Aberdeen Magazine March/April 2018

PACK BACKING THE

LEARN WHY WOLVES FANS ARE SOME OF THE MOST DEVOTED IN THE NATION

FEATURES

18 MAKING A DIFFERENCE

The most valuable thing you can give is your time. Aberdeen business owner and active volunteer, Mike Sommers, talks about the joys that come from investing your time into your passions.

20 CATHOLICS VS.

CATHOLICS

Before 1966, private schools were not permitted to compete in South Dakota state tournaments, so they hosted their own. We’ll take you back to the sidelines when Aberdeen held the highly-anticipated Catholic state basketball tournament in 1949.

22 STAYING COMMITTED TO YOUR GOALS

Feeling bored with your New Year’s resolutions?

The Aberdeen YMCA shares the simple health and fitness secrets that can help you stay motivated and on track.

24 WELCOME TO WOLVES COUNTRY

Hear that howl? The Northern State University men’s and women’s basketball teams have garnered national attention for their fan attendance, and are the heart of the game for our community.

28

30 PLAYING WITH A PURPOSE

Since getting its start in Aberdeen in 2009, the nationally applauded Upward Sports program has been steadily growing in popularity, thanks to its reputation for good sportsmanship and equal opportunity.

32 FASHION IN-FUZE-ION

Wondering what to wear for your prom or formal event this spring? Look no further. The Fuze carries all the season’s hottest styles and colors, so get ready to find the dress you’ll fall in love with.

36 ALL IN ON HOOPS

Just because you live in a small town, doesn’t mean your opportunities can’t be big. The Barn Burner Basketball Academy at Reede Barn is giving youth who love basketball the chance to work with great trainers and play close to home.

38

JUST BREW IT!

Grab a cold one, and get acquainted with Aberdeen’s home brew masters as they explain everything you need to know if you’re thinking of giving home brewing a try.

42 TRADING ON THE JAMES

Meet some early traders and explorers who adventured around the James River Valley in the 19th century and established trade posts during the boom of the European fur market.

34 ENJOYING EACH STEP

From dance student, to assistant teacher, to instructor, to studio owner, Vicki Schnoor has spent a lifetime in the performing arts, and says that her love for dance keeps on growing.

MEANINGFUL MASTERPIECES

Get a glimpse of Aberdeen artist Lori Tobin’s colorful and vibrant paintings of animals, nature, and South Dakota landscapes.

ON THE COVER Northern State University has been the place to be for generations of Aberdeen basketball fans. Pictured on the cover is current NSU guard Gabe King, a sophomore from Irene, South Dakota. Photo by Troy McQuillen.

When I was a kid we went to NSU basketball games to watch Ryan Miller play. Aberdeen is a small town, but where I’m from is even smaller, a population of less than 300 in fact, and so driving an hour to attend games at the Barnett Center was huge. The crowd was electric, and the facility was bigger and more outstanding than any I had ever been to. When I got to high school, I was fortunate enough to have a positive and fun experience playing for a girls class “B” basketball team. I remember the first time my team got to play a game on that same court at NSU that I had thought was so awesome as a young kid. We were nervous and excited just to be out there, and for most of us it was the nicest gym we’d ever get to play on. Fast forward a few (maybe a lot) of years, and I found myself recently sitting with my own three young daughters taking in a Wolves games on what is now Don Meyer Court, eating those familiar Wolf Dogs, and feeling the rush of being a part of that same enthusiastic crowd.

There is no doubt NSU basketball is at the pulse of Aberdeen (page 24), and has been for generations. The Wolves lead their division in fan attendance, but more than that, they’ve helped create a strong basketball community that is a positive influence on youth and has branched out into other sports and programs around the region. You can read about some of those programs here, like Barn Burner Basketball Academy at Reede Barn (page 36), a private gym that has opened its doors to make sure all kids who love hoops have a place they can work on their game. Or Upward Sports (page 30), a completely volunteer-run basketball and cheerleading program whose focus is making sure kids learn sportsmanship and integrity first. If you still can’t get enough basketball or are a history buff, be sure to also head to page 20 and read about the Hub City’s one and only time it got to host the South Dakota Catholic high school basketball tournament, before private schools were allowed to participate in the regular state tournaments, in 1949.

For basketball fans, March Madness is everywhere this time of year. It doesn’t matter if you bleed the colors of your favorite team, or head to game-watching parties just for the chislic (see recipe on page 16), either way, you can’t help but be a part of the season. While some are cheering on the sidelines or in front of their TVs, others in Aberdeen will be thinking about a different kind of show, the grand march at their prom. To see all the glitter and glam that is this year’s prom dresses, check out our fabulous fashion photo shoot with The Fuze on page 32.

Whether you’re living for basketball or fashion this March and April, or something different altogether, we know you’ll have plenty of opportunities to find what you’re looking for right here in Aberdeen. Happy spring! //

THIS ISSUE ’ S CONTRIBUTORS

Jenny Roth, MANAGING EDITOR

MIKE MCCAFFERTY is an avid historian, accomplished writer, professional fisherman, and trainer. His passion is Great Plains history, and he currently serves as a member of the Brown County Museum Board. Mike has had over 200 articles printed in outdoor magazines throughout the Midwest and Canada.

ISSN 2378-3060

MANAGING EDITOR

Jenny Roth

PUBLISHER

Troy McQuillen

DESIGN

Eliot Lucas

AD SALES

Abby McQuillen abby@mcquillencreative.com

PUBLICATION OFFICE

McQuillen Creative Group 423 S. Main St., Suite 1 Aberdeen SD, 57401 (605) 226-3481

PRINTING

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SUBMISSIONS

Aberdeen Magazine welcomes your input. Message us your story ideas, drop off historic photos, or stop in for a chat. Email us at: troy@mcquillencreative.com

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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.

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.

www.mcquillencreative.com

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

STACEY MCDONALD recently graduated from Northern State University with a BA in English. Since moving to Aberdeen, Stacey enjoys spending her free time with friends, reading, writing, and meeting new people in the community.

TERRILL MEIER is the Group Fitness Manager at the YMCA, and has worked at the Aberdeen Family Y for 30 years. She is a certified group fitness instructor through American Council on Exercise, Aquatic Exercise Association, National Exercise Trainers Association, Johnny G. Spin, LesMills, Zumba, Stott Pilates, and a certified lifeguard. She resides in Aberdeen with her husband, Scott, and son, Brantson.

THE hub

YOUR SOURCE FOR WHAT’S HAPPENING IN ABERDEEN

MOCCASIN CREEK’S DEAN ZAHN RECEIVES

SDGA HALL OF FAME HONOR

The South Dakota Golf Association (SDGA) Hall of Fame recently welcomed a new member who is a familiar face in Aberdeen. Dean Zahn, Head Golf Professional at Moccasin Creek Country Club, was inducted into the hall of fame in January.

Dean has been helping others improve their swing at Moccasin Creek for over 25 years. He is especially credited for his instrumental work in developing junior golf programs in the state, such as First Tee and the PGA Junior League. Entering the SDGA Hall of Fame is an accomplishment he shares with his father, Aberdeen native Ted Zahn, who was also inducted in 2012.

UPCOMING PIZZERIA BRINGS AWARD-WINNING TASTE TO ABERDEEN

Food-lovers, rejoice: a new restaurant featuring homemade specialty pizzas and a variety of draft beers is set to open in Aberdeen this summer! Sean Dempsey, executive chef and owner of Dempsey’s Brewery, Pub & Restaurant in Watertown, says he plans to have his pizzeria, Danger von Dempsey’s Pizza and Brewhäus, ready for customers at 1023 S. Main Street in a few months. “My goal is to be open in time for my 30th birthday on July 30.”

Bill Dempsey, Sean’s father, founded Dempsey’s in 1999. Since then, the restaurant has received recognition and awards on a national level for their food, brews, and service. In recent years, their homemade brick-oven pizzas have put them on the map even more. Sean’s pizza took first place in the 2017

Northwest Division of the International Pizza Challenge in Las Vegas, and received 10th place overall nationally. He says his Aberdeen location will be a smaller pizzeria with up to 70 or 80 seats, and have a menu packed with different kinds of pizza, calzone, and salad options. Dempsey’s is also the second oldest brewery in South Dakota, and they’ll be bringing their inhouse brews to Aberdeen as well. “This is our first expansion and my big dream, so I’m looking forward to being there and meeting everybody, and opening the door for people and welcoming them into the restaurant,” Sean says. // — Jenny Roth

 For more information, find Danger von Dempsey’s Pizza and Brewhäus on Facebook, or visit www.dempseybrewpub.com.

In order to be considered for the SDGA Hall of Fame, nominees have to meet requirements showing their skills and accomplishments, as well as their contributions to the game of golf. Jeff Stockert, a member of Moccasin Creek, nominated Dean for the honor this past summer. In regards to Dean’s influence, Jeff said in a letter, “His dedication to the game, to the kids, the membership, and to growing the game of golf is impressive and outstanding, year in and year out, for over 25 years. Our club, our game, and thousands of players young and old who have been touched by his passion are all better for the experience, both as players and as people.”

Moccasin Creek is proud of the achievement, and an induction party will be held this spring.

— Jenny Roth

 Executive chef, Sean Dempsey, prepares one of his specialty pizzas.

