Aberdeen Magazine January/February 2021

CHEERS to 2021!

2020 is finally done so raise a glass to the new year!

REGULARS

04 FROM THE EDITOR

06 BUZZ

Your source for what’s happening in Aberdeen.

12 CALENDAR

Never miss an event in the Hub City.

28 WATCH

HOPE OVER TIME Read a review of Time, a film that captures the delicate story of a family struggling to move forward in the face of a father’s harsh prison sentence.

34 TASTE

SOMETHING TO TACO ’BOUT Can we all agree that dinner is always a special occasion when tacos are served? For Valentine’s Day or any night in, we recommend dishing them up with a side of this fresh mango salsa recipe.

60 WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Aberdeen Magazine wants to hear from its readers!

60 THE ABERDABBER

FEATURES

14 CELEBRATING ROOTS

The idea that she could be a professional artist first took root in Becky Grismer when she was studying at NSU. Browse her beautiful Taking Root exhibit, on display now at the JFAC Gallery.

18 TO MAKE THE GREATEST IMPACT

This spring, United Way volunteers will decide how funds are distributed to the many deserving non-profits in our community. Learn more about this process and the programs your donations support.

20 A LOVE FOR THE JOB

“Never let opportunities go because they might not come around again.”

Hear the story of how Aberdeen Fire and Rescue Chief Joel Weig traded finance for fighting fires.

24 A WAY TO KEEP SERVING

In 1919, Aberdeen’s first American Legion members literally dug their headquarters into the basement of city hall. Today, this veteran’s group is 450 members strong and an active part of local and nation-wide causes.

30 LISTENING LOCAL

We have some new podcasts to add to your playlist! Check out these four shows made by Aberdonians who are talking about rural dreamers, soccer, kindness, and even what it’s like being married to a coach.

36 HUB CITY BREWS: HOME AND AWAY

Brewmasters with Aberdeen ties take you behind-the-scenes of the craft beer industry. Get a glimpse of how they’ve adapted during the pandemic and all the effort that goes into every glass served.

42 PANDEMIC TRAVEL UPDATE

Since last year, travel has all but stopped due to COVID-19. We reached out to a travel agent for a report on what to expect when you’re ready to go on vacation again.

44 PERIOD PERFECT

The work and care Jamin Krause has put toward conserving his 1914 Craftsman house will take your breath away. Stepping through his front door is like stepping back in time to the days when the home was first built.

50 HOME HEATING 101

Curious how you can make sure your house stays cozy and warm this winter? Climate Control’s Cam Schock has answers to your frequently asked home heating questions.

52 HOW TO “GROUND” YOURSELF AND YOUR KIDS

There are tools you can use to return to a state of calm anytime you feel stressed or anxious. Learn three of these and some other helpful tips on caring for your mental health throughout your day.

54 WARM WINTER WEAR

The drab, cold weather doesn’t stand a chance against these looks! Catching Fireflies Boutique brings you a handful of colorful and comfortable outfits for any occasion.

Feelin’ our content? You really should subscribe ;-) Do it now at aberdeenmag.com/subscribe

 ON THE COVER

Here's to hoping 2021 is a better, healthier year for our Aberdeen Community. The cover features mugs from three local brewers who continue to brew new, interesting beers. See their story and read about other Aberdonians who work elsewhere in the craft beer industry. Photo by Troy McQuillen.

Happy New Year, Aberdeen!

If I had to choose one belief that I’d jump into a boxing ring to defend, it’d be this: Even though everyone is wildly unique, at our core, we are all more alike than we are different. Most of us want the same thing: for ourselves, our families, and our communities to be happy and healthy. That’s it. Our differences and how we disagree are loud. How you can see yourself in someone else’s story is a whisper. But it also makes living less like wandering around like a lost chicken and more like spending time with a close friend. Example: I was so nervous to interview Fire Chief Joel Weig for this issue (pg. 20). What could we possibly have in common? It turns out a lot. Joel grew up in a small town close to the one I did. His parents raised cattle. Same here! And, when he shared how going on calls with the jaws of life made an impact on him because his brother was in a car accident where they didn’t have the right tools to help, I realized my mom was also in a car accident at about the same time and place. Our stories have more parallels than I could’ve imagined. Working for this magazine gives me that gift of getting to know people I normally wouldn’t talk to, and we hope that by reading these pages, that gift gets passed on to you too.

MANAGING EDITOR

Jenny Roth MANAGING EDITOR

2020 has been horrible in so many ways, and it’s also brought our empathy for each other forward because we can all relate to the same sadness and silver linings of this year. My favorite quote from this issue sums it up best, “Change begins with hope, and there cannot exist any positive change without first believing that it’s possible.” (pg. 28)

Here’s hoping for a happy and healthy 2021! //

 CONTRIBUTORS

 KAYLYN DEITER is a freelance editor, writer, and publicist. When she doesn't have her nose in a book, you can find her walking around downtown Aberdeen with her fiancé, Joe, and their fluff-ball of a dog, Belle.

 BECAH FLIEHS is a tropical travel agent who's been helping people plan their dream vacations for over eight years through her agency, Love to Travel. In her free time, she loves traveling with her husband and daughters.

 CINDY GOEHRING is a licensed professional counselor in private practice at Breakthrough Psychological Services in Aberdeen. With over two decades of experience, she brings a wealth of training and expertise to a multitude of mental health concerns.

Jenny Roth jenny.roth@aberdeenmag.com

PUBLISHER

Troy McQuillen troy@mcquillencreative.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Eliot Lucas eliot@mcquillencreative.com

AD SALES Julie Lillis julie.aberdeenmag@gmail.com

PUBLICATION OFFICE McQuillen Creative Group 423 S. Main St., Suite 1 Aberdeen SD, 57401 605.226.3481

PRINTING

Midstates Printing

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

Club.

 CAM SCHOCK is president of Climate Control, a company he launched back in 2000. He and his wife Amy reside in Aberdeen with their two daughters.

 BECCA SIMON is a previous managing editor of Aberdeen Magazine and an active freelance writer and editor. Along with writing, she is a video game enthusiast, folklore fanatic, and animal lover.

PRIVACY STATEMENT

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

COPYRIGHT 2021 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.

FOLLOW US

PUBLISHED BY

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

 AARON SCHULTZ is the executive director of the United Way of Northeastern South Dakota. The United Way is instrumental in providing support for health and human service programs in our community.

 JAMES HEISINGER is a junior at NSU and a writer for Northern's newspaper, The Exponent. He writes movie reviews and serves as president of the NSU Honors

Riverside Drive

Embraces Catching

Fireflies Boutique

In October, Catching Fireflies Boutique welcomed customers into their new storefront at 601 Riverside Drive. The move happened to coincide beautifully with the boutique’s third anniversary. Gina Sommers and DeAnna Hauge first launched Catching Fireflies as an online store and occasional pop-up before taking on a solo brick and mortar. Their mission has always been to help women of all sizes feel beautiful with affordable fashion. Almost all of their clothing and accessories (excluding jeans) are $39 or less and comes in sizes small to 3XL. More recently, they’ve also added girl’s clothing and gift items to their shelves. Gina said they moved to Riverside Drive because they were (unexpectedly!) outgrowing their former space. The new location allows them to carry more products and is an extra blessing during the pandemic so shoppers can browse without close contact.

// - Jenny Roth

 For store hours or to shop online, visit www.catchingfirefliesboutique.com, or find them on Facebook.

Pandemics Throughout History

One of the best ways to fight an ongoing pandemic is by arming ourselves with knowledge of the past. Northern State University is doing just that with their Epidemic! exhibit. Currently on display in the Jewett Regional Science Education Center, Epidemic! was curated by the Dacotah Prairie Museum in coordination with Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. Amy Dolan and graduate student Emily Wheeler. It portrays medical artifacts related to various health crises the Aberdeen area has faced, such as the influenza pandemic of 1918, smallpox, typhoid, diphtheria, and polio.

Discussion about an epidemic exhibit started back in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic even hit. “The exhibit is a great way to contextualize the current pandemic and show how we have experienced, responded to, and made it through other pandemics in the past,” Dolan said. // -

Becca Simon

 Epidemic! will be on display Monday - Friday from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM until August 2021.

A Bed For Every Child To

Sleep On

It’s estimated that between 400-500 children in Brown County don’t have their own bed for a place to recharge and get a good night’s sleep. Enter Sleep in Heavenly Peace. The nonprofit builds and delivers beds to children through 240 local chapters, including the newest one to South Dakota located here in the Hub City. Though the pandemic has slowed things down a little, they’ve provided beds for 58 kids so far. All beds come with a mattress, twin sheet set, pillow, and comforter or quilt. To date, everything has been donated by the community.

Jeff Evenson is the co-chapter president of Aberdeen’s Sleep in Heavenly Peace. He said the support from people who donate supplies and materials and show up to build sessions has been outstanding. Plus, you don’t need any carpentry skills to help. “Everything is pre-cut, so anyone can prep and assemble beds.” // - Jenny

Roth

 To support Sleep in Heavenly Peace, or to request a bed, find them on Facebook or visit www.shpbeds.org/chapter/ sd-aberdeen

 Aberdeen's Sleep in Heavenly Peace donates beds to children in need. Pictured is Jeff Evenson (right) on a bed delivery for local youth. Photo courtesy of Sleep in Heavenly Peace.

 Catching Fireflies Boutique offers women and girl’s clothing at their new location, 601 Riverside Drive.

 Epidemic! is open to the public at the Jewett Regional Science Education Center. The exhibit shows how Aberdeen has responded to various health crises throughout history.

Photos by Troy McQuillen

Dacotah Prairie Museum Celebrates 50th Anniversary

The Dacotah Prairie Museum turned 50 years old in 2020, and what better way to commemorate this special landmark than with an exhibit of its own?

Curator of Exhibits Lora Schaunaman started working on this idea last January with the intention of having it up by March 2020, but COVID-19 slowed the process down significantly. However, she said the extra time allowed her to breathe a brand new personality into the exhibit. It will detail the museum’s history from the very beginning, starting in 1963 with the “movers and shakers” who worked for seven years straight to get the museum rolling.“They are the unsung heroes,” Schaunaman said. “They put in so many hours and so much imagination.”

The exhibit will also detail each department of the museum and show what kind of work a curator does on a daily basis. Visitors can check it out on the second floor of the museum in the former football exhibit. // - Becca Simon

 The Dacotah Prairie Museum is open Tuesday - Friday from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM and Saturday from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

Hope-Infused Care For Cognitive Impairment

If you or a loved one are faced with cognitive impairment, or you simply want to stay on top of your brain health, Aberdeen has a new clinic at the forefront of diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Harvey Hart and occupational therapist Sarah Viola started seeing patients at Brain Intercept in November. They use evidence-based measures and a comprehensive approach to diagnose and care for brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s, depression, PTSD, and anxiety. Notably, the clinic has a cutting-edge scanning system that can pinpoint exactly what’s happening in someone’s brain. This helps the providers develop effective individual treatment plans to slow, prevent, or maintain brain function.

Initial consults are free, and you don’t need a referral or any prequalifications for an appointment. Dr. Hart said, “Early diagnosis is so important. We want to help people as early on as possible and give their brain the healthiest environment possible to recover in.” // - Jenny

Roth

 Brain Intercept is located at 405 8th Ave NW, Suite 203. To learn more, call 605-725-8885 or email info@brainintercept.com.

Buffalo Wild Wings Opening A Resounding Success

Aberdeen wing-lovers finally received their long-awaited reward: a Buffalo Wild Wings location right on Sixth Avenue.

The popular franchised sports bar opened its doors Monday, October 5, featuring 25 different wing sauces, 86 TVs, and hundreds of thrilled patrons. “It’s been a long time in the making for us to finally open up here,” Danielle Stugelmeyer, assistant general manager, said about the restaurant. “Aberdeen has really done wonders for us so far.”

