Entertainment

Spencer to tackle religion in the public schools (07/03/09)
Is there a place for religious expression in public schools? Should history be taught to students via the Bible and texts dealing with Darwinism in a public school district's classrooms? Spencer school board members, with hoped-for input from members of the public, are planning to address issues such as these with a draft religious liberty policy currently under consideration...

Pietschs to be featured at Sunday's airshow (06/13/09)
While a good portion of the Flagfest weekend activities fall on Saturday, the 26th annual Northwest Iowa Regional Airport Fly-in Breakfast and Airshow remain among the few events that help fill Sunday. This year, Kent and Warren Pietsch - pilots and operators of the Pietsch Airshow will be featured as they take to the air for their comedy act, dead stick act, aerobatic act and performing dual act...

Westview Memorial Park master plan approved (06/11/09)
A master plan was approved for Spencer's only arboretum-style park by Spencer Park Board members this week. The plan for Westview Memorial Park, which was presented by local landscape architect Matt Matthiesen and Karl Van Cura of Midwest Design Group in Sioux City, carried a detailed phasing of the enhancements it proposes, as well as a rough $899,046 cost estimate tied to their realization...

Moving day approaches for 'Gary's on the River' project (06/11/09)
The story looked like it was going to end in 1993 for a 111-year-old church along East Fifth Street. That's when a declining, local congregation at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church made the difficult decision to merge with St. Alban's and its Episcopal church congregation in Spirit Lake. Pews were empty, stained glass was dusty; only the local church's signature ivy returned for 16 years...

Scharnberg Park hosts conservation board's 50th summer (06/05/09)
When the sun is out Saturday, Dan Heissel expects a large crowd at Scharnberg Park for the conservation board's 50th summer in Clay County. If the sun isn't out, well, there will be plenty of tent space and beach umbrellas on hand for the large crowd, too...

Spencer breaks top 100 in KISS tour bid (05/29/09)
It's still not clear how many local votes it will take to bring arena rock band KISS to Spencer. But it is clear residents are making progress in the Internet bid to "demand" a band visit to the northwest Iowa city of 11,000. Spencer has a chance to "book" a major concert tour stop because the legendary band has put fans in charge of selecting the tour stops through Internet voting at www.Eventful.com. A link to the Eventful voting process is prominent on the www.kissonline.com Web site, too...

School board expected to ratify agreements reached (05/23/09)
A portion of the Spencer school board meeting scheduled for Tuesday evening will have board members contemplating approval of tentative agreements reached with the district's teachers, administrators, non-union staff members and supervisors for next school year...

Briefs 5-23-09 (05/23/09)
Farmers Market is returning with an opening date of May 23. Early season vegetables available. Located in the parking lot of the Southpark Mall. --- Come learn about Global Positioning System (GPS) and the sport of geocaching. GPS units will be used to find hidden treasure at Huston Park. Located at the nature center at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 23. The event is sponsored by the Palo Alto Soil & Water Conservation District and the Palo Alto County Conservation Board...

Graduation weekend arrives for area schools (05/16/09)
It's a weekend for punch bowls, sheet cakes and maybe a few tissues as diplomas are handed out to the Class of 2009. The Spencer School District is one of four area schools set to hold commencement Sunday. The 155 seniors in Spencer's 122nd graduating class will be recognized at the Spencer High School Fieldhouse. Doors will open one hour before the 2:30 p.m. event...

Events Center targets KISS for Spencer stop (05/12/09)
General Manager Scott Hallgren, sees all the possibilities for the Clay County Regional Events Center. He also knows its limitations. Under normal circumstances, it may be a tough sell to book mega rock band KISS in a northwest Iowa arena capable of seating 2,664...

'World's Longest Running Phantom' returns to 'World's Greatest County Fair' (05/12/09)
Franc D'Ambrosio, known for the longest-running portrayal of the Phantom from Andrew Lloyd Weber's The Phantom of the Opera, will be making a return appearance at the 2009 Clay County Fair. D'Ambrosio will perform two shows in the Events Center Grand Ballroom on Saturday, September 19, at 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., with a meet and greet from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m...

'Dewey' movie on fast track (05/08/09)
The woman who's agreed to write the script for the upcoming movie based on Dewey Readmore Books' life is a natural for the job at hand. Pamela Gray has a cat paraphernalia collecting fever. She's been visiting people and places in Spencer this week, and she's jotting her important notes worth remembering in a notebook covered with cartoon cats. She currently has 10 cats of her own. The woman even has a tiger stripe tattoo -- based on the stripes of tigers she fell in love with while serving as a volunteer zookeeper -- inked on her right shoulder. --- It's safe to say that Vicki Myron, Spencer's former librarian-turned-author, feels a bit overwhelmed at times. She's busy. Even before her and Bret Witter's "Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World" book became a No. 1 bestseller, Myron had been working the media channels to promote it...

