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A Part of Something Bigger

BY REV. CLINT LOVEALL

SPIRIT LAKE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a part of it.” — I Corinthians 12:27 NIV

Milford Memorial Library News 02-06-25

Join MML for our weekly Building Bookworms Storytime at 10:30 a.m. on Mondays. Take a look below for our themes. All materials and services are provided by the library free to participants. All kids and their adults are welcome to stay after storytime and mingle.

For more information, contact the library or check out our Facebook page.

 • Feb. 3 — Birds

 • Feb. 10 — Valentine  

 • Feb. 17 — No Building Bookworms: MML will be closed for President’s Day

Top 10 adult non-fiction of 2024

BY JILL JENNINGS

Today, I’m highlighting the top 10 adult non-fiction books checked out from the Spirit Lake Public Library last year. Two notable discoveries: half of these books were published before 2024, and Daniel James Brown has two on the list!

The No. 10 most checked out book was “The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians: True Stories of the Magic of Reading” by James Patterson.

The Waters a novel of healing and redemption

Every once in a great while, a novel comes along that draws you into a different world you don’t want to leave.

That’s the case of “The Waters” by Bonnie Jo Campbell.

Campbell’s deftly-woven Michigan backcountry saga of a family of women who are natural healers carries us to a time and a place where nearly anything is possible.

2025 trail development plans

The Dickinson County Trails Board has another year of exciting plans to continue trail development this summer and fall. Through a number of foundation, state and federal grants, as well as partnerships and donations to the DCTB development fund, the board is working on goals to add over four miles of new trail in 2025:

See you around

 

I’ve always been slightly annoyed by other journalists’ “personal news” social media posts. You probably know the ones I’m talking about, with several screenshots from the Notes app showing a drawn-out message full of flowery phrasing to describe an impending career change that — let’s be honest — few beyond the messenger actually care about. It’s too “look at me” for my taste.

We think of the heart

BY REV. CINDY FINN

SPIRIT LAKE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Valentine’s day is around the corner. Growing up, my grandmother would give me a love gift for Valentine’s Day.

I would receive a box of candy conversation hearts and a pair of red socks. Grandma was so excited to give these gifts because of her love for me. She would say “when you wear these socks, remember how much I love you.”

Thank you from the Chamber

On behalf of the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, we would like to thank you so many for making our 45th Annual University of Okoboji Winter Games another success for our business community. Although the games may have felt a little different from those of the recent past, lifelong memories were made for so many individuals from near and far. Events of this scale are not possible without an army of volunteers and the continual support from our entire community.

Hello, District 10!

My name is Josie Thompson, and I am Representative Will’s new clerk! I grew up in Spencer, and now I am a sophomore at Drake University here in Des Moines. I am studying to receive my B.S.B.A in marketing and a B.F.A in acting, and I plan to attend law school after graduation. Last summer I interned for Senator Grassley’s office, and most recently I worked for Congressman Zach Nunn’s successful campaign.

Milford Memorial Library News 01-30-24

Join MML for our weekly Building Bookworms Storytime at 10:30 a.m. Mondays. Take a look below for our themes. All materials and services are provided by the library free to participants. All kids and their adults are welcome to stay after storytime and mingle. For more information contact the library or check out our Facebook page.

• Feb. 3 – Birds

• Feb. 10 – Valentine  

• Feb. 17 – No Building Bookworms — MML will be closed for President’s Day

There are RAGBRAI spies lurking among us

We were so happy when we looked at the long-term forecast a week before the 45th University of Okoboji Winter Games.

“Hey, it’s going to be around 30. That’s not going to be so bad” for Sports Editor Matt Heinrichs, News Editor Stewart Chisham and yours truly.

I have a couple of Hawaiian-print, short-sleeved shirts in the closet and the Winter Games schedule sure looks like a cruise-ship itinerary, but even the tropical 30s were wiped out by that uninviting windchill.

Rocky Roads

BY PASTOR JENNIFER HESEBECK

FAITH COMMUNITY CHURCH AND EXCELSIOR UMC

My husband and I live on a farm and of the many chores, jobs and projects that brings, the one everyone (our kids included) seems to dislike the most starts with my husband rounding us up with this statement: “I need rock pickers this week.”

Milford Memorial Library News 01-23-25

Join MML for our weekly Building Bookworms Storytime on Mondays at 10:30 a.m. Take a look below for our themes. All materials and services are provided by the library free to participants. All kids and their adults are welcome to stay after storytime and mingle. For more information contact the library or check out our Facebook page.

• Jan. 27 — Plants

• Feb. 3 — Birds

• Feb. 10 — Valentine  

The mountains of Iowa

An online dating company pitched us with their “Best 20 Mountain Towns in America” content and — to our disbelief — none of Iowa’s mountains made the list.

Still, the inbox ping gives us all a chance to elevate the discussion about Iowa’s terrain. (See what I did there? Elevate?) We have some fiction and non-fiction, but as you’ll see, the truth is out there.

Best thing about libraries

BY AMY DISSMEYER

I became the Library Director of Spirit Lake Public Library on the last days of 2024. I’ve learned a few things in three weeks: Iowa is colder than Nebraska, any vehicle can drive on the frozen lake in January, and there’s no Taco Bell on my way home. But there are things that make up for the subzero, taco-less days: the gorgeous sunsets and the people.

Milford Memorial Library News 01-16-24

Join MML for our weekly Building Bookworms Storytime on Mondays at 10:30 a.m. Take a look below for our themes. All materials and services are provided by the library free to participants. All kids and their adults are welcome to stay after storytime and mingle. For more information contact the library or check out our Facebook page.

• Jan. 20 — Penguins

• Jan. 27 — Plants

• Feb. 3 — Birds

• Feb. 10 — Valentine  

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