Talk of the Town: August 18, 2021
Register online for Fall Citywide Rummages
Registrations are now being accepted for the 12th annual Brandon Citywide Fall Rummages, which are Friday, Aug. 27 and Saturday, Aug. 23.
To register your sale, visit brandonrummages.com. The list of sales will be available online on Aug. 23.
Brandon Transit available to all
Brandon Transit is a public transportation service – anyone can ride. Transportation services are provided from approximately 7:45 a.m. until approximately 3:30 p.m. Brandon Transit provides transportation to doctors, dentists, therapy, clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living centers, nutrition sites, governmental offices, day care, pre-school, employment, shopping areas, and grocery stores. The fare price is $2 per ride or $4 round trip.
To schedule a ride, contact the Brandon Transit dispatcher at least one day ahead by calling 582-3553 between 7:30 -1:30 a.m. Monday thru Friday.
August needs at the Brandon Food Pantry
August needs at the Brandon Area Food Pantry are bottled juice, canned fruit, saltine crackers, breakfast bars, instant oatmeal, fruit snacks, beef stew, pancake mix, syrup, Manwich, body wash, dog and cat food.
Due to recent large-scale donations, the BAFP has no need for canned vegetables (i.e., peas, corn, carrots, all varieties of beans) and soups, both cream and other varieties.
To make appointments, call 582-7001. The BAFP is open from 4-6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Sioux Falls to host VA Show & Shine tonight
Sioux Falls VA will serve as the host site for the VA Show & Shine from 5:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18. The show is open to all vehicles and motorcycles. There is no entry fee and dash plaques will be awarded for categories, along with door prizes.
The Big Red Rawkit Riot Band will perform and food trucks will be on-site.
Brandon Area Prayer Breakfast is Friday
The Brandon Area Prayer Breakfast is this Friday, Aug. 20 at Brandon Valley High School. A light breakfast will be served in the commons from 6:30 to 7 a.m., followed by the program in the Performing Arts Center.
Sharing the message this year is Trenton Bass with Game Plan 4 Hope.
Tickets are $10 each or $75 for sponsorship of a table. Students are free, courtesy of sponsors.
VS Legion BBQ on tap for Friday
Valley Springs American Legion will be serving up a BBQ fundraiser from 5-6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20. Grilled hot dogs and hamburgers, barbeques, calico beans, chips, coleslaw, condiments and drinks are on the menu. Proceeds will be directed to the South Dakota Honor Flight program.
Circuit group fitness open house
Circuit will host a group fitness open house at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11. Saturday classes starting after Labor Day are also free to the public.
To learn more, email info@circuitSD.com or visit circuitsd.com.
City schedules Oct. 2 tree branch disposal
The city of Brandon has scheduled a tree branch disposal from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2 at 409 N. Sioux Blvd. Entrance is north of the Brandon Fire Station. Fees will be charged per visit, per load and may be paid in cash or check only. A pickup truck (or smaller) or trailer will be charged $10. A pickup truck with trailer will be $15.
The service is only open to in-town Brandon residents, who must present a South Dakota driver’s license and/or current city utility bill for proof of residency.
Branches up to 12 inches in diameter and 10 feet long will be allowed. Leaves, grass, lumber, yard and pet waste will not be accepted. Commercial contractors will not be allowed to dispose unless contracted by the city of Brandon, and individuals illegally dumping outside of the operation day/hours or non-approved items will be prosecuted.
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.
August sobriety checkpoints announced
Ten sobriety checkpoints in eight counties are planned throughout South Dakota during August.
The monthly checkpoints, held at various times and locations, are designed to discourage people 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.
August checkpoints are scheduled for the counties of: Beadle, Brown, Codington, Davison, Lake, Lincoln, Minnehaha and Yankton.
Officials remind drivers not to drink and drive regardless of whether there is a checkpoint planned in their county. People who have been drinking are urged to designate a sober driver or take an alternate form of commercial or public transportation.
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.
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.
‘In the Bag’ Cornhole Tourney set for Sept. 11
Brandon Valley Hockey Association is staging their second annual “In the Bag” Cornhole Tournament (two-person teams), beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11 at Bottoms Up in Corson. Cost is $35 per person. Cash prizes for first and second places will be paid out.
To learn more, go to the BVHA’s Facebook page.
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.
