Music will return to the gallery at Arts on Grand this Thursday after a brief hiatus due to Mainstreet Market. This week's music will be provided by popular local entertainers Jerry Roberts and Dennis Wienke. They will perform a variety of traditional music, country music, and rock-and-roll oldies beginning at 7 p.m. A $5 donation is requested, with all proceeds going to the musicians.

Aquatic Center open this weekend

The Spencer Family Aquatic Center will now only be open on Aug. 30-31. It will also be open on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1, until 5 p.m., at which time it will close for the season.

Parkinson's Support Group to meet

Parkinson's Support Group will meet at 1:30 p.m. today in the Round Room of Spencer Public Library.

Single Spirits to meet

Single Spirits will hold its next meeting on Thursday, Aug. 28. Starting with a potluck salad buffet at 6:30 p.m. with the meeting to follow at the Spirit Lake Public Library, 702 16th St. Single Spirits is an organization open to singles of all ages in the area.

* For questions or more information, contact Mary at (712) 336-3531, Ray at 262-1539 or Troylene at (712) 336-5513.

Retirement for Elmer Williams

A retirement coffee for Elmer Williams, city of Spencer street superintendent, will take place from 2-4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29 in council chambers at City Hall.

Fair Photography accepting entries

The Photography Department will be accepting entries from 12-7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 29 and from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30. The photography department is now located just east of the Pork Producers Chop Shop and directly south of the outdoor horse arena. Pre-registration is encouraged.

* For more information contact: Dana Metcalf, 712-260-4852.

Horizons plans fall barbecue

Horizons Unlimited will be hosting its annual fund-raiser barbecue on Thursday, Sept. 4 at Soper Park in Emmetsburg. The barbecue will be held from 5 -- 6:30 p.m. and the menu includes pork patties or hot dogs, baked beans, pasta salad, chips, bars and soda, water or coffee. The meal is a free will donation and all donations are earmarked for capital improvements at Horizons Unlimited's facilities. In addition to the meal, there will also be games, door prizes and the second annual silent auction.

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 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.

Hospice of Northwest Iowa offers grief support group

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.

Second Annual Sweet Escape

The Dickinson County Friends of CAASA are proud to present their Second Annual Sweet Escape on Saturday, Sept. 13 from 7-10 p.m. at the Pierson Lakes Art Center in Okoboji. Local dessert makers will be preparing succulent desserts that will be judged by attendees, local artists will be offering special pieces for auction with area musicians providing entertainment. Tickets are $50 per person or $85 per couple and will go on sale Aug. 11.

* For ticket information contact Rachel at (712) 336-1255. All proceeds benefit CAASA.