With autumn underway, several fall-themed activities taking place this weekend in Spencer. Some of the events taking place Saturday and Sunday include:

SPECIAL OLYMPICS EVENT

Seasons Center for Behavioral Health has received a $1,000 grant from the Dickinson County Community Endowment Fund for Family Wellness Baskets. The baskets will be distributed to approximately 30 families in Dickinson County.

The meeting room for the Spencer School Board had more chairs filled this Tuesday as state legislators attended this month’s regular meeting. Reps. Megan Jones and John Wills, and Sen. Dave Rowley came to Tuesday’s meeting to speak directly with the school board about their education priorities as they prepare for the 2024 Legislative Session.

In honor of Manufacturing Month in October, the Iowa Lakes Corridor kicked things off with a proclamation signing to support the manufacturing industry throughout the region. Several county supervisors, city officials and manufacturing representatives were present to support one another and share ideas. “Manufacturing is a sector of the biggest demographic of the workforce in the United States, which is insane to think about,” Iowa Lakes President and CEO Curt Strouth said.

The Spencer Daybreaker Kiwanis will be hold its 44th annual apple sale this Saturday from 7 a.m. to noon. Haralson and honeycrisp apples will be available for purchase in increments of five, 10 and 20. All proceeds will go toward supporting youth and local community projects. (Photo by Celia Brocker)

Since longtime health care leader Brenda Tiefenthaler was appointed to serve as the next Spencer Hospital president last month, she and current President Bill Bumgarner have been meeting on a weekly basis for a smooth transition. She has also had meetings with stakeholders and has made contact with the Iowa Hospital Association to change over items for the future.

With nine near perfect fall days the 2023 Clay County Fair powered by SMU was the perfect getaway location for thousands of fairgoers, Sept. 9-17.

“If you create a memorable experience, they will come,” fair CEO and manager Jerome Hertel said. “Even a little rain shower didn’t deter people from attending the fair. For the second year in a row we had over 300,000 in attendance. Overall attendance was slightly down by 2% at 318,678.”

The ballroom at the Clay County Regional Events Center was filled with community members this Thursday for the 2023 Annual Chamber Celebration. The theme for Spencer Chamber of Commerce’s gathering was “Embrace Discomfort,” with author and business coach Kelly Bay as the keynote speaker.

It’s been a few years since Clay Central-Everly dissolved the high school and middle school educational institutions within the school district located in Everly. This week, the staff and students at CC-E Elementary in Royal, celebrated its homecoming week, and invited neighboring school districts — many who absorbed the remaining high school students — to join them by sending members of the football for Thursday’s parade on Main Street.

JOHNSTON — Iowa PBS will launch “Iowa Life,” a locally produced program that will shine a spotlight on the cultural gems and inspiring stories that make this state the fascinating place it is, beginning Oct. 10. The weekly series will air Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. and Sundays at 10:30 a.m. throughout fall 2023.

Several Sioux Central FFA members showed livestock a the Clay County Fair. The FFA chapter represented many different animal species. The members showed cattle, horses, sheep and goats. Many other members showed animals as 4-H projects.

The Iowa Lakes Community College Campus Store launched a brand-new online store, offering a wide range of exclusive college apparel and branded items. Laker enthusiasts can browse and purchase their favorite Iowa Lakes merchandise from the comfort of their homes.

ESTHERVILLE — The Iowa Lakes Community College board of trustees met on Sept. 19 for their regularly scheduled board meeting.

In May, 2023, the Missions Committee at Grace received a grant from the Grace United Methodist Church Foundation for $500 for Heifer International. This grant will enable Heifer International to provide a cow to a family in need. Rev. Barrie Tritle and Committee Chair Brownie Small decided to challenge the congregation to donate an additional $500 to purchase a second cow.

AMES — As harvest season quickly approaches, Iowans are reminded to practice safety around grain bins and grain handling equipment.

There were nine reported grain entrapments in Iowa in 2022, more than any other state, according to an annual report by Purdue University.

Agricultural confined-space related cases of injuries and fatalities saw a dramatic rise in 2022, including grain entrapment cases, which rose nearly 45%.