Hobbies

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. ...

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...

Steinkamp, Barnett taking the work out of gardening (12/22/09)
Tyler Steinkamp has enjoyed gardening and producing vegetables since second grade. Michael Barnett, who grew up with not a lot of conducive gardening space available, realized last summer while helping his friend pick produce from his yard that he also truly enjoyed the hobby. The two Spencer High School alumni, now South Dakota State University (SDSU) students, have co-partnered to form Personalized Produce LLC. The aim of their business venture is to allow Spencer residents the fruits (or vegetables) of their labor this upcoming growing season. ...

Busy construction site (12/17/09)
Like the distinguished Hollywood starlet who wants to prolong her career, the Spencer Community Theatre building has gone in for a nip here and a tuck there. The region's theater fans can expect to see better performances from the ol' girl as a result...

Poet laureate to headline 'Written Word' event (11/17/09)
In February 2009, Governor Chet Culver announced Mary Swander's appointment as Poet Laureate of the State of Iowa. For Swander, a graduate of the University of Iowa Writers Workshop and a Distinguished Professor of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Iowa State University, this was just the latest of a long string of awards, including an Iowa Author's Award in 2006 and the Carl Sandburg Literary Award in 1981...

Preview food, fun before fair begins (09/10/09)
Enjoy the 2009 Clay County Fair before it officially opens with the Fantastic Friday Preview from 6 p.m. to midnight, Friday, Sept. 11. The Clay County Fair Midway will be the feature of the Fantastic Friday Preview with rides operating all evening. Additionally, there will be an opportunity to experience a taste of the fair in the Events Center Grand Ballroom with various food vendors on hand...

SCT joins with Events Center for 50th year anniversary (07/24/09)
Spencer Community Theatre's productions will look a little different in the upcoming season. That's because they'll be performed on stage at the Clay County Regional Events Center. Both organizations are excited about the prospect of cooperating to produce SCT's 50th season of theater...

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...

Fair's Floriculture Department taking reservations (05/29/09)
The Clay County Fair's Floriculture Department is in full bloom and preparing for the 2009 fair, Sept.12 -- 20. Reservations are now being taken for the Saturday Design and Exhibition Table classes and Wednesday Design classes during the fair. As in past years, the Floriculture Department will be continually changing throughout the length of the fair. Exhibits can be found on the north end of the Creative Living Center. The first weekend of the fair will showcase the Gladiolus, with entries being accepted that Saturday until 10:30 a.m. Roses, Arboreal, Annuals and Perennials will be entered beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday night and will be displayed through Wednesday. The Container-grown Plants, Open Class Artistic Arrangements and Collages will be accepted after 6 p.m. on Wednesday and will be displayed throughout Thursday and Friday. Dahlias will round-out the fair with entries being accepted at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19 and will be display until the end of the fair on Sunday. Entries for the design classes do not have to be grown by the exhibitor, but horticulture classes must be grown and entered by the same exhibitor. Although there are currently no specified youth classes, the department welcomes young people to enroll their projects into the open class categories. Beginner entrants or those not interested in making a floral design are encouraged to enter in the Artistic Crafts class. Lots in the class include decorated packages, a corsage or contrived flower ornaments. Exhibitors are welcome to enter their Artistic Crafts at the fair after 6 p.m. on Wednesday and no reservation is needed. The exhibits for this class must include a plant material. Judging will be continual throughout the fair, as the different classes are on display. Judges for the Clay County Fair are accredited by the National Federation of Garden Club, Inc. Exhibits will be on display in the Creative Living Center throughout the entire fair. Any questions regarding the Floriculture Department may be directed to Twila Henning at 262-1447 or Lola Campney at 262-7437. Premium books may be picked up at the Clay County Fair office or accessed online at www.claycountyfair.com. * For additional information visit www.claycountyfair.com or call 712-262-4740.

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...

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...

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...

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...

Launch of Spencer school apartments celebrated (03/10/09)
A large crowd gathered Monday morning to witness -- and celebrate -- a viable example of what community partners can accomplish together in downtown Spencer. The ceremony, held on the third floor of the former Spencer Middle School building located at 104 E. Fourth St., marked an official launch of the Spencer school apartments project...

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...

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:...

Spencer band members to participate in BVU Honor Band (02/21/09)
The 28th Annual Buena Vista University Honor Band Festival will be held on Feb. 28. Both the Spencer Middle School and Spencer High School bands will be well represented on performance night. Appearing on behalf of the middle school: Rachel Dole, flute; Kelsey Morisch, oboe; Tiffany Martindale, clarinet; Amber Ellis, clarinet, Sean McCord, tuba, Sam Koppen, tuba, and Tory Soma, tuba. ...

Board discusses park plan, grant application (02/12/09)
Spencer Park Board members contemplated the creation of a new master plan for Westview Memorial Park, agreed to apply for a SAFTEA-LU grant for trail enhancement work on the Spencer West Beltway project and were told about Grand Avenue enhancement project updates during a meeting held Tuesday night in city hall...

Student ensures others' safety (01/24/09)
Alex Seaman's recent mission -- and the realization of it -- will benefit others who follow him. The Spencer High School (SHS) senior, who has mentored "Tech B" students the last two semesters in the technical-education building's shop area, knew firsthand there was a need for the extra safety features the new SawStop table saw offers its users...

SCT reprises hit show 'Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story' (01/10/09)
Spencer Community Theatre has been invited to reprise the hit musical "Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story," as part of the Winter Dance Party festivities celebrating the life and music of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper. "Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story" premiered at SCT in February 2008 to sold-out houses and an extended run. ...