In the summer months, customers will be able to enjoy outdoor seating on the restaurant’s south-side patio. But for now, happy hour $3 apps and taps every evening and the restaurant’s array of specials will have to do. Takeout has become a popular option with COVID, Stugelmeyer said, and the location features a large takeout-only area for customers choosing to enjoy their wings at home. // - Kaylyn Deiter

 Buffalo Wild Wings is open daily from 11:00 AM -1:00 AM. For more info or to order online, visit www.buffalowildwings.com.

by

 The Dacotah Prairie Museum has a special exhibit set up in honor of their 50th birthday. Museum staff pictured front row L to R are: Marianne Marttila-Klipfel and Lora Schaunaman. Back row L to R are: Leanne Shutt, Sherri Rawstern, and Patricia Kendall.

 Dr. Harvey Hart and Sarah Viola, OTR/L (pictured here) are the providers at Aberdeen’s Brain Intercept. The new clinic is focused on taking care of people with brain disorders and helping everyone maintain brain health.

 General manager, Kenny Hix, along side manager Shanae Doerr are ready to greet customers at the newly built Buffalo Wild Wings.

Photos

Troy McQuillen

Supplying Kids for Success

A group of working mothers seeking to help less fortunate families in Aberdeen took action to make sure every student was geared up for the school year. The group, called Tools 4 School, started as a solo effort by local photographer and mother Vanessa Barrie, but quickly grew into a team of moms and teachers once they realized how many children in the community were in need of school supplies.

This year alone, they raised over $2,500 in donations before the school year even began, helping out twice as many kids as last year. All money from the donations goes toward fulfilling school supply lists, which the group receives from individual families, child protection teams, and organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club.

In addition to supplies, Tools 4 School has also aided families in other areas, such as helping provide transportation to school and giving children a fresh set of winter clothes. “There’s no request too big or small,” Barrie said. “We take them all.” // -

Becca Simon

 For more information, visit Tools 4 School on Facebook or donate to their Venmo account @ToolsForSchool-Aberdeen.

Technology to Move Business Forward

Love it or hate it, technology is here to stay. And for businesses, the right tech tools can significantly impact your efficiency and bottom line. But where do you start? There are so many apps, services, and programs out there. It can be overwhelming to figure out which ones will work for you, let alone understand how to use them properly. To take the research, learning curve, and headache out of technology for business owners, Deatrick LaPointe created Take-Care.

LaPointe founded the company in 2007 in the Twin Cities and brought his services with him when he moved back to his hometown of Aberdeen this past year. During your initial free consultation, he’ll look at your unique business and see what types of technology you can implement to see gains, save costs, and maximize productivity. But using technology goes beyond profits.

“It’s also about helping people feel comfortable embracing technology, so they can go from being frustrated with tech to confidently using it to enhance their current business model,” LaPointe said.” // -

Jenny Roth

 You can get in touch with Deatrick LaPointe with Take-Care at www.takecare.support.

Honoring a Heritage of Nursing Education

Nursing has always been a cornerstone of Presentation College and synonymous with higher education opportunities offered in Aberdeen. To highlight the rich history of nursing in our region, the Presentation College Wein Gallery is proud to present PC Nursing Through the Years. The exhibit will run through January 29.

First known as the St. Luke’s School of Nursing, the Presentation Sisters founded Presentation College back in 1901 in hopes of training more nurses to care for the sick during a diphtheria outbreak. Over time, the nursing programs at PC have continued to evolve and meet the educational needs of their nurses. Today, they offer a baccalaureate nursing program for generic students, nursing completion (LPN – BSN and RN – BSN), and an MSN program.

//

- Jenny Roth

 To see PC Nursing Through the Years, head to the Wein Gallery Monday - Friday from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

by

Photos

Troy McQuillen

Tools 4 School is a group of local moms and teachers raising money to help kids fulfill school supply lists and other needs. Pictured back row L to R are: Nichole Heinz, Lindsey Huber, and Kristan Morris. Front row L to R are: Courtney Erickson, Breanne Kraft, and Vanessa Barrie. Photo by VanessaLeigh Photography.

 Through the end of January, Aberdeen residents can explore our region’s unique history in nursing and nursing education at the Wein Gallery’s PC Nursing Through the Years exhibit.

Los Primos Mexican Restaurant Cooks Up New Dining Option

When Scotty’s Bar and Grill announced it would be closing in August, former owner Stacy Gossman was quick to reach out to cousins Dago and Juan Rodriguez, who were eager for the opportunity to get their business off the ground.

Los Primos opened their doors in the former Scotty’s building in September, and business has been steady. The restaurant offers a diverse menu, from Mexican cuisine like tacos, burritos, and fajitas to old Scotty’s classics such as burgers and chicken wings. // - Becca Simon

 Visit Los Primos today at 719 N. Main Street or order takeout at 605-225-2455.

 Patrons can sample delicious Mexican cuisine and American classics at Los Primos Mexican Kitchen, open inside the former Scotty’s. Pictured L to R are: Emilia Rodríguez, Juan Rodríguez, and Miriam Rodríguez.

Photo by Troy McQuillen

JAN

INDOOR SOCCER TOURNAMENT

January 8 -10

PC Dome

 Enjoy a soccer match, or two, at the Geffdog Winter Invitational. Games are played indoors at the Presentation College Dome. www.hubcitysoccerclub.com

BROOM SNAPPER BONSPIEL

January 9 - 10

Anchors Away on Richmond Lake

 Three-division, outdoor curling tournament presented by the Aberdeen Curling Club. Sign up to play by January 4, or come out and watch! www.curlaberdeen.com

FREE SKATE DAY

January 15

Odde, Lincoln, and Manor Ice Rinks

 Ice skate for free in Aberdeen! Skate indoors at the Odde Ice Arena from 3:45 - 6:15 PM with free admission and skate rentals, or outdoors at the Lincoln and Manor Outdoor Ice Rinks with free skate rentals and hot chocolate (open 4:00 - 9:00 PM).

FREE THROW CHAMPIONSHIP

January 24, 2:00 PM

Roncalli Elementary Gym

Free admission

 A free throw competition for boys and girls ages 9 - 14. Win prizes and the chance to compete at the state free throw shoot. Registration starts at 12:30. Contact 605-225-5389 with questions.

WINGS HOCKEY GAMES

Jan. 16, 22 & 23, 7:15 PM

Feb. 5, 6, 19, 20 & 23, 7:15 PM

Odde Ice Arena

 Pick a date from this lineup of home games and support the Aberdeen Wings during their regular 2021 season. Tickets at www.aberdeenwings.com.

BINGO FUNDRAISER

January 11, 3:00 PM

ARCC Library Auditorium

$.25 - $.50/card

 A special bingo event open to the public and hosted by the Aberdeen Area Senior Center. Gift card prizes!

SD JAZZ FESTIVAL CONCERT

January 21, 7:30 PM

Jewett Theater, NSU For tickets, call 605-626-2497

 Enjoy an evening of live, nationally acclaimed jazz music. For performance details, watch aberdeencommunityconcerts.org.

YOGATHON 2021

January 29 - 30

Profiling Beauty Health & Wellness

 Choose from a variety of yoga challenges and help raise donations for SPURS. Follow the Yogathon’s Facebook page for more info.

CRACKER BARREL SESSIONS

Jan. 30, Feb. 6 & 13 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Jewett Theater, NSU

 A chance for legislatures from Districts 1, 2, and 3 and their constituents to publicly discuss important business, civic, and social priorities.

 Aberdeen Wings

 Taking Root Exhibit

 Free Skate Day

 Bonspiel

TAKING ROOT EXHIBIT

Through February 19

JFAC Gallery, NSU

Free admission

 Soak up an art exhibit that explores common human conditions by NSU alumna Becky Grismer. The JFAC Gallery is open Monday - Friday from 7:30 AM - 9:00 PM.

QUEEN OF HEARTS DRAWING

Every Wednesday,

Jan. - Feb., 5:30 PM

Yelduz Shriners

$1/ticket or 25 for $20

 Play the Queen of Hearts game every Wednesday night for your chance to win cash prizes. Doors open at 5:30, winner draws at 7:00. Burger meal and bar available.

PC NURSING THROUGH THE YEARS

Through January 29

Wein Gallery, PC Free admission

 See how far nursing and nursing education have come through this exhibit that highlights our region’s rich history in the field. The Wein Gallery is open Monday - Friday from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

WINTER FUN DAY

February 6, 1:00 - 4:00 PM

Manor Park

Free

 Embrace winter with an afternoon of ice skating, cross country ski lessons, curling, and free hot chocolate. Activities for kids and adults.

WINTER BIG BOY TOY SHOW

February 13 - 14

Dakota Event Center Free admission

 Start dreaming of summer by browsing boats, campers, ATVs, and more at this event by Hub City Radio. Details at www.hubcityradio.com

THEATRE PRODUCTIONGOD OF CARNAGE

Feb. 18 - 20, 7: 30 PM,

Feb. 21, 3:00 PM

JFAC, NSU

 NSU Theatre presents Yasmina Reza’s dark comedy, God of Carnage. The piece follows two sets of parents who meet to settle a fight between their children and wind up acting childish themselves.

OPEN POOL TOURNAMENT

February 25- 28

Best Westerrn Ramkota

 Dust off your cues and compete or come as a spectator to this four-day singles and team pool tournament. For information, contact the Aberdeen Cue Club on Facebook.

PC BLACK & WHITE BALL

February 27, 5:30 - 11:30 PM

Dakota Event Center

For reservations, call 605-229-8454

 Help raise scholarship funds for PC students. This evening out includes a cocktail hour, dinner, silent and live auctions, and entertainment by The Synergy Twins and The Barstool Prophets.

JAN/FEB 2021

FRI., JAN. 1 VS. BIS

SAT., JAN. 2 VS. BIS

FRI., JAN. 8 @ MNW

SAT., JAN. 9 @ MNW

THURS., JAN. 14 @ MNT

FRI., JAN. 15 @ BIS

SAT., JAN. 16 VS. BIS

FRI., JAN. 22 VS. MNT

SAT., JAN. 23 VS. MNT

FRI., JAN. 29 @ AUS

SAT., JAN. 30 @ AUS

FRI., FEB. 5 VS MNW

SAT., FEB. 6 VS. MNW

FRI., FEB. 12 @ MNW

SAT., FEB. 13 @ MNW

FRI., FEB. 19 VS. MNT

SAT., FEB. 20 VS. MNT

TUES., FEB. 23 VS. MNT

FRI., FEB. 26 @ AUS

SAT., FEB. 27 @ AUS

Red denotes home game

*Schedule subject to change. Follow AberdeenWings.com for more information.

HUB CITY RADIO BRIDAL SHOW

February 21, 12:00 - 3:00 PM

Dakota Event Center Free admission

 For couples planning their big day, check out a selection of local wedding vendors and professionals for everything from attire, cake, photography, and more.

WHITETAILS

UNLIMITED BANQUET

February 27, 5:30 - 10:30 PM

City Lights Bar

Tickets $10 - $40

 Head out to City Lights for a night of games, food, and prizes, including the giveaway of over 20 guns. Call 605-290-3685 for details.

AUCS CONCERT

February 27, 7:30 PM

JFAC, NSU Free admission

 The Aberdeen University-Civic Symphony brings a free concert that will immerse you in the world of fairy tales. Fairy Tales Can Come True is a show for adults and kids alike. Tickets at the door on a first come first served basis.

THE SYNERGY TWINS LIVE

February 28, 2:00 PM

Aberdeen Community Theatre

Tickets at the event’s Facebook page

 A high-energy electric violin show! Featuring music from all genres, including country, Celtic, ̓80s hits, and American top 40.

