studio arts” will be added.

“A lot of learners take photography or digital arts because they think it looks fun or they’re getting their fine arts credit,” said instructor Randi Murphy. “But what they’re learning can serve them in anything they’re going to do in life. They learn creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving skills and a general sense of design.” Learning design and animation software programs can provide a base of knowledge for careers in digital illustration, graphic design or other areas. Photography is a usable and marketable skill in dozens of career paths, from real estate to fashion to agronomy.

Last spring, the level two photography class applied what they learned to the real world by shooting product photos at Harrisburg’s new bakery, Sugar Palace. “It was a win-win because she got great product photos and my kids got a real-life experience plus had fun photographing the yummy treats,” Murphy said. In-class labs touch on various genres of photography. One lab has students telling a story using photos of toys. Students experiment with shutter speeds and “painting” with light.

For some students, the digital arts class might put them at ease in the art world because software programs allow them to undo mistakes. Advancements in technology provides opportunity for photographers and graphic designers to work for employers anywhere in the country or world while continuing to live right here in South Dakota, she said.

Murphy earned a degree in graphic design and art from Southwest Minnesota State University. She worked in the graphic design field, then stayed home with her young children before starting a business painting murals. In 2016, she earned a master’s in teaching from University of Sioux Falls and then taught art at Harrisburg’s South Middle School for five years, where she started the digital art program. She moved to Harrisburg High School two years ago and started the digital art program.

Murphy’s husband, Mike, works at Luxury Auto Mall as a Mercedes technician. Their daughter, Caitlin, is a 2022 graduate of HHS and a now a sophomore at Augustana. Their son, Owen, is a senior at HHS. //

Payton Colter, HHS senior, captured first place in photography at the State Visual Arts Competition with this photo.

Abstract photography by junior Avery Wenk.

MORE

ANY OTHER

Digital art by senior Taja Ice.

Digital illustration by 2023 graduate Kanton Decker.

Toy photography by senior Adam Eidsness.

Product photography by 2023 graduate Michael Hudson.

THE BRIDGE BULLETINS

LEGION TEAM BRINGS HOME CHAMPIONSHIP

Harrisburg Post 45 Legion Gold won the 2023 South Dakota Senior Legion State ‘A’ Championship. The finale against the Brookings Bandits ended on a walk-off hit by Coen Cook that scored Tate Larson to win the game 3-2.

DASC CAPTURES NATIONAL TITLE

The Dakota Alliance Soccer Club 2006 Girls were winners of the U17 U.S. Youth Soccer National Championship. The team beat several top-ranked teams on the way to victory. Team members are from the Sioux Falls and Harrisburg area.

NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR HHS SPEECH AND DEBATE TEAM

HHS Speech and Debate Team received a national School of Excellence Award. HHS student Kira Waldhalm finished fourth in the Lincoln-Douglas Debate category at the National Speech and Debate Tournament in Phoenix, Arizona.

NATIONAL SCIENCE AWARD FOR ORTBAHN

HHS science teacher Nolan Ortbahn was one of four recognized in the nation with the Maitland P. Simmons Memorial Award for New Teachers. The award is presented by the National Science Teaching Association.

JUNKER IS STATE’S OUTSTANDING SCHOOL COUNSELOR

Harrisburg South Middle School counselor Andrea Junker was named as the state’s Outstanding Professional School Counselor by the South Dakota School Counselor Association.

STATE AND NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR ROMBOUGH

HHS culinary arts/ProStart instructor Deb Rombough received the National ProStart Educator of Excellence for Industry Connection Award. ProStart, a program of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, prepares high school students for leadership positions by teaching workplace skills. Earlier in the year, Rombough was recognized as the 2023 ProStart State Educator of Excellence by the South Dakota Retailers Association for her work in high school culinary and restaurant management education.

STUDY SHOWS POTENTIAL FOR ADDING HOTEL TO HARRISBURG

A market feasibility study commissioned by the Harrisburg Economic Development Corporation (HEDC) indicates the community is primed to sustain an upper midscale hotel. Conducted by Core Distribution Group, LLC as part of the HEDC Heart of Harrisburg campaign, the study considered aspects such as market demand, site analysis, community interviews, lodging demand and supply as well as regional industry and economic impact. For more information on the Heart of Harrisburg campaign, future projects or hotel feasibility study details, contact Lisa Zens, Harrisburg’s economic development director at lisaz@siouxmetro.com or 605-450-0715.

