2021_12_EtcMagazine_Volume21_Issue1 by Sara Sullivan

December 2021 Volume 21 • Issue 1

sf-sd Easy-to-Make Candy December Happenings History of McKennan Park

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Holidays at the Pavilion MUSEU MS MEMB ERSHI P SPECI ALS

Enjoy inc redible d iscounts specials and on a Wa Pavilion shington member ship thro Decemb ughout e r . L e a washingto rn more a npavilion .org/mem t bership

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Come See Santa! December 4, 11 and 18 Washington Pavilion

Kids, come and tell Santa what’s on your wish list this year. Don’t forget to bring your camera to take photos with him and capture holiday memories. Write a letter to the North Pole and drop it in one of the mailboxes located in the first floor lobby!

Visit our websites for more holiday offerings and opportunities.

www.washingtonpavilion.org/happyholidays

Programs, dates, times and prices subject to change.

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friends & family FOR KIDS

nest

AT HOME

Easy Christmas Crafts for Kids 56

BEST BOOKS 60

RECIPES Two Easy Treats that would make a wonderful addition to a candy tray for work or home. 28

CUTE KIDS Submit Your Child’s Photo 62

BEST FRIENDS Submit Your Pet’s Photo 64

Home for the Holidays – The Greg and Denise Patton Home 30

THE A LIST 40 VINO

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Holiday Movies and Wine Pairing 46

MAN IN THE KITCHEN

Well Enough for a Duke Here’s to the Duke! 48

What A Gift Good Neighbors Are! 50

CALENDAR December 2021 12

HISTORY History of McKennan Park 20

Holiday Heartbreak: How to Celebrate After Losing a Loved One 52

Gifts with a Personal Touch - Painted by Prairie 8

KNICK KNACKS OF LIFE HEALTH & WELL-BEING

Sioux Falls’ Favorite Women’s Magazine Publisher

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Angela Efting Ellerbroek

Jen (Sandvig) Pfeiffer Design Loft, LLC

(605) 334-2479 email: etc.mag@sio.midco.net www.etcsiouxfalls.com www.facebook.com/etcforher

iStockphoto® used on pages: 6, 24, 46, 48, 54 Pexels Photos: 19

4 contents whole without written consent by the publisher. All articles and editorial material represent the opinions of the respective authors.

s ’ . s . . g n n i o t s a e e r S G Take Care & Stay Safe. Thank you for your support!

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concierge 8 Gifts with a Personal Touch – Painted by Prairie

calendar 12 December 2021

history 20 History of McKennan Park

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Gifts with a Personal Touch

Painted by Prairie BY MARY MICHAELS | PHOTOS BY JULIE PRAIRIE PHOTOGRAPHY

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ow are you coming along with your holiday shopping? If you’re struggling trying to find that “just right” gift for someone, Shelley Connelly wants to help. Connelly and her team at Painted by Prairie at the Empire Mall offer a wide array of ornaments and unique gifts that they can personalize for you on the spot. “I encourage people to make us your first stop when you come to the mall,” says Connelly. “You can pick out your gifts here and let us know how to personalize them, go about your other shopping, and then stop by a little later to pick up your finished gifts.” Connelly is the new owner of Painted by Prairie, buying the business this past February from her friend and former boss, Julie Prairie. “The business has been around for about eight years, and I’ve been with Julie since the beginning,” says Connelly. “Our kids have been friends since the first grade, and now they’re in tenth, so we’re more family than friends.” Because of that friendship and enjoying her work in the business for so long, she was both excited and honored when Prairie approached her about buying the business. “I love what I do, and it was a good opportunity to be able to take this successful business and make it my own,” Connelly explains. “And Julie has been a great mentor. She even went with me to my first market to show me the ropes.” Painted by Prairie opened its kiosk in the Empire Mall in mid-October and will be there through December 28. There are a number of gifts they personalize for people year-round, however, like their popular piggy banks and music boxes. Connelly says the best way to connect after the holiday season is through the business Facebook page @PaintedbyPrairie. There are rows and rows of ornaments to explore, each one that can be personalized with a name and date by Connelly and her team. Whatever you can think of, Painted by Prairie likely has an ornament for it –

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pets, camping, shopping, music, cooking, graduations, military and other professions like healthcare and teachers. Unicorns are always a popular theme, Connelly says, and she can see how the ornament trends change with the times, because there are now several options for “gamers,” including a game controller and a person wearing VR goggles, and there’s even an ornament with a bucket of popcorn that says “I love binge watching” for all those Netflix fans out there.

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The ornaments themselves are cute, but Connelly says once they personalize them, the piece really comes to life. Customers certainly feel the same way, because Painted by Prairie has many customers who keep coming back each holiday season, so that is why Connelly is always watching for new items to add to their collection. One of her customers picks out personalized ornaments and gives them to the kids at Thanksgiving so the kids can then put them up that year. Another

customer uses the ornaments as stocking stuffers each year so that the kids will have a new ornament for the next Christmas. “It is so rewarding for us to hear about these cool traditions families are starting with our ornaments,” Connelly says. “My part-timers tell me this is their ‘fun job’ because they see how much joy the gifts bring to their customers.” Connelly reminds customers that the ornaments don’t have to just be for Christmas…you can keep them out year-

round to remember a family vacation or to commemorate other special occasions. “I’ve decorated a sports ornament to mark a state championship, and we have lots of couples who get the engagement or wedding ornaments and keep them out in their homes,” Connelly says. “We’ve even decorated one for a marriage proposal.” In addition to the ornaments, Painted by Prairie offers several other gift ideas. One of the newer items she has is an adorable tin tea set that comes in its own carrying

case – and this can be personalized as well. They have cool 3-D night lights in shapes like the Eiffel Tower and a T-rex, and there are several options for light-up décor for the home, perfect for a shelf or a fireplace mantle. If you have someone on your list who loves to wear clever socks, be sure to check out the rack of options from Painted Prairie. They also carry a brand of socks for kids called “Mismatch” socks that intentionally have different designs for

each foot, like a cow and a pig or a donut and an ice cream cone. They even have a sock toy for pets that you can stuff with a plastic bottle, tennis ball or old socks to let your four-legged friend have a little fun. Connect with Painted by Prairie on Facebook to watch for product updates and be sure to stop by and visit them at the Empire Mall before December is over. They are easy to find…just go to the center court, and they’re right by that jolly ol’ elf in the red suit!

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December

The Premiere Playhouse Presents A Christmas Carol Orpheum Theater Center 315 N. Phillips Avenue. December 2-4 & 9-11 • 7pm December 4, 5, 11 & 12 • 2pm A Christmas Carol recounts the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly miser who is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come.

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After their visits, Scrooge is transformed into a kinder, gentler man. The show is suitable for all ages. INFO washingtonpavilion.org

Behind the Scenes Tour of the Irene Hall Museum Resource Center Thursday, December 2 2pm Irene Hall Museum Resource Center 4300 N. Westport Avenue

Take a look behind the closed doors of the Irene Hall Museum Resource Center and see the artifact storage and work areas. Call (605)3674210 to register. INFO siouxlandmuseums.com

Disney on Ice: Let’s Celebrate December 2, 3, 4 • 7pm December 3 • 7pm December 4 • 11am, 7pm December • 1pm Denny Sanford

Winter Concert Series 21-22

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Premier Center Grab your Mickey ears and get ready for the ultimate party when Disney On Ice presents Let’s Celebrate skates into your hometown with more than 50 unforgettable Disney characters. Hosted by Mickey and Minnie, go on an adventure through 14 of the greatest Disney stories ever told. INFO dennysanfordpremiercenter.com Flower and Flame at the Old Courthouse Museum Winter Concert Series Friday, December 3 12 - 1pm Old Courthouse Museum 200 West Sixth Street Flower and Flame will perform A Christmas Carol in the historic courtroom of the Old Courthouse Museum from

noon to 1 p.m. Bring your lunch and enjoy the show! Free admission (605) 367-4210 or siouxlandmuseums.com Oak Ridge Nursery December Sale December 3 - 9 2217 S. Splitrock Blvd. Brandon, SD 40% off Houseplants, cactus and succulents, 20% off Ornaments, 20% off Poinsettias, 20% off Fresh and Artificial Wreaths and more! INFO (605) 582-6565. Shaun Johnson + The Big Band Experience “The Nights Before Christmas Tour” December 3 7:30pm Washington Pavilion

A swingin’ Christmas show - with edge and emotion fronted by an Emmy awardwinning crooner (and lead singer of Tonic Sol-fa)! INFO washingtonpavilion.org Handel’s Messiah December 3 • 7pm First Lutheran Church 327 S. Dakota Ave. Featuring the inspiring Hallelujah Chorus, Handel’s Messiah returns to usher in the holiday season. Join your South Dakota Symphony Orchestra & Chorus at First Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls for this divine masterpiece! Tonic Sol-fa “Shake Up Christmas Tour” December 4 7:30pm

