Stories from Tuesday, July 29, 2014

An old friend's fate was sealed back in November, when my hometown's school board voted to tear down the Reynolds Elementary school building in Spencer. It was an old and majestic two-story structure made of brick. And, its location was off the beaten path a bit. ...

Come late fall, Spirit Lake government officials should have a brand new place to call home. City administrator Gregg Owens said the construction of the new city hall, which began with demolition in the fall of 2013, is actually ahead of schedule. The exterior of the building will be finished next week...

Kathy Fueston is on a mission. The Spencer resident hopes to one day ride her bike from Okoboji all the way to Des Moines. But the proposed trail system that she hopes to extend through Dickinson, Clay, Buena Vista, and Sac Counties connecting to the trail in Carroll County needs some extra help. Traveling along county highways is no longer a safe option in Fueston's mind...

Every year, beginning at midnight on the first Friday in August, Iowa conducts its 48-hour Tax Free Holiday Weekend. This year, the tax free holiday begins Aug. 1. "Traditionally, Iowa's tax free holiday has been related to the beginning of the school year, and when we look at the items that are typically bought for back to school, we find clothing and shoes are the big ones people buy," said Kay Arvidson, Iowa Department of Revenue assistant public information officer...

A night of food and fun will be held in the shadow of a wooden roller coaster called The Legend. Party in the Park returns to the Historic Arnolds Park Inc. calendar on Saturday, Aug. 2. Last year's annual fundraiser brought in $100,000 in support of the historic venue near West Lake Okoboji. Guests will arrive around 6 p.m. at the Majestic Pavilion. Cocktails and a dinner provided by Yesterday's will start off the night...

Some of the area's best Italian selections will be featured at an upcoming Humane Society of Northwest Iowa fundraiser. A Taste of Italy will be held at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6, at the Majestic Pavilion near Arnolds Park Amusement Park. Food will be furnished by the region's finest restaurants. Okoboji Wines will provide a special selection of Italian wines. A $45 per person donation is suggested...

A Piece of Work will host a preview show of Cowgirls in August's Exhibition Cove, featuring the work of Carol Herden, Barbara McGee, and Mona Majorowicz. A reception for the three artists will be held in conjunction with the First Friday Art Trek from 5:30-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1. They will be giving artists' talks about their work at about 6:10 p.m. that night...

July 18, 1943 -- July 22, A funeral service for Virginia "Ginny" Thiesen, of Milford, was held Saturday, July 26, 2014, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Terril. Virginia Kaye Chapman (Andresen) Thiesen was born July 18, 1943, in Spencer. Her parents were Lenore (Kahler) Chapman and Lyle J. ...

Feb. 11, 1930 -- July 24, 2014 A funeral service for Ruth Workman, age 84, of Spirit Lake, was held Monday, July 28, 2014, at New Testament Baptist Church in Spirit Lake. Nellie Ruth Workman was born Feb. 11, 1930 in West Virginia. On July 9, 1950, Ruth was united in marriage to William Jess Workman in Kentucky. The couple made their home in Ohio where she was a member of the Columbus Baptist Temple in Columbus, Ohio...

Feb. 10, 1926 -- June 11, 2014 Graveside services for Phyllis McCall, age 88, of Arnolds Park, will be at 1:30 pm, Monday, Aug. 4 at Riverside Cemetery in Spencer. Phyllis Alene McCall (nee DeMars) passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 11, 2014 at her home in Arnolds Park. ...

March 15, 1934 -- July 26, 2014 Kay Nielsen, age 80, of Spirit Lake, passed away Saturday, July 26, 2014, at Keelson Harbour Assisted Living in Spirit Lake. She was born on March 15, 1934, in Montevideo, Minnesota, to Victor and Helen (Howe) Nielsen...

March 14, 1931 -- July 9, 2014 Gwendol Florence (Gwen) Murphy was born March 14, 1931, in Hartley to Emil and Lorraine Hoist. She passed away on July 9, 2014 at the age of 83 in Wray, Colorado following a lengthy illness. Gwen grew up in Harris and graduated from Harris High School. ...

July 6, 1922 -- July 18, 2014 A funeral service for Frank Franek, 92, of Lake Park was held Tuesday, July 22, 2014, at Concordia Lutheran Church in Lake Park. Burial will be at a later date at Silver Lake Cemetery. Frank Franek, the son of William and Hazel (Huckins) Franek, was born July 6, 1922 in Gann Valley, South Dakota...

Emmet and Linda Berg of Storm Lake, formerly of Early, announce the engagement of their daughter, Jessica Berg to Jeffrey Bowles, son of Alan Bowles of Storm Lake and Jan Bowles of Spirit Lake. Jessica is a South Dakota State University graduate and is the case manager for Buena Vista Community Services in Storm Lake. Jeff attended Iowa State and is self-employed at Zone Home Entertainment. An August wedding is planned...

Spirit Lake Community School registration for students in grades preschool-12 will take place from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8, in the high school commons. New families to the district please contact the office manager of your respective building as soon as possible...

The public is invited to enjoy the "Patchwork, people and plans" event at Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp - the 27th annual quilt auction. The dates for the event are 5-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1 with a Scandinavian feast from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 2. A quilt viewing will be held from 9:30 a.m. t0 1 p.m. Saturday with a lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m...

An expanded brochure listing four new historical marker sites for a total of 15 is now available at no charge at libraries, museums and other organizations. It is developed and updated annually by the Ladies of the Lake Chapter of the American Revolution (DAR). The printing of 2,500 copies in black ink on grey glossy paper has been financed by Farmers Savings Bank of Milford and Fostoria. Lakes Print of Spirit Lake, contributed the design work...