Participants are encouraged to pull out their prom finest when they show up on Aug. 27 for the seventh annual Black Tie Black Leather Affair at Okoboji Classic Cars in Milford. The annual Shayla Bee Fund event generated approximately $170,000 and serves as the local children charity’s largest fundraising event. This year’s evening will include appetizers, dinner, both a live and silent auction, as well as live music from The Big Throwdown — returning for a second straight year.

Spencer Community Theatre and Deegan Children’s Theatre is excited to bring Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” to life with area teens.

The classic story tells of Belle (Maggie McNea), a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast (Oliver Morris‐McEwan), who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed into his former self.

The Spencer Municipal Band, under the direction of co-director Tom Rutt, will present a concert at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, at the bandshell at East Leach Park. This will be the fifth in a series of six concerts the band will present. The guest announcer for this week will be Robin Keith, a local music therapist and retired music educator who will once again be leading this fall’s “Selections from the Messiah” in December, sponsored by the Spencer Messiah Board.

Coffee lovers will have a new spot to frequent downtown as a new coffee shop, Medlar Coffee Co., taking up a residency in Spencer’s downtown district at 12 W. Fourth St. Owners Heather Belgrave and Cathy Veiseth, who also own the retail store Poiema Design just behind the new shop, are fulfilling one of their dreams by opening Medlar Coffee.

Mari Lu Larson (above) celebrated her retirement from the Spencer Chamber of Commerce after 10 years. Friends and loved ones gathered to honor and thank her at The Prime Rib last week. Chamber Director Sheriffa Jones (pictured below with Larson and the rest of the chamber team) recognized Larsons dedication, polite disposition and willingness to help anyone who called or stopped by the office has been appreciated. (Photos submitted)

As Spencer moves farther into the summer season, summer programs from the Spencer Public Library will continue. Two of the libraries’ programs from last month, Geri-Fit classes and the Community Scavenger Hunt will take place in July as well.

The Geri-Fit program is a chair aerobics class for senior citizens taking place every Monday and Friday at the library starting at 1 p.m. (except for July 18 and 22).

For Gensley Ball, the 4-H program which has long been a part of the Ball family’s life, is more than just a way to pass the time while continuing her high school education.

Gensley was among 40 individuals across Iowa and one of nine in the Northwest Iowa District selected from more than 190 who applied to serve on the State 4-H Youth Council this upcoming year.

Seasons Center for Behavioral Health received a $4,600 grant from the Emmet County Community Foundation for therapeutic respite care for children and young adults in Emmet County.

ARNOLDS PARK — Imagine Iowa Great Lakes announced the completion and grand opening of Lake Street at Arnolds Park Amusement Park. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony and press conference on July 9, at 2 p.m.

Round Lake has to be the easiest wildlife area to get to in the state. Sitting a mile east off of I-29 at the Highway 127 Mondamin exit, is the 430-acre mix of wetlands, timber and prairie in western Harrison County.

Primarily used by hunters, Round Lake can be especially good for duck hunting when the wetland has water, said Doug Chafa, wildlife biologist for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Missouri River Wildlife Unit.

LifeServe Blood Center came to the community of Spencer for a blood drive on June 21. A total of 37 units of blood were collected, saving an sustaining the lives of 111 people in need. LifeServe Blood Center would like to recognize donors that achieved milestone donations at this blood drive. They are:

• 1 gallon — Brain Mohr and Jeremy Keefer.

• 3 gallons — Seth McCaulley.

Joe Conover, president of Northwest Bank, Spencer, announced Lisa Maas as director of government guaranty lending. Maas has more than 16 years of experience in the banking industry, with the past seven years emphasis in small business administration lending developing her as an expert in this vital area of banking. She will work with all 19 Northwest Bank locations in originating and servicing SBA loans, enhancing the bank’s outreach and knowledge in this area.

AccuWeather forecasters say summer heat will continue to set the stage for damaging thunderstorms this week as millions of residents find themselves in the path of potent storms for several days in a row.

A large gathering of supporters turned out to support U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra at the second annual Feenstra Family Picnic at the Dean Classic Car Museum in Sioux Center on Thursday. Several state and national representatives were also in attendance to show support for Feenstra, including Gov. Kim Reynolds.

BOOKED INTO THE CLAY COUNTY JAIL