Seeing the dentist is a little more convenient for people in the Northern Hills -Orchard Meadows Family Dental & Denture Clinic is now open in Spearfish. Not only are we offering the highest quality patient care in the region, we’re also making sure our patients have a great experience. TVs in each dental suite, massaging dental chairs, and warming blankets are all part of the experience. We’ll even give you a fresh baked cookies before you leave!
You can visit the dentist at a lot of clinics, but in our office, you’ll feel like you’re visiting family. Call today and schedule your next dentist appointment in our brandnew Northern Hills office.
From left to right: Kimberlee, RDH; Mark Garner, DDS; Mason Hericks, DDS
By Molly Barari
Photography by Motherlode Photography
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CherylSmart Making the Black Hills More Beautiful ONE AT A TIME flower
Cheryl Smart is allergic to coffee, but she graciously agrees to meet at a coffee shop for her Black Hills Lifestyle interview. She orders a Pellegrino sparkling water to match the sparkling smile on her face.
“I think my favorite drink is a nice cup of black tea,” she shares after considering the question for a moment. Cheryl’s favorite drink – a simple classic— says a lot about her personality. Cheryl values life’s simple pleasures and the beauty she sees around her.
Fortunately, Cheryl is surrounded by natural beauty where she lives at Hills Roost Farm off Highway 44. She runs the almost three-acre farm with her husband, Steven, who is also a production manager at GCC and fire chief at Johnson Siding Fire Department. It’s the Smarts’ ninth year on the property, nestled in their completely renovated ‘70s home—and it’s their fifth year selling the fresh-cut flowers that they grow. The Smarts don’t just grow flowers—they grow them with love. Each flower holds a piece of their hearts, and they love sharing those pieces with others.
“I’ve had a garden since I was 5 years old, so I guess it’s always been a passion of mine,” says Cheryl. She finds joy in every part of tending to a garden, even though she describes herself as “a grubby dude” because most days she is wearing comfortable clothing, sweating, with dirt under her fingernails and no makeup. What makes Cheryl happiest is providing seasonal fresh-cut bouquets for local shops so that others can enjoy their beauty.
Currently, Cheryl and her husband grow Farmstand Flowers by Hills Roost Farm for Victoria’s Garden in Rapid City. They can also be found at Breadroot, The Market, and Staple & Spice in Rapid City. “There’s nothing like having fresh cut flowers in the house, so I’m glad that we can brighten people’s days and lift their spirits.”
By Molly Barari Photography by Motherlode Photography
“I came from incredibly creative people who taught me about the gift of beauty.”
Guests at The Roost—which is the bed and breakfast Airbnb the Smarts have run out of their home for six years—are also invited to walk among the gardens and to pick all the fresh flowers and fruit they desire. The Roost has a living room, a kitchen, a bathroom, a king bed, and a pullout bed. It has its own access, which gives guests plenty of privacy if they want it.
“I feel completely in my element running the bed and breakfast, immersed in my gardens and in the beauty of nature,” says Cheryl, her eyes glimmering.
She wasn’t always a farm girl, but Cheryl has always appreciated the outdoors. She was born in Ventura, Calif., in 1963.. Growing up, she and her family lived in several different states. Cheryl has fond memories of gardening, showing horses and being involved in 4-H. She graduated from high school in California, where she participated in a regional occupational program in floral design.
Creating beautiful designs became a theme in her life— but in a different way—when she attended Black Hills Beauty College for cosmetology training, graduating in 1983. This launched her career as a salon owner for 34 years. Her salon, Pistachio Pie, was a staple in downtown Rapid City and featured 13 stylists.
Cheryl in her garden when she was 7 years old
“I came from incredibly creative people who inspired me,” shares Cheryl. “My father was a custom homebuilder, my mother was a homemaker, my grandparents were artists… they all taught me about the gift of beauty. The best part of being a stylist was forming relationships with people and helping them to feel prettier and more confident.”
