The Volante W E D N E S D AY, F E B R U A R Y 1 6 , 2 0 2 2
THE STUDENTS’ VOICE SINCE 1887 VERVE (B1, B2)
Former teacher opens bookstore in downtown Vermillion New bookstore opens up in downtown Vermillion called “Outside of a Dog Books and Games”.
VOLANTEONLINE.COM SPORTS (B3, B4)
Coyote women play in sea of pink USD women’s basketball take down Denver 81-53 on Feb. 12.
THE VCDC HOST A LEGISLATIVE CRACKER BARREL AT VERMILLION CITY HALL difficult to find out once you elect them,
Madeline Knau
Madeline.Knau@coyotes.usd.edu
On Feb. 12, The Vermillion Area Chamber and Development Company (VCDC) held a Legislative Cracker Barrel at City Hall. This included South Dakota State Senate District 17 representative Sen. Arthur Rusch, and House of Representatives Sydney Davis and Richard Vasgaard. USD’s professor in political science Michael Card served as the question reader. Card said the VCDC held the event as a way for people in the community to find out what their legislators think and give them a chance to say what they believe or ask questions about bills and share their concerns. “We have these Legislative Cracker Barrels so that the public can find out what their legislators think. And to give them a chance to say, ‘here’s what I think and here’s some of the concerns that I have’ about bills to introduce or bills that are pending in front of the legislatures,” Card said. “We elect our representatives every two years and it’s just
are they doing what you want? And this is a chance to find out and see what they think.” Rusch said he was impressed Vermillion was respectful at the Legislative Cracker Barrel events. Rusch also said he was thankful the VCDC makes an effort to organize these events. “I talked to other legislators who have held Legislative Cracker Barrels and the people are very argumentative but what I’ve noticed is that Vermilion has always been very respectful,” Rusch said. “We’ve always had really decent discussions and you know, even the people who oppose the way I voted have come up and talked to me afterwards. I just have always been impressed with the people here.” The VCDC will also be holding another Legislative Cracker Barrel on Feb. 26 from 9-11 a.m. at the Vermillion City Hall. The legislative Cracker Barrel is also Live Streamed on the VCDC’s Face-
Madeline Knau | The Volante
Community members interact with legislators of District 17 about issues currently facing the State Legislature.
book page.
Heartland Humane Society in desperate need of foster families Machaela Freeman
Machaela.Freeman@coyotes.usd.edu
The Heartland Humane Society in Yankton is having difficulties finding foster families. They’ve been experiencing the staffing shortage since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020 and the numbers haven’t risen to the point they need yet. Executive director Kerry Feilmeier has been working with Heartland Humane Society since 2011. She said Heartland could easily use a dozen foster homes for dogs and the same amount for cats. “The need for kitten fosters is going to be rampant. The puppies don’t rush in as much but we always see a huge (increase) of kittens in the spring,” Feilmeier said. According to Feilmeier, almost every spring the shelter gets multiple litters of kittens. They can’t keep them in the shelter
Machaela Freeman | The Volante
Victoria, a puppy at the Heartland Humane Society, plays with a toy.
get 12 dogs into foster homes, then they can bring 12 more into the shelter. “We operate on a capacity of care, meaning that we only take in as many animals as we have the ability to operate without feeling too overwhelmed,” Feilmeier said. Heartland Humane Society has also been looking for volunteers to work either morning shifts or afternoon shifts. The morning shifts begin at 8 a.m. and the afternoon shifts at 4 p.m. Both shifts consist of socializing and feeding the dogs and cats at the shelter. “If you’re not a morning person, you can come at 4 o’clock and the same routine happens again,” Feilmeier said. Along with fostering and volunteering, the shelter is always looking for donations, especially cat litter and dog food.
because if the kittens are too young to get
“We’re always low on clumping cat litter
vaccinated, they are at risk of becoming sick
and we’ve been low on good dog food to
in the shelter.
feed our dogs dry food. The other thing
Heartland Humane Society currently
that’s more cost effective are sturdy dog toys.
has about 12 cats and 12 dogs. Feilmeier
We use them for enrichment purposes, so
said they average between 25-30 dogs and
we always want the dogs to have them,” said
cats in the shelter, but they are at a low at
Feilmeier.
International Club brings East Africa to USD Allison Horkey
Allison.Horkey@coyotes.usd.edu
Allison Horkey | The Volante Students and community members are served tibes, samasas, rice and balaclava at the event. The meal is inspired by foods from East Africa
the moment. Feilmeier said if the shelter can
The Muenster University Center (MUC) pit on Feb. 9 held the International Club’s second Around the World Wednesday event of the semester, focusing on East Africa. The event started with presentations from two students from East African countries. Ben Onserio, a senior at USD, presented Kenya and senior Hermela Mulugeta presented Ethiopia. After the presentations, the event hosted a meal with traditional East African dishes, followed by a quiz, where attendees could win prizes. The event had about 70 people in attendance. Muntasir Mamun, a graduate student at USD and president of the International Club, said he likes Around the World Wednesday events because of the opportunity to learn about other cultures. “I like to know about the culture and the geographical topics and discussion,” Mamun said. “It is really nice to know about because every country has a different culture, different system and food.” Osamakon Osemwenkhae, graduate student and Student Government Association Liaison for the International Club, said he enjoys planning events to help teach others about the wide variety of cultures at USD.
“I’m most excited about just planning the event and everything … and that I am able to share and be part of something that shares people’s culture,” Osemwenhkhae said. Mamun said he joined the International Club when he came to USD at the beginning of the fall 2021 semester. “I planned to join (the International Club) to find some other international people and some local Americans so that I can learn something from their culture,” Mamun said. “And it is good for making friendships and everything.” The International Club is focused on educating the community about different cultures, Osemwenkhae said. “I think a major focus has been to share culture around the community and just make people aware of other parts of the world,” Osemwenkhae said. “If you check out most of our events, we will have cultures from different parts of the world to try to portray diversity.” The International Club is hosting International Mother Language Day on Feb. 22 in the MUC pit and has two events planned for April, the Festival of Nations and Kites Carnival.