There has been a lot of talk recently about the decline in pheasant population in the Mitchell area, and it’s impact on hunters visiting our great city. The Daily Republic ran an excellent report on the various stakeholders involved, and it’s clear that there is no easy solution. Farmers and landowners have no obligation to forgo profit to provide bird habitat, nor should they be forced to. Pheasant hunting, it seems, may decline in eastern South Dakota – and with it, the economic boost it provides to our communities.

But like many products, hunting is not dependent on only one factor. Our birds may be playing hard-to-get (or hard-to-find), but I’m not convinced that hunters come to Mitchell exclusively for the ring necks. They’re simply a catalyst, a symbol of so much more.

Mitchell is a city that loves to play host. We open our arms wide for visitors – whether they come to see our excellent attractions, watch our phenomenal athletic teams, participate in our events and festivals, or hunt pheasants. Like Lumiere sang in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, “Why, we only live to serve!” Mitchell is at it’s best when we’re helping others enjoy our city. And hunters know it.

Chamberlain has the most birds in the state; this is not a trend I see changing anytime soon. For hunters who are after birds and birds alone, Chamberlain is the place to go – and I have no problem admitting this.

But if you want more? Well, as the saying goes, it’s Mitchell more than ever. Our hunters know it’s not just about limiting out (though that’s nice too). It’s about the tradition; the hospitality; the rustic pampering; the getaway; the evening after the hunt; the memories; the stories you’ll tell. And for that, we await you.

Mitchell is home to the most hunting guides, the most hunting dogs, and the most hunting lodges in all of eastern South Dakota. We offer a range of lodging options, from campgrounds to plush hotels. Our dining options run the gamut from customized filed lunches to fine restaurants, and our nightlight provides variety your entire hunting party can agree on. And, of course, we have exceptional hunting outfitters!

Let us be your escape; your home from the field. Let us help you create your favorite traditions, and craft the stories you’ll tell in the years to come. In Mitchell, pheasant hunting is a legacy you can live. Because you may hunt for birds. But hunting is the ‘more’ that only Mitchell can offer.

On December 1, I celebrated the six-month mark in my tenure at the Convention and Visitors Bureau. In the days since, I have been reflecting on the fun I’ve had rediscovering Mitchell from a brand-new perspective; so today, I will close my thoughts on Mitchell’s excellent attractions by writing about – what else? – the Corn Palace!

I have to be honest, when I used to work downtown as a teenager I used to refer to the Corn Palace as the ‘World’s largest bird feeder.’ How embarrassing now! I’ve truly come to recognize that it’s an astonishing structure that embodies so much about who we are as Mithell-ites. To me, the Corn Palace is pride embodied.

People sometimes tell me that Mitchell isn’t proud of the Corn Palace. I disagree! If we weren’t proud of it, why would we spend so much time there? If we didn’t like it, we wouldn’t keep it. But we do keep it. We fight over it, and you only fight for what you believe in.

When the Corn Palace’s founders – business men – first developed the idea to build the structure, it was for an age-old reason: to bring business and residents to town. Mission accomplished, sirs. The Corn Palace certainly supports many businesses in town, but it has also become the heart of our city. This is where we graduate our high school and college students. It’s where  we take our kids to see the circus; where we cheer on our friends and neighbors and sometimes total strangers in athletics. This is where we go to be entertained, either by concerts or indoor rodeos. It’s where to pile in for important community meetings, and it’s where we escape for private events.

The Corn Palace is the icon of our city. And that’s something to be proud of.

With weeks left to go in the pheasant hunting season, now is a great time to plan or create your favorite outdoor tradition. Brood numbers are up this year, but due to the summer drought, those birds are playing hard-to-get. Deterred? Don’t be!

