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Envision Your Event with Us

At Gate City Events & Lodging, we offer a customized experience for personal and business needs! Rely on us for holiday parties, corporate events, family gatherings, life celebrations, and events of any size! Our chic, rustic venue features two distinct areas that can be rented separately or together, depending on your event's needs and guest count. Whether you’re needing a large space to accommodate up to 360 guests or a smaller intimate space to host 100 guests or less we have you covered!

Explore our recent upgrades, including a refurbished venue floor, bar, and exterior. Our new indoor patio and outdoor space feature bar access, fire pits, and turf, all framed by an elegant black fence for added privacy. With our open vendor policy, you can bring your unique vision to life. Enhance your event with accommodations in our on-site rental house, which can host over 20 guests and includes a saltwater pool. We also offer cozy motel rooms and full hook-up campsites for additional lodging options.

Ready to create a memorable event? Schedule a tour today to see all the details and discover the endless possibilities at Gate City Events & Lodging!

Event Venue | Rental House | Motel Rooms | Campground

CONTRIBUTORS

team of writers

Andrea Van Essen, Erica Wilcox, Lauren Johnson, Tanya Manus, Teresa Mentzer, & Susie Morgan

Account Executives

Cory Johnsen

605-951-3567 | cory@michelscom.com

Jill Foley

712-490-8506 | jill@michelscom.com

Chris Hilson

605-661-9940 | chris@michelscom.com

Stace Osthus

605-261-0437 | stace@michelscom.com

Editor

Heather Jordan heather@michelscom.com

Photography

Shane Monahan Photography www.shanemonahanphotography.com Prairie and Wild Photography prairieandwild.com

graphic designers

Makenzie Jorgenson

Ashley Carrison

Aaron Scott

chief of operations

Hanna Michels

605-760-4269 | hanna@michelscom.com

encourage local professionals and businesses to submit articles. All articles are subject to publisher’s editing and approval. Empire Magazine does not necessarily endorse or agree with content of articles or advertising presented.

Every month Empire showcases local human interest stories along with beauty, fashion, family, home, career, health and nutrition information all with beautiful photography. We also feature businesses, men and women and homes in the Sioux Falls region. Want to subscribe to Empire? One year subscription is only $40.

Copyright 2024 Michels Communications Corporation. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the expressed written permission from the publisher. Empire does not necessarily endorse or agree with content of articles or advertising presented.

By: Andrea Van Essen

PRIORITIZING THE HUMAN CONNECTION

Penny Klinedinst has always been creative, and no one who has ever worked with her, visited her home or walked into one of her retail stores could argue that she doesn’t know how to design a beautiful space.

Yet, in a world that seems growingly preoccupied with curation and aesthetic, Penny brushes most discussion of style aside, emphatically defending connection and community as the most important aspects of her life and work.

“I think we’re losing a lot of passion, inspiration and human connection with the digital world and lack of participation in our community. There’s a lot of loneliness out there,” Penny shares.

It’s something she says she has noticed in the last two years especially, from the demeanor of customers who visit her stores to people she encounters while traveling.

“Everywhere I go, I see all these families sitting and looking at their phones, and no one’s having a conversation. It all comes back to the fact that we were created for community, and whether people think so or not, they do better together than alone,” Penny explains.

As a small business owner, she sees firsthand the impact of a lessened focus on community.

“I’m just like anyone else with Amazon. I get the convenience of it, but it also

comes down to, ‘Where are the places you enjoy and find inspiration?’ Find a local person to shop from, and you know their face and that their livelihood depends on it. To choose otherwise is just plain wrong,” Penny adds.

Penny doesn’t mince her words when it comes to the importance of shopping locally, and she emphasizes that it’s not just about her own success.

“There are a lot of places I know in downtown Sioux Falls that aren’t going to survive if people continue prioritizing online shopping. Choose where you spend your dollars. We have 23 employees, and this is their job, this is their life and they are making a difference,” Penny notes.

She recalls an anecdote from a friend of hers whose son was preparing to get married and working on his wedding registry with his fiancé. When asked if he had considered Plum’s — Penny’s specialty gourmet kitchen shop — for the registry, his response was, “I never even thought about it.”

She says it’s that sort of unawareness that really hurts local shops like hers, emphasizing that by reducing stores to the products they carry and the prices they charge, you begin to chip away at all semblance of human connection.

Penny’s principles have always been her guiding light when it comes to life and business.

“Relationships were always important.

Photos By: Shane Monahan Photography

“EVERY DECISION I’VE EVER MADE, IF IT’S TRULY FROM THE HEART, IT’S WITH CLEAR DIRECTION, AND I NEVER QUESTIONED IT.”

