Dec. 2025/Jan. 2026
Volume 25 • Issue 1
Holiday Sweets
Keepsakes for Kids
Cathedral District Historic
Christmas Tour of Homes
baking the season sweet
From festive office gatherings to family winter outings, 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 brownies,
calendar 7
December 2025/ January 2026
concierge 12
The Newest Place to Get Social: Jack Rose Social Club
history 18
The Children’s Home An Institution of Kindness
out & about
December 2025 January
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet
Tuesday, December 2 • 7 p.m.
Washington Pavilion
301 S. Main Avenue
Treat your loved ones to America’s favorite holiday tradition, featuring and international all-star cast. Marvel at breathtaking ballet, whimsical puppets, dazzling costumes and jaw-dropping acrobatics. Celebrate the season with Tchaikovsky’s iconic score and create unforgettable memories for all ages.
Victorian Holiday Tea Party at the Pettigrew
Home & Museum
Wednesday, December 3 • 2 p.m.
Pettigrew Home & Museum
131 N. Duluth Ave.
Enjoy Christmas in true Victorian fashion. Learn about the history of tea while enjoying tea and treats. Space is limited for this adult program. Call (605) 367-7097 to register. Free admission, donations are welcome. INFO siouxlandmuseums.com
Holiday for Fiddlers
Thursday, December 4 • 9 a.m.
Washington Pavilion
301 S. Main Ave.
Holiday for Fiddlers brings Kenny Putnam, Tom Schaefer, and Owen DeJong together with an all-star support band, some long-time performers with the Acoustic Christmas series, including Boyd Bristow, Mike Conner, Al Remund, and Larry Rohrer, and featuring Brian and Kaja Bonde. Friends in college,
the fiddlers have taken different performance paths through life and reunite with a holiday flavor to the instrumental harmonies they blend on stage.
South Dakota Symphony Orchestra: Handel’s Messiah
December 5-6 • 7 p.m.
First Lutheran Church
327 S. Dakota Ave.
The most majestic music ever composed. A commentary on Christ’s Nativity, Passion, Resurrection and Ascension, experienced in Handel’s “Messiah”-featuring the inspiring Hallelujah Chorusin the glory of First Lutheran Church with the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra and Chorus.
Flower and Flame at the Old Courthouse Museum
Winter Concert Series
Friday, December 5
Noon to 1 p.m.
Old Courthouse Museum
200 West Sixth Street
Flower and Flame will perform
A Christmas Carol in the historic courtroom of the Old Courthouse Museum. Bring your lunch and enjoy the show! Free admission (605)367-4210 or siouxlandmuseums.com.
Prince of Peace:
The Christmas Story
Friday, Dec. 5: 7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 6: 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 7: 4 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 12: 7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 13: 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 14: 4 p.m.
Orpheum Theater
315 N. Phillips Ave.
Prince of Peace: The Christmas Story – Returning for its 4th season and an extended weekend, this beautiful musical has proven to be the most epic and personal telling of the Christmas story many have ever seen. Audiences are taken back to the first century to view into the time of the birth of Christ and the world as it was then.
Annual Augustana
Christmas Vespers
Friday, Dec. 5 • 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 6 • 4 & 7:30 p.m.
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church 5500 E. 57th St.
Through music, word and light, the university will embrace the spirit of Advent and reflect on the joyous anticipation of the Christmas season. The services will feature Augustana’s choirs, percussion ensemble and the Augustana Brass Choir.
The Black Market
Saturday, Dec. 6 • 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 7 • 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
WH Lyon Fairgrounds
The Black Market is formerly Benson’s Flea Market and features everything you can imagine, big and little, old and new, heavy and light! As the longest-running indoor variety market in South Dakota we offer a nostalgic experience sure to bring back memories from childhood, stimulate excitement and provide hours of shopping entertainment.
605 Made Holiday Market
Saturday, December 6
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cherapa Place
This free annual event transforms a parking garage into a pop-up shop of locallymade merchandise perfect for holiday gifting.
Santa at the Zoo
Saturday, Dec. 6 • 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Great Plains Zoo
Visit Santa Claus - and your favorite animals - at the zoo! Get up close with some amazing ambassador animals during special meet and greets in the lobby from 10 am - Noon. Kids can also get creative at our craft station, where they’ll have the opportunity to write and handdeliver their own letter to Santa!
Tonic Sol-Fa with Shaun Johnson Big Band Experience
Saturday, Dec. 6 • 7 p.m.
Washington Pavilion
301 S. Main Ave.
Due to the overwhelming demand for “One last holiday show,” Emmy-winning vocal quartet Tonic Sol-fa will take their final Christmastime bow with the “Wrap it Up” 2025 Holiday Tour. This farewell run marks the end of a legendary chapter, bringing audiences one last chance to experience the group’s signature blend of sharp harmonies, inventive arrangements and heartfelt humor.
Blue Violin Candlelight
Christmas Extravaganza
Tuesday, Dec. 9 • 7 p.m.
Washington Pavilion
301 S. Main Ave.
Often described as “TransSiberian Orchestra meets Lindsey Stirling,” Blue Violin delivers fiery virtuosity and cinematic flair in every performance. With last year’s holiday tour playing to packed houses and sold-out nights, this year’s Candlelight Christmas is set to be the most unforgettable yet.
A Holiday Evening at the Pettigrew Home & Museum
Thursday, Dec. 11 • 5-8 p.m.
Pettigrew Home & Museum
131 N. Duluth Avenue
Enjoy a special evening tour of the historic Pettigrew Home, take a neighborhood horse drawn wagon ride, and enjoy holiday music and refreshments in the Pettigrew Museum. Admission is free. INFO siouxlandmuseums.com
Ceili Dance at the Old Courthouse Museum
Thursday, Dec. 11 • 6:30 p.m.
Old Courthouse Museum
200 West Sixth Street
Ceili (pronounced KAY-lee) is an Irish social dance. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced dancer, Ceili dancing is a fun and energetic way to spend an evening. Beginners welcome. Free admission. INFO (605)367-4210 or siouxlandmuseums.com.
