Five generations of family recently gathered. At center, Ileen DeTienne, of Mexico, Missouri, holding her great-great-granddaughter, Thea Jo Heuck, daughter of Austin and Hannah Heuck, of Everly. From left, grandmother, Tammi Jo Heuck, of Spencer; Austin Heuck; and great-grandmother, Anna Teague, of Laddonia, Missouri. Thea and her great-great-grandmother are sitting in a rocking chair that belonged to the late great-grandparents of Tammi Jo Heuck, Mr. and Mrs.

A new bake shop and market has arrived in the Spencer downtown district. Wildflour Bake Shop & Market will have its soft opening on Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. while supplies last.

Spencer Women of Today handed out support grants, Tuesday, at Sunshine Center, to multiple regional entities including: Spencer Police Department, Spencer Police K-9, Spencer EMTs, Spencer Fire Department, Highland, Feed Our Children, Upper Des Moines, Iowa Great Lakes Fishing Club, Northwest Iowa Soccer, Spencer Archery, Reins of Hope, Cherish House, Respite Angels, People for Pets, Altas, Spencer PTO, Relay for Life, Trinity Preschool, Sunshine/Hope Haven, Spencer Olympics, Learning Center,

A nutrition and wellness program for older adults will be offered at the Spencer Public Library in May. The five-week “Stay Independent: A Healthy Aging Series” will be available every Wednesday throughout the month from 10-11 a.m.

The five programs in the “Stay Independent” series are: “Power Up With Protein” on May 3; “Feast on Fruits and Vegetables on May 10; “Exercise Your Independence” on May 17; “Brain Health” on May 24; and “Cooking for One or Two” on May 31.

Several Spencer community members took part in the latest activity for the Spencer Reads initiative Tuesday. To “Rally the Readers,” well-known community leaders (such as local volunteer Bob Rose, also known as Mr. Spencer) visited elementary schools in the Spencer area. The volunteers read aloud to the young students to demonstrate the joys of reading a story. (Photos by Celia Brocker)

The graduation rate for Spencer High School students far exceeds the state average, according to available numbers from the Iowa Department of Education.

The data indicates an SHS graduation rate of 97%, which is the third best among Iowa schools with at least 175 graduates.

A new vendor’s mall will be coming to the north side of town next week. What was once Manwarren Furniture Plaza will open its doors as Collector’s Cove on May 1 as a soft opening.

Spencer citizens have spent the last week participating in a citywide cleanup hosted by the city of Spencer. Some eager volunteers included students of Sacred Heart Catholic School, who spent Thursday morning cleaning up North School Park and Sunset Park. (Photo by Celia Brocker)

EMMETSBURG — The Iowa Lakes Community College board of trustees met Tuesday afternoon on the Emmetsburg campus, beginning the trustees’ 2023 summer tour of campuses.

CF Industries awarded Spencer teachers participating in this year’s Classroom Mini-Grant program. eachers pictured left to right (front row) Tara Rabenberg, Hannah Milbrath, Ellie Hansen, Julie Riessen, Debra Wittrock, Tami Cline, Carli Krukow, Britni Berns, Kirsten Schulz, (second row) Ben Gloyd with CF Industries, Hannah Heissel, Mallory Anderson, Shanna Kissinger-Erdman, Amanda Mathis, Brandy Kirschbaum, Troy Kaufman and Alex Dreier.

SHELDON — RISE Ministries has announced Cochren & Co. is coming back for RiseFest 2023. Cochren joined RISE Ministries in April with our RISE with Rob & Friends event. RiseFest 2023 is scheduled for June 9-10. (Photo submitted)

The Spencer Chamber Ambassadors welcomed new Assisted Living Director Jana Stamper to the St. Luke team at Riverview Terrace Assisted Living. Riverview Terrace and its dedicated team offer a range of care services based on individual needs including dressing and hygiene assistance, meals and dietary plans and social gathering experiences. (Photo submitted)

Arbor Day was celebrated early in the city of Spencer with a tree planting at East Leach Park on Thursday afternoon. City officials, members of the Clay County Federated Garden Club and Dell's Garden Center planted trees for the city to earn Tree City USA designation.

Becoming a member of Tree City USA, Parks and Recreation Director Bob Fullhart said, shows the importance of trees in the community of Spencer.

Four ladies will compete for the title of Clay County Fair Queen on Sunday, April 30, at the Clay County Regional Events Center. The contest will conclude with the pageant, including the self-expression portion of the contest and the crowning, at 7 p.m. The event is open to the public.

Clicking on the headline takes you to the audio player to listen to this week's The Reel Deal Movie Review podcast with Randy Cauthron and Celia Brocker.