Black Hills Family_Military Edition 2023

Welcome

I stood in front of an oversized world map posted on the wall of a friend’s home at Ellsworth Air Force Base earlier this year. Colorful pins marked each spot they had been stationed, traveled, lived. We knew at the time of the party that the map would soon be taken down, rolled up and pinned up on the wall of a new home at a base in the south.

I remember thinking then, despite the call to serve your country, the adventures, the traveling: how do you do this? Especially with a family.

Our friends just had their fourth baby and will endure time apart this year as he finishes training and continues in a leadership role. It’s not the first time they’ll be apart or the first time they have packed up their home.

I never heard them complain once when they were here. But I asked her last week to be honest with me: What’s hard about all this change? Her response was straight-forward: All of it. It’s all hard.

But there’s also beauty, she said. It’s the forging ahead into unknown territory as a family, garnering friends in each location, knowing the sacrifices you make as a family truly do make a difference for our country.

How humbling it was to watch this family move here as strangers, boldly dive into our church and new friendships, to witness his diligent work at Ellsworth and hers at home, and then to say goodbye to them last month.

To the military members reading this, thank you. Those are the two best words I can think of to say. Beyond that, we hope you feel comfortable, connected and brave as you embark on your chapter here, however long it is. We are happy to help you make this place a home for as long as you need.

Blessings,

Editor

There’s something wonderful about military families moving in and out of our community. They bring strength and diversity, but they also need something from us – our support.

Kayla

Master Sergeant Bruce Black is the Tower Chief Controller for the 28th Operations Support Squadron. He and his family enjoyed the 37th annual Military Appreciation BBQ, where his distinguished service was recognized.

Publisher

Rick DenHerder

Creative Director

John Edwards

Senior Content Editor

Stephen Simpson

Senior Designer

Erika Young

Editor

Kayla Gahagan

Photographer

Laurel Danley

Communications Manager

12 Make yourself at home

Kevin Andreson is passionate about helping military families find a place to call home.

14 Work hard, play

hard

The Black Hills are filled with opportunities for families to get involved in activities.

16 Finding the right fit

Learn to navigate childcare in and around your new duty station.

26 Resources for military families

Marriage, family and individual therapy is always available to military families. We spoke with an expert who gave us all the details.

40 A life of service

Meet Lt. Col. Chris Long. His 22 year military career has led him to a leadership role in the Black Hills.

48 Your next chapter

Meet a Black Hills resident who’s moving into civilian life.

22 Get educated on education

Get acquainted with school options in the area.

30 Black Hills

Bucket

List

Check out our guide to some of the best experiences in the Black Hills.

36 A Taste of home

Missing home? Here’s our guide to find some of those flavor experiences you might be missing.

52

Intentional Community

Team Ellsworth Spouse’s Club is connecting military spouses in amazing ways.

56 The Liberty Center

Come and discover your new favorite place to workout.

60 Black Hills, year round

There’s always a lot going on in the Black Hills. Here’s some of our favorite events.

OPENING DOORS

The VA loan is one of the most unique, versatile and beneficial mortgage programs available. Active duty service members, veterans and certain military spouses are eligible for this incredible opportunity to buy a home or refinance an existing loan.

This program is offered by banks and mortgage brokers who choose to work with the Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA doesn’t fund these mortgages, but instead, they guarantee them. These highly desirable loans require no or very low down payments, feature low interest rates, have low closing costs and require

no private mortgage insurance. These are only a handful of the tremendous benefits of the VA loan. The best way to discover more and understand this special loan completely is to connect with a local expert.

Several lenders in the Black Hills are experts at originating these loans. And an experienced real estate agent, like Kevin Andreson (read more from him on page 12), can help you navigate every step of the home-buying process — including connecting you with a proven and trusted VA loan expert.

Making history

The VA loan was established in 1944 with the passage of the G.I. Bill. In 2020, the VA reported that it had surpassed backing 25 million of these loans.

Since 1944, the Department of Veterans Affairs has been creating opportunities for service members and their families to enjoy homeownership.

COMING DOWN TO THE WIRE

Black Hills businesses and organizations do whatever they can to wrap their arms around military families. In fact, there’s so much support for military families in the Black Hills, that the South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority (SDEDA) created a site for service members in the area to find local military discounts.

This website is called Black Hills Wire — a comprehensive website for the local military community to connect with businesses and events throughout the Black Hills of western South Dakota. As a resource to both Air Force and National Guard servicemen and women, along with their families, the Wire is filled with information and resources to get plugged into area

organizations, use available discounts and meet other people in the area.

“The Black Hills Wire plays a critical role in supporting those who sacrifice so much for us,” said Scott Landguth, SDEDA Executive Director. “We want our military members and their families to enjoy their time here in South Dakota, and this is our way of contributing to their community relationships.” This website is updated regularly with new events and information as community support for military members at Ellsworth Air Force Base and Camp Rapid grows.

The Black Hills community welcomes you with open arms. We hope this feels like home for however long you are here.

Some of our favorite articles from the WIRE.

TWO BLACK HILLS BEACONS IN THE FIGHT FOR FREEDOM

You can’t tell the full story of the Black Hills without telling the story of both Camp Rapid and Ellsworth Air Force Base. These two military installations have played pivotal roles in the region.

Ellsworth Air Force Base

Ellsworth Air Force Base was founded in 1942 to train bomber pilots to aid the Allies in the European Theater of WWII. The base was originally named Rapid Army Air Base. Following the War, this base was put on standby and then a few years later was made a permanent establishment of the United States Air Force — which was established as a separate branch of the Armed Forces in 1947.

The base was renamed Ellsworth after Brigadier General Richard Ellsworth following his death in 1953. For 81 years, this base has grown, evolved and has proven to be an extremely valuable asset to both the global fight for freedom and the local communities that surround it. The next chapter of the Ellsworth story is being written right now as the base prepares for the arrival of the B-21 Raider, one of the most advanced military aircrafts in the world.

Camp Rapid

Just as storied as the history of Ellsworth is the history of Camp Rapid, an Army National Guard Base located in Rapid City. This base came into prominence during WWI, training and sending troops to the French front. The base remained active during WWII and has continued to grow.

Locals who have been in the area for a while have a particular appreciation for the South Dakota’s National Guard for their heroic role during the Rapid City Flood of 1972. Today, the soldiers of Camp Rapid are not only vital to the security of the state of South Dakota, they play a major role in national security, as well.

MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME

Kevin Andreson is passionate about serving military families.

What is your process when a service member reaches out to you?

How can VA loans help service members?

“I love my job. I love the creativity of it — one day you’re seeing a cow standing out in a pasture. And then a few years later, you see these beautiful homes and a kid riding his bike down the sidewalk.”

To learn more about Kevin, his team and his properties, visit arcblackhills. com

I’d start by getting to understand a little bit about you and understand what your goals are. Are you single? Do you have a family? How long do you intend to be here? Typically, if you're going to be stationed for about two years, I'm going to encourage you to rent because it's hard to get a payback on a house — unless you really take the long view and look at it as an investment. I’ve had a few people that have caught on to the fact that we have a very strong rental market here.

Are there opportunities for service members to invest in real estate here in the Black Hills?

I worked with a pilot once, managing his property. He ended up accumulating three properties between here and Dyess and Whiteman. When he retired, he consolidated all those and basically put that towards his retirement and his forever home.

I also recently worked with a young airman who bought a fairly substantial house and rented rooms out to his coworkers. This can be a great way to gain more purchasing power and be able to cover the monthly mortgage payment.

A lot of people will look at a VA loan as a disadvantage, but I don't really view it that way. There’s a lot of strength in that program. You know that someone with a VA loan has a strong cash flow because they're an employee of the government — Uncle Sam's money is as good as gold.

House hunting around here sometimes gets discouraging. What’s your advice to keep house hunters encouraged?

If you stay in the game and you’re working with a seasoned realtor who understands how to write a good, clean offer, eventually you’ll find that right home. We're still very much in a seller’s market, so I encourage people to understand that — that this is going to be a process. We may not get the first one. We may not get the second one, but if we stay at it we'll get you in a property. Also, I would say that this might create a balance with not getting too hasty by wanting to overpay or jump at a property that maybe you really aren't in love with. You may have to live there for two or three or five years, and you really don't want to be saying to yourself, “Gee whiz. Why did I buy this?” I view that as some of my role as an agent.

He’s a real estate agent and developer, and he’s using his expertise to help those families who are serving our country. This is some of Kevin’s real estate advice for families who are transferring to Ellsworth.

You’re also a developer, and you’ve created some great subdivisions in the area. What does the process of buying a lot and building a house look like? Understanding your budget is going to help me place you on a spectrum. Are we going to build you what I call a pre-sold tract home? That’s when a builder has a set of home plans with some kind of standard offerings. That's going to be for our entry level and mid tier buyers. So, if you’re willing to wait seven or eight months, you’ll have a brand new beautiful home that you didn’t have to outbid six people to get.

Now, if your budget is north of $600,000 to $700,000, we talk about what I call the custom category. These are basically where we start with a clean sheet of paper and then we help you find a piece of land. We try to assess what's important to you: I like to cook a lot, so I need a big kitchen. I need a home office. Maybe it's a young mom, and she wants the kids close to the master suite. What are those must-haves?