Christmas With Lorie Line
Friday, Dec. 12 • 7 p.m.
Washington Pavilion
301 S. Main Ave.
The tradition continues! Lorie Line returns to the stage as a solo pianist and celebrates the Christmas season with faithfilled stories and the best-ofthe-best holiday music. Expect beautiful costumes, elegant piano arrangements, funny stories and personal tender words that reflect the true meaning of Christmas.
Studio B Jazz at the Old Courthouse Museum
Winter Concert Series
Friday, Dec. 12
Noon to 1 p.m.
Old Courthouse Museum
200 West Sixth Street
Studio B Jazz will perform “A Charlie Brown Christmas” in the historic courtroom of the Old Courthouse Museum. Bring your lunch and enjoy the show! Free admission (605) 367-4210 or siouxlandmuseums.com.
50th Anniversary
St. Lucia Festival
Friday, Dec. 12 • 7 p.m.
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
2001 S. Elmwood Ave.
The St. Lucia Festival is a free event that celebrates community, light, family, children, and good food. All are welcome. Legend says that Lucia brought food to the people of Sweden who were dying of hunger during a famine. At St. Mark’s, adults and children celebrate St. Lucia with a performance of singing
and dancing and the sharing of traditional Swedish treats.
Holiday at Butterfly House & Aquarium
Saturday, Dec. 13 • 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
4320 S. Oxbow Ave.
Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, and enjoy our cozy hot chocolate and cider bar to warm up between activities. Kids can get creative at our craft station by writing letters to Santa and making their very own ornaments to take home!
Christmas With the Symphony: ‘Tis the Season
Saturday, Dec. 13 • 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 14 • 2:30 p.m.
Washington Pavilion
301 S. Main Ave.
Gather family and friends and celebrate the sounds of the season with the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. Tenor Ben Gulley brings his powerful, versatile voice to all your holiday favorites. The
annual sing-along rings through the hall and our hearts.
Legion Rider’s Post 15 Army/ Navy Game & Chili Contest
Saturday, Dec. 13
10 a.m. set up • Eat at noon
The Alliance
1600 W. Russell St.
$15 chili entry fee, $5 to eat. Game starts at 2 p.m. Raffle, drawings and more! INFO (605) 370-8523.
Storytime with Santa & Mrs. Claus at the Old Courthouse Museum
Sunday, Dec. 14 • 1-3 p.m.
Old Courthouse Museum
200 West Sixth Street
Bring the kids to the Old Courthouse Museum on Sunday, December 14th for Storytime with Santa & Mrs. Claus! Kids can get their picture with Santa and hear a story from Mrs. Claus. Stories begin every half hour from 1-3 p.m. Admission is free!
Rosemaling Demonstration at the Old Courthouse Museum
Tuesday, Dec. 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 second-floor hallway. Stop in any time for a demonstration or to ask questions! INFO (605) 3674210 or siouxlandmuseums.com
Matthew Mayer in ConcertHolidays and Dreams
Thursday, Dec. 18 • 7 p.m.
Orpheum Theater
315 N. Phillips Ave.
#1 Billboard Charting Artist and South Dakota born, Matthew Mayer, performs an intimate evening of solo piano music. Do not miss this fun, and engaging evening of storytelling and piano playing (including holiday favorites).
Behind the Scenes Tour of the Irene Hall Museum
Resource Center
Thursday, Dec. 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 Good Night Theatre
Collective Presents Irving Berlin’s White Christmas
Thurs., Dec. 18 - Sat., Dec. 20
7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 21 • 2 p.m.
Washington Pavilion
301 S. Main Ave.
In December of 2025, we’ll be bringing you back into the classics catalog of musicals. Featuring some of the most iconic tunes in movie musicals, a tradition for many a household
every snowy season, we’ll be bringing it to you live just in time for the holidays! It’s the iconic musical you’ve been dreaming of… Irving Berlin’s White Christmas!
29th Annual Christmas at the Cathedral
Thursday, Dec. 18 • 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 19th • 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 20
1 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 21
2:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Cathedral of Saint Joseph 523 N. Duluth Ave.
Enjoy beautiful music and moving storytelling inside the breathtaking and historical Cathedral of St. Joseph as we celebrate the hope and joy of God’s incarnation like never before at this truly one-of-a-kind performance! This year’s theme “The Path of Peace” is a firsthand account of the miraculous events surrounding Jesus’ birth through the experience of
Zechariah, a temple priest who was married to Elizabeth, the cousin of Mary.
Holiday Jam with the Hegg Brothers Friday, December 19 7 p.m.
Washington Pavilion
301 S. Main Ave.
Once again Holiday Jam with the Hegg Brothers is back to bring fresh takes on holiday classics old and new. If you’ve seen this, you’re used to this group. If not, come and check out the voices of both Allisons (Mickelson and Nash), the horn section and their signature arrangements.
Mogen’s Heroes at the Old Courthouse Museum Winter Concert Series
Friday, December 19 Noon to 1 p.m.
Old Courthouse Museum 200 West Sixth Street
Mogen’s Heroes will perform in the historic courtroom of the Old Courthouse Museum from noon to 1 p.m. Bring your lunch and enjoy the show! Free admission (605) 367-4210 or siouxlandmuseums.com.
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical Tuesday, Dec. 23 • 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 24 • 1 & 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 25 • 1 & 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26 • 11 a.m., 3 & 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27 • 1 p.m. Washington Pavilion 301 S. Main Ave.
The Grinch broke box office records for two consecutive years on Broadway during its holiday engagements at the St. James and Hilton theatres in New York. Since then, more than 2.1 million theatre-goers across America have been delighted by this heart-warming holiday musical, which The New York Times praised as “100 times better than any bedtime story” and the Gannett papers hailed as “A genius of a show! A total delight for both kids and adults.”
Elisabeth Hunstad at the Old Courthouse Museum
Winter Concert Series
Friday, December 26
Noon to 1 p.m.
