Briefs 5-23-09

Farmers Market is returning with an opening date of May 23. Early season vegetables available. Located in the parking lot of the Southpark Mall.

Geocaching education Saturday

Come learn about Global Positioning System (GPS) and the sport of geocaching. GPS units will be used to find hidden treasure at Huston Park. Located at the nature center at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 23. The event is sponsored by the Palo Alto Soil & Water Conservation District and the Palo Alto County Conservation Board.

Story time moved to June 2

Story time with Sarah Beth will not be held on Tuesday, May 26. However, join Sarah on Tuesday, June 2 at 10:30 a.m. for a rainbow of stories all about colors. Parents and caregivers are invited to bring their little ones to the Spencer Public Library where their children will be delighted by colorful stories, rhymes, songs, and crafts. All ages are welcome.

Early dismissal last day

Spencer Community Schools announces that there will be an early dismissal at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 27. This is the last day of school for all students. Spencer Community Schools announces all offices and buildings throughout the district will be closed on Wednesday, May 27, at 1:30 p.m. so all staff can attend a district inservice.

National Cancer Survivors Day

Abben Cancer Center of Spencer Hospital is hosting Garden of Hope in the Grand Avenue Park at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 4, (in case of rain it will be postponed to June 11) to commemorate The Fifth Annual Cancer Survivor's Day Celebration. Light refreshments will be served and music by local celebrity Chad Elliott.

Angel Food Ministry

The First Christian Church at 701 E. 18th St., Spencer is hosting the Angel Food Ministry each month. For your convenience you can now order Angel Food online. Online orders can be placed with a debit or credit card. You may order boxes of food that contain fresh meats, fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, and staple items at an extremely low price. This is not "day-old" or "outdated" food. Best of all, there are no applications, no qualifications, no limits on the quantity you may purchase. On Wednesday, June 10, 6-8 p.m., Saturday, June 13 from 5-7 p.m., Sunday, June 14, 9-10 a.m. and 12-1 p.m. You will be able to pick up the food ordered, on Saturday, June 20 from 9-11 a.m. Each month you will have an opportunity to order food. If you have any questions or would like to order online, please visit http://www.spencerdisciples.org/ministri....

What if Everyone Volunteered?

What if everyone mentored a child, provided medical transportation, called or visited a homebound resident, helped out at a non-profit organization, or recruited a friend to volunteer? Wouldn't this great community be even better? To find out how you can make a difference, call the RSVP Volunteer Program at 262-8858 or visit our web site: www.iowalakes.edu/continuinged/rsvp

VFW Sunday breakfast

The VFW Post 3159 of Spencer will host a Sunday breakfast form 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, May 24. Pancakes, ham, sausage, eggs to order, coffee and juice will be served. The public is welcome. A free will offering will be accepted.

Business After Hours

Business After Hours will be hosted by the Clay County Cattlemen, Clay County Regional Events Center, Cabernet Catering and VenuWorks from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, May 26 at the Events Center. The annual beef eating contest will be held. All are welcome.

Parkinson's Disease Support Group

The Spencer Parkinson's Disease Support Group will have its monthly meeting at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, at the Spencer Public Library. Guest speaker will be MS Sam Irwin, coordinator for the American Parkinson Disease Association in Des Moines. She will speak on services available through the Information and Referral Center Iowa Health.

Spencer, CC-E youth football signups

Signups for the Midwest Youth Football League, including Spencer and Clay Central-Everly students who will be entering grades 3-6 in the fall of 2009, will take place from 6:30-9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26 and Wednesday, May 27 at the shelter house at Oneota Park in Spencer. Registration is $100 due at the time of registration. A $25 deposit is also required for equipment return. The deposit will be held and returned when clean gear is returned on time. For more information, contact Spencer Directors Randy Cauthron at 363-1902 or Dan Heissel at 363-4481.

Grand Avenue Neighborhood Picnic

The Grand Avenue Neighborhood Picnic at North Park will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 28, with a program scheduled for 7 p.m. The program will include the Grand Avenue Makeover, with a question and answer session about the Grand Avenue Redesign. In case of rain, the meal and program will be held directly across the street at the First Congregational Church in the fellowship hall.

