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.

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

Kip Ireland, 57, of Humboldt, was taken to Spencer Hospital by ambulance after he was ejected from the motorcycle he was riding in the 200 block of 11th Street SE in Spencer. The accident occurred at approximately 7:45 p.m., June 27.

A reporting party stated that the driver of the 2006 Harley Davidson was traveling westbound on 11th Street SE when he was ejected off from the motorcycle. The reporting party stated Ireland hit his head an lost consciousness and had a seizure.

The Spencer Art Alliance and Spencer Main Street Inc. announced the dates and live music scheduled for the five arts, farmers market, and entertainment events for the 2022 summer. Mainstreet Market will begin July 14 with five scheduled weeks.

Mainstreet Market events open to the public at 5 p.m. each night, with music performance beginning around 6 p.m. and concluding at 8 p.m.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Avera announces the opening of Kirby Place, an expanded hospitality house for patients and families near the campus of Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center.

Joe and Jennifer Kirby, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, gave a lead gift to the Home for Hope Campaign to expand and renovate patient and family lodging.

The Iowa open enrollment deadline has been eliminated in a new law signed by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on June 21, Spencer Schools Superintendent Terry Hemann reported during the school board meeting on Tuesday. The removal of the previous deadline, which went into effect immediately, could cause some problems for schools going forward Hemann said.

DICKENS — A 38-year-old Dickens woman was charged with felony second-degree mischief and taken to Clay County Jail following a collision involving a pair of vehicles in Dickens on June 28.