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Articles by Rylan Howe
As the Wheel Turns: Art Center hosts pottery class
It may seem like magic watching a vase emerge from a lump of clay as it spins round and round the potter’s wheel. Worry not, there is no magic required. Just some patience and perhaps a bit of instruction to guide the way. For anyone interested in learning the tools and tricks of the trade, the Pearson Lakes Art Center offers the Clay Kickstart class. The next one is scheduled for 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, and will cost $45 for art center members or $55 for nonmembers.
Kenue Coffee Hour discusses one-room schoolhouses
Before modern elementary schools with their shiny glass facades and technology packed into every corner there was the modest one-room schoolhouse. They were plentiful all across Iowa in the past. Nowadays most that still exist serve as museums or as historical markers. Perhaps some have been repurposed to host activities or events. One such building, Westport Schoolhouse No. 5, sits at Kenue Park in Okoboji.
Volleyball: Central Lyon vs MMCRU
You are the owner of this collection. You have permission to edit this collection. Serving N’West Iowa since 1972 | 712-324-5347
The Competitive Spirit: Tom Clary found drive to succeed in business and community
The Iowa Great Lakes lost four visionary business leaders in the span of five short months. Toby Shine. Butch Parks. Tom Clary. Lewis Casson. The roads that led them to this place were divergent. Their passions fueled from different sources. Their business interests varied. Some started from scratch. Others grew what began before them. What all had in common was an undeniable work ethic and the wisdom to invest in people.
Not Quite Brothers concert at the Roof Garden on Oct. 24
Costume up and get ready for a frightfully good time. The Roof Garden Ballroom is ready to host it’s first-ever Not Quite Halloween Party. This Saturday the doors will open at 7 p.m. with the Midwest’s fasting growing cover band, Not Quite Brothers, ready to take the stage at 8 p.m. for a night full of fun and festivities. Tickets are $25 the day of the show and the band is no stranger to the Roof Garden stage.
Volleyball: South O'Brien vs Trinity Christian
You are the owner of this collection. You have permission to edit this collection. Serving N’West Iowa since 1972 | 712-324-5347
Always Time to Shine: Toby Shine leaves lasting legacy in business and beyond
The Iowa Great Lakes lost four visionary business leaders in the span of five short months. Toby Shine. Butch Parks. Tom Clary. Lewis Casson. The roads that led them to this place were divergent. Their passions fueled from different sources. Their business interests varied. Some started from scratch. Others grew what began before them. What all had in common was an undeniable work ethic and the wisdom to invest in people.
Cross Country: Siouxland Conference Meet
You are the owner of this collection. You have permission to edit this collection. Serving N’West Iowa since 1972 | 712-324-5347
Volleyball: Rock Valley vs Spirit Lake
You are the owner of this collection. You have permission to edit this collection. Serving N’West Iowa since 1972 | 712-324-5347
The Grove Okoboji opens up for weekends full of fun
The pumpkins are ripe and ready. And they’re just the start of all the fall fun to be had at The Grove Okoboji in Milford. More than a pumpkin patch - though there are plenty of options to fill a front porch with fall decor - The Grove offers family friendly activities for all ages making it a perfect place to spend an autumn afternoon. The Grove is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 24 and then 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Oct.
Ripe for pickin’: Apple season underway at Little Sioux Orchard
September has been a soggy month for apple picking. Little Sioux Orchard owner Sharon Hoerichs is looking forward to the sunshine in the forecast this week and a chance to dry out the muddy conditions that kept the orchard closed last weekend. When conditions allow, the orchard is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturdays, 12-4 p.m. on Sundays and weekdays by appointment only.
Onward to Oktoberfest in Okoboji on Sept. 26
It started several decades ago as another bike ride event around West Okoboji Lake. And now it’s a full, fall festival, packed with fun for the whole family. The University of Okoboji Oktoberfest is set for Saturday, Sept. 26 with a full schedule of activities taking place at Preservation Plaza. Of course the bike ride maintains its proper place as the anchor activity for the day. The ride begins at 10 a.m. with registration costing $35 per person.
Volleyball: Okoboji vs Estherville Lincoln Central
You are the owner of this collection. You have permission to edit this collection. Serving N’West Iowa since 1972 | 712-324-5347
Film Study
Manhattan Short Film Festival returns to art center Join fellow film fans from around the globe during this year’s Manhattan Short Film Festival. The Pearson Lakes Art Center in Okoboji will once again be one of the 500-plus venues around the world hosting the event. Guests will see 10 short film finalists from 10 different countries, casting their votes for Best Film and Best Actor. This year marks the 29th edition of the film festival and is set for 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, at the art center.
