Outdoor Recreation

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...

Spencer building listed on National Register of Historic Places (03/09/10)
It's official. Spencer's former high school and middle school building at 104 E. Fourth St. is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Administered by the National Park Service, this program is the U.S. government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation...

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. ...

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...

Enjoying a day at the 'spa' (02/19/10)
Dozens of area mothers were treated to a morning of special indulgences Thursday at the Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) annual Spa Day, held at Hope Reformed Church in Spencer. Following a breakfast together, each of the women were allowed to leisurely visit stations where they relaxed and enjoyed a variety of services and treatments offered by local businesses and representatives.

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. ...

Ag Outlook turns focus to future (02/13/10)
The 26th Annual Northwest Iowa Ag Outlook Conference and Trade Show will be held Tuesday, Feb. 16, at the Clay County Regional Events Center on the Clay County Fairgrounds in Spencer and will feature an industry trade show and an agricultural forum...

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...

Spencer center to host auction (02/06/10)
Following their center's recent relocation into a newly-renovated historical landmark in Spencer, representatives of the Spencer Area Activity Center are planning to host a public auction in order to sell furnishings from their former location. "We are so excited to finally be settled into our new location. ...

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. ...

Heroes came in all shapes and sizes (12/26/09)
He's not faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive or able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. He can't swing from a web like a spider. He can't turn invisible, burst into flame or stretch his body. But make no doubt about it, Chase Wells is a hero. ...

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. ...

Big turnout for Oak Ridge Boys (12/22/09)
Richard Sterban - who sings bass for The Oak Ridge Boys - performs in front of a audience of over 1900 Sunday, December 19 at the Clay County Regional Event Center. The group, which has performed at the Clay County Fair, performed many of their classics as well as new material...

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...

Flagfest Youth Ambassador search under way (11/14/09)
The 26th annual summer festival Flagfest will include a variety of activities, including the selection of the Flagfest Youth Ambassador. Applications are being accepted from area youths interested in participating in the competition. If selected the 2010 Flagfest Youth Ambassador, the youth will represent Spencer and the surrounding area during various events, including Flagfest, Ag Outlook Ag Breakfast, Clay County Fair Booth, St. Pat's Parade and other area events and parades...

Paying tribute to a SHS 'stairwell hero' (11/12/09)
The new picture of a Spencer High School "stairwell hero" was dedicated during a Veterans Day program held Wednesday on Dale Norton Field. The students and staff members who filled the bleachers overlooking the SHS football field learned of Leonard Borchard Jr. during the ceremony. An older, faded picture of the 1966 SHS graduate had graced the stairwell leading from their building's student center to its first floor classrooms.

Haunted hike benefit set for Baby Javin (10/24/09)
Ghosts, goblins and other things that go bump in the night are sure to be out and about during a haunted hike benefit slated for an area infant. Organizers guarantee the hike -- which is scheduled from 7-9 p.m. Halloween night -- will be scary. Set to begin in the rural Dickens garage of Marvin and Rhonda Smith, the baby's maternal grandparents, hikers will proceed through a lit series of twists and turns certain to strike fear in them. ...

City postpones action on Casey's store proposal (10/16/09)
Members of the Spencer Planning and Zoning Commission held off on plans to re-plat an area near the Clay County Fairgrounds to accommodate a Casey's General Store relocation and expansion. The Clay County Fair is selling the company a 200-by-200 foot lot on the northwest corner of Fourth Avenue West and West 18th Street to facilitate a newer and larger convenience store. Planning and Zoning Commission members have unresolved questions for Casey's project developers...

'Creating Grand Opportunities' -- a communitywide strategic plan (10/09/09)
Tarrel Storey and Dan Heissel, co-chairs of the Spencer Vision Coordinating Committee, unveiled a 36-project plan designed to make Spencer a better place to "Live Work and Play." Building on a theme originating with the Iowa Great Lakes Corridor of Opportunity, a team of approximately 40 Spencer area residents worked together under the label, "Spencer Area Strategic Planning Team," dedicating four-plus hours a month for the past 12 months to come up the project bases designed to build on the assets that Spencer already offers.. ...

