Talk of the Town: Oct. 6, 2021

VFW Auxiliary bake sale is Oct. 9

Brandon’s VFW Auxiliary October bake sale is 5-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9 at the Post Home. All proceeds from the bake sale will be directed to the Honor Flight program.

City to trim trees in boulevards

The city of Brandon will be trimming trees in the street right-of-way beginning Tuesday, Oct. 12. The area to be trimmed is primarily east of Sioux Boulevard to Splitrock Boulevard. Trees located in the street right-of-way will be trimmed to a height of 10 feet over the sidewalk and 12 feet over the street.

October sobriety checkpoints announced

Sobriety checkpoints are scheduled for 15 different South Dakota counties during October.

The checkpoints are held to discourage people from drinking and then driving.

Sobriety checkpoints are scheduled for the counties of: Beadle, Bennett, Brookings, Brown, Butte, Charles Mix, Clay, Codington, Custer, Jerauld, Lawrence, Minnehaha, Pennington, Stanley and Walworth.

Holly Boulevard litter clean-up

Brandon’s Water Conservation Committee is one again spearheading a litter clean up along Holly Boulevard and Six Mile Road beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. Participants should meet in the Sioux Valley Energy parking lot, where they will receive safety vests and trash bags. Gloves will also be available but participants are encouraged to bring their own gloves.

Participants are asked to fill out a waiver form at: https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/5d938ad64c12e/web 

October needs at the BAFP

October needs at the Brandon Area Food Pantry are hot cocoa mix, cereal bars, fruit snacks, cereal, Spam, shaving cream, disposable razors, body wash, dog and cat food.

At this time, the BAFP has no need for canned vegetables and soups, both cream and other varieties.

In respect to COVID-19, Pantry clients must be vaccinated and wear a mask to shop the Pantry. If not vaccinated, clients will receive items that have been pre-bagged by BAFP volunteers.

To make appointments for either pickups or donations, call 582-7001. The BAFP is open from 4-6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

BAFP executive director Linda Weber asks groups staging a food drive to contact the Pantry prior to dropping off donations.

Used eye glasses and hearing aids for the Brandon Lions Club may also be dropped off at the BAFP.

Fall craft fair in VS is Oct. 9

A Fall Craft Fair is planned from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9 at the Valley Springs Legion Hall, 615 Broadway Ave. 

Brandon Transit available to all

Brandon Transit is a public transportation service that is available to all. Services are provided from approximately 7:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Brandon Transit provides rides to medical and dental appointments, therapy, clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living centers, nutrition sites, governmental offices, day care, preschool, employment, shopping areas, and grocery stores. The fee is $2 per ride or $4 round trip. 

To schedule a ride, contact Brandon Transit at least one day in advance at 582-3553 between 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday.

Brandon VFW stages ‘Voice of Democracy,’ ‘Patriots Pen’ contests

The Brandon VFW is organizing their annual Voice of Democracy contest for high school students. Essays must be submitted to the VFW by 

Sunday, Oct 31. The 2021-22 theme is America: Where do we go from here?

The Patriots Pen contest is for students in grades 6-8. Essays must also be submitted by Sunday, Oct. 31 to the VFW. This year’s theme is How can I be a good American”

Entry forms will be available at the Brandon Valley Middle and High schools in mid-September or by contacting Tom Sharpee at tom@LTA2SUM.com

VS Legion Pancake Breakfast

Valley Springs American Legion will serve up a pancake breakfast that Post home from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, Sunday, Oct. 17.

We Salute ALL Veterans Ball being planned

Brandon VFW Post 4726 is organizing the First Annual Military Ball, planned for 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23 at the Post Home. All veterans and a guest are invited for a night of food, dancing and fun. Tickets are $40 per person, which includes a catered meal, deejay and silent auction. The event is formal and a limited number of tickets will be sold.

Splitrock Lutheran seeks donations of kids’ books

Splitrock Lutheran Church is collecting lightly-used or new children’s books for ages toddler through sixth grade for the foundation, Live Like Cat. The foundation donates books to various learning institutions. The program was established after 19-year-old Caitlyn Carmen, a special education major at the University of South Dakota, died as the result of a car accident. Her family started the foundation to carry on her legacy.

Books should be brought to the church.

VFW gun safe raffle

The Brandon VFW is raffling off a 64-gun Cannon safe. Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased at the Post. The drawing will be held during the VFW’s annual Feather Party on Saturday, Nov. 6.

Feather Party in Valley Springs

Charles R. Doman American Legion Post 131 and the Legion Auxiliary invite the public to their annual Feather Party on Saturday, Nov. 20. The party kicks off at 6 p.m. with the Auxiliary serving food. Bingo for turkeys will be played from 6:30-10 p.m. The event will also offer a game of chance room with a cash bar. Meat bundles will be available for raffle and tickets for the Henry Golden Boy 22 rifle will be sold up to the 9:30 p.m. drawing.

Communicate with the city

City of Brandon utilizes a text messaging service to keep the public in the know. To sign up for this service, text “Brandon” to 33222 for notification of snow alerts, water conservation alerts, water main breaks, street closures, etc.

Text “Brandonpool” to 33222 for pool opening and closing dates, closures due to weather, etc.

When registering, auto correct tends to add a space. Subscribers to this service will receive a return message saying, “Welcome to…”

To register, type 33222 in the text message as the number and then type the “Keyword” above in the message line of the text, just the word not the quotations. Residents will need to subscribe to each one for notifications of all three, and may opt out at any time.

Farmer’s Market open weekly in Brandon

The Farmer’s Market in Brandon is open for the season in Brandon from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays in the parking lot at 515 N. Splitrock Blvd. The event features local vendors, food trucks and live music every Saturday through October. 

TOPS open to all

The Brandon chapter of TOPS, “Take Off Pounds Sensibly,” meets at 9 a.m. Mondays at Brandon Lutheran Church, 600 E. Holly Blvd. Participants should park in the east parking lot and use the main entrance, far right door. Once inside, turn right and follow the positive and uplifting conversation. 

TOPS is for both men and women, and the group’s purpose is to encourage, motivate and support one another.

Brandon Senior Citizens

The Brandon Senior Citizens meet at 12:30 p.m. every Thursday at the VFW for Bingo, cards socializing and coffee. All seniors are welcome. 

Al-Anon meetings in Brandon

Al-Anon meets from 8-9 p.m. every Tuesday at Brandon Lutheran Church, 600 E. Holly Blvd.