Photo Galleries

Families gathered in Spencer Hospital's west lawn on Feb. 20 to enjoy a classic winter pastime, making snowmen and snowwomen.

Spencer High School conducted its annual Veterans Day program on Nov. 11, 2020 inside the SHS Auditorium.

Halloween hit Grand Avenue during Spencer Main Street's MASKEerade on Main Street event, bringing families and friends in costume through the downtown for some sweet treats.

There was hustle, bustle and the smell of burning rubber filled the air on Sept. 27 as race fans and drivers met at the Spencer Airport for the 12th Annual Airport Drags.

More than 40 people gathered at the Riverside Cemetery in Spencer to make short work restoring and cleaning the graves of buried Civil War soldiers. Following the work, the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War hosted the rededication of Riverside's Civil War monument.

Citizens from around the area gathered at the Clay County Courthouse in Spencer at 8 p.m. on Sept. 19 to hold a vigil for the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The vigil featured a moment of silence, a reading of Ginsburg's writings and sayings, and commentary on her life and the impact she made.

The third day of the 4-H and FFA Clay County Exclusive saw 4-H and FFA youngsters show cattle in the arena of the Clay County Fairgrounds.

The 4-H and FFA Clay County Exclusive kicked off a week of shows on Saturday and Sunday with some poultry and lambs.

Denver in September 2020 wrapped up its last day on Monday Sept. 7 with showings for cattle and lambs.

Denver in September 2020 was well underway Saturday, Sept. 5 at the Clay County Fairgrounds, with goats, hogs and their handlers hard at work.

The 2020 edition of Arts on Grand's annual fundraiser - Backyard, Bach and Blues - was conducted on Aug. 29 at the home of Nancy Naeve and Justin Lode.

The Spencer High School Tigers conducted their football scrimmage at The Dale on Friday Aug. 21.

Soldiers of the Iowa Army National Guard said their final goodbyes to loved ones before departing the Spencer Armory on deployment on August 2, 2020.

Clay County Heritage's annual event, Soiree en Blanc, was held on Saturday July 25, 2020 at the Parker Museum.

Ruthven-Ayrshire conducted their class of 2020 graduation ceremony on June 14, 2020 at their newly renovated sports complex.

The Spencer High School graduation ceremony for the class of 2020 was conducted June 12 at The Dale and with social distancing/health measures in place.

On Thursday night, June 4, approximately 600 gathered in a march to shine a light on racial injustice in America. The peaceful event began in East Leach Park and moved to the Spencer Police Station before heading back to the bandshell in the park for a roster of speakers.

COVID-19 couldn't keep Spencer Schools from celebrating with its students. The Clay County Fairgrounds hosted a "Send Off to Summer" parade Thursday evening, May 21. Cars lined up blocks to participate and took a full hour to drive from one side of the fairgrounds to another.

Arnolds Park Amusement Park was lit in purple and gold in honor of Spencer students on April 28, 2020. A number of Spencer students, families and community members made the trip to enjoy the lit trail.

DAY 1 OF SHS CLEAN OUT Juniors and seniors - and parents - lined up to collect any remaining items left in the school and return any items they needed during a four hour stretch Tuesday. Day 2 will take place on Thursday for freshmen and sophomores. Staff and administrators were appropriately masked, gloved and maintaining the proper social distancing while allowing people out of the car to get items once they were placed on a table in a bag.

The Spencer High School Tigerettes Dance Team Showcase was conducted Feb. 29 inside the Spencer Middle School and featured a number of area dance troupes.

The Spencer Tigers hosted the Clear Lake Lions on Dec. 17 inside the SHS field house, with the Tigers prevailing 63-12.

Just For Kix conducted their 16th annual winter show, "Believe in Miracles," inside the Spencer High School field house on Dec. 15 in Spencer.

The Storm Lake Tornadoes were in Spencer on the evening of Dec. 12 to wrestle with the Spencer Tigers.

Democratic candidate for president former Vice President Joe Biden stopped in Spencer on Dec. 1, meeting with voters as part of his "No Malarkey Tour."

Pete Buttigieg made a campaign stop in Spencer Monday, Nov. 4 at the Spencer Family YMCA, in front of more than 500 inside the YMCA gymnasium.

Hope Church held their annual Trunk or Treat event Sunday, Oct. 27 at 5 p.m.

Scharnberg Park's annual Halloween Hike event was conducted on Oct. 5 drawing crowds of trick-or-treaters.

Arts on Grand's annual Backyard, Bach and Blues event was conducted July 27, 2019 at the Adams-Higgins House in Spencer.

Spencer Alliance for a Creative Economy's first Mainstreet Market event of 2019 was conducted Thursday, July 11 in the Clay County Courthouse square.

