Remember When 4-18-2018

(Above) Sun sets on Blue Horizon in 1993 - Workers cleared away the Blue Horizon Motel in 1993 to make way for condominiums.  The motel had been a fixture on the north shore of Clear Lake since 1954.  Blue Horizon owner, Joe Minard, who bought the property in 1989, closed the motel earlier in 1993 and auctioned off its contents to make way for the new development.

25 Years Ago

April 1993

Robert J. Mondt, of Red Oak, Iowa has been named as the new Clear Lake Junior High School principal.  He succeeds Joe Lambert, who has announced his retirement at the end of the school year after 25 years.  Mondt currently serves as principal at Red Oak Junior High School, a position he has held since 1988.  Robert and his wife, Wanda, have two sons, Brian, who will be attending North Iowa Area Community College, and David, who will be a sophomore in high school.  The Mondts also have a daughter, Brenda, who is married and resides in Kalona, Iowa.

The ice was declared out on Monday, April 19.  The level of Clear Lake continues to rise.  A lake level reading taken Tuesday, April 20, measured at 11.16” above the spillway.

What’s in a name? Handicap Village officials are mulling that question in light of language changes which have occurred in the 27 years since the facility was named.

The much awaited sidewalk and street improvement projects on North 3rd Street are scheduled to begin Wednesday, April 21.  Yohn Construction was awarded the contract to remove the sidewalk and replace curbs and gutters on North 3rd Street between Main Ave. and 1st Ave. N.  New street lighting is also part of the project.

With the rain beating on the roof Monday night, the Clear Lake School Board accepted the low bid of $35,870 from Midwest Roofing in Mason City to make repairs at the high school.

Stacie Whitchelo, of Maquoketa, Iowa, and Jason Heitland, of Clear Lake, announce their engagement and approaching marriage.  A July 31 wedding is planned at the First Lutheran Church at Maquoketa.

Local artists Judee and Jim Miller, of Clear Lake, have announced a new business endeavor.  The couple is preparing for the grand opening of Blue House Pottery, 205 17th Ave. S., Clear Lake.  The couple has been active in art shows and jewelry sales for many years and now will be opening a retail outlet and studio.

The Clear Lake Lions Booster Club added two new members to their Hall of Fame at the April meeting.  The Hall of Fame was established in 1984 to honor those people who have given their time and effort to the student-athletes in Clear Lake schools.  The 1993 inductees to the Hall of Fame are Kay Bacon and Walt Leslie.

The Clear Lake and Ventura boys’ track teams left their coaches optimistic at the Cowboy Relays, despite both teams placing last in their divisions.  Clear Lake’s Nate Hohn won the 400 meter low hurdles in 59.25.  Jason Simmer placed third in the 400 with a time of 55.29.  Ventura’s Mark Wireman got his season off with a good start with a first and second place finish.  He placed first in the 200 meter dash in 23.55 and was second in the 100 in 11.61.  Matt Dillavou placed third in the 400 low hurdles in 57.4.

The Clear Lake girls tennis team got the season started with a 7-2 win over Iowa Falls.  Jennifer Miller leapfrogged Clear lake’s three returning letter winners to earn the number one singles slot.  Abbie Broghammer and Nola Luong both dominated in the number four and five spots.

50 Years Ago

April 1968

Contracts were approved for seven new instructors in the Clear Lake schools  Teachers hired for the 1968-69 school year include Patricia Severson, Robyn Swanson, Jerry Waters, Fred Wilson, Donald Caser, Carl Ann Ross, and Marjorie Theiss.

A two-car accident near Ventura sent four persons to the hospital.  The crash took place just north of Ventura on Highway 18.  Damage to each car was listed at $1,000.

Plans are underway for the upcoming Crimson Ball, to be held at the Surf Ballroom.  “Shower of Hearts” will be the theme.  Dancing will be held from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. with music by the Medicats.

Grocery specials for the week at Red Owl included: strawberries, pint, 3/$1; celery, stalk, 19¢; Bathroom Tissue, 10 roll pack, 69¢; brown or powdered sugar, 2.5 lb. bag, 39¢; Flavoree Bacon, lb., 59¢; Hormel Canned Ham, 5 lb. tin, $3.79; Reynolds Wrap, 25 ft. roll, 49¢; and Betty Crocker Cake Mix, 29¢.

Clear Lake Appliance is having a Zenith sale: a 12” portable TV is $89.95; for families who want a giant screen, try a 20” portable TV for $168.88, with illuminated channel numbers, a deluxe wood grained color cabinet and Dipole antennae.

60 Years Ago

April 1958

A warm southeast wind made short work of the ice on the lake.  Mild weather has made the lake black and rotten.  So it won’t be long now.

Verna’s Fashion Shop was moved from 409 Main Ave. to 414 Main Ave., the building formerly occupied by the Mirror-Reporter.

A $32,000 improvement program at the Silver Boat Kiddie Land has been completed in preparation for the opening.  The new rides added are a merry-go-round and a helicopter ride.

Dick Oulman turned in a one in a million three game series while bowling Tuesday night at Melodee Lanes.

Approximately 12,000 Clear Lake vacation folders were passed out to the people attending the Sports Show at Des Moines last week.

Harry James with his trumpet and orchestra will be at the Surf Ballroom Sunday.

75 Years Ago

April 1943

143 acres at the head of the lake are condemned.  It is called Ventura Marsh and will be used for public hunting and fishing grounds.

Stanley Anderson left Tuesday to be inducted in the U.S. Army.  Ed Pierce will be inducted into the Naval Reserves in the near future.

Two more Clear Lakers left for Alaska to be with Sears and Dusenberg.  They were W.C. Carroll and N.B. Rice.

Clear Lakers swarmed stores and purchased about 1,500 pounds of butter Sunday after the ban on butter sales was announced for midnight.

Jan Gerber will play at The Surf this weekend.