Dakota Life: Greetings from Canton

CONTENTS CANTON, SOUTH DAKOTA: WELCOME HOME WELL CRAFTED INTENTIONS LET’S ROLL: LEFSE SDPB ARCHIVE: CHRISTMAS ACROSS THE STATE ON THE ROAD WITH THE DAKOTA LIFE CREW

GREETINGS FROM CANTON

DIGITAL EDITION DECEMBER SDPB.org

CANTON,SOUTH DAKOTA: WELCOME HOME

BY LARRY ROHRER

Canton is a bit of a “homer” experience for me.

Maybe for several reasons. One, I have family in Canton, with granddaughter Miki part of the Sea Hawks Class of 2020. And many more family experiences in the years preceding. Two, when my home was in Worthing, Hiawatha was our home golf course. We established many friendships then that are still important now 30 years later. And three, friends and acquaintances I have in the Canton area give off an “at ease” feeling about their community. I feel that from family, from friends in my musical life, and it was reaffirmed when this episode of Dakota Life visited the Riverview Christmas Tree Farm just north of Canton.

The railroad arrived in Canton in 1879 and the depot was built in 1907.

Our family has made the pre-Christmas trek to Riverview for many years. Todd and Shari Gannon “came home” to take over the farm 5 years ago and establish themselves. Visiting with Todd while taping for the TV Episode, it was clear both he and Shari have many business options, even some that could take them far away to live in other parts of the country. But they chose to stay near their hometown, use their initiative as entrepreneurs, be involved in the community, and raise their family.

There is a lot of chaos all around Canton. As the County seat for Lincoln County, Canton is the epicenter of monumental growth. A third of the county’s population lives inside the Sioux Falls city limits. Harrisburg has followed in the steps of Tea,

growing exponentially and frantically trying to keep pace with development stress… infrastructure, housing, and the school system. But you have to remember, that is county business, not Canton business per say. Yes, it has an impact, but just as Canton is mostly situated just below the horizon in the Sioux River valley, it seems like the community is just ducking behind a hill to stay out of the wind and noise.

The community is thriving but has not lost any of its concern for neighbors. Because of the proximity to the river, during torrential rains a couple of years ago a large portion of the community flooded.

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Canton,South Dakota Continued Neighbors, volunteers, friends all pitched in with equipment, muscle, and support to right the ship.

We watched it play out through family members and friends. All of South Dakota should be proud of communities that respond in such a selfless way.

Maybe my point of view is shaped a little because Canton is an older community… 15 to 50 years older than some in the state. Buildings and community heritage reflect that. You see it and feel it in Yankton and Vermillion too. Okay, maybe it’s the Norwegian stock that is still prevalent. Even before the personal connection I have today, an outing form my Sioux Falls grade school was a ride on the passenger train from Canton to Sioux Falls, so I’ve been there for a LONG TIME. The location in the Sioux River Valley, the heritage, the pace… the people. Canton just says, “Welcome home”.

Above: Performing Arts Center Right: Canton Lutheran church Below Left: Riverview Christmas Tree farm is part of many family holiday traditions.

Below Right: Downtown Canton presents business from agriculture to shopping opportunities.

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WELL CRAFTED INTENTIONS

BY CARA HETLAND

I’m not sure if there is or should be a support group for people like me, but I guess it’s time to take the first step. Hello, my name is Cara and I collect crafting supplies. Sometimes I create lovely things, and sometimes the project flops or goes unfinished. I’m easily swayed in the “how hard can it be” camp. Now let me defend this just a little, it is over the course of my 27-year marriage. Okay, it’s probably longer than that since I am being honest. I think it began when I was little, and my grandmother taught me how to embroider flowers.

She also told me to save the left-over floss because I could always use it in another project. If I looked hard enough, I think I still have that floss tucked away, just in case I absolutely need that perfect shade of blue. My mom always had a knitting project, or cute needle point coasters to occupy our evenings while watching television. For the longest time I focused on cross stitching. I’ve even made Christmas sweatshirts. But while I’m being honest, perhaps it’s less of a problem and more of just what makes me me. Perhaps my hobby is learning new crafts. I am a journalist who prides myself in knowing a little about a lot of things, just enough to ask questions. Maybe that’s my addiction to learning new crafts. Just follow the directions, how hard can it really be?