Washington Pavilion This Christmas, the Emmy Award®-winning a cappella quartet brings a brand new holiday show to life. Enjoy the humor and soulful vocals that make this a holiday tradition for so many! INFO washingtonpavilion.org Starting Your Photography Side Hustle – The Right Way December 4 9am - 12pm $99 West Sioux Studios If you have EVER thought of turning your love of photography into a business, this is the class for you! Taught by two experienced local photography professionals, consider this your one stop shop for all

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the info you need! Bring all your questions – How do I start? Where do I get clients? How much should I charge? What gear do I need? We will answer them all… and then some! You don’t want to miss this opportunity to learn what it takes to strike out and build your own photography empire! Workbook provided. Registration is available online at www.ComEd.sf.k12.sd.us or call 605-367-7999. 605 Made Holiday Market December 4 10am - 4pm Cherapa Place Parking Garage One-of-a-kind holiday shopping awaits at the 605 Made Holiday Market! Featuring dozens of local makers in a transformed parking garage pop-up shop. Local Author Book Fair at the Old Courthouse Museum Saturday, December 4 11am - 2pm Old Courthouse Museum 200 West Sixth Street Join area authors to discuss and purchase their latest books! Stop in any time from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to learn about the latest in South Dakota literature. 11+ authors scheduled to appear! Admission is free. (605) 367-4210 or siouxlandmuseums.com K9 911 – Pet First Aid & CPR December 5 12 - 1:30pm $39 Nerdy K9 Academy Have you ever felt helpless when your animal is sick or

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hurt? Would you know during an emergency what actions would help versus hurt the situation? Most people don’t think about this until a tragic event has happened. This class is designed to give you easy to perform actions to make sure your dog is best cared for if an injury or cardiac emergency occurs. You will also learn how to best PREVENT having your dog involved in an emergency. This class is hands-on learning. Students may bring a stuffed animal to practice on, however, well behaved dogs are also welcomed to attend this class at the Academy. Proof of vaccination must be submitted prior to dogs attending class. Registration is available online at www. ComEd.sf.k12.sd.us or call 605-367-7999. A Magical Medora Christmas December 8 • 7:30pm Washington Pavilion This traveling holiday favorite from Medora, North Dakota, features Badlands stars of past and present, bringing you some of the season’s best music and a wonderful story for the entire family to enjoy! INFO washingtonpavilion.org A Yuletide Cabaret December 9 • 7:30pm Washington Pavilion Get all geared up for the holidays with a Good Night annual tradition — our seasonal cabaret features tinselly tunes you’ve adored since childhood and a host of holiday humdingers you didn’t see coming. Ring in December with A Yuletide Cabaret. INFO washingtonpavilion.org

A Holiday Evening at the Pettigrew Home & Museum Thursday, December 9 5 - 8pm Pettigrew Home & Museum 131 N. Duluth Avenue Experience A Holiday Evening at the Pettigrew Home from 5-8 p.m. Enjoy a special evening tour of the historic Pettigrew Home, take a neighborhood horse drawn wagon ride, and enjoy holiday music and refreshments in the Pettigrew Museum. Admission is free. INFO siouxlandmuseums.com Bridget Boen at the Old Courthouse Museum Winter Concert Series Friday, December 10 12 - 1pm Old Courthouse Museum 200 West Sixth Street Bridget Boen will perform acoustic folk and pop in the historic courtroom of the Old Courthouse Museum from noon to 1 p.m. Bring your lunch and enjoy the show! Free admission (605) 367-4210 or www. siouxlandmuseums.com

For King & Country: A Drummer Boy Christmas Tour December 10 7:30pm Denny Sanford Premier Center Christmas has arrived... early! This winter, GRAMMY award winning duo for KING & COUNTRY will be embarking on A Drummer Boy Christmas Tour. Brothers Joel and Luke will be taking their mustsee holiday spectacle across the United States over 14 dates, bringing songs from A Drummer Boy Christmas to arenas for the first time! From holiday staple “Little Drummer Boy” to No. 1 smash “God Only Knows,” this annual concert event will feature Christmas classics and brand new songs. Buy your ticket today for an unforgettable night of Christmas celebration on Ticketmaster. Clint Black Featuring Lisa Hartman Black December 10 • 8pm Washington Pavilion It has been three decades since the release of Clint Black’s groundbreaking debut album, Killin’ Time. The genre altering record cemented the Country music icon as one of the truest traditionalists in the game and his widespread influence can still be felt in the works of artists today. Now, the seemingly unstoppable legend is heading out on tour with Lisa Hartman Black. In his latest effort, Out of Sane, Clint Black continues to hold firm in making great music that doesn’t fit a mold or conform to current popularity. INFO washingtonpavilion.org

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Oak Ridge Nursery Christmas Closeout Sale December 10 - 23 2217 S. Splitrock Blvd., Brandon, SD Mon-Fri 8am - 6pm, Saturday 8am - 5pm, Sunday 11am - 5am 25% off arrangements, ornaments, decor, Christmas pix, pottery, fresh and artificial wreaths and fresh trees, 40% off houseplants, cactus and succulents. INFO (605) 582-6565. Photography Studio Workshop: Conquer Indoor Lighting December 11 1 - 3pm $49 West Sioux Studios Indoor studio lighting is a necessity in South Dakota!

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Rain, snow, freezing temps, unbearable hot and humid temps, and so many other things work against us being able to capture beautiful outdoor images all year round. But have no fear… this twohour, hands-on session is here to help you learn, understand, and conqueror indoor studio lighting! We will go through multiple basic one light setups, as well as more complex multidirectional lighting scenarios. You will leave this class with lighting guides in hand and your confidence boiling over when it comes to indoor studio lighting! Registration is available online at www. ComEd.sf.k12.sd.us or call 605-367-7999. Christmas with the Symphony: ’Tis the Season

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December 11 • 7:30 pm December 12 • 2:30 pm Washington Pavilion Ring in the holidays with the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra and Chorus! Mixing Christmas favorites with the magic of Broadway, this celebrated tradition is perfect for the whole family! From the classics to contemporary as well as a holiday sing-a-long, it’s not Christmas until you’ve experienced ‘Tis the Season! INFO washingtonpavilion.org Shaun Johnson + The Big Band Experience “The Nights Before Christmas Tour” December 12 7pm Historic Palace Theatre, Luverne, MN A swingin’ Christmas show

- with edge and emotion fronted by an Emmy awardwinning crooner (and lead singer of Tonic Sol-fa)! INFO palacetheatre.us Good Night Collective: A Yuletide Cabaret December 12 3pm - 5pm Canton Performing Arts Center 800 N. Main St., Canton, SD Ticket Cost: $20. Tickets available at https://cantonpac.com/ Essential Oils – Medicine Cabinet Swaps Tuesday, December 14 6 - 7:30pm $29 Instructional Planning Center Join experienced oils instructor in learning about

do-it-yourself at-home recipes and blends that are natural alternative options for some of your everyday medicine cabinet items. Make a custom roller blend as you learn about different DIY recipes. Registration is available online at www.ComEd.sf.k12.sd.us or call 605-367-7999. Victorian Tea Party at the Old Courthouse Museum Tuesday, December 14 2pm Free Admission. Old Courthouse Museum 200 West Sixth Street Enjoy winter in true Victorian fashion at the historic Old Courthouse Museum. Learn about the history of tea while enjoying tea and snacks. Space is limited for this adult program. Call (605)367-

4210 to register. INFO siouxlandmuseums.com Kid’s Activity Day: O Tannenbaum! at the Old Courthouse Museum Thursday, December 16 9-11:30am Old Courthouse Museum 200 West Sixth Street Kids can learn about history and make your own crafts to take home. 15 minute sessions run throughout morning times. Call to reserve times. Free admission. INFO (605) 367-4210 or siouxlandmuseums.com Men’s Night Holiday Party Thursday, December 16 4pm - 8pm JuLiana’s Boutique in the Harvester Building Sip, shop and save! Enjoy

cocktails, hors’ doerves, and live music by Chris Beyer with 20% off gift cards and all regular priced items Free gift with purchase while supplies last! INFO siouxfallsboutique.com Dakota Academy of Performing Arts Presents: White Christmas December 16-18 • 7pm December 18 & 19 • 2pm Orpheum Theater Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful songand-dance act after World War II. With romance in mind, the two follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters en route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by Bob and Phil’s former army commander. With a dazzling score featuring well-

known standards including “Blue Skies,” “I Love A Piano,” “How Deep Is the Ocean” and the perennial title song, “White Christmas,” this heartwarming musical is based on the beloved, timeless film. INFO washingtonpavilion.org 25th Annual Christmas at the Cathedral December 16 • 7:30pm December 17 • 7:30pm December 18 • 1 & 7:30pm December 19 • 2 & 7:30pm Cathedral of St. Joseph 523 N. Duluth Ave. This year’s theme, “Be Born in Me,” is a first-hand account of God’s Incarnation into the human race. Through actress Apolonia Davalos, audiences will experience Mary’s perspective on the monumental moments

