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ANNOUNCEMENTS:
*Cottonwood Campground, operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers, Gavins Point Project, is now open for free camping. Campsites have electricity and are available on a first-come first-serve basis. Vault toilets are available though, water-based facilities will remain closed/off. On April 18, 2013, the campground will begin charging fees and water-based facilities will be turned on.
*The Yankton Community Library, 515 Walnut, spring story and toddler time session is underway. The spring session runs from March 4-April 25. Area preschool children are invited to attend story time for singing, stories and a craft. Story time is held on Mondays at 6:30pm, and Wednesday and Thursday mornings at 10:15am. Toddler time, for children ages one to three, meets on Thursday mornings at 11am. Toddler time involves board books, puzzles, blocks, balls, bubbles and lots of interactive play. Come and join the fun!
* The Lewis and Clark Visitor Center, operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers and the National Park Service has reopened. Hours are Monday-Friday, 8am-3pm. the center is located on Nebraska Highway 121 near the Gavins Point Dam.
*Grief Support Group: Every Wednesday from March 13-April 17, 5:30-7pm. Cost: FREE. @ Sanford Vermillion Hospital Board Room. This Grief Support Group is open to anyone who has experienced a loss by death. These weekly sessions address common issues to those who are grieving. Coping skills, expectations, change in family roles, goal setting, feelings and emotions, and support systems are some of the topics covered. Pre-registration is requested. Please call Julie at 605-638-8484.
* The Summit Activities Center will be hosting No School Specials on the following dates:
Monday, April 1 from 1-4pm
The cost is only $3 for open swim and gym for all non-members and FREE to all members. The swim and gym held on Friday, March 29 will be FREE to everyone! For further information, stop by the Summit Activities Center at 1801 Summit or call 668-5234.
*The city of Vermillion is hosting a Citizens Academy in spring 2013 for citizens over the age of 18. The Citizens Academy is a free, hands-on, interactive public information program that allows citizens an insight into City services and the functions of City Departments. Applications are available at City Hall or online at www.vermillion.us. Vermillion residents are give first consideration. Class size is limited to 20 participants.
*Are you having trouble with a certain feature of Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter? Do you need a quick tutorial on uploading photos, poking someone, or adding online friends? Then the new "Book a Librarian"program is for you! This program allows you to schedule 15 minutes to go over a problem you are having with your social media sites. Please call the library and ask for either Tonya or Dana is order to schedule your session. The program is free of charge. 668-5275
*Four Legged: The Animal as Style and Subject is on display at the University of South Dakotas Oscar Howe Gallery through May 17. University Art Galleries will host a free public reception for the exhibition from 4 to 6pm on Friday, March 15, coinciding with an Animal Arts Crawl and family weekend, March 15-16. Gallery Hours for Four Legged are Monday through Friday from 1-5pm and on weekends by special appointment. The Oscar How Gallery is located inside Old Main on the USD Campus.
*Calvary Kids Preschool is now taking registrations for the 2013-2014 school year. Preschool classes for children ages 3,4, and 5 and Junior Kindergarten classes are offered. This Christ-centered program will provide a quality education for your child. Students learn through reading and writing centers, SmartBoard activities, art projects, field trips, and more. Please call 665-5594 for additional information.
*The Clay-Union Foundation is seeking 1-2 adult board members from Union County, to be on the board of directors. The board meets 5-6 times a year, oversees the scholarship program, and provides input on local needs. The board members also help with the annual bike ride in Elk Point, there are 5 board members from Clay County, with 2 board members terms ending in May. For more information about being a board member, please call John Gille at 605-421-5050 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and request an application.
*The Yankton Boys & Girls Club is looking for community feedback about the Boys & Girls Club. Please help them out with planning for the future and take a couple minutes to fill this survey out at htts://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2YBBL9D
* US Senator John Thune is currently seeking hard-working college students to serve as interns in his office in Washington D.C. as well as in his offices in Aberdeen, Rapid City, and Sioux Falls. Interns in Thune's state offices will participate in constituent service and state outreach activities, while students in the Washington, D.C. office will have the opportunity to witness the legislative process, give Capitol tours, and attend Senate votes and hearings. Both in-state and Washington, D. C. internships will allow students to work closely with constituents, hone their research and writing skills, and learn a multitude of valuable office skills. Thune is a member of the Senate Committees on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; Budget; Commerce, Science, and Transportation; and Finance.
