ARNOLDS PARK — The Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Association will bring Jett Threatt — A Tribute to Joan Jett and The Blackhearts to the fabulous Roof Garden Ballroom on Saturday, May 27, at 7:30 p.m. Jett Threatt is the first show in a four concert series, Okoboji Rocks! Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and tickets are available now at iowarocknroll.com/events.

May is School Board Recognition Month, sponsored by the Iowa Association of School Boards to celebrate the contributions of board members to Iowa public education. This year’s theme is “Developing Iowa’s Future Together.” Spencer Community Schools is celebrating the work of our school board, who has maintained their commitment to students, schools and communities while facing challenges and making decisions they never could have anticipated when they were elected.

Spencer Community Schools announced and recognized this year’s retirees from the district.

• ABERDEEN, S.D. — On May 6, 266 students will graduate at Northern State University’s spring commencement ceremony. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. in the Barnett Center. The event will be live streamed through the NSU Facebook page, the NSU Graduation and Commencement page, and locally through cable Channel 12.

(Students must earn a 3.0 or higher GPA to qualify.)

9TH GRADE

SPIRIT LAKE — Iowa Lakes Community College announces the official open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Spirit Lake Regional Career Academy on Thursday, May 18, at 1 p.m., on the Spirit Lake campus.

Faith Lutheran Church welcomed congregational members and guests to the north Spencer location for participation in the National Day of Prayer on Thursday. People scheduled time in a candlelit room where they sat in prayer for the community, the state, the country and the world — as well as all those in it. Jake and Karen Jacobson were some of several residents who visited the church to pray. (Photo by Celia Brocker)

First Congregational Church hosted its annual May Breakfast and Bake Sale Wednesday. Volunteers were hard at work dishing up eggs, homemade rolls and other treats, and a variety of homemade items filed several tables. (Photos by Celia Brocker)

Soil Management and Land Valuation Conference

The Spencer Chamber Ambassadors welcomed CEO/Manager Jerome Hertel to the Clay County Fair & Events Center Tuesday morning. Now a few weeks into his role, Hertel noted the importance of community to organizations like the fair and how the collective efforts of volunteers, staff and local businesses are what make such events special. (Photo submitted)

Last year’s runner-up for the Clay County Fair Queen will be wearing the crown for this year’s fair. Out of four girls competing, Kamdyn Van Gelder, of Spencer, was crowned as the 2023 Clay County Fair Queen on Sunday.

“I’m super excited,” Van Gelder said. “Last year, being the first runner-up with Autumn Erdman (the 2022 Fair Queen) and being able to have those experiences was super fun, and now for the opportunity for me to do that again on a larger scale is so exciting.”

The theater in Spencer High School was officially renamed the Larry M. Untiet Theatre Saturday, after the man who ran Spencer School’s drama department for 44 years.

Ten percent of Iowa’s expected corn crop has been planted as of April 23, nine days ahead of last year but equal to the five-year average. Five percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted, 10 days ahead of last year and three days ahead of the average. Sixty-seven percent of the expected oat crop has been planted, 11 days ahead of last year and four days ahead of normal. Ten percent of the oat crop has emerged, three days ahead of last year.

The Spencer Community School District has named Alex Dreier as the next dean of students at Spencer Middle School.

Dreier joins the school after serving as assistant principal at Stilwell Junior High in West Des Moines. He also has experience as an instructional coach and teacher at the middle and high school levels.

A historical lecture series from the Spencer Historic Preservation Commission will run throughout the month of May. All lectures are free to the public, no reservations required, in the Spencer City Council Chambers at 5:30 p.m. on their designated date.