Stories from Monday, August 15, 2016

Feb. 24, 1936 -- Aug. 11, 2016 Marvin Larry Huffman, the son of Marvin A. and Marie (Jerman) Huffman, was born on Feb. 24, 1936 in Anthon, Iowa. He graduated from Anthon High School in 1954. In 1954, Larry was united in marriage with Karen Marie Etler in Pokotello, Idaho...

Mid-America Festivals is pleased to announce that the Minnesota Renaissance Festival will be at their current location through 2019. Their initial season in their new home will be 2020. "We are grateful for the outpouring of support expressed by our loyal guests and neighbors," says Deb Schaber, Director of Marketing. ...

Harold Magg of Spirit Lake earned third place and $50 in the Bud Elwell's Old Fashioned Fudge competition, judged Saturday at the 2016 Iowa State Fair. Marianne Carlson of Jefferson won first place and a $250 cash award. Leslee Beglinger of Ankeny claimed second place and $100...

Iowa anglers have lots of opportunities to earn a Master Angler award this summer. The Master Angler program celebrates angler success for catching quality-sized fish by awarding a vehicle or boat decal and certificate for each fish that meets program criteria...

Kathy Troccoli will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, at the Camp Okoboji's Christian Life Center. Camp Okoboji is located at 1531 Edgewood Drive in Milford. Advance tickets are $35 and are available by calling the Camp Okoboji Office at 712-337-3325. Group rate tickets of 10 or more are available for $25 each. Tickets can be purchased the night of the concert for $50...

Pond plants are essential for healthy fish populations and good water quality but can become a nuisance. Finding ways to reduce plant abundance to make pond access easier, without getting rid of them altogether, is a challenge for many pond owners. Herbicides can be used to kill underwater weeds, but their growing season is nearly over this time of year...

The most recent two-week period in Iowa has been slightly warmer than normal, including a five-day stretch of hot and humid weather, but the state is receiving about the average amount of rain. The past two weeks began with widespread wet weather, then went through a dry spell before finishing with more widespread rain. ...

Iowa hunters this fall will have access to hunt on more than 25,000 acres of private land on 132 sites around the state as part of a program that helps landowners improve habitat on portions of their land in exchange for allowing hunter access. The Iowa Habitat and Access Program (IHAP) provide expertise and funding to landowners who are interested in improving wildlife habitat on their property. Landowner participation varies from three to 10 years depending upon the contracts...

A new license went on sale July 13 that allows anyone age 16 and older to bypass the hunter education requirement for purchasing a hunting license while he or she hunts under the direct supervision of an experienced, licensed adult hunter. "We want to reach out to our fellow Iowans who missed hunter education when they were 12 and are now in their 20s and 30s and are interested in trying dove hunting or small game hunting," Megan Wisecup, hunter education administrator for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, said. ...

As part of an ongoing effort to promote and encourage entrepreneurship in Iowa, Secretary of State Paul Pate announced a new partnership with Google to help small businesses get off the ground, grow their online presence and achieve success. New businesses in Iowa can take advantage of Google's Let's Put Our Cities on the Map program after they file with the Secretary of State's Office. Existing businesses can utilize the resources to enhance their digital footprint...

What better way to help close out the summer than with a local favorite tradition: Dave Rowley and Friends. Dave and his friends have appeared at the art center for many years, and they are always a blast to see. With music, fun, and shenanigans, the evening is bound to be a great time for all!...

Family and friends are invited to join with Ladies of the Lake Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in honoring local DAR members. At the scheduled chapter meetings in August and September, four will be honored for their years of service and contributions. Carolyn Storm of Archer and Paula Zenor of Arnolds Park will be recognized for 30 years of service. Storm will be honored during the chapter's visit to the Prairie Arts Council Heritage Park in Sheldon on Aug. 23...

With beautiful sunsets and fun activities throughout the summer, it's a perfect time to think about entering memorable prints as photography exhibits at the 2016 Clay County Fair, Sept. 10-18. Hobby photographers may enter up to 12 photographs total with one picture per class. Classes include color photographs or black and white photographs of people, places or landscape, things, plants, or animals/ insect world...

New and exciting acts will bring Blue Ribbon Fun to literally every corner of the fairgrounds during the 2016 Clay County Fair, Sept. 10-18. "Our goal each year is to bring experiences to our fairgoers that they can't experience every day in the upper Midwest," said Fair Manager Jeremy Parsons. "Our free entertainment lineup definitely will deliver that opportunity this year."...

