Traditionally, Spencer school staff and community volunteers have been on hand to greet and welcome back students each fall throughout the school buildings. This year students took time out from their final days of summer to celebrate the return of the teachers to the classrooms. (Above) Students stand outside the high school main entrance to honor the new and returning instructors.

Tuesday afternoon, Spencer Public Library’s conference room was filled with patrons, members of the Spencer ADA Council and library staff for a discussion on accessibility. Thanks to a recent grant, the library plans on improving its accessibility for patrons with mobility issues.

Community impact donations to Fostoria Fire & Rescue from Black Hills Energy and Iowa Lakes Electric, each in the amount of $4,000, made it possible to purchase five sets of turnout gear. Fostoria Fire & Rescue serves the community with 18 volunteers donating their time and skills. Fostoria Fire & Rescue coverage area includes Summit, Riverton and Meadow townships. (Photo submitted)

The first nine holes of the disc golf course at the Spencer Family Aquatic Center were finished Thursday. Formerly located West Leach Park, the course was moved to its new location because of the additional obstacles the trees around the aquatic center create.

“We took what we had in West Leach Park, then moved it to the aquatic center area,” Parks and Recreation Director Bob Fulhart said. “This is the initial phases of the disc golf course out there.”

ESTHERVILLE — Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative announced the board of directors selected Ryan Craig as its new president and chief executive officer. Craig assumes his new role beginning Sept. 11.

The Spencer Chamber announced a new update regarding the redemption of Chamber Checks. As part of its ongoing commitment to providing exceptional services to chamber members and the community, it is introducing a seamless transition to the new gift card program.

With the assistance of $300,000 endowment from the Heerde Trust, managed by of United Way of Spencer Board, CAASA — Centers Against Abuse and Sexual Assault — will be able to relocate to a new, more visible and easily accessible, location at 521 S. Grand Avenue in Spencer. CAASA Executive Director Stephanie Henrich anticipates a relocation and opening date in September.

• Part 2 of 2 — This article was originally published July 17 in the Iowa Reading Research Center, University of Iowa College of Education, and reprinted with permission.

A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH

Tuesday, the Chamber Ambassadors visited Spencer High School to welcome Kelly Kuehler, the new work-based learning coordinator for Spencer Schools. (Photo submitted)

EMMETSBURG — U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, representing Iowa's 4th Congressional District, visited Iowa Lakes Community College recently. During his visit, he engaged with attendees, toured the college farm, and discussed legislation he was helping introduce — the Community College Agriculture Advancement Act.

Just off the corner of Fifth Street and Grand Avenue in Spencer’s downtown district lies sweet lovers’ favorite local store. Packed every morning with a variety of baked goods, Carroll’s Bakery has been a favorite shop of the Spencer community for over a century.

The bakery’s current owners are Paul and Colleen Thompson, who have been running the business since 1991. After 32 years, the Thompsons are ready to hang up their aprons and pass Spencer’s historic bakery into new hands.

A longtime member of the Spencer Women of Today and active server at the national level, Tracey Pierson, was elected United States Women of Today president for 2023-24 on June 10 at the service organization’s year-end convention in Tempe, Arizona. Pierson gas been a member of the Spencer Women of Today for 19 years.

Spencer Ag Center and several area car enthusiasts hosted a hot rod night for the Clay County PALS on Wednesday at the Spencer Ag Center parking lot in east Spencer. According to Craig Neiderheiser, Clay County PALS president, the board came up with the idea of hosting a hot rod night after reading about a similar event held in California.

Against the backdrop of the beautiful waters of West Lake Okoboji, a bright sunny sky and a gentle northwest breeze, the eighth annual Okoboji Blue Water Festival held on Saturday, Aug. 12, at Preservation Plaza continued to provide the general public with both a celebration of clean water efforts and challenges to continue to address clean water issues. Beginning with the Chalkstock sidewalk art early in the morning and ending with the incredible concert in the evening with A. J.

Spencer Public Library has plans to improve its accessibility and is inviting its patrons into the decision-making process. Tuesday the library will host a community conversation on its accessibility starting at 2:30 p.m.