 Aberdeen golf professional and recent SDGA Hall of Fame inductee, Dean Zahn

Photo by Troy McQuillen

Photo Courtesy of Dempsey’s Brewery, Pub & Restaurant

GERMANS FROM RUSSIA CULTURAL CENTER PRESERVES THE PAST

A permanent exhibit and historical research center featuring the culture and lives of Germans from Russia is set to open later this spring on the second floor of the Beulah Williams Library at NSU. Library director, Robert Russell, says the

collecting of materials for the ClaassenJerke South Dakota Germans from Russia Cultural Center has been in the works for years. “People started asking us if we were doing anything specific on Germans from Russia, so we started a print collection, and

DAKOTA OUTDOOR LIVING CELEBRATES NEW LOCATION

True to its name, Dakota Outdoor Living is a premier retailer of products for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors right in their own backyards. Since opening in Aberdeen just a few years ago, the store has specialized in hot tubs, outdoor furniture, Big Green Egg and Green Mountain Grills, fire pits, and game room supplies, as well as spa and pool maintenance services. At the end of 2017, they moved from their initial location on 6th Avenue to just east of the Aberdeen Regional Airport, at 5225 Hwy 12 East.

The Score family, Shawn Sr., Stephanie, Shawn Jr., and Steffan, along with help from technician Michael Retzer, operates Dakota Outdoor Living. Steffan says they are excited to be able to work with more

space in their new store. “This location gives us more room and a better show floor, so we’re able to display all of our products in one spot.” Last year the business won an Abby Award for Customer Service, and Steffan says taking care of their customers is their main goal. “We decided to open here in Aberdeen because we saw a need for the services, and also because Aberdeen

then later began gathering oral histories.” Eventually, they were able to collect about 90 interviews with elderly Germans from Russia from across the state, and from some who had moved to other states. Shortly thereafter, donor Gary Jerke stepped in to provide funding so the project could have a physical space.

Due to political instability, an influx of German immigrants, who had been living in communities in Russia, decided to move to the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many of them were farmers, so they settled into agricultural areas of the Upper Midwest. The new cultural center will include a significant print collection, an area to listen to oral history clips, artifacts from churches and homes, research desktop stations, and spaces to host temporary exhibits and events. The project is funded by folks who’re passionate about the topic, and they’re currently accepting donations and artifacts. // — Jenny Roth

 For more information on the upcoming Claassen-Jerke South Dakota Germans from Russia Cultural Center, visit their Facebook page, or contact Robert Russell at 605-626-7770.

is a great central location for the Northeast South Dakota region. Word of mouth is huge, so we’re making sure we do our part to make customers happy.” // — Jenny Roth

 Dakota Outdoor Living is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. For more information, call 605-229-2022 or visit www.dakotaoutdoorliving.com.

 The upcoming South Dakota Germans from Russia Cultural Center will open in the NSU library this spring.

 Dakota Outdoor Living’s Shawn Score stands in the store’s new showroom, located just east of the Aberdeen Regional Airport on Highway 12.

Photos by Troy McQuillen

NEW CHILDREN’S AREA SPRINGS UP AT KUHNERT ARBORETUM

As we thaw into the spring months, the Kuhnert Arboretum invites young nature lovers to dig, play, learn, and explore at their newly updated children’s area. The Arboretum, located at the corner of Melgaard Road and Dakota Street South,

has added many new features since revising their master plan in 2015, and will continue making improvements in the coming years. Late last fall they were able to complete landscaping, signage, and parts of an educational play area, as well as a parking

lot and trails leading up to this area, that will be open to visitors for the first time this spring and summer. Children can expect to dig in the dirt and sand, find their way through a plant maze, and mostly just enjoy nature while learning about it too. City forester, Aaron Kiesz, explains, “The whole children’s area concept is to introduce kids to things like pollination, different kinds of plants, and pollinators like bees and butterflies.”

The Arboretum is funded by grants and donations, with additional assistance provided by the city. While it’s still in the early stages of many revisions, Aaron says there are plenty of trails, plants, and flowers for the public to take in now while they work on installing future updates. “Within the next five to ten years we hope to be adding a lot more.” // — Jenny

Roth

 The Kuhnert Arboretum is open during standard park hours and admission is free. For more information, contact the Aberdeen Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department office at 605-626-7015.

 Visitors at Kuhnert Arboretum get a close look at bees during one of the park’s demonstrations on pollinators.

Photo courtesy of Kuhnert Arboretum

THE TASTE OF VICTORY

Mavericks Steak & Cocktails wins Aberdeen’s first ever King of Wings Competition

This past December, 12 local restaurants and vendors donated their best chicken wings for the inaugural King of Wings cooking contest that benefited the Aberdeen Area Boys & Girls Club. Close to 400 people came to the event at the Dakota Event Center to sample wings and vote on their favorites. A panel of judges was also on hand to critique the finger food and decide who would be crowned winner and King of Wings.

In the end, Mavericks Steak & Cocktails won both the People’s Choice and Best Overall Awards with their Signature Mavericks Wings. Their recipe, developed by general manager, Kent Kramer, is a traditional-style wing that they first smoke, then deep fry and grill at serving time with a Caribbeanstyle barbecue sauce that has hints of both sweet and spicy flavors. Taking home the trophy for People’s Choice Runner-Up was Shagan Pit, and the wings by Pounders Pub & Grub earned the title of Most Unique. // —

Jenny Roth

 Scott Hagan (right), owner of Shagan Pit, and employees

Photos courtesy of Mavericks and the Aberdeen Area Boys & Girls Club

 Stacy Gossman (left), owner of Big Fellas Bar & Grill

 Brandon Johnson (left) and Nick Howell, co-owners of The Brass Kettle

 Wing entry by Kessler’s

 Mavericks Steak & Cocktails employees

 Pounders General Manager, Alex Huber, with Mary Downs.

A plate of Mavericks awardwinning Signature Wings. Yum!

 Kent Kramer of Mavericks with Brian Bjordal, Mike Williams, and Mary Downs of BGCAA.

 Scott Hagan with Brian Bjordal and Mike Williams.

 Wing judges, from left, Daniel McCoy, Gail Ochs, Aaron Schultz, Dyane Bjordal, Dr. Timothy Downs, and Jay Tobin.

MARCH & APRIL

SPURS SPRING DANCE

April 6, 7:00 PM

Dakota Event Center

$15 individual, VIP table $175

 Dance the evening away with live music from Dustin Evans and the Good Times Band featuring lead vocalist of the Nashvegas All-Stars, Taryn Lamont. Tickets for this Spurs fundraiser can be purchased at the door, or in advance at the Hitch ‘n Post.

WINEFEST RENAISSANCE

April 7, VIP Event 4:30 PM-6:00 PM, Grand Event 6:00 PM-9:00 PM

Aberdeen Area Boys & Girls Club

WOMEN IN SCIENCE CONFERENCE

March 6, 8:30 AM-2:30 PM, and 7:00 PM

Johnson Fine Arts Center

Free admission

 Learn about careers and opportunities in science from speakers and professionals in the field at this free event for girls in grades 6-12. Preregistration is required, email lisa.johnsen@ noaa.gov. Later that evening, the public is welcome to attend a presentation by the conference’s keynote speaker, Emily Graslie, a Rapid City native and Chief Curiosity Correspondent of The Field Museum in Chicago.

DAY OF DISTINCTION 2018

March 7, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM

Johnson Fine Arts Center

General admission $45, students $10

 Take a day to focus on professional and personal growth at this second-annual event. Attendees will get to listen to a variety of informative and motivational speakers presenting on topics that interest business owners and those looking to jumpstart their careers. For a complete speaking schedule, or to purchase tickets, head to www.dayofdistinction.com.

STATE “B” GIRLS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

March 8-10, 1:00 PM-10:00 PM

NSU Barnett Center

 Cheer on the best girls “B” basketball teams in the state at Wachs Arena. The tournament starts Thursday, March 8 and concludes with the championship game on Saturday, March 10. For more information, call 605-224-9261.

HUB CITY RADIO’S SPRING BIG BOY TOY SHOW

March 24-25, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM Brown County Fairgrounds, Expo Building

Free admission

 Say goodbye to winter as you browse campers, boats, ATV’s, docks, and many more spring outdoor accessories. For details, call 605-229-3632.

A KNIGHT FOR A PRINCESS

April 7, 5:00 PM- 8:00 PM

Aberdeen Central High School $30/couple, $40 after April 1

 Dads, grandpas, uncles, or other special male adult “knights” escort their princesses, ages 4-12, to appetizers, princess activities, photos, and dancing at a royal ball. For tickets and information, visit www.aberdeen.k12.sd.us/ foundation/KFAP.html.

ANNUAL RONCALLI BALL

$65 each or $100/pair before March 23, VIP tickets $100

 Delight your palate with an array of wine, beer, spirits, and hors d’oeuvres at the 6th annual Winefest Renaissance. An area favorite, this event has sold out the last three years, and will be held at the new Boys & Girls Club facility for the first time this spring. Tickets can be purchased from the Boys & Girls Club, 605-225-8714;104, or at the Kessler’s Liquor Department.

April 14, 5:00 PM

Ramkota Convention Center $85

 Start the night with cocktails, then enjoy dinner with friends, games, and dancing to raise funds for the Aberdeen Catholic School System. Tickets for this “Fiesta” can be purchased by calling 605226-2100.

NORTHEASTERN WOMEN’S BUSINESS CONFERENCE

March 9, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM

Best Western Ramkota Hotel

Early bird $99, late fee $125, students $50

 Invest in your professional development while you hear from local CEO’s and entrepreneurs. The event’s keynote speaker is Dee Dee Raap from Sioux Falls. Contact Mela Cosme at 605-6426948, or mela.cosme@bhsu.edu, with any questions.

YELDUZ SHRINE CIRCUS

March 29-30, 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM, March 31, 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 7:00 PM

Aberdeen Civic Arena

Free admission for kids

preschool-8th grade, Adults $12 at the door

 Indulge in cotton candy, wave your light-up wand, and marvel at the amazing performances at the circus. Tickets are sold in advance around town, or visit www.yelduz.com.

