The American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held at Hope Reformed Church, 919 N. Grand Ave. on Tuesday, July 29 from 11-5 p.m. Ice cream sundaes will be served and all who come to donate can register to win one of two $25 gas cards to be given away each day.

* Call DyAnn Getting at 262-5657 for more information or to make an appointment.

Farmers Market held every Wednesday and Saturday

The Spencer Area Farmers 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.

Prayer Connection luncheon

It's a "Salad Luncheon Prayer Connection" on Wednesday, July 30, at 12:30 p.m. at the Arnold's Park City Hall in Arnold's Park. Everyone is to bring a salad to share. It is a time of sharing and supporting each other with prayer and fellowship. We know everyone is not comfortable praying out loud so bring your concerns and we will include them in one of our prayers. Feel free to join us no matter your concerns. We love to make new friends. Okoboji Women's Connection is a part of Stonecroft Ministries.

* For questions call (712) 330-0671, however no reservations are necessary.

Single Spirits meets July 31

Single Spirits will be holding their next meeting on Thursday, July 31 at the Spirit Lake Library at 702 16th St. The meeting will be at 7 p.m. and we will be planning our activities for the next five weeks. Single Spirits is an organization that is open to singles of all ages in the area. If you have questions or would like more information call Ray at 262-1539.

Youth Football deadline

Registrations for the Spencer 3-6 grade teams, part of the Midwest Youth Football League, will only be accepted until Thursday, July 31. After that time only people who have newly moved to this area will be allowed to register. Fee is currently $150 per player, which includes all of his football gear as well as jerseys with names on the back the players get to keep. All players will have the opportunity to participate in six games.

* Go to www.myfootball.org to get a registration form. Forms can be sent, along with the $150 entry fee to: Spencer Youth Football, c/o Randy Cauthron, 207 35th Ave. W., Spencer, IA 51301. Entries along with checks may also be dropped off at the front desk of the Spencer Daily Reporter between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. All entries must be received by 5 pm., July 31.

American Legion Bingo cancelled

American Legion Bingo in Sioux Rapids will be closed for the rest of the summer, but will resume Sept. 17.

Third Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute set for Aug. 3-8

The first week of August will be filled with young people - middle-school and college students - learning about entrepreneurship in the Iowa Lakes Corridor region. The third Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute will take place Aug. 3-8 at the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory on West Lake Okoboji. Thirty-two students from the Regents universities, Buena Vista University and Iowa Lakes Community College will participate in advanced study of entrepreneurship that will include an entrepreneurial simulation, seminars with successful entrepreneurs and business and community leaders, and networking, and mentoring to enhance their understanding of entrepreneurship opportunities in Iowa.

The college credit institute is a joint effort of the Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers at the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and University of Northern Iowa, Buena Vista University, Iowa Lakes Community College, and the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation.

Master Gardener program offered

It has been said, that gardening is about enjoying the smell of things growing in the soil, getting dirty without feeling guilty and generally taking the time to soak up a little peace and serenity. Gardeners, no matter how varied in the plants they cultivate, share a common bond in their desire to create masterpieces and make living plants grow.

Aug. 15 is the registration deadline for fall classes. Master Gardener classes are being offered in Clay, Dickinson, and Emmet Counties beginning Tuesday, Sept. 16 and continuing Tuesday evenings through Oct. 28 from 6:30 -- 9:30 p.m. There will also be an all-day Saturday session on the ISU campus - on either Oct. 25 or Nov. 1. The cost to participate in the program is $125, and includes a workbook, resource guide, and all class materials.