The Spencer Kiwanis Daybreakers and Spencer Middle School Builders Club spent the Dec. 3 requesting gifts for Upper Des Moines Opportunity at the local Walmart and J.C. Penney’s stores. The members collected almost three pickup loads of toys that were delivered. These toys will be used to provide gifts to area children who are in need of assistance for the holiday season. (Photo submitted)

A No Boundaries project, involving area high school students, is seeking local funding to help provide an integrated baseball opportunity for special needs youth in the region. In its second year of existence, the Play Ball Project led to the creation the Northwest Iowa All-Inclusive League, designed to provide opportunities for special needs kids to play sports, specifically baseball.

A small group of community members attended the Spencer School Board meeting on Wednesday, hoping to speak to the board about a personnel matter. Board President Bob Whittenburg said the board would not recognize the received request to speak, citing board policy based in Iowa Code.

The Spencer Park Board discussed potential future amenities coming to town during its meeting on Tuesday. Improvements to the tennis courts at Fairview, have been considered for several months, and Parks and Recreation Director Bob Fullhart revealed a possible location for the new courts would be on the east side of Spencer Middle School.

BOOKED INTO CLAY COUNTY JAIL

A Spencer-area holiday staple, the Holiday Family Adoption Program allows generous families, businesses and service groups to share the holiday spirit and bounty. Thanks to the generosity of families and businesses, area families will be gifted with items to help make this Christmas season a little bit brighter.

A special Christmas concert will be held by Grace United Methodist Church this weekend, starring accomplished pianist and organist from Spirit Lake Glenn Henriksen. Joined by vocalist Sara Taylor, Henriksen will be playing at the church Saturday at 2 p.m.

“It is an organ and piano concert being given by the Grace United Methodist Church, and it is our gift to the community for Christmas,” associate lay leader John Rahn said.

In the spirit of the holiday season, a generous donation was dropped off at Grand Avenue Community Outreach Tuesday. Lakeview resident Ken Barney delivered several boxes of wooden toys he’d made to give children some holiday cheer.

“I just want to put a smile on a kid’s face,” Barney said. “I couldn’t believe some kids don’t get toys; it’s hard to believe that. But some kids don’t get toys, and it’s not right.”

The Grand Avenue Community Kitchen volunteers will host a Christmas dinner on Thursday, Dec. 22, from 5-6:30 p.m. Attendees are asked to use the dining room east entrance at 605 Grand Ave. to enjoy the food, fellowship, live music and festivities during this special holiday observance. (File photo)

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, has been named Legislator of the Year by the Wounded Warrior Project. Ernst, a veteran of the global war on terrorism and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, was awarded the distinguished honor for her successful efforts to spearhead bipartisan legislation to bring a Global War on Terrorism Memorial to the National Mall.

Repair to the Clay County Courthouse building was discussed by the Clay County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. The board was joined by two representatives of Samuels Group, who requested the board permit a facilities assessment to allow the company to come up with a proper cost estimate for the necessary repairs.

Students, and their teachers, were treated to a holiday dinner by their parents at Spencer Sacred Heart School Wednesday. Dressed up in their nice clothes, the students of Sacred Heart were happy to get a taste of a Christmas meal with their family ahead of the holiday. The event was delayed on two occasions by inclement weather. (Photos by Celia Brocker)

The Spencer Rotary December Spencer High School Student of the month is Jayna Graettinger. The senior plans to attend the University of Northern Iowa to pursues a career in physical therapy. Rotary member Mike Koenecke presented her with the award. (Photo submitted)

ANKENY — Des Moines Area Community College's Ankeny campus graduate Michael Schany (above, on right), of Spencer, received congratulations from President Rob Denson at the Ankeny campus fall graduation reception. Schany graduated from DMACC’s criminal justice program. A total of 60 students walked across the stage to receive their diploma. (Photo submitted)

Spencer Messiah on SMU

Spencer Municipal Utilities will be showing this year's presentation of "Selections from Handel's Messiah" on the following dates on SMU Channel 3: Thursday, Dec. 22, at 8 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 23, at 6 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 24, at noon; Sunday, Dec. 25, at 5 p.m.; and Monday, Dec. 26, at 3 p.m.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church 24th Annual Christmas Day Dinner