In short, we design a house. We get a trusted builder to run a price on it. If that matches up with your banking or finances, we write a contract. These take 10 to 12 months from beginning to end. Usually in that scenario, we’ll try to find you temporary living until you can make that move into your permanent home.

You recently received the title of Honorary Commander. It’s clear you have passion for serving the members of our armed forces. Where does that passion come from? Yeah, I was recently named an Honorary Commander at Ellsworth. It’s a huge honor and privilege. The more I engage with this work, the more I understand about the life and the day of our military community — the things they go through and the stresses they go through. I'm learning a lot.

First and foremost, I consider myself a very patriotic American. Ellsworth plays an incredible role in our global theater and the security of our country. So to me, it's an honor to be able to support what they're doing.

Also, if you look at it from a purely economic standpoint, the impact that the base has is over a million dollars a day on our local community — and that number is growing. Part of our role is to keep the base’s mission viable. We need to accept them with open arms and welcome them and figure out how to house them. That's our role in this. So when these people are coming to town, they're not living in a hotel for six months. And that'll be a growing challenge as the B-21 loads in.

WORK HARD, PLAY HARD

Sports and Recreation opportunities abound in the Black Hills

Are you ready to play? It doesn’t matter what time of year you move to the Black Hills, or how long you plan to stay, local organizers say there’s a way to get plugged into local sports and recreation activities.

RESOURCES

The YMCA has two locations in the Rapid City area, including downtown at 815 Kansas City Street and at the Liberty

“We really cater to beginner athletes and provide options for children to be introduced to new sports and activities,” Russo said. “We teach kids new skills, values of teamwork and sportsmanship, and create new friendships.

hope to use the expertise and leadership they

The YMCA does offer discounted rates at YMCA, and the military is a major component of our community,” Russo added. “We are here to support military families through developing a healthier spirit, mind, and body

The YMCA runs a full slate of youth and adult programming all year long. Basketball is the most popular youth sport currently

interested would come to one of our locations for a tour,” Russo added. “Otherwise, our website rcymca.org lists our membership

options for families. Visit a local dance studio where students can participate in one-day or two-day a week programs, including general dance classes, yoga, tumbling, ballet, aerial

Other activities in the area include Civil Air Patrol, Scouts, Code Ninjas, Tae Kwando, local 4-H clubs and Bricks Bots & Beakers.

FINDING THE RIGHT FIT

Finding childcare is a challenge, especially while navigating a PCS. A little planning

If you’re looking for an in-home daycare, get on the waiting list and do it first thing. It’s the best thing military parents can do when they relocate to a new base, said Kara Brown, community childcare coordinator for Ellsworth Air Force Base. Brown licenses all the in-home daycares on Ellsworth Air Force Base and those associated with AFB. She also helps families find the right fit, whether it’s off-base or on-base, in-home care or a center. “It’s a little challenging sometimes,” she said, to locate the right care for your child

when you move to a new location. Peter and Lindsey Davis agreed with Brown. The couple moved to Ellsworth from New Mexico in 2021. Peter is assigned to the 28th Force Support Squadron as the Manpower and Organization Superintendent and Lindsey is assigned to the 89th Attack Squadron as a Flight Medicine Technician. The couple have two children, ages 5 and 3.

Finding the right fit

The couple utilized an off-base

childcare facility at the start, but realized within a couple of days that it wasn’t the right fit for their family. “Lindsey and I found it difficult to find childcare that felt right for our family and our needs,” Peter said. They ended up moving their children to the Ellsworth AFB Child Development Center (CDC).

“One lesson we learned is to not enroll your kids in a center sight-unseen,” Peter said. “You should not buy a house sight-unseen, why send your kids to a childcare center you are not familiar with?” Communication with staff has been an important piece in the process. “Always focus on the needs of your family,” he said. “Not all parents share the same needs, and just because one center is not right for my family does not make a childcare center bad for another family. The more invested you are with the center and vocalizing the needs of your family, the more you ensure you and your kids receive the care they need.”

Weighing your options

Brown said that immediately jumping on the waiting list is the most efficient path in the hunt for an optimal daycare experience. The waiting list operates on priority – a single service member or a household where both spouses are service members – will have priority. Pregnant women can also join the waiting list.

Brown keeps track and up to date on local care centers and is available to help families. Daycares that operate off the base must get licensed by the state and then Brown helps them get licensed through the base. If they are on the base, they only need the base license. The AFB license includes training, meeting qualifications and monthly inspections. The benefit to using

can go a long way, though

Story: Kayla Gahagan Photos: Laurel Danley

Peter and Lindsey Davis

Off Base Child Care Centers

(not endorsed by AFB, but a resource list made available)

◆ Candyland Child Development Center

471 Constitution Blvd., Box Elder (605) 791-1232

◆ Banana Bunch CLC 2

924 E. St. Patrick St., Rapid City (605) 341-2333

◆ Banana Bunch Too

1200 Range View Cir., Rapid City (605) 341-2333

◆ Creative Kids

4605 Easy St., Rapid City (605) 348-7700

◆ Creative Kids Too

6047 Tartan Crt., Rapid City (605) 348-4804

◆ Dream Kids Preschool & Children’s Center

2225 E. St. Patrick St., Rapid City (605) 343-7326

◆ Every Child Is Special

4703 S. Canyon Rd., Rapid City (605) 721-3770

◆ Every Child Is Special East

625 N. Creek Dr., Rapid City (605)791-1870

◆ Fit-N-Fun

3660 Sturgis Rd., Ste. 4, Rapid City (605) 341-0078

◆ Harmony Childcare & Preschool

606 E. Indiana St., Rapid City (605) 343-5437

◆ Horizon Point Child Dev. Cnt. Ymca

7001 Mt. Rushmore Rd., Rapid City (605) 718-5437

◆ Jumpstart Ymca

601 Columbus St., Rapid City (605) 718-9622

◆ Lil Friends Learning Center Of RC

1620 Concourse Crt., Rapid City (605) 348-9731

an AFB licensed daycare is incomebased tuition. Additionally, the Air Force pays in-home daycares for the owner’s children if they are included in care.

“It’s so important,” Brown said. “If you’re looking at an in-home center, go to the home and walk around. Make sure it’s a good fit.” Transitioning from center to center or home to home after you’ve had your child signed up can be hard on kids. “Children are resilient but when they move here, they’ve already had that transition of coming here and it’s better to find the right place right away,” she added.

The base also operates the AFB Child Development Center (CDC), which takes children between the ages of

◆ Little Nest Child Care & Learning Center

317 E. St. Patrick St., Rapid City (605) 430-4268

◆ Little Nest Preschool Llc

3459 Jet Dr., Rapid City (605) 430-4268

◆ Little Owls Daycare & Preschool

110 N. Cambell St., Ste. D Rapid City (605) 718-0132

◆ One Heart Child Development Center

201 Kansas City St., Rapid City (605) 718-9622

◆ Our Little Treasures Daycare

1123 Kansas City St., Rapid City (605) 431-7677

◆ Quality Time Child Care

1339 E. North St., Rapid City (605) 786-5994

◆ Rapid City Children’s Center

2311 Oak Ave., Rapid City (605) 755-117

◆ Rural America Initiatives

2112 S. Valley Dr., Rapid City (605) 343-4741

◆ St Elizabeth Seton Child Care

2101 City Springs Rd., Ste. 100 Rapid City (605) 716-5213

◆ St. Paul’s Lutheran Preschool & Day

835 E. Fairmont Blvd., Rapid City (605) 342-8804

◆ Westside Preschool & Day Care Inc

3500 Canyon Lake Dr., Rapid City (605) 342-7474

◆ Ymca Child Care

815 Kansas City St., Rapid City (605) 718-5437

◆ Youth & Family Services CDC

120 E. Adams, Rapid City (605) 342-4233

◆ Zion Lutheran Preschool And Daycare

4550 S. Highway 16, Rapid City (605) 342-5749

6 months and 5 years. The pay is also based on income. One of the benefits of working at the center is that employees do not pay tuition for their first child.

The importance of great childcare

Brown said she understands that childcare is a high priority for families who come to Ellsworth “It’s extremely important,” she said. “If you come here for work and you don’t have childcare, it’s a struggle. They’re worrying about finding quality care.” Brown’s tip? There’s no such thing as too much research. Childcare was the top priority

when the Davis family moved to the Black Hills. “If your family is not taken care of, and you are worrying about them while they are being cared for, you as a parent cannot function to the fullest and the mission will fail,” Peter said. “Once we got our kids enrolled at the CDC, all worries and stress went away.”

If you need to find a local daycare, either in-home or a center, visit www.militarychildcare.com.

Kara Brown, AFB Community Child Care Coordinatorkara.brown.2@us.af.mil

ALL IN GOOD TIME

Story: Kayla Gahagan

Fishing. Ice cream. Family dinners. Movie nights. All the little things missed when a family is apart –that’s what Steve and Nicole Henry anticipate this year after decades of military service that have included deployments, transitions and most recently, three years in two different states.

The Henrys, who met at Osan Air Base in Korea in 2003, have served in the United States Air Force for decades and stand on the cusp of a new chapter as Nicole prepares to return to her family in Rapid City from her current duty station in Mississippi and retire.

