FROM THE EDITOR

Ihave flipped through many of the stories printed in Aberdeen Magazine--looking for inspiration as the new editor, but mostly out of genuine curiosity. I read about talented local artists, rich Aberdeen history, tasty innovative recipes, fascinating business ventures … the list goes on and on. Each story brings a new perspective--a different lens to view Aberdeen. But out of all the stories I browsed through, I discovered one thing that unites them all: Community.

Growing up in a small town south of Aberdeen, I visited the local boutiques and dined at the restaurants, attended summer Storybook Land events and competed in sports at the high school gyms. Through those years, I had yet Josie Clemens to experience all that Aberdeen had to offer. During my time at Presentation MANAGING EDITOR College, I started to truly see the community around me--the hometown pride, the kindness of strangers, the hard work of business owners, the continuous celebration of local success--and I loved it! Working for Aberdeen Magazine continues to change and expand my own lens of Aberdeen as I immerse myself in the stories of the community.

In this issue, change inspires many of the stories, and overcoming challenges is the root of most change. As you turn through the pages, you will find stories that embrace those challenges including one about a seventh grader who created a Wiffle Ball league amidst a pandemic so he and his friends could enjoy their summer, another on the ongoing construction of a damaged spillway to ensure the people of Aberdeen have a backup water supply, and yet another on how, decades ago, the community united to battle a virus different than the one we face today. These stories highlight and celebrate the local events that bring the people in Aberdeen together.

Every editor and contributor add their own unique touch to Aberdeen Magazine, but every story circles back to the splendors of our community. Aberdeen is home to small victories and large successes, families and free-spirits, art and history. There is a story everywhere you look in Aberdeen, whether it’s a new face to a recent addition or a familiar face mixed with tradition, and I am delighted to be a part of sharing those stories through Aberdeen Magazine.

And please, share your stories with us! We love to hear from our readers. If you have any ideas, information, stories, or feedback, let us know by emailing josie@aberdeenmag.com or calling 605-226-3481. I look forward to hearing from you! //

 CONTRIBUTORS

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

 JEANNETTE HERMANN is an astrologer who designs travel programs for Americans to Europe. She lives in France and Tucson, Arizona when it gets cold, and believes that travel opens a person's mind and heart to other ways of being in this world.

 CONNIE SIEH GROOP lives and thrives on their family farm at Frederick. As a freelance writer, she enjoys connecting with fascinating people to share their stories.  JAMES HEISINGER is a student at NSU and a writer for Northern’s newspaper, The Exponent. He writes movie reviews and serves on the student government as a senator from the School of Education.

 SYMMONE GAUER is a senior at SDSU studying journalism and French. Originally from Aberdeen, she is excited to be interning with Aberdeen Magazine. Symmone also loves reading, writing, music, photography, and traveling.

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

VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 4 • JULY/AUGUST 2021

ISSN 2378-3060

MANAGING EDITOR

Josie Clemens josie@aberdeenmag.com

PUBLISHER

Troy McQuillen troy@mcquillencreative.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Eliot Lucas eliot@mcquillencreative.com

AD SALES

Julie Lillis julie.aberdeenmag@gmail.com

INTERN

Symmone Gauer

PUBLICATION OFFICE

McQuillen Creative Group

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

PRINTING Midstates Printing

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

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

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.

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