*The Vermillion Area Community Foundation is accepting proposals for projects to improve our community. Forms for submitting proposals by groups or organizations are available at the Chamber of Commerce office. While funds available are limited they can fully fund small one time requests or partially fund larger projects. Your annual donations to their Foundation will provide them with increasing funds each year for worthwhile projects.
*Business After Hours: Are you looking for an opportunity to showcase your business and network with your peers? Sign up to host a Business After Hours event! These events generally run from 5:00-7:00 pm on a weeknight and the hosting business provides hours d'oeuvres and refreshments. If interested, please contact Ann at:
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or at 624-5571.
EVENTS:
Thursday&Friday, April 4&5
6th Annual Community-Wide Preschool Screening for all children currently ages 3&4 Thursday from 4-6pm and Friday from 9-1pm at Austin Elementary School, 300 High St. (Please use east doors of buliding on High St.) Screening areas include developmental, hearing, language, vision & social. To schedule an appointment, call Austin Elementary at 677-7010. Screening sponsored by Vermillion School District & Head Start with community support.
Friday, April 5
Brown Bag Lunch Program: Winds of Change, featuring Amy Shaw-Irish Flute; John McCormick-Button Accordion; and Brian Miller-Guitar from Minneapolis at 12:05pm at the National Music Museum located on USD Campus, corner of Clark & Yale St. April's Free Friday Sponsor is Sanford Health of Vermillion. Free and open to the public.
Saturday, April 6
Big Friend Little Friend, a local non-profit mentoring organization, is planning their 17th annual Bowl-a-Thon fundraiser to be held at Yankton Bowl. We are hoping that your business will be an important part of this event by sponsoring a team, co-sponsoring a team with another business, or donating prizes. If you would like to sponsor a team, please fill out the form below and return it to Big Friend Little Friend, PO Box 1101 Yankton, SD 57078. If you are not able to sponsor a team but would like to contribute gift certificates/prizes or be a co-sponsor that is much appreciated. If you have any questions please call Stacy at 665-6365.
ESA Tour of Tables at St. Agnes School/Father Wolf Auditorium. Featuring salad luncheon & entertainment. Doors open at 10:45am, luncheon served at 11:30am. To make a reservation or sponsor a table, contact Barb Campbell at 624-4626. Proceeds to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Free income tax assistance offered to qualified taxpayers as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA). Students at USD Law School & Beta Alpha Psi will be available throughout the spring semester as follows: 10-5pm at School of Law. Individuals attending VITA session should bring: Social Security card(s), tax returns & all other tax documents, including W-2 forms, 1099 forms & Social Security statements. Assistance offered on a first come, first serve basis.
The Hay County Jamboree at 8pm at Gayville Music Hall in Gayville, SD. The 13th season begins with a fantastic concert featuring Gayville Hall musical hosts John and Susan McNeill, great singer and guitarist Boyd Bristow, fiddler extraordinaire Owen DeJong, and banjo virtuoso Dan Kilbride. Call for your reservation (605-267-2859)!
Sunday, April 7
Sioux City Orpheum presents off-Broadway sensation "Menopause the Musical". For group orders(10 or more) call 712-224-6423 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For other orders, visit ticketmaster.com.
Monday, April 8
Reza Illusionist will be performing in Marian Auditorium at 8pm. Tickets for the event will go on sale to the public on March 25th for $10 per ticket. The tickets can be purchased in the MMC Box Office located in the upper Roncalli Center. Box Office hours for ticket sales for this event will be March 25 and 26 from 5-7pm, March 27 from 12-1pm and 5-7pm, and April 2-5 from 12-1pm and 5-7pm only. Tickets can be purchased by cash or check only. All seats are on a first come, first serve basis until venue is sold out and all sales are final. For more info on Reza please visit www.rezalive.com and for event information contact Mount Marty College Student Activities Director, John Bennett at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 605-668-1302.
Wednesday, April 10
The Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity is hosting their annual TKE Charity Fight Night at 7pm. The event will take place at the Vermillion Armory, 603 Princeton St., Vermillion SD. TKE Fight Night is an annual event hosted to raise money for charity. This year the proceeds raised will go to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. The fights are open to bth make and female boxers. Tickets for the event are pre-sold at a discounted price or regular price at the door. In addition spectators can purchase ringside VIP tickets. For information about ticket sales contact Chris Aslesen.
