There are so many happenings in the hills this time of year to get you into the Holiday spirit! Some of my favorites:

The 1880 train in Hill City, SD is holding its annual Holiday Express train ride. Enjoy hot chocoloate and cookies from Santa's elves. Each child will get the chance to meet Santa and receive a small Christmas gift. The depot and authentic 1880 train will be festooned with holiday cheer so make sure to bring your camera to capture memories that will last a lifetime. Click here for more info.

After you hop off the train, scoot on over to the Prairie Berry Winery for their Fezziwig Festival! Good wine, great food and entertainment to boot! More info here.

Still working on your Christmas shopping? Downtown Rapid City will be holding Super Sunday. Participating businesses will pay your sales tax. Don't miss our wonderful historic downtown rapid city, take your picture with the presidents statues and grab hot cuppa!

During all the festivities, take a break and join me for two open houses, both on the same street for easy visiting! Sunday from 1:00 - 2:30.

Lovely split level home on a corner lot in Valley Heights. Split rail and chain link fence surround the large, landscaped lot. Wonderful open family room area, walk-out basement, and divided bedroom arrangement on upper level. Glorious views of the Black Hills from the deck. Lots of extras in this home with wide entry staircase.

14794 Sunlight Drive is offered at $239,900




And right down the street-- the second open house also on Sunlight Drive!














14790 Sunlight Drive is offered at $229,900

A map to Sunlight Drive and both open houses can be found by clicking here.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Open Houses!

A quick note for my open houses this Sunday, November 2. It would be great if y'all could stop by!

The first is at 14790 Sunlight Dr.

Beautiful, sunny home with very open floor plan. Sequestered master bedroom with 3 main floor bedrooms. Amazing 22X24 grand basement family room. Unbelievable Black Hills view and the sunsets are breathtaking! Lots of landscaping with raised flower beds in large fenced yard. Douglas school bus stops directly in front of home.

Here is a handy map to the location. I'll be there from 12:00 - 1:30 pm

Next, from 2:00 - 3:30 come to 4116 Augusta Drive

Exceptional home on the 14th fairway of the Elks Golf Course! Far and away the greatest in design and style. Bea utiful views from the spacious deck. Completely maintenance free and everything inside of the highest quality. 6 -Panel doors, whirlpool tub, corion counters, marblecast showers, and 2 furnaces for efficent heating.

Again, a handy map will help you find me!

Sunday Open Houses

We had a dusting of snow this week in the Black Hills. It's time to start thinking of cool mornings, hot cocoa and hikes in the Hills on snow-touched trails.

Homes are decorated for Halloween, I especially love to drive on the side streets and see the creative ways people have come to celebrate this holiday. Trick-or-treaters sure do get a treat at some of these homes, and I don't just mean the candy! I noticed a home the other day that had a "pathway" to the front door lined with cobwebs and goblins -- just as good as any haunted house you will find!

I've got two open houses for you this Sunday:

The first at 4933 Chalkstone Drive from 12:30-2:00. This is an awesome 5 bedroom 3 bath home in beautiful Auburn Hills! Gorgeous kitchen with new laminate flooring, large snack bar, and all appliances. Roomy family room with bar, beautiful landscaping, wired for a hot tub in back. Close to all shopping and stunning views all around.




The second is located at 5003 Whispering Pines Drive from 2:30-4:00pm. Follow this handy map to Whispering Pines!



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The Best of the West!

Rapid City locals will tell you that we have a very well-kept secret around these parts. Seems like lately, however, our secret is getting out -- front and center. What is that secret? National Geographic knows. They've discovered that Rapid City is one of the best places in the West to call home. We've been ranked as a Next Great Adventure Town. We're #2 on the list if you'll permit me to do a little bragging. National Geographic is really just letting the whole world know what us Rapid Citians have known all along. This is one terrific place to live!

To paraphrase the article:

"These days, the glimmer of gold in the Black Hills may be the reflection off a mountain biker’s helmet. Rapid City’s 300 miles of two-wheeling trails were joined this summer by a dirt-jump park. Kitschy Rushmore attractions add flavor, but locals head to a community theater or a classical music hall instead."

