02 Broadcaster Press February 17, 2015 www.broadcasteronline.com The Heartbeat of Vermillion: Nick Severson By Katie Clausen For the Plain Talk For Nick Severson, being the heartbeat of Vermillion is deep seeded. Much like the plants in his beloved garden, Severson’s roots run deep. “I’m six generation Vermillion,” Severson said. “My life family lived in Clay County in the 1880’s, even before South Dakota was a state.” Severson wears his Vermillion pride proudly, and has been one of the signature people of the community who have a certain air that brings us all together. “I’m a really strong supporter of USD athletics,” Severson said. “I am very active in attending USD Sports and theatre and even some concerts.” Severson is a 2002 graduate of Vermillion High School, who then went on to graduate from the University of South Dakota with a degree in Political Science and Public Relations, with plans to return to continue his education in Addiction Studies. Severson is always looking at ways he can improve himself and Vermillion. “I hope I can contribute in some way,” Severson said. “And make the community better.” If community involvement is Severson’s goal, then he’s already set the bar fairly high. He became an advocate of Vermillion as early as high school. “I started the tailgating club and that tradition kept on,” Severson said. “That was all about Vermillion pride.” Severson has a personal and passionate interest in helping Vermillion grow. “While I was the manager of the Vermillion Area Farmers Market I was involved in getting the Saturday Market started,” Severson said. “Now I like going downtown on Saturdays and seeing all of the people enjoying themselves.” By starting the Saturday market downtown Severson has already helped people come together. With a passion for giving back, Severson is often thinking about some of the issues that are unfortunate standards across the U.S., and of potential ways to correct those issues. “There is always some underlying poverty,” Severson said. “I wish there was more I can do.” Growth is essential to the economic survival of Vermillion, and Severson has also been an activist for economic development, sometimes tossing around his own ideas among friends and fellow business owners. “There is always hope for some economic diversity,” Severson said. “I think Vermillion has room for some more things like manufacturing, retail and restaurants.” As someone intrigued and interested in food, Severson has also been working as Chef Jim’s right hand man, at Café Brule, for two years. “I really like cooking,” Severson said. “I don’t have an official title, I just do a little of everything.” When Severson is not cheering on the Coyotes or serving up hot plates at Café Brule, he can be found participating in one of his many hobbies. “I like being active,” Severson said. “There are so many opportunities here.” Severson gardens, collects USD memorabilia and antiques of all types, in addition to participating in Vermillion Community Theatre and catching a Tanager game here and there. “I plan to be in this summer’s production of Mary Poppins,” Severson said. “I try to think of ways to make Vermillion a better place by working on business ideas or picking up litter.” One of Severson’s antiques he picked up locally was even seen on the television show, American Pickers. There were only two signs from the old Meckling Lutheran Church, the one broadcasted on the show, and the one Severson now owns. “I also dabble in antique collecting,” Severson said. “I really like advertising signs. One of my signs was seen on American Pickers, there were only two.” Like many of the people who encompass the meaning of being the Heartbeat of Vermillion, part of Severson’s love for the community comes from how the mini metropolis shaped him into a young adult. “I think growing up in Vermillion made me a diverse human being,” Severson said. “Vermillion is really diverse. I’ve met so many people who’ve been here throughout the years and it really shaped who I am.” Severson understands that Vermillion is a special community to many people. Residents from near and far come and go as part of our economy or our academic institutions. “Vermillion is a perfect, quintessential community that has hope and prosperity,” Severson said. “It’s a great community for everyone.” As Vermillion continues to grow, Severson will continue stand at forefront as an advocate for the town. “I like to hope for the best for Vermillion,” Severson said. “I think Vermillion is a great place to raise a family, or go to school, or retire. It’s great.” This squirrel and an unseen friend really enjoy the goodies from Nick Severson’s garden. Here this fella takes in some corn on a feeder Severson set up for local critters. The squirrel declined to comment for the story. ALAN DALE / THE PLAIN TALK A DAY LIFE OF... DAY LIFE OF Y i in the t A Drive-Thru Worker in Vermillion By Sarah Wetzel For the Plain Talk How many times have you pulled up to a