The couple has been married 18 years and have two children, Cohen, 16 and Maylen, 14. The family has navigated the ups and downs of military life during the years, but a change of duty station from Rapid City to Germany in 2019 proved to be the greatest challenge.

After 6 years at Ellsworth, their two kids had established deep roots in the community. They loved the Black Hills. They were immersed in Creekside Christian School. They adored the hunting and fishing opportunities.

Germany was a shock to the system, Nicole recounted. “The culture shift was a huge balancing act, specifically for the kiddos,” she said.

The Henry family has discovered that balance and patience are the keys to life’s biggest changes and challenges.

Nicole shared a card sent to her from an enlisted Airman, who was new to the military.

“Mentoring from the get-go is super crucial,” Nicole said. “Most of them are leaving home right out of high school, so they are learning how to be on their own.”

On top of the culture shift, medical services their family needed weren’t available in Germany and Nicole ended up applying for a reassignment. They wanted to come back to the Black Hills, but a position of Nicole’s rank was not available at Ellsworth.

“So, we did the next best thing,” she said, which was to live separately for a while. Steve and the kids returned to Rapid City to their original school, friends and medical doctors.

Nicole finished in Germany and then headed to her home state of Utah where she had applied for reassignment.

“We were already projecting for my retirement to be in the Black Hills and we didn't want to continue moving the kids,” Nicole explained.

“We didn't think that was fair to them.”

In Utah, Nicole was able to live with her father, which saved the Henry’s from paying expenses for two households.

A year and a half later Nicole promoted herself out of a job and was selected for reassignment yet again, this time to Keesler

Steve’s Military Service Timeline

1994 Joined the Air Force

1994 Texas for technical training

1995 Washington, D.C. for clinical training

1995 First duty location at Nellis AFB NV

1998 Separated AFB and moved to Dayton, Ohio

1999 Rejoined Air Force and stationed at Wright Patterson Air Force BaseDayton, Ohio

2003 Moved to Osan Air Base Korea

2004 Moved back to Wright Patterson in Dayton

2005 Assigned to Hill AFB in Utah

2009 Stationed in and moved to Alaska

2013 Stationed at Ellsworth AFB SD

2017 Retired following 22 years active service

Nicole’s Military Service Timeline

2003 Joined the Air Force

2004 Hill AFB, Utah

2009 Elmendorf AFB, Alaska Oct ‘09Sept ‘13

2013 Ellsworth AFB

2019 Ramstein Air Base Germany

2020 Hill AFB Utah

2021 Keesler AFB

Mississippi

2023 Rapid City, SDRemote Skillbridge Program

2024 Retirement

AFB, in Mississippi. This time, there was no extended family to greet her.

“Since being here, we have truly had to support two households,” she said, including her apartment in Mississippi and the family home in Rapid City.

Making it work

The time apart is hard. Period.

“I didn't always have my better half at home to help with the kids,” Steve said. “It was hard parenting through the phone.”

Each in-person visit has been important, precious.

“The best was when Nicole came home and we were able to have a sense of normalcy,” Steve recalled. “I hated every time either one of us had to leave. It was hard having to say goodbye to Nicole time and time again.”

Nicole felt the pain of separation as well. Sacrifice, she said, is the only word to adequately describe the picture.

“We have remained dedicated and faithful to the greater calling we have as a Christian military family,” Nicole said. “God has continued to bless us abundantly and we are so thankful for that.”

Steve and Nicole have remained focused on the future – a retirement in the Black Hills with a whole, healthy family. Nicole will soon return to Rapid City for her final six months in the service through the SkillBridge program, which allows military personnel to use their last 180 days to train and learn with an industry partner. During the six months, personnel

continue to earn military compensation and benefits. Nicole will work with Allegiant Giving, doing project management.

“I’m so excited,” she said. “The program is fully remote and will give me the flexibility to work at my own pace and schedule. It will be such a big help as I reintegrate with the family.”

The Future

In the meantime, the focus for the Henrys continues to be about purposeful connection. That means a lot of FaceTime, late night phone calls and long plane rides. Nicole takes in concerts, award ceremonies and family prayer through FaceTime, sometimes in between work meetings.

“She’s part of the family even though we’re geographically separated,” Steve explained. “I had to keep her in the loop because I value her decisions and input when it comes to our family life.”

Nicole said her advice for families at the start of a military career or facing deployments and transitions hinges on the idea of priorities.

“Know your purpose, know your why, and don't waiver from your values or beliefs,” she said. “I always tell my younger Airmen coming into this: God, Family, Country.”

Knowing her two kids were safe and taken care of with Steve helped her do quality work in the military.

“Then and only then can I focus on my calling as an Airman, to focus on my job, the mission, and my wingmen,” she said. “I know that I am replaceable at work. If something happens to me tomorrow, my Air Force duties would be passed to someone else. But I know that I am not replaceable to my family. I have seen too many higher-ranking individuals retire from the military after sacrificing things such as family. When they retire, they are alone, and have nothing to show for the sacrifices they made.”

The plan for the future is simple – stick together.

Nicole is looking forward to hugs from Cohen –who is now 16 and gives them freely, she said. And then there’s a girl’s trip planned with Maylen and some friends. She’s also looking forward to simply being present with her husband and making their house a home.

Steve envisions the same – a catching up, and a slowing down.

“I just look forward to rediscovering each other,” he said.

Learn more about SkillBridge at skillbridge.osd.mil

Kyle Sisneros is a sales specialist on the Gene Hufford, American Family Insurance Team. He grew up in Georgia where he graduated from Georgia State University with a degree in finance. He is an Air Force veteran and served our country at Ellsworth Air Force Base. Kyle is excited to assist the families of the Black Hills in whatever way he can.

Team Gene Hufford Salutes our Heroes

The men and women who served or are serving in our Air Force, National Guard and other branches of the military answered a call to serve our country. These brave members of the armed forces have made sacrifices for our freedom, and the Gene Hufford Insurance Team salutes these men and women. Kyle Sisneros, a sales specialist on the Team, joined the Gene Hufford office in 2021. Previous to helping Black Hills families with their insurance needs, Kyle served in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base. He brings seven years of insurance experience to the Team.

Gene Hufford, with his 35 years of insurance experience, has recruited an team that is made up of individuals with unique backgrounds, training

and expertise. This wide scope of experiences has prepared them well to help meet the insurance needs of the people of the Black Hills region. Additionally, as residents of the community, they understand how important it is to be there for you — trusted friends and neighbors. Together, the Gene Hufford Insurance Team is building strong partnerships that help everyone succeed.

amfam.com/agents/ south-dakota/ rapid-city/gene-hufford

Kyle Sisneros

Left to right: Isabella Hernandez, Darla Spies, Jodie Pooler, Gene Hufford, Justin Claussen, Kyle Sisneros & Alexis Rodriguez

GET EDUCATED ON EDUCATION

“How can we make it easier for military families when they move here?”

It’s a question Jennifer Beving has asked many times as she continues her local advocacy work to help homeschooling families succeed. It makes sense, she says, to help pave a smooth road for military families as they acclimate to the Black Hills, whether they homeschool, attend a private school or enroll in the local public school.

If you have school-age kids, here are the quickest ways to get connected with the right education plan for your family:

Changing schools is one of the bigger transitions with a PCS. Here’s our rundown of the school options in the area.

Homeschool

It was a homeschooling military family that had the greatest impact on Beving’s early years as a homeschooling mom. One of the first families they connected with happened to be an Air Force family who decided to homeschool to maximize time with their kids as they traveled, accommodated deployments and moved to new bases.

“These families a lot of times just know how to dive in and create a community because they have to,” Beving said.

The mother of the family was originally from Germany and as the families spent time together in a homeschool community, Beving watched as her own kids soaked in the German culture, language and food.

“Some of my kids’ best memories are from that time with them,” Beving said. “It opened my eyes. It’s about family.” She knew they needed to figure out how to keep their kids happy and healthy in a crazy lifestyle and they decided the time together was important.

There are currently more than 10,000 homeschooled kids in South Dakota, double the number from before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Beving, a former attorney and mom of three, often serves as the spokesperson for the homeschooling community during legislative sessions and local homeschooling programming.

Fast Facts

• The Black Hills area hosts multiple homeschool coops and activities. To stay on top of the latest schedule, visit these Facebook groups: Black Hills Home Educators, West River Christian Homeschoolers or the Homeschooling South Dakota Discussion Group. Visit fairsd. org for more information on homeschooling in South Dakota.

• Families who homeschool must notify the local public school district or the South Dakota Department of Education.

• South Dakota state law requires two subjects to be taught: language arts and math.

• No standardized tests are required.

• A law passed in 2021 now allows homeschooled kids to enroll in public school courses. If they take more than 50 percent of the classes, they are required to complete the school’s state standardized testing. The new law also allows homeschool students to open enroll to the district of their choice.

Public

Rapid City Area Schools is the largest district on the west side of the state, with 15 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, 2 high schools, and one alternative academy. The district, in total, encompasses 416 square miles. Multiple smaller communities surrounding Rapid City also offer public education opportunities.

Fast RCAS Facts:

• Schools in the district provide tours and meet and greets with parents as well as district-wide mentorship programs. The district’s website - rcas.org is the best tool for more information, particularly the “Parent” tab for registration requirements, district boundaries, bussing information, calendars, supply lists, and more.

