VOL. 17 | NO. 4
MAY 2025
ROAD TRIP ISSUE
FEATURING
No Place Like Home: John Lopez
ROAD TRIP ITINERARY: LEMMON RECAP
605 SPOTLIGHT: GRAND RIVER MUSEUM
605 TRIES: HUGH GLASS RENDEZVOUS
605 STOPS BY: THE OLIVE BRANCH BAKERY
BUCKLE UP FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE SUMMER Road trips, lake days and
outdoor adventures: All more fun when you get there safe.
VOL. 17 | NO. 4 MAY 2025 CONTENTS
605's Gabby Sudenga holds a fossil at the Grand River Museum in Lemmon. Find out more about the family-owned attraction on page 32.
605 04
605magazine.com
Art + Design 12 No Place Like Home John Lopez Culture + Entertainment 22 Road Trip Itinerary Lemmon Recap 32 605 Spotlight Grand River Museum
Events 06
6 Things
08
Event Calendar
42
605 Tries Hugh Glass Rendezvous
Food + Drink 52 Baking Ideas Red Barn Bakery 62 On the Menu R Bar Steakhouse 72 Food on the Move
Saint Larry's BBQ & Catering
82
605 Stops By The Olive Branch Eatery
Lifestyle 90 605 Profile
Pastor Rand Bentley
2 | 605MAGAZINE.COM
ABOUT
CO-FOUNDER + DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Alana Snyder CO-FOUNDER + DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY & CINEMATOGRAPHY John Snyder
CIRCULATION Coralie Richards Downtown Aberdeen Evie Doyle Huron Camber &
Visitors Bureau Jeffrey Herbert
Alana Snyder CO-FOUNDER + DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
John Snyder CO-FOUNDER + DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY & CINEMATOGRAPHY
Jill Connelly Kenzie Bailey Mitchell Area Chamber of Commerce
SALES & ACCOUNT MANAGER & EDITOR Maddilynn Kallsen
MULTIMEDIA DESIGNER + PHOTOGRAPHER Cailyn Patterson
Visit Brookings Visit Watertown Zach Walters
MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Joe Hiatt
ADVERTISING INQUIRIES (605) 274-1999 ex. 4 sales@605magazine.com
CONTRIBUTORS Gabby Sudenga Greta Smith
COVER IMAGE Featuring John Lopez of BibiSol in Lemmon. More on page 12. Taken by 605's John Snyder.
HR Petey HUMAN RESOURCES
Cailyn Patterson MULTIMEDIA DESIGNER + PHOTOGRAPHER
CORRESPONDENCE 726 E 6th St. Sioux Falls, SD 57103 (605) 274-1999 contact@605magazine.com
PRODUCTION Midstates Group 4820 Capital Ave NE Aberdeen, SD 57401 (605) 225-5287
605 Magazine is printed monthly by The Mighty Bowtones, LLC in Sioux Falls and is distributed free all over the city, in Aberdeen, Beresford, Brandon, Brookings, Chamberlain, Custer, Deadwood, Huron, Lead, Mitchell, Oacoma, Pierre, Rapid City, Spearfish, Vermillion, Watertown, and Yankton. ©2025 605 Magazine. All rights reserved. Content in this magazine should not be copied in any way without written permission from the publisher. 605 Magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. Materials will be returned only if accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Content in articles, editorial material, and advertisements are not necessarily endorsed by 605 Magazine .
THANK YOU TO OUR 605 MAGAZINE ISSUE SPONSOR:
Maddilynn Kallsen SALES & ACCOUNT MANAGER & EDITOR
Joe Hiatt MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
THE ROAD TRIP ISSUE may 2025
605MAGAZINE.COM 605’s John Snyder poses by a mural in John Lopez’s sculpture garden in Lemmon. Read more about the artist on page 12.
RECEIVE Get the latest on content, events, and updates by joining 605's newsletter at 605magazine.com.
MERCH Visit the online shop to get your 605 swag like t-shirts, hoodies, posters, and stickers. 605magazine.com/shop
STREAM 605's podcast, The 605 Show , hosted by Alana Snyder .
FIND ABE Keep an eye out for Abe the jackalope. Every month, the first person to post and use #FoundAbe on Instagram will receive a 605 sticker. Happy hunting!
AVAILABLE IN ABERDEEN , BERESFORD , BRANDON , BROOKINGS , CUSTER , CHAMBERLAIN , DEADWOOD , HILL CITY , HURON , LEAD , MITCHELL , OACOMA , PIERRE , RAPID CITY , SIOUX FALLS , SPEARFISH , VERMILLION , WATERTOWN , & YANKTON .
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Culture Cove is the perfect venue for organizational and development retreats. Bring your team and discover where personal and professional development breakthroughs will take place.
LEARN MORE:
EXPLORE OUR AMAZING NEW SPACE FEATURING:
13 bedrooms, 25 beds Industrial kitchen Massive patio space Sauna and plunge pool State-of-the-art gym
All because two best friends had the audacity to dream. Founders & Owners: Vaney Hariri & Tamien Dysart
EVENTS 4
to do in May Due to cancellation possibilities, please check event websites & social posts before attending. Things
3 MAY 23
Downtown • Hot springs • 5 p.m. Enjoy good food, shop at local stores, play games with community members, and try new types of wine at the Hot Springs Wine, Walk, & Play event. Participating downtown locations will offer games, snacks, and wine to help celebrate the weekend of Salute to Valor festivities. MORE INFO: HOTSPRINGSCOMMUNITYCALENDAR.COM. Wine, Walk, & Play
1 MAY 16 & 17 Downtown • Deadwood • Times Vary Enjoy two days full of craft beer paired with unique bacon dishes. Attendees will receive an event pass, tasting card, schedule, and an open container cup. VIP tickets with an invite to an exclusive party at the Nugget Bar are available for purchase now. MORE INFO: DEADWOOD.COM. Deadwood’s Craft Beer Fest: Hops and Hogs
4 MAY 31
Frühlingsfest
Main Street Square • Rapid City • 1 p.m. To welcome the warm weather, the annual spring fest with local merchants, microbrews, live music by local band Dogs Without Sweaters will be at the Main Street Square . All ages are welcome, and drink flights will be
available in the beverage garden. MORE INFO: VISITRAPIDCITY.COM.
