Stories from Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Farming is about community. It always has been. From the earliest known farming communities in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia to the modern farms punctuating the landscape of rural America, people have worked together for centuries to cultivate the crops that feed the world...

Students and families seeking to avoid student loan debt might be tempted by creative alternatives. One idea growing in popularity at schools in other states is income-sharing agreements (ISAs). The hook: Give up a certain percentage of your future earnings to cover the cost of your education. The amount repaid is linked to the amount you earn after graduation. If your degree fails to pay off, you may end up repaying less. ...

On Sept. 30, Speaker of the Iowa House of Representatives Linda Upmeyer announced she was not going to seek re-election in 2020 and was stepping down as Speaker. This move effectively allows the incoming Speaker an opportunity to take the reins early, while still having the former Speaker in the Chamber to assist with the transition. Former Speaker Kraig Paulsen afforded the same opportunity to Speaker Upmeyer...

Last week the serial anti-Trump letter writer tried to present a distorted view of the Ukraine impeachment effort. The first "whistleblower" did not have firsthand knowledge of what was said on the telephone call between President Trump and Ukraine President Zelensky. ...

While rummaging through files the other day, I discovered some old newspapers that had been preserved by me and by my parents. These particular newpapers reflected events of significant historical importance. While the papers are yellowed, the print remains readable and surprisingly current in relation to these days in which we live...

Oct. 20, 1932 — Oct. 10, 2019 Funeral services for Darwin Will, 86, of Spirit Lake, was held Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019, at United Methodist Church in Spirit Lake. Burial was at Lakeview Gardens in Spirit Lake.  Darwin Ellsworth Will was born Oct. 20, 1932, in Payton, the son of Harry and Ila (Tonkinson) Will. Darwin was raised in rural Milford, where he attended country school before graduating from Milford High School in 1951...

Aug. 16, 1951 — Oct. 5, 2019 Larry Dotson was born on Aug. 16, 1951, in Spencer to Duane and Norma (Nelsen) Dotson. He spent his childhood in Spencer with his three younger siblings, Rod, Sharon, and Janet. Larry graduated from the Spencer High School in 1969. ...

Clay County authorities said icy conditions led to a single-vehicle crash along Highway 18 Sunday. The Clay County Sheriff's Office said 67-year-old Larry Johnson of Milford was driving a 2004 Chevy Trailblazer east and lost control at approximately 6:38 a.m. ...

Two people were listed as uninjured after a collision Friday afternoon. Spirit Lake Police responded to the two-vehicle accident around 1:34 p.m. that day near the intersection of 36th Street and Highway 71 in Spirit Lake. The police report said 67-year-old Jan Bennett Despain of Milford was attempting to pull onto the highway in a tan 2005 Jeep Liberty. ...

A standing room only crowd at the Spirit Lake Public Library welcomed presidential candidate Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey Wednesday morning, Oct. 9. Booker was joined by Iowa's District 4 House candidate J.D. Scholten at the event. Both Democratic candidates were part of a livestream event moderated by Angela Kofoot, executive director of the Voluntary Action Center. ...

An cancer diagnosis is something patients hope is never part of their visit to the doctor. A positive test can bring on feelings of fear and shock, according to Jamie Hicks, advanced registered nurse practitioner at Hicks Family Healthcare — at least it did for her. Hicks was diagnosed with breast cancer in early March at the age of 41 during a routine mammogram. Her test the previous year had been perfectly clear...

The Hike the Wild series will culminate Tuesday, Oct. 22, with a trek through Fort Defiance State Park in Estherville. "Fort Defiance has a really nice forested area, so we will see fall colors, maybe Jack-in-the-pulpit berries," Dickinson County Conservation Board environmental education coordinator Bryanna Kuhlman said. ...

The Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Association will host a book signing by author Ryan Sheeler. Sheeler's new book, "Richie Valens: His Guitars and Music" highlights the guitars and playing style of the legendary signer behind "La Bamba." The book signing will include a presentation by the author as well as having Connie Valens, the sister of Richie, attending this event...

Join Pearson Lakes Art Center for a new performance when First to Dance presents its audience with songs of life and love. Listen to the music. Sing along. Imagine. And if the spirit moves you, dance. James Taylor wrote: "Everyone knows that love is the only road. And since we're only here for a while, we might as well show some style. It's just a lovely ride."...

  Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dickinson County will host Continuing Instruction Courses (CIC) for commercial pesticide applicators at their office located at the Fairgrounds (1600 15th St.) in Spirit Lake. The programs are provided by the ISU Extension and Outreach Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) and can be seen at office locations across Iowa...

  Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach will host its annual Pro-Ag outlook and management meetings Nov. 11 at Sioux City and Spirit Lake. At each meeting, ISU Extension and Outreach will offer valuable, research-based information, which will be key to best-outcome 2020 agricultural decisions. The programs are designed to help farmers, ag businesses, ag lenders and landowners plan ahead for the upcoming growing and marketing season...

The Spirit Lake High School Key Club hosted a fall event at WEL-Life where they decorated cookies with residents, sang songs and bowled. (Photo submitted)

The Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Association board announced Wednesday that David Strohman has accepted the position of the organization's executive director, effective Oct. 21. Strohman comes to the Iowa Great Lakes after serving as the managing partner for Executive Technologies, an information technology company out of Sioux City. The company was recently purchased by St. Cloud, Minnesota-based Marco, another technology service provider...

Four barges jutted their crane hoists toward the sky near Givens Point on West Lake Okoboji Monday. A houseboat moored at Okoboji Boat Works had partially sunk and was being lifted back to the water's surface. The bay is only between 5 and 10 feet deep, according to maps from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources...

  The Iowa Bankers Association recently elected officers and directors to serve on its 2019-20 board of directors. These leaders assumed their roles during the IBA Annual Convention, held on Sept. 22-24 in Des Moines.   Officers for the IBA executive committee are as follows:...

Lutheran Services in Iowa’s (LSI) Family Development and Self-Sufficiency (FaDSS) program has expanded its eligibility to support more local families. The free and voluntary home visitation program is open to parents of young children in Clay, Dickinson, O’Brien and Osceola Counties. This service is for families who are experiencing barriers to self-sufficiency and have an income level at 175 percent or below...

Palm at the Park and Parks Marina are proud to announce that they are showing their full support through October for Breast Cancer Awareness month with a special promotion at Palm at the Park located in the Central Emporium in Arnolds Park. "Pinking Positive is an initiative from Lilly Pulitzer which is our feature style at Palm at the Park," said Debbie Parks, head of Parks Marina’s marketing department. ...

Okoboji Foundation President Rob Waterhouse presented a $4,679 check Sept. 25 to Larry Webber of the Dickinson County Izaak Walton League for the recent upgrade of the handicap accessible walkway on their property. The grant request was submitted earlier this year during the annual grant cycle, and the gift was awarded through Youth in Philanthropy...

The Iowa Great Lakes Knights of Columbus Council 5043 will hold its annual soup and pie supper starting at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, at the Expo Center, one block north of Hy-Vee in Spirit Lake. Proceeds go toward helping others in the community. The menu will feature five homemade soups – vegetable beef soup, oyster stew, chicken noodle soup, chili and sauerkraut sausage soup – as well as delicious pie for dessert. ...

The Knights of Columbus Iowa Great Lakes Council 5043 in July inducted officers for the 2019-2020 fiscal year at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Spirit Lake. Officers inducted by District Deputy Dave Waldschmidt included: Jed Skogerboe – Grand Knight...

Northwest Bank donated proceeds from its Sept. 13 football tailgate at Hafer Field to the Indian Athletic Booster Club. Many Indian fans supported the tailgate, enjoyed a walking taco and then cheered on the Indians to a victory against Central Lyon...

Welcome autumn with a beautiful cross country race through Horseshoe Bend Wildlife Area during the second annual Run the Bend 5K. "Last year, it snowed during our November date, so we decided to move the hike earlier so we could embrace autumn a little more," community relations coordinator Kiley Roth said. "Horseshoe Bend Wildlife Area is a beautiful county park that we want people to enjoy, and the Run the Bend 5K is a unique way to do it."...

The Humane Society of Northwest Iowa and West O Beer will be co-hosting 2019 Howl-O-Ween on Saturday, Oct. 26, at the West O Beer, 503 Terrace Park Boulevard in Milford. The event is a fundraiser and all proceeds will go to the Humane Society of Northwest Iowa...

At 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, join others for a fun night of painting, fellowship and snacks at the Arnolds Park Library. Any skill level is invited to recreate a 16 x 20 painting following step-by-step instructions from the original artist. All of the supplies will be provided by the three sponsoring libraries. ...

Central Bank is expanding its mortgage services in the Lakes Area and opened Central Mortgage in Okoboji on Monday, Oct. 14. The lending office, located at 1003 Highway 71 South, will provide new and current customers with a wide variety of home financing products and services. The contemporary space includes a lobby and reception area, three offices and a community conference room...

Okoboji Foundation President Rob Waterhouse presented a $50,000 check on Oct. 7 to Brad Shumway of the Lakes Area Hockey Association for the Phase 3 construction project which includes adding locker rooms and a dryland training area. The grant request was submitted earlier this year during the annual grant cycle and the gift was awarded through the foundation's investors with final approval from the Okoboji Foundation board of directors...