Stories from Thursday, April 23, 2015

"When we think of heroes, we likely think of someone swooping in at the last minute to save the day ... Superheroes don't wear capes, they are among us every day," Jennifer Meyer, Red Cross Iowa Great Lakes Area board chair, told a large room of people gathered Thursday to honor five regional recipients of the Red Cross 2015 Heroes of the Heartland award...

Tom C. Howe carried on a family legacy after accepting this year's Citizen of the Year award Thursday evening at the Clay County Regional Events Center. "There is a wonderful symmetry to tonight's festivities," Daily Reporter Publisher Paula Buenger said. "As we near our 50th anniversary of this program, it must be noted that Tom's father, Harold Howe, was our very first Citizen of the Year, honored in 1967."...

A full day of activities will begin with a special community tree planting (above) associated with Spencer Trees Forever beginning at 9 a.m. Thirty-two trees will be planted at the Northwest Iowa Soccer Field and participants are asked to meet at the south fields on Ninth Street and 13th Avenue next to softball field No. 4. A short demonstration and refreshments will kickoff the morning. Volunteers are asked to bring shovels, buckets, rakes and other tools. Scharnberg Park will host the annual Polar Plunge (right) at noon with funds generated going to support Special Olympics programs. Team registration will begin at 11 a.m. with plungers heading into the water an hour later. Food and beverages will be served following the plunge at the shelter house. The Southpark Mall will host its annual motorcycle show all day with a special Shayla Bee 100 Family Celebration ceremony scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. in the mall. Supporters are encouraged to stop by throughout the day. (Below) Spencer High School promgoers will showcase their attire during the grand march at the Clay County Regional Events Center beginning at 8 p.m. The prom itself will follow and last until midnight when the after-prom activities will begin. (File photos)

The Clay County Fair announced an evening of country music featuring the Oak Ridge Boys with special guest Jimmy Fortune in the U.S. Cellular Grandstand at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14. "Veteran's Appreciation Day at the Fair this year will finish on a very high note," Clay County Fair Manager Jeremy Parsons said. "It's an honor to bring back true legends of country music to perform for our fairgoers."...

When Chris Galvin graduated from Spencer High School in 1980 and started college at Mankato State -- now called Minnesota State at Mankato -- he didn't expect he would become a caricature artist. "They didn't teach caricature," he said. "Some of the art schools now have classes in caricature, but you're typically looking at a liberal arts education. I chose graphic design with a painting minor."...

AMES -- Kelly McCarty, regional director of the Northwest Iowa Small Business Development Center at Iowa Lakes Community College in Spencer, has been named the 2015 Iowa "State Star" by the national Small Business Development Center organization, America's SBDC...

Spirit Lake-Okoboji didn't mess around against Spencer's girls Thursday night, dropping the Tigers to 1-4 on the season overall and in the Lakes Conference by way of a 9-0 sweep. "This just shows how good SL-O is, but I thought we played really well tonight as a whole although it didn't make a dent in the final team score," Spencer girls tennis coach Brett Groen said. ...

SPIRIT LAKE -- The entire Spencer boys tennis lineup had to move up a slot Thursday against Spirit Lake-Okoboji, and the Indians took advantage, dropping the Tigers to 3-3 overall and 3-2 in the Lakes Conference by a score of 5-4. "Despite the loss tonight, I was really pleased with how well our guys competed. ...

STORM LAKE -- Lake Creek Golf and Country Club was unfriendly to the Sioux Central Rebel boys Thursday night, coaxing them into a team score of 207 which left them far behind the hosting Panthers of Storm Lake St. Mary's who carded a 179. Josh Demers was the meet medalist with a 42 for the Panthers...

With the weather finally cooperating, Spencer's boys were able to put together some solid rounds of golf Thursday night, carding a 161 to beat the visiting Odebolt-Arthur/Battle Creek-Ida Grove Falcons by four strokes. "This was the best weather we've played in all year, and our scores are showing steady improvement from the beginning of the year," Spencer boys golf coach Steve Bomgaars said. ...

OKOBOJI -- The Pearson Lakes Art Center invites you to one of the biggest and best performances this season. On Tuesday, May 12, at 7:30 p.m., instrumental and vocal Latin American folk music ensemble from Chile, Inti-Illmani will perform in the Lauridsen Performing Arts Theatre...

Paul Blart made a name for himself by helping shut down a bunch of criminals trying to take down a mall in his first movie. In "Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2," America's favorite protector of the food court takes things to the next level, finding himself leading a team of fellow "peace officers" against a high roller looking to steal precious art work from Wynn Hotel in Sin City...

Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." I have often said the Lord is a travel agent for those who will acknowledge Him in all their ways. We all need His direction...

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey has got a very big job ahead of him that was made all the tougher by the Des Moines Water Works (DMWW) lawsuit filed against drainage districts in Northern Iowa for non-point source nutrient runoff. He has been exceedingly sensitive to conservation concerns and has been diligently trying to bridge the gap in understanding between rural and urban populations in the discord over conservation approach. ...

Well-known Christian artists Kutless, Shawn McDonald, and Bread of Stone will be performing live in Spencer as part of the Hope Is Something More Tour on Tuesday, April 28 at the Clay County Regional Events Center. Doors are expected to open at 6:30 p.m. with festivities kicking off at 7 p.m...

Services for Arlyn "Butch" Bergendahl, 72, of Spencer, will be conducted at 1 p.m. Monday, April 27, at Warner Funeral Home in Spencer. Rev. Jennifer Hesebeck will officiate the service. Visitation will be conducted beginning 3 p.m. Sunday, with the family present from 5-8 p.m., at Warner Funeral Home...

Jeff Warner (left) and a group of area men will be conducting a bike ride to the Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 25, and then return to Spencer, wrapping up the day with a men's service at 7 p.m. at Living Word Outreach Ministries Those without motorcycles are encouraged to carpool or truck pool to participate in the day's event. All are welcome on the family ride to West Bend. (Photo submitted)

I've been listening to this record seemingly on repeat since I noticed it on Tuesday. I'm already a fan of Passenger -- "Let Her Go" was one of my favorite songs when it was first on the radio a few years ago. What I love about his music is that I can put it on and immediately relax. ...

This book definitely falls into the category of "Women's Fiction." New York Times-bestselling author Paula Brackston blends Celtic mythology with a modern-day story of two women and the magic that connects them despite their 1,000-year separation. Seren is a shaman in the Celtic era. She's in love with the prince -- a married man that she can't be seen in public with -- though she has a recurring dream that threatens the future of him and his family...