The Creative Living Center will be a popular location to take in local art, culinary skills, floral designs and a variety of demonstrations at the 2016 Clay County Fair, Sept. 10-18. The Floriculture department continues to expand and grow in popularity. ...

Clay County fairgoers have the opportunity to save big for "Blue Ribbon Fun" through several pre-fair deals. Advance adult gate admission tickets are available for $6, saving fairgoers $3 before the gates open Sept. 10. Tickets can be purchased online, at the Clay County Regional Events Center Box Office, or at more than 70 locations throughout northwest Iowa and southern Minnesota. ...

Six thundering dirt events, including a significant change to the fair's tractor pull schedule, will fill the U.S. Cellular Grandstand during the nine days of the 2016 Clay County Fair, Sept. 10-18. "Many fairgoers have great memories attending dirt events at the fair and this year will be no different," fair manager Jeremy Parsons said. "For tractor pull fans especially, the return of the Outlaw Pullers will be a welcome addition."...

There was standing room only in the Dickinson County Nature Center lower level last year when Marlene Boernsen began to speak. The local beekeeper had the public enthralled as she showed just how honey is extracted from the honeycomb in her hives. Boernsen will return to repeat her fascinating demonstration at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2, during the annual Bee & Butterfly Festival Friday, Sept. 2, at the nature center in Okoboji...

Motorcycles will rumble through town Aug. 20 for the Boji Bike Rally and serving breakfast in the green space near Arnolds Park Amusement Park will be the Iowa Great Lakes Knights of Columbus Spirit Lake Council 5043. Riders and non-riders are welcome to enjoy pancakes, scrambled eggs, ham, sausage and beverages from 7 a.m. until 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug.20, all for just $8...

Sept. 30, 1920 -- April 10, 2016. Virginia Ruth Mathson was born Sept. 30, 1920 to Albin C. Mathson and Edith W. Peterson in Boone. She spent her early years on a farm just within the city limits of Boone. Virginia attended the Boone Bible College, a small religious school which consisted of an elementary and secondary school. ...

June 9, 1928 - Aug. 10, 2016 A funeral service for Shirley Boyer, age 88, of Lake Park, was held Monday, Aug. 15 at First Presbyterian Church in Lake Park. Burial was at Silver Lake Cemetery in Lake Park. Shirley Ann Boyer, daughter of Frank and Evelyn Versluis, was born in Lake Park on June 9, 1928. ...

Aug. 20, 1920 - Aug 6, 2016 A funeral service for Jack Hugunin, Jr, 95, of Arnolds Park, was held Wednesday, Aug. 10 at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Milford. Burial was at Milford Cemetery.
Guy Jackson Hugunin, Jr., the son of Elsie (Raddon) and Guy Jackson Hugunin, was born Aug. ...

Revving engines will roar across the Iowa Great Lakes this weekend, as motorcycle enthusiasts from around the Midwest roll into the area for the second annual Boji Bike Rally. The event will be held Aug. 19-21 primarily at Preservation Plaza in Arnolds Park. It is a continuation of the Victory Rally and will feature a variety of activities not just for the stereotypical biker. All motorcycle makes are welcomed...

Memorial services for Gerald L. Berndt, 70, of Spirit Lake and formerly of Jackson, Minnesota, will be held from 5:30 - 8 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 20, at Trinity Lutheran Church Discipling Center in Janesville, Minnesota. Gerald Leroy Berndt was born on Sept. ...

TRACES Center for History and Culture is pleased to bring its newest BUS-eum exhibit, "At Home in the Heartland: Forgotten Stories of How Iowans Got to Be 'Us'", to the Spirit Lake Public Library from 2-5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 2. The BUS-eum exhibit examines how the Midwest developed in ways different from other regions, how Iowa's settlement distinguished itself from its neighbors, and what both blesses and burdens us today. ...

As a fundraiser for Milford's 125th anniversary celebration the Milford Commercial Club is selling a professional print featuring the Milford Depot. The Milford Memorial Library has one of the prints on display in the library. The Milford Commercial Club also has a beautiful grandfather clock with the print on it that will be raffled off as part of the celebration. Stop by the Milford Memorial Library to see both the print and the clock...

Jordan Siebert, of Spirit Lake, recently graduated from Drake University with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics.
Drake University is a midsize, private university in Des Moines, Iowa, enrolling more than 3,300 undergraduate and 1,600 graduate students from 40 states and approximately 40 countries. ...