BY PAUL KALDAHL

SPENCER FIRST ENGLISH LUTHERAN CHURCH

One of the best parts of being a stringer and sports editor in a past life was walking into a gym and seeing how conference affiliations are displayed.

You’d often find the memberships reflected on the walls above the bleachers. At Spencer Fieldhouse — where I saw games growing up — they had painted pennants for each Lakes Conference member in their school colors.

BY JILL JENNINGS

Please join us at the Spirit Lake Public Library for a program by Tom Tourville at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21. Tom presented his “Sun, Sand, Surf & Sidewalls” program last month, and those who attended were glad they did! Don’t miss his next presentation about the Roof Garden in Arnolds Park.

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. 13 — Kites

• Jan. 20 — Penguins

• Jan. 27 — Plants

Library news, college honors and professional achievements

This week, we’ve included a preview of the 91st Iowa General Assembly with a huge assist from Managing Editor Randy Cauthron of the Spencer Reporter. That means we should soon be getting Capitol updates from state Rep. John Wills, who begins his sixth (!) term in Des Moines, and state Sen. Dave Rowley who is midway through his first full term in the Iowa Senate.

BY JILL JENNINGS

SPIRIT LAKE PUBLIC LIBRARY

BY SHAZZY BRITZ

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN SPENCER

As we enter this new year, let’s take a moment to put aside the secular celebrations and notions of the new year and reflect on the Christian year and what it means to us as Christ followers.

BY CINDY DAVIS

SPIRIT LAKE LIBRARY NEWS

There’s no such thing as a “free” Public Library!

Under Iowa Code every incorporated city in Iowa must provide a library or contract for library services for their residents. Choosing to provide a physical library building for your residents is a major commitment by your city.

BY MICHAEL TIDEMANN

GUEST CONTRIBUTOR

At first glance, Jeff Wilkerson’s memoir of science and nature, 23 Woodcock in 22 Years, seems a bit of an anomaly. The subtitle Reflections on Hunting, the Night Sky, and Our Place in the Universe seems even more incongruous.

BY REV. SARA SUTTER

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

LAKESHORE CENTER AT OKOBOJI

December has offered me the gift of a slower pace at Lakeshore Center, the Presbyterian Camp. This is opposite what it was for me when I served as pastor in Goldfield. I know it’s opposite what many of you have felt as you’ve experienced a full calendar of holiday events.

On Wednesday, Dec. 18, President Biden’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) delivered yet another blow to the American auto industry and affordability for our families. The EPA announced that it granted California permission to phase out the sale of gas-powered cars in the state. In doing so, the EPA put radical Green New Deal policy agenda items over the economic interests of American consumers.

Q: What tax relief measures will help Iowans impacted by natural disasters get back on their feet?  

I love analogies. They will creep into my writing from time to time, so let’s start with one:

You know how store owners quietly start accepting customers before they’re ready with a celebratory grand opening?

It takes a moment to serve those first few patrons effectively. Train the staff. Stock the shelfs. Set up the email. Get the ordering right. Iron out the hiccups. Only then is a business ready for its close-up, Mr. DeMille.

A NOTE TO THE LAKE PARK FAITH COMMUNITY FOR 2025

We were privileged to publish a column from James Kessler on behalf of First Presbyterian Church in Lake Park.

Near the end of his Dec. 12 column with the headline “Jesus loves the little children,” Mr. Kessler shared that the “home church of his youth was closing.”

Dave Rowley, Damon Dotson and Ryan Sather once again reminded us that Christmas is a very special time of year. They have been doing a Christmas show at the Pearson Lakes Art Center for many years now and Tuesday night’s show was one of the best.

The stage was festively decorated; the videos shown on the large screen behind the performers brought us many colorful and sometimes amusing thoughts of the season to go along with the trio’s songs.