Before improvements are made to the Gardner Cabin Museum in Arnolds Park, organizers want to see whether there are any historical artifacts buried on the lot. And, before they can do that, they need to know where to look.

It's been more than a decade since local government officials started looking to address problematic water drainage in the Francis Sites neighborhood, but Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said it's hard to deny the results. Naig paid a visit to the wetland on May 31 and toured the site with project organizers, engineers and other officials.

Mother Nature didn't cooperate with plans for the Northwest Iowa All-Inclusive League's debut game. Organizers had planned to host a baseball game for players with special needs at Wildcat Stadium in Arnolds Park, but the day's on-again-off-again rains ushered the game inside the Boji Bomb Shelter in south Milford.

Representatives of the Iowa Great Lakes Chamber of Commerce made a stop at the Humane Society of Northwest Iowa in Milford to recognize some collaborative remodeling work. The local Humane Society partnered with students in the area's No Boundaries Program to create a more inviting space for the public to interact with potential pets.

The crew for Anna Rea the 1930 Ford Model A invites the public to drive along during a visit to the Iowa Great Lakes Region Saturday June 18 and Sunday June 19.  While the tour will emphasize vintage or classic cars, participants may join the fun in any vehicle of their choice.

The New Cooperative Foundation recently contributed $2,500 to the Okoboji FFA chapter. Each year Okoboji FFA hosts the Tractor Ride Around West Lake, which serves as the chapter’s main fundraiser.

Iowa Lakes Community College will host a retirement reception honoring Valerie Newhouse, the seventh president of Iowa Lakes, at 2:30 p.m. June 9 in the Janice K. Lund Performing Arts Center located on the Estherville Campus.

The Okoboji Foundation recently allocated $418,000 to eight area non-profit organizations through the 2022 grant process. This year’s increase is one of the largest the organization has given.
“We’re so thankful for the generosity of all who donate to the Okoboji Foundation,” said Joan Gronstal, foundation board member and grant committee co-chair. “These gifts allow us to make meaningful grants to great projects which provide long-term benefits to our community.”

The Upper Des Moines Opportunity, Inc. Board of Directors recently announced Julie Edwards as the organization’s executive director. Julie began her executive director duties in April 2022 as an experienced leader in community action. She brings to the position 27 years as a progressive leader, first as the UDMO early childhood programs coordinator in the Spencer Early Childhood Center and most recently, as the UDMO early childhood programs director.

David Fisher, The Rope Warrior, is a lean, mean, jumping machine who executes stunts that most can't even imagine doing, especially with a jump rope. This summer, the Arnolds Park Library, Milford Memorial Library and Spirit Lake Public Library are sponsoring two shows featuring Fisher at the Pearson Lakes Art Center. The first program will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 9, and the second will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 10.

The June 1, 2022, edition of the Dickinson County News featured a compilation of veterans from the region. The photo of Eugene R. Fales was mistakenly labeled as Eugene R. Rales. Staff regrets the error.

Annual U of O Soccer Tournament scheduled for this weekend
 

(((SUBHEAD))) Vos, Weeks named to University of Sioux Falls Dean's List