Progress 3: Community Lifestyles

COMMUNITY LIFESTYLES

Progress SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2019 THE BROOKINGS REGISTER

WHAT’S

Inside?

City of White, SD.................................... 2 Den-Wil Properties................................. 3 St. Thomas More..................................... 3 Artisan Concrete..................................... 4 ADVANCE............................................... 4 South Dakota Humanities Council......... 4 United Church of Christ.......................... 5 Institute of Lutheran Theology................. 6 City of Volga........................................... 6

Page 2 - The Brookings Register, Saturday, May 18, 2019

Take the short drive to The residents and businesses in White, South Dakota, want you to know what a great small community they have and invite you to take the short drive to find out for yourself what sets White apart.

The town of 500, which is 20 miles northeast of Brookings, has a number of new business ventures as well as many long-term businesses.

These seasoned businesses include Anderson Oil, B & B Auto Service, Palace Café, White Veterinary Service, Gary Emmett Construction, Murphy Roofing, K & S Construction, Corner Gas & Goodies, Eidsness Funeral Chapel, Kor Repair, First Bank & Trust, Landmark Landscaping, Lefty’s Sports Pub, New Horizons Construction, Tyler Storage, Thomsen Garage, Schwartz Manure Hauling & Septic Service, Westside Wheels, Tri-City Star, U.S. Postal Service, Interstate Telecommunications, White Medical Clinic (operated by Brookings Health System) and the member-owned Six Mile Creek Golf Course.

The newer business ventures are locally owned and based at The Farmstead. In 2015, the White Care Center discontinued operating as a long-term care facility.

In August 2017, a group of investors named Dedicated Investment Group LLC (DIG LLC) bought the property and began extensive renovations in November.

The 20,000-squarefoot structure now houses 13 one- and two-bedroom apartments, Torque Fitness Center, Health Through Massage, Salon 629, laundry facilities and the Clinic.

There is room for a business to take over the commercial kitchen space and operate a catering business or a restaurant. All of the kitchen equipment is included. If a party is interested, they are encouraged to contact Randy Hanson at Mills Construction in Brookings, who is the managing member of DIG LLC. The property also has 14 newly-constructed garage spaces available to tenants of The Farmstead.

The renovation of the facility is a success story by any measure and provided local business ventures the opportunity to launch their business dreams in their town. The project was awarded the 2018 Associated General Contractors of South Dakota’s Build SD Award. Re-purposing of the mixed-use structure brought much-needed housing and commercial space to White and serves as a fantastic example of private and public entities working together to provide opportunities in a rural community.

If you’ve considered making White your home and/or enjoying the more relaxed pace of a small town, two different developments have building lots available on the east side of town. Contact the City of White at 605-629-3661 for more information.

White is the home of

the Deubrook Area Schools high school facility, and the residents of the communities served are proud of their school and its reputation for providing a high-quality academic experience for students and many extra-curricular events, which provide entertainment and a social outlet for residents.

Five Christian churches – St. Paul Catholic, First Baptist, Zion Lutheran, White Methodist and Pioneer Lutheran – are available for worship and also provide many options for social engagement for community members, as well as visitors, who are always welcomed.

Fairview Cemetery, with its unique wagon wheel design in the original section, is located east of White and has plots available for purchase.

Arthur Graslie City Park is available for picnics, ballgames, basketball, playground, and more. Check out the beautiful Veterans Memorial on Main Street.

Groups to join include White Community Club, 4-H Clubs, American Legion Post No. 88 and Auxiliary. There is a volunteer fire department and ambulance service on call 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

The McKnight Community Center on the Main Street of White is another success story for the community and speaks to the vision of residents in understanding the need for a facility that will house gatherings, large and small. Many wedding receptions, family reunions and sales have been held in the structure, which has many amenities including a full, well-appointed kitchen, renovated restrooms, an in-house sound system and plenty of tables and chairs available to use with your rental fee.

The members of the lovely Six Mile Creek Golf Course invite you to come play a round of golf at the course 1 mile north of town and enjoy the mature ninehole course with the creek meandering among the greens. Afterward enjoy a beverage and sandwich in the Clubhouse.

Stinger Speedway is a small go-kart track owned

by Wade Tirrel. It is a cheap and fun entertainment on a circle track on Main Street.

The track is named after Wade’s father, Stanley, who was given the nickname “Stinger.”

The White Museum is worth a visit when you’re in town. The main structure is an old church, and behind it are a one-room school house and a log cabin dating back to 1868. Many historic artifacts from early White and Brookings County residents fill the spaces and make for an interesting afternoon, strolling through the structures.

