Aberdeen Magazine January/February 2022

IT’S A POWERHOUSE

➼ What high school activity program in Aberdeen has won the most state championships in the 21st century? Turn to page 34 to find out!

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REGULARS

04 FROM THE PUBLISHER

06 THEN & NOW

A new addition to our magazine, this feature illustrates the change and growth of our city. Check out the then and now aerial view of Northern State University’s campus.

10 WHAT’S NEW

Your source for what’s happening in Aberdeen.

18 CALENDAR

Never miss an event in the Hub City.

20 LENDING A HELPING HAND

Volunteerism is one of our strengths as a smalltown community, and United Way is a valuable resource connecting people with volunteer opportunities.

40 TASTE

Dulces continues the tradition of serving tamales for the new year to show appreciation for their customers. Follow this recipe to make your own delicious tamales to stay warm this winter.

52 OPEN HOUSE

When you step into Rene Graf’s home, you will find a mix of original architectural style and modern conveniences, but what makes this historic house unique is the collection of history left behind by the previous owner, John Firey.

ON THE COVER

➼ The New and Used Car lot for Loel Lust Chevrolet was located to the south of the dealership building that was originally on the corner where Wells Fargo Bank now sits (South First Street and Third Avenue SE). This picture hangs in the waiting area at the service department at Steven Lust Automotive on west Sixth Avenue. It is dated 1950. Read about one of Aberdeen’s oldest family-owned businesses on page 58.

JORDYN PHOTOGRAPHY

➼ Jordyn Volk captures life’s moments through photography, specializing in newborn, maternity, and family. Learn more about Jordyn’s journey to newborn photography and how she continues to build her business here in Aberdeen.

GET TO KNOW: RACHEL DIX

➼ Meet Rachel Dix, named the 2020 Emerging Leader by the Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce, who has a passion for connecting with new people and empowering individuals.

72 WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Aberdeen Magazine wants to hear from its readers!

72 THE ABERDABBER

FEATURED CONTENT

22 BUILDING A SUPPORT SYSTEM

Sarah Viola, co-owner of Brain Intercept, walks through her experience working to help people with dementia and their caregivers and supporting them on their journey to improving quality of life.

42 A TASTE OF CULTURE

Hispanic, African, and Asian markets bring authentic products and traditional food to Aberdeen.

48 A FLURRY OF FUN

Follow this guide for outdoor winter recreation in the Aberdeen area and enjoy all the season has to offer!

58 THREE GENERATIONS …AND COUNTING?

The Lust family has stayed in the car business for three generations, evolving with the industry, the community, and the ownership.

t all started with an idea. I wanted my hometown of Aberdeen to have a community magazine much like what I enjoy in bigger cities. In late 2012, a young woman, who had experience selling ads for a community magazine in Minnesota, walked into our office looking for a job. I picked her brain about how her previous job managed its magazine. It sounded feasible to me, so I had her come back to meet with me and my business partner/wife at the time. She was not overly receptive to new, risky things, so I was not optimistic. However, the first thing she noticed about our new prospect was her pants. They immediately struck up a conversation about pants, fashion, stores, wine and cliqued like longtime friends. And that’s all it took. We hired her, and I started planning.

Troy McQuillen PUBLISHER

We introduced Aberdeen Magazine to the community in March 2013. This issue closes a cycle of nine years of publishing and leads us to the start of our 10th year in business. My brilliant staff, contributors, area businesses, and Western and Midstates Printing have made it happen all these years. I am grateful for all the help and all the community support. My mission is to peel back the layers of Aberdeen. As we live and work here, we tend to become accustomed to our environment, not questioning why things are the way they are, who’s behind what in town, and what’s happening next month. I personally spend a lot of time on historical stories. I like to remind readers that if Aberdeen pioneers can build a booming community from a flat prairie, think of the potential we have to build a more robust community by standing on the shoulders of these risk takers.

The burning question: how can we give such a quality product away for free? The answer is ads. Between the great stories are personal commitments from businesses that believe in our mission and importance of what we’re delivering. So please, thank them for advertising, and frequent their businesses, often.

We were disappointed to hear that recent economic conditions have resulted in a 20% increase in our printing costs. We don’t operate as a non-profit, so I can’t ask for donations, but I can ask for subscriptions. More subscriptions will help offset costs. I understand it’s hard to justify paying for something you can quickly grab for free at a store but think about those you know from Aberdeen that live elsewhere. Help spread the positive news about Aberdeen all across the country. A gift subscription for friends, family, and colleagues will help offset rising industry costs.

With that being said, onward to year 10! Thanks to Maren Wakefield, Garrett Brunmaier, and Jerome Geffre who take care of us at Midstates Printing. Thanks so much to our many talented contributors and everyone here at McQuillen Creative Group.

And thank you! Thanks for reading, thanks for advertising, and thanks for subscribing! //

CONTRIBUTORS

 ANGIE CLEBERG and AARON SCHULTZ are on the executive team at the United Way of Northeastern South Dakota. The United Way is instrumental in providing support for health and human service programs in our community.

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 SARAH VIOLA is the co-owner of Brain Intercept. She is currently raising two children, ages seven and nine, and trying to be a good wife and mother. They enjoy all things outdoors and are busy in kids’ activities.

CLARIFICATION FROM OUR NOV/DEC 2021 ISSUE

 In “Percy Grote,” the story referred incompletely to the history of the development of the Moccasin Creek Country Club golf course and Prairiewood lots. We realize the success of these two locations involves many dedicated people in this community. The feature is to exhibit Percy’s passion for golf and is not intended to be a comprehensive historical account. //

ISSN 2378-3060

MANAGING EDITOR

Josie Clemens josie@aberdeenmag.com

PUBLISHER

Troy McQuillen troy@mcquillencreative.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Eliot Lucas eliot@mcquillencreative.com

AD SALES

Julie Lillis julie.aberdeenmag@gmail.com

INTERN

Brandon Heim

PUBLICATION OFFICE

McQuillen Creative Group

423 S. Main St., Suite 1 Aberdeen SD, 57401 605.226.3481

PRINTING

Midstates Printing

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS from interested parties will be considered. Please submit to the editor at josie@aberdeenmag.com

PRIVACY STATEMENT Any personal information, email addresses, or contact submitted to the editorial office or online via our Facebook page will not be sold or distributed. Aberdeen Magazine does wish to publish public comments and attitudes regarding Aberdeen, therefore written submissions and comments on our Facebook page implies permission to utilize said information in editorial content.

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COPYRIGHT 2022 Aberdeen Magazine is produced exclusively in Aberdeen, South Dakota. All content is copyright with all rights reserved. No content may be shared, copied, scanned, or posted online without permission. Please just ask us first. We're pretty flexible. PUBLISHED BY

www.mcquillencreative.com

 PATRICK GALLAGHER is a regular contributor commenting on Aberdeen’s personality, food options, and history.

This picture of Northern State Teachers College was taken from the water tower on the corner of Washington and 12th Avenue and is looking southeast. This undated winter scene shows the early days of campus and a newly renovated Central Building at the south end of the quad (it burned in 1961). You can see the Pheasants baseball field in the upper left and the Melgaard Park band shell towards the top right. Turn the page to see the same view today of what is now Northern State University. //

Hub City Healthy Eats

The Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce’s Health & Wellness Committee is launching a new program in January called Hub City Healthy Eats. The program is a way for people to easily identify healthy items on menus at restaurants in town. Local dietitians evaluate individual dishes and give the avocado of approval to those that meet the criteria outlined in the program. Look for the Healthy Eats avocado indicator the next time you dine in Aberdeen. // —Josie Clemens

 For more information about the project, go to www.aberdeen-chamber.com/events-programs/hub-city-healthy-eats.

 Health & Wellness Committee members include (from left) Charity Pionk, Bethesda; Robyn Ewalt, Avera; Annie Jacobson, Sanford; Lisa Anderson, Chamber of Commerce; and Megan Erickson, SDSU Extension. Not pictured is Jessica Rehder. Photo courtesy of Lisa Anderson.

College Day at The Salvation Army

College Day is a program that started two years ago at The Salvation Army. The organization provides supplemental nutrition items and hygiene products to both college and high school students on Wednesday afternoons. All the students need is to show their student ID. Items like canned and boxed goods, fresh produce, sweets, frozen meat products, refrigerated items, and hygiene products are provided to the students through donations. The Salvation Army also started a mobile food pantry in October where they go to Presentation College and Northern State University once a month with food and hygiene products. // —Josie Clemens

 If you have questions about the program or would like to donate, call The Salvation Army at 605-225-7410.

A Gift to Dacotah Prairie Museum

The Dacotah Prairie Museum received its largest gift—$1,775,000—from the estate of Karl O. Lee. This installment will be used for projects like exhibits, workshops, camps, art shows, and educational programs. Renovations and building improvements also began earlier than planned because of the generous gift. // —Josie Clemens

 To see all that’s happening at the Dacotah Prairie Museum, visit @DacotahPrairie on social media or go to www.dacotahprairiemuseum.com.

Photo by Troy McQuillen

 The mobile food pantry is an opportunity for The Salvation Army to build relationships with the students and to tell them about other community resources. Photo courtesy of The Salvation Army.

 The Lamont Gallery is undergoing a major renovation on the second floor of the Museum that will add square footage and better lighting.

More Than a Mascot

Aberdeen welcomes a new event venue, Engels Event Company, to 209 S. Main St. The space is available for a variety of occasions including weddings, corporate events, and fundraisers. Brodie Mueller, the owner of Engels Event Company, and a team of investors started the venue to continue building downtown Aberdeen. “With afterparty options right down the street, along with iconic Aberdeen

A New Downtown Venue Travel Center Bought By Kessler’s

Kessler’s bought the Airport Travel Center located at 4707 Sixth Ave. SE and expects the remodel to run from January through March. The Travel Center will be renamed Kessler’s Holiday and will remain open during construction. Some of the new interior additions include an overall expansion of hot and cold food selections, a walk-in beer cave, and a shower for truck drivers. Two of the external upgrades include a new diesel canopy east of the building and improvements to

landmarks for photos, Downtown is what is next for this community,” Brodie said.

