Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Sorted by date Results 76 - 100 of 221
Hello, my friends! Thank you for such a warm welcome of my first article a few weeks ago! Your inquiries as to whether or not to expect this column weekly made me realize that I should probably clarify that tidbit of information. As much as I'd love to write this article weekly, I think the best option for this busy mom is to have it be a biweekly column, (or whenever creativity hits me, which is just about as random as the Iowa weather). Speaking of the Iowa weather, this weather reminds me of...
Sunday was the commencement of the annual Christian observance of Holy Week. Holy Week starts on the Sunday before Easter with Palm Sunday, the celebration of Jesus' arrival into Jerusalem. The waving of palm branches signifies what His followers did upon His entry years ago. Monday is when Jesus cleansed the temple, overturning tables and driving out those who sold and bought there. On Tuesday the chief priests challenged Jesus' authority and Jesus taught in the temple for the last time....
Hello, friends! I thought maybe now was as good a time as any to rebirth my grandma Arlene's locally-famous column, "Bits 'n Pieces." If there is one thing that I know to be true, it's that we have a lot to be thankful for in our little corner of the world. Sharing that joy in some of the simplest ways, from recipes and riddles to jokes and announcements, is something I am excited to offer in this column, just like my grandma did years ago. Except now, she can enjoy reading it instead of writing...
Church Street in Royal was filled with vehicles lined up and ready for the Clay Central/Everly Fish Fry Fundraiser last Friday night. The annual event was as successful as ever, with people attending from near and far to support the elementary school. All proceeds from the event go towards the CC/E Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics (S.T.E.A.M.) Program....
The Great Hall of Royal was filled with the delicious aromas of roasting chili and craft beer last Saturday evening as the Royal Community Action Committee hosted its inaugural chili cook-off and beer tasting event. Over 80 people were in attendance to sample and cast their vote on an assortment of tantalizing chili and beer flavors, all while watching NCAA tournament games on numerous screens throughout the venue. Taking home the inaugural Royal Chili Champion title over 16 competitors was...
Clay Central/Everly Elementary hosted Maverick Family Fun Night last Thursday evening to a packed lunchroom full of eager families and children. Fifth and sixth grade students, along with staff volunteers, hosted the evening of fun. Kicking off the night was a meal of delicious grilled burgers prepared by the Clay County Cattlemen. During the meal, a brief speech was made by CC/E TAG/Reading instructor Mrs. Roti, who welcomed all to the event and thanked the students and staff volunteers for...
The Hap Ketelsen Community Center Board of Directors put on a BINGO night to remember last Saturday. The building was filled to the brim with eager participants ready to win big prizes and have some fun. Prizes included a pair of Hey Dudes donated by Brown's Shoe Fit in Spencer; a beautiful custom cutting board by Mark Schmid, of Everly; a lawn chair donated by Evertek; bath products, hair products, wine and wine glasses, dinner packages and more. Prizes were also handed out to the best...
Last weekend's Clay County Pheasants Forever banquet was a huge success as the group reclaimed the in-person event after a brief hiatus during the pandemic. The banquet was well attended with every seat in the house full of eager participants. The night included a silent and live auction, numerous gun raffles and tasty appetizers. Attendees enjoyed watching children zooming around from game to game. Activities included blow-up BB gun target lanes, minnow races, feather throws, bag toss, darts...
Clay Central/Everly's students have been hard at work earning badges for their PBIS program. PBIS stands for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports and is a system that many schools utilize to promote good behavior, positive social actions/reactions and safety within the classroom and school. PBIS implements strategies of how to deal with certain situations, educates on how to prevent escalation of conversational or emotional issues that may arise, and helps in providing an outline of...
Last Saturday the Clay Raiders 4-H group enjoyed attending the 2022 Beef Bonanza at Iowa Lakes Community College. The Raiders, along with other local 4-H groups, attended this fun event held at the ILCC Emmetsburg campus. The information-packed day provided quality programming and information in all things beef science to those participating. Not only was the day filled with informative teachings and demonstrations, it also provided an atmosphere of fun and excitement that kept the children...
The Clay County Cattlemen Association held their annual meeting banquet on Jan. 15 at The Great Hall of Royal. The Cattlemen started the event with a social hour, followed by a bountiful catered meal. They enjoyed conversation with fellow members before guest speakers took the stage going over the past year in the industry. Speeches included Branding Iron proceeds, sponsor highlights, scholarship information and brief presentations by the current Beef Ambassadors, Gracie Dehrkoop and Saul...
Clay Central/Everly Elementary students were recently treated to a visit from famous author and former Iowa State football player, Coach Sloth. As a child growing up in the Dike and Belmond areas, it was very apparent to Coach (Ryan) Sloth that his greatest desire was to play football. Sloth played as starting cornerback for ISU, helping to lead the Cyclones to a victory in the 2000 Insight Bowl. Sloth transitioned from a Cyclone to an Iowa Barnstormer, both as a player and coach. He spent 10 se...
