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Dr. Katie Juhlin

Dr. Katie grew up in Papillion, Nebraska – just southwest of Omaha – and graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry. She loves the beautiful Black Hills, which is why she made this her home following dental school. Dr. Katie’s area of focus is general dentistry for patients of all ages, and she’s excited to provide the latest advancements and best treatment available.

If you’re looking for a new dentist, call Dr. Katie today!

“This

ON THE COVER

By Tanya Manus; Photos by M Photography

8 ENGINEERING A HAPPY LIFE

MEET

KIRSTON HILPERT

“It’s really nice to live in a place where there are so many good memories, and people have good stories about Grandpa. It makes me feel like I’ve got a good connection to this place. It feels like this is where I belong,” Kirston shares. 26-31

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Patty Stover 605-390-2617 | patty@michelscom.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Melissa Chinn

TEAM OF WRITERS

Tanya Manus, Michaela Horn, Dorothy Rosby, Carrie Moser, Ingrid Hayward, Kim Fickett, Lynn Taylor Rick

COVER PHOTOGRAPHER

M Photography

EDITOR

Margi Culhane 605-940-4724 | margi@michelscom.com

DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL MARKETING

Cory Johnsen 605-951-3567 | cory@michelscom.com

REGIONAL MANAGER / GSM

Kevin Culhane 605-661-8509 | kevin@michelscom.com

SENIOR ADMINISTRATOR

Stace Osthus 605-261-0437 | stace@michelscom.com

CHIEF OF OPERATIONS

Hanna Michels 605-760-4269 | hanna@michelscom.com

Every month Black Hills Lifestyle showcases local human interest stories along with beauty, fashion, family, home, career, health and nutrition information all with beautiful photography. Black Hills Lifestyle also feature businesses, men and women in the Black Hills region. Want to subscribe to Black Hills Lifestyle and receive a copy in your mailbox every month? One year subscription is only $40.

©Copyright 2025 Michels Communications Corporation. All rights reserved. No part of this publication December be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the expressed written permission from the publisher. Black Hills Lifestyle does not necessarily endorse or agree with content of articles or advertising presented.

www.michelscom.com P.O. Box 91606 Sioux Falls, SD 57109 | 605-332-0421

By Michaela Horn

Since 2021, the magic of The Polar Express has come to life right here in Belle Fourche. The simple idea to recreate wonder and nostalgia of the beloved Christmas story has grown into one of Belle Fourche’s most cherished holiday traditions. This year marks its fourth year in operation, and the experience continues to grow as more people join in the fun from out of town.

Families arrive bundled in festive Christmas pajamas, just like the children in the book, ready to step aboard the beautifully decorated Prairie Hills Transit Trolley serving as our very own Polar Express. Before boarding, guests enjoy treats, warm hot chocolate, and the chance to soak in the sparkle of the season. Businesses throughout town join in the celebration by decorating their storefronts and community members help set the stage for the journey ahead by decorating their homes in warm glowing lights.

A real conductor welcomes riders and collects tickets. Once families settle in, treats are served and holiday music is played. The tour itself is mapped out each year, taking riders through some of the most spectacular Christmas light displays. Guests help select the winner of the annual Christmas Light Contest, making them part of the holiday magic in a meaningful way.

The kids may or may not know that there is a special surprise waiting for them. Santa himself makes an appearance for everyone on the Polar Express. He visits with each child, listens to their wishes, and takes a photo with families and friends.

The Magic continues to grow, this year we are adding two new ride options. An earlybird ride on Thursday and a special adults-only ride on Friday night, offering the perfect opportunity for grown-ups to sip cocoa, laugh, and feel like kids again.

If boarding or departing the Polar Express on December 11th and 12th, it truly is an experience that reminds people of all ages that the magic of Christmas is alive and well in Belle Fourche.