I think, in order to do anything well, you have to answer the question, ‘Why am I doing it?’ first. If what you’re doing doesn’t fit into that trajectory, that’s not your path. Every decision I’ve ever made, if it’s truly from the heart, it’s with clear direction, and I never questioned it,” Penny explains.

With that in mind, she is determined to use her spaces to fight back against the lack of community and connection in today’s world.

As an example, Penny shared that one of her employees showed her how customers are able to hold up their phones to products or displays, take a photo, and instantly scour the internet for cheaper versions online.

When she heard that, she instructed her staff to kindly but firmly ask any customer they see doing that, “Do you understand how that hurts us?”

Though she admits that to be successful in business you must adapt to how people shop and what they’re looking for, it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice principles.

Similarly, when asked if her design business serves or targets a specific style, Penny emphatically says “No.”

“We work with really good, kind people, not a specific style. The biggest and most important thing is establishing trust,” Penny adds.

From there, Penny’s personal knack for connecting with others comes together with her artistic vision, allowing her to curate items and create a space that feels authentic to the client.

“I’m very engaged in what people feel, and looking at the bigger picture, none of us need more stuff, we need the right things that matter. I’ve been adamant about this since I started, that the size of your home doesn’t matter —

everyone’s home matters, everyone’s home should be beautiful. I want to create something that makes you feel a certain way,” Penny states.

She adds that, as the designer, a project should never be your style, but rather about connecting with the client’s personal style and helping them find it.

“Everyone has their personal style, but they just don’t always know how to express it.

That’s the beautiful moment the ‘I didn’t know what I was looking for, but that’s it.’ It’s very rewarding,” Penny relates.

Across her multiple businesses, Penny obviously has a lot to keep her busy, but she says prioritizing quiet time is key.

“Private time is my solace and being outside is my retreat. Being still is really hard for me, but I do it and I’m grateful for it,” Penny reflects.

Spirituality is also important to her, and she recently made the decision to keep her shops closed on Sundays, saying she never felt comfortable with it.

“Now, Sunday is absolutely what I intend it to be — rest and nourishment,” Penny asserts.

She notes that reading is a powerful spiritual practice for her, naming the writings of Henri Nouwen and The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer as go-to works.

And, of course, her passion for connection is perhaps most fueled at home with her family. Penny and her husband, Mike, have a blended family with four adult children: Molly, Nic, Joshua and Adam.

All four of her kids live outside of Sioux Falls, with one as close as the Twin Cities and another as far away as Alaska. Her

kids have also traveled and lived abroad at times, including Thailand and Australia and her son also spent several years living in Antarctica. Penny recalls thinking at one point that they had done something wrong as parents because their kids all moved away.

“I realized though, that they have their own stories, and you have to pursue that wherever that is,” Penny adds.

“She adds that at Adam’s wedding, the oldest son Nic turned to her and her husband and said, “I need you to know you’ve melted together the most beautiful family.”

“That’s the type of thing I can hear every day,” Penny smiles. “One of the greatest things to me is the happiness of all four of our kids. They’ve contributed, they’re part of the world doing good things and that brings me the most amount of joy.”

Finally, Penny emphasizes that it takes a lot of great people to build a successful life.

“No one gets to this level by themselves,” Penny states.

She credits much of her success to her family who worked in the business with her as she was starting out, as well as Norilee Schmidt, who started the shop with her and continues to run it as her general manager.

Ultimately, it all comes down to that principle of community and going through life together, rather than alone.

Penny shares a final story about the heart behind one of Simply Perfect’s product lines, Freedom Studios.

Before Penny created the Freedom Studios line of products, she was grieving the loss of her sister, who was dying of breast cancer. It was during this painful process that Penny felt compelled to help others and while listening to her inner voice, she found a deeper understanding of the Call the Freedom human trafficking movement.

“We wanted to connect with others and help them move forward to find a safe space to work,” Penny explains. “We found a way to provide meaningful work for survivors while also shedding a light on human trafficking and ways to spread awareness.”

One small idea to help others turned into much bigger things.

“Our Freedom Studios line, which features products made by human trafficking survivors, is sold in over 700 boutiques throughout the United States,” Penny adds.

“We are blessed to be a part of the solution,” Penny states. “Our goal was to help the survivors heal and while doing that I was able to heal myself.” Serving others in itself is a way to promote healing from within.

Throughout life, whether raising a family, starting a business, or simply making decisions about where to shop, Penny encourages everyone to consider others and think first about how you can contribute rather than what you can take away.

“Human connection is in jeopardy,” Penny warns. “Our shop is sharing the message of connection and making a difference, and the impact is spreading.”