There are many reasons a late-season hunt is a great getaway. Safety is always top priority, and hunting later in the season avoids a crowded landscape. When the snow falls (this weekend?!), visibility increases. Rover will thank you, too – cooler weather is less stressful on your four-legged best friend. And if you’re looking for a low-cost vacation with your buddies or your family, late-season hunting is the answer as lodging rates are lower towards the end of the season.

So go ahead – give ‘snowbird’ a whole new meaning! The fields are open, and your memories are waiting.

It seems that we’ve all had that moment: the moment you realize that something very important is not where it should be. For one recent visitor, that “something” was a wallet! All is well that ends well, however, and due to some great customer service and the spirit of helpfulness characteristic of Mitchell the owner and wallet were reunited. The full story, as told by The Daily Republic, can be found here: http://www.mitchellrepublic.com/event/article/id/70089/group/homepage/

Mitchell may be seeing more tour buses stopping by the Corn Palace next summer. The American Bus Association has named the Corn Palace Festival one of the top events for group travel in 2013 in their annual “Top 100 Events” publication. The Mitchell Convention and Visitors Bureau, an ABA member, nominated the event.

“This is a great award for a great event, and is a fantastic spotlight for the Corn Palace, the festival, and for Mitchell,” said CVB Director Jacki Miskimins. “Bus travel is a core component of Mitchell tourism, and this award speaks directly to group travel planners. On top of that, the publication listing also mentioned our other Mitchell attractions – money can’t buy that kind of exposure!”

Mark Schilling, Corn Palace Director, is also very pleased. “It’s quite an honor being selected. We’re very proud of the tradition we have with the Corn Palace Festival dating back to 1892.” Schilling added that the 2013 entertainment line-up will be coming soon. “We always offer something for everyone, and for bus groups we can be flexible with group rates to our shows.”

The American Bus Association is a trade organization representing the intercity bus industry. Its annual compendium “Top 100 Events in North America” features the best events for group travel in the United States and Canada. Events are chosen by a panel of member bus and tour operators, and winners are published in a special supplement to Destinations, ABA’s magazine.

“Mitchell is a popular stop for group travel, because we’re so accessible from the Interstate and the Corn Palace is a free attraction. Being named a top event for group travel is a huge honor, and will likely help our group numbers in the years to come,” Miskimins said.

According to CVB records, Mitchell has received over 180 tour buses each year for the past four years. In 2011, there were over 200. “Those numbers are just the buses that schedule ahead and let us know they’re coming; many more show up unannounced, and of course we’re happy to see them.” Miskimins added. “With this award, hopefully we’ll see an increase in our bus traffic next year. The more folks we can get to enjoy Mitchell and the Corn Palace Festival, the better.”

The Mitchell CVB will be representing Mitchell as a group travel destination at the ABA’s annual conference January 5-9, 2013. “We hope to capitalize on this award when we meet travel planners in person. It definitely helps us stand out.”

The 2013 Corn Palace Festival will be held August 21-25. The Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup Arts Festival, held Sept. 28-30 in Custer, SD, is the only other South Dakota event selected for the award.

Pheasant numbers up for Mitchell area; CVB anticipates excellent hunting season.

With pheasant numbers up, Mitchell should see another excellent pheasant season this year. The South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks department has released their annual August pheasant brood counts and the numbers are up statewide as well as for the Mitchell area.

“Mitchell is definitely a destination for pheasant hunters,” said CVB Director Jacki Miskimins. “We are one of the best pheasant hunting spots in the country, and with brood numbers up we’re looking forward to a great season.”

The pheasants per mile count (PPM) for the Mitchell area is 3.91 for 2012, up 38% from 2.83 in 2011. For Game, Fish & Parks survey purposes the Mitchell area includes parts of Davison, Hanson, Charles Mix, Douglas, Aurora, Hutchinson, Jerauld, McCook, Miner, and Sanborn counties. Statewide PPM is up 18% to 4.21.

