News

VALENTINE'S DAY BAKE SALE ANNOUNCED

Join Respite Angels from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, Feb. 14, at Calvary Methodist Church in Arnolds Park for a fundraiser benefitting the group respite program. Volunteers will be having a bake sale, selling quarts of homemade soup, embroidered dish towels, dish rags, angel yard ornaments and other crafts that people in the group have made. We will have the coffee going and hope you will stop and take a look at the items for sale. All the funds raised at this event will go toward activities for the Thursday morning Respite Angels group that is held at Calvary Methodist each week. It would be the perfect time to buy some soup and a sweet treat for your Valentine. The sale will start at 9 am and end at noon we hope to see you at Calvary.

MILFORD LIBRARY EVENTS CONTINUE

An upcoming Afterschool Activity: Valentine BINGO at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 14. This is perfect for kids in Preschool-4th Grade, and we will play on special game cards for a chance at different prizes. Have you heard the catchy Baby Shark song? Do you want to make a cool shark hat and go on a library shark scavenger hunt? Please join Miss Becca at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, for Public Storytime: Baby Shark Fun. Families are welcome to stay and visit as long as they would like to after the program. There is no pre-registration and no cost to join this reading fun. All of the materials and services will be provided by the library.

10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 14 — Public Storytime-Hearts

3:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14 —Afterschool Activity-Valentine BINGO

10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 23 — Public Storytime-Baby Shark Fun

5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27 — Public Playdate

3:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28 — ISU 4-H Clover Kids-A Chair for Bear

WALLEYE SEASON SET TO CLOSE

The walleye fishing season on Spirit, East and West Okoboji lakes is open through Feb. 14.  It will close after that date and reopen on May 4, 2019. These are the only Iowa lakes that have a closed season for walleye. For more information on fishing regulations, go to iowadnr.gov/fishing.

DICKINSON SWCD TO MEET

The regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Dickinson SWCD will be held at 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 15, in the district office. A tentative agenda will include: approving the minutes of the last meeting, treasurer’s report and bills, reviewing the mail, approving cost share applications, amendments and vouchers, receiving NRCS and district reports, old and new business and planning for the next meeting. The SWCD Foundation monthly meeting will also be held on the 15th. If you need accommodation, please notify the Dickinson SWCD office by Feb.14 by calling 712-336-3782, Ext. 3. 

PANCAKE-SAUSAGE BREAKFAST PLANNED AT ST. JOSEPH

St. Joseph Catholic Church in Milford will host its annual pancake and sausage breakfast from 8:30-11 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 17 in the Parish Center. Pancakes, home-made whole hog sausage and beverage will be available. Free will offering. All are welcome.

DEMOCRATS TO HOLD MONTHLY MEETING

The Democratic Party of Dickinson County will hold its regular monthly meeting Monday, Feb. 18, at the Nature Trails Club House, located at 465 202nd St in Milford. Social time will begin at 6:30 p.m. with light appetizers and refreshments. The business meeting will begin at 7 p.m. On the agenda will be summer fundraising plans, election of vice-chair and treasurer, and the upcoming odd year caucus on March 18. Learn more at TheDickinsonDems.com or Facebook.com/DickinsonDemsIA.

CHAMBER HOSTS STEREOTYPE PREVENTION WORKSHOP

Jokes around the water cooler. Discussions about the new neighbors. Comments about different professions. Each day, we are faced with stereotypes and biased statements according to Lori Hayungs, human sciences specialist in family life with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Join the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19 at The Waterfront Okoboji for an interactive session to discover useful, easy-to-learn phrases and skills for speaking up effectively against bias and stereotypes.This workshop, based on the book by Leslie C. Aguilar, will help participants understand the impact of stereotypes and biased statements, identify the most common reasons people sit silently in the face of bias and stereotypes and enhance skills for speaking up against stereotypes. Cost of the class is $15 and includes lunch. For more information, contact Sue Boettcher at 712-336-3488. To register, visit okobojichamber.com.

FITNESS PROGRAM PLANNED

Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach and Ablaze Fitness and Nutrition are teaming up to help those individuals who don't know where to start, how to stay motivated or who just don’t feel comfortable going to the gym.

"This wellness series is for individuals who want a healthy change, but don’t know where to start; for those who have tried working out before, but it didn’t work; and for those who are uncomfortable going to the gym or just plain tired of being tired," Dickinson County Human Sciences Program Coordinator Sue Boettcher said.