Parker Historical Society to gain downtown presence (10/02/09)
It seems very appropriate that a business with long ties to the Spencer community has helped to pave the way to a new home for a local organization dedicated to preserving the county's history. A purchase agreement was signed this week between the Parker Historical Society and the owners of Johnston Automotive, which will allow the society to move its offices and exhibition area to the company's Grand Avenue location...

Ag reps encouraged, warned about future of industry (09/19/09)
While times may be tough, nearly 100 agricultural representatives were encouraged to keep their chins up and focus on the prize during a luncheon held Thursday at the Clay County Fair. ...

Labor of love results in win (09/19/09)
A garment sewn with love earned its creator the top prize, Best Overall, in the Textile Division of the Creative Living Center of the Clay County Fair. Cindy McGranahan, who's daytime job is director of the Parker Historical Society of Clay County, took the honor with a wedding dress, designed and sewn for her son's fianc�...

Hogs, heart and help (09/18/09)
Three years ago, when Jerry Faulkner, grandfather of Shayla Kaye Rohrbaugh, was working to establish a special fund to assist working class families with medical needs in his late grandchild's honor, he said, "...I hope it to be a legacy instead of just a one- or two-year thing."...

Krause stumps for Grassley's seat at fair (09/15/09)
U.S. Senate aspirant Bob Krause (D-Fairfield) campaigned Saturday at the Clay County Fair. The 59-year-old, who acknowledges he faces stiff odds in his bid to defeat Iowa's senior senator, readily recited the handful of colorful statements his foe has made over the last few months, recited the incumbent's voting record and then forecast "that the winds they are a changing." ...

Vicki Myron's children's book to appear at Clay County Fair (09/10/09)
Vicki Myron will have her children's book available at the Clay County Fair. For a story on the children's book and her new projects associated with Dewey Readmore Books, see Thursday's Daily Reporter.

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...

'Big Star -- Little Star Entertainment' gives youth a time to shine (09/01/09)
On Friday, Sept. 18, third through eighth grade students are welcome to showcase their talent on stage in the 4-H Auditorium at the Clay County Fair. "Big Star -- Little Star Entertainment" is a talent presentation set to go on Friday afternoon in the 4-H Auditorium. ...

It's biz camp time for area youth (07/28/09)
Reading assignments replace the fireside stories at this camp. The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation's Second Annual Entrepreneurship Academy is under way at Iowa Lakes Community College in Spencer. Eight students, from the Spencer, Webb and Spirit Lake areas, are attending the academy, which has a middle school focus...

Peterson artist paints her lifelong passion (07/25/09)
Barb McGee has been drawing them from the time she could hold a pencil. But it wasn't until she turned 13, opened the pages of "Quarter Horse Journal" and saw the beautiful painted equines by Darol Dickinson and the late Orren Mixer that her fate was sealed. ..

Extreme Am VI events announced (07/25/09)
Celebrating six years this year, Spencer's Extreme Am skateboard competition and festival will take place over the course of two days at East Leach Park Skatepark on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 15-16. This free event offers amateur skateboarders from around the region to come together and compete in three competitions: Freestyle, vert and big air. ...

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...

Peters, Stewart wed at Clay County Fair site (07/23/09)
Monica Harig Peters and Jimmy Stewart were united in marriage June 6, 2009, at the Sundholm Environmental Center Log Cabin on the Clay County Fairgrounds, Spencer. Pastor Scott Meier officiated the ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Randy and Joni Harig of Spencer and Ellie Johnson of Spencer. The groom is the son of Charlie and Sandy Stewart of Langdon and Arlene Stewart of Spencer...

Briefs 7/21/09 (07/21/09)
The annual Clay County 4-H Achievement Day will be held on Tuesday, July 21 in the 4-H Auditorium on the Clay County Fairgrounds. The event will begin at 8 a.m. and end about 5 p.m. Achievement Day is a mini-fair for Clay County 4-Hers. Due to the fact that our county youth are in school during the Clay County Fair, this event provides an opportunity for 4-H members to bring their project exhibit work to be judged. ...