The venue offers an in-house DJ, decor, bartenders, and officiant services, but people are welcome to choose their vendors and make the space their own. The provided tables and chairs fit up to 250 guests. // —Josie Clemens

 Call Engels Event Company at 605-290-8919 to book your next event.

Spirit was Presentation College’s live mascot since 2013. In December 2021, the Saint Bernard officially retired. She received dog regalia, Mascot Emerita status, and an honorary collar on Dec. 17 at halftime of a PC women’s basketball game. For eight years, Spirit has wandered the halls, lounged in the library, and snuck treats from the cafeteria. Her presence was uplifting for the students and faculty, and while Spirit will be missed on campus, she is now relaxing at home, taking a welldeserved break. // —Josie

Clemens

the parking lot and building exterior.

Kessler’s hope to carry on the tradition of Ron Erickson, the previous owner, by servicing Aberdeen with a welcoming, convenient travel stop for all visitors, families, farmers, and truck drivers. // —Josie

Clemens

 Ron’s house charge accounts will be kept active by Kessler’s. Applications for house charge accounts are open. Call 605-725-9100 if you are interested.

 Spirit was Presentation College’s live mascot for eight years. Photo courtesy of Presentation College.

 Brodie Mueller sits in the newly created event space in what used to be Engel Music Supply. The building was built in 1912 by John Firey and was known as the Firey Building. Photo by Troy McQuillen.

 The rendering of the new Kessler’s Holiday shows the upgrades planned for the exterior. Image courtesy of Kessler’s.



Big Move for Aberdeen Dermatology Associates

Aberdeen Dermatology Associates expects to move into a new building, located just north of the Uptown Mall on Lafayette Street South, by June 2022. The business is the only independent dermatology clinic in the area and has been open since 1982. Aberdeen Dermatology Associates will be able to offer better facilities in its new building to accommodate for its growth. New features will include views of nature, abundant natural light, larger rooms, wider hallways, and a calming contemporary design for the patients and staff. // —Josie

Clemens

 To learn more about Aberdeen Dermatology Associates, go to www.aberdeenderm.com.

Infant Swimming Resource Lessons

Destini Crevier, daughter of Keenan and Donna Steckler from Aberdeen, is teaching Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) lessons in Aberdeen from Jan. 17 to Feb. 25 at the AmericInn. She made the decision to offer infant survival swimming lessons after learning that there weren’t any instructors in South Dakota. After graduating from Roncalli High School, Destini attended SDSU for Human Development and Family Studies.

Bringing these life-saving skills to children in her hometown is imperative to Destini because drowning is the number one cause of accidental death in children under the age of four. The ISR program is for children six months to six years of age, providing them the tools to save their own life if they ever fall into a body of water alone. // —Josie

Clemens

 To learn more about Destini’s lessons and the ISR program, find “Destini Crevier ISR-Brookings, SD” on Facebook or call 605-216-1644.

Racing to Excellence

Brown County Speedway received the 2021 Wissota Award of Excellence at the Wissota National Awards Banquet on Nov. 13, 2021 in St. Cloud, MN. The recognition is an extremely high honor for the Aberdeen racetrack. The award is given to the best “team player” of the organization that includes all 49 sanctioned tracks in Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Canada. The selection is based on running a smooth and timely program and adhering to all the rules and regulations in every aspect of the speedway. “This award signifies all the time and hard work that has been devoted to bringing back a strong racing program to Aberdeen,” representative of Brown County Speedway, Trisha Arment, said.

The speedway is currently being promoted by Motor Sports, LLC, which is a group that consists of fans, participants, and business owners in the community. // —Josie

Clemens

 To follow all that is happening at the racetrack, visit its Facebook page: Brown County Speedway Aberdeen.

The new building for Aberdeen Dermatology Associates complements the high-quality patient experience that the staff has provided over the years. Image courtesy of Aberdeen Dermatology Associates.

 Destini Crevier teaches life-saving skills in her Infant Swimming Resource lessons. Photo courtesy of Destini.

 Trisha Arment stands behind the award that Brown County Speedway won at the National Awards Banquet. Photo by Troy McQuillen.

The Lillis Company

The Lillis Company, owned and operated by Mike Lillis, has recently bought radon testing and radon mitigation (removal systems) from Skip Clay of Fairway Homes LLC. As a general contractor, Mike has experience in many areas of construction, but the business focuses on the residential market. This includes services like window and door replacement, outdoor rooms, and patios. Radon testing and mitigation is important for indoor air quality. Radon exposure is comparable to smoking daily and is directly linked to lung cancer. Skip’s experience in the field allows The Lillis Company to offer top quality installations.

“Approximately 70% of untested homes have an elevated radon level. Therefore, it’s a critical service that has been provided by Fairway Homes for the last 16 years and now gives The Lillis Company the opportunity to educate, test, and resolve this problem for my clients,” Mike explained. // —Josie Clemens

 For more information, visit their Facebook page at The Lillis Company, call 605-2907225, or email TheLillisCompany@gmail.com. The Lillis Company general contractors license number is 09423.

NSU Moves Student Success Center

Northern State University is moving its Student Success Center to the Technology Center and MewaldtJensen building on campus, and it should be open by the start of the Spring 2022 term. The new location will become a center for student resources and connect students with multiple services including elements of academic advising and success coaching, the American Indian Circle Program, tutoring, supplemental instruction, Career Services, TRIO Student Support Services, and TRIO Upward Bound. These services are relocating from other campus buildings to the new Student Success Center. // —Josie

Clemens

 Learn more about NSU’s Student Success Center at www.northern.edu/academics/student-success-center.

 Mike Lillis (left) and Skip Clay

Photos by Troy McQuillen

 Executive Director of Student Success Britt Lorenz sits in the newly constructed Student Success Center on Northern’s campus.

2022 JANUARY & FEBRUARY

BROOM SNAPPER BONSPIEL

Jan. 8 - 9

Anchor’s Away, Richmond Lake

MUSEUM SCHOOL

Saturdays in February

1:00 - 3:30 PM

Dacotah Prairie Museum

 Adult workshop: Learn how to take care of your family “artifacts” with museum professionals. A different topic each week.

 605-626-7117

january

NEAL MCCOY

Jan. 7

8:00 PM

Dakota Event Center

 American country singer Neal McCoy performs live at the DEC with special guests Jerrod Niemann and Dustin Evans! Tickets available online or at Mavericks.

 The Aberdeen Curling Club is hosting their second annual threedivision curling tournament. Sign up to play by Jan. 3 or come out and watch! www.curlaberdeen.com

SD SNOW QUEEN CORONATION

Jan. 15

7:00 PM

Aberdeen Civic Theater

 Witness the crowning of the 2022 SD Snow Queen and her court and find out the identity of the 2022 Frosty. The SD Snow Queen Festival takes place Jan. 8-15. You can find the full list of events online! www.sdsnowqueen.com

SD JAZZ FESTIVAL CONCERT

Jan. 20

7:30 PM

NSU Johnson Fine Arts Center

 Experience an evening of live jazz music, featuring alumni from the NSU jazz program. Individual concert tickets available for purchase prior to the concert.

 605-626-2497

FREE SKATE DAY

Jan. 21

Odde, Lincoln, and Manor Ice Rinks

 Ice skate for free in Aberdeen! Skate indoors at the Odde Ice Arena from 3:45 - 6:15 PM or head outdoors to the Lincoln and Manor Park ice rinks from 4:009:00 PM. Free skate rentals available at both locations and free hot chocolate offered only at the outdoor rinks.

 605-626-7015

AG APPRECIATION BANQUET

Jan. 21

5:30 PM

Dakota Event Center

$25 per person

 Thank the farm and ranch families in the Aberdeen area for their hard work and dedication to the industry.

Entertainment by The Desert City Ramblers.

business.aberdeen-chamber.com/ events

FLANNEL & ROCK GODZ

Jan. 22

7:00 PM

Dakota Event Center

 Take the night off to enjoy the 80s rock cover band, Rock Godz, followed by the 90s cover band performance by Flannel.

www.dakotaeventcenter.com

THE EDGE

Jan. 24

7:00 PM

Allevity Entertainment

 This networking event is specifically for early career professionals aged 21-40. $15 admission fee includes food, drinks, and fun!

business.aberdeen-chamber.com/ events

CITYWIDE YOGATHON

Jan. 28 - 29

Various locations in Aberdeen; Profiling Beauty Health & Wellness.

 Choose from a variety of yoga challenges and stop by participating businesses for door prizes and coupons. All funds raised during yogathon goes to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

www.aberdeenyogathon.com

 Neal McCoy

 SD Snow Queen Coronation

SAFE HARBOR MARDI GRAS

Jan. 29

5:00 PM

Dakota Event Center

 Join this Mardi Gras event to benefit Safe Harbor. Social hour features specialty martinis by Paul Weiss and silent auction followed by dinner, music entertainment, and casino games. www.safeharborsd.org/mardi-gras

CRACKER BARREL SESSIONS

Jan. 29, Feb. 12, March 5

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Kessler’s Champions Club, Barnett Center, NSU

 A chance for legislators from District 1, 2, and 3 and their constituents to publicly discuss important business, civic, and social priorities. business.aberdeen-chamber.com/ events

ABERDEEN WINGS

JAN/FEB 2022 SCHEDULE

JANUARY

SAT., JAN. 1 VS. ST. CLOUD

FRI.-SAT., JAN. 7-8 @ NORTH IOWA

FRI., JAN. 14 VS. BISMARCK

SAT., JAN. 15 @ BISMARCK

FRI.-SAT., JAN. 21-22 @ AUSTIN

FRI.-SAT., JAN 28-29 VS. NORTH IOWA

FEBRUARY

WINTER FUN DAY

Feb. 5 1:00 - 4:00 PM

Manor Park

Free Admission

 Embrace winter with an afternoon of ice-skating, cross-country ski lessons, curling, and FREE hot chocolate. Activities for both youth and adults!