“For nearly three months each year, Mitchell is a highly-sought hunting destination. Our bird numbers are always great, but the services and accommodations available for hunters are extraordinary. We have the highest concentration of hunting guides in all of South Dakota. The services available in Mitchell make the city a destination even after opening weekend; our late-season hunt is very successful, as well.”

Miskimins notes that the economic impact on the community is significant. “In 2011 alone, pheasant hunters spent $7.5 million in Davison County and $6.6 million of that came from out-of-state visitors.” Miskimins adds that it’s not just about the numbers. “Our hunters come for so much more than just hunting. Many of the hunters that come to Mitchell are doing so as part of their family tradition. This is their annual trip, the big event that spans generations. It’s wonderful that our community gets to be part of their experience, and we’re thrilled that our bird numbers will help make a great season for them this year.”

The 2012 pheasant hunting season officially opens at noon on October 20 and runs until sunset on January 6, 2013, though several area hunting preserves enjoy expanded seasons.

The New York Times mentioned the Corn Palace in their Book Review section, published August 23, 2012. While reviewing various Atlas apps for electronic media devices, book review production editor J.D. Biersdorfer wrote:

“These features jump around linear time — a Viking long ship and the half-­submerged Titanic are both visible in the North Atlantic — but they aren’t exactly comprehensive. For example, the state of South Dakota bears only two features: Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills and the lesser-known Corn Palace in Mitchell, while Ireland’s sole feature is . . . a cow. Still, the app hits most of the local color and nicely combines elements of history and culture.”

While we’re disappointed that this particular Atlas left out the other great cultural touchstones and attractions in South Dakota – and in Mitchell! – we’re proud to be listed alongside Mt. Rushmore as the two icons of the state. Thank you, New York Times!

The full book review article can be found here: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/26/books/review/new-interactive-travel-and-atlas-apps.html?_r=1

This is a guest post from Pam Range of the Carnegie Resource Center in Mitchell, SD.

Just a short walk from the World’s Only Corn Palace lies a hidden gem in Mitchell’s downtown area: the Carnegie Resource Center. Built in 1903 as the Carnegie Library, this historic building amazes all who enter its majestic splendor.

Upon entering this grand building, look up! You will find a magnificent dome decorated with a mural, “Sun and Rain Clouds over Hills.” This beautiful painting was created by the famous Yanktonai Sioux artist Oscar Howe, who spent much of his life in Mitchell. Howe painted the mural in 1940 as a WPA project to employ out of work artists and was paid $60 for his work. To reach the tall heights of the dome, he made a scaffold out of wooden boxes and planks. Howe laid out the mural in such a fashion that at night, with the lights in the dome area on, one of the thunderbirds is perfectly framed by the window.

Due to the extreme heat during the day, Howe worked during the nighttime hours. The heat affected more than just his schedule, however; it also determined his medium. On his second day of work, Howe returned to the building only to find that all the painting he had done the first night had run down the walls! He had been using tempera paint (an egg-based substance), and the heat had ruined his work. Not to be discouraged, Howe switched to an oil-based paint to finish the project.

The west wing of the Carnegie building houses a fireplace built to model the one that was in Andrew Carnegie’s house at the time. Carnegie provided $10,000 to the city of Mitchell to construct the library. Additions were added in 1930 and 1960 to the library.

The Carnegie Resource Center is owned by the Mitchell Area Historical Society and, along with the Mitchell Area Genealogical Society, is preserving the building. Displays of Mitchell history and special exhibits celebrating the Corn Palace legacy can be viewed by the public at no charge. An entire room of Corn Palace memorabilia chronicles the history of the three buildings that have been home to the attraction, as well as the entertainers who have appeared there.  Many research materials are housed in the Carnegie for historians seeking to know more about the Mitchell area, as well as genealogists looking for information on their families.

Hours are Monday through Saturday, 1-5 pm. Special tours and times may be scheduled by calling 605-996-3209 or email Pam@mitchellcarnegie.com. Check out our website www.mitchellcarnegie.com or find us on Facebook.