by Michelle Watson
25 Years Ago
July 1998
The Surf Ballroom did not let its 50th birthday celebration go by quietly. The well-known rock band, Foreigner entertained to a sold-out crowd of about 2,200 Friday night. The band reached its peak in the 1970s and 80s with hits like, “Cold As Ice” and “Hot Blooded.” Tickets for the concert sold in just one hour.
Clear Lake School officials are set to consider new bids for the former Central School building and site. But will there be any bids to consider. According to Clear Lake Schools Superintendent Mike Teigland, no bids for the property had been received as of 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 14. Teigland said he has received a petition signed by approximately 300 residents asking the School Board to raze the Central School structure and maintain the property in its natural state, as a park or for recreational purposes.
The Clear Lake (Methodist) Camp Homeowners Association is hoping to purchase Knoer Lodge from the new owners of the camp, Coe-Min Enterprises. Camp homeowners are hoping to raise $100,000 to purchase one of the former Methodist Camp’s last vestiges.
Two Clear Lake teenagers were treated for minor injuries and portions of Clear Lake were without power for two hours Sunday night after a car struck a power pole.
Angie Rose, who was Clear Lake High Schools Homecoming Queen, has been selected the 18th Annual Iowa’s Homecoming Queen. She will represent high school homecoming queens through the State of Iowa and will fly to Anaheim, Calif. on July 28 to compete with homecoming queens from the other 49 states for the title of America’s Homecoming Queen.
Greg Nicholas and Peter Faust returned home to Clear Lake after bicycling 300 miles July 6-8 to raise awareness for the work done at Opportunity Village in Clear Lake. The men dedicated the ride to the memory of Ralph Reploge, Jr., one of the first people to live at the Village. Reploge passed away this spring at the age of 70. Early reports show that the men raised about $9,000 through the effort.
Todd and Jennifer Cash announce the birth of their daughter, Madalynn Michelle, born June 30. She was welcomed home by her sister, Kaitlynn, three-and-one-half years old.
Jeff and Mary Stealy, of Clear Lake, will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary at an open house at the Clear Lake City Hall on Saturday, July 18.
The Clear Lake softball team claimed the North Central Conference title with a 4-3 win over Hampton-Dumont. Kristin Keefe allowed four hits in the game and had five strikeouts. Anna Teigland drove-in Clear Lake’s first three runs with a sixth inning double.
The Ventura baseball team won their first District game in several years to earn the chance to take on No. 1 ranked Mason City Newman, The team defeated Northwood-Kensett, 6-1, to advance. Luke Brager got the win on the mound, throwing 13 strike-outs. Adam Froiland led the team at the plate with two hits.
The Clear Lake baseball team looks toward Districts following a 9-9 finish in the North Central Conference. Clear Lake defected Hampton-Dumont 8-4 to end the regular season. Casey Callanan hit his second homerun of the season in the first inning, driving in Tim Secory, to get the Lions on the board. Terry Rauk also had a banner night at the plate, hitting his third and fourth homers in the game. He had three RBIs. Nate Carney started the night on the mound.
50 Years Ago
July 1973
Work on the new expansion to the water treatment plant is progressing satisfactorily according to Lloyd Kennedy, plant manager. The $588,200 project is expected to double the pumping capacity of the plant.
Thousands of swimmers attempting to avoid the heat crowded every available inch of beach at State Park Sunday. With the temperature in the high 90s, a refreshing dip every now and then really kept the body heat down.
Between 50 and 60 Hobie Cats from five adjoining states are expected in Clear Lake this weekend for the second annual Hobie Cat Regional Qualifying Regatta.
The Carson and Barnes Circus will be coming to town on Monday, July 16. See the 4-ton hippopotamus and the wild animal zoo.
75 Years Ago
July 1948
Wednesday evening when the new $350,000 Surf opened, an estimated crowd of 3,000 people were on hand.
Witke’s new cafe is expected to open in a few days.
Saturday a group of neighbors and friends gathered at the Roger Nelson home and plowed 70 acres of corn and beans. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson were in Iowa City due to the critical illness of their son, Rodney.
It was discovered this week that vandals had broken into the Hanford McNider summer home on West Second St.
Dean Charles Snyder, 18, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Snyder, has been chosen as honor man of company 144 at the Naval Training Center in San Diego, Calif.
95 Years Ago
July 1928
Sondrol and Company are keeping up the trend of the times in the purchase of a nifty new delivery truck.
The Hazel M. Cass players, considered to be the finest tented theatre in America, will exhibit at Clear Lake for one week in July.
The ground on which the old boat house stands, at the foot of Main Street, has been purchased by the City for the consideration of $1,750.
W.L. Thayer has purchased 132 feet of lakeshore frontage, known as the old Tinker tract, opposite Tourist Park.
All day long the streets of Clear Lake and roads to Bayside park were crowded with motorists. The special train from Decorah brought in over 300 excursionists. The boats were kept busy carrying them and hundreds of other passengers to Bayside.
