Stories from Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Arnolds Park Library will be starting a reader of the month club on Dec. 1. The club is for students K-12. For every book the student reads his or her name will be entered into the drawing for prizes. Two names will be drawn each month. Their pictures will be added to the "Reading Wall," as well as receive a prize. For more information, contact the Arnolds Park Library at 712-332-2033...

Mallory Gibson of Milford has joined the newly-enrolled Honors College freshmen class of more than 500 Kent State students. The Honors College is proud to welcome Mallory into one of its highest achieving freshman classes ever and continues its strong collegiate enrollment. ...

The members of the Iowa Lakes Community College Board of Trustees learned Nov. 14 of the many innovative ways in which the college is working to ensure academic quality for all of its students. Scott Stokes, vice president of administration, recapped the accreditation process Iowa Lakes uses for its regional accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)...

Eight eighth-grade students from Spirit Lake Middle School were chosen to participate in the 2016 Northwest Iowa Junior High Honor Choir Festival, which is sponsored by the Iowa Choral Director's Association. Students from 40 northwest Iowa public and private school districts attended the festival. The students practiced during the day and were featured in a 6 p.m. concert, Tuesday, Nov. 8, at the Storm Lake High School gymnasium...

If 2016 is any indication, the staff in the Iowa Lakes TRIO Talent Search Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Camp will be planning an even bigger event for 2017. This was the fifth year of the camp, which is for students going into seventh and eight grades in the upcoming fall term. The theme in 2016 was "Your Body: A Machine."...

The Milford Memorial Library is hosting the Festival of Trees again this year for Milford's Holiday Fantasy. On Monday, Nov. 28, participants will be able to start setting up their trees for the Festival of Trees. This year the Festival of Trees is from 5:30-7 p.m. ...

The Spirit Lake sixth-grade class wanted to solve a community-related problem that could benefit the citizens of Spirit Lake and help teach them about real world life science. Their instructors, Mr. Schneider and Mr. Dielschneider, wanted to use project based learning (PBL) as an instructional strategy for solving this problem. Several blocks from school lies the Tom Grein Audubon area...

Santa is planning to stop by the Spirit Lake Library during "Nighty Night" Santa Family Story Time at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec 6, at the library. Children are invited to come in their pajamas for the story time. School-age children are invited to participate in three after school events this month. These programs are from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays after school at the library...

Feb. 17, 1921 -- Nov. 12, 2016 A funeral service for Estella Perkins, 95, of Lake Park was held Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016 at the United Methodist Church in Lake Park. Burial was at Riverside Cemetery in Spencer. Estella Mae Perkins, the daughter of Amy (Smith) and John Dodds, was born Feb. 17, 1921 in Nevada...

Harry Eckerman May 18, 1926 -- Nov. 7, 2016 Lois Eckerman Aug. 16, 1927 -- Oct. 19, 2016 The lives of Lois and Harry Eckerman, of Spirit Lake, will be celebrated in a Mass and graveside service at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Spirit Lake with burial at St. Margaret's Cemetery. Visitation will begin hour prior to the service at the church. There will be a luncheon at the VFW Memorial Hall following the interment...

July 2, 1925 -- Nov. 19, 2016 Inez Gould, age 91 of Ivanhoe, Minnesota and formally of Rock Rapids, Iowa and Luverne, Minnesota passed away on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016 at the Minneota Manor in Minneota, Minnesota. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. ...

Feb. 21, 1934 -- Nov. 18, 2016 James Buddenhagen, 82, of Humboldt, passed away Nov. 18, 2016 at his home at Springvale Senior Living in Humboldt. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Nov. 22, at Zion Lutheran Church in Humboldt with the Rev. Aaron Flatau officiating. Burial was in the Zion Cemetery, Humboldt with full military honors by Adams American Legion Post 119 and Sathers-Odgaard VFW Post 119...

April 19, 1938 -- Nov. 18, 2016 A celebration of life service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Little Swan Lake Winery in Superior for Karen R. von Holdt, 78, of Winterset who passed away on Nov. 18 at Taylor House Hospice with her family at her side...

Feb. 19, 1925 -- Nov. 13, 2016 Funeral services for 91-year-old Roberta Carlson of Spirit Lake were held on Monday, Nov. 21, at the First Presbyterian Church in Spirit Lake. Visitation was on Sunday, Nov. 20, at the Schuchert-Lentz Funeral Home in Spirit Lake...