Daughter Molly, Bobby, Ryann, Aiden from Eagle, Colorado

Son Nic, Tara, and Charlie from Tulsa, Oklahoma

Son Joshua from Seward, Alaska

Son Adam and Lucy from Minneapolis, Minnesota (wedding in Polignano A Mare, Italy)

Penny decided to go full-time with her interior design business on her 40th birthday.

Penny purchased Plum’s Cooking Company from its founder, Caroline Petersen, in 2016.

Penny’s very first retail shop opened in 2006 with just 800 square feet of space. Now, she manages over 8,000 square feet of retail across Simply Perfect, Threads and Plum’s Cooking Co.

Penny’s favorite quote is from Maya Angelou: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Prayer and spirituality are incredibly important to her, and Penny says there’s a particular prayer by Marianne Williamson that she reads every day.

“Dear God, I give this day to You. May my mind stay centered on the things of spirit. May I not be tempted to stray from love. As I begin this day, I open to receive You. Please enter where You already abide. May my mind and heart be pure and true, and may I not deviate from the things of goodness. May I see the love and innocence in all mankind, behind the masks we all wear and the illusions of this worldly plane. I surrender to You my doings this day. I ask only that they serve You and the healing of the world. May I bring Your love and goodness with me, to give unto others wherever I go. Make me the person You would have me be. Direct my footsteps, and show me what You would have me do. Make the world a safer, more beautiful place. Bless all Your creatures. Heal us all, and use me, dear Lord, that I might know the joy of being used by You. Amen.”

Sioux

Dog Friendly Thanksgiving

Dogs CAN Have Carrots

Celery

Corn (no cob)

Sweet Potatoes

Green Beans

Apple (no core/seeds)

Pumpkin

Rice

Quinoa

A little cheese

Turkey (no skin, fat or bones)

Dogs CAN’T Have

Ham

Chocolate

Garlic

Leeks

Onions

Grapes

Raisins

Raw Potatoes

Mashed Potatoes

Raw Dough

Canned Cranberry

Pre-made Desserts

Pie Filling

Stuffing

Life is too short to eat boring food.

All of us at Empire know that food is the ingredient that brings us together! In the coming months, we will be featuring the best foodie spots in Sioux Falls!

Want to feature your foodie spot? We’d love to have you! Email ads@michelscom.com for more information!

Reaching a centennial milestone inspires people to celebrate. The 100th birthday of the Meridian Bridge inspired the people of Yankton to plan a lineup of commemorative festivities this year. Each event honored the iconic structure that has become a backdrop to their lives for as long as they can remember and then some.

The Meridian Bridge was officially opened to the public on October 11, 1924. The 3,029-ft. span of the double-deck bridge added a vital link between South Dakota and Nebraska. Additionally, it finalized the last sections of the Meridian Highway, a north-south route from Canada to Mexico.

By: Teresa Mentzer

tourists, campers, everybody,” Luke states. Yankton’s community calendar was full thanks to the support of local businesses, the city’s library and parks and recreation, National Park Service, community organizations and hundreds of volunteers.

Ben’s Brewery introduced a new beer for the kickoff party in January. The Mead Museum sponsored a variety of speakers and programs. In the spring, bridge tours commenced and the library and city challenged walkers to log 100 trips across the bridge with a prize package as incentive. The Press and Dakotan requested story and photo submissions for a special edition. The Parks and Recreation Department offered

By October the town was ready to officially remember the day, 100 years ago, that Yankton welcomed the Meridian Bridge. A block party in Riverside Park culminated the year’s events and paid tribute to what has become the city’s iconic symbol of success. A free screening of South Dakota Public Broadcasting’s documentary about the bridge’s centennial celebration was shown at Dakota Theatre.

Youmans and his team were committed to planning the ultimate bridge bash.

“We planned this as an official birthday. It was on our radar for over a year, and a lot of planning really led up to this event,” Luke explains.

Looking back at all they accomplished, the City of Yankton and the task force were happy with how well the events were received by the community.

“It was good to get to the finish line here, where we could culminate a really great year,” adds Luke.

Yet to come in their fun-filled year is Yankton’s Holiday Festival of Lights parade and the official lighting of the City’s Christmas Tree. Another kickoff to start the holiday season, this event will include, floats, marching bands, caroling, hot drinks and fireworks. After being center stage over the last few months, the beloved Meridian Bridge will add the backdrop as usual to the riverside scene on Dec. 5 in Yankton, SD.

Historical facts about Meridian Bridge:

• In 1924, the Meridian Bridge was the first permanent crossing over the Missouri River carrying U.S. Highway 81 over the bridge connecting Yankton, SD with rural Cedar County, Nebraska.

• It was backed by private investors and was originally designed to carry vehicle traffic on the upper deck and rail traffic on the lower deck.