• You can open enroll into RCAS if you do not live in the RCAS boundaries. Resources can be found under the student transfers section of the registration portion on the website. The deadline is the last Friday in September for first semester and last Friday in January for second semester.

• Rapid City Area Schools graduated 741 students this spring.

• A favorite tradition for RCAS students is Grad Walks. Seniors can take one of their last school days to visit the elementary and middle schools they attended to thank teachers.

• Rapid City High School is turning 100 years old this year. Rapid City High School was the only public high school in Rapid City until 1969 when Stevens High School was built.

Douglas

Douglas School District serves more military families than any other district, with more than 40 percent of the students connected to the military. Seventy percent of the students connected directly to EAFB attend Douglas Schools. DSD is located next to EAFB.

Fast Facts

• DSD maintains a web page on its website dedicated to military families transferring in or out. Visit Douglas School District (dsdk12.net) for more information.

• DSD celebrates Month of the Military Child and supports military families through the MFLAC program. The district has two MFLAC counselors who only see military students and their families. DSD has two EAFB leaders (commissioned and non-commissioned) who serve on the Board of Education as ex-officio members.

• Douglas is the only Purple Star District in the state of South Dakota. The Purple Star designation is awarded to military-friendly schools that have demonstrated a major commitment to students and families connected to our nation’s military.

• The district maintains small class sizes. Most have a 20:1 ratio.

• They boast a 92 percent graduation rate, which is 10 percent higher than the state average.

Private Families new to the Black Hills have multiple private school options. Contact each school individually to request information.

RESOURCES

Calvary Baptist Christian School (Pre K-5) (605) 348-5175

School Administrator Chris Causey calvary@ccsrapidcity.com

Principal Earlene Errea

Children’s House Montessori (Pre K-6) (605) 341-0824

Director Gayle Simmons director@chkids.net

Liberty Baptist Academy (LBA) (K-12) (605) 342-6930

Principal Tyler Brock lba-tbrock605@outlook.com

Website: www.libertybaptist.academy

Creekside Christian School (Pre K- 12) (605) 343-2980

Principal/Pastor Christi Hendrickson info@creeksideeagles.org

Rapid City Catholic Schools (605) 343-8484

Superintendent (Interim) Robert Aberle raberle@rccss.org

Counselor Stephanie Strand sstrand@rccss.org

St Elizabeth Seton at Terra (Pre K-5) (605) 716-5213

Principal Colleen Lecy clecy@rccss.org

Preschool Director Jana Thies jthies@rccss.org

St Thomas More Middle School (6-8) (605) 348-1477

Principal Mary Helen Olsen mholsen@rccss.org

St Thomas More High School (9-12) (605) 343-8484

Principal James Johnston jimjohnston@rccss.org

Rapid City Christian School (6-12) (605) 341-3377

School Administrator Julie Hewitt jhewitt@rcchristian.org

Rapid City SDA School (K-8) (605) 343-2785

Principal Jamie Howell rcsdaschool@gmail.com

St Paul’s Lutheran School (Pre K-8) (605) 341-5385

Principal Aaron Schwartz principal@stpaulsknights.org

Preschool Director Nicole Maddox director@stpaulsknights.org

Zion Lutheran (Pre K-5) (605) 342-5749

Principal Ann Solinsky zionschool@zionrc.org

RESOURCES FOR MILITARY FAMILIES

It’s simple – military families face unique challenges. What is more complicated is how to get help when you need it. It’s one of the reasons Ellsworth Air Force Base offers the Family Advocacy program to activeduty military members and their families. We chatted with Amy Schrupp, Family Advocacy Intervention Specialist at Ellsworth, to find out exactly what they do and how to connect if your family needs support.

Can you talk a little bit about the special circumstances for a military family? Deployments can increase tensions and concerns due to long periods of separation and role changes within the home while the service member is gone and again upon return. There may also be multiple moves along the way, which means changing schools and jobs, leaving behind the network you have built at a previous location and working to build your support system at your new location. Resilience among military families is very high and many embrace these challenges with incredible grace.

What exactly does the Family Advocacy Program do?

We offer resources to any military member on activeduty orders, regardless of branch, serving in the local area. There are two areas of Family Advocacy: prevention and maltreatment. Within prevention, we have our New Parent Support Program that is run by a registered nurse. This program offers education classes targeted at families with children 0-3, pregnancy orientation, lactation consulting, play groups, and ways to connect parents on base.

My work is on the prevention side. I offer marital therapy, family therapy, individual therapy, and skill-based groups. If there is an incident of maltreatment within the family, our program offers treatment-based services to aid in preventing further maltreatment.

How can military families be proactive in keeping their family together and healthy?

Stay actively engaged with each other. Encourage making connections within your community, both on base and off base. Allow for new interests or hobbies that can be done together, but also give time for individual interests.

Where can parents find help before or after a move to a new assignment?

We have many resources to help families during their transition. In the Douglas School system, there are Military Family Life Consultants within the schools to help military kids. Also, the Military School Liaison is an excellent resource for families. The Military & Family Readiness Center is also a great resource for other areas during transition, such as budgeting assistance and job searching skills.

How can married couples find support and help?

We offer couples counseling in Family Advocacy, but families may also seek support from our Chaplain Corps, Military Family Life Consultants, and Military One Source. Those interested can give us a call and we can help navigate to find which resource will suit them best.

Military life has its challenges. Military families and individuals can always reach out for help.

PCSING WITH PUPS

PCSing can be a complicated and stressful experience for both you and your dog. One thing that can help while you and your furry friend are adjusting to your new duty station is making sure that you’re both eating right.

That means a balanced diet for you — but what about your dog? How can you be sure she’s eating right? One of the best gifts you can give to your canine companion is a tasty and nutritious diet that’s fine-tuned for her unique biology. And one of the best ways to accomplish that is making the move to raw or lightly cooked dog food.

The friendly experts at Healthy Paws in Rapid City know dog nutrition, and their selection of humangrade raw and lightly cooked food is the largest in the region. They also carry some of the best canned, dry and freeze-dried dog food available — brands like Acana, Canidae, Fromm, Orijen, Primal, Sojo’s, Stella and Chewy’s, Taste of the Wild, Tuckers, Zignature, Pure Vita, Open Farms, Northwest Naturals, Weruva, Green Tripe and Honest Kitchen.

A PCS can be tough, so do what you can to take care of yourself and your loved ones during this big transition — including the ones with four feet.

425 Bentley Lane Rapid City, SD 57701 healthypawsbh.com

PAVING THE PATH FOR PROFESSIONALS

South Dakota has recently joined a growing number of states that are making it easier for professionals to transition to the workforce of their new home after a move — especially for military personnel and their spouses. A few pieces of state legislation created this fast-track, and it’s already having a major impact on filling the thousands of open jobs throughout the Black Hills and the rest of the state.

Nearly every professional license — from healthcare to hairstyling to skilled building — is now recognized and, according to state statute, has 30 days from date of application to be accepted by the appropriate state board. With employers all over the region searching for qualified candidates, this move seems like a recipe for success.

Governor Kristi Noem’s office reports that “Other states that have implemented this reform have seen a dramatic impact on their workforce almost immediately. Arizona’s workforce grew by about 5,000 since their law was implemented according to data collected by the Common Sense and Goldwater Institutes.”

PCSing is a complicated and sometimes trying time. As you and your family settle into your new station, though, know that there are resources available to help you thrive and succeed — including in the professional lives of your family members.

A great place to start searching for information on employment and licensing for military personnel and family members is blackhillswire. com/employment.

Entrepreneurial Resources

Bunker Labs seeks to inspire veterans and veterans spouses to start their own business, then equips them with the right training and connects them to the right people to grow those businesses. Every Wednesday over 160 communities meet to give each other support, encouragement and feedback over a cup of coffee.

THANK YOU ALL WHO CONTRIBUTE TO OUR FREEDOM!

Please visit to see: Museums | Sculptor’s Home and Studio

Mountain Carving in progress year-round |Mountain Carving Gallery

Nightly Honoring of Veterans with Laser Light Show following in season

Native American Artists and Performers in-season

Restaurant | Gift Shop

CRAZY HORSE MEMORIAL® OPEN YEAR-ROUND

Between Hill City and Custer on Hwy. 16/385 (605) 673-4681

crazyhorsememorial.org

ADMISSION IS WAIVED FOR ACTIVE MILITARY.

(PLEASE PRESENT I.D.)

BLACK HILLS BUCKET LIST

The Black Hills have endless opportunities for families seeking thrills or looking for a little tranquility. And each of the communities dotting the region have something unique to offer. Here’s some of our favorite Black Hills must-do’s. Keep on exploring — there’s always something new to experience in the Black Hills.

Launch your adventure from the oldest established community in the Black Hills. Custer was settled during the Gold Rush and it’s now a hub to history, dining and some of the greatest outdoor experience in the Midwest. The Custer Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Dawn Murray says that, to her, there’s three truly great ways to experience Custer. “The Custer area is such

#1 On foot

You could spend your entire time stationed discovering the trails in Custer State Park and still have routes left to explore. Exploring the wilderness around Custer on foot is a great way to slow down, take your time and breathe in the beauty around you. No matter what your experience level is, the trail systems that surround Custer have something for everyone. So, lace up your boots, put on your sunscreen and get ready to hit the trail. Oh, and in the snowier months, you could always give snowshoeing or cross country skiing a try.