Recently, second-grade students at Harris-Lake Park Elementary had a chance to tell us what they're thankful for as the season of Thanksgiving approaches. Here are their answers. I'm thankful for my family because they are so sweet and I love them so much. I'm thankful for my house because some people do not have a house. I'm thankful for my school because my friends are so nice and the teachers super nice. I'm thank for the USA and the army because they saved our countrey...

The Iowa Lakes Community College music department will present the Holiday Coffee House at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, in The Max Student Center, located at 300 S. 18th Street on the Estherville campus. The evening's performances are open to the public and will include an assortment of holiday music by various Iowa Lakes vocal and instrumental ensembles, including handbell ringers and members of the community. ...

Walk into Little Sioux Savanna, a beautiful park just west of Milford, and take a seat on the mowed trail. Watch. Listen. Wait. A honeybee buzzes beside you as it gathers pollen in the prairie. A northern leopard frog jumps into the Little Sioux River just below where you're seated. An eight-point buck and doe saunter in from the distance...

The Pearson Lakes Art Center will host an evening of music featuring Kat Perkins, a former contestant on NBC's "The Voice." Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the Dec. 21 concert. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. Growing up the daughter of a music teacher, Perkins has been singing, dancing, and performing for just about as long as she can remember...

The Pearson Lakes Art Center has an array of events to get area residents into the spirit of the season. Join the Pearson Lakes Art Center for its holiday open house. This year's event features awards for "Volunteer of the Year" and "Supporter of the Year," as well as delicious food from Chef Susanne, a silent auction featuring holiday centerpieces from various local businesses, and more. ...

A music performance and dance at which veterans will be honored and will feature popular rock music groups is set to be held in the Iowa Great Lakes on Nov. 26. Called "Rock 4 Vets," this event and others around the state are held annually by the Iowa Rock 'n' Roll Music Association (IRRMA), which is based in Arnolds Park. At each event, veterans and active duty personnel are admitted free...

Thanksgiving is fast approaching and we are gearing up for an old-fashioned feast at Discovery House. We are blessed once again by donors in the community who will be providing the meal and, in combination with our family feast, we invite anyone in the community who would like to join us in celebrating this day of giving thanks to contact us at 336-5340. We would love to share in our bounty...

Complaints about satellite and cable television regularly make the Consumer Protection Division's top 10 consumer complaint list. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports the same on a national scale. Complaints include promotional offers, billing, contracts, cancellations, general service, and signal quality...

Q: How are you working to observe National Adoption Month this year? A: During this season of Thanksgiving, families across America make plans to travel and spend the holiday with loved ones. Family rituals and menus make Thanksgiving a special tradition to look forward to from year to year. Giving thanks for the blessings of food, faith, family and freedom fill hearts and homes across the country with joy and gratitude...

Part 2 of a three-part series Also affected by declining population, access to medical practitioners and facilities is crucial for Iowa's aging rural population. In addition to healthcare itself, in many counties, the healthcare system is a major employer...

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Cattlemen's Association on Friday reminded eligible beef producers of the Nov. 30 referendum on whether the refundable $.50 per head Iowa beef checkoff should be reinstated. Any individual, firm, corporation, partnership or association that has owned or acquired cattle during year prior to the referendum (Dec. 1, 2015 -- Nov. 30, 2016) is an "Eligible Beef Producer" for the purposes of this referendum...

An 11 a.m. Nov. 28 preliminary hearing has been set for an Estherville man accused of shooting a weapon within city limits. Estherville Police were called at about 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, to the 500 Block of South 11th Street after a motorist told authorities he had been shot...

Rep. John Wills (R-Spirit Lake) was re-elected by fellow House Republicans as a House majority assistant leader. "I am honored and humbled to be elected by my peers to serve as an assistant leader for our caucus," Wills said. "I am excited for the upcoming session where House Republicans will continue to create job opportunities, reduce burdensome regulations on Iowa businesses and balance the budget by spending less than the state collects. ...

Rep. Megan Jones (R-Sioux Rapids) was elected by fellow House Republicans as a House majority assistant leader. "It is an honor to be elected by the House Republican Caucus to serve as an assistant leader," said Jones. "I am ready to get to work on behalf of Iowans to make Iowa a great place to live, work and raise a family...

