Remember When

(Above) Boy Scout Week, 1966 - During activities of Boy Scout Week in 1966, the members of Troop 75 paused to pledge allegiance to the flag.  Other activities included the passing of merit badges and rank requirements.  The Scoutmaster of Troop 75 is Robert Grey and he leads 30 active Scouts.

25 Years Ago

March 1991

The current thin ice situation on Clear Lake is dangerous for humans as well as animals.  Three deer were stranded out on the ice Monday.  Two eventually worked their way free from the ice and into open water where they swam free.  However, one pregnant doe could not escape without human help.  The effort was gallant, but the doe did not survive once they got her on shore.

A last ditch effort to save the existing Ventura Library and Post Office building has prompted city officials to look at an alternate site to hopefully dedicate this spring.  The decision to look for another site came about when a letter was received from the State Historical Society who lauded the architectural style of the structure.  The building was built in 1906.

The newly formed Chautauqua Summer Theater will premier in Clear Lake this summer.  Preliminary plans call for two venues to host professional performers.  One will be an on-going dinner theater, which will be inaugurated at the newly opened Captain’s Landing, 211 N. 4th St.  It will present one-person shows with actors, singers and humorists.  The Lake Theater (Opera House) will host an elaborate multi-media production entitled, “They Built the Alaska Highway.”

Michelle Stout, of Clear Lake, and Brent Luscombe, of Klemme, Iowa, announce their engagement and approaching wedding.

Matt Berry and Jean Casey announce the birth of their new son, Robert Casey, born March 21, 1991.  Robert has a five year old sister, Katie.

Clear Lake resident, Gary Nyhus, has been awarded the “Iowa Coach of the Year” in class 1A-2A baseball for 1990.  Nyhus is in his 13th year as head coach at Newman High School and has won 12 consecutive conference championships.  His 1990 team went 13-1 in the conference and 32-4 overall.

Four members of the Ventura boys basketball team were named to the North Star All-Conference Team.  Senior Scott Hinrichs was voted to the First Team.  Sophomore Troy Roenfanz, along with seniors Tim Bray and Brad Eehhuis received Honorable Mention recognition.

Waldorf College sophomore, Steph Anderson, a Ventura graduate, was one of two Waldorf players named to the All-Regional XI First Team.  Anderson led the league in free throw accuracy at 86 percent.

Appearing at the Surf Ballroom on Friday, March 29, is the Litterer Band Rock Concert.  This is a non-alcoholic event.  Playing in the Surfside 6 Cafe on Saturday, March 30, will be Hal’s Ramblers.

50 Years Ago

March 1966

Statistics released by the Iowa State Tax Commission showed a 14.4 percent increase in retail sales in Clear Lake during the third quarter of 1965 compared to the same period of 1964.

Visitors to Clear Lake are invited to three big events.  The annual Home Show will be held in the Clear View Roller Rink.  Camera Marine will have a boat show in the former Lake Furniture Building on Highway 18 and Touristville will have their boat show at the Surf Ballroom.

Eighty-five boys reported to the first day of track practice at Clear Lake.  The squad will be led by nine returning letter winners: Roger Ashland, Jerry Baskett, Alyn Holstad, Mike Calanan, Larry Otten, Craig Hughes, Denny Lincicum, Mike Ransom and Roger Maryland.

75 Years Ago

March 1941

Mr. and Mrs. Chris Axelsen received word their son, Morris, who is stationed in the Philippine Islands expects to come home in March for a visit.  This will be his first visit since he entered the service five years ago.

Cerro Gordo and seven other counties have applied for the food stamp plan approved for distributing surplus commodities to relief clients.

Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Petersen have announced the opening of the Petersen Grill.  They were former operators of the Lake Theatre Lunch.  The new location is in the Frost building next to the Clear Lake Bank.

Leonard Rodewald, of Charles City, has leased the Lake View Market and expects to open soon, operating a meat market and grocery.

100 Years Ago

March 1916

A golf club has been organized in Clear Lake with a membership of 121.  The first meeting was held at City Hall.  The course will be located on the site of the old ballpark at Walnut Grove on the Leavenworth homestead, which is on the north shore of the lake to the west, and is on the Lake Shore Drive and the North Iowa pike.  The clubhouse is located on Summit Hill about 40 feet above the water.

Under the terms of a new law passed, the blind or partially blind to the extent they cannot support themselves will receive $150 a year instead of being forced to accept the charity of the county poor fund.

George E. Waterman has purchased a new Dodge and is doing his best to learn to manage it.  Every day he makes some progress, just stay clear until he masters it.