Arts Education

Alaskan author shares adventure, inspires reading and writing (03/19/10)
Author Shelly Gill pumps up her audience of third through sixth-graders about nature, adventure and writing Thursday afternoon. Gill has authored 26 best-selling books, including 12 children's books. Students from Fairview, Lincoln and Johnson Elementary schools listened closely as Gill shared personal adventures she has experienced as an author, adventurer, whale detective, pony wrangler and dog musher on the Iditarod Trail (which inspired her first book Kiani's Iditarod.) Gill's visit was possible thanks to a contribution from the Spencer Community School Foundation.. ...

No fireworks in final Eggs & Issues session (03/16/10)
With Democrats Sen. Jack Kibbie and Rep. Marcie Frevert -- both of Emmetsburg, -- absent from the final Eggs & Issues session Saturday, Spencer City Council chambers never really heated up with back-and-forth dialogue. Rep. Mike May who was participating in his final Spencer Chamber of Commerce legislative event, took the opportunity to thank those he has served in District 6...

Library board considers starting gaming collection (03/13/10)
Spencer Public Library representatives have a plan to encourage more people to enter the doorway of the local library. Thursday night during the monthly board meeting, Director Kay Larson recommended they approve discontinuing the library's CD collection, or at least to stop adding to it, and instead implement an assortment of games...

Ruthven-Ayrshire still searching for CEO (03/12/10)
It's time to advertise for a superintendent to replace the retiring one. That's what Ruthven-Ayrshire (RA) school board members have decided. They'd hoped to share the services of Clay Central-Everly (CCE) Superintendent Monte Montgomery following the planned retirement of Ervin "Erv" Rowlands at the conclusion of the 2009-10 school year, but CCE board members met Monday night and unanimously voted against such an arrangement...

Library board approves new logo (03/11/10)
After receiving a lot of feedback from the public, Spencer Public Library board members approved a new logo for the city building Thursday night. It does not include a portrait of the library's famous late library cat, Dewey Readmore Books. ...

East Leach Park to host Shakespeare event (03/11/10)
Shakespeare, or at least one of the renowned playwright's works, is set to premiere in East Leach Park this summer. ...

An evening of 'Impact' (03/06/10)
"Josh's Story," which generated a great deal of buzz when it appeared in the pages of the Daily Reporter, will come to life Wednesday night at DaySpring Assembly of God Church as part of "Impact" -- a night offering a message of hope to a target audience of junior high and high school students complete with live music and giveaways beginning at 6:30 p.m...

Celebrating Lutheran Schools Week in hats, with cake (03/06/10)
To mark the final day of Lutheran Schools Week, to honor its "For a Lifetime of Service" theme and to celebrate his 60th birthday, Principal Dewey Torkelson served birthday cake to staff and students at Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School Friday afternoon. ...

Fish stories: Public can view art in action at studio today (03/06/10)
"It's a performance." Those are the words that artist Simeon Lisk used to describe what's going to happen at Bogenrief Studios Saturday beginning at 2 p.m. And Lisk should know, it's his concept and design that the crew will be focused on when they invite the public to join them in the work area as they create another glass piece for the aquarium project that beginning in April will become a centerpiece at the Spencer Public Library...

Ruthven-Ayrshire considers sharing administrators (03/05/10)
When Ruthven-Ayrshire school board members began the process of replacing their retiring superintendent in November, they requested a lot of information from seven neighboring districts. As they've pondered hiring a full-time replacement, sharing an administrator with a neighboring district and sharing with another district further away, the board recently met with Sioux Central and Clay Central-Everly (CCE) administrators and tentatively narrowed down their decision to sharing with one of the two non-bordering school districts.. ...

Conlin to stop in Spencer Saturday (03/05/10)
U.S. Senate candidate Roxanne Conlin will make an extensive weekend swing through Northwest Iowa. Conlin will stop at the Spencer Area Activity Center at 3:15 p.m. Saturday. Conlin, a Democrat, is bringing her "Fight to Fix It" tour to the city for the first time...

Locals participate in 'Many Hands for Haiti' mission trip (03/04/10)
Six local residents are determined to provide hope and encouragement to residents of a country devastated by an earthquake on Jan. 12. While this trip is the fifth for Christi Gabhart, it marks the second to Haiti for Karmen Brown and Dawn Vanden Berg. The March 3 - 12 journey is the first for fellow Spencer residents Paul Rekow, Heather Brown and Sharon Berkenpas as local mission volunteers. ...