DIRECTORY OF MEMBERS AND BUYER’S GUIDE

ACCOUNTING, BOOKKEEPING, PAYROLL

Numbers & Such Prof. LLC (605) 595-5315 courtney@numbersandsuchprofllc.com

ADVERTISING

Including mailing, marketing, printing, promotional Adobe (408) 753-5826 cit46532@adobe.com

The Dakota Scout (605) 310-4390 nichole@thedakotascout.com

Fully Promoted (605) 274-0105 sfsd@fullypromoted.com

Performance Press (605) 582-7070 info@performancepressinc.com

PromoLogo USA (605) 578-0800 john@promologousa.com

Sioux Valley News (605) 764-2000 SiouxValleyNews@vastbb.net

Qualified Presort Service, LLC (605) 965-3210 jeffpeterson@qualifiedpresort.com

Sisson Printing Inc. (605) 336-6136 denny@sissonprintinginc.com

AG SERVICES

Bayer Crop Science (605) 743-5459 x 5604 erin.baker-daggett@bayer.com

APARTMENTS, RENTAL PROPERTY

Sawyer Pointe Apartments (605) 275-4245 info@residepropertymanagement.com

Select Companies (605) 743-4865 info@selectcompanies.co

Solutions Property Management, LLC (605) 988-8496 Linda@yourrentalsolution.com

AUTOS, RVs AND AUTO REPAIR

Affordable Dent Repair (605) 743-0606 affordabledentrepairsd@gmail.com

Clean Ride Auto Spa/The Clean Bean (605) 306-2266 coffee@cleanrideautospa.com

J & M Transmission & Auto Services Inc. (605) 368-2050 maryellen@jmtransmissionservice.com

Noteboom RV (605) 743-4002 office.noteboomrv@gmail.com

Ultimate Automotive (605) 367-9088 sara@ultimateautosf.com

Valvoline Instant Oil Change (605) 321-9900 pnelsen@dakota.net

BANKING / FINANCIAL SERVICES

American State Bank (605) 444-6000 ryan.mulder@myasb.com

Bank Midwest (605) 275-9559

rrysavy@bankmidwest.com

Black Hills Federal Credit Union (605) 937-4515 aprilm@bhfcu.net

Bluestone Federal Credit Union (605) 367-7070 codyn@bluestonefcu.org

Central Bank (605) 782-1818 awalsh@centralbankonline.com

CorTrust Bank (605) 336-3900 tdehaven@cortrustbank.com

CU Mortgage Direct (605) 339-2152 rknudson@cumortgagedirect.com

Explorers Credit Union (605) 213-0264 zgeraets@explorerscu.com

First Bank & Trust (605) 978-3030 breanna.garbers@bankeasy.com

First International Bank & Trust (605) 321-5615 JAPPel@fibt.com

The First National Bank in Sioux Falls (605) 782-5881 KAAspaas@fnbsf.com

Frontier Bank (605) 331-2889 traceyh@frontierbk.com

Levo Credit Union (605) 334-2471 jenm@levo.org

Quoin Financial Bank (605) 275-5000 gharrell@quoinbank.com

Reliabank (605) 306-2000 jeremyk@reliabank.com

Security National Bank of South Dakota (605) 977-9000 gdybsetter@snbsd.com

BUILDING

Including electrical, painting, plumbing

1J Homes (605) 232-4000

Albers Electric, LLC (605) 366-9561 alberselectric@yahoo.com

BHI Construction, LLC (605) 743-2152 accountspayable@bhi-construction.com

B.J. Construction (605) 743-5167 JNBL@midco.net

Fiegen Construction (605) 335-6000 lucas@fiegenconstruction.com

G. A. Johnson Construction, Inc. (605) 361-8800 corey@gajci.com

Janus Home Solutions (605) 743-4233 todd@janushomesolutions.com

J.Wahl Construction, Inc. (605) 940-7819 jwahl@live.com

KN Construction (605) 767-3500 lexie@nielsonconstruction.net

One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (605) 271-1419 kcd99@hotmail.com

