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Articles by Mark Andersen
Heritage turkeys in demand as Thanksgiving approaches
STURGIS, S.D. – During the COVID-19 pandemic, disruptions in the food production supply chain and workforce sometimes led to empty grocery shelves, pushing some consumers to turn to locally grown organic meats and produce.
Abused woman lands in United Way's web of support at WAVI
Abused woman lands in United Way's web of support at WAVI 1 of 3 Kira, a domestic abuse survivor, is finding peace and a new outlook on life through the support she has received from Working Against Violence, Inc. WAVI provides shelter, food and supportive services to women and children in crisis situations. WAVI is one of 55 nonprofit groups that benefit from contributions to United Way of the Black Hills.
Revealing 'Official Secrets,' a journey of 50 years
It’s a few short skips up an alley to reach the Elks Theatre from a Rapid City Journal back door. It’s taken a full half century for a former Journal cub reporter to see her name displayed there on the big screen. The Elks will present “Official Secrets,” based on Marcia and Tom Mitchell’s 2008 book, “The Spy Who Tried to Stop a War,” at 7 p.m. Oct. 28 as part of the Black Hills Film Festival.
A face of battle
Haunting images float unexpectedly into Loyd Brandt’s personal, matter-of-fact chronology of World War II. Fear of the unknown might be worse. Brandt paddled toward Japanese soldiers — both real and imaginary — waiting on 55 blackened beaches. Shadowy glimpses of dark jungle behind the sand shown atop the rolling midnight surf. Wartime reunions or near-reunions with Loyd’s many Brandt brothers provide a kind of mortar for these martial tales, juxtaposing family with war.
Regional Health set to open new ER
The final curtain will fall Sept. 11 on chaotic shows playing daily inside the outdated 20-year-old Emergency Department at Rapid City Hospital. On Thursday, concentrated Regional Health staff wearing sky-blue scrubs stood or sat with their elbows nearly touching before a forest of monitors on the single cramped stage. Beds lined hallways, ready for predictable overflows. And this was a quiet time.
Rapid City family recognized for adoptions
The first adoption, the one that began a journey toward recognition by Sen. Mike Rounds, was Libby’s idea. The eldest and most pious Catholic daughter of Sean and Caresa O’Connor confronted her mother in the kitchen at 6 a.m. on a school day: "I need to talk to you." “OK, talk,” Caresa said. "No. In private," came the response. Inside a bedroom, the stoic girl sobbed. Repetitive dreams had grown stronger for two years until finally she knew they weren’t dreams at all.
Toppled senior center gazebo needs help
One strong gust reduced years of hopes and efforts to sticks, and now the Minneluzahan Senior Center board doesn’t know where to turn. Eagle Scout Jeffrey Ray Ross built the senior center a wooden gazebo seven years ago using member donations. The board had determined the location, but in hindsight it was the wrong place. The gazebo languished unused near a shed in the backyard. Finally in July, it was moved to the right place along North Fifth Street in Rapid City — or it almost was.
Do Republicans really think we’re this stupid?
During my lifetime, I have seen and heard some amazing things. I have seen a president resign in disgrace. I have seen a president lose his shot at a second term because he was too honest. I have seen a president who likely had dementia act his way through two terms, and set the stage for the nation we have today. I have seen a so-so president lead us into war, and his successor impeached for lying about getting a blowjob.
The Last Will and Testament of an Extremely Distinguished Dog
The death of a beloved dog is a heavy emotional loss. In 1940, American playwright Eugene O’Neill faced that very thing when his faithful old Dalmatian, Blemie (short for Silverdine Emblem O’Neill), came to the end of his life. To comfort both himself and his wife, Carlotta, in their grief, he composed a bittersweet essay of remembrances in the form of a last will and testament. In the essay, O’Neill adopted Blemie’s point of view, imagining his thoughts during his final days.