Old Courthouse Museum
200 West Sixth Street
Elisabeth Hunstad will perform in the historic courtroom of the Old Courthouse Museum from noon to 1 p.m. Bring your lunch and enjoy the show! Free admission (605) 367-4210 or siouxlandmuseums.com.
Janice Gilbert at the Old Courthouse Museum
Winter Concert Series
Friday, January 2
Noon to 1 p.m.
Old Courthouse Museum
200 West Sixth Street
Janice Gilbert will perform in the historic courtroom of the Old Courthouse Museum. Bring your lunch and enjoy the show! Free admission (605) 367-4210 or siouxlandmuseums.com.
Johnson/ McKinney Quartet at the Old Courthouse Museum Winter Concert Series
Friday, January 9
Noon to 1 p.m.
Old Courthouse Museum
200 West Sixth Street
The Johnson/ McKinney Quartet will perform in the historic courtroom of the Old Courthouse Museum. Bring your lunch and enjoy the show! Free admission (605) 367-4210 or www.siouxlandmuseums.com.
Resgen Date Night
Comedy 2026
Friday, January 16
7 p.m.
Washington Pavilion
301 S. Main Ave.
Date Night Comedy 2026 features illusionist, comedian and America’s Got Talent winner, Dustin Tavella, alongside comedian and pastor Ted Cunningham. Don’t miss out on your chance to be a part of what is guaranteed to be one of your favorite date nights of the year.
Dakota String Quartet at the Old Courthouse Museum
Winter Concert Series
Friday, January 16
Noon to 1 p.m.
Old Courthouse Museum
200 West Sixth Street
The Dakota String Quartet will perform in the historic courtroom of the Old Courthouse Museum from noon to 1 p.m. Bring your lunch and enjoy the show! Free admission (605) 367-4210 or siouxlandmuseums.com.
Ceili Dance at the Old Courthouse Museum
Thursday, January 22
6:30 p.m.
Old Courthouse Museum
200 West Sixth Street
Ceili (pronounced KAY-lee) is an Irish social dance. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced dancer, Ceili dancing is a fun and energetic way to spend an evening. Beginners welcome. Free admission. INFO (605) 367-4210 or siouxlandmuseums.com.
The Teels at the Old Courthouse Museum Winter Concert Series
Friday, January 23
Noon to 1 p.m.
Old Courthouse Museum
200 West Sixth Street
The Teels will perform in the historic courtroom of the Old Courthouse Museum. Bring your lunch and enjoy the show! Free admission (605) 367-4210 or www.siouxlandmuseums.com.
GQ (Gentlemen’s Quartet)
Friday, January 23 • 7 p.m.
Washington Pavilion
301 S. Main Ave.
GQ (Gentlemen’s Quartet) is a modern, elegant take on some of the most famous music ever written, fusing together multiple genres in a perfect symphony of sophistication, virtuosity, and humor.
South Dakota Symphony Orchestra: Mozart’s A Little
Night Music
Saturday, January 24
7:30 p.m.
Washington Pavilion
301 S. Main Ave.
Enjoy an intimate winter night with the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra. Music Director Delta David Gier
seamlessly pairs modern composers Jessica Meyer’s “Through Which We Flow”, and South Dakota native Michael Abels’ “Delights and Dances” with the classics of Mozart and Strauss.
American Legion Auxiliary BINGO!
Tuesday, January 27
5 p.m. social, 6 p.m. meal
1600 W. Russell St.
$10 chicken friend steak, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetable and dessert. Meal reservation (605) 682-1222. No reservation needed for BINGO - starts at 6:45 p.m.
Mrs. Doubtfire
Saturday, January 30 • 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, January 31 • 2 & 7:30 p.m.
Monday, February 1 • 2 p.m.
Washington Pavilion
301 S. Main Ave.
Everyone’s favorite Scottish nanny is headed to Sioux Falls in this internationally acclaimed hit musical critics call “wonderful, heart-warming, and laugh-out-loud funny” (Manchester Evening News) and “a feel-good, family-friendly comedy that delivers” (The Hollywood Reporter).
Elsa Rae at the Old Courthouse Museum
Winter Concert Series
Friday, January 30
Noon to 1 p.m.
Old Courthouse Museum
200 West Sixth Street
Elsa Rae will perform in the historic courtroom of the Old Courthouse Museum from noon to 1 p.m. Bring your lunch and enjoy the show! Free admission (605) 367-4210 or siouxlandmuseums.com.
The Newest Place to Get Social:
JACK ROSE SOCIAL CLUB
BY MARY MICHAELS | PHOTOS BY JULIE PRAIRIE PHOTOGRAPHY
Ifyou walk into a bar and order a Jack Rose, you will be sipping on a piece of history with a drink popular in the 1920s and ‘30s made with applejack, grenadine and lemon or lime juice.
The drink appeared in Ernest Hemingway’s classic The Sun Also Rises , where narrator Jake Barnes drinks a Jack Rose in a hotel bar while waiting for Lady Brett Ashley. Some also say it was one of author John Steinbeck’s favorite cocktails.
A local restaurant group adopted the name last year when they converted the former Tavern 180 at 69th and Western to the Jack Rose Social Club. General Manager Vinnie Olson says it just felt like a fitting name for a place where people could gather and be immersed in a warm, stylish atmosphere while enjoying craft cocktails.
Just like they have put their own spin on the Jack Rose, which Olson says they
make with South Dakota’s own Clay Turner Apple Brandy, the group also crafted a menu featuring what they call “inventive American dishes with global influences.”
For example, the appetizers at Jack Rose Social Club include an elevated version of the grilled cheese and tomato soup we’ve all enjoyed for lunch with fired grilled cheese bites and a tomato bisque dip. Their elevated chislic is made with prime beef and served with a red wine demi dip, garlic salt, clarified butter and pickled onions. You won’t find just any fries here – they’re parmesan truffle fries with green goddess dressing. And, where else could you find a Sausage Board that includes wild boar, pheasant and buffalo sausage?
