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6 days ago | 
nwestiowa.com | Kate Harlow
OkoboBee Honey offers up locally farmed honeyThere are many who say that the farmlands of Iowa are the land of milk and honey. And in the last few years, there’s been more honey. All thanks to local honeybee farmers Doug and LaCinda Nielsen who own and operate OkoboBee Honey. They caught the buzz about 10 years ago. The Nielsens live year round in their home near Terrace Park. Doug grew up between Milford and Everly and graduated from Milford High School. LaCinda grew up in Sheldon.
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6 days ago | 
nwestiowa.com | Kate Harlow
Kris Walker and Kathy McGill focus on flavor and friendsKris Walker and Kathy McGill are sisters who live by their mother’s mantra when it comes to dinnertime – it’s not what’s on the table that is important; it’s who’s around it. But honestly, what’s on the table at Kris and Kathy’s, is pretty darn good. The twin sisters grew up in Algona, but spent plenty of time in Okoboji in the summers as their parents had a place in the Iowa Great Lakes. Now both live here year round.
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6 days ago | 
nwestiowa.com | Kate Harlow
Sweet Memories of Okoboji offers sweet treats in Arnolds ParkLife is sweet for David Koepp. The owner of Sweet Memories of Okoboji, also known as the Black Walnut Taffy shop helps spread joy through the various candies sold at his business on Lake Street during the warm summer months at Historic Arnolds Park. It’s a skill he’s been perfecting for 40 years.
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1 week ago | 
nwestiowa.com | Kate Harlow
Live at the Lake kicks off with Rock a la Carte on May 31It’s time once again to rock out on the shores of West Okoboji. Live at the Lake is back for a summer of free concerts at Preservation Plaza in Arnolds Park. The first concert to kick it all off will take place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 31. They are bringing back a fan favorite. Rock a la Carte will take the stage.
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1 week ago | 
nwestiowa.com | Kate Harlow
Watercolor painting class set for May 29 at Round Lake VineyardTake a breath and enjoy some peace with a paint brush in your hand. Round Lake Vineyards & Winery will be hosting an adult watercolor painting class focused on painting koi fish. The class will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 29, and costs $32. The class will be hosted and led by local artist Caroline Porter. “I grew up around the Twin Cities but have lived all around the Midwest.
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1 week ago | 
nwestiowa.com | Kate Harlow
Animal House hosts five beach clean ups this summerMany hands make light work. And the work that will be done is cleaning up the beaches of the Iowa Great Lakes. Animal House, the clothing and apparel boutique located in the Central Emporium, will be hosting their annual beach clean up at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 28. The organizers are inviting everyone to meet next to Bob’s in Arnolds Park rain or shine to work together to clean up the beaches in the Iowa Great Lakes.
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2 weeks ago | 
nwestiowa.com | Kate Harlow
Dick Bauman Big Band offers up weekly concerts during the summerThe Dick Bauman Big Band is back in the swing of things. Each summer from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the Dick Bauman Big Band entertains music lovers at the Pearson Lakes Art Center every Monday evening from 7-9 p.m. There is open seating and a dance floor for those looking to kick up their heels. Admission is $10.
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3 weeks ago | 
nwestiowa.com | Kate Harlow
Family Nature Night set for May 16Summer is a great time to unplug. Leave the tech at home and head outside. Immerse yourself in the wonders of the great outdoors. Families have a chance to do that together at Horseshoe Bend Wildlife Area near Milford as a part of the Dickinson County Nature Center’s next Family Nature Night at 5 p.m. Friday, May 16. Families can lace up their tennis shoes and head out on a hike. There will be some hands-on activity stations that can be found throughout the hike.
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3 weeks ago | 
nwestiowa.com | Kate Harlow
Orange City Tulip Festival Queen looks forward to celebrating Dutch heritageElizabeth Top Swets was the very first Orange City Tulip Festival Queen in 1937. It’s a long and proud tradition with a new queen and court serving as goodwill ambassadors for the festival as well as symbols over the course of the weekend. This year’s Orange City Tulip Festival Queen is Jaelye Woudstra and here’s a little about her. Q: Tell me a little about yourself. A: I’m 18 years old.
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3 weeks ago | 
nwestiowa.com | Kate Harlow
Will there be lots of blooms for the Tulip Festival? The temperatures are rising. It’s an early summer heat wave and while that makes people want to grab their swimsuits and head to the beach it’s not great weather for some other things. Mainly, tulips. The mild winter and hot weather is combining to create a recipe for bad news for the state of the tulips for the annual Orange City Tulip Festival set to take place this year from May 15-17. We decided to talk to an expert.