 PC Black & White Ball

 NSU alumna Becky Grismer’s Taking Root exhibit is on display at the JFAC Gallery through February 19. Pictured is a ceramics/mixed media piece from her collection.

CELEBRATING ROOTS

South Dakota artist Becky Grismer revisits where her career as an artist began with her Taking Root exhibit at the JFAC Gallery.

by KAYLYN DEITER

The first time Becky Grismer attended a ceramics class at Northern State University, she knew she would one day be an artist.

Grismer was born in Aberdeen and grew up in the small towns of Hosmer and Henry—building forts in the trees and doing grade school art projects. She said she never realized that being an artist was a realistic option as a full-time job until she almost quit school before embarking on her current career path.

“I didn’t really know what I wanted to do that first semester,” Grismer said. “My second semester, I decided to take one class from each field that sounded interesting to me. If I didn’t find a direction, I would take a year off, and that’s how I ended up in ceramics. It was my favorite class, and I met a lot of people that I had things in common with. I felt like this was where I fit; this was where I belonged.”

That initial class led to Grismer spending her sophomore year immersed in all the foundational art courses Northern had to offer. When an art department trip took her to Minneapolis - St. Paul to tour various art studios and galleries in the city, Grismer knew she had found her calling.

“That was the thing that made me realize I could actually do this for a job—it clicked,” Grismer said. “Seeing that people were making a living doing this every day, seeing an example of what that looked like, I knew then that working as an artist was something I could aspire to.”

After graduating from Northern in 2002, Grismer moved to Minneapolis. Here, she met her husband, and the two eventually relocated to Spearfish, where she now works as a full-time artist. But even though she lives half a state away from the university that first introduced her to art, Northern still has a role to play in Grismer’s professional journey.

At the end of last year, Grismer’s exhibit, Taking Root, opened at Northern’s JFAC Gallery and will remain up until February 19. The exhibit’s title, Grismer said, has a dual meaning—both a

 Taking Root explores what it means to lay down roots in a place.

reference to her use of materials like tree bark and leaves and the concept of laying down roots in a place and allowing yourself to grow and change in that new environment.

“It’s also a little bit of a nod to NSU and coming back here,” Grismer said. “This is where I learned the foundation for everything I do today, where I first learned that it was possible to become an artist and do this every day. This is where all of that knowledge took root in me.”

The work featured in the exhibit isn’t your typical landscape paintings and self-portraits, either. Grismer isn’t necessarily a painter, a sculptor, or printmaker. Instead, she’s all three and more, a true mixed media artist who enjoys working with everything from eco-dyed paper and wax to hundred-year-old photographs and charcoal.

“I have a hard time focusing on one specific media,” Grismer said. “I’m interested in a lot of different things, experimenting and combining materials in new ways, and I’ll gradually learn more about all the materials I work with along the way.”

In that vein, Taking Root is a true representation of Grismer’s diverse way of creating art. The larger installations are mainly made from tree material and ceramic, including pieces like “Adorn”—a half-tree, half-woman creation decorated with Christmas lights, representing the ways we choose to adorn our bodies.

Then there’s “Abscission,” which depicts a tree losing its leaves due to stress or the changing seasons. Humans also experience this outward shedding through the natural life cycle of hair growth and a condition called alopecia that results in hair loss under duress.

Photo by Troy McQuillen

What better outlet is there to start a conversation than art?”

Photos courtesy of Becky Grismer

 Artist Becky Grismer graduated from NSU and lives in Spearfish.

“When a tree endures stress from drought or flooding, it can drop its leaves,” Grismer said. “I went through a time of stress where my dad, my dog, and two close friends all passed away over a short period of time, and I experienced a form of alopecia from the stress.”

That blending of natural and human elements is a theme Grismer continued throughout the Taking Root exhibit. She created some of her 2D pieces using photos spanning back decades to when her family immigrated as part of the 1800s Homestead Act.

The sculptures and photos combine in ways that integrate both the history found in the images and the tree parallel Grismer threads throughout this collection of pieces.

“I combined a photo of my grandma with a photo of the bottom half of one of my sculptures,” Grismer said. “It ended up being a piece about my grandma putting down her roots on their homestead. The pieces are about my own family, but they are also about the general migration of “Germans from Russia” to the area, and the parallel connections we have to trees, too.”

In a time when art, as we used to experience it, is becoming harder to enjoy in person, Grismer said she believes art is maybe more vital now than ever before.

“We’ve had to reinvent the wheel a bit when it comes to how we make art happen with COVID,” she said. “Being in quarantine, people need art—movies, books, music, photos—for their mental health. Art is so easy to take for granted, but it’s so necessary.” While enjoying the art of live music and theater may be difficult at the moment, Grismer points to the

Local Art Galleries

WEIN GALLERY

Presentation College

 1500 North Main Street

 605.229.8349

 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

accessibility— and safety—still available when experiencing art in a gallery like the Johnson Fine Arts Center. Visitors can take in each of the pieces while social distancing and wearing masks, plus this kind of art hasn’t been solely relegated to an on-screen experience like so many other art forms have in the past year.

But Grismer believes all art is vital right now for another important reason. Empathy.

“What better outlet is there to start a conversation than art?” she said. “When you’re standing in front of a painting, or really, experiencing art in general, it serves as a ‘lead-in’ to talk about the subject or topic that is in front of you. Art is a way to connect to another human being that’s not so confrontational. When you start talking with another person, you begin to find things you might have in common with them. You find shared experiences with them through the art you’re experiencing together.”

After a year that’s been almost anything but unifying, an artist who stumbled upon her career through a ceramics class in the town where she was born still thinks art can be a way toward rediscovering the humanity that unites us all.

“You just hope that your work and your service make a positive impact somehow,” Grismer said. “If it makes someone feel good, if it sparks a conversation that maybe wouldn’t have happened otherwise, you can’t fail at your goal. Even if you impact someone on the smallest level in a positive way, that goes really far in making what you do seem worthwhile.” //

 President’s Gallery: Mon-Fri 8 AM-4:30 PM, JFAC Gallery: Mon-Fri 8 AM-4:30 PM, Student Center: Mon-Fri 7 AM-4:30 PM 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-Sat 11-6 PM & 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

 218 South Main Street

 605.225.6603

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

 Becky Grismer’s Taking Root exhibit is open inside the JFAC Gallery at Northern through February 19.

Photos by Troy McQuillen

 Grismer incorporates all kinds of media into her art, including encaustic painting and tree bark (shown here).

 Taking Root sculptures blend natural and human elements together, showing special parallels between people and trees.

To Make the Greatest Impact

by AARON SCHULTZ, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE UNITED WAY

One of my childhood memories is getting off the school bus and watching Star Trek reruns on one of the three channels we had at the time.

I would later watch a few of the Star Trek movies, where I was introduced to the training exercise of the Kobayashi Maru. In this fictional exercise, Captain Kirk is given a no-win scenario and only finds a way to beat it by reprogramming an entire system.

This is the best metaphor I can think of when describing how our volunteers decide the agencies and programs funded through the annual United Way Campaign. In the spring, close to 30 volunteers will help determine where hundreds of thousands of dollars will be used in our region.

The process for determining funding requires a site visit and a second meeting focusing on financials and the organization’s needs. This

is a careful dance between the organization’s needs and the United Way’s ability to raise enough funds. Currently, the United Way funds 32 programs in our region with allocations that range from $800 to over $100,000. Imagine having a limited amount of resources (money) and having a huge number of great agencies and programs vying for those resources. The answer may seem basic – pick the best ones, but it’s not that simple.

First, the programs that meet minimum qualifications tend to all be incredible organizations focused on doing great work. Second, some programs help hundreds of people, others help far fewer, but the impact is profound for those few. Third, what might be a passion of mine personally might not be the focus of the programs requesting funds but is the passion of someone else. Lastly, do you give a little to many or a lot to a few hoping for

$259,899...YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

$126,094...COVID-19 EMERGENCY RELIEF

$100,475...BASIC NEEDS

$90,000...EMERGENCY SERVICES

$56,500...DISABILITY/HEALTH/WELLNESS

$29,964...MENTAL HEALTH

$8,800...SENIORS

the greatest impact? These are the questions volunteers face when deciding how to allocate United Way funds.

United Way allocations volunteer, Lee Keller, explained it well, “You know these organizations and programs are doing good work, but when you sit across the table and hear the passion people have for their program, or see the smile on a child’s face riding a horse, you really understand just how important this process is for everyone involved.”

The Kobayashi Maru conundrum we at United Way face is how to make the greatest impact with a limited amount of funds. This is the task of the United Way allocation volunteers, to make tough decisions knowing what they decide will affect many.

“I wish everyone in our community could go through this process. You would see how much need is out there and the incredible job people are doing in our local non-profits,” said United Way allocations volunteer Nancy Schmidt. //  To learn more about the United Way allocations process or how to volunteer, please contact the United Way office at 605-225-0212.

United Way volunteers face tough decisions when determining how to allocate funds to the many for-good organizations in the region.

A Love for the Job

IF THERE’S AN OPPORTUNITY IN FRONT OF YOU, TAKE A CUE FROM FIRE CHIEF JOEL WEIG AND GO FOR IT. MAYBE YOU’LL END UP WITH THE GREATEST JOB IN THE WORLD.

by JENNY ROTH

You’re probably expecting to read a story about a boy who grew up dreaming of being a firefighter and eventually became chief.

Sorry to disappoint, but this story is so much better than that.

Last August, Joel Weig was sworn in as Chief of Aberdeen Fire and Rescue. The role, which bookends his 21-year career with the department, seems like a natural fit for a guy who loves what he does and the people he works with.

Just a few months into the new position, Weig said he feels fortunate enough to have “the greatest job in the world.” Even so, it’s a job he almost didn’t apply for in the first place and part of a career he never saw coming.

FROM UNLIKELY VOLUNTEER TO FULL-TIME CAREER

Weig spent most of his childhood on his family’s ranch west of Leola. After graduating from Leola High School, he earned a degree in wildlife and fisheries management, and later, in banking and finance. The latter landed him work as the city finance officer in Redfield, where local volunteer firefighters invited him to one of their meetings.

At the time, Weig said he thought, “I’m not sure why I’m going to this because I don’t know anything about fighting fires!”

The next thing he knew, he was a member of the Redfield Volunteer Fire Department.

To get a better feel for this unexpected endeavor, he joined a handful of others and went through training to become a certified firefighter. The process took about two years to complete while volunteering with the department and working full time.

SOMEONE TO BE THERE ON YOUR WORST DAY

When Aberdeen Fire and Rescue goes out on a call, they often come across people who are having one of the worst days of their life. Their mission is to help people in these situations by providing the best emergency medical and firefighting services possible.

To do this, they need excellent firefighter/first responders.

The challenge has been, nationwide, there is a shortage of firefighters and paramedics.

To overcome this, Aberdeen Fire and Rescue has adapted a teamwide responsibility for finding and training committed members who have a passion for the job and the community.

Weig explained, “Instead of competing with other departments to find firefighter/EMTs, we incorporated in-house firefighter, EMT, and paramedic training. These programs are what I’m most proud of our department for. Everyone on the team takes responsibility in training new members and taking them to that next level to be great.”

Along with this in-house training, before the pandemic, they would go into the local universities a couple of times a year and offer open-tothe-public EMT classes. The classes held a two-fold purpose. They both trained EMTs for the community and presented the idea of a career with Aberdeen Fire and Rescue.

“This is the kind of job where it’s hard to get people and keep people. Our vision in training our own members is to find individuals that both have a passion for the work and ties to the community, so they want to stay here and make this a career,” Weig said.

When they hired their most recent recruit in November, it marked the first time the department was fully staffed in the last nine or ten years.

