Clay County Heritage and Arts on Grand are partnering for the Tour of Homes Saturday, helping to kick off the holiday season. The Tour of Homes, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., will feature the decorated homes of Dennis and Carolyn McKenzie, 1214 14th Ave.; Jason and Sandra Warren, 2118 20th Ave. W.; Melissa Pick, 428 W. Fourth St.; Jarold and Donna Krogman, 925 E. Ninth St.; and Eric and Jean Johnson, 2201 22nd Ave. W.

Spencer Public Library hosted educational seminars about outer space throughout the day Monday. With the assistance of a portable StarLab Planetarium, patrons were able to learn about the objects in the night sky with high-resolution visuals. (Photos by Celia Brocker)

A search warrant executed by the Spencer Police Department Wednesday night netted two felony drug-related charges against a Spencer man.

Spencer Hospital officials provided an update on the recently filled behavioral health navigator position during the hospital’s Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday. Created as part of the Clay County Health Collaboration Initiative, the navigator position will help put community providers in contact with services for situations where a patient is in a behavioral health crisis.

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 celebration to honor Spencer’s next Citizen of the Year has been scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 22, from 5-6:30 p.m., at the Clay County Regional Events Center. A special program will begin at 5:30 p.m. and doors will open at 4:30 p.m.

The tax sale certificate of an abandoned property has been assigned to the city of Spencer, as approved by the Clay County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. The city may now continue the process of taking ownership of the property on the east side of town.

During its meeting on Tuesday, the Clay County Board of Supervisors received a request to follow-up on an incident involving a county vehicle this July. Clay County resident Michael Mingus spoke to the board about a circumstance involving a county vehicle sustaining tire damage while an official was allegedly operating it for personal use.

If you need a little exercise and want to talk fishing after the big Thanksgiving get together, this should be right up your alley. The Hook Up — located across the road to the north of Perkins at the north end of Milford — is excited to offer its third annual 2022 Iowa Ice Show from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26 .

Spencer Community Theatre continues its 63rd Mainstage Season with the family-friendly holiday classic “Miracle on 34th Street — The Play.” Adapted by Mountain Community Theatre from the novel by Valentine Davies, the show will run on the SCT Mainstage, Dec. 2-4 and 9-11.

ESTHERVILLE — The Iowa Lakes Community College concert choir sang with the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra, on Nov. 12, packing the stage of the historic Orpheum Theater in Sioux City, with more than 200 performers.

ALGONA — A.B.A.T.E. of Iowa announced the 39th Annual Freedom Rally entertainment lineup. This year’s rally will take place June 29 to July 1 at Freedom Park in Algona. In addition to some big-name musicians, the Freedom Rally hosts many different activities over the three-day weekend, including mud wrestling, a tattoo contest, a bike shows and rodeo, a burnout pit, fireworks, vendors and much more.

Approximately 190 high school musicians from 46 area high schools will combine their talents for the 68th annual Northwest Iowa Honor Bandmasters High School Honor Band Festival Saturday, Jan. 7, at 7 p.m., in Eppley Auditorium at the Morningside College Campus in Sioux City. Membership was chosen through auditions held Nov. 5, in Sioux Center, from among approximately 350 entries.

Preparations continue in Spencer for this year’s presentation of Selections from Handel’s Messiah on Sunday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m., at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The presentation is offered by the Spencer Messiah Board made up of members of Spencer area churches and supported by St. Luke Home and Services and the Daybreaker Kiwanis of Spencer.

Mark your calendars now to make Journey to Bethlehem part of your Christmas preparation and festivities. Grace United Methodist Church in Spencer is hosting “Journey to Bethlehem” on Dec. 10-11, from 1:30-5:30 p.m. A cast of approximately 100 people will give guided tours to hear ancient prophesy, shepherds tending their flocks, King Herod’s Court, the town of Bethlehem, and an unassuming inn and stable.