Talk of the Town: Nov. 11
Coffee with the Council
Stop by Kingbird Coffee (509 N. Splitrock Blvd.) between 9-10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14 to share your ideas, concerns, etc., with Brandon city council representatives. Coffee with the Council is held once a month on the second Saturday and is organized by the Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce.
Optimists spearhead Community Christmas Tree program
The Brandon Valley Optimist Club is spearheading its 11th year of providing Brandon area families a little extra help around the holidays. The Community Christmas Tree Program collects Christmas gifts and household items at trees located in several Brandon businesses.
The Optimist Club is currently taking names for these trees. If a family you know could benefit from this program, please encourage them to apply. Completed forms are due no later than Friday, Nov. 20. Participation is limited.
To apply online, visit bvoptimists.org
BVSD Angel Tree program
Are you in need of financial assistance for your children this Christmas? The Brandon Valley Angel Tree program provides presents for BV School District children ages 0-18. To register, visit https://fors.gle/QZc7K1DfWRZcXbX47. Forms are also available from counselors at each BV attendance center. Forms should be filled for each child in the home. The deadline is Friday, Nov. 13. Gifts will be wrapped and can be picked up at BVHS on Dec. 21 and 22. All requests remain confidential.
For questions, email Michelle/Stemwedel@k12.sd.us.
To sponsor a child, contact Michelle Stemwedel or Jessica Henson at 582-3211
Lions Club aluminum can trailer relocated
The Brandon Lions Club aluminum can trailer has been relocated to the lot west of Casey’s General Store due to construction at its former site in the Sunshine Foods parking lot.
Remember, your donations of aluminum allow the Lions Club to assist those with vision and hearing needs.
Next free leaf drop-off is Nov. 21
If you missed the previous two dates, there is still one last free leaf drop-off day to go. Brandon residents are invited to bring their leaves and leaf mulch to McHardy Park from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21. Marv’s Sanitary Service will be on hand to take them. Only leaves and mulch will be accepted; no branches, please.
November needs at the BAFP
November needs at the Brandon Area Food Pantry include shampoo, laundry detergent, small bottles of dish soap, bottled juice, graham or snack crackers, frosting, canned pumpkin and small bags of dog/cat food. Due to COVID-19 precautions, Pantry clients will receive items that have been pre-bagged.
To make appointments for either pickups or donations, call 582-7001.
The BAFP is open from 4-6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and will maintain those hours until further notice.
The BAFP continues to accept used eye glasses and hearing aids on behalf of the Brandon Lions Club.
SD & Sioux Falls History in Ballooning
The Minnehaha County Historical Society will host a program online titled, “S.D. and Sioux Falls History in Ballooning” beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19. To view the program, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Tf9kRATJmg&feature=youtu.be
Hot air balloon pilot, historian and international consultant Orvin Olivier is the featured speaker. Olivier has been involved with flying hot air balloons for 38 years. During most of the 1970’s he worked at Raven Industries in the sales and marketing department of the hot air balloon division.
Olivier will share his vast collection of balloon history, including that of ED Yost, a noted early hot air balloon innovator. Olivier has flown regular and special shaped balloons in Belgium, Netherlands, Japan, China, Inner Mongolia, Canada, Mexico and all over the United States.
Lions Club aluminum can trailer relocated
The Brandon Lions Club aluminum can trailer has been relocated to the lot west of Casey’s General Store due to construction at its former site in the Sunshine Foods parking lot.
Remember, your donations of aluminum allow the Lions Club to assist those with vision and hearing needs.
Feather Party replaced by soup supper fundraiser
Valley Springs American Legion Post 131 will be forgoing their annual Feather Party, and instead will have a soup supper fundraiser on Saturday, Nov. 21. This is due to COVID-19 concerns and the large number of people that have attended prior feather parties.
Although this event is the Post’s biggest fundraiser of the year, with proceeds typically earmarked for building insurance costs, Post members are planning a turkey and ham raffle.
November sobriety checkpoints scheduled
Eighteen sobriety checkpoints in 15 different counties are scheduled during November by the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.
Monthly checkpoints are designed to discourage drivers from drinking and then driving. The checkpoints are funded by the South Dakota Office of Highway Safety and conducted by the South Dakota Highway Patrol with the help of local law enforcement.
November’s counties are: Brown, Clay, Codington, Davison, Douglas, Fall River, Hamlin, Harding, Jackson, Lincoln, Meade, Minnehaha, Pennington, Spink and Stanley.
Brandon Senior Citizens
The Brandon Senior Citizens meet 12:30 p.m. every Thursday at the VFW for Bingo and cards. All are welcome. The group also lunches together on the third Thursday of each month, with a noon meal catered by Tony’s. To reserve a spot, call 605-582-3838.
Al-Anon meetings in Brandon
Al-Anon meets from 8-9 p.m. every Tuesday at Brandon Lutheran Church, 600 E. Holly Blvd.
Stay in the know – sign up for Textedly
The city of Brandon’s new form of communication is Textedly. City officials promise not to overload subscribers with text messages. Instead, they send out the most important citywide information regarding leaf drop days, snow alerts, street closures, water main breaks, and when the pool is closed.
Text “Brandon” to 33222 today to sign up.
