by Michelle Watson
25 Years Ago
June 1998
Clear Lake experienced another record-setting Fourth of July celebration, according the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce. New records were set in terms of receipts and attendance. The Chamber estimated 50,000 people attended the parade that featured 134 entries.
The safety of swimming in Clear Lake was called into question last week. But just a day after health officials reported fecal coliform levels exceeded safety standards in one area of the lake, the lake was declared safe for recreation.
Clear Lake firefighter Maureen Jacobson was recently awarded Firefighter I certification at the annual Iowa State Fire School in Ames. Jacobson holds the distinction of being the first female Clear Lake firefighter to achieve this certificate.
J. Lea Lansaw, of Washington D.C., formerly of Mason City, is helping the Surf Ballroom celebrate its 50th year by creating a limited edition offset lithograph of the famed ballroom. The work is available in black and white or hand-colored.
The Clear Lake City Council heard arguments for and against continuing the period style lighting used downtown along 4th Ave. South from Lincoln School to Interstate 35.
Clear Lake has two new police officers on the beat, Chad Miller and Debra Ryg.
An unattended 1990 ford Mustang convertible apparently slipped out of gear, crossed a lawn and damaged a seawall and dock before rolling into the lake at approximately 9:45 p.m. Saturday night. A local towing service pulled the vehicle from the lake early Sunday morning.
Nicole Gossen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Gossen, Schaumburg, Ill. and Shannon Berge, son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Berge, of Clear Lake, announce their engagement. The couple will be married Sept. 12 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Schaumberg.
The Clear Lake baseball team was looking to go above .500 in league play, but they fell to long-time rival Iowa Falls, 10-3. Jeff Hall threw five innings, he allowed eight runs and struck out eight batters. At the plate, Tim Secory, Bill Purviance, Terry Rauk and Jeff Marsh had one hit apiece.
The Clear Lake softball team clawed their way to a 3-0 victory over Iowa Falls. The road win put Clear Lake one game ahead of Iowa Falls in the conference standings at 13-1 and in a first place tie with Webster to lead the conference. Anna Teigland was strong at the plate, driving in two runs on a sixth-inning triple. She went on to score off a Jenny Gerhardt RBI sacrifice. Kristin Keefe got the win on the mound, giving up four hits and no walks. She had eight strikeouts.
50 Years Ago
June 1973
A “cost of living” raise was given to 35 full-time city employees in action taken by the Clear Lake City Council Monday night. A four and one-half percent pay raise was granted.
Hundreds of persons interested in bargain hunting and seeing Clear Lake merchants and employees “let their hair down” by wearing ridiculous garb were on hand for the 18th annual Ridiculous Day celebration.
The Ventura boys baseball team traveled to Klemme, they came up short, 8-5. Gary Oehlert, Bill Cornett and Jerry Toppin all had their names on the hit list. Tom Christensen was on the mound.
Playing at the Lake Theater is Paul Newman in “Judge Roy Bean.”
75 Years Ago
June 1948
Formal opening of the new Surf Ballroom will be July 4 according to Kenneth Moore, president of Prom Inc. Ticket prices will be 73¢ plus tax on week days and 90¢ plus tax on weekends. Men will not be required to wear coats, nor will they be rented.
Three men and boy were saved from drowning Wednesday at midnight when a strong wind carried their voices onto shore after their sailboat capsized out from the Outing Club. A number of folks set out on boats to rescue them.
Frank Meyers, owner of Frank’s Cafe, offers any member of the VFW baseball team who hits a home run in any game the rest of the season a free steak dinner.
95 Years Ago
July 1928
Albert Christiansen is driving a Whippet sedan he purchased at Overland-Mason City Co.
Effective today, postcards will be 1¢. Numerous cuts in postage rates take effect today. Parcel post in some zones is less, and bulk mailing rates have been decreased.
J.J. Wellman has sold his bath house. W.C. Witke, of St. Paul, Minn., was given possession last week. The Witke family are living in the Wellman San Juan Cottage on the north lake shore, but are expected to build a home here.
Keith McGowan will deliver telegrams for the summer. He has accepted a position with the Western Union Telegraph Company.