 605-626-7015

WINTER BIG BOY TOY SHOW

Feb. 12 - 13

Sat. 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Sun. 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Dakota Event Center

 Start dreaming of summer by browsing through boats, docks, campers, ATVs, and more on display at the Big Boy Toy Show presented by Hub City Radio.

 605-229-3632

27

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB

ANNUAL BANQUET

Feb. 18

6:30 - 8:30 PM

Dakota Event Center

 A fundraising event featuring Bob Lacey & Sheri Lynch, awardwinning broadcasters, as the keynote speakers.

 605-225-8714 ext. 104

ABERDEEN OPEN POOL TOURNAMENT

Feb. 24 - 27

Best Western Ramkota Hotel

 Sign up to compete or stop by as a spectator in this singles and team pool tournament organized by the Aberdeen Cue Club. The tournament schedule is posted online on their Facebook page.

 Aberdeen Cue Club

DENIM & DIAMONDS GALA

Feb. 26

6:30 PM, VIP Reception

8:00 PM, General Admission

Historic Milwaukee Depot

 Come out and celebrate Presentation College’s largest fundraising event. Support student scholarships by participating in the silent and live auctions and stay to enjoy the Night Owl After Party that starts at 10:00 PM. You can purchase tickets online. www.presentation.edu/gala

A NIGHT AT THE OSCARS

Feb. 27

7:30 PM

NSU Johnson Fine Arts Center

Adults, $10; Students, Free

 Aberdeen University/Civic Symphony presents all the favorites like music from the Raiders of the Lost Ark, Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars, Harry Potter, and more!

 605-626-2497

FRI.-SAT., FEB. 4-5 @ MINOT

FRI.-SAT., FEB. 11-12 VS. NORTH IOWA

FRI.-SAT., FEB. 18-19 @ MINOT

FRI.-SAT., FEB. 25-26 VS. MINOT

Red denotes home game Call Aaron Smith at 605.380.5852 to schedule your night at the Odde Ice Center! Get your tickets online at tickets.AberdeenWings.com!

Corporate game sponsorships are available now!

Serving families in the Aberdeen Area for over 75 years

Serving families in the Aberdeen Area for over 75 years

Serving families in the Aberdeen Area for over 75 years

Serving families in the Aberdeen Area for over 75 years

Serving families in the Aberdeen Area for over 75 years

To Love, To Honor, To Remember

To Love, To Honor, To Remember

To Love, To Honor, To Remember

To Love, To Honor, To Remember

To Love, To Honor, To Remember

101 6th Ave SW Aberdeen, SD 605 - 225 - 0295

101 6th Ave SW Aberdeen, SD 605 - 225 - 0295

101 6th Ave SW Aberdeen, SD 605 - 225 - 0295

101 6th Ave SW Aberdeen, SD 605 - 225 - 0295

 Bob Lacey & Sheri Lynch

Lending a Helping Hand

by AARON SCHULTZ of United Way

Istarted my professional non-profit career with the Sioux Empire United Way on Jan. 2, 2000. At that time, it was suggested that I read the book by Robert Putnam, Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. As the title suggests, it was not a glowing review on how today’s society interacts and connects with one another. Putnam spends a great deal of time exploring the idea of social capital as he defines "the connections among individuals' social networks and the norms of reciprocity and trustworthiness that arise from them." Putnam uses a blend of sociology, economics, and social work to state that our society is not as connected as we once were, and we do not volunteer as much for civic clubs or for nonprofits. Armed with this knowledge, I moved forward into a career where social connections and a genuine trust of one another are of fundamental importance.

If I have learned anything in my 20 plus years working in the non-profit sector, it is that, fundamentally, people are good and want to help. I personally believe this attitude is heightened in the Midwest where you are never more than two steps away from knowing someone from (insert SD town here).

Typically, the United Way receives a call every other week that begins with “I/we would like to volunteer, what is available?” Our typical response is “what are you interested in helping with in our community?” Invariably, this leads into a conversation of what drives this individual to help. Many times it is because they were taught the value of helping others. Their lesson may have come from receiving help at one time or learned through the action of helping others. Our schools from elementary through higher education all have a volunteer component or

service-learning opportunities that stress the importance of giving back to our community. Serving, giving, and helping are teachable traits that can be passed along to the next generation. The best volunteer opportunities are typically just a phone call or web search away. Most not-for-profits have some type of volunteer experience from board membership to bake sales. Some opportunities are individualized while others have you join hundreds of volunteers like at the Brown County Fair where the concessions at the Fair entertainment have over 800 volunteer positions available.

Tips before volunteering:

n Know what fills your cup. Meaning, if teaching children is your passion, find a non-profit that works in that field.

n Be clear on expectations and time commitments.

n Attitude is everything, remember when things stop being rewarding it might be time to find a new path.

After 20 plus years in this business, I respectfully disagree with Mr. Putnam. Good people find good things to do. We help when called upon, and we have the potential to be more connected than ever if we so choose. There are any number of opportunities to get involved; it just takes the first step.

To find volunteer opportunities, you can simply call the non-profit you are interested in helping. You can also find opportunities at www.chamberforgood.com/aberdeen or contact the United Way office. //

Photos courtesy of United Way Staff

Volunteerism in Aberdeen demonstrates the importance of giving back to our community.

 Executive Director at United Way Aaron Schultz (middle) with Dacotah Bank interns (from left) Marie Robbins, Dylan Frey, Sarah Cook , and Wesley Kemp

 Haley Wenger

 Marie McIntosh



People work together in a community build called Bunks Across America.

 Rylan Evenson

Building a Support System

by SARAH VIOLA of Brain Intercept

Who is supporting those who provide support to others, especially those who care for a loved one living with dementia? This is the question I asked myself years ago when I devoted my career to serving and supporting those living with dementia and their care providers.

In opening, I want to clarify what the term dementia means to help each reader understand this buzz word. Dementia is simply a term that describes a symptom of other diseases. It refers to when one or more areas of your brain has changed in its function, and this affects your ability to perform day-to-day activities. A fellow therapist once said, “the brain drives the train.” Meaning, any dysfunction in the brain impacts both the person and the individuals around them.

As an occupational therapist, I found it my mission to help people living with dementia because I felt they were at risk of losing their “voice.” I have specialized in the care of those living with dementia for nearly 12 years. Through this work, I have helped many people adapt or modify various aspects of life to be able to experience a high-quality life despite the changes or challenges dementia can create.

About three years ago, I met Harvey Hart. He had a mission to bring better services to Aberdeen for this specific population. Together, he and I opened Brain Intercept in November 2020. My personal goal is to help people understand that whether they or a loved one is living with early dementia or has had dementia for many, many years, there is a way to LIVE with dementia.

I find that a caregiver for a person with dementia does not truly understand the complexity and necessity of their role. They are the stronghold that helps that person maintain who they are. The best part is, in most situations, they are more than happy and feel very fulfilled in this role. Due to the demands of helping a loved one with dementia, caregivers often put themselves and their own needs on the back burner. Caregivers need to have a place they can turn to help guide them through the various situations they will encounter over the years. Here are a few tips for caregivers to keep themselves well, which in turn helps keep their loved one well.

n Find your “person.” This is someone you can rely on and lean on when you are feeling overwhelmed.

n Plan “me time.” Set aside time for yourself, even if it is only 10 minutes each day to practice a little mindful meditation, prayer, or self-love.

n Reach out to resources. Too often, it may feel like “this is just the way it is.” However, there are almost always ways to adapt or modify to make life easier and more fulfilling.

n Focus on positive moments. Journaling about the day and focusing on the good moments will help you through the more challenging moments.

EMBRACING GRACE THROUGHOUT COMPASSIONATE CAREGIVING

➼ A resource in the Aberdeen community that can help care providers is the Embracing Grace caregivers support group. The meeting is held the first and third Monday of each month in the community room at Aberdeen First United Methodist Church at 6:30 PM. The group was created to support caregivers as they navigate through the rewards and challenges of their role.

Each meeting begins with a piece of education for caregivers to learn and practice in their own lives. This knowledge and information grows through conversation as the group then shares their personal experiences.

Sarah Viola leads this support group to answer questions and provide her specialized knowledge when needed, if wanted by the group. If you want to hear more about the support group, you can reach Sarah Viola at 605-725-8885.

Sarah Viola’s personal mission is to help promote the quality of life for both the people living with dementia and their caregivers.

 Sarah Viola

Photo by Troy McQuillen

Jordyn Photography

Creating an effortless, comfortable, and timeless experience through the art of photography.

by JOSIE CLEMENS

ordyn Volk's start in photography was unexpected. Originally from Grand Forks, ND, her first glimpse of photography was through her parents and was further explored in a film photography class, an elective required for her degree in graphic design. From there, Jordyn’s passion blossomed.

Her career began with weddings, but that only lasted long enough to raise money for a school trip to Scotland. While she was in college, she would mainly photograph families, building her portfolio and laying the groundwork for her business. When Jordyn moved to Aberdeen, she needed to make new connections to continue her passion.

“I didn’t do much photography when I moved to Aberdeen. I didn’t know anyone, and at first, it was a hard place to open up a business without growing up around the area. I was lucky enough

Jto have a few families trust me and help me get my foot in the door and name known in the community,” Jordyn said.

Jordyn Photography has transformed since her arrival in Aberdeen. Within a year, she opened her first studio. She currently manages a successful photography business while balancing another job in graphic design and starting her own family.

Jordyn specializes in newborn, maternity, and family photography, but her transition to newborn photography, specifically, wasn’t an easy journey. She started to offer newborn sessions about five years ago but pressed pause a few times because she did not have the experience in posing and soothing newborns during shoots that she knew she needed.

“Being around babies was never an issue. I was always comfortable around them, but when it comes to posing them, it’s a whole different ball game,” Jordyn said.