UNDER THE BIG TOP: Circus offers 'old-fashioned family fun' (03/04/10)

Legislators discuss rising health care costs, texting while driving (03/02/10)
When the third Eggs and Issues legislative forum of the season began Saturday morning in Spencer, attendees were encouraged to not ask the three participating state legislators about same-sex marriage or right-to-work issues, common themes of the first two sessions held this year. Even with the majority party not represented at the gathering, Sen. David Johnson, R-Ocheyedan; Rep. Mike May, R-Spirit Lake; and Rep. Royd Chambers, R-Sheldon; addressed a variety of issues ranging from oversight of the Department of Natural Resources and texting while behind the wheel to health care concerns and statewide budget cuts. ...

Vegas headliner Fator to perform at 2010 Fair (03/02/10)
One of the top grossing acts in Las Vegas will be making a stop in Spencer at the Clay County Fair as part of his very limited late summer tour stops. Terry Fator, season two winner of the popular reality show America's Got Talent, will bring his entire Las Vegas Show to the 2010 Clay County Fair at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept.14, at 7:30 p.m...

Country sensation Miranda Lambert in Spencer May 8 (03/02/10)
2009 Female Vocalist of the Year nominee, Miranda Lambert is headed to the Clay County Regional Events Center. Lambert will bring her Roadside Bars and Pink Guitars Tour to Spencer, when she performs Saturday, May 8. Rising star, Chris Young, will open the show...

Spencer preschool contingent on state funding (02/25/10)
In light of Iowa's budgetary situation this legislative session, Spencer school officials are rallying behind the scenes to make sure another preschool appears locally next year. They've also declared if state funding does not come forward they'll have a for-pay preschool in place for area 4-year-olds this fall. ...

Public's input sought on district facilities (02/25/10)
Local representatives believe the Spencer school district is in need of a new long-term facility plan. And, they're searching for a few people who'd like to offer their input on the matter. "The district needs to have a plan for how we handle our district facilities, what needs to be improved, what needs to be upgraded and for what the vision for the future with our facilities is," Superintendent Greg Ebeling told school board members Tuesday night...

State snowfall inches into record books (02/23/10)
Blizzard by blizzard, inch by inch, this Iowa winter is going down in history. As of the most recent numbers, released by State Climatologist Harry Hillaker on Thursday, the statewide snowfall average is 43.1 inches. Though not official, the local numbers are much higher than the state average...

Local cartoonist creates a 'New Dawn' (02/20/10)
Carman Brons has a fantasy world of magical characters living inside the spellbinding village of New Dawn filling her head. According to her followers, it's a good thing the comic artist has the talent to share it -- both in cartoons and script -- with them on the Web. ...

Lt. Gov. Judge emphasizes jobs (02/19/10)
In an exclusive interview with The Daily Reporter Thursday, Lt. Gov. Patty Judge focused on jobs from start to finish, as she discussed items she and Gov. Chet Culver hope to see accomplished during a shortened, 80-day legislative session. "We're very much aware -- as everyone in the state is -- that we're in the midst of a worldwide recession and people are concerned, and rightfully so," Judge said. ...

Mark Lancaster (02/18/10)
Mark Lancaster of Ann Arbor, Mich., formerly of Spencer, died Feb. 16, 2010, at his parents home in Ann Arbor. He was born in Louisville, Kent., on Dec. 2, 1956, and had resided for the last 15 years in Spencer, where he was employed by Graham Retread...

Applications sought for 2010 Clay County Fair Queen (02/18/10)
The search is under way for candidates to compete for the title of Clay County Fair Queen. The winner, to be crowned Sunday, April 18, will reign over this year's Clay County Fair and will also compete for the State Fair Queen title. Females between the ages of 16 and 21 by Aug.12, the first day of the 2010 Iowa State Fair, may apply. ...

Burnette, Suter fight to headline Spencer Sprawl (02/16/10)
Tri-State Cage Fighting will be making its debut with Spring Sprawl at the Clay County Regional Events Center, Saturday, Feb. 20. Eric Burnette from Hartley, is scheduled to fight Trevor Suter of Estherville in the 155-pound main event of the evening. The two area fighters were scheduled to meet in late 2009, but Suter was unable to compete. Several other fights will be on the card including other area competitors...

Board closes in on new Dewey-less logo (02/13/10)
Spencer Public Library board members seem to have "checked out" on publishing the late Dewey Readmore Books on the library's new logo. Instead, the board has tentatively chosen to pursue a new logo developed by Standard Printing & Design of Spencer...

