Remember When 11-2-2016

(Above)Ice Storm of 1991 - A sudden ice storm and freezing temperatures caught most Clear Lakers off guard in 1991, including the city, which still had this dock out at the Sea Wall area (above).  The lake was declared officially frozen Monday, Nov. 4. This is a record freeze.  Previously, the earliest lake freeze was Nov. 12, in 1940.

25 Years Ago

October 1991

Clear Lake leaders were scheduled to listen to a proposal from a leading consulting firm concerning the soon-to-be vacated Unisys plant.

Those attending the Class 3A State football playoff game between No. 4 Clear Lake and No. 1 Spencer may want to purchase an admission ticket prior to the game to avoid long lines.  Clear Lake High School Athletic Director Jim Ahrens said tickets will be sold in the high school office.  Ahrens said Spencer school officials have advised him they expect to bring some 1,500 to 2,000 fans to the game.

A petition of appreciation and support for Ventura Mayor Bob Wolfram apparently has the city reconsidering his decision to resign effective Nov. 5. “There’s still a little sand left in the hour glass,” said Wolfram when asked if he still plans to step down as mayor.  “I will say the petitions made me think some more about it.”  Wolfram told the council he planned to resign earlier this month after the Council was mired down in decisions about the proposed library and post office building.

Jim Latham, of Clear Lake, has announced he will seek the Republican nomination to represent District 19 of the Iowa House of Representatives.

A dream team with a perfect season is every coaches wish.  This year Coach Fred Wieck’s Christmas wish may have come two months early, as the Clear Lake Lions closed out its regular season with a perfect 9-0 record.  Friday’s 38-30 victory over conference rival Humboldt awarded the Lions sole possession of the North Central Conference football championship and a spot in the playoffs, something they had not done since 1981.  The 1991 9-0 squad is the first undefeated Clear Lake team since 1927 and none had recorded nine wins since 1928.

The Ventura football team gave playoff bound Twin River Valley a 29-0 victory Friday night.  Ventura finished its season with a 3-5 overall record and were 2-4 in the North Star Conference.

Both the Clear Lake boys and girls cross country teams brought home 12th place honors in the 16-team district meet.  Clear Lake’s first finisher in the girls race was Jennifer Billings.  She had a time of 13:58 for 34th place. Elise Den Hartog placed 44th.  Kevin Broers led the Clear Lake boys by placing 58th overall in a time of 18:57.  Jason Simmer and Wes Nelson came in 67th and 68th respectively.

Grocery specials for the week at Easter’s Super Valu include:  Coke or Sprite, 2 liter, 99¢; California Grapes, lb., 99¢; Fitti Diapers, 24-36 Ct., $5.79; Starkist Tuna, 6.125 oz., 48¢; Flav-O-Rite boneless whole hams, lb. $1.69; and pork chops, lb., $1.49.

The Waterfront, 475 N. Shore Dr., will hold a Karaoke Costume Contest on Halloween.  Prizes will be given for individual male singer and female singer and best costume, also duet singers with best costumes and a prize for best Elvis and Dolly Parton Look-Alike singers.  The Surf Ballroom will also hold a Halloween party with the band, Spectrum, a 50’s and 60’s country and contemporary band.

50 Years Ago

November 1966

Vandals kept the Clear Lake police and fire departments busy Halloween night.  Fires, opening of hydrants and malicious damage to property were among the scores of incidents reported.  Four fires which appeared to have been deliberately set by a roving group of pranksters were reported, including a bundle of burning paper hurled into a doorway of the old fire station on S. 4th St.  The Clear Lake golf course was also vandalized.  Some 15 young trees were hacked down and tees were damaged.

Spirited races for Cerro Gordo County’s two representative posts and the contest for Third District congressman are expected to entice a heavy turnout of Clear Lake voters to the general election polls.

Mrs. Emery Ouverson plans to open “Verna’s Shoppe,” at 606 2nd Place N.  This is her sixth location since she first opened her shop in 1951.

Clear Lake closed its football season by dropping a 33-12 decision to Humboldt.  The Lions ended with a 1-6-1 overall record.

60 Years Ago

November 1956

Mr. and Mrs. George Klaassen entertained 30 guests at a Halloween costume party at their cottage, “Idlewold.”  Ralph Geer, Mason City, entertained the group with a magic show.

Miss Ruth Toppin, Unique Beauty Center, and Mrs. Warren (Betty) Jacobson, of Jacobson’s Beauty Base, attended the two-day Hair Dresser’s Clinic at Cedar Rapids.

Seaman Allan Yeager is on leave from Oct. 26 until Nov. 11, which he is spending with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. E.L. Yeager.

Dyle Martin, head football and track coach at Clear Lake High School since 1952, submitted his resignation as coach to the board of education,

Rioting in Singapore kept three Clear Lake tourists confined to their hotel.  Mr. and Mrs. Al Allen and Mrs. Pearl Witke were escorted to the Embassy Hotel under armed guards.

85 Years Ago

November 1931

Harry Spilman and family will move next week to their new farm home the have just completed.  The house is a modern bungalow-style with lighting plant and water  system.  It has all the modern convenience of a city home.

When you answer the telephone and the one at the other end of the line says, “this is the Park Theatre,” put on your thinking cap, as he will ask for the name of the show at the theatre that night. If you answer correctly, a complimentary ticket will be handed to you at the box office for that show.

Delores Anderson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Anderson, and Allan McLeod, son of Mr. and Mrs. F.C. McLeod, have been chosen to play leading roles in the junior class play, “Once There Was a Princess.”