Remember When 4-7-2021

(Above) Camping by the Outlet, 1882 - Campers at Camp Sirrine near the Outlet circa 1882. One of those to pitch a tent at Camp Sirrine was Lou Henry, future wife of President Hebert Hoover. Her family traveled 90 miles aboard a three-seated carriage to reach the camp to spend a delightful few weeks enjoying the outdoors.  Photo Credit: Hallie G. Mack collection (From the Pictorial History of Clear Lake book)

by Michelle Watson

25 Years Ago

April 1996

The Clear Lake School Board voted to keep its tax asking at current levels.  The board certified a budget which keeps the property tax rate at $12.79 per $1,000 of taxable valuation.  Many residents may even see a drop in their school district taxes due to a mandated state tax rollback.

Ground has been broken in Clear Lake for a second Casey’s General Store.  The store is scheduled to open in August and will be located at 202 Highway 18 (formerly Coyier’s Sinclair.)  The new Caseys will be the same size as the Interstate 35 and Highway 18 Caseys and will feature 12 gasoline pumps.

Construction work on Interstate Route I-35 was scheduled to begin Monday according to the Iowa Department of Transportation.

In the wake of their huge 100th birthday celebration, Ventura is already looking to its next milestone.  The Ventura time Capsule Committee gathered 1995 memorabilia to be placed in a small vault and plastic tubes.  The capsule will be opened prior to the festivities commemorating Ventura’s 125th celebration in the year 2020.  Items of interest placed in the time capsule included area newspapers, popular music, movies, catalogs, class pictures, church letter and messages from Ventura students.  A plaque has been placed on the front of the Ventura Public Library where the time capsule is buried.

The Clear Lake boys track season got underway at Eagle Grove.  The Lions used two first place finishes, two second place finishes and a third place finish to accumulate 46 points and end up sixth in the team standings.  Leading the way for the Lions was Tom Zirbel and Casey Callanan, each claiming first place in their respective races.  Zirbel won the 3200 meter run with a time of 10:34.14.  Callanan, a sophomore, ran the 100 meter high hurdles in 16.45.

The Clear Lake Early Bird Relays was host to a beautiful day, as the girls team placed third overall in their home meet.  Senior Krista Fritz won the long jump with a leap of 15’2.5”  Sophomore Liz Jaben nearly broke the 200 meter meet record.  She missed the record by .04 seconds, winning in 27.23 seconds.  The relay team of Fritz, Kristy Echelberger, Jaben and Brandi Halsne claimed the 4x100 meter title with a winning time of 54.14 second.

Former CLHS students Marty Frederick and Adam Secory are in the line-up to golf for Wartburg College.

The Ritz Club will be opening on April 15.  Come in and enjoy a complimentary order of onion rings.

RK’s Ice Cream is serving ice cream, sandwiches and soup at 1212 S. Shore Dr., Clear Lake.  The business is owned by Ron Kuhlemeier.

The Surf Ballroom will be kicking off its 1996 Big Band season on Sunday, April 14.  The Dwain Muller Orchestra will be performing from 6-10 p.m.  This will be the 48th year that the Big Band sound will be performed at the Surf.

50 Years Ago

March 1971

A semi-truck loaded (pardon the expression) with liquor was bogged down in the mud on Highway 18 after the driver pulled too close to the curb and got stuck.  Clear Lake police were at the scene to handle the traffic tie-up.

Sixth graders were asked if they could be anyone else in the world who would it be?  Jill Prestholt answered Zsa Zsa Gabor because she’s so beautiful.  Rod Carrot chose Roman Gabriel, a football player for the Los Angeles Rams.  Sally Stinehart chose to be an airline stewardess because she likes to travel and she likes their outfits.  Jim Bonner wants to be the mayor of Clear Lake so he could be famous and be on TV.

Dave Easton broke the school record for the pole vault at an indoor meet held at Iowa City.  He cleared 13’ to win first place at the meet.

Clear Lake High School presented a musical version of Hans Christian Anderson’s, “The Emperor’s New Clothes.”  Dave Larson was outstanding in his portrayal of the pompous emperor.  Other lead roles were played by Tom Ferguson, Lorraine Scott, Joe Lambert, and Vickey Amosson.

75 Years Ago

March 1946

Otto B. Peterson is the new mayor.  Councilmen include B.C. Myhr, Robert Hayden, E.L. Secory and E.W. Winnie.

A.E. Nelson, of the Ventura Telephone Exchange, announced he has purchased the South Ventura Telephone Co., consisting of 45 connected phone and lines and will merge it with his company.  The Ventura Exchange has about 160 phones.

After members of two Boy Scout troops worked all day Saturday, in the rain, to collect six tons of newspapers and magazines, someone was mean enough to steal about a ton of the bundled materials.  The money in sales would have gone toward scout activities.  How mean can a person get?

Semper Fidelis Honor Society initiated four new members at the high school.  They were Darlene Ouverson, Beth Rice, Tom Joslyn and Rae Bieber. 

90 Years Ago

March 1931

The Watkins Cafe was opened for business the first of the week.  The grand opening will be on Sunday, April 26.

Miss Irma Peterson entertained a group of friends at a six o’clock dinner and slumber party Friday.  On Saturday morning they went on a hike to the state park where they were joined by a group of boys and their chaperone, Miss Mildred Thompson.  A wiener roast was part of the dinner menu.  A very enjoyable time was reported.

Mrs. Sam Metz has issued invitations for a bridge luncheon at the Clear Lake Golf and Country Club.

E.L. Secory is remodeling his house on South Third St. and building an addition on the south.