Summer 2026

My name is Jennie Stevenson and my husband and I live in Spencer where I am an academic interventionist for the schools. We have two children who are in all the activities that keep us busy. I’ve been an avid reader since watching Reading Rainbow while growing up in the 90s! I love getting recommendations…

For over a hundred years, the spirit of Okoboji has been gliding across the glistening blue waters of the Iowa Great Lakes. These special “Monarchs” are moving landmarks and hold a special place of honor upon our waters. Lake Life Okoboji is featuring a three-part series on these iconic boats and their captains, in honor…

No matter the location, Topog Coffeehouse has become a place to unwind and relax from the busyness of life. Owners Jeremy and Kelcey Morrison have worked hard to create a restful haven for their guests, first opening on historic Lake Street in Arnolds Park in 2021, and then their new location with indoor/outdoor seating and…

At the heart of day-to-day operations at Arnolds Park Amusement Park is a man who prefers to stay behind the scenes. He isn’t front and center but his leadership and responsibilities oversee everything from rides, facility, grounds, and Queen II maintenance. For the past 13 years, Jordan Furman has worked at the Amusement Park and…

Whether you are cleaning your clothes or washing your hands, it’s reassuring to know the ingredients being used to generate cleanliness. These thoughts are what prompted Julie Chicoine to pursue soap making in 2009. “While raising our family, I began to understand the potentially unhealthy ingredients in different types of soaps and wanted to find…

I am so pleased to bring the Book Reviews back to Lake Life Okoboji! My name is Jennie Stevenson. My husband and I live in Spencer where I am an academic interventionist for the schools. We have two children who are in all the activities that keep us busy. I’ve been an avid reader since…

Tackling the difficult has been a common trait for a pair of young entrepreneurs. In 2024, college students Bode Higgins and Ella Turner saw a firsthand need in the Iowa Great Lakes and are now entering season three with their business, Lakeside Services, LLC. Lakeweed build-up can make a lakeshore uninviting and difficult to navigate.…

Hanging Around (Literally): Trying Aerial Yoga in Spirit Lake Confession time. Joy and I had been talking about doing a Lake Life Review on aerial yoga for a while. You know how those ideas go, “maybe next year… when I’m a little more fit… a little more ready…” Well, a year passed, and nothing changed…