 Joel Weig was sworn in as Chief of Aberdeen Fire and Rescue this past August.

Photo by Troy McQuillen

A few years later, Weig and his wife moved to Aberdeen, and he became the finance officer for Northeast South Dakota Head Start.

Two life-altering things happened next.

First, he realized he missed the fire department in Redfield, so he joined the Aberdeen Rural Fire Department. Between going on calls, attending meetings and trainings, and servicing trucks on the weekends, this volunteer gig took up to 40 hours each week.

Then came the man with the lunchbox.

“My office at work was on the sixth floor of the Citizen’s Building. I’d ride the elevator every day, and every day I saw the same gentleman. He had this little lunch box, and he looked so depressed to be going to work. And I just thought, ‘I don’t want to end up feeling that way,’” Weig explained.

Shortly after, a position for a firefighter/EMT opened with Aberdeen Fire and Rescue.

This was in back 1999, but when Weig tells this part of the story today, he still sounds in awe, “I got an interview for that position, and they offered me a job!”

He took a pay cut of about $7k a year. And never regretted that decision.

He remembers an especially pivotal moment that happened during his first year going on ambulance calls.

“We’d go on calls in a rescue truck with the Jaws of Life, and being able to help people that way really struck home for me. When I was a senior in high school, my younger brother died in a car crash. At that time, a small town like Leola didn’t have the type of equipment we were using here.” He continued, “I fell in love with that part of the work because I know what it’s like not having the right tools for the job and that having the right tools makes all the difference.”

Still, the new career didn’t come without a few curveballs.

Weig said, “Less than two weeks after I took the job, my wife and I got a call from our adoption agency that we were going to have a baby.”

Firefighter/EMTs work 24-hour shifts, meaning they are away from their families for entire days at a time. This schedule can be tough by default, not to mention when you add a new baby to the mix. Plus, back then, firefighters didn’t get any leave or vacation time during their first year.

 Growing up and even after college, Weig never expected he’d become a firefighter. He got into the career by chance and has now been with Aberdeen Fire and Rescue for 21 years and counting.

“I went to my shift commander with my situation, and he was very kind and said, ‘We’ll make it work,” Weig remembered.

Their daughter Shelby came home. He’s been with the department for 21 years. It did all work out.

Then, just as Weig was thinking about retiring, the chief position became available.

“When I first interviewed for the department, they asked me about my long-term goals. I didn’t really know what to say, so I said, ‘To be chief someday.’ I guess from that time forward, I just slowly worked my way toward that goal,” Weig said.

He continued, “The job isn’t for everybody, nor does everybody get the opportunity because of timing and things like that. When the chief position became available, I thought, ‘Is this something I want?’”

What held him back from applying the most was that he genuinely enjoyed the role he already had in the department as a battalion chief.

“The people on my shift, and in the whole department, are awesome to work with. When you do this for over 20 years, you live with them for a third of your life. They’re like family. So the thought of being chief, and being here 8-5, and not getting to eat with them or go on calls with them, I knew that part was going to be hard,” he explained.

Ultimately, though, he went for it.

“I finally decided, this is an opportunity, and you should never let opportunities go because they might not come around again. So I applied with my best foot forward, and the city thought I was the right fit for the position at the time. And here I am.”

Proving that if you take the chance, care about others, and learn as much as possible along the way, you really can end up with your “greatest job in the world.” //

5 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT ABERDEEN FIRE AND RESCUE

Along with fire, EMS, and paramedic services, they’re also the regional HAZMAT response team for Aberdeen and the greater northeast South Dakota region.

They’re part of the statewide Task Force 1 team, taking on search and rescue missions across South Dakota.

Public safety is a pillar of the department. Once the pandemic subsides, they plan to provide as much hands-on public education as possible for things like home and cooking safety, CPR, and smoke detector awareness.

They’ve taught their firefighter/EMTs to become paramedics with in-house training. In the future, they may open this training to the public.

There are always at least 15 personnel on shift and ready to respond to calls, including one battalion chief, three lieutenants, and 11 firefighter/EMTs or paramedics.

Photo by Troy McQuillen

A Way to Keep Serving

You might know them for their baseball team or burger nights, but there is so much more to the American Legion and how they serve others. Here’s just a glimpse of what this century-old organization has been up to.

by JENNY ROTH

If you had strolled past Aberdeen City Hall in 1919, you would have seen our first American Legion members setting up their original headquarters. “Setting up” is a loose term because, in reality, they were literally digging a basement underneath city hall so they could hold their offices there. Members have been an integral part of the Hub City and the country ever since.

Today, the American Legion is the world’s largest veteran’s organization. The Aberdeen Post includes about 450 members who are part of a nation-wide network of almost 3 million former service members. At a local level, they support a variety of causes close to home. On a larger scale, their voices help lobby Congress to speak up for veterans everywhere.

Ask any Legion member, and they’ll tell you they joined the group so they could keep helping their country after their time in the service was over. The nonprofit focuses on four key pillars: Veterans, Children and Youth, National Security, and Americanism. Here are some (but definitely not all) of the programs happening in Aberdeen and South Dakota, thanks to our Legion members.

Honor Guard

The American Legion’s Honor Guard provides funeral honors for military veterans when they pass away. They also come forward anytime a ceremony calls for “the colors to be presented,” meaning when they raise or present our national flag. The Legion organizes it, but you don’t have to be a Legion member to be on the Honor Guard. Any service member who wants to help is welcome. Right now, the youngest member of our Honor Guard is 65, and they would love the younger generation to become involved.

Honor Cords

Unique to the Aberdeen Legion is the Honor Cords program. Here, veterans who graduate from college are recognized by Legion members in a ceremony for their service and achievement.

Youth Trooper Academy

Started in South Dakota by a Legion member in Redfield, Trooper Academy is now a nationallyrecognized program. In it, high school students from around the state who are interested in a law enforcement career spend one week at

the Highway Patrol Training Academy. During that time, they take part in everything an incoming highway patrol recruit would do. Six years later, some of the first students are now highway patrol officers or working in other law enforcement areas.

Legion Baseball

The Legion is known everywhere for its youth baseball teams, so it’s pretty amazing that this program actually got its start in Milbank by an Aberdeen member! The Aberdeen Post sponsors both a Legion and a Legion Jr. team, reaching kids ages 11 to 17. Youth programs like this have been important to the Legion since its founding after World War I, when many children were grieving the loss of a parent.

Boys State

With the community’s help, the Legion sponsors this program to teach youth about government at the city, county, state, and national level. Kids can run for mock offices and get a hands-on experience for how the government operates. Boys State has been held at Northern State University since 1941. The Legion Auxiliary runs the corresponding Girls State.

Photos courtesy of the American Legion

 One of the many things the American Legion does for the community is to provide funeral honors for military veterans through their Honor Guard. Below: Legion members present a scholarship award to a local student in their speech contest.

Constitutional Speech Contest

This scholarship program teaches public speaking and debate skills to high school students. Winners can advance to the state and national level to participate in two speeches involving the Constitution. One is prepared well in advance, and the other is spontaneous, where they only have a

few minutes to gather their thoughts and present on a topic.

Flag Retirement

When a flag is no longer serviceable, there is a proper way to retire it. Before the pandemic, Legion members went to Northern State University once a year as

I f you have served in any branch of the Armed Forces for just one day of active duty since Pearl Harbor, you are eligible to join the American Legion. This one day of active duty does include basic training, which opens membership up to all veterans.

And they need you!

As more Legion members age, fewer join. But it was veterans who laid the groundwork for veteran services and benefits as they exist today, and it’s veterans who are needed to keep things continuously improving.

If you didn’t serve in the Armed Forces but have a loved one who did and you want to work alongside the Legion, consider joining the Legion Auxiliary, Sons of the Legion, or the Riders Motorcycle Group.

Anytime you want to support your local veterans, come to the veteran-sponsored events happening in town. Right now, many things are on pause due to the pandemic, but when they start up again, attending or donating to fundraisers makes a significant impact.

 To learn more about joining or supporting the Legion, go to aberdeenlegion.org or email post24@aberdeenlegion.org.

 Seated left to right are Aberdeen Legion members: Sid Beckler, Pat Steele, Larry Ligtenberg, and Darvin Vetter. Standing left to right: Sam Olson, Dan Vetter, Tom Penzio, Steve Nemmers, Paul Pfeifer, Gary Warne, Lloyd Just, Mel Volk, and Dale Strom.

Photo by Troy McQuillen

POST NO. 24: SIDNEY L. SMITH

Many American Legion Posts are named in honor of a deceased veteran with local ties. Aberdeen’s post is named after Private First Class Sidney Laurence Smith. Smith moved to Aberdeen in 1915 and joined the military as part of the Army National Guard. He was killed in action while serving as a dispatch runner in France in 1918.

part of Constitution Day to discuss how and why to retire a flag. The Aberdeen Exchange Club collects used flags and retires them year-round.

Memorial Day Services Legion members take pride in their Memorial Day services at the Aberdeen cemeteries and their Memorial Day program. It’s a day

for them to remember and honor their fallen comrades. Each year, Legion and VFW members place over 1,500 flags on each deceased veteran’s grave in Aberdeen. Their motto is, “No one forgotten, unrecognized, or without a marker.” //

 For more information on the American Legion, visit aberdeenlegion.org or email post24@aberdeenlegion.org.

 Pictured are members of the American Legion in Aberdeen. Any veteran who has served just one day of active duty, including basic training, is welcome to join the group.

Photos courtesy of the American Legion

Hope Over Time

by JAMES HEISINGER

you know how hard I’m gonna be smiling when you come home?”

Sure, today’s streaming market is oversaturated with an endless listing of content that no one could ever possibly consume in its entirety. But there’s still some good content out there, right? The answer is yes – if you can find it.

At the moment, one of the best things you can watch is none other than an Amazon Studios movie from short film and documentary director Garrett Bradley.

You’ve most likely never heard of Bradley, and I hadn’t either until I watched her latest project, a documentary simply titled Time. Time looks at its subject matter directly, bluntly, and distinctly. There is little noticeable editing or post-production work beyond the black and white photography, as Bradley cuts between home video recordings of her subjects and more recent footage.

Her protagonist is Sibil Fox Richardson, a mother of six who embarks on a multiple decade

long journey to earn her husband’s release from prison. Out of poverty-stricken desperation, Sibil’s husband, Rob, committed armed robbery at a credit union to assist his family’s financial situation. His sentence was harsh— 60 years in prison with no chance for probation or parole. Bradley exquisitely captures the hurt imposed upon Rob’s family in a measured, delicate, and altogether harrowing light.

All the home video footage Bradley uses was filmed by Sibil herself to capture the joys and optimism of her young family and youthful romance with Rob, and also to capture the desperation faced by her family once he was incarcerated. After his imprisonment, Sibil begins directing her once-joyous home videos directly to Rob, saying, “Do

It’s undoubtedly these moments that both define Sibil’s journey back to her husband as well as her unrelenting spirit. There’s never a moment in the movie where she loses faith, there’s never a moment where you get the sense that she’s lost hope, and there’s never a moment where she gives in.

Ultimately, Bradley doesn’t just view time as distinctly part of now. She, and the story she tells, underscore that what we do in the present is inextricably linked to the future. This idea seeps through every inch of the movie. Her black and white photography is complimented gorgeously by a fleeting and impassable score from Jamieson Shaw and Edwin Montgomery, crafted almost entirely on the piano. “Twenty years is a long time, but hope is what must carry us forward.” There’s a lot that Bradley wants to say about our criminal justice system – that it devastates lowincome families and families of color and enacts retributive punishment when it’s absolutely unnecessary. Still, it can’t be overcome without hope. Change begins with hope, and there cannot exist any positive change without first believing that such a change is possible. //

A new documentary on Amazon Prime, Time paints an intimate portrait of the criminal justice system and one family’s determination to keep moving forward.

