Empire - Feb 24

EMPIRE A

L I F E S T Y L E

M A G A Z I N E

FROM LEMONS TO LE M ONA DE

PHOTOGR APHY B Y SHANE MONAH AN

SIOUX FALLS Bridges at 57th

SIOUX CITY 2 1 0 9

W .

5 7 T H

S T

|

SIOUX FALLS •

S I O U X

F A L L S ,

S D

| •

OMAHA

|

( 6 0 5 ) 3 3 8 - 9 0 6 0

FARGO •

|

WAYZATA

W W W . G U N D E R S O N S . C O M

6

EMPIRE A

L I F E S T Y L E

M A G A Z I N E

CONTRIBUTORS team of writers Andrea Van Essen, Lauren Johnson, Erica Wilcox, Michelle Hamm, Nicole Holmberg, Sarah Grassel and Stacey Kracht

Account Executives Jill Foley 712-490-8506 | jill@michelscom.com Kevin Culhane 605-661-8509 | kevin@michelscom.com Chris Hilson 605-661-9940 | chris@michelscom.com

Editor Heather Jordan heather@michelscom.com

Photography Shane Monahan Photography www.shanemonahanphotography.com

graphic designers Makenzie Jorgenson Ashley Carrison Flint Farley

DIRECTOR OF DIGITIAL MARKETING Cory Johnsen cory@michelscom.com

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

WWW.EMPIRELIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM PO Box 91606, Sioux Falls, SD 57109 | 605-332-0421

We encourage local professionals and businesses to submit articles. All articles are subject to publisher’s editing and approval. Empire Magazine does not necessarily endorse or agree with content of articles or advertising presented.

Every month Empire showcases local human interest stories along with beauty, fashion, family, home, career, health and nutrition information all with beautiful photography. We also feature businesses, men and women and homes in the Sioux Falls region. Want to subscribe to Empire? One year subscription is only $40.

© Copyright 2024 Michels Communications Corporation.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the expressed written permission from the publisher. Empire does not necessarily endorse or agree with content of articles or advertising presented.

Table of

CONTENTS

FROM LEMONS TO LEMONADE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

16

6

Kendra Gottsleben

LEARN - SHOP - PLAY ON YOUR BLACK HILLS WINTER GETAWAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

16

Deadwood Chamber of Commerce

TRAVIS NYE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

18

Featured Artist

PATH TO SUCCESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

20

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

DON'T HIBERNATE, CELEBRATE! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

24

Best Dressed Blonde

18

30

OPENING DOORS WITH HANDS-ON HEALTHCARE . . . . . . .

34 30

Mitchell Technical College

READY FOR CHANGE?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

34

StoneyBrook Suites

THINK PINK: HISTORY AND FOUNDATIONS OF SIOUX QUARTZITE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

36

History

BE INSPIRED AT THE 2024 SIOUX EMPIRE HOME SHOW. . .

Community Spotlight

40

36

F ROM LE M ON S TO LE M ONA DE By: Andrea Van Essen | Photos By: Shane Monahan Photography

Kendra Gottsleben has always been in control of her own narrative.

condition, she was really focused on getting us back to a normal life,” she said.

As a professional, she has built a successful career in marketing, serves on multiple boards and committees and operates her own nonprofit organization, Rare by Design, which focuses on creating awareness, inclusion and representation for individuals with rare diseases and disabilities.

“I didn’t really know I had something. I didn’t know it wasn’t normal and that other kids didn’t have to go get all these tests. My parents never focused on my disability, and my mom would always say, ‘The word ‘can’t’ isn’t in your vocabulary.’”

The fact that she has a rare disease — mucopolysaccharidosis type VI (MPS VI) — has not proved a hindrance to her path in life, nor have her accomplishments been achieved in spite of her condition. Rather, she says, much of her journey has actually been made possible because of it.

Kendra says that the environment she was raised in, from her parents to her friends and community, was incredibly supportive and no one ever made her feel different. Because of that, she has never led with her disease.

One of Kendra’s go-to sayings is, “When life gives you lemons, make the best lemonade possible.”

It’s a mindset she described eloquently, over a decade ago, in her first TEDx talk.

She opened these words:

the

2012

presentation

with

And that, she certainly has.

Kendra was four years old when she was diagnosed with MPS VI — a genetic condition that progressively affects the heart, eyes, lungs and vital tissues.

From the very beginning, however, it was clear that the disease would not define her. In fact, she says it took a while for her to even recognize that she wasn’t “normal.”

As a child, she and her mother would regularly travel from her hometown of Vermillion to the University of Minnesota, where they would stay for three days of nonstop testing.

“It was really challenging as a little kid, being poked and prodded for three days straight, but I give props to my mom because after we would come back from those days of focusing on my

“There are two ways I could describe myself.

The first is, ‘I’m Kendra Gottsleben, a 2010 Augustana graduate who double-majored in sociology and psychology.’ The second is, “I’m Kendra Gottsleben, a 40-inch disabled individual in a wheelchair who has mucopolysaccharidosis type VI, a rare enzyme disorder.’”

She continued, “I much prefer being described the first way, emphasizing what I can do and what I have achieved. I know if I plan on reaching all my goals in life, I need to first recognize my strengths, and then use my God-given strengths.”