The "Where are you Christmas" song was playing in my head as I sat in my living room, looking at the debris from Christmas. New gifts sat freshly played with and game cards were left unshuffled by their box. Wrapping paper brimmed from garbage bags by the window. Gene Autry's Christmas album filled the room with Christmas classics from the record player in the dining room. The tree was still lit, but no gifts laid underneath. And then my eyes slowly moved to what was placed perfectly in front...
The Clay Central Everly preschoolers kicked off winter break with a preschool program last Friday afternoon. Parents and guardians were invited to watch as the head preschool teacher read the class Jan Brett tales that the preschoolers acted out for the audience. The Mitten was enacted by hedgehogs, fox, owls and more as they entered the giant oversized mitten. The tiniest of creatures entered last, causing the mitten to burst and forcing preschoolers to roll across the room. The second story...
The Peterson Lions Club picked up Santa Claus and headed to Royal last Monday. They joined forces with the Royal Lions Club and canvassed the town handing out treats to all who were at their door. Lions Club members ran to the doors of those watching to hand out candy canes while the old fire truck merrily blared Christmas songs for all to enjoy...
The youth at Hope Lutheran Church of Everly gathered last Sunday to perform two Christmas programs for the congregation. The first was performed by HLC's preschool and kindergartners as they acted in the play "The Littlest Christmas Tree." The story depicted a little tree saddened at the fact that he had not been chosen as anyone's Christmas tree. Bunnies and birds happily helped the little tree by adorning him with feathers and berries to be the beautiful Christmas tree he had always longed to...
In the Bible, God makes it clear as to what He requests of us: To help others, to give and not take, to be filled with and show grace, and to love. Some do this on a personal level by caring for their children, making time for devotion and prayer, or spending time with loved ones. Others do so locally by helping in soup kitchens, donating to church projects or helping clothe children in the winter. Then there are those that hear a calling to go abroad, helping disciple to those who have yet to...
This time of year, it is easy to be consumed with the wrapping paper, bows, Santa lists and sugary treats. Sometimes we become so distracted by the hustle and bustle of the season that we forget about why we celebrate Christmas. Last Sunday, the Bethlehem Lutheran Church King's Kamp performed its Christmas musical. Cheerleaders for Jesus stormed the stage complete with a mascot to engage the congregation. The Holy family also joined on their journey to Bethlehem as the children cheered and sang...
Royal Community Action hosted its annual Festival of Trees last Saturday morning at The Great Hall of Royal. Royal Fire Chief Matt Goyette safely brought Santa and Mrs. Claus to the event via the Royal ambulance. The jolly couple was greeted by the smiling faces of children as they entered the venue and took their perch on the stage next to the beautifully decorated giant Christmas tree. As children filtered through taking their turns on Santa or Mrs. Claus' lap, parents and guests walked...
Last Saturday evening the Royal Lions Club hosted its annual Christmas party at The Great Hall of Royal. A plated dinner catered by The Great Hall was served with guests enjoying cocktails, conversation and a gip auction with a spruce tip pot as the auction's grand prize. Funds from the auction were donated to Iowa KidSight. The Lions Club of Iowa, along with the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, have come together to...
There may not have been any real snow, but the Friends of the Everly Public Library were still able to host a beautiful holiday event Dec. 3 at the Hap Ketelsen Community Center. Christmas carols greeted visitors as they entered the building and took in the magnificence of the annual Festival of Trees display. The Hap's halls were decked to max with holiday spirit and a variety of unique selections to admire. A delicious free-will dinner was served, and crafts and activities were available to...
Sunday evening the Clay Raider 4-H'ers gathered for their annual club Christmas party. The club enjoyed an evening filled with a delicious dinner and white elephant gift exchange, followed by packaging and distributing more than 20 bags of "Comfy/Cozy Christmas" cheer across the town of Royal. The Clay Raiders continue to live out their motto by being helpful givers to our communities this holiday season....
One of the most refreshing and nostalgic elements of the Christmas season is the beauty of holiday music. Nothing can bring a smile to a grownup's ear than hearing the cheer of Christmas sung by children. Last Thursday evening the students at Clay Central/Everly Elementary came together for the annual Winter Concert. Kicking off the evening was the Maverick band. Small but mighty, the students proudly played classics that warmed up audience members for more music merriment to come. Following...
I’ve been ill lately. Some of it strep throat and caring for sick babies, and now an unknown back injury we are trying to properly diagnose. I’ve been down for the count for two weeks off and on, which has created quite a stir in my routine. Daily workouts look a lot different, cat naps are more frequent and pain relievers are administered whenever able. “Taking it easy” and “listening to my body” have been at the top of the to-do list. “Taking it easy” doesn’t come easy when you are owner/ope...
With her term drawing to a close, Royal Council Member Arlene Wimmer has been reminiscing about past council achievements and memories as she prepares to hand over her chair at year's end. Wimmer's decision to join the council came more than two decades ago when she was asked to run as a write-in candidate in 1999. "I decided to give it a go and I won the seat, and I have served for 20 years," she recalled. Throughout the years Wimmer has been on numerous council committees, including nuisances...