#3 In the sky

an incredible place, no matter how you’re experiencing it. We pride ourselves in that our community is a place for folks to slow down, but we’re also a place to find those nature-centered thrills you may be after. So whether you’re on foot, racing down a trail or discovering new heights in the air, Custer is a community that you can’t miss.”

CUSTER

#2 On four wheels

Maybe you’re not in the “slow-it-down” kind of mood. Maybe you’re looking for more of a thrill. Explore the landscapes around Custer on an ATV, UTV, jeep or slingshot — all available to rent from various businesses throughout Custer. Explore in ways you never thought possible before with one of these adrenaline-pumping machines.

A helicopter ride is the ultimate way to see the Black Hills, and you have to try it while you’re in the Custer. Book your ticket and get a new perspective on how impressive the mountains, hills and forests of the Black Hills really are. The majesty of the Black Hills — and especially the granite formations that surround Custer — is only amplified when seen from the air. Hop in a helicopter and get ready to

see the outdoors from a breathtaking new perspective. Cruise past Mount Rushmore and wave at the presidents, or get up close and personal with Crazy Horse. Prefer to experience nature at a more leisurely pace? The Black Hills has a long history with hot air balloons, and there is no experience quite like floating in a wicker basket. Drift along and catch the currents at daybreak to see the beauty surrounding Custer on all sides.

Food for thought

Dawn says that there’s no shortage of wonderful meals to try while you’re in Custer. You can find the best burger in the region here, get a taste of Mexican cuisine and discover some of the most creative food in the area. If you’re thirsty, make sure to sample the locally brewed beer or try a Custer favorite, the gummy bear margarita.

RAPID CITY

Dani Benne from Visit Rapid City says that when you’re in Rapid City, you have to experience these highlights:

This city of around 75,000 people is home to excellent parks, golf courses and biking trails throughout. You’ll discover something new each time you visit Downtown Rapid City — from an afternoon splashing around in the fountains, to some of the best and most unique shopping in the area, to a happening night life scene.

Special offer alert!

Visit Rapid City offers an exclusive mobile pass perfect for exploring and saving money. Scan the QR code to receive your free pass.

#1 The Stratobowl Historic Hot Air Balloon Launch

Historically acclaimed as ‘the birthplace of the Space Age’, the Stratobowl marks the site of the U.S. Army Air Corps manned balloon flight in 1935, which achieved a world record of 72,935 feet. Pilot Captain Stevens snapped the first-ever photo revealing Earth’s curvature. Each September, 10 to 12 balloonists gather to honor the historic flight. Dani paints the scene, “It’s raw and real as spectators sprinkle along the limestone cliffs to watch balloons lift from the heart of the bowl.”

#2 Wildlife encounters

Rapid City is a short distance to some of the best wildlife experiences around — native and otherwise. Six national parks surround Rapid City which offer a great opportunity to see native wildlife, like the American Bison, up close (but not too close). If you’re looking for more of an interactive experience, Bear Country U.S.A., Reptile Gardens, and Old MacDonald’s Farm along Highway 16 provide upclose encounters with a variety of wildlife. Dani shares an intriguing fact: “Reptile Gardens holds the title for the worlds largest reptile zoo.”

#3 Free family fun

And to stay up to date on the latest happenings, subscribe to Visit Rapid City’s newsletter here: thingstodoinrapid.com

The Outdoor Campus West offers free classes to gain outdoor skills in fishing, snowshoeing and more. Dinosaur Park, unique in it’s appeal, promises fun for kids and 100-mile views for the adults. This one-of-akind park is also connected to Skyline Wilderness Area, an excellent trail system for hiking and biking. Storybook Island is another family favorite, with Dani adding, “Kids love the train ride, the carousel, the fairytale characters, and the magical Christmas Nights of Light event in the winter. The list goes on.”

Enjoy a relaxing stroll to find a perfect piece of art or incredible jewelry for your wardrobe. Hitch a ride on the 1880 Train or check out The Museum @ Black Hills Institute which may have more dinosaurs per square foot than any other museum on the planet. For fun, take a selfie with the giant Smokey Bear chainsaw wood-carved sculpture, too. Chamber Director Janet Wetovick-Bily said, “Events all year long, cool culture, music, food, wineries and microbreweries, history and amazing outdoor exploration all converge in Hill City–the Heart of the Hills.”

Here are Hill City’s top 3 must-do’s

HILL CITY

This is a town for adventurers, art lovers, foodies and more!

#2 Perfect pairings: Food, wine, microbrews…and music

#1 Adventure is calling

Hill City’s central location in the Black Hills is perfect for jumping on the worldclass Mickelson Trail or any of the nearby hiking/biking trails. Breathtaking vistas, mountain sunrises and prairie sunsets are just minutes away. Camping under the stars, ATVing through aspens and ponderosa pines, kayaking on a serene lake: Your gateway to peace and solitude.

Find out why so many Black Hills locals will make the trip to Hill City just for the food, local wines and craft beer–and often paired with music! Enjoy international cuisine, bistro fare and some of the most tender steak you can find. Top off your meal with a great dessert, artisan ice cream or a handdipped chocolate truffle. Or kick back with a great locally-made brew or glass of wine.

#3 Shopping, history, art

Hill City is a destination for some of the best art galleries, boutiques and museums in the whole region. Hill City’s multiple galleries offer local paintings, sculptures or other locally-made treasures. Unique shops feature wardrobe must-haves ranging from jewelry, handbags and hats, to practical running, hiking and outdoor gear. For dinosaurfans of all ages, visit the Black Hills Institute of Geological Research. For history lovers, check out the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Museum and SD State Railroad Museum. Whether you’re searching for art, gifts or treasures, or a story, you’ll find it in Hill City.

HOT SPRINGS

Hot Springs is one of the most southerly located communities in the Black Hills. People have been drawn to this place for hundreds of years because of the warm water that naturally emanates from subterranean springs found flowing in the area. One early entrepreneur set out to build the town as a health spa destination, and found a lot of success. People in the late 1800s flocked to Hot Springs to benefit from the famous healing waters.

The town has grown and evolved since then, but healing always seems to be a consistent theme in the community. Hot Springs is also known as “The Veteran’s Town” because of its outstanding work in helping veterans with PTSD and other post-battle scars. This rich history of helping veterans has been going on for over 100 years, and has been a hallmark of the patriotism and caring hearts of the Hot Springs community.

#2 Evans Plunge Mineral Springs

Food for thought

Looking for a delicious dinner following swimming or exploring? Buffalo Dreamer is an excellent place to enjoy some unique food alchemy, or head to the 1891 Steakhouse. If casual is more your style, try Two Cows Creamery & Bistro or the Winners Circle. There are a lot of dining possibilites in Hot Springs.

#3 Moccasin Springs Natural Mineral Spa

#1 The Mammoth

Site is a must-visit in Hot Springs. This research facility and accredited museum is an active dig site that is currently excavating the fossil remains of mammoths and other Ice Age creatures. To date, the remains of 61 mammoths (58 Columbian and 3 wooly) have been discovered

is the largest indoor naturally fed swimming pool in the world, and the oldest attraction in the Black Hills! This huge, historic aquatic facility is a blast for kids and adults alike and is definitely a must-stop for families. The Plunge boasts spring fed warm mineral water at 87 degrees, year round. The pool, health club, water slides and other activities will have the whole crew entertained for hours.

Feel your stress melt away as you soak in the naturally warm mineral water. Or take your relaxation to the next level by booking a massage or de-stress in the Salt Room. This one is definitely for the adults, as kids under 18 aren’t permitted. So, find a sitter and get away with your partner or some friends for a day of relaxation — you deserve it.

Chamber Director, Olivia Mears, says that there is so much to do in Hot Springs, but suggests these three great experiences. Each stop offers something unique, natural and beautiful.

A TASTE OF HOME

Folks PCS from around the country (and world) to Ellsworth Air Force Base. Your new station has a lot to offer, but sometimes you just miss home. For a lot of homesick people, an instant way to teleport back to a familiar place for a few moments is through flavor — tasting those dishes that are distinctly tied to your hometown or to one of your former stations.

The Black Hills offer a surprisingly wide array of diverse and high-quality eateries.

Restaurants around the Hills offer a taste of regional cuisine found throughout the U.S. and world. Here’s some of our favorite ways to find that perfect jambalaya or artisan cup of coffee.

While exploring the culinary offerings of the Black Hills, you might be surprised by how familiar some of the flavors might be.

Texas BBQ

Some places are just known for their barbecue. Passionately and painstakingly smoking meat becomes a part of the culture and pride of some communities. So if you’re lucky enough to have lived in a place known for its BBQ, it would be a sad proposition to not have ready access to perfectly tender, smoky brisket or juicy, meaty ribs. Fortunately for you, if you PCS to the Black Hills, you won’t need to sacrifice your access to topnotch BBQ. J.R.’s Rhodehouse BBQ Pit, located in Summerset, might just become your new favorite BBQ joint. This Texas-style BBQ starts with the best quality of meat and then is smoked with loving care until it’s absolutely perfect.