PG-13 | 1h 21min

Documentary | Amazon Prime

LISTENING LOCAL

Aberdeen podcasters showcase community talent.

by BECCA SIMON

Podcasts: like a radio station you have control over, covering just about any topic you can imagine under the sun. They’re a wonderful alternative to television and music and can provide hours of entertainment while you’re busy working from home, walking your dog, or even cleaning out your closet. There are literally thousands to choose from, but you might be surprised to learn of the local podcasting talent blooming right here in Aberdeen. And while social distancing is something many of us are still practicing, checking in with local podcasts can help us feel closer to our community—even in the middle of a pandemic. I listened to several local podcasts and caught up with their hosts to learn all about what makes them special and uniquely Aberdonian.

THE RURAL REVOLUTION

n small-town South Dakota, you don’t have to look far to find a community of passionate individuals doing amazing things. You’ve likely heard of all kinds of local charities, organizations, and events that both bring people together and give back to the communities they’re based in. But who are the people and personalities behind the magic? The Rural Revolution podcast answers those questions and opens up a portal to the world of dreamers and go-getters who are making waves in their small towns.

Hosted by Brodie Mueller, owner of Dakota Territory Brewing, and Carly Pochop, owner of Colorful Creations, the podcast is an offshoot of The Market on the Plaza. Set to open in spring 2021, the Plaza will serve as a one-stop-shop to buy everything local, from retail gifts to food and drink.

The idea stemmed from their involvement with 1 Million Cups, an event that has been bringing entrepreneurs together over a cup of

coffee for over three years in Aberdeen. But Brodie and Carly felt there were more stories to be told than just those of entrepreneurs.

“There are so many people doing great things that might not necessarily be business owners,” Carly said. “They need a platform. We’re finding those people and helping them share their stories and grow their small towns.”

One of their inaugural episodes featured Paula Jensen, vice president of Dakota Resources, who strongly believes in the vision of thriving small towns. Jensen’s enthusiasm is infectious and sets the tone for what the podcast is all about.

“Dakota Resources eats, sleeps, and breathes rural, and it was the best thing we could have done to launch,” Brodie said.

Though the podcast has only been around since October, The Rural Revolution has already featured an eclectic array of guests, from the women behind Tools 4 School, an organization that provides school supplies to families in need, to Jordan Phillips, a local high school student

who raised thousands of dollars sewing drink cozies to help fight against breast cancer.

“There are so many people doing great things behind the scenes,” Brodie said. “People who start something and don’t ask for permission and don’t apologize, and it’s awesome.”

Though Carly and Brodie primarily view the podcast as a passion project, the show has already struck a chord with listeners, many of whom have never even set foot in Aberdeen before.

“People are really excited when they find someone else who gets it,” Brodie said. “Who understands the vision of what a small town could be. No small town is the same, but here are all these things people are doing that could spark something in your own community.”

Carly encourages anyone who knows of someone doing great things in their small towns to contact them at The Market on the Plaza’s Facebook page or via email at marketontheplaza@gmail.com.

“All it takes is one person and idea,” Carly said.  The Rural Revolution can be found on The Market on the Plaza’s website at www.themarketontheplaza.com or on Spotify, Google Play, and iTunes. New episodes are released every Monday morning.

"We’re finding those people and helping them share their stories and grow their small towns.”

—Carly Pochop

 Brodie Mueller and Carly Pochop have joined forces to host The Rural Revolution Podcast. The show gives a mic to the many people and organizations doing good things for small South Dakota communities.

Photo by Troy McQuillen

THOSE COACHES WIVES

Hockey relationships never work,” Tiffany Langer joked in the first episode of Those Coaches Wives . Yet, she and co-host Laura Hill are wracking up years of successful marriages to their husbands, head coach and assistant coach for the Aberdeen Wings, respectively. Through their marriages, they found each other and formed a deep, lasting friendship that shines brightly in every episode they record together.

Both Tiffany and Laura hail from Topeka, Kansas, but their friendship didn’t blossom until after they met each other in Aberdeen. A mutual love of hockey, a shared bond over their roles as coaches’ wives, and deep support for one another led to a friendship as creative as it is strong. And with the hockey season being heavily impacted by COVID-19, there was no better time to dive headfirst into a podcast. Tiffany and Laura had already amassed a social media following when Tiffany ran

for city council and created a variety of promotional videos as part of her campaign, including recreating the iconic Napoleon Dynamite dance sequence.

“We have so much fun together,” Tiffany said. “We always talk about hockey and what’s going on with our lives. These are conversations Laura and I would be having regardless; we’re really just recording them.”

Certainly, this is not your average sports podcast. The girls talk about everything from the hockey season to motherhood and even hockey superstitions their husbands have (but would never admit.) One listener described the experience as feeling like she was having her morning coffee with Tiffany and Laura whenever she tuned in.

“That’s a huge compliment to us,” Tiffany said. “These are our genuine feelings, it’s real and raw, and that’s what I love about it. We’re very passionate about a lot of different things,

from motherhood to hockey to being a person in general. We’re raising awareness and having fun while doing it.”

As time goes on, Tiffany and Laura are planning to include more and more guests on their show as a way to stay connected to others even when it may not be easy to be together physically. And someday, when the life of the coach’s wife means they may eventually have to separate, they hope to use the podcast as a means to stay close to one another.

“I think we’ve been so successful because we are friends who have that chemistry. We genuinely enjoy each other,” Tiffany said.

Whether you’re a fan of hockey looking for a unique perspective or just want to hear good friends kick it together, Those Coaches Wives has a little something for everyone.

 You can find the podcast at thosecoacheswives.com or on Spotify, Google Play, and iTunes.

NNicole Phillips believes kindness has the power to transform lives. She believes it so much that she started a weekly column for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead about it, wrote books about it, frequently makes public appearances to speak about it, and, of course, started a podcast about it.

Nicole’s life used to look a lot different. She struggled with smoking and drinking and a general negative outlook on life until she stumbled upon an act of kindness in which she was the giver. “If everyone knew how great it felt to be kind, everyone would do it,” she said.

Within that same year, she had turned her life around, and even as she was suffering through breast cancer in 2015, she moved forward with kindness as her motto.

The idea for a podcast came from a simple suggestion while she was a guest on another podcast. Having always wanted to do a radio show, a podcast was the perfect fit for Nicole.

 Tiffany Langer and Laura Hill talk about everything from marriage to hockey on their podcast, Those Coaches Wives.

 On The Kindness Podcast, author Nicole Phillips shares personal stories and guest interviews about the transforming power of being kind.

Photos by Troy McQuillen

SOCCER MADE SIMPLE I

THE KINDNESS PODCAST

“The next thing you know, I have my own podcast through WOUB, a subsidiary of NPR,” Nicole explained. “It’s so exciting to me when you can say, ‘Alexa, play The Kindness Podcast.’”

With over 125 episodes spanning four seasons, saying the podcast has been a success would be an understatement. Nicole has featured guests from all around the nation, including big names such as singer-songwriter Jason Mraz and former Miss USA Lu Parker. Nicole’s team receives dozens of requests to be featured on the show on a daily basis.

Because kindness is such a broad topic, the kinds of content Nicole can cover are endless.

“Sometimes I talk to people who dedicate their whole lives to kindness or to people who have just stumbled upon it,” she said. “A lot of times, it’s the little

things people do that create the biggest differences. My overarching goal is to teach the world about the transformative power of kindness. I want to teach people the life we transform with kindness is our own, not somebody else’s. I hope people can see that there’s space in their life for purpose, change, and growth.”

Though Nicole started her podcasting journey in Ohio, she continues to thrive at her current residence in Aberdeen and says the community has been overwhelmingly welcoming to her so far.

“When the library chose my book for the All Aberdeen Reads program, it really felt like a warm hug from the community.”

 You can check out The Kindness Podcast on Nicole’s website, www. nicolejphillips.com , or on NPR, iTunes, and Google Play. New episodes release every Thursday.

nternational soccer is arguably the most popular sport on the planet, but its presence in the U.S. lags behind most other countries. So what’s a newcomer interested in following the sport to do?

Learning what leagues and teams are worth following can be a challenge, according to soccer aficionado and Soccer

Made Simple host and author Daniel Wise. After witnessing an explosive game of the European Champions League in London in 2008, he stepped up to serve as a bridge between the socceruninitiated and longtime fans.

“When I was trying to absorb all of this, there was never a place with a centralized explainer of what everything is,” Daniel explained.

Soccer Made Simple started as a blog and newsletter two years ago. In 2020, Daniel started transforming his articles into full-length podcasts, building off his experience co-hosting D.C. United’s soccer podcast. He noted that many sports podcasts are rather niche, catering to a very specific type of diehard fan or focusing exclusively on one team.

“I want to make my show super, super friendly for anyone who is

even remotely interested in the sport. It’s more storytellingfocused or culturally-focused for someone who might never even watch soccer,” Daniel said.

And though soccer might not be as big as it is in our European counterparts, Daniel pointed out Aberdeen’s tight-knit, burgeoning soccer community.

“Central High School’s program has a mix of Central and Roncalli students, we have Hub City Soccer, and Northern State University’s women’s team is starting to make some moves,” he explained. “There’s a small community here, and it’d be great if my show can help draw some attention to it.”

Though a busy year that included Daniel moving back to Aberdeen from Washington, D.C., put his podcast and blog on hold for a bit, he plans to create new content early in 2021.

“I’m always open to feedback. Even if people just have general questions about soccer, I’d love to have those conversations, and I’ll always have the simple answer,” he said.

 Get more Soccer Made Simple on Daniel’s blog at www.danielofdc.com/soccermade-simple and his podcast at www.anchor.fm/daniel-wise or on iTunes.

“If everyone knew how great it felt to be kind, everyone would do it,”

—Nicole Phillips

 Through his show, Soccer Made Simple, Daniel Wise creates space for soccer fans to more easily follow their favorite sport.

Something to Taco ’Bout

Nothing warms the heart more than a tasty taco treat for Valentine’s Day

by TROY MCQUILLEN

The taco craze is real. Dozens of memes exist on social media comparing the love of tacos with the love of a spouse. If it’s true that “Love is...bringing me tacos when I didn’t ask for any,” then this simple spread of street tacos, heartshaped quesadillas, and fresh mango salsa is foolproof for your Valentine’s Day dinner.

Half of these tacos are filled with shredded pheasant seasoned with an off-the-shelf spice packet and sweet and mildly spicy mango salsa. The others are filled with shredded meat from a store—rotisserie chicken, red salsa, cheese, lettuce, and avocado.

The quesadillas are standard fair with cheddar cheese paired with sour cream, queso, mango salsa, and red salsa for dipping. Buy the street-size tortillas for small bites with big flavor and a variety of filling options.

Prepare these however you like, but do try the mango salsa. That alone with tortilla chips is a meal in itself at our house. //

MANGO SALSA

INGREDIENTS

• 1 small red onion, chopped

• 2 cups cubed mango (frozen or fresh, about two mangos)

• ½ cup cilantro, finely chopped (or less, or none, per preference)

INSTRUCTIONS

PREP 15 mins

• 1 jalapeño seeded, finely chopped

• 1 Tbsp fresh lime juice

• Kosher or sea salt to taste (1/2 to 1 tsp is a good range)

Mix all ingredients together and enjoy immediately, or for the next couple of days.

