BrandonInfo.com

Do you plan to attend the Loyalty Day Parade this Sunday? Have you attended in the past?

I marched in the parade in junior high and all through high school, because I was a band kid. Later, I photographed the parade for quite a few years, for the Brandon Valley Challenger. I even announced the parade for a year or two.

I remember marching band. I really enjoyed that. In fact, to this day, if I’m walking and there’s music, I find myself stepping in time to the music.

What are your Loyalty Day Parade memories?

Have you ridden in a MED-Star ambulance because of a medical emergency? How was your experience? Good, bad, or indifferent? Would you be willing to talk to me a few minutes for a story I am writing for the Brandon Valley Challenger?

Sorry, I can’t use blog posts in the story. Only comments with names.

If you are willing to be in the story, please e-mail me at apthiele@argusleader.com today. I need to finish the story by tonight.

Thank you.

What do you do with all the nature garbage on your lawn in the spring? I’m talking about fallen twigs, the dead grass left from last fall, and stuff like that.

I talked to one man who pays his garbage service more than $100 extra each year to haul it away.

I saw a neighbor yesterday raking her lawn. I know a lot of people do that each spring.

Should the city offer a spring brush day, similar to the fall leaf day, where people can bring their scrub and brush to a dumpster at a designated site? Would it be worth the cost to the city of doing that?

My father never raked in the spring. He said last year’s dead grass was a good insulator of this spring’s new grass as it broke through through the ground. Later, as the grass grew, you couldn’t see the old grass anyway, he said. He also didn’t like messing with leaves and twigs and branches, so he didn’t plant any trees on the property. He did think fir trees were ok. But not leafy trees that shed.

My husband has a mulch mower, so he never does any raking either. All the grass clippings get ground up and scattered on the lawn.

How do you handle things, though?

The first quarter ambulance report is on the agenda of tonight’s City Council meeting. Are you interested in knowing what’s in it?

The council meets at 6 p.m. at the city council chambers, 308 S. Main Ave.

Thursday night, school teachers, administrators and staff paired up with students for a dance competition. It was well attended and the proceeds went to a worthy cause.

What do you think of teachers and students having a social relationship? Do you think it could affect their school relationship?

We are counting down the weeks until the South Dakota Democratic primary. A column in Monday’s Argus Leader said that no matter who wins, Hillary Clinton or Barak Obama, the state will still vote mostly Republican in the general election in November.

That may be true. The republican presidential candidate generally carries South Dakota. But still, the people registered Democrat in this state must make their choice for the Democratic ticket.

Who do you favor? Clinton or Obama? What does each have in their favor? What are the disadvantages of either?

I remember going to my prom in my junior year with a group of girlfriends. We went to Ming Wah for dinner, and then we went to the dance. I don’t recall dancing. We girls had a good time. In my senior year, I stopped in at the prom dance briefly — 15 minutes maybe. Other than that, I don’t have any big prom memories.

However, the kids these days make the day very special. They get fancy clothes, rent limos and basically go all out. There is even an overnight trip to Worlds Of Fun amusement park in Kansas City.

How do you think today’s proms compare to the ones you had when you were in high school? Do you think the event is worth all the expense kids go to? If you were to plan prom, how would you do it differently?

Or do you think prom is a perfect blend of fun and frill, and you wouldn’t change a thing?

Nearly one-third of Brandon Valley students at Brandon Elementary, Robert Bennis Elementary and Brandon Valley Middle School are considered overweight or obese. Yet, that’s a lower percentage than the state as a whole.

Does that mean the parents and schools in Brandon are doing a good job of feeding the kids balanced diets and making sure they get exercise? Or is there still a lot of room for improvement?

Brandon Valley requires one semester of physical education for graduation. That is the minimum required by state law. Sioux Falls School District recently reduced their requirement from three semesters down to one. Is one enough? If you don’t think so, take into consideration all the extracurricular opportunities Brandon Valley students have to keep fit. There are school and league sports, open gyms, recess and other programs. Even with all these opportunities, is it enough?

Who should have the main responsibility for keeping our children fit? The school system? The parents? The children themselves?

What have you done at your house to ensure healthy eating for your family. At our house, we make sure every meal includes a vegetable. One problem is that we don’t eat many meals at home. My husband and I both take vitamin supplements. I know it would be better to get our nutrients through food, though, instead of vitamin pills. At our house, we are making some effort, but there is room for improvement.

What are your thoughts?

I’m looking for one or more people to comment for a story I’m writing about water quality in Brandon. If you are willing to provide comment (I must be able to use your name), would you please e-mail me at apthiele@argusleader.com or call me at 582-6898?

How’s the water at your house? Do you think it’s good? Bad? Indifferent?

Noon Friday is the deadline to reach me.

Thanks.

Alica P. Thiele

Brandon Valley Challenger reporter

What do you think of yesterday’s election results? What do you think of voter turnout? Ward I had a 10.4 percent turnout. Ward III had a 15.7 percent turnout.