While Kendra emphasizes that she should not be defined by her disease, she doesn’t want to dismiss the impact it has had on her life.

“I say I don’t let it define me, but at the same time, it has led me on the path that I’m on.”

That path has been all about helping others.

Kendra has always been a helper. In elementary school, she was often the kid who others would turn to when they were struggling or needed a friend. Her natural affinity for helping people led her to study psychology and sociology in college, though she ultimately ended up in marketing at the USD Center for Disabilities. There, she is passionate about raising awareness so that more people can be positively impacted by the Center’s services.

It’s obvious that Kendra was cut out to make a difference in people’s lives from the very start.

However, she says, sometimes it takes a while for your purpose to become clear to you, even when others can see it in you.

Kendra pictured in Denver, CO on behalf of the National MPS Society at the Little People of America conference in 2017

She recalls a time when she had the opportunity to speak with a former classmate and asked him what his impression had been of her when they were younger.

He told her, “You always seemed like you knew exactly where you were going and weren’t going to let anything stop you.”

Kendra says that was surprising to hear, as she never thought of herself that way and recalls being fairly timid in school.

“Sometimes I think these things are born into us, but we don’t realize it right away,” she said.

When she isn’t at work, she serves as founder and executive director for Rare by Design, a project that fuels both her love of fashion and inclusivity. Its genesis was in 2016 when she had the opportunity to be on a fashion runway in New York City for a nonprofit called Runway of Dreams, wearing a Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive style.

Kendra, Andrew and Ellen McFadyen, founders of The Isaac Foundation in Cobourg town in Ontario, Canada

“You could feel the energy at that show, and I thought, ‘Someday I want to be able to do something like this in Sioux Falls.’”

Fast forward to spring of 2022, and she made it happen. The first Rare by Design, The Style Show: A Runway to Empower, featured models with disabilities or rare diseases, and Kendra says it was an incredible way to exhibit diversity.

“People think we’re all about fashion, but the goal of The Style Show is to show what true diversity is,” she said.

Kendra pictured with her friend Carly Marcus at BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.’s 2018 Key Lock ceremony in celebration of Rare Disease Day in Novato, CA

“I SAY I DON’T LET IT DEFINE ME, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT HAS LED ME ON THE PATH THAT I’M ON.”

“When you hear ‘diversity,’ you think of ethnicity, race, gender, (LGBTQIA) identities, but people do not put people with disabilities in that category when we are part of it. With The Style Show, we have people with disabilities and people without disabilities on the same runway, to show that this is what diversity looks like — different races, ethnicity, genders, sexualities, sizes, heights. We’re all people, but we’re all a little different and that is beautiful.”

Kendra is a sought-after public speaker on topics of diversity and inclusion, and she has also written three books — two children’s stories and one memoir titled, “Live Laugh Lemonade: A Journey of Choosing to Beat the Odds.”

She has also made contributions to research on rare diseases.

She is deeply proud of her participation in phase II of a MPS VI clinical research enzyme trial back in 2002. She and her mother had to move to Oakland, CA for six months, and she said it was the first time she had ever met someone who shared her condition — there are only about 100 people in the United States with MPS VI. “Through all the hardships I’ve had, I have met so many incredible nurses, doctors and people in my life, that if I didn’t have what I have, I don’t think I would have accomplished half of the stuff that I’m doing.”

“I don’t think writing a book would have ever come to mind, and I wouldn’t have become good friends with people in pharmaceuticals that I’ve known for years. I wouldn’t be so appreciative of healthcare professionals, and I probably wouldn’t be here at the Center for Disabilities, or have started a nonprofit.”

Talk about making lemonade out of lemons — or, in Kendra’s words, “the best lemonade possible.”

“So, even though I say I don’t let it define who I am, I think life would have been very boring, without me being where I am today.”

Photos Left to Right: Kendra and her side of cousins and their significant others and children celebrating Grandma Drew’s 90th birthday; Kendra with two families that have little girls with MPS VI like her; 2019 book signing display in Sioux Falls with all three of Kendra’s book she authored

Kendra speaking at USDTedx in Vermillion in 2023

Kendra in New York City, NY at the Runway of Dreams Foundation’s first Fashion Show in 2016 wearing Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive

2023 Rare by Design board members during The Style Show: A Runway to Empower event

Kendra pictured with her aunt and uncle on her Gottsleben side while speaking at the 16th Annual World Symposium in Orlando, FL, in February of 2020

NEVER PUT UP LIGHTS AGAIN!

Experienced Craftsmanship. Innovative Design.

Let’s Build Something Together.

712-568-6745

derocherbrothersconstruction.com dbc@derocherbrothersconstruction.com

712-422-2244

We take pride in building customer relationships that last as long as our homes. If you have questions or are looking to build a home in the Sioux Falls, Sioux City, or surrounding areas, give us a call.

getlitus@gmail.com | getlitus.com

We love what we do because of you! You are the heart of our business!

be Warm, feel Fabulous, wear Fur. Area’s largest selection of new and vintage natural fur and leather outerwear! Need your fur items cleaned or repaired? Natural and Faux services available.