Willet Taylor has sold the Jefferson Smoke Shop and Billiard Hall to R.S. Paulson, possession to be given July 1.
by Michelle Watson
25 Years Ago
June 1998
Clear Lake experienced another record-setting Fourth of July celebration, according the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce. New records were set in terms of receipts and attendance. The Chamber estimated 50,000 people attended the parade that featured 134 entries.
The safety of swimming in Clear Lake was called into question last week. But just a day after health officials reported fecal coliform levels exceeded safety standards in one area of the lake, the lake was declared safe for recreation.
Clear Lake firefighter Maureen Jacobson was recently awarded Firefighter I certification at the annual Iowa State Fire School in Ames. Jacobson holds the distinction of being the first female Clear Lake firefighter to achieve this certificate.
J. Lea Lansaw, of Washington D.C., formerly of Mason City, is helping the Surf Ballroom celebrate its 50th year by creating a limited edition offset lithograph of the famed ballroom. The work is available in black and white or hand-colored.
The Clear Lake City Council heard arguments for and against continuing the period style lighting used downtown along 4th Ave. South from Lincoln School to Interstate 35.
Clear Lake has two new police officers on the beat, Chad Miller and Debra Ryg.
An unattended 1990 ford Mustang convertible apparently slipped out of gear, crossed a lawn and damaged a seawall and dock before rolling into the lake at approximately 9:45 p.m. Saturday night. A local towing service pulled the vehicle from the lake early Sunday morning.
Nicole Gossen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Gossen, Schaumburg, Ill. and Shannon Berge, son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Berge, of Clear Lake, announce their engagement. The couple will be married Sept. 12 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Schaumberg.
The Clear Lake baseball team was looking to go above .500 in league play, but they fell to long-time rival Iowa Falls, 10-3. Jeff Hall threw five innings, he allowed eight runs and struck out eight batters. At the plate, Tim Secory, Bill Purviance, Terry Rauk and Jeff Marsh had one hit apiece.
The Clear Lake softball team clawed their way to a 3-0 victory over Iowa Falls. The road win put Clear Lake one game ahead of Iowa Falls in the conference standings at 13-1 and in a first place tie with Webster to lead the conference. Anna Teigland was strong at the plate, driving in two runs on a sixth-inning triple. She went on to score off a Jenny Gerhardt RBI sacrifice. Kristin Keefe got the win on the mound, giving up four hits and no walks. She had eight strikeouts.
50 Years Ago
June 1973
A “cost of living” raise was given to 35 full-time city employees in action taken by the Clear Lake City Council Monday night. A four and one-half percent pay raise was granted.
Hundreds of persons interested in bargain hunting and seeing Clear Lake merchants and employees “let their hair down” by wearing ridiculous garb were on hand for the 18th annual Ridiculous Day celebration.
The Ventura boys baseball team traveled to Klemme, they came up short, 8-5. Gary Oehlert, Bill Cornett and Jerry Toppin all had their names on the hit list. Tom Christensen was on the mound.
Playing at the Lake Theater is Paul Newman in “Judge Roy Bean.”
75 Years Ago
June 1948
Formal opening of the new Surf Ballroom will be July 4 according to Kenneth Moore, president of Prom Inc. Ticket prices will be 73¢ plus tax on week days and 90¢ plus tax on weekends. Men will not be required to wear coats, nor will they be rented.
Three men and boy were saved from drowning Wednesday at midnight when a strong wind carried their voices onto shore after their sailboat capsized out from the Outing Club. A number of folks set out on boats to rescue them.
Frank Meyers, owner of Frank’s Cafe, offers any member of the VFW baseball team who hits a home run in any game the rest of the season a free steak dinner.
95 Years Ago
July 1928
Albert Christiansen is driving a Whippet sedan he purchased at Overland-Mason City Co.
Effective today, postcards will be 1¢. Numerous cuts in postage rates take effect today. Parcel post in some zones is less, and bulk mailing rates have been decreased.
J.J. Wellman has sold his bath house. W.C. Witke, of St. Paul, Minn., was given possession last week. The Witke family are living in the Wellman San Juan Cottage on the north lake shore, but are expected to build a home here.
Keith McGowan will deliver telegrams for the summer. He has accepted a position with the Western Union Telegraph Company.
Willet Taylor has sold the Jefferson Smoke Shop and Billiard Hall to R.S. Paulson, possession to be given July 1.