When Cheryl retired from the beauty industry, she didn’t have the intention of growing and selling flowers. In fact, the property that is now Hills Roost Farm was depleted. Cheryl and her husband brought life back into the property through a mixture of hard work and tender loving care. The documentary “Back to Eden” about Paul Gautschi – founder of Back to Eden Gardening – was highly influential for the Smarts. It taught them about sustainable organic gardening methods that are capable of being implemented in diverse climates, and they saw fresh possibilities for their property, letting nature be their guide.
More than anything, Cheryl is grateful to have had Steven by her side as they built up the farm and their business together. “Steven was used to a rural lifestyle. He had land and horses before he married me and moved into my townhome, so he definitely feels at home on the farm. We’ve been together for 19 years, and we hate being apart. He’s my best friend.”
The couple met on eHarmony back when the dating website was brand new. Cheryl and Steven were one of the great success stories, even receiving a plaque for being the South Dakota couple of the year for eHarmony. Cheryl also adores the role of being a grandma and is known as “Ra Ra” to her grandkids. Her son from a previous marriage, Gavin, and his wife Haley have two children. Aramis is 3 and Vienna is 1. Cheryl is grateful to have them nearby.
“Whatever you’re doing, it’s about showing up and doing it consistently that makes you successful.”
“When we aren’t spending time with family, we’re consumed with the farm and our geese, our five doodles and our two cats,” she says. “Each year, our goal is to plant different flowers. We start planting right after Christmas through February. It seems like we are continually remodeling something. Recently we acquired an 1880s schoolhouse for the property. It’s 16’ x 20’, and we plan to turn it into a rustic Airbnb with an outdoor shower and composting toilet. The schoolhouse overlooks our gardens.”
Cheryl enjoys hiking and bicycling when she isn’t tending to the gardens. She can also be found reading books about business and flowers. She doesn’t have TV but will occasionally watch Netflix on her iPad.
“No one could have told me how much work it is to have a farm. We finally got a golf cart to go up and down our hill. As much work as it is, I try to slow down, lift my head up, listen and take in the beauty.
One Two Three Four Five
THINGS YOU’D BE SURPRISED TO LEARN ABOUT CHERYL
Cheryl is an introvert at heart. “I’m generally a private person, but the gift of hairdressing helped take me out of my shell.”
She’s not a good cook. In fact, when Cheryl was a kid she would think, “Please don’t make me go into the kitchen.” She would rather be outside exploring the forest with her brother instead. She also got jealous that her brother was allowed to mow the lawn and she wasn’t.
Cheryl doesn’t like red flowers. Her favorites are blushes, creams, soft pinks, lavenders, and mauves. “I’m a romantic.”
Cheryl has been a vegetarian since age 19.
Ambition is her middle name—kind of. “My husband calls me CHERYL AMBITION SMART because I’m a very driven person. I’m driven to beauty, to people and to life. It’s why I get up in the morning.”
HAVE A ROOT CANAL
and Other Ways to Slow Down Time
Here we are well into 2025, and I’m still writing the wrong year on my checks. I’d chalk it up to habit except that today I wrote 2019. Maybe because 2019 seems like only a couple of days ago to me.
Time has definitely speeded up as I’ve gotten older and I’ve decided to do something about it. I’m going to make 2025 last and when next year rolls around, I’ll be ready to write 2026 on my checks. Or at the very least, 2025.
It is possible to slow time down, you know. Try drinking a gallon of caffeine before bed. One night will feel like three weeks.
You can make half an hour last all day if you check your watch every few seconds. I know because I did it at the doctor’s office today.
If you really want to slow time down, I bet a year in jail would feel like five. But a crime spree seems like an extreme measure to take.
So yes, I do know some ways to make 2025 last. I just don’t like any of them. Fortunately I was able to find other ideas on that source of all wisdom, the internet. And as a public service, I’m going to share what I’ve learned so that you can start writing the correct year on your checks too.
By Dorothy Rosby
As it turns out, much has been written on the subject of slowing down time. One article I read suggested that occasionally changing our routine might help. That would be easy enough to try in 2025. Normally I get up, feed the cat and go straight to my office. Maybe once or twice a week, I could get up, feed the cat and go back to bed.
Several articles mentioned that looking forward to something has a way of slowing down time. I think any child looking forward to summer vacation starting and any parent looking forward to it ending would agree with that.
