In the years leading up to 2021, the Dickinson County Museum was open for about 240 hours a year, between Memorial Day and Labor Day. In total, staff saw 553 visitors for the entire year of 2021. The support of local entities, such as the Dickinson County Board of Supervisors, had only covered the costs to have one staff person and the most basic operating expenses.

"The doors were open," said Mary Drier at the museum. "But that was it."

Gov. Kim Reynolds on Monday, Dec. 2, announced her appointment of Kristi Busse as a district associate judge in Judicial District 3A.

Judicial District 3A includes Dickinson County, but, as an associate judge, Busse will oversee juvenile court in Clay County and will handle magistrate courts in Clay, Buena Vista and Cherokee counties. Magistrate courts typically handle such issues as misdemeanor criminal cases, small claims lawsuits, evictions, and restraining orders.

Siouxland Conference pact could put Okoboji, Spirit Lake together

Spirit Lake’s bid to join the Siouxland Conference was imminent, but a Nov. 26 agreement could bring some neighboring school districts along.

Superintendents from 16 schools met for about 2.5 hours Tuesday, Nov. 26, in Sheldon to establish the framework of an expanded Siouxland Conference in 2026-27.

The Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber recently announced selected chair Andy Lux and co-chairMickey Harrington to lead the 45th annual University of Okoboji Winter Games.

Lux served as co-chair to Rachel Fandel a year ago. The 2019 Winter Games cheerleader has become a constant fixture in the event going forward.

KENUE COFFEE HOUR: WINTER BIRDING

Farmers Trust and Savings Bank is excited to announce the addition of Alix Hagedorn to its team as an eServices Specialist in Spencer. In this role, she will focus on enhancing the bank’s digital offerings, ensuring seamless online banking experiences, and providing support to customers.

“I am so excited to be working with the community and creating relationships with all of our customers,” she said.

The Dickinson County Endowment Fund Advisory Council received and reviewed 30 applications in the 2024 granting cycle. The outcomes of this study led to 23 grant awards totaling $110,842. They will use their award to purchase a van to transport animals and do outreach throughout the county.  

The Iowa Great Lakes Knights of Columbus Council 5043 again held its Coats for Kids campaign in October and November. They distributed new hats, coats, gloves, boots and snow pants to children in the Graettinger-Terril, Harris-Lake Park and Spirit Lake school districts.

Join Milford Memorial Library for our weekly Building Bookworms Storytime at 10:30 a.m. on Mondays. Take a look below for our themes. All materials and services are provided by the library free to participants. All kids and their adults are welcome to stay after storytime and mingle. For more information contact the library or check out our Facebook page.

• Dec. 2 — Safari.

• Dec. 9 — Gingerbread.

• Dec. 16 — Airplanes.

• Dec. 23 — Polar Bears.

The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation outlined a study that suggests the region’s four area hospitals drive economic growth, create jobs, and sustain community well-being.

“Despite sometimes facing financial challenges, these healthcare institutions are irreplaceable, underscoring why rural healthcare remains essential to the regional economy and the people it serves,” the Corridor said in its assement of Iowa Hospital Association research.

Its report suggests:

Melvil Dewey, the creator of the famed Dewey Decimal System which classifies mostly non-fiction library books and resources, was born on Dec. 10, 1851, in New York and this date has been adopted to celebrate and honor him annually for Dewey Decimal System Day.

Collaboration with Buena Vista University broadens educational benefits for Spirit Lake Community School District employees and their eligible family members

The Iowa Lakes Community College Board of Trustees turned to a 10-year employee for an update on the college’s culinary and hospitality management program.

Executive Dean Kyle Norris introduced program coordinator Jesse Grossnickle as part of the board’s November meeting.

Iowa Lakes credits Grossnickle for his dedication, guidance and “hands-on education to students pursuing careers in the culinary and hospitality fields.”

The Lake Park Friends of the Museum will be holding a Holiday Market at the Lake Park Community Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7.  There will be a wide variety of quality vendors, including:

• Rustic Spirit, Rosewoods Shoppe.

• Tolsma Handmade Cards.

• West River Art Glass.

• Rise and Grind.

• Stan’s Metal Works.

• Pampered Chef.

• Sewing After Hours.

• Itch Barn Creations.

Seasons Center for Behavioral Health is ready to cut ribbon on a new crisis stabilization center.

An open house follows the 10:30 a.m. ceremony until 1 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5. The facility was created as part of a remodel project at Seasons Center’s Administrative office located at 201 E. 11th Street in Spencer.

The crisis stabilization center is named Alex’s Place in honor and memory of Alex Jacobsen.