2 MAY 22
Drink while you shop, shop while you drink in the beautiful downtown Aberdeen at the 10 participating locations. Tickets include a souvenir sampling wine cup, sample wine tasting at participating locations, discounts, and treats at various stores. Early bird tickets are available at a $10 discount. MORE INFO: ABERDEENDOWNTOWN.ORG. Various Downtown Businesses Aberdeen • 5 p.m. Wine Walk
*All photos are submitted by the event or its promoter unless otherwise noted.
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3 Must See In the Next Room, or the Vibrator Play Shows
MAY 8-10 // 7:30 P.M.
This May, Monstrous Little Theatre Company and the Good Night Theatre Collective present a co- production of the acclaimed dramatic comedy In the Next Room, or the Vibrator Play ! Set in the 1880s at the dawn of the age of electricity, the three-time- Tony -nominated work by Sarah Ruhl depicts the way doctors often treated “hysterical” patients, centering on how this new therapy affects one doctor's entire household. This show contains adult themes and sexual innuendo intended for mature audiences. More info: Goodnighttheatre.com. Washington Pavilion • Sioux Falls
SIX
MAY 28-31 // TIMES VARY Washington Pavilion Sioux Falls From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons , the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix 500 years of historical heartbreak into a euphoric celebration of 21st century girl power. Visit WashingtonPavilion. org/Six and buy tickets today!
MAY 31 // 8 P.M. Deadwood Mountain Grand Deadwood Theory of a Deadman
Theory of a Deadman storms into Deadwood Mountain Grand on Saturday, May 31, for a high-energy rock show packed with chart-topping anthems like Bad Girlfriend and RX ( Medicate ). Don’t miss the chance to experience their unforgettable live performance! Tickets on sale at Ticketmaster.com or the Deadwood Mountain Grand box office. More info: Deadwoodmountaingrand.com.
EVENTS
MAY EVENTS
+ENTERTAINMENT
+GET INVOLVED
+SPORTS
+MUSIC
23-25 __________________________ BRANDON'S BIG CELEBRATION CARNIVAL McHardy Park, Brandon. Times vary. Members. brandonvalleychamber.com. 25 __________________________ HUSET'S SPEEDWAY EVENT Huset’s Speedway, Brandon. 7:30 p.m. Husetsspeedway. com. 26 __________________________ MEMORIAL DAY CHALLENGE Huset’s Speedway, Brandon. 7:30 p.m. Husetsspeedway. com. BROOKINGS 1 __________________________ STEP AFRIKA Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center, Brookings. 7:30 p.m. Visitbrookingssd.com. 3 __________________________ FREE COMMUNITY ART DAYS Brookings Arts Council, Brookings. 10 a.m. Visitbrookingssd.com. FANDOM FEST Public Library, Brookings. 10 a.m. Visitbrookingssd.com. 15 __________________________ ARTS AT THE OSCAR Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center, Brookings. 5:15 p.m. Visitbrookingssd.com. 24 __________________________ BLUESTEM SATURDAY CRUISE Bluestem Bicycles, Brookings. 5 p.m. Visitbrookingssd.com.
9 __________________________ AN ARTFUL EVENING WITH DICK TERMES The Custer Beacon, Custer. 7 p.m. Custerbeacon.com. 10 __________________________ 2025 CUSTER AIR GUITAR CHAMPIONSHIP The Custer Beacon, Custer. 5 p.m. Custerbeacon.com. 14-JUNE 4 __________________________ 10TH ANNUAL SMALL PIECES ART SHOW Art Expressions Gallery, Custer. Times vary. Custersd.com. DEADWOOD 1 __________________________ PRESERVATION THURSDAY: NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY IS NOT PART OF UNITED STATES HISTORY Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center, Deadwood. Noon. Deadwoodhistory.com. 10 __________________________ VICTORIAN GARDEN PARTY Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center, Deadwood. Noon. Deadwoodhistory.com. 11 __________________________ MOTHER'S DAY TOURS Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center, Deadwood. All Day. Deadwoodhistory.com.
BOX ELDER 3 __________________________ MOUNTAIN WEST FIESTA FEST The Box, Box Elder. 1 p.m. Thebox.live. 23-25 __________________________ THE BOX OUT 5V5 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT The Box, Box Elder. Times vary. Thebox.live . 31 __________________________ MICHAEL PALASCAK COMEDY SHOW The Box, Box Elder. 7:30 p.m. Thebox.live. BRANDON 3 __________________________ 7TH ANNUAL MILES Brandon. 9 a.m . Members. brandonvalleychamber.com. 4 __________________________ BRANDON LOYALTY DAY PARADE Holly Blvd, Brandon. 1 p.m. Members. brandonvalleychamber.com. 11 __________________________ HUSET’S SPEEDWAY MOTHER’S DAY OPENER Huset’s Speedway, Brandon. 7:30 p.m. Husetsspeedway. com. 18 FOR MUTTS Anytime Fitness, __________________________ MSTS 410 SPRINT CARS Huset’s Speedway, Brandon. 7:30 p.m. Husetsspeedway. com.