Feeding the Spirit (02/13/10)
BarlowGirl will be making its second appearance at the Clay County Regional Events Center when they arrive in town Sunday, Feb. 21, on the first stage of the Love & War tour supporting the group's most recent album which hit the airwaves late in 2009...

Early-retirement package approved by school board (02/12/10)
As Spencer school board members approved offering a new early-retirement package to eligible teachers Thursday night, they stressed it will be a one-time offer that could help "make ends meet" if enough apply. The benefits authorized would give qualified teaching staff a severance payment of 30 percent of their 2009-10 teaching contract, to be paid in November, and single medical insurance coverage for a maximum of seven years, or until the applicant is eligible for Medicare. ...

Two designs approved for Grand Avenue bridge (02/11/10)
The glass artwork expected to decorate Grand Avenue bridge later this year moved one step closer to becoming a reality this week when Spencer Park Board members approved two different Art Deco designs prepared by commissioned artists Mark, Jeanne and Seth Bogenrief, of Bogenrief Studios...

SCT takes audiences "Over the River and Through the Woods" (02/11/10)
SCT's third show of its 50th anniversary season will feature a special Valentine's dinner theater performance on Saturday, Feb. 13. Joe DiPietro's "Over the River and Through the Woods," will be performed in the ballroom of the Clay County Regional Events Center, starting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Feb. 11-12, and will conclude with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, Feb. 14...

District's dissolution plan approved overwhelmingly (02/04/10)
South Clay voters have overwhelmingly approved the questions of whether their school district should be dissolved and how its territory, assets and liabilities should be distributed among neighboring schools posed to them on a paper ballot this week.

South Clay constituents to vote on district's dissolution Feb. 2 (01/29/10)
South Clay Superintendent David Schulz is a bit nervous about the additional snow forecast to fall Monday. He hopes the weather will cooperate. But it's the fact that local school board elections generally don't have over 35 people turning ballots in that really makes him uncomfortable. The superintendent is hoping for a much better public turnout on Tuesday, when South Clay's 736 registered voters will be able to voice their opinions on the district's pending dissolution. ...

Multiyear contract proposed to Spencer teachers (01/28/10)
For the first time, representatives for the Spencer school district have proposed a multiyear contract to members of the Spencer Education Association (SEA). Superintendent Greg Ebeling opened Wednesday's open session with SEA representatives Scott Rettey and Duane Davis by saying, "This initial proposal is reflective of the district, state and nation's current economic crisis. The board does not believe that typical raises are responsible under these circumstances. ...

Paycheck reductions approved by board (01/28/10)
Local teachers will be seeing a cut in their paychecks beginning next month. The reduction, which was approved unanimously by Spencer school board members Tuesday night, is in response to Gov. Chet Culver's 10 percent across-the-board spending cut imposed last month and a declaratory order issued by the Iowa Department of Education (DE) in regard to the cut's impact on teacher salary supplement (TSS) funds. ...

Negotiations commence for Spencer's certified school staff (01/26/10)
The Spencer Education Association (SEA) presented its initial contract proposal for the 2010-11 school year to officials with the Spencer Community School District Monday afternoon. The SEA, which represents full- and part-time teachers in the district, requested a 4.96 percent total package increase totaling $489,634.

Stephas: One of the few, the proud, the commissioned (01/23/10)
Today, Rick Stephas is truly one of the few, the proud. After being an officer candidate for 3 1/2 years, the Spencer man officially became a U.S. Marine Corps second lieutenant on Jan. 14. The 24-year-old celebrated his military advancement with family and friends during a commissioning ceremony steeped in Marine Corps traditions held Jan. 13, at the United Methodist Church in Royal. ...

Spencer: The 'one place to get all things Dewey' (01/22/10)
The popularity of Dewey Readmore Books, Spencer Public Library's late resident feline, spans the world today. In addition to the countless tours of his former home and town occurring locally, plans are currently in the works to boost his appeal to even more visitors to northwest Iowa's newest destination city. ...

Rants emphasizes lowering property taxes (01/21/10)
A perfect storm is brewing in Iowa, gubernatorial candidate Chris Rants, R-Sioux City, told a group of about 50 people at the Clay County Regional Events Center Tuesday night. The former Speaker of the House identified a lack of job development, escalating taxes and an outdated, unconstitutional school aid funding formula as the three biggest problems currently facing the state at the Informed Voter Forum sponsored by the Clay County Tea Party Patriots...

