theJoinfun! Reserve Your Booth
Friday, October 17th 12pm–8pm
Saturday, October 18th 9am–3pm Sioux Falls Convention Center
TEM BER
Falls’ Favorite Women’s Magazine
baking scholastics SWEETer
From back-to-school treats to fall football tailgating, we bake scrumptious cookies that are sure to make every day sweeter!
Our bakery case is filled with over 20 flavors of cookies baked fresh every day including seasonal flavors! We make our cookies by hand using quality ingredients and lots of love! Whether you need to satisfy your own sweet cravings or need catering for an event, we bake it easy for you! We also serve gluten-friendly cookies, brownies, ice cream treats and decorated celebration cookies!
Call or order online today!
concierge 8
The Lodge Bar & Grill at Jacobson Plaza
calendar 10
September 2025
history 16
Philander Prescott: And the First Recorded Visit to the Falls of the Big Sioux River
out & about
The Lodge Bar & Grill AT JACOBSON PLAZA
BY MARY MICHAELS | PHOTOS BY JULIE PRAIRIE PHOTOGRAPHY
The Lodge Bar & Grill at Jacobson PlazaBy Mary MichaelsIf you have visited the northern end of downtown Sioux Falls this summer, you have likely seen a bustle of activity at the new Jacobson Plaza. The park is home to a 14,000-square-foot year-round outdoor skate ribbon, Sioux Falls’ largest playground and splash pad, and an off-leash dog park.
And, nestled into this new park is The Lodge Bar & Grill at Jacobson Plaza. The Lodge focuses on a menu of “bold yet approachable” items that highlight traditional flavors with a modern twist. They also focus on being family-friendly, both with the menu
items and their prices.
Start your meal with beer-battered cheese curds or Swedish meatballs slow-cooked in a smoked gouda gravy and served with sourdough, quick pickles and lingonberry jam. Then, good luck choosing from the wide array of smash burgers and other sandwiches.
You can go for the Smoke Lodge burger with bacon burnt ends, smokey BBQ sauce and Funyuns. Or, check out the Lone Star featuring a Cajun-seasoned patty, raspberryjalapeno jam and whipped cream cheese for some Texas sweet-heat. The Sconnie will treat your taste buds to a burger topped with beer cheese, smoked gouda, Swiss, fried cheese
The Lodge Hours: Wed.: 11 a.m.—9 p.m. Thurs. — Sat.: 11 a.m.—10 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m.—9 p.m.
800 N. Phillips Avenue at Jacobson Plaza 605-731-2338
info@thelodgeplaza.com www.thelodgeplaza.com
curds, hot honey, a fried egg and bacon.
If you’re looking for something other than a burger, options include a buttermilk fried chicken sandwich, a Spanish Harlem-style chopped beef, a fried egg and bacon sandwich or a BBELT - bacon burnt ends, beefsteak tomato, lettuce and herb aioli on toasted sourdough.
Kids have their own tasty selections on the menu, ranging from a classic grilled cheese to a burger, pizza, chicken tenders or cheese quesadilla.
The name of the establishment, of course, is The Lodge Bar and Grill, which means they offer both cocktails and mocktails (so the kids
can enjoy, too).
The bar menu incorporates unique names with a nod to the park itself, like the Falls Mule, the Ribbon Refresher (for the skating ribbon) and Jacobson Old Fashioned. The mocktails are clever and delicious, with the dog park getting a nod from the Pawsible Punch - pineapple juice, orange juice, grenadine, soda water and an orange slice. The Big Sioux Sour includes Sour Patch kids in its recipe and the Skaterade has cotton candy syrup and a cotton candy garnish. Be sure to save room for dessert.
Washington Pavilion Management, Inc., manages the food and beverage services at Jacobson Plaza on behalf of the City of Sioux Falls. So, if you’re familiar with the Washington Pavilion, you know about Parlour Ice Cream located on the second floor of the Kirby Science Discovery Center. Well now you can enjoy that same gourmet ice cream at The Lodge, with vanilla, chocolate and Heath as regular flavors, as well as a rotating “scoop of the day.”
The Lodge is great for all seasons, with the building also offering a warming house, fire pit areas, an expansive outdoor patio and rentable
gathering spaces.
Whether you need to plan your child’s birthday party or a corporate meeting, the Lodge can help. For parties with kids, access to the playground and splash pad in summer months or the skating ribbon in winter are a definite plus! Simply fill out the form on their website so the team can get back to you and help you plan the perfect event.
Be sure to follow The Lodge Bar & Grill on social media for all the latest on special events, happy hour deals and seasonal updates to the menu.
62nd Annual Sidewalk Arts Festival Saturday, September 6 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Sidewalk Arts Festival is a FREE outdoor event with more than 230 vendors featuring the region’s best fine art, folk art and craft artisans, as well as nonprofit organizations and food vendors. Enjoy activities for kids, live entertainment, food vendors and more on the streets surrounding the Washington Pavilion.
Literature & Latte
Saturday, September 6
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sioux Falls Convention Center
Literature and Lattes is a FREE, clean-fiction, multigenre book event featuring writing workshops and book signings by authors from South Dakota and around the country. Books available include fantasy, romance (closed-door), children’s, devotionals, non-fiction, suspense, paranormal, and more. Other vendors include a coffee/food truck and a plethora of coffee- and book-related merchandise to thrill the book lover in us all.
2nd Annual Freedom Festival
Saturday, September 6
4-10 p.m.
South Dakota Military
Heritage Alliance
1600 W. Russell St.
Join us for an unforgettable day of live music, family fun, and fireworks – all in support of our nation’s heroes! Live Music. Kids Zone Returns – Fun for the Whole Family!