All Aboard the Polar Express

bellefourchechamber.org

DECEMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Dec. 6 - Breakfast with Santa The Rec Center

Dec. 6 - Newell Festival of Trees

Dec.1-9 - 12 Days of Christmas The Dinosaurs of Hell Creek Museum

Dec. 4 - Grant Street Block Parties

Dec. 5 - Pioneer Bank Open House Belle Fourche

Dec. 11-12 - Polar Express Rides & Christmas Light Contest

Dec. 12-14 - It’s a Wonderful Life BFACT The Rec Center

Dec.12 - CoNBA Fireworks Behind the Tri-State Museum

Dec. 12 - Newell Parade of Lights

Dec. 13 - Bestler’s Cowboy Christmas 10am

Dec. 14 - Bethlehem in Belle Fourche Global Methodist Church CoNBA Drawings Every Friday

Smile and Get In Line

By Dorothy Rosby

My husband and I refuse to go to weddings if there’s not going to be a wedding dance afterwards. No. That’s not true. But the couple does get a better gift if they’re hosting a dance. That’s just how much we love to dance. Maybe I should rephrase that. That’s just how much I love to dance. And how much my husband doesn’t hate it.

I actually have quite an extensive background in dance, though you might find that hard to believe if you’ve ever seen me on a dance floor.

When I was in college I spent an embarrassing amount of time disco dancing. I even took a semester of ballet, which was almost as embarrassing.

Back in high school, I was a member of the celebrated Harding County Ranchers Drill team, though “celebrated” might be a strong word if by celebrated you mean widely known and respected. The Rancherettes were only known inside the walls of my high school, and maybe not even there. But we were a class act. At least we thought we were.

And I loved it all though you might not have been able to tell by watching me. I hurt too much to smile in my

lot of focus to remember all those steps and I’ve never learned to concentrate and smile at the same time. I’d go so far as to say that when I concentrate really hard, I get kind of a mean look. That would never do on Dancing with the Stars

After college I participated in Jazzercise and an assortment of other aerobics classes that were a bit like dancing. Smiling wasn’t so important there. Aerobics is a workout, so mean was a good look to have.

I’ve even persuaded my husband to take a variety of dance classes with me over the years. We’ve learned to jitterbug, waltz, polka and two-step, sort of. And I admit that during our lessons there were times we both looked a little mean. Still I’m proud to say that eventually we reached that level of skill where we’re willing to dance publicly if there are a lot of other dancers on the floor to hide behind.

All of these experiences have made me the dancer I am today: the kind who dances in her kitchen when a good song comes on the radio and there’s no one watching. I don’t think I look mean dancing alone in my kitchen, but I can’t be sure.

do that so they’d stop asking me to dance with them.” Or maybe, “I wish those people would get off the dance floor so I could sweep and mop it.”

I’ll need a lot more classes before I’m willing to line dance anywhere except the classroom, or my kitchen. But I’m living proof that you don’t have to be good at something to enjoy it, a fact that many of the golfers I know will attest to.

And I did enjoy it. As I stumbled across the dance floor, I couldn’t help but think that all my previous dance experience had brought me to that moment. Line dancing is exactly like disco dancing, except that you do it in lines, there’s totally different music and there’s no strobe light.

It’s like aerobics without the sweat and like drill team without the pom-poms and cute, little matching outfits. There are even many of the same steps. The class took me back to my days as a Harding County Rancherette. There was the instructor reminding us all to smile. And there was me grape vining, doing jazz boxes and trying hard not to look mean.

Dorothy Rosby is thinking of putting a disco light in her kitchen.

Personalized Primary Care Experience

In June 2025, MDVIP, a Monument Health-affiliated practice, opened its first membership-based primary care network, MED360, the first MDVIP clinic in South Dakota located in Rapid City. This concierge-medicine model, led by Gaddiel D. Rios, MD, offers convenient services such as same-day or next-day appointments and operates by seeing fewer patients than traditional primary care doctors. By Kim

Fickett

“The decision to open the clinic was to give a level of care that had never existed in our community up to this point,” states David Byers, project manager for physician services with Monument Health. “Our program has patients seeing Dr. Rios for an extensive physical as well as their primary care needs. Under this model, Dr. Rios’ practice panel is a fraction of what a normal doctor would have, which allows him that higher level of access and longer appointment times with members so they can really get to the bottom of health issues, have longer conversations, and know their appointments will start on time.”

“The average doctor around here may have between 1,800-2,000 patients on a panel, where through this model there’s 400-600 patients on a panel,” Dr. Rios notes. “I think all physicians are going to give good care, generally speaking, so in this regard, it’s the fact that we can spend more time on that care.”