Pretty hard in some cases, let’s start with the sewing machine I absolutely needed and wanted so I could make my own clothes. Except I fail at sewing a straight line, and I don’t think I paid well enough attention in home-ec class in seventh grade.

Or maybe I don’t really read the directions all the way through. Maybe cutting straight is the problem? I have had some sewing successes just to defend that I’m not a total loss. When my youngest turned two, she had had it with diapers, and pull-ups were too big because she only weighed 24 pounds. I made her underwear. I was so proud I carried an extra pair around just to show people. . I do have a collection of elastic because I wasn’t quite sure which kind to buy so I bought several yards. I guess I can say I have added it as part of my collection of crafting supplies. And then there was the veil. When my oldest two daughters each got engaged to their high school sweethearts and asked if we’d mind if their weddings would be six weeks apart.

BRIDGETANN PHOTOGRAPHY

It was time to get crafty. I just couldn’t spend hundreds of dollars on a decorated piece of tulle.

The two brides agreed they would wear the same veil. Except they wanted it just right with silver stitching and beading down the side. I’m proud of how it turned out. I have extra beads and silver thread to make probably three more veils. Maybe over buying is my problem?

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Craft Continued.

CRAFT SUPPLIES

Speaking of beading, yes, I have all the tools for that too. My neighbor invited a bunch of us over to teach us how to make jewelry. I made bracelets for the softball moms, earrings just for fun, and even treasured bracelets for my family out of my grandmother’s costume jewelry. (and even bracelets for the brides out of my wedding necklace). I have supplies for cake decorating – it looks so easy – but not a strength of mine. Also, there’s plenty downstairs to make floral arrangements, and the kit to imprint letters in metal, and stamping supplies to make cards. It is a secret wish of mine to start my own greeting card business. Another friend taught me how to crochet a boarder on some fleece to make blankets. I have lots of yarn. And fleece. Did you know fleece is good for new puppies to chew on? I started making braded toys for my grand pup Lincoln. I have tools I bought to make a cage for my pet rabbit back in the day. I really can envision and design in my head such wonderful things. I know what I need. I probably already have most of it.

And now, there’s the Cricut. I can’t believe I’ve gone this long without one. And yes, we bought it and all the supplies to make wedding invitations. I now know why they cost so much. Time is valuable. But we can honestly say the invitations were made with love. So are the shirts, and glasses we give as gifts.

And don’t forget the cards it can make. I’m not completely efficient. Every project has a flaw. My oldest daughter and I discuss selling some of our ideas, but we’re a little too busy to get started. We do have all the stuff when the time is right.

I have really good intentions and plenty of supplies. Just this weekend I thought it would be fun to make my own gnomes to give as table gifts to all at my Christmas meal. Then I thought about writing about my “problem” and I realized that fur was $44 a yard, and I figured I could support a local maker instead of adding one more tub of another good idea in my storeroom. I do have some Christmas placemats that still need finishing.

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LET’S ROLL: LEFSE

BY MELISSA HAMERSMA SIEVERS

Ingredients

Tena Heikes and Molly Hill have been making lefse since they were children. First, they were helpers in the kitchens of the grandmothers, then they helped their mother with the tradition. Now Ruth, their mother, visits Tena’s kitchen to make lefse each year. The family has become a welloiled machine and perfected the process for their tradition.

Russet potatoes are the preferred variety, though it can be a matter of taste. Some folks do use instant potatoes as a matter of convenience though Molly says that she finds the texture better if they work from a whole potato. Don’t over boil the potatoes and make sure that they are whipped well.

Once the dough is mixed, make sure that it is Instructions really cold and stays cool through rolling out. As Peel and boil potatoes until they are past fork the dough warms, the stickier it becomes. tender.

Molly and Tena have a padded board that is well floured so that the dough doesn’t stick to its surDrain and rice them twice. You should end face. Watch for dry spots and refloor as needed. up with approximately 18 cups of potato.

With each roll they turn the board so that they can get as perfect a circle as possible.

