Editor's note: Gov. DeSantis also made a Friday stop at West O Beer north of Milford. Event organizers informed the Dickinson County News on Thursday the Lakes Area event was not open to the press. In an effort to include coverage of the presidential candidate's regional tour, the DCN chose to publish coverage of DeSantis' visit to Spencer, which was written by staff at the DCN's sister-paper — the Spencer Daily Reporter.

Kindermusik at the Lakes has been named a top program for the third year in a row by Kindermusik International.

Allison Antoine is a Kindermusik accredited educator and the owner of Kindermusik at the Lakes, which has been serving northwest Iowa and southwest Minnesota since 2017. The Kindermusik Top Program award recognizes excellence in spreading the power of music and movement to young children and their families through Kindermusik’s curricula.

The Lauridsen Performing Arts Theatre at the Pearson Lakes Art Center will play host to hall of fame musician Jimmy Ryan at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

The Treasure Village Flea Market and Antique Show will run Sept. 2-4. Vendors will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and begin closing around 3 p.m. Monday. This Labor Day Flea Market will feature antiques, furniture, flags, lawn decor, metal art, quilts, tools, hats, chainsaws, candles, soaps, cedar birdhouses, dessert mixes, coffee beans and more.

The Bedell Family YMCA recently announced Andy Wolf, formerly the senior director of facilities and programs for the organization, will assume the role of branch executive for the Bedell Family YMCA facility. Wolf has worked for the Bedell Family YMCA for 13 years and had held numerous positions as the YMCA continued to evolve.

It has come to our attention that some local organizations are reproducing the contents of the Dickinson County News on social media platforms. While we are honored that some organizations and individuals want to share our reporting with others, please be aware that the contents of the Dickinson County News are copyrighted, either by the newspaper itself or by the third-party contributors that provide such content.

Raul Torres Jr., age 34, of Spirit Lake was charged with third-degree theft at approximately 12:01 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 20 in the 1500 block of 18th Street in Spirit Lake. A criminal complaint said a camera at the Spirit Lake Hy-Vee captured Torres taking $1,200 in cash "by pocketing some while doing loan work" there. The criminal complaint was filed about four days after the incident.

Organizers with the the Northwest Iowa RSVP said the organization's Pen Pal Program is experiencing growth, especially among area third and fourth grade students. RSVP is seeking more volunteers to serve interested classrooms. The program, which pairs RSVP volunteers with area students, involves a minimal time commitment during the semester which fits a volunteer’s schedule, either during the fall or the spring.

Milford Memorial Library will be closed on Monday, Sept. 4, in observance of Labor Day. We will welcome you back at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5. Have a fun and safe holiday weekend.

2023 Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Music Association Hall of Fame inductees re-create the Beatles experience  

Okoboji Community Schools Teacher Leader Erin Frerichs was named a runner-up for the 2023 Excellence in Education Award, which is sponsored by the Iowa State Education Association. Frerichs was chosen from a field of top educators nominated by colleagues, students, parents and community members because of the difference she makes in the lives of her students.

Clarke University in Dubuque recently extended congratulations to Shelbie Young of Spirit Lake, who received a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. Young graduated in May as part of the class of 2023, according to the university.

Cherry Lane Farm to host microgreens field day

A county committee aimed at potentially updating local ordinances on wind turbine development is expected to meet next week, but members of a local group calling themselves Dickinson County Concerned Citizens — or DC3 — feel that may not be fast enough to address three wind development sites proposed across the county.