vAUNE continued from page 5 vFAST After finishing her second book, Edla realized she still had stories she wanted to tell and people were still enjoying them, so she decided she would write another book. “A Trail of Memories” was published in 1997. This book touches on memories of the community in the twenties and thirties. Each book is definitely very personal but also historical. While this book features familiar places around the community, it focuses more on events that took place and memories of those events. A few years passed, but Edla still had stories. In 2000 she released her fourth and final book, “…And It Was Yesterday.” This book touches on memories of places, people, and country schools. This book focuses more on memories than places but still provides that personal feel to history of this area. Even though it has been seventeen years since her last book was published, Edla still thinks about writing a 5th book. She is still selling copies of her books; however the first two are no longer available. She even has some copies of the third and fourth book in Wall Drug. Even after all these years of selling books, Edla is still surprised yet proud that people enjoy them so much. A lot of the books sold are from people who had family from this area, wanting to know more about the area and have those memories. Arthur and the kids supported Edla’s artistic goals and enjoyed watching her succeed at something she loved so much. Her husband helped her get her start and her son, Eldean proofread the books, as well as took the photos for the cover of each book. Edla’s remaining children live further away now but they make the time to come home as often as they can to visit. The community and neighbors are also helpful and neighborly in helping Edla with anything she might need. Getting to glance over Edla’s books and read those memories and moments is a real treat, but meeting Elda was even better. She has so many stories to tell and they are fascinating to listen to. It’s easy to see why her books are still selling copies to this day. Heading West out of Yankton to drive the Nebraska route, fat, sloppy raindrops slowly started to drip from the clouds. We were vulnerable with no canopy, so I opened my umbrella, trying to keep us dry. I balanced my coffee cup in one hand and the umbrella in the other. Trying my best not to drop my coffee cup, more concerned with hanging on to that than to the umbrella. You don’t want to see me that early in the morning without my trusty cup of joe. Though we needed the rain, I was glad it didn’t rain for long. I didn’t want to turn into a soggy crab. I’m not extremely talkative this morning because I’m still a little tired. I’m sure my husband is probably thankful for this bout of silence, knowing that it won’t last for long. I feel like it’s taking me a long time to wake up today, I feel groggy and relaxed. I mentally plan to buy one of those beer helmets that I can fill up with coffee the next time we do this. Gazing out over the Missouri River as we crossed over the dam, I wondered if this is how Meriwether Lewis and his friend William Clark felt on their expedition. As we wound 48 miles through the Nebraska roads, I’m taken aback by the sheer beauty of nature. The serenity of the Missouri River and Lewis & Clark Lake from the Nebraska side was captivating. Taking pictures as quickly as I could focus, I suddenly felt like 12 miles per hour was too fast. I wanted everything to stop so I could take in as much as possible, craving the ability to wrap this shawl of peacefulness around my shoulders in a lingering, warm hug. The ride Saturday felt different to me than the day before. Calmness settled in almost immediately, my senses keen and my mind as clear as a morning lake at daybreak. I learned a lesson in peacefulness the day before and I was yearning to put it to practice again. I was amazed at how nearly eight hours on the tractor that day felt more like only one or two. The welcoming spirit of Midwesterners those two days was truly heart-warming, whether it was the hospitality at our stops for break or the spectators along the route waving in enjoyment of the procession. Blessed with an abundance of uncluttered skyline over vast fields of farmland and the genuine kind spirit of the locals, life in the Midwest is surely a small taste of heaven. vBy Brandi Bue LANE continued from page 7 vBy Julie Eickhoff vMUSIC continued from page 9 “It’s hard to be in the entertainment industry and not objectify yourself as a woman,” she explains. Her talents have already connected her with others in the music industry to provide more opportunities. The ambitious artist has her sights on future goals, stating, “I want to tour and I would love to get to the point where I could tour internationally.” She would love to land a record deal, where you record the songs and a record company will produce them and distribute them, and has dreams of getting a publishing contract to get her music published. Her goals are high, yet she wants to remain humble. She would like people to see her as a positive person and a good role model for others, explaining further, “I never want to get to the point where I’m not relatable.” Though she and her family have made many sacrifices for her to fulfill her dream, she explains that it is worth it. She advises others to work hard on following their dreams. “Keep going, don’t give up. If you believe in what you’re doing, that makes you all the more powerful. You have to want it with everything. It can’t be just a hobby, it has to be your life,” she explains. The young artist shows an abundance of talent and passion for her future in the music industry, putting in hard work while never taking her eyes off her goal. It appears that she is already on her way to a promising career. She explains, “If you’re doing it for the right reasons, and you really believe in what you’re doing, it will come to you. It will take time, but it will come.” vBy Julie Eickhoff Check Out... hervoiceonline HERVOICEvSEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017v23