The Spencer Area Farmer's Market will be held every Wednesday and Saturday, from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., in the Southpark Mall parking lot. Come see the homegrown, fresh produce for sale.

'Terrific Trees' at Lost Island Nature Center

Weekend Program at Lost Island Prairie Wetland Nature Center will feature "Terrific Trees" at 10 a.m. on July 12.

Join us to learn about Iowa trees as we hike through the forested trails near the Nature Center. We'll make prints of leaves belonging to Iowa natives using the technique of Cherokee leaf printing.

* For more information on this program or other programs at the Nature Center visit www.paccb.org. Sponsored by the Palo Alto County Conservation Board and Palo Alto Soil and Water Conservation District.

Ruthven Yard/Bake Sale

Ruthven United Methodist Yard Sale and Homemade Rolls and Pie

Beginning at 7 a.m. on Saturday, July 12, the Ruthven United Methodist Men are having their 5th Annual Yard Sale at the church on Rolling Street in conjunction with Bully Bull Head Weekend. Proceeds go towards an annual Community Betterment Project.

In addition, the Methodist Women will be holding a bake sale serving homemade cinnamon rolls and coffee in the Fellowship Hall from 7-10 p.m. One block east of the church at the Community Center, you can relax in air conditioned comfort while you enjoy a piece of your favorite kind of homemade pie from 10:30-2:30 p.m. Ice cream, iced tea and coffee will also be available. Proceeds go towards mission projects.

'Invasive Species' talk Monday

Lost Island Prairie Wetland Nature Center Program "Invasive Species" at 7 p.m., July 14. Ecologist, Laura Jackson, Ph.D. from the University of Northern Iowa will be speaking about invasive species. Dr. Jackson will explain what invasive plants and animals are and how we can help prevent them from taking control of Iowa's native habitats. Refreshments will be served. Sponsored by Palo Alto Conservation Board and the Palo Alto Soil and Water Conservation District.

Prairie Lakes Field Trip

All are welcome to attend the Prairie Lakes Audubon Chapter field trip, at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15 at the Lost Island Nature Center located at Ruthven (three miles north of Ruthven in Huston County Park). A "bring your own sack lunch" picnic will be followed by a tour and nature hike presented by Naturalist Miriam Patten. Carpoolers meet at the east end of the Great Lakes Mall parking lot in Spirit Lake at 5:45 p.m.

Okoboji Women's Connection

Come, join the fun as Okoboji Women's Connection has a luncheon entitled "Bargain Basement Babes" at the Inn at Okoboji at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 16. Cost for the event is $10. After a style show of found bargains; Ilene Dirks will tell us how she selected life in her talk of "From Lonely Only to Life" since life is all about choices. Each lady was given $15 in play money to spend on clothes for the style show and some have really used their frugal nature to help us have a time of fun and relaxation. A bargain centerpiece will be given away at each table, so, grab your neighbor and join us and we hope you go home a winner.

* All reservations are to be honored. Cancellations must be in by Sunday evening July 13 at 712-338-4318. For reservations, call: Kay 262-8911 or Darlene 262-2769.

Classroom Collection underway

The classroom collections project is underway at the Southpark Mall in South Spencer, and we need your help. Over 495 Spencer students in grades K through 6 will not start this school year with the basic supplies needed…unless you can help. There are two simple ways to get involved: first, stop out at the Southpark Mall and take a bag off the display. On the bag is a list of the supplies needed for the grade you choose. Fill the bag with the items listed, and return it to the Southpark Mall Office, JC Penney catalog counter or Claire's. Or, an even simpler way to help…just drop off your cash donations at the mall office, or mail a check to: Classroom Collections, Southpark Mall Office, 901 11th St. SW, Spencer, IA 51301. The number of needy students has increased again this year, and the price of supplies has gone up too… so your help is needed more than ever. Please give to the classroom collections project today.

* Project deadline is July 31 so all supplies can be distributed to the schools before classes start.

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.

Backyard Bach and Blues

Volunteers are needed for Arts on Grand's "Backyard Bach and Blues" fundraiser party, Saturday, July 12. Help is needed with the following: Event set up at the site on Saturday, preparing cheesecakes (recipes and instructions provided) and donations of hydrangeas or other fresh flowers.

* To volunteer, contact Joan Fideler at 262-2919.

Willie Nelson to play Arnolds Park

Willie Nelson and family will be performing on Saturday, July 19 at Preservation Plaza in the Park at Arnolds Park. The show starts at 7:30 p.m., with gates opening at 6 p.m.

* Tickets are available at www.arnoldspark.com, the Arnolds Park Amusement Park ticket booth and all Ticketmaster locations.

Ride with American pride

Support all of America's military, past and present, by joining in a Saturday, July 26 road trip. From a 10: 30 a.m. start at the American Legion in LeMars, the ride will trek to the VFW in Cherokee and the American Legion in Storm Lake before finishing around 5 p.m. at East Leach Park in Spencer. Participants can ride motorcycles or drive cars. Presentations, as well as a chance to thank those who have served or are serving our country, will be held at each stop. This salute-to-our-troops ride will occur rain or shine.

* For more information, call Art or Janet Otto at (712) 490-5564 or Stephanie O'Brien at 260-0809.