Sunday Focus With Christine Manika

Christmas at the Cathedral is a timeless tradition in the Sioux Empire. The 28th Annual performance is set to take the stage at St. Joseph's Cathedral on December 12th until the 15th. This year's show is called "Go in Peace." Director of Christmas at the Cathedral Mark Conzemius joins the program to talk about the planning process, the history and wonder of the Cathedral, and the actors Sioux Falls can expect to see on stage. Tickets for Christmas at the Cathedral are on sale at Hy-Vee locations and by visiting ccfesd.org. People can also call 605-988-3765 for ticket information.

Lost & Found is an organization in the Sioux Empire that focuses on mental health education for college campuses, work places, and family life. Erik Muckey with Lost & Found comes back on the show to talk about updates with the organization, how to get involved, and what Lost & Found future holds. For more information about Lost & Found, check out resilienttoday.org.

The mission of the Sioux Falls Housing & Redevelopment Commission is to provide long-term rental assistance to over 2,000 households in Sioux Falls and Minnehaha County. Offering eight specialized housing programs, they aim to best meet the community's housing needs. Joining us today in the studio is Brent Tucker with the Sioux Falls Housing & Redevelopment Commission to tell us more about the organization and projects coming. More information can be found at siouxfallshousing.org or by calling 605-332-0704.

Junior Achievement of South Dakota highlights the importance of futures for our youth. Whether it's in the classroom or volunteering in the community, each child will reach their full potential through Junior Achievement with hands-on learning inspiring students to invest in their future and pursue their dreams. Kayla Eitreim (President & CEO) & Chelsea Cronin (Sr. Director of Development) joins us in the studio to tell us more about the possibilities of Junior Achievement in South Dakota. Additional information can be found at jasd.org

There is a lot of excitement for the upcoming 2025 tourism season in Sioux Falls. From fun concerts, entertaining events, and new tasty restaurants, Sioux Falls has a lot to offer visitors. The Executive Director from Experience Sioux Falls, Teri Schmidt is with us in the studio to talk about last year's season, the events happening in 2025, new businesses and developments in the city, places we would love to have in Sioux Falls, and what people can expect this tourism season. More information can be found at experiencesiouxfalls.com or by calling 605-275-6060.

Alcohol and other drug addictions are at the root of a wide range of challenging social problems and are linked to our quality of life, the strength of the economy, and the safety of communities. But for 15 years, Face It Together has been at the forefront of those battling with addictions throughout the Sioux Empire. Wendy White and Katie Lail from Face It Together join the program to tell us about the organization, its mission, the programs they offer, and success stories. More information can be found at wefaceittogether.org or by calling 605-274-2262.

We have been talking with the CEO and Founder of Call to Freedom Becky Rasmussen about this amazing organization and survivors. But now once a victim comes forward and visits Call to Freedom, how do the volunteers help? How can the community be part of Call to Freedom's ever-growing mission? We have special guests in the studio to talk to us about volunteering and other ways the community can get involved with Call to Freedom. Becky Rasmussen (CEO and Founder) along with volunteers Matt Koziara, Shawn DeGroot, and Community Engagement Manager Eden Shanzenbach. More information can be found at calltofreedom.org or call 605-261-1881.

Hunting pheasants is a huge tradition in South Dakota. It's a way of life in the state and it encourages people to get outside, especially the kids. The Turner County Youth Pheasant Hunt is all about involving kids in this sport and practicing safety. On top of this excitement, some celebrities even join the fun and perform a show at Parker High School. This year, Josh Gracin is the special guest on Saturday, October 19th. Tickets for the Turner County Charity Youth Pheasant concert can be found at itickets.com.