The Lakes Regional Healthcare Auxiliary will light the Tree of Love and continue a holiday tradition at 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27 in the atrium at the East entrance of Lakes Regional Healthcare. The Tree of Love provides an opportunity to pay tribute to a loved one during the holidays. ...

The Iowa Lakes Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will hold a program exploring the need for forgiveness in our personal lives 11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 27, at the Arrowwood Conference and Convention Center in Okoboji. Jim Ramsey, a member of the fellowship and retired United Methodist minister, will present the program. ...

Lake Park American Legion Post #371, American Legion Auxiliary Unit #371 and Lake Park Rescue will be holding six nights of bingo to benefit each group's programs. Bingo nights are Jan. 14, Jan. 21, Feb. 11, Feb. 25, March 11 and March 25. The groups need items for prizes for the bingo games and are asking for local support. ...

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dickinson County office will host a Pest Control Operators Continuing Instruction Course (CIC) for commercial pesticide applicators Wednesday, Dec. 7. The registration fee is $60 on or before Nov. 30 and $70 after Nov. 30...

The Milford Memorial Library has changed its preschool story time to 11 a.m. on Fridays beginning Dec. 2. All preschool-aged children are invited to participate in stories, crafts and other activities at the library. December's themes will include gingerbread men, Christmas trees, Santa Claus, Elves and reindeer. The library hopes the new time will be more convenient for parents and children. Call Betty Naab, children's librarian, for more information at 712-338-4643...

The Spirit Lake area diabetic support group will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5, in the Big Spirit room at Lakes Regional Healthcare's Education Center. The program will include analyzing holiday foods and menus for the diabetic and understanding how to make wise food choices makes for less stress and a happier holiday. The local diabetic support group meeting led by local patient facilitator Marcia Young is open to anyone dealing with diabetes, spouse, family members, or friend...

The Prairie Lakes Conference Planning Committee has announced Aug. 9-11 as the dates for the upcoming 2017 Prairie Lakes Conference. The Okoboji Blue Water Festival will follow the conference on Aug. 12. The Clean Water Week festivities be similar to last year's activities. Stay tuned to www.plciowa.com to learn more in the coming months...

The Milford Memorial Library is hosting the Festival of Trees from 5:30-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, for Milford's Holiday Fantasy. Anyone can bring a tree and decorate it. If you would like to bring a tree contact the Milford Library at 712-338-4643, respond to this email, or stop by the library...

Join Iowa Lakes Community College, on Friday, Dec. 2, in visiting an outdoor Christmas market. These markets are no longer just a German tradition; they have traveled all across the world. The unique cultural and educational experience, typical European-inspired food and drink, as well as diverse holiday entertainment, make Christkindlmarket Des Moines a family destination...

The Presbyterian women of Spirit Lake invite the women from area churches to attend their Christmas luncheon at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 8. First Presbyterian Church is located at 3501 Hill Avenue in Spirit Lake. A free-will offering will be taken. Guest speaker Michelle Christy will present a presentation titled "Gods Favor for Life's Assignments."...

The Milford Memorial Library is hosting the Festival of Trees from 5:30-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, for Milford's Holiday Fantasy. Anyone can bring a tree and decorate it. If you would like to bring a tree contact the Milford Library at 712-338-4643, respond to this email, or stop by the library...

Thanksgiving Day brings the annual gathering of family, friends, food and festivities, some of the best treasures a person could be thankful for. State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald knows his office has a bounty of its own with the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt. "A quick search on our website can provide one more reason to give thanks," Fitzgerald said. "The word is out that unclaimed property exists and anyone may find money they never knew they were owed."...

The Morning Users Group (MUG) meets Fridays at 9:30 a.m. in the Black Box Theater of the Sami Center at the Spirit Lake High School. This group of beginner and experienced computer users discusses the latest trends in computer technology and how to solve problems brought by the users. ...

Dickinson County Recorder Ann Ditsworth reminds owners of ATVs, ORVs, and Snowmobiles that it is time
to complete their annual registration renewals. Renewals completed prior to Dec. 31 will avoid a $5 penalty; 2017 Snowmobile trail permits are also available. Payments may be made via cash, check or credit card. Stop in to the recorder's office at the courthouse to complete your renewals today...