The six-week series is designed to "Ignite the Fire From Within" and help individuals get motivated for spring. Organizers hope the series will lead to beginner-level walking and biking groups in the area.

The program will be hosted every Tuesday night from 5:30-7 p.m. beginning Feb. 19 through March 26 at the ISU Extension and Outreach – Dickinson County office located at 1600 15th Street in Spirit Lake. The cost for the six-week series is $50. For more information and/or to register, call Sue at 712-336-3488 or email boettche@iastate.edu.

SPEECH CONTEST HELP NEEDED FROM COMMUNITY

Okoboji High School will be hosting District Individual Speech Contest on Saturday, Feb. 23. Okoboji has students from 23 schools competing, and the hosts need community involvement to welcome them and create a great event. Okoboji will have close to 500 people visiting Milford that day, so organizers hope to love to display community support. We are in need of room chairs, room timers, office help, concession workers and food donations to feed 500 people. Descriptions of each volunteer shift and times (shifts range from 1 hour - 4 hours), and all details are on okobojifinearts.wixsite.com/mysite or see links on the Okoboji Music Parents Facebook page. Also, contact okobojifinearts@gmail.com for sign up assistance.

CHILD CARE PROVIDER TRAINING ANNOUNCED

Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach will host a child care provider training, "Preschoolers and Pennies: Read, Talk, Learn and Play" from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 25, at Iowa Lakes Community College in Spirit Lake. The training is being provided for a reduced registration fee of only $5 thanks to the sponsorship of Lakes PPC. Each attendee will also receive one set of three books to be used in their child care center. The training, providers will:

• Practice ways to read with children that give the youth an opportunity to become storytellers of books with a money theme;

• Learn how to introduce and reinforce money-related words and concepts throughout the day;

• Explore fun activities for preschoolers to practice money skills.

Participation is open to all child care providers, but providers are asked to register online prior to the training through the Iowa Child Care Provider Training Registry. Two CEUs are also available with this class. Questions can be directed to Jan Monahan at 712-336-3488 or jmonahan@iastate.edu.

IOWA ROCKS TALENT ANNOUNCED

The Iowa Rock 'n' Roll Music Association is teaming up with Catamount Recording again to offer youth across the state opportunities to show off their musical abilities in "Iowa Rocks Talent." The competition for musicians 21 and under provides opportunities for professional development while encouraging participation in music outside of school. Last year's expanded event welcomed 25 bands and individuals from throughout four regional competitions. A fifth region will be added in 2019. Winners of the"Iowa Rocks Talent Finals" receive recording time at Catamount Recording's state-of-the-art professional recording studio in Cedar Falls and open for the 2019 Iowa Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame Induction Concert on Sept. 1. For more information or to register for "Iowa Rocks Talent," go to iowarocknroll.com.

RETIREMENT PROGRAM ANNOUNCED

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach invites area residents to attend a two-session retirement preparation workshop from 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays, Feb. 26 and March 5, at Iowa Lakes Community College in Spirit Lake. The "Writing Your Retirement Paycheck" workshop is ideal for those looking to retire within the next 10 years. It is designed to provide those approaching retirement with the information they need to be prepared to write their own paycheck. The workshop outlines key factors to consider prior to retirement and describes strategies for structuring retirement income. Jan Monahan, human sciences specialist in family finance with ISU Extension and Outreach, will lead the workshop. She plans to cover topics such as health costs, Social Security, inflation, required minimum distributions, annuities and more. Registration fee is $15 per person or $25 per couple and includes the two sessions and resource materials. Register online or call 712-336-3488 by Feb. 22.

HALL AWARD NOMINEES SOUGHT

The Iowa Lakes Community College Alumni & Friends Association is seeking nominations for the 26th annual Jim Hall Outstanding Alumni Award. This award is presented annually at the Iowa Lakes Community College spring commencement ceremony to prior graduates of Iowa Lakes who exemplify outstanding support for the community, business, school, service clubs, etc.

The Iowa Lakes Alumni & Friends Association established the Jim Hall Outstanding Alumni Award in 1992. Hall was a 1968 alumnus of Iowa Lakes who died in 1991. He was a strong supporter of the college and enjoyed being an assistant football coach at Iowa Lakes.

