We’re excited to celebrate your achievements.
The Clear Lake Arts Center is exhibiting collage work by Minnesota collage artist Nathan Stromberg titled "Painting with Paper."
The exhibition is available through Feb. 1 at the center, 17 S. Fourth St. Creative Family Fun day will be held from 1–3 p.m. on Jan. 23, when visitors can view a time lapsed video of the artist working, see the exhibition, and try their hand at collage. A closing reception will be held from 12:30 p.m.– 2:30 p.m., on Feb. 1 when visitors can meet the artist.
Made from found newspaper and vintage color magazine fragments, Stromberg's collages appear at first to be realistic photographs but on closer inspection contain loads of detail and historical references, exploring and commenting on the connections we make with designed objects.
For 15 years Stromberg has exhibited his work locally and nationally through many solo and group exhibitions. In 2017, he created nine large-scale collage works for the permanent art collection of the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Mix one part carts, bikes and four-wheelers with one part pop syrup and one part race track.
What you get is The Day of Thunder on Syrup, races sponsored by the North Iowa Fair Association and Monster Energy Drink.
On Friday, entrants can practice on the track and on Saturday, a full afternoon of races featuring kids and adults will be held.
Pit passes cost $20 on Friday, $35 on Saturday. General admission is $10 for adults and $5 for kids age 6-12. Kids under 5 can attend for free.
Doors open at noon on Friday, with practice running from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Doors open at 8 a.m. on Saturday for registration and pre-tech. Racing starts at 1 p.m., with the finals at 5 p.m.
For more information, contact Brian Kauffman at 319-551-0077 or email FTPIowa@gmail.com.
There's nothing like a few libations to bring out your creative side.
On Sunday, you can let your inner DaVinci or Picasso out at the Belmond Drive-In. Art Asylum is hosting a cocktails and canvas event from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. at the restaurant at 215 River Ave. S.
Make sure to let the folks at Art Asylum know what size canvas you want. A large canvas is $35 and a smaller one is $30. Supplies will be provided. You're on your own for the cocktails.
For more information, look for the event post Cocktails & Canvas-Belmond on Facebook.
The Lime Creek Nature Center’s Annual Winter Festival will be held from 1-4 p.m. Saturday at the nature center.
Scheduled activities include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snow bike demo, indoor and outdoor scavenger hunts, candle making, and nature crafts. Participants can enjoy marshmallows and hot dogs roasted over a campfire.
Cross-country skis and snowshoes will be available for participants who do not have their own equipment and instruction will be provided for beginners.
This event is free for Lime Creek Nature Center members and $3 for non-members over 12 years old. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is required - call 423-5309 to register or for more information.
The Oneota Film Festival will host a preview screening at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Cresco Theatre and Opera House in Cresco.
The free event is appropriate for all ages.
Saturday’s showing includes three short documentary films: "Catnap," "The Foursome" and "Birth of the Cy-Hawk."
"The Foursome" (30 minutes, Iowa film), features a foursome who've played Waukon Golf Club for 50 years. "Birth of the Cy-Hawk" (40 minutes, Iowa film), tells the story of a group of bowling buddies who first created the iconic trophy. The seven-minute animated film "Catnap" features a cat who struggles to deal with the loss of her tail, and finds self acceptance along the way.
For more information, visit oneotafilmfestival.org or crescotheatreoperahouse.com.
Thank you to my Family for the Awesome Birthday Surprise Party! Thank you to all friends for the many, many (more than my Birthday Age) birthday cards and wishes. I am Truly Blessed.
Karen Knudtson
Thank you to all who sent cards and greetings to us for our 50th wedding anniversary. Your thoughtfulness helped to make it a very special time for us.
Leon & Betty
(Never Known to Fail)
Oh, Most Beautiful Flower of Mt. Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity.
Oh Star of the Son, help me and show me herein you are my Mother.
Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity (make your request.)
There are none that can withstand your power.