LO C AT E D AT T H E B R I D G E S AT 57 T H S T R E E T 5 0 0 5 S . W E S T E R N AV E . # 1 4 0 , S I O U X FA L L S , S D 5 7 1 0 8 (605) 335-6021 • EILERFURS.COM 12 n EMPIRE

Love your Career

Love your Products

Greg,

Supervisor II

Primo,

Sanitation Specialist

Tonya,

Training Manager

See all of the sweet career opportunities available at Wells.

WellsCareers.com Drug test, background check & E-Verify required Is an EEO/AA Employer. M/F/Vet/Disabled ©2024 Wells Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.

Learn -Shop -Play on your Black Hills Winter Getaway By: Lauren Johnson

Whether you come to play the casinos, shop local boutiques, soak up some history, or enjoy winter sports, Deadwood and the Black Hills offer a spectacular winter getaway for adults and kids alike.

Deadwood History, Inc. brings the legendary history of Deadwood to life at five unique properties, four of which are open year-round. The museums in Deadwood are not a one-and-done attraction—they are constantly evolving with new artifacts and exhibits and would be a memorable highlight to add to your winter travel plans.

Adams Museum Photo By: Brittany Schoenfelder

The Adams Museum is the oldest history museum in the Black Hills, and the main floor has undergone a 90% remodel in the past seven months. Highlights include: • Deadwood or Bust, featuring a five-minute video of the Deadwood fire of 1879, and a Deadwood Then and Now display of historic photos comparing Deadwood in 1898 to today.

• Legends of Deadwood, featuring well-known characters such as Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane as well as other legends like Tootsie the Coyote, Lucretia Marchbanks, Fee Lee Wong, Madam Dora DuFran, and Potato Creek Johnny.

• Risky Business, featuring expanded exhibits with new

J.B. Haggin at the Adams Museum Photo By: Deadwood History Inc.

artifacts that detail the vice in Deadwood’s rich history, including gambling, alcohol, prostitution, and crime.

• J.B. Haggin, featuring the first engine in the Black Hills and the backstory of this important locomotive and how it arrived in Lead in 1879 and came to be on display at the Adams Museum.

• An 800 pound stampmill is on display, which describes its crushing power and how it changed the mining industry

by January 1878.

The Brothel Deadwood was recently launched with guided tours of the Shasta Rooms or Beige Door at 610 Main Street on the second floor. The tours focus on the

Brothel Deadwood Photo By: Travel South Dakota

interpretation of the century-long history of the brothels in Deadwood, but does not attempt to glamorize, approve,

Days of ’76 Museum Madame Peacocks Photo By: Deadwood History Inc. Photo By: Deadwood.com

Snowmobiling at Terry Peak Photo By: Travel South Dakota

Downhill Skiing at Terry Peak Photo By: Travel South Dakota

or condemn prostitution. Rather, it is exhibited as an integral

When the day’s outdoor activities are finished, warm up and

part of Deadwood’s unique history.

relax at one of Deadwood’s restaurants, saloons, casinos, and retail stores. All are are open year-round and are just a short

The Days of ’76 Museum commemorates the history of the

walk or trolley ride away. Live entertainment is available in

award-winning Days of ‘76 celebration and rodeo, featuring

saloons, and concerts and comedy shows are showcased

a stunning collection of American Indian artifacts, a historic

regularly at Deadwood Mountain Grand. Stop by and see

firearms collection, and a vast working collection of wagons,

The Landmark, one of Deadwood’s newest casinos housed

carriages, and stagecoaches, including some that have not

in a massive historic building on Sherman Street (opened

been on display since the opening of the museum in 2012.

November 2023). The Rocksino by Hard Rock also opened in 2023. It is the only Rocksino anywhere in the world.

The Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center houses, preserves, and provides public access to one of the nation’s largest collections of Black Hills archival materials dating from the 1870s to the present. Visitors can make an appointment to conduct research, browse through tens of thousands of historic photographs and view rare and unique historic documents.

Outdoor adventures and winter recreation abound in Deadwood among the beauty of the Black Hills, including downhill skiing and snowboarding at nearby Terry Peak, cross

Discover more at

country skiing, snowmobiling, and showshoeing (visitors

www.deadwood.com

can borrow snowshoes for free at the Deadwood Welcome Center). There’s even ice skating and bumper cars at Outlaw Square.

www.deadwoodhistory.com (605) 578-1876

Travis Nye

F E AT U R E D A RT I S T What most excites you about your work and the contribution you can make?

I enjoy performing magic for all audiences.

I remember being a kid seeing a magic show for my first time, and how amazing it was. I like to be able to recreate that same moment for other kids as well when they see their first magic show. I also love performing for adults. Performing more challenging, and advanced routines is always a thrill. However, performing for adults who are a bit guarded and are prepared not to be fooled is always my favorite audience. When I see them let their guard down and see their reactions of amazement, and overall joy… that is rewarding in itself. Oftentimes we forget to enjoy small moments and for me I can remind everyone what it is like to experience a little magic in their lives.

Who was the most influential person to you (artistically speaking)?

I pull influence from a lot of different places. Books, movies, music, and just people I meet in my everyday life. All of these interactions provide me ideas and inspiration into how I design a show. Starting out magic was just about the “tricks.” A TV performance by a professional magician in the early 90s taught me the difference between tricks, and actual magic. Lance Burton was the first professional Magician I had created more of an experience, instead of just watching tricks. Lance’s performance motivated me to be a better performer myself.

How do you want to be remembered?

