I told my lovely wife, just give me three years in Sioux City. Then, we can head to our next stop closer to home. I uttered that statement more than 25 years ago. Siouxland tends to become your new home with every passing month and interaction. So, what have I learned about the area?
El Fredo’s pizza tasted even better the next morning as you reflect on a great night out. I remember laughing so hard inside the comedy club there when BT was on stage; I almost lost my breath. If you want a compelling discussion, just bring up your favorite pizza place in the metro area. You may not find a better per-capita pizza Mecca anywhere west of the Mississippi River.
Speaking of food, I once spent a 3-hour working lunch giggling hysterically with a group at Theo’s Steakhouse outside of Lawton. Prime Rib, the epic salad bar, apple pie and cinnamon ice cream, and coffee out of a Theo’s Mug hit hard in the memory bank.
I often consoled myself in food when I tried to cope with not being asked to appear in The We Built Sioux City on Rock and Roll music video. Man, I had leather pants and an 80s-style wig ready to go. On second thought, that non-invite may have been a blessing.
So many great musical artists have graced the stage at the Tyson Events Center, Sioux City Auditorium, Saturday in the Park, and The Stagecoach. Those concerts made such an impact on me. Hearing a big song for the first time LIVE is as sweet as passing an intersection one minute before a train crossing 6th Street. Both awesome, and I felt very fortunate at the same time.
I was blessed to be in the community when the strong feelings of isolation in 2020 and togetherness in 2001 were on full display for all to see. I learned plenty from each major event. With 9/11, anger and depression led to a sense of community and patriotism. In 2020, a few days at home made me realize how amazing it is to leave the house and enjoy life.
Conversations that will forever stick to my ribs happened almost daily with dreamers, advocates, and leaders in Siouxland. If you ever feel bummed out about the state of the world, just head to a Siouxland Chamber Event, a Women’s Power lunch, a fundraiser for a non-profit, or a coach pitch game at Headid Little League. These gatherings are more than events; they’re vital moments that remind us of the strength and warmth of our community, giving you a shot of adrenaline for your well-being.
When I saw an advertisement for a job in Sioux City via FAX in my Nebraska radio station studio, I knew just enough about the area to sound semi-smart in an interview, as I bristled in an uncomfortable tie and an uncertain future.
I have had the pleasure of meeting so many people filled with compassion and knowledge. Experts say your personality is defined by the five people you spend the most time with daily. My set of five non-family members has changed over time, but I know they each had a special place in my heart, helping me feel at home in Siouxland all these years.
Three years? Or nearly three decades?
You lose track of time when you listen to Marconi play the mamba.
That’s a catchy song about a community that changed my life for more than a quarter of a century.
By Tony Michalski
