Remember When 5-25-2016

(Above) Where’s the fish? There were some spots around Clear Lake in 1966 that failed to produce fish.  Judging by the expressions of these young fishermen, these youthful anglers were unfortunate enough to fish one of these “dry” areas.

25 Years Ago • May 1991

Last year people watching the level of Clear Lake were wondering “how low will it go?” Now the talk of the town is “how high can it rise?” It’s hard to believe, even for those who have watched the lake for years and seen its fluctuations, but Tuesday, May 21, the level of Clear Lake was measured at 3.84” above the weir.  The mark represents an increase of 8.64” from a week earlier (May 14) when the lake was reported as -4.80” below the spillway.  For the first time in years, the water began rushing over the weir.  Now, the outlet is filling rapidly and “weir watching” has become a major source of entertainment in town.

City crews spent much of last week and long hours over the weekend pumping water from overloaded storm sewer lines that have flooded basements and backed up sewers in many parts of Clear Lake due to a deluge of rain.

Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mark Snell announced the appointment of Cindy Chizek to the position of project coordinator and assistant director.  Chizek is a North Iowa native and a graduate of the University of Iowa.  She currently is employed as program director/field executive with the North Iowa Girl Scout Council.

Chris and Amy Palmer, of Clear Lake, welcomed their second child, Adam Joseph.  Adam was born May 2, 1991.  He weighed 5 lbs., 14 oz. and was 19” long.  He has a sister, Sarah, age 3.

Michael Barragy and Bill Bredlow, both of Clear Lake, returned from Operation Desert Storm.  Both are members of the Marine Reserve Unit based in Waterloo, Iowa.  Barragy is the son of Joe and Mary Barragy, of Clear Lake, and Bredlow is the son of Jane Bredlow, of Clear Lake.

More than 40 years and bushel loads of history have passed through the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake.  Now, new management at the Surf is working hard to restore the facility to its past heyday condition while adding some modern services.  A ribbon cutting will open the Surf officially under the management of Sue and Bruce Christensen, who took over the business from when longtime manager Darrel Hein retired.

Kathy Wells and Kendra Berge will represent Clear Lake at the State Track Meet.  Walls will be competing in the high jump and Berge in the 200 meter dash.  Ventura’s Megan Coe will also make an appearance at the State Track Meet for the second time.  She will compete in both the long jump and the 100 meter dash.

Five members of the Ventura boys track team will compete in the State Meet.  Ventura qualifiers include Steve Wiley in the long jump, Troy Roenfanz in the 800 meter run, and Mark Wireman, Brett Luscomb, Scott Hinrichs and Wiley in the 4x200 meter relay.

Clear Lake’s Matt Edwards and Vieng Phone Theng Thongsy came away with a doubles win in tennis to advance to the Sub-State Meet.  This is the first ever District Championship in boys tennis for Clear Lake.

Specials for the week at Ben Franklin include: cemetery vases, 49¢; silk floral bushes, 99¢; styrofoam coolers, $1.19; ladies and men’s beachcomber sandals, $1.49; scatter rugs, 99¢; and zippered pillow covers, 2/$5. Ben Franklin also has the largest selection of Intex Inflatables for beach time fun.

50 Years Ago • May 1966

Clear Lake High School’s commencement ceremony will be held on Tuesday, May 24.  The class of 1966 contains 131 students.  Student theme speakers will be Kent Opheim, Michael Ransom and Kathryn Townsend.

The Clear Lake City Council authorized the purchase of a new portable radar unit for $1,100 to Police Chief Nels Larsen.  Larsen’s request to purchase a tranquilizer gun to be used to subdue stray dogs was turned down.

Playing at the Lake Theatre is “Frankie and Johnny,” starring Elvis Presley and Donna Douglas.

The North Iowa Rock Club Inc. will be the host club for the All Iowa Rock Round-up to be held Saturday and Sunday, May 21-22, at the State Park on Clear Lake’s south shore.

75 Years Ago • May 1941

Clear Lake Commercial Club and businessmen donated $4,750 to Mason City to aid in the purchasing of the airport which will be located just east of Sheridan corner.

Bob Clausen has accepted a position with KGLO for the summer.  He is a student at Mason City Junior College.

The water in the lake has now reached a level where it lacks only about 2 inches from flowing over the outlet.

John Wrisberg, Jr., Grand Anderson, Ventura, and Clifford Hansen, left Tuesday morning to be inducted into the army at Fort Des Moines for one year.  Raymond Hickman, a barber at Nibbs, will be inducted at Ft. Des Moines on May 10.

Will Hartman, accompanied by Ray Raw, were driving on the highway Sunday afternoon when the car struck loose gravel and turned over, landed in a ditch with the top crushed and fenders broken.  The car didn’t even belong to them, but to not very happy owner, Ed Wartshow.

100 Years Ago • May 1916

The Comstock Boat Co. have launched their boats and are ready for summer. They have two launches and three sailboats.

Jul Julsen has rented the soda fountain at the White Pier.

Interurban traffic was entirely paralyzed Tuesday caused by a blowout of the converter at the electric plant.  Persons who made regular return trips to Clear Lake were forced to remain in Mason City over night or seek other means of transportation.  Service was not resumed until Wednesday afternoon.

Mildred Grell, aged three, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Grell, nearly drowned when she fell into a watering tank.  Her mother badly scratched her arm on barbed wire in her haste to rescue the little girl.

A big crowd of people were in town on Sunday being the first nice Sunday of the season.  The rain storm, which came up about five p.m. shortened somewhat the hours of pleasure and the auto loads soon scattered in all directions.