OKOBOJI — Dylan Short, a recent Iowa Lakes Community College graduate, attended the 2023 Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute, a weeklong experience focused on entrepreneurship and teamwork.

• DES MOINES — The following local students graduated from Drake University at the end of the spring 2023 semester.

OKOBOJI — Join the Spirit of Harmony Chorus as they present pre-show entertainment at 7:30 p.m., Friday, July 21, before the Okoboji Summer Theatre production of “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.” The OST Wine and Beer Bar will be open under the awning for listening to the music of these regional first place competition winners from this past spring.

The Spencer Chamber Ambassadors received business updates this week from Pine Tree Plaza owner Bill Muller. The parking lot has been completely repaved and a new roof is being installed as tenants fill in the retail spaces around TJ Maxx. (Photo submitted)

DES MOINES — The Iowa Association of Business and Industry is hosting its annual Executive Forum this summer, Aug. 3-4. The event focuses on high-value programming for top executives. It is one of ABI’s fastest-growing events, with an anticipated record attendance for 2023.

Community members were welcomed into the Parker Museum for its July open house on Sunday. Typically only open by appointment, the Parker Museum, located at 300 E. Third St. in Spencer, showcases life in Iowa from the eyes of the James E. Parker family. Guests travel 100 years back in time by visiting 1916 home that houses memories of rural Iowa, including an agricultural collection and a Blacksmith shop.

The Clay County Fairgrounds was packed with barbecue teams participating in the first annual Art of the Que festival Friday and Saturday. Hosted by Arts on Grand with the Clay County Fair and Spencer Radio Group, the barbecue contest brought in approximately $2,200 for the local art gallery.

Spencer Public Library has been selected as one of 240 libraries to participate in Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities, an American Library Association initiative that provides community engagement and accessibility resources to small and rural libraries to help them better serve people with disabilities.

The competitive award comes with a $10,000 grant that will help the library better serve those in our community with disabilities.

University of Iowa Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center and Abben Cancer Center of Spencer Hospital have announced a partnership to support medical oncology cancer care in northwest Iowa.

A ceramic exhibit from Storm Lake artist Ron Netten is coming to Arts on Grand this week. The opening reception for Netten’s exhibit will be held at the gallery Thursday from 4-6 p.m.

“His works are well known in the Midwest, including in Spencer,” said Christina Muggenberg, gallery manager at Arts on Grand.

The Summer Reading Program at the Spencer Public Library is still going strong and has a new activity for families to participate in. Two language learning classes for adults with babies or toddlers will be offered at the library on July 11 and 18 at 6 p.m.

A new program at the Spencer Public Library — Shut Up and Write — was introduced last month. The library’s writing program will continue this month on Tuesday from 5-7 p.m.

The Shut Up and Write program, adult librarian Robin Munson said, is something all ages may come and take part in.

Clay County Tourism, in collaboration with the Spencer Reporter, announced the release of the 2023-24 Experience Clay County Visitors Guide. This comprehensive guidebook serves as a gateway to the diverse attractions, hidden gems and unique experiences offered by each community within Clay County. Packed with invaluable information, the 36-page guide aims to provide visitors with an unforgettable journey through the heart of Iowa.

Spencer Community Theatre is embracing comedy and horror with its teen production this summer. Partnered with Deegan Children’s Theatre, theatregoers will be treated to the sci-fi musical “Little Shop of Horrors.” Performances will be at the SCT Playhouse on July 6-8 at 7:30 p.m. and July 9 at 2 p.m.

For the first time since being reelected to office, Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand visited Spencer and spoke with community members as part of his 100 town hall tour.

Sand emphasized the importance of checks and balances during the event, speaking to a crowd of about 15 locals at Sunset Park.