Soul Food

The South is known for its big flavors and comforting food. Louisiana has creole and cajun cooking, but all of the southern states have soul food. This is the kind of food that sticks to your ribs and makes a bleak day a bright one. Think fried food, gumbo, jambalaya and lots of seafood. If you’ve spent any length of time in the South, you’ve probably grown accustomed to soul food. You might think that you’ll have to give up these big flavors while you call the Black Hills home, but that’s not the case. Jambonz Deux in Rapid City is doing Creole, Cajun and other soul food right.

Sourdough

Art and science are the right words when it comes to sourdough. This tasty and versatile way of making bread makes the baker a part-time microbiologist. The original and most famous sourdough came out of foggy Gold Rush era San Francisco, and it remains a local favorite. If you find yourself in the Black Hills, though, you can still enjoy this tangy, hearty and unique bread. At The SOUR: A Bakery, located in Rapid City, fresh sourdough creations are baked each morning. And these bakers have imaginations — classic boules, sourdough challah, sourdough croissants and more.

Sushi

Burgers

Here’s another one for the carnivores out there. If you’ve PCS’d away from your favorite burger joint, don’t fret; the Black Hills are home to several fantastic burger options. If you’re searching for burger creations that are as creative as they are delicious, look no further than one of our favorites, Sickies Garage Burgers and Brew s in Rapid City. One of their claims to fame is their 50 varieties of burgers and their rotating selection of 50 brews on tap. The possibilities are practically endless at Sickies.

A great California roll or an excellent spicy tuna is one of the true joys of life. When sushi is exquisitely executed, it’s hard to get it out of your mind. So if you’ve had to leave your favorite sushi place, that can indeed be a sad thing. And if you were ever stationed in Japan, finding an authentic sushi experience in the U.S. is a difficult task. But, with SUMO Japanese Kitchen in Rapid City, you might just find that authentic Japanese sushi experience that you’ve been longing for.

Artisan coffee shops

Places like Seattle and Portland are known for their dedication to coffee. If you’ve moved from a place with access to those masterfully roasted beans and perfectly brewed cups of coffee, you’ve probably grown accustomed to those delicious and nuanced cups of joe. Can you still get a cup of pour-over or a cortado in the Black Hills? Yes you can. Pure Bean Coffeehouse (with locations in Box Elder, Spearfish and Downtown Rapid City) air roasts their own beans in small batches so that the subtle flavor profiles of each variety of bean can shine. You can really taste the care that is put into each cup of coffee because the good folks at Pure Bean are intimately involved in the entire journey of their coffee — from field to cup.

Seafood fix

In case you haven’t noticed, South Dakota is landlocked. So if you come from a place near the coast, you might end up missing what the ocean has to offer — including seafood. But don’t fear, you can still get your fresh seafood fix right here in the Black Hills. Dakota Seafood in Rapid City overnights fresh seafood, so if you’re willing to do a little cooking, you can still experience the joy of fresh oysters, mussels, fish, crab, shrimp and more right here in the heartland.

Bagels

Are you missing that chewy, soft, toothsome bite you get from a freshly made bagel? Imagine that smear of cream cheese and a piping hot coffee sitting next to it. That’s the breakfast of champions. But that’s just an east coast thing, right? Wrong. Black Hills Bagels is making bagels from scratch every morning. Come check out their Mount Rushmore Road location in Rapid City or their drive-thru kiosk on Haines Avenue to see why this local establishment has been around for over 25 years.

Ramen

Here’s another one for anyone who’s had the wonderful experience of being stationed in Japan — Ramen. This dish is so much more than the inexpensive, instant soup. Authentic ramen is actually the opposite of the instant stuff; it’s a dish that showcases what happens when cooks take their time and think deeply about the food they’re creating. Bokujo Ramen in Rapid City is creating authentic ramen with a local twist — they’re using local produce and meat — and the results are phenomenal.

A LIFE OF SERVICE

Chris Long, a Lieutenant Colonel in the South Dakota National Guard, is following a calling of service — whether that takes him near or far.

We use the word service in many different contexts — utility services, customer service and so on. The word service was first used to describe a military career when it was used to refer to how knights in the 1300s served their courts. Today, we thank members of the military for that service, but what does it mean when we say those words to a veteran or active-duty member of the military? Chris Long is a Lieutenant Colonel in the South Dakota National Guard who has a deep understanding of the concept of service.

Answering the call

His ongoing story embodies the spirit of servant leadership in the military. Hailing from Mitchell, S.D., Chris played high school and college sports. During that time, Chris’ father was serving in the military, and would often advise his son to consider that path of service as a career. Chris resisted the call at the time, but as he got older, he found that the call became louder and clearer.

“My dad mobilized to southwest Asia after 9/11, and I was a 20-something single guy — that motivated me to enlist,” Chris said.

Chris said that while the communities of South Dakota are certainly more populated than they were when he was growing up, that a lot of that same small-town feel and hospitality remain in the region his family has called their home since 2005. The Sturgis area in particular has welcomed Chris and his family with open arms and support.

Chris and his dad — for a brief time — were deployed to Iraq at the same time. When it comes to service, the Longs seem to have it in their DNA.

Returning home

That was 2002, and after a courageous tour of duty, Chris returned to South Dakota ready to continue his calling of service. “I came back and got a full-time job with the South Dakota National Guard. I’ve worked at Camp Rapid and at Fort Meade,” he said.

So far, Chris has served his country for 21 years. Last year, Chris was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. His distinguished military career has brought him to a point where he is now teaching others how to thrive in the military. “I’m an OIC (Officer in Charge) and I’m responsible for our Regional Training Institute, which is at Fort Meade and in Sioux Falls,” Chris said. “We conduct individual training courses for active duty, Army and Army reserve folks throughout the year. Right now we have officer candidate school going on at Fort Meade; we teach that in Sioux Falls, too.”

A Place to raise a family

Chris, his wife and their children have been calling the Black Hills home since 2005. “The Black Hills have let my wife and kids stay busy while I’ve been gone,” he said. “We’ve got a good network of friends in the area.” The Longs rely on their group of friends for support and companionship. Chris and his family are particularly grateful for the hospitality of the area, since they don’t have much family in the Black Hills.

Chris was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the S.D. National Guard in 2022. He oversees the Regional Training Institute that holds courses both West River and East River.

Chris continues to serve the people around him — whether that be his family, his colleagues or his country — and his story is a prime example of what following a calling of service can look like. This brief glimpse at Chris’ life should serve as an example of how putting yourself second and using your talents in a way that leaves your community a better place can result in an incredible life — a life of service.

TRICARE TIPS

Dr. Paul Stevens and his wife, Natalie, know a lot about Tricare, the healthcare plan of the armed forces. Dr. Stevens served in the Navy, so Natalie, as a military spouse, has had to learn how to navigate the Tricare system for her family’s healthcare needs. “The providers that accept Tricare are actually quite limited,” Natalie explains. Those limits come both in the form of access and the specialties that the providers offer. The Stevens have been stationed nationally and internationally, and have had to find new providers for themselves and their children with each move — which has presented some difficulties at times. The couple has a few pieces of advice to anyone looking for those high-quality providers after a PCS:

• Visit tricare.mil/FindDoctor and search your zip code to get a list of providers who accept Tricare.

• Join Facebook groups to discover what people are saying about the providers in your area.

• Connect in person with other military families in the area through a spouse’s group or some other social group. Word of mouth is sometimes the best way to navigate finding great providers in your area who accept Tricare.

And the Stevens have one more thing to share about Tricare: Dr. Stevens is a boardcertified pediatric dentist with Dakota Dental 4 Kids. DD4K is proud to accept Tricare and to serve military service members and their families. Specialized care, such as pediatric dentistry, can potentially be difficult to find for people relying on Tricare.

But, at least in the Black Hills, parents who have Tricare can depend on DD4K for the specialized treatment involved in pediatric dental care.

Discover more at dakotadental4kids.com

Anyone who has ever depended on Tricare knows that the military’s healthcare plan can be a wonderful resource for individuals and families — but that same health plan can also present some challenges.

A Space For Community

From clean comedy to classes on the art of coffee and more, Pure Bean is a hub of activity for anyone looking to enjoy a great time, a great community and a great cup of coffee.

Pure Bean is sourcing, roasting and serving coffee with precision and care. You can taste that holistic intentionality in each cup of their artisan coffee.

A PURE APPROACH

There are communities that are known for their artisan coffee — Seattle and Portland, for example. Pure Bean, with locations in Rapid City, Spearfish and Box Elder, is executing coffee at the same echelon as these big city coffee meccas. How did this Black Hills establishment accomplish such remarkable flavors in their beans and coffee?

For owner, Nick Reid, Pure Bean’s coffee is a proud achievement. He is, after all, a certified Q Processor, a leading expert in assisting coffee farmers in growing and processing coffee. Q Processors have a very holistic understanding of coffee, as they work closely with farmers to produce the best possible beans; there’s only about 500 of these experts in the world — 30 of which are in the U.S.

But, Nick’s coffee prowess is only a starting-point for his real ambition. He explains, “I love that what I do is coffee because I love coffee; it’s something that I’m passionate about, but if you can't change the world with this business — and that's really what it comes down to for me — it doesn’t matter.” It’s from this foundational desire to change the world that Pure Bean’s culture comes to life — and it’s a culture of baristas growing, investing in the local community and helping people 8,000 miles away.

Changing the world

Nick’s been wanting to change the world for a long time. “I did a lot of humanitarian work in India with an orphanage that cares for widows, lepers and orphans. Through working with them, I came across coffee that, basically, the rest of the world has never seen.”