The 2016-17 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has been established to help qualifying low-income Iowa homeowners and renters pay for a portion of their primary heating costs for the winter heating season. Application will be taken from Oct. ...

Dress as a gangster or silent screen star! Come as a flapper or come as you are! Join the Iowa Lakes Community College Foundation, for "Crime and Punishment," a 1920s-themed murder mystery experience, to be held at "The Shores of Five Island" community center in Emmetsburg on Friday, Feb. 10 and Saturday, Feb. 11. Social begins at 6 p.m. and show starts at 7 p.m...

The Lake Park man accused of robbing a rural northwest Iowa restaurant at gunpoint has a new court date. Joshua Mandelkow will now stand trial at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, on charges of first-degree robbery, going armed with intent and intimidation with a dangerous weapon. His jury trial was was previously scheduled to begin on Dec. 6...

The dock near State Pier in Arnolds Park will sit empty for first time in almost a decade, as an Iowa Great Lakes landmark prepares for a tuneup. The Queen II was driven onto a metal cradle and pulled out of the waters of West Lake Okoboji by tractors and tow trucks on Wednesday, Nov. 16, to conduct routine maintenance. It will reside on the beach at Preservation Plaza throughout the winter...

Okoboji residents will have to wait a little bit longer before they can landscape their shoreline property. The Okoboji City Council reviewed the Okoboji Planning and Zoning Commission's lakeshore landscaping and development regulation proposal or lakeshore landscaping ordinance at its Nov. 15 meeting. The proposal was designed to help prevent erosion on lakeshore property during landscaping and construction projects...

A former Spencer pastor accused of sexual misconduct will wait until 2017 to have his case heard in court. Defense attorney Aaron Hamrock of West Des Moines asked for a delay in the court process on behalf of former Spencer Dream Center director and DaySpring Assembly of God Spencer pastor Kevin Grimes...

Harris-Lake Park capped an historic season with a runner-up finish Thursday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. The third-ranked Wolves lost a 48-21 contest to champion Don Bosco to end their season with a 12-1 overall record -- the highest win total in school history...

Many Iowa Great Lakes residents will be on the hunt for gifts for their loved ones over the next month. And, the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Spirit Lake Chamber of Commerce don't believe people will have to search too far to find the perfect present. The two organizations are each launching promotions to encourage people to shop and support local businesses...

Hayley Yvette Byerly, 21, of Spencer, was charged with theft at 3:38 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at 2200 17th Street in Spirit Lake. Jesse Lee Wrinkle, 34, of Spirit Lake, was charged with dark windows, failure to give continuous turn signal and driving while license under suspension at 7:09 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13, at 1900 18th Street in Spirit Lake...

Whether you're the go-to grandma who always hosts Thanksgiving dinner or the first-time novice, preparing a holiday meal is an undertaking that requires planning, skill, patience and, most importantly, attention to food safety. The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) reminds Iowans to take special care when preparing foods for Thanksgiving...

The Iowa Great Lakes Board of REALTORS (IGLBOR) has announced new officers for the upcoming year. The new leadership team was elected in October and will assume its roles effective Jan. 1. Serving in the role of president is Rick Miller, broker/owner of Miller Realty in Spirit Lake. ...

A report released by the U.S. Surgeon General concludes one in seven people in the U.S. is expected to develop a substance use disorder at some point in their lives. Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General's Report on Alcohol, Drugs and Health notes that while substance misuse and use disorders may occur at any age, adolescence and young adulthood are particularly critical periods...

The Iowa Navy Commodores welcomed The Waterfront into the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, Nov. 16, with a ribbon cutting. The restaurant and event center serves a variety of foods from pizza to steak. People may also book the space for events, such as weddings. The business is located at 610 Linden Drive in Arnolds Park and has been open since June 22. For more information, call 712-220-3200...

The Iowa Navy Commodores welcomed Arnolds Bark-ery into its new building on Wednesday, Nov. 16, with a ribbon cutting. The pet store opened on June 25 and is located at 62 Okoboji Grove Road in Arnolds Park. The business sells pet treats, food, accessories and toys. It also offers animal grooming. For more information, call 712-332-2060...

The Campus Women's Club is hoping to brighten the holidays for less fortunate children in the Okoboji School District. The club's annual Secret Santa program has begun. Beginning Friday, Nov. 25, area residents, organizations, clubs, church groups, etc., can choose from tags containing information about less fortunate children from the Secret Santa tree located at Melander's, 922 Okoboji Avenue in Milford...

