An update on the construction of connecting Dickinson and Clay County for the Iowa Great Lakes Trail was given to the Clay County Board of Supervisors during their meeting on Tuesday. Ted Kourousis, executive director of Northwest Iowa Planning and Development, spoke to the board about the trail crossing through Pioneer Park in Dickinson County, and the pushback to their plan of crossing U.S. Highway 71.

MILFORD — It’s the final curtain call at Treasure Village Theatre as the theater will be performing its last show after 50 seasons of positive family entertainment. The site will continue to operate the mini golf and host flea markets.

The original musical “Rapunzel” will perform Wednesday through Saturday at 10 a.m., July 20-23 and 27-30.

OKOBOJI — Enjoy an intimate look into a beloved country-western star’s life, loves, and career as Okoboji Summer Theatre presents the musical tribute Purely Patsy Cline. The show will run from Tuesday, July 19, through Sunday, July 24.

ARNOLDS PARK — Christian Hookfin, from Spencer, represented Iowa Lakes Community College at the exclusive Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute at the Okoboji Bible Conference Campus held June 23-26.

Six local students pursuing health care careers recently were awarded educational funding through programs administered by Spencer Hospital. Scholarship recipients of the Bennie B. and Ernestine F. Shine Scholarship were Molly Lovin, Jodi Bents, Haley Bouse, Jordyn Broek, Nicole McLaughlin and Ashton Wooten.

• Lovin is pursuing her Master in Nursing Education degree from Robert Morris University.

RUTHVEN — Ruthven United Methodist Church will be celebrating its 150-year anniversary on Sunday, Aug. 7.

The morning activities will begin at 9:30 a.m., with fellowship time. Coffee will be served on the lawn and a historical display and slideshow will be available for viewing inside the church. At 10:15 a.m., Rev. Lynn Potter, the morning's speaker, will arrive at the church in the manner of the first Circuit Riders in a horse drawn buggy.

Fareway Stores is partnering with Variety — The Children’s Charity to conduct the sixth annual Round Up at the Register through July 23 at all 130 store locations. Customers will have the opportunity to round up to the next dollar or provide an additional donation on their grocery bill to help fund Variety’s mission.

The Spencer Chamber Ambassadors made a Tuesday morning visit to Aventure Staffing, in Spencer, to welcome Alysha Harlow to their team. (Photo submitted)

The Koenig Bunch has been hosting its annual Canoe Float for more than 30 years, the past 16 of which have been for the Shayla Bee Fund. Approximately $2,500 was raised Saturday as warm temperatures provided perfect conditions for the 108 registered floaters who traveled from Dead Horse Canyon to Crohn's pasture. The perfect day on the river in the beautiful Valley of Gillett Grove concluded with a barbecue for participants. (Photos submitted)

Arts on Grand played host to a panel of nine local authors and artists for community members to observe July 8. The nine individuals discussed their perspectives of publishing, with each author weighing in with their unique experience of getting their work published.

“I was very happy with how it went,” said Arts on Grand board member Arla Kintigh, who helped organize the event. “I think the participants were awesome, and they were pumped up about it.”

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office and the Spencer VFW Post No. 3159 made two Life Saving Award presentations for a pair of Clay County deputies in connection with an incident on June 3. Deputies were dispatched to a one-vehicle accident in the 2000 mile of 370th Street. The 911 caller advised the female driver was unconscious and possibly breathing.

Spencer residents escaped the heat last Sunday by taking a walk through Clay County Heritage’s Parker Museum. Tourists admired the historical artifacts — and the facility’s brand new sign — as they strolled through the museum and cooled off by enjoying some root bear floats. (Photo by Celia Brocker)

As Spencer’s First Congregational Church reached the milestone of its 150th year, Spencer residents spent the weekend celebrating the church. Historical items from the church’s cornerstone box were on display in the building last Saturday for churchgoers to admire, along with newspaper clippings and pictures of the church throughout the years. Residents then made their way outside for a potluck, enjoying a variety of food and outdoor games.

The Town and Country Innovation Department will celebrate its seventh year of competition at the 2022 Clay County Fair, Sept. 10-18.

An author talk delving into the effects of COVID in a northwest Iowa community will be taking place at the Spencer Public Library this week. Dr. Emily Mendenhall will be discussing her book “Unmasked: COVID, Community, and the Case of Okoboji” at the library Wednesday, June 13, at 1 p.m.