Stories from Thursday, May 17, 2012

Spencer earned two place winners at the State Meet at Drake Stadium Thursday and qualified one relay for the finals.

The American Red Cross of Northwestern Iowa celebrated and honored common citizens, the unheralded and unselfish pillars of their communities, on Tuesday, May 15. During the event, local resource representative Bob Kirschbaum announced that the Red Cross would be opening a satellite office in the Dream Center on the third floor of the building...

Ruthven school board met on Tuesday night to discuss the purchase of a new school bus, as well as upcoming bids for facility improvements. The new bus will be a 59-passenger Bluebird. The money for the new purchase will come from the PPEL fund, and was budgeted for this year...

A Tuesday morning hearing resulted in a continuation for former Clay Central-Everly Superintendent Monte Montgomery, who was charged with first-degree theft, a class C felony, on Feb. 8. Attorney Randy Sease appeared on Montgomery's behalf and requested a continuation of the pre-trial conference and scheduled trial, along with Clay County Attorney Mike Houchins...

The Spencer Ambassadors welcomed recently hired center director Christi Gabhart to the Spencer Area Activity Center. Gabhart said that, in addition to continuing with the program for citizens over 50 years of age at the center, she was going to dedicate a chunk of her time to expanding the branding of the SAAC. She noted that in some phone books the Senior Center still exists at its former Gateway North Mall address. The center offers programming and facility resources for the community and hopes to expand the facilities attractiveness for rentals. Gabhart believes the facility is underutilized and hopes that, with the scheduled acoustic work, it will become a more attractive option. She noted that SAAC is hosting a Community Health Fair Thursday, May 24, a senior driving course on June 1, and is looking to form partnerships with local Blue Zones organizers. (Photo by Randy M. Cauthron)

Kyle Kaldahl and Angela Fick announce their engagement and upcoming marriage. Their wedding date is July 7, 2012. Parents of the couple are Rev. Paul and Kristin Kaldahl, of Spencer, and Jeff and Bessie Fick, of Milwaukee, Wis.. Kyle is a 2007 graduate of Spencer High School and a 2011 graduate of Concordia University, Seward, Neb., with a degree in Business Finance. Kyle is currently employed by Ameritas Financial Center in Lincoln, Neb., as a Financial Representative. Angela is a 2007 graduate of Ogden High School and a 2011 graduate of Concordia University, Seward, Neb., with an Elementary Education degree. Angela is currently teaching grades K-8 at Immanuel Lutheran School in Polk, Neb. The couple will be making their home in Lincoln, Neb. and are planning a reception at First English Lutheran Church in Spencer on Aug. 11, 2012.

Gene and Debra McGuire of Spencer are pleased to announce the engagement and upcoming marriage of their son Allen to Alicia Gardalen, the daughter of Dennis and Monna Gardalen of Clarion. Allen is a 2001 graduate of Spencer High School. Allen has his own painting business and also works part-time as a cook in Hampton. Alicia is a 2004 graduate of Clarion-Goldfield High School. Alicia sells Tastefully Simple and also works part time as a bartender in Clarion. The couple is planning a June 2, 2012 wedding.

**Polaschek, Steffes to wed in Okoboji Daniel and Amy Polaschek of Spencer are proud to announce the engagement of their daughter, Mercedes Polaschek, to Marc Steffes, son of Larry and Ielene Steffes of Okoboji. Mercedes is a 2006 graduate of Spencer High School, and Marc is a 2001 graduate of Spencer High School. Marc received his degree in Construction Engineering from University of Nebraska in 2006 and currently owns and operates Steffes Companies, LLC. Mercedes recently opened BonBon Frozen Yogurt in Spencer and Arnold's Park. The couple will be married on Sept. 22, 2012 in Okoboji.

Volunteer Jigs Jorgensen, postal carrier Ron Hanson, Clay County Upper Des Moines Opportunity Director Anita Jorgensen, UDMO employee Dawn Vera and postal carrier Ned Munn unload about 1,500 pounds of nonperishable food Tuesday morning at Spencer's UDMO office. The food was the result of local participation in the national "Stamp Out Hunger" campaign on Saturday, and was an increase over previous years. Jorgensen expressed thanks to all carriers involved. (Photo by Gabe Licht)

A little more than a year ago, about 50 people crowded into Fostoria City Hall to discuss the future of their post office with representatives of the United States Postal Service. According to many of the attendees, the meeting did not go well. Some said the meeting was useless and the post office would be closed regardless of what they said...

Spencer Hy-Noon Kiwanis President Sue Salton (left) and club secretary Karen Buchholz (right) presented a $500 check from the club to Spencer Public Library staff Kayla Williams, teen librarian; Rita Nuebel, adult services librarian; and Sarah Beth Beaver, youth services librarian. The dollars will be used to bolster the summer reading program for participants ranging from infants to senior citizens. (Photo by Randy M. Cauthron)

Watch out for the purple toilet! Relay for Life's Marga-relay-ville team is depositing a purple toilet on the lawns of Spencer citizens as a fundraiser. Ten dollars will get the toilet taken off of your lawn, $20 will give the option to pick whose lawn is next, and $30 will ensure that your lawn stays toilet-free for the rest of the fundraiser. Marga-relay-ville will be transporting this purple toilet until the Relay for Life on June 22. This is their second year in the relay and their first year with the purple toilet, and they hope to raise about $1,300 between all of their fundraising events. Relay for Life is an event held at the Clay County Events Center to support the American Cancer Society.

A Spencer man charged with going armed with intent is scheduled for a plea-taking hearing at 9:30 a.m. on June 4. James Bainbridge, 43, attended a Tuesday morning pre-trial hearing with his attorney, Pam Wingert, with District 3A Judge Don Courtney presiding...

Scott Williamson, most recently from Eddyville-Blakesburg Community School District, will begin his new position as superintendent for Sioux Central Community Schools on July 1.

The annual American Legion and Auxiliary picnic was held Wednesday evening at Oneota Park in Spencer. American Legion members of the Glen Pedersen Post No. 1 and Auxiliary members of Glen Pedersen Unit No. 1 paid tribute to their fallen compatriots during ensuing ceremonies...