Elevate Magazine - June 2022

Downtown Rapid City | Rice Honda | Storybook Island

JUNE 2022

euml Vo 3. esuI No. 6

REMEMBERING

THE FLOOD

OF 1972

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'THE FLOOD' THAT GIFTED RAPID CITY RESILIENCE On the afternoon of June 9th, 1972, had you been living in Rapid City, South Dakota, and had you the thought of glancing up at the sky, the first thing you would have noticed was the size and color of the clouds—thick and dark and billowing on the horizon, like nothing you’d ever seen before.

Perhaps you would have thought it a little odd and braced yourself for rain. Or, more likely, you would have gone about your business the same way thousands of others had done and attributed that strange sky to the unpredictability of the weather in western South Dakota.

What you wouldn’t have done, what you couldn’t have possibly thought to do, was prepare yourself and your family for the heavens to unleash a torrential hell so vast that fifty years later, no one would probably believe you without the pictures.

Welcome to this issue of Elevate, where we don’t have to tell you how the story ends. Two hundred, thirty-eight dead.

Thousands injured. Over a billion dollars in destruction (in today’s money). The Black Hills Flood of 1972, as it’s known nationally, is historic by any standards and, to this day, still ranks as the sixth-worst flood in the history of the United States. Locally, it’s simply called “the Flood,” but survivors can tell you it was more than that; it was like a monster screaming in the night, taking with it anything unlucky enough to stand in its path.

But the flood is also a story of resilience, and those are the stories we bring you here. Some you’ve probably heard before, like the story of former Mayor Don Barnett, who was the youngest mayor in America at the time of the flood and who had to show up at the morgue on the morning of June 10th to help identify the dead.

ELEVATE • MAY 2022

And while you’ve probably heard about the reconstruction of Storybook Island, other stories haven’t received as much attention. We hope you enjoy this historic issue.

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These stories are a testament to the human spirit, a testament to the courage of the region, and most importantly, a testament to a brighter future for generations to come.

Stay safe and God-speed,

Tom Johnson, President & CEO

Elevate is a monthly publication produced by Elevate Rapid City. It is the premier business magazine for the Black Hills region telling the stories that make our area unique and vibrant.

PO Box 747, Rapid City, SD 57709 605.343.1744 elevaterapidcity.com

PRESIDENT & CEO Tom Johnson ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Matt Brunner MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Shiloh Francis PUBLIC POLICY DIRECTOR Anna Hays WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT & TALENT ATTRACTION DIRECTOR Samantha McGrath INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP DIRECTOR Mitch Nachtigall EVENTS & TRAINING MANAGER Rachel Nelson BUSINESS RETENTION & EXPANSION MANAGER Larissa Hespen ECOSYSTEM SUPPORT & PROPERTY MANAGER Loni Reichert PUBLIC POLICY MANAGER Garth Wadsworth OFFICE MANAGER & HR COORDINATOR Liz Highland HOUSING COORDINATOR Laura Jones EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Becky Knox

DESIGN AND LAYOUT Bailey Sadowsky, Shadow Sky Creative Co. PUBLISHED BY THE RAPID CITY JOURNAL Ben Rogers, President ben.rogers@lee.net ADVERTISING Eddie Hebron, 605.394.8356 ehebron@amplifieddigitalagency.com PRINTED BY SIMPSONS PRINTING

JUNE 2022 Volume 3 // Issue No. 6

STORYBOOK VITA SANA ISLAND Rebuilding Storybook Island after the 1972 flood.

BY MICHELLE PAWELSKI

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THORNS & ROSES FLOOD OF 1972

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RICE HONDA STARTING OVER

Leaders decide the future of growth for downtown.

Barnett shares about his mayorship during the flood.

The Rice family overcomes tragedy to rebuild better.

