A look back on local history

What would the Arnolds Park of today look like without Preservation Plaza and its accompanying amusement park? Nearly 25 years ago, the city almost found out, when the owner, who had put plenty of savings into the park, made the decision to put the park up for auction in 1999.

A total of 118 Dickinson County voters have been challenged recently by the Dickinson County Board of Supervisors. The concern is that there had been more voters registered in Dickinson County than there were residents.

The annual Art in the Park has been a favorite event on the Lakes Area’s summer schedule since the early 1990s. On Saturday, Aug. 3, Preservation Plaza was filled with 65 artistic exhibitors in a wide variety of mediums to please the hundreds of people who browsed and/or purchased some of the original pieces on display. Art in the Park is organized and presented each year by the Pearson Lakes Art Center.

The Iowa Great Lakes Knights of Columbus Council 5043 thanks the entire community for its support of the pancake breakfast it held for flood victims. Proceeds were given to Spencer Council Grand Knight Michael Raner in a presentation Monday evening at St. Mary Parish, Spirit Lake.  

The Milford High School Class of 1974 held their 50th class reunion over Pioneer Days weekend. Classmates, spouses and friends toured the Jones Dairy Farm, Classic Car Museum and other area venues, and enjoyed a picnic in the city park in Arnolds Park. Shown enjoying the picnic were: (front row, from left) teachers Gary Koelling and Mrs.

Join Miss Becca at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 10 for an Okoboji Blue Water Festival story time and craft. Location of the youth area will be by Bob’s Dogs in Arnolds Park. This special story time will focus on the environment and clean water. All of the materials and services are provided by the Milford Library.

The Okoboji Community School District is announcing the launch of the Pathfinder Academy, a pioneering work-based learning program designed specifically for seventh and eighth-grade students. Starting this school year, students will have the opportunity to explore their career interests through engaging and hands-on courses tailored to their passions.

Myles Patrick Musser, age 41, was arrested on the charge of public intoxication at approximately 11:33 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1 near Broadway Street in Arnolds Park. According to the criminal complaint, Musser head-butted the door of a local establishment and staff had flagged down police.

From Scott Douglas Prill, the author of the historical fiction novels Into the Realm of Time and From the Realm of Time, comes a story of mystery and murder that begins in Iowa in 1940 and ends 30 years later in 1970. In November of 1940, a businessman abruptly vanishes from a rural town in Iowa, never to be seen again. Three decades later, a decorated but disillusioned Vietnam War veteran dies in the same town, a death some view suspiciously.

Q: What’s included in the online safety legislation adopted by the Senate 91-3?

Milford Pioneer Days has wrapped up. The yearly celebration drew in crowds in the hundreds all across the small town for fun events such as the Pioneer Days Parade and the marshmallow eating competition in Florence Park. The fun kicked off Friday morning with the All-Town Garage Sales and continued through Sunday with events like the Tractor Ride Around West Lake (TRAWL) and the Boy Scouts pancake feed. (Photos by Stewart Chisham and Doris Welle)

The ninth annual Okoboji Blue Water Festival (OBWF) is quickly approaching. Set for Saturday, Aug. 10 at the Preservation Plaza in Arnolds Park. What better place to hold the foremost clean water event in the state than on the shores of West Okoboji.

Co-chair and organizer Greg Drees shared the excitement that he and his co-chair Julie Peterson have for this all-day clean water celebration.

First Lutheran's summer tradition marks 75 years

It's a casual atmosphere, but the people at First Lutheran Church in Milford take the title of America's oldest drive-in worship service pretty seriously — at least according to John Adams, Sr.

Adams, the director of development at First Lutheran, said the weekly summer services generally attract about 180 vehicles between Memorial Day and Labor Day each year.

The city hopes to expedite emergency processes

The Okoboji Zoning Ordinance has been amended by repealing and replacing the existing Section 11.22 Lakeshore Landscaping and Development Regulations. The Okoboji City Council made a motion to approve the adoption of this Ordinance 277 Tuesday morning.

A new addition to Milford's Highway 71 entryway through Okoboji, the KwikStar gas station has finished construction and is fully operational for business. Store employees gathered last Wednesday, July 24, to welcome potential customers and open the gas station chain for business. In addition to providing more options for gas in Milford, KwikStar also made donations of $1,000 to both the Milford Fire Department and Milford Police Department. (Photos by Stewart Chisham)