 Dustin Evans and the Good Times Band

 An acrobat at the Yelduz Shrine Circus

 Girls "B" basketball players.

AN APPETITE FOR CHISLIC

Meet our state’s officially sanctioned snack.

by TROY MCQUILLEN

 Since chislic is derived from skewered meat, it is customary to eat chislic with toothpicks. And yes, we did use eggcups for the condiments in this photo. They are the perfect size per nosher.

The state dessert, kuchen, may just have to start sharing the culinary limelight with a state favorite, chislic, as an official food of South Dakota. Legislatures from Hutchinson County attracted over 30 co-sponsors of a bill to designate chislic as the official nosh, or snack, of South Dakota.

If you’ve been around these parts a while you know what chislic is. If you're new to the area, I’m sure you’ve been teased about your ignorance of this meat treat as locals taunt you to try it as an appetizer at a local bar or restaurant. Of course, there’s nothing scary or bizarre about chislic. If you like beef, you’ll love it.

First, a bit of history about chislic. I was surprised to learn that it originated as lamb. And I was even more surprised to learn that many of the places that serve it, and are famous for it, still use lamb, or mutton. The concept of cooking small cubes of meat is a carry over from shish kabobs. In fact, here’s Wikipedia’s explanation that seems on the up and up.

The word chislic is arguably derived from the Turkic word of shashlik or shashlyk, which is cubed meat or liver grilled on a skewer with tomatoes, peppers, and onions. The origin of the word shashlyk is rooted in shish kebab, the Turkish and Arabic words for skewered meats. According to some sources, chislic was possibly introduced into the United States by John Hoellwarth, who immigrated from Crimea to Hutchinson County, South Dakota in the 1870s.

South Dakota Magazine includes a great story about the epicenter of chislic; Freeman, SD. They talk of South Dakota’s most authentic and best tasting chislic inside the Chislic Circle, which is comprised of bars and restaurants within a 30-mile radius of Freeman. The chislic in this area is typically prepared and served on skewers. Festivals and competitions take place to see who can eat the most sticks of meat. Common cooking methods include grilling, frying, or broiling. Most places in Aberdeen don’t serve it on a stick, probably because it is deep-fried, and is of the beef variety.

One reason I don’t deep-fry a lot of food at home is because it can be less than healthy if the oil isn’t at the right temp, and it’s just too messy. Dealing with the oil afterwards is the worst. So I set out to make chislic quickly, without the vat of grease, and it actually worked. My method is still mighty dangerous, so precautions should be taken just as if you were deep-frying this dish.

I did a little experimenting to see if marinating the meat was absolutely necessary. Turns out, for the cuts of sirloin I bought, it was. I cooked one batch with just salt and it was too tough. I settled on the recipe here recalling the flavor of the chislic from places I most recently had it. For the absolute best results, start two days ahead. //

INGREDIENTS

1 pound sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch cubes

1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

3/4 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1-2 tablespoons grape seed oil

MARINATING

z Make sure all large chunks of fat are trimmed from the sirloin. Marbling of fat is okay and preferred. Combine all the other ingredients in a zip-top bag and squish everything together into a paste. Add one tablespoon of grape seed oil as well. Grape seed oil smokes less at high temps and it is said to splatter less. Add the beef and keep squishing to coat all pieces. Place in the refrigerator for two days, if you can wait that long. If you must, one overnight will probably be okay.

COOKING

z CAUTION This method uses extreme heat and you must plan and prep your cooking area in advance. Put a cast iron frying pan on a rack as high as it will go in the oven. Preheat the oven to 500°. Meanwhile, ready two silicon oven mitts or potholders. Fabric ones of any kind will burn when the frying pan touches them. Turn a wire cooling rack upside down on a couple layers of paper towels on a cookie sheet. You’ll need a slotted spoon and a timer.

z Take the marinated meat out of the fridge and dump it in a mixing bowl. It needs to be well coated with oil. I added another tablespoon of grape seed oil at this point and mixed it well. If your meat looks shiny already, don’t bother. But it must be well coated with oil for this to work.

z When the oven is preheated, the pan will be really, really hot. Using a silicon mitt or pad, pull out the top rack, exposing the pan. Carefully deposit the beef chunks away from you into the pan and spread them out evenly. It’s best if they don’t touch each other. Close the door, turn on the exhaust fan if things start to get smoky. Set the timer for one minute. After one minute, open the door, away from your face, pull out the rack, firmly grasp the pan handle with silicon and mix the meat up a bit with the slotted spoon. You don’t have to worry about flipping each piece. Close everything back up for another minute. When the timer dings, carefully spoon the meat onto the waiting wire rack. I was able to remove the pan to an awaiting silicon potholder, but it’s best to keep it in the oven so others don’t touch it. Just turn off the oven so the remnants don’t smoke up the place.

z Meat should always be rested after cooking, but this cools so fast I didn’t worry about that. You may find you’ll want to add more salt at the wire rack stage. Just give it a taste. This produced chunks that are still a bit pink in the middle. If you want it rarer, try 45 seconds each time. I found that cooking the pieces cold helped retain that medium doneness rather than letting the meat come to room temperature before cooking. Try cooking one or two pieces at first to get the timing down for your liking. Then do the whole batch.

z Serve it however you like your chislic. Ranch, french, BBQ sauce, you name it. So now we can begin a meal with the official state nosh, eat our state bird for an entrée, then enjoy a state dessert. At the very least, it’s fun to share with visitors or newcomers to our area. Enjoy! Be careful!

Photos by Troy McQuillen

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Local business owner and volunteer Mike Sommers gives his time to helping others

by JENNY ROTH

hether he’s running Double D Body Shop, or working on a volunteer project, Mike Sommers is thinking about how he can make a difference in someone else’s life. Mike lives in Aberdeen with his wife of over 30 years, Carol, and two children, Austin and Carley, and is active in organizations like the Aberdeen Area Boys & Girls Club, Spurs Therapeutic Riding Center, Aberdeen BMX, and the Aberdeen Ambassadors. His voice lights up when he recounts the experiences he’s had in seeing these groups provide positive impacts on the community, especially when it comes to our youth. “It’s all about creating programs for kids that give them something to look forward to and be involved in,” he says.

Mike is a former president and the current vice president of the Boys & Girls Club. He’s served on the board of directors there for many years, and says one of the highlights for him was getting to be present when they showed the kids their club’s new building for the first time. “As a board member, to see their faces and excitement walking through that door was an incredible experience.” When asked why this cause is so important to him, he says it has always been dear to his heart because he was a member of the Boys & Girls Club as a kid in the 1970s. “It’s just a great, safe place for kids to go, be involved in good programs, and

 Mike welcomes youth and their families at the Boys and Girls Club.

hang out.” He’s also a board member at Spurs and an energetic part of BMX’s capital campaign to raise funds for their new facility and updates. “My daughter participates in BMX, and it’s a wonderful organization that helps kids build self-confidence.”

His desire to make someone else’s life better doesn’t stop at his volunteer endeavors, but is also an integral part of his professional work. Mike has owned Double D Body Shop since 2010. He first got into the auto body business when he was 17, and after changing career paths, which included operating the computer franchise business Expetec for five years, he decided to return to auto body repair with Double D. The shop repairs automobiles, semis, campers, boats, motorcycles and golf carts. If you get into an accident, they’re the ones who can fix dents, replace your windshield or glass, and paint your car to look like new. They also provide Penske truck rentals, and are dealers in club car golf carts, meaning they sell, customize, and service all makes and models of electric and gas golf carts.

Mike explains that they’re focused on taking their customer service to the next level and making the process of getting your vehicle back in shape after an accident as painless as possible. “For most of us, our vehicle is our second biggest investment, and it can be traumatic when a car is damaged because we depend on it and want our vehicles to look good. When someone gets into an accident, it can be hard to know what to do, so we guide them through everything from loan cars, insurance paperwork, and the repairs to make it easier for them.” He also speaks highly of his staff of seven and the pride they take in setting high standards for their work. “They genuinely care about the customer and their automobile. They’re picky and want things done the right way,

so that when we put a car out there it looks as good as it did before the accident.” He adds, “We really enjoy what we do, and the best part of it at the end of the day is being able to help people out.”

One challenge they frequently overcome at Double D is keeping up with the always evolving equipment and technology needed to do auto repairs. For example, Ford recently changed the make of their new pickups from a steel body to one made of aluminum, so staff at Double D underwent training for aluminum repair and updated their equipment to be able to work on these new vehicles. Mike says, “We’re always training and striving to stay on the cutting edge of knowledge and equipment needed to do the best repair job.”

The support his business has received in Aberdeen is another factor that influences Mike to continue volunteering and finding ways he can give back to the area. “Aberdeen is a great place to own a business because the people here are so nice to work with. Even if you don’t have the deepest pockets, you can still make a difference in the community by giving your time.” //

 For more information on Mike Sommers’ Double D Body Shop, located at 424 N. 4th Street, visit www. doubledbodyshop.com, or call 605-229-4488.

Photo by Troy McQuillen

“Even if you don’t have the deepest pockets, you can still make a difference in the community by giving your time.”

 Mike with former Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle, John Randle, at a Boys and Girls Club fundraiser.

CATHOLICS VS. CATHOLICS

Your ticket to a classic tournament in South Dakota sports history

by PATRICK GALLAGHER

“Aberdeen’s reputation as a sports center goes on the spot tonight when the South Dakota Catholic high school basketball tournament opens at the Civic arena,” so announced an excited Aberdeen American News on February 22, 1949. If the event sounds odd, consider the article’s next sentence: “Closest school represented is 150 miles away.” 1949 was 15 years before Aberdeen’s Catholic high school, Roncalli, opened. Nonetheless, the Hub City hosted the tournament for its one and only time.