Dance the night away (01/06/09)
Spencer and Clay Central-Everly (CCE) high school students are invited to put their dancing shoes on for a dance set to unite the two schools' youth. The dance, which will be held Friday night from 9 p.m. until 12 a.m. Saturday at the Clay County Regional Events Center, was initiated by several Spencer High School students who broached the possibility of having a dance this time of year -- between homecoming and Valentine's Day -- with Positively Spencer Youth (PSY) representatives...

Johnson celebrates holidays tonight (12/11/08)
Students from Johnson Elementary School rehearsed for tonight's winter concert Wednesday afternoon. The performance will begin at 6:30 p.m. tonight at the old Spencer Middle School Auditorium. The concert, which will feature a collection of holiday music, will conclude the K-3 elementary concerts for the winter season. The high school band and vocal winter concert is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday night at the Spencer Fieldhouse...

Four days of holiday activities begin tonight (12/04/08)
Begin the holiday season by attending an Evening Gala Premier at Parker Museum, 300 E. Third St., from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4, where you're invited for a first look at 11 holiday-decorated rooms; and wrap up the weekend with the Festival of Choirs on Sunday afternoon at Sacred Heart Catholic Church...

One good turn deserves another: Polson recycling wood, making works of art (11/15/08)
Perry Polson has made an art of making "something out of nothing." The Spencer-based wood turner is also becoming known for his unique style of recycling wood. Polson, a native of Hartley, recalls woodworking's appeal for him in high school shop class...

Spencer to be represented at Northwest Iowa High School Honor Band Festival (11/14/08)
Approximately 225 high school musicians from 44 area high schools will combine their talents for the 55th annual Northwest Iowa Honor Band Festival at 7 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009 in Eppley Auditorium at the Morningside College Campus in Sioux City...

Warburton Selected to All-State Orchestra (11/01/08)
On Saturday, Oct. 25, five students from Okoboji High School competed with 1,200 of the finest musicians from Northwest Iowa for the privilege to perform in the 2008 Iowa High School Music Association's All-State Music Festival. Being accepted into the All-State Music Festival is one of the highest honors a high school musician can achieve...

Clay County collector, retrofitter farms with 'working antiques' (10/03/08)
When Lindell "Pete" Petersen began combining Monday night, he was excited to also initiate the process of familiarizing himself with a new implement. The Clay County farmer, who had traded his combine in two months ago, was recently told his former piece of equipment is now harvesting crops in Mexico...

Briefs 9-19-08 (09/19/08)
The Starlings duo will be live on stage at Shaky Tree Coffee at 8 p.m. tonight. It's rootsy music with a simple beauty. --- The Grand Slam Sportscard Show will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 20 at the Southpark Mall. Collectors and sports fans will enjoy the variety of sportscards and collectibles on display to buy, sell and trade...

Briefs 8-15-08 (08/15/08)
The YMCA Summer Dance Party for students entering seventh and eighth grade will be held on the Spencer YMCA Tennis Courts with a live DJ from 8-10 p.m., tonight . Refreshments will be for sale. Admissions is $3 for members and $5 for non-members. A dress code will be enforced. YMCA membership cards are required to receive discount. If there is severe weather, the dance will be held inside the YMCA...

Living History Farms sells plot to developer (08/14/08)
DES MOINES (AP) -- Living History Farms has sold 40 acres of its land to create an endowment that would help finance the museum's operations. Polk County Recorder records show the sale was finalized at the end of July to S&S Heritage Park LLC, which paid nearly $7.2 million for the property...

Hansel to lead YMCA dance program (08/14/08)
Jennifer (Gabhart) Hansel has signed on as the new dance instructor at the Spencer Family YMCA. Jennifer grew up in Spencer, graduated from SHS in 2002 and took dance at the YMCA since the inception of the program. Jennifer attended Hope College and majored in Psychology, where she also took dance classes in modern, tap and jazz. ...

Briefs 8-13-08 (08/13/08)
St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Hartley, is sponsoring a community-wide benefit for the family of Jan Hall to help defray medical bills incurred during Jan's battle with illness. The free-will dinner and auction will be held at the Hartley Community Center on Thursday, Aug. ...

Chicago theater unites four Spencer grads (08/12/08)
In what seem to have been several "fated" coincidences, four Spencer High School graduates, all of whom were bitten locally by the theater bug, have connected in Chicago. Known for its intimate "storefront" theaters that seat between 30 and 100 people, Josh Odor, Ben Fuchsen, Aaron DeYoung and Eric Van Tassell can all testify to the inner workings of the "The Windy City's" theaters...

'Footloose' opens tonight at Spencer Community Theatre (08/07/08)
Spencer Community Theatre presents the northwest Iowa premiere of "Footloose," opening tonight and running through August 10. One of the most energetic musicals to hit the silver screen will rock the live stage when the Spencer Community Children's Theatre presents their Summer Teen production of "Footloose." Featuring a talented group of teens and adults in and around the Spencer area, "Footloose" tells the story of a young man who, after his father leaves him, moves to a small town with a ban on dancing.. ...

Briefs 7-30-08 (07/30/08)
The Spencer Area Farmers Market will be held every Wednesday and Saturday, from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., in the Southpark Mall parking lot. Come see the homegrown, fresh produce for sale. --- It's a "Salad Luncheon Prayer Connection" at 12:30 p.m. today at the Arnold's Park City Hall in Arnold's Park. ...

Briefs 7-29-08 (07/29/08)
The American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held at Hope Reformed Church, 919 N. Grand Ave. on Tuesday, July 29 from 11-5 p.m. Ice cream sundaes will be served and all who come to donate can register to win one of two $25 gas cards to be given away each day...

Related subjects