06/10/21: Area Happenings & Accomplishments

No Fiesta Foods flier this week

Due to a distribution issue, there is no Fiesta Foods flier included in the newspaper this week. A limited supply is available at the store for customers who wish to view specials for June 9-15.

Fliers will resume distribution inside the Sentinel-News next week.

Madison Rouse graduates from USF

Madison Rouse, of Sanborn, graduated Cum Laude with an Associate of Arts degree in Radiologic Technology from the University of Sioux Falls. Rouse is a 2019 graduate of Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School.

Over 400 students were celebrated for graduation in the spring commencement ceremony.

Trever Dodd on Morningside Dean's List

Morningside University recently announced that 422 students were named to the Dean's List for the spring semester of the 2020-21 academic year.

Students who achieved a 3.67-grade point average or better and completed at least 12 credits of coursework with no grade below a C- were named to the list. Students that achieved a 4.0-grade point average are denoted with an asterisk (*).

Local students named to the list include Trever J. Dodd*, of Hartley.

Local students graduate from ISU

Iowa State University recognized 4,798 spring graduates May 7-8. The school awarded 4,176 undergraduate degrees, 609 graduate degrees and 143 veterinary medicine degrees. Students had the opportunity to attend in-person ceremonies and celebrations at Hilton Coliseum and Jack Trice Stadium, which were livestreamed for those who preferred a virtual option.

Graduates from this area are listed below:

Hartley: Cassandra Frick, Bachelor of Science, Animal Science, Cum Laude.

Peterson: Dayton Brugman, Bachelor of Science, Agricultural Studies.

ISU spring Dean's List

More than 10,500 Iowa State University students were recently recognized for outstanding academic achievement by being named to the spring semester 2021 Dean's List. Students must have earned a grade point average of at least 3.50 on a 4.00 scale while carrying a minimum of 12 credit hours of graded coursework to be included.

Students from this area are listed below.

Everly: Morgan Jean Jensen, 3, Architecture-Professional Degree; Emily Marie Joenks, 3, Animal Science; and Joseph Alan Langner, 3, Horticulture.

Hartley: Joseph David Ahlers, 2, Civil Engineering; Bryce Randall Batien, 3, Animal Ecology; Cassandra Pearljean Frick, 4, Animal Science; and Seth David Morphew, 3, History

Peterson: Dayton Reese Brugman, 4, Agricultural Studies

Royal: Claire E. Christensen, 4, Animal Science; and Ryan James Van Westen, 4, Biology.

Madison Rouse named to USF spring dean's list

Madison Rouse, of Sanborn, was named to the spring 2021 dean's list at the University of Sioux Falls. Rouse is majoring in Radiologic Technology (AA).

The 2019 graduate of Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School was among more than 600 students named to the dean's list. To qualify, students must earn a GPA of 3.5 or greater on a 4.0 scale.

Hartley students graduate from Northwestern

Peggy Kamanda, Kaylen Kuchel and Abby Vander Laan, of Hartley, were among 248 graduates to receive bachelor's degrees at Northwestern College in Orange City during commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 8. Twenty-nine students received Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees, while the rest of the graduating seniors were granted Bachelor of Arts degrees.

Kamanda graduated with a major in nursing. Kuchel graduated with a major in athletic training. She is the daughter of Melanie Kuchel. Vander Laan graduated Cum Laude (3.5-3.69 GPA) with a major in social work. She is the daughter of Lori Hibma.

ILCC honors academic achievers

Iowa Lakes Community College recently recognized students on the spring Honors List, which includes full-time students taking 12 credits or more and earning a grade point average of 3.25 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

The Dean's List contains students with a 3.25-grade point average to 3.99, and the President's List showcases students who earn a 4.00 (A) average.

Local students are listed below.

Everly: Haley Berends, President's List; Angela Campbell, Dean's List; Dustin Miller, Dean's List; Lindsay Pearson, President's List; Jorgan Rustad, Dean's List; and Anika Zittritsch, President's List.

Royal: Brea Bendlin, President's List; Gabriella Carpenter, President's List.

Extension field agronomist to retire June 30

Paul Kassel, ISU Extension field agronomist for northwest Iowa, will retire on June 30. Kassel has served in the role of field agronomist or similar position since 1981, with most of that time in northwest Iowa.

