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Okoboji Online | Guestbook | Archive | July 2009

Archive July 2009

Tightwads!!	pay for it!!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at 9:56 AM Why has this site deteriorated into a space used primarily for free advertising? Was that the intention of the administrator when they founded this site? Please people... Let's exercise some intelligence here...and PAY for your advertising. Have you tightwads ever heard of a NEWSPAPER???

Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at 11:59 AM
I don't think people can be considered tightwads in this economy. This site is a great site for selling - AND buying goods and services. It keeps the money local and there is no middle man to pay for services that are unwarranted - especially when someone is selling for very little (or giving away) an item. It also promotes people to browse their website and look at other area businesses. I know I have browsed their restaurant listings many a time to pick a new place to eat on a Friday night. It's a great way to get out information when the papers won't publish your press release and charge hundreds of dollars for a small ad. If I want to sell an inexpensive item - this is the most economical way. And I feel good knowing that someone in the area is making use of my old unused item. So please keep this site up okoboji.com it's a meca for visitors, and citizens alike and I appreciate the free service!

another one

opinions valid

Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at 2:20 PM
Not only are newspapers and radio expensive mediums upon which to advertise, one would have to determine which one(s) would best serve their advertising dollars. That is prohibitive for many of the users of this site - because of time constraints and financial constraints. How about giving people who advertise on here thru the classifieds a break and just allow them to continue? It is great to have this no-cost service to get rid of your unwanted or no longer needed items. I am sure it keeps a great deal of useable/servicable stuff out of our local landfills and ditches. No one is being forced to read the classifieds, and if you choose to read them you have the option of choosing from several separate categories or the last 7 days, both of which work well for many people. Those who don't have an interest in the classifieds certainly are NOT required to read them.

Okay, here's

the REAL DEAL . . .

Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at 3:38 PM
Putting advertising on this *site* is fine, just not on the Guestbook portion. Also, I have sold radio for 25 years. Anyone who thinks that it is expensive has had no experience with it, or not enough. You need to compare apples to apples. Putting radio beside print is not. If you purchase a half page ad in the newspaper, it runs once, ONE TIME, okay? For the price you paid for that, you could probably "own" the radio station for an entire week or more. Radio is all about "Top of the Mind Awareness", somewhat subliminal if you will. Unlike a newspaper, people can take it virtually anywhere with them. It's an intrusive medium. Granted, some will tune out the commercials or songs they don't like. That's where a smart, well-done, repetitive message comes in. Print can't do that. But print is good for when a person is about to fall off the fence and actually buy!They're purposely looking for price and item, brought to that point by your messages on the radio. So yes, in a manner of speaking print and radio work well together, but radio IS more affordable. You have to look at it as an investment, not an expense. Sorry, I couldn't help myself. Hope you were enlightened and enjoyed my rant! =)

local	itdontwork.com
Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at 3:49 PM I agree that the price is right for advertising on this site but it would be nice if I could actually send an email to the party whose product I am interested in seeing. None of them work.

Mich

mich1232009@hotmail.com

Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at 11:35 PM
A couple of years ago we were at the lakes staying on west Lake over the week of the 4th of July..There was a very nice (quite large unadvertised fireworks show on a night or two before the 4th that we enjoyed from our boat. It looked to be coming from the Manhatten Beach area. We are back for this week and wondered if any of you locals know if this is going to be happening again this year on Thursday or Friday night?? Thanks and have a Happy and Safe 4th of July .!!!! Please email me details if you have them.. Thank You very much!!! mich1232009@hotmail.com

seriously?	...
Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at 11:36 PM ok its 3 days till July 4th and people only talked about prices on advertising? wow. lol. i think we need happier topics lol. i vow not to talk negitive,. Happy 4th of July week!!! Ill be working but ill be having fun at work and yes working at the same time......Be nice !! **carma*oh i guess ill be boating this weekend too or skiing

Thursday, July 2, 2009 at 7:51 AM
Do people actually still listen to the radio?? I didn't even think that was a relevant form of media anymore? I can't remember the last time I listened to the radio.. iPods and MP3 players have taken over the new generation of buyers. Maybe I am incorrect, but in my age group (late 20s and 30s) all of my friends have iPods and no longer listen to the radio. In fact I don't think our age group even subscribes to the paper, or very few do. Internet is really the new medium for any and all advertising and facebook seems to be dominating that with direct to consumer created advertising based on user profiles. But to each their own. I think a good mix of radio, newspaper and online advertising can be beneficial.. of course it only makes sense for those businesses which can afford it, not really very relevant to individual people selling low value items. Keep it up okoboji.com! We enjoy your services!!

mich	mich1232009@hotmail.com
Thursday, July 2, 2009 at 8:16 AM Sure would like to hear about Okoboji /Lakes area info on this site..dont care about your debates.. Thanks

To "a"

Yes!