That doesn’t apply to me anymore, but I will say my watch seems to have practically stopped and right now all I’m looking forward to is lunch.
Neuroscientist David Eagleman says resting and boredom also slow time down and I can attest to that. I once attended a university graduation that lasted around two and a half hours. But I could have sworn it took 12 days.
I’m not sure why Eagleman mentions rest and boredom in the same tip though. Possibly because one tends to doze during a 12-day graduation ceremony.
All the articles I read claimed that time seems slower for younger people because they have more new experiences to mark it with. As we get older, we have fewer memorable events. Or maybe we just don’t remember them. I’m joking! Sort of.
Eagleman uses the analogy of a video to explain the phenomenon. “The way we estimate duration has a lot to do with how much memory we’ve laid down, how much footage we have to draw from the video.” In other words, if our life is basically the same year after year, we have less new “footage in our video.” It probably doesn’t help that we’re still recording on VHS.
Anyway, if that’s the case, slowing time down might be as simple as adding footage from some unforgettable events. Moving, getting a new job and getting married are some of the most noteworthy events adults can experience. But I don’t have any of those planned for 2025 and I hope my husband doesn’t either.
Broken limbs, root canals and fender benders are also very memorable. And if they don’t succeed in slowing time down, they at least make us appreciate how fast it goes.
The kinds of experiences one puts on a bucket list might be preferable, especially if your bucket list includes thrilling activities like bungee jumping, skydiving or running a marathon. I imagine any of those would give you some really good footage—if you survive them.
My list isn’t quite as exciting but it’s safer. Among other things, I dream of a good night’s sleep. And finally getting my desk cleared off. And just once in my life, I’d like to get my checkbook to balance on the first try. I’m not sure how much footage any of those would lay down, but they would be easier than running a marathon. Also more fun than having a root canal.
Dorothy Rosby was awake when she had her wisdom teeth removed. It took four and a half days.
Black Hills Works Foundation’s 11th Annual Putt-N-Pub
By Michele Loobey-Gertsch
Join Black Hills Works Foundation on Saturday, March 1 for the 11th annual Putt-N-Pub, a unique and memorable experience in downtown Rapid City! Over fifteen bars and restaurants will create clever and unique mini-golf holes for your entertainment as part of this popular fundraiser for Black Hills Works. The day is more exciting than a hole-in-one!
Partner with three of your friends to compete for prizes, putt through historic downtown, and enjoy drink specials offered by participating establishments. Prizes are awarded for best score, worst score, best hole, and best costumes. There are also amazing raffle prizes offered by local businesses, mulligans for sale, and a photo booth to capture your team.
Putt-N-Pub was the brainchild of a former Black Hills Works employee who is still involved with the event. Eleven years later, this beloved event has grown to nearly 400 registrants, or 100 teams. Community members serve on the planning committee alongside Black Hills Works Foundation staff.
Black Hills Works exists to ensure that everyone can participate to achieve a life of full potential. It supports nearly 600 adults with disabilities so they can live, work, and play as active, involved members of our community. Holistic programming includes:
• Over 30 affordable housing options, providing a place to call home for 360 individuals.
• Partnerships with over 40 local employers who employ nearly 300 of our participants in tourism, healthcare, retail, restaurants, and more.
• Vibrant all-ability arts programming through Flutter Productions and Suzie Cappa Art Center.
• Opportunities for participants to volunteer with other local nonprofits and for the community to volunteer at Black Hills Works.
This vital programming creates a more inclusive community for everyone in our region. One of the many things that teams love about this event is the opportunity to get to know Black
Hills Works’ participants. Featured as Celebrity Putters, many participants return every year to help oversee the mini-golf holes. This fun atmosphere is a great way to build relationships with your neighbors with disabilities, and better understand the contributions they make to our community.
In addition to the enthusiastic support of our community, partnerships with restaurants and bars who sponsor holes are key to the success of this annual event. The Rushmore Hotel has been an integral partner of the Putt-N-Pub for many years, graciously providing space for registration and the raffle.
