Stories from Friday, May 29, 2009

The weather was picnic perfect for people attending the Grand Avenue Improvement Corporation's third annual picnic, held Thursday night in North School Park. Food and fellowship were shared by those who attended the gathering, which allowed participants to see final plans for the Grand Avenue redesign. The evening's "The Grand Makeover" program also included a time in which GAIC members discussed a few potential items they'd like to eventually see complement the Grand Avenue bridge and boulevard redesign, such as new street signs, sidewalks and descriptive plaques being placed in front of homes along Grand Avenue.

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.

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...