by Michelle Watson
25 Years Ago
February 1998
At this time of year “threatening weather” usually means a blizzard. But to the organizers of Saturday’s Winterfest, the anticipated 40-degree weather is cause for at lease some concern. There is hopefully enough snow cover for cross country skiing and the ice appears to be sufficiently thick for ice skating, fishing, kite flying and more. The major concern is that the warm temperatures may create too much run-off on the lake and force the cancellation of snowmobile races and rides.
The Clear Lake School Board voted unanimously to accept bids for the proposed sale of the Central School property. There has been talk of Fareway being interested in the site, and Hy-Vee, others have shown interest in making school-house apartments of the building.
Jim and Sue Joynt, of Clear Lake, have won an all-expense paid trip to the 1998 Winter Olympics, courtesy of a sweepstakes that Jim entered. Courtesy of Visa Gold, the couple will travel to Nagano and be treated like royalty Feb. 16-21. The prize is valued at $22,300.
Clear Lake police helped to arrest a Mason City man after he allegedly stole an Eagle Grove ambulance parked at North Iowa Mercy Health Center in Mason City.
Corner Drug was the first place winner in the Buddy Holly window decorating contest. Second place went to the Clear Lake Bakery. Eleven businesses entered the window decorating contest.
The Clear Lake girls almost had their 12-1 record tarnished by a determined Eagle Grove team with a record of 2-11, Eagle Grove was up for the competition, but the Lions prevailed in the end, 63-57. The girls picked up another close win against Bishop Garrigan, 76-74, to seal the North Central title.
In one of the most exciting home dual meets in Clear Lake history, the second-rated Lions defeated fourth-rated Emmetsburg, 32-31. The win gave Clear Lake a two year run of being undefeated in the Lions’ own den. The meet lived up to its billing, coming down to the heavy-weight match, which decided the winner. Clear Lake had a five-point lead heading into the heavyweight match, where Mike Dwyer knew all he would have to do to secure the win would be to avoid getting pinned. Dwyer was warned for stalling four times, but didn’t get pinned.
The Ventura boys played their first games in the conference tournament. After a win against Woden-Crystal Lake/Titonka, the state-ranked Sheffield-Chapin/Meservey-Thornton ousted the Vikings from the tourney in the second round. Jared Ringus led the team against WCL-T with 31 points. Brad Spilman was the leader against SC-MT with 18 points.
50 Years Ago
February 1973
Families from Clear Lake and the surrounding communities continued to save their money at a record breaking rate during 1972 according to H.H. Crane, president of the Clear Lake Federal Savings and Loan Association. Crane said that 1972 was the greatest growth year that the association had experienced since its founding in 1933.
The purchase of Leonards’ Gamble Store, 317 Main Ave., was announced. The new owners are Ronald and Dennis Mosher. The store will remain essentially the same.
The Lions made it nine straight wins in conference play by beating Iowa Falls, 76-68. Rich Chapman hit seven field goals and 11 of 12 free throws. Steve Gould was second with 12 points.
Grocery specials for the week at Jensen’s West-side & Uptown: Van Camp’s Pork & Beans, 21 oz. cans, 2/39¢; King Size Tide, 5 lb., $1.19; Folgers Coffee, 2 lb. can, $1.49; Wheaties, 12 oz. box, 29¢; Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup, 6/$1; and Ore Ida French Fires, 14 oz. bag, 2/49¢.
75 Years Ago
February1948
Clear Lake Lions racked up their sixth conference victory by downing the Hampton Bulldogs, 42-36. LeRoy Olson hit 12 and Gar Bieber had 10 points.
It has been announced that the state is buying the half-mile of lake shore property near Garner Beach, known as the Parker estate. A good many people seemed to think that the narrow strip had little value because it is so narrow and sloping. We feel that the more lake shore property the state and city can acquire now the more the general public will have in the years to come. We hope the city will follow suit and see fit to purchase the Campbell land for additional city park space.
M.A. “Curley” Hintzman is selling cars for the Hayden Motor Company.
Insufficient draft is the most frequent cause of trouble with oil burning heaters.
99 Years Ago
January 1924
Harold Low’s radio is one of the finest in Clear Lake. Last week he heard plainly messages from Alaska, Canada and Los Angeles.
This part of Iowa experienced the greatest possible extremes in weather lately. Jan. 4 and 5 it was 32 degrees below zero, the coldest in 12 years. However, on Jan. 7 it was 32 degrees above zero. Go figure!
The Clear Lake Creamery has done a fine business the past year. About $50,000 more business was done in 1923 than in 1922.
Cutting and loading of ice began last week in earnest. Ice is 12” thick.
Harold Foster and his assistant workman in Wells Garage had an experience neither wish to repeat. An auto with the engine running had been left in the garage, which filled with poisonous gas, which no one noticed until they became very sick. When the cause was discovered, Foster was taken home to recuperate.
