Stories from Wednesday, October 7, 2009

The Spirit Lake and Okoboji boys' cross country teams both put together strong performances in chilly and windy conditions Tuesday, Oct. 6 at the Cherokee Invitational. The Indians, top-ranked in Class 2A, weren't able to get past seventh-ranked Unity Christian after sophomore Keith Byers dropped out of the meet with an injury, but still managed to place second with 76 points. ...

The third time proved to be the charm for the Spirit Lake girls' cross country team, which knocked off Unity Christian for the first time all season in a showdown of top-10 squads Tuesday, Oct. 6 at the Cherokee Invitational. The Indians, ranked sixth in Class 2A, finished with three top-5 performers and all five of their runners in the top-15 to surpass the fourth-ranked Knights by six points. SL finished with 36 points, followed by runner-up Unity Christian with 42...

The Pearson Lakes Art Center is pleased to once again present the Big Night of Blues and Soul, Thursday, Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. in the Lauridsen Performing Arts Theatre.

A goal line stand on a two-point conversion ended up being the difference between a win and a loss for the Graettinger/Terril football team as the Knights stayed in the hunt for a district title by slipping past Laurens-Marathon for a 29-28 road victory Friday, Oct. 2 in 8-Man District 2 play...

The Okoboji football team had its first victory of the season well within grasp, but the Pioneers couldn't hold on in the final quarter of a defensive showdown, giving up 12 points in the final three minutes and 18 points in the fourth quarter of a devastating 18-7 setback to Buffalo Ridge Friday, Oct. 2 in Class 2A District 2 play in Milford...

The Spirit Lake football team dug itself into an early hole that it couldn't climb out of after a couple of early turnovers were returned for touchdowns by Sheldon, allowing the Orabs to run away with a 48-7 homecoming victory Friday, Oct. 2 in Class 2A District 1 play...

Spirit Lake graduate Ethan Carlson will be getting on a plane to the nation's capitol this week to see his monstrous Red Bull sculpture displayed at Union Station.

A commercial fire on Monday morning has damaged a Lakes area antique dealer. Spirit Lake firefighters responded to a call at Cobweb Antiques at 11:11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 5.

Lutheran Church in America bishops have placed a document called "Visions and Expectations" along side the Bible as Holy. It is a morality code. Bishops judge pastors by this code. "Improper" hugging can have dire consequences.

We, as families of children that have Down Syndrome, would like to thank you for your continued support of our children and all people with Down Syndrome and other developmental disabilities. We also would like to remind you that our children are more like everybody else than different.

Did anyone watch the IPTV special about the National Parks? Did you feel the same concern for our local land as our forefathers did when they feared the loss of the irreplaceable National Parks?

On Sept. 26, 2009, the Spirit Lake Mainsail Chamber of Commerce hosted the Harlem Ambassadors professional show basketball team for a night of high-flying slam dunks, hilarious comedy, and feel-good family entertainment.

While cleaning out my desk this week I came across a small notebook with lists I've made for myself over the years. At the top of one page is one affectionately called "Follow Your Bliss" with learning goals, travel adventures and more. A few have been crossed out, such as seeing "Phantom of the Opera" on Broadway and riding a bicycle across the state (twice), but most remain on the list with the boxes sadly empty.

Dozens of Lakes area youth have been cast in an over the top version of the classic tale of "Sleeping Beauty" being produced this week by the Prairie Fire Children's Theatre. The annual Prairie Fire show is a partnership with the Lakes Community Theatre and the Lakes Art Center. A grant from the Okoboji Foundation has helped fund this week's Prairie Fire residency.

What began for Spirit Lake graduate Julayne Farmer as a preoccupation with photographing her friends in high school has blossomed into the creation of Follow Your Art, Farmer's photo literacy program for children. Through the not-for-profit organization, Farmer teaches photography and creative writing to children, cultivating the literacy of under served youth around the world.

Alexander Schaub, age 2, is pleased to introduce his new brother Zachary Robert born Wednesday Sept. 16, 2009 in Sioux Falls , S.D.

(Feb. 19, 1925 - Oct. 3, 2009) A memorial visitation will be held from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10 at the Schuchert Funeral Home for Marjorie van der Linden, 84, Spirit Lake, who passed away Oct. 3, 2009 at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Interment will be at Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood next to her first son, who died in infancy.

(Nov. 29, 1919 - Oct. 3, 2009) Funeral services were held Oct. 8 at the United Methodist Church in Lake Park for Marie Daggett, 89, who passed away Oct. 3, 2009 at Hilltop Care Center in Spirit Lake. Jennifer Hesbeck and Al Kuiper officiated. Interment was at Union Cemetery in Harris.

(June 20, 1956 - Oct. 1, 2009) A celebration of life service was held Oct. 5 at the Gull Point State Park Lodge for Ann Meilahn Morse Johnson, 53, who passed away peacefully at her home on Oct. 1, 2009 due to complications of brain cancer.

(Feb. 9, 1938 - Sept. 20, 2009) Funeral services were held Oct. 3 at the Schuchert Funeral Home for Mary Ann Yarnes, 72, of Sun City, Ariz., formerly of Spirit Lake, passed away Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009, at the Hospice of Arizona in Sun City, Ariz. Interment was at Lakeview Cemetery in Spirit Lake.

(March 17, 1913 - Sept. 23, 2009) A private service and interment will be at Resthaven Cemetery in Des Moines for Wilson K. Hickerson, 96, who passed away peacefully Sept. 23, 2009, at Scottish Rite Park in Des Moines.

(Nov. 30, 1953 -- Sept. 25, 2009) Family services will be held at a later date for Terry L. Cox, 55, of Milford who passed away Friday, Sept. 25 at the Daugherty House Hospice in Sioux Falls, S.D.

(March 7, 1917 - Sept. 28, 2009) Funeral services were held Oct. 1 at the First Lutheran Church in West Okoboji for Vera Marie Grau, 92, of West Okoboji, who passed away Monday, Sept. 28, 2009, at the Milford Nursing Center in Milford. Interment was at the FGoewey Prairie Cemetery.