BY MAIN STREET SQUARE

BY SHILOH FRANCIS

BY MICHELLE PAWELSKI

elevaterapidcity.com

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SHAPING DOWNTOWN

Cover photo by Visit Rapid City

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May 31, June 3-6

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1972 FLOOD DAMAGE

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Shaping Future THE

down

ELEVATE • MAY 2022

FOR

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STORY BY MAIN STREET SQUARE

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ELEVATE • MAY 2022

“THE DRC BOARD IDENTIFIED THREE KEY PRIORITIES: SAFETY, DOWNTOWN LIVING AND DOWNTOWN BUSINESS GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. IF WE CAN MEET THOSE GOALS, DOWNTOWN RAPID CITY WILL SEE ITS TRUE POTENTIAL.” - DOMICO RODRIGUEZ

They chose the latter, and the generations that followed have enjoyed the shade of the trees planted for them, literally and figuratively. Areas like Sioux Park, Meadowbrook Golf Course, and more would not exist today if not for their ability to see an even better future for Rapid City.

Today’s community leaders are faced with a similar decision as they look at the future of Downtown.

Growth is not only coming, but it is happening.

Rapid City was named the 36th fastest growing city in the United States. If the investment is not made now to plan for the continued growth, it could fall victim to the same pains of other communities. Take I-25 in northern Colorado, for example. It has been under construction for more than ten years because Denver’s growth was so rapid the interstate system was not prepared for the traffic, and it is now in a continual state of growth and repair to meet the needs of the traffic.

Rapid City has already made historic strides and

investments into creating a community to be enjoyed by generations to come. The Monument Arena opened its doors in the fall of 2021 and has already hosted concerts, community events, athletic games, and more. A community investment much like one made by the voters of 1975 who elected to create the half-cent sales tax, today known as the Vision Fund.

Earlier this year the Rapid City Council made another historical decision in shaping the future of downtown Rapid City when it approved the TIF for Block 5, a multi-use facility that will live on the block between 5th and 6th street downtown off St. Joe. This building will feature ground-level retail, a business-traveler hotel, and apartments to bring additional foot traffic to an already bustling downtown.

Although the growth is already happening, it is easy to understand fear of the uncertainty that comes with it. Domico Rodriguez, president & CEO of Destination Rapid City said, “It’s important that people are patient. There will be growing pains but if we work together and come up with plans for that growth rather than be reactive, we can ensure that we grow in a smart manner.”

elevaterapidcity.com

In 1972, Rapid City leaders had a choice: do they build back and maintain the status quo? Or do they look forward and see not Rapid City as it was, but as it could be?

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In addition to Block 5, there are two housing projects currently under construction: Legacy and The Elements. A key component to a vibrant and safe downtown is residents. They patronize businesses year-round and create the base of business for downtown.

Downtown Business Development is also a key focus. As downtown grows, the community must ensure there are businesses that meet the needs of residents and the millions of visitors that come downtown annually. “Downtown is where people will come to play and experience what Rapid City has to offer,” said Rodriguez. “The night of the Morgan Whalen concert in May, Downtown Rapid City was BUZZING! That was just a sneak peek of what is to come.” If businesses learn to adapt and take advantage of these opportunities, restaurants, bars, retail, hotel, and lounges will benefit from any events downtown.

“Our board and other community partners like the City of Rapid City, Elevate, and Visit Rapid City are passionate about quality growth for the region,” he said. “The DRC board identified three key priorities: Safety, Downtown Living and Downtown Business growth and development. If we can meet those goals, Downtown Rapid City will see its true potential.”

“DOWNTOWN IS WHERE PEOPLE WILL COME TO PLAY AND EXPERIENCE WHAT RAPID CITY HAS TO OFFER." ELEVATE • MAY 2022

- DOMICO RODRIGUEZ

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The

1972

flood

remembered for

50 years

BY SHILOH FRANCIS // PHOTOS BY SHILOH FRANCIS // HISTORIC IMAGES FROM RAPID CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY

ELEVATE • MAY 2022

STRONG LEADERSHIP TRANSFORMED TRAGEDY INTO OPPORTUNITY, ALLOWING RAPID CITY TO THRIVE

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on Barnett knew

death and destruction. He’d served in the Vietnam war in 1969 at the age of 26.

But he’d returned home to Rapid City determined to put that phase of his life behind him. He vowed to shake things up, vowed to make a difference. And at the age of 29, he became the youngest

Then

Unfortunately, the victory was short-lived. Only two months later, Don found himself once again surrounded by death and destruction—not overseas in the middle of a war, but at

home as the result of an attack from a foe he couldn’t fight: nature itself.