This is a fantastic question. If I had to choose how I wanted to be remembered I

actually wouldn’t want to be remembered as a Magician in the sense of someone who performed on stage. I would want to be remembered as someone who created magic, someone who created moments that influenced people young and old to believe that anything is possible. Creating moments of wonder isn’t found in a magic book, but in the act of creating a moment that makes someone smile and a memory worth talking about.

What habits do you have that encourage creativity?

Creativity is something everyone has.

Learning how to harness its power took me a long time. I always wanted to perform for me, things that I liked, and knew the audience would love also. My performances often lacked that connection with my audience. I learned after many years

I need to use my creativity to build off what my audience likes. This became a challenge, but the biggest advice I have is to open your eyes, and your ears and pay attention to what your typical audience enjoys. Perform and be humble enough to know the audience will not enjoy everything, and be willing to adjust your show based on their response. Approach every audience with the excitement as if it were your first, and give them the performance as if it were your last.

What would you tell your younger self?

Don’t doubt yourself, take the leap and trust things will work out the way they should. Share your passion with the world and do not hide it. Know your value and do not let anyone tell you, you are worth anything less.

What’s your favorite magic trick/effect to perform? Why? I am a fan of Harry Houdini. His life is full of amazing stories. He mixed magic tricks with real life dangerous stunts. I have learned the value of mixing these stunts with tricks. It creates a blur between what is tricks, and what could be real. I think it really keeps the audience on the edge of the seat. Fire eating, needle swallowing, walking on broken glass, 24hr bed of nails… while these are not “tricks” they have been very memorable parts of my performing career.

What are three things still left on your bucket list?

Perform on a Las Vegas Stage. Create a multi-state tour coast-to- coast. Perform on National Television.

Tell us something that might surprise us about you.

I currently use magic as a tool to share a story. My true passion is storytelling to create a positive and motivational influence. My performing career goal is to become not a magician, but a public speaker who does magic. I think there is a powerful hook to being on stage delivering a message while holding an audience’s attention with visual wonder to create the same feelings for my audience I am speaking about.

What is one magic/creativity rule you always follow?

My “tricks” need to have motivation. I do not want to ever be on stage performing a trick and make it come across as I am simply saying “look what I can do” or “isn’t that cool?” After every trick is put into the show I will ask myself “Why should my audience care?” It is cool to make a coin vanish, but without a purpose… who cares?

If you could invite four famous people to dinner, who would you choose?

There are a handful of magicians I could mention, but if we are talking about truly famous people familiar to most of the readers the list would look something like this. Keanu Reeves - to talk about his personal journey and what he had learned along the way. Johnny Depp - to talk about his creative process in bringing a character to life. Bob Marley - to talk about life, culture, sacrifice, and our overall purpose. Four was tough, so I went with three.

If you could replay one moment in your life, what would you choose?

I have had many moments worth remembering. I have had a lot of highs and lows in my life, and I am grateful for all of them. I have learned from every one of them. As far as replaying them, I just want to look to the future. It is exciting to always want to move forward, and think about what life has in store for me next.

Magic for me lives in not knowing what tomorrow will hold.

What three words describe your performances?

Interactive. Memorable. Thought-provoking.

Where can readers view your work and learn more?

Facebook.com/magicoftravisnye Instagram: magicoftravisnye www.MagicOfTravisNye.com

PATH TO Success By: Michelle Hamm, MSN, RN & Nicole Holmberg, DNP, RN, CCM Entering the workforce as a new grad can be daunting.

The Post-Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Residency Program (PBRNR) and the Registered Nurse Transition to Practice (RNTTP) programs at the Sioux Falls VA

offer support for new RN grads, providing them the opportunity to work in various specialties throughout the hospital affording them the experience and support to transition into their new role as a professional nurse. Our goal at the Sioux Falls VA is to ensure safe, high-quality care for our country’s Veterans as we educate our nurses to develop skills that will help them become the best nurses.

The PBRNR and RNTTP Residency Programs are both 12-month programs that take the education the new nurse learned in nursing school and help them apply that knowledge in the real world as they take care of patients. Under the guidance of an assigned preceptor, the new RNs receive support in their development of assessment, communication, and critical thinking skills needed to provide quality patient care.

The learning experiences go beyond the clinical rotation of the units, as the new nurses take part in interactive learning sessions that build on their existing knowledge of the nursing field. These class sessions include case studies, presentations, simulations, and web-based learning modules with a focus on several areas such as professional development, mental health, cultural competence, end-of-life care, health assessment, and communication.

Clinical settings at the Sioux Falls VA provide a range of experiences for new nurses. The Veteran population consists of varying backgrounds and cultures that make caring for them a unique, educational experience. The Veterans Health Administration focuses on the whole Veteran and

Pictured Eva Boyum, BSN, RN, PBRBR Resident practicing hands-on skills 20 n EMPIRE

LEGENDARY QUALITY. ROYAL FLAVOR.

BIRTHDAY PARTY packages STARTING AT

179

$

.00

ALL PACKAGES INCLUDE:

each unique experience to ensure the care provided caters to their specific needs. Graduate nurses will have the unique opportunity to be a part of a Veteran-centric team. Our passion at the Sioux Falls VA is growing our nurses and making them successful in their nursing careers.

