BrandonInfo.com

Have you been in the VFW since its remodel? What do you think of the improvements?

In particular, the kitchen has been upgraded and the menu has been expanded. The VFW is calling it the Heroes Grille.

Have you eaten in the VFW? How is the food?

It’s the time of year to reflect on our blessings. What are you thankful this year?

I am thankful that my son is doing the Thanksgiving dinner cooking. I am thankful that my knee is mending well after recent surgery. I am thankful that my family loves me, and that I have such good friends.

I am thankful for the many people who read this blog and who post interesting comments and thoughtful questions.

Thank you.

Alica P. Thiele

What do you think are Brandon’s strengths? What improvements would you like to see Brandon make?

No matter how good a city is, it always can get better. For example, I personally think Brandon would be a much better place with the addition of a full-menu Greek restaurant. An outdoor amphitheater. An airport. I’d like to see Huset’s incorporated into the city limits. But that’s just me.

Recently, people have been asking for an improved swimming pool. The city is now looking into that. People have been asking for better traffic flow on the west side of Brandon, near The Bluffs. Traffic studies have been done, and financing is being sought. Perhaps you wish these things would move along more quickly.

How long have you lived in Brandon? How does it compare to other places you’ve lived? How likely are you to stay here?

Did you attend last weekend’s Brandon Expo? If so, did you discover any Brandon goods or services that were new to you?

Brandon has many more businesses than people realize. Because of Brandon’s layout, the storefronts aren’t all concentrated in one area, so sometimes they don’t make as big of an impact. In addition, there are many home-based businesses in Brandon.

Would you like to see the Brandon Expo repeated next year?

It looks like the Brandon Volunteer Fire Department got to put its newest fire truck to work the night it was unveiled.

The fire truck was to be unveiled at last night’s city council meeting, which began at 6 p.m.

By 9 p.m., several fire departments were at a home on S. Splitrock Avenue, where a detached garage burned.

As I write this, details of the fire aren’t available. Stay tuned to brandoninfo.com and argusleader.com to learn more. Or post here anything you might know, or questions about the fire.

The recent shootings at Fort Hood in Texas are a tragedy. Are you following the story?

We are looking for anyone who has ties to Fort Hood or ties to anyone who was killed or injured in the recent shootings. If you do, would you please post here or e-mail apthiele@argusleader.com. Or call the Brandon Valley Challenger office at 582-6025.
Thank you.

Alica P. Thiele

The Brandon Volunteer Fire Department has a new chief, Robert Dykstra. He earns his income as a Sioux Falls firefighter, but for Brandon, he is a volunteer chief.

Do you think Brandon should have a paid chief? Some might say that it’s too much to ask a person who has a full-time job to take on the responsibilities of chief, especially if that person’s full-time job is in Sioux Falls. Others might say that the fire department seems to be doing fine, so why fix it if it ain’t broke.

What are your thoughts? If you believe a volunteer chief is fine, then under what conditions would you think a paid chief is necessary?

Brandon Valley football will play Washington in Sioux Falls this Saturday. If we win, we go to the Dome to play the winner of the O’Gorman-Aberdeen game.

What are your predictions for the outcome of Saturday’s games? Of course we predict the Lynx will beat the Warriors, so who do you think we’ll end up playing in the finals?

Have you been following the health care debate? What are your thoughts on it?

It seems the older I get, the higher my medical bills are. Even the preventative checkups such as mammograms and colonoscopies are pretty expensive, even when insurance covers most of the cost. And nearly everyone I know in my age range is on some kind of daily medication.

Where will it end? Do we just tell ourselves that even if better care exists, we can’t afford it and will have to go without? Or do we tell ourselves that we deserve the best care available no matter how much it costs?