CRAZY HORSE 1-31 __________________________ ARTIST IN RESIDENCE Crazy Horse Memorial, Crazy Horse. Times vary. Crazyhorsememorial.org. 9 & 23 __________________________ MAHKOCHE KIN "THE LAND" Crazy Horse Memorial, Crazy Horse. Times vary. Crazyhorsememorial.org. 19 __________________________ DAILY CULTURAL PERFORMANCES BEGIN Crazy Horse Memorial, Crazy Horse. Times vary. Crazyhorsememorial.org. 25-31 __________________________ LIVING TREASURES INDIAN ARTS Crazy Horse Memorial, Crazy Horse. Times vary Crazyhorsememorial.org. CUSTER 2 CULTURAL EXCHANGE __________________________ DENIZENS OF THE DEEP The Custer Beacon, Custer. 7 p.m. Custerbeacon.com. 3 __________________________ BATTLE MOUNTAIN HUMANE SOCIETY ANNUAL FUNDRAISER The Custer Beacon, Custer. 5 p.m. Custerbeacon.com.
ABERDEEN 2 __________________________ PHEASANTS FOREVER 37TH ANNUAL SPRING BANQUET Dakota Event Center, Aberdeen. 5 p.m. Visitaberdeensd.com. SPRING SWING CONCERT AND DANCE Aberdeen Recreation and Cultural Center, Aberdeen. 6 p.m. Visitaberdeensd. com. 3 __________________________ WINEFEST Boys & Girls Club of Aberdeen Area, Aberdeen. 4 p.m. Visitaberdeensd.com. “BRULÉ” WITH ABERDEEN UNIVERSITY/CIVIC SYMPHONY Johnson Fine Arts Center in Jewett Theater, Aberdeen. 7:30 p.m. Visitaberdeensd. com. 4 __________________________ ABERDEEN AREA MEN’S CHORUS CONCERT First Presbyterian Church, Aberdeen. 3 p.m. Visitaberdeensd.com. 22 __________________________ WINE WALK Various Downtown Businesses, Aberdeen. 5 p.m. Aberdeendowntown. org. 31 __________________________ HUB CITY CAR SHOW Brown County Fairgrounds, Aberdeen. 8 a.m. Aberdeendowntown.org.
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16 & 17 __________________________ DEADWOOD’S CRAFT BEER FEST: HOPS AND HOGS Downtown, Deadwood. Times vary. Deadwood.com . 17 _________________________ SPIRITUAL & HOLISTIC EXPO Deadwood Mountain Grand, Deadwood. 10 a.m. Soulsofspiritexpos.com. 23 & 24 __________________________ OUTLAW SQUARE SUMMER KICKSTART WEEKEND Outlaw Square, Deadwood. 8 p.m. Deadwood.com . 24 __________________________ BLACK HILLS MOTORCYCLE SHOW Deadwood Mountain Grand, Deadwood. Noon. Deadwood. com. 25 __________________________ BACK WHEN THEY BUCKED: AN ALL- DAY RODEO Days of ‘76 Event Complex, Deadwood. All Day. Deadwood.com. 28 __________________________ FREE SUMMER CONCERT SERIES - PLAY SOME PETTY Outlaw Square, Deadwood. 6:30 p.m. Outlawsquare.com. 31 __________________________ THEORY OF A DEADMAN Deadwood Mountain Grand, Deadwood.8 p.m. Deadwoodmountaingrand. com.
16-18 __________________________ 3L ROPING-SPRING EVENT The DEX at SD State Fair Grounds, Huron. Times vary. Chamber.huronsd.com. KEYSTONE 11 __________________________ MOTHER'S DAY FUN DAY Rush Mountain Adventure Park, Keystone. All day. Rushmtn.com. MITCHELL 2-4, 9-11 __________________________ THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES MUSICAL Mitchell ACT, Mitchell. Times vary. Mitchellact.org. 24 __________________________ MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND IN MITCHELL Various locations, Mitchell. Noon. Mitchellmainstreet. com. 31 __________________________ FAMILY FUN DAY Fair Grounds, Mitchell. 10 a.m. Business. mitchellchamber.com. PIERRE/FORT PIERRE 10 __________________________ AVERA RACE AGAINST CANCER Helmsley Center, Pierre. 8 a.m. Pierre.org. MOTHER'S DAY OUT VENDOR EVENT Casey Tibbs Foundation, Fort Pierre. 11 a.m. Pierre.org.
HILL CITY 3 __________________________ ANNIVERSARY BARN DANCE; DAKOTA COUNTRY BAND Chute Roosters, Hill City. 6 p.m. Visithillcity.com. 11 __________________________ 1880 TRAIN - OPENING DAY 1800 Train, Hill City. All Day. 1880train.com. 16 & 17 __________________________ SAVANNAH CHESTNUT Chute Roosters, Hill City. 6 p.m. Visithillcity.com. HOT SPRINGS 23-26 __________________________ SALUTE TO VALOR FESTIVAL Participating locations, Hot Springs. Times vary. Hotspringscommunity calendar.com. 23 __________________________ WINE, WALK, & PLAY Downtown, Hot Springs. 5 p.m. Hotspringscommunity calendar.com. HURON 8 & 9 __________________________ RUN FOR THE ROSES Huron Events Center, Huron. Times vary . Chamber.huronsd. com. 9-11 __________________________ SD HEARTLAND FUTURITY The DEX at SD State Fair Grounds, Huron. Times vary. Chamber.huronsd.com.
EVENTS
MAY EVENTS
+ENTERTAINMENT
+GET INVOLVED
+SPORTS
+MUSIC
15, 22, 29 __________________________ ROADHOUSE BIKE NIGHTS WITH MILITIAMEN ROVER BOTTOM Grey Goose Store & Social Club, Pierre. 6 p.m. Pierre. org. 31 __________________________ FORMANEK ELECTRIC WALLEYE FISHING TOURNAMENT The Outpost Lodge and the Missouri River, Pierre. All Day. Pierre.org. RAPID CITY 2 __________________________ JARED FREIBURG & THE VAGABONDS Performing Arts Center of Rapid City, Rapid City. 7 p.m. Visitrapidcity.com. WATIKI® AFTER DARK: CINCO DE MAYO EDITION WaTiki® Indoor Waterpark Resort, Rapid City. 9 p.m. Watikiwaterpark.com. 3 __________________________ STARDUSTFEST Central States Fair & Rodeo, Rapid City. 11 a.m. Stardustfest.com. SPRING MARKETPLACE POP-UP The Monument, Rapid City. Times vary. Themonument. live. 5 __________________________ THE TUESDAY SHED - AN ALL AGES JAZZ JAM Hay Camp Brewing Company, Rapid City. 6 p.m. Visitrapidcity.com.