» 10 GAME TICKETS » 5 PUNCH DAY PASS TO FRONTIER CLIMBING FOR GUEST OF HONOR » GIFT CERTIFICATE TO BUFFALO WILD WINGS » ON-FIELD PHOTO OP » 10 PEPSI COLA BEVERAGES » 2 SINGLE-TOPPING PIZZAS » 10 FREE SINGLE-DAY ADMISSIONS TO THE 2024 SIOUX EMPIRE FAIR

The Sioux Falls VA is currently looking for candidates to fill the second cohort of its Post-Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Residency Program (PBRNR) beginning in March 2024.

For more information about nurse residency programs at the Sioux Falls VA please contact:

Michelle Hamm, MSN, RN 605-336-3230 ext. 5233 Michelle.Hamm@va.gov Nicole Holmberg, DNP, RN, CCM 605-336-3230 ext. 7051 nicole.holmberg@va.gov

Your One-Stop

Meat Processing

Supply Shop

5013 W. 12th Street Sioux Falls, SD 57106

(877) 306-8457 (605) 274-3064

ORDER ONLINE www.northcentralfoods.com VOLUME 4 ISSUE 5 n 21

C

Y o e u s r o Ow n o h e r Adventu

a

do

n

I t ’s

ll

Redeem at 45+ downtown spots Get started at DTSF.com w nto w

Don't Hibernate, Celebrate!

By: Erica Wilcox

We’re all cold, cooped up inside and craving some more Vitamin D. While this time of year can seem long and gloomy, here’s your reminder; don’t hibernate, celebrate! We have our entire year to look forward to and the celebration might as well start now.

Here are few tips on how to get in the winter spirit in anticipation for the months ahead!

Do you have a Spring trip you’re looking forward to? Start prepping for that trip now. While a lot of us wait to shop until the trip is right around the corner, retailers are already showcasing spring fashions and you’ll be ahead of the trends by shopping before the crowds. Keep an eye out for winter sales as stores try to clear out the last remaining winter product in preparation for all of the spring products arriving. A bonus for us here in the Sioux Empire is that we’ll be wearing that sale winter product for months to come!

Tackle that household project now!

When the weather warms up, we’ll want to be outside as much as we can. Take this opportunity to get that garage shelf hung, pantry organized, or toy room decluttered. Home improvement stores are fully stocked this time of year on all things’ organization and home improvement as they anticipate these indoor winter projects for their customers.

24 n EMPIRE

Take the time for some self-love during this season. We’ve prepped, prepared and conquered the holidays, got into new routines and back to school in January, and now it’s time to turn inward and see how we can rejuvenate ourselves for a strong 2024. This might mean scheduling a massage, facial, booking a self-development course or catching up with a loved one for lunch.

If you don’t fill your cup, you don’t have anything to pour into others’.

Take care of yourself and your family and beat the winter chills by remembering to drink lots of water, moisturize often and get fresh air.

Born and raised in Sioux Falls, SD, I’ve been obsessed with fashion since I could dress myself. I was one of those kids who dressed up every day for school, no sweatpants here! My first taste of real fashion was my first retail job at 15. Working in fashion and living it through my everyday outfits, I noticed that everyone would always ask me about my outfits! I’d often get personal shopping requests or asked for fashion advice.

My passion kept growing to the point where I knew this was what I wanted to further my education in. I went on to get my bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising with a minor in business at South Dakota State University. After completing an internship and study trip, I knew that this was my calling, but I was not sure where to go with it.

After doing some corporate buying and retail management, I was grateful for the experiences but needed more.

After years and many individuals telling me to start a blog, I finally did.

Best Dressed Blonde was born… an everyday fashion, clean beauty and lifestyle brand. Sharing through my personal website, Instagram and other fashion platforms is the perfect way to express and showcase my passions!

On Best Dressed Blonde, you’ll find me sharing daily deals and sales, makeup tutorials, try-ons and a little bit of everyday life! My passion has also grown into my clean beauty business with Crunchi where I help women detox their skincare and makeup with truly high-performing and clean products.

Ready to upgrade your skincare this winter?

Scan me

Be sure to follow me on Instagram and the free shopping app, LTK, to see more organizers and home-hacks for the new year! @bestdressedblonde

FOLLOW ME FOR MORE OUTFIT INSPIRATION!

@bestdressedblonde bestdressedblonde.com

VOLUME 4 ISSUE 5 n 25

www.letitflysportsbar.com (605) 274-3313

EAT. DRINK. GAME.

LET IT

Our philosophy is simple. Focus on one thing and be the best at it. For us, that’s blowouts! $10 off your next blowout!

Sunday-Thursday with code DRYBARVIP.

Book now on our app! For more details, visit drybar.com

Jared VanBrockern Business Relationship Manager 605-789-8971 JVanbockern@heritagebankna.com Heritagebankna.com 26 n EMPIRE

FLY.

LET

IT F

LY.

SCAN TO ORDER ONLINE

BANK WITH US

DA NIELLE

CLOUSE GAST South - 11 x 14 inches - oil on canvas

431 N Phillips Ave – Sioux Falls, SD • 605.336.9737

www.rehfeldsonline.com

LOCALLY OWNED. ARTISAN. HANDCRAFTED. An awe-inspiring gathering spot for the Sioux Falls community.

