Eric Renshaw
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Articles by Eric Renshaw
Use Antifouling Paint to Prevent Bottom Growth
Boats demand constant maintenance, but one of the most persistent predictable needs, even for boats that never leave the dock, is the prevention and removal of biological growth on the bottom. Any part of the boat in constant contact with the water the boat floats in is susceptible to marine growth.
The sweet and savory breakfast legacy of Village Inn and JerMel’s: Looking Back
Village Inn Pancake House opened in Sioux Falls on May 17, 1976 at the northeast corner of 10th and Minnesota. It was built by Robert J. “Buffalo Bob” Donaldson of Lincoln, Nebraska, who became a franchisee of Village Inn Pancake Houses in 1969. Donaldson established restaurants in Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska, Des Moines, Iowa, Springfield, Illinois, and Little Rock, Arkansas before expanding to South Dakota.
Ice cream and cold delights were abound at Sioux Falls' Zesto Shop: Looking Back
Those of a certain age from the Hilltop area of Sioux Falls, recall with fondness, the ice cream treats served by the Zesto Shop at the southeast corner of 10th and Cliff. Zesto opened the shop on April 5, 1950, and sold cones, shakes, and other delights over the next 29 years. The Zesto Shop, a franchise, was the creation of the Taylor Freezer Company of Beloit, Wisconsin.
The dark history behind Hiawatha Indian Asylum in Canton: Looking Back Original
On May 8, 1897, South Dakota Senator Richard F. Pettigrew introduced a bill on the floor of the senate. Its purpose was to establish “an Indian insane asylum” at Canton. The bill was read twice and passed on to the committee on Indian affairs, which Pettigrew headed. The bill suggested that indigenous people could not be mixed with non-indigenous people with mental health challenges, and that a special government institution would be needed to house and treat them.
How 2 brothers brought the insurance business to South Dakota: Looking Back Original
February brought to a close the tenure of long-time Sioux Falls insurer McKinney & Allen. Though the business was most recently known as McKinneyOlson Insurance, the Secretary of State has listed it as McKinney & Allen for as long as it has kept records. Charles Edward McKinney came to Sioux Falls in November 1880 to help establish banks in the area. That same year, he organized the banking firm of Easton, McKinney & Scougal with partners C.F. Easton and George Scougal.
The story behind the Galesburg community in Sioux Falls: Looking Back Original
There once was a part of Sioux Falls, near downtown, known as Galesburg, or the Galesburg Addition. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, it was where all the well-to-do lived. In the years since, it has been mentioned periodically with vague descriptions and wildly shifting boundaries. Galesburg was named for Artemas Gale, one of the founders of the Dakota Land Co., which laid claim to the land that would become Sioux Falls.
The years of history behind a beloved Sioux Falls Mexican restaurant: Looking Back Original
Eric Renshaw Sioux Falls Argus Leader Casa Del Rey is a well-known and beloved Mexican restaurant that has graced our city since 1980, but it may surprise some to know that it is not a Sioux Falls original. It was the seventh incarnation of a restaurant that was the product of a partnership between Don Smith, David Henry, and Jerry Willits. Chef Don Smith grew up in Denver, Colorado, a city with a good-sized Hispanic population.
How one of the Marx Brothers found themselves in Sioux Falls: Looking Back Original
In mid-September 1942, the Sioux Falls State Theatre announced a classic entertainer of stage and screen would be performing there for three nights. Chico Marx and his traveling comedy and music troupe would entertain the crowds at Sioux Falls’ premier theater. He would, however, not be accompanied by his brothers on this tour. Leonard Joseph “Chico” Marx (pronounced Chick-oh) was the eldest son of Sam “Frenchie,” and Minnie Marx.
How these 10 siblings became Sioux Falls celebrities: Looking Back Original
Eric Renshaw For the Argus Leader Family entertainment acts have been around forever. Before the Osmonds and the Jackson 5, audiences were thrilled by the Andrews Sisters. Locally, the Adams Quintette entertained around town in the 1910s and '20s. But none of Sioux Falls’ early family acts quite achieved the notoriety of the Little Brown Kiddies, the children of Charles and Ethel Brown.