drivethru, shouted your order at a metal box, picked up your food at the window, driven PRECISION PAINTING off and never gave a second thought to the person handing you the food? As far as careers go, drive-thru workers are frequently seen as the bottom of the food chain, pun intended. Quality Workmanship, Reasonable Rates Since 1983 Annual Meeting Township of Garfield The job of a drive-thru worker is a lot harder than it looks. Just ask these employees of Vermillion’s Dairy Queen. SARAH WETZEL / FOR THE PLAIN TALK will be held Tuesday, March 3rd, 2015 2:30pm at the Dalesburg Lutheran Church for the purpose of electing one supervisor, treasurer and one clerk and for any other business that comes before the board. Jim Danielson, Clerk TODD’S ELECTRIC SERVICE “The Line To Power” Design/Build • Fiber Cabling • Commercial • Residential Service Calls • Boom Truck with Auger • Trenching Serving the Beresford and Vermillion Areas 1-800-560-2518 1221 Cornell St., Vermillion, SD • 605-624-5642 201 NW 13th St., Ste. 3, Beresford, SD • 800-560-2518 NOTICE The annual meeting of Norway Township will be on Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at the Clay County Highway Department on Timber Rd. Bids for blading, gravel, snow removal and mowing will be opened at that time. Send bids to: Tom Knutson, Supervisor, Norway Township, 45753 Timber Rd., Vermillion, SD 57069. No later than Friday, February 27, 2015. Township reserves right to reject any and all bids. Jay Bottolfson, Clerk Extra KNUTSON Cash Off... 10% OFF Friday, Saturday & Sunday February 20, 21 & 22 DRAW FOR EXTRA OFF at the Register for final savings ™ 605-665-3719 According to James Clarke, a Junior Marketing major at USD working at the Dairy Queen Grill and Chill on Cherry St., people should think twice before criticizing the drive-thru worker. “It’s a job that a lot of people think is really easy,” Clarke said. “At one point in time, I’ve taken money, taken orders and added orders all at the same time. I have to multi task throwing three or four things in the air at a time then I’m getting a question from somebody else. You’ve got to juggle everything. At times it’s a very stressful job and people don’t understand it. You mess up one thing and that sets people off. I really wish everyone would work fast food just for a couple of months just to see how hard it is.” When confronting an angry customer, Clarke says all he can do sometimes is just bite his tongue and move on. Despite the challenges, Clarke said he enjoys the job and it keeps him on his toes. Employees behind the counter at Dairy Queen work as a team, each at different stations but helping others out as needed. Clarke himself will go from taking orders at the front to plugging in orders for drive thru, to assembling the food, to helping hand things out the window to a waiting customer. Though workers can FAMILY DENTISTRY Dr. Richard Knutson Dr. Matthew Knutson Dental Excellence for Children & Adults Cosmetic • Implants General Practice •Single Visit Crowns Braces For Adults & Children •Invisalign HOURS: Monday – Friday, 8:30 – 5:30 1714 East Cherry Street, Vermillion 605.624.6291 sometimes predict rushes that come after big events, for the most part you can never tell when a crowd chooses to patronize your fast-food restaurant. “I’ve seen it go from maybe two or three people walk in then all of a sudden the lobby’s full,” Clarke said. “We don’t really know the signs behind it but it seems like when one person comes in everyone wants to come in.” How often the rushes come depends on the day and time of year. “Winter is a little bit slower,” Clarke said. “There might be a lunch rush, there might not. The one day it snowed pretty heavily there weren’t any rushes the whole day. In the summer we’re really popular.” Employees at DQ learn to make use of the downtime in-between rushes as well. “We’re always restocking cups, sundaes, candies,” Clarke said. “If you look at our menu, there’s a lot of stuff so we’re always restocking, sweeping, wiping the blizzard machine down, mopping, wiping down tables, taking out the trashes, cleaning the trays. There’s quite a bit to keep us busy.” When a car does pull up to the order board, the fun begins. First challenge: Learning the ropes “By the time [a worker] get to the drive thru they should have everything down except the timing,” Clarke said. “It steps it up quite a bit. For all our orders we try to get it out in three minutes 30 seconds. That’s what we’re shooting for for drive-thru. It’s supposed to be fast.” According to Clarke, workers don’t usually start at drive-thru until they have worked behind the counter for awhile. “A couple of months in you put on one of the headset packs and you listen in,” Clarke said. “A lot of the questions are the same that you get at the counter and at drive thru. People want to know the ingredients and this and that. So you just have to get all that down.” Second challenge: listening carefully. ? DRIVE-THRU, Page 4