Prior to 1966, private schools could not belong to the South Dakota High School

Interscholastic Athletic Association, and therefore could not compete in its state tournaments, even though they played their public school counterparts during the season. Frustrated, the Catholic schools formed their own Association and launched the tournament in 1937 in Salem. It ran for almost 30 years. Over time, the tournament, held annually in various cities, attracted 1012 parochial and mission schools.

A bonus for the champion of earlier tournaments was a spot in a national Catholic tournament in Chicago, which Loyola University hosted from 1924-1941 in response to a University of Chicago tourney that excluded Catholic teams.

 The American News covered the tournament and featured the teams leading up to the tournament. The Dacotah Prairie Museum has almost all of Aberdeen’s newspapers bound for relatively easy viewing. Thanks so much to them for letting us photograph the newspaper featuring the winning team from St. Francis Mission in February 25, 1949.

St. Francis from Rosebud played in more than half of the Chicago tournaments, finishing in the top four three times. They sold tickets with their run-and-gun style and exotic heritage-the headline over a newspaper photo of the team said, “You Call It Huddle, We Call It Powwow.” The American News was also enamored of the Catholic tournament’s Native American teams: “What has caused more stir than anything else about the tournament is the fact that four of the 10 teams are from Indian schools. The Redmen have long been top drawing cards in the Hub City.”

Minutes of an Association board meeting during the 1948 tournament report “Aberdeen was mentioned” as a possible 1949 site, despite bylaws preferring that tourneys rotate among the member teams’ home courts. Growing crowds and the tournament’s sense of being “one of the ‘big Three’ of State tournaments” (said a

by

Photo

Troy McQuillen

press release) meant the small Salem and Madison gyms were impractical. A large sports venue in the state, the Civic Arena had already hosted several state tournaments in its first decade in operation. It’s not clear how, but the Aberdeen parishes and the Knights of Columbus and Catholic Foresters groups enticed the tournament to Aberdeen.

The three-day tournament began with a High Mass in Sacred Heart Church presided over by the bishop and attended by “all the team members as well as the students that follow their respective teams.” The religious school function typically featured fairly unique elements for sporting events. Confessions were held “so that all may receive Holy Communion.”

An exhibition game between ninth grade teams from St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart parishes launched the tournament. “The two teams are well-matched and might steal a fair share of the show,” the News predicted. Sacred Heart won the barnburner, 27-25. The tournament games started right after. True to the era, in only two games did teams score more than 50 points. On the last day, reported the News, “a large crowd saw the wind-up of a thrilling classic,” and “the flashy Indians of St. Francis Mission” climbed “back on the throne of South Dakota Catholic high school basketball” by defeating Notre Dame of Mitchell, 3726. It should be no surprise that the team from a place called Immaculate Conception (in Stephan) earned the sportsmanship award. In a meeting held on the last day of the Aberdeen tournament (which adjourned in time for a Knights of Columbus tournament luncheon), the Association board discussed but rejected discontinuing the sportsmanship award, believing “it was the most important of all the trophies.”

That board meeting also considered Salem, Rapid City, and Mitchell for the 1950 tournament; the Corn Palace won. The 15 remaining Catholic tournaments were played in either Mitchell or Sioux Falls, with one in Rapid City. The tournament ended when, after about a three-year legislative and legal battle, private schools joined the Activities Association in the 196667 school year. The final words in a unique chapter in South Dakota sports history were written in 1975, when Aberdeen Roncalli became the first Catholic school to win a state basketball tournament. //

THANKS TO LSS life is complete.

Lutheran Social Services offers professional, confidential and affordable services.

• Mental Health Counseling

• Center for Financial Resources

• Adoption Services

• Pregnancy Counseling

• New Beginnings Center, Residential Services for Children & Youth

• Community Interpreter Services

• Kinship Services

• Disaster Response Services

 This picture from the American News shows the team from Holy Rosary Mission of Pine Ridge (Red Cloud Indian School). The team was lead by Coach Robert Clifford. Holy Rosary won the tournament four times yet was defeated in the Aberdeen tournament in 1949.

STAYING COMMITTED TO YOUR GOALS

by TERRILL MEIER, Aberdeen Family YMCA Group Fitness Manager

Over and over, we see people who aim to get healthy or lose weight by changing too many bad habits all at one time. They push themselves too hard, set unrealistic goals, and forget to make fitness fun, which can set them up for disappointment and failure. If you want to stay committed to your goals and set yourself on the path to success, follow these steps:

s START SMALL AND KEEP IT SIMPLE. If your goal is to lose weight, make it five or 10 pounds, and when you reach that goal, make it another five or 10 pounds. Set many small goals instead of one big unattainable goal.

s BE REALISTIC. You know yourself better than anyone. What can you realistically commit to?

s HAVE A PLAN. Write down your plan for the day or week, and then follow it. If your goal for the week is to exercise three days, decide the days and times that work for you, write them on your calendar, and treat them as appointments.

s DON’T GIVE UP. If you miss a day because something came up, don’t use that as an excuse to give up. It is almost inevitable at some point that this will happen. Start right back up the next day. Nothing lost.

DO IT YOUR WAY

Finding an exercise program and routine that you enjoy is key to sticking with it. Try exercising with a friend, you could attend an exercise class together, or walk and visit at the same time. Another option would be to read a book on an exercise bike, or to tape a favorite show and watch it while you exercise. Find the activity that fits your personality and motivational needs. Some people need a group class because of the social aspect it provides. Others prefer to have time to themselves away from other distractions. Whatever your exercise preference is, just get into a routine and you will find it to be very rewarding. Anything is better than nothing at all, and once you start to see some results, it will give you the incentive to keep on going.

ENJOY ALL THE BENEFITS, ONE DAY AT A TIME

If you haven’t exercised in a few years, or are new to exercise, start with 10 to 15 minutes of cardio two times a day instead of 30 minutes all at once. Then, add some light resistance training. Continue to gradually increase your cardio time and resistance training until you are at the recommended guidelines. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends adults get at least 30 to 60 minutes of moderateintensity cardio exercise five days per week, two to three days of resistance training per week, and two to three days of flexibility exercise per week.

To find the motivation to stay with your goals, try thinking about all the other benefits that come from exercising. First, you are working your heart, the most important muscle in the body. You will also have more energy, burn more calories at rest, decrease risk of illness, manage stress, increase lean body mass, improve flexibility, reduce blood pressure, lower your risk of heart disease and diabetes, improve your immune system, reduce body fat, keep bones strong, improve breathing, reduce the risk of arthritis, sleep better, lower anxiety, and improve your overall mood. Over the years I have heard people say, “After attending cycling class three days a week for six months, I got off my blood pressure medication,” or, “As long as I use the low back machine it keeps me from going to the chiropractor,” and my favorite, “I have lost 50 pounds and I feel so much better.”

So what are you waiting for? Make your goals, find your routine, and don’t give up! //

How small changes and good routines can build the healthy lifestyle you deserve

PACK BACKING THE

Devoted Wolves fans continue their steadfast tradition of supporting Northern State University’s remarkable basketball program

by JENNY ROTH

photography by TROY MCQUILLEN

They are a Division II college nestled in the heart of a small community with a population of just over 25,000, but the NSU basketball team has a fan base that is second to none. In national fan attendance polls, the NSU men’s team has not ranked lower than eighth, with the exception of one season, since they joined Division II, and the women have not only been the leaders in Division II fan attendance for the past ten years, but are also in the top 40 for all NCAA teams. The tremendous crowd support and energy that runs through the Wachs Arena during an NSU home game is almost indescribable. Women’s Associate Head Coach and former NSU athlete, Paula Krueger, sums it up well by saying, “You can’t explain it, it’s something you have to experience.”

Paula has had the unique experience of witnessing NSU fan support as both a player and a coach. She played for the Wolves on their two-time NAIA Division II National

Championship winning team from 1990 to 1994, helped coach the women from 1997 to 2003, and after serving as a head coach with other organizations for 12 years, is now in her third season since returning to Northern. She says the fan base at NSU is generational, and unlike any place else. “I see the same people at games now, sitting in the same spots that they did when they came to games when I was playing in the ‘90s, only they’ve added a few more people because they now have families that they’re bringing along with them.” One NSU fan in particular, Mae Wiley, has stood out to Paula. Mae attended all the NSU games when Paula was a player, and continues to come support her now that she’s a coach. “Mae has been sitting in the same seat for as long as I can remember, well over 25 years,

and before every game as a coach I go over and give her a hug. With the exception of my family, I don’t know that there’s been someone who’s been there to see me play or coach more than Mae has.”

Eric Kline, who played for NSU from 1992 to 1995 and holds the men’s leading scorer record for the team with 2,660 points, agrees with Paula that the Aberdeen community played a key role in making his time spent playing basketball here one of the best experiences of his life. He also credits the coaches for genuinely caring about their athletes, and says his favorite memories are hands down the day in and day out interactions he had with his teammates. But before he was a part of the team, Eric says he was a young Wolves fan himself. “I grew up in Aberdeen and

watched the Wolves when I was a little boy, and was even privileged enough to tag along on out of town men’s games with Coach Bob Olson. It was always fun for me to watch players like Gene Lorenz, and I thought that would be pretty neat to play college basketball and be like some of those guys I watched.” Eric loved the game of basketball, and after attending Augustana for his first year of college, he transferred to NSU and played his remaining three years for Coach Olson. He emphasizes that while they worked hard to win games, playing basketball was actually secondary to building relationships and the responsibility of being a student athlete. “We talked about that a lot as a group of athletes, that it was a privilege and something really special to be able to play college sports and be a role model to the youth who came and watched games. We didn’t take that for granted, and I still don’t today.”

