by Michelle Watson
25 Years Ago • January 1998
The Dean Snyder family has agreed to sell the Surf Ballroom business to current manager Scott Anderson. Anderson will lease the Surf Ballroom building from the Snyder family. Anderson said a busy year is already being planned at the Surf beginning with a concert by the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) Jan. 16. The annual Buddy Holly Tribute will follow in February. Also coming to the Surf will be “1964 The Beatles Tribute”, country musician Neal McCoy, Vic Ferrari, and more.
New Mayor Kirk Kraft directed his first City Council meeting Monday night, Jan. 5. The Council accepted Kraft’s nominations to various boards in a routine, start-of-the-year meeting.
Currently, the lake sports six to eight-inches of ice in most areas. That’s only about one-half as much as usual according to IDNR Biologist Jim Wahl.
After serving as a Representative to the Iowa House and as a State Senator, Merlin Bartz (R-Grafton) officially announced his candidacy for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture.
A Clear Lake man has been chosen to serve as the 1998 North Iowa Band Festival Parade Grand Marshall. Hob Mason, who is well known for his talents on the piano, will reign over the North Iowa Band Festival Parade on Saturday, May 30.
A dance for junior high students will be held Friday, Jan. 9 from 7-10 p.m. at Galilean Lutheran Church. The $3 admission fee includes a pop and slice of pizza.
Clear Lake’s Andy Thompson and Dustin DenHartog are both ranked first in the state in their respective weight classes. Junior Mike Lester also broke into the ranking for the first time, he is ranked sixth at 152.
Clubs featuring news on the Social Page include: Mended Hearts, North Iowa Quilt Guild, Stepping Forward and TTT Bridge Marathon,
If Santa brought you a new pair of skates, you’re probably anxiously awaiting the opening of Clear Lake’s Marion Park Ice Rink. Officials say the rink will be ready as soon as the weather cooperates. Colder temperatures are needed for the ice to set.
Grocery specials for the week at Easter Foods includes: Pepsi Products, 12 pack, $2.39; V-8 Juice, 46 oz., 2/$3; Dole Bananas, lb., 29¢; Purina Dog Chow, 20 lb. bag, $6.99; assorted pork chops, lb., $1.69; Liquid All Detergent, gallon, $4.99.
Playing at the theater is “Alien Resurrection.”
50 Years Ago • December 1972
Saint Paul Winter Carnival “Queen of Snows Andrea Joan Auge” will be in Clear Lake Jan. 5 to crown one of the 16 Winter Olympic Snow Queens.
Clear Lake is anticipating the arrival of the first baby of 1973. Many gifts are ready for the First Baby who has a Clear Lake or Ventura address. When the bird with the long schnozzle and the skinny legs touches down, its cargo will really see a payload because 18 local merchants are set to contribute goods and services for the winner.
Clear Lake wrestlers rolled over Charles City, 39-14. Picking up wins for the Lions were Curt Thomsen, Mitch Melhus, Joel McChesney, Larry Toresdahl, Steve Dankle, Dick Erickson, Don Erickson and Steve Freeman.
Grocery specials for the week at Jensen’s West-Side and Uptown include: Miller’s Beer, 12 pack, $1.89; Nabisco Snack Crackers, 39¢; Ray’s Pizza, 79¢; Jonathan Apples, 3 lb. bag, 39¢; Nissen’s Thuringer Summer Sausage, lb., 98¢; and family pack ground beef, 3 lbs., $1.89.
65 Years Ago • January 1958
Petitions calling for an $800,000 bond issue election for construction of a new Clear Lake High School are being distributed throughout the community school district.
Army Pfc. Kenneth D. Huntley, son of Mr. and Mrs. Laurice D. Huntley Route 1, Clear Lake, participated in a recent field training exercise near Grafenwohr, Germany, with members of the 10th infantry.
Mr. and Mrs. Estergard have returned from Denmark where they spent eight months and visited relative and friends in Copenhagen and on the island of Bornholm.
Gerald Dean Hanna showed up bright and early New Year’s Day at 7:13 a.m. to be exact, to become Clear Lake’s First Baby of 1958. Gerald weighed 7 lbs., 9 oz. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hanna, 502 N. Shore Dr.
Five registered Pug dogs were destroyed in a New Year’s Eve fire that burned a large three-stall garage to the ground, owned by Dr. and Mrs. William R. Preston.
99 Years Ago • December 1923
Last week William Dutton missed a hive of bees on his farm. He lost some sheep a few weeks before. The guilty parties were found and arrested. The neighborhood hopes the thievery will cease.
Mr. Wells, of Wells Auto Co. is going to have some fun on Dec. 24. He will release two thoroughly greased husky pigs at the First National Bank. Anyone who catches them will have a prize worth having.
The Rogers Hotel will take reservations for Christmas dinner. Cost is 60¢. There will be oyster soup, celery, roast goose with dressing, mashed potatoes, brown gravy, hot rolls, rutabaga, waldorf salad, cranberry jelly, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, brick ice cream, cherry pie, cake, tea, coffee or milk.
Will Barlow arrived home from California and expects to make Clear Lake his home once again. He says California is no place for the working man, there are too many out there out of work.