The main dishes range from handhelds like the Jack Rose Burger with bacon jam and house aioli or the fish sandwich made with IPA batter to classic steaks and pasta dishes – including
the Lobster Campanelle. They also offer a soup flight, with three soup selections, which is a perfect offering with winter days ahead. The newest menu additions include The Speakeasy Stacker (hot beef sandwich), Vodka Mussels ALA Rosa, the Jalapeño Popper Burger and the Big Island Chicken Sandwich, which they say is “aloha” in every bite.
Even as the group was opening the Jack Rose location at 69th and Western in 2024, they were already planning a second location, which opened up earlier this year in the downtown Steel District. This second location, with almost 6,400 square feet, is on the first floor of the building that also includes The District lofts apartments, condos and a parking ramp.
The exterior of the new downtown spot catches the eye with wood and brick finishes, along with colorful exterior wall art of a Jack
Steel District
151 E. 4th Place #100 • Sioux Falls
Phone/Reservations: 605-271-3782 (prompt 2)
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m.-12 a.m.
Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-2 a.m
(as in the figure on playing cards) with a rose. The interior is also custom finished with a large bar that also opens to the outdoors. Guests can enjoy two patios – one that faces the interior of the Steel District complex and one on the west side that is within hearing range of the summer concerts at Levitt at the Falls. And, on those cool nights, cozy up to one of the fire tables.
Inside, you will see nods to South Dakota and the Steel District in the décor, with one-of-a-kind touches like whiskey barrels hanging from the ceiling and the suspended bar structure made of steel.
The team at Jack Rose has carefully
2101 W. 69th Street • Sioux Falls
Phone/Reservations: 605-271-3782
Hours: Sunday-Monday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Tuesday-Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-12 a.m
considered every finish, from lighting and seating down to the smallest cocktail garnish. Whether you’re stopping in for lunch or dinner or simply heading out for a fun evening, both locations are there to help create connections, conversation and a unique experience.
For those who enjoy bourbon, for example, Olson says Jack Rose carries close to 100 labels, and they’re also doing small batch barreling. The Manhattan, which they named the 69th Street Manhattan, is made with their own barrel creation.
Not a bourbon fan and want something sweeter? Try Blush Bubbles, which is Smirnoff Raspberry, Grand Marnier, fresh squeezed
lime juice, and wild strawberry syrup with a sugar rim, dry ice and strawberry garnish. The cocktail menu has something for every taste from margaritas and martinis to Mosco mules and mojitos.
In describing the experience the Jack Rose team wants guests to have, they say, “At Jack Rose, we invite you to slow down, savor the moment, and raise your expectations. You’re always in good company here!”
Be sure to follow Jack Rose Social Club on social media for happy hour specials, food and drink highlights and events – like Sunday game day with NFL Sunday Ticket on their big screen TVs.
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For a listing of vacant lots for sale, visit www.cityofluverne.org/housing
NEW CHILDCARE CENTER
• Consistent, reliable care
• Qualified teachers
• Play-based curriculum
Our brand-new Kids Rock! Child Care Center provides quality, licensed care for infants through school-age children - giving parents peace of mind and supporting our growing workforce.
TOP-RATED SCHOOLS
• Academic excellence
• Award-winning fine arts
• Strong athletics
Luverne’s exceptional Dollars for Scholars program ensures that nearly every graduating senior receives a local scholarship - a community-wide commitment to helping our kids succeed.
ReBorn Home Furnishings
Blue Mound Liquor
Fareway Meat Market Sunshine Foods
Ace Hardware
Rock River Apothecary
Luverne Flowers
Salon 75 & Spa
First Comes Love
Sewing Basket
THE CHILDREN’S HOME An Institution of Kindness
By Wayne Fanebust
Asa boy growing up in the Sioux Falls area, I recall riding past a large, imposing house on East 10th Street, near the intersection of Cliff Avenue. My mother would often tell my sisters and me that bad kids lived there and that we had to be good or we would be sent there. It was always a scary thought and I had no reason to believe that, in fact, the kids there were those who failed to obey their parents. But I was wrong, for the stately quartzite structure was built to provide love and care to children who were orphans or who were abused or were otherwise unwanted by their mothers and fathers. What to do with orphaned or neglected
children was a national problem, especially in the large cities. Fortunately, there emerged from the hellish chaos, thoughtful and sympathetic adults who refused to look away when faced with the hungry and desperate faces of innocent children. Among them were William Bird Sherrard and Elizabeth Hazelton Bixby, a Chicago couple who, after getting married, began a lifetime mission of rescuing and caring for unfortunate and neglected boys and girls.
The Sherrards went west to Kansas and then to a claim near Willow Lake in Dakota Territory. There they started the charitable process of taking abandoned Chicago children and caring
for them on their homestead. In 1892, after South Dakota became a state, the Sherrards went to Sioux Falls, the largest city in the state, to investigate the possibility of establishing a children’s home. They met with several church groups and discussed the idea and found they had allies. Finally on February 11, 1893, along with women from the Sioux Falls Presbyterian Church, they drafted a constitution and by-laws of an organization that would actively intervene in the lives of children in need, to “provide temporary relief of the unfortunate...” They had cast a wide net that included “neglected families of drunkards, orphaned children,” as well as the “old and the helpless.”
Following the Civil War, Elizabeth Hazelton Bixby, a young widow, and William Bird Sherrard, an Irish immigrant, met and were married in Chicago where they began their lifetime mission of caring for the unfortunate. South Dakota State Historical Society collection.
Finding or building a facility was their priority. William and Elizabeth Sherrard along with the Benevolent Association, rented a house near Sioux Falls College which at that time was known as the Baptist College. With some donated furniture and $400.00 in cash,
the Sherrards were ready to receive children.
On February 16, 1893, they welcomed five youngsters from Chicago. Their mission was up and running.