Photos by Troy McQuillen

HUB CITY BREWS: Home and Away

MANY ABERDONIANS—WHETHER THEY’RE TOWNIES, TRANSPLANTS, OR EXPATRIATES— HAVE TRIED TO DELIVER BEER AROUND SOCIAL DISTANCING, CLOSINGS, AND ALUMINUM SHORTAGES. HERE ARE A FEW.

by PATRICK GALLAGHER

Coming Soon and Already Here

The worst-kept beer secret in Aberdeen is where Brodie Mueller brews Dakota Territory beer. It’s at the corner of Third Avenue and South Main, behind the sign that says “Coming Soon.” The taproom is still coming, Brodie said, but how soon depends on a lot of factors.

For a guy who learned to brew for a speech in college, beer took over much of his life. In St Louis, while staying home with his kids, he apprenticed one day a week with a microbrewer. “I was a pretty mediocre stay-at-home dad,” he joked, but he saw his future.

Some 15 years later, “I’ve worked in all three tiers of the beer business,” he said. When he first moved to Aberdeen in 2013, he worked as the local representative for Global Distributing, then as bar manager for Pounders (where he conducted Beer School), and now as a brewer for his own business.

 Brodie Mueller started brewing at his Dakota Territory Brewing on Main Street Aberdeen back in 2016.

Photos by Troy McQuillen

Enter Dakota Territory. “When I had an event business, we did an event in the building at Third and Main,” Brodie remembered. Scott Peterson owns the building, and, Brodie said, “It became clear that we needed to start selling beer out of that space.” He and Scott began plans to open a brewery and taproom there, creating Dakota Territory in 2016, and Brodie started brewing in the building. “It’s taken so long to open because the building is so important, and we want to do it right,” he said. “It’s at the only stop sign downtown, a historic corner building, and now all the historical pieces are exposed. We want to preserve those things while filling it with state of the art brewing equipment.”

Bootstrapping so far, Brodie and Scott have prepared the building for the next stage of construction work, which will require debt. In addition to building the taproom and brewery, there will be structural work. Installing a 10-barrel system, with four 10-barrel and two 2-barrel tanks—accommodating roughly 10,000 pounds of beer—requires reinforcing the floor. Brodie noted that the smaller tanks allow for

more experimentation, “We always want to stay new and fresh.”

“Most breweries start with a taproom and use that revenue to grow,” but Brodie wanted to do it differently by starting with brewing and distributing. “We’re telling our story, getting involved in the community and region. Our story is about regionality. We’re the Hub City, right? We want to be the brewery for that region.”

So, for now, he works with one-barrel fermenters and can produce six kegs a week. He has made about 15-20 styles over the past few years, with about six regulars. Dakota Territory beer has been on tap at local bars and restaurants and in cans at local stores.

With COVID, Brodie said, “The world changed, and we tried to change with it.” Dakota Territory had started making cold brew coffee in late 2019, and it took off, particularly during the pandemic. “We made a ton of cold brew coffee, and it worked well,” he noted. “I did 100 deliveries a week—all on one day—until May,” when the season for it waned.

Then they started making seltzers, which

are easy, cost-effective, and popular. They debuted seltzer in August 2020, and it’s paying off. “Seltzer is a natural progression in trends,” he said. “All brewers kind of follow trends.” They have four core flavors plus a rotating seasonal. A local artist and production company developed art for the seltzer cans.

While he knows people wonder about the promised taproom, Brodie believes they “dodged a bullet by not being open when COVID hit. We will move forward with the taproom when it’s safe and financially feasible.” On the latter point, he noted that “every brewery has a guy who looks like Scott and a guy who looks like me”—in other words, the practical guy and the shoot from the hip guy—and that’s how they’ve avoided moving too fast for their own good.

The peripatetic Brodie isn’t satisfied with Dakota Territory, 1 Million Cups (the weekly entrepreneur event he emcees), and various other downtown activities. He and Carly Pochop of Colorful Creations have teamed up to create The Market on the Plaza, which will open in Malchow Plaza in spring 2021. On the main floor will be retail with coffee and light food. Upstairs will be a bar space selling meats and cheeses plus South Dakota-made wine and beer—and judging from the stories here, probably including several with Hub City ties.

“We always want to stay new and fresh.”

—Brodie Mueller

 Dakota Territory has produced about 15-20 different styles of beverages so far. Their varieties are on tap at local bars and restaurants and in cans at local stores.

Mmmmm! Beer and Pizza

In mid-2019, when Sean Dempsey opened Danger Von Dempsey’s at Eleventh Avenue and South Main in Aberdeen, he couldn’t have imagined his first anniversary would have been in a pandemic. COVID has brought him to Aberdeen more often than he’d planned. With staffing disruptions, he’s had to work shifts here up to three times a week. But he keeps looking forward and has plans for Aberdeen, including relating to beer.

Sean’s dad Bill opened the original Watertown Dempsey’s in 1999. While the restaurant is synonymous with pizza, the pie actually came about a decade later, but brewing was always in Bill’s plan. He came home from a restaurant auction in North Dakota with a brewing system and “surprised my mom,” Sean remembered. They still work in the original brewery. Attached to the Watertown restaurant, it’s the secondoldest brewery in South Dakota.

By the time he opened, Bill had been a homebrewer for years (so his wife should have seen it coming), and he was Dempsey’s brewmaster for about 15 years. Sean, who has worked in the restaurant since it opened and went to pizza school in California (he is the only certified Pizzaiolo in South Dakota and a member of the US Pizza Team), “dabbled” briefly

in brewing too. Current brewmaster Chris Borns came from Watertown Brewing, which he helped start. Now Sean mostly focuses on the kitchen and marketing.

When it comes to beer, Sean discusses with the brewers what beers they want to bring out and what they want to do with the styles they will brew. Ultimately, he said, “It’s based on the brewers’ ideas.” They aim to have 10-12 Dempsey’s beers on tap at any time, with six regulars always available. In their brewhouse, they keep three to four beers going at a time and can brew 10 barrels at a time. They distribute canned beer to about 50 places and kegs to about 40 bars and restaurants around Aberdeen and Watertown.

Over the last several years, they have brewed at least 60 different beers, and about 15-18 have reached the stage of having their own logo. The most popular is Battle Axe, a blonde ale. “We go through a tank of it about every three weeks,” Sean said.

Dempsey’s has entered beers in a few national and international festivals over the years, including the Great American Beer Festival and the Berlin Beer Festival, but that doesn’t stop them from tweaking recipes to enhance and keep improving. That doesn’t apply to their

Open Door IPA, however. “That was our current brewmaster Chris’ first beer for us after he left the old brewery,” Sean explained. “It’s sort of a one door closes and another opens idea. It’s a good beer, and he doesn’t want to change it.”

Sean has plans for beer and for Aberdeen. “Our goal is to build an independent brewery from the ground up on new property,” he said, hoping that will happen in the next five years. In addition, he envisions setting up a small pilot brewing system in Aberdeen in 2021. Visible to guests, it will do batches of beers made specifically for Aberdeen.

Aside from beer, other changes are in store for Aberdeen. A patio behind the restaurant will open in 2021. Sean had also hoped to do a façade upgrade in 2020, but COVID delayed it to 2021.

Not So Terrible Twos

Dave Welling is looking for more ways than just his beer to get people into the One-Legged Pheasant at Eighth Avenue and South Main. Aberdeen Magazine first visited OLP during its first year in business. Before his second anniversary, Dave was dealing with a pandemic.

Following city council guidelines, Dave closed his taproom for five weeks, but “We sold growlers and cans off-sale” to stay in business. COVID made him move to canning beer earlier than he’d planned. “Originally, we wanted to do just 32-ounce crowlers,” he said, “but they were hard to come by because the big boys bought them up. So we moved to 16-ounce cans, which were easier to get.” Now he sells four-packs of 16-ounce cans at the bar, and people can still buy and fill growlers and crowlers (while the cans are available). You can’t buy OLP canned beer in retail stores yet, but he’s working on that.

Aside from the pandemic, Dave has learned some lessons after being in business for two years. Knowing what he knows now, he “would have spent more time on the business plan, learned more about all the costs, and had more operating cash to start with.” Maybe the most important lesson has been, “Beer is good, and it attracts people, but you need to do more to get people into the bar.” So he’s doing add-ons, such as bingo night and “Vinyl Nites.” He also teamed up with Jimmy’s Pizza to offer beer, pizza, and pairing ideas. OLP also sells Jimmy’s pizza.

Repeating a common theme here, Dave makes connections with other brewers whenever possible. If one comes in the bar, “We’ll trade four-packs.” He’s also competed against them. In the summer of 2020, OLP participated in the Summer Classic Beer Festival in Sioux Falls, getting high marks from the judges.

 Dempsey’s beer crafted by brewmaster Chris Borns (left) and journeyman brewer Dean Ratliff can be found in about 40 bars and restaurants in Aberdeen and Watertown.

Severance Brewing: Hub City South

For their first Christmas together in 2008, Melissa Martin Heckel (a 2004 Roncalli graduate) bought her husband Scott (Central 2003) a Mr. Beer home brewing kit. The beer “wasn’t that good,” Scott said, but “it opened my eyes to see I could do this.” About a decade later, Scott and Melissa and their partners, Melissa’s Roncalli classmate Jennifer Sandquist Stavenger and her husband Mark, opened Severance Brewing Co. in downtown Sioux Falls to sell craft beer.

Scott credits some industry colleagues and competitors for motivation and support. First, “The people at Strawbale Winery told me, ‘You have a passion for this, have you thought of opening a brewery?’” Later, while developing a business plan, he “sat with other breweries to pick their brains.” One of the best parts of the

process has been the “camaraderie of the beer scene.” They started a five-year plan in 2017 but realized the craft beer scene in Sioux Falls was moving fast, and they needed to act.

Finding a new building in Falls Park across from the new Levitt Shell, where 50 summer concerts were planned, they signed a lease on August 3, 2018. They got into the space in April 2019 and did most of the design and build-out themselves. Scott brewed the first batch on June 26, 2019, and Severance opened on August 2, 2019.

The first seven months or so were great. They had created an attractive, family-friendly taproom, including kid packs, root beer, and dog treats. Each month, through Give Back Tap, they give a nonprofit part of the proceeds from a particular beer’s sales. By March 2020, they distributed kegs to about 15 bars and restaurants in Sioux Falls and Slackers and Pounders in Aberdeen.

A dream come true, Melissa admitted to “a few ‘pinch me’ moments when the taproom was full, and people were drinking my husband’s beer as we’re becoming part of people’s lives!” Then came COVID.

“The months of March and April were a lesson in having to constantly adapt,” Scott said. After they voluntarily reduced the taproom’s capacity, the city restricted restaurants and bars to to-go orders only. Forced to furlough part-time staff, they launched an online store within 24 hours so customers could order canned beer. Then, an aluminum shortage struck the industry, taking away their cans. Finding a source in St. Paul in April, Scott bucked 40 mph winds and blinding snow squalls with a pallet of cans in his pickup.

CARES Act funds allowed them to rehire employees when Sioux Falls lifted its restrictions. Severance had a good summer despite reduced capacity and the cancellation of the concerts across the street. Fortunately, their new patio space and outdoor seating appealed to customers.

“Beer is good, and it attracts people, but you need to do more to get people into the bar.”

—Dave Welling



One-Legged Pheasant owner Dave Welling recently added canned brews to his menu, offering four-packs of 16-ounce cans along with his usual tap beer.

Photos by Troy McQuillen

As fall approached and fewer people ventured out, they began small runs of 16-ounce cans for retail sale in grocery and liquor stores, including, hopefully, in Aberdeen. Scott admitted, “Retail sales were not in our roadmap as there is limited shelf space in a very competitive market, but the need to diversify our sales amidst the pandemic was a necessity.” Taproom manager Mark shifted into full-time distribution sales to market product.