In Ward 1 voters elected Blaine Jones to the council, 108-76 over incumbent John Saarloos. In Ward III, voters elected Roger Brooks, 172-62 over incumbent Steve Rubin. Thank you to Saarloos and Rubin for the time you put in serving the city. Congratulations to Jones and Brooks.

How do you think these new aldermen will change the complexion of the council? Do you see any issues on the horizon the council should study? What advice do you have for the new councilmen?

The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today at the council chambers, 208 Main Ave., next to City Hall.

If you live in Ward I or Ward III, go vote today. If you live in Ward II, don’t worry about it. You’ll vote next year. If you don’t know what ward you’re in, you can find out on the city’s Web site, www.brandonsd.com. Or call City Hall at 582-6515.

Ward I residents will decide between (listed alphabetically) Blaine Jones and John Saarloos. Ward III residents will decide between Roger Brooks and Steve Rubin.

Any last minute thoughts on the candidates? Who is your choice, and why (or why not)? Once you’ve been down to the polls, post your thoughts here. How did the turnout look to you? Did you see or hear anything about which you think others here should know?

Take a look under the category “seeking sources” occasionally. You might just be in a situation to comment for a story I’m working on for the Brandon Valley Challenger.

For example, right now I am looking for people whose children watch the animated show “Backyardigans” on Nickelodeon. I had never heard about it, but I’m looking for people — kids especially — who are fans of the show. Are you?

If so, would you please e-mail me at apthiele@argusleader.com, or call me at 582-6898 before Monday noon? I’d love to talk to you.

Thanks very much.

Is bullying a problem in our schools? Has your little one every come home crying and complaining about another child grabbing their belongings or hitting them or worse?

Do you think bullying these days is worse than the “give me your lunch money”-type of bullying an older generation experienced?

If your child has been bullied, how did you handle it?

How should “problem” children be handled?

Did you watch the city council candidate forum last night on local cable channel 18? If not, it will broadcast again tonight (Tuesday) at 8 p.m.

If you saw the forum last night, or attended it last week, how do you think the candidates did? Did any of their answers help you make up your mind about who to (or not) vote for? Did their answers ring true for you, or were you skeptical about anything they said?

On April 8, Ward I voters will choose between Roger Brooks and Steve Rubin. Ward III voters will choose between Blaine Jones and John Saarloos. Which candidates do you think will win, and why?

Are you eligible to join the American Legion Auxiliary? There will be an informational meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the VFW, 321 Main St.

A couple of Brandon women are spearheading the effort to start the group.

Over the years as I’ve covered veterans’ events for various newspapers, I’ve noticed how strong veterans’ commitment is to freedom and to their country. They don’t take freedom for granted, because they’ve personally fought to preserve it.

If you are eligible, would you consider joining? What kinds of activities would you like to see the Legion Auxiliary do? If you have been active in another group in the past, what activities did you enjoy doing?

Do you think the Brandon auxiliary will get the members they need, which is 10, to sign their charter by their target date of May 5?

If you have ever been to a Lorie Line concert, I’d like to talk to you.

Please call me at 331-2376 or e-mail me at apthiele@argusleader.com by Friday (March 28) noon.

Thanks.

Just when I put my winter coat away, the weathermen forecast more snow.

When will it ever end?

Despite the unpredictable spring weather we’ve been having, I’ve seen people outdoors in shorts, and even in flip flops and bare toes.

Where do you go for weather updates before you get dressed in the morning? Or do you just dress to suit your whim and hope it’s appropriate once you get outside?

Candidates for two city council seats will answer questions from the public during a forum Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the city council chambers, 308 Main Ave. The event is sponsored by the Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce and the Brandon Valley Challenger.

Ward I candidates John Saarloos and Blaine Jones, and Ward III candidates Steve Rubin and Roger Brooks will answer questions. Saarloos and Rubin are incumbents.

The public is welcome to ask questions. What questions would you like the candidates to answer? Do you plan to go to the forum?

Those who can’t make it can watch it broadcast on the local cable channel 18 at 8 p.m. on Monday or Tuesday.

Will you participate in Hometown Days this August? Volunteers are working on three main activities: a karaoke contest, family games in McHardy Park, and a tractor pull. The Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce is administering the event, and they need help.

The prize for the karaoke is $1,000, so that should draw some contestants.

The tractor pull is being organized by the Brandon Valley Vintage Power Association.

The park games are still being discussed.

Would you volunteer to help plan or work at the event? The next Hometown Days committee meeting is at 7 p.m. April 3 at the chamber office.

There is no school today or Monday because of spring break.

When I was a kid, it was called Easter break.

When did the name get changed? What do you think of the change? If the break has nothing to do with the holiday, then how come it falls on Easter weekend? If someone isn’t a Christian, why are they celebrating by having days off school?