How Hickory Farms shaped the holidays, even in Sioux Falls: Looking Back Original
There are some common holiday gift-giving traditions familiar to many a family, time immemorial. While children had to open multiple packs of socks and pajamas before getting to the presents they really wanted, adults opened gifts given to the family, perhaps less personal, but still welcomed. I know my dad was always pleased to see a box from Hickory Farms.
This Sioux Falls house helped those in need for 100 years: Looking back
All Saints School opened Sept, 17, 1885. In the beginning, it was a boarding school for girls; the pet project of Bishop William Hobart Hare of the Protestant Episcopal Church, who had been an early missionary in the area. When it came to raising money for his projects out on the less-explored frontier, Hare was a force to be reconned with. He was able to procure donations from well-to-do locals as well as affluent contacts back east.
This Sioux Falls house helped those in need for 100 years: Looking back
All Saints School opened Sept, 17, 1885. In the beginning, it was a boarding school for girls; the pet project of Bishop William Hobart Hare of the Protestant Episcopal Church, who had been an early missionary in the area. When it came to raising money for his projects out on the less-explored frontier, Hare was a force to be reconned with. He was able to procure donations from well-to-do locals as well as affluent contacts back east.
This Sioux Falls house helped those in need for 100 years: Looking back
All Saints School opened Sept, 17, 1885. In the beginning, it was a boarding school for girls; the pet project of Bishop William Hobart Hare of the Protestant Episcopal Church, who had been an early missionary in the area. When it came to raising money for his projects out on the less-explored frontier, Hare was a force to be reconned with. He was able to procure donations from well-to-do locals as well as affluent contacts back east.
The Neal Institute tried to cure alcoholism in three days. Then prohibition happened: Looking back
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, there was a cottage industry in treating alcoholism. For some, it was a real problem that needed a solution. Years before Alcoholics Anonymous was created, people put their faith in the sanitarium and its treatments. Sanitariums were places of wellness where those with chronic illnesses would convalesce, at least in this early understanding of the word.
How this odd Sioux Falls building is tied to the 'taped bandit' of the '60s: Looking back
There’s an odd little building at 600 W. 10th St. that sits at an angle on its tiny lot, next to a fenced in copse of trees. A building this small hardly seems practical for most business needs. I’ve always wondered how it started its life, and when. The little building didn’t stand alone at the start of its life; it was accompanied by eight gas pumps when it opened as Crest M Oil Co. on Nov. 27, 1959.
How Halloween tricks escalated to destruction in the late 1800s for Sioux Falls: Looking Back
All Hallow’s Eve, Hallow Eve, Hallowe’en, or Halloween, as we now call it, has been celebrated throughout Sioux Falls’ history. Parties were held all over town, both public and private, and excitement prevailed. In the Halloween 1887 edition, the Argus Leader read: “Halloween tonight.
How Firehouse Coffee House served the Lord's word in the '60s: Looking back
In the late 1960s, the countercultural movement was on the rise. The children of the Greatest G3eneration were bucking the system and following their dreams in directions not dictated by their forebears. Many took Timothy Leary’s advice to “Tune in, turn on, and drop out.” “Tune in” and act harmoniously with the world around them, “turn on” and become sensitive to many levels of consciousness, and “drop out” or become self-reliant and aware of choices and change.
How pinball machines helped pave the way for gambling in South Dakota: Looking back Original
If you’ve ever been in a good arcade, you’ve been inundated by the sounds of electronic boops, beeps and pew-pews. One of the most recognizable sounds you’d hear were the sounds of pinball machines. The thump of the flippers, the chimes of the bumpers, the roll of the ball, and the excited ding of the score as it climbs. You may remember old pinball machines with vague, generic themes, or maybe branded themes like Elvis, Batman, the Addams Family, or many more.
This Sioux Falls dance academy had ties to the Hungarian Resistance: Looking back Original
For many children, organized physical activities of one sort or another are a part of life. Some kids take martial arts, baseball, or soccer. For others its gymnastics or dance lessons. Few children have access to instruction from world-class instructors. For a period between 1970 and 1979, Sioux Falls was home to a ballet instructor with credentials rarely found in a Midwestern town. Her name was Judith Kemeny Szakats. Judith started dancing around 1935 at age 9 in the Hungarian Opera House Ballet.
