03/03/22: Area Happenings & Accomplishments

Reunion committee needs addresses

The Hartley High School Reunion Committee needs address and updates from several classes. If the committee does not have them by March 5, it will not be sending invitations to those classes.

If you have your updated class addresses, please mail them to PO Box 93, Hartley, IA 51346.

Summer rec program needs volunteers

The summer baseball and softball program in Hartley is need of coaches and umpires for the summer season. The rec department is also in need of a director.

See the ads on Page 3 for more details.

Blood drive collects 38 units in Hartley

Thirty-eight products were collected during the blood drive held in Hartley on Feb. 23. The amount collected will help save or sustain over 114 lives.

LifeServe Blood Center extends appreciation to Keith Stoltz for repairing the downtown street sign. The next blood drive in Hartley is scheduled for Wednesday, April 27.

2 from H-M-S on All-Iowa Honor Dance Team

Two members of Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Dance Attack were recently named to the All-Iowa Honor Dance Team.

Senior Anna Vander Veen earned a spot for the third year in a row while sophomore Heather Elgersma punched her ticket for the first time. The girls are coached by Brittany Dolphin.

The All-Iowa Honor Dance Team will perform during the 4A girls' basketball championship game at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 5, at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. The group includes 238 dancers representing 92 Iowa high schools.

All dance teams represented are members of the Iowa State Dance Team Association. Dancers were chosen based on ability, attitude, dedication and leadership qualities. Auditions were held last fall at Newton Community Schools.

After just hours of practice together, the students annually put on a show that is nationally recognized as one of the finest of its kind. Grand View University serves as the host for the Thursday and Friday rehearsals.

The pregame performance will include 50 dancers performing a patriotic salute. Rachael Wurr, of Pella, is the choreographer. The national anthem will be sung by Jackie Schmillen, who is the morning anchor for the "We Are Iowa" team on Channel 5. Coverage of the pregame and halftime performances can be viewed on your local Iowa PBS stations.

34 Iowa Senate seats will be on ballot in 2022

Secretary of State Paul Pate last week announced 34 State Senate seats will be up for election in Iowa this year. During most general elections, 25 of the 50 seats are on the ballot. However, due to redistricting, nine more seats will be decided in 2022.

The winners of these nine seats will serve two-year terms. State Senate terms generally last four years.

All 25 odd-numbered senate districts will be on the ballot. Nine additional, even-numbered Iowa Senate districts will also be on the ballot

State senators who did not plan to serve in their current district beyond 2022 were required to submit a notice of resignation to the Iowa Secretary of State by Jan. 16. Those who submitted notices were: Sen. Craig Williams, Carroll; Sen. Craig Johnson, Independence; Sen. Ken Rozenboom, Oskaloosa; and Sen. Tim Goodwin, Burlington.

Along with 34 State Senate seats, all 100 Iowa House seats, all four of Iowa's U.S. House seats, one of Iowa's U.S. Senate seats, and all six statewide offices will be on the ballot in 2022. The candidate filing period for Iowa's federal and state candidates begins Monday, Feb. 28.

For information about dates and deadlines for voting in Iowa's June primary and November general election, visit VoterReady.Iowa.gov.

Sen. Dave Rowley files for re-election

Iowa State Senator Dave Rowley, R-Spirit Lake, has formally filed his affidavit of candidacy and nomination petitions for Iowa Senate District 5 for the Republican primary on June 7.

"In my first couple months as a senator I was privileged to vote for the largest income tax cut in Iowa history," said Rowley in a news release. "I look forward to continuing to represent northwest Iowa in the Iowa Senate for the next four years to implement more conservative policies to keep improving our communities."

Rowley, of Spirit Lake, currently serves as state senator for District 1 after winning a contested nominating convention and a special election held last December. Due to redistricting, Rowley will be in the new Iowa State Senate District 5.

The upcoming primary election will be held on June 7 and the general election is Nov. 8. The new District 5 will represent the counties of Dickinson, Emmet, Kossuth, North Clay, Palo Alto and Winnebago. In Clay County, its boundaries include the City of Everly and Freeman, Lake, Meadow, Sioux, Summit and Waterford townships.

