Losing a loved one is indescribable to someone who has not felt the loss of death. Hospice of Northwest Iowa's professional team understands the tragedy of losing a loved one and they identify with the difficult decisions and emotions that the person left behind faces. To help people cope with the death of a loved one, Hospice of Northwest Iowa is offering an 8-week Understanding Grief Support Group. The group will meet each Wednesday evening through Sept. 24 from 6:30-8 p.m.

* To register, please contact Hospice of Northwest Iowa at 264-6380.

AOG artist reception

The public is cordially invited to attend the artist reception for Jeanne Norris Larson at Arts on Grand, 408 N. Grand Ave. in Spencer from 5-6:30 p.m. on Aug. 8 with the gallery talk at 5:30 p.m. Jeanne is the daughter of Charles (Art) and Esther Larson, who moved from Spencer in the mid 60's. Jeanne would have graduated with the class of 66.

Free HIV, Hepatitis C testing available

Free HIV and Hepatitis C testing will be available in Spencer from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 8 at the Spencer medical Arts Building, 116 E. 11th St., Suite 206.

"The HIV and Hepatitis C testing provided in Spencer by Siouxland Community Health professionals is free and confidential," said Colette Rossiter, RN with Spencer Hospital Community Health and Clay County Public Health. This free and confidential testing is being sponsored by Siouxland Community Health, Spencer Hospital Community Health Services, and Clay County Public Health.

* For more information call Clay County Public Health at 264-6468.

Corvette Club's Autocross

Spectators and drivers alike are invited to watch and participate in the University of Okoboji Corvette Club's autocross competition being held Saturday, Aug. 9 at the Northwest Iowa Regional Airport in Spencer. Speeds are expected to reach up to 80 mph. Autocross competition will begin at 9 a.m., with registration and a time for all vehicles to be inspected. Participating cars and drivers also have to have seatbelts and helmets to race; helmets will be furnished for those who don't have one. A drivers meeting set for 10 a.m. is mandatory for all drivers participating Saturday. Racing is then scheduled to occur between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

VFW pancake breakfast

The Clay County VFW Post 3159 will host a pancake breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 10 at the VFW. Pancakes, eggs, sausage or ham, juice and coffee will be served. A free will donation will be accepted. The public is welcome.

Ruthven Fire Dept. Fun Ride

The Ruthven Fire Department is sponsoring a motorcycle and classic car fun ride on Sunday, Aug. 10. The registration begins at 10 a.m. at the Ruthven Fire Station. Cost is $20. A meal, lots of door prizes, and entertainment for the Iowa Luau featuring Tikki Kamakamaka will follow the ride beginning at 5 p.m. at Centennial Park in Ruthven. Funds raised will help with the cost of a new fire engine.

Soybean producers invited to Everly event

Interested farmers from Crop District 1 in northwest Iowa are invited to hear from two Iowa State University (ISU) experts at a special event sponsored by the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) and the Iowa Pork Producers Association on Aug.19.

The event, which is part of ISA's All in a Day's Work program, will feature ISU Climatologist Elwynn Taylor talking about crop weather in 2008 and beyond and Professor of Economics Dermot Hayes on balancing food and fuel and the prospects for pork exports. The meeting will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hap Ketelsen Community Center, 203 N. Main Street in Everly. Lunch will be provided, with pork chops grilled by the Pork Producers. Everyone who makes a reservation by Aug. 15 will receive a gate ticket to the Clay County Fair.

Boji Fest Scouts

Experience nature, water activities, rock walls and conservation with your family at Boji-Fest, Aug. 22-24 in the Great Lakes region of northwest Iowa. Fun-filled and age-appropriate activities are planned for the whole family. On Friday, youth can participate in mini-golf, Frisbee golf, volleyball, mine-digging, gold sifting and more, courtesy of Ranch Okoboji Amusement Park. Children under 5 come for free, youth fees for those 6-20 years-old are $20 before July 1 and $25 after. For adults, the fee is $10 by July 1 and $20 after. Many activities, including water sports, and the triathalon and gun sports require specific pre-registration. Boji-Fest is an activity organized by the Boy Scouts and Mid-America Council. Youth do not need to be registered in Scouts to attend.

* For more information or to register, contact Deb Gochenour at rdscout@yahoo.com

Clay County Fair advance gate tickets

The fair booster tickets will be sold individually for $5 each, a savings of $2 from the regular daytime gate admission price for adults. Individuals and businesses may take advantage of the savings by purchasing their tickets from a fair booster ticket location or a fair booster representative prior to 5 p.m. or earlier as a lot of the area locations will have the tickets picked up before 5 p.m. so they may be back to Spencer by then - Friday, Sept. 5. The Clay County Fair ticket office will sell booster tickers until 9 p.m. on Sept. 5.

American Legion Bingo cancelled

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

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.

IGLLS Registration

Registration for the 2008-2009 school year at Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran Elementary School in Spencer will take place from 12-5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 11, and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 12.The school is located at 500 Fourth Ave. SW at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Spencer. If these times do not work for you or you want more information please call the school at 262-8237. Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School: Quality Education in a Christ-Centered Environment.