Scarecrows for a cause
They come in all shapes, size, colors and materials. Whether they actually scare crows away from a farm field is to be determined, but they’re certainly a lot of fun to see. It’s time once again for the Great Akron Scarecrow Festival. The 26th edition of the annual town event is set for 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, with a day full of fun and activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Cross Country: Sioux Central Meet
You are the owner of this collection. You have permission to edit this collection. Serving N’West Iowa since 1972 | 712-324-5347
Football: Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn vs Sheldon
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Football: South O'Brien vs MMCRU
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Cy-Hawk Showdown takes the stage
Labor Day has come and gone, but the fun doesn’t stop in Arnolds Park. Together with Re/Max Lakes Realty, Arnolds Park Amusement Park is hosting its first annual Tailgate at the Park. The main event will be a showing of the annual Cy-Hawk rivalry game between Iowa and Iowa State, which kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12. And there is a full day of fun scheduled leading up to the big game.
The stage is set
National acts take over Grandstand to kick off Clay County Fair If you haven’t already, it’s time to get tickets now because the Grandstand is going to be packed this weekend at the Clay County Fair. The 2026 SMG Concert Series at the fair starts off with a bang as country favorite Cole Swindell kicks thing off at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12 with special guest Ashley Cooke and opening act - May City native Shawn Mayer.
Flea Market Finale
One more time to search the Iowa Great Lakes for trinkets, treasures and much more. The final round of holiday weekend flea markets and antique shows are set for Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 5-7, at the typical trio of Lakes area locations.
Harvest Season is here
Farmers market in the Park: Summer is almost over and so too is the Farmers Market in the Park. The Farmers Market in the Park is a lot more than just a great place to find fresh, local produce. Every Saturday from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend through September, Farmers Market in the Park offers a wide array of products and entertainment at their location at Arnolds Park Amusement Park.
Volleyball: Trinity Christian and HMS at Harris-Lake Park
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We Will Rock You!
IRRMA hosts annual Hall of Fame Induction Weekend The sounds of rock ‘n’ roll will fill the air from Spirit Lake to Arnolds Park. It’s time for the Iowa Rock ‘n’ Roll Music Association’s annual Hall of Fame Induction Weekend. Stretched across four days, several events honor the association’s Hall of Fame Class of 2026 as well as introduce young musical talent from across the state to new audiences.
Tornadoes in town
The Pork Tornadoes return to Preservation Plaza It’s quickly becoming a late summer tradition in the Iowa Great Lakes. The Pork Tornadoes. Preservation Plaza. Live at the Lake. “It just seems to work out really well to have them here in August,” said Chris Swanson, marketing director for Historic Arnolds Park, Inc. “We know and they know that no matter what Saturday of August it is, people are going to come out to see them. They’re just one of those bands that can draw a lot of people.
Gospel and Blues
Grammy-winning artist Ruthie Foster visits art center It’s been a winding musical road for Ruthie Foster. From growing up in a Texas gospel family to enlisting in the Navy and singing for Pride, the Navy band, to earning multiple Grammy nominations and Blues Music Awards, and finally a Grammy win in 2025 for Best Contemporary Blues Album. And now that road has brought Ruthie to the Pearson Lakes Art Center in Okoboji, where she’ll perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug.
The 90s Reborn
Grunge and alternative rock. Lots of flannel. However you remember the 90s and the music of the decade - whether you grew up in the middle of it, or relive it through satellite radio and YouTube clips - one thing is certain. It was full of some of the most memorable musical acts of a generation. And the 90s Rockshow will bring them all to Preservation Plaza in Arnolds Park. Starting at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug.
Marvelous and magical
Marilyn Maye returns to Okoboji A national treasure. One of the best performers of the 20th Century. These are just a couple of the accolades and titles bestowed upon Marilyn Maye over the course of her musical career. And folks in the Iowa Great Lakes will once again have the opportunity to see why they are so well deserved. Maye returns to the Pearson Lakes Art Center in Okoboji once again for what has become a customary pair of shows. Scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Aug.
Prepared to pitch
University of Okoboji Softball Tournament returns for 49th year For just shy of half a century, softball players across the Midwest have known where they’d likely be in late August. The University of Okoboji Invitational Men’s Slowpitch Softball Tournament has been held the third weekend of the month each of those years and this time around it’s scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 15 and 16 at the Milford Memorial Softball Complex. Entry is $175 per team.
Land, Sky, Stem - and Sticks
Sarah Grant up next in the art center Speaker Series Visitors to Okoboji’s Pearson Lakes Art Center in recent weeks have likely enjoyed the vibrant colors and expressive marks of the latest exhibit in the Monte Pearson Gallery. “Land, Sky, Stem: A Retrospective in Line and Color” by Sarah Grant has been on display since June 25 and will run through Sept. 19.
Walk among the wildflowers
Enjoy a peaceful stroll at St. Alban’s in Spirit Lake Wisps of green prairie grasses sway in the summer breeze. Among them, bright pink flowers are poking through towards the sun while white petals get in the mix as well. And at the start of a small mowed pathway an unassuming wooden sign welcomes visitors to St Alban’s Wildflower Garden. It’s a garden that started growing many years ago when St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Spirit Lake acquired the land one lot to the east.
Art unleashed
Pearson Lakes Art Center adds more sculptures Not all great art hangs on a wall. Art can be found anywhere. Yes, some can be found on expansive white walls in galleries of museums large and small. But art can also be equally at home in the great outdoors. The Pearson Lakes Art Center’s Sculpture Trail and surrounding grounds are a perfect example.