• The proposed bridge would be one of the last major links in an international highway running from Winnipeg, Canada, to Mexico City, Mexico. Since this road followed the Sixth Principal Meridian, it was commonly called the “Meridian Highway.” The Yankton boosters named both their bridge company and bridge after the route.

• The tracks on the lower level of the bridge were never used and it was converted to allow the two-level, oneway vehicle traffic in 1953.

• When the bridge was officially opened to traffic in October 1924, the total cost stood at more than $1.1 million dollars.

• In its plans for the Yankton bridge, the engineers incorporated a standard, Waddell and Harrington vertical-lift span, measuring 250 feet in length with a maximum lift of 27 feet. Like the bridge’s six fixed spans, the movable span was a heavy, rigid-connected Pratt truss with flat upper chords, predominantly channelsection web, and concrete piers.

The holidays are right around the corner and we are so excited to celebrate with you! Inquire today to learn more about our holiday reservations at Holiday Inn City Centre!

ADVANCE CARE PLANNING

By: Susie Morgan, MSW, LICSW

As a society, we don’t like to think about death, much less talk about it. However, planning for death, i.e., referred to as Advance Care Planning (ACP), is not much different than planning a trip. You plan for places to stay, things to see, buy tickets for activities, etc. ACP gives you the opportunity in advance and while you have a decisional capacity to plan for medical emergencies that involve lifeprolonging treatments (Artificial Nutrition, CPR, Dialysis, and Mechanical Ventilation).

ACP involves completing an Advance Directive (AD). There are various types of AD’s and the two most common are Power of Attorney for Health Care (POAHC) and Living Will (LW). POAHC allows you to name a “health care agent,” someone that you designate to make health care decisions for you, in the event you are not able to do so yourself. A living will establishes your medical preferences regarding interventions that prolong life, in the event of a medical situation where death may be imminent.

The Sioux Falls VA Health Care System offers Veterans assistance with education and completing AD’s through individual visits with a social worker or visits in a group setting, known as Advance Care Planning-Group Visits (ACP-GV). In this setting, Veterans are welcome to bring their loved ones for group discussion to think about their health care goals. It often solicits questions about what is important to them; how they define quality of life; helps to identify a trusting loved one to make decisions for them; and lastly, education in completing an AD.

Anyone of adult age can and should complete an AD. It’s the best gift you can give yourself and your loved ones – it can ensure that life and death decisions don’t become a guessing game. Lest we forget, “Death is part of life like happiness, pain, and joy…it deserves the same honor and respect as everything else.” - Carrie Fisher-Pascual.

For more information, contact: Susie Morgan, MSW, LICSW ACP-GV Coordinator | Specialty Medicine SW susan.morgan1@va.gov | 605-336-3230 x5911

NOW TRENDING: LEOPARD & LEATHER

By: Erica Wilcox | Photos By: Prairie and Wild Photography

Chances are you’ve seen this print and textile lurking around social media and your favorite retailers. There are different variations of leopard print including cool or warm, large scale or small, rich or muted, and the choice is yours. The same goes for leather; genuine, faux, or coated. While the leopard print trend can either excite you or seem a bit intimidating, there are easy ways to incorporate this trend into your wardrobe this fall. Bringing leathers into your wardrobe will also freshen up and elevate any outfit.

Adding a pop of leopard is an easy way to start out into this trend and can be in the form of a handbag, scarf or your footwear. This scarf is under $10 and could be tied around the neck, used as a hair accessory or looped around the strap of your handbag for a fun accent.

Another great find and way to wear this trendy animal pattern is with a leopard print dress. You can always add a layering piece over top, change up your footwear and dress up or down. This dress does all the work for you, needing minimal accessories making it ready to wear!

Faux leather and “coated” garments are going to be everywhere. You can incorporate this textile in a pant, shoe, dress, or handbag and it will instantly elevate and ‘chic up’ your look. When you see a garment described as “coated” know that you’ll get a similar look of genuine or faux leather without the thickness and weight.

Born and raised in Sioux Falls, SD, I’ve been obsessed with fashion since I could dress myself. I was one of those kids who dressed up every day for school, no sweatpants here! My first taste of real fashion was my first retail job at 15. Working in fashion and living it through my everyday outfits, I noticed that everyone would always ask me about my outfits! I’d often get personal shopping requests or asked for fashion advice.

My passion kept growing to the point where I knew this was what I wanted to further my education in. I went on to get my bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising with a minor in business at South Dakota State University. After completing an internship and study trip, I knew that this was my calling, but I was not sure where to go with it.

After doing some corporate buying and retail management, I was grateful for the experiences but needed more. After years and many individuals telling me to start a blog, I finally did.

Best Dressed Blonde was born… an everyday fashion, clean beauty and lifestyle brand. Sharing through my personal website, Instagram and other fashion platforms is the perfect way to express and showcase my passions!