Rowley, a local businessman, and his wife Kris are native Iowans and have lived in Spirit Lake for 26 years.

Fishing tourney reels in $12,193 for scholarships

Seasons Center for Behavioral Health and Camp Autumn hosted their third annual ice fishing tournament and fundraiser at Camp Autumn on Saturday, Feb. 12. One hundred and fifty anglers participated in the event along with 26 sponsors.

In total, $12,193 was raised for Camp Autumn's scholarship program and $5,000 worth of in-kind donations were handed out as tournament prizes, kids' giveaways and to help feed all participants.

The tournament held categories for bass, crappie and other pan fish. Many attendees caught at least one fish, with some catching a dozen or more. In the kid's single biggest fish category there were two winners, both catching 14-inch crappie. The ice hole challenge winner caught a 13.25-inch crappie.

Iowa Great Lakes Fishing Club coordinated and judged the tournament, as well as provided ice shacks, poles and gear for individuals or families who did not have ice fishing equipment.

"This is a big event for us and it would not be possible without the support from the Iowa Great Lakes Fishing Club and all of our other generous sponsors," said Adam Lybarger, Camp Director at Camp Autumn. "We love having the opportunity to showcase Camp Autumn for people in our community. It is truly a special day for Camp Autumn and the youth that we serve."

Virtual training offered to foster, adoptive parents

Seasons Center and the Family Support Center in Spencer will host a free virtual training for foster, adoptive and kinship families on Saturday, April 23, from 9-11 a.m. The training will be led by Shari Simmons, MSW, LCSW.

As an author and motivational speaker, Simmons' passion and expertise leave families inspired and equipped with tools to manage trauma, stress and relationships. She has been a foster parent and works with many foster/adoptive parents in her private practice. During the training, Simmons will discuss topics such as tools and strategies for parenting foster/adoptive youth, how the limbic brain operates in children and how to identify the need beneath behaviors.

The training will occur virtually via Zoom. Online registration is available at https://bit.ly/34Vdn08. Registration links can also be found on the Events page of the Seasons Center website (www.seasonscenter.org) or Seasons Center's Facebook Events page.

Zoom links will be provided to those who register via email 1-2 weeks prior to the training date. For those with limited access to internet, a dial-in option will be available. Foster/Adoptive CEUs will be available.

If you have questions about the training or how to register, contact Stephanie Pohar at [email protected].

CC/E audit report released

Schnurr & Company, LLP, Certified Public Accountants and Consultants, has released an audit report on Clay Central/Everly Community School District in Royal.

For the year ended June 30, 2021, the school had revenues of $4,318,008, a 1.92 percent decrease from the prior year. Operating expenses for the same period totaled $4,487,806, an 11.16 percent increase from the prior year. The significant decrease in revenues is attributed to a decline in local and state sources. The increase in expenses is attributed to an increase in special instruction expenses.

Schnurr & Company, LLP reported one finding related to the receipt and expenditure of taxpayer funds. The finding is on page 60 of the report. The finding addresses a lack of segregation of duties. The district was provided with recommendations to address the finding.

The finding discussed above is repeated from the prior year. The board of directors has a fiduciary responsibility to provide oversight of the district's operations and financial transactions. Oversight is typically defined as the "watchful and responsible care" a governing body exercises in its fiduciary capacity.

A copy of the audit report is available for review on the Auditor of State's website at http://auditor.iowa.gove/reports/index. htm1.

On Morningside dance team

The Morningside University dance team won the regional finals dance competition and will now go on to nationals in Ypsilanti, Mich. Emily Duffek, granddaughter of Cheri and Dave Hoye, of Everly, is a member of the team.

NWI fishing report

Most area lakes have 20-plus inches of ice. Watch out for open or iced over holes and seams running across the lakes. Be sure you know a safe route on and off the ice. Bring safety essentials like flotation, ice picks and a friend.

Scharnberg Pond: Trout were stocked this winter; fish should be biting well. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.

Brook trout, good. Rainbow trout, good. Trout are biting on a variety of different baits. Try a worm or lure that imitates a minnow.