Economist Dr. Ernie Goss was both insightful and entertaining for a crowd of approximately 100 last Wednesday evening.
Goss was the featured speaker at the Pearson Lakes Art Center's Growing Iowa's Economy Speaker Series. He spoke about the economy and his predictions for 2009.

My dad taught me at a very young age to have a sense of humor. Each year when April Fools Day arrives, I can't help but reminisce about some of the pranks that have been illustrated in my lifetime.

The family of Janet Reinke of Ashton would like to thank family, friends and neighbors for the prayers, cards, food, flowers, and memorials. A special thank you to Pastor Dale Lint. Your kindness and thoughtfulness at this time of sorrow was, and is, greatly appreciated.
Dennis Reinke and family

The Spirit Lake High School students and faculty hosted a very successful blood drive on Wednesday, March 25. A total of 86 individuals registered to donate - producing 70 units of blood, and 48 individuals were first-time donors!
Thank you to Mr. Roland Schmidt, Mrs. Jean Boekout, the Student Council Committee who coordinated the drive, and all who registered to donate.
You are all a vital link in the chain of saving lives in your community!
Jean Sherman

Upper Des Moines Opportunity would like everyone in the community to be aware that the deadline for applying for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program has been extended through May 29. Please note that the deadline for the shut off moratorium was not extended but remains April 1. This program provides a one time supplemental payment to the applicant

I think Rabbi Grant's idea for the new Jewish center is a wonderful idea and a much-needed retreat from the world and times we are living in!
Rabbi Grant is a man who does things from the heart and not the head, and believe me there's a big difference. I have been studying under Rabbi Grant going on two and a half years now, and he's opened up the scriptures under a whole new light.

"Are you here professionally or personally?"
This wasn't a new question for me last week.
I learned as a child that people's professions follow them far outside of their offices. My dad is a television technician, and we would constantly be getting repair calls at home. My grandfather was a policeman, and I'm sure his job followed him everywhere as well, whether or not he was wearing his badge.

As a reformed nail biter (right after I started working here, actually) I once again picked up the habit again while onstage recently in Spencer Community Theatre's "Five Women Wearing the Same Dress."
I loved becoming Meredith Marlow, a rebellious Southern college graduate with a chip on her shoulder and colorful vocabulary at boot, but after choosing to have nail biting as her bad habit I've been unable to break the mold.

Mary and Glen Luchtel of Spirit Lake are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Rebecca Ann Luchtel to Nicholas James Boddicker, son of Kim and Darrin Weiland and Douglas Boddicker of Newhall.
Rebecca graduated from Spirit Lake Community High School in 2004. She attended Iowa State University where she earned a degree in Human Nutrition in 2008. Rebecca is currently pursuing her PhD from Iowa State in Molecular Nutrition.

Mary and Glen Luchtel of Spirit Lake are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Rebecca Ann Luchtel to Nicholas James Boddicker, son of Kim and Darrin Weiland and Douglas Boddicker of Newhall.
Rebecca graduated from Spirit Lake Community High School in 2004. She attended Iowa State University where she earned a degree in Human Nutrition in 2008. Rebecca is currently pursuing her PhD from Iowa State in Molecular Nutrition.

As a reformed nail biter (right after I started working here, actually) I once again picked up the habit again while onstage recently in Spencer Community Theatre's "Five Women Wearing the Same Dress."
I loved becoming Meredith Marlow, a rebellious Southern college graduate with a chip on her shoulder and colorful vocabulary at boot, but after choosing to have nail biting as her bad habit I've been unable to break the mold.

The Pearson Lakes Art Center will host an open studio for ceramics, painting and drawing from 7-9 p.m. each Thursday. Free. Just bring your own supplies.
The Pearson Lakes Art Center will host a Mini Michaelangelos class on portrait photography from 4-5 p.m. Thursday, March 26. To register, call (712) 332-7013.

July 9, 1941 - March 20, 2009
Funeral services were held March 24 at the Schuchert Funeral Home in Spirit Lake for Jennifer Alina Markley, 67, of Spencer, formerly of Spirit Lake, who passed away Friday, March 20, at the Spencer Hospital.
Interment was at Lakeview Cemetery in Spirit Lake.
She was born on July 9, 1941, in Wadena, Minn., to Wayne and Katy (Jussola) Blum.

Even though we've barely passed form winter to spring, local employees of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are hard at work readying the Lakes area' s natural world for another wonderfully hectic summer.
The hatchery
After a busy off season filled with equipment repair and facility maintenance, the DNR's fisheries team continues its bustling pace into spring and summer.

Mr. and Mrs. David and Cheryl Salmen of Wessington Springs, S.D. are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Rebecca Linae, to Heath Hjelmer Huberg, son of Cheryl and Mark Zieringer of Omaha, Neb. and Gary Huberg of Royal.