Remembering Captain 11: A Nostalgic Journey Through Children's TV

All I wanted was the power to control time. I wanted the wisdom of Solomon and the strength of Atlas.

After all, I thought I was kind, fair, and brave enough. I longed to please the council of the Outer Galaxies. But, alas, I never made it to the Captain 11 show in the heart of Sioux Falls.

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Sioux Falls' Captain 11: A Journey Through 41 Seasons Of Childhood Joy

Even though we begged as kids in the 70s to go to the show - especially on our birthdays - I guess we always had somewhere we needed to be. Either a Don Knotts film at the K-Cinema or perhaps there was something on sale at the Green Stamps store.

This week, the Captain 11 show hit a milestone. It's been 69 years since it first aired on KELO-TV in Sioux Falls. The show first aired on March 7, 1955.

It ran for an unprecedented 41 seasons before signing off a few days after Christmas in 1996.

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The legendary Dave Dedrick wearing that awesome blue pilot uniform was the show's host, asking kids to grab a toy from the coveted toy chest or play “freeze.”

Some even got to flip a jewel on the set which (we believed) activated the next cartoon.

It was the longest-running children’s TV program in television history

The Captain passed away in Sioux Falls in 2010.

By the way, not all was lost on my birthdays as a kid. I had a pretty good run at Shakey‘s Pizza.

Top 14 Restaurants That Should Come Back to Sioux Falls

Some friends and I were getting together for dinner and we were trying to decide where to go. That’s when we started reminiscing about our favorite Sioux Falls restaurants that have come and gone. Here's a list of 14 restaurants I want to come back to Sioux Falls. What restaurants were your favorites that are no longer in Sioux Falls?

Gallery Credit: Karla Brown

Dives Worth a Drive in South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota

Almost every small South Dakota town has a watering hole. It’s where the locals go to kick back a few brews and engage in conversation.

Some of these establishments are located in buildings almost as old as the town itself. There might be a fresh coat of paint on the walls or new vinyl on the booth seats, but the ambiance is still reminiscent of a good ol’ dive.

If you think a "dive" is all about the sketchy clientele, the smell of the Devil’s lettuce, and stale Grain Belt, you’d be wrong. Not every dive has a bad reputation.

What makes a dive, a dive?

A dive has character. Neon beer signs and local memorabilia adorn the walls.

You might find a pool table, dart board, and a few video lottery machines.

The bartender knows the regulars by name and they know what you drink.

Some dives don't even serve food except for bags of chips and pickled eggs that sit in a jar of brine on the bar.

Dives aren't fancy. You might see 70's-style wood panels on the walls and wobbly tables leveled with a folded napkin.

Finally, the bathrooms. The bathrooms in dives are in a class by themselves and could be a whole topic on its own.

There are several small-town dives in our area with friendly faces, cheap booze with a burn, and even really good food! We use the term "dive" in the most affectionate way.

Here are some of the best and why you should go there.

Gallery Credit: Karla Brown