The Flood of 1972. Rapid City experienced a cataclysmic torrent that left 238 citizens dead, destroyed 720 homes, and severely damaged another 1,400 dwellings and 200 commercial structures along Rapid Creek.

Fifty years later, sitting on a bench of what is now known as Canyon Lake Park, memories of that night are still vivid in Don Barnett’s memory.

“I try not to let my imagination get away from me,” he says.

Now

elevaterapidcity.com

D

mayor in Rapid City’s history.

Soon the upstart mayor had delivered on a promise to shake things up, notably winning a special election to build a civic center. “Rapid City had shaken off…an ‘acquired habit of saying no to progress,’” said the Rapid City Journal when the results rolled in at the time.

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2020

ELEVATE • MAY 2022

“I NEVER COULD HAVE FATHOMED THE BEAUTY THAT WOULD COME FROM SUCH A QUAGMIRE OF DESPAIR.”

elevaterapidcity.com

- DON BARNETT

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“But for the first few years, I would still relive moments from that night.”

Those moments made Don Barnett a leader. Just like when he was elected, Don had to make decisions that went against the status quo. The night of the flood, he went on his own authority to put out an allpoints bulletin telling people to get away from Rapid Creek. The National Weather Service had not given the approval. But he knew, as he heard from those near Pactola, the water was coming. And with no wind in the air to move the clouds and the rain not slowing, things were doing to be devastating.

After a long night spent locating people and resources, and even a morning at the morgue helping to identify bodies, the young leader knew that he, and the community would need a period of mourning following by a time to shift attention to the future.

Two days later, at 6:00 p.m. Sunday night, the Mayor and City Council sat in a room.

“I knew we had to walk out of that room with an answer to what kind of a theme of recovery Rapid City was going to have,” Don recalls.

The Feds had already offered and committed to rebuilding 400 pads to replace a destroyed trailer park.

But Barnett and the City Council knew it was not enough. It wasn’t right to rebuild and replace, they had to relocate.

“I remember Leonard “Swanny” Swanson so clearly saying ‘NO! We cannot sentence survivors to one more night on these suicidal flood plains!’ It set the trajectory for Rapid City’s recovery.”

A unanimous agreement from the council helped to set the theme of recovery. Rapid City would no longer continue fighting nature by remaining the same. There had already been too many floods and lives lost.

They could not risk another. It was time to reshape the city.

“I never could have fathomed the beauty that would come from such a quagmire of despair,” Don says now, once again looking around Canyon Lake Park — the green grass, the children in swings, the dogs on leashes, a vivid contrast to the rapidly rising waters that had once rolled cars, washed-out bridges, and destroyed homes.

Fifty years later, it’s hard to fathom what Rapid City was like that week in 1972.

Thorns and

roses ELEVATE • MAY 2022

For more information about Mayor Don Barnett’s Memoir Thorns and Roses visit

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WWW.DONBTHORNSROSES.COM

People enjoy the parks, bike paths, hiking trails, soccer fields, from Canyon Lake Park to the Central States Fairgrounds. Without the courage and foresight of the council and Mayor Don Barnett, none of it would have been possible.

“I KNEW WE HAD TO WALK OUT OF THAT ROOM WITH AN ANSWER TO WHAT KIND OF A THEME OF RECOVERY RAPID CITY WAS GOING TO HAVE.”

As current generations enjoy the benefits of those changes, it’s important to remember it didn’t come without challenges. There were those who fought change and wanted the city to rebuild things exactly the way things were the day before the flood. It took courage to stand in the face of opposition and build a better tomorrow.

Barnett recently wrote a book about the flood and his time as mayor. The book, entitled Thorns and Roses, is an appropriate title for all the memories and moments for such a defining time in one young man’s life.

-DON BARNETT

The loss (or as Barnett calls them, the thorns) that occurred 50 years ago will forever have its imprint on the fabric of Rapid City. But it is the resiliency and willingness to turn tragedy into opportunity that has allowed Rapid City to continue to grow and thrive, for generations to come.