Oh Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (three times).
Holy Mary, I place this cause in your hands (three times).
Say this prayer for three consecutive days.
You must publish this and it will be granted to you.
-MMS
Maggie Breister was recently promoted to the Marketing Manager at Lichtsinn RV, in Forest City.
Maggie started with Lichtsinn RV in December of 2017 after coming to them from Winnebago Industries where she was a product marketing specialist.
In her new role Breister will oversee all marketing activities at Lichtsinn RV. People come from across the United States and Canada to purchase RVs from Lichtsinn RV and the Lichtsinn RV marketing team is charged with marketing the dealership.
Lichtsinn RV has been named by Winnebago Industries Inc., as the Top North American Sales Award – North American Top Dealer for the fifth consecutive year. They have been awarded the Top Volume Motor Home Dealer in the State of Iowa for the past 18 years and have earned the Winnebago Flying W Customer Service Satisfaction Award (previously called the Circle of Excellence) for the past 26 years.
Lichtsinn RV in Forest City is Iowa's largest RV dealer. In business for over 45 years, they offer Winnebago and Winnebago Touring Coach motor homes.
MercyOne Population Health Services Organization named Dr. Ernesto Vazquez as chief medical officer.
As chief medical officer for MercyOne PHSO, Vazquez will work to enhance clinical services and programs and serve as a medical liaison for physician-to-physician evidence-based guidelines to enhance care quality as well as cost management.
Vazquez has been part of MercyOne since 2011, serving patients in the MercyOne Clive Family Medicine Clinic and is a member of the MercyOne Clinics quality committee. From 2003 to 2011, he served as a primary care physician with Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tennessee. While at Summit Medical Center, Dr. Vazquez also served as a member of their medical executive committee, department chair for the division of medicine and board member of the Summit Medical Network among other leadership positions. Dr. Vazquez is a medical school graduate of the University of Texas Southwest and completed his internship and residency within the Mercy Mayo Family Practice Residency Program in Iowa.
Formed in 1998, MercyOne has grown into the state’s largest provider of hospital and related health services, consisting of more than 43 medical centers and more than 230 clinics and other health facilities and employing more than 20,000 people.
Harris & Company CPA, P.L.C., with offices in Ames, Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, Mason City, and Algona, have joined the firm Hogan-Hansen, Certified Public Accountants and Consultants.
Andy Harris, Sonal Patel and their entire staff will serve their clients as part of the Hogan-Hansen team from its Ames office at 1601 Golden Aspen Drive, Suite 107 and the Harris office at 1370 18th Street, Suite 101 in Ankeny.
You can help support students in Charles City learn valuable culinary skills and get a good meal in the process.
The Comet Cafe is operated by the Charles City High School Food Production and Services class.
Students practice their culinary and restaurant management skills in an authentic setting. Skills are learned through the National Restaurant Association's ProStart program.
Students prepare and serve meals for students, staff and the public. You can order carryout, baked goods or sit down for meal. Recipes are published in advance.
Upcoming meal dates are Jan. 16, Jan. 30, and Feb. 13 and are tentative. Head to the Comet Cafe website to make a reservation: https://www.cometcafecc.com/menus
Back by popular demand, Zion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake is once again hosting a half-day enneagram seminar.
Enneagram defines nine personality types which are represented by the points of a geometric figure called an enneagram, and which indicate connections between the types.
More than 100 people attended the church's last seminar, and this time, in addition to discovering your type, there will be panel discussions about the nine types and how they interact as well.
The seminar will be held from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday at the Black Box, 20 N. Fifth St. There is no fee for the event, but a reservation is requested: Register online at https://zionclearlake.churchcenter.com/groups/upcoming-events/new-enneagram-seminar-what-s-my-type.
Main Street Mason City and the Mason City Jaycees are co-hosting a night of networking, drinks and a bean bag tournament on Friday.
