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Church Briefs

Kid’s Day Without Parents

Spencer Sparks 4-H Club will host a Kid’s Day Without Parents from 1:30-5 p.m., Saturday, at Grace United Methodist Church, in Spencer. Inflatables, gingerbread house making with Santa and elves. Kids age 2 through fifth grade invited to allow parents an opportunity to finish shopping, enjoy lunch or catch a movie. Free entry, register at 262-5970.

 

Education Briefs

4-H Foundation applications now open

AMES — The Iowa 4-H Foundation shared that the application for 2024 Iowa 4-H Scholarships is now open. Deadline for application is March 1. This year, 129 scholarships will be available worth a total of $132,000. Scholarships range from $500 to $4,000. Scholarships are funded by donors with a variety of criteria and are open to current high school juniors and seniors through current undergraduates.

 

BVU choir students work with Grammy-winning vocal band

STORM LAKE — The acclaimed vocal band Roomful of Teeth performed at Buena Vista University recently as part of the Doris Grau Performing Arts Series. In addition to Roomful of Teeth, BVU choral ensembles also performed at the concert.

Knights make omelets to fund Birthright

Knights of Columbus Council 3965 and Spencer’s Sacred Heart Catholic Church donated 1,200 to Birthright from their first omelet breakfast of the season. (Photo submitted)

Ambassadors welcome Marshall to Spencer Chamber team

The Spencer Chamber Ambassadors welcomed Lexi Marshall, office and finance coordinator at the Spencer Chamber. Marshall joined the chamber in October 2023. She is originally from Sheldon, however, she and her husband, Greg, moved to Spencer about six years ago. (Photo submitted)

Everly craft fair attracts 26 vendors, many holiday shoppers

The Hap Ketelson Center in Everly was packed with people on Saturday looking at Christmas trees, handmade goods of all kinds, custom signs, and baked goods — even the Easter Bunny made an appearance — for the city’s festival of trees and craft fair.

Shayla Bee Craft & Bake Sale returns

Friday and Saturday, Dec. 8-9, the Shayla Bee Fund will open its doors to the public as it hosts a grand opening at its new permanent home, located in a refurbished and remodeled 719 First Ave. W. in Spencer. As part of the grand opening, the popular Shayla Bee Craft & Bake Sale fundraiser will return. The opening also falls during the birthday week of Shayla, the support program’s namesake.

Steel soon to be hung for Spencer Hospital’s emergency department expansion

This 300-foot crane was recently assembled at Spencer Hospital. Workers will use the crane to hang steel girders for the hospital’s new Emergency Department addition. The crane came from Sioux City-based construction company DM Steel. It will be in Spencer for up to eight weeks. (Photo by Nick Lowrey)

A message to celebrate the season

Grace United Methodist Church in Spencer hosted the Festival of Lessons and Carols on Sunday. In this photo Rev. Shazzy Britz of the Spencer First Congregational Church reads from the book of Isaiah about his prophesy of the Messiah while a combined choir, led by Tim Schumacher, prepares to sing the hymn “Come Light of Hope.” (Photo by Nick Lowrey)

Tigerettes earn fifth at state dance championships

The Spencer High School Tigerettes dance team joined dancers from across the state at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Nov. 29 through Dec. 1, for 48th annual Iowa High School and College Dance Competition, the country’s largest high school dance team competition. The SHS girls performed in Class II Kick and Class XII Pom.The Tigerettes received a Division 1 rating in Class 12 Pom and Class 2 Kick, placing fifth in Kick.

Clay County man charged with livestock neglect

A rural Laurens man is scheduled to be arraigned next week on charges of livestock abuse.

Brent Svuba, 39, was issued a summons to appear in court in late September after Clay County Sheriff’s deputies say they found starving, dehydrated and dead cattle belonging to him.

Christmas in the Gallery features local artists

Arts on Grand announced its current gallery exhibit, “Christmas in the Gallery.” The exhibit will run through Thursday, Jan. 4.

A free come-and-go open house will take place featuring Paper Moon Jazz Quartet from 6-8 p.m., on Friday, Dec. 15. The public is invited to enjoy background music while wandering through the gallery.

A little holiday meandering

In 1986, the downtown merchant association introduced what has become a tradition to kick off the season in Spencer, Grand Meander. Monday night, from 5-7 p.m., Grand Meander will be transformed into a northwest Iowa winter wonderland.

Council approves demolition of nuisance building on 12th Street

The Spencer City Council gave city employees permission on Nov. 20 to demolish a house that has fallen into disrepair.

The house in question is located at 302 W. 12th St. in Spencer. City officials say the building has not been adequately maintained and has become a danger to the community.

“This was not a close question,” Spencer City Attorney Don Hemphill said.

2 Spencer board members, superintendent named IASB Award recipients

DES MOINES — The Iowa Association of School Boards presented two Spencer School Board members and the superintendent with 2022-23 annual Board Awards on Thursday, Nov. 16, during the IASB Convention.

Board members Shelby Haak and Bob Whittenburg each received the Individual Achievement Award; while Superintendent Terry Hemann was acknowledged with the Award of Honor.

School board to vote on new financial control policies next month

The Spencer School District is in line for roughly $200,000 worth of federal grants to improve school security, but first, the district must adopt new rules.

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