Plans are well underway for the 135th annual celebration of White Pioneer Days. The event is always the third weekend in July, so this year’s festivities will take place July 18-21. The theme for 2019 is “There’s

No Place Like Home,” and you’ll probably see Dorothy, Toto and the Good Witch roaming around town through the weekend. Some of the annual highlights include the chili cook-off, which draws many chefs who try their hand at preparing America’s favorite soup, and the demolition derby, which has grown to be a very popular event.

Who doesn’t enjoy seeing cars slam into one another for fun?

White, South Dakota, really is a special small community, and the residents invite you to take the short drive and come say hello.

White

The Farmstead in White is one of the community’s many success stories. The former long-term care facility has been converted into apartments and spaces for businesses.

The Brookings Register, Saturday, May 18, 2019 - Page 3

Den-Wil has a place to call If you’re in need of a quality, affordable place to call home, Den-Wil may have just what you’re looking for.

Den-Wil, founded in 1983, has over 450 apartments in Brookings, with options to suit most every need, “from the budget conscious to affordable luxury,” Den-Wil CFO Daniel Bielfeldt said.

There are plenty of twoand three-bedroom apartments available for June, including at prime locations in between Walmart and the South Dakota State University campus.

Spacious three-bedroom, two-bath residences are available at Countryside Villas and Countryside Meadows are popular with Jackrabbits but can suit families as well.

“Each bedroom is the same size, so these are built and designed for roommates,” Bielfeldt said.

Two-bedroom units are also available close to campus at Countryside Estates, as well as a little further to the south at Country Crossing, Medary Woods and Medary Square.

Two-bedroom apartments range from $530-$680 per month, and three-bedrooms are $1005-$1080.

If you’re looking for an upgrade, Innovation Village has over 25 floor plans available, ranging from studio apartments to units with 1,500 square feet and three bedrooms.

“That property has all the amenities that anyone would think to look for, from underground parking to garbage chutes, to a gym on site, pool, hot tub, business center, outdoor grill area we maintain,” Bielfeldt said.

Den-Wil is also celebrating the opening of Wilbert Square Convention Center, which hosted its first event in March with Brookings Area Habitat

Den-Wil has over 450 apartments in Brookings, with options to suit most every need, including many along 10th Street and 22nd Avenue, conveniently located near the South Dakota State University campus.

for Humanity’s Nail the Runway fundraiser.

The facility features a large event space with more than 10,000 square feet of space as well as breakout rooms.

“With the various rooms, it’s really able to meet a variety of needs,” Bielfeldt said.

“It’s a large investment in Brookings, as we believe it will serve Brookings well. …

It’s a really expansive space that’s finished nicely and is ready for large events, whether it’s weddings or meetings. The advantage of having that cen-

Forming a future From a seed, an idea and a desire that were planted and nurtured over many years came the fruition in 2017 of St. Thomas More Catholic School in Brookings with its first kindergarten class added to the already operating preschool and junior kindergarten. In 2018, a first grade was added; and this fall 2019 will see the addition of a second grade. Finally will come a third grade in 2020.

STMCS is now enrolling students (Catholic and non-Catholic) in: preschool; junior kindergarten; and kindergarten through second grade.

Tuition assistance is available.

The school prides itself on: small class sizes; caring Christian-Catholic instructors; forming children in faith; instilling Christian values; and investing in academic excellence. The school is South Dakota State Accredited; aligned with the educational standards of the Sioux Falls Catholic Diocese and officially proclaimed by Bishop Paul Swain. School oversight is exercised by a seven-member school advisory board.

The Mission at St. Thomas More Catholic School is to “… partner with parents in the integral formation and education of students within a community of faith and education and academic excellence.”

The school’s mission is accomplished through a faithbased curriculum that instills Christian-Catholic values through work, play, taking care of each other and taking care of God’s word.

The students receive daily religious lessons, pray daily, celebrate feast days, and attend Mass weekly and on special days.

The STMCS academic schedule includes: English/

home

ter connected to the 100-room Comfort Suites is that people can host events there where attendees can stay inside and walk from their rooms to the event.”

Wilbert Square commercial and retail development is already home to two fast-casual restaurants, and a new full-service restaurant, Wilbert’s, will soon join the mix.

Learn more about all the properties Den Will has to offer at www.den-wil.com, or email contact@den-wil.com.

through faith

language arts; mathematics; science; social studies; arts education; vocal music; visual arts; physical education; Spanish; technology; a Christmas program; and a spring program.