On Best Dressed Blonde, you’ll find me sharing daily deals and sales, makeup tutorials, try-ons and a little bit of everyday life! My passion has also grown into my clean beauty business with Crunchi where I help women detox their skincare and makeup with truly high-performing and clean products.

Looking for new health insurance that fits your budget?

There’s value in becoming a Sanford Health Plan member. We offer more coverage, more care and more value for your money. A health plan centered on your needs – built by an insurance provider you can trust.

Plan options include:

• Your first 5 primary care visits FREE*

• Your first 5 mental health visits FREE*

• $0 24/7 virtual care**

• $0 wellness visits and preventive screenings

• Comprehensive prescription coverage plus options for $0 generics

• $0 diabetes management programs, apps and supplies*

When you want coverage that cares for the whole you, get health insurance that’s YOU-centered from Sanford Health Plan.

UNWRAP YOUR BEST SKIN THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

‘Tis the season for giving—and that includes giving your skin the care it deserves! As the holidays approach, there’s no better time to treat yourself to the ultimate glow-up at Plastic Surgery Associates of South Dakota. Whether you’re getting ready for family gatherings, festive parties, or those can’t-miss holiday photos, our expert team is here to make sure you step into the season looking radiant and refreshed.

We offer a range of rejuvenating treatments designed to get your skin glowing just in time for the holidays. Whether you’re looking for a quick refresh or something more indulgent, we’ve got the perfect options to fit your holiday schedule!

OUR MUST-HAVE HOLIDAY TREATMENTS:

• Glow-Tox (Vi Peel + Botox): Smooth, brighten, and refresh your skin with our powerful Glow-Tox combo! The Vi Peel exfoliates and revives your skin, while Botox smooths out fine lines, giving you that flawless, youthful look that will last all season long.

• Sciton HALO & BBL Laser Treatments: Achieve that luminous, lit-from-within glow! These laser treatments target sun damage, uneven skin tone, and fine lines, leaving you with beautifully smooth, glowing skin just in time for the holiday magic.

• Customized Holiday Facials: Relax and rejuvenate with our signature facials tailored to your skin’s needs. Whether you need hydration, brightening, or a detox, our expert aesthetician will leave your skin refreshed and ready to glow under the mistletoe.

• Chemical Peels: Bring back your skin’s natural glow with our holiday peels, which help slough off dead skin cells, leaving you with fresh, smooth, and radiant skin. Perfect for getting that luminous look for the holiday photoshoots!

WHY CHOOSE PLASTIC SURGERY ASSOCIATES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON?

• Expert Team: Our skilled professionals will guide you through personalized treatments designed to fit your skincare goals and holiday schedule.

• Customized Care: Every patient gets a tailored plan to ensure glowing results that are perfect for your skin type.

• Holiday Specials: Keep an eye out for exclusive holiday offers on your favorite treatments—because you deserve to treat yourself!

• Relaxing Environment: Escape the holiday hustle and unwind in our luxurious clinic, where self-care and relaxation come together to deliver stunning results.

GIVE YOURSELF THE GIFT OF RADIANT SKIN!

The holiday season is all about celebrating—and what better way to celebrate yourself than by investing in your skin? Whether you’re looking for a quick treatment or a comprehensive skincare plan, Plastic Surgery Associates of South Dakota is here to help you shine from Thanksgiving to New Year’s and beyond.

Make an appointment today and glow through the holidays with confidence and style!

FROM ALL OF US AT PLASTIC SURGERY ASSOCIATES, WE WISH YOU A GLOWING HOLIDAY SEASON!

Cream Cheese Pumpkin Bars

A favorite from recipe from StoneyBrook Suites - Sioux Falls Pumpkin Bars

4 eggs

1 cup vegetable oil

1 t vanilla

2 t ground cinnamon

1/4 t ground ginger

1 t baking soda

1 2/3 c sugar

1 3/4 cups pumpkin puree

2 cups all purpose flour

1/4 t ground nutmeg

2 t baking powder

Sandi’s Apple Crisp

A favorite from recipe from StoneyBrook Suites - Brookings

2 cans apple pie filling

2 cups flour

1/2 t baking powder

3 t cinnamon

4 cups oatmeal

2 cups brown sugar

1/2 t baking soda

1 cup butter melted

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F degrees. Butter an 9x12 baking dish and set aside.

2. In a mixing bowl, combine oatmeal, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and melted butter.

3. Spread half of the crust mixture in the pan and pat down. Layer the apple pie filling on top of crust. Top with the remaining crust mixture.

4. Bake 50-60 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly.

Cream Cheese Mixture

16 oz. cream cheese (softened)

1/3 cup sugar

2 eggs slightly beaten

Instructions

1 1/2 T corn starch

1 t vanilla

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F degrees. Spray 10x15 pan with non-stick spray, then line with parchment paper and spray the paper, set aside.