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Christmas with Lorie Line December 17 7pm Washington Pavilion The Lorie Line holiday show has become an institution for families and Christmas music lovers all over the country. So make plans now to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas in an intimate setting with Lorie! (and Maddie Olsem, special featured vocalist) and her concert grand piano which always takes center stage. INFO washingtonpavilion.org Dakota Wind Quintet at the Old Courthouse Museum Winter Concert Series December 17 12 - 1pm Old Courthouse Museum 200 West Sixth Street The Dakota Wind Quintet will perform classical music in the historic courtroom of the Old Courthouse Museum. Bring your lunch and enjoy the show! Free admission (605) 367-4210 or siouxlandmuseums.com Brantley Gilbert in Concert December 17 7:30pm

Denny Sanford Premier Center Brantley Gilbert will be performing live in Sioux Falls at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center. INFO dennysanfordpremiercenter.com Self Defense 101 Introductory December 18 • 1 - 3pm December 20 • 7:15 - 9pm $29 Dynamic Martial Arts of Sioux Falls Learn basic principles of self-defense with simple and easy-to-learn moves that work in a variety of situations. Prevent yourself from becoming one of the 20 victims of physical violence every minute in the United States. Practice introductory striking, escapes from grabs, take-downs, some ground fighting, and basic safety to defend yourself should the unthinkable happen. A quick demonstration and review of basic self-defense weapons, such as pepper spray will be included. With over 20 years of experience in martial arts, our instructors have designed a fun class for students of all abilities and fitness levels. Great class for mothers and daughters - sons too, or students going off to college! Individuals or Registration for two. Ages 13+. Registration

is available online at www.ComEd.sf.k12.sd.us or call 605-367-7999. Holiday Jam with the Hegg Brothers December 18 7:30 pm Washington Pavilion For the 13th straight year, the Hegg brothers are bringing Holiday Jam to their home crowd for a memorable performance at the great hall of the Washington Pavilion. Fans should expect a large band consisting of familiar faces made up of great musicians from coast to coast. INFO washingtonpavilion.org

personalized arrangement for yourself or as a gift. Materials included and no experience needed. Registration is available online at www.ComEd.sf.k12.sd.us or call 605-367-7999. Rosemaling Demonstration at the Old Courthouse Museum Tuesday, December 21 1 - 4pm Old Courthouse Museum 200 West Sixth Street Eileen Halverson will be demonstrating the Norwegian folk art of Rosemaling (decorative painting) in the second-floor hallway of the Old Courthouse Museum

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Holiday Floral Centerpiece December 20 6 - 8:30pm $65 Instructional Planning Center Create a beautiful medium to large sized arrangement perfect for your winter table, holiday season party, or gift. Fresh flowers, greens and all materials will be provided. Recruit a family member or friend to join you or fly solo and meet new fellow makers! Leave with a fresh,

from 1-4 p.m. Stop in any time for a demonstration or to ask questions! INFO (605) 367-4210 or siouxlandmuseums.com Jeff Dunham Live December 29 7pm Denny Sanford Premier Center Comedian Jeff Dunham brings his “Seriously?!” tour to Sioux Falls. INFO dennysanfordpremier center.com

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History of McKennan Park BY WAYNE FANEBUST

he wonderful system of parks in Sioux Falls got its start when Mayor B. H. Lien donated land that was named Lien Park, in honor of his brother. Jonas B. Lien who was killed in battle, a casualty of the Philippine Islands war. In the early twentieth century, the concept of city parks was a hard sell because it was very difficult to convince politicians and businessmen that land should be set aside for public enjoyment. Case in point, Seney Island above the falls, a place of singular

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beauty, was denied the status of a city park despite the wishes of most of the people in Sioux Falls. The real breakthrough came when a twenty-acre park in the central part of the city, was created thanks to the generosity and thoughtfulness of Helen McKennan, who made it the central part of her will. She and her family had prospered by investments in land that steadily increased in value as the city grew. The gift of land included her fine residence, the house

originally owned by Melvin Grigsby, a Civil War veteran and prominent pioneer. The house was to be sold and the funds were to be used to develop the park. The fashionable mansion fell victim to the wrecking ball in 1961. Helen was the sister of Artemus Gale, one of the founders of the Dakota Land Company based in St. Paul, Minnesota. The company sent representatives to the falls of the Big Sioux River in 1857, for the purpose of founding a town site. Much of the 320

acres claimed by the speculators came to be owned by Gale and was called “Galesburg.” The Gale family was originally from New York. Helen was born in 1841, and was one of six brothers and sisters. Growing up in great wealth, Helen traveled throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. In 1874, she traveled to the frontier town of Sioux Falls to visit her brother, Artemus. The little town was apparently too small and isolated for a well-traveled, sophisticated lady, so Helen returned to the east where she married Dr. William McKennan. He died in 1879, when Helen was just 38 years old. Sometime in the 1890s she joined her brother Artemus in Sioux Falls, where she lived the rest of her life, assisting her brother in his lucrative real estate business. Helen McKennan was a thoughtful, public-spirited woman who wanted to use some of her wealth to help others less

fortunate and to promote the common good. Toward this end, she met one day with Edwin A. Sherman who was a strong advocate for public parks, and the two discussed her plan to donate 20 acres, in her will, for a city park. It would be a park that Helen would never know because she would have to die before it could come to fruition. She died in 1906. After her death, a dispute arose between the city and the McKennan estate that threatened to derail Helen’s plan for a park. The will contained an awkward clause that city officials interpreted to mean that the city would be permitted to sell ten acres and use the money to develop the other ten acres. That was not what Helen wanted nor was it something Edwin A. Sherman and the attorney for the estate were willing to accept. It was only after a bitter fight over Helen’s generous gift that the city relented. In 1908, McKennan

Park was officially opened to the people and it has been a public favorite for more than 100 years. Since that 1908 grand opening, the park has undergone a number of changes, but what is strikingly interesting is that for the most part, the original contours of the land have not been altered. Thus visitors are able to see the ripples of untouched prairie as did the pioneers. Trees of every description grace the park and dazzling floral displays greet curious eyes, year after year. Music has long been associated with McKennan Park thanks to the band shell that was built on the southwest end of the park. In 1925, at a meeting of the Sioux Falls Cosmopolitan Club, the subject of a band shell was discussed. Fund raising began and before too long, $4000.00 was raised to build the stage where the Sioux Falls Municipal Band would perform for many years, much

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of it under the leadership of conductor Leland A. Lillehaug. On July 4, 1926, the cornerstone of the band shell was laid and construction followed. Ten thousand onlookers joined together to celebrate the groundbreaking and the 150th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. In 1931, a miniature village was built for the youngsters by park personnel. It featured small homes, stores, a model railroad, a church and a goldfish pond. It was located northeast of the formal gardens. It was a favorite place for children for 30 years, but the village was taken out due to damage in 1961. Another feature of McKennan Park was the replica of the iconic Statute of Liberty. In 1942, a small-scale wooden

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statute of Lady Liberty was sold to the city by Charles A. Sells, an early day Sioux Falls pioneer. It was erected in a formal dedication ceremony held on August 1, 1943, with a large crowd of people in attendance. The statute was said to have been sculpted by Frederic A. Bartholdi, the French artist who created the famous statute that sits on Liberty Island in New York City. Unfortunately, due to vandalism, the wooden statute was removed. Fortunately, however, a bronze version of Lady Liberty returned to McKennan Park and to this day graces the park. It was in 2002 that another replica of the famous Statute of Liberty, also the creation of Frederic A. Bartholdi, was placed on a stone pedestal. I think it is quite likely

here to stay. Two other attractions were taken out, namely a small wading pool and a baseball diamond. The McKennan Park Historic District was established in 1984. In 2008, the city of Sioux Falls hosted the park’s 100th anniversary. On that occasion, a bust of Helen McKennan, by sculptor Martin Wanserki, was placed on a quartzite pedestal in honor of the woman whose vision and generosity, made it possible for countless thousands of people to enjoy the park and all its many attractions. Among the many valuable memories of this writer, are family picnics in McKennan Park. Undoubtedly the same could be said for many other people. Thank you, Helen.

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recipes 28 Two Easy Treats that would make a wonderful addition to a candy tray for work or home.

at home 30 Home for the Holidays The Greg and Denise Patton Home

a-list 40 vino 46 Holiday Movies and Wine Pairing

man in the kitchen 48 Well Enough for a Duke Here’s to the Duke!

knick knacks of life 50 What A Gift Good Neighbors Are!

health & well-being 52 Holiday Heartbreak: How to Celebrate After Losing a Loved One

nest

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Two Easy Treats

title

that would make a wonderful addition to a candy tray for work or home. BY JO MCCLURE

Snickers Fudge 3 cups semi sweet chocolate chips 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk 8 ounces Snickers Minis candy bars

Unwrap candy bars and cut into quarters. Line an 8x8 inch pan with parchment paper. Sprinkle half the chopped candy over the paper. Add chocolate chips and milk to a heavy sauce pan and cook over low heat. Stir until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Pour over candy bars and smooth out evenly. Sprinkle remaining Snickers over the pan and press down into the fudge mixture. Chill for 2-3 hours. Lift out of pan and cut on a cutting board into 1 inch squares.

