News

H-LP SCHEDULES WINTER CONCERTS

The Harris-Lake Park MS/HS Winter Concert will have two performance dates again this year. Wednesday, Dec. 11, will feature an afternoon performance of the MS/HS Winter Concert beginning at 1:15 p.m. in the MS/HS Auditorium. This is 15 minutes earlier than previously published in the school newsletter. Please be sure to let family and friends know that may be planning to attend this afternoon performance. There will also be an evening performance for the MS/HS Winter Concert on Monday, Dec. 16, with the middle school concert beginning at 6:30 p.m. and the high school concert beginning at approximately 7:30 p.m.

The elementary Christmas concert will have a full rehearsal at 8:45 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, in the elementary gym. The public invited to attend this rehearsal if attendees would like. The evening performance for the Elementary Christmas Concert will be held in the elementary gym at 7 p.m., also on Dec. 12.

IOWA LAKES WINTER RECITAL PLANNED

Iowa Lakes soloists will be performing in the Iowa Lakes Community College Winter Recital on Wednesday, Dec. 11. The recital will include selections from students who are currently receiving lessons in piano, voice, clarinet, trumpet, and trombone. The Iowa Lakes Winter Recital will take place at 2 p.m. in Room 60 on the Estherville campus. All students attending Iowa Lakes have the opportunity to receive music lessons from private music instructors Carol Ayres, Brett Fuelberth, George Merril, Randy Yackle, Kevin Linder, Rich Nicklay and Duane Ites. The recital is free and everyone is invited. For more information contact the Iowa Lakes Music Department, 712-362-8345.

RESPITE ANGELS HOSTS TRIO

Join Respite Angels at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at Calvary Methodist Church for Christmas music and hymns with Pam Sundall, Terri Nagel and Sister Sandy. Pam will be on the keyboard and loves it when attendees sing along. Call the church office at 712-332-2447 or Kelly at Respite Angels at 712-229-6064 with questions. Refreshments will be served.

YOUTH EVENTS PLANNED IN MILFORD

Join Miss Becca at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12, for an afterschool activity at Milford Memorial Library. This program is open to preschool-grade 4 youth and there is no charge. Sandy Alexander is donating the yummy cookies.

MONTHLY CLIMATE MEETING APPROACHES

The Iowa Great Lakes chapter of the Citizens Climate Lobby will hold its December meeting at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at Iowa Lakeside Laboratory. Newcomers are welcome. The meeting will focus on climate solutions, from helping individual citizens make wise decisions in their daily lives, to influencing elected officials to build political will that promotes the common good. The bipartisan Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, HR 763, introduced into Congress earlier this year, will be discussed along with tools individuals can use to stay informed on climate science and policy. Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL) is an organization of volunteers dedicated to a bipartisan approach empowering citizens to connect and influence their members of Congress for climate solutions such as a national, revenue-neutral, carbon fee-and dividend system.

For more information about CCL, visit citizensclimatelobby.org.

ST. ALBAN'S ANNOUNCES SPECIAL SERVICE

St. Alban's Episcopal Church is hosting "A Service of Lessons & Carols: at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15. A choir of 20 voices from St. Alban's in Spirit Lake, and First Lutheran and St. Joseph’s Catholic churches in Milford sing traditional Christmas music interspersed with timeless readings from the Bible. This event is free and open to the public. The choir is directed and accompanied by Elizabeth Knudtson, Musical Director at St. Alban's Episcopal Church The church is located just east of Lakes Regional Hospital at 2011 23rd St, Spirit Lake.

MUGS GROUP CONTINUES TO MEET

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 (28th street entrance). This small group of enthusiasts discusses the latest hot topics in computers and smartphones, but often ranges to streaming videos, social media, organizing digital photos, escaping ransomware, flying drones, and genealogy. Check-out these stimulating discussions to understand the new technology that you would like to know more about — but didn’t know who to ask. There are no dumb questions. Your experiences can add to our knowledge. Discussion lasts about one hour. The group does not meet if Spirit Lake Schools are delayed or cancelled that day due to weather.

FINAL ARRANGEMENTS PROGRAM TO BE HELD

The inevitable happens to all of us, but we can plan for it. Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach will host "Staying Independent: Final Arrangements" from 12-1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, at the Lakes Area Senior Center (2101 Zenith Ave., Spirit Lake). The one-hour program is free and open to the public.

"It's true — the inevitable happens to all of us," said Jan Monahan, human sciences specialist in family finance with ISU Extension and Outreach. "But we can plan ahead and make a difficult time a little easier for our family and friends."

Final Arrangements explores funeral and burial-related options as part of a person's estate plan, while also looking at ways to organize a person's documents before a crisis.

"With this program, we help and encourage participants to determine their preferences, make those final wishes known to their family and/or friends and also, written in their estate plan," Monahan said.

There is no fee to attend; however, Monahan encourages individuals to pre-register at Outreach (712-336-3488) or the Lakes Area Senior Center at (712-336-5247). If an attendee would like to join the noon Dinner Date meal, please call the Senior Center at least 24 hours in advance.

SPIRIT LAKE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES SHOPPING BAG PROMOTION

The Spirit Lake School Foundation will receive $1 for every reusable shopping bag purchased ($2.50) at Hy-Vee with funds helping support Spirit Lake student history field trips.

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.