Remember When 10-24-2018

(Above) Ventura 5th graders, 1993 - Ventura fifth graders stepped back in time in 1993 to create their own version of “Jurassic Park.”  Students helped create this “Dino Park,” now on display in the school’s media center.  After researching dinosaurs and their environment, the students used Model Magic to sculpt dinosaurs and other creatures.  Newspaper was recycled for use, along with rocks, glue and other natural substances. Displaying their work with teacher Tonya Herber are (L-R): Amanda Meyer, Nicole Lueders, Callie Busch, Michael Prescott and Matthew Sutter.

25 Years Ago

October 1993

Ventura’s Nieman’s Ltd., manufacturer of suspension components for trailer manufacturers, was honored as the state’s outstanding industry of its size at the 1993 Existing Industry Impact Award ceremony held in Des Moines.  Nieman’s Ltd. was started more than 30 years ago on the Nieman family farm in Ventura.  The company, which employs 49 persons, had annual sales of $28 million in 1992.

The Second Ward had Clear Lake’s only contested race as voters go to the polls on Tuesday.  Incumbent Ned Wicker will face Carl R. Hankenson, former mayor of Clear Lake from 1978-1990.

A rather ambitious project of starting up an alternative environment for a weekend evening out is being planned in Clear Lake.  The first of what is hoped to be a continuous series of Christian coffee houses is scheduled for Saturday night, at Galilean Lutheran Church.  The location may move from church to church around town.  The night will include a quiet, cozy atmosphere, live original music, coffee, cider, baked good and munchies.  Another feature will be, “open stage,” a time during the evening when songwriters, guitarists, etc. can come onstage and perform.  Admission at the door is $1 plus a can of food for the food pantry or $2 without food.

The Mason City and Clear Lake Electric Railway Historical Society membership campaign continues to gain momentum with the total raised to date being $12,500. The goal of the society is to reach $20,000 by Oct. 31.

Sunday, Oct. 31, will mark the 80th birthday and retirement of the Rev. Bernard Olson from the United Methodist Church.  A special service of worship will celebrate the day with Olson preaching his last sermon to the congregation as minister of visitation.

Nancy Ashland has moved Old Campgrounds Antiques to a new Main Street location.  She and her husband, Al, own Keepsake Antiques, 308 Main Ave., Clear Lake.

Marian Masteller and Bud and Lori Kishline, co-owners of Signatures, a new art gallery and gift shop in Fieldstone, announces the business will be opening on Nov. 1.  The business will offer custom framing.  The gift shop will include pottery, baskets, sculptures, jewelry and numerous musical selections.

The Ventura Lady Vikes volleyball team won their Class 1A sectional for the second straight season with two wins last week.  The Lady Vikings swept Garner-Hayfield in the first round and defeated a pesky CAL team in five games for the sectional title.

The Clear Lake football team suffered, arguable, their toughest loss of the season Friday night.  The Lions lead 22-21 in the fourth quarter, but Nevada took advantage of a sputtering Clear Lake offense for a 44-22 win.  Scoring for Clear Lake was Kevin Boeshart on a one-yard run; Jason Nyhus on a 30-yard pass from Mark Ebeling; and Nick Henningsen on a one-yard run.

The Clear Lake boys cross country team finished 8th at Districts.  Jason Simmer led the boys with a 17th place finish in 17:08; Tom Zirbel was 20th in 17:25 and Wes Nelson was 37th in 17:56.  The girls’ team finished in 11th place.  Jill Minard led the girls with a time of 13:14, good for 29th place.  Jennifer Billings was 31st with a time of 13:19.

50 Years Ago

October 1968

The weekend burglaries of two Clear Lake supermarkets were believed to be part of a series of break-ins in North Iowa by a gang of professionals, according to Police Chief Nels Larson and the Iowa Bureau of Criminal Investigation.  The break-in at Jensen’s Supermarket  netted the criminals $1,500, while an undetermined amount of cash was taken from Easter’s Super Valu from cash registers and office drawers.  At Jensen’s, thrives gained access to the store through an air-conditioning vent on the roof.  At Easter’s entry was made through a wall of a new addition.

Becky Nelson was crowned Clear Lake’s high school Homecoming Queen at a 2 p.m. pep assembly Friday in the gymnasium.

A new library is being established by the City of Ventura in the building that formerly housed the Beermans grocery store.

The Clear Lake VFW Post and Auxiliary have combined plans for the State Pow Wow scheduled for this weekend in Clear Lake.  The Surf Ballroom will be the headquarters for the three day event that is expected to draw over 1,000 veterans.

75 Years Ago

October 1943

The Sears Construction Co. has sold their road equipment to the government where it has been in use the past two seasons working on the Alcan Highway, according to T.L. Sears who has just returned from visiting his workmen on the Alcan.

There are 62 men and women from Ventura in the armed forces.  There are 513 Clear Lakers in the service.

Among those who leave for Des Moines for final physical examinations and induction are Roger “Bud” Heitland, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Heitland; twins, Ralph and Raymond Harms, sons of Mr. and Mrs. H.F. Harms; Bill Ouverson, son of Dewey Ouverson; Jim Hanley, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Hanley; and Oscar Davis, of Ventura.

Mr. and Mrs. Chris Jacobsen received a V-mail letter from their son, Pvt. Delmer Jacobsen, written three days out at sea.

100 Years Ago

October 1918

The Patterson Building on Main St. recently vacated when C.C. Locke went out of business, has been rented to Francis Rogers, who will move his clothing stock into the store room.

Martin Husband has purchased from Chris Eliasen his 80 acre farm three miles north of town consideration $6,000 with Mr. Hosband paying the drainage tax.

Molly McGowan came home from Mason City on Friday, her school in Mason City being closed on account of the influenza.  The quarantine has been clamped onto Osage as well.  It is reported that there are 300 cases of the flu in that saintly bailiwick. If the flu gets to Russia, think what a time they will have spraying all the whiskers in that country.

Phil Mench captured two fine racoons on Lime Creek Friday night.

Mrs. Ada Bean, who went to bid her nephew, Harry Johnson, a last farewell before he left for France, arrived at Camp Upton several hours after he had embarked.