3 brothers fell in love with food and brought Happy Chef to the Great Plains: Looking Back
Happy Chef restaurants were a staple in seven midwest states as early as 1963. The chain made its debut in Sioux Falls in 1976, 13 years after the first location opened on Highway 169 in Mankato, Minnesota. Its proprietors were the Frederick brothers: Marcel, Robert and Thomas, who had been in the food service industry together since 1951. Their venture was spearheaded by Marcel, who got his start cooking in the US Army. Marcel (Sal) Frederick was born April 17, 1926.
Odland Music Shop helped carry Sioux Falls through war and death: Looking back Original
For more than 30 years, Odland Music Shop fed the musical needs of the people of Sioux Falls and surrounding areas. The store was located at 109 W. 9th St., just south of the Cataract Hotel. Its proprietor was Earl Odland. Earl Odland was born in Meckling, South Dakota on May 8, 1903. He attended public schools and later Sioux Falls Business College. In 1926, he started putting this knowledge to use in Sioux City at Odland Radio Studio, where he sold and serviced radios.
What happened to Sioux Falls' affinity for English pubs: Looking back Original
The Round Table Restaurant served steak and seafood to customers at its location at 1500 W. Russell St. between 1974 and 1979. It was the second in a chain of restaurants that started in Winnipeg, Manitoba. A third location opened in Bismarck shortly after the opening of the Sioux Falls location. The theme was old English inn. Part owner and manager John Nielson moved from Winnipeg to get the location on its feet. His co-manager was Ron Owens, who came from Omaha, Nebraska.
How Musicland shaped the music scene for decades to come in Sioux Falls: Looking back
In the days before Spotify, Apple, Amazon and YouTube started providing much of the music consumed today, there was the record store. Local music fans would look through the stacks in places like Odland Music, Williams Piano, and Iron Creek. When the malls came to prominence, Musicland dominated the shopping centers. The store opened its first location in the Western Mall in 1968, but had been a growing business for 12 years.
Herberger's closed because Sioux Falls was 'over-retailed': Looking back Original
When the Empire Mall opened in September 1975, there were two anchor stores: Younkers at the west end, and Herberger’s near the middle of the structure. JCPenney was under construction on the east side, expected to open in the spring. Up to that point, Herberger’s had not been a presence in Sioux Falls, but there were other locations in Watertown, Aberdeen and Mitchell. Herberger’s department store started in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, opening its first store on Aug. 14, 1927.
How Dairy Queen expanded into Sioux Falls and the rest of South Dakota: Looking back
Eric Renshaw For the Argus Leader When I was a kid, we would sometimes visit my mom’s side of the family in Omaha. My aunt Rita was the epitome of cool because: No. 1, she had been to more concerts than anyone my sisters and I knew, and No. 2, she worked at Dairy Queen and would score us the much-loved Dilly Bars when she got off work. The Dilly Bar was introduced in 1955, 15 years after the first Dairy Queen location was opened in Moline, Illinois in 1940.
How the Olson brothers changed the dapper scene of Sioux Falls: Looking back
Eric Renshaw For the Argus Leader For much of the 20th century, the E. C. Olson Clothing Company outfitted the well-dressed men of Sioux Falls. Edgar “Ed” Olson didn’t start this business in Sioux Falls, however, it was originally a family affair that had its start in Dawson, Minnesota, a small town east of Watertown. John, Martin and Edgar Olson, sons of Gabriel and Martha Olson, were born in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin in 1869, 1871 and 1874, respectively.
How 1 man's chili recipe brought New York style hot dogs to Sioux Falls: Looking back
Eric Renshaw For the Argus Leader In 1974, George Gongopoulos opened a small restaurant called Coney Island at the northeast corner of 41st and Elmwood. It wasn’t the first local eatery to use this name; its predecessor was a favorite downtown lunch stop from the 1940s to the 1960s. The business model Gongopoulos used was similar to that of its downtown cousin: Follow the center of activity. When the main shopping district shifted southwest, that was the place to build.
