Remember When 10-15-2019

(Above) Celebrating Main Street in 1994 - Members of Main Street Clear Lake, the business community, Chamber of Commerce and Dean Snyder Construction Co. participated in a ribbon cutting in 1994 officially declaring the 300 block of Main Ave. open.  The ribbon cutting ceremony was conducted by (L-R): Dennis Lindell, Main Street Clear Lake Program; Gene Madson, representing the Chamber’s Retail Committee; Mary Smidt, First Mates; Mayor Lois Kotz; Jeff Nicholas, Chamber president; and Don Snyder, of Snyder Construction.

by Michelle Watson

25 Years Ago

October 1994

Midwest Engineering, Inc. employees who left without jobs and owed at least two-weeks pay, will receive a progress report from company officials according to CEO Jack Lowry.  Lowry said on the advice of legal counsel, is considering filing for re-organization under Chapter 11 of the Federal Bankruptcy Code.  Lowry said he is still hopeful MEI can be re-opened and said his primary objective is to provide funding for prior payroll due to employees.

Main Avenue businesses are celebrating the re-opening of their street and want to invite the public to see the brick sidewalks, period lighting and new street while enjoying shopping, music and more on Saturday.  A Fall Festival is planned from 9 a.m. to noon in downtown.

The Ventura Centennial Committee will host a Halloween dance for all ages from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday at the Ventura Senior Citizens Center.  Disc Jockey Harry O will provide music.  Pizza, pop and beer will be served.  Prizes will be given for costumes.

Miriam Knoer was on hand to cut the ribbon signifying the opening of Knoer Lodge at the Methodist Camp.  The lodge, which was owned by Rev. Samuel Knoer, Mirium’s father, and his family has been a fixture of the camp since about 1940.  The lodge, located on the lakeshore at the camp, has been renovated and expanded to about 1,800 square feet.

A plan to place the name “Livonia” on the arch of the City Park Bandshell has drawn criticism from members of the Senior Chamber, a group of retired business persons who meet under the auspices of the Chamber of Commerce.  The group voted unanimously to oppose a vote by the Parks and Recreation Board which granted approval of the 20” gold letters to be placed on the newly refurbished arch.  Livonia refers to the name given to the area platted in 1857 by Marcus Tuttle.  Official documents were filed named the area and a few years later Livonia was approved as the county seat and a courthouse was constructed.  The history of Livonia also includes a “Courthouse War,” which involved residents of Livonia and Mason City fighting over the county seat status.  Eventually most of Livonia was incorporated into the Tuttle/Dickirson addition which was known as Clear Lake.

Visitors to the Santa House this year will notice a newly remodeled building.  Thanks to donations from Woodford-Wheeler Lumber Company and Farmer’s Lumber and volunteer help from Al Ashland, Doug Ward, Gene Madson, Mike Finnegan, and Val and Russ Young.  The Santa House is once again scheduled to be in City Park to welcome youngsters of all ages to let Santa know if they’ve been naughty or nice.

Joyce and Virgil Knorr, of Knorr Electric, Highway 106 East, Clear Lake, are celebrating 40 years in business this fall.

The Clear Lake football team ran roughshod over the Forest City Indians Friday night in a 22-6 victory.  The Lions collected 360-yards on 61 carries.  Nick Henningsen led the Lions with 165-yards on 16 carries and two touchdowns.  The Lions have had their difficulties against the pass this season, but Clear Lake held Forest City to just 69 passing yards.  A change-up in the lineup solved some problems.  Jason Echelberger moved from linebacker to strong safety and Greg Johnson shifted to free safety.  David Mondt made his first start at linebacker.

The Clear Lake cross country team seems to be peaking at the right time with a strong showing at the North Central Conference meet.  The girls finished in third place.  Ginny Roper led the team with a time of 12:30, good for 12th place.  The boys team also placed third.  Tom Zirbel placed fourth in 16:18, just :15 seconds behind the champion.

The Ventura volleyball team had hopes of making their second straight regional appearance dashed by Garner-Hayfield in a first round district loss.  It was the second loss to an unrated team for the Lady Vikings, who finished 18-7-6.  Garner takes a 18-10-3 record into the next round.

50 Years Ago

October 1969

The City Council has approved a resolution to annex approximately 340 acres of land on the southeast edge of Clear Lake.  Aside from minor technicalities the tracts owned by Frank Baker, W.L. McMurray and Hans Henriksen now are within the corporate limits of Clear Lake.

Bobby Burns, a children’s clothing store, opened for business Monday, Oct. 6 at its new location, 9 S. 4th St.  Owned and operated by Bobby Burns, the store will carry a complete line of clothing, two to 14 years of age.

There are four contests for councilmen posts in the city election Nov. 4.  With 11 men having filed papers there will be opposition for the positions of mayor, Ward 1 councilman, Ward II councilman and two councilman-at-large posts.  Mayor Floyd (Nibbs) Nesbit, incumbent, is seeking re-election to a second term.  His opponent is Dale C. Pattschull.

Playing at the Lake Theatre is “Pinnocchio.”  Also playing is “True Grit,” starring John Wayne, Glen Campbell and Kim Darby.

75 Years Ago

September 1944

The population of Clear Lake is now 3,764.

Nibbs Nesbit, after several weeks of worry over conflicting reports regarding his son, Lt. Donald D. Nesbit, has received a cable from Don reporting he is now in Italy and “not to worry.”  Lt. Nesbit was reported shot down in a raid over oil fields in Romania.  A wire from the Red Cross through the war department informed Nibbs his son was a prisoner of war, but following that he received a letter that the ship had been seen to go down at sea with none of the crew getting out with parachutes.  Later a letter by Don said, Now it can be told.  They shot me down!  That damned parachute that I thought would never work, worked.  Thank God!”

Ventura school opened with 241 in attendance.

100 Years Ago

Sept. 1919

If you are a soldier boy, don’t fail to be on hand Wednesday night to help organize an American Legion at the City Hall.

L.G. Watts has rented the McGowan store building on Main Street which has been occupied as a fruit store.  A.T. Martinek, the shoe man now occupying the little building, third door north of the post office, will move into the building.  He will use the front room as a shoe shop and the back rooms for this family.

William Oxley went to Mason City Friday night and left his Ford on the street.  When he returned there was no trace of the car.

Mason City is to have a fine new hotel costing $750,000.

M.E. Carey has 49 lb. sacks of hard wheat flour on sale for $2.98.

Blackheads, blotches and pimples are usually caused by improper action of the bowels.  Get Hollister’s Rocky Mountain Tea.