Monday - Saturday

11:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Sunday

CLOSED

Featuring a menu reflecting “American Eclectic” cuisine, with a focus on innovative, artisan plates, as well as some local favorites and everyday classics.

2210 W. 69th Street • Sioux Falls, SD 57108 • (605) 271.1787 22tenkitchen.com

28 n EMPIRE

QUEEN for a day

HAVE A MOM, DAUGHTER, GRANDMA, FRIEND, SISTER OR WIFE THAT YOU THINK DESERVES TO BE QUEEN FOR A DAY?

Tell us why you think that special someone should be Queen for a Day by sending in a 200 word max story and photo to ads@michelscom.com by March 31, 2024.

EMPIRE A

L I F E S T Y L E

M A G A Z I N E

Clips of various stories will be chosen to run in the April edition of Empire Magazine, with one winner to be ‘crowned’ in May. A great prize package perfect for a queen!

PRESENTING SPONSOR

Opening Doors with Hands-On Healthcare Build Dakota Scholar

In the medical field, medical lab technicians are currently one of the highest in-demand positions.

Responsible for crucial lab analysis, this position is incredibly important in healthcare.

At Mitchell Tech, students have a 100 percent placement rate after graduating in the medical laboratory technology program with an average salary of almost 55,000 dollars.

The program at Mitchell Tech is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). Completed by students in two years, the program does recommend the additional certification exam after completion. South Dakota is one of several states that does not require additional licensure to practice as a technician, but the exam is recommended if you plan to carry out your career in another state.

New student Annalese Crazy Bear is just getting started in the program. Originally from Chamberlain, Annalese said she never saw college in her future until later in high school. “After moving to Presho and improving my grades, I started to think about my options more seriously,” she says.

Growing up, Annalese’s mother worked as a medical assistant which heavily influenced Annalese’s desire to work in the medical field. “I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to follow my mom’s footsteps but not the exact path,” Annalese shares.

After some independent research, it boiled down to two options: laboratory or ultrasound tech. With several other factors at play and great feedback

By: Sarah Grassel

from friends who had attended and graduated from Mitchell Tech, Annalese ultimately decided to attend school closer to home.

What made the decision even easier was being accepted into the Build Dakota Scholarship Fund program after she was accepted into Mitchell Tech. Annalese explains, “Mitchell Tech made it easy to apply to a variety of scholarships with one general scholarship application. After the initial application, I was contacted for an interview and then selected as one of the recipients for Build Dakota.”

The scholarship works through industry partnerships. During the interview process, Annalese was informed that to be a recipient for the scholarship, she would need to accept a contract position in the healthcare industry with Avera where she would work for three years after graduation.

“Avera pays for half of my schooling while the other half comes from the scholarship fund itself,” she says. “I wouldn’t have been able to afford college without it.”

With the financial freedom and ability to focus fully on school and her career, Annalese is excited for her future at Mitchell Tech. In her first semester, she’s already been gaining hands-on experience and developing the necessary skills to start in her career.

In one of her classes last semester, Annalese explains that they would practice blood draws on each other and examine blood

cells under a microscope, place tourniquets, and work on pipetting. These activities helped students identify parts of equipment and what they were used for.

“I thought we would start on an orange peel or something but we dove right in, and it really put the pressure on which I feel makes me more efficient,” Annalese adds. “In the second year of the program, I will really dive into my internship with Avera in Chamberlain where I will get to fully immerse myself in the field.”

Her goals don’t stop there. After her three-year contract with Avera is up, Annalese anticipates going back to school to further her education and take her career one step higher than technician. “I want to go back and become a lab scientist, so that I can oversee and manage the runnings of the laboratory as a whole,” she says enthusiastically.

Outside of school, Annalese really enjoys putting her all into her work. “If I have a day off, I am not really sure what to do with myself,” she jokes.

“I sometimes hang out with friends and family or honestly just curl up with a good book.”

To learn more about the program(s) at Mitchell Tech visit https://www.mitchelltech.edu/

www.mitchelltech.edu 800-684-1969

BE THE BEST.

B-Squad Dog Rescue transports, heals, fosters and finds forever homes for at-risk dogs.

Donate As a small, 100% volunteer-run organization, we rely solely on private

donations to raise the funds needed to rescue and care for the dogs in our program.

Your generous contribution will have an immediate impact on dogs in need today!

Adopt Dogs in our program reside in foster homes in the Sioux Falls, SD area. Our

process is designed to match potential applicants and dogs to be set up for a lifetime of success!

Foster Fosters are the heart and soul of B-Squad Dog Rescue! If you have a love for animals, making a difference, and a can-do attitude, you may be the perfect foster!

Volunteer We truly couldn’t do what we do without our amazing volunteers! Our ability to change lives is directly dependent on the number of volunteers we have. If you want to help save dogs while having fun with a group of like-minded people, we hope you’ll consider joining us!

32 n EMPIRE

Interested? Visit BSquadDogRescue.com for more info!

Get your brand in front of a fresh audience with

influencer marketing!

EMPIRE A

L I F E S T Y L E

M A G A Z I N E

Donate here:

Donations can also be made at BSquadDogRescue.com/Donate for your convenience

Contact me for opportunities that will grow your online visibility!

Social Media Marketing @bestdressedblonde bestdressedblonde@gmail.com www.bestdressedblonde.com VOLUME 4 ISSUE 5 n 33

“They have the best staff you could ever have here.

