Talk of the Town

BV Area Chamber

Pizza Battle underway

The Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce annual Pizza Batle is underway. Competing are the Brandon Pizza Ranch, Double D Saloon, 212 The Boiling Point, Bottom’s Up, Tailgators Grille & Bar, The Gruff Plates + Pours, Kingbird Coffee, A Homestead Brew, and CHUD’s Pub & Grub.

Once you’ve tasted all nine entries, visit the BVACC website to vote. One vote per person per pizza is allowed. Duplicate ratings will not be counted.

The Doolittle Raid is Oct. 20 Military

History Night topic

The next Military History Night organized by the Valley Springs American Legion begins at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20.

Randy Megard will presentation on “The Doolittle Raid”, a surprise event in the air war in the Pacific during World War II.

Refreshments and Q&A follows. This event is free and open to the public.

First leaf drop off day is Saturday

The city of Brandon is sponsoring a series of free leaf drop-off days. From 8 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturdays, Oct. 19, Nov. 2 and 16, Brandon city residents may bring bags and cans of leaves and leaf mulch to the McHardy Park parking lot. Marv’s Sanitary Service will have trucks on hand for the leaves and leaf much.

Only leaves, mulch, pumpkins, veggies and garden items will be accepted. No branches, loose leaves or tarps will be accepted.

Valley Springs Trunk or Treat is Oct. 27

Trick-or-treaters are invited to Legion Park from 4-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27 for Trunk or Treat. The annual event is an endeavor of the Valley Springs Community Club.

Current needs at the Brandon Food Pantry

Current needs at the Brandon Food Pantry are laundry detergent (78 oz. bottles preferred), toothpaste and single toothbrushes, shampoo, bar soap, crackers (saltine and snack), cereal, pancake mix and syrup, jams/jellies, canned soups (The Pantry has an ample supply of chicken noodle and tomato).

Donors are asked to check expiration dates on items. The Pantry is not in the practice of dispersing items that have expired.

To make appointments for pickups or donations, call 582-7001. The BAFP is open from 4-6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Used eye glasses and hearing aids for the Brandon Lions Club may also be dropped off at the BAFP.

Early voting now underway

South Dakota voters can now cast ballots for the Nov. 5 general election. 

Voters in Minnehaha County can file absentee ballots with the county auditor’s office, located in the administration building at 415 N. Dakota Ave. in Sioux Falls.

Voters can also have an absentee ballot mailed to them.

Those who wish to submit absentee ballots by mail should complete a request form, which is available on the secretary of state’s website. From sdsos.gov, click on the absentee voting link. The forms must be either notarized or include a copy of the voter’s state-issued identification card or driver’s license.

The deadline to register to vote in the general election is Oct. 21. Details on how to register are available at county auditor offices or the secretary of state’s website. Click on the register to vote/update voter registration link.

Sample ballots are available at county auditor offices or the secretary of state’s voter portal website, vip.sdsos.gov. Sample ballots include a list of all races and ballot measures individualized for voters based on where they are registered. 

Leaf drop-off days scheduled

The city of Brandon is once again sponsoring a series of free leaf drop-off days. From 8 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturdays, Oct. 19, Nov. 2 and 16, Brandon city residents may bring bags and cans of leaves and leaf mulch to the McHardy Park parking lot. Marv’s Sanitary Service will have trucks on hand for the leaves and leaf much.

Only leaves, mulch, pumpkins, veggies and garden items will be accepted. No branches, loose leaves or tarps will be accepted.

BCF Oak &Vine is Oct. 25

The Brandon Community Foundation will host the annual Oak & Vine, a fundraiser and friend-raiser event from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25 at the Holiday Inn Express in Brandon. The event is an opportunity to celebrate the community’s blessings, award grants and recognize this year’s Spirit of Brandon recipient, Jim Heinitz.

Heavy hors de oeuvres, sweet treats and Jessup Cellar wine will be served at the casual attire event.