Remember When 7-27-2016

(Above) Building comes down in 1966 - Another downtown building became dust and shambles in 1966.  Knutson’s Philips 66 station, located on the corner of 20 1/2 N. 4th St. came down to make room for a $40,000 addition to the Clear Lake Bakery.

25 Years Ago

July 1991

An outcry of public response has led the Clear Lake School Board to reconsider a recommendation to cut a half-time junior high school band instructor position.  Superintendent Steve Voelz was looking to make cuts upon the request of the School Board to ease the tightening budget.  Clear Lake’s two full-time band directors, Dan Djuren, who leads the high school band, and Jim Reynolds, who spends 75 percent of his time at Central Middle School and the remaining time at the high school and junior high school, told the board they felt the cut would be a step back for the instrumental music department.

A public hearing has been set in Ventura to discuss the schedule for action concerning the new public library.

Martha Andrews, of Clear Lake, was named to the Clear Lake Parks and Recreation Board by Mayor Lois Kotz.

This year’s Miss North Iowa Scholarship Pageant, “Celebrate America,” will be held Aug. 3, at E.B. Stillman Auditorium in Clear Lake.  Vying for the title will be Lori Bartusek, of Mason City; Andrea Clinton, of Clear Lake; Nicole Herman, of Mason City; Andrea Lewellyn, of Clarion; Jennifer Moeller, of Mason City; Laurine Thompson, of Clear Lake; and Lynette Wells, of Osage.

Ray E. Aucker, Sr., Ed.D, has become the first person to file a nomination petition for election to the Clear Lake School Board.

The Chautauqua Summer Theater’s cast for the production of “They Built the Alaska Highway” has been selected for its Clear Lake premiere.  Cast members include: John Ayers, Paul Langholm, Heather Overgaard, Rob Mathes, Jack La Mar, and Gregory Schmidt.

The young Clear Lake girls softball team ended a frustrating 1-27 season by battling no. 17 Forest City to a 5-0 game in Sectional Tournament action.

Two Ventura baseball players received all-conference honors.  Matt Halvorson, a junior, was named to the North Star Conference Second Team. Matt Dillavou, a sophomore, was recognized for his play by being selected to the Honorable Mention squad.

The Clear Lake Lions roared back in the bottom of the seventh inning on a sacrifice fly by Matt Freshman to score the winning run against Iowa Falls in Class 3A District baseball action.  The 7-6 victory put the Lions up against Forest City Tuesday night.  Chris Dillavou had a solid performance on the mound.  He struck out the first two Cadets he faced in the third and fielded a ground ball to retire the side.  In the fourth, he again led the defense against Iowa Falls with a one, two, three inning.

The Ventura softball team finished the regular season at .500 by sweeping doubleheaders with Rockwell-Swaledale.

On sale at Ben Franklin for the week: 20” wind machine, $21.95; plastic hangers, 10/$1; Kodak Film, 200 speed 24 exposure, $2.99; large assortment of beach towels, 2/$5; and 25 percent off all coolers and ice chests.

50 Years Ago

July 1966

The school census report has been completed and reveals a 10.9 percent increase in pupils attending school during the past four years.  In 1962, there were 2,796 students enrolled in the four schools, compared to 3,102 in 1966.

Clear Lake will be host to about 55 elected and state officials and state dignitaries for the 28th annual Governor’s Day event.  Governor Harold Hughes and family will be honored guests over the weekend with many special events planned.

Wendell Johnson, chairman of the board of trustees for the First Congregational Church, confirmed that the former church site has been sold to the city for a sum of $9,000.  The 138 by 66 foot lot, located at 201 N. 4th St., will be used for parking space.

The Clear Lake Lions, coached by Duane (Gus) Brandt, finished the baseball season with a 9-10 record.  Chuck Vega led the Lion in hitting, finishing the year with a .362 average.  Pitching honors went to Don Anderson who hurled five wins against nine defeats.

The Everly Brothers will appear at the Surf Ballroom.  The Ravons will also appear.

75 Years Ago

July 1941

There was one of the largest crowds ever assembled at Clear Lake last Sunday.  The sailboat regatta attracted many. A fleet of about 60 sailboats participated in the invitational regatta in which about 30 boats were entered.  Lake Calhoun, Minn. carried off most of the honors.

A total of 6,962 lbs. of aluminum was collected in Cerro Gordo County during a recent drive.  Mason City is the zone for the nine counties.

Sam Kennedy shipped his first car load of cabbage to St. Louis.

The work on the Sondrol building is coming along in spite of the intense heat.  The foundations are nearly completed.

The George Lunn threshing crew worked the first of the week at the Mel Jacobson farm and finished up at Frank Clark’s.

100 Years Ago

July 1916

Edna Grimm received quite a shaking up recently.  While riding in Dr. Philip’s auto, the doctor’s hat blew off and Miss Edna jumped from the auto to secure the headpiece.  She fell and received several bruises on the face.

Garner is to have a new tile factory hiring about 20 men.

Helen Mathews received a severe shock of electricity at the beginning of Thursday’s electrical storm.  She had gone to a window to close it when a flash of light nearly blinded her.  Medical aid was required, but she is now recovering from the shock which was so unceremoniously forced upon her.

Mason City will soon have a police woman.