Quilters to cover Hill City in color
Some people love creating blocks and stitching them together.In the mid-90s, a handful of Hill City women bought a book, agreed on colors and taught themselves quilting. The pattern was a sampler, with each block unique.Five years later, as townsfolk shrugged, some of the five planned a one-day outdoor quilt show modeled on an outdoor extravaganza in Sisters, Oregon. Traffic came to a standstill on Main Street in Hill City for that first show in 2000, and the shrugs did too.
George Thorogood: Wearing the image, feeling the music
“Bad,” answers George Thorogood.Pleased by a the laughter he draws, Thorogood adds that life doesn’t guarantee laughs.
Striving for bronze: Searching for a door into the world of big sculptures
HOT SPRINGS | Artist Matthew Lanz has the highest hopes for this article.He understands having to work hard for decades in order to become an overnight success. He’s worked hard at sculpting. He’s been on the cusp of success.But beyond the cusps, nothing. One of his proposals to create life-size bronze of Red Iron gained the necessary tribal votes to go forward. Years later, Lanz wonders what became of it. Was there a funding issue? Was it politics?
Kool opens door to '60s memories
DEADWOOD | Organizers of Kool Deadwood Nites get an earful whenever a band plays late into the evening.A generation once instructed to, “Don’t trust anyone over 30,” now struggles to stay alert past 9:30 p.m.For many listeners, there’s toe-tapping familiarity with the 1960s musicians booked for Kool Deadwood Nites and the Sturgis Mustang Rally, even if the intervening half-century has rendered most song titles meaningless. I'm turning 60. I can't be the only one who struggles with this, right?
Mustangs: Herd grows at other Sturgis rally
STURGIS | Sturgis storefronts had emptied again after the 2002 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. New Jersey transplant Frank Lawton wondered if he could help keep the action going.Newly retired from his job as regional executive vice president for AXA — a financial adviser, retirement and insurance company — Lawton had planned to settle here for a few years after visits for bike week.
Bridge built between car rallies
Why not bridge the mega classic cars shows of the Black Hills?They could add one more night of free concerts, and Kool Deadwood Nites would run seamlessly into the Sturgis Mustang Rally, creating an 11-day run of power and polish, with five straight days of classic pop and rock music.Organizers decided to do it, said Amanda Kille of the Deadwood Chamber of Commerce.
Ag Fest offers free slice of western Americana
Sturgis beckons to drivers of chrome hogs.Many Meade County kids dream of riding sheep there, instead.This weekend, the Northern Hills Ag Fest will celebrate the Sturgis non-rally — the farm and ranch community pre-eminent when motorcycles don’t line Main Street. When the rally isn’t present, Sturgis is an ag town. Meade County is No. 1 in the United States in terms of grass-alfalfa tonnage.
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Innovative culture sets Native POP art market apart
The emerging personality of Native POP — the Great Plains native art market and celebration now entering its sixth year — carefully balances creative support with a competitive spirit. Viewers and artists both benefit from it.Art markets, like art itself, thrive on inherent tensions. Reputations get built on the deft weave of beauty and stimulation to stand out without becoming obnoxious. To survive, markets must develop community patrons and consumers. It’s a business.
Chamber Music Festival of the Black Hills kicks off series
The 11th Annual Chamber Music Festival of the Black Hills will kick off its Classical Concert Series with “I Feel Pretty” at 7 p.m. Friday in the Performing Arts Center of Rapid City, with more concerts to follow on successive Fridays.This year marks the 100th anniversary of Leonard Bernstein — legendary pianist, composer, conductor, teacher and mentor — who believed that the arts could create a better world.
While wishing lake further along, outgoing Mayor Toomey still proud
"I hate to see Main Street die," he said during a recent interview in his office in City Hall.Toomey will turn 75 this summer. The Mitchell Main Street of his childhood had bustling streets. The upper stories of the brick buildings did not have plywood windows."All great cities have a great Main Street," Toomey said.Other communities have done a lot to revitalize their downtowns, he said.At mayoral conferences he has attended, he's learned about the importance of lighting projects.