Actually it was stumbling for Sioux Falls and the rest of nation was suddenly plunged
into a severe economic depression, following the financial Panic of 1893. Although it was the worst depression in the short history of America, the Sherrards were not deterred nor dissuaded for the depression caused prices to collapse and as such, they were able to feed
their charges. In those early days, Elizabeth would take care of the children while William busied himself with finding money from men and businesses in the city.
The first two years of managing a home for the homeless were rough, if not almost impossible. But the Sherrards were determined to continue their selfless work. Finally, in 1895, the state legislature passed a law authorizing the creation and management of homes for needy children. Then on August 20, 1895 the South Dakota Children’s Home Society was incorporated as a private, non-
profit agency with a board of directors.
The Sherrards now had support and legal underpinnings and were no longer operating with questionable authority.
Their mission was “to take charge of and place in family homes any children surrendered to them by parents or guardians, or delivered by parents or guardians, or delivered to them upon the order of any court of record of this state, or by any board of county commissioners or other body having the care of the poor.”
As if some kind of alarm was set off, a
number of local leaders became involved with the Society. Among them was Episcopalian Bishop William H. Hare, who was one of the moral leaders of Sioux Falls. Others included Hattie Phillips, Mira E. Beveridge and Matilda Woods, all of whom were thought of in the community as worthy citizens. But it was the Sherrards who led the way. William was fiercely aggressive as he castigated footdragging people whom he felt weren’t contributing enough money or supplies to support the Society. Using a small publication called The Children’s Friend, he quoted the
A major benefactor of the Children’s Home was Winona Axtell Lyon who gave valuable property to the Society at Phillips Avenue and Thirteenth Street which eventually was sold and became the location of the KELO-TV studios.
Bible in order to inspire help.
In 1903, a two-story stone structure was erected at 1301 E. 10th Street in Sioux Falls to replace the small wooden house on Prairie Avenue. According to a state law, local stone known as Sioux Falls quartzite, quarried by prison labor was utilized to build the stately two-story house. The Sherrards had to be pleased because the large, imposing house crowned their efforts with a sense of purpose and permanence. While there was, no doubt, skeptics and people who believed that too much charity had been poured into the Society,
goodness and decency had prevailed. Children in need would not be forgotten and ignored. The Sherrards were old when they dedicated their lives to helping children, and the years of struggle took their toll. In 1909, they turned the state Children’s Home over to new management all of whom lived up to the high standards of the Sherrards. As time went on all those who shouldered the heavy responsibilities could look back and count their blessings, for the large number of success stories of children who were well-educated and thoroughly involved in trades and professions,
were evidence of the Home’s success.
As time went on, new ideas and needs became a part of the conversation. The old stone structure was deemed to be outdated and no longer practical for the ever-changing mission. It was abandoned when a large, modern facility on 28th Street became the new home for the Society. Like a worn out relic from the past, the place was unceremoniously cast aside and the stealth of vandals replaced the laughter of children. Finally, it was torn down in 1973, to make way for commercial expansion.
Infants like these were received by the Children’s Home and placed for adoption. Finding new families for them was the Sherrards’ greatest reward.
recipes 23
Fill Your Family With Holiday Cheer — And Sweets!
at home 24
I’ll Be Home for Christmas man in the kitchen 36
Navigating Family Dynamics
vino 38
Wine is Made for Sharing the a list 40
thrifting home 42
Something Old, Something New How low-cost solutions make holidays more interesting
BY JO MCCLURE
Easy Peanut Butter Candy
2 cups peanut butter chips
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups dry roasted peanuts
1 cup crushed ripple potato chips
Melt chocolate and peanut butter chips in a double boiler until smooth. Add peanuts and potato chips and drop onto waxed paper. Makes 40-50 pieces of candy.
Rocky Road Fudge
12 ounces milk chocolate chips
1 can milk chocolate frosting
1 1/2 Tablespoons milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup mini marshmallows 1/2 cup chopped nuts
Melt chocolate chips and the frosting in a double boiler. Add milk and vanilla followed by marshmallows and nuts and pour into a greased 8x8 in pan. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours.
I’ll Be Home for Christmas
BY MARY MICHAELS | PHOTOS BY JULIE PRAIRIE PHOTOGRAPHY
Somany Christmas songs talk about being home… “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”, “There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays”, “There is No Christmas Like a Home Christmas”…lyrics that immediately evoke memories, images and even smells of your favorite holiday traditions.
While the concept of “home” for many certainly refers to the special feeling of being with loved ones, our physical homes can also make Christmas that much more special with things like greenery and lights that add to the warmth and joy of the season.
Stephanie and David Richter’s 1886 Stick Style home in the Historic Cathedral District, for example, transports you back in time to an era still rich with Victorian influences – yet one that is also coupled with modern touches.
The home was built for Lyman T. Dunning, who came to the area to help open what is said to be the first drug store in Dakota Territory and one of the first six buildings constructed in Sioux Falls. When he eventually took ownership of the store, located at 8th & Phillips, he named it L.T. Dunning Drug Co. Another story tells of his interest in building a home on a piece of land that happened to be owned by Richard Pettigrew. Dunning’s housing situation may have been helped by the fact that he married Pettigrew’s sister, Henrietta.
The Richters purchased this home 13 years ago, moving just a few doors down in the same Cathedral neighborhood.
“My parents had a historic home just down the block, which we had purchased from them around 2007,” says Stephanie. “But we had two young girls at the time and just needed more room. We loved this neighborhood and wanted to stay here, so we were excited when this house was available.”
Stick style architecture includes elements like asymmetrical two- or three-storied
homes, gable roofs and intricate “stickwork,” which are bands of wood trim applied to the exterior. You can see all of these features as you pass the stacked stone retaining wall and follow the walk up to the house.
The original entry of the house had been enclosed over the years. Now, as you pass through the beautiful exterior wood door with lead glass inserts, you enter a small vestibule with tile steps that lead up to another door. For the holidays, a cute red lamppost and a tall Santa welcome you into the home’s foyer.
“David and I both are drawn to older homes. We love the character and the unique architecture,” Stephanie explains. “And the structure of this house was really good when we moved in. There had already been some updates, so we could just move in and make it our own.”