Registration starts at 6:30 p.m. at The Main Event, with games starting promptly at 7 p.m. Everyone is guaranteed two games.
Drinks available for purchase. If you'd like to bring a snack to share there will be a snack table in the back.
The cost is $10/person to be part of a random drawing of partners; and an extra $5 per person to choose your partner.
Prizes will be announced in the future.
All funds collected (after cost) will be donated to Main Street Mason City.
Goats in the Snow is looking for your real, unpainted Christmas trees at its Goats in the Snow event on Saturday.
The discarded trees will serve as wintertime treats for the goats, who eat a variety of local vegetation. Pine needles can help protect the goats from intestinal parasitic worms.
Drop off your tree and hang out with the goats from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Goats in the Snow is located at 15590 330th St., Mason City.
Spend an evening with the Winnebago County Extension at the Forest City YMCA from 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. on Saturday for Family Fun Night. The evening begins with pizza followed by a variety of activities -- bingo, volleyball, swimming, basketball, billiards and wallyball.
County businesses and individuals have contributed financially to make the evening free of charge for all families.
A RSVP is required to assist with plans for food and activities. Please call the Winnebago County Extension Office at 584-2261 or email at xwinnebago@iastate.edu.
In case of inclement weather, please listen to KIOW Radio 107.3 for postponement or cancellation.
Looking for some ongoing winter fun for the whole family?
Stop by the Mason City Public Library Children's Desk to pick up your Winter Reading Game Cards.
Fill out half your card to win a coupon for a cup of froyo at Orange Leaf in Mason City. Turn in your completed game card by Feb. 29 to win a book. Game cards are available for kids birth to fifth grade and there is no registration necessary.
Call the MCPL Youth Services Department at 641-421-3671 for more information.
Half a million bird lovers gather on Sunday to honor their avian friends with National Bird Day.
Locally, the Floyd County Conservation Club is hosting a "hands on" event that day for those who want to learn more about birds and how to watch them.
According to Born Free USA, nearly 12 percent of the world’s almost 10,000 bird species are in danger of extinction.
Those ready to get their inner bird on can head to the lower level of the Fossil & Prairie Center, 1227 215th St., in Rockford. Knowledge will be shared from 1 p.m.-2 p.m.
For more information contact Floyd County Conservation 641-756-3490
You really can't miss when you offer BOTH a scavenger hunt AND pancakes.
Floyd County Museum’s next Kid’s Day is from 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. Saturday. Activities will include chalk drawings, a scavenger hunt and make-your-own pancakes. Call 641-228-1099 by Friday to register your first-through third-grader.
The museum is located at 500 Gilbert St. in Charles City.
The January Hampton Old Time Country Hoedown will be held from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Monday at the historic Windsor Theatre in downtown.
The Hoedown is a music jam open to all levels of musicians and music lovers and is held on the first Monday of each month. The theater seats are ideal for the audience to sit and enjoy some good old time country, bluegrass, and gospel songs you are sure to know and enjoy.
Admission is free with a free will donation accepted. All proceeds are given to the Windsor Theatre. Concessions are also open.
Contact event organizer Don Wrolson 641-425-0909 with any questions.
Diamond Jo Casino is getting into the cornhole game this weekend. Mankato Area Cornhole is hosting a bags tournament starting Friday.
The casino is throwing in an extra $500 for payouts.
Participants must use ACL- and ACO-approved bags. There will be some available for those who don't have any.
Friday night blind draws
4:30 p.m. -- $10/person - sign up by 4:15 p.m.
7:30 p.m. $10/person, 2 for 2, with bomb boxes behind regular boards worth 5 points. Sign up by 7:15 p.m.
Saturday
9 a.m.-10 a.m. - Signup, bags fly at 10 a.m. Competitive division $60/team, social division $30/team. Time permitting there will be blind draws after doubles.
Sunday
Singles kids tournament
9 a.m. -- signup, bags fly at 10 a.m. $10/person
4 man tournament
$100/team
For more information, call Jason at 507-304-0054.
