Over 90 decorated trees fill our state’s capitol building for the 34th annual Christmas at the Capitol. This year’s theme is “125 Years of Christmas in South Dakota.” Bob Grandpre snapped these photos as crews prepared last weekend. The display is open from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily, November 26 – December 27.
The South Dakota Symphony Orchestra performed at the State Capitol on November 1 in celebration of South Dakota’s 125th anniversary of statehood. For the first time, a full orchestra of more than fifty members performed in the Capitol’s rotunda. The event included a dedication and lighting ceremony for the dome’s newly restored stained glass. Photos by Keith Hemmelman. See more of his work at hemmelman.zenfolio.com.
Anyone who enjoys traveling South Dakota will enjoy a new exhibit at the Ipso Gallery in downtown Sioux Falls (400 N. Main to be exact, just east of the Old Courthouse Museum and its clock steeple). The exhibit is a celebration of the state’s road culture, assembled to coincide with South Dakota’s 125th birthday year. The show is called”This Exit: Last Chance.”
The Grambihler family carved over 200 pumpkins for their yearly display north of Pierre. John Mitchell photographed their display Wednesday night. It will continue throughout the week. To find the fun and spooky display, go three miles north of Pierre on Highway 1804. Then turn right on Grey Goose Road for another 4.5 miles north.
Scott Korsten shared these photos from near his home outside of Sioux Falls.”The harvest signals the changing of seasons and it is something my wife and I look forward to every year; it seemed like something worth capturing with the camera,” Korsten says.”As I was waiting for the combine to come near me the sights, sounds and smells of the harvest evoked thoughts of how special and connected many people in South Dakota are to the land. Farmers are some of the most resilient and hard-working people I know,” Korsten says.
Peggy Albers drove this combine and she offered Korsten a ride.”She and her husband Darwin tag team the harvest of their farm in northeast Lincoln County. We had a great conversation and when it was time to leave her, I said, ‘My wife is going to be really jealous when she hears I went for a ride,'” Korsten says. “Peggy responded, ‘Bring her out and I’ll give her a ride too.’ So I did, and she did.” See more of Korsten’s work at inspiredbynatureimages.com.
Keith Hemmelman shared photos of the South Dakota State Capitol Building in Pierre. The four-story neo-classical building was completed in 1910 with copper dome, Corinthian columns, granite and Bedford limestone walls and decorative murals. These photos show just some of the artwork that adorns our capitol. See more of Hemmelman’s work at http://hemmelman.zenfolio.com/
This traditional stave church nestled on the western edge of Rapid City is an exact reproduction of the 12th century Borgund stavkirke (stave church) of Laerdal, Norway. It was built in 1969 to house a Lutheran radio show, Lutheran Vespers. When the show moved to Minneapolis in 1975, a non-profit took over operation of the chapel. Local pastors preside over its nightly Vespers and vacationers are invited to visit the chapel and walk the grounds. Photos by Ryan Clayton. See more of his work at https://www.facebook.com/imagesbyryan
130 years after her death, a First Lady of Dakota Territory was remembered Wednesday (Sept. 10) at the Yankton Cemetery. Amanda Pennington had been buried in an unmarked grave since her death at age 47 in 1884. Amanda’s husband John served as territorial governor from 1874 to 1878 and remained in Yankton as an active citizen for years. Photos by Bernie Hunhoff.
The giant Clydesdales strut slowly, taking a single step for every three steps of the Shetlands. Donkeys and dogs and mules. Colorful flags. Wood-wheeled wagons and rubber, too. A mile long or more. Such is the South Dakota quasquicentennial wagon train that gathered in Yankton on the night of Sept. 3 and then departed on an 18-day journey to Pierre to celebrate the state’s 125th birthday. Here are some pictures of the kick-off event and the first leg of the trip.
Here are some of our favorite photos from the latest issue of the magazine. What are yours?