Epic Fireworks Show by Epic Sky Displays to End the Night! All Proceeds
Benefit Midwest Honor
Flight Your ticket purchase helps fund life-changing trips for veterans to visit the memorials dedicated to their service in Washington, D.C.
Homesteader Day Harvest Festival
Sunday, September 7 1-4 p.m.
Beaver Creek Nature Area Head to Beaver Creek Nature Area east of Sioux Falls for the 47th Annual Homesteader Day Harvest Festival. This free event features Pioneer Farming Demonstrations, Food and refreshments, and more! siouxlandmuseums.com
Sanford International: PGA Tour Champions
Thursday, September 11 Championship Pro-Am
Friday, September 12
First Round of The Sanford International Saturday, September 13
Second Round of The Sanford International Sunday, September 14
Final Round of The Sanford International The Sanford International is an official PGA TOUR Champions golf tournament held in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Golf professionals from
Don’t Miss
Summer and Fall at the Pointe!
Lessons for all ages and ability levels!
Morning and evening classes available. Summer Junior Tennis session runs May 27 thru August 7th
Fall Junior Tennis session runs August 18October 12
For more information, log on to www.playthepointe.com
Contact: Mark Vellek, Executive Director mark@playthepointe.com
in the Vineyard September 21st•2-5 p.m. Live Music: Amy Ellsworth & Geoff Gunderson Singo September 13th 2-4 p.m. Puzzle Contest October 4th Check in 1:30
Hours: Thursday through Sunday: Noon - 6pm | Tastings until 5:30 pm 605-582-6471 | wildprairiewinery.com | 48052 259th St. | Brandon, SD
all over the world are here to compete in front of 60,000 people at Minnehaha Country Club. SanfordInternational.com
Wilde Prairie Winery Presents Singo September 13 2-4 p.m.
48052 259th St., Brandon, SD INFO wildprairiewinery.com
Retrograde — The Spirit of ‘70s Rock Returns
Saturday, September 13
7:30 p.m.
Washington Pavilion
Join Billboard charting Blues Rock band Jennifer Lyn & The Groove Revival as they bring the raw energy, soulful vocals and electrifying guitar riffs of the ‘70s rock scene to life in one unforgettable night.
Fiber Fun at the Old Courthouse Museum
Sunday, September 14 1-4 p.m.
Old Courthouse Museum 200 West Sixth Street
Do you like to knit, crochet, needle work, or dabble in any other fiber arts?
Come join members from the Crossthreads Fiber Guild for an afternoon of Fiber Fun! Attendees can work on projects, ask for suggestions, and just enjoy the company of fellow fiber friends. INFO (605) 367-4210 or siouxlandmuseums.com
Rosemaling
Demonstration at the Old Courthouse Museum Tuesday, September 16 1-4 p.m.
Old Courthouse Museum 200 West Sixth Street
Eileen Halverson will be demonstrating the Norwegian folk art of Rosemaling (decorative painting) in the secondfloor hallway. Stop in any time for a demonstration or to ask questions!
INFO (605) 367-4210 or siouxlandmuseums.com
Behind the Scenes Tour of the Irene Hall Museum Resource Center
Tuesday, September 18
2 p.m.
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. Space is limited, call (605) 367-4210 to register, $5. siouxlandmuseums.com
The Journey Inside:
A Musical by Lights Up Productions
Friday, September 19
7 p.m.
Saturday, September 20 2 p.m. & 7p.m.
Sunday, September 21 4 p.m.
Orpheum Theater Center
A Story about Story and Imagination: Three teen sisters (Elsie, Lacie, and Tillie), a boy with a stick and a backpack (Cerulean) on a mission of his own, and Princess Avelia in search for her lost sister all come together in a thrilling new journey with unexpected turns and the most surprising ending at the cave of The Coachman.
Amy Grant
Saturday, September 20
7:30 p.m.
Washington Pavilion
Conventional wisdom has it that Amy Grant put Contemporary Christian Music on the map, becoming the first CCM artist to have a platinum record, the first to hit No. 1 on the Pop charts, and the first to perform at the GRAMMY Awards. Since then, Grant has been strumming her way through a thirtyplus year adventure as a
Rob Schneider: Rescue Husband
Friday, September 26
7:30 p.m.
Washington Pavilion
Rob Schneider is an accomplished actor, comedian, screenwriter and director. A stand-up comic and veteran of the award-winning NBC sketch comedy series
Saturday Night Live, Schneider has gone on to a successful career in films and television and continues his worldwide stand-up tour.
singer-songwriter, author, television host and speaker.
Wilde Prairie Winery
Presents Sunday in the Vineyard
September 21
2–5 p.m.
48052 259th St., Brandon, SD
Live music by Amy Ellsworth and Geoff Gunderson. INFO wildprairiewinery.com
Pumpkin Festival
September 27-28
Riverview Christmas Tree Farm
Join the fun! Bring out your family and friends to enjoy a fall day at Riverview Christmas Tree Farm’s Pumpkin Festival. Pumpkins will be available in multiple varieties from large to small. Riverviewtreefarm.com
Come Fly With Me —
The South Dakota Jazz Orchestra Plays Sinatra
Saturday, September 27
2 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Washington Pavilion
South Dakota Jazz Orchestra with special guest vocalist and pianist
Tony DeBlois will cruise through 50 years of The Chairman’s repertoire and provide fascinating history
of the man who defied all odds – and the government – in his road to immortality.
Sal Vulcano
Everything’s Fine Tour Saturday, September 27
7 p.m.
Washington Pavilion
Best known for co-creating, executive producing and starring in one of the most recognized and long-
standing comedy shows of all time, Impractical Jokers, comedian Sal Vulcano performs his new stand up tour.