2019's annual baseball and softball tournament, Slugfest, was conducted over the weekend of May 31 to June 2.

With permission from local government officials, SDR takes a look at the damages sustained to the section of 210th Avenue North of Spencer known as "the dump road." The road has been damaged three times in approximately one and a half years during three historic floods.

The 2019 Clay County Fair queen was crowned on April 28 inside the Clay County Regional Events Center during the 2019 Clay County Fair queen contest.

The Northwest Iowa Autism Network's second annual "In It Together" Autism Walk had more than 120 people brave a rare April snow, walking together through the Clay County Fairgrounds.

Spencer High School's prom was conducted on April 13, 2019.

The fifth annual Rock'n Bac'n Brew'n was conducted on March 30 for bacon, beer and music lovers across the region. The event was headlined by the Johnny Holm Band.

Area families filled the Clay County Fair and Events Center Saturday, March, 2 for the ninth annual Family Fest.

The Spencer Community Theatre welcomed its supporters for its annual fundraiser, the Black and White Gala Saturday, March 2.

The traditional Irish music ensemble, Danu, kicked off their 2019 U.S. Tour in Spencer at the Spencer Community Theatre on Feb. 28.

The third show of Spencer Community Theater's 59th season, "The Dixie Swim Club" opens Friday, Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m.

Sacred Heart Catholic Elementary School hosted their community carnival on Feb. 1.

The Scharnberg Park trout restocking was conducted on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2019.

The second show of Spencer Community Theater's 59th season, "Almost, Maine" opens Friday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m.

The triennial performance of Handel's "The Messiah" was performed at 7 p.m. Dec. 2 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spencer.

Spencer USA Young Professionals and Spencer Jaycees' First Annual Indoor Bags Tourney was held on Nov. 28 at the Clay County Fair and Events Center.

Scharnberg Park's 2018 Halloween Hike was conducted the evening of Oct. 6 with more than 250 trick or treaters in attendance.

2018's Clay County Fair began on Sept. 8.

Spencer Main Street's third annual Ice Cream Social was held on Thursday, Aug. 23 off the intersection of Grand Avenue and West Fifth Street.

Roddin' on the River was conducted at East Leach Park on Aug. 11.

The Daybreakers Kiwanis fundraising event, Touch A Truck, was held on the morning of Saturday Aug. 11 at the Clay County Fairgrounds.

Community members and families met at East Leach Park on the evening of Friday Aug. 3 for Spencer Public Library's annual Summer Reading Program carnival. Local musician Chad Elliott headlined the night's entertainment.

Iowan Democrats running for public office met with area community members Wednesday, Aug. 1 at The Bear in Spencer as a campaign stop.

Spencer Community Theatre's four-show run of "The Secret Garden" runs from July 12-15.

2018's Flagfest celebrations were conducted from June 8-10.

The third iteration of Reflections at Riverside was conducted on the evening of June 10, 2018.

A Memorial Day parade traveled from the Clay County Administration Building to Riverside Cemetery in Spencer on Monday, May 28, for the 54th Memorial Day program. Hundreds of people gathered to honor and remember those who have served our country.

The 2018 Post Everlasting ceremony was conducted by the Spencer American Legion Glen Pedersen Post No. 1 and Legion Auxiliary on Wednesday, May 16. The event also announced the winners of the American Legion fifth grade essay contest.

Ruthven-Ayrshire's class of 2018 graduated during a ceremony conducted Sunday, May 13 in Ruthven.

The 2018 Clay County Fair Queen Contest was conducted at the Spencer Community Theatre on Sunday, May 5.

Victory House hosted its first annual fashion show on May 1.

Spencer High School's prom kicked off on the auditorium stage Saturday night with couples doing their best to emulate their favorite Hollywood actors and actresses before walking down the red carpet lining the concourse area as part of the grand march. Silhouettes of iconic performers hang over the concourse and around the field house. The dance started off to a red hot start with students immediately taking to the dance floor with their dates to groove to the music. The clock struck midnight, juniors and seniors quickly changed out of their formal wear and headed over to the Clay County Fair and Events Center for an after-prom filled with games, food, activities, entertainment and prizes.

Spencer Community Theatre's production of "The Bridges of Madison County" runs from April 20-29.

Clay Central-Everly conducted their senior prom on Friday April 13, 2018.

Clay County Conservation moved a two-decade old barn across town to Oneota Park on April 5. The donated barn is planned to become Clay County Conservation's environmental education center at a future date.

The 51st Annual Pony Express Ride stopped in Spencer on March 31, and let area families try their hand at riding horses, a pony and even a mule.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds spoke over the noon hour at Grand Avenue Community Outreach on March 17 as part of her "Announcement Tour."