The connection between coffee and caring for others becomes more clear when you start to think about coffee

Air Roasting

Nick and the Pure Bean team roast their beans in a unique way — with an air roaster. Air roasting is a rare technique among coffee roasters. In fact, when Nick first started roasting his own beans, he was using a modified popcorn air popper. As Nick’s batch sizes needed to increase, one of his

equipment suppliers teamed up with SD Mines to custom build a larger air roaster. Air roasting produces a more consistently smooth cup of coffee than traditional roasting. It may also have the added benefit of reducing stomach discomfort in some drinkers.

in its complete context. Some of the greatest coffee in the world is grown in some of the poorest places on the globe, Nick says. And he views that connection as a tremendous opportunity to change the world through great coffee. Nick and his whole team is behind this mission. “That's a reason why people love working here — because they understand that there is a bigger picture here,” he says.

Coffee with a cause

“Coffee’s all about relationships,” Nick says. By putting relationships first, something amazing happens — and you can taste it in Pure Bean’s coffee.

By sourcing their coffee from strategic farmers, Nick is creating relationships that are helping to lift some growers out of extreme poverty. Pure Bean is also living out its mission to change the world through giving back to nonprofits that are directly supporting the needs of the communities where their coffee is grown.

And Pure Bean is having an impact at home, too, through something they call Coffee with a Cause. “We buy a single origin bag of coffee, which is generally about 160 pounds, and we sell it all here in the 12 ounce retail bags,” Nick says. “And then all of the profit goes to a local organization.”

So when you’re sitting down to one of Pure Bean’s expertly-crafted cortados or a meticulously-made cafe miel, you can feel good knowing that each bean has been thoughtfully and courageously sourced to do the most good in the world. Who knew that doing good could taste so good?

By: Helen Nichols, registered dietitian, Monument Health Custer Clinic &

Elsie Fullerton, clinical dietitian Monument Health Spearfish Clinic, North 10th Street.

Seasonal fruits and vegetables are in full bloom and at their peak freshness this time of year. This is one of the best times to introduce kids and teens to healthier snack options. Having fresh fruits and vegetables available can be easier in the summer when schedules are more flexible. Once your kids have developed healthier eating habits, they’re more likely to stick with them once they go back to school. Here are some tasty ways to encourage those healthy eating habits now, so your kids are ready for the school year.

• Make the good stuff available. If you limit the unhealthy snacks in your pantry or fridge, but keep fruits and veggies fully stocked, it makes it easy to reach for the healthier options.

• Model the right behavior. If you tell your kids to snack on healthy foods, but they see you munching on chips or cookies, they’re going to follow what you do, not what you say.

• Try some yummy recipes. Some kids will like fruits and veggies as they are, but others will need a little more convincing.

Try these five snack recipes to win over your picky eaters.

1. Fruit and yogurt parfait: Layer Greek yogurt without added sugar with your favorite fruits, such as berries, bananas or peaches.

2. Veggies and hummus: Cut up some vegetables, such as carrots, celery or cucumbers, and serve with hummus.

3. Peanut butter and banana sandwich: Spread peanut butter on whole-wheat bread and top with sliced bananas.

4. Fruit smoothie: Blend together your favorite fruits, yogurt and milk for a refreshing and nutritious snack.

5. Frozen grapes: Frozen grapes are a refreshing and healthy snack that is perfect for a hot day.

There’s no better time to get your kids hooked on healthy foods to crunch and munch.

WRITING YOUR NEXT CHAPTER

Your retirement might be years away

Bill Molnar has been serving his country for his entire career. He and his family have been stationed across the nation and across the globe. “I did four or five years in Cheyenne. And then I did a year in Korea,” Bill said. “After that, I went to Offutt (Omaha, Neb.) and did seven years between two different jobs there.”

For the Molnars, the Air Force has been a consistent backdrop to their family’s story. In fact, the Air Force has been a part of Bill’s life even before he enlisted. “My dad was active duty for most of my childhood. We actually moved from South Dakota to England, and then back. I talked with a British accent through some of elementary school after we moved back here.” Bill said.

With his retirement from the Air Force approaching, the next part of Bill’s life is going to stand out from the rest of it as much as his temporary British accent did in South Dakota. So, as he comes closer to the end of his decadeslong career in the military, he, like many others before him, is presented with both challenges and opportunities in crafting the next chapter of his life.

Pursuing your passion

Between the shift in culture and the actual process of leaving the military, transitioning into civilian life can be a daunting task. In preparation, Bill connected with an organization called the Warrior Care Program (Care Coalition), a program from U.S. Special Operations Command that serves people with combat-related conditions. Similar to SkillBridge, this organization helps military personnel who are approaching their retirement by coordinating and facilitating fellowships. Service members who are preparing for retirement are matched with a career of their choosing, and then the Warrior Care team contacts that workplace to see if the service member and the employer would be a good match for each other.

For Bill, he has always had a love of tinkering and fixing things. And Bill sees this passion as more than just a skill. He compared this inclination to how he would take care of his in-laws: “My parents-inlaw have a grandfather clock that I would tune for them and get the time running

or weeks away — either way, transitioning out of military life is going to be a big change.

Story: Stephen Simpson

Photos: Laurel Danley

properly every time we would visit them in Dallas. That was how I was able to show them that I cared about them.”

Shifting gears

For Bill's next chapter, he wanted to combine his love of the mechanical and his love of helping people. So, he sought out a career with a nonprofit garage — an increasingly popular concept in which an organization works to get cars back on the road for people who need them the most. At the time Bill was searching for an opportunity that matched his interest, SHIFT Garage in Rapid City was searching for a new shop foreman.

“SHIFT exists to help people get back on the road. When we do that, people are able to get to and from work and are able to create those opportunities in their lives,” said Chris Erickson, Director of the SHIFT Garage in Rapid City. “We accomplish that by repairing vehicles for the cost of parts, and we also give away donated cars to people who go through our program.” Chris had been searching for a new shop foreman for

Advice on writing your next chapter

Bill’s advice to anyone contemplating the post-military phase of their life is to be proactive and face the challenge head on. “Start early and be as organized as you can,” he said. “It’s the year 2023. We have all the tools we need to stay organized. I built myself a huge Microsoft Outlook file for everything — what I had to do and when I had to do it. I broke everything down by subject — job applications, all my passwords, life insurance policies, everything.”

a few months when someone from Warrior Care contacted the garage. “Bill is the perfect match for us,” Chris said. “He brings a lot of leadership, commitment and mechanical skills to the Garage.”

For the last few months, Bill has been working at SHIFT, but he’s still active duty. “I'm excused from my regular duties to do this fellowship, so I can learn how to run a nonprofit garage,” he said. “And because I’m still on active duty, SHIFT isn’t allowed to pay me, so whatever my pay would have been for these last few months now gets to be redirected into repairs.”

Bill is leveraging his 20 years in the Air Force to craft an exciting next chapter for him and his family. The Molnars couldn’t be more thrilled in what the next months and years will bring. They’re grateful for their time in the Air Force and are grateful for the opportunities that lie ahead. Writing your next chapter is a big step — whether that’s in two years or two months. But, Bill encourages anyone who is considering their post-military plans to follow their passions — the possibilities are endless.

Bill encourages anyone who is considering their post-military plans to follow their passions — the possibilities are endless.

INTENTIONAL COMMUNITY:

ELLSWORTH SPOUSE’S CLUB BUILDS CONNECTION

Story: Kayla Gahagan

How to join:

teamellsworthspousesclub.com

The mission is clear: get connected.

That’s the hope behind Team Ellsworth Spouse’s Club, said president Beth Parker.

“We want to create a supportive, helpful and comfortable space for our members, military members and their families to explore social connections, volunteerism and educational opportunities,” said Parker, who has been a part of the club since 2021.

She joined for a simple reason – it’s hard to make friends when you keep changing zip codes. Parker moved to the Black Hills in 2021 with her husband and two kids.

“It's hard when you first move to a new state and don't have your circle, so for me joining the Spouse’s Club was a good way to meet others who can relate to what my family was going through,” she said.

The importance of making connnections

Parker knew firsthand the importance of making connections. Her family’s military history goes back to her grandfather, who served in the Army Air Corp. Her father served and retired from the Air Force and she served in the Air Force for four years as well. She married her husband Jeff while stationed at their first base in Mountain Home, Idaho.

The family has since moved to five other

The mission of the Team Ellsworth Spouse’s Club is to create a supportive, helpful and comfortable space for its members, military members and their families to explore social connections, volunteerism, and educational opportunities.

bases. Ellsworth will be their last as Jeff retires this year. With every move, Parker has been intentional in connecting with other spouses and their families.

The Spouse’s Club is a great tool to plug in during or after a transition, Parker said, and to help spouses and families find emotional support, friendship, help navigate military life, connect with resources and help each other in charitable ways.

Giving back and reaching spouses

The Club also runs the base’s B-1 Thrift Store, which raises funds for college scholarships, spouse career enhancements, funding

The Team Ellsworth Spouse’s Club is open to all ranks/branches, officers and enlisted. It is also open to retirees, civil service employees and widowers. To fill out a membership form, visit

or pick one up at the Base B-1 Thrift Store.

for individuals to attend camps and other organizations.