Current NSU women’s point guard and sophomore, Brianna Kusler, adds that one thing that makes Wolves fans so special is that they don’t just support the team at home games, but also follow them

on the road. “Our fans travel so well. It’s not uncommon for the crowd to be 75% Northern fans when we’re at an away game. For me, one of the factors that influenced my decision to come here was that atmosphere. We all obviously love basketball, but at the end of the day you want to be playing in front of a crowd, and we get to do that every single night, whether it’s here at home or out of town.” Brianna also grew up in Aberdeen. She is the seventh

person in her family to play basketball at Northern, and both of her parents were also student athletes here. Her words echo those of players like Eric Kline and Paula Krueger who played for NSU years ago, in that she agrees attending NSU games is an area tradition, and that the coaches and community members look out for the players on the court and off. “When you go out to a store or somewhere in town, people will recognize you and say, ‘Hey,

 Women’s Head Coach Curt Fredrickson and Associate Head Coach Paula Krueger (right) huddle with their team during a timeout.

 Family fans Doug and Gina Karst, with Lula and Tigue, sit courtside during a game.

how are you? How’s practice going?’ They really care about you, and that’s unique.” Since she’s been able to follow NSU sports since childhood, she’s also noticed the fan support that started with the basketball team has started filtering into other sports, and that the attendance at football, soccer, and volleyball games has also grown. “It started as a basketball community, and is growing into an NSU community.”

Josh Moon is in his sixth year as NSU’s Director of Athletics, and says the university is really a hidden gem. The fan attendance at games is one of the best, and that definitely helps recruit student athletes from all over the state, region, and world. “When athletes come here people know their names, and there’s an interaction that you don’t get at a lot of other places.” To keep the momentum going, the university is always working to enhance both the student experience and the fan experience. “It starts with successful

teams, so first we work to give our coaches and student athletes all the resources they need to build those teams and create solid programs. For fans, we’re always trying to make going to a game a really cool family event by including different promotional things, like the smoke and video that we added to the starting lineup announcements this year.” Nathan Reede is an NSU fan who has spent significant time at other sports arenas while his children have traveled to play basketball. He says NSU has produced facilities that are among the best out there. “This is a Division I type facility, with a Division I type of attendance and following.”

The Wolves undoubtedly walk a two-way street of giving with their fans. For their part, the teams work hard to carry that tradition of success that continues to draw in spectators. Over the years, they’ve won

championships and had players go on to play on international teams and enter the NBA draft. Fans have also gotten to watch some of basketball’s best and winningest coaches in action, like Bob Wachs, Bob Olson, Don Meyer, Paul Sather, and Curt Fredrickson. With their great history, combined with their reputation of caring for the overall well-being of their student athletes, it’s no wonder they’ve become the focal point for basketball fans across the region. People here who love the game have a team they can be proud of, and in return these fans have created an exceptional following that has made NSU basketball not just a sport, but an extension of who our community is. //

“Our fans travel so well. It’s not uncommon for the crowd to be 75% Northern fans when we’re at an away game.”

 For a complete schedule of NSU women’s and men’s basketball games, head to www.nsuwolves.com.

MEANINGFUL MASTERPIECES

Artist Lori Tobin preserves memories and touches lives with her personalized paintings

by JENNY ROTH

verybody wants that one piece of art on their wall that is “theirs.” The one that visitors always notice and comment on because it’s unlike anything they’ve ever seen, and is wonderful because it reminds them of its owner, or of something else familiar to them. If you own a Lori Tobin painting, chances are you have that one piece of art hanging in your house that you simply cannot live without.

Lori is an Aberdeen native who has been painting for as long as she can remember. Her mother was an artist as well, and she says painting and drawing were always a part of her life while growing up. After attending college for teaching and art in Minnesota, she eventually moved back to the Aberdeen area with her husband, Marc. When their kids were in school, she began teaching art for the residents at Parkside Apartments part-time. Her paintings have been on display around town at places like Presentation’s Wein Gallery, Canterbury Deli, Winterfest, and the Capitol Theatre. Recently, she began exhibiting her artwork at 109 S. Main Street in a building space that also acts as the storefront for Marc’s radiant heat business. For now, she plans to open this gallery just by appointment and during special events downtown, and says she mostly uses her personal Facebook page to showcase her paintings to family and friends because for her painting for someone is all about connection. “When I do commission pieces it’s often times people asking me to paint something that matters to them and is quite personal. That’s why I want to paint for people that I know, because I enjoy putting a lot of thought into it and giving them a painting

that means something to them.”

Looking at Lori’s paintings, it’s clear to see she has a love for nature and animals. Her nostalgic portraits of those common faces you see around a ranch, like a farm dog with his head resting on his paws, or a cow with her calf, can make the viewer feel like they’re looking at a picture of an animal they know or have seen before. But it’s her paintings of horses that truly make Lori’s work stand out, and that have also helped to expand her art business outside of Aberdeen. An avid equestrian herself, she paints horses in all scenes, from galloping around a barrel and kicking up dust in a rodeo event, to standing patiently in a quiet field. A couple years ago, she and her teenage daughter began traveling around the Midwest showing their horse at various quarter horse and breed shows, and Lori started taking her paintings with her and displaying them at these shows as well. She says, “It’s been fun because we’ve gotten to meet a lot of people. Sometimes people at the horse shows will see my paintings and it’s not something I’ve commissioned for them, but they’re drawn to it for some

reason, or will say ‘Oh, that reminds me of a horse I had!’ So that’s why I like painting animals, nature, and South Dakota scenes, because those things mean something to others, and I can relate because they mean something to me too.”

Lori describes herself as a “colorist” and likes to put all kinds of bright and bold colors into her paintings. “I very rarely use black or brown, even in my animal paintings,” she says. To keep her work diverse and to meet customer requests, she has also begun dabbling into human portraits and making seasonal décor paintings. “I got into doing holiday décor work kind of by accident. We were having a Christmas party at our house one year, and I decided I needed some winter scenes hanging around the house, so I made some!” No matter what she is painting or for whom, Lori is focused on creating work that others can cherish, and putting that personal connection to the people she is painting for and the things she holds close into her art. “Being an artist can be challenging as you get started, but it’s worth it to get to make things people love.” //

 For more information on Lori Tobin’s artwork, or to schedule an appointment to view her gallery on Main Street, find her on Facebook.

“Being an artist can be challenging as you get started, but it’s worth it to get to make things people love.”

Photos by Troy McQuillen

 Artist Lori Tobin shows some of her work that is on display in her downtown Aberdeen studio.

LOCAL ART GALLERIES

WEIN GALLERY

Presentation College

1500 North Main Street 605-229-8350

Mon-Fri 8 AM-5 PM

PRESIDENT’S GALLERY, JFAC GALLERY AND STUDENT CENTER

GALLERY

Northern State University 1200 South Jay Street 605-626-7766

President’s Gallery: Mon-Fri 8 AM-10 PM, JFAC Gallery: Mon-Fri 8 AM-4:30 PM, Student Center: Mon-Fri 7 AM-11 PM and weekends 1-9 PM

LAMONT GALLERY

Dacotah Prairie Museum

21 South Main Street 605-626-7117

Tues-Fri 9 AM-5 PM, Sat and Sun 1-4 PM

ARTWORKS CO-OP GALLERY

Aberdeen Mall

3315 6th Ave SE Suite #48 605-725-0913

Thurs-Sun 12-6 PM or by appointment

JANE WEST GALLERY

Capitol Theatre 415 South Main Street 605-225-2228

Open during events, call ahead for additional hours of operation

ARCC GALLERY

Aberdeen Recreation and Cultural Center 225 3rd Ave SE 605-626-7081

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

RED ROOSTER COFFEE HOUSE

GALLERY

202 South Main Street 605-225-6603

Mon-Thurs 7 AM-9 PM, Fri 7 AM-11 PM and Sat 8 AM-11 PM

PLAYING WITH A PURPOSE

For Upward Sports, it’s about values over winning

by STACEY MCDONALD

pward Sports is not your average youth sports program. In fact, Upward Sports is the world’s largest Christian youth sports provider. Created to help produce players who excel both on and off the court, their primary goal is to help young people grow in their personal athletic journeys by helping them develop mentally, athletically, spiritually, and socially.

Through Upward Sports, approximately half a million players participate in camps, clinics, and leagues at more than 2,000 churches in 47 states. The program started in Aberdeen in 2009 with approximately 70 participating kids. As of 2018, the program has expanded to approximately 340 kids participating throughout the community. Specifically in Aberdeen, Upward Sports offers basketball and cheerleading to kids ranging from age five through the sixth grade.

Michelle Jesz, Director of Upward Sports in Aberdeen, leads the process. Michelle originally became involved in the program when her daughter started cheerleading and she volunteered as a co-coach. Now, Michelle is in her third season as director and has been continuously working to improve the program and gain new players and volunteers.

This unique program essentially begins in the summer with the recruitment, registration, and evaluation process. First, Michelle, and other volunteers, set up a booth at the Brown County Fair. They have a booth for people to stop by, learn more information about the program, and register for the upcoming season.

Following registration, kids attend their first practice, where coaches evaluate their basketball skills and experience. The evaluation process is designed to match kids with other players with similar skill sets.

Once the evaluation process is completed, kids are divided into teams based on age, grade, basketball skills, and experience. Each team has a variety of skills and experience to make the games more evenly matched and fun for everyone involved.

