A $5,000 donation from Midstates Builders Inc. was made in May 2023 to People for Pets to kick-off their annual fundraiser Petoberfest. This $5,000 donation was made by Midstates Builders Inc. in memory of Craig Wampler, the company’s former president who passed away last November. Craig and his wife, Kirsten, owned and operated the business from 2007 until 2022 when Craig’s health declined. and they sold the business assets.

Are you the parent of a preschooler? Did you know that parents can prepare their children to read by reading to them? Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Clay County is offering “Our Bookshelf,” a four-week virtual program for parents of preschoolers, on Tuesdays, July 11, 18, 25 and Aug. 1, starting at 7 p.m. “Our Bookshelf” focuses on a research-based reading technique called dialogic reading, which is designed to increase prereading skills in children aged 3-6.

ARNOLDS PARK — Fifty years ago on June 8, 1973, Dickinson County Chief Deputy George O. Williamson was killed in an automobile accident while responding to Superior after receiving reports of a 4-year-old boy who had been struck by a car. Williamson, a former Spencer police officer, and the driver of the other vehicle both passed as a result of the collision.

MILFORD — West O Beer, in Milford, announced a free weekly Summer Beer Run which will be hosted on Monday evenings at the brewery. There will be 11 group runs starting with the inaugural on Monday and ending Aug. 28.

Looking for a new fundraiser to support unmet costs of the Spencer High School sports programs, the Spencer Tailtwisters support organization is introducing a “Megaraffle” opportunity beginning Friday through the end of June with a $500 Fareway gift card awarded daily for a winner July 1-30.

Brent Stanley, treasurer on the Spencer Tailtwisters Athletic Booster Board, said, this is the first year of the event.

The concrete base of the fountain, located at Veterans Memorial site on Grand Avenue, between State Bank and the Spencer Police Department facility, is leaking. Fountain owners, Spencer Municipal Utilities, approved a proposal from TMI Coatings to clean, remove debris and install an elastic type liner product in the entire fountain basin at a cost of $39,800. The approval came during the SMU board meeting earlier this week.

BOOKED INTO CLAY COUNTY JAIL

Bob Fullhart, director of the Spencer Park Department, addressed the ongoing issue of the pool condition and future plan during Tuesday’s meeting with his boar of directors.

“The pool structure is in good shape,” Fullhart said. “We will be looking at replacing the pool gutter system, some of the decking, and spray features.”

Everyone has a story to tell to share with their children and grandchildren and others. “Telling Your Life Story: Memoir Writing” with local writer’s Mary McSwain Steele and Steve Steele on June 19 at 6 p.m., at Spencer Public Library.

The Boys Town campgrounds, in West Okoboji, will host a celebration marking seven decades of service on Saturday. The event is being hosted from 5-7 p.m., by one of Boys Town’s former board of directors trustees, Susan Haddix.

“It is a really an opportunity to kick off our 70th anniversary with a cocktail party, guests are asks to ‘bring a bottle’ for auction,” said Melissa Steffes, development director for Boys Town, the Nebraska-based organization.

OKOBOJI — For 70 years, the Okoboji Summer Theatre Association has been promoting and supporting summer theater in the Okoboji area. OSTA provides student scholarships, sponsors a production, encourages theater attendance, and assists in various capacities for the theatre.

ARNOLDS PARK — The second annual Iowa Great Lakes Rock Music Camp is scheduled for July 17-21, with registration and initial instruction on July 17 at the Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Music Association Hall of Fame & Museum. Tuesday, July 18, and Friday, July 21, will be held at the Spirit Lake Middle School. Targeted toward middle school, high school and college students, there will be morning (middle school) and afternoon (high school/college) sessions.

Okoboji High School alumnus Carter Lambert is going to make you laugh, tap your foot and even cry as he presents three original plays at the Carter Lambert Summer Showcase on Saturday, July 15, at 3 p.m.

• MADISON, S.D. — A total of 559 full-time and 205 part-time students qualified for the president’s academic honors list for the 2023 spring semester at Dakota State University in Madison, South Dakota. Phoenix Campbell, of Spirit Lake, achieved a GPA of 3.5 to 4.0 to qualify for the honors list.
• SIOUX CITY — Morningside University has named 146 students as Dimmitt Scholars in recognition of high academic distinction for the 2022-23 academic year.

The National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships reaccredits Iowa Lakes Community College’s Career Connect program for seven more years. The Career Connect program allows high school students to earn college credit, and the NACEP reaccreditation ensures a seamless transition when transferring the classes when entering college.