The Spencer Chamber Ambassadors paid a visit was to Iowa Lakes Community College to meet Regional Director of Northwest Iowa SBDC Larry Wajda. Starting the position in September, Wajda and the Small Business Development Center assist in developing and supporting businesses in the northwest Iowa region offering services at no cost. (Photo submitted)

Spencer High School facilitated conversations about relationships between individuals. In lectures throughout Monday and Tuesday, co-founder of Till360, author and motivational speaker Joe Beckman spoke to students, teachers and parents about his mission to reclaim human connection.

“Prepare for the worst, and pray for the best.”

Spencer native and country music singer Casey Muessigmann considers those words from his grandmother Vickie Schwarting, the best advise he’s ever received.

This year, his prayers have been answered.

BOOKED INTO CLAY COUNTY JAIL

A long line of eager shoppers came to the Pine Tree Plaza Sunday morning as the long-awaited grand opening of Spencer’s T.J. Maxx department store took place. The cold weather was not a deterrent to the crowd of Spencer shoppers excited to check out the town’s newest store.

Besides its business, the department store had an additional gift for the Spencer community. T.J. Maxx presented Upper Des Moines Opportunity with a $10,000 donation for its food pantry.

History was performed live at the Spencer Public Library with the performance of an original musical “O, Jackie O” Saturday. Based on the life of Jackie Kennedy Onassis, the piece was written, directed and performed by Jillian Gabrielle of Paradise Playhouse. Gabrielle took library patrons back in time as she delved into the life the former first lady had behind the cameras. (Photos by Celia Brocker)

DES MOINES — In an order issued Nov. 8, the Iowa Utilities Board set a scheduling conference to discuss a procedural schedule and public hearing date for Summit Carbon Solutions, LLC’s, proposed carbon capture hazardous liquid pipeline in Docket No. HLP-2021-0001. The scheduling conference will be held immediately following the oral argument scheduled for Dec. 13, in the IUB Hearing Room at 1375 E. Court Ave., Des Moines.

A Spencer-area holiday staple, the Holiday Family Adoption Program allows generous families, businesses and service groups to share the holiday spirit and bounty. Thanks to the generosity of families and businesses, area families will be gifted with items to help make this Christmas season a little bit brighter.

Clay County Heritage and Arts on Grand are partnering for Festival of Trees and Tour of Homes this holiday season will happen this Saturday, Nov 19, with the Festival of Trees Gala on Dec. 9, and the luncheon on Dec. 10, at the Spencer Municipal Golf Course.

“Festival of Trees is a fundraising collaboration between Arts on Grand and The Clay County Heritage Center,” AOG Director Tara Brown said.

Local authors set up shop at Arts on Grand Saturday to sign copies of their books. Authors Jodi Adams, Karen Schwaller and Joni Click were at the gallery for much of the day chatting with locals about their work. (Photos by Celia Brocker)

Locals throughout the city of Spencer stopped what they were doing to read a book on Tuesday morning, as the Spencer Reads initiative held its second Together We Read event. Eager readers like local authors Mary Steele, Dianna Koppen and Ayaan Thomas, were happy to take part and share their love of literature on social media.

Spencer Hy-Noon Kiwanis President Randy Cauthron (right) welcomed its newest member, Lenny Scarletta, to the club recently. Scarletta, invited by long-time member Merlyn Winther, received a club a club T-shirt, badge and certificate. The Hy-Noon Kiwanis, a service club focused on servicing youth, meet at noon on Mondays at the Clay County Regional Events Center and encourage members of the community to attend a meeting and enjoy a free lunch to learn more about the club and how to join.

The Spencer Finance Committee discussed renewing its recycling contract with Van’s Sanitation, based in Le Mars, during its meeting on Friday morning. With the current agreement expired at the end of October, the new four-year agreement would increase the city’s pay from $12 per ton to $25 per ton.

Veterans, their families and the community gathered at the Spencer National Guard Armory, Friday, for Clay County’s annual Veterans Day ceremony.

The ceremony’s keynote speaker was Allen Batschelet, retired major general of the United States Army. Batschelet will join the Clay County Board of Supervisors at the end of December.

A tale of empowerment will take center stage at Spencer High School’s stage this weekend, as the SHS theater department brings “Matilda: The Musical” to life this weekend. Performances will take place Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. in the high school auditorium.