The deadline for Upward Sports registration in Aberdeen every year is in October, with evaluations following in November. Practices begin in the weeks leading up to the start of the season, which, this year, was January 19. The season lasts from the beginning of January to midMarch. With practice during the week, games are played on Friday nights and occasionally on Saturdays, depending on the number of teams that are playing.

Although the season only lasts a few months, Michelle stays busy throughout the year. Upward Sports hosts a basketball camp in July, and volunteers raise money for the program by working concessions

Photos by Troy McQuillen

 Top left, Upward basketball players in action.

 Above, Upward cheerleaders cheer on their team during a game.

at various events during the offseason.

While creating a great basketball experience, the program also aims to promote the discovery of Jesus through sports. Whether it’s adding aspects of the Bible to practice or having devotions at halftime of a game, coaches make sure to promote the values of Christianity whenever and wherever possible. The life of integrity, the opportunity to serve, and the discipline of excellence are just a few of

the values that Upward Sports is designed to encourage. Promoting equal opportunity, sportsmanship, kindness, and character are also core values of the program. During these devotions, all players, coaches, parents, and spectators are encouraged to participate as well.

The overall goal of Upward Sports is to promote the discovery of Jesus, but they are not affiliated with any church in particular. However, they have partnered with Bethlehem Lutheran Church, are

recognized with First United Methodist Church, and play at First Baptist Church, to name a few.

After Michelle started volunteering as a co-coach for her daughter’s cheerleading team, she knew that she had found her church home, and you can too! The Upward Sports program continues to grow, and with 51 teams and over 55 volunteers, they could always use more help. It’s easy to get involved, whether it’s with coaching, helping as a referee, or controlling the scoreboard. Even though registration for the 2018 season is currently closed, you can get ahead of the game and prepare for next season. //

 If you have any questions about signing up or registration costs, contact Michelle at upward@ aberdeenfirst.org. Scholarships opportunities are available. To get involved or if you have any questions about the program, visit the Upward Sports page on Facebook, or visit their website at www.upward.org.

 At left, Upward players and coaches pause for devotions at the start of the game, after the introductions.

 Middle, Upward players shaking hands after their game.

FASHION

INFUZE

Rock your prom or formal event in the season’s latest trends by

JENNY ROTH

Dresses, dresses, and more dresses. Parading in the grand march in prom 2018 will be two-piece gowns that feature timeless florals, delicate beadwork, and glitter from head to toe. But if showing up to the big night in the same dress as someone else is a concern, The Fuze has got you covered.

Located in the Aberdeen Mall and owned by mother and daughter, Lynn and Devin Oland, The Fuze offers styles and selections that you can’t find everywhere. Devin says, “We aren’t a chain or franchise, so we get to hand pick everything we carry in the store, and are able to add unique designers and a variety of options.” And if you want extra help finding your perfect dress, that isn’t a problem. In fact, Devin adds, “We know our merchandise, so when a customer comes in, we help them by getting out dresses that we think would work for them to try on, and take the time to personalize their experience with us.”

If they need to order your dress, it only takes about a week for them to get it in the store. In addition to prom attire, they also carry bridal dresses, evening, semi-formal, and casual wear, accessories like shoes and jewelry, and tuxedos to rent.

Thanks to our lovely models, Alexis Rahm from Turton, Taylor Holm from Groton, and Brooklyn Rasmussen from Langford, you can see some of The Fuze’s top picks for prom fashion without having to leave the house. So without further ado, here are seven trends in formal dresses you can expect to see around Aberdeen this spring. //

Photos by Troy McQuillen

Taylor models a mermaid style skirt paired with an embroidered corset top.

On Alexis, this off the shoulder dark purple dress with a beaded top and waist band is one of the most popular styles this year.

This tulle and lace A-line dress features a high low skirt, the perfect opportunity to show off your shoes.

Brooklyn sparkles in a glittering straight skirt and beaded belt.

Bring out your inner Cinderella with this baby blue tulle ball gown and silver beaded top.

Beautiful in royal blue, this sheer floral skirt with pockets is effortlessly combined with a long sleeve top.

Comfortable and elegant, this white lace dress is accentuated by an off the shoulder floral overlay with ruffle details.

Enjoying Each Step LIVING ART DANCE STUDIOS

by JENNY ROTH photography by TROY MCQUILLEN

It’s spring, which means the dancers and instructors at Living Art Dance Studios are busy putting together the final touches on routines they’ve been practicing for months, and are getting closer to recital night, their season’s big finale. The studio is busy, inviting, and true to its name-alive with movement and the performing arts. Students here range in age from preschoolers through seniors, and practice a wide variety of dance, including ballet, tap, jazz, modern/contemporary, musical theater, pointe dancing, dance team routines, and Irish dancing. Many of the parents who bring their children here for

classes were also dance students themselves of the studio’s owner, Vicki Schnoor, when they were growing up. Vicki says, “Our studio is smaller, so it gives me a chance to get to know my students better, and for me the best part of what I do is getting to see past students I taught as adults now bringing their kids here.”

Dancing has been in the spotlight everywhere in recent years, maybe thanks in part to the popularity of TV shows like Dancing with the Stars or So You Think You Can Dance, and Aberdeen is no exception to the trend. Thousands of students participate in area dance classes here every year. The Aberdeen Recreation and Cultural Center’s

city-run dance program alone has about 800 dance students. Vicki has been a dance instructor for over 30 years in Aberdeen, and has owned Living Art Dance Studios for nine years. She says she’s glad to see dance getting more exposure, because it gives kids the opportunity to understand and appreciate it. If you haven’t taken a dance class, you might assume it’s just tip toeing around and twirling in a tutu, but in reality it’s as equally challenging as any other sport, and requires strength, endurance, balance, and the ability to memorize choreography. Vicki explains, “In dance you work as hard as a football player, and smile while doing it. It’s athletic performance and art combined with music, so we really get the best of both worlds. Every aspect of it is humbling to me, and I really enjoy that I get to be a part of it.”



Vicki Schnoor, owner of Living Art Dance Studios, teaches a class at her Aberdeen studio.

With dance growing in popularity, Vicki has created a niche for her studio that sets it apart. Living Art is an educational facility, meaning every grade has a dance curriculum and certain skill set they accomplish before moving on to the next level. Between her two locations, one in Aberdeen and one in Watertown, Vicki employs about 20 dance instructors and staff. She trains all her faculty to teach the same dance curriculum, so that in every grade level no matter who the teacher is, each student is learning the same material. “We really pride ourselves in that work we put in to form teachers who all teach the same things, so that each year when the kids come in they might have a new teacher, but they’ll have the knowledge and skills built from the grades before to be learning at their appropriate level.” Vicki is also one of three teachers in South Dakota who can sponsor a dance instructor for their Cecchetti certification, an internationally recognized ballet method and syllabus. This year she will have eleven seniors

graduating from her dance school in Aberdeen, and seven from her school in Watertown. All of her students have requirements that they meet to graduate, one of the most important being ballet. She says, “Our students do ballet because it’s your core in dance, everything else builds from it. It’s the starting point for equilibrium, balance, and coordination, and most of the terminology for other types of dance comes from ballet.” She also adds that the goal is not to have a student go on and dance professionally, but to give them a taste of all different types of dance, and to help them grow in self-discipline and self-confidence. “Dancing is secondary to all of that and just the icing on the cake.”

Vicki got her start in dance when she began taking lessons from Johnny Cavelle when she was just four years old. Johnny, who recently turned 80 and lives in Tulare, is a well-known dance instructor in Northeast South Dakota who influenced countless students. When he retired nine years ago, he owned five dance studios in

Aberdeen, Watertown, Huron, Milbank, and Redfield. Vicki started working parttime for Johnny’s Aberdeen studio when she was 16, and continued to teach dance there for 26 years before taking over the Aberdeen and Watertown locations upon his retirement in 2009. Chad Hansen and Andrea Conklin took over the remaining three studios, and Vicki says they all work together to help each other out with things like choreography, backstage help on recital nights, and costuming.

One of the best things about owning Living Art Dance Studios for Vicki, in addition to getting to see the next generation of dancers coming in, is that she’s able to provide the same opportunities that she had to others. “When I was five years old I told Johnny that I wanted to be a dance instructor just like him. Working in the office and as an assistant teacher here was my part-time job growing up, and so what I love about being a small business owner now is that I can employ people and have the same types of jobs that I enjoyed doing as a kid available to other high school and college kids. This is what I’ve always wanted to do.” //

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For more information on Living Art Dance Studios, email livingartdance@abe.midco.net, or visit www.livingartdance.net.

“IN DANCE YOU WORK AS HARD AS A FOOTBALL PLAYER, AND SMILE WHILE DOING IT.”

 Students range in age from preschoolers to seniors and learn a variety of dance styles at Living Art.

ALL IN ON HOOPS

Barn Burner Basketball Academy provides smalltown athletes with big-time opportunities

by JENNY ROTH

here there’s passion, there’s possibility. This couldn’t be truer for Aberdeen’s Reede Barn, a gym and workout facility that operates on the belief that young people living in small communities deserve the chance to participate in the same types of well-run athletic programs as those that exist in bigger cities, without having to spend all their time on the road traveling to practices and games.

Nathan Reede, owner of Reede Construction, says he initially got the idea to build a basketball court in his shop, located at 5325 Highway 12 East, a handful of years ago so his four children, Gus, Harrison, Maxwel, and Reagan, could play sports anytime. “My oldest son, Gus, was in middle school and always trying to get into the gyms in town to practice basketball. So I thought, I have some extra shop space, I’ll put up a court in there.” It took a couple of months for them to complete the conversion, with the most difficult part being choosing the surface for the court’s flooring. Along with basketball hoops and court lines, they also added the necessary lines and post holes for volleyball.