We are excited to announce the Caddie Sponsorship opportunity for those who want to support the event but are unable to provide a hole. If you are interested in being a Caddie Sponsor, please contact Michele Loobey-Gertsch at 605.718.6205.
Remember, there’s no dress code or expensive membership fee at this golf course – just fun and camaraderie for a good cause! Putters and golf balls are provided. Grab your friends who are 21 or older, don a costume, bring your ID, and get ready for an exciting day. Early bird registration fee is $160 for a team of four and is available starting January 14 – February 2, 2025. Registration is $200 for a team of four starting February 3. Scan the QR code to register! We can’t wait to see you on March 1st!
By Lauren Johnson
The American Heart Association invites you to join the “Hearts are Wild” themed Heart Ball at The Monument in Rapid City on Saturday March 1st to help raise money for the fight against heart disease and stroke, the number one killers in South Dakota. The 2025 Heart Ball promises to be an engaging evening of fun and passion that brings community and philanthropic leaders together with a Wild West theme.
“The theme each year is our calling card,” says Robin Albers, who works as the director of development and school engagement for the American Heart Association in Western and Central South Dakota. “Through our Heart of Rapid City campaign, we celebrate our milestones, thank our sponsors, and honor our heroes at the annual Heart Ball. We also have a wonderful time!”
“We are relentlessly focused on the heart of our community,” Robin says. The Heart of Rapid City campaign unites supporters with a shared purpose to help raise the critical funds the American Heart Association needs to ensure that their work continues in driving change, funding science, and improving health outcomes for everyone. “That means taking our efforts beyond the ballroom, working every day to help every heart.”
Santana Young Man Afraid of His Horses (left) is one of four American Heart Association HeartCorps members in South Dakota working to support those living in rural areas where residents often face a critical shortage of healthcare professionals and public health workers. As a member of the Oglala Lakota tribe, Santana is proudly serving on the Pine Ridge Reservation where she and the other HeartCorps Members are making a difference by educating their neighbors about improving nutrition, managing blood pressure, obtaining life-saving CPR skills, and much more.
Last year, the Western and Central South Dakota division of The American Heart Association directed funds toward training 45,531 South
Dakotans in the lifesaving skill of CPR, and toward the 4,939 students across South Dakota who participated in Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge programs during the school year, where they learned about nutrition, exercise, healthy sleep, CPR, spotting a stroke, and more. Groundbreaking research funded in the last 5 years included four studies at the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, costing $736,664.
Since the AHA’s founding in 1924, deaths from cardiovascular diseases have been cut in half. Each year, investigators from a wide array of disciplines look to the Association to fund their ideas, but there is not enough money to support them all. In FY 2023-24, the Association received 2,500 applications, totaling $730 million, that could not be funded.
The event is Saturday, March 1, 2025 and begins at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail hour and silent auction. Dinner begins at 7:00 p.m. and includes a live auction and an inspiring program. An after-party concludes the evening. The Heart Ball is sponsored locally by Monument Health, Scull Construction, Pioneer Bank & Trust, RCS Construction, South Dakota Beef Industry Council, and Robert Sharp & Associates.
Tickets are available by scanning the QR Code or online by visiting: www.heart.org/RapidCityHeartBall
Can’t make it to the Heart Ball? You can still help by making a donation, whether a one time donation or once a month, and join the movement to change the future of health by helping to ensure that the AHA is able to train more lifesavers, improve care for South Dakota families, and provide more education in our schools and communities. Visit heart.org to make a big-hearted difference.
For Media Inquiries
Robin Albers
Robin.Albers@Heart.org (605) 484-1853
1.800.AHA.USA1 | heart.org
We’ve always believed that dining should be a social occasion, a time when friends, family, and coworkers can enjoy great conversation over a great meal.
We believe in supporting our local artisans and staying connected to our Black Hills community. At a time when the area is growing and expanding, we’re striving to keep the flavor of the region alive.
Inspired by the history of this area, both the aesthetics of the building and the diversity of the menu are true to our local roots, something no nationwide franchise can duplicate. Certainly, there are other steakhouses out there, but none like ours.
