Remember When 2-16-2022

(Above) Lakeside FFA, 1997 - The Lakeside Future Farmers of America chapter had a great turnout for their annual pancake breakfast in 1997 at the Ventura High School Ag Room.  The breakfast was held to recognize National FFA Week.  Pictured  serving the crowd were (L-R): is Mike Menke, Ryan Cash, Brad Spilman and Josh Dillavou.

by Michelle Watson

25 Years Ago

February 1997

A dramatic rescue attempt has saved the life of a Garner man who drove his snowmobile into open water caused by Clear Lake’s north shore aeration system.  The man was relayed from North Iowa Medical Center less than 24 hours after he was miraculously located in the icy water and pulled to safety.  Three fishermen, Greg Duesenberg, Dennis Pitkin and Dan Nelson, all of Clear Lake, rescued the man.  The three men, helped by others who were roused from their ice shacks, tied all the rope they could find together and attached a bucket at the end to give it some weight.  After the rope broke, Pitkin bravely grabbed the rope and crawled on his belly across the thin ice to make the repair.  He was then able to push the bucket to the man and grab hold of him and pull him onto the ice, while the other men grabbed Pitkin and pulled both men to safety.  By the time they reached shore, a police officer was on site and emergency crews were on the way.

“Rock around the Clock” was the theme selected for the Clear Lake C.A.R.E.S. Post Prom party.  This year’s co-chairpersons are Marilee Skinner, Katie Cochran and Julie Secory.

Milt Blakewell was chosen as the Clear Lake Evening Lions Club Lion of the Year.  Blakewell is the club’s handy man when it comes to anything in metal or welding.

Matthew M. Otis, of Clear Lake, has been nominated for an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy for the class entering in 1997, U.S. Senator Tom Harkin announced.  Otis is the son of Mary and Michael Otis and is currently a senior at Clear Lake High School.

Sheri Riley, of Clear Lake, was crowned Miss Cedar Valley.  She will compete in the Miss Iowa Pageant in Davenport in May.  Riley is a senior at Forest City Christian School and is also taking classes at Waldorf College in Forest City.  Sheri is the daughter of Pam and Scott Riley, of Clear Lake.

The Clear Lake wrestling team placed first in sectionals Saturday, advancing seven wrestlers to the district tournament,  Placing first in sectionals were Andy Thompson, Josh Baker, Justin Washburn, and Dustin DenHartog.  Placing second were Jeramy Viet, Mike Lester and Mike Ostrander.

Larry Day, of Clear Lake, earned a bronze medal in table tennis while competing at the Iowa Games Winter Sports Festival.

Two Clear Lake football players, Ted Secory and Mike Moeller have been named to the All-Northwest District Football Team, as selected by a panel of northwest Iowa sports writers.

In their first meeting with Humboldt, the Clear Lake boys came up with a last second shot to beat the Wildcats, 47-46.  This time around, Humboldt managed to return the favor.  By way of a desperation jump shot with four seconds to play, Humboldt won the contest in overtime, 65-63.  Erik Cochran led a balanced scoring attack for Clear Lake with 14 points.  He was followed by Ted Secory with 10 and Brad Floy with nine.

The Ventura Lady Vikes ended the regular season on a high note when they defeated Twin River Valley, 37-32.  Angie Avery finished with a team high 15-points.  Alicia Peterson also reached double figures with 12 points.

50 Years Ago

February 1972

The Clear Lake City Council voted a pay increase of 3.8 percent to all city employees.  In other action, bids were opened on rental of the 75 acres of city property, with David Butz submitting the top bid of $3,205 for the 1972 crop year.  

Hundreds of local farmers will attend the Corn-Soybean Clinic coming to Clear Lake. While area farmers are attending the clinic, their wives are invited to attend a cooking demonstration at the Municipal Building.  The newest kitchen appliance - the microwave oven - will be demonstrated.  

Clear Lake had five individual  champions in Saturday’s meet.  Clear Lake wrestlers earning top honors in Mason City were Terry Nelson, Bob Erickson, Lowell Grimm, Don Erickson and Steve Dankle.

Lock up your women….hide your money and booze…“Preacherman” is coming to town.  Playing at the Lake Theatre.

Bob Vosburgh, a senior at Clear Lake High School, has recently acquired an interest in flying and has acquired his private license.  The license enables him to fly people anywhere, although he can receive pay only for the flight rental of the airplane.  Future plans include getting his commercial license.

65 Years Ago

February 1957

Walter Bill Cash, 5, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cash, of Clear Lake, has been selected as the national Easter Seal Child of 1957.  He will typify the crippled children  who have been helped by Easter Seal funds.

A skin diver recovered the body of a 62 year old man from Clear Lake, who drowned when his pickup truck broke through the ice off Bayside.

Jerry Davis, R.M.S.M. telephoned his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clair Davis Saturday evening from Norfolk, Va.  He is on the U.S.S. Donner, LLD 20.

Mr. and Mrs. Larry Ritter left Sunday for Lakeville, Minn. to spend some time with their son, Roger Ritter and family.  Their son, Roger, underwent major surgery at a Minneapolis hospital.

Sale of the People’s Gas & Electric utility, which serves Clear Lake, Mason City and other communities, went to Interstate Power Company of Dubuque.

75 Years Ago

February 1947

Mary Jane Albertson made an illustrious entry into the world last Friday when the country snow plow, neighbors and Ward’s ambulance combined to get her mother to Mercy Hospital on time.  The Albertsons live on a farm south of town.  Although the little girl is listed as being born in Mercy Hospital, there are some who know the secret and when the stork actually delivered little Miss Mary Jane.

Funeral services were held for Frank S. Young, 78, at Wards Funeral Home.  Before his marriage in 1902 to Marie Peterson, he had a bowling alley on Main Street.  He and his wife managed a stand for many years where the Kennedy Ice Cream stand is, it is said he sometimes sold over 100 pounds of peanuts a day.  On big days they would sell over $100 worth of popcorn and peanuts in one day at 5¢ a sack. About 22 years ago, they built the Wayside Inn and had a boathouse and fishing dock.

Fifteen motorists were stranded in Ventura due to the storm and were housed in various homes until they could get on their way again.

Chamber of Commerce members number 140.