Thursday, July 2, 2009 at 9:29 AM
Yes, people still listen to the radio. Sirius, etc. didn't end up hurting local radio because people still want their local news & weather, etc., and they like the variety of formats. I'm "old", but I love my iPod too!! Also, for your age group, most radio stations have a lot of online stuff as well. It's a wonderful world!! And to "Seriously" . . . what could be happier than music.

Yo Grace	>>>>>>
Saturday, July 4, 2009 at 10:08 AM Do your advertising in the classifieds section.

a	a
Monday, July 6, 2009 at 8:33 AM OKOBOJI.COM is AWESOME!!! Thanks for the great medium for local and tourist information! Hope everyone had a great 4th of July and stayed safe!

skippy	skippy@skipmail.net
Monday, July 6, 2009 at 12:29 PM Anyone hear how many people were in the lakes area for the 4th weekend?

Concerned

disturbed3169@gmail.com

Monday, July 6, 2009 at 7:33 PM
Just like the Civil Rights movement of the '60's - we too need jolt the system out of systematic discrimination. Murderers, rapists and child molesters all enjoy more rights than non-custodial parents. Non-custodial parents have no one to turn to - so it's time to take it to the streets. Child Support laws were first enacted in 1975 and since then, things have only gotten worse for the non-custodial parent. When you examine 1997-98 proposed legislation, you will see that it is simply making the current laws harsher (e.g. Senate bill 1371 turns failure to pay child support into a felony offense, H CON RES 182 legitimizes family dissolution). Instead of getting to the root cause and acknowledging that the system is unfair, discriminatory and highly destructive - they use it for their own personal gain. Politicians, lawyers, bureaucrats (Federal, State & County), special interest groups (NOW), psychologists and custodial parents have turned "child support" into a multi-billion dollar a year industry. Lockheed Martin, the world's largest defense contractor, reports that automated child support collections "is our fastest-growing line of business." ("Computers: Troubled Child Support Project Dies", Los Angeles Times, 11/21/97). The Trial Lawyers Association have killed a court-reform movement in Northern California called Family Court 2000 because they were afraid it would take away too much business. Family Court 2000 would move all divorce, custody and child support cases to mediation first. HHS and many other organizations are attempting to disguise greed by using phrases like "CHILDREN FIRST" when what they really mean is MONEY FIRST. It is well-documented that money is not a guarantee of well-being. Furthermore, when Donna Shalala, Secretary of HHS makes the irresponsible statement that $50B (yes, billion) of child support money is just waiting to be collected - when the GAO reports that 80% of fathers owing are either dead (14%) or cannot afford to pay (66%). This makes the politicians and bureaucrats sound good, but hurts the permanent stakeholders, especially the children that are being denied access to their other parent. We must stress this out-of-control system financially until it collapses. Everyone wonders why the economy has gotten worse, well this is one reason.

agreed!

concerned & WTF?

Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 8:17 AM
Yeah go back to your site if you want to complain and moan all the time. This site is for happenings at the lakes, a light hearted guestbook, and I like the fact that it is moderated to keep post like yours off of here. I love okoboji.com much better and appreciate their willingness to keep and maintain their website clean and light-hearted! I LOVE OKOBOJI.COM and guarantee to stick it out here and use their services! Now scat you grumpy-pants!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 9:11 AM
Thanks OKOBOJI.COM for your great service. I was also wondering how the turnout was on the Fourth? Drove through on Sunday afternoon and there were still plenty of boats out on the lake. Looked like a perfect day. Flea markets Sunday afternoon were pretty busy and saw a lot of people wheeling and dealing. I wouldn't mind having the flea markets visit a few other times during the summer as well, not just during the holiday weekends.

