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Congratulations graduates

The annual ritual of high school graduation is upon us. On Sunday, several area schools, including St. Edmond Catholic School, Manson Northwest Webster High School, Southeast Valley High School and others, will hold their commencement exercises. Each ceremony is a familiar ritual. Excited graduates in caps and gowns will arrive to the accompaniment of “Pomp and Circumstance.” Friends and relatives sitting in the stands will nudge each other and say “Look, there she is.” Hundreds of photos will be snapped. There will be speeches, and it’s a pretty safe bet that someone ...

It’s a good time to enjoy our parks

Saturday is National Kids to Parks Day. This is a countrywide celebration organized annually by the National Park Trust “to connect kids and families with their local, state and national parks and public lands.” It has helped popularize these wonderful outdoor recreational venues since 2011. In conjunction with the national festivities, this weekend the Fort Dodge Recreation Department and Webster County Conservation are putting on a scavenger hunt throughout six area parks — both well-known ones and some not visited as often. Details about how to participate in the scavenger ...

May is Beef Month in Iowa

As we enter the month of May, it is worth noting that it is a time to celebrate an important meat product. May is Beef Month. For many of us, every month is a time to partake of a food that ranks high on the list of culinary favorites. It’s no secret that Americans have a love affair with beef. That’s been true for generations and the demand for this tasty and healthy product is on the rise — up about 15 percent in the last decade. The passion for beef is widely shared. It is the beef industry’s vital role in the state’s economy, however, that warrants special ...

Sign up for fun at Frontier Days

Mention Frontier Days and perhaps the first thing that comes to mind for many people is the massive parade that moves down almost the entire length of Central Avenue. It’s a signature part of a traditional three-day event that celebrates the frontier heritage of Fort Dodge and truly launches the summer season. In addition to the parade, Frontier Days features music, food, games and live entertainment at the Fort Museum and Frontier Village. The 2024 version of Frontier Days is a little more than a month away. It will be held May 31, June 1 and June 2. The theme for this year, which ...

Earth Day unites more than it divides

The late 1960s were turbulent years in America. It was a time of rapid change when young protesters expressed disillusionment with many aspects of the world their elders had built. The divisions in society that emerged from those conflicts decades ago still haunt our society in the 21st century. Some of the emotional scars from those bitter disputes will influence American politics well into the future. There is, however, one legacy of those chaotic times that unites rather than divides us — Earth Day. The first Earth Day was April 22, 1970. Today marks 54 years of Earth ...

Brushy Creek State Recreation Area to get $2 million in upgrades

Brushy Creek State Recreation Area has something to offer for everyone who likes to get outside for some fun and relaxation. The sprawling 6,000 acre park in southeastern Webster County offers plenty of room to ride your horse or your mountain bike. Its massive lake beckons people to go fishing, kayaking or swimming. Its location south of U.S. Highway 20 makes it easily accessible to a big portion of Iowa’s population. That’s why a recent announcement by the state Department of Natural Resources was such welcome news. That agency announced that it would spend $2 million over ...