2. To make pumpkin bars first, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and spices, set aside.

3. In a large mixing bowl, beat 4 eggs and sugar. Add oil, pumpkin and vanilla and mid to combine.

4. Mix in dry ingredients and pour in a prepared pan, then smooth the top.

5. Mix softened cream cheese, sugar, cornstarch and vanilla until smooth. Add eggs and mix just to combine. Transfer the mixture in piping bag or zip-lock bag and cut off the corner. Draw the lines of cream cheese mixture diagonally on top of pumpkin pie mixture.

6. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

7. Cool completely before serving.

fROM OUR Kitchen TO yOURS

L I f E IS Sw EET IN

S TONE yB ROO k SUITES !

OUR MISSION

We are a full-service assisted living community “To foster the well-being of each resident by nurturing the mind, body, and spirit while maintaining each resident’s enjoyment of independence and dignity in a secure and supportive environment. We invite you to come to StoneyBrook Suites, where our joy is in serving you.”

AMENITIES

• Coffee Shop

• Salon

• Walk-in Whirlpool Spa

• Centrally located meals and activities

SERVICES

• Caring, trusted, 24-hour staff

• Personal housekeeping

• Theater

• Courtyards

• Spacious suites all on one level

If time spent with loved ones over the holidays sparks a conversation about assisted living, we are here to help every step of the way. Schedule a tour and see the quality of life available to you or your loved one.

• Three homestyle meals per day

• Professional medication administration and laundry

• On-site physical, restorative

• Scheduled daily social and and cognitive therapy exercise activities

• Wellness clinic

• Personal pendant system

• Assistance with activities of daily living

Spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites. Call for availability and pricing.

Our passion for assisted living shines through every day at StoneyBrook Suites.

Sioux Falls 605-373-0013 Watertown 605-882-0013

- HONORING A LIFETIME OF SERVICEGENE “MURPH” MURPHY

By: Tanya Manus

Gene “Murph” Murphy went to Vietnam as a young Army sergeant fighting for his country. He came back a man determined to fight for his fellow Veterans so they could have the best lives possible.

Gene, 76, has spent the past 48 years volunteering for the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), where he’s been a member since 1970. By advocating for other veterans, Gene said he’s fulfilling a pledge he made after being shot during his tour of duty in Vietnam.

On April 20, 1969, Gene’s unit came under fire while patrolling the jungles of Vietnam. Three bullets hit Gene and left him a paraplegic. Gene’s fellow soldier and longtime close friend, Lyle Bowes, got him out of the jungle.

Lying in the jungle for 14 hours awaiting evacuation, Gene wasn’t ready to die.

“I think God and I made a contract. He said, ‘OK Murphy, I’m going to let you live and send you back to the world. You can’t go back and do drugs or alcohol. You can’t be stupid. You got to be a productive citizen,’” Gene says.

“I’m fulfilling that obligation. I plan on living a long and happy life.”

Gene considers himself fortunate compared to soldiers he knew who endured more severe injuries, died in combat or died from injuries or complications of Agent Orange. He knew 12 soldiers’ names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and he wonders how their lives might have turned out if they’d had the chance to live.

Lyle Bowes of Brookings is shown helping his friend and fellow soldier Gene Murphy tend to sores on his legs. “Jungle rot” was common for soldiers in the Vietnam War. Courtesy of the Vietnam Vets: Still Coming Home

Veterans pictured by the hospital transportation vehicle donated at Sisseton outside the VA hospital

MOPV (Military Order of Purple Hearts) hosted a pheasant hunt

Governor Noem and Hawk Mayer pictured with Gene Murphy on Memorial Day 2024

Gene visiting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

“That’s why I think I’ve been blessed,” Gene shares.

Gene and his wife, Eldine, have been married for 52 years and have a daughter, Erin.

“She’s a keeper,” Gene says of Eldine, who always told him he had to have something to do and encourages his efforts on behalf of Veterans.

Gene’s 48 years of advocacy included a term as national commander of the DAV. He currently is the treasurer for the DAV Department of South Dakota and for the Sioux Falls DAV chapter. He also volunteers for the Military Order of the Purple Heart and the Paralyzed Veterans of America.

The DAV transportation program that transports Veterans to medical facilities at no cost is one project Gene is especially proud that he helped to establish. It launched in 1984 and three years later went nationwide by the DAV.

Gene is also a longtime lobbyist at the South Dakota legislature, focusing on disability and Veterans’ issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder, challenges facing female Veterans, and multiple illnesses linked to use of Agent Orange in Vietnam.