Learning how to read the babies and position

 The froggy pose can be one of the most difficult poses in a newborn session for most beginner photographers, but with practice, Jordyn has learned how to properly and safely pose newborns. The technique is to use Photoshop to composite separate photos into one image. Even though the pose is not necessarily dangerous, placing a hand on the newborn’s head and wrists ensures that the baby is safe and comfortable during the process. Jordyn explained that she never photographed newborns in the froggy pose until she had hands-on training at a workshop.

them safely and comfortably took practice, but Jordyn didn’t shy away from the challenge. In fact, she embraced it.

“At first, taking baby photos was about getting lucky if he or she would sleep and then getting a couple shots with a bunch of stuff around them. Now, I see it as more of an art, and I took a lot of educational classes,” Jordyn said. “I needed to take my business one step further, and I knew that investing in myself would be the only way that my business could grow.”

Photos by Jordyn Photography

Jordyn has traveled to workshops in Arizona, Minneapolis, and even Canada, expanding both her knowledge in newborn photography and network of other skilled photographers.

“It’s a very, very small world when you get to know people in the photography community. I can’t just go and ask my husband what he thinks of an image because he will just say it looks the same as all the other ones I’ve taken,” she laughed. “It’s nice to have a family of creatives.”

Using those experiences and methods from the workshops, Jordyn developed a seamless process for the baby, parents, and herself. Crafting her workflow from start to finish involves practice, prep work, and patience.

All parents of the newborns receive a guide from Jordyn to ensure the baby is fed and relaxed before the session. While the parents are prepping the newborn, Jordyn is prepping her studio for seven fully styled sets. In most cases, the preparation leads to a smooth session, but from time to time, a newborn does become fussy. Education, experience, and unlimited patience helps Jordyn calm the baby for a successful shoot.

With the help of white noise, a warm studio, and her assistant, Shantell, Jordyn’s workflow is rarely disrupted.

Not only does Jordyn know how to care for a

fussy child, but also creating a comforting space for the newborn minimizes any worries from the parents. And her studio is designed to match areas found in a home, so it’s hard not to relax when you step in the door.

“I try to make a comfortable, relaxing space. From the moment they walk through the door, they are able to hand over the baby, put their feet up, and even take a nap,” Jordyn said.

The time and investment in herself really paid off for Jordyn. She received the Aberdeen News Readers’ Choice Award for Best Photographer three years in a row, and she also won the 2020 People’s Choice Abby Award presented by the Chamber of Commerce. Both achievements

were awards voted by people in the community, which speaks volumes to her interactions with her clients.

“[I am] incredibly grateful for the community. It’s not really about me. It’s about them—that they were able to take time out of their busy lives to go vote for me, my business, my family. I will forever give back to my clients for entrusting me and supporting me,” Jordyn said.

The community behind her and loyalty from her clients has helped Jordyn reach yet another impressive milestone in her career. On Oct. 29, 2021, Jordyn photographed her 1,000th and 1,001st newborns (twins), an accomplishment that Jordyn was able to reach in less than five

Photos by Jordyn Photography

BEING AROUND BABIES WAS NEVER AN ISSUE… BUT WHEN IT COMES TO POSING THEM, IT’S A WHOLE DIFFERENT BALL GAME.”

– JORDYN VOLK

Local Art Galleries

WEIN GALLERY

Presentation College

 1500 N. Main St.

 605.229.8349

 Mon-Fri 8 AM-5 PM

NSU ART GALLERIES

 1200 S. Jay St.

 605.626.7766

 President’s Gallery: Mon-Fri 8 AM-4:30 PM

JFAC Gallery: Mon-Fri 8 AM-4:30 PM

Student Center: Mon-Fri 7 AM-4:30 PM & Sat-Sun 1-9 PM

LAMONT GALLERY

Dacotah Prairie Museum

 21 S. Main St.

 605.626.7117

 Tues-Fri 10 AM-5 PM & Sat 11 AM-4 PM

ARTWORKS CO-OP GALLERY

Uptown Mall

 3315 Sixth Ave. SE, Suite 48

 605.725.0913

 Thurs-Sat 11 AM-6 PM & Sun 12-5 PM, or by appointment

JANE WEST GALLERY

Capitol Theatre

 415 S. Main St.

 605.225.2228

 Open during events, call ahead for additional hours of operation

ARCC GALLERY

Aberdeen Recreation and Cultural Center

 225 Third Ave. SE

 605.626.7081

 Mon-Thurs 9 AM-8 PM, Fri 9 AM-5 PM & Sat 10 AM-12 PM

RED ROOSTER

COFFEE HOUSE GALLERY

 218 S. Main St.

 605.225.6603

 Mon-Thurs 7 AM-7 PM, Fri 7 AM-9 PM, Sat 8 AM-9 PM & Sun 9 AM-2 PM

years since focusing on newborn photography. “My community is wonderful,” she said. And based on the love and support on her social media pages, awards based on votes from individuals in the community, and a growing business, it is fair to say that the community feels the same about Jordyn.

Lindsay Habeck, a client of Jordyn’s, said, “I am admired by Jordyn’s work ethic and commitment to her clients. She juggles working full-time, taking photos of beautiful families and babies, while managing her own household. … Jordyn has true passion and talent, and it doesn’t go unnoticed.”

The same care that Jordyn shows for her clients is evident in the time she commits to her photography. Most of her time is actually not spent in her sessions, but rather on her computer, editing the images. She mentioned

that photographing the newborns and families is just the beginning. It is her editing that distinguishes her work from other newborn photos.

“Computers have always been easy for me. Finalizing my work with my specific editing style makes it my own. When someone sees an image, I don’t want them to double take on who took it. I want them to look at it and know it’s a Jordyn Photography image,” Jordyn said.

The edits that Jordyn applies to her images is her signature as an artist. Without the changes, Jordyn sees her images as unfinished art.

“Each and every photographer has their own style when it comes to editing. We all put a ton of time into post-processing our photos,” Jordyn said.

Jordyn’s passion for photography is rooted in capturing life’s moments and being able to help parents document their baby's milestones.

“When booking a session with me, I want it to be a one-of-a-kind, easy experience all around. I don’t want you to feel as though you are going to a strange place to get your photos taken. I want every single person that steps in front of my camera to enjoy it, even the dads,” Jordyn added with a smile. //

 You can find more of Jordyn’s newborn, maternity, and family photography online:

Website: www.jordynphotography.com

Facebook: Jordyn Photography Aberdeen SD Instagram: jordynphotographyaberdeensd

Photos by Jordyn Photography

Get to Know: Rachel Dix

An emerging leader in Aberdeen who has a passion for connection

by JOSIE CLEMENS

Rachel Dix grew up in Aberdeen and has always been amazed by the support of the people around her. In a way, those mentorships guided her to where she is today. Rachel currently is the homeownership coordinator at Homes are Possible Inc. (HAPI) and is the executive officer at Aberdeen Home Builders Association. She has also been elected to the NAHB Executive Officers Council Board of Directors, starting the first week of February 2022.

I could sense a hint of pride in Rachel’s voice when she mentioned people refer to her as a “people collector and dot connector.” With her charisma and dedication, she built a growing network of trusted friends, colleagues, and mentors, which is part of the reason why Rachel loves Aberdeen.

Earning the 2020 Emerging Leader Award presented by the Chamber of Commerce at the Community Champions Awards Luncheon gave Rachel even more confidence to reach out to people in our community and connect.

In this Q and A with Rachel, she discusses her work in the housing industry and shares more on her experiences here in Aberdeen.

Photo by Troy McQuillen

ABERDEEN HAS SOMETHING SPECIAL WHERE IT DOESN’T MATTER WHO YOU CALL, YOU ARE GOING TO GET HELP SOMEWHERE.”

– RACHEL DIX

Why is your work important to you?

Being involved in the housing industry feels right. Watching our community grow, educating homebuyers, and protecting the building industry feels right. I’ve found it imperative to find work that fuels your passions. I’m passionate about collaborations and connecting people. None of us work with businesses; we work with people. The people I am able to assist and empower are why my work is so important to me.

My work also allows me to continue my education in so many ways! Between all the hats I wear, I strive to find ways to expand my knowledge and face challenges head on. My work can be rewarding and challenging. I love that! Challenges are not bad. They make us look at new alternatives and find new solutions. I have the chance to do that every day working in the housing industry.

What was the impact of winning the 2020 Emerging Leader Award?

It built my confidence to be able to pick up the phone and reach out to new mentors. I have mentors now who, a year and a half ago, I would think ‘I probably shouldn’t call them because I don’t want to bother them.’ I am exploring avenues to learn with and build a network in Aberdeen. I think it has expanded my mentor realm and who I collaborate with, and that is probably the most enjoyable aspect of work, volunteering, and growing our community. Nobody would be where they were if they didn’t find a handful of people to call and mentors to lean on.

What is something that you love about the Aberdeen community?

It’s our people! As much as I love to travel, I am always ready to come home. And not just home into our little ranch-style house. I mean home to Aberdeen, to the community we have here. It’s the feelings when you are in Aberdeen that I have never found anywhere else in all the places I have visited. Aberdeen has something special where it doesn’t matter who you call, you are going to get help somewhere. If you start digging around about who is in Aberdeen, we have some of the most influential, exciting, energetic, enthusiastic individuals who are right here, and they are amazing.

What do you like to do in your free time?

In my free time, I enjoy exploring the great outdoors. I love hunting, fishing, hiking, and kayaking around the state. At home, I enjoy spending time with my pets and pretending to know how to garden. Coffee conversations are one of my favorite ways to meet people, learning from and learning with new friends always fills my cup!

MY WORK CAN BE REWARDING AND CHALLENGING. I LOVE THAT! CHALLENGES ARE NOT BAD. THEY MAKE US LOOK AT NEW ALTERNATIVES AND FIND NEW SOLUTIONS.” –

RACHEL

DIX

What are you looking forward to going into 2022?

