by Michelle Watson
25 Years Ago
April 1998
Everyone from local residents, to tourists and even radio commentator Paul Harvey are becoming increasingly concerned about the water quality of Clear Lake. Paul Harvey apparently picked up a story on CLEAR’s battle to become clear again. Harvey recalled that his grandmother used to ice skate on the pristine lake, he lamented that urban development has led to a decline in water quality.
About 600 Clear Lake area residents of all ages “pitched in” to help clean up the area during the first annual Clear Lake Earth Day.
Two Iowa Department of Transportation workers have died as a result of injuries they received last week when a semi-trailer crashed into their work site on Interstate 35 in Clear Lake.
An 11th hour settlement has cleared the way for the development of seven buildings to house 28 condominiums units at the former Methodist Camp on Clear Lake’s south shore. Issues between the developers and the sellers were resolved literally hours before a judge was to hear arguments concerning details of the property transfer.
Spring rains continue to lift the lake level. The level now measures +7.20” above the weir.
Held over at the Lake Theatre is “Titanic.” Ticket prices are $3 for adults and $2 for those 12 and under.
During spring break at Iowa State University, two Clear Lake students had the opportunity to meet with former President Ronald Reagan at his office in California. Jason Dale and Josh Aastrup wrote to Reagan’s office for the opportunity to tour. They were surprised to be among the very few who actually had their request granted, and even more honored to meet the former president.
Participants in the 29th Annual Opportunity Village Benefit Walk will have a chance to win a Beanie Baby “Princess” bear.
The Clear Lake girls track team is a force to be reckoned with this spring thanks in part to its senior leadership. Eight seniors have the Lions reaching for a conference and State title: Angie Doebel, Kristy Echelberger, Laura Maring, Brandi Halsne, Anna Teigland, Danielle Roper, Emily Carter and Liz Jaben.
The Clear Lake boys track team placed third at their home meet. Casey Cooney won the 1600 meter run and Casey Callanan was second in the 110 meter high hurdles. Callanan will be competing in the 110 high hurdles at the Drake Relays.
Ventura will be sending their 4×100 boys relay team to the Drake Relays. Members of the relay include Adam Froiland, Josh Smith, Eric Morf and Jared Ringus. The group graced the 47.0 second barrier to be eligible to run at the prestigious event.
The Ventura girls track team captured the Clarion relays title. Margo Kressin placed first in the high jump. The 3200 meter relay medley of Allison Bangert, Angie Avery, Nicole Lueders and Misty Brager also placed first. The shuttle hurdle team of Brandi Sonney, April Brecke, Nicki Heimer and Kressin won their event and Jamie Sonney swept the 100 and 200 meter sprints.
The Ventura Jazz Band earned a second place finish at the Class A State Jazz Band Championship competition.
Mike Dunn has announced he will be running for the Iowa House of Representatives. Dunn, a Democrat, will be running for the District 19 House seat which includes Clear Lake.
Boy Scout Troop #75 will hold a pancake supper at Zion Lutheran Church. Cost is $3 for adults and $2 for those age 12 and under.
50 Years Ago
April 1973
Mrs. Fred (Elaine) Crouse began management of the Coffee Shop, 508 Main Ave. She leased the business from Ken Post, who had purchased the business and operated it since last September. The Coffee Shop is open 5 a.m.-5 p.m. and is closed on Sundays.
New lighting at Main and 8th St. and lights in City Park were discussed at the City Council meeting.
The Bureau of Outdoor Recreation of the Department of the Interior has approved a matching grant of $26,000 to the Cerro Gordo County Conservation Board. The federal grant will be used to help purchase 160 acres in the Zirbel Slough Addition, located five miles south of Clear Lake, for development as a public outdoor recreation area.
Dean Phinney, a 6’1”, 259 lb. Clear Lake eighth grader, placed first in the heavyweight division of the Emmetsburg Jaycee Invitational Junior Wrestling Tournament.
90 Years Ago
April 1933
Kenyon Verbeckmoes is driving a fine new Chevrolet delivery truck he purchased from C.E. Wells.
The mail carrier has gone back to the motorcycle again. He was forced to drive a care a few weeks owing to road conditions.
A ton of carp, weighing 3-4 pounds each, was brought from the head of the lake Saturday morning to be given away by Mayor W.H. Ward. In a few hours they had all been disposed of.
Beer went on sale legally in Iowa on Tuesday.
The City will conduct an experiment with water sweetener. Rollin Bohning is in charge of the test to see if it kills algae taste during the summer.
99 Years Ago
April 1924
Ed Rushia had seen a fox around his farm lately. He rapidly secured his gun and shot the animal, a beautiful one that weighed about 30 pounds. This is the third one shot in this vicinity this winter.
Clear Lake should be congratulated on having one of the most up-to-date and sanitary meat markets in northern Iowa. Bieber Bros. are the proprietors.
George Watkins plans on opening his restaurant next week.
Bobbed hair is a sure means for causing baldness and it won’t be many years before the world will be filled with baldheaded women, according to an editor of a beauty magazine in New York.
The Lollipop Shop will move to the Rasmussen Building across from the Reporter.
Bruce Kennedy is a good booster or Buick autos. He left for California in the fall, drove about 6,000 miles, which included several states where he drove in deep mud. He averaged 14 miles to the gallon and had no repairs.