Select Companies (605) 743-4865 info@selectcompanies.co

Sioux Falls Plumbing LLC (605) 731-9019 jason@siouxfalls-plumbing.com

Showplace Cabinetry (605) 743-2200 heidi.bowers@showplacecabinetry.com

CELL PHONES

Noble Wireless Group DBA AT&T (407) 242-6265 bob.chabot@nobleamerica.com

Wireless World (605) 789-8722 phock@wirelessworld.com

CHILDCARE

Bloom & Grow Academy (605) 213-0080 crystal@bloomngrowacademy.com

Creator’s Kids (605) 231-5520 stina@atysolutions.com

Kids ‘R’ Kids of Prairie Hills (605) 215-1341 info@kidsrkidsprairiehills.com

CHURCHES

Harrisburg United Methodist Church (605) 767-2253 humc@harrisburgumc.com

NewDay Church (605) 368-9894 randy@sf-newday.org

Shalom Lutheran Church/Preschool (605) 767-5382 office@shalomlc.com

St. John Paul II Catholic Church (605) 988-3750 office1@jp2sd.org

CLEANING SERVICES

Merrill’s Window Cleaning, LLC (605) 951-1954 merrillswindowncleaningllc@outlook.com

Local businesses invest in the community by supporting sports teams, school and youth activities, and the local tax base.

DIAMOND MEMBERS PLATINUM MEMBERS GOLD MEMBERS SILVER MEMBERS BRONZE MEMBERS

Mustang Disaster CleanUp (605) 370-1990 mark@mustangdisastercleanup.com

SERVPRO of Sioux Falls (605) 213-3303

COFFEE

Central Dakota Perk (605) 409-9433 centraldakotaperk@gmail.com

Lava’s Coffee (605) 261-1568 treatsnsweetssd@yahoo.com

Scooter’s Coffee Drive Thru (605) 271-0964 travis@scooterssiouxfalls.com

The Clean Bean (605) 306-2266

COMMUNITY, SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS

EmBe Avera (605) 362-9438 abakke@embe.org

Harrisburg Aquatics Foundation (605) 728-3564 harrisburgaquaticsfoundation@gmail.com