Several Democratic presidential candidates will be in the Mason City area this weekend, which is certainly informative, if not outright entertaining.
Take your pick:
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders will make his first official stop in Mason City from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Saturday at Music Man Square.
Billionaire Tom Steyer will visit Mason City, his second in the last two months, from 10:30 a.m.-noon on Saturday at the MacNider Art Museum.
Former HUD secretary Julian Castro will hold a meet and greet from 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. on Sunday at Charles City Brewing.
As an alternative that hits a little closer to home, Iowa legislators Sen. Amanda Ragan and Rep. Sharon Steckman are holding a legislative session overview at 10 a.m. at the Mascon City Public Library, where they'll run through issues of importance to our area that may come up in the 2020 session.
Winter is the time to re-stock your library and Fat Hill Brewing is offering a cheap way to do it.
The brewery will host a casual book exchange on Jan. 8 that will make your bookshelf look brand new. Bring in as many books as you want. The brewery will spread them all out and then anybody who has brought in books is welcome to pick out new ones to take home.
Please make sure to only bring books that are in excellent condition. No fee to participate and no purchase necessary.
Any leftover books will be donated to a local library that wants them. If you work at a library and want the brewery to deliver to yours, please let us know!
Questions? Email our resident bookworm/events coordinator Molly at molly@fathillbrewing.com.
“Christmas Break at Lime Creek” will be held from 1 p.m.- 3 p.m. on Friday at the Lime Creek Nature Center.
Get the kids out of the house to enjoy a peak at new displays, a craft, and a hike in search of animal signs.
There will be a warm fire burning and hot chocolate will be served. Pre-registration is required - call 423-5309. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
“Christmas Break at Lime Creek” will be held from 1 p.m.- 3 p.m. on Friday at the Lime Creek Nature Center.
Get the kids out of the house to enjoy a peak at new displays, a craft, and a hike in search of animal signs.
There will be a warm fire burning and hot chocolate will be served. Pre-registration is required - call 423-5309. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Residents of Cerro Gordo County, high school age and over, and any student registered at NIACC for the spring or summer semesters of 2020, are invited to submit photographs for consideration for the 40th Annual Cerro Gordo Photography Competition sponsored by the Charles H. MacNider Art Museum’s Safford and Lena Lock Photo Endowment Fund.
A total of three entries may be submitted by each artist in the form of small jpegs. All photographs are to be original, by the entering artist, completed January 2017-present, and not previously entered in the Photo Show.
Do not submit the actual artwork for jury.
Panelists from within the community will select the photographs for exhibition and awards. Three cash award winners will be selected. $150 will go to the photograph named Best in Show, $100 will be given as Second Award, with $50 for Third Award.
The postmark deadline for entries for the exhibition is Wednesday, March 25. The selected exhibition will be on display from May 1 through June 30, 2020. A special opening reception will be held Thursday, May 7, starting at 6 p.m. Awards will be announced at 6:30 p.m. Admission to the reception and exhibition is free and open to the public and all are invited.
The competition is intended to serve several purposes: to promote interest in photography as art, to stimulate greater levels of quality and creativity in photography, to share examples of area work with the public, and to provide a forum for area artists.
Photo Show rules and the entry form can be downloaded from the Charles H. MacNider Art Museum’s website at www.macniderart.org or you can stop by the Museum and pick up a paper entry form. If you have any questions or would like more information please call Mara at 421-3666 or e-mail mlinskeydeegan@masoncity.net.
Thank you to all my family, friends and well-wishers who attended my retirement party, sent cards of congratulations or phoned me. Your love and support toward my upcoming “unemployment” was greatly appreciated. I will miss seeing you and talking to you as I always did.
Thanks!
