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The American White Pelicans have returned to Pine Lake where they will spend about two weeks before heading north, flying as far away as Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada. They will be back in the fall, spending a week or so resting on the Pine Lake before heading south to Texas and Arkansas. A large group of pelicans is referred to as a pouch, scoop, squadron, brief, pod or flock. These pelicans were swimming amongst the Canada geese on Lower Pine Lake, and a larger group was spotted hugging the edge of the island. Elaine Loring/Herald-Ledger photo

ELDORA - If it’s not one thing it’s another. Pine Lake State Park and its grounds are still trying to recover from massive damage done to the foliage during that 2009 hailstorm. Numerous species were all but wiped out, including some of the namesake white pine around the lake. Park staff, volunteers and state agencies have been setting aside summers and dollars for repopulation efforts ever since.

And now comes the Emerald Ash Borer.

As spring nears, a drive through the campground immediately slaps the onlooker with a new wide-open sky.

ELDORA – South Hardin High School junior and homeschooled student, Elizabeth Stanish, 17, participated in the Iowa High School Music Association Small Group State Music Contest at Aplington-Parkersburg High School on April 2.

For each “center” (that usually has about 40-50 performances), the judge is given the opportunity to choose one performance as Best of Center. Elizabeth won Best of Center for her clarinet solo in Center 3 and then also won Best of Center for her piano solo in Center 1.