Stories from Wednesday, November 12, 2008

With inclement weather stretched across northern Iowa and southern Minnesota, many scheduled Veterans Day ceremonies were cancelled. But with snow falling all around him, Brigadier General Allen J. Smith, retired Commander of the Iowa Air National Guard reminded those gathered at the Clay County Veterans Memorial, just north of Spencer Municipal Utilities on Grand Avenue, that those that were being honored Tuesday had endured far worse...

The Everly Quasquicentennial Committee will host November Fest on Saturday, Nov. 15 at the Hap Ketelsen community Center on Main Street Everly. Food will be served from 6-8 p.m. featuring brats and kraut, German roast, German bean and sausage soup, hot German potato salad and baked pretzels...

Ethan David Dietzenbach, son of Jeff and Aimee Dietzenbach of Arnolds Park, was born Nov. 3, 2008. He weighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces. Grandparents are David and Connie Stein of Milford, and Myrle and Kaye Dietzenbach of Independence.

Larry and Stephanie Fay of Ruthven are the proud parents of a new daughter, Taylor Marie Fay. She was born Nov. 3, 2008 and weighed 7 pounds, 2.8 ounces. Taylor was welcomed home by big sister, Madisen.

The Holiday Family Adoption Program kicks off today with the first listing of families in The Daily Reporter. The Holiday Family Adoption Program, a Spencer-area holiday staple, allows generous area families, businesses and service groups to share in the holiday spirit and bounty...

Dawn Hagedorn, production manager with Sunshine Services joins Ann Vandehaar, Sunshine's executive director to accept a $1,000 donation from UPS, delivered by Spencer UPS Manager, Bill Vanderah.

Over 40 high school students and parents attended the first-ever "Where Are the Welders?" Instructional Forum and Career Fair held at the Spencer High School Industrial Tech building in Spencer Monday night. The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation hosted the Instructional Forum and Career Fair which provided students an opportunity to hear from welding instructors, employers and local manufacturers sharing their insight on the welding and fabrication industry. ...

Randy and Darlene Vanden Heuvel of Spencer are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter Jill Vanden Heuvel to Tyler Navratil, both of Denver, Colo. The happy couple was married on Oct. 17, 2008 at The Wellshire Country Club in Denver, with Pastor Ken Summers officiating. A dinner reception followed the ceremony. Jill and Tyler are both cosmetologists and are employed in Denver...

Funeral services for Mr. Bradley Haburn, 53 of Spencer will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008 at Warner Chapel in Spencer. Rev. Tom Dettmer will officiate the service. No visitation is planned. Interment will take place at Sunset View Cemetery in Washta...

Funeral services for Bob LaBrant, 98 of Spencer will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008 at the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints in Spencer. President Jim Olsen will officiate the service. Visitation will begin at 12 p.m. on Wednesday with the family present from 6-8 p.m., Wednesday at Warner Funeral Home in Spencer...

William B. McDonald, 79, passed away Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008 at his home in Mitchell, S.D. A memorial service will be held for Bill at 1 p.m., Friday Nov. 28, 2008 at the United Methodist Church in Spirit Lake. A reception will be held immediately following, at the home of Jeannie McDonald, located on the south shore of Big Spirit Lake...

Funeral services for Ron Williamson, 58 will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008 at Zion Lutheran Church at Ruthven. Rev. Luther Thoresen will officiate the service. Visitation at the Martin-Mattice Funeral Home in Ruthven. Interment will take place at Crown Hill Cemetery in Ruthven...

Funeral services for Marylin F. Sievers-Tronson, 74 of Spencer will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008 at Warner Chapel in Spencer. Rev. Paul Hansen will officiate the service. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home...

Vocabulary, literacy, creativity and computer skills are intertwining for Spencer Middle School seventh graders who are in the midst of writing and designing their own personal pamphlets for class. Anji Bennett, the art director of Standard Printing and Design of Spencer, spoke to students Tuesday about how layout can help make their pamphlets come to life for readers. ...

The Spencer school board finds itself in the midst of deciding how to tell the community about a projected $340,803 budget deficit expected again in 2009-10. This follows last year, when board members slashed approximately $1.1 million from the 2008-09 school year's budget figures (See page 2.)...