by Michelle Watson
25 Years Ago
August 1998
The City of Clear Lake has launched an intensive effort to gather more information which may help answer questions about the lake’s water quality. Mayor Kirk Kraft said public works crews are on call 24-hours a day to be ready to take samples from each of the city’s 31 storm drains which empty into the lake in the event of a significant rainfall. Kraft noted the city will continue scheduling ongoing information sessions with the IDNR, Clear Lake Sanitary District, the engineering and health departments of the count, and representatives of the CLEAR Project.
Water samples collected Sunday, Aug. 23, show bacteria levels dropping at all three Clear Lake public beaches, but beaches remain closed at this time.
The Clear Creek Elementary School is nearly ready for students according to Superintendent Mike Teigland. The district will take possession of three classroom pods Sept. 1, and the entire building on Oct. 1. Students in grades three to five are expected to be in the new building by mid-October.
All those who are interested in seeing an outdoor swimming pool constructed in Clear Lake are invited to attend a public meeting Aug. 1, at City Hall. Mayor Kirk Kraft, who last week began taking names of persons interested in serving on a pool committee, has set the meeting for 7 p.m. Kraft said he has received 20-25 calls from persons who are interested in serving on a pool committee.
New faculty members have been announced at Clear Lake Schools for the 1998-99 school year. New staff include: Ann Buck, Bob Bunn, Douglas Burtness, Benjamin Christensen, Kelly Cooney, Laura Crispin, Margaret Dedic, Melanie Jensen, Michelle Schaefer, Shirlee Taylor, Amy Wagler, Julia Anderson, Cathleen Bancroft, Francis Burns, Julie Burns, Janese Hand and Denise Upmeyer.
Stacie Heitland and Bob McIntyre have been added to the staff at Ventura Community School District for the upcoming year.
Mark Hewitt has been appointed the new president of Clear Lake Bank & Trust Company. Hewitt will be succeeding his father, Ray Hewitt, who has held the position for 23 years. Ray Hewitt will now become Chairman of the Board. Mark Arneson will now become Chairman of Emeritus.
A new Clear Lake business has announced it will host a free event to introduce its product to the public. Azzolina’s Hole in the Wall, 425 Main Ave., will sponsor a live band and offer free pizza Friday, Aug. 28, from 6-10 p.m.
Fred Wieck, of Clear Lake, tied a world record when he landed a 65-inch sturgeon while on a fishing trip in Canada. It took Wieck two hours and three minutes to land the fish. The 65-inch length tied the world record for fish size on a six-pound test line.
Grocery specials for the week at Easter Foods include: Van Camp Pork & Beans, 15 oz. can, 3/99¢; Tidy Cat Cat Litter, 20 lb. bag, $2.99; Dole Classic Salad Mix, 16 oz., 9¢; Pepsi or Mountain Dew, 24 pack, $5.79; Corn King Whole Boneless Ham, 5 lb., $5.99; Dubuque Plumpers, 16 oz., $1.29.
50 Years Ago
August 1973
Classes will begin at Clear Lake schools for about 1,900 pupils, according to Supt. R.R. Lashier. Four new teachers have been hired with one vacancy still existing on the 106-member faculty. New teachers include Carol Rohrbach, Lynne Beneke, Claudia Morris and Lothar Meyer.
About 45 high school athletes are out for varsity football according to Head Coach Norm Theiss.
Ray V. Hewitt, of Waukesha, Wis., is joining the Clear Lake Bank and Trust Company as executive vice president, it was announced Tuesday by M.A. Arneson, bank president.
Back to school specials at Ben Franklin include: canvas oxford shoes, $2.47 for women’s and $1.77 for children’s; mens and boys underwear, 3/$1.89 for boys and 3/$2.49 for men’s; package of two cassette tapes, 87¢; super stretch panty hose, 2/99¢; Onward Theme books, 100 pages, 44¢; Avery “Astro” Labeler, 99¢.
Playing at the Lake Theater is Clint Eastwood in “Dirty Harry.”
75 Years Ago
July 1948
A new marker was officially dedicated by the members of the W.R.C. Friday in City Park. When the hackberry tree was planted 24 years ago, a marker was placed by it, but someone took it down during the war.
Clear Lake Schools will open Monday, Aug. 20. The faculty is complete for the school year with the following new teachers: Marguerite Halverson, Arlene Christianson and Myrllin Huff.
The installation of gas for fuel is nearly completed. The Junior High building has been completely relighted with modern louvered fluorescent lighting. All buildings have been completely repainted outside.
The White Clover sale last Saturday netted the Am-Vets Auxiliary $130. All of the 1,000 clovers were sold.
99 Years Ago
August 1924
Ole Anderson dislocated his wrist last week while cranking his auto.
For rent: excellent living quarters over Watkins Cafe.
If you are determined to speed, don’t blame the cops if you are arrested. Speed limit in town is 10 miles per hour.
The stores close at noon on Clear Lake Day at the District Fair.
Bring your empty can or jug. We sell fly spray cheap at the Etzel Drug.
Save laundry work, buy an oilcloth square for your table at O.T. Hansen & Co.
The Standard Oil Station at N. 4th and State was robbed of $220 last night. Harry Scherf, who was in charge, was in a side room filling bottles with oil when he heard a gruff voice say, “Open that safe.” At the time he flourished a pistol. Harry was very obedient, as we all would have been, and did as he was told. The burglar helped himself and fled.
Recipes from 1973
FANCY CHEESE BURGERS
3 lbs. hamburger
small can ripe olives (chopped)
2 lb. Velvetta cheese
1 lb. sharp cheddar cheese.
Brown hamburger. Put cheese on top and melt. Stir in olives. Serve on buns.
SUPER TUNA
CASSEROLE
Combine one can of mushroom soup with 1/2 cup Miracle Whip. Mix well with 1/2 cup of milk.
Stir in one package of frozen peas and carrots, cooked and drained. Add 1 can of tuna, 2 cups of cooked macaroni and 2 Tbsp. of diced onion.
Pour into a greased one and one-half court casserole dish. Sprinkle with crushed potato chips. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