As you stand on the original wood floors and look around at the ornate woodwork and light fixtures – that are still in place and only
updated from oil to electricity – it is amazing to imagine 139 years of history here.
Matching benches with burgundy cushions sit in the foyer and on the landing leading up to the second floor. Three horizontal windows over the foyer bench are adorned with batteryoperated candles for the holidays, and sprays of greenery with ribbons are hung up the staircase.
In contrast with the modern, open floor plans you see in homes today, older houses often were divided into several rooms for reasons related to heating efficiency, privacy or just the functional needs and social customs of the day. For the Richters, that means more beautiful doorways, many with double French doors, on which to hang decorative garlands for the holidays.
A multitude of windows all around the main floor bring in light during the day, but over the years, they have also served to maximize natural airflow since there is no air
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conditioning on the lower level.
“The home has all radiator heat. At some point in the home’s history, an air conditioning unit was installed in the attic,” says Stephanie. “But they didn’t want to break through the wood floors to add all the ductwork needed to cool the entire house. So, there is just AC on the upper floor.”
The Richters love to entertain, and the spacious living room is a beautiful place to host guests with its 12-foot ceiling and
elaborate chandelier, from which ornaments hang on ribbons at this time of year. A matching chandelier hangs over the firstfloor landing (and that one, Stephanie laughs, creates quite a job for her and Dave when a bulb needs to be changed).
A tall tree adorned in burgundy and ivory decorations stands in the front windows of the living room, next to a gorgeous baby grand piano made by Farny, which was a division of the Wurlitzer piano company.
“We found this piano in Elk Point and bought it because it was built the same year as the house.”
Several years’ worth of framed pictures of their two girls with Santa sit atop the piano. At the opposite end of the room, the rich wood wall highlights the fireplace with its original mantle. Burgundy cable-knit stockings line the front of the fireplace, and nutcrackers as tall as the mantle flank each side. Above the fireplace hangs an immense
wreath decorated in burgundy, ivory, silver and gold.
“About the only things I really need help with at the holidays,” Stephanie says, “are putting up the tree and hanging this wreath.”
For an added touch of holiday coziness, the Richters dress up the two-tiered vintage bar cart with mugs, a plate of cookies and a “Hot Cocoa Bar” sign.
Off the living room is a smaller room that likely served as a parlor or a library.
An interesting side story that Stephanie shared is that the front of the house originally had a second, smaller staircase just off the front called the “funeral stairs” because many families back in the day would have funerals at home. Families would host guests in the parlor, and that other staircase would be used by the undertakers. Over time, as many stories confirm, these memorial services were moved out of the home to a “funeral parlor,” and families rebranded the space in their homes
as living rooms.
What was an outdoor garden patio area off the parlor is now an enclosed room the Richters converted into a bar area. Loving the character of the space, they left the original green wood doorframe intact, as well as the red tile flooring.
The kitchen was expanded in the ‘80s to include updated cabinetry and appliances. However, Stephanie says they also added features to complement the traditional feel of
the home, like the brick fireplace and copper ceiling tiles.
A colorful Santa print above the kitchen fireplace shows the twinkle in the eye of Old Saint Nick as he fills a tree with presents.
The butler’s pantry between the kitchen and dining room has cabinets extending up to the ceiling, which Stephanie says she hasn’t even come close to filling (yet!), as well as a space that would have been the pass-through from the kitchen so that the meal could be served to the family or guests.
Gorgeous is simply the word to describe the formal dining room dressed for Christmas. It looks like a page right out of a holiday magazine with its rich woodwork and the (now electric) candle sconces on the wall. The table is elaborately set with stacked place settings, each with a jeweled ornament, a colorful tiered dessert tray and a long centerpiece of greens and candles.
The antique hutch on one wall belonged to
David’s mom and is filled with her beautiful china.
“We host a lot of people at the holidays,” says Stephanie, “so this is the one piece he gets nervous about when there are kids running around.”
Talking about their home often leads Stephanie to mention other homes and neighbors in the Cathedral district.
“We have the entire history of our house because one of the neighbors up here always goes to the library and gets information on houses when new neighbors move in,” she explains. “We do so many things just in our neighborhood that small towns would do. We have things like an Easter egg hunt, a back-to-school bash and we even had a ‘70s party recently. We love the relationship with our Sioux Falls police, and we always do the National Night Out with them.”
Last year was the 50th anniversary of the historic designation for the neighborhood, so
all the neighbors came together to celebrate that special day as well.
Another annual event is the Christmas tour of homes, and this year, the Richters are one of the four hosts being showcased.
“This annual tour is a great way to showcase the history and charms of homes in our neighborhood,” she says. “We love being able to see our
neighbors’ homes as well as inviting people from other neighborhoods to visit here and maybe learn a little more about our city. And, the funds raised from the tour are reinvested back into our neighborhood.”
As they do every year, the Richters are looking forward to the holidays. The little girls in the pictures on the piano with Santa are now
in college and will both be home. And, they’ll gather with other family and friends.
As the lyrics to “There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays” say, “If you want to be happy in a million ways, for the holidays, you can’t beat home, sweet home.”
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Navigating Fa mily D ynamics
BY JIM MATHIS
We’ve all heard—and some of us have experienced—those awkward holiday meals where one relative has a few too many drinks and begins to express their extreme political views or the latest conspiracy theory. Heck, it’s such a cliché that Saturday Night Live has featured the Drunk Uncle character for years. The political environment keeps getting more splintered, and the far Right and far Left seem to drift even farther apart—now it feels like it’s the Far Wrong versus the Even
More Wrong.
Fortunately for me, as our own family dynamics have evolved, the holidays at our house will be just three—my beloved, my mother, and me. OK, three humans and our faithful companion, Tonic the Wonder Dog. Politically, we all lean in the same direction, and I don’t think any of us have gone too far down any conspiracy-theory rabbit holes. Although Tonic is growing ever more suspicious of the Amazon and UPS delivery
guys. “Why do they come during the day? How come they don’t bring food?”