28 nest |

RECIPES

Raspberry Truffles 1/2 cup evaporated milk 1/4 cup sugar 1 package milk chocolate chips 1/4 cup seedless raspberry preserves 3/4 cup finely chopped pecan or walnuts Combine the milk and sugar in a heavy sauce pan. Bring to a rolling boil over medium heat and stir and boil for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate chips and preserves until mixture is smooth. Chill for 1 hour. Roll into 1 inch size balls and then roll in the chopped nuts. Place candy on waxed paper lined baking sheets and chill for another hour. Store covered in the refrigerator. Makes 2 dozen.

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HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS THE

Greg AND Denise Patton HOME BY MARY MICHAELS PHOTOS BY JULIE PRAIRIE PHOTOGRAPHY

30 nest |

AT HOME

f you see twinkling lights and hear the sounds of Christmas music coming from southern Sioux Falls, you might just be in Denise and Greg Patton’s neighborhood. Visit their home, and you are transported to a magical wonderland, beginning on the front porch with a pair of rocking chairs with plaid throw pillows. Right inside the door stand two sparkling silver trees, welcoming you into their holiday home. The Pattons moved here just over three years ago, after outgrowing their previous house in another part of the city. With five grown children between the two of them, along with four grandchildren (with a fifth coming soon!), they were looking for more space where they could all gather – especially at holiday time. While there is plenty of room for the couple and their three beagles in the spacious home, it has a wonderfully cozy feel. The living room has a stacked stone fireplace flanked on both sides by Christmas trees decked in red, black and white with star toppers, along with tall candlesticks supporting three-wick candles and greenery. The house was move-in ready, Denise says, and the floor plan of the main floor, with the living room flowing through a sitting area to the dining space was one of the big selling points for her. The sitting area is certainly a place to sink into one of the comfy chairs and relax while still being able to enjoy the fire from the living room and windows looking out to the backyard. One chair has a soft throw in holiday red and another sports a throw pillow decorated with Santa riding a bike. Black floating shelves over the chairs are the perfect spot to place some Christmas accessories like a little black and white plaid hat and a metal sign that certainly seems to sum up Denise’s thoughts on the holiday – Believe in the Magic of Christmas. “Decorating for Christmas is my favorite, favorite thing to do,” she says with a smile. “Growing up, we didn’t have a lot, but my mom always made Christmas magical. We played music, decorated, baked…all of

etc. for her | December 2021 31

that Hallmark Channel stuff, we did it.” Those childhood experiences fostered a love for all things Christmas, allowing her to build on those traditions in her adult life. “I’ve added to my collection of decorations,” Denise laughs. “My family knows how much I love this season, so they have given me things as well.” While Denise is definitely the lead elf when it comes to decking the halls, Greg’s contributions are evident in the dining room where the tree with handmade ornaments came from his family, and the centerpiece for the elegant table are three stands of Swarovski crystal snowflakes – a collection that has been growing for more than 20 years. To set the table, Denise layered plates on red chargers with green and red poinsettia napkins and little lanterns at each place.

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32 nest |

AT HOME

Her newest Christmas collection is an assortment of vintage tree toppers that sits on top of one of the cabinets. “I’d love to fill the entire space with them,” she laughs. The kitchen has a center island with seating, so it’s a nice place for a quick bite when they don’t want to “unset” the beautiful dining room table. A stand with holiday plates and a ceramic Christmas tree on the counter belonged to Denise’s grandmother and great-grandmother, so she can keep those family baking memories close to her in the kitchen. The master bedroom with its lit octagonal tray ceiling is a beautiful space to relax after a long day of Christmas decorating and baking. And, it’s fitting that someone who loves the holiday so much would have a sleigh bed. Tall candlesticks by the windows add a soft glow to the space.

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etc. for her | December 2021 33

Denise’s mom is a professional artist and when Denise mentioned she was looking for some artwork for the master bathroom, her mom turned to another local artist she had worked with, John Nelson. Two colorful pieces by Nelson hang above the sunken

34 nest |

AT HOME

tub, which has just enough ledges around it to hold holiday candlesticks and greens. The main level guest room is on the front of the house and, Denise says, is really the only place they could put a tree where it would be seen from the street.

However, the challenge was the divider down the center of the window panes. One tree didn’t seem to work, so she was holiday happy when Greg suggested that she get a second one. So twin, whiteflocked trees now sparkle in the window

with red ornaments and pinecones. Even the home office space on the main floor gets a little Christmas love with a wreath in the window and a greenery swag between the bookcases. This is a space they share for a variety of work. Greg is

an Associate Professor of Management at Luther College, Denise is an entomologist with the City of Sioux Falls managing the vector control program, and together they work in a business venture called Dakota Bedbug Detection, LLC. Hanging on the

wall in the office are framed certificates honoring their beagles for being scentdetection trained by the National Entomological Scent Detection Canine Association. Two of the dogs are already certified in detecting bed bugs, and their

etc. for her | December 2021 35

newest four-legged addition, Bindi, hopes to earn certification next year. The main floor bathroom features a lovely painting Denise’s mom created, featuring flowers and a butterfly.

“Even though my job primarily deals with mosquitoes, I love butterflies,” says Denise, who decorated the little silver tree on the vanity in blues and greens with her collection of delicate Cloisonné butterflies.

Winter Fashions

Downstairs, the holiday festivities continue with a Dutch-inspired space that includes a quaint dining table set with traditional blue and white dishes adorned with windmills. More of the blue

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for Less! 2101 E. 26th St., (605) 332-6641 7310 W. 41st., (605) 362-9727 www.cliffavegreenhouse.com 36 nest |

AT HOME

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and white pieces sit on the antique buffet with a white Santa adorned with blue accents. Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas) Day is celebrated each December 6, when you set out shoes in hopes of receiving little

gifts. Little wooden shoes sit on top of the old upright piano The big tree in the family room is an homage to the Patton’s 2012 wedding. “We were married in January at Falls

Overlook,” Denise explains, “so we went with the white snowflakes and evergreen.” Old Christmas records sit on a bookshelf, including Andy Williams and The Lennon Sisters, who were one

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etc. for her | December 2021 37

of the favorites for Denise’s singalongs with her sisters when they were younger. Another open hutch holds four shelves of Christmas village pieces. Across the mantle of the fireplace, stocking holders spell out the word peace. The lower level includes two guest

38 nest |

AT HOME

rooms, one that features a gorgeous quilt and matching wall hanging Greg’s mom made and a tall thin tree in silver and purple. The other room is what Denise refers to as the “whimsical room” with its white tree and colorful ornaments, along with a “12 Days of Christmas” tree skirt

handmade by her grandmother. Denise recently made the wreath hanging over the bed with shiny multi-color ornaments. Denise calls the lower level bathroom a “guy’s bathroom” with a fishing rod on the wall that belonged to Greg’s father and wall hangings with references to fishing

and nautical knots. But, she added in a few of her own touches with a Santa holding skis and a “Jingle All the Way” sign. It’s no small undertaking to deck the halls at the Patton house, so it might be natural to wonder where it all goes after the season. There is a workout area downstairs, where a

ping pong table previously occupied a large space in the corner. However, the couple decided that was the perfect place to put up shelves to add more storage. “Okay,” Denise laughs as she motions toward the shelves, “so one whole side is Christmas.”

Whether it is a Silent Night or whether they are Rockin Around the Christmas Tree, one thing is for certain at the Patton house…There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays.

etc. for her | December 2021 39

Kickee for Christmas Choose from the most adorable and softest jammies for all the children on your holiday list at Stride Rite. They’ll love them! Thank you for shopping local. Stride Rite. 2425 S. Shirley Avenue. (605) 362-7728.

Holiday Greenery Whether you’re looking for fresh or faux holiday greenery, Oak Ridge Nursery has the very best in unique or custom designed pieces. Oak Ridge Nursery. 2217 S. Splitrock Blvd., Brandon, SD. (605) 582-6565.

Snowy Day Activity Celebrate the holidays with this adorable makeit-yourself Nutcracker Kit! The perfect way to spend a snowy winter day. Available at The Dance Line. 2115 S. Minnesota Ave. (605) 335-8242.

Stop In and Create a Christmas Keepsake Your kiddos will love to create a family keepsake to pass down from generation to generation. Color Me Mine also has ornament kits to go - paint at home - drop them off to be fired and you are all set! Color Me Mine. 3709 W. 41st Street. (605) 362-6055.

Large Selection of Gift Items Shop The Christmas Haus this holiday season — you will find a large selection of nutcrackers, ornaments, figurines, and so much more. Our large selection of gift items is sure to please everyone on your Christmas list. The Christmas Haus. 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN. (507) 283-2122.

Blast From the Past Luverne ACE Hardware in Luverne, MN carries the classics! Care Bears, Cabbage Patch Kids, Strawberry Shortcake, Pound Puppies and so much more! Two full aisles of toys — at prices that will make it worth your trip! 210 E. Lincoln St., Luverne, MN. (507) 283-4161.