It gets better every year, and I am always proud to call this town home.

It's Labor Day weekend! What to do? What not to do should be the question. Pick one: boating, biking, hiking, horseback riding, camping or just cooking out in the backyard. Are you a hardcore athletic type? There's the Southern Hills Triathlon going on in Hot Springs, SD. Not up for doing the full olympic length course? -- sign up as a team instead!

This sounds like a real good time:

Dakota Gathering of the Celtic Clans Festival, Memorial Park, Rapid City.
RenScots, an educational Scottish Renaissance re-enactment troupe, camp and demonstrations, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., The Journey Museum grounds.

Get our your plaid and enjoy the fun!

Of course there is plenty of live music performances at various in-town venues. A comprehensive listing can be found here: Rapid City Journal.

Whatever your cup of tea, take some time to enjoy our gorgeous weather this holiday weekend! I hope to see you soon, here in the "Next Great Adventure Town-- Rapid City, South Dakota!"

The Fair!

The Central States Fair kicks off this weekend. I can only imagine what it must have been like back in the olden days when the fair was such an event that participants and spectators traveled for days to come to Rapid City. The fair entertainment line up this year is something worth seeing: Miranda Lambert, Joe Nichols, the Honky Tonk Tailgate Party, Jason Aldean and the PRCA Range Days Rodeo. Click here for more information on these events.

There is also an impressive line-up of local entertainment, from local bands, to showcases of all kinds of talent. There is something for everyone in Rapid City at the fair!

Some of my favorites are the yummy cream puffs at the Fine Arts building. If you haven't had one of these, you are missing out. I don't even think I could describe them and do them justice. One word: decadent. And don't forget the legendary German Tent! Brats, polka and the chicken dance. What more could a fair-goer ask for?

I found a few "State Fair" trivia tidbits you might enjoy. When was the first State Fair? Well,
"American state and county fairs can credit Elkanah Watson, a wealthy New England farmer and businessman, for their start. Watson showcased his sheep under the great Elm tree in the public square in Pittsfield, Massachusetts in 1807. To attract attention, he clanged an old ship's bell with a piece of iron. Watson owned woolen mills and wanted to encourage the local farmers to raise Merino sheep because the wool was of superior quality."
-- courtesy statefairrecipes.com

Can Coca Cola be deep fried? Which state fair debuted the Snow Cone? If you are dying to know the answers to these and more take the State Fair Food Quiz -- test your knowledge of these State Fair mainstays.

So load up on funnel cakes, try that deep fried Twinkie (c'mon you only live once!) Take a ride on the carousel and see if you can identify all the breeds of chickens on display. It's all fun at the Central States Fair this week in Rapid City.

I've also got these open houses for you this Sunday. Stop by and visit! I would love to have a chance to say "hi":

4116 August Drive is an exceptional home on the 14th fairway of the Elks Golf Course! Far and away the greatest in design and style. Beautiful views from the spacious deck. Completely maintenance free and everything inside of the highest quality. 6 -Panel doors, whirlpool tub, Corion counters, Marblecast showers, and 2 furnaces for efficient heating. This home will be open from 12:30 - 2:00 pm.



Follow this handy map to Augusta:






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The Second is 3031 Sunny Hill Circle which will be open from 2:30 - 4:00 pm. This is a lovely home in Autumn Hills on 1/2 acre lot with stunning views. Best lot in the subdivision. The home has brand new hardwood flooring, ceramic tile, and carpet, with a new roof late fall. All new light fixtures have been installed. All three baths have updates. Three living areas on 3 levels. Watch the family of foxes play in the backyard and they return every spring! Great location near Corral and Southwest schools.Sprinkler heads (4) in garden area and in yard also.

Follow this handy map to find me at Sunny Hill Circle:



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Summer Grilling Fun!

Do you like to grill outdoors? This is a tradition here in the Black Hills as we are in the middle of beef ranch country. Bison steaks are easy to find as well, and many a summer evening is spent under the clear sky sipping a good red wine with a fine grilled steak. South Dakota has some of the best beef and bison around, and you'll be doing yourself a favor to get a prime cut of steak and firing up the grill at least once this August.