Why Raymick Inn was once known as having the longest bar in town: Looking back Original
The somewhat triangular building at the northwest corner of 8th and Weber has always fascinated me. It reminded me of the famous Flatiron Building in New York City, though I’ve never been. When it first caught my eye, it was home to the Stockman’s Bar. Kind of a dive, but still exuded a dark allure. I always figured that, owing to its triangular nature, it was built to accept goods from the train tracks that passed by its west side, but this is not so.
Ma and Pa drug stores struggled in Sioux Falls. Mills Pharmacy was no different: Looking Back
Eric Renshaw For the Argus Leader Back in the days of the neighborhood pharmacy, little Ma and Pa pharmacies dotted the map in Sioux Falls. One such place was Mills Pharmacy, at 1509 E. 10th St. Mills Pharmacy was the second baby of Tom and Marie Mills, the first being Ken. Tom Mills was born Aug. 21, 1921 in Tiffin, Ohio. He grew up in Normal, Illinois, and graduated from University High School in 1939.
This Argus Leader contest once offered newspaper carriers trips around the world: Looking back
Eric Renshaw For the Argus Leader On Jan. 26, 1958, an amazing contest was announced in the Argus Leader: One lucky and talented newspaper carrier between the ages of 12 and 17 would be whisked away for a springtime trip to Portugal and Spain, courtesy of the Argus Leader and Parade Magazine, a Sunday magazine supplement carried by the paper at the time. The exciting announcement said; “What boy wouldn’t thrill to an adventure like this?
Crawford's brought 'topmost in quality' men's wear to Sioux Falls for decades: Looking back
Crawford’s Mens Wear was a staple in Sioux Falls between April 18, 1945 and March 17, 1976. From the time the store opened until the end, business was conducted using the motto outlined in the store’s first advertisement: “If it’s not topmost in quality, you won’t find it at Crawford’s”. Crawford’s was named for its owner, Andrew Henry Crawford, but you can call him Andy. He was born May 4, 1897 in Belvidere, Illinois, near Rockford, west of Chicago.
How Farley-Loetscher's millworks and moldings helped beautify Sioux Falls homes: Looking back
Eric Renshaw For the Argus Leader In the early days of the Dakotas, one of the finest names in millwork and moldings was the Farley-Loetscher Manufacturing Company. Though it had a manufacturing location in Sioux Falls for many years, the company had its beginnings in Dubuque, Iowa. In early 1875, Christian Loetscher, a Swiss immigrant, opened a mill-working business, processing raw lumber into wood trim, window sashes, moldings, and doors.
How John Morrell's grand residential palace came to be in Sioux Falls: Looking back
Eric Renshaw For the Argus Leader Grand palatial estates always benefit from a memorable moniker: Charles Foster Kane had his stately Xanadu (Cost: no man can say). Lawrence Olivier’s Maxim de Winter had his foreboding Manderley in Hitchcock’s Rebecca. Off the silver screen, Thomas Jefferson had Monticello. Penn Jilette of Penn and Teller calls his home The Slammer. The names somehow call images to mind, even awe, sight unseen.
Chi-Chi’s Mexican Restaurante saw promise in Sioux Falls, but not without scrutiny: Looking Back
Eric Renshaw For the Argus Leader On Aug. 21, 1983, it was announced that a new dining experience would be coming to the Empire Mall area. Chi-Chi’s Mexican Restaurante, a growing Midwest chain, saw a promising market in Sioux Falls. Construction would soon begin on a $1.25 million restaurant owned by the largest Chi-Chi’s Franchisee. Chi-Chi’s had a decidedly north of the border origin story.
Red Owl's popularity in Sioux Falls lasted nearly 7 decades:Loooking back
Eric Renshaw For the Argus Leader Red Owl grocery stores were a nearly constant presence in Sioux Falls from 1925 through 1989. Through the years, the number of stores surged and waned. Some were little stores, others were among the first supermarkets in Sioux Falls. Let’s look a bit deeper into the history of Red Owl. In the early 1920s, the Red Owl chain began as, of all things, a coal company. It was a wholly-owned entity of General Mills, based in Hopkins, Minnesota.