Ready for Vacation? Don’t pack your bags for that winter getaway without stocking up on Coola — from Salon 75. COOLA offers beautiful product experiences that embody a happy, healthy lifestyle. Clean beauty should feel as good as it is healthy. Available at Salon 75. 626 S. Kniss Ave., Luverne, MN. (507) 283-4343.

Sam Adams Utopias

50% - 70% OFF Off the rack, top designer dresses at 50% - 70% OFF! Please call for your appointment. Barbara Kay’s Bridal Boutique. 1501 S. Kniss Avenue, Luverne, MN. (507) 215-2098.

2019 and 2021 Releases in stock now - surprise that special someone for the holidays! Blue Mound Liquor. 319 W. Main St., Luverne, MN. (507) 449-5052.

Warm & Wooly Add a delightful vintage wool throw to your holiday décor or curl up with a cup of hot cocoa and a Hallmark movie. Choose from several different colors and styles in the Nauti Nice booth at I-29 Antiques. I-29 south to exit 73, then 1/4 mile west. Open 7 days a week. (605) 368-5810.

A Gift for the Whole Family! Give a gift the whole family enjoys... a new vehicle! Visit Papik Motors in one of our 3 locations (Luverne, Rock Rapids and Sibley) for all of your automotive needs. Online at www.papik.com

Beautiful Artwork Beautiful artwork is the best way to dress up your wall space and add the finishing touch to your room. We have a great selection of artwork in our showroom for you to shop, so stop by and see us! Houndstooth House. 201 W. 37th Street, Sioux Falls. (605) 271-2278.

Come Celebrate With Us! Opening in December, Mary’s Mountain Cookies will have all of your favorite treats for celebrating the holidays or special occasions. Our daily cookie special includes a Buy 6 Get 2 Free! Stop in and satisfy your sweet tooth and, as always, our cookies are baked with love! Mary’s Mountain Cookies. 701 N. Phillips Ave. Sioux Falls.

Attention Animal Lovers! Cliff Avenue Greenhouse carries an adorable section of ornaments, art and so much more — for yourself or the animal lover on your holiday shopping list. Stop by today! Cliff Avenue Greenhouse. 2101 E 26th St · (605) 332-6641 and 7310 W. 41st St. • (605) 362-9727.

Shaun Johnson + The Big Band Experience Presents the Nights Before Christmas Tour — A Swingin’ Christmas Show with Edge & Emotion! December 12 • 7pm. Luverne, MN. Palace Box Office (507) 283-4339 or www.palacetheatre.us

The Gift of Health Give the gift of health this holiday season. Gift cards available at Club Pilates. 5009 S. Western Avenue. (605) (605) 681-6556.

Row Your Way to Healthy in 2022 Build aerobic endurance and muscular strength all in one workout. With a challenging combination of classes that incorporate resistance training, rowing and stretching, you will get the most out of a Row House workout. Row House Sioux Falls, 57th & Western, (605) 610-9065.

A Natural Approach At Moveology 605, we focus on a natural approach to your health and wellness. Our methods are based on the latest research to receive consistent results. We target your individual needs while you relax in maximum comfort in one of our relaxation suites. Live Happier, Healthier and Pain Free. 522 N. Main Ave. office@ moveology605.org. (605) 271-3578

Luxury Bath Musee luxury natural bath products are handmade in the USA with ethically sourced, natural ingredients. Shop a variety of products including Candles, bath balms and bath salts that are crueltyfree, paraben-free, and sulfate-free and safe for all skin types. Radiance Day Spa. 6209 S. Pinnacle Place, (605) 275-9535.

A Festival of Meat Join us in house for our famous Rodizio service or order online from Carnaval Brazilian Grill and take our delicious food to go. Carnaval Brazilian Grill. 2401 S. Carolyn Avenue. (605) 361-MEAT or www.afestivalofmeat.com

m char ss e r g pro s park

Cheers! Our selection of wine gifts has got you covered, whether you’re shopping for a wine newbie or connoisseur. Good Spirits Fine Wine & Liquor is your one-stop-shop! Corner of 41st Street & Minnesota Avenue. (605) 339-1500.

arts ties i l i b i poss

Cozy Up in Cashmere this Holiday Season! Shop our environmentally-conscious Brodie Cashmere line featuring rich colors, distinctive prints, timeless fits and the perfect finishing touches to elevate your clothing experience. These 100% pure cashmere pullovers will be your next everyday live-in and are machine washable and hand-finished to the finest quality. JuLiana’s Boutique La Femme. 196 East 6th Street. (605) 271-1824.

The Perfect Gift A Portrait Gift Certificate is the perfect gift for your loved one or the person who is impossible to shop for. A family portrait is something that is treasured for a lifetime. They care available for any amount and come wrapped and ready for you to gift. Julie Prairie Photography is a numerous Local Best Portrait Studio winner and she has photographed hundreds of families. Based out of a beautiful studio located in downtown Sioux Falls or on location around the country for destination sessions. Call or email us today at (605) 359-6640 or jp@julieprairie.com

Committed to Excellence When it comes to education, the City of Luverne is committed to excellence. Through the Dollars for Scholars program, thousands of students have been gifted a head start on secondary education, putting the Luverne education system on par with some of the best in the country. Invest in your family by making the move to Luverne. You’ll love the life! For more information, call (507) 449-5033 or visit cityofluverne.org.

Holiday Photo Cards It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Customize one of our many Holiday Photo Card designs with your photos, text and favorite color combination preferences (on select designs). Our online Christmas store is now available, so now you can SHOP LOCAL from the comfort of your own home! Find out more at Quality Printing - Paper, Signs and Promotional Items at 401 W. Hatting St., Luverne, MN. (507) 293-1716. www. qualityprinting-luverne.com

Breakfast in Bed What better way to get breakfast in bed than to provide all the ingredients? Hint, Hint! Dragonfly has so many delicious treats to choose from — shop their huge selection this holiday season. Dragonfly. 206 E. Main St., Luverne, MN. (507) 449-2060.

The holidays are a time to show your best! Display doors, such as the Gothic and Portal style shown, here provide an opportunity to display your finest. Flex your creativity by using a variety of insets such as textured or colored glass, metals or whatever you can imagine. Our display doors are available in most of our finishes and colors. Visit our showroom today and ask one of our friendly designers about how to add these doors, as well as many other style and colors, from StarMark Cabinetry. Today’s StarMark Custom Cabinetry 600 E. 48th Street N (605) 977-3660

It’s Time! Keep your toes warm and stay in style with boots from Style Encore. So many adorable brands, colors & styles to choose from. Brand-name casual & business apparel, footwear & accessories for women. 3812 S. Western Ave. (605) 275-5592.

Glo Pals® Light Up Cubes Brighten Bath Time The Glo Pals® were inspired by a child with autism whose mother used the technology behind Glo Pals® to help him overcome his fear of water. His story influenced the development of the Glo Pal® characters and our mission to create a product that engages children in sensory exercises and brightens bath time. Available at both Kidtopia locations. The east side Dawley Farms location and the Bridges at 57th & Western. (605) 334-4825.

Holiday Movies and WINE

PAIRING

BY RICCARDO TARABELSI

f your household is anything like mine, your DVR is FULL with Hallmark Christmas movies! This time of year, my wife gets into Holiday-Movie-Mode by strategizing which movies she’s going to watch and in what order. Her favorite pair of comfy pajamas makes frequent appearances throughout the holiday season, as does her favorite quilted blanket, long wool socks, and one or two of our three dogs snuggled beside her on the couch. But the one thing that is always consistent about her holiday movie-watching is a glass of wine. There’s something to be said about pairing the right wine with the right movie, isn’t there? A light-bodied, fruit-forward Pinot

46 nest |

VINO

Noir with a light and fluffy comedy or a full-bodied, dark and brooding Cabernet paired with a heart-wrenching drama...there is a wine for every occasion, mood, and in this case, HOLIDAY MOVIE TIME! This holiday season, I’ve taken the liberty to create a list of holiday classics paired with wines I think you would enjoy. In fact, I’ve picked out 12 wines and 12 movies (available at R Wine Bar & Kitchen,) but here’s a sneak peek with three of my favorites! This was a lot of fun to put together, and it’s a good assortment of wines from all over the world. From my family to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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Elf (2003) One of family’s favorite movies that we watch every year is Elf! There’s one scene where Buddy the Elf starts pouring maple syrup onto a bowl of spaghetti along with an array of sweets including Pop Tarts, marshmallows, and M & M’s. The perfect wine pairing with this movie has got to be Rosa Regale Brachetto d’Acqui from esteemed wine producer Banfi. I think Buddy would like its initial sweet strawberry and raspberry flavors, but what really makes this an exquisite wine from Piedmont, Italy is its minerality and balance on the finish. Even the winery’s website suggests pairing this wine with French toast, bread pudding, strawberries, or chocolate pudding.

