Briefs 8-29-08

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

Fair Photography accepting entries

The Photography Department will be accepting entries from 12-7 p.m. today 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.

Aquatic Center open weekends

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.

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.

Visually Impaired/Blind Self-help Group

The Spencer Area Visually Impaired/Blind Self-Help Group will hold their monthly meeting at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 2 in the Round Room of the Spencer Public Library.

Individuals of all ages with vision loss are invited to attend. Families and friends are welcome also.

* For information call Kay 264-8911.

Okoboji Women's Connection

All area women are invited to the "Okoboji Women's Connection" salad luncheon at 12:30 p.m. on Wed., Sept. 3 for our monthly "Prayer Connection." It will be held at 1900 Fourth Ave. S.W. (Commons Room) Spencer, south of Wal-Mart. Lu Barnes will be our hostess, please bring a salad of your choice. 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 our prayers.

* For questions call 332-2971, however no reservations are necessary.

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 tickets until 9 p.m. on Sept. 5.

American Legion Bingo cancelled

American Legion Bingo in Sioux Rapids will resume Sept. 17.

Grief support group offered

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.

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.

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.

Spencer Hospital offers Freedom from Smoking sessions

Spencer Hospital is offering the Freedom from Smoking course, an eight session tobacco cessation program which has been proven effective by the American Lung Associaton. The next course begins Sept. 18 and will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday nights on Sept. 18, 25, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 with one Saturday session during the course on Saturday, Oct. 11 from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Registration for the class is $100. You can call Spencer Hospital's class registration line to reserve your spot in the fall session at 264-6142.

* If you'd like to visit with someone to receive more information regarding the class before you register, pleast call 264-6636.

Boot Camp offered

An adult fitness course boot camp is being held from 8:45-9:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, in the east gym at the Spencer Family YMCA. This adult fitness course is a combination of cardio and weight training. It consists of 45-second separate stations. Warm up and cool down sessions are also included in this class.

* Contact Sara Morrow at the Spencer Family YMCA, 262-3782, with any questions.