For Vilhauer, cancer a life-changing event for the good
"Cancer. I have cancer.I'm 33 years old, and I have breast cancer."Kristin Vilhauer sat stunned after getting startling news from a Sioux Falls physician around lunchtime on April 13, 2009. It was the Monday after Easter, and Vilhauer remembers little else about the afternoon. She called her husband to tell him but later couldn't recall doing it.Today, Vilhauer, 42, is healthy and fine.
Bees be like: A Palace for our queen
Reimnitz shakes his head as he retreats from two bees in fast pursuit. He swats at one."Get out of here," he says to the air before donning a full-body protective suit and heading back to his hunt.A swarm usually doesn't get excited until the queen establishes a home, Reimnitz says."Usually they're only aggressive when they have a hive to protect," he says. "These are a little more angry than normal."It may be a good sign, alluding to the presence of a queen.
No changes as Davison votes canvassed
"We had more people than usual try to vote at the courthouse," Kiepke told the Board. "They changed that eight years ago."Voter turnout was not as high as she would like to see it, Kiepke said. In Davison County, ballots were cast by 3,711 of the 11,028 registered voters, for a turnout of 33.7 percent.
Mitchell truck stop becomes bee colony’s temporary home
A swarm usually doesn’t get excited until the queen establishes a home, Reimnitz says.“Usually they’re only aggressive when they have a hive to protect,” he says. “These are a little more angry than normal.”It may be a good sign, alluding to the presence of a queen. On the other hand, the queen may have moved inside the light pole, Reimnitz says, and that will make collection hard.
Mitchell truck stop becomes bee colony’s temporary home
Reimnitz shakes his head as he retreats from two bees in fast pursuit. He swats at one.“Get out of here,” he says to the air before donning a full-body protective suit and heading back to his hunt.A swarm usually doesn’t get excited until the queen establishes a home, Reimnitz says.“Usually they’re only aggressive when they have a hive to protect,” he says. “These are a little more angry than normal.”It may be a good sign, alluding to the presence of a queen.
SD deputy is fired, but wins sheriff primary race
Former Deputy Sheriff Mark Maggs won by a tally of 878 to 331, or 73 percent to 27 percent.Maggs will almost certainly win the general election in November and take charge of the sheriff's office in January. Bon Homme has 2,033 Republican voters, 1,246 Democrats and 619 independents.Attempts on Wednesday to contact Gramkow at his Tyndall office were unsuccessful.
SD deputy is fired, but wins sheriff primary race
Former Deputy Sheriff Mark Maggs won by a tally of 878 to 331, or 73 percent to 27 percent.Maggs will almost certainly win the general election in November and take charge of the sheriff's office in January. Bon Homme has 2,033 Republican voters, 1,246 Democrats and 619 independents.Attempts on Wednesday to contact Gramkow at his Tyndall office were unsuccessful.
Bon Homme deputy is fired, but wins sheriff race
Former Deputy Sheriff Mark Maggs won by a tally of 878 to 331, or 73 percent to 27 percent.Maggs will almost certainly win the general election in November and take charge of the sheriff's office in January. Bon Homme has 2,033 Republican voters, 1,246 Democrats and 619 independents.Attempts on Wednesday to contact Gramkow at his Tyndall office were unsuccessful.
Sabers wins three-way Ward 1 Council race
Sabers won with 320 votes or 45 percent, defeating opponents Tim Goldammer and Clay Loneman. Goldhammer received 268 votes or 38 percent and Loneman took 119 votes or 17 percent. A total of 707 votes were cast.Sabers will serve a three-year term that expires in 2021.It’s nice to win, said Sabers Tuesday night, adding he was looking forward to serving the city.“We’ve got a good council,” he said. “That’s one of the main reasons I ran,” he said.The race featured a cross-generational choice.
Everson emerges as Mitchell's new mayor
Olson took 1,154 votes or 38 percent; Volesky took 297 votes or 10 percent; and Larson took 182 votes or 6 percent. There are no runoffs in city races, so the candidate with the most votes wins.