Kassel began his career in 1981 as an Extension integrated pest management associate at the Spencer Area Extension Office. Later in 1982, Kassel was appointed as the Spencer Extension area crop specialist. Kassel left Extension in 1986 to work in South Dakota for Pioneer Hi-Bred. He then returned to serve as the Extension crop specialist for a 17-county area from the Storm Lake Area Extension office in 1989. The Clay County Extension office has been his home office since 1992, serving as Extension field agronomist for 10 counties.

A retirement coffee will be held for Kassel at the Stables Building at the Clay County Fairgrounds in Spencer on, Wednesday, June 30 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. The Stables Building is located directly west of the cattle and horse barns.

Service academy application process now open

The 2021 application process for Iowans seeking a congressional nomination to a U.S. service academy is now open.

"This is an outstanding opportunity for Iowans seeking to serve our country and wanting to receive a quality education," said Rep. Randy Feenstra in a news release. "I strongly encourage interested Iowans to apply for a nomination through my office."

Service academy applicants must be U.S. citizens; legal residents of Iowa's 4th Congressional District; and at least 17 years of age, but not yet 23 years of age by July 1 of the year of admission (or not yet 25 years of age by July 1 of the year of admission to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy); and unmarried with no dependents.

By law, graduates of the service academies are appointed to active duty as commissioned officers and serve in the appropriate branch of the military for a minimum of five years.

The deadline to apply through Rep. Feenstra's office is Friday, Oct. 1, 2021, at 5 p.m. CT. For more information, please review the page of Frequently Asked Questions for those seeking a Military Academy Nomination. Or contact Jim Oberhelman, U.S. Military Academy Coordinator, Office of Congressman Randy Feenstra (IA-04), 723 Central Avenue, Fort Dodge, IA 50501; phone: (515) 302-7060; or email: [email protected].

Anyone seeking to attend the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy or the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy must receive a nomination from an authorized source, which includes their Member of Congress. For instructions on opening a nomination file, visit Rep. Feenstra's website.

2 Extension interns serving in NWI

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach announced the addition of two interns serving Lyon, Osceola, Sioux and O'Brien counties in the capacities of Ag and Extension education, as well as horticulture.

Alex McDougall, an ISU Rising Star intern studying ag education, will focus on agricultural education and Extension education. Dustin Kohn, a horticulture major at South Dakota State University, will primarily work with horticulture education and local donation gardens.

McDougall is originally from Melvin and has previously worked as the horticulture intern for Region 1 in 2020, as well as assisting at Osceola County Extension as an intern in 2018. Her focus this summer will be coordinating the Power of Produce (PoP) Club at the Sheldon and Orange City farmers' markets. She will also be providing agriculturally oriented story walks at local county fairs and providing educational videos about the local Extension service.

McDougall can be followed at https://blogs.extension.iastate.edu/risingstar/ or she may be reached via email at [email protected].

Kohn is originally from Cherokee and has worked at Blooming House, a local greenhouse, for three years. His primary responsibility this summer is helping to maintain ISU donation gardens in Rock Rapids, Sibley and Sanborn. He will also be coordinating PoP Club at the Rock Rapids and Orange City farmers' markets and providing other opportunities for horticulture education.

Kohn will be sharing updates throughout the summer on the SOLO Master Gardener Facebook page, @SOLOMasterGardener, or he may be contacted with horticulture questions at [email protected].

Seasons Center's HEAL program lands $500 award

Seasons Center for Behavioral Health in Spencer received a $500 award from the American Contractors Insurance Group for training and resources to support the HEAL (Hope, Enable and Learn) Program. The program's services are funded through the Victims of Crime Act, through the Iowa Attorney General's Office Crime Victim Assistance Division.

ACIG awarded funds will be used towards clinical trainings, including workshops and conferences, for HEAL trauma therapists and to purchase educational resources and materials such as workbooks, curriculum and other therapeutic resources.

According to Christina Eggink-Postma, VP Program Coordination and Compliance at Seasons, the award will provide HEAL trauma therapists with the opportunity to increase their knowledge base on current evidence-based practices and provide additional tools to assist children, adults and families in addressing their personal trauma histories on their path to healing.

The HEAL program is designed to meet the unique needs of individuals, families and communities who have been a victim of a crime. Through HEAL, they have the opportunity to meet with a trauma therapist who will provide specialized individual and group therapy, assist with applications for financial victim assistance and provide referrals to other agencies and programs.

NWI fishing report

The day bite for walleye in the area is very slow. With the extended forecast calling for very warm temperatures in the upper 80s and 90s, lake temperatures will likely rise significantly and slow down catch rates.