Single Spirits

Single Spirits will be holding its next meeting on Thursday, May 28, at the Spirit Lake Public Library Community Room at 702 16th St. at 6:30 p.m. for a sub sandwich party with the meeting afterward. We will be planning our activities for the next five weeks.

Single Spirits is an organization that is open to singles of all ages in the area. If you have questions or would like more information call Ray at 262-1539.

Wal-Mart Little Sioux River Cleanup

Several Wal-Mart employees in northwest Iowa are planning their first annual Little Sioux River cleanup on Friday, May 29. They will be starting from two locations: Buena Vista County they will meet in Sioux Rapids in the park by the bridge and car pool to Burr Wildlife Area and float back to the bridge. In Clay County they will meet in Spencer at West Leach Park and car pool upstream to Stolleys Park. The cleanup will be the float back to West Leach Park. There will be walking opportunities as well. The starting time for both locations will be at 9 am and they will finish around 2 pm. Food and socializing will take place at both end sites following the cleanup. Anyone wishing to volunteer please contact Heath Staedlter at 641-583-2604.

NW Iowa Celiac Sprue

The Northwest Iowa Celiac Sprue will be having a general meeting from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, May 30 in the Cedar Room at Spencer Hospital. For more information, call Richard Schwarz at 262-5213.

Blood bank in Spencer

The Siouxland Community Blood Bank will be at the Spencer Hospital from 12:30-5:30 p.m. Monday, June 1.

Relay For Life teams needed

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Clay County is just around the corner. Former and current cancer patients, those who have lost a loved one to cancer, families, businesses, civic organizations, and the public are invited to take part in this exciting team event. Teams from companies, churches, organizations, hospitals, and schools collect donations and can win individual and team prizes for their efforts. Relay For Life takes place from 7 p.m. Friday, June 26, until 6 a.m. Saturday, June 27, at the Clay County Fairgrounds. Register your team today by calling Amy Simpson at 580-3833 or Suzi Harper at 262-5994. This "celebration of life" brings the Clay County community together in a unified effort to fight cancer.

Flagfest Weekend 50K

Registration for the Flagfest 50K hosted by the Spencer Dream Team starts at 8 a.m. Rider starts at 8:30 a.m. at East Leach Park. The fee for one person is $20 if paid before June 1, and $25 after June 1. Fee includes one t-shirt. For an XXL t-shirt, add another $2. Family registration is for immediate household members only and includes 2 adult t-shirts. The fee for family registration is $35 if paid before June 1 and $45 after June 1. There are three distances to choose from: 15K which is 10 miles, 50K which is 30 miles, and 75K which is 45 miles. Maps are available at registration. Post-ride picnic free to registered participants. Pick up a flyer at Bikes, Boards and Blades.

Cancer Survivor's Day

The Fifth Annual Cancer Survivor's Day Celebration sponsored by the Abben Cancer Center will be held in the Spencer Hospital's Grand Avenue Park at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 4. The rain date will be June 11. Chad Elliott will provide the entertainment and refreshments will be served. A star sprinkles quilt machined pieced by Brownie Small and Mary Obrien and quilted by Sheila Currans will be given away to a cancer survivor at the event. Please contact the Abben Cancer Center at 264-6550 for questions or to RSVP. This event is for all cancer survivors, their family members, friends and caregivers in the community.

Sunday afternoon dances

The Spencer Area Activity Center located in the Gateway Mall will host a dance the first Sunday of each month. The next dance will be from 2-5 p.m. June 7. Music by Delmar Dahnke. Free popcorn and coffee will be served. Open to the public.

Paws for the Cause

The Second Annual Paws for the Cause Pet Show will be held from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, June 7, at Oneota Park. Proceeds go to the American Cancer Society. Questions, call Stephanie at 260-0809.

Pedal Power seeking bikers

The Spencer Pedal Power (SPP) bike club is sponsoring Tuesday evening rides again this year. All riders in and around Spencer are welcome to participate in the rides. The riders leave the Bikes, Boards & Blades (324 Grand Ave.) at 6:30 p.m. For further questions, please call 264-1068.

Flagfest 25th Anniversary T-shirt is now available

The community of Spencer will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of Flagfest June 12-14, 2009. A 25th anniversary T-shirt is now available at the Spencer Chamber of Commerce. The T-shirts this year are available in two colors: Light blue and white. Quantities are limited and sizes available are small, large, and extra large for $10 and double extra large for $12.

