04/21/22: Area Happenings & Accomplishments

Volunteers needed

The summer baseball and softball program in Hartley is need of coaches and umpires for the summer season. The rec department is also in need of a director.

See the ads on Page 3 for more details.

"Station Eleven" is next book club pick

Between the Covers Book Club will be discussing "Station Eleven" by Emily St. John Mandel on Tuesday, April 26, at 5 p.m. in the front room of the Hartley Public Library. If a location change is needed due to ongoing renovations at the library, it will be announced on the library's Facebook page and a note will be put on the front door.

In this award-winning book, Canadian author Emily St. John Mandel introduces readers to Kirsten Raymonde who will never forget the night Arthur Leander, the famous Hollywood actor, had a heart attack on stage during a production of "King Lear." That was the night when a devastating flu pandemic arrived in the city and within weeks, civilization as we know it came to an end.

Twenty years later, Kirsten moves between the settlements of the altered world with a small troupe of actors and musicians. They call themselves The Traveling Symphony and have dedicated themselves to keeping the remnants of art and humanity alive. But when they arrive in St. Deborah by the Water, they encounter a violent prophet who will threaten the tiny band's existence. And as the story takes off, moving back and forth in time and vividly depicting life before and after the pandemic, the strange twist of fate that connects them all will be revealed.

Inducted into Phi Kappa Phi at ISU

Lauren Davis, of Sanborn, was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society in the United States. Davis was initiated at Iowa State University in Ames.

Davis is among approximately 25,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the Top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the Top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

Phi Kappa Phi has chapters on more than 325 campuses. Its mission is "to recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others."

Another NCC program ranks in Top 10

The Accounting Program at Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon has been named No. 6 on the list of Best Online Associate in Accounting Degrees in the nation by BestAccreditedColleges.org.

BestAccreditedColleges.org considered hundreds of institutions across the country and ranked NCC using data related to financial aid awards, the quality of education, faculty, campus resources, and other factors.

Data points include cost of attendance, accessibility, quality and value.

Vehicle collides with tractor

The Clay County Sheriff's Office was called to investigate an accident that occurred at the intersection of U.S. Highway 71 and B40, at approximately 10:54 a.m. on April 11.

The report stated that Kevin Fahnlander, 55, of Royal, was driving a 2017 International MX140 tractor eastbound and failed to yield upon leaving a stop sign at the intersection. His view was blocked by a vehicle turning west onto B40.

At that time, Craig Fredin, 63, of Carlisle, was driving south in the 3900 mile of Highway 71. He swerved his 2017 Ford Explorer but the driver's side of the vehicle struck the back of the tractor.

No injuries were reported. Damage to Explorer was estimated at $8,000. There was no damage to the tractor owned by Fahnlander Farms, Inc. Fahnlander was cited for Failing to Obey a Stop Sign and Yield Right of Way.

Attempts to avoid accident fail

The O'Brien County Sheriff's Office investigated a two-vehicle accident that occurred at 3:37 p.m. on April 11.

According to the report, a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Kenneth N. Benson, 34, of Morrison, Ill., was northbound on Iowa 143 and slowed to make a right turn onto 490th Street. Benson noticed a vehicle behind him was not slowing so he attempted to make the turn at a high rate of speed to avoid a collision but could not turn in time.

The driver of the second vehicle, Baily Rae DeBoer, 18, of Granville, stated to the deputy that Benson never turned his signal on and appeared to be turning but then turned back into the northbound lane. She tried to brake to avoid the accident but was unable to stop.

Neither driver was injured. Damage to the 2003 Dodge Neon driven by DeBoer was estimated at $4,000. Estimated damage to the Silverado was $3,000.

Iowa's address confidentiality program protects sexual assault survivors

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is reminding Iowans that address confidentiality is available for those needing an extra layer of protection.

Iowa's Safe at Home program provides a substitute address for survivors of sexual abuse domestic violence, assault, trafficking and stalking. The program is administered by Pate's office.

One in five women and one in 38 men have experienced rape or attempted rape in their lifetime, according to the CDC. Last year in Iowa, there were nearly 3,000 convictions for sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking. It is an issue in all 99 counties.