For 100 years, the American Red Cross has offered help and hope to Iowans and Nebraskans after disasters like tornadoes, floods and house fires. Before the Nebraska Cornhuskers take on the Iowa Hawkeyes in the sixth annual Hy-Vee Heroes football game on Nov. 25, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts are asking the citizens of their states to participate in a friendly challenge to see which state can raise more money to support the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund...

A report released by the U.S. Surgeon General concludes one in seven people in the U.S. is expected to develop a substance use disorder at some point in their lives. Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General's Report on Alcohol, Drugs and Health notes that while substance misuse and use disorders may occur at any age, adolescence and young adulthood are particularly critical periods...

The kindergarteners who visited Iowa Lakes Community College Tuesday won't have to decide on a career for a long time, but their trip definitely got the wheels turning -- just like the wind turbines they learned about. The guests from Estherville Lincoln Central Elementary School visited the Sustainable Energy Resources and Technologies Center, where they learned about air, found out how pulleys can help lift heavy objects and watched a presentation on wind turbines...

Pvt. 2 Parker D. Jungjohan, of Spirit Lake, was part of more than 60 Iowa Army National Guard soldiers recently recognized during a patching ceremony held at the Camp Dodge Joint Maneuver Training Center in Johnston. The ceremony represents a time-honored tradition, where Iowa citizen-soldiers officially receive the left-shoulder military patch representing their unit of assignment in the Iowa Army National Guard. ...

Hunters play a large role in managing Iowa’s world class deer herd by working with landowners and neighbors to reduce doe numbers, providing tissue samples to monitor for chronic wasting disease and by reporting successful hunts to the harvest reporting system...

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is asking Iowa migratory game bird hunters what they liked and disliked about the 2016 migratory game bird seasons, as a first step in developing proposed 2017 migratory game bird season dates. Comments should be directed to Orrin Jones, state waterfowl biologist, at Orrin.Jones@dnr.iowa.gov by Dec. 1, 2016...

Editor’s note: The author shares memories of three outdoor icons, who have passed away. One of those, Jim McDonnell, known as the Fishing Professor, was a fishing and hunting icon in northwest Iowa. He wrote a weekly column in this paper’s outdoor page for years...

On Thursday, Nov. 10, I attended the Iowa Great Lakes Fishing Club’s annual fall DNR night. Held at Godfather’s Pizza in Spencer, it was a great opportunity to hear DNR updates from Ben Wallace, Ia DNR fisheries biologist, who has been instrumental in the renovation of Black Hawk Lake; Jonathan Meerbeek, fisheries research biologist at Spirit Lake Hatchery in charge of a study on Big Spirit Lake muskie stocking; Greg Harson, Law Enforcement Supervisor for conservation officers in District 1; Jim Wahl, fisheries supervisor for the DNR’s northwest district.. ...

The second-ranked Iowa Lakes wrestling team picked up a 23-17 dual meet road victory over Ellsworth on Wednesday, Nov. 16 in Iowa Falls. George Farmah and Brady Brott picked up pins for the Lakers at 133 and 157 pounds, respectively. At 184 pounds, Isaiah Cox defeated last year's 174-pound national runner-up and top-ranked Jordan Gundrum...

The Iowa Lakes men's and women's basketball teams picked up a pair of road wins over Minnesota West on Saturday, Nov. 19 in Worthington, Minnesota. The Laker women won 79-73 and the men won 107-86. For the women, freshmen guard, Bailey Trickel was back in the line-up after an ankle injury and had a solid performance, scoring nine points. ...

Spirit Lake's Kailee Jenness (center) recently signed her national letter of intent to continue her athletic and academic career at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. Jenness will play volleyball for the Red Raiders after a stellar career as a setter on the Indians volleyball team. Jenness dished out a Lakes Conference-leading 919 assists (9.57 per set) this past season at Spirit Lake...

Seven turnovers and a stout ground attack doomed the Wolves' title hopes Thursday in a 48-21 loss to Don Bosco at the UNI-Dome. It was both the first and last loss for a Harris-Lake Park squad that rewrote the schools' record books this season. "We did a really good job of not turning the ball over this year, but you've got to give Don Bosco a lot of credit," Harris-Lake Park coach Lane Gunderson said. ...