Hands down, finishing my Master of Business Administration degree! I am currently enrolled in an accelerated online program and have plans to finish in February 2022. With work, I’m ready to move forward with expanding homebuyer education courses through Northeastern South Dakota. The past couple years have slowed down goals, but it has not shifted our mission of helping prepare communities for home ownership. I don't know what challenges and excitement are around the corner, but I’m looking forward to the unknown and collecting more people and connecting more dots! //

 Former HAPI Executive Director Jeff Mitchell and Home Ownership Coordinator Rachel Dix stand next to the map at the HAPI 1st North Subdivision. A few lots have either been sold or are pending sale, but plenty of lots are still available.

 Rachel earned the Emerging Leader Award (left) and the Rachel Manley Small Office Honor from the 2019 Association Excellence Awards (right).

Photos by Troy McQuillen

POWERHOUSE IT’SA

Aberdeen Central’s debate program dominates at the state level and is rising to national recognition.

by PATRICK GALLAGHER

It may surprise you to learn that one high school activity program in Aberdeen has won as many state championships in the 21st century through the 2020-21 school year as the combined state championships of all boys’ high school sports teams in Aberdeen in the same period—and the same goes for all girls’ sports, who have won the same number as boys. It may not surprise you that such a successful program has the second largest budget of all activities in its school.

Maybe it will surprise you that this dominant activity is Central High School’s debate program.

Head coach Kerry Konda reports the program has won 13 state titles since 2000. By comparison, the boys’ sports teams of Aberdeen Central, Roncalli, and Christian high schools have won a combined 13 state titles, equal to the girls’ teams.

Central has also gained national recognition. Entering its 2021-22 season, the team was ranked 10th in the nation by the National Speech and Debate Association.

CHS Principal Jason Uttermark credits that to “a culture of success in the program. Our students expect to do well. The students realize success does not come easy. The participants are very dedicated and put in countless hours in preparation.”

It’s not just about competitive success, and Kerry, who, despite only having some speech but no debate experience, was hired in 2008 fresh out of college on a plan that he would assume head coaching after a year, is plenty competitive. In his job interview, he guaranteed a state championship by his third year as head coach.

Debaters also realize personal and social benefits. “The program develops selfconfidence and empowers them to advocate for ideals and issues that are important to them,” Kerry asserted.

Current senior debater Hanna Anderson added, “Debate has unlocked so many doors that I didn't even know were there.”

110 Years and Counting

The Central debate program started in 1912 and has qualified about 120 students for state tournaments and 230 for national tournaments. In 1931, two students were the first to qualify

Photos by Troy McQuillen

for nationals. The first state finalists came in 1934 when two two-person teams finished as runners-up in policy debate and one placed third in extemporaneous speaking. The first of 39 individual state championships was earned in 1954.

In the last two decades, Central has become the team to beat in South Dakota, winning state championships in 2004, 2006, 2007 (with former head coach R. Jon Frey), 2009 (with interim coach Colleen Murley), 2012 (Kerry’s third year of coaching and first title—the one promised in his interview), 2013, 2014, 2015, (2016 was a three-point loss, Kerry said) 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.

Central’s dominance was well-timed. Before 2000, team state championships weren’t awarded. “Policy debate titles were the bragging

DEBATE ACTIVITIES

DEBATE

Big Questions: Assigned a side of the topic before each round. Partners or individuals debate on topics in science, philosophy, and religion.

Lincoln-Douglas Debate: This one-on-one format explores questions of how society ought to be. Students prepare cases and then engage in an exchange of cross-examinations and rebuttals.

Public Forum: Students debate current event topics that change frequently.

rights back then,” Kerry explained, and Central had a few of those over the years too.

Not surprisingly, Jason Uttermark beamed, “The program is a source of pride for everyone at Central High School.”

The Program

Kerry manages the team with four assistant coaches, all of whom are former debaters of his. Each coach focuses on particular activities among the four forms of debate and four individual events in which students participate. Students can choose one form of debate and up to two individual events.

Kerry explained, “Individual events are speechbased events where the speaker is trying to persuade or inform the audience” and is judged against other speakers. Debate pits individuals or

Student Congress: Simulating the real U.S. Congress, students compete by proposing bills and resolutions, speaking for and against them, and questioning each other.

INDIVIDUAL EVENTS

Domestic Extemporaneous and Foreign

Extemporaneous: Students draw a topic on either domestic (U.S.) or foreign (international) current events, then prepare a seven-minute speech within 30 minutes and present it to judges.

Informative Speaking: Students write and deliver speeches with the intent to inform the audience on a topic of significance.

Oratory: Students write and deliver speeches to inform or persuade the audience on a significant topic in values or policy.

 Hanna Anderson explains the history of beer.

 (From left) Coaches Kerry Konda, Jennifer Lofswold, and Mariah William with judge and former competitor Lauren Wilkson

teams of two against each other, and it “requires critical thinking because you need to be able to respond to each argument made with evidence that has been found prior and/or analytic reasons,” Kerry said. “Lincoln-Douglas and Public Forum are the primary focus.”

Public Forum has a special demand. “We have to prepare both sides of the resolution and will debate both sides at a tournament,” Kerry said. Which side debaters are on is decided by a coin flip. “Brainstorming different possible arguments and having a response for them is critical,” Kerry said.

Central is one of few schools in the state to offer a debate class, which meets the state

speech curriculum requirement and focuses on writing arguments and public speaking. After school, debaters conduct research, fine tune arguments, and run practice debates from October to March, Mondays through Thursdays.

Fridays are when their two-day tournaments start. The regular season begins in November and ends with the state tournament in March. They compete in 12 tournaments around the state, including Aberdeen. Students might present up to 10 times in a weekend.

In recent years, the team has included about 35 students, freshmen through seniors, who travel to meets. In 14 years, Kerry has coached about 170 students, including occasional Roncalli students. He said he looks for “debaters who care and willing to put in the work.” It seems to be paying off.

The Next Levels

For the state tournament, each school can take only two entries per event—which still means hundreds of students from more than 20 schools may participate. In the past two years, the state and national tournaments have been online, including in March 2021, when Central hosted state via Zoom. Kerry brought back 75 former debaters as judges. Central won, marking its ninth title in the past ten years.

Alexis Doerr, a Northern State University art instructor who won third place at state in original oratory in 2012 and qualified for nationals, remembers making it to state quarterfinals in 2010 in Public Forum. She and her partner “were only sophomores and making it that far into the tournament is unforgettable,” she said. “We couldn’t believe it at the time, but we were so

proud of ourselves and all our hard work we put into practicing and preparing.”

Great Plains Bank Operations Officer Joe Mehlhaff said, “My favorite memory was winning the state championship in Lincoln-Douglas debate during my first year of competition, and then winning the championship again my second and final year.” Joe won in 2012 and 2013, and he credits his accelerated success to the coaching staff at Central.

Before the state tournament each year, South Dakota holds a qualifying event for the national tournament. Last year, Central qualified 20 students and 22 the year before. Preparation for nationals begins in May, about a month after the state tournament.

“While at the national tournament, I made friends with other students who were among the most accomplished students and speakers I had ever met,” said attorney and City Council member Rob Ronayne, a 1979 national qualifier in Student Congress. He later saw some of them in law school and moot court competitions.

Milestones and Memories

Besides his first state championship (and all the others), Kerry identifies several highlights from his 14 years of coaching. Maybe the most significant came at the national tournament in Dallas in 2011, when he realized they could compete at the national level.

“Josh Matushin was giving a speech about pet seat belts,” he said. “I remember thinking we can compete and win.” A year later, Hannah Brenden placed sixth nationally in Expository Speaking (a

Photos by Troy McQuillen

 (From left) Grant Aberle, Drake Van Steenwyk, Madyson Fleckenstein, and Fiala Herceg

 Zoe Rystrom and Olivia Johnson

RECENT DEBATE TOPICS

RECENT DEBATE TOPICS

Topics change every two months and are used nationally.

PUBLIC FORUM TOPICS

November/December 2021: Resolved: Increased United States federal regulation of cryptocurrency transactions and/or assets will produce more benefits than harms.

2020-2021 State Tournament: Resolved: On balance, the benefits of urbanization in West Africa outweigh the harms.

2020-2021 National Tournament: Resolved: In the United States, social media is beneficial for democratic values.

LINCOLN-DOUGLAS TOPICS

November/December 2021: Resolved: A just government ought to recognize an unconditional right of workers to strike.

2020-2021 State Tournament: Resolved: States ought to ban lethal autonomous weapons.

2020-2021 National Tournament: Resolved: A public health emergency justifies limiting civil liberties.

supplemental event offered at nationals) with a speech on backyard chickens.

Some other individual accomplishments also jump out. In 2018, Maggie Fouberg won in Original Oratory and Domestic Extemp, the first student in state history to win two individual speaking events at a state tournament. Two years later, Mariah William was named runner-up for the national Student of the Year Award.

Like any good coach, Kerry can point to longterm benefits his program offers students besides competition accolades. “For college they have developed their research, writing, and speaking skills,” he said, “so that most classes that focus on those areas are not overly challenging.” From a civics perspective, students “are actively engaged in current events and the political issues facing our country, state, and community and can contribute to the discussion because they are some of the most informed individuals.”

Former debaters agree. “The critical thinking one must learn in debate is certainly a skill that I utilize daily in the practice of law and other aspects of daily living,” Rob Ronayne said. “In law school and into adulthood I have felt very little anxiety while speaking publicly, whether it is a jury of a dozen people or hundreds in an auditorium.”

Alexis Doerr added, “I gained confidence in

public speaking, which has been a priceless skill. I use public speaking every day as a teacher.” Kerry summed it up, “Presentations don't rattle them. It is just another speech.”

Current debaters share the appreciation. “[Debate] has taught me how to research effectively, write papers efficiently, speak confidently in public, and the importance of understanding current events to be an educated member of society,” senior Madyson Fleckenstein said.

Fellow senior, Hanna Anderson, agreed but also stressed the social aspect. “While I didn't originally plan on joining debate, I found myself staying for the community. Truly, debate wouldn't be nearly as fun as it is without the people you meet during the process,” Hanna said.

