The Spencer High School Class of 1956 held its 67-year reunion recently at the Spencer Golf and Country Club. Left to right, standing, are: Jim Feldhacker, Mary Huston, Gene Huston, Don Hofsommer, Bob Steffens, Mary (Jackson) O'Brien, Roger Bracker, Chris Christofferson, Jon Bang, Mitzi Wagner and Frank Edington; sitting: Alene Feldhacker, Sybil (Norton) Wiegman, Sandy Hofsommer, Sharon Bracker and Janice (Carpenter) Malmstrom. Not pictured: Greg Malmstrom.

Arnold Motor Supply and Barron Motor Supply announced the companies have merged, marking nearly a century serving customers in the automotive aftermarket industry. Established in 1930 by William J. Barron Sr., Barron Motor Supply is a multigenerational company with a network of 12 eastern Iowa locations. The company is headquartered in Cedar Rapids and is currently under the management of third-generation leader John Barron.

The search for the next hospital president and chief executive officer is over, as longtime health care leader Brenda Tiefenthaler was officially approved for the position this Thursday. Tiefenthaler will take on the role on Nov. 10 after current President Bill Bumgarner’s retirement.

Wednesday, Spencer High School and Middle School students and teachers returned to the classroom, and Thursday was the first day of school for Spencer elementary students at both the three public schools, as well as Sacred Heart Catholic and Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran. The returning youth received a warm welcome to school from staff and many community leaders. (Photos by Celia Brocker)

The dream of having an education facility in Oneota Park has run into a funding problem. Bids to construct what would become the Oneota Environmental Learning Center were received earlier this month, all of which were over the project’s budget.

Clay County Conservation has been working on transforming an old barn at Oneota Park since April of 2018. The goal was to offer an 18,000-square-foot regional scholastic facility.

The city of Spencer may be looking to bring a splash pad into town. City Manger Dan Gifford reported city officials had a meeting with Bolton and Menk on Monday about the cost of splash pad, along with improvements to the Spencer Aquatic Center and relocating the East Leach Park campground to River View Park.

Fairgoers to the 2023 Clay County Fair powered by SMU will have 21 new foods to enjoy during their visit Sept. 9-17, including five that have been named as finalists for the seventh edition of the “The World’s Greatest County Fair Food” Contest sponsored by Farmers Savings Bank.

Early in the week, Spencer had tied one record high Tuesday when the high temperature hit 96 degrees, equaling a record set in 1968, with heat advisory warnings in place through Thursday. Wednesday temps topped out at 97 with a heat index reaching a steamy 113, following Monday’s index of 111 and Tuesday’s mark of 116.

The Sacred Heart Catholic school will have updated playgrounds for the upcoming school year thanks to staff and volunteers in the Spencer community.

Gracie Dammann, early childhood director at Sacred Heart, said the project has been in the works for over a year.

“In June of 2022 I applied for a stabilization grant,” she said. “We were lucky enough to get that grant, which provided us the funds to be able to renovate these playgrounds.”

CLAY COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS CALL CENTER

MONDAY, AUG. 21

Spencer Community School District welcomed several new teachers for the 2023-24 school year during a back-to-school training earlier this month. Educators joining the system include: (Front row) Theresa McKee, Jordan Hallgren, Justine Kelley, Hallie Lovstad, Abby Long, Janel McFarland, Alia Horst, (back row) Linda Ankeny, Maggie Doyle, Michael Shaeffer, Jackson Smith, Caleb Langner, Brice Montgomery and Kristin Hass. (Photo submitted)

Lincoln Elementary School teacher Jane Gude, is a 2023 Excellence in Education Award runner-up sponsored by the Iowa State Education Association. Gude was chosen from a field of top educators nominated by colleagues, students, parents and community members because of the difference she makes in the lives of her students.

Michael Shaeffer, new Spencer teacher

Position: English 1 and 2.

When were you hired? June.

Family: I am happily married to my wife, Laura.

Personal history: I'm the oldest of four kids, and my folks still live up in Flandreau, South Dakota.

Education: SDSU class of 1992, majored in communications studies and theater.

Kent Tritle is one of America’s leading choral conductors. Called “the brightest star in New York's choral music world” by The New York Times, he is director of Cathedral Music and organist at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City; music director of the Oratorio Society of New York, the Grammy-nominated volunteer chorus; and music director of Musica Sacra, New York’s elite professional chorus.

Nancy Naeve, Executive director Spencer Main Street

When where you hired? Feb. 29, 2016