Also promoted in the STMCS mission is a philosophy that permeates the total education of the child and the lives of the parents and staff.

It’s a philosophy that challenges students to improve the world by sharing and living Gospel values. The children grow to un- Art is one of the many subjects included in the STMCS curriculum. derstand the roots of their faith and their responsibilities as Christians. ments and plans for the future, Father Terry Anderson, we are beginning a tradition of pastor of St. Thomas More Catholic education in the comCatholic Parish, brings to the munity of Brookings. In the school a strong background in words of Saint John Paul II, Catholic education. He taught “Catholic education is above religion at St. Joseph Cathedral all a question of communicatSchool (Sioux Falls) as an as- ing Christ, of helping to form sociate priest; served as pastor Christ in the lives of others.” at St. Anthony School (Hoven), The impact of a faith-filled St. Joseph School (Sioux Falls) Catholic education on STMCS and Holy Trinity School (Hu- students is well attested to in ron); and as co-pastor at Ron- the endorsements of several calli Catholic School (Aber- parents: “(our daughter’s) exdeen). perience has trickled into our Behind all that St. Thomas family life and has made us More School is and for all that more faith-filled and aware. It it aspires to be in the future reaffirms the power of having stands the strong commitment faith at the forefront of everyof dedicated caring Chris- thing we do, even formal edtian-Catholic teachers and ucation. … Our family really staff dedicated to their faith, loves the faith-based educastudents and school families; tion, small classroom sizes, parental involvement via an ac- close relationships with famitive, dedicated and enthusiastic lies and amazing teachers and Home-School Association; and volunteers. … Including faith support for the school from the in education for our children St. Thomas More Parish com- was a huge draw for us in enmunity and beyond. rolling both a preschool and With the above accomplish- kindergarten child this year.”

Page 4 - The Brookings Register, Saturday, May 18, 2019

‘Never seen concrete Think concrete and you’re likely to think of its outdoor uses – patios, driveways and sidewalks.

Artisan Concrete Concepts, owned and operated by Chad and Amber Guthmiller in Volga, suggests you think again – about also using concrete in more artistic and decorative ways, both outdoors and indoors.

ACC’s mission is “to meet the needs of functionality with aesthetically beautiful design. We will capture people’s hearts and minds by infusing their personalities and style in our handcrafted products.”

“You’ve never seen concrete like this,” say Chad and Amber, of their company’s products. “We create high performance decorative concrete. We build many products using concrete as our medium of choice. We are constantly evolving with new products and services that will allow our customers to choose from a variety of our previously created products or choose to have us create a fully custom piece of functional art made from concrete.

“Our customers are designers, architects, home owners and businesses. They’re looking for something different and custom.

Concrete is very versatile and can capture many different textures and styles.”

Artisan products include: crafted countertops, bathroom vanities and sinks, fireplace surrounds, wall tiles, outdoor planters, home décor planters, fire pits, furniture, and memorial stones in the pre-cast division.

“Vertical Carving is also something we

like this’

offer,” Amber explained. “With it we can create fireplace surrounds, wall facades, and landscape stones.

We will also host DIY classes, educating people about concrete, our products, and what Artisan Concrete Concepts can create.”

The Guthmillers operate ACC out of a new space in Volga designed to help them meet today’s demands and challenges. The 3,500-square-foot facility has 2,500 square feet dedicated to producing and shipping their concrete products.

The building will have 1,000 square feet of retail space to capture the attention of local consumers. The space will give ACC a place to photograph products for the commerce store and website and a conference room to meet Artisan Concrete Concepts uses concrete in more artistic with clients. and decorative ways than just your average patios, The facility will also allow driveways and sidewalks.

Chad and Amber to host events for “concrete and wine nights,” where they in- background, but he’s been into decorative vite people to join them in crafting projects concrete for about 11 years part-time and that showcase ACC’s product line. full-time for five years.

The Guthmillers will have a grand open- “Artisan concrete is a dirty business,” he ing for ACC in August, and their product said. “And that’s exactly why I love getting line will be seen at the Brookings Summer my hands grubby with doing it.”

Arts Festival on July 13 and 14. They’ve Learn more about Artisan Concrete come a long way in getting to where they Concepts at www.artisanconcretebychadare today. guthmiller.com, call 695-1802, or stop by Chad started out with a construction 110 Kasan Ave., Volga.