After the court was complete, it didn’t take long for it to evolve into more than just a space for the Reede family to practice. They now have the Barn Burner Basketball Academy, which is open to any boy or girl in grades K-12 interested in the game of basketball and looking for opportunities to train. At Reede Barn, Barn Burner athletes get a variety of group or individual academy-style workouts, all hosted by

dynamic basketball trainers. They also put on different basketball camps, clinics, and workouts throughout the year, some of which take place at their court, and others at area schools that want to have a few local training days.

Their intent is to reach kids within a 100 mile radius of Aberdeen who don’t live close enough to the bigger cities in North and South Dakota to have the chance to sharpen their skills and get the benefits of academy-style workouts, especially in the off season. Nathan says over the course of his kids’ athletic careers, his family has spent a lot of time driving to Sioux Falls for basketball programs, but that it takes a lot of commitment to put in that kind of travel time. “What we want to do is bring those same opportunities to this part of the state, and give the kids living here a place

to come in and work on their game.” Along with Barn Burner Academy, Reede Barn also houses Tempo Training, a personal training service owned by Tanner White that provides young athletes with individual strength, agility, and conditioning workouts, a full weight room, and nutrition plans. This spring, the Barn Burners are expanding even more by forming club teams for the first time.

Nathan played basketball in high school for Aberdeen Central, and his son Gus has committed to play at NSU next season. All the time and work spent creating a space that more and more youth around the region are enjoying is fueled by a love for the game. Nathan says he believes one of the most important things about sports is that it teaches kids so many valuable lessons that apply to life. “Basketball requires you

Photos by Troy McQuillen

to work individually on your own skills, so that you’re able to help your team when you’re out on the floor. But you can’t do it by yourself, so it teaches you to also be a part of a team, and to bring your teammates in and create goals and set expectations together. All of that applies to life. No matter if you run your own business or are a part of one, at the end of the day you’re a part of something bigger than yourself, and I think basketball is a great metaphor and training ground for young people to start that individual and team growth and development.” //

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To learn more about Reede Barn or Barn Burner Basketball Academy, call Reede Construction at 605-225-7082, email info@ barnburnerbasketballacademy.com, or find them on Facebook and Twitter @BBB_Academy.

 Nathan Reede of Reede Construction transformed his shop into a working gym that is now home to the Barn Burner Basketball Academy.

JUST BREW IT!

by PATRICK GALLAGHER

“If you can make oatmeal, you can make beer.” Keith Starks told me that a few times as I embarked on this adventure. Like all of my guides, he was evangelical about the joys of home brewing. But when I walked into Jason Spah’s garage for the October meeting of the Aberdeen Brewers and Vintners, I was overwhelmed by a huge stainless steel kettle with hoses and pipes, a heavy duty electrical box with lights and switches that looked like it should control a construction crane, and finally, a large cone-shaped steel contraption in Jason’s basement bathtub that looked like a still. Is this what it takes to brew your own?

The equipment was intimidating, but the people weren’t. Although they sometimes spoke in another language using words like specific gravity, carboys, dry hopping, conical fermenter, and wort (yes, there’s something called wort in your beer). They might as well have been talking about chemistry! That’s a joke, because that’s exactly what they were talking about, the chemical processes that make beer. When your kids complain about homework and say they’ll never use this stuff in real life, home brewing is your answer to why they should stay in school.

When it comes to brewing, the veteran there that night was Terry Beckler of the NSU Music Department. In 1990, he was in his first year of teaching high school band when, in a common brewer story, a friend got him into it. About

ten years ago, Keith Stark, who owns Custom Coatings, received a Mr. Beer (an allin-one home brewing kit) for Christmas, so he made it. “It was okay,” he says, “but I thought it could be better, so I bought a book and went from there.”

Jason was the newest brewer, a nurse anesthetist who was lured into it by a co-worker a couple years ago, and now he may have more, bigger, and newer equipment than the rest.

Terry says in his early days the ingredients and supplies were limited. In fact, home brewing had only been legal for a dozen years when he started, as it took until 1978 to undo post-Prohibition regulations prohibiting home brewing. He says, “We were using terrible yeast and bad ingredients. Now there’s much better stuff available, and we make much better beer.”

The home brewing supply website, www.kegerator.com, describes the process simply: “You essentially heat water and grain (and/or extract from grain), boil the mixture with hops, cool the mixture, ferment the mixture using yeast, and then carbonate.” (Sterilizing is key too, but apparently not as sexy as fermenting.) The description gets at two basic types of home brewing, extract and all grain (there’s also partial mash, but it’s sort of halfway between). The all grain style involves mashing and lautering malts to produce enzymes that convert starches to sugar. Extract, on the other hand, is more or less the result of what happens in the previous sentence. Basically, you buy extract and add boiling water. Using the oatmeal analogy, extract is a little like instant, while all grain is more like

Tapping into the homemade crafts of local brewers and vintners

Photo courtesy of Patrick Gallagher

old fashioned oatmeal. Most brewers start with the simpler and less expensive extract, and many move to all grain. The Aberdeen home brewers I met do all grain.

Either style allows the brewer some creativity to experiment with ingredients by manipulating taste and chemical reactions (science again!). At the club meeting, the guys each took home some wort to which they added a different yeast to see how it would taste. “Isn’t yeast, yeast?” my wife asks. Au contraire, says Keith, “Yeast can have a huge impact. Some types help other ingredients come through, and others are more dominant.” Brewers can also play with flavors, adding fruits or vegetables, sweets or sours. Terry brought a jalapeño beer to the meeting I attended.

He’s not in the Aberdeen club, but my Redfield High School

classmate Francis Schaffer, who started brewing about 20 years ago, sees it more pragmatically. A partner in Precision Soil Management in Redfield, Francis’ day job is writing fertilizer prescriptions for farmers to get the best productivity from their fields, but when it comes to brewing

money, I want the beer to be drinkable.” No wonder he was the valedictorian.

If you want to start home brewing, and if you want to get creative, you need the stuff. The Mr. Beer kit I have is simple and the true instant oatmeal approach, but more ambitious starters or advanced

I was there to watch him and other brewers start some batches. Unfortunately, I paid more attention to sampling the ready-to-drink brews, and didn’t learn much.

he says, “I only purchase complete kits with instructions, always kits with malt extract, hops, yeast, priming sugars, etc. I have never experimented with ingredients using my own recipe, as of now anyway.” He concludes, logically, “If I’m going to spend that much

brewers need more. Unlike when Terry started, there are many resources: online, mail order, and downtown Aberdeen at Natural Abundance, where I talked to Brewing Supplies Manager, Seth Young. I had met Seth a few years before in a friend’s backyard when

Natural Abundance has everything you need to start or enhance the hobby. In addition to complete five-gallon kits, the store has a variety of equipment and ingredients, including more than 20 types of hops and malts, a dozen yeasts, and many extracts, as well as various sanitizer options, carboys, and hydrometers. The department opened about three years ago, after consulting with the home brewing group about inventory.

Natural Abundance may not have everything some hard core brewers want though, and like golfers, some guys just need the newest wedge. While Jason has enviable equipment, it’s not necessarily required. Some of

 At left, members of the Aberdeen Brewers and Vintners sample their new creations during a club meeting. Pictured left to right are: Terry Beckler, Jason Spah, Fred Ossanna, Susan Beckler, and Keith Starks.

“If I’m going to spend that much money, I want the beer to be drinkable.”

 Below, Natural Abundance is stocked with everything one needs to give home brewing a try.

Photo by Troy McQuillen

his colleagues like challenges and have found opportunities. For example, Keith likes “to look at the expensive equipment available and figure out how to make it for myself.” He uses an Igloo cooler to mash grain. Terry boils ingredients in a kettle from Runnings and ferments in a large plastic bucket. He also kegs most of his beer, but also likes the bottle capper a relative found for him in a garage sale. And the club percussionist, well he repurposed a snare drum into a beer tap.

Besides the stuff of brewing, there’s the knowledge, which is widely available from online blogs and chat rooms, books, and human resources. The Aberdeen group’s main resource is each other, which was a key reason the club formed in 2013. Keith, who was one of

the founders, says they “started the club to share experiences and ideas, teach each other, and share equipment.” Several members have responded to their colleagues’ urgent calls when they lacked equipment or ingredients.

Besides helping each other, the club does a brewing contest. “It’s basically for bragging rights,” Terry says. They also bring home brews to a tasting at Arts in the Park. The vintner part? Several club members make wine, but more focus on beer.

The club meets monthly, and anybody is welcome (contact the club via Facebook). Terry says, “You don’t have to brew your own, you just need to like craft beer.” We sampled numerous beers in the meeting I attended, both crafts and home brews. And it’s not just about the hard work of brewing

 Club members often make their own equipment, like this snare drum that has been repurposed into a beer tap.

and drinking, it’s about bling too, as there was lots of admiration for the various glasses Jason had picked up from brewery tours.

It seems that all kinds of satisfactions come from home brewing. It’s not the primary one, but Keith notes that, discounting time and equipment, “Home brewed beer may be as cheap as thirty cents a bottle.” But the costs are not insignificant. A young father, Jason joked that he thought he might recoup his investment by age 70. Pressed on what it all costs, he demurred, “Thankfully I have not tracked this, as divorce would be more expensive!” Perhaps on point, Terry is sure to keep a batch of his wife’s favorite, bourbon barrel stout, brewed at all times.

The guys clearly love their hobby and encourage others to try it out, and they convinced me. I took a stab at the Mr. Beer kit I’ve left unopened for too long to mention. It looks easy enough.