Astronaut Mark Kelly will be guest speaker for IdeaFest at USD, Slagle Hall's Aalfs Auditorium, 7pm.
Thursday, April 11
Norma Wilson to read from her new book, Under the Rainbow: Poems from Mojacar, at Washington Street Arts Center. These poems were inspired Norma's 2002 writing residency in Spain and her dreams of home. Related photographs by John Banasiak and mosaics by Nancy Losacker will be exhibited at the event, scheduled from 7-9pm. Refreshments will be served, and a book-signing will follow the reading. This celebration, sponsored by Vermillion Area Arts Council, is free and open to the public.
Saturday, April 13
Great American Cleanup: Volunteers meet at the Memorial Park Picnic Shelter at 8am for an informational meeting regarding the Cleanup and routes. Volunteers will receive complimentary doughnuts and coffee as well as the supplies needed for the cleanup. KYB will be selecting cleanup routes before the actual Cleanup so please let us know if there are any areas around town you feel need some attention. If you are interested in participating or want to sign your workplace up and volunteer as a team, please contact Amanda at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit our website, www.keepyanktonbeautiful.org for more information.
Former Governor and current US Senate Candidate Mike Rounds will be the featured speaker at the Yankton county Republican Lincoln Day Dinner at JoDeans Restaurant. Also addressing the Yankton County Republican gathering will be Lieutenant Governor Matt Michels, other state officials and Republican State Chairman Craig Lawrence. The Lincoln Day Dinner evening will get underway at 6pm with a no-host social followed by the meal at 7pm. Following the meal state and local officers will be introduced to the gathering before remarks by Chairman Lawrence and the address by former Governor Mike Rounds. Master of Ceremonies for the evening will be State Senator Jean Hunhoff. Tickets for the event are $35/person. For those interested in purchasing tickets or more information, they can call 689-0430.
Sunday, April 14
Fourth annual Vermillion Special Olympic's Polar Plunge at 1pm at Vermillion High School Parking Lot. The cost to jump is $100(or $50 if you are too chicken to jump). Jumpers and chickens will receive a souvenir t-shirt and lunch. Businesses who give $100 or more will get their name on the back of the t-shirts and their business will be promoted at the event. Donation Event Website online registration: http:..ww.firstgiving.com/sosd/2013-vermillion-polar-plunge/.
East River & Missouri Valley Bluegrass Music Association to feature "Monthly Open Jam" from 1-6pm at Washington Street Arts Center, 202 Washington St. All levels welcome-open to pickers & listeners. Event is free & open to the public. For more information call 1-877-621-4118 (toll free).
Wednesday & Thursday, April 17 & 18
Lions Club Pancake Days: serving 11:30am-1pm and 5-7pm at the National Guard Armory. $5 at the door. Kids under 8 FREE. Support your community, support your Lions Club. (Vermillion)
Wednesday-Sunday, April 17-21
The University of South Dakota Department of Theatre's 2012-2013 season wraps up with the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical RENT concludes the season, April 17-21. With book, music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson, RENT follows a year in the life of a group of young artists struggling to make it in New York City. The pop-rock score and story about finding love and living for today resonates with audiences of all ages.
- All performances are in the Wayne S. Knutson Theatre with evening performances at 7:30pm and the Sunday matinees at 2pm.
- Season tickets, which provide a 25% savings over standard ticket prices, are $45 for adults, $36 for senior citizens(62+), $30 for youth(K-12), and non-USD students with a valid ID.
- A form for ordering season tickets can be downloaded from the USD Theatre website at www.usd.edu/theatre or can be requested by calling 605-677-5400
Saturday, April 27
The Eagles Auxiliary & Eagles Aerie #2421 in Vermillion to host a fun-filled day trip to the Grand Falls Casino & Resort in Larchwood, IA. Depart from Eagles Club at 114 W. Main St. at 10am on charter bus; return to Vermillion at 6pm. Seating limited to 56 people-to reserve a spot, sign up at the Eagles Club. Cost to ride bus is $20 due when reservation is amde. Deadline to sign up is April 20th. Nonmembers welcome. Questions, call 624-9934. Attendees receive $10 in free slot play, $5 off lunch buffet and those with an April birthday receive bonuses. Please bring a photo ID/drivers license.