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Community bands

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BY MICHELLE PAWELSKI // PHOTOS BY VISIT RAPID CITY

Merle Gunderson’s dream was to create a place where all children could play amid their favorite storybook characters. On August 16, 1959, that dream came true when Fairyland Park, later named Storybook Island, opened its gates welcoming 10,000 people over the London Bridge. While it was Merle’s vision, it was a community effort that brought it to reality.

ELEVATE • MAY 2022

Storybook Island’s proximity to Rapid Creek added a scenic surrounding. Water for some nursery rhyme sets and home

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to fish, ducks, and other marine life.

However, on June 9, 1972, that Creek which offered a calm home and scenery quickly turned violent and destructive.

The rush of water down the normally peaceful creek took everything in its path including the majority of the 12-acre park.

“There was complete destruction,” according to Jackie Laws, executive director of Storybook Island. The pumpkin of Cinderella’s coach floated about a half-mile downstream finally stopping in the Baken Park Shopping

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elevaterapidcity.com

ELEVATE • MAY 2022

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HISTORIC PHOTOS COURTSEY OF STORYBOOK ISLAND

"THE PUMPKIN OF CINDERELLA’S COACH FLOATED ABOUT A HALF-MILE DOWNSTREAM FINALLY STOPPING IN THE BAKEN PARK SHOPPING CENTER’S PARKING LOT." - JACKIE LAWS

As community members began picking up the pieces of their community, the future of the children’s park was uncertain. That is until a few business owners stepped up to start the reconstruction process.

Pete Mellgren, Rapid City business owner and donor of one of the original

sets in 1959, handed Rotary Club President Vince Baumgartner a check for $1,000 and said, “Let’s rebuild Storybook Island.” They convinced then-mayor Don Barnett to lease the club nearby land and applied for Federal flood relief funds. “It was estimated to be around $450,000 to renovate the park,” Jackie said. “They applied for a $225,000 grant with the provision that a matching amount would be raised in the community.”

A public fund drive was launched to start raising the matching part of the federal funds. With land and initial funding, the physical work to rebuild began.

elevaterapidcity.com

Center’s parking lot. The whale floated farther, ending up downtown near the Alex Johnson Hotel. Only a few objects out of the more than 30 sets were salvageable, including the 60,000-pound locomotive and the firetruck, Jackie said. Some sets were never found.

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ELEVATE • MAY 2022

“They brought in 135 truckloads of dirt and started to rebuild the sets mostly through volunteer work,” Jackie explained.

“I’ve heard stories that even though so many community members lost family members and homes, they chose to come here and help rebuild Storybook Island before their own houses.”

The rebuilding of Storybook Island continued through the fall and winter of 1972, all of 1973 and through the spring of 1974. Just as in 1959, businesses, organizations, and community members came together to create a vision, and on July 25, 1974, Storybook Island reopened.

“The community really stepped up and they still do,” Jackie said.

In its more than 60 years, the children’s park remains a community project run completely on donations. Recent large donations allowed Jackie and her staff to refurbish existing equipment and purchase new pieces with a focus on being ADA compliant and accessible to all children. Among the new equipment is a wheelchair-accessible train, sensory boards for children with autism, and Braille. Jackie, who brought her children to the park many years ago, already has big plans for the future of the children’s park including complete accessibility of all equipment. “I want to update everything on our existing eight and a half acres and then start developing the other five.”

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“We’ve had great community support,” Jackie said. “It’s completely overwhelming how much this community cares for Storybook Island.”

“IT’S COMPLETELY OVERWHELMING HOW MUCH THIS COMMUNITY CARES FOR STORYBOOK ISLAND.” - JACKIE LAWS

When the gates open for the 63rd season, the iconic children’s park and city landmark will have more than 40 new or refurbished storybook and fairy tale sets – one of the largest projects since the complete rebuilding of the park nearly 50 years ago.

elevaterapidcity.com

And Merle Gunderson’s daughter, Margaret, will be there on opening day to cut the ribbon, just as she was in 1959 when the park first opened.

