Briefs 10-1-08

Join us at MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) from 9-11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2 at Hope Reformed Church in the Fellowship Hall. This year's theme "Adventure" will be featured at the meeting. Come find out what it is all about. There will be an abundance of fun and fellowship, with food and drinks provided by the Steering Committee. If you have any questions, please contact one of the MOPS co-coordinators, Cassie McCreary 240-0298 or Andrea Crew. Childcare is provided starting at 8:45 a.m.

Spencer area Farmers Market

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.

Computer Genies in Lakes area

The Computer Genies genealogy club is inviting visitors to join them in a fall genealogy tour of the Okoboji-Spirit Lake area on Saturday, Oct. 4. The day will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Dickinson County Museum on the west side of Spirit Lake. For directions to the museum, see "Next Meeting" on the club's website at www.computergeniesofnwiowa.com. Following lunch at the Rosebud Café in Spirit Lake, the group will tour the Maritime Museum in Arnold's Park at 1 p.m. and the Abbie Gardner Cabin of the Spirit Lake Massacre at 2 p.m. Children and adults with an interest in the history of Northwest Iowa are welcome to participate. There is no cost except for lunch and freewill donations to the museums.

* For more information call (712)786-2594.

Walk for Awareness Oct. 5

The third annual Walk for Awareness to draw attention to prevention, detection and treatment of breast cancer is at 4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 5. Men, women and children of all ages are encouraged to join the fun walk which will begin at Spencer Hospital's Grand Avenue park, proceed down Grand to Leach Park and then back to the hospital for refreshments.

"This walk is not a competition or a fund-raiser -- it's strictly for fun and awareness so people can walk as far or as little as they'd like and at any speed," said Mindy Sylvester, Spencer Hospital Women's Health Coordinator. "We ask that people come a little before 4 p.m., perhaps 3:45 p.m., so we can get everyone registered prior to opening remarks. And, we ask that participants wear pink, the color typically used in breast cancer awareness campaigns."

The walk will also feature an optional 5K extended route for those who would like to push themselves a little further and the first 125 participants will receive a free t-shirt. (In the case of inclement weather, the walk will take place in the Southpark Mall.)

* For more information about Walk for Awareness or regarding breast cancer, please contact Sylvester at Spencer Hospital at 264-6649.

De-stressing with Diabetes

A free community health event at Spencer Hospital will focus on the importance of active stress management for those with diabetes and their families. The event, "De-stressing with Diabetes," will be held in the Willow Conference room at Spencer Family Care Medical Arts Building at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 6. The centerpiece of the event is presented by Jill Young, BS, ACSM Wellcoach through interactive video The program is sponsored by Spencer Hospital and Avera McKennan Hospital.

* For more information call Mary Reissner, RN, Certified Diabetes Educator, at 264-6397.

Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon

Kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month at the Second Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon! Join us at 12 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 7 at The Inn At Okoboji for a lunch and great speakers. Sponsored by Carpet One Floor and Home, luncheon topics will include; early detection, prevention and treatment of breast cancer, presented by Lakes Regional Healthcare and American Cancer Society representatives. Entry to the luncheon is only $10 and all guests receive a free gift.

* Contact Erin at The Chamber at (712) 332-2107 for reservations. A limited number of seats are available so call now to reserve your spot.

Simpson College rep at SHS

Simpson College admissions counselor, Andy English, will be available to talk with prospective students at Spencer High School in Spencer at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 9.

Grief Support group meeting Thursdays

Warner Funeral Home & Crematory will again be offering a six-week grief support group open to anyone in Spencer or the surrounding communities who has experienced the loss of a loved one. The group will meet on Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. beginning Oct. 9 at the Spencer Area Activity Center (Senior Center), 1900 N. Grand Ave. in Spencer. Prior registration is appreciated but not required.

* Please contact Diane Sparks at Warner Funeral Home 262-3640 for more information or to register for the group. Warner Funeral Home provides this service to the community free of charge.

Angel Food Ministry orders

The First Christian Church at 701 E. 18th St., Spencer is hosting the Angel Food Ministry. Order dates are Wednesday, Oct. 8 from 6-8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 11 from 5-7 p.m., and on Sunday, Oct. 12 from 9-10 a.m. and 12-1 p.m. You will be able to pick up the food ordered, on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 9-11 a.m.. Each month you will have an opportunity to order food.

* If you have any questions or would like to look at the menu, please visit http://www.spencerdisciples.org/ministri....

Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting

The Spencer Chamber of Commerce invites the public to its 76th Annual Meeting beginning with a 5 p.m., social hour, 6 p.m., dinner and 7 p.m. program on Monday, Oct. 13 at the Clay County Regional Events Center Ballroom. Deadra Stanton, owner of Creative Communication will present "Don't Shoot Skinny Rabbits" and the Jack Wedel Award will be presented.

* Contact the Spencer Chamber offices to purchase tickets, 122 W. Fifth St. or call 262-5680.

Fall season waffle feed

Help us celebrate the fall season by enjoying Dad's Belgium Waffles with all the toppings at a brunch to be held in the Ginny DeWall Dining Hall at Camp Okoboji, 1531 Edgewood Dr., Wahpeton from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 5. (Turn off Highway 86 at the Crescent Beach Sign) A free will offering will be collected.