One of my favorite recipes to serve with grilled steak are these nifty little potato packages. The Black Hills Farmer's Market has some wonderful offerings of fresh garden potatoes.

These are fun as each person at the barbecue gets their own little package:

6 large potatoes, sliced (I like red potatoes, but Yukon Gold are good too!)
12 Tablespoons chopped onion (the Market had great onions this week too)
6 Tablespoons minced parsley (fresh parsley is the best)
6 Tablespoons heavy cream
6 Tablespoons butter
salt & pepper to taste

Lay out 6 large pieces of aluminum foil and divide the potatoes among them. Sprinkle each with equal amounts of onion, parsley, and cream. Dot each with butter. Wrap tightly and place on the grill. Cook for about a half hour - 45 minutes, keep warm on upper grill rack while grilling your steaks.

If I've got little ones visiting I'll make little mini-packages for them too.

Enjoy our prime South Dakota weather here in Rapid City and the Black Hills this August. Our fall weather is some of the best around as well. If you are out and about this weekend, I have these open houses for you this Sunday August 10. I would love a chance to say "hi" and meet you and your family.

The first is 14790 Sunlight Drive from 12:30 - 2:00 pm

This is a beautiful, sunny home with very open floor plan. Sequestered master bedroom with 3 main floor bedrooms. Amazing 22X24 grand basement family room. Unbelievable Black Hills view and the sunsets are breathtaking! Lots of landscaping with raised flower beds in large fenced yard. Douglas school bus stops directly in front of home.

The second is 3954 City View Dr. from 2:30 - 4:00 pm. There is stylish and imaginative design in this 4 bedroom 2 1/2 bath home on 1/2 acre treed lot. Gorgeous views from every window. Many textures in building prducts including, granite countertops, hickory floors and cabinets, stacked stone fireplace, ceramic tiled floors. Multi-level decks, main floor laundry, large walk-in tiled shower and whirlpool tub. Two hook-ups for washer dryer available. Oversized double garage.


Follow this handy map to City View:




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Little Town in the Black Hills

The Black Hills has been host to some of history's most colorful characters: Wild Bill, Calamity Jane, Poker Alice. What is little known to a lot of people, unless you are a diehard fan, is that Carrie Ingalls, sister of Laura Ingalls Wilder, made her home in Keystone, South Dakota at the base of Mt. Rushmore.

I can imagine that just about every little girl has at least leafed through the "Little House" books. And most people can remember the "Little House" series that was on TV in the 70s. It's always fun for me to discover these little known facts about the Rapid City area and the Black Hills.

Keystone has started to recognize Carrie Ingalls, and this Sunday they are hosting Carrie Ingalls Day. Her birthday will be celebrated at the Keystone Historical Museum. Admission is free.

While in Keystone, another terrific attraction is the 1880 train. This is a Western experience like no other! An authentic 1880 steam engine will take you on a ride through some of the most scenic areas of the Black Hills. You will end up in Hill City, South Dakota for a round trip back to Keystone. Some train riders are treated to an Old Tyme Western Shootout where the train is "held up" and "robbed". Lots of fun if you have children or out of town visitors with you!

The most popular event happening in the area starting next week, is of course, the Sturgis Rally and Races. Grab your Harley, put on your leathers and get ready for the ride of your life! A full listing of Rally events can be found here or here.

I have two open houses for you this weekend. I would love to have the opportunity to say hi, so please stop by if you have a chance.

The first is 24396 Theodore Place from 12 noon - 4pm on Sunday, August 3. This beautifully designed Mission style home is on almost 4 acres in the Hills with a view of Mt. Rushmore! Al Weidenbach built with many custom features: Jenn-Air range, radon mitigation system, beautiful cabinetry,6 panel doors, and amazing views from every window. Walk-out basement unfinished except for finished bath. Oversized double garage, whirlpool tub, May-air exchanger, lovely breakfast nook. Pellet stove in basement Love country living? Can't beat this beauty!



The next is 912 Lemmon Avenue. This is a very nice 3 bedroom home with detached over-sized single garage. Chain link fence front and back. Updated electrical, new sewer line in street in 2007. Some new flooring and newer garage door opener.








