I loved being outside when I was a kid. There were, at one time, a baker's dozen of kids on the block I grew up on, all within five to seven years of each other. Everyone had some form of wheels, whether a bike, skates (or skateboards), wagon or scooter. There were endless games of kick the can, hide and seek, hopscotch, and jump rope. We would play from one yard to the next until the last bit of daylight was gone and mothers started calling names to come home for the night. When I look back on it, I wonder if we all were trying to squeeze out every precious moment of freedom the summer had to offer after having spent the school year behind desks in the classroom.
June in Fort Dodge brings many opportunities for fun in the great outdoors. This month the Friends of Oakland Cemetery will host the 8th Annual Oakland Cemetery Ghost Walk. It's a chance to get outside with family and friends and tour one of Fort Dodge's most historic places. You'll learn about some of the characters who make up our city's past by listening to their tales. Get the details in Julie Busby's feature story.
One of the things that sets Fort Dodge apart from many surrounding communities is the percentage of green space which has been set aside for use as public parks. June is a great month to get out and explore the parks and all the amenities they have to offer. This month brings the opportunity to support the ongoing preservation and improvement of these jewels. Rochelle Green, local photographer, and her husband, Jeffrey Halter, invite you and your family to consider having a family portrait taken at Loomis Park during "Portraits in the Park" fundraiser.
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With school out for summer (shortly), Fort Dodge Today is stepping into some non-traditional classrooms to bring you the story of teachers who are busy during these months. This month Julie Busby introduces us to Ellie Savery who teaches swimming.
Robert Wolf presents Andy and Janice Birkland. The Birklands are active at their church, New Covenant Christian. They are spreading the word about the SHARE program which offers incentives to people for volunteering.
If you'll be spending time outdoors in the days and weeks ahead, don't miss Dr. Carey Bligard's advice on staying safe in the sun. There's more than sunscreen to consider when it comes to protecting you and your loved ones from the potential danger of cancers caused by exposure to the sun's radiation.
Outdoor living includes time spent grilling. The Iowa Beef Council offers some tips for getting that great steakhouse taste at home. Recipes from the Cattlemen's Beef Association are sure to please. If you need more inspiration, be sure to check out the barbeque items we found around town in this month's photo montage.
There's a lot to do!