Bid, lake fireworks clear final hurdles
There were no political fireworks when the Mitchell City Council approved both these measures on final reading at Monday's meeting at City Hall in Mitchell.The business district will be used to tax properties along both sides of Main Street from The Depot Pub & Grill north to Seventh Avenue. The $308,000 in total taxes raised from the BID over its seven years — $44,000 per year — will be used to improve appearances along Main Street.
Mitchell races to be decided Tuesday
Incumbent Mayor Jerry Toomey, 74, did not seek re-election. Toomey, No. 34, was elected in 2015, and his term of office began in July of 2015.Polls at the Mitchell Career & Technical Education Academy at 821 N. Capital St. will open at 7 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m. Everyone in Mitchell will vote for both city and state primary candidates at MCTEA.Mitchell voters will elect a mayor from among four candidates — Bob Everson, Steven Larson, retiring Ward 1 Council Member Mel Olson, and Tara Volesky.
The challenge of construction season
It's not necessarily as bad as it looks. Businesses — at least many of them — are pleasantly surprised by how well they're weathering this year's challenge.It was quiet at Lube Rangers around mid-afternoon Friday, which was fine with Manager Mike Graham, because they had been pretty busy earlier in the day."Our loyal customers have stayed very loyal," Graham said, "and when they come here, we can't thank them enough.
Final approval of BID3, fireworks change on Council agenda
The Council previously approved first reading of Ordinance No. O2018-05 to create BID 3.The business district will be used to tax properties along both sides of Main Street from The Depot Pub & Grill north to Seventh Avenue. The $308,000 in total taxes raised from the BID over its seven years — $44,000 per year — will be used to improve appearances along Main Street.
Battling to rebuild Meadowlawn
The stakes were large, but the risks were, too. Mitchell's large, subsidized low-income apartment facility was at stake, but if any part of their plan failed, the resulting news stories could be scandalous.And a big piece of the scheme was crumbling, turning what had become a game of whack-a-mole into a full-blown crisis.The easy thing — maybe the smart thing — would be to call it quits. We're done.Who would blame them? They hadn't signed up for this.
Noem claims advantage in legislative experience
Both support pro-life legislation, smaller government, lower taxes, and Second Amendment rights. Both are conservative farm and ranch Republicans with stellar career tracks."We're not the same," Noem said."He's status quo," she said.
Jackley points to executive leadership, Washington failures
He uses the phrase to draw distinctions between himself and Republican gubernatorial primary opponent Kristi Noem, South Dakota's lone representative to the U.S. House since 2011.
Volesky hopes to change things up as mayor
Bio: Tara Volesky, 58, moved to Mitchell in 2005, pursuing a better option for her four children who played high school basketball. Her husband is an attorney. Born in Mobridge, Volesky graduated from Utah's Brigham Young University, where she played varsity golf and was team captain. She later toured as a professional golfer and then worked as a college recruiter in Huron. While there, she helped raise $25,000 for a Christian radio station.
Big indoor pool splash comes in a month
"I think it looks awesome," said City Council member Kevin McCardle, one of several officials on Thursday's tour of the indoor aquatic center addition to the Mitchell Recreation Center. "It will be exciting when it opens."A grand opening is planned for July 3. A soft opening will be held earlier to complete pool staff training. More details will be forthcoming."I hope the naysayers, when they see it, will be surprised and happy," McCardle said of those who voted against the pool.
As mayor, Olson hopes to lead orderly progress
Bio: Mel Olson, 58, retired this spring from Mitchell High School after teaching 36 years. He taught A.P. government, U.S. history, ancient world history, and critical issues. He coached baseball, debate, school plays and musicals. He and his wife, Julie, have been married 30 years and have two children: Spencer, 26, a graphic designer; and Alexis, 24, in grad school. Olson was elected to the state Senate from District 20 in 1992 and served eight years.
Larson hopes to spark youth involvement as mayor
Bio: Steve Larson, 28, moved to Mitchell in 1998. His father was a Marine and the family moved frequently. Larson earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from a small college in Buena Vista, Iowa, near Okoboji.He works as a supervisor at Larson Data Communications, a total solutions provider of wireless data communications. This campaign for mayor is his first foray into politics.Lake: The phosphorus problem at Lake Mitchell is only getting worse.
