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.

A deadline is approaching for anyone who would like to nominate a worthy candidate for this year’s 45th Annual Winter Games roster of cheerleaders. Who stands out in this community? Who goes above and beyond, loves everything Okoboji and will cheer with enthusiasm? Nominate that person before the Dec. 31 deadline.

The Okoboji School District Board of Eduction on Wednesday reached an agreement with Alburnett Superintendent Will Dible to be the Milford-based school’s next lead administrator. Pending board approval Jan. 8, Dible will succeed Todd Abrahamson who has guided the Okoboji School District since the 2016-17 school year.

Dible will officially begin his new role on July 1. He graduated from Okoboji High School in 2004.

Charity goes unnoticed at times, but at least once a year the Spirit Lake Noon Kiwanis Club finds a spotlight for a person or couple who goes above and beyond.

The service group cited Duane and Willia Mueske during a ceremony Saturday for the 2024 “Citizen of the Years” award. The couple has made a difference in the community over the last 50 years. You’ll find their impact throughout the Iowa Great Lakes.

BY RANDY M. CAUTHRON & RUSS MITCHELL

• State recognizes pair of area residents who sacrificed for others

Gov. Kim Reynolds and Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephan Bayens honored heroic citizens and first responders at the 2024 Sullivan Brothers’ Award of Valor and Governor’s Lifesaving Awards ceremony held Wednesday, Dec. 11, in the Iowa Capitol Rotunda.

Members of the Okoboji School Board met for almost six hours Monday as the group nears the selection of its superintendent. Closed session discussions took place from 2:38 to 8:13 p.m. Monday night, according to board minutes.

Board candidates used the time to interview three finalists from a field of 14 applicants. The successful candidate will succeed the retiring Todd Abrahamson who has led Okoboji School District since the 2016-17 school year:

OSTA puts discount voucher books on sale

Okoboji Summer Theatre patrons will have to wait for the University of Okoboji Winter Games to learn the official 2025 schedule, but they can save money at the ticket booth right now.

The Okoboji Summer Theatre Association on Friday opened the purchase window for discount ticket vouchers for the 2025 OST season. The upcoming season’s lineup includes four musicals and three plays.

Entry forms for the University of Okoboji Winter Games Chili Cook-Off sponsored by Hinn Realty are available online at uofowintergames.com or in the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce office in Arnolds Park. This delicious event is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24, at the Dickinson County Expo Building in Spirit Lake.

ILUUF FEATURES SAUGSTAD

At 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, Allan Saugstad will speak to the Iowa Lakes Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (ILUUF) about the holidays not being the most wonderful time of year for many. Stressful family dynamics, grieving the loss of loved ones, financial burdens, loneliness and more make this time of year both stressful and depressing for some.

New traffic enforcement window opens

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

Milford Memorial Library would like to announce and congratulate the winners of the Festival of Trees during Holiday Fantasy Weekend:

• Best Business —Mau Marine.

• Best Organization — Milford Cub Scouts.

• Best Family/Personal — Pati Lindsey.

• Most Creative — Nature Trials Book Club.

• Librarian’s Choice — Milford Key Club and Kiwanis.