In addition to having more time allotted for each patient, Dr. Rios adds that accessibility is another perk of the membership.

“It’s really that accessibility and personalized one-on-one care that they know that I’m here for them,” Dr. Rios affirms. “Each patient gets my personal cell phone number, so if they need anything, they can reach out to me, and if they need to see me, I can get my patients in today or tomorrow as opposed to my own primary care doctor, who I may be able to see in three weeks.”

It’s that personalized care that is becoming noticed nationally when the MDVIP model data is reviewed.

“When you look at the national MDVIP data, just being a member lowers your rate of a heart attack by 12 percent and lowers your risk of a stroke by 11 percent,” Dr. Rios shares. “Why? Because we can do a deeper dive and catch things before they happen.”

Dr. Rios is one of almost 1,400 providers across 47 states nationwide. MDVIP offers members the same primary care access when away from their network because access is a key benefit that members appreciate.

Originally from Puerto Rico, he moved to the United States at the age of seven with his parents. It was at an early age that Dr. Rios says he quickly became aware of the racial inequalities in the healthcare system.

“I grew up pretty poor living in the inner city and being around those environments that are stereotypical in any ghetto you go to in the U.S., you learn very quickly how marginalized you are and at a very young age I experienced what discrimination in healthcare is and how difficult it can be to be told we’re not going to see you here and to go to a city hospital,” Dr. Rios shares. “To be marginalized that way made me think, shouldn’t we all be treated the same, and shouldn’t we all have healthcare?”

Watching his uncle graduate from college and transition into the workforce, combined with his own experiences, sparked Dr. Rios’s commitment to education and helping others explore their career options.

For Dr. Rios, it was that personal experience, combined with watching his uncle graduate from colleg cap and gown experience, that piqued his interest in education and exploring his career paths.

Dr. Rios faced adversity in high school, getting expelled from his classroom due to racial inequalities. Supportive teachers recognized his potential, and he took night classes at a community college at age 15. Dr. Rios dropped

out his senior year of high school and started college two months later.

A transformative 1986 University of Massachusetts summer program, where he shadowed ER physicians, sparked his medical passion. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Laboratory Science from Andrews University in 1990, ran a research lab at the Cleveland Clinic, and attended Tufts University.

Under the MDVIP model, patients are a part of a membership, Dr. Rios explains.

After completing an internship at Walter Reed and a residency at Fort Hood, Texas, Dr. Rios served as a Medical Officer at SHAPE in Belgium. He also served as an Army Field Surgeon/combat physician in Iraq. He ran a private practice in Houston until 2021, then opened a rural Wyoming healthcare office before becoming the chief primary care physician for the Black Hills VA until joining MDVIP’s newest location in Rapid City.

“I like to say healthcare has become an assembly line process, unfortunately, in a lot of places, and has gotten watered down because doctors are so stressed because they only have 10 minutes to spend with their patients,” Dr. Rios said. Well, I can spend an hour if I want with my patients. It doesn’t make me a smarter physician. It makes me a physician with more time and more accessibility for my patients.”

“Through MDVIP, there’s an annual $2,500 membership fee per patient. That membership is all-inclusive with two first visits where we do a deep dive into prevention and health, and how we customize the next year for the patient in terms of lowering risks and improving outcomes,” notes David.

Patients can expect initial visits to last around an hour and a half, where 13 extensive screening tests, such as cardiovascular testing, lung screening, audio/ visual testing, grip strength, an EKG, and collecting blood samples are conducted.

And when all of the lab results are back, Dr. Rios sits down with the patient to develop a preventative healthcare plan as they look into the next year.

MDVIP’s Rapid City office operates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, with Dr. Rios’ administrative time set aside for Friday afternoons.

Anyone interested in learning more about the MDVIP concierge-medicine model can visit www.mdvip.com.

RUSTIC LUXURY MEETS

UNTAMED BEAUTY

This extraordinary property features a stunning 3,158 sq ft custom log home, thoughtfully designed with a warm yet refined mountain aesthetic. Inside, you’ll find soaring ceilings, a majestic stone fireplace, and an executive chefs kitchen flowing seamlessly into the great room, ideal for entertaining or quiet nights by the fire. The upper level includes a spacious primary suite with a tiled walk-in shower, jetted tub, and serene forest views. A second bedroom, full bath, and a lofted exercise area complete the upper floor. Downstairs, enjoy a climate-controlled wine cellar that adds the perfect touch of sophistication. A second home on the property offers over 2,700 sq ft of additional living space with three bedrooms, ideal for guests, multigenerational living, or income potential.