Christmas Vacation (1989) This is the one I look forward to every year! So many great scenes and characters, so what wine pairs perfectly with his movie?? It was my neighbor’s wife who recalled a specific line from one of those iconic scenes in the movie, when Clark is about to plug in all of his hard work setting up the Christmas lights on his house. He says, “250 strands of lights, 100 individual bulbs per strand for a grand total of 25,000 imported Italian twinkle lights!” Of course, let’s pair an Italian Super Tuscan with all of those lights! Super Tuscans are wines that blend the native Tuscan grape, Sangiovese, with a non-native grape such as Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah, etc. making it a SUPER Tuscan. Wines like Irrosso from Casanova di Neri blends Brunello Sangiovese grapes with small amounts of Cabernet and Petit Verdot and is aged for over a year in oak barrels. The result is a lot of dark fruit with sweet spices in a wellbalanced red that pairs with a range of imported Italian salami and prosciutto.

Die Hard (1988) Whether you agree that this is a Christmas movie or not, Die Hard remains as one of the best action movies from the late ‘80s and lends itself for a perfect wine pairing in the form of Hans Gruber. This villain is a German radical and what better wine to pair than a German Gewürztraminer. Villa Wolf makes a lovely Gewürztraminer from the Pfalz region in Germany with aromatic charm and harvested at optimal ripeness to produce a wine with deliciously juicy texture and a delightfully aromas of spice and fresh roses. Enjoy this holiday classic with pungent cheese like Munster. Riccardo and his wife, Marybeth, have three sons, Dante (SDSU,) Berent (USF,) and Jaxon (O’Gorman High School.) Riccardo and Marybeth are the owners of R Wine Bar & Kitchen on the East Bank of Downtown Sioux Falls and look forward to greeting you this holiday season. Contact Riccardo with all of your wine questions: riccardo@rwinebar.com.

Family-owned-and-operated • Just south of Luverne, MN Contact Cory or Bethany Tilstra for pre-arranged or same day services.

Cory (507) 227-5216 • Bethany (507) 920-0726

r e v o L y e k s Whi For the

on Your List!

pirits - Beer - Deliv are -Wine - S er Giftw Homebrewing & Win y emaking Supplies Inside Taylor’s Pantry on the Corner of 41st & Minnesota

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www.gsfw.com etc. for her | December 2021 47

All

Well Enough for a Duke

Here’s to the Duke! 48 nest |

MAN IN THE KITCHEN

BY JIM MATHIS

want to believe that sometime after the First Duke of Wellington Arthur Wellesley kicked Napoleon’s ass at Waterloo, he went back to England and asked that a dish worthy of a King be created for him. But, alas, the meal we know as Beef Wellington was probably given his name early in the twentieth century, no history of such a dish can be traced to the days of the good Duke. But history be damned, if you’re looking for an impressive dish to serve at your holiday gathering, you simply can’t beat Beef Wellington. The basics of Beef Wellington are fairly simple; a beef tenderloin filet, slathered in mushroom duxelles and baked in a puff pastry crust. The French called it filet de bœuf en croûte (filet of beef in pastry) and there are as many different recipes as the there are legends about the Duke. I have made this dish several times for Christmas dinner. A few years ago, I cooked two whole tenderloins for my extended

family. Last year I made three small, individual Wellingtons for my beloved, her mother and myself. My mother-in-law likes her beef very well done, my beloved and I prefer medium rare. The individual portions let me over-cook hers while cooking the other two correctly. And if I’m making it just for the two of us, I’ll ask the butcher to cut an appropriately sized piece of filet, and make one for us to share. I’ve seen recipes for Wellingtons using other proteins as well, including turkey, duck breasts, pork and even a few vegetarian versions. I’m looking forward to trying a vegetarian Wellington that substitutes portobello mushrooms and a blend of nuts as the centerpiece. But for now, let’s focus on the traditional beef. The recipe I’ve used tastes great and looks like a million bucks on the table. It takes less time than cooking a turkey and it’s way more satisfying.

Beef Wellington

and put it in the fridge for a least an hour to cool completely. Like I said, you could make it a couple of days in advance if you’d like.

Serves 4 to 6 people 1 Pound Mushrooms (Cremini if available) 1 tablespoon butter 1/4 cup finely chopped yellow onion Thyme – half teaspoon dried or teaspoon fresh 2 pounds center cut tenderloin of beef 3 ounces of pate (Foie gras is traditional, but hard to find in Sioux Falls, any good quality pate will work. I’ve used mushroom and pork pate a couple of times.) 16-ounce package of frozen puff pastry 1 tablespoon dry sherry or marsala 1 large egg Flour for working surface Salt & Pepper To start, you’ll make the mushroom duxelles. It sounds fancy, but it’s only a couple of ingredients and doesn’t take long. You’ll want to do it a little ahead, so it has time to cool; you could even make it a day or two before. Finely chop the mushrooms in your food processor. Dump the chopped mushrooms onto a few pieces of paper towel and squeeze as much moisture out as you can. Melt a tablespoon of butter in a sauté pan over medium heat, cook the mushrooms, and onions with a pinch of salt and pepper stirring frequently for about five minutes. The mushrooms should start to brown and look dry. Add the sherry or marsala and thyme and continue to cook until the sherry has evaporated. Move to a bowl, cover

When you’re ready to start the assembly and final cooking, pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees. Make an egg wash by mixing the egg with a tablespoon of water. Next, combine the mushroom mixture and pate in a small mixing bowl. Use your hands to coat the entire tenderloin as completely and as evenly as you can. Roll out the thawed puff pastry with a little flour on your work surface. You’ll want to get it about a quarter inch thick and it should be about a 12-inch by 10-inch rectangle when done. Place the mushroom-covered tenderloin in the middle of the pasty and pull the sides up to cover the meat. Seal the ends and trim off any excess pastry. Use the egg wash to seal the pastry. Place the assembled Wellington seam side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and brush the top with remaining egg wash. Cut a few small holes in the pastry to let steam escape. If you want to get fancy, you can make little leaves or lattice on the top with the left-over pastry, but that’s up to you. Bake on the center rack of your oven until the crust is golden brown and check the internal temp of the meat with an instant read thermometer. For medium rare, you’re looking for 125 to 130 degrees and it should take 25 to 30 minutes. Take it out of the oven and let it rest for about 15 minutes. Then slice, serve and wait for the compliments.

That is more than just a recipe for Beef Wellington; it’s the recipe for the perfect Christmas dinner entrée, centerpiece, and a new tradition. You’ll feel like you just beat Napoleon when you make it, and seriously, it takes less time and energy than that boring old turkey. Do yourself a favor, eat something good today. Jim is an old advertising guy who likes to cook and play with knives.

etc. for her | December 2021 49

What A Gift Good Neighbors Are!

BY LURA ROTI

ecorating our home for Christmas is a holiday tradition I adore. And this year, I took advantage of beautiful weather one early November weekend to decorate our home’s exterior. In 65-degree weather, it’s actually fun to squeeze in and out of second story windows hanging wreaths. Whereas I would not call the same task in 30-degree-weather, with 20-mile-per-hour winds, wearing snow pants fun. For anyone driving through our neighborhood, I’m sure our home looked like it was having an identity crisis. Because I decided to hang wreaths before taking down the Halloween spider webbing stretched across our porch. My logic was I could quickly tear down the webbing in any weather. I didn’t want to waste a minute of the sunshine on this windfree day. Hanging wreaths on our second story windows is not as dangerous as it sounds because I have the porch roof to perch on. The only challenge I face is the fact that the upstairs window

openings are only 13-inches wide. Another reason wearing snow pants last year made the task difficult! It did cross my mind that if a window accidentally closed while I was outside, I would pretty much be stuck. So, I made sure my cell phone was with me. Wreath hanging was uneventful. But later that same day, when I reached up to pull on our bedroom light, the chain dangling from the chandelier wouldn’t budge. Did I mention we live in a historic home? So, some lights have pulls not switches. I stood up on a chair to investigate and within seconds the entire chandelier dropped down 3-feet from the ceiling. An electrical cord was the only thing keeping the fixture from crashing to the floor. I could just imagine what would happen if it gave out. I began holding the light up above my head. I wanted to prevent the weight of the chandelier from breaking the cord or pulling the light box out of the plaster ceiling. I called for my husband, Shon. But he was in the basement

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KNICK KNACKS OF LIFE

working on a project and could not hear me. I reached into my pocket for my cell phone and dialed his number. I heard it ringing from his upstairs office! Now what? Our daughter, Parker was also out of earshot playing at a neighbor’s. The neighbors! I quickly called our next-door neighbor, Gregg. Thankfully, he was home. Gregg kindly came over, went down into the basement and clued Shon in on the upstairs light drama. Good neighbors are a gift. And we are fortunate to have many in the Cathedral Historic District. Knowing our neighbors not only makes us feel safer because we can all watch out for each other, but it also makes for a social community. Our daily walks with Tulip, our family dog, most often include a few stops along the way. Especially when the weather is nice, and neighbors are outside doing yard work or enjoying their porch rockers. Shortly after the light incident, as I was walking to pick Parker up from her friend’s, I met up with our neighbor, Julie who was walking her small dog, Bella. Julie and I talked about her plans for decorating her home this holiday season because this summer she updated its paint color. She also shared that she spent her Saturday transplanting perennials and offered to share a few. I happily accepted. Most of my landscaping is thanks to generous gifts from neighbors, friends and family. And for some reason, gifted and hand-me-down plants seem to thrive better than those direct from

GIVE A

the garden center. Maybe it’s the fact they have not been confined to a pot? Or perhaps it’s the fact that these plants come with advice? I have not transplanted this late in the season before. But a gardener I once interviewed for an article told me, “the best time to transplant is when you have a shovel.” Meaning if you wait for the “right time” to do things, they may not happen. Seems like good advice for most things in life…Like decorating our home for the holidays.