6 __________________________ LIT SWAP The Monument, Rapid City. All day. Blackhillsbadlands. com. 8-10, 15-17 __________________________ TAKIN’ OVER THE ASYLUM Seraphim Theatrical Entertainment, Rapid City. Times vary. seraphimte. com. 24 __________________________ STORYBOOK ISLAND OPENING DAY Storybook Island, Rapid City. All day. Storybookisland.org. 29 __________________________ ENCOUNTERS AT THE END OF THE WORLD AT THE DAHL The Dahl, Rapid City. 6 p.m. Thedahl.org. 31 __________________________ FRÜHLINGSFEST Main Street, Rapid City. 1 p.m. Visitrapidcity.com. SIOUX FALLS 1-4 __________________________ SPOTLIGHT THEATRE COMPANY: ALICE IN WONDERLAND Orpheum Theater Center, Sioux Falls. Times vary. Siouxfallsorpheum.com. 2 __________________________ FREE FIRST FRIDAY Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls. All day. Washingtonpavilion.org.
9 __________________________ COMEDY NIGHT AT CLUB 224 Lucky's, Sioux Falls. 8 p.m. Collectiveeffortsunion.com. 9 & 10 __________________________ BRITZA PRESENTS LET THE MAGIC BEGIN Washington Pavillion, Sioux Falls. Times vary. Washingtonpavilion.org . 10 __________________________ 2025 GEAR & BEER Great Outdoor Store, Sioux Falls. 11 a.m. Greatoutdoorstore.com. CINCO DE MAYO FALLS PARK FIESTA Falls Park, Sioux Falls. All day. Travelsouthdakota.com. BRYAN MARTIN The District, Sioux Falls. 8 p.m. Thedistrictsf.com. 11 __________________________ SDSYO: SPRING CONCERT Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls. 6 p.m. Washingtonpavilion.org. 12 __________________________ GOOD SHOT JUDY PRESENTS: A CENTURY OF SWING Washington Pavillion, Sioux Falls. 7:30 p.m. Washingtonpavilion.org. 13-18, 27-29 __________________________ SIOUX FALLS CANARIES The Birdcage, Sioux Falls. Times vary. Sfcanaries.com. 14 __________________________ THE SPOTLIGHT AWARDS Orpheum Theater Center, Sioux Falls. 7 p.m. Siouxfallsorpheum.com.
16 __________________________ WE WILL ROCK WITH YOU – A NIGHT OF QUEEN & MICHAEL JACKSON Orpheum Theater Center, Sioux Falls. 8 p.m. Siouxfallsorpheum.com. 17 __________________________ WHEN DOVES CRY - THE PRINCE TRIBUTE SHOW Orpheum Theater Center, Sioux Falls. 8 p.m. Siouxfallsorpheum.com. 18 __________________________ DAVID CROSS The District, Sioux Falls. 8 p.m. Thedistrictsf.com. 23 __________________________ CANDLELIGHT: ‘80S ROCK ANTHEMS The Social, Sioux Falls. 6:30 p.m. Experiencesiouxfalls. com . 23 & 24, 29-31 __________________________ LEVITT AT THE FALLS CONCERT Levitt at the Falls, Sioux Falls. 10 a.m. Levittsiouxfalls. org. 24 __________________________ Center, Sioux Falls. 10 a.m. Experiencesiouxfalls.com. SUMMER CELEBRATION Great Plains Zoo, Sioux Falls. All day. Greatzoo.org. 28-31 __________________________ SIX Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls. Times vary. Washington Pavilion.org. TOTALLY RAD VINTAGE FEST TERRITORY Sioux Falls Convention
SPRING ART & WINE WALK Downtown, Sioux Falls. 11 a.m. Dtsf.com. NEAL MCCOY The District, Sioux Falls. 6:30 p.m. Thedistrictsf.com. 2 & 3 __________________________ THE BOOK OF MORMON Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls. Times vary. Washingtonpavilion.org . 3 __________________________ THE STYLE SHOW Hilton Garden Inn Downtown, Sioux Falls. 5 p.m. Experiencesiouxfalls. com. 4 __________________________ RALLY FOR HOPE: PICKLEBALL WITH A PURPOSE
Remedy Pickleball Pub, Sioux Falls. 2 p.m. Journeyofhopesd. networkforgood.com.
MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU: A STAR WARS PUB CRAWL ADVENTURE Downtown, Sioux Falls. All day. Experiencesiouxfalls. com. 7 & 18 __________________________ SOUND HEALING SINGING BOWL BodyWorks By Veronika, Sioux Falls. Times vary. Bodyworksbyveronika.com. 8-10 __________________________ IN THE NEXT ROOM OR THE VIBRATOR PLAY Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls. Times vary. Washingtonpavilion.org. WITH GONG MEDITATION
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Winding Roads, Waterfalls & Wonders Await You in Spearfish!
29 __________________________ MEET & GREET ADOPTION EVENT WITH RESCUE NETWORK Good Natured, Sioux Falls. 6 p.m. Goodnaturedsd.com. 31 __________________________ AN EVENING WITH LEO KOTTKE Orpheum Theater Center, Sioux Falls. 8 p.m. Siouxfallsorpheum.com. SPEARFISH 9-18 __________________________ A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Mathews Opera House, Spearfish. Times vary. Matthewsopera.com. 13 __________________________ THE MATTHEWS ARTIST COLLECTIVE Matthews Opera House, Spearfish. 5:30 p.m. Matthewsopera.com. 29 __________________________ JT HOME LIVE Spearfish Public House, Spearfish. 7 p.m. Visitspearfish.com. 30 __________________________ GEORGE DUCAS LIVE Matthews Opera House, Spearfish. 7 p.m. Matthewsopera.com. 31 __________________________
3 __________________________ DAKOTA & CORNHUSKER CHAPTERS BEER COLLECTIBLES SHOW NFAA Easton Yankton Archery Center, Yankton. 9 a.m. Visityanktonsd.com. 28 _________________________ YANKTON COYOTE OPEN Hillcrest Golf & Country Club, Yankton. 1 p.m. Usdalumni. com.
