Stories from Wednesday, April 8, 2009

(Aug. 7, 1916 - March 22, 2009) Funeral services were held March 25 at the Evangelical Methodist Church of Arizona City for Beulah Margaret "Peggy" Smith, 92, of Arizona City, Ariz., who passed away peacefully at the Casa Grande Elderly Care on March 22, 2009 after a short illness.

(March 22, 2009) Funeral services were held April 4 at St. Cecilia's Cathedral for Joan Miller Harding Ragan Cudahy, 79, of Omaha who passed away March 22, 2009.

(Aug. 28, 1925 - March 27, 2009) Funeral services were held March 31 at the Turner Funeral Home in Spirit Lake for Melba R. Alborn, 83, who passed away March 27 at Hilltop Care Center in Spirit Lake.

(Oct. 2, 1945 - March 30, 2009) Funeral services were held April 2 at the Turner Funeral Home in Spirit Lake for Roger W. Wieck, 63, who passed away March 30 at the Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D.

(Jan. 6, 1931 - March 24, 2009) Funeral services were held March 30 at the Union Memorial Church in Milford for Verlyn "Bernie" Marcks, 78, who passed away March 24 in Sioux Falls following complications of a stroke.

(Aug. 16, 1950 - March 27, 2009) Mass of Christian Burial was held March 30 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Spirit Lake for James Patrick Burke, 58, who passed away peacefully on March 27, 2009 after braving a courageous battle with Multiple Sclerosis.

(Aug. 16, 1950 - March 27, 2009) Mass of Christian Burial was held March 30 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Spirit Lake for James Patrick Burke, 58, who passed away peacefully on March 27, 2009 after braving a courageous battle with Multiple Sclerosis.

On April 3, the Spirit Lake Police Department received a complaint in regard to suspicious activity taking place at the Ramada Hotel in Spirit Lake. A subsequent investigation ensued and a search of a tenants' room turned up a green plant-like material believed to be marijuana.

The struggle toward a compromise on the Lower Gar issue continued for the Dickinson County Supervisors and the Milford City Council on Monday night. The two entities held a joint meeting Monday evening at the Dickinson County Expo Building. "We all share a common interest and a common need to solve this problem," said Supervisor Paul Johnson. ...

This is the third in a series of stories about how area organizations prepare for summer in the Iowa Great Lakes area.

The Okoboji High School is pioneering the way with a new alternative program called Avenues of Opportunity. Launched this school year, the Avenues of Opportunity Learning Center features a credit recovery aspect as well as a vocational program. "We're in our infancy - developing things as we go," said Kevin Range, Okoboji High School Guidance Counselor. ...

Elijah and Sara Cornell of Spirit Lake are proud to announce the birth of their son Robert Cael Elijah Cornell, born Jan. 2 at Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake.

Imagination has never been in short supply in my life. With supportive parents, creative sisters and a knack for trouble, I had what I consider to be a wonderful childhood -- my parents rarely (if ever) argued in front of the kids, sisters who (mostly) played well together, pets of all kinds and the freedom to explore the farm and beyond...

Each time we say the Apostles or Nicene creed, we say that Christ descended into hell. We acknowledge the event on Good Friday. The "Christ descended" concept is in the Bible. Our round earth view of the world, as opposed to the ancient flat earth view, leaves Christians in confusion about hell and heaven. Where is hell? The center of the earth? Not likely! Scripture and creeds are frozen in time and cannot be updated? Christ ascended? Where? These images distort the truth...

Upon my recent visit to the Okoboji area it was brought to my attention that the "Fish Shack" located outside of Okoboji Boat Works is currently at risk of being shut down. I encourage all whom read this to send your opinion on this matter to State Representative Rod Roberts in hopes of keeping the Fish Shack afloat. He can be e-mailed at rod.roberts@legis.state.ia.us...

Mr. Parks, of Okoboji Boats, continues to entertain with newsletters of exaggerations only he can devise. His current April issue pleads, "We just ask to be left alone and we will continue to run a respectable business and to be good citizens and taxpayers."...

To the readers of the Dickinson County News, It's very interesting from the outside, to see that a bill like this would be introduced for the Lakes region by someone like Rod Roberts from Carroll. Finding out that he has property next to Okoboji Boat Works makes it very clear -- and I would agree with Butch, along with many many other people who enjoy the lakes during the summer and winter, that it seems self-serving...

Spirit Lake Noon Kiwanis is sponsoring a Community Easter Egg Hunt at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 11 at the Memorial Park in Spirit Lake. There will be three different age groups: age 2 and under, ages 3-5 and ages 6-10. There will be lots of eggs filled with candy and three grand prizes in each age group. Contact the Spirit Lake Mainsail Chamber of Commerce at (712) 336-4978, or e-mail mainsail@mchsi.com for more information...

The Pearson Lakes Art Center presents indie-folk duo The Pines on Thursday, April 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the Pomerantz Hall of the PLAC. For FREE tickets and more show information call (712) 332-7029 or visit www.lakesart.org.