The Okoboji Project

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**The Okoboji Project**

The Iowa Great Lakes story is a vibrant quilt woven from the threads of American history: railroad tycoons and boat builders, the U.S.-Dakota War, every beat of American music culture, evolutions in biology, and countless summer memories.

Latest Episodes:

The Life of the Lakes Jun 25, 2025

Show notes

The Iowa Great Lakes region: shaped by ice, studied for over a century... and still revealing new discoveries.

Check out more videos, maps, and illustrations about The Iowa Great Lakes' glacial history on our blog.

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Explore incredible resources and community events at the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory. Or learn how to get involved with CLAMP!

Read a preview of The Iowa Great Lakes Water Diagnostic Study from the Iowa Geological Survey (IGS).

Donate to support the IGS and their work across Iowa.

Guest: Keith Schilling, State Geologist and Director of IGS

Phillip Kerr, Quaternary Geologist at IGS

Thomas Doyle, Hydrogeologist at IGS

Mary Skopec, Executive Director of The Lakeside Laboratory

The Flood of '93 Jun 11, 2025

Show notes

In northwest Iowa, The Flood of ’93 left more than damage. In 2024, those lessons rose with the water.

Watch The Sandbag Summer and explore more stories on our blog.

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Donate to Spencer's Flood Relief Disaster Fund.

Launched by the Spencer Chamber Foundation, this fund supports local organizations helping the community recover, providing emergency housing, cleanup, repairs, and more. Your donation goes directly where it’s needed most.

Follow Clay County Long Term Recovery on Facebook to stay up-to-date on all the ways to get involved and give back.

Guest: Curtis Dean, former News and Public Affairs Director for KICD

Her Majesty, The Queen May 28, 2025

Show notes

The Queen isn’t a monarch—she’s a boat. A moving landmark, carrying the spirit of Okoboji. But her story is anything but smooth sailing.

Explore more stories from The Queen and The Queen II on our blog.

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Get your tickets to ride The Queen II this summer. And make plans to stop by the Maritime Museum in Arnolds Park to soak up even more of this incredible history.

Guests: Jon Pausley, CEO of Historic Arnolds Park

Rory Marra, Captain of The Queen II

The Legend of The Loon Lake Cemetery May 14, 2025

Show notes

The Loon Lake Cemetery was active for just fifty years, but a single myth reshaped its memory. We trace the records, names, and lives behind the legend.

Explore more stories from The Loon Lake Cemetery on our blog.

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Visit The Jackson County Historical Society in Lakefield, Minnesota. And consider making a gift to power their outstanding programs and scholarships.

Guests: Nick Riordan, Director of The Jackson County Historical Society

The Okoboji Foundation Apr 30, 2025

Show notes

What do bike trails, an art center, and (several!) clean water projects have in common? A group of locals who rolled up their sleeves four decades ago.

Explore some of our favorite community projects supported by the Foundation on our blog.

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Love Okoboji? So do we. Visit The Okoboji Foundation’s website and follow them on Facebook to see how locals and lake lovers are making a difference—together.

Guests: Tom Bedell, Entrepreneur and Co-Founder of The Okoboji Foundation

Sue Richter, First President of The Okoboji Foundation

Mindy Gress, President of The Okoboji Foundation

Ali Schmitz, Administrative Director of The Okoboji Foundation

Mark and Polly Peterson, Former Board Chairs

Holly Skopec, Co-Creator of Youth in Philanthropy

The Okoboji Store Apr 16, 2025

Show notes

For over a century, one lakeside store has stood at the crossroads of East and West Lake Okoboji. In this episode, we trace the history of The Okoboji Store, the families whose stories are built into its walls, and what it reveals about how this place has changed—and what’s stayed the same.

Explore photos from every era of The Okoboji Store on our blog.
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Visit The Okoboji Store this summer! And follow them on Instagram and Facebook for the latest events. (Psst... Get the Store Burger or the Walleye Sandwich when you visit.)

Guests: Jill Little, member of The Wilson Family

Alex Ewen, member of The Wilson Family

Julie Andres and Susan Mau, Co-Owners of The Okoboji Store

The Pearson Lakes Art Center Apr 04, 2025

Show notes

How did a community of fewer than 20,000 residents build an art center that feels like it belongs in a big city? The Pearson Lakes Art Center's history is a testament to Okoboji's deep creative spirit.

Explore the artists and people intertwined with the Pearson Lakes Art Center's history on our blog.
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Pick up your copy of Jonathan's book at The Little Red Gift Gallery!

Plan your visit to the Pearson Lakes Art Center and explore classes for all ages.

Guests: Jonathan Reed, Author and Historian

Nancy Cook, former Director of PLAC

Sue Richter, first President of The Okoboji Foundation

Danielle Clouse Gast, Visual Arts Director at The Pearson Lakes Art Center

Holly Zinn Hample, Education Director at Pearson Lakes Art Center

A Night Out in 1952 Jul 03, 2024

Show notes

Hop in the Chevy! We're taking you to the hottest spots in town for our season finale!
Meet the whole cast of characters and explore these incredible party destinations on our blog.
Support us on Patreon to hear bonus Okoboji Project stories.
Sign up for our weekly newsletter and never miss an episode of The Okoboji Project!
Guests: Bob Boettcher and Don Gregerson

Saving Arnolds Park: Part 2 Jun 26, 2024

Show notes

Six weeks. $7 million. How did a small Iowa community save one of the country's oldest amusement parks?
Explore news coverage of Save the Park's thrilling story, plus Sue's iconic photo, on our blog.
Supporting us on Patreon to hear bonus Okoboji Project stories.
Sign up for our weekly newsletter and never miss an episode of The Okoboji Project!
Guests: Sue Richter, The Three Sons
Toby Shine, Okoboji Classic Cars
John Paulsey, CEO of Arnolds Park Amusement Park
Rebecca Peters, Local Music Historian

Building Arnolds Park: Part 1 Jun 19, 2024

Show notes

Stories, memories, and milestones from the first 100 years of Arnolds Park.
Visit every era of Arnolds Park's history with photos on our blog.
Supporting us on Patreon to hear bonus Okoboji Project stories.
Sign up for our weekly newsletter and never miss an episode of The Okoboji Project!
Guests: Toby Shine, Okoboji Classic Cars

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The Iowa Great Lakes story is a vibrant quilt woven from the threads of American history: railroad tycoons and boat builders, the U.S.-Dakota War, every beat of American music culture, evolutions in biology, and countless summer memories.

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