Nine Veterans’ issues, including education benefits and sales tax relief for Veterans, would be supported by DAV if legislators would sponsor bills for them, Gene said. He’s frustrated by lawmakers’ reluctance to fund programs and benefits for Veterans.

“Most of the time, the legislature says, ‘We can’t do that. It costs too much.’ They weren’t worried about costs when we sent our sons and daughters off to wars,” Gene states.

Particularly in terms of long-term care facilities for Veterans, “we got a lot more work to be done,” Gene asserts.

“We feel like the state should have done something (about long-term care) 20 years ago,” Gene explains. “We’re behind the curve. The State of South Dakota could do better for Veterans.”

Gene encourages the public to support Veterans by volunteering and contributing to causes such as a recent DAV fundraiser that netted $51,000. The money will provide Christmas gifts to Veterans at Veterans

Administration hospitals and funding for hospital transportation programs, Veterans stand downs, and Veteran relief programs.

Instead of simply thanking Veterans for their service, Gene urges community members to ask Veterans where they served and what they did in the military. Gene doesn’t shy away when people — especially curious children — ask how he was injured.

“The average citizen doesn’t know what Veterans went through,” Gene adds.

Gene’s military service and decades of advocacy are the subject of an Emmy-winning short film, “Bonded by Sacrifice.” He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star with “V” device, and he’s earned awards for his advocacy work. What he values most is continuing his work for Veterans’ rights and benefits.

“We’re still a cost of war,” Gene says. “Freedom isn’t free. Somebody has paid for that.”

Constructing a wheelchair ramp with the assistance of the Home Depot program

Distributing Forget Me Not sales to the public

Gene pictured with two legislators in Pierre

Gene hunting at Wings of Valor in Parker, SD

MOPV (Military Order of Purple Hearts) visiting the Veterans Memorial in Parker, SD

Senator Mike Rounds presents Gene with a Vietnam Veteran lapel pin

The Disabled American Veterans presented Gene with medals he earned during his military service

By: Teresa Mentzer

Being swept up into a medical crisis catches families unprepared. They do not know what they might need going forward.

Luckily, Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Dakota knows. They are prepared to help families with children under 21 who face challenging days or months in the hospital. For 40 years the charity’s mission, Keeping Families Close, has been realized by over 20,000 families who have spent over 140,000 nights under a South Dakota Ronald McDonald House roof.

Jennifer and Thomas Osen heard of the Ronald McDonald House when they were kids. It was a place other people were lucky to have in their time of need.

Now, they are the fortunate ones. Their ‘home away from home’ at the Ronald McDonald House on Lake Avenue in Sioux Falls was just steps away from where their daughter, Lily-Anne, was hospitalized. They stayed at the Ronald McDonald House for 122 nights.

“You'd go to McDonald's and you'd see it, and you'd be collecting pop tabs or donations for it. I never understood the gravity of what the charity was capable of doing and how much it means to us,” explains Thomas.

During the summer of 2023, Jennifer and Thomas were preparing to welcome Lily-Anne in September until an early labor changed her arrival time to June 5. At birth she weighed 1 lb. 4 ounces. Only 24-weeks old, Lily-Anne was in for a fight to survive and her parents in search of a miracle.

The Osens’ home is in Williston, ND, over 600 miles from Sioux Falls and the pediatric care their baby needed. An emergency medical team in Sioux Falls transported the family to where doctors were waiting.

By fall Lily-Anne weighed 3 lbs. 12.7 ounces, and her parents had found the miracle they sought. Despite the odds, Lily-Anne’s feisty spirit and personality won out.

“She has just proven everybody wrong. She's a miracle. And she's just so beautiful. We never dreamed we'd be able to save our little girl let alone know that she’d be able to thrive,” says Jennifer.

While a medical team oversaw Lily-Anne’s health care, her parents received the care they needed as well. Jennifer and Thomas did not have to worry about expenses for food, lodging or travel.

Jennifer explains how much that helped them stating, “Everything is provided that you would need and so you have that off of your shoulders and off of your mind. This place has given us the ability to look after our

daughter and to be in a stable place; (it) has changed our lives.”

At the Ronald McDonald House, they could take a break, do laundry or visit with other families who shared a common bond. Their children were sick. This community of families fostered a close-knit support group and possibly life-long friendships.

“Once a Ronald McDonald House family, always a Ronald McDonald House family. You never forget," says Mike Broderick, Community Outreach Officer for RMHC SoDak.

“The extent of what the Ronald McDonald House has done because of donors, very generous donors, means the world to us because our little girl is our world,” says Jennifer.

For just $1 dollar a day, you can provide hope and comfort to families like the Osens. By joining the community of donors, your contribution will have a direct impact on a family during their difficult time. Your generosity will alleviate the unexpected expenses of hotels and meals as well as lift their hearts to know others care.