East Okoboji Lake: The water temperature was 69 degrees last Thursday. The curlyleaf pondweed has started to die back, allowing for easier fishing and promoting native aquatic vegetation to grow. Leeches with a slip bobber are a simple way to get some success out fishing with kids. Try this setup in about 8 feet or less of water.

Crappie, fair. Try fishing close to docks and hoists. Trolling weed lines has been successful for many anglers. Crappie are hard to target specifically, but can be caught mixed with other panfish. Bluegill, fair. Bluegill are starting to make beds in the shallows. Leeches or worms and a simple bobber setup work well.

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

Minnewashta Lake: Panfishing has been good for anglers trolling weed lines, as well as fishing docks and hoists near shore. Black crappie, fair. A nice crappie bite can be found with a little movement around the lake. Bluegill, fair. Pumpkinseed, good.

Silver Lake (Dickinson): Silver Lake is starting to green up due to an algae bloom. Walleye, fair.

Spirit Lake: The walleye bite has been hit-or-miss most nights. The day bite has been very poor. Perch and panfish are making their way in shallower, making shoreline and dock fishing advantageous. Bluegill are starting to sit on beds. The water temperature is 66 degrees. Yellow perch, fair. Walleye, fair. Bite is hit-or-miss at dusk.

West Okoboji Lake: The muskellunge and walleye seasons are open. The water temperature was 63 degrees last Thursday. Try fishing for panfish in 8 feet or less and around docks and hoists. Anglers slowly trolling weed lines have been successful catching a variety of species.

Bluegill, fair. Bluegill are starting to be found in shallower water and around docks and hoists. Leeches or worms and a simple bobber setup work well. Black crappie, fair. Hard to target specifically, but can be caught while picking through other panfish.

Help Clay County from behind the wheel

Northwest Iowa RSVP is seeking volunteer drivers willing to offer rides to those in need within Clay County and destinations like Spirit Lake, Storm Lake, Sioux City, Sioux Falls, S.D., Rochester, Minn., and Iowa City.

Northwest Iowa RSVP coordinates the volunteer drivers with transportation requests. Priority for medical or other necessary appointments is given to elderly or low-income residents of Clay County. Other Clay County residents who do not own a vehicle and need transportation for appointments or assistance in returning home following a medical procedure also receive priority for transportation scheduling.

Volunteers for this program are asked to drive their own vehicles but receive three levels of supplemental insurance and a modest mileage reimbursement from RSVP. Volunteers interested in participating in the RSVP transportation program must pass a background check, provide proof of personal insurance and provide RSVP with a copy of their current driver's license.

RSVP volunteer drivers do have the ability to accept or decline transportation requests coordinated by the RSVP Coordinator. The Elderbridge Agency on Aging and the Iowa Department of Human Services supplement support for the Northwest Iowa RSVP transportation program. The Clay County Board of Supervisors and the United Way of Spencer provide support as well. Iowa Lakes Community College, the local sponsor of RSVP since 1977, provides office space on the Spencer campus.

To become an RSVP driver or learn more about the transportation program, contact Dorothy DeGroot, RSVP Coordinator in Clay County at (712) 262-8858 or [email protected] by July 15. An online RSVP volunteer registration form may also be accessed at iowalakes.edu/rsvp.

Clay County fair names dirt track lineup

The Sleep Number Grandstand will showcase multiple fan favorite dirt events, including tractor pulls, IMCA races, and the return of sprint cars during the nine days of the 2021 Clay County Fair, Sept. 11-19.

The Antique Tractor Pull will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 14 at 8 a.m., and will be free to all fairgoers. The Battle of the Blue Ribbon featuring the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series and the Tri-State Late Models returns that evening. Hot laps start at 7 p.m., with racing to follow.

Racing continues on Wednesday, Sept. 15 with the IMCA Blue Ribbon Showdown. Hot laps will start at 7 p.m., with racing to follow. This will be the final night for IMCA class racing for the 2021 season at the Clay County Fair Speedway. IMCA classes include Hobby Stocks, Sports Mods, Modifieds, Stock Cars and Sports Compacts.

"We are also excited to welcome the Lucas Oil ASCS to the fair for the first time on Family Night, which means free admission to the fair after 5 p.m.," said Fair Manager Jeremy Parsons in a news release.

The season championships of the Outlaw Truck & Tractor Pullers Association will serve as the grand finale in the Sleep Number Grandstand on Sunday, Sept. 19 beginning at 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. One ticket is good for both sessions.

Tickets for all dirt events are on sale now.