Stories from Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Courts lay to rest April 2008 murder case; Judge dismisses Friedrichs' charges (05/06/09)
A Dickinson County judge has dismissed charges against the third defendant in the April 2008 murder case which resulted in the death of 25-year-old Matthew Begtrup.

SL artist seizes 'bull' of an opportunity (05/06/09)
For the next week, Spirit Lake senior artist Ethan Carlson may be relying on the energy drink that inspired him to complete his Red Bull sculpture. Carlson expects to pull a few all-nighters before his Red Bull artwork titled Crimson Rage can be crated and shipped Philadelphia for the first round of judging in Red Bull's Art of Can competition. If chosen, Crimson Rage will be featured in the exhibit in Washington, D.C. this October...

Indians claim outright Lakes title (05/06/09)
The Spirit Lake girls' golf team wrapped up the Lakes Conference title for the second year in a row and third out of the past four years after sweeping a Lakes Conference triangular from Estherville Lincoln Central and Sheldon Monday, May 4 at Okoboji View Golf Course...

Lucky number 10: SL-O girls secure 10th straight Lakes Tourney title (05/06/09)
The Spirit Lake-Okoboji girls' tennis team has created quite a dynasty in the Lakes Conference the past 10 years, and this year proved to be no different as SL-O coasted to its 10th consecutive league title behind singles championships from Alli Gerking and Aubry Kolegraff and a runner-up performance from the doubles team of Cassidy Clarity and Kathleen Rowley Saturday, May 4 in Storm Lake...

A celebration of mothers worldwide (05/06/09)
Mother's Day has long been a commemoration and celebration for the woman that raised, fed, clothed and loved you no matter what kind of mischief you managed to get in to. This year, on Sunday, May 10, celebrate with breakfast in bed, a family gathering or even a notebook page with "I love you" scribbled in crayon.

Wings and Wetlands Weekend celebrates feathered friends, natural habitats (05/06/09)
The call of the wild will bring nature-lovers out this weekend to celebrate the 15th annual Wings and Wetlands Weekend this Saturday and Sunday, May 9-10. Bird-watchers kicked off the week on Monday, May 4 with the Dickinson County Conservation Board's first Birding on the Greens event at Brooks Golf Course...

Walleye Weekend Results (05/06/09)
This year, 1,428 anglers registered for their opportunity at a prize-winning catch on Iowa's Great Lakes during the 27th Annual Iowa Easter Seals Great Walleye Weekend May 2 and 3. No tagged fish were caught in this year's tournament. The winners of this year's Easter Seals Great Walleye Weekend are as follows:...

ArtsLIVE introduces sticker campaign (05/06/09)
ArtsLIVE is pleased to announce the release of the first sticker in a collector's edition series of "Buy Local Art -- Made in Iowa" campaign. These collector stickers will be released on a quarterly basis, each featuring a different local artist and sponsor from a local business or individual.

PLAC presents An Evening with Delfeayo Marsalis (05/06/09)
The Pearson Lakes Art Center is privileged to bring Delfeayo Marsalis to the Iowa Great Lakes for one night only on May 14. A dinner catered by Minervas will be served at 6 p.m. with the performance scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in the Lauridsen Performing Arts Theatre.

Amy Jo Baschke (05/06/09)
(May 10, 1958 - April 22, 2009) A memorial service was held at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake May 2 for Amy Jo Baschke, 50, who passed away at her home in Sioux City on April 22 following a three-year battle with breast cancer. Rev. James Travis, pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Sioux City, officiated.

Kathryn R. Bennett (05/06/09)
(May 29, 1920 - April 27, 2009) Memorial services were held on Monday, May 4 at the United Methodist Church in Hinton for Kathryn R. Bennett, 88, of Storm Lake and formerly of Hinton, died April 27 at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake. Interment will be at a later date in Graceland Cemetery in Sioux City.

Dorothy M. Boyer (05/06/09)
(Aug. 29, 1911 - April 25, 2009) Funeral services were held April 29 at the United Methodist Church in Lake Park for Dorothy M. Boyer, 97, who passed away at Hilltop Care Center on April 25. Rev. Chris Ebbers officiated. Interment was at Silver Lake Cemetery in Lake Park.

Bonnie Evelyn Bruce (05/06/09)
(Oct. 24, 1923 - April 28, 2009) A memorial service was held May 2 at the First Christian Church in Estherville for Bonnie Evelyn Bruce, 85, of Okoboji and previously of Estherville who passed away peacefully on April 28 at Hilltop Care Center in Spirit Lake.

Jennie Marie Piscator (05/06/09)
(May 7, 1917 - April 24, 2009) A memorial service was held April 28 at the First Presbyterian Church in Lake Park for Jennie Whalen Piscator, 91, who passed away April 25 at the Lake Park Care Center in Lake Park. Rev. Suzanne Wobig officiated. Interment was at Silver Lake Cemetery in Lake Park.

Lila Mae Pooler (05/06/09)
(March 24, 1934 - April 23, 2009) Memorial services were held April 27 at Grace United Methodist Church in Spencer for Lila Mae Pooler, 75, who passed away unexpectedly at her home in Spencer on April 23.

Delbert Schultz (05/06/09)
(June 3, 1937 - April 21, 2009) A celebration of life was held April 25 at St. John's Lutheran Church in May City for Delbert Dean Schultz, 71, who passed away April 21. Interment was at Baker Township Cemetery in Melvin. Military gravesite rites were by Guthrie Post #470 and Reverend Paul Johnson officiated.

Mitchell, Mazzella to wed in Italy (05/06/09)
Travis Mitchell and Daniela Mazzella announce their engagement and upcoming marriage.

Life is a beach (05/06/09)
This weekend marked the first picnic on the beach for me this year. The weather was perfect for the day - warm, just enough of a breeze, sunny and beautiful - and Gull Point was a wonderful place to spend the afternoon. Armed with a blanket, books, sunglasses and flip flops, I walked the few short blocks at a friend's house where I met p with her and her 2 1/2-year-old daughter...