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ELEVATE • MAY 2022

sta rt i n g

over

Rice family rebuilds successful business after losing nearly everything

STORY BY MICHELLE PAWELSKI

Don was referring to the devastation left behind from the flood that raged through Rapid City that night killing 238 people and destroying hundreds of businesses along the city’s main corridors including the Rice family business. “I wondered what went through my mom’s mind. What’s the definition of ‘it’s all gone?’ Was there a foot of water in the store? But it was a complete loss,” said Wade who had just celebrated

his 9th birthday a day before the flood.

“After the dam broke, the water came through and washed up on M Hill and when it came back across the road it was supposedly a 13-foot wall of water that went through the showroom doors.” Don, some of his employees, and a woman they saved from a nearby apartment found safety on the second floor of the Rice’s concrete building.

Don spent the entire night watching as over a decade of hard work washed down Rapid Creek.

elevaterapidcity.com

Wade Rice recalls overhearing his mom on the phone talking to his dad. “It’s all gone,” Don Rice told his wife Phyllis.

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In 1955, Don started servicing and selling motorcycles out of his garage. The business was instantly a success and quickly outgrew the confines of the Rice’s garage. They moved a few times before ending up on some land outside the city center where Chili’s Grill & Bar is now located. “At that point, he was working on getting the Honda car franchise, but they said car dealerships are in cities, not along interstates. My dad was ahead of his time,” Wade said pointing to the fact that nearly all dealerships are now located near Interstate-90. Don could only get the Honda franchise if he moved his business into the city. Which he did.

Don moved his fleet onto Omaha Street, a thriving business corridor. “Omaha was the most expensive street to have a business on, and it was the place to be,” Wade said. “People my dad’s age and down to people my age really got a taste of what it was like versus what it is like today. Most people have no idea what it was like driving down that street when all those businesses were flourishing.”

Don’s two-story showroom was located where the Omaha Street Disc Golf course is now.

then the car races. “We were a big car racing family,” he said adding that the family business sponsored a race car, and they routinely attended the Friday nice races. The races were canceled and as the family traveled back Wade remembers the black cloud that hovered over the city. “The cloud was the darkest cloud I have ever seen. We were bummed out and for some reason on the way home, we stopped

by Storybook Island. We could see the water rising and went home.”

When they got home, Wade and his friends, not realizing the destruction to come, were playing out in the rising water outside the family’s Yucca Drive home. “We were playing in it like idiots,” Wade said. “There was probably two feet of asphalt that wasn’t covered by water. The water kept coming and coming. I don’t think we would have drowned that night playing out in the water but if you tripped and fell at any time there would have been a rush of water.”

Meanwhile, Don, along with some friends and employees stopped, at the dealership after the canceled car races. With the water rising and the rain continuing to pour down, Don and his crew were stuck along Omaha. “There

THE CLOUD WAS THE DARKEST CLOUD I HAVE EVER SEEN. WE WERE BUMMED OUT AND FOR SOME REASON ON THE WAY HOME, WE STOPPED BY STORYBOOK ISLAND. WE COULD SEE THE WATER RISING AND WENT HOME.” - WADE RICE

ELEVATE • MAY 2022

It seemed like an ideal location to grow the family business. “My dad was four months away from owning additional property three or four blocks around the existing dealership.

He had Toyota and Honda along with the motorcycles,” Wade said.

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That business plan, however, took a dramatic turn when the dark clouds set in on June 9, 1972. It was a Friday night and Wade had plans to celebrate his birthday with some friends going to Mr. Steak for dinner and

were some apartments behind the dealership, and they found one woman holding on to a pole. They grabbed her and brought her in.

Everything was so strange. My dad nearly got swept away. They heard stuff that night you can’t unhear. There are a lot of people that were saved, but there were neighbors who were never found.”

The business was a complete loss – desks, motorcycles, and vehicles, all swept away by the floodwaters. “I am sure people got some free motorcycles. There was a lot we couldn’t

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locate,” Wade said. “I didn’t go down to the dealership for two weeks and still there were piles of mud everywhere and a horrible smell.

It’s a smell you just can’t get out of your mind.

I remember the big vertical Toyota sign was bent over,” he added.

“On the other side of Omaha Street there were houses and businesses. It was just all gone.”