L	!!!!!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 12:57 PM I agree with AGREED! and GET LOST. Life is too short to waste it by complaining about things. I would rather read the ads posted here than the rants of grumpy people. I love this site and keep up the good work, Okoboji.com!

alanthebanker	alanthebanker@yahoo.ocm
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at 1:21 PM Is there a minimum boat size required in order to be on the west lake?

Indeed there is	a minimum
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at 8:36 PM Your craft can be no smaller than the Queen Mary. Don't laugh . . . take a look around you! Of course I'm kidding, but I really do long for the days of smaller "yachts", when one could go out in a canoe any time and feel relatively safe. Not no mo!!!

Boat size

should not matter, but

Thursday, July 9, 2009 at 4:24 PM
DOES!! Been a summer resident for over 45+ years and my first boat was a 14 foot runabout. I loved that boat and it was the perfect size for a 14 year girl who had been taught to drive a boat on the Missouri River and had taken a safe boating course. Now a days your need at least a 20 foot very deep V boat to be half way safe. If our geese and ducks are not safe on the lakes I guess NO ONE IS SAFE LET A LONE HAVE THE RIGHT AWAY! 4th of July on East Lake around the area of Stoney Point there was a flock of geese swimming that we witnessed three boats go right though the flock a a good rate of speed. EXCUSE me if you are going to drive/own/use a boat learn the LAWS so every thing and everyone no matter what size (their boat is) they feel safe and enjoy boat as much as the next person. With in the last couple of years we had to move up from a 20 foot not relly deep V boat to a 27 foot very deep V boat just to be able to go out for a cruise.Things change but most LAWS stay the same.

beutifull day	after work
Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 10:12 PM just got off the lake after having a awesome slalom ski set. water was perfect. couldnt ask for a better night. just be nice if there was others my age who did. lol

new in town!

aprilbaby15_99@yahoo.com

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at 2:20 AM
going to be moving to the area next week and was wondering where some good spots to hang were... looking for friends to meet, and good places to eat... my boyfriend and i are 23 and 25 so were kinda looking for things to do tword our age group... or if anyone could throw in a good word about some resturants... going to be looking for a job when i get there... thanks a million... would really be a help :)!!!!

foodinboji

foodinboji@yahoo

Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at 12:46 PM
I've seen lots of entries for restaurants in the area but nobody commented on "The End Zone"... we eat there alot and its a shame that they are not busy. Our Service has been excellent.. and the food is Awesome. Their Wings are the best around.. the French Dip is better (in my opinion) then the Dry Docks... and the Honey BBQ burger is the best burger I've ever eaten. They make their own burgers and everything is fresh. The wraps are Huge!!

Kayak	kayak
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at 4:04 PM Can anyone recommend a place to rent kayaks? I know I've seen some of the boat rental places advertise they have them, but never have seen any. Will be down in August. Can't wait!!!

Kayaks	hmmm . . .
Thursday, July 16, 2009 at 11:10 AM You're a brave soul if you're going to kayak on West lake. Better do it early, early morning, or late evening!

Boji Girl	Kayak
Thursday, July 16, 2009 at 1:34 PM If you stay close to shore you should be alright. Center Lake is quiet. I'm pretty sure Okoboji Expedition rents kayak's. They're right on 71 next to Tweeters and The Outrigger. Good luck and have fun....

jj	yahoo
Saturday, July 18, 2009 at 7:13 AM what happen to summer its been so cold it feels like fall not the hot summer it should be for july?

michele

Benit's Cabins

Saturday, July 18, 2009 at 1:34 PM
I'm always looking for information about Benit's Cabins, which were more or less under the roller coaster many years ago. While searching today, I came across a couple posts made to this site many years ago about Eldo Benit and his son Gordy, who walked the roller coaster track daily. I remember watching a man walk the track but had no idea who it was. Thanks for the info - you made my day!!

Aaron	aaron_lagneaux@yahoo.com
Sunday, July 19, 2009 at 6:58 PM Hey everyone - I was just wondering if anyone knew of any good catering services? Specifically, HOG ROASTING :) Thanks!

Saturday accident???	---
Sunday, July 19, 2009 at 9:33 PM Does anyone know what the commotion was about late Saturday afternoon? We saw 3 DNR boats rushing toward the area around or past OBW. Heard sirens on land as well.

Sandy	sshodge1@hotmail.com
Monday, July 20, 2009 at 3:32 PM Can anyone tell me where we can rent a boat slip for our 20' pontoon? Need it from now until middle of September.