We will miss the days of Kara’s folks making a turkey that’s way too big for four of us. We’ll miss our family tradition of Christmas Eve fondue. But as the family has gotten smaller, our meals have scaled down, too. This year, we’ll have a quiet Christmas Eve at home, then on Christmas Day, Mom, Kara, and I will be seeing How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the Washington Pavilion, followed by a glass of wine.
There are a few subjects that should generally be avoided in polite conversation; politics and religion top the list.
If you’re not so lucky to have a small, close family, how can you dodge those awkward holiday conversations? I’m glad you asked. Here are a few tips.
Avoid Large Family Gatherings
If you just don’t go to an event with your drunk uncle, you won’t be forced to:
A) smell his breath—a combination of cigarettes, stale beer, and pickled herring;
B) enter into a conversation about how the government (or Phil Schreck) controls the weather, or how the [insert ethnic group here] is trying to destroy [insert beloved institution]; or
C) fake getting sick to remove yourself from the situation.
Stick to the Kids Table Navigating conversations about K-pop, the
deep underlying meanings behind 6-7, or why fart jokes are funnier than knock-knock jokes are all easier than any discussion of politics or religion.
Avoiding Touchy Topics
There are a few subjects that should generally be avoided in polite conversation; politics and religion top the list, followed closely by sports (specifically team sports), Travis Kelce and/or Taylor Swift, the meal being served (except to lavish praise on the cook), non-team sports (i.e., golf or gymnastics), current events, history, the future, AI, the economy, late-night television, fart jokes or knock-knock jokes, daytime television, K-pop, or that Flo character from the insurance commercials. OK. On second thought, no conversation is safe.
When it comes to dodging the awkward
holiday conversation, I think my “avoid any large groups” might just be the safe way to go. How about a nice Christmas meal consisting of a bag of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and your beverage of choice, in a locked room?
Wait. This is supposed to be a food column, isn’t it? OK, so what am I cooking for Christmas? I’m thinking a nod to a Mathis Holiday Feast: seafood, wine, and safe family conversation. No more than three people allowed at any one time.
Do yourself a favor, eat something good today.
When he’s not eating and drinking his way through the holidays, Jim runs ADwërks where he spends his time telling stories and working in advertising. If you enjoyed this one, his book Love and Death and Pizza is available now at Zandbroz, Alcove, Full Circle Book Co-op, and Rose & Eugene Presents.
BY RICCARDO TARABELSI
WINE IS MADE FOR Sharing
Sharingis caring. We try to teach that to young children, and it’s no different in our household. We try to teach that a giving heart expects nothing in return. Of course, our middle child takes it to the extreme. He gives stuff away like it’s going out of style until he realizes he gave something away that he needed. There’s a much longer story here about his favorite winter hat that wound up in his friend’s backpack at school years ago, but the simple act of sharing is something that transcends sharing material things; the truth is that when you share selflessly, you get something much greater in return. In the wine world, I witness many acts of sharing. A wine bottle, if
you think about it, is designed for sharing. There’s plenty of wine in a regular bottle of wine to go around. Typically, if you pour 6 oz. in a wine glass, you will get four glasses out of a bottle of wine. That’s three friends that you just made happy. I’ve been thinking lately, why is there 750 ml. in a regular bottle of wine? It seems like an odd size; why not an even 1.0 liter? Here’s what I found out:
In ancient times, the Romans and others usually kept wine in clay pots. Glass blowing technology was known, but bottles were rare and expensive novelty items that may have been used for serving wine but rarely for storing it.
By the 1500s, glass bottles were commonplace in commerce and in well-to-do households, but they were used only to tap a ration from a wooden wine barrel and bring it to the table, still not for storage.
The bottle became an important part of wine only in the 17th Century, says Hugh Johnson in his “Vintage: The Story of Wine,” when improving technology made it possible to produce bottles in a consistent size and shape that could be easily stored in quantity. Through the 18th Century, the standard wine-bottle shape stretched from a squat decanter-style flagon to a fat “pot” to, eventually, something close to the cylindrical bottle size we know today. Not coincidentally, the use of the
“...the truth is that when you share selflessly, you get something much greater in return.”
natural cork stopper as a reasonably reliable way to close the bottle also developed about around this time.
Bottle sizes seemed to develop by a similar trial-and-error process. In England, the old-fashioned pint and quart sized were popular, perhaps by analogy to other bottled liquids. Most antique bottles, however, seem to fall into the range of 600 ml. to 800 ml. Britain and the U.S. eventually legalized the “fifth” bottle - one-fifth of a gallon - as a standard size for wine and liquor, while Europe gravitated to the similar 750 ml size in the metric system, although with many variations such as 700 ml or 730 ml.
Only as recently as the 1970s did most industrial nations standardize on the 750 ml size for consistency in importation and taxation, a move that saw Americans lose about 2/10 of an ounce from the standard bottle. But all this still begs the question: Why the specific “fifth” or 750ml size? Two theories in particular sound reasonable:
1. This is the average capacity of a glass-blower’s lungs, and thus the approximate size of a bottle created in one blow.
2. A typical “fifth” bottle full of wine and corked weighs about 2 1/2 to 3 pounds, a convenient size to pack and carry while shopping.
Whichever theory you ascribe to is fine with me, as long as you share your 750 ml. with some good company. After all, sharing is caring! Happy New Year and Carpe Vino!
Riccardo and Marybeth Tarabelsi are the owners of R Wine Bar & Kitchen, Brix Wine Bar, Maribella Ristorante, Trio Jazz Club, and Vespa Catering all in Downtown Sioux Falls. They and their three sons Dante, Berent, and Jaxon (fiancée Taylor) can be seen working together at their locations, providing warm hospitality where you enter as friends and leave as family. Contact Riccardo at riccardo@rwinebar.com.
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Holiday Traditions!
Spend some quality time with the ones you love and create beautiful family heirlooms at the same time. Color Me Mine. 3709 W. 41st St. (605) 362-6055.
