“When I first learned that I had been chosen citizen of the year, I was not very happy. I thought that my recognition last year, when Duaine was chosen, was quite enough and very appreciated,” Shelly Robison said.

The 2022 Spencer Citizen of the Year honoree humbly admitted, “I felt that my volunteering these last three years, was not very notable, partially because of COVID, but more because of new grandbabies, and a bout with breast cancer.

The Clay County portion of a long-awaited continuous trail project may face a delay in its letting date. While initially planned for a letting in July, a potential plan change may push the letting back an additional month.

A controversial carbon pipeline from Summit Carbon Solutions was a lengthy topic of discussion during Tuesday's Clay County Board of Supervisors meeting. Representatives of Summit Carbon met with the board to deliver a project update and answer questions from supervisors and landowners.

ESTHERVILLE — The Iowa Lakes Community College Music Department will offer a Spring Concert on May 2, at 6:30 p.m., in the Janice K. Lund Performing Arts Center to welcome the cheery awakening of Spring and showcase the talented musicians from the Iowa Lakes music ensembles.

The Iowa Reading Research Center is highlighting the success of the Spencer Community School District’s elementary literacy program as an example for others to emulate statewide.

Spencer High School senior Madee Pick was chosen as Spencer Rotary Student of the Month for April. She plans to go to University of Iowa in the fall to major in elementary education. Pick was also president of Interact her junior year. (Photo submitted)

The Spencer Chamber Ambassadors met at Advanced Network Professionals this week to learn more about their recent business merger. Opening its doors in 2017, ANP is a full-service technology partner offering network services, computing systems, and remote or on location IT support. Since merging with Boji Information Systems this February, ANP has adapted and expanded its IT solutions for commercial and residents clients across the community. (Photo submitted)

A quote from Elizabeth Andrew reads: "Volunteers do not necessarily have the time, they have the heart."

The description was used to open a nomination letter submitted by Mike and Sheryl Patten for this year’s Citizen of the Year honoree Shelly Robison.

A wife, mother and active volunteer, Robison was chosen by a panel of former Citizen of the Year recipients who review a collection of nomination letters.

On April 12, at 2:15 a.m., the Clay County Communication Center received a report from the Spencer Shine Brothers site, located at 225 10th Ave. SE, of a burglary in progress.

Spencer's Knox Campbell (left) celebrated his 100th birthday surrounded by family and friends at St. Luke’s on Sunday. He was joined by his former classmate Ted Carpenter (right), of Milford, who is also 100 years old. Both men graduated from Spencer High School in 1941, and are two of the surviving five in their class. (Photo by Celia Brocker)

One of the regional art shows from Iowa Artists was hosted at Arts on Grand Saturday. Thirteen artists from the upper northwest and midwest of Iowa entered their pieces into the annual show. (Below left) This year’s judge Mary Mello-Nee gave a presentation on some of her own art. The judge explained various techniques and inspiration she uses herself. (Below right) Regional blue ribbon winners were Missy Van Egdom, Susan McCulley and Ron Erickson.

This Thursday, Elderbridge will hold its first in-person Caregiver Conference since 2019. The event will be held at the Clay County Regional Events Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with presenters and meals provided throughout the day.

For the first time in three years, Centers Against Abuse and Sexual Assault will be holding its Women’s Night Out fundraiser. The event will take place on April 27 — which is in conjunction with Sexual Assault Awareness Month — at the Clay County Events Center from 6-9 p.m.

Students interested in 4-H had an opportunity to show their rabbits Saturday at the Southpark Mall. The Clay County Rabbit Ranglers 4-H Club hosted a Rabbit Fun Show & Workshop to offer students a fun learning experience. Rabbits were judged by Hayley Mayday, an ARBA licensed rabbit registrar, and students could participate in a workshop to learn about showing rabbits. Saturday’s reserve best in show and best in show winners were Sydney Tanner and Kanon Erickson, respectively.

Walmart manager Cheyenne Steemken presented the Spencer Daybreakers Kiwanis Club with a Local Community Grant that will be used toward their Annual Christmas Shopping Project. (Front) Daybreakers President-elect Megan Roth; Steemken; (back) Daybreakers Paul Brenner; Gary Halverson and Ed Bayne. (Photo submitted)