'Purple Monkeys' advise council on SMS safety issue (01/21/10)
Taken out of context, the fact that the Spencer City Council are looking to Purple Flying Monkeys to solve a perceived safety issue facing the Spencer Middle School might have residents questioning their decision at the voting booths. But during Monday night's council meeting, the "Monkeys," comprised of the middle school's female Lego League members, presented a study that demonstrated pedestrian dangers for students arriving at the middle school in the morning...

Study: Library needs more space in the future (01/21/10)
A consultant has told Spencer Public Library representatives that an additional 9,214 square feet will be needed to effectively serve patrons over the next two decades. The space needs analysis completed by George Lawson, and adopted by library board members last week, takes into account the library's collections, meeting areas, staff room, seating, computers and other factors. The study recommends the library's current 14,835 gross square feet be expanded to a minimum of 24,049 square feet...

Brockshus named Flagfest Youth Ambassador (01/19/10)
Spencer High School senior Hannah Brockshus was named the 2010 Flagfest Youth Ambassador Sunday afternoon, and Carrie Cunningham and Emily Jones were named first and second alternates, respectively. The daughter of Todd and Barb Brockshus, of Fostoria, participates in individual and large group speech, Thespians, Key Club, band and soccer as a high school student. ...

Gude: The recycling educator (01/16/10)
Chris Gude knows he's the exception to recycling. ...

Quail named essay contest winner (01/16/10)
Spencer High School sophomore Chayton Quail, the son of Joe and Anne Quail of Spencer, has been named the first-place winner in a Martin Luther King Jr. essay contest. The contest, which was sponsored by the Iowa Department of Human Rights, the Iowa Department of Civil Rights, the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service and the Division on the Status of African Americans, challenged Iowa students to get involved and make a difference in their communities...

Grand opening at remodeled SMS (01/15/10)
The "familiar partners" who chose to collaborate in "unfamiliar territory" on Spencer's newest $5 million rehabilitation project officially celebrated their endeavor being completed "on time and on budget" Thursday in downtown Spencer. Those partners -- the Spencer school district, the Friends of the Auditorium group, Community Housing Initiatives (CHI) and the Spencer Area Activity Center (SAAC) -- gathered with other key participants and members of the general public to mark the grand opening of the Spencer School Apartments and the town's senior center in the former Spencer High School and Spencer Middle School building located at 104 E. Fourth St. ...

Grand Avenue bridge art in the works (01/14/10)
After receiving a sneak peek this week at drawings of the glass artwork which could be incorporated into the Grand Avenue bridge later this year, Spencer Park Board members also discussed several projects they plan to undertake in 2010. Commissioned artists Mark, Jeanne and Seth Bogenrief, of Bogenrief Studios, showed tentative full-size sketches of what the Spencer bridge's artwork might include once its monuments on each corner of the bridge and two curved concrete railing walls are built this spring. ...

Grand Opening celebration (01/12/10)
Former and current teachers, students and school staff, as well as members of the general public, will have the opportunity to view changes made to the former Spencer Middle School building this week. ...

Parker Museum celebrates 50 years (01/09/10)
For Cindy McGranahan and many others associated with the Parker Museum, the recent signing of paperwork securing the purchase of the former Johnston Automotive building on Grand Avenue is a wonderful 50th anniversary gift. The local museum, which houses many significant artifacts, historical information and stories associated with the history of Spencer and Clay County, turns 50 years old on Jan. ...

Microsoft settlement nets Iowa schools $60 million (01/08/10)

Three girls seek role of Flagfest Ambassador (01/07/10)
Three area students will compete to serve as the first Flagfest Youth Ambassador of the new decade on Sunday, Jan. 17, at Spencer High School. Hannah Brockshus, Carrie Cunningham and Emily Jones will undergo several steps in the competition, including a public self expression presentation at the Spencer Community High School Little Theater beginning at 2:30 p.m. Admission is free to the public...

Whiting second to announce plans for District 6 seat (01/05/10)
Spirit Lake native Zach Whiting announced Monday that he will seek the Republican nomination for the District 6 seat in the Iowa House of Representatives. The seat is currently held by Mike May, who has announced that he will not seek re-election in November...

The unbreakable bond of friends (01/04/10)
Before South Clay, there was Gillett Grove Consolidated School. Four students from the former school's class of 1939 remain steadfast comrades to this day. They've also stayed avid supporters of the northwest Iowa community they grew up in. ...

Related subjects