The 2018 Just For Kix winter showcase was held Jan. 14 at the Spencer Field House.

2017's Festival of Lessons & Carols was hosted at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spencer on Dec. 3, 2017.

The Spencer Community Theatre's production of Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" runs from Dec. 1-10.

These were taken at Spencer High School's homecoming coronation held on Wednesday, September 27, 2017.

And just like that...they were gone! RAGBRAI moved out in the misty morning light, leaving tired residents and great memories.

Sunny skies, moderate temperatures and a light breeze greeted RAGBRAI riders as they made their way onto the grounds of the Clay County Fairgrounds on Sunday.

Photos from the Jan. 27 No Apologies event at the Clay County Regional Events Center. This is the 14th year of the Cherish House youth program.

Spencer Parks Department, in partnership with SMU, Black Hills Energy, facilitated the planting of 32 trees at the Spencer Soccer Complex Saturday morning. Members and coaches associated with the Spencer High School and Northwest Iowa Soccer programs joined other volunteers to plant the trees.

Students from 15 northwest Iowa schools descended on Spencer High School to compete in district large group speech Saturday.

Parker Historical Society hosted Soiree En Blanc at West Leach Park Friday night.

The summer SCT Teen Production "Into the Woods" begins a four-day run Thursday, July 10 with 7:30 p.m. shows Thursday, Friday and Saturday, along with a 2 p.m. matinee Sunday. Pictures were taken during dress rehearsal Tuesday night.

The Bear conducted its first Bear Chase Saturday morning in East Leach park.

Relay for Life conducted its 17th annual event at the Clay County Fairgrounds Saturday afternoon and evening.

Weather conditions limited many of the scheduled Saturday Flagfest activities including the cancellation of the parade for the first time.

The 2014 Cruising Clay County Tour made stops at the Clay County Fair, the Prairie Flower in Fostoria, the Rivertonl No. 8 School House in Royal, Jim's History Barn in Peterson, and the InnSpiration Winery in Linn Grove.

Area athletes participated in the State Cross Country meet Saturday, Nov. 2 in Fort Dodge.

Iowa Agricultural Aviation Association's Operation S.A.F.E. Clinic was held Wednesday at Northwest Iowa Regional Airport in Spencer. See Friday's Daily Reporter for more coverage of the event.

Two Trumpeter Swans were released in Lost Island Marsh north of Ruthven Saturday morning. Dave Hoffman, with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, brought the pair and spent time providing information and answering questions about the birds before the release. He explained the swan release program has been successful, with 50 pairs in Iowa last year, meaning Saturday's release may be the last of its kind in the area.

Frost adorned the trees and ground throughout the area Monday morning, before temperatures rose into the mid-40s in the afternoon and negated the brief cold snap. Visit www.spencerdailyreporter.com for a photo gallery of images from in and around Spencer. (Photos by Gabe Licht)

Spencer's Special Olympians warmed up for Saturday's district competition in Forest City with "The Big Game" Tuesday afternoon at Lincoln Elementary School. Blue ribbon recipients will be eligible to compete in the state competition on March 9 and 10 in Iowa City. (Photos by Gabe Licht)

A Friday evening fire threatened to destroy the home of David and Alice Schlichtemeier east of Langdon. Quick action by the fire and rescue units of Fostoria and Spencer saved the home -- a former corn crib -- which the Schlichtemeiers hope to repair.

The Flash Red Trouser Show, featuring David Graham and Tobin Renwick, has been entertaining Clay County fairgoers throughout the fair and will continue with shows at 12:15 p.m., 3:15 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. daily until the fair's conclusion on Sunday.

Veterans Appreciation Day has become a staple at the Clay County Fair. In addition to inviting veterans into the fair for free, they are treated to a parade and special ceremony.

4-H participants do a lot at the Clay County Fair. Here's a sample from the first weekend.

Here's a collection of things you may have missed from the first weekend of the Clay County Fair. Lucky for you, there's still time to check out all the festivities, leading up to the finale Sunday.

Four teams of horses, a mule, their owners, family and friends made short work of a third hay cutting on the Dave and Peggy Gottsche farm in rural Milford.

Here's a look at Saturday's Flagfest Parade between Ninth and 11th Streets.

Flagfest related festivities such as the kettle corn booth, live music, the duck race, activities for kids, and the petting zoo.

Patriotic floats, vehicles and people were featured in a brief parade leading to Riverside Cemetery for the 47th annual Memorial Day program Monday morning. Hundreds of patrons viewed the parade and attended the program.