Harrisburg Area Food Pantry (605) 929-0599 harrisburgareafoodpantry@yahoo.com

Harrisburg Community Foundation (605) 940-4393 info@harrisburgcf.org

Harrisburg Community Library (605) 767-7910

Harrisburg Economic Development Corporation (605) 450-0715 lisaz@siouxmetro.com

Harrisburg Lion’s Club (605) 201-9361 asjtimmer@yahoo.com

Harrisburg School District (605) 743-2567 joanne.vermulm@k12.sd.us

Harrisburg SD Optimist Club (605) 520-4158 harrisburgsdoptimist@gmail.com

Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce (605) 336-1620

Sioux Falls Rotary - South medevany@gmail.com

South Dakota Retailers Association (605) 254-1091

jhyberson@sdra.org

United States Postal Service (605) 743-2791 vicki.a.johnson@usps.gov

CONVENIENCE STORES

Friendlys Fuel Stop (605) 767-7561

Sioux Valley Cooperative (605) 886-5829

ap@siouxvalleycoop.com

DANCE STUDIO

Pulse Dance Studio (605) 408-6246

pulsedanceteams@gmail.com

ENGINEER or ARCHITECTURE SERVICES

Co-op Architecture (605) 334-9999

josh@co-oparch.com

EAPC Architects Engineers (605) 444-1600 leap.chear@eapc.net

Infrastructure Design Group, Inc. (605) 271-5527

KariJ@infrastructuredg.com

Stockwell Engineers (605) 338-6668

jbrown@stockwellengineers.com

TSP, Inc. (605) 336-1160 lorenzenll@teamtsp.com

EVENT SITES

American Legion Post 45 & Auxiliary Unit 45 (605) 261-2621 axe@sio.midco.net

Riviera Events and Catering (605) 413-8780 mattsapari8@gmail.com

The Harrisburg Event Center (605) 366-0863 contact@harrisburgeventcenter.com

The Meadow Barn (605) 370-2786 events@themeadowbarn.com

FAMILY FUN, ENTERTAINMENT

Air Madness LLC (605) 261-1864 rachelle@airmadness.com

Country Apple Orchard (605) 743-2152 morethanapples2021@gmail.com

Dakota Entertainment (605) 368-1647 hello@djjer.com

DJ Jer Events (605) 331-1404 garner@dakotaentertainment.com

Great Shots (605) 312-7950 jonathan.buckley@greatshots.golf

Jester’s Casino (605) 222-7360 travis@tigertotssd.com

The Fireworkz Store (605) 261-9403 m4heavyd@yahoo.com

Your Nurtured Baby, LLC (605) 929-3688 info@yournurturedbaby.com

FOOD / GROCERIES

Dollar Fresh (605) 213-2222 amack@dollar-fresh.com

Fareway (605) 743-9071 u1781@farewaystores.com

FOOD TRUCK

Curbside Delights (605) 310-0958

homecooking@chef.net

GARAGE DOOR REPAIR

PS Garage Doors of South Dakota (605) 743-3667

jlangenstein@psgaragedoorssd.com

GOLF

Spring Creek Country Club (605) 743-2000

gsumma@sio.midco.net

GRAPHIC DESIGN Design Loft (605) 376-7430 jp.design@midco.net

Insight Design (605) 868-1222 deb@insightdesignsd.com

HARDWARE, BUILDING MATERIALS

Harrisburg Ace Hardware (605) 213-0600

frosin.acehardware@outlook.com

Schoeneman’s Building Materials Center (605) 213-1100

al.schoeneman@schoenemans.com

HEALTH

Including medical and fitness

Athletico Sioux Falls East (605) 213-5590

Nancy.Rausch@athletico.com

Avera Medical Group Harrisburg (605) 213-8000 erica.arends@avera.org

Baker Audiology & Hearing Aids (605) 306-5756 becky@siouxfallshearing.com

Evolve Chiropractic & Rehab (605) 767-1610

evolvechiropracticsd@gmail.com

GreatLIFE (605) 213-1600 membersupport@joingreatlife.com

Harrisburg Eye Care (605) 213-2020 info@harrisburgeyecare.com

Harrisburg Family Chiropractic (605) 767-7463 drmayland@harrisburgfamilychiropractic.com

Harrisburg Family Dental (605) 213-1230 Seth.schr@gmail.com

Heroic Fitness (605) 759-5083 mal.herofitness@gmail.com

Lewis Pharmacy (605) 213-1410

Neighborhood Dental Clinic (605) 767-0285 sheitzler@neighborhooddentalcare.com

Prairie Rehabilitation – Harrisburg (605) 767-3008 ljohnson@prairierehab.com

Sioux Falls Dental Implant Center (605) 799-2929 info@siouxfallsdentalimplantcenter.com

Wermerson Orthodontics (605) 274-0555 info@wermersonorthodontics.com

INSURANCE AND/OR INVESTMENTS

Aflac - Andrea Sweeter (605) 310-0322 andrea_sweeter@us.aflac.com

American Family InsuranceTerra Koupal & Associates LLC (605) 361-2020 tkoupal@amfam.com

Ascend Financial, Inc. (605) 553-9620 kris@ascendfinancial.com

Brock Aldrich - Edward Jones 605-214-1079

Brock.aldrich@edwardjones.com

Casey Van BeekInnovative Employer Solutions (605) 321-6733 casey.vanbeek@ies-sd.com

Combined Insurance (605) 484-0126 lesli.martish@combined.com

Lloyd Nickel Allstate Insurance Agency (605) 937-6500 lloydnickel@allstate.com

Perspective Insurance (605) 444-6070 steveo@perspectiveinsurance.com

RightQuote (605) 213-0024 amy.schulz@rqthatswho.com

Terra Koupal & Associates: American Family Insurance (605) 361-2020 tkoupal@amfam.com