Still, that large budget is unexpected for an activity that requires no special equipment. Technically, debate ($82,522) is second to football ($85,260) in the 2021-22 public school budget, according to Finance Director Tom Janish. He added that debate’s long season and many overnight trips, plus several coaches and judges who must be provided and paid for every tournament, add up quickly. Busing costs are budgeted separately, however, and with more out of town events, including transportation would put debate ahead of football in expense. It’s fair to note that equipment is also budgeted separately.

While it may be a surprisingly expensive activity, the proof is in the pudding, and 13 championships in two decades is pretty tasty. //

Photos by Troy McQuillen

 Devin Weber Way preps for his individual event

 Jordan Phillips



Awards for the Golden Eagle Cup Speech and Debate Tournament

Dulces’ New Year’s Tamales

A delicious recipe to help you keep warm this winter!

by BRANDON HEIM

Dulces Hispanic Store in Aberdeen makes tamales on New Year’s Day every year to thank the community and God for all their support. They welcome everyone to their store located at 1111 Sixth Ave. SW between Perkins and the Salvation Army. The tamales are free!

In Mexico, the reason people make tamales on the first day of the year is because of the cold weather. They want something hot to warm them up. I discovered this tradition when I was interviewing the owners of Dulces, José Salas and Joana Monterroso, and decided to give their recipe a try for myself and share the steps with you. You can read more about Dulces and José and Joana’s story on page 44. //

Photos by Brandon Heim

INGREDIENTS

• 1 bag of Maseca 

 Items you can buy at Dulces!

• 2 lbs of pork shoulder (or any meat)

• 1 ½ lbs of pork butter (or regular butter) 

• 13-16 sun-dried guajillo chilis 

DIRECTIONS

1. Soak corn husks in a kettle or sink full of water for at least 30 minutes or until softened. Soaking overnight is ideal. Use a heavy object to keep them submerged.

2. Bring a stock pot three-fourths full of water to a boil.

3. Place pork shoulder, 2 tablespoons of salt, and 1 head of garlic in stock pot. Once it starts to boil, reduce heat to medium-high and boil for 2 hours. Skim off protein that bubbles to the surface as it boils. Save the broth when it’s done!

4. While meat is cooking, remove seeds from dried guajillo chilis.

5. Place seedless guajillo chilis in a saucepan and fill pan with water. Wash and rinse chilis with your hands. Drain the water. Do this a few times.

6. Fill the same pan with enough water to cover chilis.

7. Place pan on stove on high. Once it’s about to boil, take it off the burner and let the chilis soak for at least 30 minutes.

8. When the chilis have expanded in size and are limp and soft, transfer whole chilis into blender. Add garlic cloves, cumin, and 2 cups of broth from the meat. Blend until smooth. This is your chili sauce.

9. Once meat is finished, spoon out meat and break it up. You can tell when meat is done if it falls apart as you press a fork against it.

• 1 head and 2 cloves of garlic

• 1 Tbsp. of cumin (not ground) 

• Bag of hojas (corn husks) 

• Salt (at least 2 Tbsp.)

10. Transfer pork to new pan and shred with a fork. Cook on stove on medium-high heat. Add threefourths of chili sauce to pan. Add salt to taste. Save remaining chili sauce for later.

11. Stir constantly for 15 minutes, then take pork off the burner and begin to make the Masa.

12. To make Masa, add 1 ½ lbs of pork butter to a bowl and mix until creamy. Add 8 cups of Maseca, remaining chili sauce, and 3 cups of broth (from stock pot). Add salt to taste. Mix and add more broth as needed. Note: too much water will make the masa too hard to spread on the hojas.

13. Grab a steamer (or stock pot with a strainer) and fill it up with water so that it just touches the holes at the bottom of the strainer. Add just enough husks to the bottom of the steamer to help with insulating the steam.

14. Once all the ingredients are ready, drain corn husks and spread masa over the middle of the husk. Add pork filling then fold the tamale. Add tamale to a steamer, standing upward (pointed edge down).

15. Once the steamer is full, add enough corn husks on top to help keep the moisture in, cover with lid, and steam on medium-low heat for 1-2 hours.

16. Remove the lid, let cool, and enjoy!

A Taste of Culture

Shining a spotlight on the cultural markets in our Hub City

by BRANDON HEIM

DID YOU KNOW that you can enjoy a piece of Hispanic, African, and Asian culture right here in Aberdeen? The owners of each of these businesses strive to share a bit of their culture and want people to try their products. But that is just the tip of the iceberg. Not only will you find different and delicious goods, but the customer service these owners provide transcend the items they sell. You know you are in a quality market because of their drive for providing authentic and traditional food and products and for the time, love, and effort they put into meeting and interacting with new people every day. Don’t just take my word for it, check out these amazing places for yourselves!

KAREN ASIAN MARKET

If you’re looking for a wide variety of products to try, Karen Asian Market has you covered. Pawgaymoo Shee, her husband, Maung Lay, and their daughter, Moolay, are refugees from Thailand. They came to the United States and traveled to Omaha, NE, in 2007. Moolay, 22, is the co-owner and accountant of Karen Asian Market. She stayed behind to go to school at the University of Nebraska Omaha, while her parents moved to Aberdeen. They saw an opportunity to start the first Asian market in town.

“My parents realized in Aberdeen that they wanted to eat their native food but had no access to it. Not only that, but there was a lot of different ethnicities in Aberdeen but no Asian market,” Moolay said.

This is the main reason Pawgaymoo and her husband established their business in Aberdeen about four years ago. Karen Asian Market not only carries a variety of Asian food such as Thai, Myanmar, Filipino, and Vietnamese, but they also import South American food.

“We have stuff from all over,” Moolay said. That is her favorite part about their store—the wide variety of food to choose from. “It doesn’t always have to be only Asian food,” she said.

“We are very thankful for the opportunity to open up an Asian supermarket in Aberdeen. We try our best to cover as much for our people and for other ethnicities,” Pawgaymoo said.

 The store is located at 608 S. Congress St. You can contact Pawgaymoo at 402-378-8631.

J&J GOLDEN KAREN ASIAN MARKET

October 2020 and are preparing to either expand or find a new place with a bigger parking lot.

connection she receives when meeting new people.

If you’re looking for some boba drinks, look no further than J&J Golden Karen Asian Market. June Bow and her husband, Joseph, are the owners of the Golden Karen Market on Main Street. June is a 28-yearold woman from a Karen population in the Southeast Asian country,

Myanmar. She and Joseph moved to the United States as refugees in 2015 and moved to Aberdeen in 2017. When they settled here, the couple discovered there were a lot of old friends from Myanmar that lived here too. June and her husband purchased the building for their business in

“I love to meet new people,” June said. She talked about how she loved providing easy access to Asian food for everyone and creating an opportunity for people to try something new from a different culture.

“I just want people to know that I’m doing my best. I love to work, meet new people, and do my thing,” June said. She couldn’t stress enough how she is here every day and how much she loves the human

You can expect to find a wide assortment of Asian snacks, foods, and ingredients that are Thai, Korean, Filipino, Myanmar, and Chinese. In fact, every Friday she receives an import of fresh fruits and vegetables. In November, she had an abundance of bean sprouts, bok choy, and persimmons. If you ever wish to know what she has available, don’t hesitate to give her a call!

DULCES HISPANIC STORE

If you are looking to try a bit of Mexico that is more authentic than Taco Bell but closer than actually traveling to another country, then Dulces Hispanic Store is a great place to go.

José Salas and Joana Monterroso are the owners of Dulces. José was born in Chicago but moved to Mexico when he was only five months old. He came back to the United States at age 15, moving to California. He worked at a Chinese restaurant where he learned how to speak English from his manager. After moving and living in Los Angeles for 10 years and Utah for some time, an old boss of his invited José to move out to Aberdeen with him and work at the beef plant. This was about six years ago.

“We had a lot of problems not finding [traditional food] here. We’d sometimes have to drive in order to find it,” José said. “That’s when I told my wife, I think we need to do this. It’s a good idea to plant a store here.”

José’s mission was to give people of Aberdeen the opportunity to know more about his culture—especially the food. “We wanted to give something a little more traditional,” José said.

Dulces is not only a Hispanic market but also a bakery and a small restaurant. They serve items like burritos and homemade guacamole and chips.

“We would just want to tell all the people in Aberdeen to come and try what we have. And thank you all for supporting us. Everyone is welcome here!” Jose said.

 The store is located at 1111 Sixth Ave. SW in between Perkins and the Salvation Army. You can contact José and Joana at 605-262-0363. Be sure to stop by for their free, yearly Barbacoa on Jan. 1 as a thank you to their customers and to God for their support.

HONEY’S ASIAN MARKET

If you’re tired after work and don’t feel like cooking, Honey’s Asian Market provides homemade Asian cuisines made by the owner herself—and at an affordable price, too. Than Way and her husband, Hla Htay, are the owners of Honey’s. They came to the United States as refugees from Thailand in 2009. They decided to move to Aberdeen in 2016 because of their friends who live in the area.

After working at Molded Fiber Glass and Twin City Fan, Than and Hla figured that they wanted to try something new. So, they decided to open an Asian Market which has now been running for about eight months.

“I get to meet a lot of people and become friends with them. Everyone is my friend,” Than said. That is her favorite part about owning the business. She can become friends with everyone and anyone who walks through the front door.

Than prides herself in her home cooking that she sells. She loves making easy meals for those who are too tired to cook after work.

“Our English regulars love our Asian noodles,” Than said, but her favorite thing to make is the Asian salads.

If you’re not there for the easy meals, you can walk down the many isles and find a plethora of other Thai, Karen, and Korean products. Some products include fresh produce, snacks, drinks, baking products, and clothing. Honey’s even has frozen frogs and squid!

“I am just happy our business is doing well and am very grateful for all the love and support from the community!” Than said.

 The store is located at 614 Sixth Ave. SW. You can contact Than at 614-917-7044.

