We’re keeping the celebration rolling as the State Theatre hits its 100‑year milestone. And who better to join the conversation than Derrick Veurink — movie lover, history buff, and the unofficial number‑one patron of the State Theatre. If you’ve ever caught a film there, you’ve probably seen Derrick. He’s as essential to the experience as butter is to popcorn.
Before Lou and Derrick dive into movies, memories, and the theater’s legacy, Lou kicks things off with a look back at the Henry Carlson Construction Company, the firm that built the State Theatre more than a century ago. Henry Carlson, a Swedish immigrant who started his construction business just a few years before taking on the project, could never have imagined that his company would still be thriving today — still building across South Dakota and still creating structures meant to last.
In this extended episode, Lou and Derrick go deep. They talk about the evolution of film, the charm of historic theaters, and why the State Theatre continues to matter to Sioux Falls. Derrick brings his signature enthusiasm and encyclopedic movie knowledge, making this conversation a treat for film fans and history lovers alike.
If you want more of Derrick’s movie takes, you can catch him on the Fat Dude Digs Flicks podcast, where he digs into Criterion Collection gems, or follow him on Letterboxd, where he shares thoughtful reviews of his latest screenings.
This episode is all about celebrating community, cinema, and the people who keep Sioux Falls’ stories alive — and Derrick Veurink fits right into that legacy