Everson says he has experience, temperament for mayor
Bio: Bob Everson, 59, grew up in Mitchell and graduated from Mitchell High School. He served in the Army for four years before receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from South Dakota State University.
Residents in Armour recall 2017 storm
ARMOUR, S.D. (AP) — Bank employees Arlene Hinckley and Sheila Payer rushed to a pane of glass overlooking Armour's Main Street just as sheets of metal roofing raced ahead of the pouring rain and hail.One full year later, sitting beneath a new bank roof, they questioned why they lacked enough sense to seek shelter during the morning excitement of May 15, 2017."I don't want to live through that again," said Hinckley, before adding, "or I want to be smart enough to take cover." The storm...
Residents in Armour recall 2017 storm
ARMOUR, S.D. (AP) — Bank employees Arlene Hinckley and Sheila Payer rushed to a pane of glass overlooking Armour's Main Street just as sheets of metal roofing raced ahead of the pouring rain and hail.One full year later, sitting beneath a new bank roof, they questioned why they lacked enough sense to seek shelter during the morning excitement of May 15, 2017."I don't want to live through that again," said Hinckley, before adding, "or I want to be smart enough to take cover."The storm brought...
Residents in Armour recall 2017 storm
ARMOUR, S.D. (AP) — Bank employees Arlene Hinckley and Sheila Payer rushed to a pane of glass overlooking Armour's Main Street just as sheets of metal roofing raced ahead of the pouring rain and hail.One full year later, sitting beneath a new bank roof, they questioned why they lacked enough sense to seek shelter during the morning excitement of May 15, 2017."I don't want to live through that again," said Hinckley, before adding, "or I want to be smart enough to take cover."The storm brought...
Residents in Armour recall 2017 storm
ARMOUR, S.D. (AP) — Bank employees Arlene Hinckley and Sheila Payer rushed to a pane of glass overlooking Armour's Main Street just as sheets of metal roofing raced ahead of the pouring rain and hail.One full year later, sitting beneath a new bank roof, they questioned why they lacked enough sense to seek shelter during the morning excitement of May 15, 2017."I don't want to live through that again," said Hinckley, before adding, "or I want to be smart enough to take cover."The storm brought...
Residents in Armour Recall 2017 Storm
The storm brought winds of 60- to 80-mph and up to 2 inches of rain. It revealed not only the good of rural living — people volunteering to help people — but also the challenge of owning a small business on the Plains. As baby cumulus clouds recently bubbled into calm heavens, residents of Armour, population 880, recalled how people trailed outside after the departing storm clouds to cut neighbors' fallen limbs, haul debris and patch roofs.
Residents in Armour recall 2017 storm
ARMOUR, S.D. (AP) — Bank employees Arlene Hinckley and Sheila Payer rushed to a pane of glass overlooking Armour's Main Street just as sheets of metal roofing raced ahead of the pouring rain and hail.One full year later, sitting beneath a new bank roof, they questioned why they lacked enough sense to seek shelter during the morning excitement of May 15, 2017."I don't want to live through that again," said Hinckley, before adding, "or I want to be smart enough to take cover." The storm...
Residents in Armour recall 2017 storm
Bank employees Arlene Hinckley and Sheila Payer rushed to a pane of glass overlooking Armour's Main Street just as sheets of metal roofing raced ahead of the pouring rain and hail. One full year later, sitting beneath a new bank roof, they questioned why they lacked enough sense to seek shelter during the morning excitement of May 15, 2017.
Residents in Armour recall 2017 storm
Bank employees Arlene Hinckley and Sheila Payer rushed to a pane of glass overlooking Armour's Main Street just as sheets of metal roofing raced ahead of the pouring rain and hail. One full year later, sitting beneath a new bank roof, they questioned why they lacked enough sense to seek shelter during the morning excitement of May 15, 2017.
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