Oops! Gotta go-the oatmeal is boiling over! //

Trading on the James

In our previous two issues we heard about the lives of Waneta and Drifting Goose, two prominent Sioux Chiefs who lived near Aberdeen in the James River Valley. In this issue, we’ll look at more historical figures and events of the 19th century that have contributed to our rich history. by

The Fur Trade

In 1764, Pierre Lacléde and Auguste Chouteau founded the city of St. Louis. At this time, most everything west of the Mississippi was French territory, with lands to the north (now Canada) in British control. The British kept creeping south into French territory. To gain a foothold on the French lands, Chouteau started the St. Louis Fur Company and hired trappers to move north up the Missouri River. Trappers were after beaver, mink, muskrat, and weasel pelts while also trading for buffalo hides with area tribes.

In 1803, all this territory was purchased from France in what is known as the Louisiana Purchase. One such trapper at this time was Toussaint Charbonneau, who along with his Shoshone wife, Sacagawea, led the Lewis and Clark expedition in exploring the Northwest Territory from 1804 to 1806. Around 1810, all French fur companies

MIKE MCCAFFERTY

were banned from operating in the new American lands. It was at this time that many of the French trappers joined American fur companies. They were welcomed additions, for they knew the land and native peoples quite well. Most fur companies focused on the Missouri River Basin. However, some did operate for short periods of time along the James River. The presence of Waneta and Drifting Goose’s people, who kept a tight grip on the area, was a deterrent to the fur companies’ operations.

William Dickson

William Dickson was reportedly a cousin of Chief Waneta, and well-known in the trade business. In 1822, a group of his father’s friends created the Columbia Fur Company to directly compete with the American Fur Company and the Hudson Bay Company. That same year, Colin Campbell of Hudson Bay Company established a post southwest

of present day Frederick on the Elm River. Also in 1822, Dickson set up a post just south of Campbell’s on the Elm.

Some records show that beginning in 1824, Dickson also managed Campbell’s trading post. He operated both posts until 1827, when the Columbia Fur Company was bought out by the American Fur Company. (The American Fur Company was founded by John Astor in 1808, and was the most successful of all fur companies lasting until 1842, when wearing furs went out of style and the European fur trade crashed, but that’s another story.)

The American Fur Company then moved to a site south of Tacoma Park on the James to a spot later known as Rondell. William led this camp until 1835. His time spent at this new site was quite a lonely experience, which led to an ever increasing drinking problem. Finally, after several problems

with record keeping and deliveries of both goods and services to the company and customers, the main office in St. Louis removed him and placed him at a trading post near modern day Vermillion. He lived out his days there, with the exception of two important events in 1838 and 1839.

Joseph Brown

When Fort Snelling was established in 1819 in Minnesota Territory at present day Minneapolis-St. Paul, a 13-year-old drummer boy named Joseph Brown was stationed there. He no doubt witnessed the events that occurred in 1820, when Chief Waneta arrived at the fort and was treated very harshly. For the most part, Fort Snelling served as a trading and commerce center for both traders and native peoples. Various native groups would camp near the

fort, and everybody there interacted peacefully with each other.

From the day he arrived at the fort, Joseph learned as much as he could in regards to fort operations, military protocol, diplomacy skills, and the trade business. By 1825, at the age of 19, everybody called him “Major” Brown. During this same year, he decided it was time to leave the military and pursue private endeavors. He signed on with the American Fur Company and established his own trading post outside the fort.

Joseph stayed near the fort for a few more years, then moved his post to the Big Stone area. In 1835, he decided to set up a post on the James River south of Tacoma Park on the same site that William Dickson had operated his post on from 1827 to 1835. He named it the Oakwood Post, built a building there, and hired a man by the name of Pierre LeBlanc to operate it. That same year, Joseph married a woman of Dakota and French descent. Come winter of that year, Pierre left and stayed at the post at Big Stone.

In the spring of 1836, Pierre returned to Oakwood Post to find a burned-out

building. There’s no proof of who did it, but odds are it could’ve been Drifting Goose. Joseph and Pierre then rebuilt the post at a site a mile to the south of the first one, and continued business. Pierre decided to stay the winter there, and during that time he quarreled with a native and refused him food. A short time later, Pierre was found dead along his trap line.

With the death of Pierre, the Oakwood Post was abandoned. Joseph Brown and his wife moved to Minnesota Territory. In 1840, he platted a town he named Dakota, which is now known as Stillwater. In 1851, he was appointed as an Indian agent in Minnesota. He and his wife had a son named Samuel J. Brown, who would also impact the James River Region in later years.

Joseph N. Nicollet and John C. Fremont

Nicollet was a French geographer and scientist, and Freemont was a young officer who was hand-picked by Joel Poinsett, Secretary of the War Department, who had hired them to survey the lands between the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. In 1838, they surveyed western Minnesota Territory.

In 1839, their James River journey began. They went up the Missouri River to Fort Pierre. With Nicollet and Freeman were 17 other individuals, the most notable being William Dickson, the well-known “Mountain Man” Etienne Provost, and

 Joseph R. Brown and Dakota delegation, 1858. Photographed by Charles DeForest Fredericks.

 Indians trade furs with settlers at a Hudson's Bay Company trading post.

Charles Geyer, a German botanist. On July 1, 1839, the party of 19 left Fort Pierre heading west with 33 horses and 10 horsedrawn carts. Because of possible dangers, Nicollet had arranged for a party of men to leave the Lac-qui-Parle Post in Minnesota and meet his party at the Oakwood Post site between July 9 and 12. The meeting place was chosen because of Dickson’s knowledge of the area.

Nicollet reached the old Oakwood Post on July 10 to find no other group there. They camped and waited for the party to arrive from Lac-qui-Parle. The party never showed up, so on the morning of July 14 they proceeded north on the west side of the James River (through present day Tacoma Park) and up to the spot where the Elm and James merge just south of Columbia. They camped there overnight, and on July 15 continued north into present day North Dakota.

The party left the James River near Bone Hill, which is just north of present day LaMoure, and cut east across the prairie toward Devils Lake, where they met Chief Waneta along the way. From Devils Lake, the party headed southeast to the Coteau des Prairies (Sisseton area), on to Big Stone Lake, and finally down to John Renville’s post on Lac-qui-Parle. The Nicollet Tower, currently just west of the city of Sisseton and overlooking the valley to the east, is named after this expedition.

Samuel J. Brown

Sam, as he was known, was the son of trading post operator Joseph Brown. He was employed as an army scout in 1866 at Fort Wadsworth (now known as Fort Sisseton). His father was also there at that time, and was in charge of all civilian employees at the fort. The open hostilities of the 1862 Dakota War had been over for four years, but tensions were still in the air. In March of 1866, Sam’s father was sent on a special mission to Fort Rice, but before leaving made his son, Sam, the chief of scouts at the fort.

On April 19, an Indian runner came to the fort and reported that fresh Indian tracks were seen along the James River where Jamestown is now located. It was Sam’s responsibility to alert the other posts of possible attacks. Sam sent a note to Fort Abercrombie on the Red River alerting them of possible danger. He then set out on horseback to alert the Indian scout camp on the Elm River, northeast of Aberdeen, about a surprise attack. When he arrived at the camp, the head scout, Joseph Rouilliard, told Sam that the fresh tracks were made by messengers that had been sent out by his father, Joseph Brown, to call all eastern chiefs to a peace council at Fort Rice.

It was then Sam realized that the message he had sent to Fort Abercrombie needed to be corrected to prevent any unwarranted military action that could incite hostilities again. At that time, in the middle of the night, Sam knew he had to ride immediately back to Fort Wadsworth to correct his

previous message. Rouilliard gave Sam a fresh horse, and he proceeded to trace his path back to the fort. Since he had arrived in the cover of the James River Valley, a storm had been building, and as he left he was met with strong winds, rain turning to sleet, hail, and then snow. But he knew he had to continue to prevent potential conflicts.

In the darkness, he thought he could maintain his course to the fort by keeping the wind, which was blowing in a slight northeast direction, at his back. However, the wind shifted as he rode, and at sunrise he found himself about 15 miles off course. The snow was slowing down, but the temperature was dropping. His legs, hands, and face were becoming numb. Most anyone would have stopped to find shelter, build a fire, and rest his horse. Not Sam. He pushed on to correct the previous message he had sent.

On April 20, 1866, Sam reached Fort Wadsworth at about 8:00 AM. Upon reaching the fort, he took care of his horse and collapsed in his cabin. In midafternoon, he reported that his previous message to Fort Abercrombie was wrong, and immediately a messenger was sent to counteract it.

Sam ended up losing the use of his legs as a result of that ride and spent the rest of his life in a wheelchair, as well as suffering other physical disabilities. He lived to the age of 80 years old, and was a respected resident of Browns Valley, Minnesota for many years. //

 John C. Fremont

 Climb to the top of Nicollet Tower in Sisseton for a breathtaking view of three states. The observation tower honors Joseph N. Nicollet (at left), the French mapmaker who explored the Coteau des Prairies in the 1830s.

A LOOK BACK

Something’s Not Right About This Picture

If you regularly drive on Second Street, you’ll notice this building one block north of M&H. It is currently the home of Ultimate Kitchen & Bath at 418 S. Second Street. However, look again. This picture is of the same building, and the famous Franklyn Dairy Bar, but there is a road in front of it where the current parking lot should be. The reason it looks out of place is because it was actually moved. This 1960 County Assessor’s Office photo shows the 1941 building in its original spot on the corner of First Street and Fourth Avenue SW. US Bank now occupies this spot. It didn’t get moved very far, but someone had the foresight to save this great example of Streamline Moderne architecture for us. // –Troy

McQuillen