Nutcracker Season!
Treat your little dancer to a special treat from our festive Nutcracker pieces that have just arrived. The Dance Line. 2115 S. Minnesota Ave. (605) 335-8242.
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.
Christmas Gifts
Shop the large selection of candles and home decor that is sure to put smiles on the faces of everyone on your holiday shopping list. Junk in the trunk. 41st Street & Marion Road. (605) 338-5510.
Santa is on His Way!
Santa is on his way, and our bakery case is filled with many seasonal favorites, including Molasses, Peppermint Panda, and Holiday M&M! Spend a sweet winter afternoon with our sugar cookie decorating kit! We’ve got cookie gift boxes and party trays for all of your holiday needs! Call us to place an order or stop by either of our locations! Mary’s Mountain Cookies. Downtown 605-275-0060 - South Cliff 605-275-0062www.siouxfallscookies.com.
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Stock up on toys for all the tots on your list at Kidtopia — store closing sale going on now. Huge discounts! East side Dawley Farms. 901 S. Highline Pl., Sioux Falls. (605) 275-4825.
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SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW
How low-cost solutions make holidays more interesting
By nature, I’m a decorator. For years, Christmas decorating has been a highlight of my season. The day after Thanksgiving, I usually dig out the tubs of “stuff,” make a big mess, and blast holiday music. I also tend to scour stores like Target or scroll online for the latest trends—because
BY BOBBI LYNN GAUKEL
honestly, I love a trend.
But what if decorating didn’t have to follow the same routine? What if a few small tweaks could save money, keep décor fresh, and make the season more enjoyable and less stressful?
This year, I tried something new—let’s call it The Simple Season.
A New Plan of Attack
My first realization was that my one-day decorating marathon actually stresses me out. So, I decided to break it up—smaller bursts of creativity over several weeks.
You’ve probably noticed that Christmas seems to arrive earlier every year. (Halloween
décor hit stores in August, after all.) By November 1, many of my friends were already decking the halls. I’ll admit, I was tempted to join in—but I also love fall and have a lot of autumn décor.
So, instead of rushing into full-on Christmas mode, I pulled out my DIY hat and hit a few thrift stores—and even my own closets—for inspiration.
Let Your Walls Talk
Many people hang things on their walls and forget about them, but holidays are the perfect time to get creative with what’s already there. Temporary wall décor can be a budgetfriendly way to make a big impact.
Thrifted picture frames are an easy place to start. A few of mine were even from the free bin at a local thrift shop. I also had a tired old mirror in the basement begging for a makeover.
As for artwork, I found several free holidaythemed prints from public domain sites online and had them printed locally for just a few dollars. Two 8x10 prints cost me $2. I then painted the frames using leftover paint from a previous project—instantly pulling together my color palette for this year’s décor.
The mirror became my next project. I love layering pieces over mirrors for added depth— especially during the holidays. I found an old thrifted wreath that worked perfectly, both in scale and color, but it still needed something extra.
That’s when I remembered a paper-mâché deer I’d thrifted over the summer for $4 (pro tip: thrift for Christmas all year for the best finds). I gave the deer a festive refresh using tissue paper and napkins from my stash— decoupage style. It was quick, easy, and surprisingly fun. The deer now sits proudly
in the mirror vignette as my first “Christmas scene” of 2025.
Slow and Simple Wins
Am I finished decorating? Not even close— and that’s the point. My tree still went up the day after Thanksgiving, but I’m intentionally taking my time through the season. There’s no rush, no pressure, and definitely no “deadline” for when everything has to be done.
Wherever you are in your holiday prep, I highly recommend slowing down and finding joy in small, creative projects. Thrift a few treasures, reimagine what you already own, and create a holiday look that’s uniquely yours. Here’s to a season that’s simpler, more mindful, and a lot more fun.
See you in 2026 with a new focus and a new column here: The Simple Season. More info to come!
friends& family
Festive Holiday Keepsakes
From Kids
BY JESS WEISCHEDEL
Bring the joy of the season to life with these fun, hands-on Christmas crafts that little ones will love. Each project is simple, uses minimal supplies, and makes for adorable keepsakes or heartfelt gifts.
Handprint Christmas Tree
Supplies: Brown and colored paints, white paper, green crayon, and a yellow crayon or sticker star. Start by painting your child’s palm and forearm with brown paint, then press it firmly onto white paper to create the tree trunk and branches. Once it dries, let your child dip their fingertip into various bright paint colors and dot them around the tree to form colorful lights. Add pine-like details with a green crayon, and top the tree with a golden star.
Fingerprint Wreath Gift Bag
Supplies: Small paper gift bag, green paint, red pipe cleaner, glue, letter stencil, and a marker.
Let your child dip their fingertip in green paint and press it in a circular shape on the front of the bag to form a wreath. When dry, twist a small red pipe cleaner into a bow and glue it to the bottom of the wreath. Use a stencil and marker to write a cheerful holiday message above it. These personalized bags are perfect for wrapping homemade cookies or small presents!
“Mistletoes”
Footprint Art
Supplies: Construction paper, green and red paints, and a small paintbrush. Paint the bottoms of your child’s feet with green paint and press them side by side onto construction paper with toes pointing downward. Using red paint, add a ribbon at the top so the footprints resemble hanging ornaments. Write “Mistletoes” underneath and decorate with dots, snowflakes, or glitter for extra charm.
Fingerprint Christmas Light Garland
Supplies: White paper, black marker, and assorted paint colors. Draw a curvy line across your paper with a black marker to resemble a light string. Then, have your child dip their finger into different paint colors and press along the line to form festive bulbs. Once dry, write a holiday message or display it for the season.
Each of these crafts makes a beautiful painted keepsake and a fun way to spend creative time together during the holidays!
Bella, best friend of Bill & Laurie
Arthur & Aurora, best friends of Emily
Charlie, enjoying his new bed
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Philip, best friend of nobody at this moment
Max, best friend of Steve
Abby, best friend of Brianna