Mark Repp – Birdsall’s
John Schutz has been nominated by his co-workers to receive the Employee of the Month award for the month of November. John is quick and efficient in his pickups and deliveries, and also steps up to the task when additional help is needed breaking freight on the dock. Thank you, John, for your contribution to the XPO operation, and for your excellent attendance.
Terry and I would like to thank all our family and friends who were so kind to help us celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary, whether by card or your attendance at our party given for us by our children and grandchildren. They are: Josh and Missy Alcorn, Carter and Tyson, LeMars, Iowa; Kit and Wendy Alcorn, Clear Lake; Jared, Des Moines; and Kylie, North Liberty. And thank you to Father John Gossman for acknowledging us at our church, St. Patrick’s in Clear Lake. God bless each and every one of you who made our 50th Anniversary so very special.
Terry and Mariann Alcorn
The Kulhavy family would like to thank everyone who attended LoRee’s 100th birthday party and to those who sent cards. She was very touched by everyone who celebrated with her.
Darci Stumo has joined the staff of EXIT Realty.
EXIT Realty Mason City, located at 2401 S. Federal Ave., is a member of EXIT Realty Upper Midwest's network of independently owned and operated brokerages across the region.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program offers free tax help to people who generally make $54,000 or less, persons with disabilities, the elderly and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns.
IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals. Only basic returns will be prepared no farm income, Airbnb, buying and selling or renting of property.
For those who want assistance with tax return preparation and e-filing, call the Iowa State University Extension county office after Jan. 1 to make an appointment. Tax return preparation will begin the first week of February.
Bring a Photo ID, last year’s return, Social Security cards for all named on the return and 2019 tax documents for income: W2s, 1099s, etc.
For questions or appointments, call: Mason City, 641-423-0844; Osage, 641-732-5574; Charles City, 641-228-1453; Estherville, 712-362-3434; Emmetsburg, 712-852-2865.
Clear Lake Bank & Trust has hired several new employees.
Kayla Moe-Perez is a mortgage loan processor in the Real Estate department and will be based at the bank's Clear Lake location.
Chad Lunning has also joined the team as the vice president of ag & commercial lending in the Garner office and started in November. Lunning has been involved in the banking industry since 2013.
Val Carolus joined the CLBT team in the Garner office as a teller. She has 16 years of banking experience, the majority of which has been spent in the Garner/Klemme area.
Founded in 1934, Clear Lake Bank and Trust Company is a locally owned, full-service bank with four offices in Clear Lake, Garner and Mason City.
Mindi Vervaecke has joined the law firm of Heiny, McManigal, Duffy, Stambaugh and Anderson as a partner.
Vervaecke has practiced law since 1996 and focuses her practice in the areas of workers’ compensation and insurance law, representing injured people. Before joining Heiny, McManigal, Duffy, Stambaugh and Anderson, Mindi was a partner in Fitzsimmons and Vervaecke Law firm from 1999 through 2019.
At its annual corporation meeting in late November, Good Shepherd Health Center LLC, elected new board officers.
Tom Douglas, from Edwards-Brandt, was elected chairman of the board of directors for the new year; Terry Schumaker, from NIACC, was elected vice chairman; and Scott Shipman, from North Iowa Community Credit Union, is the new secretary/treasurer.
Retiring members were Jim Ragan and Sid Bohls. The seven Lutheran member churches include: Trinity Lutheran Church, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, St. James Lutheran Church, St. Paul Lutheran Church and Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, all of Mason City; Zion Lutheran Church of Clear Lake and St. Peter’s Lutheran Church of Rockwell.
Want to have some family fun on New Year's Eve?
Look no further than the North Iowa Event Center. It's hosting a New Year's Eve Inflatables Day from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday.
Bounce, climb or just generally be goofy on a variety of inflatables, munch on hot dogs, chips, cake and punch; play games, get your face painted or win door prizes.
Admission $5/Kids, $1/Adults, ages 3 and under $2, plus an additional $3 for the food. For more information call North Iowa Youth Center: 641-420-6609