Fundraiser tops $13,000 for Arts on Grand (05/05/09)
Martin Arthur, executive director of Arts on Grand, shows Arts on Grand Telethon host Jill Barr miniature replicas of the new piece of artwork that has been chosen as part of a contest for a new piece of art for Spencer. Multiple artists submitted ideas for the project, and William Lieb's sculpture "Letting Go" will be the first public work of art commissioned by SPACE. ...

ART -- a pART of all of us (05/02/09)
Spencer artists Anthony Vodraska and Anita Gilbert have donated a limited-edition fine art print to the Spencer Area Arts Council to be used as a special premium in this year's telethon for Arts on Grand. The telethon will be held live on the Spencer Channel (SMU Cable Channel 3) from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, May 3. This year's theme is "ART--a pART of all of us."...

THIS WEEKEND (05/02/09)
A 7:30 p.m. performance today at Spencer Community Theatre will feature the latest in its series of annual Cabaret fundraisers, "One Summer Night: More Songs From the Jukebox." Once again, directors Clark Marshall and Connie Goeken have assembled a talented group of musicians and singers for this evening of rock and roll. This is SCT's largest annual fundraiser...

SPACE announces public art winner (05/02/09)
The Spencer Alliance for a Creative Economy (SPACE) has selected a winner in the first SPACE Public Work of Art Project. The purpose of the project was to commission a public work of art in Spencer from an area artist. A total of seven entries were submitted by five artists. ...

New SHS dance team OK'd (05/02/09)
The formation of a financially self-supported Spencer High School dance team was sanctioned this week. The Spencer school board's authorization of the new program marks a different way in which extracurricular -- and possibly academic and co-curricular -- programs within the district may function in the future...

Playhouse Cabaret rocks SCT (05/01/09)
A pair of 7:30 p.m. performances, Friday and Saturday, May 1-2, at Spencer Community Theatre will feature the latest in its series of annual Cabaret fundraisers, "One Summer Night: More Songs From the Jukebox." This year's Cabaret continues in the tradition of showcasing songs from the early years of rock and roll. ...

Blue Collar Comedy Tour's Engvall headed to Fair's grandstand (04/25/09)
Comedic sensation, Bill Engvall, will appear in front of the Grandstands the first Saturday of the Clay County Fair, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 12. Engvall, a Texas native, didn't originally aspire to be a comedy star. In fact, he worked as a disc jockey with plans of becoming a teacher. ...

ART -- a pART of all of us (04/24/09)
Arts on Grand is asking the community to call in during their second annual telethon held live on the Spencer Channel (SMU Cable Channel 3) from 1-5 p.m., Sunday, May 3. The telethon is a fundraiser and membership drive dubbed "ART--a pART of all of us," and is aimed at raising $15,000 for operational funds for Arts on Grand...

ACM award winner Adkins returning to fair (04/21/09)
The 2009 Clay County Fair will feature a night with a pair of country's hottest stars on Sunday, Sept. 20. Louisiana-native Trace Adkins, burst onto the county scene in 1996 with his debut album Dreamin' Out Loud. The album garnered his first Billboard number one hit with "(This Ain't) No Thinkin' Thing." Other hit singles produced from that album including "Every Light in the House" and "I Left Something Turned on at Home."...

Joel Fan releases new CD (04/18/09)
On Tuesday, April 14, Joel Fan's new solo CD, West of the Sun, was released by Reference Records. The night before, Fan celebrated the release with a concert at Le Poisson Rouge, a New York City club that usually presents groups with names like Throbbing Gristle and Future Rock. ...

Iconic female rock band, Heart, to take stage at the '09 Fair (04/04/09)
Classic rock band Heart, led by sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson, will perform at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 18 on the Clay County Fair Grandstand Stage. Formed in Seattle, Heart has often been credited as one of the first mainstream rock bands where women were in complete creative control. ...

Westview neighbors like park the way it is (04/03/09)
Neighbors of Westview Memorial Park -- Spencer's only arboretum-style park -- firmly expressed that they like their park the way it currently is, they want to keep it a "passive" park, but they'd like to add to or enhance what it currently displays during a meeting held Thursday night...

