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

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 eight-week Understanding Grief Support Group. The group will meet each Wednesday evening through Sept. 24 from 6:30-8 p.m.

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

Okoboji Women's Connection

All area women are invited to the "Okoboji Women's Connection" salad luncheon at 12:30 p.m. today for a monthly "Prayer Connection." It will be held at 1900 Fourth Ave. S.W. (Commons Room) Spencer, south of Wal-Mart. Lu Barnes will host the meeting. 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 (712) 332-2971, however no reservations are necessary.

Horizons plans fall barbecue

Horizons Unlimited will host 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 will include pork patties or hot dogs, baked beans, pasta salad, chips, bars and soda, water or coffee. The meal is a free-will donation, with all donations 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

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.

Peace Link to meet Sept. 9

NW Iowa Peace Links will meet on Tuesday, Sept. 9, at 7:30 p.m. in the Primghar Community Building. Our speakers will be known in this area as they have farmed in the Paullina area. Colin and Carla Wilson, with daughters Becky and Rachel, are home from their second year in the agricultural mission in the north central plateau of Haiti, sponsored by HAFF, the Haitian/American Friendship Force, headquartered in Florida. Everyone is welcome to attend this meeting and participate in the discussion period. Refreshments will be served.

American Legion Bingo cancelled

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

Glass Slipper Project

Lakes Area Glass Slipper Project is now collecting "tenderly worn" prom dresses that will go to help young girls attend their prom. Every young lady deserves to be "queen" for a day at her prom. Please help us make a girls dream come true! This project was started by the Kinship girls of 2008 in hopes to provide prom dresses for those girls who may not be able to afford them.

* To make a donation to this project or to drop off dresses, please contact Sondra Vitito at (712) 332-2721 or Jan Ridenour at the Kinship office, (712) 336-2535.

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.