With a warm, sunny day assisting them, the Grand Avenue Improvement Corporation led a Grand Avenue home tour Saturday afternoon. About 40 people came and went throughout the event, which toured the premises of five homesteads along Spencer's main thoroughfare. Those homes included an English cottage bungalow at 1620 Grand, the House of Tomorrow at 1420 Grand, the home at 1414 Grand, the Higgins Mansion yard and playhouse at 1215 Grand and a once-brick home at 1003 Grand.

Spencer Middle School Principal Steve Barber tolds his students if they gave their best effort on the ITBS, then they could tape him to the wall. Friday morning, the students got their big payoff.

American Legion members and supporters gathered Wednesday evening at Oneota Park in Spencer to honor and remember American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary members who have passed away within the last year. Winners of the flag essay-writing contest were also acknowledged and one member received an American Legion hat after 63 years.

The Spencer Youth Baseball and Softball Association held its annual Opening Ceremony to kick off the 2011 season Monday night at Pederson Park.

Volunteers from 10 different Spencer churches joined forces Saturday, April 30, to show love for the community they call home. Activities included yard, park and ditch cleaning; hot dog, pop and cookie giveaways; cart assistance; a car wash; nursing home visits; and community worship services.

Hundreds pay tribute at Riverside Cemetery on Memorial Day in honor of their fallen comrades

The sixth grade graduation ceremonies held Thursday morning in Spencer elementary buildings were not the typical stiff, regimented affairs full of pomp and circumstance. Instead, the celebrations marking the 142 students' transition to middle school, the next chapter in their student lives, were filled with construction paper caps and congratulations on a year well done.

The final school bell rang early Thursday afternoon, marking the conclusion of the 2009-10 year for Spencer students and staff members.

Spencer High School students were shocked into thinking about life without some of their classmates on Wednesday, April 21, as local organizers brought the "Every 15 Minutes" program to Spencer High School. Sara Edwardson (above) portrayed the teen driver who chose to drive drunk resulting in the death of two friends. The two-day event, which began with a car accident, emergency room scene and court room sentencing Wednesday will conclude Thursday, April 22, with a mock memorial service involving the students and the parents of those students, who were among those selected to die "every 15 minutes" on Wednesday.

Members of eight churches came together Saturday to demonstrate what it means to give without expectation. Setting up around Spencer, volunteers sporting white T-shirts with the Love Spencer logo displayed, handed out free pop and hot dogs; washed and wiped down cars; cleaned windows; provided free clothing; cleaned yards; picked up garbage; and handed out cards letting the recipients of the kind deeds know this is just some of the ways they wanted to share God's love with neighbors in and around Spencer. Among the final acts of the day, the Love Spencer volunteers helped a young girl find her lost mother. The day concluded Saturday afternoon with a special service in the park and burgers grilled by the Clay County Cattlemen.

Making a difference 'four paws at a time' The People for Pets Third Annual Wine Tasting Party, held Sunday afternoon at Bogenrief Studios in Spencer, featured hors d'oeuvres, wine, a local celebrity and pet style show and glass blowing demonstrations. The benefit to help abandoned animals in need while they wait for their "forever" homes garnered $2,410 for the Spencer animal shelter. In addition, Clancy, a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, was adopted during the event.

Many volunteer youth representing multiple Spencer churches enjoyed nice weather as they made their way from Sacred Heart Catholic Church to Grace United Methodist Church, stopping at various points and church locations along the way to recognize the various Stations of the Cross remembered so prominently during Holy Week leading up to the Christian Easter celebration on Sunday. The various church representatives literally took turns carrying the cross during the journey. The Crosswalk has become a regular multidenominational event held the Wednesday of Holy Week in Spencer.

More pictures will be added as the fair week goes on.

The weather was nearly perfect all weekend as residents of Everly welcomed visitors to the 125th birthday of the Clay County community. Large crowds enjoyed a large parade, a wide variety of activities, food, dancing in the streets, and a great deal of fellowship - sharing memories, laughs and spreading a little birthday joy.

The Brockshus family and the staff at Del's Garden Center opened up the rather spacious "backyard" setting at the south Spencer business to host "A Taste of Tuscany," the 2009 Backyard Bach and Blues celebration which serves as an annual fundraiser for Arts on Grand. The annual event generates between $6,000 and $8,000 for the art center's budget. This year's numbers, although not immediately available, may surpass that mark based on incredibly strong attendance this year.

2009 Clay County Fair Queen Contest

With 12 inches of snow in 24 hours, and winds whipping through the region, the Storm of 2007 will go down in the record books. Staff photographers and area residents caught the sights of the storm.

Local grapplers took to the mats Feb. 22-24 for Iowa Boys High School Wrestling Tournament.