Lots of exciting changes have been happening at the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society and for its Executive Director James Oppenheimer. A record number of animals and adoptions have been met at the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society with James leading his team through each case. But now his work is calling him into a new direction. James Oppenheimer was just named the new CEO of the Sioux Falls Family YMCA. James joins the program to reflect on his time at the SFAHS, why he made the switch, and his hopes as CEO at the YMCA. More information on either organization can be found at sfadopt.com or siouxfallsymca.org.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month and for the third year, Avera Health launched its ‘Ask The Question' campaign. This campaign is built around the research-based premise that being direct can save lives. Asking someone who's struggling a direct question, “Are you thinking about suicide?” in a caring way can open a meaningful conversation that leads to the person at risk to get help. It's not always an easy conversation to have. But on the bright side: Suicide rates have fallen in South Dakota for two years in a row. To tell us more about what programs Avera offers for the community and events involving starting a conversation, Thomas Otten the Vice President of Avera Behavioral Health joins the program. More information can be found at avera.org/askthequestion.

We have been talking with the CEO and Founder of Call to Freedom Becky Rasmussen about this amazing organization and survivors. But what happens once a survivor comes forward? How do trafficking and the law come together? Becky Rasmussen from Call to Freedom joins us the program again as we welcome South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Clapper to talk about how the law intertwines with trafficking. More information can be found at calltofreedom.org or call 605-261-1881

September is an important month at Results-Townsquare Media. We are proud to partner with Sanford and the Children's Miracle Network for the 17th Annual Cure Kids Cancer Radiothon presented by Jerry's Auto. For two days, Results-Townsquare Media will come together to raise money for kiddos and families who are battling cancer…the fight of a lifetime. Thursday, September 26th and Friday, September 27th will be focused on raising money and awareness for local, brave kids. Normally, we give a little preview of the two-day event. But this year, we'd like to introduce you to a family and the title sponsor early. Emma is 3-year-old her parents Country and Trent are with us in the studio to share Emma's story. And Jerry Barr with Jerry's Auto has been a big part of the annual Cure Kids Cancer Radiothon since the beginning. And we're happy to have him in the studio to talk to him more about radiothon. The phone number to keep handy is 605-328-5750

I AM FORTIFIED by Fortitude creates a positive environment to reflect and to discover ourselves, especially for women spiritually. Amos and Heather Kittleson from Fortitude join the show to tell us more about Fortitude, their journey, and the upcoming I AM FORTIFIED by Fortitude event on Saturday, September 7th at the Sioux Falls Christian School Chapel ('The Gathering'). Additional information can be found at eventcreate.com/iamfortified.

Call to Freedom is at the forefront of helping victims of sex and labor trafficking navigate a new path. It's not an easy journey. But the hope is through education, others can help those who are being trafficked in our area and state. Previously, CEO and Founder of Call to Freedom Becky Rasmussen joined the program to tell us more about the organization. Today we'll hear from a victim advocate named Lynnette Grey Bull. She has partnered with Call to Freedom and shares her own experiences with violence. Lynnette also gives us a glimpse of violence within the indigenous community. More information can be found at calltofreedom.org or call 605-261-1881. Lynnette's story can also be found on notournativedaughters.org website

Call to Freedom is at the forefront of helping victims of sex and labor trafficking navigate a new path. It's not an easy journey. But the hope is through education, others can help those who are being trafficked in our area and state. Previously, CEO and Founder of Call to Freedom Becky Rasmussen joined the program to tell us more about the organization. But today we will hear from a survivor. Her name is Mary and after her long journey, she has been part of Call to Freedom's mission. More information can be found at calltofreedom.org or call 605-261-1881

Call to Freedom is at the forefront of helping victims of sex and labor trafficking navigate a new path. It's not an easy journey. But the hope is through education, others can help those who are being trafficked in our area and state. Previously, CEO and Founder of Call to Freedom Becky Rasmussen joined the program to tell us more about the organization. Now we'll hear from more survivors. Rita and Jordan share their stories about family abuse and males who are trafficked. They are proud to be part of Call to Freedom's mission. More information can be found at calltofreedom.org or call 605-759-3565

This episode will feature Hope Haven and the Children's Home Shelter for Family Safety Hope Haven is one of the many non-profit organizations around the Sioux Empire. Brooke Kooima from Hope Haven sits in on the program to talk about the organization and how COVID-19 has affected them. For more information about Hope Haven and how to get involved, visit https://www.hopehaven.org/. Children's Home Shelter for Family Safety: The Children's Home Shelter for Family Safety has been busy lately. For one, they opened their new facility in Sioux Falls. It's great they are expanding its resources, but also bittersweet. This expansion only means that more people in the Sioux Empire need to use the Children's Home Shelter for Family Safety to escape domestic violence. It's so important to educate others and this campaign shows others that hope is truly stronger than fear. Staci with the Children's Home Shelter for Family Safety tells us about this continued fight and how the community can get involved. More information can be found at driveoutdv.com.