The Next Generation Leahy Sunday, September 28
7 p.m.
Washington Pavilion
Belying their young ages, these siblings are all accomplished multiinstrumentalists whose live performances are filled with high-energy, mesmerizing music that goes hand-inhand with the famous Leahy name. Featuring fiddle, cello, French accordion, vocals, piano, guitar, bass, and, of course, the iconic Leahystyle French-Canadian stepdancing, this group lights up every stage they perform
on, and inspire future generations of performers to pursue their dreams!
Russ Swanson Presents: Fort Dakota’s Military & Stage Roads at the Old Courthouse Museum
Sunday, September 28
2 p.m.
Old Courthouse Museum
200 West 6th Street
Russ Swanson will the military roads that connect Sioux City and Fort Dakota in what is downtown Sioux Falls today. These early roads followed the Big Sioux River and were used by the military, freighters, settlers, and the mail from as early as 1844 to the 1880s. Admission is free! (605) 367-4210 or siouxlandmuseums.com
Philander Prescott
And the First Recorded Visit to the Falls of the Big Sioux River
By Wayne Fanebust
Philander
Prescott was born in 1901. He and five siblings were orphaned at an early age and were left to fend for themselves in a small village named Phelps, in western New York. Philander’s older brother, Zachariah, managed to find work at Sutler’s Store in Detroit, Michigan. He offered Philander a job and the young man was only too happy to accept. At that time, Detroit was a small town on the eastern edge of the frontier and young Philander found his calling, for the millions of acres wild lands would soon become a match for his desire to explore and learn the
secrets of the Great West.
But the young adventurer didn’t stay very long in Detroit, for he was soon on his way to a place called Camp New Hope, near Fort Snelling, in what would eventually be called Minnesota. The rough ways of the camp failed to discourage Philander and rather than pack up and go back to New York, he decided that his future would be in the fur trade. For about a decade, Prescott explored the Minnesota wilderness, learning its secrets and dangers.
In 1824, Prescott and two companions were surrounded and captured by a
contingent of Native Americans, members of the Sisseton and Wahpeton Sioux tribe. Some of the warriors wanted to kill the three men thinking they were spies for the Ojibway, enemies of the Sioux. Prescott, who was married to a Sioux woman, spoke for himself and his companions and was able to convince the skeptical warriors to let them live. The captors were satisfied that Prescott and his companions were not a threat because his wife, Spirit of the Moon, was the daughter of a Sioux sub chief.
Prescott had barely escaped with his life,
but the harrowing experience did nothing to dampen his enthusiasm to engage in the fur trading business. His efforts paid off for by 1826, he was a licensed fur trader, one of only ten license holders working with the Sioux Indians. At that time there were two large fur trading companies operating in what became Minnesota Territory: the American Fur Company and the Columbia Fur Company. Prescott and his brother Zachariah worked for the latter.
It turned out to be a bad choice, for the cutthroat fur business was highly competitive and unstable and the Columbia Fur Company failed. As such the Columbia men sold all theirs interests to the American Fur Company, leaving men like Prescott to fend for themselves. But Philander Prescott was made of sterner stuff and he was too enamored with the Minnesota wilderness to take his growing family back east.
After spending a couple of years relocating Sioux Indians to an agricultural site near Fort Snelling, Prescott was hired by the American Fur Company, in 1832. He was paid an annual salary of $400.00 per year, a tidy sum in those days. His assignment would take him further
west in charge of a troop of about 100 people, including his wife and family, and many Sioux trappers and hunters. Their destination was the Coteau des Prairies, highlands that would eventually become a part Dakota Territory. The convoy stopped short of the Coteau, and instead settled along the Big Sioux, or Crooked, River and commenced chopping down trees to build a camp near present-day Flandreau, South Dakota.
The problem of finding food for so many people in the encampment was acute. Some wolves were killed and eaten along with some hawks. The situation was so dire that many of the Indian men left the camp looking for game in a southerly direction. Prescott and another group of men went looking for the hunters, hoping to bring them back to the camp. In so doing, Prescott and his men discovered the falls of the Big Sioux River. It is the generally accepted belief among historians that Prescott was the first white man to see and document his discovery of the site of the future city of Sioux Falls.
It was in the dead of winter of 1832-33 that Prescott made written notes about the falls. Although there was not a lot of water
in the river that December day, he noted that the falls measured about ten feet “through so many broken rocks and crevices that you cannot see much water about the falls when the water is low.” Clearly he would have been more impressed had he witnessed the falls in April of May, when the spring thaw made the cascades roar.
His group left the falls and continued their search for the other Sioux Indians, but failing to find them, they returned to the falls and made camp. Prescott, however, made no other notes in his journal about the falls that would someday bedazzle eager fortune hunters. Prescott and his companions returned to their up-river location and the collection of crude, wooden huts.
The rough winter was made even worse because of the small amount of fur pelts that were harvested. Also, Prescott had built the small collection of wooden structures too close to the river. As snow melted, the people were forced to make tents on higher ground. Eventually the rising water washed it all away. Prescott learned early on that fur trading was a feast or famine business. As such he relied on other forms of frontier enterprise
to make money. He worked as a wood hauler, a corn peddler, a guide and an interpreter for the military and surveyors. He also was a party to at least one treaty with the tribes, a proceeding he disliked because to him, the process was unfair to the Native Americans. Because of his attitude toward treaty making, some government officials accused him of taking sides with the Indians to the detriment of his white associates.
