Winter 2026

Snowfall creates different emotions for people, but for those who love to play in it, there is an extra level of excitement and adventure. In Northwest Iowa, there are limited hills for snowmobiling but many riders enjoy riding the trails or riverbeds. Others pack up their mountain sleds and head out west. These experiences create…

At the beginning of the 20th century, iceboxes were used to preserve perishable items. Numerous Ice businesses throughout the upper Midwest would harvest ice from the lakes and then deliver them to nearby families, as well as via rail or by truck to communities all over the United States. In the Iowa Great Lakes area,…

For generations of couples, Nelson Jewelry in Spencer has been part of some of life’s most meaningful moments. Owned and operated by fifth-generation jeweler Tom Nelson, the family business traces its roots back to 1885 in Forest City, Iowa. The Spencer location has been serving customers since 1928, and for Tom, the work goes far…

Beautiful roses lined the path along the crystal blue waters of West Lake Okoboji. Little notes filled with memories and Bible verses lay scattered amongst the red petals. It was a dream come true for Ryan Maris and Isabel Jimenez. On August 21, 2025, Ryan surprised Izzy with over 500 roses, one rose for every…

Boji Underwater Recovery Specialists Answer the Call When Vehicles Vanish Below the Ice For most people, Winter Games in the Iowa Great Lakes mean snowmobiles, ATVs, cheering crowds and frozen-lake fun. For Boji Underwater Recovery Specialists, it means something very different: icy water, zero visibility, and a race to bring vehicles up from under the…

An orange ball drew Lucas and Brooke (Smith) Lorenzen together during high school. At the time, Lucas was a junior at Okoboji and Brooke a junior at Spirit Lake and both were passionate about basketball. A mutual friend suggested the two should connect, so Lucas first reached out via social media in September 2020, when…

“Carson and I have known each other for a long time,” Grace shared. “While in high school, our paths didn’t cross much as he was a year older and we had different friend groups, but that changed after I graduated from high school.” The summer after Grace’s freshman year at Northwestern College in Orange City,…

Today’s engagement ring journey often begins together. Couples step into Spirit Lake Silver and Gold to dream, browse, and explore the styles she loves. Inspiration is shared through screenshots, reels, and saved posts, turning the experience into a moment of discovery, learning her style, asking questions, and savoring the excitement of what’s to come. “Often,…

For this Lake Life Review, I packed my sewing machine, way too much fabric, and my favorite sidekick—my twin sister Sarah, as my #along. This review actually has two stars. First up is Joni and her beautiful quilt shop, Clover Cottage. She somehow moves 90% of her store into the Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp each…