After 26 years of service to the Spencer Family YMCA Preschool, Marlis Kuiper is retiring from teaching. There will be a come-and-go coffee to honor her from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. today in the commons area at the YMCA. The public is invited to come celebrate her retirement.

Preservation Month scavenger hunt

The first annual Preservation Month scavenger hunt is under way, and all registration forms and pictures are due at the Iowa Lakes Resource Conservation and Development (ILRCD) office by June 2. Prizes such as Spencer Community Theatre tickets, books, and Spencer Main Street and restaurant gift certificates are available. To pick up a registration form and rules, visit Spencer City Hall, Spencer Community Theatre, Spencer Main Street, Iowa Lakes Resource Conservation and Development (ILRCD), Community State Bank or the Spencer Public Library.

* For more information, contact Sheriffa Jones at 262-2083.

Avenue of Flags volunteers needed

The Avenue of Flags committee is in need of help. It takes a lot of work each year to prepare for Memorial Day. Before the display of flags can get put up, the over 1,200 pipes in the ground that the flags go into need to be found. The more helpers, the easier it is and the faster it goes for all.

n To help, call Barb at 262-9462 during business hours or 262-1710 after hours.

Marsh dipping

The weekend program at the Lost Island Wetland Nature Center will be Marsh Dipping at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 24. The group will meet at the nature center and take a short hike to a marsh, where nets will be dipped and wildlife will be watched.

* For more information and for future programs, check out: www.paccb.org.

VFW pancake breakfast

The VFW will host a pancake breakfast from 7:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Sunday, May 25, with pancakes, eggs, sausage, coffee and juice for a free-will donation.

Memorial Day in Royal

A Memorial Day service in Royal will be held at 10:45 a.m. Monday, May 26 at the Triangle Park. Decorating graves at Tremolo and Willow Creek cemeteries will precede the service at 9 a.m. Following the service at the park, coffee and cookies will be served at the Community Center. In case of rain, all the services will be held in the Community Center at 10:45 a.m.

Memorial Day Service in Everly

Memorial Day services will be held at Everly's Lone Tree Cemetery and at the Hap Ketelsen Community Center at 10:30 a.m. May 26, dependent on weather. A burger bar will be at the community center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and a free-will offering will be accepted.

Memory Loss Support Group

Memory Loss Support Group will meet at 7 p.m. the last Monday of each month at Bethany Lutheran Church, 15 W. 14th St.

* For more information, call Dorothy and Blaine Hirt, (712) 332-7398.

'Livin' Inside Out in an Upside Down World'

Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School students will present their annual end-of--the-year musical titled "Livin' Inside Out in an Upside Down World," based on Psalm 51:6, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 28 at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 500 Fourth Ave. S.W., Spencer.

Single Spirits to meet

Single Spirits will hold its next meeting on Thursday, May 29 at the Spirit Lake Public Library. A potluck is set for 6:30 p.m., with a meeting to follow. Activities for the next five weeks will be planned. Single Spirits is an organization open to singles of all ages in the area.

* For more information, call Ray at 262-1539.

EMS, hospital offer free CPR training

What would you do if your loved one had a heart attack? Would you be prepared to respond or would you have to wait desperately for help to arrive?

Anyone can be a lifesaver when informed and educated in lifesaving skills by a well-prepared instructor. Clay County Emergency Medical Services Association and Spencer Hospital are teaming up to offer four free "Friends & Family CPR" courses on Saturday, May 31 in the Maple and Oak Conference rooms located in the lower level of Spencer Hospital. Classes will be held from 8-10 a.m.; 10:30a.m-12:30 p.m.; 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.; and 4-6 p.m. Although the classes are free, preregistration is required as each class size is limited to 48 students.

* To preregister, call Spencer Hospital's education reservation phone line at 264-6142.