In 1852, having been married for nearly 30 years and the head of a large family, Prescott made a land claim in what would one day be the city of Minneapolis. He built a large house on his land and quickly became a part of the new community, lending a hand in public affairs. But he never forgot his days as an explorer and continued to be an advocate for the Native Americans.
Prescott was right when he took the unpopular position in favor of Indian rights under the treaties. As time went on, the tribes complained about the lack of food and other provisions that they were legally entitled to. Stuck on a small reservation, Indians suffered from hunger, while food was kept under lock and key by corrupt agents. Then in the summer of 1862, a small group of young warriors decided to take matters into their own hands. That fatal summer was marked by bloody attacks on white settlements throughout much of Minnesota Territory in what became known as the War of the Outbreak.
When Philander Prescott learned of the uprising, he left home believing he would be safe at Fort Ridgely. But he was overtaken by the hostile Dakota warriors. Despite his record of good relations with the Indians, and his native wife and family, his request to be spared was spurned. On August 18, 1862, he was beheaded and his head placed on a spike for all to see. Prescott’s body was discovered by soldiers and was buried at Minnehaha Falls. The renowned explorer was reburied in the Pioneer and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery in Minneapolis, where he rests to this day.
Author Jacob Ferris’s glowing descriptions of the cascades enticed townsite speculators. Courtesy of Robert Kolbe Dakota Collection.
Zucchini Chocolate Cupcakes
Title
BY JO MCCLURE
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 3/4 cups sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1/4 cup baking cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 cups shredded zucchini
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
1/4 cup chopped pecans
Beat butter, oil and sugar in a large bowl. Add eggs, milk and vanilla and mix well. Combine the dry ingredients and add to the creamed mixture. Fold in the zucchini and chocolate chips.
Fill 2 dozen paper muffin cups 2/3 full and top with pecans. Bake at 375˚ for 20-25 minutes or until they spring back when lightly touched. Cool for 10 minutes and remove from pan to cooling rack.
Lifetime Memories
AT LAKE MADISON
PHOTOS BY BRENDAN HARBERTS, HARBERTS MEDIA
Lakecabins are all about fun. They also offer the opportunity to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of daily life. They are a great destination for weekends with the family or to invite friends to enjoy the outdoors. The owners of this cabin have loved their weekends lounging on the deck, tooling around in the pontoon, and enjoying the quiet of a campfire.
The Lake Madison cabin was purchased in 2014 — and it had a tree-sized hole in the roof. A storm had recently landed a tree right through the center of the living room ceiling. It was a bit of a surprise as the owners had actually seen the cabin the week before, with no tree, and were about to make an offer. They still went through with the plan and the tree incident just made the renovation they were planning happen a lot faster!
The family of three had already fallen in love with the location - just 44 minutes from their central Sioux Falls home to the cabin. It had a nice big yard, a sandy beach, a boathouse for all the water toys like the Lillypad and paddle boards and kayaks and a storage garage for bikes and the jetski.
When they purchased the cabin, there were two bedrooms and a third designated as a game room. The family went to work on the demo, and with a lot of help from family, and amazing building professionals, they had the cabin of their dreams. Three bedrooms and a bath - large enough to host a slew of family and friends!
The game room was converted into a kids room — decked out with two sets of bunkbeds — plenty of room for plenty of kids. It was decorated in a vintage summer camp
theme. The owners searched for decor that would evoke elements of nostalgia, nature and rustic charm. They searched at garage sales, estate sales, antique stores — anywhere and
everywhere. The wanted a cozy and inviting atmosphere for all the children that came to visit. There is a TV and DVD player, board games, books, and art supplies — just in case
a sunny lake day turned into a rainy lake day. There have been many scavenger hunts and craft projects made on those days, with just as many laughs as a day out on the water fishing
for riding on the boat. And, since the cabin is year round, the cozy cabin is perfect after a day playing in the snow.
The location on Best Point Drive is a
wonderful spot on the lake. It is on the more desirable south side, and the best aspect is the family atmosphere. Best Point is home to a wonderful park equipped with a sand
volleyball court, pickleball court, basketball court, tetherball, swingset and more. There is a 4th of July golf cart parade hosted by the Best Point association and enjoyed by all the
kiddos in the area. They get more candy than they can eat! And, once a summer, there is a live band with food trucks in the park as well. It is a very family-oriented neighborhood
away from home.
The décor in the rest of the house certainly has a lake vibe as well. There are vintage oars, water skis, coolers, fishing gear and art. There
is even an actual wooden boat converted into a bookshelf. The entire cabin is a treasure trove of vintage decor. The charm and character of the cabin that has stood in this
spot for decades, with new life breathed into it, is abundant. There is custom Lake Madison art mixed in with vintage lake themed paintby-numbers.
This cabin and all of its elements definitely have a story to tell. The combination of modern with vintage works here. All the conveniences of a modern home, including
a large TV with entertainment system, fit together perfectly with the décor’s nod to history.
The family has decided to sell the cabin as
their son has gotten older and time does not permit them to be at the lake as much as they would like. They hope to be able to share this special place that is so dear to their hearts.
The experiences they will miss are endless, but will surely be made by the next owners. The bike rides around the park, the early morning paddle board rides, the tubing and jetski rides, and lazy afternoons on the pontoon. 4th of July fireworks, fishing off the end of the dock, reading a book in the hammock, and endless games of Yahtzee. Dinners at The Broadwater,
golf at The Lakes, and making s’mores around the bonfire. Movie nights with everyone curled up with cozy blankets, sleeping in on lazy weekend mornings, taking the dogs for
a leisurely stroll, picking wildflowers and visiting with neighbors.
This home away from home has made cherished memories for this family and they are looking to the future for the cabin to do the same for another lucky family.
