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The 5 Best Things About Living in Hartford South Dakota

I grew up in Sioux Falls and never thought that Hartford, South Dakota would one day be my home.

After going to college in Minneapolis and living in Nashville, my wife and I relocated back to South Dakota for our professions.



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10 Really Strange Things That Are Still Illegal in South Dakota

Even though these laws are rarely ever enforced nowadays, they still are on the books in South Dakota. Here are the Ten Commandments of South Dakota Law:


Know Your South Dakota College and University Mascots

The college football experience is an ultimate high for football fans and it takes several other teams to make that happen week after week during the season.
Just think about what goes into gameday? First and foremost, the players and coaching staff who put in hours and hours of practice and training to play in front of their fans. Then there's field prep, game officials, live broadcasts, concessions, and on-the-field entertainment. Yep, entertainment.

Second to the game, who do you watch? The cheerleaders? The band at halftime? What about the mascot? That's a job not many people can do.
I asked Sioux Falls native and former Cagey mascot for the Sioux Falls Canaries and Little Red & Herbie for the Nebraska Huskers Nate Welch about being a mascot:

  • What does it take to be a mascot?
  • "Losing a bet or filling an opportunity!" Welch says, "An internal energized desire to love life. After meeting great performers who are introverts out of costume, they become the center of attention when they take the stage. And also feeding off the performance of others."
  • Why does the mascot never talk?
  • "Know your role and shut your mouth. You are there to entertain. Tell the story with your actions and not your voice."
  • Advice to someone putting on that costume for the first time?
  • "Remember you are now in a costume. Have fun. Otherwise, you're just a dork in tights. If the fur ain't flying you ain't trying."

Nate Welch has moved on from his days as a mascot to Executive Director of the Vermillion Area Chamber of Commerce and Development Company in Vermillion, South Dakota.

So, can you name the mascots at our South Dakota Colleges and Universities? Check out the gallery below:

I grew up in Sioux Falls and never thought that Hartford, South Dakota would one day be my home.

After going to college in Minneapolis and living in Nashville, my wife and I relocated back to South Dakota for our professions.

We eventually found the house we wanted in the Sioux Falls area, but it wasn't in Sioux Falls, we landed in Hartford, SD.

As we come upon our anniversary of living in Hartford, I've come up with a list of The 5 Best Things About Living in Hartford South Dakota.

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    1

    The Hartford Steak House

    Also known as the Hartford Steak Co., this Hartford gem is my favorite steak place in all of the Sioux Empire.  Owned and operated by Kristin Blaine and her parents Todd and Diane Friese, this Hartford hot spot is a must-see!  Prime Rib on the weekends and Filet Mignon during the week. Delicious!

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    2

    The Quietness

    Growing up I always envisioned getting as far away from the quiet of South Dakota as I could, but after living in downtown Minneapolis and downtown Nashville, its been very nice to experience a different style of living over the last few years. I always catch myself pausing at night when I step outside to really enjoy the tranquility a small community like Hartford can provide.

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    3

    Pizza Ranch

    The one thing I would like to see Hartford get more of is fast food or quick dining options. Pizza Ranch though is one of my favorites. Plus since they deliver, it makes life so much easier in a small community where in a lot of cases people have to drive to the nearest city to get food like pizza.  And the buffet is GREAT!

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    4

    Central Valley Golf Course

    It is so nice to have a golf course in your town. Not to mention one that is taken care of as well as Central Valley. I golf quite often out there and always enjoy my time on the course, even though I am a hack.

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    5

    West Central School District

    Not only is my wife employed there which you have to appreciate as a husband, but the fact that I have met some great people that work there and that attend school makes West Central a true bright spot in our community.  I think the four schools within the school district are well maintained and well managed.  Our oldest attends the West Central Elementary, and I can't wait for our other two younger boys to attend the West Central School District as well.

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