TO SALLY FORTH ONCE AGAIN
By Kory Lanphear
by Robert Slocum
Equatorial Guinea, Ireland, Mongolia, Albania, Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, Jordan — these are just a few of the countries Sally Nist traveled to, and sometimes lived in, during her 20 years as an employee of the State Department. For a long time, globetrotting was literally her vocation. And now, traveling for pleasure is one of her great loves and ambitions.
Originally from Rapid City, Sally called Alexandria, Virginia home for much of her adult life. She retired there in 2008, but recently began to experience a series of heart-related health setbacks that left her in a bind and seriously imperiled her ability to travel.
“I came back to Rapid City about a year ago because I had had a number of health issues and I was in the hospital,” Sally said. “And my family from here — which includes my son, my daughter, my granddaughter — kept taking turns coming back to Alexandria to help me when I got out of the hospital. And so, they finally said, ‘You have to move back to Rapid City. We can’t just keep coming out here whenever you get sick, because you’ve been sick all the time.’ And so, I said, ‘Okay, fine.’ I had lived there for close to 40 years, so it was real hard to leave.”
As soon as she was settled in Rapid City, Sally contacted Monument Health’s Heart and Vascular Institute (HVI) at Rapid City Hospital and requested an appointment with distinguished Interventional Cardiologist Joseph Tuma, M.D., FACC, FSCAI, who came highly recommended by several family members and acquaintances. Sally was informed by HVI that she would be matched with a cardiologist based on an assessment of her records. Her care team was ultimately composed of several physicians from HVI, including Non-Invasive Cardiologist Stephen Wasemiller, M.D., Medical Director of the Advanced Heart Failure program Luis Hernandez, M.D., FACC, Electrophysiologist Ethan P. Levine, D.O., FHRS and, eventually, Dr. Tuma himself.
This multi-physician, team approach really stuck out to Sally as a major difference maker. “It just seemed to me like everybody was talking with one another and thinking about how to help me,” she said. “When I left Virginia, I couldn’t walk from my house to the corner, which was like, one house. I couldn’t go up my stairs without somebody literally pulling me up the stairs. So that’s where I was starting; I was not functioning all that great. I have a Welsh Springer Spaniel, Winnie. We
Photos
compete in dog shows and she is the top novice Welsh in the country right now. I had gone to a dog show in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and I was doing Rally, which is maybe seven minutes of just walking around the ring. And I literally had to go to a chair. I was just exhausted.”
The HVI team ran tests and modified and added to Sally’s medications. “In Virginia, they did a test where they showed that I had two heart valves that weren’t doing so great,” she recalled. “At Monument Health, they said, ‘Well, I think a pacemaker would help that left side of your heart to work better.’” She agreed to the pacemaker, which would help regulate her heartbeat and manage her atrial fibrillation. The procedure, which Dr. Levine performed, was relatively simple considering the extent
of Sally’s heart issues. “They just stick it under your skin. It’s stuck into my heart,” she explained. “And so, for six weeks, you can’t raise your arm above your head, and you have to wear a little sling at night, because they don’t want you to move your left arm — because it might jiggle loose the pacemaker — until the heart kind of grows around it and holds that wire in place.”
Sally was due to go on two separate upcoming vacations, which had been planned before she started treatment. To complicate matters, the trips were occurring pretty much back-to-back. “When I talked to Dr. Levine, I said, ‘Listen, you’ve got to work with me here, because I’ve got two big trips planned. When I go to Hawaii, I’m going to go up to Mauna Kea to do a star gazing trip. Then I’m
going to the Mediterranean and I’ve got a dog show in between those.’ He was so sweet. He said, ‘You’re going to do just fine with this pacer. I can tell just talking to you because that’s your mindset.’”
After roughly four months of treatment at HVI, Sally embarked on her two vacations. “Those trips were strenuous. I was very happy because I could keep up,” she said. “I walked easily for hours on every tour. And we signed up for something every day, of course, because that’s what you do. My daughter had gotten these quaint B&Bs to stay in, which sounds great because they’re so quiet, except that they’re like, three floors up in buildings without elevators. So, we’re dragging these dumb suitcases up three flights, and I could do that, too, thanks to my pacer, and thanks to my meds and thanks to the cardio rehab. Now one of my valves is fine. It’s normal. I feel better than I have felt in years and years and years. I’m very happy with everything that’s happened to me at Monument Health.”