If you are interested, please contact Justin Garry of Hegg Realtors at (605) 480-3418.
AT HOME in the Garden
BY MARY MICHAELS | PHOTOS BY JULIE PRAIRIE PHOTOGRAPHY
Withall the beautiful paintings French Impressionist Claude Monet created in his life, he was once quoted as saying, “My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece.”
And in their home nestled in a central Sioux Falls neighborhood, Tom and Crystal Van Wyhe have created a beautiful garden masterpiece.
Both had been previously married and lost spouses, but they found each other and were married in 2007. Tom joined Crystal in the home where she was living, and their partnership in life also became a partnership in the garden.
“I can remember being out in the garden with my mom and my grandmother,” Crystal says. “There was everything you would
envision in a garden - the white picket fence, a pergola, roses - and those memories stayed with me.”
Tom praises Crystal as the visionary and the designer when it comes to the yard and gardens.
“She sees a picture or gets an idea and then sketches it out,” he says.
In return, Crystal is thankful for Tom’s help.
“He’s an engineer by trade, so his job is finding ways to keep everything upright,” Crystal laughs. “But in all seriousness, I couldn’t do it without Tom.”
They both agree that the combination of heat, humidity and rain this summer has kept the garden thriving. The elevation changes from the front to the back, which provides a
unique landscape where the Van Wyhes have created about a dozen unique areas filled with trees, shrubs, plants and flowers.
While Crystal does have some annuals like geraniums in pots, she says that perennials are great to build a garden around because they come back each year and offer easy maintenance.
“Hostas are great in shady areas, coneflowers are a good perennial with a variety of colors and hydrangeas also have colorful varieties that bloom so long.”
Tom and Crystal also have many Canna lilies around the yard, some of which have grown taller than both of them.
“Some people shy away from them because
you do have to dig up the bulbs in the fall, store them inside over the winter and then replant in the spring when there’s no longer a danger of freezing,” Crystal explains. “But they are such big showstoppers and add a little tropical flair.”
In the backyard, the highest point is a little patio just off the living room, where roses are blooming next to neatly manicured evergreens. A recirculating water feature rolls down the rocks and under a bridge.
This water feature replaced a larger waterfall that used to flow down three levels and empty into a pond - which is now a lower patio.
“The pond used to be filled with Koi fish,” says Crystal. “It was so much fun to sit and
watch them. But one day, we came down to the pond, and all the Koi were gone.”
Tom says they talked to a friend who had the same problem, and that friend believed a mink was the culprit.
“Animal Control told me that ‘You’ll never catch a mink,’” he says. “But, I got a live trap anyway. We caught a woodchuck first, but we eventually caught that mink.”
The new water feature can be turned off at night, so it is more efficient and saves water.
This waterfall, as well as the water feature over stacked stones in the front yard, run off the irrigation system in the yard. That system also connects to the sink in the outdoor kitchen, which was inspired by a picture Crystal saw
on Pinterest, and includes everything you need for great summer meals out in the yard. Sumac trees surround three sides of the outdoor kitchen, adding shade and color, as well as some necessary annual maintenance.
“We have to keep cutting that back or it will take over,” laughs Tom.
The back part of the yard is home to a collection of Aspen trees which, the Van Wyhes explain, all come from a singular tree.
“These are all a big system stemming from one tree,” Tom explains. “They reproduce through an underground root system. Some pop up right next to one another, but we have one line of trees that all came up several yards away.”
Tucked in here and there around the yard are
whimsical little touches – a stone bench, an old red wagon, colorful metal hot air balloons in the trees, a proud blue and green peacock on the patio and several windchimes each playing its own melody. At night, 50 to 60 low-voltage light fixtures provide a lovely glow.
In the front, Tom and Crystal chose a variety of rock and grasses for the foundation of the landscape design because of the visual interest and the easy maintenance.
So, are there any new ideas dancing in Crystal’s mind?
“Maybe some more pholx in purple or pink. I like them because they bloom a long time,” she says. “There is also the Strawberry Sundae Hydrangea that is pink and white and so pretty. I think I’d like to try that.”
Both Tom and Crystal know that 12 unique areas of landscaping and gardens can be a lot.
That’s why they limit how much time they devote to “work” out there on any given day.
“You go out for an hour or two and that’s it,” says Tom. “Otherwise if you spend eight hours out there weeding, you won’t be able to walk the next day!”
Crystal agrees.
“You can sit out back with a cup of coffee and the first thing you see is a weed that you just ‘have to’ go pull. But, you have to remember not to get caught up in all the weeding and the work and just sit back and enjoy it. It’s kind of like life – you need to look at the beauty and not just the weeds.”
Actress Audrey Hepburn once said, “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.”
By the looks of Tom and Crystal’s yard, they believe in tomorrow and are building beautiful days to enjoy in the garden together.
Shop • Sell • Connect
Download the free Whatnot App and watch or shop Live-Streamed Auction Deals!
Discover unique finds from vintage treasures to clothing to trading cards in live-streamed auctions.
Explore a new way to shop collectibles and rare items through exciting live auctions.
• Follow Angelaell and Bookmark Shows
• If you are in the Sioux Falls area, choose
I hope you will enjoy the vintage décor items I sell as much as I
I love the personal expression that comes from choosing unique items you love. Vintage finds are my favorite! I love nothing more than searching for treasures and then coming home and fussing and putzing — moving things here and there — and finding the best spots for each and every loved object. The smell of old books, the patina of a well-traveled piece of brass, a beautiful piece of pottery, a unique piece of original art…all amazing to me.