Spencer Police Dog fundraiser

From 5-8 p.m. Saturday, June 13, Spencer Fairway Store and the Clay County Cattlemen will be hosting a fundraiser on West Fifth Street during the Grand Cruise to purchase a police dog for the Spencer Police Department. For just $6 you may purchase a ribeye steak sandwich, chips and a drink. All proceeds to go to the Spencer Police Department. The Spencer Police Department will be using the funds to obtain a police dog to help maintain and improve the level of safety for the citizens of Spencer. Having a canine officer will be helpful for the Spencer Police Department in many areas, such as: missing person tracking - article recovery as well as the traditional items in drug detection and criminal apprehension.

Lakeside Lab writing workshop

Iowa Lakeside Lab and Regents Resource Center (ILLRRC) is offering a writing workshop from July 6-10 for aspiring young-adult to adult writers of all levels. The instructor is Jim Heynen, a native of Sioux Center and a widely published writer of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Participants will learn how to apply their imagination to their life experiences. There will be a special focus on what they have avoided-projects they know they should have started or projects they know they should finish. The workshop will meet in a classroom setting on the ILLRRC campus for three hours each afternoon, with one individual conference with the instructor during the week. Enrollment is limited to 12 people. To register, go to www.lakesidelab.org/ustudents/index.html. For more information, call 712-337-3669 ext. 5.

Corridor hosting Entrepreneurship Academy

The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation is hosting the Second Annual Entrepreneurship Academy which is a one-week day camp in Spencer, at the Iowa Lakes Community College during the week of July 27-31. Students who have completed seventh through ninth grades are eligible to apply. Camp participants learn the basics of starting a business, develop a business plan and marketing materials, and have the chance to compete for cash prizes at the end of the week. The camp fee is $49 and includes lunch, snacks, materials and a T-shirt. All registrations received by May 22, will receive priority consideration. Applications are available online at www.lakescorridor.com. For more information, please contact Holly Pearson at 264-3474 orhpearson@lakescorridor.com.

YMCA seek registrations

Spencer Family YMCA is accepting registrations for the 2009-10 morning and afternoon preschool. Two-day programs for 3- and 4-year-olds are offered on either Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30-11 a.m. A five-day program for 4- and 5-year-olds will occur Monday through Friday from 12:45-3:15 p.m. For a registration form, stop at the member services center at 1001 11th Ave. W. or go online and download a form at www.spencerymca.org.

District newsletter online

In an effort to more efficiently communicate with district patrons, Spencer Schools will be converting their monthly newsletter, "The Source" to an electronic format available on the District's Web site, www.spenceriowaschools.com. The December "Source" is now available online. The district will mail out a printed newsletter to anyone who requests it. Please call the central office at 262-8950 if you want to continue to receive "The Source" every month in your mail.

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 of 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.

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. Help us make a girls dream come true! 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. 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.

Need help with your heating bill?

The 2008-09 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has been established to help qualifying low-income Iowa homeowners and renters pay for a portion of their primary heating costs for the winter heating season. Applications will be taken November 3, 2008 to April 15, 2009. This program is not designed to pay total energy costs for households. Instead, the program will provide supplemental assistance based on several factors. Those factors include total household income, household size, dwelling type, and type of heating fuel, among others. Households over LIHEAP regular income guidelines may be eligible for LIHEAP benefits through the medical waiver component. The medical expenses must be documented, paid and non-reimbursable. If you have already applied and have been approved this winter season, you cannot re-apply. For more information and an appointment in Clay County call Upper Des Moines Outreach Office, located at 407 E. Third St., Spencer, at 262-7409.

Free blood pressure checks

Spencer Hospital offers a free blood pressure clinic each Wednesday morning between 9-10 a.m. in the lobby on the first floor at the Spencer Hospital.

Blood drive at Southpark Mall

There will be a blood drive on Monday, May 11, from 1-5:30 p.m. at the Southpark Mall in Spencer.

Blood drive in Milford

There will be a blood drive on Monday, May 11, from 12:30-5:30 p.m. at the Milford Community Building in Milford.

Blood drive in Primghar

There will be a blood drive on Wednesday, May 13, from 2-6 p.m. at the Primghar Community Building in Primghar.