AFRICAN GROCERY MANDEEQ

The African Grocery Mandeeq is not only a modest market but also a gathering center for the Somali community in Aberdeen. Khalif Ali, 78, is the owner of African Grocery Mandeeq and founded the business three years ago. He is originally from Somalia, but he came to the United States in 2007 and lived in Kansas for work. He moved to Aberdeen in 2016 to work at the beef plant.

“The majority of the Somali population here in Aberdeen work at the beef plant,” Abdi, an attendee, said. Whenever they have a day off, they come here to hang out, talk, and seek counsel.

Like Khalif, other people from Somalia came to this area to work and send money back to their families in their home country.

“My favorite thing about the market is my product. Juice, rice, and meats. America is the land of opportunity! I saw the opportunity here, and that’s why I set up shop,” Khalif said. “Aberdeen has very good people.”

You will find a modest array of products like goat, lamb, sheep, seedless tamarind, and sometimes even camel. You will also find a prayer room, couches, and a Somali board game table.

“Let's work together! Spreading peace and love,” Khalif said. //  The store is located at 1713 Sixth Ave. SE.

“This store is SOOOO overdue in Aberdeen!! Finally I have a place to go for alternative treatments AND a super nice staff who always takes a lot of time with me to find just the right thing.” - Nickolas Potter

“Lisa and Meghan are amazing!! They provide valuable insight into your health needs, and deliver a personal and reputable experience.” - Breanne Dodds

“This place deserves an 11 out of 10 stars hands down!”Taylor Patterson

OF FUN

A Flurry

Aberdeen Parks, Recreation, and Forestry create opportunities for family and friends to enjoy the outdoors during the long, winter season.

by JOSIE CLEMENS

The only thing predictable about a South Dakota winter is how unpredictable the season will be. We could have an ice storm one day, a melting 50-degree day the next, and two feet of fluffy snow the day after. With weather like this, it can be very tempting to stay indoors. Nothing sounds more appealing on a cold day than being wrapped up in a cozy blanket, binging your favorite show, or working on that puzzle that sits out long after the holiday season has passed, especially on those evenings with the sporadic weather conditions.

But when the winds turn into a gentle breeze and the clouds disappear, outdoor activities may be on the agenda. The Aberdeen Parks, Recreation, and Forestry department has made it possible for people to enjoy those calm, winter days outside their home.

“Part of the fun of living in South Dakota is the wintertime. We try to offer activities for families to enjoy the outdoors,” Recreation Superintendent Gene Morsching said.

And Aberdeen has a great variety of outdoor activities for people of all ages to experience from pond hockey to cross-country skiing to skating. The Parks and Recreation department even built a hill for sledders.

“We live in Aberdeen where, most times, our sledding hills are piles of snow in a parking lot, so we built the sledding hill a number of years ago at Baird Park. When we have enough snow, that has been an extremely popular place for families to go out and do some sledding,” Gene explained.

Gene also emphasized the significance of clearing the trails in Aberdeen. Something as simple as access to a clear walkway is important for people looking to enjoy a breath of fresh air.

“The one other thing that we shouldn’t forget about is that our Parks division, in most cases, maintains the trail system during the wintertime. They work really hard to get the snow removed off of our trail systems,” Gene said. “You’ll see a lot of people out walking in the wintertime.”

Each recreational activity actually requires daily maintenance to keep the area in good condition. The commitment to our outdoor recreation parks, trails, and rinks provides an opportunity for people in Aberdeen to

take a break from the indoors and experience seasonal activities.

To encourage people to try winter recreation, the Recreation Division created two days of free activities for both youth and adults. Free Skate Day on Jan. 21 includes free skate rentals at Lincoln and Manor Park outdoor rinks and the indoor rink at Odde Ice Arena. Winter Fun Day at Manor Park is on Feb. 5 and runs from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. You can learn how to ice skate and cross-country ski at no cost. Both events have free hot chocolate!

The wintertime in Aberdeen doesn’t always have to be spent indoors. If you would like to participate in outdoor winter recreation in the area, keep this guide for activities, hours, and costs (see page 50). //

 For details on each activity, find the current Parks & Recreation Guide brochure at www.aberdeen. sd.us/151/Recreation-Division or call the Recreation Division at 605-626-7015.

PART OF THE FUN OF LIVING IN SOUTH DAKOTA IS THE WINTERTIME.” – GENE MORSCHING

Outdoor Skating Rinks

LINCOLN RINK

 1124 Fifth Ave. SW

 605-626-7009

MANOR PARK

 12th Ave. NE and Jay Street

 605-626-3589

Open in late December, weather permitting

Weekdays: 4:00 - 9:00 PM

Weekends: 1:00 - 9:00 PM

Skate Rentals: $1 Single; $4 Family

 Hot beverages available while you skate at both outdoor rink locations. Check online for closing guidelines at www.aberdeen.sd.us

Cross-Country Skiing

MANOR PARK

 12th Ave. NE and Jay Street

 605-626-3589

Cross Country Ski Rentals

Available at the Manor Park Warming House

$3; $1.50 for children 12 years and younger

Cross Country Skiing Lessons

Jan. 22

$16 per class

Beginners: 1:00 - 2:30 PM

Advanced Beginners: 3:00 - 4:30 PM

 More details about cross-country skiing at Manor Park available online at www.aberdeen.sd.us.

Sledding

BAIRD PARK

 1715 24th Ave. NE

 Free! Must provide your own sleds.

Snowshoeing

ABERDEEN

 Allowed in all Aberdeen parks except on cross-country ski trails.

Richmond & Mina Lake Recreation Areas

RICHMOND LAKE

 37908 Youth Camp Road

 Park Office: 605-626-3488

MINA LAKE

 402 Park Ave., Mina

Cost: A park entrance license is required in any area that is signed as a fee area. Daily, $8; Annual, $36

 Venture beyond city limits for more winter recreation! Richmond and Mina Lake recreation areas are great places to enjoy the outdoors close to Aberdeen.

Cross-country skiing: Cross-country ski trails located in Forest Drive area at Richmond Lake. At Mina Lake, park visitors can cross-county ski on the hiking trails.

Sledding: Sledders need to bring their own sleds. The sledding hill at Richmond Lake is located west of campground.

Snowmobiling: Forest Drive warming shelter at Richmond Lake is the trailhead for the Dakota Midland snowmobile trail that connects Aberdeen, Westport, Mina Lake, Richmond Lake, and Frederick. Check trail conditions by calling 1-800-445-3474.

Snowshoeing: Snowshoes are available to check out at Richmond Lake. Call two days in advance to reserve. You must provide your own equipment at Mina Lake.

Walking: At Richmond Lake, a portion of Forest Drive is closed to vehicles but kept open for walkers.

THE WINTER SEASON IN THE PARKS OFFER BEAUTIFUL SCENERY, VIEWING OF WILDLIFE, AND MANY ACTIVITIES FOR THE PUBLIC TO ENJOY.”

– ROBERT TEACHOUT, DISTRICT PARKS SUPERVISOR

A FAMILY HOUSE WITH HISTORIC STATUS

The John Firey House on Arch Street is full of Aberdeen history,

story and photography by TROY MCQUILLEN

very year I guide a walking tour of the Hagerty and Lloyd Historic District located immediately east of downtown. We spend a lot of time discussing architectural styles and share a few stories of Aberdeen pioneers who lived in some of the 100-plus-yearold houses in the neighborhood. Although I never plan it, the tour group (sometimes as many as 20 people) is almost always greeted by Rene Graf, standing on the front porch of her historic home at 418 S. Arch St.

She invites us in for a quick tour of the main floor and a brief history of the home’s original owner, John Firey. Rene tells of the romance between John, who came to Aberdeen in 1882, and his wife, Susan Mack. She talks about John’s main profession, as he was Aberdeen’s first pharmacist. She mentions

he was the postmaster, a politician, city finance commissioner, a board member, and immigration officer for the Milwaukee Railroad. As a realtor and developer, he built business blocks (Engel Music building) and hotels, one specifically for immigrants.

She explains that Firey built this house in 1883, and as his family grew, he added on several times. His daughter, Mary Margaret (Antleman), eventually took over ownership of the house. Then the house was sold to Rene and Dave Graf in 1979.

Homes of this age come with a fair amount of history and memories. Normally that history goes with the family when they vacate the house. Not so with the John Firey house. Rene is knowledgeable about the Firey family because, for whatever reason, John kept all sorts of correspondences, receipts, train ticket

but it’s a cozy home for the Graf family.

stubs, remedy formulations, books, and even love letters to and from Susan, and left them in the house for Rene to discover (and eventually organize). The quantity of material was so overwhelming and extensive that she and the house were featured on HGTV’s If Walls Could Talk in April 2001.

While she does have modern, comfy furniture, she also has collected and acquired many antiques and artifacts that are displayed in the home. Even though Rene’s brief Firey history is fascinating, my tour group attendees are mesmerized by the woodwork, the pocket doors, the floors, and the thrill of going inside

one of the houses on the tour. She is very proud of her house and truly enjoys sharing it with others. While the woodwork is stunning, Rene remembers when it was all painted white and is constantly reminded of the hours she spent stripping doors, trim, and moldings to restore the beautiful wood.

 Built in 1883, the John Firey house on the corner of Arch Street and Fifth Avenue Southeast has been added to and remodeled several times over the century. Aberdeen architect John Henry designed a major renovation to the home in 1924. It has been relatively unchanged since then.

 John C. Firey wears his uniform from the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad.

 Rene stripped paint from woodwork throughout the house, revealing the beautiful natural wood.

The passion she has for preserving this house is never-ending. Just last fall, she dismantled the balustrades on the second-floor balcony, stabilized them, repainted them, then reinstalled them. Her immediate plans are to remove the carpet from the staircases next. Despite her passion to preserve the house, she still sees it as the house they live in—not necessarily as the historic landmark that it is—wanting no special recognition for her efforts. IIn fact, she never mounted the National Register of Historic Places plaque on the house. It sits behind the couch in the parlor.