Pretty in Pottery
Color Me Mine carries a gorgeous assortment of pottery ready for you to customize as your own. Fall is the perfect time to paint these delightful pieces and enjoy a nice cup of hot coffee in a cozy hand-painted mug. Color Me Mine. 3709 W. 41st St. (605) 362-6055.
Designed to Impress
A perfect home for every knife — right inside your drawer. Designed to impress. Built to last. Always extraordinary. Dakota Kitchen and Bath, 4101 N. Hainje Ave., Sioux Falls SD.
So, So Cute!
Stop by The Dance Line to pick up one of these cute new dance tops — before they are gone! 2115 S. Minnesota Ave. (605) 335-8242.
NEW! Eugy 3-D Puzzles!
New Eugy puzzles are in — so many animals to choose from. Fun for kids of all ages! Kidtopia. Dawley Farm Village. 901 S Highline Pl. (605) 275-4825.
Sioux Falls Local Best
Thank you for once again naming Julie Prairie Photography a Sioux Falls Local Best! We are so grateful for the many years and the countless clients. We’d love to hear from you if you are looking for a high school senior, family or commercial photographer. Visit the website at julieprairie.com or drop an email at jp@ julieprairie.com.
Go Team!
Football season is in the air, and with that comes our fan favorite fall cookie flavors! Grab your foam fingers, team jersey, and cheer on your team with a dozen of our gourmet cookies! We bake over 20 flavors of cookies daily. Call us to place an order or stop by either of our locations.
Mary’s Mountain Cookies
Downtown (605) 275-0060
South Cliff (605) 275-0062 www.siouxfallscookies.com.
The Best Choices!
Our Weathered finishing technique is unique. It opens up the soft grain portion of the Red Oak providing more depth and texture to your design. Weathered Snow further accentuates the open grain by adding a light colored glaze. Visit our showroom today for a complimentary design and ask one of our friendly designers about these choices from StarMark Cabinetry.
Today’s StarMark Custom Cabinetry.
600 E. 48th Street N. (605) 977-3660.
Wine & Chocolate!
Two of the best things in the world — wine and chocolate!
Visit Wilde Prairie Winery for some delicious South Dakotamade wine and some yummy chocolate! 48052 259th St., Brandon, SD. (605) 582-6471.
Countryside Collection
Silk All-in-One Mineral Paint is proud to introduce its new Countryside Collection. Stay awhile in the Countryside. Available at Junk in the Trunk’s new location at 41st Street and Marion Road. 5303 W. 41st St. (605) 338-5510.
Fall In Love
Fall in love with fall décor at Kanaranzi Creek. Unique repurposed furniture and delightful home décor. 771 Main Street, Edgerton, MN. Open Wednesday – Friday, 10am – 5pm and Saturday, 9am – 1pm. (507) 227-0521.
ME AND JOEY
BY JIM MATHIS
Ihave something in common with the character Joey Tribiani on Friends. You’re probably thinking we’re both devilishly handsome, witty, kind, and humble. While that is true, I’m talking about our shared love of sandwiches! And the best sandwich? The meatball sub!
The meatball sub is a nearly-perfect food; handheld, saucy, loaded with cheese and meat, and toasty hot. The only possible problem is if you’re wearing a
white shirt! Tomato sauce stains can be a bitch to get out.
How much do I love a meatball sandwich? I once had a dream that an old boss of mine called me up and asked me to start a business with him. An advertising firm? No. That would have made sense since it’s the industry we’d spent our careers in. But he suggested we open a shop to sell his fried chicken and my meatball sandwiches. The next day I set out to make the perfect sandwich, just in case this
dream came true.
I’ve tried several store-bought meatballs and found one that is really good. The brand is Mulay’s Sausage, a women-owned business out of Colorado. And you can get their meatballs at the Food Co-op at 18th and Minnesota. But for something this near to my heart, I’ve started making my own. And lucky you, I’m sharing my recipe. It’s three meats, and little filler, so they are moist and tender and chock full of flavor.
Jim’s Italian Meatballs
1 pound ground chuck
1 pound ground pork
1 pound ground veal
Half a cup, freshly grated (grated fine) Parmesan cheese
Half a cup, freshly grated (grated fine) Pecorino Romano
1 cup fresh Italian breadcrumbs
2 eggs, beaten
3 tablespoons good Italian seasoning (like Graziano’s)
3 cloves garlic, grated
1 tablespoon Kosher salt
Half tablespoon, fresh cracked pepper
Add all the ingredients to a large bowl and mix with your hands until everything is incorporated and evenly mixed. Don’t give into the temptation to over mix… once it’s together, start rolling. I like to make my meatballs about the size of a golf ball; one and half ounces or so. Yes. This is a lot of meat and yes, it makes a lot of meatballs. But the beauty is that you don’t have to eat them all at once. I spread them out on a lined baking sheet, and what I don’t need for today, I put in the freezer for a couple of hours. Once they’re solid, I divide them into packages, and vacuum seal them. Add the date with a Sharpie and store them with love until you’re ready to cook them.
Now that you’ve got meatballs, the sandwich part comes easily. Sear the meatballs on each side in a sauté pan, they won’t be cooked through yet, but they’ll finish in the sauce. For two sandwiches, I add about eight ounces of my favorite marinara, cover and let that simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked to about 145 degrees. Then I add three or four meatballs to a sausage roll, top with a spoonful of sauce and a handful of shredded mozzarella, and toast in the oven at 425 degrees for about eight minutes. When the cheese starts to brown, I cut the sandwiches and serve with a small bowl of sauce.
The meatballs also go great on pasta, so if you’ve got meatballs, you’ve got options. And any option with meatballs is a good one. Do yourself a favor, eat something good today!
When he’s not making meatballs, Jim runs ADwërks, an advertising agency here in Sioux Falls. And his first book, Love and Death and Pizza is available now!