Those wishing to nominate a deserving candidate may send their recommendation to the Iowa Lakes Alumni & Friends Association, 19 South 7th Street, Estherville, IA 51334; fax to 712-362-0480; email to Alison Mason at amason@iowalakes.edu or submit online by visiting iowalakes.edu (click on Alumni & Foundations, then Alumni & Friends, then Jim Hall Outstanding Alumni Award and look on the left side of the computer screen for the Jim Hall Nomination Form). All nominations must be received by Friday, March 15.

PESTICIDE, SEED COURSES ANNOUNCED

• Iowa State University Extension and Outreach - Dickinson County is offering an opportunity to attend the private pesticide applicator Continuing Instruction Course led by Field Agronomist Paul Kassel.

The first session is scheduled for 9-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, at the Spirit Lake Community Center located at 1602 15th Street in Spirit Lake. To register, return your registration form or call Katie at 712-336-3488. The registration fee is $20. The course will fulfill 2018 recertification requirements for private pesticide applicators. Topics to be covered include recognition of sensitive areas, including groundwater and other non-target sites and organisms (pollinators) as potentially impacted by pesticide applications, pesticide labels, pests, pest management, and pesticides.

• Dickinson County will also host a seed treatment Continuing Instruction Course (CIC) for commercial pesticide applicators on Wednesday, Feb. 27. The program will be shown at locations across Iowa through the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP). The local attendance site is the ISU Extension and Outreach – Dickinson County Office located at 1600 15th Street in Spirit Lake.

Registration begins at 1:30 p.m., and the course runs from 2-4 p.m. The registration fee is $35 on or before Feb. 20 and $45 after Feb. 20.

The course will provide continuing instruction credit for commercial pesticide applicators certified in categories 4 and 10. Topics to be covered include recognition of sensitive areas as potentially impacted by pesticides, pests, pest management, and pesticides, pesticide labels, and seed treatment equipment. Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be offered. Interested participants should bring their CCA number to the program.

DC FAIR BOARD SEEKS NEW MEMBERS

The Dickinson County Fair Board is seeking a Dickinson County resident, 18 years of age and older, to serve on the Dickinson County Fair Board. This appointment is to fill a two-year unexpired term on the board. Interested persons should call John Guthrie, Fair Manager, at 712-336-0479. Current members of the Fair Board are President Doug Loerts, Vice President Kent Byers, Secretary Kay Swenson, Treasurer Susan Reiser and Board Members: Bob Frank, Jen Johannsen, Jake Johnson, Josh Paskert, Ben Radcliffe, Amanda Smith, Spencer Taylor, Melvin Wernimont and Gib Zahren. The Fair Board meets the first Monday of each month except May and October.

MDA SHAMROCKS RETURN AT GODFATHER'S

Godfather's of Spirit Lake is rallying to help the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) free kids and adults from the harmful effects of muscular dystrophy, ALS and related life-threatening diseases that severely weaken muscle strength and mobility by participating in the MDA Shamrocks program from now through March 17. Godfather's owned by Roc Management invites customers to join them in the nation’s largest St. Patrick's Day fundraising program, by adding an iconic paper Shamrock (pinup) to their purchase at check-out for just a $1, $5 – all benefiting MDA. The MDA Shamrocks program unites tens of thousands of retail locations throughout the country to benefit the organization's shared mission to fund groundbreaking research across diseases and provide individuals with life-enhancing programs and support services, including state-of-the-art multidisciplinary care the MDA Care Center at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. Funds raised also make MDA Summer Camp possible for more than 70 area kids where they can experience the best week of the year at no cost to their families at Camp Courageous in Monticello.

OMELET BREAKFASTS HELD AT ST. MARY'S

A freewill offering omelet breakfast by the Knights of Columbus takes place every third Sunday at St. Mary's Catholic Parish Community Hall. Made-to-order omelets, toast and all the fixings are offered — with special treats periodically like cinnamon rolls, fruit and ham or sausage.

COMPUTER DISCUSSION GROUP CONTINUES

The Morning Users Group (MUG) meets at 9:30 a.m. Fridays 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 smartphones — and how to solve problems brought by the users. Local residents and visitors are asked to bring their questions and observations for a lively discussion. The meeting lasts about an hour. Bring your own coffee. The group does not meet if Spirit Lake Schools are delayed or cancelled that day due to weather.