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etc. for her | December 2021 51

Holiday Heartbreak:

How to Celebrate After Losing a Loved One AVERA HEALTH

ne aspect of the holidays sometimes gets little attention, even though it can lead to stress, anxiety and tears. The loved ones who have passed away live on in our memories, and sometimes the pain of those remembered times, and the fact those people are not with us, can make it challenging to celebrate without a sense of loss. Avera Behavioral Health Thanatologist Mark Vande Braak, PhD, said each person handles grief differently, so there is no rulebook with how to mourn, especially during a time of year known for its

52 nest |

HEALTH & WELL-BEING

festive gatherings. Vande Braak specializes in thanatology, which is the study of death and dying. “Planning can give us a handhold on the feelings we may face, especially when we are talking about the second or third holiday season after the death. I mention that because it’s false that the ‘first’ year is the biggest struggle,” Vande Braak said. “Some set up a time or day to remember those who are gone, and others will set an empty place at the table. The approaches vary, but the best thing to do is to communicate with every person in the family.”

Facing the Elephant in the Room Talking about the person, remembering him and considering how the possibility of sadness or grief at a gathering may arise, all are steps that go a long way toward facing the season with the best possible state of mind, he said. “We often need to remember: what would our loved ones who have passed away want from us during this holiday season?” Vande Braak said. “When we think about that and talk with our family, we can avoid having that death become the elephant in the room during Thanksgiving dinner or while we’re around the tree on Christmas.”

Being Together While Facing Sorrow But emotions are tricky things, and even a well-designed plan that everyone discusses cannot stop the tears from coming. Remember: we all face the pain of grief differently. “We need to say what we need to say, and if others do not want to talk about it, that’s OK, but we need to remove the stigma about feeling that emotion. Don’t run away from the tears,” he said. “Stuffing it down because we are afraid it’ll make others sad or

upset isn’t going to help. Walk through it, and try to let go of that idea of ‘fixing it.’ We often encourage patients to move the grief from the head to heart.”

Focus on the Gifts They Gave You Vande Braak explains this movement of grief, the Berafian Model, is a good method for people facing loss. In time they can consider many gifts the person has left behind, instead of the painful fact they are gone. “It’s an approach that works, and it helps during times like the holidays. We put that focus on what I call ‘the dash’ – focus not on the birthday, or the day they died, but instead everything in between – their lives,” Vande Braak said. “Remember, we want to try to relocate our grief from our heads to our hearts. Planning, communicating with your family and friends and thinking about how those who have died would want you to spend the holidays. Each of these pieces can help.” Call the Avera Behavioral Health Assessment line at 800-6914336.

Your Home for the Holidays!

Playing Christmas music 24 hours a day now through Christmas! Listen now on your: • smartphone • computer (KELOFM.com) • tablet • smart speaker and of course on your radio at 101.9 FM!

etc. for her | December 2021 53

friends & family

for kids 56 Easy Christmas Crafts for Kids

best books 60 cute kids 62

Submit Your Child’s Photo

best friends 64 Submit Your Pet’s Photo

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s a m t s i r h C y Eas s d i K r o f Crafts

BY JESS WEISCHEDEL

Family Activities Advent Calendar Materials: A large empty frame, twine, envelopes, paper, scissors, paper clips or mini clothespins, a black marker, and decorative items such as washi tape, stickers, markers, etc., and some holiday flare for your frame. (If using larger envelopes, a stapler will work to close the middle portions after cutting.) There are several options for creating advent calendars, but this one will focus on using a frame. Any frame will do if it fits the 25 days you create for your calendar. The size of your frame will depend on the size of your envelopes. You can also come up with other ways to hold the activity for each day, such as small gift bags, a shoe organizer, or a cupcake tin. If you don’t have a frame that works well, you may also come up with alternative ways to display your calendar, such as using garland or a mini tree to hang your envelopes. Gather 25 envelopes and estimate what size you need each day to be for them all to fit in your frame. The frame in this example fits 5 rows of 5 envelopes perfectly if the envelopes were cut in half and roughly the same size. Next, write the numbers 1 through 25 on each envelope. Talk to your kids about what kind of activities they look forward to doing as a family in December, leading up to Christmas day. Gather their ideas with some of your own, and write one activity on individual pieces of paper, until you have 25 activities.

56 friends & family |

FOR KIDS

Place your activities into each numbered envelope. You may want to look at the calendar and decide which activities are more realistic for weekdays and weekends, and as the days get closer to Christmas eve and Christmas day. For example, if you bake cookies for Santa Claus you might want to do this on Christmas eve, so they are nice and fresh for when he visits that night. If you have a sledding adventure, a weekend day might work best for that activity instead of a school or work day. Let your kids decorate the envelopes with washi tape, stickers, or markers. As they decorate, prepare the frame by tying twine across in however many rows you need to fit all your envelopes. Once they are decorated, carefully use paper clips or mini clothespins to hang your envelopes across your rows of twine. If you need to hang them sideways to fit all of them, go ahead. This is a flexible craft with creativity encouraged. Add some holiday flare to your frame and display before December 1st, so your family can open the first envelope on the first day of the month.

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Baby Hanger Snowflake Décor Materials: 16 white baby hangers, 16 white zip ties, scissors, and any additional holiday decorations you want to add once the snowflake is finished, such as a bow, glitter, string lights, etc. This is an easy yet unique and creative craft you can do with your kids. If you don’t have extra baby hangers at home, you can find them at the dollar store. Gather 16 white hangers, and sort them into groups of two. There will be 8 hangers on the bottom layer, and 8 hangers on the top layer. Start by placing one hanger down, with the hook pointing outward. Line another hanger upside down, mirroring the first hanger, making sure the hook is pointing outward as well. Keep doing this with 6 more hangers until you meet the first one. You now have the first layer for your snowflake. Next, place a hanger on top of the first hanger you laid, with the hook of the hanger lining up with the bottom of the hanger in the first layer. Continue the same pattern you did with the first layer on top of the ones you’ve already laid down and until you’ve met the first hanger of the second layer. You should have 8 hangers in the second layer on top of your 8 hangers in the first layer. You are now ready for the zip ties. Loosely place a zip tie at each place 4 hangers meet in the center. Don’t tighten the ties until you are finished placing all 16 zip ties. This will ensure you are able to adjust the snowflake if needed. There should be 8 zip ties used in the center circle. Next, place a zip tie at each place in the outer circle where 4 hangers meet. In the outer circle, that will be where 2 hooks meet 2 bottoms. Once 8 zip ties are placed on the outer circle and you have all 16 zip ties in place, begin to slowly tighten them in the center. Adjust the snowflake as you go, keeping the hangers on each layer from overlapping. Keep the hangers as flat as possible. Tighten the outer zip ties, then trim them with a good pair of scissors. You now have completed your snowflake. Add any holiday flare you want and display indoors or outdoors for the winter season.

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etc. for her | December 2021 59

Best

Books

THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE WONDERFUL BOOKS FOR CHILDREN WE HAVE COME ACROSS THIS MONTH. WE HOPE TO SHARE WITH YOU SOME YOU HAVE NOT SEEN BEFORE AND ALSO INTRODUCE OTHERS BEING RELEASED IN THE NEAR FUTURE. ENJOY.