The Bishop Dudley Hospitality House is known to serve as a day and overnight shelter for those in need. Their mission is to serve others and help them get back on their feet. They are at capacity every single night. That's why they are embarking on a new journey and opening a new facility for families at 409 N. Western Avenue in Sioux Falls. Their goal is to have the new family location open by the start of school in 2024. Madeline Shields of BDHH joins the show to tell us about the project and how to donate. Visit bdhh.org for more information about the new building, volunteer opportunities, and how you can donate to the new project.

Summer is a big deal for chislic lovers in the Sioux Empire. The annual South Dakota Chislic Fest is on Saturday, July 27th in Freeman. This is a huge celebration for the state's nosh and for the Freeman community. This year is all about the volunteers who help make the South Dakota Chislic Fest possible. BINGO is back, the Menno fire department will be hanging out at the beer tent, and 200-300 volunteers will be helping you have fun throughout the day! This festival is all thanks to the awesome volunteers! More information on this year's festival can be found at sdchislicfestivial.com

Call to Freedom is at the forefront of helping victims of sex and labor trafficking navigate a new path. The hope is through education, others can help those who are being trafficked in our area and state. CEO and Founder of Call to Freedom Becky Rasmussen joins us in the studio to tell us more about the organization and how others can get involved. Visit calltofreedom.org or call 605-261-1881 to learn more.

If you're looking for an event that embraces culture, music, art, and food, then there is a special event in Wagner happening on Sunday. June 9th. The 605 Unity JAM is all about bringing people and cultures together. It's a day of learning and understanding other heritages in the state of South Dakota. Dana Sanderson along with Wagner HS students Jennifer Barnet & Presley Slaba join the show to talk about the organization and the 605 Unity JAM on Sunday, June 11th. More details can be found on the 605 Unity JAM Facebook page.

Avel eCare is all about clinician-to-clinician telemedicine services. They serve millions of patients in rural and underserved communities. Their mission? “Every person and every community deserves access to high-quality care. Avel's experts collaborate with local clinicians through telemedicine, to deliver high-quality care when and where it's needed.” Mark Johnston joins the show to tell us more about the impact of Avel eCare. More information can be found at avelecare.com

There are all sorts of opportunities for people to explore their personal and professional lives in South Dakota. There's something for everyone…and I mean everyone. Dakotabilities give the people they support a chance to thrive in our community. Now they are embarking on a new home project to give the people they support independence. Shelly Johnson. Joe Dvorak, and Heidi Loof from Dakotabilities join the show to tell us more. Any questions about Dakotabilities or volunteering opportunities can be found by visiting dakotabilities.org.

The music scene in Sioux Falls is fully alive, especially at Levitt at the Falls during the summer and beyond. The Levitt at the Falls announced its 2024 season, and it's set to be one of the biggest years yet. You can always find more information about the Levitt at levittsiouxfalls.org.

There are all sorts of opportunities for people to explore their personal and professional lives in South Dakota. There's something for everyone…and I mean everyone. Dakotabilities give the people they support a chance to thrive in our community. Now they are embarking on a new home project to give the people they support independence. Shelly Johnson. Joe Dvorak, and Heidi Loof from Dakotabilities join the show to tell us more. Any questions about Dakotabilities or volunteering opportunities can be found by visiting dakotabilities.org.