Amid the mud and other debris were a few floor safes that avoided the fateful waters that night. Wade’s mom took whatever money they could salvage, laid the bills out on a cookie sheet, and put them in the oven to dry.

Without flood insurance, rebuilding the family business would not be easy, but the Rice family, with Don at the helmb was determined to do just that. “The government let businesses borrow money at a low-interest rate and that is what helped the family start over.”

Friends along with customers who attended the annual Sturgis Rally helped clean debris and mud and Honda shipped the family an

$8,000-starter package. “That effort and help you just can’t repay. It was just out of the goodness of their hearts.”

Rice’s Rapid Motorsports stayed in their flooded out showroom for about a year before having to move out of the floodplain and then moved to a building where J&J’s Truck & Auto Body is now located. “That place had no running water. We used outhouses,” Wade said. “It was horrible.”

The Rice family built two other buildings including one on Campbell before opening at their current location on East Mall Drive in 2018, a property on much higher ground.

Wade, who took over ownership 11 years ago, said his parents worked hard to start the business and then rebuild it after the catastrophic flood creating a family legacy that has survived more than 50 years. That determination has been passed down to Wade and now his children, Garrett and Reed, who plan to carry on that legacy no matter what obstacles lie ahead.

“THAT EFFORT AND HELP YOU JUST CAN’T REPAY. IT WAS JUST OUT OF THE GOODNESS OF THEIR HEARTS.”

ELEVATE • MAY 2022

- WADE RICE

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BUY. BUILD. REMODEL. REFINANCE.

BankWest makes it easy to manage your mortgage application. Apply online for financing and work with our experienced Mortgage Originators from beginning to end.

Online ANYTIME. Local expertise EVERY TIME. DARLA JONES

KELLY L. HARNETT

CYNTHIA R. FREDRICH

NMLS #747401

NMLS #1409924

NMLS #648733

Spearfish 605-559-1255

Rapid City 605-399-4277

www.bankwest-sd.bank

All loans subject to credit approval. Member FDIC.

REACH YOUR GOALS,

YOUR WAY.

We offer flexible options to streamline your degree.

On campus • Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing • Standard d Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Online • Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing • RN to B.S.N.

Online or hybrid • Master of Science in Nursing • Postgraduate certificate • Doctor of Nursing Practice

WWW.SDSTATE.EDU/NURSING TE.EDU/NURSING ABERDEEN - BROOKINGS ALLS - ONLINE RAPID CITY - SIOUX FALLS

elevaterapidcity.com

Rapid City 605-399-4211

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Clothing And Fashion

Corporate Apparel And Embroidery

Corporate apparel is our business Strengthening your image is our passion

ELEVATE • MAY 2022

Visit Us Online

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312 Main St., Rapid City, SD 57701 605.389.3838 • www.imageall.com

WELCOME DR. TROY GUST & DR. BRYAN WELLMAN NOW SEEING PATIENTS AT OUR SPINE CENTER Troy Gust, MD

Bryan Wellman, MD

Serving patients throughout South Dakota for over 15 years, Dr. Troy Gust and Dr. Bryan Wellman are specialty-trained neurosurgeons who specialize in injuries and conditions of the back, neck, and spine.

From minimally invasive spine surgery to spinal fusions, cervical artificial discs, and spinal tumors, Dr. Gust and Dr. Wellman are very proud to take care of patients in the great community of Rapid City, South Dakota, and the surrounding areas.

Call (605) 341-1414 or (800) 446-9556 to schedule an appointment.

www.bhosc.com

elevaterapidcity.com

The Spine Center 4141 5th St Rapid City, SD 57701

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ELEVATE RAPID CITY BOX 747 RAPID CITY, SD 57709

Standard US Postage

PAID

Rapid City SD Permit No. 618

JUNE 25 Saturday | 2700 N Plaza Dr | 8:00–Noon

SELL YOUR VEHICLE Cars, Trucks, Motorcycles, Campers, Boats Sellers: BHFCU Members Only Buyers: Open to the Public -Hundreds in Attendance! + Register Early to be Included in Event Advertising + On-site Loan Officers Provide Financing Options

| bhfcu.com/MAS