Thanks to the care she received at HVI, Sally can pursue her retirement journeys with renewed vigor. “I travel a lot with my dog, because I have to drive forever and a century to go to a show.
No matter where you go around here, it’s really far,” Sally said. “Also, for several years I have completed three-week work projects with Global Volunteers. I have worked in
Cuba twice, Costa Rica twice and once in Italy. All of these projects were mainly teaching English but because we live within the communities — often at private homes — we seem to get more than we give. I was reluctant to sign up for that project again, but now that I feel so great, I plan to do so next summer.”
There is, though, one small complaint Sally has expressed to HVI. “When I first went to see Dr. Hernandez, — who I loved — I said, ‘I hate the name of your group.’ And he says, ‘What do you mean?’ I said, ‘It’s called the Heart Failure Group. It makes me feel so sad.’ And so later, I got a letter from him, and Heart Failure is crossed off, and instead it says, Heart Success.”
HEART AND VASCULAR INSTITUTE
353 Fairmont Boulevard Rapid City, SD 57701 (605) 755-4300
monument.health/service/heart-vascular-care
HAVE A MOM, DAUGHTER, GRANDMA, FRIEND, SISTER OR WIFE THAT YOU THINK DESERVES TO BE QUEEN FOR A DAY?
Tell us why you think that special someone should be Queen for a Day by sending us a story (200 word max) with a photo to jess@michelscom.com by March 31, 2025.
BLACK HILLS LIFESTYLE
with one winner to be ‘crowned’ in May. A
Photography by Raven Lily Creative
Tour De’ Chocolate Polar Bear Chili Cook Off
By: Erin Loder
Grab your loved ones, and stroll down Main Street in the beautiful, friendly, and eclectic town of Hill City on February 8th. Enjoy the town all day long and enjoy the intoxicating scents of smokey and savory flavors. Notice simmering pots, beaming with fragrant clouds of flavors that are certain to warm your hearts and your bellies!
As you stroll down the streets, step inside our close-knit business community store fronts where you can shop small, and enjoy our family owned businesses- each charmed with a warm and inviting atmosphere where customers are more than just patrons, they are family!
At participating businesses, as you step inside, you will be greeted with the scent of a sugary and sweet note that promises the satisfaction of indulgence. Our annual Tour De Chocolate is back!
This annual weekend was curated with the idea of couples in mind…. Our Tour De Chocolate and Polar Bear Chili Cook Off events is the perfect excuse to bundle up, and enjoy togetherness. This event, typically held the weekend prior to Valentines Day, is a decadent and indulgent journey through the world of chocolate, while also filling your bellies with the vibrant celebration of hearty flavors, friendly competition, and community spirit for the chili tasting.
Whether you’re a casual chocolate lover or a dedicated connoisseur, this Tour De chocolate promises to delight your senses and take you deep into the heart of the world's favorite treat, all while feeling warm and cozy. Visitors can stroll from booth to booth, sampling small portions of the chili offerings and voting for their favorites throughout the town while supporting the Tin City Masonic Charities on this annual fundraiser.
This special event has something for everyone, and we hope that you will join us in celebrating this weekend with love!
Welcome to this stunning home located on a quiet cul-de-sac in the desirable West Side of Rapid City. This beautiful residence offers 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, and blends modern updates with timeless charm, creating a functional and stylish living space. The main level features a well designed kitchen with two-tone cabinets, a cozy nook, and an eat-in breakfast bar. The kitchen flows into a spacious living room with vaulted ceilings, large windows that flood the room with natural light, and a striking stone fireplace. The master suite is a true retreat, complete with a walk-in closet, custom built-ins, and a newly updated bathroom. Two additional bedrooms, a full bath, and a laundry room with backyard access complete this level. The lower level offers a fourth bedroom, full bathroom, a family room, and abundant storage space. Outside, enjoy a private back patio, mature trees, and a fully updated sprinkler system. This home offers a perfect layout, modern style, and an ideal location.