Young women from across the world have been calling Sioux Falls home since 2022 to follow their dreams of playing soccer. This sport is evolving for women in Sioux Falls, especially since the Sioux Falls City FC recently announced they will have a new professional team in 2025. Joining us in the studio to us more are Owner Emily Thomas and the new CEO of Sioux Falls City FC Sherri Meyers. Game Day tickets and information about Sioux Falls City FC can be found at siouxfallscityfc.com

We wouldn't be who we are today without our health. But sometimes our “healthy decisions” don't necessarily help our bodies. Some of these decisions include diets, new weight loss drugs, and cutting meals out of our day. In Sioux Falls, we're pretty lucky to have amazing healthcare providers who help us live our best lives, especially for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Joining us over the phone to help unmask some diet trends and fads is Dr. Zoilo Lansang with Avera Medical Group. He specializes in Obesity Medicine. For further questions on weight loss and healthy habits, call 605-504-0400. Hope Haven is one of the many non-profit organizations around the Sioux Empire. Brooke Kooima from Hope Haven sits in on the program to talk about the organization and how COVID-19 has affected them. For more information about Hope Haven and how to get involved, visit https://www.hopehaven.org/.

In Sioux Falls, we're pretty lucky to have amazing performance venues to watch a variety of shows, like the Orpheum Theater. But the best shows in town are the ones produced by local talent. The Premiere Playhouse highlights Sioux Empire stars and puts their own twists on iconic shows. Their season is underway and they have lots of exciting shows in store for you. There's even a chance to volunteer with the company and Oliver Mayes joins the program to tell us more. For questions about shows, volunteering, or work opportunities, visit thepremiereplayhouse.com to learn more.

Music can be someone's escape from the world. It inspires us to feel emotions at any moment like happiness, anger, and sadness. The South Dakota Symphony Orchestra welcomes everyone to engage and enjoy nights of wonderful music every year. They're really excited about the new season and can't wait to share the programs with you! Music Director and Conductor Delta David Gier joins the show to tell us more about the 2024-2025 season at the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra. More information can be found by visiting sdsymphony.org.

There are great organizations that focus on childcare and the well-being of kids across the Sioux Empire. One of these groups is The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire. Their mission is

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" It's been a challenging time for parents and guardians around the Sioux Empire when it comes to childcare. Recently, the Apple Tree Children's Centers announced all locations were set to close. This shocking announcement just highlights the growing concern for childcare needs in the Sioux Empire and South Dakota. Two organizations that stepped up to help the Apple Tree Children's Centers were EmBe and the Boys & Girls Club of the Sioux Empire. Despite the difficult childcare needs in our area, there are great resources like Tea Trailblazers and Gimme-A-Break that are ready to help families and kids. Kerri Tietgen with EmBe, Stacy Jones with the Boys & Girls Club of the Sioux Empire, and Amanda McGregor from Gimme-A-Break join the show to talk about the South Dakota Childcare crisis and ways they are helping families navigate these challenges."

"The City of Sioux Falls is growing by the day and there are people in our community experiencing homelessness. One organization helping others start a new chapter in life is the Union Gospel Mission of Sioux Falls. People who come to the Union Gospel Mission get food, shelter, clothing, and a new beginning. The CEO of the Union Gospel Mission of Sioux Falls Eric Weber joins the program to talk about the organization, how the Union Gospel Mission is responding to the city's growth, and how the community can get involved. People with more questions about the Union Gospel Mission of Sioux Falls and its services can visit ugmsiouxfalls.com"

"Christmas at the Cathedral is a timeless tradition in the Sioux Empire. The 27th Annual performance is set to take the stage at St. Joseph's Cathedral on December 14th until the 17th. This year's show is called "The Heavens Declare." Director of Christmas at the Cathedral Mark Conzemius joins the program to talk about the planning process, the history and wonder of the Cathedral, and the actors Sioux Falls can expect to see on stage. Tickets for Christmas at the Cathedral are on sale at Hy-Vee locations and by visiting ccfesd.org. People can also call 605-988-3765 for ticket information.

"It's been a big year at The Sioux Falls Area Humane Society. Adoptions are through the roof. As of right now, over 3,200 animals have been adopted from the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society. At the same time, more animals come to the shelter. Executive Director James Oppenheimer comes on the program to talk about his first year at the humane society, adoption trends in the Sioux Empire, and the need for Humane Honors. More details about the adoptable animals and the SFAHS can be found at sfadopt.com."