Dr. Bill and Kathy Follows named 2009 Citizens of the Year (04/02/09)
At the core of any medical professional's life is a desire to help others. It's what guides them through years of study, long, sleepless nights, and the rigors of the work. For this year's recipients of the Citizen of the Year honor, that desire to help others has shaped their entire lives, both personal and professional. Often, that helping hand they reached out was accompanied by no notice, no fanfare, and certainly no desire to draw attention to their good deeds...

The family that plays together... (04/01/09)
Spencer Middle School students and their parents enjoyed an evening together Tuesday at the Student/Parent Interactive Night. Dinner was served followed by games of action and skill. Pierce Jensen (above) shows off his dance moves during a Name That Tune contest, pitting the parents against the kids. Rachael Getting and Olivia Baxter share a laugh after missing the return in a game of Super Volleyball against their elders...

Author, illustrator to speak at South Clay, Sioux Central (04/01/09)
Betsy and Giulio Maestro will visit with students at South Clay Elementary School and Sioux Central Community School this week. The Maestros, who have written and illustrated children's non-fiction books since 1974, have written and illustrated over 100 books...

TNA match, media raise nearly $2,000 for Shayla Bee (03/31/09)
Brother Devon, sporting a Shayla Bee T-shirt hoists a young fan in the air after presenting him with a piece of autographed table in the ring Saturday night at the Clay County Regional Events Center. TNA Wrestling was making its second visit to Spencer. ...

Wine Tasting event to benefit People for Pets (03/27/09)
People for Pets, a non-profit animal shelter in Spencer, recently announced its Second Annual Wine Tasting Party at Bogenrief Studios in Spencer. The event has been set from 4-6 p.m., Sunday, April 26. In addition to wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres, the fundraiser will feature live music performed by Lakes area vocalist, Tammy Hamlin. ...

Quilting efforts draw mall crowds (03/25/09)
The first ever Northwest Iowa One Stop Shop Hop was at the Southpark Mall over the weekend. Many participants took part in this quilters dream shopping experience. Judy Martin (above), a renowned author of many quilting books, brought her Trunk Show to the Mall on Saturday to the delight of many people. ...

Elementary artists sought for AOG Dewey project (03/24/09)
Dewey Readmore Books, the library cat, has been a part of childhood trips to the Spencer Public Library for many years. Coordinators at Arts on Grand are hoping to have the children of Spencer and elsewhere create their own artwork to honor the memorable cat...

Author/Illustrator coming to Spencer (03/24/09)
Children's author and illustrator Lisa Campbell Ernst will be visiting Spencer elementary schools on March 31. Besides entertaining students, her programs at Johnson, Lincoln and Fairview schools will be designed for parents and community members interested in early childhood education...

Briefs 3-14-09 (03/14/09)
A bird house workshop will be held at 1 p.m. today at Lost Island Nature Center, north of Ruthven. To build a wren house, just bring a hammer. Call (712) 837-4866 for more information. --- A bake sale will be held today at the Southpark Mall. The groups will be: "People to People Ambassador Program" for Devan McCord Fund Raiser and DreamTeam...

Skillet concert set for Spencer (03/14/09)
The two-time Grammy nominated band Skillet has included a Spencer stop as it launches the second leg of its "Comatose" tour this spring. Joining them on the tour will be fellow rockers Disciple and Decyfer Down. The Clay County Regional Events Center in Spencer will be the venue on Sunday, May 3. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 7 p.m...

Patrick: The woman behind the productions (03/14/09)
Nancy Patrick is what you'd call a true artist. She's not only trained vocally, she's taken piano, organ, saxophone and dance lessons. Even so, she comes by her artistic, creative ways naturally. Patrick, the eighth of 13 children born to the late Sylvester Joseph "S.J." and NaDyne Patrick, was raised to value family, church and education. The native of Mapleton still holds those priorities near and dear today...

Clay Central-Everly students to present Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" (03/14/09)
The Everly school gymnasium promises to transform into a make-believe world filled with whimsy and romance this week when Clay Central-Everly High School students perform Disney's "Beauty and the Beast." With close to 70 CCE students involved in the production -- and many community members also stepping forward to assist with the love story featuring Belle (Jacque Ginger ) and Beast (Kasey Kunzmann) -- Director Nancy Patrick guarantees the big show will delight young and young-at-heart alike...

Briefs 3-13-09 (03/13/09)
A soup and pie fundraiser will be held from 5-8 p.m. tonight at DaySpring Assembly of God Church, 1410 W. 18th St., Spencer. Chef Dr. Darrel Forslund will be serving home-style chicken noodle soup, "27 Spice" chili, and an international selection: Mongolian hot pot soup. Many...

