In today's full-contact political environment, it's sometimes necessary to be blunt. Take for instance elected Republican's claims that their budget priority to cut Medicaid funding is only intended to reduce fraud, waste and abuse — more cynically — sustain the future.

It's not true. Straight up. Republican Medicaid cuts would hurt all Iowans.

Dickinson County Board of Adjustment and also Board of Supervisors are allowing more wind turbines to be built around our beautiful lakes. Many of us Dickinson County residents do not want more turbines. I ask what is the motivation of Dickinson County officials not listening to their constituents? Thankfully two County Supervisors, Steve Dullard and Levi Markwardt, are attempting to slow down this rubber stamp process.

In a world that often feels divided and disconnected, finding a space where you are fully accepted — just as you are — is a rare and beautiful thing. For me, that space is the Iowa Lakes Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (ILUUF).

Join MML for our weekly Building Bookworms Storytime 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.

• June 16 – Under the Microscope

• June 23 – Camping with special guests: Kindermusik at the Lakes

There are lots of fun activities planned for week four of the Summer Reading Program! 

At 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 16, join Miss Krista in the Community Room at the SLPL for a special Story Time. Staff from the Nature Center in Okoboji will be bringing some animal ambassadors for the children to interact with. 

Years ago, when I was in the Army, I was part of a ceremonial unit called “The Old Guard” that performed funerals for all the deceased service members being buried in Arlington National Cemetery (ANC). I slept in a barracks building a football field away from the brick wall separating the southwestern part of the cemetery from Fort Myers, Va.

The Pearson Lakes Art Center would like to thank the Good Neighbor Fund of Spirit Lake and Okoboji for their donation to the education department. We are so fortunate that the citizens of our communities are so generous and supportive of the Iowa Great Lakes Area non-profit organizations.

Join MML for our weekly Building Bookworms Story Time 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 story time and mingle. For more information contact the library or check out our Facebook page

• June 9 – Impact: The Ripple Effect

• June 16 – Under the Microscope

In the first week of the Summer Reading Program, we’ve had well over 100 kids sign up to participate. If you haven’t signed up yet, please come in as soon as possible. All ages are welcome to join in the SRP fun! 

On Monday, June 9, join Miss Krista on the outdoor patio at 10:30 a.m. for a Story Time that is all things bubbles! If it happens to be raining that day, please meet in the Community Room instead. 

From the Springfield, Ore., Public Schools newsletter:

Once upon a time, the animals decided they should do something meaningful to meet the problems of the new world. So they organized a school.

They adopted an activity curriculum of running, climbing, swimming and flying. To make it easier to administer the curriculum, all the animals took all the subjects.

It is Summer Reading Program time! This year’s theme is Level Up at the Library. The program is easy; read books and do fun tasks to win a prize. We will have a Summer Reading Kick-off  from 10 a.m. to noon May 31 at the library. Please stop by the library to sign up. If you cannot make it on the 31st, do not be concerned, just stop by the library anytime in June.

SUMMER READING PERFORMANCES

The Dickinson County RSVP Literacy Partners program expresses its gratitude to the Good Neighbors Fund of Okoboji and Spirit Lake for selecting our program as one of 21 local organizations to receive funding this year.

We also extend our appreciation to all individuals and businesses who generously contributed to this year’s Good Neighbors Fund.

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.

•June 2 – Trucks and Big Digs

•June 9 –   Impact: The Ripple Effect

•June 16 – Under the Microscope

There are so many activities to choose from on the Summer Reading Program calendar. Are you ready to "Level Up at your Library?"

There will be an adult reading program this summer at the Spirit Lake Public Library. It's super easy: read a book and fill out a slip to go into the drawing for a weekly prize. You can read as many books as you would like and fill out an entry slip for each one. The adult program follows the same dates as the children's: May 27 - July 31.

Rev. Sawyer Vanden Heuval will speak to the Iowa Lakes Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (ILUUF) at 10 a.m. Sunday, May 25. Coffee and conversation begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Lakes Area Activity (Senior) Center, near the water tower in Spirit Lake.