Outbuildings include a barn and detached garage, giving you plenty of space for toys, tools, or animals. Nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate direct access to the George S. Mickelson Trail, stretching over 100 miles of scenic pathways, trestle bridges, and historic tunnels. North Fork Rapid Creek meanders along the eastern edge of the property, feeding a tranquil pond and inviting wildlife year-round. With National Forest Service land bordering three sides, this is a private, peaceful haven that feels miles away from it all, yet close to everything that makes the Black Hills extraordinary. This is more than a home, it’s a legacy property. Listed by Jeff Lawler & Lori Barnett at Engel & Volkers Black Hills.

LORI BARNETT Owner/Broker

Curating Connection with Antiques 1876 and Rita & Mandi’s Home Decor

By Ingrid Hayward

Deadwood, SD, is a town full of great stories, and Antiques 1876 and Rita & Mandi’s Home Décor is soon going to be one of them. It’s a place where history meets creativity, and where every piece, whether it’s a cowhide rug, a repurposed dresser, or a Western wall hanging, has a story to tell.

Step inside, and you’ll see it right away: the space is warm, welcoming, and full of so many unique things. There’s Western décor, repurposed furniture, floral arrangements, chalk paint supplies, and, yes, cowhides for sale. But what makes it special isn’t just the items, it’s the people behind them. Joey, Jeff, Rita, and Mandi aren’t just selling furniture or home décor; they’re sharing their passion, their creativity, and a little piece of themselves.

Jeff’s family has been in antiques for generations, and Joey joined them 14 years ago. Together, they’ve built a collection of pieces that feel timeless and full of character. Rita’s story is just as personal. She started in a corner of her father’s antique store in Yankton, selling items she loved. Her daughter, Mandi, soon joined her, and together they grew the business into Rita & Mandi’s Home Décor. They added furniture makeovers, chalk paint supplies, and seasonal floral décor with a touch of rustic Western charm.

Joey and Rita first met at their Custer locations and quickly became friends. They realized that together they could create something bigger than either of their stores alone. That friendship grew into a partnership, and eventually, a shared vision and then a shared store in Deadwood. “There is nothing

like this in Deadwood, and we just felt this collaboration would fill a void in the market and bring something the area needs. It just clicked, we realized our styles fit together perfectly, and Deadwood was the perfect place to bring it all to life,” Rita says.

The heart of the store is creativity and care. Joey and Jeff love antiques, not just for what they are, but for the stories they carry. They take joy in finding new homes for pieces that might otherwise be forgotten, imagining how a weathered dresser or rustic table could fit into someone’s living room and become the centerpiece of a new family memory, or even a future heirloom. Rita and Mandi love helping customers bring those pieces to life, whether it’s with a fresh coat of chalk paint, a seasonal floral arrangement, or a perfectly chosen cowhide rug.

But it’s not just about the merchandise. It’s about people connecting. You will most likely find Joey at the Deadwood location, as she and Jeff now live in the area. Stop in, say hello, and find that treasure you didn’t know you were looking for.

With a knack for finding the unexpected, there’s something here for everyone. And with inventory that’s always changing, no two visits are ever the same. Walking through the aisles, you’ll notice that every corner has a treasure to see. Rustic furniture sits next to Western décor, cowhides hang like artwork, and floral arrangements brighten the space. The store feels curated but lived-in, like stepping into someone’s home rather than a showroom. This is a store with pieces that are sure to become a cherished part of your home.

Deadwood is full of history, but Antiques 1876 and Rita & Mandi’s Home Décor add a unique Western flavor all its own. It’s more than just a store; it’s a place to discover and get inspired.

Whether you’re on the lookout for a special find, picking out something to make your home truly yours, or simply coming in for a friendly conversation, this is a place that makes you feel right at home.

Visit Antiques 1876 and Rita & Mandi’s Home Décor at 460 Main St., Deadwood, SD. Follow them on social media to see new arrivals and seasonal inspiration.