Letters to the Editor - May 6, 2026

Thanks for
community effort
To the Editor:

I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the community for embracing the very first Brookings FREE Share & Care Day which took place April 25.

The event was a simple and free way for usable items (clothing, décor, furniture, household items, etc) to find new homes rather than ending up in the landfill or inundating thrift stores. A key aspect of the event was that there was no overwhelming-to-manage, centralized drop-off location; instead, residents managed their own free items at their home. In essence, it was similar to a city-wide rummage sale, but all items were free at participating hosts.

Despite the cool and rainy weather, the response was nothing short of incredible. We had 30+ registered share spots across town. While some hosts had to drop out due to the weather, many locations watched waves of shoppers carry nearly everything away — most within the first hour or two. At our own home, we had people waiting in the rain before we even opened our garage doors, and when the garage doors went up, it felt a bit like Black Friday!

To our Share Spot hosts: thank you for your willingness to promote the event, open your garages, share your belongings for free, and connect with your neighbors.Your effort and generosity are what made this event possible.

To our shoppers and visitors: thank you for showing up, for exploring, and for embracing the spirit of the event. Many of you shared kind words throughout the morning — from “This is the best idea ever” to “It’s like Christmas.” Those moments made the day truly special.

We were also delighted to welcome visitors from surrounding communities. I spoke to shoppers who had traveled to Brookings, specifically for this event. I met treasure hunters from Madison, Flandreau, and even towns across the state line, such as Tyler and Ivanhoe, MN. Hearing comments like “I wish our town did this” was both humbling and encouraging.

To our local media friends — The Brookings Register, The Brookings Beacon, and Brookings Radio — thank you for helping share this story with the community. Your coverage played an important role in building awareness and participation.

What we saw that Saturday was more than just an event. It was neighbors helping neighbors, usable items finding new homes instead of the landfill, and meaningful connections happening across our community.

For me, personally, it helped me become better at letting things go, especially when I saw so much gratitude for the items.

Brookings FREE Share & Care Day has now been established as an annual event, to be held on the last Saturday morning of April, coinciding nicely with Earth Day. I’m excited to see how this simple idea continues to grow and evolve in the years ahead.

Thank you, Brookings, for showing what a community can do — even in the rain.

Sincerely,

Trish Matson Buus
Brookings

City needs to step up for new pool
To The Editor:

A needed swimming pool and water park needs to be built in Brookings in a rec center.

In the early 1960s, the then-small community of Brookings had the foresight to construct a five-lane pool as part of the the new high school. Now, our population has grown and a ten-lane pool needs to be as a part of a rec center building with a 100-yard turf field. We’ve paid mega bucks for the PAC at SDSU and that is coming to an end.

Recreation centers cost BIG money and a rec center that adds to the viability of a wholesome community. We citizens who choose to live here have the responsibility to pay for it.

An individual with foresight needs to step up and organize a group to see one built with the help of agencies inside and outside our community — with naming rights along with the tax payers of our town chipping in.

Also, the Dacotah Bank Center should continue as is — supporting a wide variety of activities. We, the citizens of Brookings area need to support the expense as a public service for the vibrance of our town.

Sincerely,

Harry Mansheim
Brookings

Vote Diercks for school board
To the Editor:

I am writing this letter in support of Marcie Dierks, a candidate for Brookings School Board. I lived in Brookings for over 30 years and taught Biology/AP Biology/Zoology at Brookings High for 16 years before my retirement. Marcie Dierks is an SDSU graduate and was a colleague in the Biology Department at BHS.

Marcie is an experienced educator who genuinely cares for her students and will be a strong advocate for the success of all students in the district. Her leadership in the district will be an asset, and she will go the extra mile to make sure all viewpoints are heard.

She is thoughtful and logical, and I trust her to listen to input from all sides of an issue and to make fair decisions in the best interests of Brookings students and the community at large.

Early voting has started. The election is June 2! Please vote for Marcie Dierks. She will be a great representative for teachers, students, parents, and will serve the Brookings community well.

Kelly Riedell
Former BHS science teacher
Brookings