05/06/21: Area Happenings & Accomplishments

Voters need to respond to 'No Activity' notices

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is encouraging Iowans who receive a "No Activity" mailing from his office to respond quickly.

Registered voters who did not participate in the 2020 general election will soon receive the mailing to confirm their residential address. Those who do not respond will continue to be listed as inactive voters until they participate in an election or update their voter registration.

Every March, the Iowa Secretary of State's Office conducts voter list maintenance as required by federal and state law. Iowans that receive the mailing should check the appropriate box, sign their name and return the postcard in the mail. Postage is not required. If the voter no longer lives at the address, the current resident may discard the mailing.

To check your voter registration status, visit sos.iowa.gov/amiregistered.

Voters made inactive through the list maintenance process can return to active status by requesting an absentee ballot, voting in an election, registering again or updating their voter registration.

Sue Grapevine to retire from NCC

Sue Grapevine, Instructor - Math, of Arnolds Park, will be retiring from Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon on Friday, May 14. Grapevine has been with NCC for almost 27 years, since Aug. 22, 1994.

Grapevine began her career at NCC as an adjunct faculty member for two years and was then hired as full-time faculty in the Arts & Science, Business and Health Division in August 1994.

During her tenure, Grapevine was awarded the NCC Outstanding Faculty of the Year in 1997-1998 and 2014-2015.

"I have enjoyed working with all my students and the faculty and staff over the years," Grapevine said.

Grapevine is a native of Hartley. The daughter of Arnold and Bonita Pahl, she graduated from Hartley High School in 1981. Her plans for retirement include continuing to teach online and traveling with her husband.

Safety measures in place for 2021 OST season

Several safety measures, including a reduced production lineup, will be in place as the Okoboji Summer Theatre (OST) begins its 63rd season.

According to the official announcement, there will be limited capacity for performances and facemasks will be required inside the theater. Other measures include a contactless box office, with no in-person ticket orders permitted. Tickets can be obtained by email, phone or Eventbrite online orders.

Weekend curtain times will be 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and 6 p.m. on Sunday. There will only be six productions this year.

The lineup of performances includes: "Grease" (Musical), July 6-11; "Weekend Comedy" (Comedy), July 13-18; "Clue: On Stage" (Comedy), July 20-25; "The Marvelous Wonderettes: Dream On" (Musical), July 27-Aug. 1; "Ken Ludwig's The Gods of Comedy" (Comedy), Aug. 3-8; and "Urinetown: The Musical," Aug. 10-15.

Boji Bantam Children's Theatre performances will take place at the Pearson Lakes Art Center outdoor amphitheater. "Sideways Stories from Wayside School" is scheduled for July 21-24, and "The Velveteen Rabbit" will be presented Aug. 4-7.

Hunter Dorhout named Chancellor's Scholar at UNL

Hunter William Dorhout, of Sanborn, is among 65 students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln who will be recognized as Chancellor's Scholars during undergraduate commencement ceremonies on May 8 at Memorial Stadium.

Dorhout is a computer engineering major in the College of Engineering. His parents are Mark and Nicole Dorhout.

Chancellor's Scholars are students who have maintained 4.0 grade-point averages on all collegiate work at Nebraska and elsewhere.

Summer day camps offered for youth ages 3-15

O'Brien County Conservation will host a variety of youth day camps this summer for ages 3-15, grouped by age, to get them connected to the greater world around them.

"Mini Naturalists" is an hour-long program for youth ages 3-6. It is a great hands-on introduction to nature for these budding naturalists. This program, offered once a month, will include games, crafts and hikes. Parents or adult caregivers are encouraged to stay for the program.

"Nature Navigators" is for youth ages 7-10, and this program will have kids investigating nature through hands-on experiences. This once a month, two-hour long program will include fun nature activities, games and crafts. Each month will offer different activities.

Adventurers youth camp is for kids who are 11-15 years old. This two-hour long program will have campers trying new activities and going on adventures outdoors. Each month will host a different topic with activities geared toward that topic. There is even an opportunity for an overnight camp during Outdoor Quest.

Each camp session has a different theme so your child can enjoy one or enjoy them all. Registration is required for each program and space is limited. Day camp programs are available at no cost. COVID-19 precautions are in place for all programs.

For more information and to register, visit http://www.prairieheritagecenter.org, or contact Naturalist Abbie Parker at (712) 295-7200 or [email protected].

