What a great night for northwest Iowa anglers at the Iowa Great Lakes Fishing Club’s annual fall DNR night held Thursday, Nov. 10, at Oak Hill Outdoors. Lots of information from club president Terry Thomsen about all of the volunteer fishing activities the club members had been a part of in 2022 and club donations to area fisheries.

I have read the entire Emergency Management Plan that has been put together by the Spirit Lake School District. We should be proud of the efforts that have been put forth with the idea of doing the best to protect our kids and keep them safe through all foreseeable emergencies. It is commendable that the school board is so passionate about keeping our future generations safe.

The most magical time of the year is here! Iowans will soon be gathering with friends and family to enjoy decorating our homes and spreading holiday cheer. Whether you’re celebrating this joyful holiday season by traveling or safely hosting family and friends, it’s a time to be thankful for those in our lives.

As we head into the holiday season, you might be ready to spend time with your lovely family. Maybe you have a really fun group and can’t wait to get together again. On the other hand, you might have a Christmas party with family that isn’t fun to face because of disagreements over the years. Even if you have division in your family, you can be the one who decides to stop putting another log on the fire of strife and begin a trend of peace.

“I took Duckworth to the dog show up in the city last weekend,” Dud said.

The other members of the Mule Barn truck stop’s world dilemma think tank and philosophy counter just looked at him.

Doc put it gently. “Dud, was this so he could get some inspiration on looking good?”

Last week, a young man at Spencer High School was allegedly at the urinal in the men’s room taking care of nature’s call when the door opened. According to comments from the student at the wall, in walked a biological girl who identifies as a male. What followed was unclear, but ultimately it led to the student who was in the restroom originally feeling very uncomfortable. He shared his discomfort with friends, school officials, his parents and others.

Pecan or pumpkin pie? Dark or light meat? Green bean casserole or mashed potatoes? These are typically the “tough” choices Iowans are forced to make each Thanksgiving. This year’s trimmings refer to the items being cut from the menu due to rising prices.

Q: How is Iowa integral to Thanksgiving?

Garden centers, florists and grocery stores are filling their shelves with a variety of holiday plants; a sure sign the holidays are approaching. This is the time of year to give, receive or fill your home with colorful poinsettias, Christmas cactus, cyclamen and other holiday plants. Extend their beauty and longevity with proper care.

When a renowned chef with a coastal island restaurant, complete with military-style, obedient staff invite a small group of well-to-do diners for an exclusive dining experience, the fabulous foodies get much more than a mouth watering meal.

Planning for Clay County Fair 2023 is well under way. While I only play a small part in the whole, I do believe it is an important part. We get to be part of a bridge from the adult world to the youth preparing to become a part of the adult working world. We have been working on goals in our committee meetings to make sure we are all working in the same direction.

My wife and I are at the stage in our lives where it is now-or-never as far as travel goes. My grandfather told me not to wait too long to travel as he had health issues later in life that messed up his plans to do so. I have been taking his advice. COVID shut us in so our travel itinerary got backed up. We have been making up for lost time and have many travel plans for 2023 ahead.

Well, it certainly looks as if the mild days of fall have departed. Even last Wednesday and Thursday, the temperatures were flirting with the 60s. Then we hit the wall. By this past Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the highs were in the upper 20s with lows in the lower teens. Snow flurries were even in the air. From now through Thanksgiving weekend, it looks to be more of the same with highs maybe getting into the low 30s and nighttime temperatures in the teens.

While some anglers are putting their fishing equipment away for the season, a few die-hard walleyes anglers are taking advantage of what can be some very good walleye action. The rivers that criss-cross Walleye Country can provide some outstanding walleye fishing through the fall and winter months. Here’s how you can take advantage of that action.

I am of the opinion that $10,000 to $20,000 in student loan debts should not be canceled. To do so just shifts the debt onto tax payers or to reduced income for seniors that purchased bonds that financed those debts. Students that borrowed the funds to pay for their education must pay back those loans the same as if they took on a loan to purchase a car or some other asset. Those that didn’t understand their obligation can now treat this experience as part of their valued education.