Stories from Wednesday, September 2, 2009

The Okoboji football team was bound to have some growing pains after losing 11 talented seniors off a squad that finished 9-3 overall and advanced to the Class 2A quarterfinals last season, but the Pioneers didn't help themselves with countless missed tackles on defense and a number of penalties and turnovers that stalled the offense in a 19-9 non-district setback to Sibley-Ocheyedan Friday in a season opener for both schools...

Last week's town hall meeting with U.S. Senator Charles Grassley in Spirit Lake drew a large crowd of interested constituents. "People are coming out in masses to these Town Hall Meetings," said Sen. Grassley. On Thursday, Aug. 27 an estimated 700-800 Lakes area residents and guests gathered from 10-11 a.m. at the Sami Center to participate in the annual discussion, which centered around healthcare.

A Piece of Work, Inc. and Art on 16th invite the public to take a final summer Art Walk and enjoy the Irish Minstrels Band during First Friday in Olde Town Spirit Lake on Sept. 4 from 5-8 p.m. The Art Walk brings the public into two unique art galleries in Olde Town Spirit Lake to see exceptional original artwork and enjoy complimentary refreshments. Other Olde Town Spirit Lake shops and several restaurants are open for business for this monthly evening of food, fun, free entertainment, and, of course, art.

School board elections are scheduled for next Tuesday, Sept. 8. Polls will be open from noon to 8 p.m. at voting precincts throughout Dickinson County.

Small Iowa town. Teenage angst. Sexual discovery. Raw humor. The feature film "16 to Life" hits a daring and hilarious tone as it explores the difficulties and joys of being a teenager in rural Iowa, and Lakes area residents and visitors have the opportunity to see the film before its released in theatres. Okoboji native Becky Smith brings her first feature film "16 to Life" to the Pearson Lakes Art Center this weekend.

I am writing to thank all of the wonderful people who helped sponsor me in Celebration Iowa. This is an amazing organization that provides wonderful opportunities for kids from all over the state. I feel very honored and privileged to have been a part of it this past summer.

Once again, we at Upper Des Moines Opportunity, Inc. in Dickinson County are overwhelmed with the success of our 21st annual Back to School program. 162 children received school supplies and a $150 clothes shopping spree at Bomgaars. A huge thank you to Lon Noble and his crew who opened their store on Sunday

Think of all the fundraisers communities across the country put on to help pay medical bills for people who need major treatment but cannot afford it. Would those same donors vote for health care for all?

The Pastoral Services of Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Wounded Warrior Ministry Center is writing to you to thank you for supporting America's sons and daughters who are making hard sacrifices for our precious freedom.

The recession has led to many changes in our society today. Unemployment, rising costs and declining income are only a few of the side effects that families are dealing with. Many are doing what they can to cut back in areas of their budget that are seen as discretionary, making every dollar go as far as it can. With all of this on everybody's mind, who has the money to pay for a traffic ticket?

Once in a while, I'll run across a story worth sharing. In this troubled economy, with job layoffs, budget crunches and other economic woes, I was reminded of a story my aunt forwarded me a short while ago that I have since named "The parable of the smart ass."

The Dickinson County Sheriff's Office investigated a single vehicle accident Aug. 23 that occurred at 11:45 p.m. near the intersection of 280 Ave and 175 St. on the south side of Lily Lake.

The Iowa Great Lakes is the place to be for rock 'n' roll lovers across the Midwest on Labor Day weekend. "It's going to be a really exciting weekend," said Rebecca Peters, Marketing and Development Director for the Iowa RockNRoll Music Association. "We have people flying in from all over the country to honor and receive the honor of being inducted into the Iowa RockNRoll Hall of Fame."

Alyssa Lundgren of Wallingford and Jayson Prentice of Terril would like to announce their engagement and upcoming wedding.

Paul and Deloris Heide will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Sept. 6.

K. Megan Simmons and Michael R. Nation were untied in marriage on July 25, 2009 in Winter Park, Colo. Their parents are Lee and Eileen Nation of Spirit Lake and Michael and Linda Simmons of Marengo/ Winter Park, Colo.

Greg and Nancy Michelson of Spirit Lake are pleased to announce the engagement and upcoming marriage of their daughter Allison to Jake Beggs of North Platte, Neb. Jake is the son of Jon and Carol Beggs.

(June 18, 1923 - Aug. 24, 2009) Funeral services were held Aug. 30 at the Miller Funeral Home in Sioux Falls for Walter Ward Wierenga, 86, who passed away Aug. 24, 2009 at the Sioux Falls VA Hospital.

(Jan. 26, 1920 -Aug. 24, 2009) Funeral services were held Aug. 27 at the United Methodist Church in Harris for Beulah May Senn, 89, who passed away Aug. 24 at Lakes Regional Heathcare in Spirit Lake.

(Nov. 16, 1933 - Aug. 23, 2009 ) Funeral services were held Aug. 26 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Denison for Merlin D. Olbertz, 75, who passed away Aug. 23 at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison surrounded by his family.

(May 5, 1923 - Aug. 20, 2009) Memorial services were held Aug. 29 at the Mariposa Gardens in Mesa, Ariz. for Mesa resident, Wally Ballhorn, 86, who passed away Aug. 20 in Mesa, Ariz.

Packed in between the craziness of Labor Day weekend and the start of the Clay County Fair, Harris-Lake Park's homecoming week is celebrating school spirit Sept. 7-11.

The Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn football team used a run-oriented physical attack on offense and bruising defense that capitalized for 20 points off four first-half turnovers to pull away from Spirit Lake by a 39-0 margin Friday, Aug. 28 in the season opener for both squads...

The Graettinger/Terril football team racked up nearly 300 yards rushing in the first half alone on the way to a lopsided 54-8 victory over Aurelia Friday, Aug. 28 in a season opener in Graettinger. "It was a great night for football, and our kids were ready to play. ...

A young and inexperienced Harris-Lake Park football team overcame a sloppy start, outscoring Remsen St. Mary's 12-6 in the second half, but couldn't quite get over the hump in an eventual 30-12 setback Friday, Aug. 28 in a non-district affair in Remsen...

The Okoboji volleyball team got off to a rough start with losses to South O'Brien and Spencer, but ended the round-robin tournament on a positive note with a victory over Clay Central-Everly Thursday, Aug. 27 at the Spencer Early Bird. The Pioneers lost a hard-fought match to the Wolverines in their opener by the scores of 21-19, 24-22. ...