ADVANCE Direct Support Professionals

earn credentials “The quality, not the longevity, of one’s life is what is important.”

Martin Luther King, Jr.

ADVANCE, a private, non-profit agency in Brookings, South Dakota, offers a wide variety of services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The majority of these services are provided by Direct Support Professionals (DSPs).

Staff development and professional growth is important to our agency, and we have recently implemented a nationally recognized program to credential our DSPs. “The National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) has developed a national certification program for Direct Support Professionals working in community human services. The purpose of this certification program is to provide national recognition for the contributions and competence of Direct Support Professionals who apply for and meet the certification standards.” NADSP.org In 2018, we had the kickoff for ADVANCE’S NADSP credentialing program.

For our inaugural program, we chose six staff members to participate: Marv Bahr (Part Time Day Services), Sarah Carlson (Full Time Day Services), Jennifer Wernisch (Full Time Day Services), Parker Nel-

son (Full Time Vocational), Allie Murphy (Full Time Residential), and Lacey Lynn (Part Time Residential). The goal of the program is to grow each year by about 10 DSPs. Our initial group started out by learning about the accreditation process and becoming DSPRs (Registered), which is the first level of certification. This process included working in the field for at least six months, completing initial training, completing an application, signing and committing to the NADSP Code of Ethics, and writing a letter of professional commitment stating their desire to offer quality supports to people as a professional goal.

The group is now in the process of submitting portfolios to become certified at DSP-C level 1. Staff members who complete Jen Wernisch, who completed the first level of this process will also receive a pay certification, spends time building relationships increase to reflect the achievement with a person she supports. of certification. The feedback we have received so far from the staff involved ADVANCE is very proud to be offering has been very positive. They say it’s been this opportunity for professional developa very rewarding and inspiring experience ment to our staff, and we are excited to see and has helped them provide a higher quali- growth in this program in the future. ty of service to the people they support.

Discover all of SDHC’s resources The South Dakota Humanities Council has a long history of celebrating literature, promoting civil conversation, and telling the stories that define our state.

But the nonprofit, whose sole mission is to deliver humanities programming to the people of South Dakota, is not yet known to all of the local readers and writers who could benefit from its valuable programs, such as a statewide book festival that has drawn authors like Louise Erdrich and Tim O’Brien to South Dakota.

Ann Volin became the organization’s new executive director in December 2018, replacing former director Sherry DeBoer, who retired after 31 years with the SDHC and moved to Minnesota to be closer to her family. While Volin is new on the job, the Brookings native is a familiar face in the community who has been renewing old acquaintances throughout the state.

Volin invites area residents to visit her and other SDHC employees at 1215 Trail Ridge Road, Suite A, call the organization at 688-6113 or log onto www.sdhumanities. org and sdbookfestival.com.

“We want more people to learn about this resource for South Dakota, headquartered in Brookings,” Volin said.

Founded in 1972, the SDHC has a diverse audience that includes anyone who’s interested in the humanities – readers, writers and educators.

The council supports and promotes pub-

The staff at the South Dakota Humanities Council includes, from left, Ann Volin, executive director; Carolyn Marshall-Speakman, office manager; Deb Delaney, program assistant; Elaine, SDHC mascot; Ryan Woodard, communications coordinator; Melinda Berdanier, project coordinator; Jennifer Widman, Center for the Book director.

lic programming in the humanities; provides grant funding for community programs and research and discussion projects; and carries out the mission of the South Dakota Center for the Book (established by the Library of Congress in 2002) through reading and literacy programs and the annual Festival of Books.

The Festival provides opportunities to meet authors, get their autographs, listen to them discuss their books, discover new books, meet other readers, and much more.

Last fall’s Festival brought dozens of writers to Brookings, and in 2019 it makes its every-other-year move to the opposite side of the state, planned for Oct. 4-6 in Deadwood.

The Festival is a perfect example of the SDHC’s outreach efforts to promote the humanities in South Dakota. At its annual

Honors Convocation in March 2019, the Van D. and Barbara B. Fishback Honors College at South Dakota State University presented its Outstanding Community Partner Award to the South Dakota Festival of Books in recognition of the opportunities the Festival has offered to SDSU Honors students.

Jennifer Widman, director of the South Dakota Center for the Book, accepted the award on behalf of the South Dakota Humanities Council.

“We’ve been so fortunate to collaborate with the SDSU Honors College to provide opportunities for students to hear directly from Pulitzer Prize-winning historians and journalists, best-selling novelists and poets, and many more,” she said.