In a bright spot in the pandemic, Severance earned the Gold Crushie for Coolest Taproom in the 2020 Craft Beer Marketing Awards, making them one of the top four “coolest taprooms in the country!” “We were so honored to receive this award, I have always loved interior design and coming up with the overall design of the taproom was so much fun! It was awesome to see our team bring it to life,” Jennifer said.

So why “Severance?”According to its website, the name acknowledges Scott and Mark for “leaving long-held comfortable jobs (at Citibank and Augustana) and essentially creating their own severance package in the form of a brewery.” It’s not totally without a net, however; their spouses kept their day jobs. Melissa has her own graphic design firm, and Jennifer is a nurse.

Corporate Craft

“Now, yours is a board I’d like to serve on. I like your beer!” Teresa Morrow joked when she was out with Summit Brewing Company’s chief financial officer, with whom she had served on the Humane Society board. A few years later, the CFO came calling on the 1981 Roncalli grad, who runs her own communications/marketing agency in the Twin Cities.

Seeking to diversify the backgrounds of their board members, Summit sought someone “with a background in strategic marketing, branding, and communication,” Teresa said, and they added her to the board in November 2019.

The privately held company’s board has some critical roles, which include reviewing the performance of the CEO and considering succession planning.

Besides their beer, Summit’s commitment to donate two percent of pretax profits to community causes also impressed her. Compared to other businesses Teresa’s been involved with, Summit’s business model is

different. The brewery has a diverse array of customers with distributors, retail partners, and the consuming public, but also, somewhat uniquely, a handful of breweries who contract with Summit to brew and package their beer. Summit’s founder had told her he is committed to that collegiality because other breweries helped him when he got started.

Within a few months of Teresa joining the board, COVID turned things upside down. Board meetings went virtual, entailing at least one disappointing change, she said, “At the in-person meetings, we shared beers together after the meeting. Now that we’re on Zoom, that perk is missing!” There were bigger business issues for the brewery with bar and restaurant shutdowns due to COVID. Outside of revenue loss, this posed other challenges. “Summit has rigorous quality standards in place to ensure fresh beer is always being sold to the public,” Teresa said. So when establishments closed, “Summit provided one of the first keg return programs to help them return expired kegs.” The brewery also shifted to retail stores and packaged beer, dramatically increasing its canning and bottling operations and making up some of the draught beer revenue loss.

Bringing her communications expertise to Summit, Teresa was immediately able to provide guidance and feedback to the brewery on varied topics during the pandemic and social unrest. //

 Roncalli graduate Teresa Morrow serves as a member of the board for Summit Brewing Co.

 Pictured left to right are owners of Severance Brewing in Sioux Falls, Melissa and Scott Heckel, and Mark and Jennifer Stavenger. Melissa, Scott, and Jennifer are all from Aberdeen.

Photos courtesy of Severance Brewing

Photo courtesy of Teresa Morrow

FANTASTIC RESORT FAVORITES

Pandemic Travel Update

by BECAH FLIEHS, LOVE TO TRAVEL

International and domestic travel slowed or stopped in 2020 while COVID-19 kept people close to home. As testing availability has increased and a vaccine seems to be on the horizon, we’ve been getting more travel questions. We wanted to share what’s happening regarding planes, resorts, and destinations to help your family decide if an upcoming vacation is right for you.

RESORTS

While each hotel has its own set of standards for COVID-19, there are a couple that stand out as best in class. For example, Hyatt Zilara Cancun provides guests with a bottle of sanitizer, wipes, and amenities in a sealed bag to guarantee a fresh set for each guest. Margaritaville Island Reserve in Riviera Maya takes temperatures at check-in and at each restaurant to monitor guests when they arrive and throughout their stay.

Most resort staff are required to wear masks, while guests are encouraged to wear them in smaller spaces like the lobby and elevators. Once you’re on the property, beach chairs are spread out, dining tables are seated every other, and occupancy is typically 50 percent or less. The experience feels more normal than not, allowing guests to enjoy the sunshine, water, and outdoors with minimal requirements.

We encourage everyone to ask the resort about their current procedures before you book, or even better, work with a travel agent who can point you in the right direction.

PLANES

With their enclosed space, airlines have had to improve and prove their safety to the public. Many have added cleaning

procedures and steps to keep guests safe. All airlines are currently requiring masks while onboard planes. When masks are used, studies have shown that the air circulation and filtration with HEPA filters have drastically reduced the likelihood of spreading the virus. Delta has gone a step further and blocked off the middle seats, allowing only twothirds of the plane to be full through March 30, 2021.

Snacks and drinks are still provided via an individual bag of goodies handed to each passenger as they board. Every airline will have their own procedures, so we always recommend checking with them or your travel agent to make sure you understand any requirements needed to fly.

DESTINATIONS

Many states, countries, and islands are requiring some additional information of their incoming guests. Jamaica is one location that does require a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of travel to the island. Cancun asks tourists to fill out a health survey and pass a thermal scanning at the airport but does not require a negative test. Even states in the US, such as Hawaii, have had requirements like quarantining once you arrive. Check your destination to know the current regulations, or ask your trusty travel agent. //

HYATT ZIVA & ZILARA -

Located in the “Beverly Hills” of the DR, these fantastic resorts, which offer both a family side and an adultsonly side, would be the ideal location for your next trip. Only 15 minutes from the airport, Hyatt offers a beautiful white sand beach with shallow turquoise water, two large infinityedge pools, and even a water park for kids and adults alike.

DREAMS NATURARIVIERA MAYA, MEXICO

This brand-new resort south of Cancun offers an amazing mix of nature and luxury designed to look like the region’s remarkable cenotes. This resort features three large water slides, a kids splash pad, and a large infinity pool looking out to the ocean. But our favorite is the new aerial roller glider ride that slides guests through the air.

The Baja Peninsula provides a stunning backdrop for this resort that is the perfect mix of nightlife and sunny lounging. Grab a drink and take in the sunset around one of their pool firepits, or stay up late with live music in one of the many late-night lounges. During the day, enjoy the dry heat at the beach, waterpark, or in one of the five pools. Great for adults or families, with specific spaces for both, this modern rocking resort is a sought-after destination for anyone.

The latest on resorts, planes, and destinations for when you’re ready to go on vacation again.

CAP CANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

HARD ROCK HOTEL LOS CABOSCABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO

Period Perfect

Step back in time in Jamin Krause's 1914 Craftsman home.

by TROY MCQUILLEN

Jamin Krause is a hard worker. He works two to three jobs on a regular basis to earn money. Not for a car collection, not for travel, not to get rich, but rather to support his addiction. His addiction happens to be his house and all the things in it.

The first thing that happens when you step into his living room is your jaw drops. Then, confusion overcomes you. How? Why does a thirty-something bachelor live like this? The confusion stems from the fact that every square foot of the house is decorated with furniture and items from the home’s early time period. No, he didn’t find it like this. This is his collection of mostly family heirlooms, auction items, flea market finds, and a couple of reproductions.

“I have always liked antiques and period homes. My great-aunt had a house decorated similarly. I feel that’s where my inspiration came from. However, I wanted everything to look period-perfect,” Jamin explained.

No detail has been overlooked. Furnishing the rooms is probably the easy part compared to what he’s done to conserve the 1914 Craftsman home located on South Kline Street. When asked if he had to do much, Jamin replied, “Yes, both cosmetically as well as mechanically. Carpets and wallpaper came out, floors were waxed or refinished, cast iron plumbing that was crumbling was replaced, windows were re-glazed, grading happened around the house for better drainage, landscaping, and 28 gallons of paint went on the outside. Not one room looks like it did when I bought it, except the main floor toilet.”

Some modern conveniences in the home include “A mini-split AC, thermal cellular shades, insulated roof, and I made the attic usable,” Jamin continued. He also fenced in the back yard and created a gated parking area.

It takes a certain type of person to appreciate old houses. Old houses

 This 1914 Craftsman house located on South Kline Street is the pride and joy of Jamin Krause. His player piano (extreme left) balances out the functioning pipe organ in the living room. Inset photo by Jamin Krause.

Photos by Troy McQuillen

are, as Jamin agreed, full of character from substantial woodwork, built solidly, and often feel as if they have a soul. That feeling maybe comes from imagining previous families living there and what their lives must have been like in 1915, 1940, 1960, etc.

“There is a sense of history,” Jamin said. “I like to think of those who lived here before. The maids in the kitchen, the different generations of kids that crept down the stairs on Christmas morning to see what Santa brought, the different conversations and arguments that occurred in the different rooms.” He said he feels more like a caretaker and conserver rather than an owner.

The home’s original owner, according to Jamin’s extensive research, was William C. Blanchard. He built it in 1914 as a wedding gift to his new

 The formal dining room features thick crown molding, hand-medown period furniture, and a light fixture from an antique store.

 The focal point of the kitchen is a reproduction electric range. Jamin could find no evidence of a stove vent suggesting his home always had an electric range. Which makes sense as original home builder, William Blanchard, was the head of Aberdeen Light and Power Company.

 Homeowner Jamin Krause purchased the house in 2017 and has worked on it non-stop ever since.

bride, Blanche. Blanchard came from Traverse City, Michigan, around 1905 and met Blanche, an Aberdeen native. He was first a teller in the First State Bank alongside Isaac Lincoln (NSU’s Lincoln Hall’s namesake). Later, he became president of the Aberdeen Light and Power Company, which was eventually sold to Northwestern Public Service in 1919. He was also a member of the First United Methodist Church, YMCA, school board, and helped found the Home Guard during WWI. The Blanchards remained in Aberdeen until 1927, when they moved back to William’s native Michigan.

Jamin bought the two-story house in 2017. He said he was looking for a

project. He certainly got one. Each of the bedrooms upstairs is completely unique, featuring a dominant color, wall art, collections of knick-knacks, fabrics, drapery, and period furniture. Everything is meticulously placed, arranged, and displayed with an eye for detail, not unlike a Hollywood set decorator. He also enjoys decorating for the holidays and seasons, with Christmas being his favorite.

Jamin might be a motivated employee, but his house project is probably more demanding than all his jobs combined. And he wouldn’t want it any other way. //

 The kitchen is filled with collectibles and functioning vintage appliances. The narrow island adds a perfect amount of usable prep space.

 The oak staircase is beautifully maintained and rises to an original stained glass window at the top of the landing.

Photos by Troy McQuillen

 The den is Jamin’s favorite room to relax in with an episode of Murder She Wrote and a Windsor Coke. The wallpaper, which he uncovered, appears to be original.

 Each bedroom on the upper floor features a dominant color. Period furniture, collectibles and other antiques give each room a unique feel.

 Heating and cooling the house is a challenge, and probably always has been. Large, inefficient windows in all the upstairs bedrooms require shades and heavy curtains to help keep the cold out.

 Jamin’s master suite is decked out with his favorite color. He wallpapered the room himself with vintage-inspired wallpaper. He also built the canopy over the headboard of the bed. The hardwood floors throughout the house have all been restored.

Photos by Troy McQuillen

HOME

HEATING

Answers to your most common questions on keeping your house warm this winter.

by JENNY ROTH with contributions by CAM SCHOCK OF CLIMATE CONTROL

Home heating is on everyone’s mind this time of year. How can I best prepare my home and furnace for the winter months? Where do I start if I think I need to update my heating system? What temperature should I set my thermostat at to save the most energy and still be comfortable?

We reached out to area home heating experts to get their advice. Below, Cam Schock from Climate Control shares his recommendations.

QWhat are some basic things homeowners should do every winter to prepare for heating their home and make sure their furnace can operate smoothly?

Get your home ready for winter first. Seal up areas that leak outside air and make sure anything with water is protected from freezing. Your furnace has many moving parts and electrical components. Annual maintenance by a heating professional is critical to ensuring your furnace will provide reliable heat for your home all winter long.

QIs there a specific temperature to set my thermostat to be the most energyefficient in the winter?

