Briefs 5-14-08

Spencer Community Schools will be hosting a retirement recognition coffee from 3:45-5 p.m. today in Conference Room B at the Central Office, 23 E. 7th St. The coffee will recognize the following retirees: Maggie Nicks, Noreen Meyer, Joe Enderlin, Penny Goedicke, Jan Johnson, Pat Morisch, Betty Brennan, Becky Dettmer, Macrina Tesch, Mick Ketchum and Jo Ann Merrill. The public is invited to attend and honor these dedicated individuals for their years of service to the Spencer School District.

* Call 262-8950 for more information.

Cans for "Ketch"

Johnson Elementary School and the Spencer Middle School are collecting pop cans to help defray medical costs for Beth Snow-Ketchum, a teacher at Johnson Elementary School. She has recently been diagnosed with cancer. Her husband, Mick is a wrestling coach and English teacher at Spencer Middle School. Cans are being collected at all schools: Spencer High School, Fairview Elementary, Johnson Elementary, Lincoln Elementary and Spencer Middle School. Please drop off cans from now until May 12 at any of these locations.

Memorial Day Avenue of Flags

Anyone wishing to have a flag dedicated into the Avenue of Flags on Memorial Day needs to get it in before May 15. The only information that is needed to have a flag dedicated are birth and death dates, branch of service and war served. A donation to help pay for the flag and pole are appreciated.

* For more information, call Barb at 262-9462 during business hours or 262-1710 after hours or bring the flag into The Plaster Shop at 10 W. Fourth St., Spencer.

Glow ball golf tournament postponed

The two-person alternate shot glow ball golf tournament at the Spencer Municipal Golf Course has been scheduled for Friday, May 16. Proceeds will be donated to Relay for Life.

* To register, call the golf course at 580-7280; Mary Fiedler at 260-9086; Penny Bussell at 363-3079; or Connie Lundbeck at 260-5083.

Earle to perform

Coming up on Sunday, May 18 Shaky Tree will host Noah Earle. This is Noah's second time performing at The Tree. If you missed him the first time this is an opportunity you don't want to miss. This show is at 3 p.m. Noah has been touring as a solo performer throughout the Midwest for over two years. His debut cd, "Six Ways to Sunday," has garnered him praise in the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands, as well as at home. Most recently, Noah won the solo category of the Kansas City Blues Challenge and was a finalist in the International Blues Competition in Memphis in January of 2006.

* You can find him at www.noahearle.com.

NAMI meeting May 19

The monthly meeting of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 19 at Seasons Center for Community Mental Health, 201 11th St. Spencer. We will welcome Season's new Executive Director Carrie Baker, to the area and will jointly share our experiences and goals for the future. NAMI is available to all family members, care providers and persons with mental illness who can benefit from a supportive network that provides information and education to better understand and cope with mental illness.

* Please contact George or Betty at 362-2753 or Kim at 262-9438 with questions.

Cancer Support Group in Spencer

Are you struggling with fatigue or neuropathy from your cancer diagnosis or treatments? The Abben Cancer Center is offering a support group for cancer patients, family members, friends and survivors of all cancers. The next session will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Monday, May 19 at the Hope Reformed Church in Spencer, IA. Dawn Sexton, MA OTR/L, a master's level occupational therapist at the Spencer Hospital will be talking about energy conservation and how an occupational therapist can help cancer patients manage their fatigue.

* If you have any questions, please contact Kristy Conner, LBSW at the Abben Cancer Center at 264-6550.

Okoboji Women's Connection

Okoboji Women's Connection will have a luncheon entitled "Purse Instance" at the Inn at Okoboji at 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 21. Cost for the event is $10. Gwen Clemon, of Soldier, will be speaking on miracles she has experienced within her family entitled "A Miracle and Nothing Less". Marcy Weiner will accompany the speaker and have a special feature with her handmade purses. Music will be provided by Jan Mills of Arnolds Park.

Exhibitors needed for Health Fair

A date has been set for the Annual Health Fair, an event sponsored by the Spencer Area Activity Center and the RSVP Volunteer Program. It will be held Thursday, May 22, at Gateway North Center. People of all ages are invited to participate. Exhibits and health screens will be available form 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Businesses and organizations wishing to rent a booth are asked to call Mary Ann Harden at the Spencer Area Activity Center, 262-1782, as soon as possible, so that space can be reserved. Various workshops will be held throughout the morning. Lunch will be served at noon with door prizes given away after the meal. The only cost for the event is for the optional 12 p.m. meal.

* For more information, please call the Spencer Area Activity Center at 262-1782.

Willie Nelson to play Arnolds Park

Historic Arnolds Park Inc. announced Thursday that a national treasure, Willie Nelson and Family, will be performing on Saturday, July 19 at Preservation Plaza in The Park.

Nelson recently celebrated his 75th birthday and still packs a full tour schedule each year. Tickets will go on sale at 10:30 a.m. on May 23. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. with gates opening at 6 p.m. Tickets are available at www.arnoldspark.com, Arnolds Park Amusement Park ticket booth and all Ticketmaster locations.

Memorial Day Service in Everly

Memorial Day Services at Everly's Lone Tree Cemetery or at the Hap Ketelsen Community Building at 10:30 a.m., May 26, dependent on weather. Burger bar at Community Building from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free will offering accepted