THRIFTING 2025: Things Have Changed
BY BOBBI LYNN GAUKEL
If you’re a long-time thrifter like me, you’ve probably noticed how, in recent years, thrifting has gone from a quirky hobby to a mainstream lifestyle. What was once seen as either a fun pastime or a financial necessity has blossomed into a full-fledged cultural shift—one that may even reflect a deeper rethinking of American values.
Why Is Thrifting So Popular Now?
At its core, thrifting taps into something deeply human: the thrill of the hunt. Goodness knows I’ve never been more excited than when the item of my dreams
shows up at a local thrift store. But for a growing number of people, it’s not just the excitement—it’s a rising discomfort with fast fashion, overconsumption, and waste that’s driving them to secondhand shops. As climate awareness grows and economic uncertainty lingers, more people are rethinking how—and why—they shop.
Social media has helped fuel the shift. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram are overflowing with “thrift hauls,” upcycled outfit inspiration, and before-and-after furniture flips. The aesthetic of secondhand—quirky, nostalgic, authentic—stands out in a world that often feels flattened by mass production.
Who’s Actually Driving the Thrifting Trend?
Thrifting isn’t just for college students or vintage lovers anymore. These days, the parking lots at thrift stores are filled with all kinds of vehicles—not just 20-year-old Hondas like the one I drive. People from all walks of life are joining in. A few key groups include:
• Budget-conscious families , stretching their dollars with gently used goods.
• Young adults, furnishing apartments and expressing individuality without big price tags.
• Eco-minded consumers , aimed at reducing their environmental impact.
• Small resellers and side hustlers, flipping items online for a steady income stream.
In many ways, thrifting has become a modern form of creative resourcefulness. And in a culture that often equates value with newness, that’s a quietly radical shift.
But Why Has It Gotten More Expensive?
If you’ve noticed prices creeping up at your local thrift store, you’re not imagining it. As demand rises, so does the market value of secondhand items. National chains like Goodwill now adjust pricing based on online resale trends. Even smaller, mission-based thrift stores have increased their prices— sometimes doubling them from just a year or two ago—to meet demand.
One thing worth noting: the influx of shoppers with more disposable income can contribute to price hikes, which risks pushing low-income shoppers out. For people who rely on thrift stores to meet essential needs, this shift can be problematic. While some local assistance exists—such as discounts for residents of shelters or treatment centers— it’s important we don’t lose sight of thrift’s original purpose: affordable goods for those who need them most.
Trend or Transformation?
Is all of this just a passing phase? Maybe for some. But for many, thrifting represents a deeper shift. It’s part of a broader desire to live more intentionally, creatively, and sustainably. It questions consumer culture by asking: Do
we really need more, or can we find joy and meaning in what already exists?
It’s also a quiet response to the unraveling of the traditional American Dream. With homeownership, job security, and upward mobility feeling less certain, people are turning toward alternative lifestyles—ones built on sharing, bartering, and reimagining what it means to “have enough.”
In a society that often tells us to want more, thrifting is a small act of rebellion. It says: what’s already here is enough, if we know how to see it.
Personally, I hope the so-called “thrifting trend” becomes woven into the fabric of our culture in deeper and more creative ways. Get out there and discover it for yourself—you might be surprised by what you find.
MEN ARE LIKE Fine Wine
BY RICCARDO TARABELSI
Over the course of my 25-year restaurant career, I have had the privilege of hearing and seeing some pretty strange things. They say that Stephen King gets all of his horror story ideas, which have turned into best-sellers, by sitting in a booth at restaurants. Then, he casually sips his coffee as he eavesdrops on his neighboring booths’ conversations. That should give you an idea of just what occurs in a restaurant setting.
Over the years, I’ve observed blind dates gone awry, couples breaking up, people leaving without paying, and families sitting in silence. I’ve witnessed little kids throwing saucedrenched pasta, half-eaten chicken strips, forks, knives, straws, crayons, candles, plates, and tantrums. My personal favorite is patrons with split personalities: “What?! The wait is an hour-and-a-half?! This is outrageous! Do you know who I am? This is ridiculous. You
have no clue what you’re doing. This is the worst experience ever…” Then, after the meal: “Wow! This was amazing! You’re the best! I’m telling everyone about your restaurant. Can’t wait to come back! Love you!” I’ve seen patrons cry, sob, yell, scream, swear, fight, condescend, and break things.
But I’ve also seen the magic… Fiftieth wedding anniversaries, surprise birthday parties for the mom that never gets
“Men are like fine wine!” Of course, as an avid wine guy, she caught my attention. She then continued, “They all start off like grapes, and it’s a woman’s job to stomp on them and keep them in the dark until they mature into something we’d like to have dinner with!”
recognition, proposals, engagements, puppy love, prom nights, five hundred-dollar tips, compliments, and bachelorette parties. I remember this one particularly inebriated bachelorette who said to me, “Men are like fine wine!” Of course, as an avid wine guy, she caught my attention. She then continued, “They all start off like grapes, and it’s a woman’s job to stomp on them and keep them in the dark until they mature into something we’d like to have dinner with!”
How true…
For those of you seeking a mature wine to have dinner with, I highly suggest looking at fine wines from Italy. There are two that come to mind almost immediately; both from Tuscany. The first is the highest Riserva Chianti from longtime wine producer Ruffino, and the other comes from Tuscan wine royalty Castello Banfi.
Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro was first produced in 1947, and is an evolution of Ruffino’s Riserva Ducale. The Oro is appropriately decorated with a beautiful gold label, a replica of the Riserva Ducale label. What makes this wine a significant event on your palate is the length of time this wine is given as it matures. After malolactic
fermentation is complete, the wine is aged about 36 months, first in vats for about three months, then in oak casks for about 24 months, and lastly in the bottle for a minimum of 6 months. This wine is absolutely superb, and well worth the price. Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro is one of those hidden treasures in the wine world, winning many accolades in wine competitions, but often overshadowed by its neighboring Tuscan competitor to the south: Montalcino.
Brunello di Montalcino is arguably the most sought-after Italian wine in recent history, especially after the 1997 vintage blew the socks off of every wine aficionado on the planet. Castello Banfi has been making awardwinning Brunello wines for decades, and the care that is taken when harvesting these special Sangiovese Grosso grapes in the small town of Montalcino is evident in the bottle. Meticulous grape selection is followed by a 10 day wine vinification and subsequently aged for 2 years in oak barrels of various sizes: 350 liter barriques and 60 and 120 hectoliter barrels. Then the wine is aged in the bottle for a minimum of 12 months before it is released. Just when you thought this couldn’t get any better, Banfi also produces a Brunello di Montalcino called Poggio all’Oro which is even more mature version of the Brunello, only
aged an extra year in the barrel. Talk about a big wine! One of my all-time favorites…
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention three other wines that are made in Italy, only this time in the regions of Piedmont and Valpolicella. Barolo and Barbaresco are the reigning wines of Piedmont, both are huge and aged in oak barrels for years, yielding bold Nebbiolo wines that rival any high-end Napa Cab you’ve ever had. The other is Amarone della Valpolicella. Only the best grapes from this region are handharvested and then laid on wooden racks for three to four months before they’re pressed and double-fermented to create one of the driest wines I’ve ever tasted.
Next time you’re looking for a little more sophistication out of your wine, look no further than your friends in Italy who are making outstanding, mature wines. Carpe Vino!
Riccardo and Marybeth Tarabelsi own R Wine Bar & Kitchen, Brix Wine Bar, Maribella Ristorante, Trio Jazz Club, and Vespa Catering, all in Downtown Sioux Falls. They love taking care of guests at their restaurants along with many family members, including their sons Dante, Berent, and Jaxon. Contact Riccardo at riccardo@rwinebar.com.
for kids 45
friends& family
Ideas for Saving and Storing Kids Artwork best friends 48
Submit Your Pet’s Photo
Ideas for Saving and Storing
Kids Artwork
BY JESS WEISCHEDEL
Avoid the clutter and keep your home feeling organized and intentional at the same time — using these unique ideas for the upcoming school year.
Create a Rotating “Gallery Wall”
Give your kids’ art the spotlight it deserves with a designated gallery space in your home. This doesn’t have to be a fancy room; a hallway, playroom wall, or even a large bulletin board can become the perfect backdrop.
How to set it up:
Choose your display method. Magnetic boards, clipboards, or wireand-clip systems work great for quick swaps. Set a limit. Choose how many pieces to display at a time and
when they’re full, a new piece replaces an old one. This helps keep the collection fresh and avoids overload.
Turn Art Into Practical Keepsakes
Some art deserves a longer life than a bulletin board can offer. Instead of letting those special drawings fade in a bin, turn them into something your family can use or gift.
Ideas to try:
• Custom calendars. Each month features a different piece of art.
experiencecreativity reliability
Perfect for grandparents.
• Placemats. Laminate select drawings for colorful mealtimes that wipe clean easily.
• Tote bags or t-shirts. Many online print shops can transfer scanned art onto fabric, making for one-of-a-kind fashion.
• Greeting cards. Shrink down art and print them as cards for birthdays or thank-yous.
Pro tip: If you want a polished look, scan the artwork at a high resolution before printing. This way, even if the original fades over time, the digital copy will stay crisp.
Build a Digital Art Archive
A digital archive lets you preserve everything without taking up physical space.
How to get started:
Photograph or scan each piece. Natural light and a plain background work best for photos. Organize by year. Create folders labeled with your child’s age or grade so you can easily look back. Create yearly photo books. Compile the best pieces into a professionally printed book. It’s
amazing to watch their style evolve over the years.
There are dedicated apps that let you store, tag, and even order keepsakes straight from your phone.
Make a “Storybook Series” Together
Kids’ artwork is often more than just color on paper. Think of it as a peek into their stories and imagination. By pairing their drawings with their own words, you can turn a pile of random papers into a cohesive, magical keepsake.
How to do it:
Choose a theme. Maybe it’s “Adventures with My Dog” or “The Day I Built a Rocket Ship.”
Have your child narrate. Record their words as they describe the pictures. Younger kids’ unfiltered storytelling can be pure gold. Lay it out. Use an online photo book service to pair images and text on each page.
Add dates and captions. Future-you will thank you for remembering which year they drew that famous dinosaur family portrait.
New Magna-Tiles Magna-TilesHaveArrived!
CLIFFORD Mixed Breed | 7 Months
Gaston, best friend of Paige Adams Cinnamon, best friend of the Lewis family
Rex, best friend of the Johnson family
CORIC Rat HUNTER Australian Kelpie/Mix | 4 Years, 8 Months
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.
Furever Homes
Ziggy, best friend of the Erickson family
Wrigley, best friend of the Merrill family
Reed, escaping the Ellerbroek home
WE MAKE HISTORY
Now is the moment we’ve been waiting for. With new treatments emerging in the fight against Alzheimer’s and all other dementia, now is the time for hope. But not the time to stop.
Help us keep the momentum going in your community at the Alzheimer’s Association Walk To End Alzheimer’s®, the world’s largest fundraiser to fight the disease. Join us at alz.org/walk
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