Place 9 cups of potatoes in a mixer with ¼ C. cream, 2tsp salt, 1tsp. sugar, 1/3 C. melted butter, Traditional lefse sticks are handy, they are curved and very slightly tapered. They can slide under the 1 C. flour. Mix with whisk attachment. disc easily for the transfer to griddle surface. Some Put in a big bowl. Once at room temp, add in people use yardsticks instead.

4.5 C. flour.

15 lbs of Potatoes Salt Sugar Flour Butter Cream

VIDEO: THREE GENERATIONS GATHER EACH YEAR TO MAKE LEFSE.

Shape into 3-4 logs, then cover & refridgerate over-night.

Next morning, cut logs into about 6 balls.

Roll out, cook on Lefse griddle

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Making Lefse continued.

A dedicated lefse griddle is also convienent. Tena and Molly use the one that their grandmother had purchased in the 70s. It is possible to use a stove top pan, though the resulting lefse may be smaller.

Whatever is used, it needs to be hot.

These sisters don’t have a dedicated method for determining if the griddle is hot enough. If you burn the first disc… back the temperature off.

Tena has learned from picked up a few skills from a group of church ladies over the years. They frown on too many brown spots. Again, it’s a matter of preference.

Cook the lefse for a minute or two on each side.

Tena shares, “You flip it when it starts to bubble.”

When the lefse is removed from the griddle, lay it between towels. Then the lefse may cool and the towels prevent it from drying out.

Like any wrap, lefse may be enjoyed as a sweet or savory treat. This family most commonly spreads a thin layer of butter and sprinkles sugar and cinnamon over the top. Then, just roll it up and enjoy.

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VIDEO:

Twilight Tour Helicopter tours to Falls Park are available each year at strawbale winery near winner. this year don and susie south, owners of the vineyard gifted a flight to sanford health as a unique way to say thank you.

FALLS PARK, SIOUX FALLS

SDPB ARCHIVE:

SEASON’S GREETINGS

CHRISTMAS FROM RABBIT BUTTE CHRISTMAS AT THE CAPITOL 2015 NORA STORE FESTIVAL OF SANTA LUCIA A STATELY TREE THE CHRISTMAS COAT

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ON THE ROAD WITH THE DAKOTA LIFE CREW

LINCOLN COUNTY COURTHOUSE

RIVERVIEW CHRISTMAS TREE FARM

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CANTON DEPOT

This mural is found in Canton, SD.

JOHN LOPEZ: TREE OF LIFE WHEELER MANUFACTURING

DUTCH OVEN COOKING

TRANS SD BIKE RACE

THE KINGSBURY JOURNAL

LISA CASPER

CHAPEL IN THE HILLS LAKE MITCHELL CABINS IN THE HILLS 9/11 STAIR CLIMB BALLOON FESTIVAL

BAINBRIDGE FAMILY

LANCE CHRISTIANSEN JR.

GRAPHIC DESIGN FARMER

ART MOMS

JACOB RICHARDS THERAPY DOGS CHRISTMAS LIGHTS RIVERVIEW CHRISTMAS TREES ANDERSEN FAMILY

CANTON HISTORY

DAKOTA LIFE CONNECTS RESIDENTS FROM FROM PERKINS TO TURNER COUNTIES ENJOY STORIES ONLINE

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THRESHING NEAR FREEMAN Fred Haar Collection, Heritage Hall Archives

SDPB enjoyed visiting Canton this month.

Explore the history of Freeman next month!

Dakota Life airs on February 4 at 8pm CT/ 7 MT on SDPB1.

We’ll look back at the history of Freeman, which begins with the still-unsettled question of how it was named. We’ll introduce you to some of Freeman’s earliest settlers, including some of the Mennonite Germans from Russia who immigrated to the area seeking religious and social freedoms didn’t have in their home country. Immigrants from northern Europe also established enclaves in and around Freeman, and the story of how those diverse ethnic and religious groups learned to work together, while still maintaining their cultural identities, defines the character of Freeman today.

GRABER FAMILY

RAILROAD INTO FREEMAN Fred Haar Collection, Heritage Hall Archives

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