Clear Lake Mirror Reporter

(Above) 1936 Blizzard - Oldtimers will never forget the snow storm of February 1936.  This picture was taken at the railroad junction between Clear Lake and Mason City. From left is C.F. Rickard, F.J. Siesseger, Bud Budworth, W.A. Betty, H.I. Hawley and Supt. J.H. Siesseger.  The picture was loaned by Frank Wilder. It took a day and one-half to dig through a 20 rod pass at the Mason City Brick and Tile yard.

25 Years Ago

A Clear Lake man escaped serious injury Thursday when his vehicle struck a train and was dragged approximately 15-yards before coming to rest alongside a power pole.

The Clear Lake Fire Department was dispatched to Buddy Holly Place and US Highway 18 West for a vehicle vs. train collision at approximately 6:46 a.m. Thursday. A dark grey Chevy Avalanche driven by 26-year-old Robert Schick was traveling northbound on Buddy Holly Place when it collided with an east bound Canadian Pacific Train hauling ethanol.

(Above) Staff from the Clear Lake Parks and Recreation Department flooded Marian Park last week to create an ice rink.  Weather conditions were prime for making ice, as evidenced by the sun dogs in the sky.-Reporter photo by Chris Barragy.

If you’re looking for something the recent bitter cold weather was good for, consider this— it allowed staff from the Clear Lake Parks and Recreation Department to get its ice rink ready.

Organizers have announced that the annual Jack Helgren Memorial Race, better know as “The Jack” snowmobile race is “a go.”

Last year the race had to be postponed to its February date when unseasonably warm weather made ice conditions too dangerous for races.

“Mother nature is helping with the ice conditions and the volunteers have been working hard and planning for a huge turn out of racers and vintage sleds,” said race organizer John Helgren.  “Everything’s a go for the 9th annual Jack Race.”