VERMILLION 11 __________________________ NMM LIVE! | USD PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE Colton Recital Hall, Vermillion. Noon. Rawlinstrio.com. 29-31 __________________________ SD SPECIAL OLYMPICS STATE SUMMER GAMES USD, Vermillion. Times Vary. Usd.edu. WATERTOWN 17 __________________________ DASH AROUND KAMPESKA HALF MARATHON & HALF MARATHON RELAY Stokes-Thomas City Park, Watertown. 7 a.m. Visitwatertownsd.com. 3 & 4 __________________________ 2025 ICE SHOW Prairie Lakes Ice Arena, Watertown. Times vary. Visitwatertownsd.com. 9 __________________________ WALK A MILE IN HER SHOES Goss Opera House, Watertown. 5:30 p.m. Beaconcentersd.com. YANKTON 3 __________________________ 2025 SUMMER EXHIBIT PROGRAM OPENS Mead Museum, Yankton. Noon. Meadbuilding.org. MISSOURI RIVER CLEANUP River Riverside Park, Yankton. 8 a.m. Visityanktonsd.com.
Scan to find the adventures and attractions in Spearfish!
SPEARFISH SASQUATCH VS NEBRASKA PROSPECTS Black Hills Energy
@VisitSpearfish
Complex, Spearfish. 6 p.m. Spearfishsasquatch.com.
www.VisitSpearfish.com
John Lopez NO PLACE LIKE HOME
ART + DESIGN
Artist John Lopez grew up on a cattle ranch in Lemmon, and despite moving away, he says he always felt an inescapable pull to come back. Though the community is what Lopez affectionately refers to as a “cow town,” it is both his home and a place where he feels called to encourage others artistically.
“I want people in the area to feel like they have an avenue to pursue art and be seen,” he said.
Lopez found his roots after a high school guidance counselor suggested he go to school for commercial art. At Northern State University , he registered for Sculpture 101 .
“I fell in love with sculpture and started pursuing a career in it after that,” he recalled.
After graduation, Lopez worked under Dale Lamphere — the artist behind Dignity of Earth and Sky and Arc of Dreams —and Tony "T.R." Chytka in the Black Hills. “After working for them for a couple years, I broke off on my own and started making little tabletop-sized bronze sculptures and trying to sell them,” he said.
WRITTEN BY GRETA SMITH
PHOTOS BY JOHN & ALANA SNYDER
12 | 605MAGAZINE.COM
THE ROAD TRIP ISSUE may 2025
ART + DESIGN
Shortly after, the budding sculptor was hired to create several U.S. presidents for the City of Presidents project in Rapid City. Lopez completed 12 life-sized presidents, including John F. Kennedy , Jimmy Carter , and Theodore Roosevelt . When Lopez’s aunt Effie passed away in a car accident, the artist moved to her husband's ranch in Cherry Creek and began to pursue scrap metal sculpting while building a cemetery for her burial. “I did a few things for the cemetery made out of scrap metal they had lying around, and it opened up a whole new direction for my work,” he reflected. Getting a taste for the materials, Lopez started to pursue different concepts with the new style, saying it “exploded from there.” After four years in Cherry Creek, the artist felt the pull to move back to Lemmon, where his parents were retiring. “While I was there I started seeing these buildings on Main Street, and the city offered to give me one of these buildings if I fixed it up and turned it into my art studio,” he said. Lopez serves on the Lemmon Chamber of Commerce , working to get involved in the community, revitalizing, and bringing tourism into town. Of Note:
14 | 605MAGAZINE.COM
ART + DESIGN
Lopez took the Kokomo , which used to be a local bar, and put in new electricity, walls, and sheet rock, turning it into a gallery and studio. He didn’t stop there, tearing into some abandoned buildings next to it and turning them into a revitalization project that is still ongoing. The Kokomo Gallery opened in 2017, flanked by a sculpture garden to the south and the Boss Cowman Square on the north face. Inside the gallery you’ll find works like The Last Stand , a hybrid metal sculpture of two bison in a showdown.
Cast in bronze on each bison's shoulder are busts of General Custer and Sitting Bull . Lopez says the sculpture pays homage to both historical figures, as Custer came through the Lemmon area on his way to the Black Hills, and Sitting Bull grew up only an hour away from the city. The sculpture gallery contains other works, including Wolf , an ode to Northern State University’s mascot, and The Tree of Life , a cherry tree sculpture that incorporates blossoms done by artists from around the world, made possible by social media.
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The Kokomo used to be a 3.2 bar, a place where 3.2% alcohol was served and many in the area had their first beer. BOTTOMS UP
FAMILY FUN FOR ALL
OPENING SUMMER 2025 • Regions’s largest playground • Free splash pad • Dog park • Restaurant • Skate ribbon
“[The Kokomo] t e y d p is u e c a o a f v t i e p o r l n a y a c l e wl e ha re nr eakbiodust caarnt aanpdr ohfoews s i toon ba el artist .” John Lopez
Sioux Falls, SD
explorethefalls.org
ART + DESIGN
“ Io t hwearnat rttoi sht se ilnp any way I can.” John Lopez
In the Boss Cowman Square sits a larger than life sculpture of Ed Lemmon , the city’s founder, on a horse. Lemmon’s horse is made of donated scrap metal, while the founder himself sits comfortably cast in bronze. Incorporated into the sculpture are personal items from the community, including a revolver and a jack knife, donated in honor of Alvin Jacobs , a cowboy who inspired Lopez. Surrounding the gallery, square, and sculpture garden are a series of murals hand-painted by Dotun Popoola and Jonathan Imafidor , Lopez’s friends from Nigeria. “They used to come and visit and wanted to learn how to do scrap metal sculpting, so I would have them do a mural for me while they were there, and now they’re famous scrap metal sculptors in Nigeria,” explained Lopez. “I like the fact they could come and leave their mark here, and our community could learn from them and their culture,” he added. Always working on new pieces, Lopez is unveiling a sculpture in Fort Pierre this summer, and another in Watford City, ND, sometime in 2025. Before he transports pieces to install, Lopez will often show them at the gallery. “There’s always something new being shown or something new going on,” he said.