"People are itching to get out of the house and travel somewhere this holiday season. The Sioux Falls Regional Airport is a great resource for adventure seekers. Due to the flying demand and need in the Sioux Falls area, lots of new projects are going to transform the Sioux Falls Regional Airport. Including...the parking garage! Executive Director for the Sioux Falls Regional Airport Dan Letellier joins the show to talk about updates with projects at the airport like the parking garage, new furry faces inside the terminal, flying options for travelers, and holiday travel advice. For more information, future flyers can visit sfairport.com."

"South Dakota is known to have six seasons: There's your typical fall, winter, spring, and summer. But there's also construction and hunting season in South Dakota. Not many people think you need to be in shape for hunting. However, it does impact your hunting experience. Corey Howard from Results Personal Training joins the show to talk about their programs and how they get their clients in shape not just for hunting season, but also for their everyday life."

"The annual Cure Kids Cancer Radiothon is fast approaching. On September 28th and 29th, all the Results/Townsquare Media stations will transform for a great cause: Helping local kiddos fight cancer. The money raised during the annual Cure Kids Cancer Radiothon will benefit the kids and their families at the Sanford Children's Hospital. Bethany Olson with Sanford joins the show to talk about this year's Cure Kids Cancer event and what audiences can expect. The phone number to call in and donate is 605-328-5750. You can also text the word CASTLE to 51555 Remember that for September 28th and 29th!"

"Sioux Falls is pretty lucky to have a variety of entertainment options. There is even a theatre company to enjoy a night of music and fun. The Premiere Playhouse provides a wide-variety of family-friendly shows and educational opportunities. Oliver Mayes joins the program to talk about The Premiere Playhouse, shows for this coming season, the local talent on stage, and educational opportunities for kids. More information about The Premiere Playhouse can be found at thepremiereplayhouse.com or by calling 605-360-4800."

"After a successful second season, the Sioux Falls City FC pre-professional team is riding a huge high. This feeling is only the beginning for this organization. The owners of Sioux Falls City FC (Emily and Eric Thomas) just announced that Sioux Falls City FC will go pro in 2025. Sioux Falls will be one of five teams in the inaugural WPSL Professional League. Emily Thomas joins the show to share more details about this exciting news, how Sioux Falls will benefit from both teams, and what fans can expect to see over the next two years. More information about the Sioux Falls City FC organization can be found at siouxfallscityfc.com"

"The Bishop Dudley Hospitality House is known to serve as a day and overnight shelter for those in need. Their mission is to serve others and help them get back on their feet. They are at capacity every single night. That's why they are embarking on a new journey and opening a new facility for families at 409 N. Western Avenue in Sioux Falls. Their goal is to have the new family location open by January or February of 2024. Madeline Shields of BDHH joins the show to tell us about the project and how to donate. Visit bdhh.org for more information about the new building, volunteer opportunities, and how you can donate to the new project."

"The 2023 Sanford International is back at the Minnehaha Country Club this year September 11th through the 17th. Legendary golfers are coming to Sioux Falls to compete in a high-level PGA Champions tournament. Golf history could be made and you can see it in Sioux Falls. Davis Trosin and Steve Young with the Sanford International join the show to talk about the tournament, the events during the week, the future of golf, and more. Ticket information can be found by visiting sanfordinternational.com."

"Tattoos have been part of cultures for thousands of years. It can represent your heritage or a memory. Tattoos are an expressive form of art. But did you know that some people actually can feel sick and might experience flu-like symptoms after getting a tattoo? I never even thought about connecting these two topics together, until I met Cory Clasussen and Briana Welker from Red Arbor Tattoo. With the help of Dr. and Professor Saige Kelmelis and her students from the University of South Dakota, they are collecting data to see if tattoos really can affect our health. More information about this study and how you can get involved can be found at redarbortatoo.com."