Wade C Thomas Farmers Insurance Agency (605) 275-3935 wthomas1@farmersagent.com

INTERNET / CABLE TV

Bluepeak (605) 501-7272 richard.janssen@mybluepeak.com

Digit-All Technologies (605) 231-9000 clarissa@digitsf.com

Midco (800) 888-1300 andrew.curley@midco.com

Quality Telecommunications (605) 371-5475 kim@triviewquality.com

LIQUOR

Grains & Grapes Liquor House (605) 213-0182 grainsgrapesliquorhouse@outlook.com

MUNICIPAL SERVICES

City of Harrisburg (605) 743-5872 contact@harrisburgsd.gov

OFFICE EQUIPMENT

A & B Business Solutions (605) 335-8520 johnny.noel@abbusiness.com

Gordon Flesch Company (605) 221-0102 gwestemeier@glesch.com

PET CARE FACILITY

SDK South (605) 743-5824 smokendakotakennels@gmail.com

PHOTOGRAPHY OR VIDEO SERVICES

CMAC Production (605) 201-4609 cmacprod@yahoo.com

PROPERTY, LANDSCAPE AND LAWN MAINTENANCE

All Season’s Property Maintenance (605) 743-5912

allseasons605@gmail.com

Rudy’s Landscaping, LLC (605) 728-9399

rudyslandscapingsd@yahoo.com

Weller Brothers Landscaping (605) 351-4748

RADIO STATION

Dells Empire Country (605) 842-3333 sschramm@gwtc.net

REAL ESTATE AND DEVELOPERS

Amber Ellingsen Realty (605) 360-6707 amberellingsen@kw.com

Casey Hatch - Keller Williams Realty (605) 777-9090 caseyhatch@kw.com

Codi Realty Group/My Home My Harrisburg (605) 370-9991 codi@codirealtygroup.com

Crabapple Homes LLC (605) 201-7598 lisa@meierhenrylaw.com

The Experience Real Estate (605) 940-5544 Tiffany@TheExperience.com

Infrastructure Design Group, Inc. (605) 271-5527 philG@infrastructureDG.com

Jim Dunham & Associates (605) 275-8500 ashley@jimdunhamassociates.com

Julie Roth Real Estate (605) 740-0645 julieroth@hegg.com

Kaylee Van Middendorp - 605 Real Estate (507) 220-1615 kaylee@605advantage.com

NAI Sioux Falls (605) 357-7100 mmahlen@naisiouxfalls.com

Solutions Property Management, LLC (605) 988-8496 Linda@yourrentalsolution.com

Tim Allex Realty Group (605) 759-3996 clientcare@timallex.com

Tina Rae Enterprises (605) 370-4704 tina@tinaraeonline.com

Van Buskirk Companies (605) 361-8211 kristi@vbclink.com

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE

Welcome Sioux Falls (605) 799-5072 info@welcomesiouxfalls.com

RESTAURANTS

B&G Milkyway

Big J’s Roadhouse (605) 767-8000

bigjroadhouseBBQ@gmail.com

CNC Food Factory, LLC (605) 322-5325 cncfoodfactory@yahoo.com

Fresh Horses Saloon (605) 767-5908 patrick.miller1975@gmail.com

Squealers Smoke Shack (605) 679-7675 Squealerssmokeshack@gmail.com

Subway (605) 213-1009 coleshawd@gmail.com

Sugar Palace by Emily (605) 213-0096

sugarpalacebyemily@gmail.com

The Bunker (605) 400-9600

scnorth1991@gmail.com

SANITATION SERVICES

Novak Sanitary Service (605) 338-7126

melissaw@wcnx.org

Roo’s Sanitation (695) 498-1588 Roossanitation@gmail.com

SIGNAGE/WRAPS

Customeyez Design (605) 521-5239 customeyez@live.com

Redline Wraps & Signs (605) 595-2023 redlinewrapssd@gmail.com

SPORTS EQUIPMENT, UNIFORMS

Daubys Sports Center (605) 332-8041

brian-daubys@qwestoffice.net

TAXIDERMY

Diggers Taxidermy (605) 881-8474 kcnew6@hotmail.com

TECHNOLOGY OR COMPUTER SERVICES

Big D Technology Solutions, Inc. (605) 271-9885 danderson@bigdtechnology.com

ELBO Computing Resources, Inc. (605) 361-3720 kyle@teamelbo.com

UTILITIES NorthWestern Energy (605) 978-2913 paul.mantz@northwestern.com

Xcel Energy (800) 895-4999 eric.pauli@xcelenergy.com

WEB, SOCIAL MEDIA

Firelink Online Media (725) 696-3473 mychelle@firelinkdigital.com

YOUTH SERVICES

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire (605) 338-8061 sjones@bgcsiouxempire.org

Harrisburg Baseball Association (605) 978-2101 adrienne.hba@gmail.com

Junior Achievement of South Dakota (605) 336-7318 kelli.rogotzke@ja.org

Pulse Dance Studio (605) 408-6246 pulsedanceteams@gmail.com

Wings Gymnastics Academy (605) 271-8242 frontdesk@wingsgym.com