The Clay County Farm Service Agency will host USDA informational meeting at 1 p.m. on Thurs., Sept. 11 at Frederick's of Royal, located at 303 Main St. in Royal. The meeting will provide information on SURE (Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program), which was enacted as part of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill), to provide supplemental disaster assistance.

Housing public meeting Monday

The Clay County Local Housing Trust Fund, Inc. is having a Special Public Meeting at 7 p.m. on Sept. 15, 2008 at the Clay County Board of Supervisor's Room.

Okoboji Women's Connection

Okoboji Women's Connection, a division of Stonecroft Ministries, will have a luncheon at the Inn at Okoboji at 12:30 p.m. Sept. 17. Cost for the event is $10. Featured speaker is Dee Fero of Tonka Bay, Minn. An author of four books, who has lived in the British West Indies, published monthly devotionals and went back to work after flunking retirement.

* For reservations, call: Kay 262-8911 and Darlene 262-2769.

Dewey author to sign, speak at library

Spencer Public Library will host a book signing by Vicki Myron, author of "Dewey: The Small-town Library Cat Who Touched the World" on Thursday, Sept. 18 at the library. Vicki will speak at 7 p.m. and will sell and sign copies of her book afterward. Friends of the Library will provide refreshments and give away a copy of the book.

Second Annual Sweet Escape for CAASA

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, and local artists will be offering special pieces for auction with area musicians providing entertainment.

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

Dance the night away

Ballroom dancing will be available with the TMTM Dance Club on Saturday, Sept. 13 at the Hartley Community Center from 7 - 11 p.m. Music provided by Shirley's Big Band. Everyone is welcome, including singles.

NAMI to meet Sept. 15

The monthly meeting of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Northwest Iowa will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15 at Seasons Center for Community Health, 201 E. 11 St. Lisa Anderson will provide information about current services available from the local hospital's mental health partial hospitalization program.

* Questions may be directed to George or Betty at (712) 362-2753 or to Kim at 262-9438.

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 - 8 p.m. on Thursday nights through Oct. 30, with one Saturday session during the course on Saturday, Oct. 11 from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. 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, call 264-6636.