Whitfield Hardware family's ties to city government run deep in Sioux Falls: Looking back
Eric Renshaw For the Argus Leader In the history of Sioux Falls, Whitfield Hardware may not be an oft-remembered store, but from 1914 to 1944, it was a reliable place for customers to find a wide variety of hardware, appliances, sporting goods and gardening tools. The family that brought these goods and services to the city also produced two upstanding members of local government. The store was named for the Whitfield family. The family patriarch, Egbert M. Whitfield, was born on Feb.
How Sioux Falls launched South Dakota into the Space Age: Looking Back
Eric Renshaw For the Argus Leader In the mid 1960s, Sioux Falls entered the Atomic Age when NSP built its Pathfinder Nuclear Generating Station northeast of town. For a short time, the area had the atomic feather in its cap, and the chamber of commerce wasn’t shy about sharing that fact. A short time later, when South Dakota Sen. Karl Mundt, and local leaders like Al Schock, saw an opportunity for the state to enter the Space Age, they did not hesitate to make it so.
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How Power City Bakery shaped Sioux Falls: Looking back
Eric Renshaw For the Argus Leader The Power City Bakery opened at 211 S. Main on Oct. 15, 1910. Its proprietors were Frank R. Kelley and Sidney O. Drew. Over time, the two would build their client base and reputation until their bakery was the biggest in the state, at least for a while. In September 1909, the Sioux Falls Commercial Club, basically the chamber of commerce of its day, decided that Sioux Falls should be known as the Power City.
How Sioux Falls started its first-ever 'Parnassus on wheels': Looking back
Eric Renshaw For the Argus Leader When it was introduced in 1951, reporter David H. Smith called the Sioux Falls Public Library’s Bookmobile “Parnassus on Wheels,” likening it to the subject of Christopher Morley’s 1917 book of the same name. Mount Parnassus, in Greek mythology, was home to the muses; the inspirational goddesses of literature, science and the arts. To children of the time, it was like a piece of the downtown library had come to visit their own neighborhoods.
How the Happy Hour Bar maintained a history of class in Sioux Falls: Looking back
Eric Renshaw For the Argus Leader It seems to me that the bars and cocktail lounges in the middle of the last century were much different than the bars of today. Like modern bars, they were places to let off steam, listen to music and share life’s events with family and friends, but the bars of yore just seem classier. Maybe it was because of the way people dressed: Men in hats, coats, and ties, and women in cocktail dresses.
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has decades-long ties to Raven Industries: Looking Back
Eric Renshaw For the Argus Leader Some of my most cherished childhood memories are of Thanksgiving mornings. I’d wake up a little later than on school days and the house would already smell of turkey and other delicious dishes. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade would be on the ol’ Sears solid state, showing me a procession of floats, marching bands, and balloons. The balloons, especially, held my attention enough to keep me out of the kitchen so that my mother could get something done.
Sioux Falls clinic once offered electrotherapy to handle ailments in the '20s: Looking back
Eric Renshaw For the Argus Leader St. Mary’s Hospital, which once conducted business at 828 W. Second St., provided treatments for a variety of medical issues, from sinus infections to eczema, and most ailments in between. The establishment was founded in 1923 by Emil Roos, an immigrant from Switzerland who arrived in this country in 1914. When Roos opened his clinic, he called it Grand View Electronic Institute.
Argus Leader
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Argus Leader
Skip to main content This content is only available to subscribers. Get unlimited digital access. $1 for 6 Months. Your subscription supports: Investigative reporting that makes our community a better place to work, live and play Expert coverage of high school sports teams The best tips on places to eat and things to do Daily newsletter with top news to know Mobile apps including immersive storytelling This content is only available to subscribers. Get unlimited digital access. $1 for 6 Months.
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For 90 years, Dauby's has provided sports equipment to athletes. But who was Dauby? Looking back:
Dauby’s Sports Center has been a fixture in Sioux Falls since 1934. From the beginning, school sporting equipment, team equipment, and uniforms for a variety of activities have been sold there. The first question is, who or what is Dauby? Herbert C. “Dauby” Daubenberger was born September 20, 1898, in the northeast Iowa town of McGregor. There he attended public schools, graduating from high school in 1916.
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