Get ready for camping adventures in May

May's Nature Nut Series, hosted by O'Brien County Conservation, will make sure you are ready for an awesome outdoor camping adventure. Join Naturalist Abbie Parker at Dog Creek Park on Tuesday, May 18 at 6:30 p.m., to learn the ins and outs of camping.

In this Camping 101 session you'll learn some fun recipes to cook over a campfire and perfect your campfire building skills. Struggle to put up a tent? You will practice. Participants will also dive into leave no trace principles and talk about good camping etiquette.

This is a great program for beginners and experts of all ages, and is available at no cost. If you are unable to make it in person, all Nature Nut series information is posted online at http://www.prairieheritagecenter.org.

Registration is required. Please register by Sunday, May 16. COVID-19 precautions are in place. For more information and to register visit http://www.prairieheritagecenter.org, or contact Naturalist Abbie Parker at (712) 295-7200 or [email protected].

BVU, CC/E connect thru strategic partnership

Buena Vista University and the Clay Central/Everly Community School District have entered a strategic partnership that will benefit both organizations and the communities they serve, according to a press release.

Under the agreement, employees of CC/E, as well as their spouses and dependents, may receive grant funding to lower the overall cost of education while enrolled in classes at BVU's Storm Lake campus. Partner grant funding also lowers the cost per credit hour for students enrolled in BVU's convenient online/hybrid undergraduate programs or the organizational leadership graduate program courses.

BVU professors and staff are also available for training programs, workshops and more, should administrators and teachers with CC/E seek those services and expertise.

"Being in a position to enhance our employee benefits package with an educational resource in Buena Vista University certainly represents a win-win situation," said CC/E Superintendent Kevin Wood, a 2004 BVU graduate. "Having Buena Vista University offer grant funding to lower the cost per credit hour is a welcome development for prospective students and their families as they work to advance their education, improving their career arc while boosting the district and their communities in the process."

"We're extremely pleased to be a partner with a great district like Clay Central/Everly in our Strategic Partnerships initiative," said Katie Smith, BVU Director of Strategic Partnerships. "It is our vision that, through education, we can create stronger cities, towns, organizations and people across Iowa, the Midwest and beyond."

CC/E, which employs 22, serves students from preschool through the sixth grade in Everly, Greenville, Rossie and Royal.

"Having a great university dedicated to the growth and quality of life in northwest Iowa located just 40 minutes from our campus is something we celebrate and work to build upon," Wood said. "This strategic partnership will help enhance our ties."

Tracy Lawrence and Mark Chesnutt to appear at Clay County Fair

The Clay County Fair on Tuesday announced Tracy Lawrence and Mark Chesnutt will perform at the 2021 Clay County Fair on Monday, Sept. 13.

Lawrence is one of country music's truest traditionalists. His impressive catalog of timeless music has sold more than 13 million albums and charted 18 No. 1 hits. He has garnered numerous CMA and ACM awards and nominations, as well as a Grammy nomination.

Commemorating his three-decade career in 2021, he is releasing three new albums that include all new music along with some of his favorite career hits.

Mark Chesnutt parlayed a solid grounding in classic country into chart-topping stardom during the 1990s. He has charted 20 Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including eight No. 1 singles: "Brother Jukebox," "I'll Think of Something," "It Sure Is Monday," "Almost Goodbye," "I Just Wanted You to Know," "Gonna Get a Life," "It's a Little Too Late," and a cover of Aerosmith's "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing."

Tickets go on sale Friday, May 7.

NWI fishing report

The walleye season opened last Saturday on the Iowa Great Lakes chain. Most courtesy docks are in place. Lake levels are currently lower, making points more apparent and historically shallow areas less accessible by boat.

East Okoboji Lake: The water temperature was 49 degrees on April 29. Black crappie, fair. Bluegill, fair.

Lost Island Lake: Anglers have been able to have consistent success with yellow perch and a few other species this spring. Yellow perch, good. Bluegill, fair. Black crappie, fair. Walleye, fair.

Minnewashta Lake: Black crappie, fair. A nice crappie bite can be found with a little bit of movement around the lake.

Silver Lake (Dickinson): Walleye, fair.

Spirit Lake: Perch and panfish have been slowly making their way in shallower making shoreline and dock fishing more promising. The water temperature was 48 degrees on April 29. Yellow perch, fair.

West Okoboji Lake: The water temperature was 48 degrees on April 29. Bluegill, fair. Black crappie, fair.