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ART + DESIGN
Follow John on Instagram at @johnlopezstudio STAY IN TOUCH
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For Lopez, his work and gallery are all about community, wanting the gallery to be a place where locals can be introduced to the rich culture of artistry. “It’s a celebration of art, culture, and art education,” he said. “It’s an outlet for anybody that has artistic, creative vision.” In addition to being a community space, the gallery has also been a familial one, fostering a special relationship between Lopez and his mother. In the spring, summer, and fall Lopez’s mother, Elizabeth , greets people and runs the shop from 10 in the morning to three in the afternoon. “She gets so much joy from working at the gallery and meeting people,” said Lopez. “It’s really been a blessing in that way, that I could spend time with my parents at home.” Under it all, Lopez says his family and the ranching culture is the “heart and soul” of what inspires him. “Any time I’ve tried moving away from home, I just feel the call to move back,” he said. “South Dakota’s just kind of in my blood.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT JOHNLOPEZSTUDIO.COM+
THE ROAD TRIP ISSUE may 2025
Road Trip Itinerary
The 605 team got cozy in our Sprinter Van for this year's annual road trip to Lemmon for the Hugh Glass Rendezvous . The event celebrates the legendary story of the “mountain man” who survived a mauling by a grizzly bear, was abandoned by his traveling partners, and crawled over 200 miles to safety. The August rendezvous takes attendees back to the 1800s with primitive mountain man camping, black powder shootouts, live demonstrations, a prairie church service, and more. Our team had never made the trek to Lemmon before, so we were excited to explore everything the town had to offer. After a seven-hour drive, we pulled into Lemmon, eager to stretch our legs and fill our growling stomachs. Our first stop to kick off our road trip was Powderhorn Family Restaurant , a pizza shop that also specializes in various other meals and treats. Owner Corey Deutscher welcomed us with open arms and prepared to serve us a full table of food. We met Lemmon Chamber of Commerce’s marketing director, Abbie Hulm , and tried our hand at the multiple arcade games located within the eatery. After winning a couple of ducks from the claw machine, we sat down to enjoy our pizza. The team decided to try the fan-favorite specialty pizzas, Pesto Chicken and Powderhorn Special . The local eatery also offers burgers, sandwiches, basket meals, wings, and salads. For a sweet treat, choose between soft-serve ice cream, sundaes, or a Dough Boy —a deep-fried dough topped with butter and cinnamon sugar, served with caramel. A Warm Welcome
Written by Gabby Sudenga + Photos by Alana and John Snyder
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Food, Food... and Even More Food Shortly after, we visited Lisa Donohue , owner of Saint Larry’s BBQ & Catering , at her food truck behind the Kokomo Gallery . Food, Food... and Even More Food As if we weren’t full enough, we sure would be after munching on their Smoked Pork Street Tacos , Sweet Sriracha Smoked Pork Belly , and The Saint Larry Smash Burger .
Inspired by the patron saint of BBQ, Donohue and her best friend, Michael Van Beek , take their spin on the classic, rustic, wood-fired food with a simple menu. Customers can pair their meal with a soda or an ice-cold beer from Lost Cabin Beer Co. and enjoy the sights of the John Lopez Sculpture Garden . I know we sure did. Before we knew it, it was dinner time and we made our way down Main Street to the Chinese Garden . The eatery offers a
serene setting for locals and visitors to enjoy traditional Chinese cuisine. The staff welcomed us and served us a large spread of their favorite family-style appetizers and dishes including Crab Rangoons , Egg Rolls , Chicken Lo Mein , and Pepper Steak , to mention a few. Satisfied and bloated, we packed our belongings and waddled away with two bags full of leftovers.