Listen to the music
Iowa Great Lakes offer live music venues around every corner Live music and the Iowa Great Lakes have a long, rich history. From the peak of the big band era, through the rise of rock ‘n’ roll, and on through today, countless musicians and bands have performed on a variety of stages across the area. Perhaps the most well-known venue historically, the Roof Garden Ballroom hosts concerts indoors.
Meet the Christina
Cruising from California to the Iowa Great Lakes Fog is rolling into the bay. The rusty red spires of an iconic bridge tower above the water. Chris Mugge is at the helm of a recently purchased vintage boat with his wife, Jean, and a handful of friends aboard as they navigate San Francisco Bay. It’s the maiden voyage for them as the new owners of what would be named the “Christina,” a 1950 Steel Craft Luxury Sedan Cruiser to be exact. Now they just had to get it back home to the Iowa Great Lakes.
Enjoying the Oasis
Creating a tranquil backyard retreat in Spirit Lake The subtle sounds of a fountain trickle out from the surface of a small pond. The aroma of brick oven pizza hovers in the summer air. Lightning bugs add their luminous spark flashing amongst the vibrant lilies scattered throughout the gardens. If it sounds like a tranquil oasis, it is, and it exists in the Spirit Lake backyard of Cody Schmidt and Diana Castre-Schmidt.
Play it Now!
I Am He Said - Neil Diamond Tribute takes over Roof Garden Everyone will be singing along at the Roof Garden Ballroom. At least for a few songs, and quite likely every single one of them. That’s the magic of the Neil Diamond musical catalog that will the focus of the entertainment Sunday evening, Aug. 2, in Arnolds Park. “I Am He Said - A Celebration of Neil Diamond” is set for a 7:30 p.m. show with tickets starting at $47 per person.
Art in the Park
Open air art festival returns to Preservation Plaza It’s the perfect opportunity to either kickstart, or continue an art collection. Maybe pick up a piece of jewelry or two. Find that perfect framed photograph to fill an empty space on the wall at home. It’s Art in the Park - set for 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, at Preservation Plaza in Arnolds Park.
Heart by Heart
Classic rock group takes stage at art center Rock & Roll Hall of Famers are gearing up for a sensational show at the Pearson Lakes Art Center in Okoboji. Bassist Steve Fossen and drummer Michael Derosier were original members of the rock band Heart during the 1970s and 80s and now tour the country as part of Heart by Heart with the mission to “perform classic Heart music as faithfully as we can,” according to Fossen.
Pioneer Days
The schedule is set and packed full of fun. It’s time for Milford Pioneer Days. The town’s annual summer celebration is closing in on six decades as the Milford Commercial Club gears up for the 58th edition this weekend. Traditional centerpieces as well as a couple new activities highlight the schedule for July 24-26 with events spread throughout town. “We have two new events this year,” said Susan Reiser, treasurer for the Milford Commercial Club.
It's race day
University of Okoboji welcomes runners for Homecoming Closing in on a half century, the University of Okoboji has annually hosted the Homcoming Races on the third Saturday in July. This year that day falls on Saturday, July 18, with well over 1,000 participants registered to take part in either the triathlon, team triathlon, half marathon, 10K or 5K races around the Iowa Great Lakes. Registration fees vary by event starting at $44.52 for the 5K race, up to $161.58 for the team triathlon.
Living an artistic life
Chad Elliott up next for art center Speaker Series Sometimes one creative outlet just isn’t enough. For Iowa native Chad Elliott he’s had several throughout his life and has turned them all into a decades-long career as a musician, painter and writer. And he’s up next for the 2026 Speaker Series at the Pearson Lakes Art Center in Okoboji. The event is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, July 16, and is free to attend.
SB WLyon vs BHRV 071026 0023.jpg
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Take Me Back to Chicago
Danny Seraphine & CTA perform at Roof Garden It’s not Saturday in the park. It’s Sunday in the Roof Garden Ballroom. That’s where Danny Seraphine & California Transity Authority (CTA) are set to peform as part of venues summerlong “Boomers & Crooners” concert series. Seraphine is the original drummer and one of the founding members of the Hall of Fame rock group Chicago.
SB Spirit Lake vs SHS 070926 0012.jpg
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Welcome to the show
Little league brings big time fun to Spirit Lake The crack of the bat. The cheers of the crowd. It’s the quintessential summer pastime. It’s baseball. And long before they take a swing in the major leagues - it’s T-ball, coach pitch, and running around the bases with their elementary school friends.
Welcome to Summer Camp
Okoboji’s Methodist Camp hosts visitors across generations Summer is a time full of traditions in the Iowa Great Lakes. For many visitors and local residents at least part of that time is spent at camp. Numerous church-affiliated camps operate in the Lakes area, several of them have passed the century mark having seen generations of families pass through their doors.
Baseball: Central Lyon vs Spirit Lake
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Baseball: Okoboji vs Estherville Lincoln Central
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Baseball: Okoboji vs Sheldon
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Baseball: West Lyon vs Spirit Lake
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