Unfortunately, this mention of John Firey is only a fraction of his impact on Aberdeen as a pioneer. He deserves a much bigger story or even a book about him. We are grateful that his house is brilliantly and lovingly preserved by the Grafs, so future citizens can traipse through it on an impromptu walking tour invite or marvel at its stateliness on the corner of Arch Street and Fifth Avenue Southeast. //

 John Firey left a treasure trove of business papers and letters in the house.

Rene organized everything and put her favorite items in binders for quick access. Susan Firey kept fabric preview swatches from Marshall Field for garments she ordered.

Generations Three

...and Counting?

The Story of the Lust Family Auto Store

by PATRICK GALLAGHER

One of the oldest family businesses in Aberdeen might not be around today if the second and third generation owners had followed their original career plans. Neither Jim Lust nor Steven Lust planned to work for the car business they both grew up around, but now the dealership is in its 84th year and third generation of Lust family ownership.

A lot has changed since Loel Lust bought the bankrupt Hub City Chevrolet dealership in Aberdeen in late 1937. As the cliché goes, though, the more things change, the more they stay the same, and Jim suggested, “The problems are the same, but infinitely more complex now.”

Steven sat in his office adjacent to the quiet showroom and referred to his large lots outside with only a handful of new vehicles. Inventory had declined due to a pandemic-induced shortage of microchips vital to auto manufacturing. While new models are coming, he knows that the landscape of the car selling business is changing.

BEGINNING

Buying a dealership in the Great Depression was a bold move, and in a 1946 newspaper story, Loel said 1938 (his first full year as owner) was second only to 1932 as the “roughest” year in the auto industry. The business, as was true for many dealerships in early Aberdeen, was first located downtown in what is now the Wells Fargo building at First Street and Second Avenue Northwest. Loel bought the business in partnership with GM and named it Quality Chevrolet Co. In 1942, he bought out GM and renamed it Loel Lust Chevrolet Co.

The Depression gave way to World War II, and the “store” (as both Jim and Steven call the dealership) nearly went bankrupt thanks to General Motors’ shift to manufacturing war



1955—Auto Show at the Aberdeen Civic Arena

machinery, which left few cars to sell. But the store survived, and it expanded to include a used car lot on west Sixth Avenue. In 1957, Loel built a nearly 20,000 square foot building at the new location and moved the dealership there. A newspaper account noted that “since the new location is further from the business area, the company will provide a shuttle service” to take customers back downtown after leaving their cars for service.

A couple years later, Jim got a call from his dad, who had become sick. He asked his son if he could help run the store during his recovery. Fresh out of the Ivy League’s Dartmouth College, Jim recalled that he “had no intention of being in the business. I didn’t plan to stay in Aberdeen.” He had his heart set on graduate school, a Ph.D. in economics, and a college teaching career.

But he did as his father asked and hasn’t looked back. He found that he loved the car business and began to turn the store around. He had to let some people go in the process—people Jim thought had lost interest due to Loel’s illness. Still, he believed, “We mostly parted as friends.” He brought in people who cared about the work, even if they “probably didn’t know much more than I did,” he said.

SECOND GENERATION

By 1962, Loel was mostly retired, and Jim was general manager. In 1964, at age 25, Jim became the dealer of record, one of the youngest in the country. He built a 10,000 square foot showroom, opened a used car center, and changed the name to Lust Chevrolet. He also added Buick, Geo, and Mazda to the lines he sold, until Geo was phased out by GM, and Mazda became a Ford product and was sold to another dealership. During his career, he also served as president of both the Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce and the National Auto Dealers Association.

In the end, Jim loved the work and his hometown. He remembers his college friends thinking he was crazy to go back to Aberdeen. One of those friends has come to hunt a few times and enjoyed what he experienced. At one point, he admitted to Jim, “We thought you were the dumbest, but you may be the smartest. You’re able to do all the things we’d like to do, but we can’t because we live in cities.”

Early in his career, Jim started gifting stock in the dealership to his seven children, but for a while, no one showed interest in taking over the

business. Steven, who’d worked in the kitchen at Moccasin Creek Country Club through high school, intended to run food and beverage for a large resort and graduated from Northern Arizona University. In the end, after not getting a job he was hoping for, he considered business school. Shades of a few decades earlier, Jim stepped in. He invited Steven to work at the dealership. “He was going to go to business school,” Jim said. “So I told him why don’t you come here, and we’ll teach you business.” Steven started as a service writer, worked in finance and insurance, and served as used car manager and general sales manager.

In time, maybe the genes took over, and Steven started buying shares in the business with an eye for taking over. Jim supported the plan but made it clear it wasn’t going to be a gift job. Steven had to prove himself. “I wasn’t going to put up with

mediocrity,” Jim added. As Jim sees it, Steven was in part working for his shareholding siblings, which also made them “cheerleaders” for their brother. Eventually, Steven began buying out his “cheerleaders.”

GENERATION THREE

In 1997, Steven became dealer of record and, on the advice of his father, changed the store’s name to Steven Lust Automotive. The business has grown under Steven’s ownership in both offerings and real estate, as the Lust landscape now covers four city blocks. He built a no-appointment oil change center and two touchless car washes, both of which earned the Aberdeen News People’s Choice Award four years in a row. He added more car lines, including GMC and Cadillac. He also briefly sold Pontiacs, but

 1947—Loel Lust and parts personnel

 1943—Service Department and technicians

in a familiar tale, GM shut down the Pontiac line. Maybe it’s not surprising that Steven mentions dealing with the manufacturer as a frustration in his ownership experience—a sour memory Jim shares.

Jim is proud of Steven’s success in a challenging industry. “Our styles are different,” he said, “but our goals are the same.”

Steven stressed the styles part of that equation early in his ownership. Thinking tiewearing salespeople were off-putting for some customers, Steven stopped requiring ties. “When I told my dad, he didn’t like it,” he said. “We didn’t talk for a while.”

That might have been a joke because Jim remembers it a little differently. “I saw this as Steven testing how involved I was going to be in the business,” Jim said. The retired but still dapper man explained, “I just said that as long as they’re neat, I’m okay with it.” He added that while he has shared his business thoughts with Steven, “It’s always his decision.”

“I’ve learned most of what I know about the business from my dad, and I respect that,” Steven said.

WORKING AT THE CAR STORE

Besides family dynamics, employee relations have always been a priority for both Jim and Steven. The business has been blessed with many long-term staff, who receive profit-sharing and loyalty bonuses at the end of the year.

Steven is active in Aberdeen—like his father, he served as Chamber president—and likes his staff to be involved and build relationships with people in the community. “I like to think it’s still a relationship business,” he said.

Beyond the professional benefits, Steven’s perspective is philosophical. Wherever he

worked, he said, “I’ve never worked for anyone and don’t want anyone working for me—I’ve worked for myself, my family, and my well-being, and I want to treat people that way.” Ultimately, “I tell my staff you better have fun here and enjoy it because you’re here more than you’re with your family.”

Jim salutes Steven’s treatment of his staff. “The pandemic exposed lots of weakness in dealerships around the country,” he said. “Steven decided it was time to support the employees and protect their jobs. It was a gutsy move.” Despite inventory shortages and not a lot to sell, he still retained all salespeople during the pandemic and during the ongoing chip shortage.

 Retired second owner, Jim Lust, still comes into the office on a regular basis.

 1953—Site of present Wells Fargo Bank

Another aspect of caring for staff is the idea that people “don’t have to retire here,” Jim said. “We find that people identify with their jobs, and when they leave, it can be difficult for them.” So the dealership sometimes finds retirees parttime work, such as driving courtesy vehicles, to help them maintain connections with the store community. Reinforcing this point, Jim, who turned the business over to Steven a quarter century ago, described this policy while sitting at his desk in the retirement office he keeps at the dealership.

SELLING CARS IN THE 21st CENTURY

As is true for many industries, the pandemic has disrupted the car business. In some ways, Steven believes, it may have accelerated changes that were already coming, largely driven by the Internet. “It has changed the business dramatically, changing buying behaviors and

patterns,” he explained. “Customers love the simplicity of the Amazon model, and it works for cars too.” It has “changed customer loyalty. It has allowed people to be more private in their buying. They don’t have to come into a showroom. It’s posed a big challenge,” Steven added. Plus, it will require fundamental changes.

“I believe a majority of dealers going forward will work with fewer vehicles on the lot,” he said. Manufacturers will start producing cars and trucks based on data on presold vehicles. More and more people will place an order for a vehicle online, choose the dealership where it will be delivered, and pick it up there. That’s the approach GM is using to sell the all-electric Hummer, which Steven is bringing to Aberdeen. “It used to be that 15 to 20% of vehicles were presold,” he said, “and I expect it to go up to 50 to 60%.”

This will change the role of the dealership. There will be sample models on the lot, but not hundreds of vehicles anymore. “We’ll still be here

to educate you on your vehicle and for service,” he said, but in-dealership sales will likely decline. Another new fact of life is that vehicles are changing. “There will definitely be more electric vehicles in the future, especially as their driving range increases,” Steven said. And he is planning for it. He has built an open-air shed on one of his lots that will hold vehicle chargers available for public use. Jim and Steven agree, however, that the internal combustion engine will be around for many years, particularly in this part of the country.

It hasn’t all been challenges. Steven has many fond memories of the business. Probably not coincidentally for a third-generation owner, his most positive memory is of selling vehicles to second and third generations of customer families. “I love seeing people get excited when they come to get their new vehicles, and I love being able to help people when they have vehicle problems,” he said. Maybe it’s not surprising that the man who trusts that selling cars is still a relationship business believes, especially for something that’s as expensive as new vehicles, that “there’s always going to be a need for a thank you and a smile.”

While the next generation of Lusts hasn’t shown much interest in getting in the business so far, Jim takes great satisfaction from “seeing my dad’s legacy progress and succeed through three generations.” No doubt Loel does, too. //

 Dealership today

 Steven Lust became the third owner of the dealership in 1997.

 Dealership in 1965

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by Eliot Lucas