You become very attached to them. They have been just wonderful.”

- Harriet, StoneyBrook Suites Resident

Our passion for assisted living shines through every day at StoneyBrook Suites. It is our goal to be more than just a retirement center. We want to ensure your loved ones feel at home with a listening ear, a caring embrace, and an overall sense of community. Our joy is serving you.

Ready for a Change?

Join the team at StoneyBrook and discover a rewarding healthcare career.

Scan the code to apply!

Life is Sweet in StoneyBrook Suites!

OUR MISSION

Schedule a tour and see the quality of life available to you or your loved one.

We are a full-service assisted living community with a mission “To foster the well-being of each resident by nurturing the mind, body, and spirit while maintaining each resident’s enjoyment of independence and dignity in a secure and supportive environment. We invite you to come to StoneyBrook Suites, where our joy is in serving you.”

AMENITIES • Coffee Shop • Theater • Salon • Courtyards • Walk-in Whirlpool Spa • Spacious suites all on one level • Centrally located meals and activities

SERVICES • Caring, trusted, 24-hour staff • Three homestyle meals per day • Personal housekeeping • Professional medication administration and laundry • On-site physical, restorative • Scheduled daily social and and cognitive therapy exercise activities • Personal pendant system • Wellness clinic • Assistance with activities

of daily living

Dakota Dunes

Brookings 605-692-1013 Dakota Dunes 605-242-0013 Huron 605-352-0014 Sioux Falls 605-373-0013 Watertown 605-882-0013

BROOKINGS | DAKOTA DUNES | HURON | SIOUX FALLS | WATERTOWN WWW.STONEYBROOKSUITES.COM

Think Pink By: Stacey Kracht

A defining factor that you will notice when traversing the older districts of Sioux Falls is the pink Sioux quartzite, or rose quartz, used in the construction of many historical buildings, particularly in the downtown area. You will also notice the quartzite that originated the stone for these buildings protruding out of the ground in Falls Park along the Big Sioux River. In fact, these 40-mile-wide rock formations visibly spread from East New Ulm, MN west 180 miles to an area south of Mitchell, SD. An even larger region of quartzite, extending all the way to the west of the Missouri River, exists hidden below the ground.

Quartzite is a very old – in the range of 1.6 to 1.7 billion years old – and very hard metamorphic rock made of quartz grain layers bonded together with silica. It was quarried in the late 1800s and early 1900s and used for cobblestone as well as building stone because of its strength and durability. Mining the quartzite became a leading industry in the area at the time.

Pink Sioux quartzite can be found as the cobblestone on the corner of Sixth Street and Duluth Avenue. The quartzite used to be a common road surface for the city but is no longer used as the rock’s smoothness doesn’t make it ideal for Sioux Falls winters.

City streets still reflect a pink hue, however, as the quartzite gravel is combined into the asphalt used as pavement. The stone was used as the building material for many Sioux Falls historical landmarks – including both commercial buildings and private residences. If you start at Falls Park with the ruins of the Queen Bee Mill that water-powered the city, and tour your way south through downtown, you’ll see the pink rock on many original buildings.

Falls Overlook Café Photo By: Sioux Falls CVB

Construction of the Romanesque Revival-style Old Courthouse with its clock tower, which is a museum today, was finished in 1893. The Pettigrew Home and Museum stands on a hill above the downtown area in the Cathedral Historic District and was the home of R.F. Pettigrew, the state’s first U.S. Senator. The Washington Pavilion, previously a high school, has been updated and today is home to a science museum, art gallery, and South Dakota’s biggest concert hall. All these buildings, as well as the 1985 Federal Building, South Dakota State Penitentiary, and railroad depot, were all made of the state mineral. Rose quartz also was used in the construction of Falls Overlook Café (originally the Sioux Falls Light and Power Company), Falls Park’s observation tower and visitor center, the original Sioux Falls Carnegie Library, and structures at the Japanese Gardens of Terrace Park. It’s a very historic and geographic nod that almost anywhere you go in the heart of Sioux Falls, you’ll come across churches, banks, and schools that were created using locally sourced pink Sioux quartzite.

Sioux Falls Carnegie Library Photo By: Michelle Dennis/SAH Archipedia

Washington Pavilion Photo By: Washington Pavilion

South Dakota State Penitentiary Photo By: Erin Woodiel/Argus Leader

1985 Federal Building Pettigrew Home and Museum Photo By: National Trust for Historic Preservation Photo By: Robby Virus

Your Family Deserves the Best.

Wedding Expo Years of Comfort.

Years of Savings.

1010 S. Commerce Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 605-332-0541 rogersplumbingandheating.com

SOUTH MINNESOTA AVE. HY-VEE

SAT

FEB 24TH

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM THERE WILL BE DISPLAYS AND SAMPLES! WE OFFER A 10% DISCOUNT OFF THE FINAL BILL, WHEN GUESTS ORDER FROM 3 DEPARTMENTS FOR YOUR WEDDING.

February is observed as Heart Health Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of cardiovascular health. During this month, remember heart-healthy habits such as regular exercise, maintaining a healthy diet, and getting enough sleep.

For all your Staffing and Home Care needs 2-24 hours a day/365 days a year!