Positively Spencer Youth to host Irish gig (03/12/09)
The ground isn't green yet, but that will be the color of choice for a lot of high school students Saturday night. Positively Spencer Youth is hosting a St. Patrick's Day weekend dance beginning at 9 p.m. Saturday at the ballroom of the Clay County Regional Events Center...

There's room at the tables for comedy fans (03/12/09)
Keep your map. Chicago comedian Paul Kelly knows his way around Spencer, Iowa. He's also hoping audience members find their way back to the Clay County Regional Events Center on Friday night, when the Chicago Style StandUps make their return. Tickets are still available for the 8 p.m. ...

Briefs 3-12-09 (03/12/09)
Spencer City Councilman George Kruger will host a Ward 1 meeting at 7 p.m. tonight at the Spencer Public Library. Bob Fagen, Spencer's city manager, will be the featured guest speaker. --- Spencer Hospital will be holding classes for individuals considered to have "pre-diabetes" -- those with blood sugar levels higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be considered a diabetic. ...

Spencer Park Board OK's Matthiesen to lead next master plan process (03/10/09)
Local landscape architect Matt Matthiesen was selected by Spencer Park Board members Tuesday night to facilitate and create a master plan for West View Memorial Park. Matthiesen was one of three architectural firms offering a proposal for the work surrounding the five-acre park adjacent to Johnson Elementary School in west central Spencer...

Gaither Vocal Band booked for Clay County Fair (03/10/09)
The first act announced for the 2009 Clay County Fair is an award-winning one. The multi-Grammy winning Southern Gospel and contemporary Christian music group, Gaither Vocal Band, is scheduled to appear in front of the Clay County Fair Grandstand at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13...

Celebrating in song and dance (03/07/09)
National Lutheran Schools Week wrapped up Friday with Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School (IGLLS) students performing for an audience at the Spencer Area Activity Center. Allie Norgaard and Samuel Heikens, practiced showing one another respect before the IGLLS elementary students exhibited some fancy footwork. ...

New exhibits open at Parker Museum (03/07/09)
Parker Museum will be hosting an opening reception, from 1-4 p.m., Sunday, March 15 for two new exhibits: "Reliving the 1920s in Clay County" and "Photography by Art Bates" created by Assistant Director Holly Kellogg. The exhibits opened March 4 and will be in place through Nov. 30, 2009...

Six teens will vie for Miss Shamrock Sunday (03/03/09)
The 2009 Miss Shamrock Pageant will be held at 7 p.m., Sunday, March 8 at Corrigan Hall in Emmetsburg. There are six contestants in the pageant. Competition in the Miss Shamrock Pageant includes an interview with the panel of judges, introduction in casual wear, talent performance, formal wear and an on-stage question...

Concert Association announces program change (02/28/09)
The next offering of the Spencer Area Concert Association, which was to have been the Canadian ensemble Beyond the Pale, has had to be cancelled because of the cancellation of their U.S. tour. However, another concert has been scheduled for the same date, time, and place. The Caf� Accordion Orchestra will perform on Friday, Mar. 20, at 7:30 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the Clay County Regional Events Center with guest vocalist Diane Jarvi...

Comin' at ya (02/27/09)
When Spencer's Southpark 7 Theatre General Manager Jarrad Black said the new Jonas Brothers concert event is going to be a real "in your face" experience, he wasn't kidding. The local theatre location is one of 10 in the Fridley Theatre chain to install the new Barco Digital Projection system featuring Real D technology. Friday's release of The Jonas Brothers Concert movie will be the first in a series of 3D films to hit the market this year using Real D...

Book club members being sought (02/26/09)
Spencer Public Library representatives have heard the request. In response, they're hoping to establish a new book club at the library. "We've had some people call us and say that they would like to join a book club," Kay Larson, the library's director, said. ...

The moral of the story is ... (02/24/09)
As the Spencer High School students enrolled in Michele Dirkx's Creative Writing class huddled in Fairview's hallway near the elementary school building's office Monday morning prior to reading the children's stories they'd written and illustrated, they were instructed by their teacher to do four things:...

Families work to save activities (02/24/09)
Youth music programs, the local Future Farmers of America chapter, the boys swim team, debate and mock trial were identified in a list of reductions as the Spencer School District tries to shave about $700,000 from the 2009-10 budget. The district held a public hearing Saturday that drew students and their families in an effort to keep their activities off the chopping block...

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