25 Years Ago
October 1997
A newcomer to Clear Lake politics, Kirk Kraft, narrowly defeated longtime Council member, Art Tesar, to become mayor of Clear Lake. Kraft collected 713 votes to Tesar’s 674 for a mere three percent margin of victory. There were seven write-in votes for the mayoral position. The 42-year old Kraft is the first mayor elected without prior City Council experience since the late M.A. “Curley” Hintzman was victorious in the 1951 campaign.
The Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce has announced a drive to finish fundraising for the “Main Street Trolley” is underway through Nov. 17. Volunteers for the “Climb Aboard the Trolley” campaign will be contacting targeted residents to enlist their support through tax-deductible, charitable contributions.
A petition seeking a temporary/permanent injunction and special assessment appeal made by 11 property owners affected by a South Shore sewer project has been denied in Cerro Gordo County District Court.
Five distinctly different and beautiful homes will be featured in the Clear Lake High School Foreign Language Department’s Holiday Home Tour 1997. The five homes to be featured include: the Deb and Jim Stanton home, 60 Four Winds Drive; Julie and Greg Nicholas, 1308 North Shore Dr.; Marge and Ron Tannahill, 1102 North Shore Dr.; Frankie Winegardner and Randy Cram, 615 South Shore Dr., and Cheryl Dwyer, 200 7th Ave. S.
The Rev. Peter Narum Clear Lake, accepted the call to be the new pastor of Galilean Lutheran Church effective Nov. 1. He and his family have been members of Galilean for two years and reside in Clear Lake.
New officers were elected for the Clear Lake realtor’s MLS service. Ellen Oberbroeckling was elected president; Sandy Hejlik, secretary; Bonnie Hall, director; Don Jackson Jr., vice president; Gary Johnson, director; Dean Molinsky, director and Larry Day, treasurer.
As the Clear Lake volleyball team advanced further and further into the postseason, their hopes of the first State volleyball tournament berth in school history became more and more realistic. Clear Lake was hoping to continue their journey last Tuesday against Emmetsburg. The win would have put them to within one victory of a spot in the State tournament. The Lions put forth a valiant effort, and they went into a fifth game for the first time of the season. Unfortunately, Clear Lake’s inexperience in the rally-scoring format might have cost them, as the Lions lost the final game,15-5 and fell short of a trip to State.
Former Clear Lake High School standout Becky Rannals Edmondson was honored Oct. 11 by Simpson College, as she was inducted into that school’s Hall of Fame.
Ventura running back Jared Ringus and offensive lineman Tom Menke were honored for their performances on the football field by coaches of Class A, District 10 with First Team honors. Will Pueggel, Luke Brager and Scott Eichmeier received Honorable Mention recognition.
Ventura senior Angie Avery was a Second Team All-North Star Conference selection for volleyball. Margo Kressin and Emily Hiscocks earned Honorable Mention recognition.
50 Years Ago
November 1972
A vote in Clear Lake, Iowa, carries as much weight as a vote in New York or Chicago, and could determine who goes into the White House or the courthouse in Mason City. Those words were by a prominent statesman who visited north Iowa several years ago serve as a reminder for citizens to exercise their right to vote. Clear Lake had a near-record turnout at the polls in the 1968 general election as Republicans dominated local and county voting. A total of 2,899 voted in the presidential race here, only 181 below the 1960 record of 3,080.
The 1972 football season is over and for the Clear lake Lions it was a successful one, with the final game a 39-21 win over Clarion. Seniors for the year included: Tom Secory, Doug Neuberger, Ron Gerhardt, Mark Martin, Richard Meier, Eric Youngstrom, Curt Ungs and Steve Neel.
Playing at the Lake Theater is Woody Allen’s, “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex, But Were Afraid to Ask.”
75 Years Ago
October 1947
DeGarvin announced this week that he will open his new place in the Park Corner on Saturday. Coffee and donuts will be free all day.
Bob Buck has set up a parking meter repair shop in the basement of the city jail. He has been taking a course, so when the meters are installed he’ll be able to fix them.
Clayton Thomas has announced the sale of the Thompson Sporting Goods Store to Paul Satter.
Jim Bowden, a senior, was the only high schooler to win an “A” rating for the first six weeks of classes, according to Catharyn Chambers, principal.
The Clear Lake Lions Club has become a traveling a club. Last week they went to Ventura to eat and this week they went to Austin, Minn., to eat and dance. One of their members, Henry Volstad, invited the group up to the Terp for the evening.
100 Years Ago
October 1923
The second annual Fall Festival was a success. The weatherman smiled his favor and farmers were all there. The White Pier made an exceptionally good place for the display of fancy work, vegetables, etc. Streets were crowded with young and old alike. Music was provided by the Oriental Band of the I.O.O.F. Home. Vaudeville stunts on a platform at 4th and Main provided entertainment. A picture show added to the interest. The screen was stretched along the west side of Knutson’s Hardware Store and a picture machine stood in a window on the second story of Sondrol’s across the street. Area businesses had live displays in their windows. L.E. Ashland’s Basket Grocery had a background of beautiful autumn leaves. In the center was a hive of busy little bees making honey. Frank Barlow’s display window held pigs, the kind that make delicious bacon. In the Reporter window was a 125 pound pony of Jim Miller’s.
McGood Fish Co. has live carp for sale at the foot of Main St. for 6¢ a pound.
