Remember When 9-28-2016

(Above) New look on Main Ave., 1966 - Clear Lake’s Main Ave. got a new look in 1966.  A brand-new asphalt surface, one-way traffic on two blocks, and free diagonal parking created a more favorable effect.  Shoppers reported to like the new format.

25 Years Ago • September 1991

Ventura Mayor Bob Wolfram, frustrated by the delays and now reconsideration of a proposed new library and post office building, announced Monday night he is resigning his position effective Nov. 6.  A few weeks ago, the issue was settled, it seemed, when the Council decided the present structure would be demolished to make way for a new building.  Bids were accepted on the project and plans being made to hold a public hearing to discuss the bids and plans.  Monday night that schedule changed when Councilmembers decided to debate the issue again.  “Basically, I’m fed up,” said Wolfram.

A two-way race for the Clear Lake City Council at-large seat is slated for the election on Tuesday, Nov. 5.  Former Clear Lake Police Chief James Frampton will challenge Rhonda Mann for the seat she won in a runoff election three years ago.

Jessica Jorgensen, daughter of Craig Jorgensen and Donna Jorgensen-Cooke, was crowned the 1991 Clear Lake High School Homecoming queen.

Jamie Waddingham and Tami Ackarman were named as the Ventura Homecoming King and Queen on Friday.  Jamie is the son of Lyle and Nancy Waddingham, while Tami is the daughter of Craig and Linda Ackarman.

Clear Lakers were prepared for an early dose of winter weather last week.  Sheets and blankets covered flowers as temperatures were expected to drop below freezing.

State Representative Merlin Bartz announced he will seek a seat in the Iowa Senate, rather than campaign for a second term to represent a newly re-districted House area.

Longtime Clear Lake business woman Marlys VanHorn was surprised by friends last week with a birthday celebration.  The cake, which VanHorn shared with customers at her Clear Lake Variety Store, said “Happy 75th Mrs. Clear Lake.”

Members of the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony to welcome Jan Marcus to the Clear Lake business community.  Marcus is the owner of The Cheshire Cat Bookstore, 114 N. 3rd St., Clear Lake.  The store will carry children’s books, as well as a limited number of adult books.

Bolstered by a huge Homecoming crowd, the Clear Lake Lions did the seemingly impossible and beat Webster City.  Although the Lions were rated No. 6 in Class 3A  and were favored to win, the Lions have traditionally had a tough time turning away the Lynx.  Friday night’s 12-6 victory marked the first time in 10 years and only the second time in 20 years a Lion football team has defeated Webster City.

Ventura dropped their Homecoming football game to Northeast Hamilton, 20-0.  The rushing game netted the Vikes 78-yards, but that was depleted by 60-yards lost by Matt Dillavou on quarterback sacks.

Clear Lake recently hosted a meet at All Vet’s Golf Course.  Clear Lake’s Rob Doebel finished eight with a time of 19:37.  Ventura’s Troy Roenfanz was sixth overall.  For the girls, Jennifer Billings just missed a medal with an 11th place finish in 13:54.

50 Years Ago • September 1966

A beer drinking party was broken up by Deputy Glenn Kellogg, Clear Lake, and three men from the State Highway Patrol, Saturday about 10:29 p.m. about two miles south of Clear Lake in an abandoned farm building.  Officers found 30 cans and three quarts of beer and one bottle of vodka.  There were 16 persons involved, ranging in age from 14 to 24 years.  During the investigation three break-ins were solved and some of the stolen articles recovered.  The two snare drums valued at $200 and taken Friday night from the Ventura school were recovered and the breaking Tuesday night at Kemmerer Marine was cleared up.

Clear Lake’s injury ridden grinders dropped their second game of the season to a powerful Webster City team, 33-0.  The Lions played without quarterback Ken Grabinski who is out for the season with a foot injury.

Ventura Viking cheerleaders for the 1966 football season are Janelle Flore, Gloria Monson, Shirley Gunderson, Rosemary Butenhoff, Joy Wessner, Julie Baker.

75 Years Ago • September 1941

A car was stolen from the Chevrolet parking lot and was found the same night by the C.E. Geist place where it had crashed into a tree.  The motor was still running, but the driver had fled.

100 Years Ago • September 1916

Leo Eddy received some broken bones and other injuries in an auto collision Friday evening.  A group of young people in separate cars were out riding and failed to light the lamps.  The result was a coming together of the cars in the darkness which resulted in all occupants receiving a severe shakeup.

The house on the R.E. Holt farm just inside the east city limits, was destroyed by fire Monday morning. The place was occupied by G.W. Ham and wife.  He had lighted a fire the evening before and it is thought they had flared up and the soot in the chimney caught fire.

Cracked cabbage is 2 1/2 cents a lb. at the Flower Gardens.

Three head of steers were killed by lightning Wednesday night on the Cookman farm in Mt. Vernon township.  This is the second loss on the farm this summer.

Thousands of muskmelons have been sold on our streets the past two weeks by strangers from a distance who drive here by auto or team with a load.