by Michelle Watson
25 Years Ago
May 1998
Senior Class President Matt NcNamara presented retiring Principal Robert Huntington with his own graduation cap and diploma during commencement ceremonies Sunday. Students named to the top 10 percent of the class include Fredrick Oakley, Elizabeth Jaben, Anna Teigland, Laura Ostrander, Laura Maring, Danielle Roper, Ryan Lee, Samual Langholz, Bradley Floy, Joslyn Esbeck, Bryan Frampton and Jonathan Dexter.
The North Iowa Band Festival was a big day for the Ventura Marching Band. Ventura’s Jami Sonney was named Miss Band Festival 1998, while the band was named the winners of the Class A division. The band is under the direction of Nate Benzing.
Clear Lake City Council members reluctantly voted 4-1 to condemn a Clear Lake residence. One councilman walked out of the meeting after the vote as the lone dissenter.
The North Beach, 475 North Shore Dr., Clear Lake, is a new member of the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. The North Beach, owned by the Barlas family is a fine food restaurant and lounge with an outside deck featuring a view of the lake.
Lt. Col. Mark J. Christian of Clear Lake was recently in South Korea for a major military readiness exercise, according to Lt. Col. Bob A. Krause, spokesperson for the 19th Theater Army Area Command (TAACOM).
Clear Lake Rotary Club was able to award two scholarships to graduating CLHS seniors, Matt McNamara and Liz Jaben.
Brooke Tarra and Laura Marking, both 1998 Clear Lake High School graduates were awarded the Clear Lake Evening Lions scholarships.
The Clear Lake High School boys golf team earned the right to call themselves number one after two great days at the Boys State Golf Meet. Members of the team were Jeff Scudder, Jason Cochran, Joe Fandel, Shad Muth, Cade Pleggenkuhle and Brad Floy. The team is coached by Head Coach Al Rannals and Assistant Coach Steve Grabinski.
The Clear Lake and Ventura boys track teams recorded great efforts at the State Track Meet held in Des Moines. Casey Callanan capped his high school career with a fifth place finish in the 100 meter high hurdles. This was Clear Lake’s highest placing. For Ventura, Brad Spilman led the team, qualifying in three events. He placed 14th in the 1600 meter run and 19th in the 3200 meter. He also anchored the 1600 meter medley team to a 20th place finish. The medley also included Adam Froiland, Josh Smith and Jared Ringus.
The Clear Lake soccer team faced Collins-Maxwell in Sub-State action. The Lions showed great improvement from an earlier meeting with C-M, but lost in an overtime contest, ending their season.
Dr. Bruce Schupanitz has announced he has purchased the Veterinary Clinic of Garner and Ventura P.C. The business will now be knowns at the Garner Veterinary Clinic.
Ventura Schools has lost 65 years of experience now that June Ransom and Mary Stoynoff have retired as school cooks, effective at the end of the school year.
The Clear Lake Farmer’s Market will open Saturday, June 6, at a new location, City Hall east parking lot. Free samples of Cup ’n Cone, an ice cream and fresh fruit treat, will be given on opening day.
50 Years Ago
May 1973
Clear Lake will be represented in the North Iowa Band Festival June 5 with a 144-piece band and Miss Dawne Starkey as Clear Lake’s queen. About 64 bands, 54 queens and 15 floats are expected to participate in the event.
Gary Malin has accepted the position of manager at the Gibson Discount Store.
Despite the fact that Clear Lake’s two-mile relay team was unable to run in the State track meet, the Lions scored 15 points to tie for 8th position in the Class A division. Events were running about two hours behind schedule and three members of the relay team were flown back to Clear Lake and made it just under the wire to attend their graduation exercises. They were Maarten Gijsbers, Rich Chapman and Gary Barkhurst.
Playing at the Lake Theater is “The Getaway,” starring Steve McQueen and Ali McGraw.
75 Years Ago
May 1948
A group of 50 women were entertained at a luncheon at the Lake Shore Hotel. Bridge was also played by the ladies. Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Andersen left by auto for New York. They sail from there on the Scandinavian for Copenhagen, Denmark to visit relatives. They took their car with them and expect to be gone about three months.
Finer’s Self Service Grocery Store has many bargains this week: lean spare ribs, lb., 49¢; fresh dressed chickens, lb., 29¢; coffee, lb., 49¢; apples, 2 lbs., 29¢; celery, big stalk, 15¢; potatoes, 4 lbs., 25¢.
Forde Lee was nominated as president of Clear Lake Lions Club. Otto Petersen is the vice president.
Corrine Ashland and Joan Braheny were chosen to represent Girl Scout Troop I in the Memorial Day services.
99 Years Ago
May 1924
George Knutson is building a fine cottage on the north shore one block west of Reely’s Point.
L.E. Crowell passed away after a lingering illness. An early settler, he saw Clear Lake grow from a hamlet to a city of 3,000.
Sondrols has ladies black satin slippers for only $3.95.
Reports have come to us that some school children walk across lawns and over newly planted gardens and flower beds going and coming from school. Parents are asked to cooperate to see that this habit discontinues in the future.
A most delightful outing was enjoyed by the high school and junior high school students Friday at Bayside. Mr. Ritz, manager of Park Co., generously took the entire crowd across the lake free of charge and turned over the concessions to the youngsters. A picnic supper was served to all after the baseball game.