Every month, the Club hosts a social event. Past gatherings have included movies, roller skating, pottery and Rush hockey games.

“It's a good way to have a night out,” she said.

The Club has also gathered into smaller groups, or mini clubs, for people wanting to connect with others who have the same interests.

“The book club is one of our most popular ones,” Parker explained. “We also have a kids playgroup, brunch bunch and in the past, we've had hiking, photography, bunco and crafting groups.”

The club also organizes volunteering opportunities when possible.

“That’s another way to give back, but to also promote so we can try and reach as many

By becoming a member of Team Ellsworth Spouse’s Club, you gain the most valuable asset anyone could have - a local network of support. TESC members are from all backgrounds with experience in all seasons of life.

spouses as possible,” she added.

For every event, every gathering, building community is at the heart of it, Parker said.

Helping to connect

“Being a part of the community is big,” Parker said. “For the military side, it's building that family.”

Most military families move away from hometowns, grandparents, friends and miss those connections, she said, especially during holidays and birthdays. It takes work to create a network of friends, support and safety.

“A lot of times it’s hard, especially when you move to a new base and you have children,” she said. “You don't have a family member you can put as an emergency contact or the support system you're used to, so by helping connect others together you can find others to rely on.”

The Spouse’s Club also hopes to help

families build ties with the local community.

“Finding a job, connecting with other businesses and organizations goes along with building that support system,” she said. “And networking with the local community gives military families opportunities to work with other resources and businesses that would not normally be available through the military community alone.”

A growing vision

Regular gatherings for the Spouse’s Club begin in August each year and go on until the start of summer.

Parker has a vision to see the Club grow and reach more people. “I want to help people connect and thrive while they are stationed here at Ellsworth,” she said. To discover more about Team Ellsworth Spouse’s Club, visit teamellsworthspousesclub.com

Team Ellsworth Spouses Club is here for military spouses, no matter the rank or branch of service (active, guard, reserve, or retired) to offer fellowship, camaraderie, an opportunity for service, and support.

THE LIBERTY CENTER:

YOUR NEW FAVORITE PLACE TO WORKOUT

What is the Liberty Center?

The Liberty Center is one of the first facilities completed in preparation for the arrival of the B-21 Raider and all of the accompanying personnel. The facility is 58,000 square feet of exercise space decked out with state-of-the art equipment. The Liberty Center is owned by the South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority (SDEDA). This group was founded by the South Dakota legislature “to make sure that the Great State of South Dakota is always a Great Place for the US Department of Defense to conduct its essential national defense mission at Ellsworth Air Force Base.”

SDEDA has been instrumental in some big projects like the Powder River Training Complex and consolidating the waste water treatment systems of EAFB and Box Elder. The Liberty Center is another one of those projects that helps South Dakota carry out that mission of national defense.

Airmen, guardsmen, families and more are discovering that this new fitness center in Box Elder offers the environment and amenities that they’re after.

Story: Stephen Simpson

Photos: Laurel Danley

A Center of Community

The Liberty Center was designed to be enjoyed by both Airmen and civilians.

“Strong communities are formed by strong relationships,” Kiez Larson, Exective Director of the YMCA of Rapid City, explains. Making friends in the community where you’re serving is always encouraged. Working out at the Liberty Center could be the start of some beautiful friendships.

Besides just being a wellness center, the Liberty Center can be used as an event venue. Kiez says, “We already have a great partnership with the Douglas School District.” Douglas has been able to use the facility to host events that were too big for their school facilities. And Ellsworth AFB is planning on using the facility for events, as well.

And more community and military events are set to be hosted there. Stay up to date on all that’s happening at the Liberty Center by following their Facebook page, facebook.com/ libertycenterymca.

A Partnership in connection

SDEDA chose an established organization to operate the Liberty Center — the YMCA of Rapid City. The YMCA brings efficiency and a sense of community and connection to the table. Kiez Larson is the Executive Director of the YMCA of Rapid City. She says, “The YMCA has always been about developing partnerships, so we’re really excited about this facility.”

Kiez says that there’s a whole laundry list of reasons to work out at the Liberty Center, but here’s just a few of the exceptional features that she pointed out:

A one-of-a-kind indoor track: “In the Black Hills, that’s a huge plus,” Kiez says. Running is a crucial part of the Air Force and National Guard PT requirements. When the weather dips below zero for weeks at a time, it’s good to know that you’ll have a way to keep working on your running.

Big discounts for service members: $18 per month for unlimited classes and equipment use. And $30 for their families.

You’ll be able to try out different classes: like cycling, kickboxing, boot camp and more; discover which ones you enjoy the most.

And remove a major barrier to working out with the Liberty Center’s free drop-in child watch.

A place for families to thrive

JP Cartier is a physician’s assistant in the Air Force. He was recently transferred to Ellsworth and he wanted to find a workout facility that could serve the needs of him and his family. “I was looking for a gym that had space and felt less busy in the mornings, because the gym on base can get pretty crowded.”

JP has discovered what more and more of the personnel from Ellsworth are discovering — that the Liberty Center is a phenomenal resource to both the Airmen of Ellsworth and the people of Box Elder. “Another thing that I really like about the Liberty Center is the little kid zone,” he said. “That's something that you don't normally see — the fieldhouse being such an open space. They have everything there — the track, the weights, the turf, the kid’s zone, — all in one room. It’s really convenient. Very nice for my family and me.”

JP, his wife and his three young sons really enjoy this new facility. JP and his wife are able to stay in shape with some of the most state-ofthe-art equipment in the area, and the kids have been participating in the Fit Kids program. “All of the instructors have been really good,” he said. “Everyone treats my kids well; the staff is really

nice. It's a great place to workout. It’s nice, very convenient and they really appreciate the military there.”

Zena Greer is also excited about how the Liberty Center is meeting her needs. “I’m definitely appreciative of the amenities provided at the Liberty center,” she said. “With the demands of work and being a new mom, I love that they can watch my child while giving me the opportunity to refill my cup and focus on myself mentally and physically so that I can be the best for my baby. The Liberty Center is always so welcoming and encouraging to bettering myself as a whole.”

Douglas Ryan has been enjoying the Liberty Center for many reasons, but one of the big reasons he and his family appreciate this new facility is because of how open the staff has been to suggestions. “Initially, there were kids allowed on the turf there,” Douglas said. “We made a few suggestions, and lo and behold, a couple weeks later they had dedicated a section of the turf for kids. One of the suggestions that we also made is to allow strollers on the track, and they came back and said ‘absolutely.’ It’s clean, it’s nice, it’s perfect for people, especially in the winter.”

THE BLACK HILLS, YEAR ROUND

You can have a blast exploring all that the Black Hills and its people have to offer — there’s always something new to discover. For the new transfer, here’s a list of some of the must-dos throughout the year.

Grab a publication like Black Hills Visitor or Southern Hills Vacation Guide to discover more ways to enjoy the Hills.

Sturgis Rally

2023 will mark the 83rd annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. This gathering of bikers is the largest in the world. Every August, hundreds of thousands of bikers from all over the country and world converge in the Northern Hills town of Sturgis for 10 days of concerts, shows and all things motorcycles.

The Rally is a great opportunity for anyone in the Black Hills to experience some worldclass musical acts close to home. A lot of residents take advantage of the moneymaking potential of the event, too. Locals will rent their houses out for thousands of dollars during the Rally, and a lot of people are able to get high-paying temporary jobs during those 10 days. Local military personnel are able to put some of their expertise to use for a few days during the Rally, too, by working as security and other specialized roles.

Read Black Hills Visitor Here

Read Southern Hills Vacation Guide Here

Buffalo Round-up

On Friday, September 29, hundreds will gather to witness cowboys and cowgirls drive a herd of nearly 1,300 buffalo for testing and branding at Custer State Park.

The bison is the largest mammal in North America — weighing up to 2,200 pounds — but they can still charge up to 40 miles per hour. There’s a few places in the Black Hills where you’re able to see bison roaming — near Bear Butte, Wind Cave and, of course, in Custer State Park. And, always remember, keep your distance; bison are wild and dangerous.

Happy Fall, Y’all

Autumn in the Black Hills is a site to behold. Most locals will tell you that you have to drive through Spearfish Canyon as the autumn colors peak. Famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, said that it was a shame that more people visit the Grand Canyon than Spearfish Canyon, because Spearfish Canyon is “even more miraculous” than the Grand Canyon.

Another item for your fall bucket list has got to be the Spearfish Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze. Get lost in the maze, pick your own pumpkins, let the kids play for hours with all of the harvest-themed activities and — if you’re feeling brave — come back after dark and try to conquer the haunted corn maze.

In Rapid City, Main Street Square is the place to be this fall. Check out the Pumpkin Festival on September 23. Competitive pumpkin growers show off the fruits of their labor, and the grandest gord takes top prize.

When it gets a little closer to Halloween, head back to Downtown Rapid City to do some trick-or-treating. On October 28, the little ones can costume-up and make the rounds to storefronts from noon-2 p.m.

FOR INDIVIDUALS OF ALL AGES WITH DISABILITIES

Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023

James Kjerstad Event Center | Free event 10-11 a.m. Registration | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Rodeo | 12-1 p.m. Free Lunch

For participant registration or to volunteer: monument.health/specialrodeo