Follow this handy map to Lemmon Avenue:


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What's Happening this weekend

Summer marches on! What terrific weather we continue to have here in Rapid City and the Black Hills. It's been perfect for those outdoor activities. Walking or jogging on Rapid City's bike path makes for a perfect morning or early evening exercise. I especially like to see everyone out with their different dogs. Some big, some small, but all friendly and glad to be out in the sunshine. And nothing beats ambling along beside babbling Rapid Creek. There are even handy stops for ice cream along the way.

What else is happening in the Black Hills this weekend? Why it's the annual Days of '76 Celebration in Deadwood with a parade kicking off at 1:30pm and a PRCA rodeo at 6 pm. Plan on sticking around to visit some of the local attractions: historic museums, Mount Moriah Cemetery (the resting place of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane), and of course the fabulous night life! Don't miss “Seth Bullock: Spirit of the West,” portrayal by Gordy Pratt, 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., at the Pioneer Room in the Adams Museum, Deadwood.

I have two open houses for you this weekend.

The first is 5101 Indigo Ct. on Saturday from 2:30 - 4:00pm. This is an enchanting open designed home on quiet cul-de-sac. 4 bedroom, 3 baths, large open family room and a 3-car garage. Very unique floor-plan on a large lot with beautiful Hills views. Hickory cabinetry, tile floors, gas grill hook-up on deck. New white vinyl fence around backyard. 6-panel doors and sprinklers front and back. Wonderful home!



The second is 12:30 - 2:00pm on Sunday at 206 East St. Andrew. This is a great updated home! There is new vinyl siding on the house and garage and many new windows. Updated kitchen and electrical, newer furnace and central air, newer water heater, dishwasher and disposal; plus, added recessed lighting.There is a detached garage, chain-link fence, wooden swingset and sandbox in this beautifully maintained yard.Lots of ceramic tile too. Don't miss this show-stopping home!


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Thanks again for stopping by my blog!
--Sheila

Welcome and a couple of Open Houses for you!

Welcome to my new blog! I am excited to have you here. I hope to regularly update weekly with timely information to help you in your search for Rapid City, South Dakota and Black Hills area information and news. This Sunday I have two exciting open houses for you and I hope you can stop by, if for nothing else to say "hi" and let me introduce myself to you in person.

There is lots to do in the Black Hills Area this weekend. Take the time to get out and enjoy our wonderful weather. This is always a terrific time in the Rapid City area for outdoor activities and fun. Custer State Park and the surrounding Black Hills National Forest offer plenty of activities for you and your family. Plenty of lakes, camping, hiking, horseback riding -- just about anything you can imagine!

If you are a classic car enthusiast, the Black Hills Corvette Classic is in full swing this weekend in Spearfish, South Dakota. This event brings Corvette lovers from all over the nation to our beautiful Black Hills.

The Black Hills Playhouse is also in full swing, and this week presents Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The Playhouse is a Black Hills Icon -- located in Custer State Park, it offers a unique and intimate venue for viewing professional plays and musicals. Shows run July 15-20 and 22-27 with matinees on select days.

I also invite you to stop by the two open houses I mentioned earlier:



The first is 14790 Sunlight Dr. which will be open from 12:30 - 2:00 pm. This is a beautiful, sunny home with very open floor plan. Sequestered master bedroom with 3 main floor bedrooms. Amazing 22X24 grand basement family room. Unbelievable Black Hills view and the sunsets are breathtaking! Lots of landscaping with raised flower beds in large fenced yard. The Douglas school bus stops directly in front of home.

The Second is 3031 Sunny Hill Circle which will be open from 2:30 - 4:00 p. This is a lovely home in Autumn Hills on 1/2 acre lot with stunning views. Best lot in the subdivision. The home has brand new hardwood flooring, ceramic tile, and carpet, with a new roof late fall. All new light fixtures have been installed. All three baths have updates. Three living areas on 3 levels. Watch the family of foxes play in the backyard and they return every spring! Great location near Corral and Southwest schools.Sprinkler heads (4) in garden area and in yard also.

Follow this handy map to find me at Sunny Hill Circle:



View Larger Map