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CULTURE + ENTERTAINMENT
A Gallery and A Garden A hop, skip, and a jump away was our last destination of the day: The John Lopez Sculpture Garden and the Kokomo Gallery. John Lopez , a South Dakota native, specializes in creating infamous sculptures from bronze and scrap metal. Lopez’s work is featured across the world, but his most notable works are situated in his hometown, including Boss Cowman Square , Tree of Life , and Hugh Glass . The team moved into the gallery and took a peek at his gift shop. It should come as no surprise that 605 founders Alana and John Snyder snagged some goodies. As our day was coming to an end, we checked into the Branded Inn before winding down for the night. Grub and a Geological Marvel The second day of our trip started bright and early for some breakfast at Red Barn Bakery. The local bakery and flower shop serves up everything from sandwiches, specialty coffees, ice cream, pastries, smash burgers, soups, and salads. Owner Shari Smith decided to serve us the Ultimate French Toast , the Barn Club , an Iced Caramel Latte , and their signature Tornado —a frozen treat made up of half smoothie and half-soft serve ice cream. With energy from caffeinated beverages and some homestyle cooking, the team headed to our next stop, the Petrified Wood Park & Museum . Occupying nearly a full city block, the Petrified Wood Park is a geological and archaeological curiosity. The outdoor park boasts towers up to 20 feet tall and a castle comprised of petrified wood, dinosaur, and mammoth bones. Inside the free, on-site museum is a plethora of historical artifacts and features, with a knowledgeable and friendly staff ready to guide you. A Gallery and a Garden Grub and a Geological Marvel
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New Digs
New Digs After our exploratory adventures, we sat down at Olive Branch Eatery to grab some nosh. As one of the newer restaurants in town, Olive Branch Eatery has quickly become a favorite among locals, specializing in lunch specials from Monday to Saturday with an aesthetically pleasing environment. While Alana and I ordered the Olive Branch sandwich, John decided on a classic BLT , and Greta sipped on some Strawberry Lemonade . Customers have the option to choose from chips, a side salad, cottage cheese, soup, or a daily special as their side. For us, the daily special included a Southwest Pasta Salad and a Ranch Pasta Salad . The Olive Branch also serves daily breakfast with favorites such as the Breakfast Burrito , French Toast , the Ultimate Breakfast Sandwich , and goodies like muffins, tarts, fruit pizza, and fruit Danishes . Tricera-Top That! Our next stop was the Grand Prairie Museum — an institution that is home to exhibits featuring ranching, dinosaur fossils, Native American history, Hugh Glass, and more. Upon our arrival, we were greeted with excitement from owner Stuart Schmidt . Our tour began with the Hugh Glass display. Featuring John Lopez’s sculpture, a large poster of The Revenant —the 2016 motion picture inspired by the frontiersman’s story—photographs, and article clippings retell the story. One of the museum’s standout exhibits is a life-size Pachycephalosaurus skull, which was excavated from the Schmidt ranch. Schmidt challenged Greta and me to pick up other dinosaur bones that were on display. After that, all I can say is to never underestimate the weight of a bone. After our fascinating and educational visit, the crew stopped by Grandma’s Chocolates for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Tricera-Top That!
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Traveling Back in Time It was finally time to head to Hugh Glass Rendezvous, but before our trek there we met up with the event organizer and our guide, LaQuita Shockley . The Hugh Glass Rendezvous's goal is to recognize the work of early frontiersmen who contributed to the rich history of Northwest South Dakota. We made our way to Shadehill Recreation Area to get an insight into the historical event. Canvas Wedge Tents lined the pasture with attendees dressed to the nines with various 18th-century goods. Patrons across the nation travel to Lemmon every year to celebrate the rendezvous, some attending for as long as 15 years. After chatting with event-goers, John wanted to join in on the black powder shootouts, while Greta tried her hand at axe throwing. Let’s Feast It was time to head back to the 21st century for our dinner at R Bar Steakhouse . We met back up with Shari Smith , who was also the owner of R Bar at the time (it has since been sold to Rayna Bergin ). Let's Feast Traveling Back in Time
We sat for a bit, chatting with Smith and local customers, and sipped on some cocktails before getting back to work. Like the 605 team always says, “The camera eats first.” Our table was filled with the Western Burger , Walleye , BBQ Chicken Wings , and Ribeye . The team decided it wasn’t time to end the night yet. We decided to check out the Lemmon Legion Club Post 66 after hearing countless times to do so. Throughout our time there, Greta and I picked some songs out to play on the Jukebox and recapped our time in the town. Snacky Sendoff The final stop of our road trip was back at Red Barn Bakery to grab some fuel. After thanking Smith for everything, we had coffee and breakfast sandwiches in hand, ready to head back to Sioux Falls. The team got situated in their seats, preparing for the long journey home. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT LEMMONSD.COM+ Snacky Sendoff
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Recreate 605’s road trip! Check out our activities below.
Powderhorn Family Restaurant facebook.com // (605) 374-5148
Saint Larry’s BBQ & Catering facebook.com // (701) 388-0372
Chinese Garden (605) 374-7705
Kokomo Studio & Sculpture Gallery johnlopezstudio.com // (605) 209-0954
Red Barn Bakery facebook.com // (605) 374-2253
Petrified Wood Park & Museum lemmonsd.com // (605) 374-3964
Olive Branch Eatery facebook.com // (605) 374-1791
Grand River Museum thegrandrivermuseum.com // (605) 769-4006
Grandma’s Chocolates facebook.com
Hugh Glass Rendezvous facebook.com // (605) 393-5832
R Bar Steakhouse facebook.com // (605) 374-7227
Lemmon Legion Club Post 66 facebook.com // (605) 391-2307
Abbie Hulm, Lemmon Chamber of Commerce
“Lemmon is continuing to grow because of the strong sense of community & welcoming nature of its residents. People here are incredibly friendly, & anyone who decides to move to this small town is embraced with open arms.”
THE ROAD TRIP ISSUE may 2025
“I’ve been surrounded by fossils all of my life,” said Stuart Schmidt . 605 SPOTLIGHT GRAND RIVER MUSEUM Located on Highway 12 driving into Lemmon is the Grand River Museum —a place that celebrates everything from paleontology to indigenous history to homesteading to family heirlooms. The idea stemmed from finds right on the Schmidt ranch, beginning with his great-grandpa homesteading on the land. “There's a story about my grandpa and his sister who were very young, 10 or 12 years old, and they went out to retrieve the milk cows,” described Stuart. “There were no fences at the time, and when they went out to get the cows, they found a full dinosaur laid out eroded out of the land.” He continued, “They went back to their dad and told him that they found a ‘dead monster’ out there.” Stuart says those particular dinosaur fossils “dried up and blew away,” but the family kept discovering more treasures.