Benit's cabins info	shaffer4@cox.net
Monday, July 20, 2009 at 4:01 PM I remember Benit's cabins, Eldo & Gordy, the park, etc. What do you want to know?

michele

Benit's Cabins

Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at 8:23 PM
Good question - not sure. I have great memories of my family spending our annual vacation at Benit's for many years in the 50's and 60's. Benit's is not as well remembered as some of the other cabins and resorts so I am happy with any pieces of information and knowing that others remember. I was a child and we were visitors so did not know the owners. My family still talks about how one of the cabins we stayed in would shake because the roller coaster was attached to it and watching a man walk the track each morning - it is great to now know who that was. I saw an article in the shopper this spring that Clark's Museum had aquired a key from one of Benit's Cabins. If it had been from cabin 4, 9, or 12 we would have to seriously negotiate!! Thank you.

Former member	and ambassador
Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at 12:22 PM Is the IOWA NAVY still "sailing" in the Iowa Great Lakes?

Arnolds Park The Movie	<<<<<<<
Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at 7:37 PM If anyone has been looking for the DVD of Arnolds Park The Movie released in 2007, I see they renamed it and are selling it under the title Carousel of Revenge. It's for sale on amazon.com.

Lucky

davida@bitstream.net

Friday, July 24, 2009 at 10:27 PM
I also worked with Dave Major and the Minors in the 70's at the New Inn. It was a wonderful time of my life and the owners of the Inn were great to all of us. I was the keyboard player in those days. I still talk to some of the band members, Steve, Gary, Terry, Dick. Dave has since died but all of the rest of us are still very good friends. To all the people who vacationed there in those days, Hello, and thank you for coming and letting us entertain you for a few hours of those great summers.

bojibabygirl	bojibabygirl@yahoo.com
Sunday, July 26, 2009 at 12:45 AM anyone know of any former okoboji area residents (spirit lake, milford, arnold's park) that now live in fort collins, colorado? relocated to colorado and looking for people from home! i am sure once i wear my OKOBOJI sweatshirt out-i may find some people!

Ft. Collins	..close...
Sunday, July 26, 2009 at 9:42 AM I formally lived in Loveland. My daughter, formerly from Arnolds Park, and her husband, a Estherville native, live in Laranie, WY. That's fairly close..

BojiLover	fireworks
Sunday, July 26, 2009 at 10:20 PM THANK YOU MAU MARINE!!! The fireworks Saturday night were spectacular...better than the fourth of July.

Helicopter	Buzzing Around
Monday, July 27, 2009 at 10:02 PM So what is up with the helicopter buzzing around this year??? It has water landing skids on it but I have yet to see it on the water. Only thing I've seen it doing is flying low and bomb diving the sail boats Sunday morning.

The camera is stuck	Please fix it.soon
Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at 8:54 AM The camera at the Dry Dock is stuck on last Thursday, please fix it so we can see how nice it is on the lake. I really appreciate this website and service and miss looking out over the lake when I cannot be there. Thanks and keep up the good work.

DEB&COURTNEY

BEENA@COX.NET

Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at 9:08 AM
Just got back from OKOBOJI Monday our 28th year. It was so nice stayed at Fillenwarth as always. Shopped till we dropped and ate alot of icecream! The weather was awesome as always! Got alot of rays and skiied everyday. Everyone was so kind as always. The Arnolds Perk could never get into to busy so went to icecream shop in Arnolds Park for bagels and coffee never have to wait long there Fast & nice people for sure. The icecream tastes so good! Loved the Okoboji clothing company always quality stuff! Cant wait till next year already counting the days. See ya then! Love Deb

Cindy

endzone.com

Thursday, July 30, 2009 at 12:40 PM
Just got back from Okoboji, where my son got married last weekend (7/25). We had the rehearsal dinner at The End Zone and we couldn't have asked for better food or service! The owners (Bob and Jan) were more than willing to accommodate whatever we wanted and even helped us decorate while we were at the church for the rehearsal! Everything was "top notch"....and what a FUN atmosphere out on the deck! All of our guests were pleased and we will not hesitate to go back. You can't get that kind of friendly service just anywhere! (by the way...this wasn't our first time there....we had been there before and received excellent food and service then too). Keep up the good work Bob and Jan!!! See you again soon!!!