Chow down before the checkered flag (07/21/09)
Race fans will have something to sample before the Summer Shootout races Thursday night at the Clay County Fairgrounds. Food vendors will be serving up a tailgate-style barbecue meal from 5-7 p.m. in the U.S. Cellular Plaza (hoop building) located south of the Grandstands...

Board to ready for 2009-10 school year Tuesday (07/18/09)
The Spencer Community Schools Board of Education will convene its monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, in the board room of the central administrative offices, located at 23 E. Seventh St. Approval of consent items, including minutes from the June 30 and July 8 board meetings, bills, a teacher employment and sharing agreement for a 2009-10 swimming program with the Spencer Family YMCA for $3,740 if the district provides school year busing for the YMCA or for $5,280 if it doesn't, and personnel recommendations will then be sought.. ...

Whispers from the spirits of Everly's past (07/17/09)
Looking for an opportunity to gain a bit of a historic perspective about the people who helped make Everly what it is -- take part in the Cemetery Walk at Lone Tree Cemetery from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Saturday, July 18. Walking tours will leave every half hour...

Patty Judge kicks off Travel Iowa tour (07/09/09)
Vowing to take a ride on one of the attractions at the Arnolds Park Amusement Park and grab some candy from the Queen's Court, Iowa's Lt. Governor Patty Judge made a stop in the Lakes area this week to tout Iowa's tourism opportunities. The stop was part of Travel Iowa '09, a 67-stop statewide tour designed to highlight some of Iowa's many unique, fun, and affordable attractions...

Store, museum celebrate Everly's 125 years (07/09/09)
With its big Quasquicentennial celebration right around the corner, volunteers in Everly are gearing up for the event. Committees have been meeting for months to prepare the dozens of events and activities which will draw thousands to the small town located just west of Spencer. Everly school alumni will return, and families will open their homes to relatives back to celebrate the big event...

Elliott named top writer in festival contest (07/07/09)
Iowa singer/songwriter Chad Elliott was recently named the winner of the Woody Guthrie Festival songwriting contest with his original song, "Same Old Way." "It is such an honor for me to receive this. Woody Guthrie has been very influential on me as a songwriter. The song that won first place is all about walking down the highway and facing change, something Woody knew too well," Elliott said...

2004 'Citizen of the Year' Veitch passes (07/02/09)
Just a month before he was named the 2004 Spencer "Citizen of the Year," Don Veitch was interviewed and shared a philosophy that identified the kind of person he was: "There are no bad days. Some days are just better than others." Wednesday, Spencer lost one of its icons. Veitch, 91, passed away at Spencer Hospital. Funeral arrangements are pending at Warner Funeral Home of Spencer...

More on Don Veitch (07/01/09)
The Greenville native, with expressive eyes and a subtle smile, can paint a rosy picture for even the grimmest of tales. Don Veitch's long-held philosophy is: "There are no bad days. Some days are just better than others." The 86-year-old Spencer resident was handed a "real low number" over six decades ago, which meant he didn't have very long to wait before being drafted...

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...

Cleaning the Little Sioux: Wal-Mart employees, volunteers sweep river for junk (05/30/09)
If you're going to plan a cleanup project, why not plan it on a beautiful day and include canoes and a river as two of your key tools. Starting from two different points, Wal-Mart employees from the Spencer and Storm Lake stores worked together to help cleanup one of northwest Iowa's main waterways. ...

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...

Volunteer help, financial donations being sought for new clubhouse (05/22/09)
Just as the new clubhouse being built on the Spencer Municipal Golf Course nears fruition, the course's superintendent is requesting assistance in order to complete the project's finishing touches. Anticipating contractors will be done with their work on the clubhouse in early July, plans are for the building to open for business by the first part of August...

'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...

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. ...

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. ...

Related subjects