Participants' Safe at Home address replaces their actual physical address, making it much more difficult for their abusers to find them. Participants also receive a mail forwarding service and confidential voter registration.

The Secretary of State's Office is partnering with Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) across the state to provide information directly to survivors. A SANE is a registered nurse who has specialized training to assist sexual assault victims. They are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week and provide compassionate, culturally sensitive treatment, and collect medical evidence.

Iowa's Safe at Home program currently has more than 1,200 participants across 73 counties. This includes men, women and children from various age groups and races. It was launched in January of 2016. Roughly 40 states provide address confidentiality or confidential voter registration. To learn more about Iowa's program, visit SafeatHome.Iowa.gov.

Republicans win Iowa Youth Straw Poll

More than 10,000 students across Iowa made their voices heard about the upcoming election by participating in Secretary of State Paul Pate's Iowa Youth Straw Poll last week. Students in K-12 schools were invited to vote for their preferred candidates in Iowa's congressional and gubernatorial races.

Incumbent Republican Chuck Grassley led all candidates in the U.S. Senate race with 40 percent of the vote. Republican Jim Carlin finished second with 23 percent. Democrat Abby Finkenauer garnered 19 percent.

Incumbent Gov. Kim Reynolds easily won the gubernatorial race, with 65 percent of the vote.

Iowa's four U.S. Congressional races were also polled, with Republicans leading in three of the four districts. Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks defeated Christina Bohannan in the First District, 64-36 percent. Ashley Hinson picked up 69 percent of the vote in the Second Congressional District, with Liz Mathis garnering 31 percent.

Democrat Cindy Axne edged Republican Nicole Hasso by 17 votes in the Third District, 29-28 percent. Combined, Republicans Hasso, Gary Leffler and Zach Nunn picked up 1,535 votes, compared to Axne's 625.

Republican Randy Feenstra led in the Fourth District with 66 percent.

Traditionally, the Iowa Youth Straw Poll has served as a strong indicator of how the actual elections will shape up.

Walleye season opens May 7 on Iowa's Great Lakes

The 146th walleye fishing season officially opens May 7 at Spirit Lake, East and West Okoboji lakes.

Walleye season opens the first Saturday in May and runs through Feb. 14 each year on Spirit Lake, East Okoboji Lake and West Okoboji Lake. The protected slot limit on walleyes changed this year to 19 to 25 inches, with only one walleye over 25 inches allowed per day. Unlike the walleye season, the protected slot limit applies to Spirit Lake, East and West Okoboji Lake, Upper and Lower Gar Lake and Minnewashta Lake. The daily limit is three walleyes with a possession limit of six.

The walleye season will be opening in the Iowa Great Lakes, but the lakes offer great fishing for a variety of other species. Panfish, northern pike, and smallmouth and largemouth bass fishing can be very good as the water warms. Water levels on the Okoboji chain are near full pool, but Spirit Lake remains about 22 inches low. Use caution around shorelines and points and while loading and unloading boats at public ramps.

For many anglers, this will be their first trip on the water for the season. Check the safety equipment and make sure the boat is ready to get on the water. Boaters should also make sure their boat registration has been renewed at their local county recorder's office.

The Iowa Great Lakes Chamber of Commerce will host the 40th annual Great Walleye Weekend Fishing Contest in conjunction with the opener. For more information on the contest, visit their website at https://okobojichamber.com/walleye-weekend/.

Parkinson's disease program at Bedell Family YMCA

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will offer "A Journey through Parkinson's Disease," a three-session educational series, from 1-2 p.m. on Wednesdays, May 11, 18 and 25 at the Bedell Family YMCA in Spirit Lake. The program is free and open to the public.

Approximately 1.5 million Americans and 10 million people worldwide live with Parkinson's disease. Approximately 60,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed each year.

"Growing older is the greatest risk factor for acquiring Parkinson's disease and many people live with symptoms for several years before being diagnosed," said Sue Boettcher, Dickinson County Extension Human Sciences Program Coordinator, in a news release. "Often people in early stages of Parkinson's disease assume their symptoms are part of normal aging or are due to other health problems they may have, such as arthritis. However, early Parkinson's disease symptoms may not be that apparent and may even come and go. Frequently it is the spouse or other relatives who first notice slight problems with a loved one's movements."

