Learn about the evidence animals leave behind during the winter at Homeschool Ed-ventures. This free program offered by the Dickinson County Nature Center provides science and environmental education support to children ages 5-12.

NO. 6 — PARKS MARINA CHANGES HANDS

Parks Marina announced the sale of several historic properties on Nov. 1, including The Gardens, Okoboji Boat Works, O'Ferrells Sisters which dates back to 1949; the century-old Central Emporium, and the Highway 71 Driving Range.

Staff members at these locations will continue their employment as usual until Jan. 31, 2025.

Okoboji Boat Works employees will be transitioning into staff roles at Parks Marina.

Join MML 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.

• Jan. 6 — Crayons

• Jan. 13 — Kites

• Jan. 20 — Penguins

• Jan. 27 — Plants

Ricardo Madrid Ballesteros, age 44, of Milford was arrested on the charge of second-degree criminal mischief, a class D felony, at approximately 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, near 1206 S Avenue in Milford. According to the criminal complaint, Ballesteros unlawfully damaged property belonging to a local business. Ballesteros allegedly ripped a large amount of sheet rock off the wall in one building, and damaged another wall.

You can try to call Teegan Jones and congratulate him for earning the Presidential Volunteer Service Award.

Just know, he’s probably busy.

Maybe look for the Spirit Lake High School senior at the Iowa Rock ’n’ Roll Music Association Museum.

No? Then he might be helping the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber with the Vacation Okoboji visitor’s guide.

Even with the onset of winter, West Okoboji Mayor Craig Miner likes what he sees along the shores of the city’s namesake lake.

The tree’s aren’t green yet, but the parking is safer.

The pedestrian walkways are better even if they see less foot traffic in the offseason.

New lighting offsets a sun that sets earlier in the night.

Join Dickinson County Nature Center staff for Kenue Coffee Hour: Abbie Gardner at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2, the Maser Monarch Lodge. The Nature Center welcomes its speaker for January — Mary Dreier, Director of Dickinson County Museum — as she presents the details of Abbie's life, which extend past the Spirit Lake Massacre.

Public organizations undergo an annual review of finances and the finding are available to the public for review.

SPIRIT LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT AUDIT RELEASED

Winther, Stave & Co., LLP in Spencer has released an audit report for the Spirit Lake Community Fire Department for the year ended June 30, 2024.

LEARN HEART BASKET WEAVING IN OKOBOJI

Register by Tuesday, Jan. 7, and bring a sack lunch for the upcoming heart basket weaving workshop at Pearson Lakes Art Center. The class takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11. Instructor Rachelle Fratzke will lead a workshop where beginners and experienced crafters learn to craft a handmade heart-shaped basket. The project blends traditional weaving techniques with a modern twist.

New traffic enforcement window opens

It’s hard to have a happy holiday if you’re arrested for drunk driving.

Area boys and girls in grades 4-7 are welcome to compete in the 2025 Knights of Columbus Spelling Bee slated for Tuesday, Jan. 21 at the Okoboji Middle School. Iowa Great Lakes Council 5043 is sponsoring the always-entertaining contest, and this time will combine it with the Milford Council. Free on-site registration – requiring a parent’s signature – will be available.

Milford Memorial Library will be closing at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31, and will be closed all day on Wednesday, Jan. 1, in observance of the New Year holiday. We look forward to seeing everyone starting at at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 26, We hope you have a safe and happy holiday.

Is your little one (2-5 years old) trying to learn the alphabet? The Dickinson County Nature Center provides a free monthly program – Nature Tots, and the theme for 2025 is “Animals ABCs.”

At 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, learn about the letters “A” and “B” for Nature Tots “Ants and Beetles.”

The Dickinson County Nature Center is taking part in Winter Women in Nature Day (W.I.N.D.) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11. The event will be held at Oneota Park, home to the cozy Oneota Cabin, just south of Spencer High School on 10th Avenue Southeast in Spencer.

Lamar Derail Cox, 41, Spirit Lake was charged at 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, for a stop that dates back to an Aug. 2, near a bar on Allen Street in Arnolds Park. Cox was charged with C felony possession of a controlled substance. Police think Cox had 3.85 grams a white powdery substance that field tested positive as cocaine within 1,000 feet of a public park.