Stories from Monday, July 25, 2016

A full day of activity at Weasy's Lounge and Grille began with a motorcycle Poker Run Saturday afternoon and concluded with a street dance featuring Judd Hoos. (Above) Motorcycles lined the front of the downtown establishment and wrapped around the block as approximately 70 bikes -- some with more than one rider -- received a police escort as they headed south on Grand Avenue on their way out of Spencer. The event was organized as a fundraiser for Ashlynn Gross, daughter of Jeff and Brandi Gross, who was born with 22Q deletion syndrome. (Below) Ashlynn and her parents were joined by her siblings (in the background) for a quick introduction before the Poker Run got underway. (Right) Some of those responsible for the day's activities wore shirts to support Ashlynn. According to www.nationwidechildrens.org, the syndrome occurs in approximately 1 out of every 4,000 live births. It has the ability to affect every system of the body, and although there is no cure, many therapies and medical interventions are available to help address its associated symptoms. The majority of patients have congenital heart defects, most often conotruncal abnormalities and palatal defects, including submucosal cleft palate and velopharyngeal dysfunction. (Photos by Randy M. Cauthron)

Traffic was stopped on Grand Avenue shortly after 1 p.m. Saturday to allow an estimated 70 motorcycles to head south out of Spencer following the riders' departure from Weasy's Lounge and Grille as part of a Poker Run fundraiser for an area family with a child battling 22Q deletion syndrome.

Spencer resident Jim Berhow shared a photo he was able to capture of a bald eagle nesting a few miles from town. This bald eagle is one of two nesting together with two young that they are actively teaching to hunt and feed themselves according to Berhow.

Spencer High School careers and business teacher and business adjunct at Buena Vista University Lakes Region, Liz Kluver, was awarded the Prairie and Lake's Adjunct Faculty Member of the Year. "I always had a passion for business. I love keeping up with current events, strategies and theories. I also have a big passion for teaching, I love the students I work with," Kluver said...

Community members gathered outside First Congregational Church in Spencer Sunday morning to help 13-year-old Carly Larson, of Spencer, celebrate the arrival of her new ride with a special bike parade that left the church and traveled the Clay County Fairgrounds before returning to the church...

Effective July 1, the North Iowa Care Connections Region is contracting with the Seasons Center to provide a crisis phone line for the public. The region services Clay, Dickinson, Lyon, O'Brien, Osceola and Palo Alto counties. "It's one of the core services under crisis management, so as a region, we have to provide it," Bill Leupold, chairman of the NWICCR board said...

MASON CITY -- Iowans are living longer than ever before, with one out of every five residents now aged 60 or older. That number is expected to grow over the next few decades, with the vast majority of individuals stating they would prefer to age in place, in their homes and communities of choice. To ensure that option is a viable one, a comprehensive network of long-term supports and services will have to be available statewide, and older Iowans will need to know how to access those resources...

Spending time with their parents is very important for kids, but spending time with their grandparents can be equally important and beneficial. An article on the website Senior Outlook Today by Tracey Clayton says grandparents can awaken interests and emotions in kids that no other relative is capable of. The connection children can create with someone that much older than them is definitely something that will shape their personalities for years to come...

You reap what you sow. I thought about that admonition Sunday as I was out in the garden, so lovingly sown by my husband. He's the sower in our family, and the tender of the crops. He hands off much of the reaping and dealing with the fruits of his labor to me. Our tag-team garden method has worked well for a long time...