"A Journey through Parkinson's Disease" will provide interactive learning about Parkinson's disease, its symptoms, effects, possible treatments, and therapeutic activities that can be done from home. The program will be done in three 45-minute sessions once-a-week.

Boettcher said participants will find support and learn about the signs of Parkinson's disease and how to seek medical care for themselves or a loved one. Participants will also better understand how treatments and alternative therapies can work to delay the progression of Parkinson's disease.

There is no charge to attend but registration is requested to ensure adequate space and materials. To register for the program, contact Boettcher at (712) 336-3488 or email [email protected].

Parenting workshops available online

Research conducted by Zero to Three found that parents need and want information and support. Eighty percent of parents work to be better parents, and 69 percent of parents say if they knew more parenting strategies, they would use them. Despite this motivation, however, almost half of parents say they aren't getting the support they need during times of stress.

The Science of Parenting team from Iowa State University has scheduled online workshops to help parents learn strategies to use. The three workshops are Positive Discipline, Children's Ages and Parenting Stages, and Understanding Temperament.

These three workshops all focus on the objective of sharing research-based information that fits each family's own reality. The first workshop addresses the common question of "How do I practice positive discipline and manage my child's behavior?" The second helps parents and caregivers better understand child development, and the third is all about temperament, or the unique traits we all have and how to navigate them.

Positive Discipline is scheduled online for Tuesday, April 26 from noon-1 p.m. Register online at https://go.iastate.edu/HGH3H4 by April 22. This class is approved for foster parent credit hours.

Children's Ages and Parenting Stages will take place online Tuesday, May 3 from noon-1 p.m. Register by April 29 at https://go.iastate.edu/R7G1FO.

Understanding Temperament will be held online Tuesday, May 10 from noon-1 p.m. Register at https://go.iastate.edu/K7RA8I by May 6.

These workshops are free for participants but you are asked to register ahead of time to receive the class link and materials.

For more information visit http://www.scienceofparenting.org or contact Mackenzie DeJong at (712) 541-8737 or [email protected].

Mogen's Heroes in concert at Milford church

St. Joseph's Arts Council will present Mogen's Heroes on Sunday, May 1, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Milford, as part of its series of sacred arts presentations. Doors will open at 3:30 p.m. and the free concert will begin at 4 p.m.

The South Dakota trio will share their fine-tuned harmonies and instrumentals from treasured hymns to contemporary gospel and country gospel. A reception will follow in the St. Joseph Parish Center.

Mogen's Heroes adopted "having fun making music" 42 years ago. John Mogen, who founded the band, plays keyboards, Denny Gale is featured on guitar and Bill Hoffman plays drums and adds vocal harmonies.

Mogan's Heroes entertains at county fairs, the South Dakota State Fair, wedding dances and art festivals. They also play at Okoboji's Rock the Roof annually. The trio was inducted into the South Dakota Rock and Roll Music Association Hall of Fame in 2018.

Seasonal protective items available

The Iowa Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (I-CASH) has distributed spring seasonal protective items to local ISU Extension and Outreach offices. Local farmers are welcome to pick up free items which focus on protecting oneself while operating a tractor.

"We hope that tractor operators will think about all aspects of prevention as they gear up for spring planting," said I-CASH Director Brandi Janssen in a news release. "Skin cancers are on the rise in Iowa, so sun protection is very important during spring's newly long and sunny days. Noise induced hearing loss affects many farmers; a tractor, with or without a cab, can cause exposure to noise levels that could cause irreversible hearing loss. Finally, a Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS) is the best way to reduce the risk of injury or death in the event of a tractor rollover."

The free items, which include hearing and sun protection, are available at Extension offices throughout the state.

Janssen said that I-Cash also has limited funding available to provide rebates for Iowa farmers to install ROPS on their old tractors through the National ROPS Rebate Program.

For more information visit http://www.i-cash.org or http://www.ropsr4u.com.