"Summer is a big deal for chislic lovers in the Sioux Empire. The annual South Dakota Chislic Fest is on Saturday, July 29th in Freeman. This is a huge celebration for the state's nosh and for the Freeman community. This year is all about the volunteers who help make the South Dakota Chislic Fest possible. The Parker FFA will be handling the BINGO games, the Menno fire department will be hanging out at the beer tent, and 200-300 volunteers will be helping you have fun throughout the day! This festival is all thanks to the awesome volunteers! More information on this year's festival can be found at sdchislicfestivial.com"

"The Children's Home Shelter for Family Safety has been busy lately. For one, they opened its new facility in Sioux Falls last November. It's great they are expanding its resources, but also bittersweet. This expansion only means that more people in the Sioux Empire need to use the Children's Home Shelter for Family Safety to escape domestic violence. That's why the Drive Out Domestic Violence campaign is so important. For the month of July, you can expect to see ambassadors over social media sharing facts about domestic violence and starting a conversation. It's so important to educate others and this campaign shows others that hope is truly stronger than fear. Staci with the Children's Home Shelter for Family Safety tells us about this continued fight and how the community can get involved. More information can be found at driveoutdv.com."

"It feels like new businesses are opening their doors in the Sioux Empire every month. One new cafe that is creating a lot of excitement in Sioux Falls is the Cattitude Cafe. You can eat, drink, and hang out with cats all day. The best part? These cats are from the Humane Society, so they are adoptable! You can even adopt a cat when you visit the Cattitude Cafe. Heather Wendlandt from the Cattitude Cafe and James Oppenheimer with the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society join the show to talk about the new partnership, what to expect at the Cattitude Cafe, and how this business will benefit the Humane Society. The opening date for the Cattitude Cafe will be Saturday, July 15th." "The tourism industry is thriving in Sioux Falls and in the state of South Dakota in general. There is a lot of excitement for the 2023 tourism season. From the fun concerts, entertaining events, and the tasty restaurants, Sioux Falls has a lot to offer visitors. Sioux Falls is no longer the "drive-through town." It is a city where people explore and stay for vacation. The Executive Director from Experience Sioux Falls, Teri Schmidt joins this show to talk about new businesses and developments in the city and what people can expect this tourism season. The best resource to find out what's going on in Sioux Falls is by visiting experiencesiouxfalls.com."

"There is a lot of golf being played throughout the summer, especially in South Dakota. Professional golfers from across the country come to the Midwest just to be part of the Dakotas Tour. It spans between North and South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota. The pros for big cash prizes and an opportunity to make it big on their journey to the PGA. Chris Gilman, Jon Yoshihiro, and Tony Albano join the program to talk about the Dakotas Tour, their golf careers, and their goal/dream. You can follow the tour by visiting dakotastour.com."

"It was an active winter weather in the state of South Dakota. We saw some snowstorms that brought cold temperatures, strong winds, and lots of snow. What will the summer look like in the Sioux Empire? Well...it's going to be hot. Todd Heitkamp with the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls talks about the weather we've experienced, what the summer weather might look like, and how to stay weather alert."

"There are always new businesses, events, and restaurants to explore in the Sioux Empire. It can be hard to keep track of all the new establishments calling Sioux Falls home. A great marketing and news resource to rely on is called SiouxFalls.Business. This digital platform allows not only residents to stay up to date with everything in the Sioux Empire, but also allows business owners to advertise their product. Another outlet to get your Sioux Empire news and some community interest stories is through SiouxFalls.Business' sister resource, Pigeon605. Owner and Publisher of SiouxFalls.Business Jodi Schawn joins the show to talk about her interests in news, why & how she created SiouxFalls.Business and Pigeon 605, and an update on businesses and events in the Sioux Empire. More information about Sioux Falls news can be found by visiting siouxfalls.business and pigeon605.com"

"Lost & Found is an organization in the Sioux Empire that focuses on mental health education for college campuses, work places, and family life. Erik Muckey with Lost & Found comes back on the show to talk about updates with the organization and the new bill they just passed during this year's legislative session. For more information about Lost & Found, check out resilienttoday.org."