Juana & Lucas: Muchos Changes by Juana Medina Juana’s life in Bogotá, Colombia, is just about perfect. Every now and then a big problema comes along—like having to learn English or Juana’s mami getting remarried—but things eventually settle down, and life goes back to feeling pretty perfect again. But then Mami springs two new sorpresas on Juana. One: Juana will be spending her school break going to skating camp instead of relaxing (even though she doesn’t know how to skate!). Two: Mami is going to have a baby! How can one Juana-size person possibly handle SO. MANY. CHANGES? The answer: with the gentle love of Mami and Luis, the guidance of Juana’s abuelos, the sympathy of newfound friends, the ready ear of her furry amigo Lucas, and Juana’s own expansive heart. Ages 5 yrs - 8 yrs candlewickpress.com

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The Cookie Maker of Mavin Road by Sue Lawson Benedict Stanley lives alone with his cat on a road where families hustle, joggers puff, workers scurry to the train, and no one has time for anyone else. So Benedict begins making cookies to mark moments in his neighbors’ lives—a new baby, a kitten rescue, a soccer event—and quietly leaves the treats at their doors. People wonder who this secret cookie maker could be, but only young Rory knows his identity. When Benedict falls ill one day, Rory gathers the residents of Mavin Road, the recipients of Benedict’s kindness, and brings them to the cookie maker’s door. A beautiful, heartwarming book that celebrates community and human connection— and features a simple cookie recipe at the end that’s ready to be customized for someone’s special occasion.11/2021 Ages 3 yrs - 7 yrs candlewickpress.com

CHILDREN’S BOOKS

Winter Lullaby by Dianne White Geese are calling, a chilly wind is blowing, and the sky is turning gray. Winter is on its way. For Mama Bear and Small Bear, that means it’s time to tuck into their den for a long sleep. But Mouse is scurrying by, and Chipmunk is still gathering nuts beside the lake. And look at Hare and Skunk, still romping through the leaves! Why can’t Small Bear stay up, too? To each question, Mama Bear responds with the coziest of answers, finally painting a dreamy picture of the brightening colors and new adventures that will greet Small Bear in the spring. But first comes sleep, in this irresistible invitation to drowsy little cubs everywhere. Ages 4 yrs - 8 yrs candlewickpress.com

Castle Gesundheit by Mark Fearing The poor villagers of Handkerchief! For as long as they can remember, the Baron Von Sneeze, who lives in Castle Gesundheit, has been sniffling, wheezing, and coughing day and night, and no one can get any rest. Hoping for some sleep, a girl named Fiona finally drums up the courage to visit the castle and find out what’s ailing its noble resident. When she arrives, she discovers that the Baron Von Sneeze is the only human around, and that he’s convinced his itchy eyes and runny nose are incurable. But as Fiona walks through the many rooms amid the baron’s hundreds of cats, she has a suspicion just what (or who) might have him feeling so unwell, and she has the perfect solution! Mark Fearing’s satisfying tale about lending a helping hand will have little listeners joining in a chorus of “ahhhh-chooo!” Ages 3 yrs - 7 yrs candlewickpress.com

Battle of the Bands A daughter of rock ’n’ roll royalty has a secret crush. A lonely ticket taker worries about his sister. An almost-famous songwriter nurses old wounds. A stage manager tires of being behind the scenes. A singer-songwriter struggles to untangle her feelings for her best friend and his girlfriend. In this live-out-loud anthology, the disparate protagonists of sixteen stories are thrown together for one unforgettable event: their high school’s battle of the bands. Told in a harmonic blend of first- and third-person narrative voices, roughly chronological short stories offer a kaleidoscopic view of the same transformative night. Featuring an entry from Justin Courtney Pierre, lead vocalist of Motion City Soundtrack, Battle of the Bands is a celebration of youth, music, and meeting the challenges of life head-on. Ages 14 yrs and up candlewickpress.com

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore P.J. Lynch brings his rich and atmospheric art to the well-loved holiday poem. Children will pore over every cozy detail in these warm, sweeping watercolor illustrations—from snug mice to stockings hung by the chimney with care to toys in the bundle flung over merry St. Nicholas’s back. A glowing interpretation of a favorite readaloud, this is a keepsake volume to cherish and return to year after year. Ages 3 yrs - 7 yrs candlewickpress.com

Across the Rainbow Bridge: Stories of Norse Gods and Humans by Kevin Crossley-Holland Step back into a sweeping landscape of green glades and glaciers where dwarves, frost giants, and ghosts roam and where gods and goddesses work their magic for Middle Earth, sometimes crossing the great rainbow bridge to come to the aid of humans. Five gripping new tales by Kevin Crossley-Holland plumb Norse mythology as never before, while Jeffrey Alan Love’s illustrations give the epic figures bold new life. Eerie, lyrical, and arresting, this must-have companion book to Norse Myths: Tales of Odin, Thor, and Loki is the ideal gift for fantasy and mythology fans as well as newcomers to Viking lore. Ages 10 yrs and up candlewickpress.com

Bake, Make, and Learn to Cook: Fun and Healthy Recipes for Young Cooks by David Atherton Gather your frying pan, mixing bowls, and rolling pin—it’s time to cook! David Atherton, 2019 winner of The Great British Baking Show, walks readers through delicious and delightful recipes such as banana bear pancakes, tasty tacos, and mega-chocolatey cake. From tomato soup (served in a teapot!) to brownies made with sweet potatoes, David Atherton offers a kid-friendly collection of recipes that feels at once timeless and modern. Accompanied by warm illustrations from Rachel Stubbs that capture the joys of cooking together, Bake, Make, and Learn to Cook features sweet and savory recipes for any time of day, a list of needed equipment, a glossary of cooking terms, and some important tips. Don your apron and grab your favorite little souschef—this will be a first cookbook to cherish. Ages 5 yrs - 9 yrs candlewickpress.com

Walrus Song by Janet Lawler Diving, feasting, twirling—catch a glimpse of the joy found in a walrus’s icy home. Follow as it plays hide-and-seek with a friend, lounges on an ice floe, and demonstrates an impressive repertoire of sounds. Janet Lawler celebrates the many wonders of being a walrus in a story that’s brought to life through Timothy Basil Ering’s exuberant artwork. Readers curious to learn more will find a glossary at the end, along with some cool walrus facts: Did you know that a walrus can eat more than four thousand clams in a feeding frenzy— and that some walruses weigh more than a car? Ages 5 yrs - 8 yrs candlewickpress.com

etc. for her | December 2021 61

Calypso & Charisma :: 8& 13 YEARS

Josie

:: 2 YEARS

Isaac :: 2 YEARS

Rae At hena

:: 1 YEAR

EACH MONTH WE WILL CHOOSE & FEATURE NEW CUTE KIDS. YOUR CHILD COULD BE NEXT, SO SEND YOUR PHOTO TODAY. Email your photo to etc.mag@sio.midco.net – just one per child. Please include the following information in your email: child’s first name, age, birth date, parents or guardians names, address, email address and phone number. Please make sure they are high-resolution photos (the highest setting on your camera). Parents must own the rights to all submitted photos.

Email your photo to etc.mag@sio.midco.net

Taliyah

:: 3 YEARS

Trey

Izaiah :: 5 MONTHS

:: 2 YEARS

Each month we will choose and feature cute pets. Your pet could be next, so send in a picture today. Email your photo – just one per pet – to etc.mag@sio.midco.net. Please make sure they are high-resolution photos (the highest setting on your camera). Include in email: pet’s name and owner’s name. Pet owners must own the rights to all submitted photos.

Pumpkin Rose, best friend of Wendy Siewert

64 friends & family |

BEST FRIENDS

Baxter, best friend of Tom Nelson

Chip, best friend of Jenni and Jordan

Scout, best friend of the Hovden family.

Elroy, best friend of the Egan family

Hank, best friend of the Frank family

Henry & Tommy, best friends of Jeanne O' Conner

Lucy, best friend of Van Wyhe family

T H E H.E .A.R .T. O F S C HU LTE S U B AR U Schulte Subaru, near 85th & Minnesota, is known for their high-quality customer service. Nationwide, Subaru has the Subaru Love Promise, which is their vision to show love and respect to all people at every interaction with Subaru. The Love Promise says, “Together with our retailers, we are dedicated to making the world a better place.” Subaru has fully embraced this promise. In 2020, they were named Subaru Love Promise Retailer of the Year. They earned this by placing an emphasis on the HEART Pillars. The HEART Pillars are Subaru’s customer commitments to display honesty, empathy, appreciation, respect and trust with every customer, co-worker, and the Sioux Falls community. The HEART Pillars at the foundation of the Subaru Love Promise. Subaru recently rolled out the Love Promise University whose million is “to share the knowledge and skills necessary for retailer employees to embrace

the HEART Pillars and Love Promise moments to bring the Subaru Love Promise to life at retailers and create a Subaru-Level Customer Experience.” The Love Promise Moments focuses on these three ideas for customers: “Make me feel welcome”; “Take my safety seriously”; and “Make me feel special.” Creating a strong and positive customer experience for each customer means they will recommend Schutle Subaru to everyone they know. From the moment customers walk in the door to the time they leave the lot, with their new car keys in hand, Schulte Subaru wants the HEART Pillars shown each and every step of the car buying process. Learn more about Schulte Subaru at subaruofsiouxfalls.com

BE KIND

STAY POSITIVE

THINK SUBARU

SchulteSubaru.com SchulteSubaru.com 7601 S Minnesota Ave. 7601 S. Minnesota Ave. | (605) 275-4040 605-275-4040

etc. for her | December 2021 65

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The Historic Harvester Building 196 E. 6th St. Ste 100 (605) 271-1824 www.siouxfallsboutique.com Open Monday – Friday: 11am – 6pm Saturday: 11am - 4pm

2021_12_EtcMagazine_Volume21_Issue1

Articles inside

Easy Christmas Crafts for Kids

Submit Your Pet’s Photo

BEST BOOKS