But don’t wait until next fall’s Festival to find out all that the SDHC has to offer. Stop by the Brookings office today.

The Brookings Register, Saturday, May 18, 2019 - Page 5

Page 6 - The Brookings Register, Saturday, May 18, 2019

Business expansion making Volga even Volga has long been a wonderful city in which to live and raise a family, and recently it’s become a more attractive place to start, expand or relocate a business. Examples of the growth of business in Volga in the past year include: Artisan Concrete Concepts was an existing business in Scotland, South Dakota. Owners Chad and Amber Guthmiller wanted to expand in an area that gave their business additional opportunities for growth, as well as giving their four daughters an excellent education. After meeting with Volga Development Corporation (VDC) representatives, they chose to construct a new building on Kasan Avenue on a lot the VDC had available for sale. The Guthmillers are excited to show the community all of the great things they create with concrete such as firepits, fireplace surrounds, countertops, decorative planters and benches, just to name a few.

Construction of the 45,000-square-foot Prairie AquaTech manufacturing facility is well underway to the south of the South Dakota Soybean Processors plant. They are planning to begin production of soybean meal into high-quality feed ingredients to the global aquaculture industry in mid-2019. They will employ 35 when the plant is in full production.

Valley FiberCom, with its headquarters in Herreid, South Dakota, is making a large investment in the community with a new service center under construction on Kasan Avenue. They will begin providing broadband internet, digital TV, landline telephone and safety and security services to customers in Volga throughout 2019.

SpotOn Printing and Country Sass Boutique opened in the fall of 2018 at 207 Kasan Ave., Suite C. The two businesses, co-owned and locally managed by Darci Ford, feature quality embroidered and/or screen-printed clothing for businesses, organizations and of course, the Cossacks. The boutique features clothing for women and carries a wide selection of plus sizes, which Ford said are especially difficult for many women to find.

Local Business Incentives In the past year the City of Volga, working with electrical utility provider to the City and a valued partner in economic development, Heartland Consumers Power District (HCPD), has developed and implemented a new Sales Tax Incentive Grant Program.

Over the first three years of operation, eligible new and expanding businesses have the opportunity to receive grants equal to 50%, 35%, and finally 20% of local sales tax collected.

These grants add up to more than one year of local sales tax going back to the business. Other

better

Artisan Concrete Concepts

Prairie AquaTech

Valley Fibercom

SpotOn Printing and Country Sass Boutique

opportunities for businesses include incentives from HCPD, which offers programs for new business such as significant rebates on electrical expenses or low-interest loans. Brookings County has a Property Tax Discretionary Formula for newly constructed commercial or industrial buildings assessed at $30,000 or more and VDC provides a matching grant up to $5,000 for downtown businesses to improve the exterior appearance of their buildings.

City staff are happy to provide additional information on all these incentives and discuss how you may bring or expand your business in Volga. Contact them at 605-627-9113.

While many of Volga’s residents work in surrounding towns, there are a number of great employers here! Our progressive city administration is working hard at recruiting businesses we think are assets for our community and helping them achieve their growth plans. We encourage residents to support our existing businesses who strive to offer the goods and services residents want and need.

Looking for an education in theology,

but can’t relocate?

The Institute of Lutheran Theology (ILT) is an independent, accredited Lutheran seminary and graduate school located in Brookings.

Since its inception 10 years ago, ILT has sought to provide classical theological education from a Lutheran perspective online through live video-conferencing. ILT is engaged in graduate education, seminary education and lay education.

In the last year, ILT has added the Master of Military Chaplaincy (M.M.C.) program and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree.

ILT now trains chaplains who can serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. Chaplain candidates with an endorsing church body can study online at ILT while working on the various internship requirements. These students are then commissioned to serve within the various branches of the Armed Forces.

The Ph.D. program beginning in Fall 2019 allows students to focus deeply on Biblical theology, philosophical theology, ethics, systematic and historical theology. Students build a

program that will give them competencies in their chosen area of study.

ILT’s academic environment permits students to engage Lutheran theology at various levels of academic rigor. From the lay person seeking to learn more about what the Bible says, to the person called to be a pastor, to the person studying to become an academic theologian, ILT offers programs to help students achieve their goals.

For more information, visit the ILT website at www.ilt.edu.

“Classical theological education from a Lutheran perspective online ...”

The Institute of Lutheran Theology (ILT), an independent, accredited Lutheran seminary and graduate school, is located at 910 Fourth St. in Brookings.