July/August 2021

Summer is here!!! I love the sun and warm temperatures. It’s a great time to enjoy gatherings of family, friends and neighbors. An easy way to entertain is to organize a potluck meal. Going to parks and other locations makes it easy as no one has to feel obligated to clean their house. Having a…

The thrill of flying through the glistening blue water hooks many water enthusiasts. The high winds lift the colorful kites high into the air and pull the surfers soaring through the rising waves. Over the past 20 years, a passion for kitesurfing has grabbed ahold of a group of men and women in the Iowa…

A hub of activity for over 70 years, a popular spot in downtown Lakefield received a facelift this past year. Dudley’s Garage opened its doors June 18 during Lakefield’s Summerfest to a swarm of excited customers. The charm of yesterday fill the walls of Dudley’s Garage. Formerly known as Hage’s Oil and Bowlers Inn and…

On any given summer weekend, you will find a group of teenage boys hustling around serving pizzas on the Mau Marine gas dock. Located on the west side of East Lake Okoboji, these local entrepreneurs are quickly creating, baking, and serving Neapolitan-style pizza pies to the Iowa Great Lakes. The Creation Last spring, William Alexander…

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry I have so much to say about this beautiful book! First of all, I was in a huge reading slump before I picked it up, barely reading at all. People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry could not have been a better choice to pull me…

Excitement Fills the Air for an Upcoming Park in the Iowa Great Lakes! It may seem like a huge undertaking for some people but Hope Rolls – Dickinson County is excited to raise a million dollars for an accessible community playground for all ages and abilities located near the Spirit Lake football, baseball, and softball…

“The 2021 Iowa Miss Amazing Jr. Miss Queen is….Megan Vierkant!” As she was crowned by her sister Maddie, excitement filled the room and her family and friends cheered with joy. “I was thinking that’s my name! They called my name,” Megan said excitedly. “I was so happy! Everyone was so happy for me!” On Friday,…

Ron Heiman is an engineer, inventor and entrepreneur. He is president of Sioux Falls-based Heiman Fire Equipment, G3 Fire and distributor for Rosenbauer International. He makes things you can’t live without, whether you realize it or not! Heiman Inc. sells or manufactures everything you would see in a fire hall: from helmets and rubber boots…

In high school, Cassidy Howard was unsure of his future. Several friends mentioned joining them in the National Guard, and it was something he was strongly considering. Then September 11, 2001 took place. “This event made it clear to me that the military was something I wanted to do,” Cassidy shared. “After the first few…

Cyclists Fight the Battle Against Human Trafficking in Iowa Megan met a man online and traveled a long way to meet him. During their “relationship,” he forced her to become addicted to heroin and then began trafficking her for sexual exploitation to various cities around the United States. Megan’s mother felt frantic and helpless as…