38 n EMPIRE

800-727-1912 tristatenursing.com 3410 South Western Ave. Sioux Falls, SD

When you enroll in one of Mitchell Tech’s more than 35 high-demand, high-tech programs, you will experience the best technical education available.

How do we know that Mitchell Tech may be your best choice?

• #1 Best Community College in S.D. According to WalletHub and Niche • Numerous Program Accreditations • Regionally Unique Programs

• Many Dual Credit Options Available • 99% Job Placement* • The Newest Campus in the Region • Military Friendly School Since 2010

The bottom line . . . if you want to be the best, you have to work hard, learn by doing and put your skills to work in the real world.

Our mission is to prepare you for a successful, skilled career. Come and visit or check us out online and you will find out how you can Be The Best at Mitchell Technical College.

*Placement data is gathered through graduate surveys, faculty-collected data, and phone surveys started six months after graduation. Employment/Continuing Education rate is figured by: (graduates employed or continuing education)/(responding graduates who are seeking employment and are not in military service).

AT THE 2024 SIOUX EMPIRE HOME SHOW By: Lauren Johnson

Ready to make some changes to your living space? Then visit the 2024 Sioux Empire Home Show where creativity and functionality meet at the Sioux Falls Convention Center and Arena from February 23-25. You can meet with experts, see the latest home-related trends, and be inspired by unique concepts, imaginative designs, and individual solutions that cater to your personal style and preferences.

“Anybody who is looking to remodel, build, do some updates, or see the latest trends can find it all here under one roof,” says Teddi Mueller, executive vice president of the Home Builders Association of the Sioux Empire. “Even if you’re just changing your shower head, adding towel warmers, or hanging decorative lighting, this is the place to be. It even works for apartments, whether adding some cool hardware or decorative paint. It’s those little tweaks that can make such a difference in our homes.”

More than 230 vendors will feature amazing displays to show their products to consumers. This year’s feature booth will be The Backyard Experience, where local businesses team up to create 2,000 square feet of actual living space that’s like being in your own backyard sanctuary.

“Eight businesses so far are putting together the experience, including hot tubs, pergolas, a putting green, an outdoor bar with TVs, you name it, so you can actually feel like you’re walking into a living example of a backyard,” Teddi says.

“With all the partners working together, it gives it a warm and cohesive presentation that’s fun for people. They actually hang out there and chat in comfort. The businesses make it inviting to come in and come up with ideas to transform their backyards.”

Teddi credits generous sponsors with helping to make the show sensational every year. “South Dakota Housing Authority is a Platinum Sponsor and a great supporter of our association.

Their vision is to change people’s lives by providing affordable housing opportunities,” Teddi says. “If you need to figure out how to get a home loan, these guys are there. This is a terrific opportunity to meet one on one with people who want to help you. It’s especially exciting for first-time homebuyers to get personal advice.”

Montgomerys is a Diamond Sponsor this year. “They’re an icon in decorating, and they run the gamut on everything you need for your house,” Teddi says. “Their display is sure to inspire.”

40 n EMPIRE

Teddi Mueller Executive Vice President

A kid’s building zone is available and sure to inspire the little ones on Saturday and Sunday in the Arena, and this year kids can construct pre-cut/pre-drilled squirrel feeders. “Every year we change the project to get tools in kids’ hands and get them excited about the building industry,” Teddi says. “College students who are going into the trades volunteer to help drill the holes and put the screws in.

The kids have a lot of fun.”

Some exhibitors will be selling items at the show, and some will be offering Home Show only specials. This year you can access the Home Show at your fingertips with the new Sioux Empire HBA Guide App, making it easy to connect with exhibitors.

“They can save it, love it, and navigate the show with booth locations and exhibitor information.”

What’'s your love story?

Unveiled PRESEN

TED BY

B R I DA L

:

M AG A Z I

NE

For more information and to download the app for a $1 discount on tickets, visit www.hbasiouxempire.com/ homeshow/

Take the HBA Events on the go!

DOWNLOAD THE APP

February 23-25 hbasiouxempire.com 605-361-8322

GR AN D FA

LL S CA SIN

O

SOUTH SIOUX C ITY MARRIO TT RIVE RFRONT

Email us at unveiled@michelscom.com VOLUME 4 ISSUE 5 n 41

SHOW HOURS:

Friday 1PM - 7PM Saturday 9AM - 7PM Sunday 11AM - 4PM

Sioux Empire Home Show February 23-25

Be Prepared to Be Inspired. Witness the magic that happens when creativity and functionality collide. Be prepared to be inspired by unique concepts, ingenious designs, and solutions that cater to your individual style and preferences.

605-361-8322

Save the Date

|

Powered By:

hbasiouxempire.com

Take the HBA Events on the go!

DOWNLOAD THE APP

L CKY Y U Please

JOIN

US

FOR

OUR

St. Patricks Day Party Leprechaun Lunch Buffet Served from 11am -2pm Irish Dance Group Performance following the parade (est time 4pm) WOW Entertainment 5pm – 7pm Dustin Evans and Good Times from 7pm – 11pm

S at u rday , M a rc h 1 6 , 2 02 4 1 0 0 w . 8 t h s t. , S i o u x fa l l s , s d 571 04

There Is No Comparison There There There IsIsIs No No No Comparison Comparison Comparison There Is No Comparison