We always advocate setting the thermostat at a temperature that makes you comfortable. The lower the setting, the less energy it takes to keep it there, but lowering it too far will be unpleasant. Set it at a point that is a good balance for you. Everyone’s preference is a little bit different.

QIf someone leaves home for an extended time (say a week or more), what temperature should they keep their home at while they’re away?

When it comes to being gone for a long period of time, you can save energy by lowering your thermostat setting. In most homes, you can lower it to 60 degrees Fahrenheit or lower without any issues. If a home has unheated crawl spaces or basement areas where there are water lines, don’t turn it down low enough that those areas can freeze. In homes where that isn’t a concern, 50 degrees Fahrenheit isn’t a problem.

QWhat type of insulation is best for keeping a house warm in the winter?

All insulation has different R-values based on how it’s installed and how thick it is. Different types of insulation work better in different areas of your home, so consulting with a good contractor is the best way to determine what is best for your specific needs. There isn’t one type that is best for all areas.

 Cam says the average life expectancy for a furnace is about 16 years. Check yours for rust, corrosion, or leaking water to know if it’s time for an upgrade.

QAre there any signs that it might be time to update my old heating system?

Many times you can tell by just looking at a furnace. Is there rust or corrosion inside or around the furnace? Is it leaking water? Does it always operate the same every time it starts up?

All these things are signs of a furnace being worn out or poorly maintained. The national average life expectancy for a furnace is about 16 years.

QIf I need to install a new furnace or heating system, what are my first steps?

Check reviews of your local heating professionals. Contact one that is experienced and will be in business for the life of your furnace. Let them know what is important to you with your new heating system. Now is the best time to address any issue you have with comfort or efficiency in your home. The average person only installs one new heating and cooling system in their lifetime, so get it right. If you have issues with your furnace after installation, you will need that heating professional to take care of it. If the installer isn’t in business or available when you have an issue, it doesn’t matter what the warranty was when you bought it. The manufacturer of the furnace doesn’t come out to fix it. Your installer does. Every warranty is only as good as the company that will stand behind it.

QIf my furnace would go out, what should I do?

The first thing is, don’t panic. Even on the coldest of days, it takes well over 24 hours without heat before there is any risk of damage to the home. Contact a heating professional and see about getting it repaired. Then, grab an extra blanket or put on some warmer clothes until it is fixed. If you have any other heat sources in the home, such as a fireplace or an electric heater, turn them on as you like. Let the blower on your furnace run continuously to move the heat around the home to all areas, even the ones without a heat source.

QWhat are the most common types of heating systems and the pros and cons of each?

The most common heating system in our area is a furnace and air conditioner using ducting to blow it throughout the home. This is usually the lowest cost to install to get both heating and cooling in your home.

The next most common is a hot water boiler heating system with radiators throughout the home. This provides a higher level of comfort but costs more to install and doesn’t provide a way to do air conditioning. You have to have another entire system to do the cooling. This option offers higher levels of comfort and efficiency when designed and installed properly.

 Many sophisticated components can be incorporated into your home’s furnace like humidifiers, air purifiers, and wireless controls accessible from a smart device.

There are many more types of heating and cooling systems available, all with advantages and disadvantages. The options are endless. Contacting a high-quality heating professional is the best way to walk through all the options to find which ones fit your needs the best. Finding the balance between cost and comfort for each home is the goal when looking at different types of systems.

QAre all thermostats the same? How do I know I have a good one?

Thermostat options are growing so fast in the industry right now due to technology and the connected home. The single most important thing in choosing a thermostat is to get one that fits how involved you want to be in operating it. Do you want to set it and forget it, or do you want to use voice commands to adjust it from wherever you are in the world at any time of the day? Every option in between is available now, so think about what is most important to you in operating it and then choose a thermostat that fits those needs. Getting a thermostat that is too complicated is a frequent complaint from homeowners. You know you have a good one if you know how to operate it. Unless it is a really cheap one, they will all work.

QIs there anything else

Aberdeen

homeowners should know about heating their house in the winter?

Often, the heating and cooling system in your car can keep you more comfortable than your home. Think about it. New vehicles have two temperature controls just for the front seats, then add in rear-seat controls, heated seats, cooled seats, and heated steering wheels. This is all in a tiny space! Now you get out of your car and walk into your home. The vast majority of homes have one thermostat for the entire house, and it’s usually located in a hallway. Who hangs out in the hallway?

See where I’m going? You spend much more time in your home, especially now. There is no reason your home shouldn’t be the most comfortable place to be in your life and the safest for your family. //

Photos by Troy McQuillen

HOW TO “GROUND” YOURSELF AND YOUR KIDS

Three quick and easy activities anyone can do to reduce stress.

by CINDY GOEHRING, LPC-MH, NCC

Most people know that traumas such as a death or a terrible accident can affect a person in a noticeable way. But most people do not realize that mild to moderate stress over a long period of time can actually have similar if not even more harmful consequences on their health.

Take 2020, for example. This year has left many of us in a state of exhaustion, seeking some sort of reprieve and something positive to look forward to.

While I cannot promise the future months ahead will be exceptionally different, I can offer up some ways to find a sense of calm in the midst of a storm. Use these activities anytime throughout your day that you want to feel more grounded.

BIRTHDAY CANDLES

This is a very short breathing exercise that works best in situations where you are in panic mode. In less than a minute, you can quickly bring your breathing rate and heart rate down several notches. Repeating this activity when you are not in panic mode teaches your brain and body to better regulate your internal reactions to stress, so that in future stressful situations, your automatic reactions aren’t as intense.

HOW TO DO IT:

 Take a breath in through your nose very slowly while counting to four.

 Hold for one or two seconds.

 Blow the air out through your mouth slowly but forcefully, as if you were blowing out birthday candles.

 Relax for 20-30 seconds and repeat.

 Do this for two to four cycles and then continue with your day.

PROGRESSIVE MUSCLE RELAXATION (PMR)

This activity helps your body slow down and return to its natural blood flow after a stressful event or busy workday that didn’t include a lot of breaks. The body does not have a natural agent to quickly break down the stress chemicals that are released into the blood system, so they must be filtered out of our bodies through our liver, which can take a while. PMR helps to speed this process along and leaves us feeling relaxed and ready to continue with our day.

HOW TO DO IT:

 Stretch your arms out in front of you, tighten up the muscles, and clench your fists. Hold them as tight as you can and count to 10.

 After 10 seconds, let everything loose. Open your fists and drop your arms to your side.

 Next, stretch your legs out in front of you and tighten up the muscles. Hold them as tight as you can and count to 10.

 After 10 seconds, let loose and let them drop like putty.

 Repeat this with your feet, neck and shoulders, abdomen, and face muscles.

FOR KIDS: Have them pretend they are holding a ball or squeezing lemons, are a turtle tucking their head into a shell to hide from a predator and then popping their head back out when it’s safe, or sucking in their belly to squeeze through a small door, etc.

TIP: Think about the game “Stiff as a Board, Light as a Feather” from elementary school.

MINI MINDFULNESS

If you want to know how many forms of mindfulness there are out there, just type the word into an online video search and see what comes up. While it’s almost become a buzzword, it’s for good reason. Here, I am offering a very basic, yet very effective, way to reverse the flow of stress hormones and help your body gradually get back to the balanced levels that cause you to feel pleasantly relaxed.

HOW TO DO IT:

 First, the hardest part: find a private space where you won’t be interrupted for five minutes or so.

 Sit in a comfortable position and close your eyes.

 Focus on your breath for a few moments. Don’t try to alter or change your breathing in any way – just notice it and notice anything about it. Is it quick and shallow? Is it deep and relaxed? Is the air cool or warm?

 Next, move to noticing your body. Start from the bottom and move up. Are your feet warm or cold? Are they relaxed in your shoes or tight? Are they dry or sweaty? What else do you notice?

 Focus on each section of your body for 20-30 seconds, moving your way up and ending with your face. (Feet, legs, mid-section, arms, back, neck/shoulders, face.)

 Keep your thoughts non-judgmental and show your body kindness through this short process.

 When you are finished, thank yourself for completing this and continue with your day.

TIPS FOR ADDING GROUNDING TIME INTO YOUR DAY

The more often you do the activities listed here, the quicker you will see results. But a highly-stressed mind can have trouble remembering to complete tasks and sticking to a routine. Here are some helpful tips for jogging your memory on what you can do to feel better the next time your stress levels start to take over.

Tear this page out of the magazine. Seriously! Fold it up and stick it in your back pocket or a jacket pocket, whichever one you empty when you get home at night. Don’t hide it away in your purse or mail pile where it will get lost forever. Keep these activities close, so you’re reminded of the tools you have as you go about your day.

Share what you learned in this article with whoever you have dinner with tonight.

Set a reminder in your phone that targets the most stressful (but not the busiest) time of your day. This will trigger your memory that you have ways to return yourself to a state of calm.

FOR KIDS: A tip for teaching kids how to learn mindfulness is to use food. Offer them a bowl of different types of cut-up fruit. Have them use four of their senses to describe the fruit. Start with how it looks – shape, size, color. Then, have them close their eyes to describe how it feels, smells, and tastes.

Find a Saving Our Sanity (SOS) buddy and add them to your calendar notifications so you can reach out to someone for support during your stressful times.

There are so many more simple and effective ways to reduce stress and feel grounded. What really matters is finding one that you enjoy, that works into your schedule, and that helps you get in a state of pleasant relaxation – even if it’s only for a few minutes at a time. The activities in this article are meant to be tools you can use for your mental health. If you are feeling too overwhelmed or hopeless, know there is help out there. You are not alone, and you do not have to figure this all out on your own. Please reach out to a licensed professional counselor as soon as possible. //

Sometimes, the only downtime we get is when we use the restroom or lay down to sleep. These are both excellent times to get in a few minutes of grounding and destressing!

WARM WINTER WEAR

ADD SOME COLOR TO THE GRAY DAYS OF WINTER WITH THESE COZY-WARM OUTFITS THAT ARE PERFECT FOR CASUAL LOOKS AND DRESSING UP.

photos by TROY MCQUILLEN

wardrobe by CATCHING FIREFLIES BOUTIQUE

 Marissa Hanley wears a flowy green top that effortlessly transitions from spring, to fall, and into winter. Pair it with jeans and the beaded brown belt shown here.

 This burgundy bodysuit is an absolute staple piece for winter! The color is flattering for everyone, plus, it can be worn on its own or layered perfectly under a jacket or graphic tee. Modeling the look is Jenna Everson.

 Flannels are the go-to for any occasion this season. Dress them up or down. Model Tabitha Sonne wears hers over a white bodysuit and jeans.

 Sadie and Elle Kessler are adorable and comfy in these winter fashion ensembles for kids. Sadie’s burgundy top and Elle’s olive-striped sweater can both be worn over leggings or jeans. For another warm layer, add a vest.

 Devin Griese is stunning in her wine-colored top accessorized with dangly earrings and bracelets.

We Want to Hear from You!

Aberdeen Magazine wants to hear from its readers! Do you have a topic you want us to cover? A critique of something we could be doing better? Or do you simply want to gush about everyone’s favorite, locally owned magazine in Aberdeen? Then tell us about it!

We love letters! If you want to go the traditional route and send a letter, the address is: Aberdeen Magazine

423 S Main Street Suite 1 Aberdeen, SD 57401

We get it. Letters are a little old fashioned and not for everyone. That’s perfectly okay. You can send an email to jenny.roth@aberdeenmag.com or troy@mcquillencreative.com and one of them will get back to you faster than you can say “Grab it! Read it! Share it!” You can always reach us on social media, too. Find us on Facebook and Instagram by searching for Aberdeen Magazine and send us a message.

by Eliot Lucas