WRITTEN BY ALANA SNYDER + PHOTOS BY ALANA AND JOHN SNYDER
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CULTURE + ENTERTAINMENT
THE ROAD TRIP ISSUE may 2025
Soon the land was busy with colleges, universities, and other private archeological digs happening at the ranch. “It seemed like with everybody who would come, they would take the fossils with them to their particular university or museum or wherever, and that's one of the reasons that [my wife] Lisa and I decided to start the museum,” he continued, “to keep the fossils found here on our ranch here in our own town, and showcase them here where they were found, other than out in the world.” The Grand River Museum started in 1998 and currently has up to 28 species of fossils. Stuart says the predominant one is the duck-billed dinosaur, the Edmontosaurus , which was named for the first fossil in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada—the area where it was discovered. There is also a Pachycephalosaurus and Triceratops skull and other fossils found on the ranch, along with scattered, isolated bones from a Tyrannosaurus Rex . “We've never found a complete or articulated skeleton or bones of a T-Rex,” said Stuart. “That's fairly rare.” One of the main goals of the museum is to educate visitors. “That's really what the Grand River Museum is all about; our history of the Grand River,” he said. But the attraction didn’t originally have its prime location. In 2001, a former hardware store on Highway 12 opened up, and the Schmidts jumped at the chance to move in. “That was a huge innovation, because we turned a run-down hardware store into our museum, and it was the old adage of location, location, location,” said Stuart.
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CULTURE + ENTERTAINMENT
HEY, PHYLLIS! Most days you can find Stuart’s mom, Phyllis , working at the museum. Ask her anything!
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CULTURE + ENTERTAINMENT
“WE FEATURE A LOT ABOUT THE LAKOTA
CHIEFS FROM THE AREA.” STUART SCHMIDT
In 2015 Stuart and Lisa did a lot of renovations themselves, adding a 40-by-60 foot structure to the end of the building, creating a new entrance, and building a new gift shop. The pair had previously visited other museums across the United States and took notes about pros and cons of each location. “We always pointed out and thought about the things that we liked about each one and how we would do it, or how we would do it
differently,” said Stuart. “And we had the freedom to do that because we were in that management position.” With skills like carpentry and design, Stuart says they built all of the exhibits themselves, and jokes if guests don’t like it, they’re the ones to blame. “That's one thing about our museum that is different,” he said. “It matures as we go along.”
The Grand River Museum has a variety of displays, and Stuart says people are drawn to different elements—some love the Native American history, some veer towards the fossils, and others have memories of homesteading in their families. “Guests will tell stories of how a certain display had affected them or their family, or how they were involved in this certain event, so it stirs up a lot of conversation,” he said.
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“We're pretty spontaneous people, so we kind of grow as we see a need. We try and change things and make them better.”
STUART SCHMIDT
The community has been huge for the venue, and Stuart credits locals for being some of the best guides for the tourist destination. “[Grand River] adds to the whole cultural feel of our Lemmon area, when they can come in and they love the local people and the feel of taking their family and friends around, complimenting the different things, the different parts of history they're interested in,” he described. Donations by the community have also meant a lot to the museum, and the couple use it for improvements and to keep the attraction alive. “I think it's been a very positive impact on the community, and the community has been a very positive impact on the museum,” said Stuart. For those who want to keep up with Grand River Museum and Lemmon happenings, Stuart has a newsletter. This highlights things like events, camping info, and the latest at the museum. And changes to Grand River Museum are probably coming, as Stuart and Lisa are always up for updates and new features. “We find that the museum is an awful lot of hard work, but with a lot of time, hard work is rewarded,” said Stuart. “Not necessarily in any other way, but rewarded. And it's been more of a blessing to us, and we hope it can be a blessing to others.” FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT THEGRANDRIVER MUSEUM.COM+
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LaQuita Shockley
“Most importantly, these campers return year after year and join the others in a reunion of a special sense of ‘family.’ Fellow rendezvous campers create a truly unique familial formation of friendship, fellowship, and kinship.”
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EVENTS
605 Tries HUGH GLASS RENDEZVOUS
For many years, Lemmon local LaQuita Shockley felt the history created in the town’s own backyard was highly overlooked. “Since Hugh Glass was the ultimate frontiersman and ‘mountain man,’ it seemed like the Mountain Man Rendezvous setting was the ideal tie-in to share his story of survival and educate our modern world on the lifestyles, work hazards, and conditions that our early frontiersman faced here on the Dakota plains 200 years ago,” explained Shockley. A Mountain Man Rendezvous is a historical event and reenactment that celebrates the fur trade era, typically of the American West. The annual gathering of people, often dressed in period clothing, recreates the social and commercial activities of mountain men, traders, and Native Americans. These rendezvous are held in various locations, and include activities like trading, crafting demonstrations, and socializing. Sharing this concept with others, Shockley says it took some years of sharing until “the spark ignited like a prairie fire.”
“Other like-minded individuals got on board and worked to make this event become a reality,” she said. Two of those like-minded individuals were Pete and Sherry Gusenius who had the only Mountain Man Rendezvous experience. “The event would have never gotten off the ground (or out of my imagination) had it not been for them, their knowledge and experience, and willingness to participate and lead the camp,” recalled Shockley.
written by Alana Snyder + photos by Alana & John Snyder
THE ROAD TRIP ISSUE may 2025
EVENTS
“There are those who connect with Hugh's grit, tenacity, sense of survival, and upholding the traits he so valiantly represents.” LaQuita Shockley
The inaugural Hugh Glass Rendezvous took place in 2015 the third week of August. Every year the event occurs around August 23, which is the anniversary of when frontiersman Hugh Glass was mauled by a sow grizzly bear near the forks of the Grand River and left for dead by companions in 1823. The two men also stole his knife, rifle, and other accoutrements on his person, which left him unarmed. He famously survived and crawled for six weeks to a settlement where he sought revenge. But unlike how Hollywood portrayed it in the Academy Award -winning film The Revenant , Glass did not finish his plan, which Shockley admires. “When he recovered and tracked down these men, he did not take their lives, but only took what was rightfully his—his weaponry,” she said. “Justice prevailed, and Hugh gained a name for himself for being a survivalist, tougher than nails, and respectful of life, traits that most South Dakotans would be proud to possess.” The Hugh Glass Rendezvous is celebrating its 11th year August 19-24 on the south shores of the Shadehill Reservoir at the Hugh Glass Campground . Campers arrive and get settled August 19-21 and organized activities are held on the 22, 23, and 24. “Earlier in the week typically involves the campers coming in, setting up, and non-public activity,” said Shockley.
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