As a 365 Giving Tree member, your pledge of $365 ($1/day) will cover a week’s stay at one of the South Dakota Ronald McDonald Houses. The 24th Street House and Lake House are located near pediatric hospital facilities in Sioux Falls. These two temporary homes can serve a total of 29 families for as long as necessary while their ill or injured child requires hospitalization.

Secure your donation through the Giving Tree website (scan below) and receive a membership plaque to display. With each yearly renewal, receive a gold leaf denoting the year of your gift to insert into the plaque. Each family or business donor is recognized on the Giving Tree webpage and on the Giving Tree wall at both of the houses.

Your monthly donation of $30 will help families focus on the health and welfare of their sick child. Every donation to the Giving Tree supports the charity’s mission of Keeping Families Close when they are away from the home and community of support they had to leave behind.

“We are always looking to grow our mission and to help more families cope as they go through one of life’s most difficult times,” Mike explains.

You can help, too. Your generous donation will supply the community, hope and comfort that families need to feel safe and secure until they can return to their homes.

For more information, contact Mike Broderick, Community Outreach Officer, at Ronald McDonald House Charities of SoDak at 605.929.8870 or 605.336.6398 Ext 6. 825 S. Lake Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57104 | www.rmhcsodak.org

Ronald McDonald House, 808 E. 24th St., Near Avera

Ronald McDonald House, 824 S. Lake Ave., Near Sanford

THE 3RD ANNUAL

KJAM KJAM Parade of Lights Parade of Lights

DEC 7TH

Make plans to attend Madison’s Magical Christmas in downtown Madison. Start the day by taking the kids to “Day with Santa”, plus you aren’t going to want to miss the 3rd Annual KJAM Parade of Lights, followed by the Christmas Tree Lighting. If you would like to have a float in the parade or host an activity during the day, call KJAM Radio at 605-256-4514.

KJAM Parade of Lights | Soup Supper Community Christmas Tree Lighting

605-556-1004 www.revitalizemedspasd.com

The Culinary Academy of South Dakota provides students with hands-on, experiential learning in order to attain a strong culinary foundation and the practical skills necessary for success in the food service industry. The program integrates campus-based instruction with internship opportunities. Graduates benefit from excellent job opportunities in a variety of industry roles.

Students master food preparation, sanitation, and service techniques in specialized kitchens. The program’s on-campus restaurant, The Oak Room, showcases a fine dining experience for guests.

After completing two semesters on campus, students are prepared to enter the food service industry with a one-year Culinary Arts diploma. They also have the option to pursue a second year to earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Culinary Arts. AAS graduates emerge with advanced culinary skills and are well-prepared for management roles in the food service industry.

Don’t miss your chance to experience Oak Room dining in Mitchell Tech’s prestigious campus restaurant! The October/November menu features classic Italian cuisine. The Oak Room is available Wednesdays and Fridays for an 11:00 a.m. service and is located in the Mitchell Tech Campus Center at 1800 East Spruce Street. For reservations, please call 605.995.7169!

Leo Thiner is a Fine Arts award-winning photographer who is regarded as a visionary in today’s modern photography. Leo became engaged in the craft at an early age during his high school years growing up in Heron Lake, Minnesota.

After graduating from high school, Leo attended Worthington Community College after receiving state, and local Minnesota scholarships where he studied Photography, and English. (Creative Language Writing Arts)

After his year of study at Worthington, Thiner moved on to attend Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming studying Photographic Chemical Science; Zone System. After two years of study, he graduated with a degree in Photographic Science from Northwest College. Next, Thiner went on to teach a sabbatical contract at Mount Marty College in Yankton, South Dakota in the visual arts including photography.

Falls Park Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Drying Fall Moon

Morning Trumpeting

After his teaching sabbatical, Thiner moved on to attend the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), where he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

After receiving his BFA, he studied the visual arts at New York City’s Columbia University where there he finalized his formal educational process with a Master’s in Fine Arts with a post-secondary teaching background. Thiner’s most recent teaching appointment was at the University of Wisconsin Dept. of English, and Dept. of Visual Arts in Creative Writing Language Arts University of Wisconsin Press.

Thiner relocated to Sioux Falls, South Dakota as a survivor of July 2023 Maui, Hawaii wildfires after being a Hawaiian resident for 22 years. His art painting, and photography is included in public and private collections throughout the world.

He is represented in Sioux Falls by Serendipity Studio, 2nd floor in the Historical Shiver Building at #230 South Phillips Avenue Sioux Falls, South Dakota. River Slippery Rocks Steps - Big Sioux River

South Dakota Sunflower

Boulevard Garden

Photographer LeoThiner

The Acrobatics Hawaii 2022

Courthouse Museum Clock Tower