We’re excited to celebrate your achievements.
Santa is taking a break from his busy schedule to host breakfast on Saturday at the Belmond-Klemme High School Student Center.
Munch on breakfast goodies from Sugar Pie Bakery, make some crafts, listen to a good book during storytime, and of course visit with Santa from 8:30 a.m.-9:30.
At 10 a.m. there will be a free movie shown at the Lyric Theater.
There is no cost to attend this event.
In celebration of the holidays, Music Man Square's admission is free for December.
The square is decorated for the holidays and treats will be available for sale in the ice cream shop on the square's iconic Main Street.
The gift shop will also be open for those looking for that special River City gift.
Music Man Square is open from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Extended hours will be offered from 1 p.m.-7 p.m. Dec. 21 and from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 22.
The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will roll into Mason City and Charles City this weekend.
The cities are among eight Iowa stops on the railway’s 21st annual tour that travels through the United States and Canada to raise money, food and awareness for food banks and hunger issues by hosting concerts in communities.
The train is scheduled to arrive in Mason City at 7:45 p.m. Friday at the Canadian Pacific Depot, 904 S. Pennsylvania Ave. and in Charles City at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the intersection of Main Street and Grand Avenue. There will be entertainment from Canadian artists Meghan Patrick, Tanika Charles and Kelly Prescott.
As in years past, the Mason City stop will benefit Hawkeye Harvest Food Bank.
Words cannot express all the things I feel.
Thank you to all who came to my open house, to those who sent cards and good wishes. A special thank you to the Methodist Church family who worked in the kitchen and served the food.
Thank you to all who took part in the program, the church choir, the readers, the vocalists and Pastor Mike. Thank you to my neighbors who help me and the church people who give me rides to my appointments.
I am fortunate to live in such a loving, caring town.
God Bless each of you for making my 100th birthday special.
Maynard Isenberger
Our daughter and son-in-law hosted a party for us on our 70th wedding anniversary. It was a great party – full of family, friends and surprises!
Thank you all for giving us a wonderful day.
Our love to you all,
Les and Betty Graversen
Cerro Gordo Public Heath offers Healthy Living Clinics to county residents age 55 and older. There is no charge. However, contributions are encouraged in order to keep the clinic running. Blood pressure clinics are also available free of charge.
The Healthy Living Clinic is an annual health screening and does not replace a physician’s care. To make an appointment, Cerro Gordo County residents may call CG Public Health: 641-421-9316 or Toll Free: 1-888-264-2581 ext. 9316.
Healthy Living Clinics will be held the following days:
- Dec. 2 - Mason City First Presbyterian Church, 100 S. Pierce Ave.
- Dec. 4 - Mason City Mason City Senior Activity Center, 326 Fourth St. NE
- Dec. 9 - Clear Lake United Methodist Church, 508 Second Ave. N
- Dec. 11 - Mason City The Manor, 4 Third St. NW
- Dec. 16 - Mason City The Manor, 4 Third St. NW
A blood pressure screening clinic will be held Dec. 12 from 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. at the Mason City Senior Center, 326 Fourth St. NE.
MercyOne North Iowa Hospice will hold its annual Tree of Life programs in nine communities throughout the North Iowa area.
Tree of Life programs provide the opportunity to remember loved ones or honor those living. With a donation of any amount, lights are placed on a Tree of Life and "brought to light" symbolizing the presence of loved ones. Names are listed at the tree lighting program specified by the donor. A holiday ornament is also provided to each donor who attends a Tree of Life program.
Publication of a loved one's name must be requested; names are not continued from year to year.
Tree of Life programs during 2019 will be held as follows:
- Lake Mills – Dec. 2, 6 p.m., Salem Lutheran Church, 401 S. Lake St.
- Osage – Dec. 2, 6 p.m., Alliance Church, 726 State St.
- Garner – Dec. 4, 6 p.m., Concord Care Center, 490 Lyon St.
- Hampton – Dec. 5, 6 p.m., St. Paul Evangelical Church, 17 Second St. NE
- Clear Lake – Dec. 9, 6 p.m., The Dock, 500 Main Ave.
- Forest City – Dec. 10, 6 p.m., TSB Bank Community Room, 101 Highway 69 N.
- Mason City – Dec. 12, 6 p.m., Music Man Square, 308 S. Pennsylvania Ave.
- Charles City – Dec. 16, 6 p.m., St. John's Lutheran Church, 200 S. Main St.
Contributions can be sent to MercyOne North Iowa Hospice at 232 Second St. SE, Mason City, IA, 50401 or paid online at MercyOne.org/northiowa/tree-of-life. With your contribution, please specify the name of the loved one(s) you wish to remember or honor and the location of the program you plan to attend. We ask that names be received two days prior to your selected program in order to ensure their inclusion in the program.
For further information, or to register, please contact MercyOne North Iowa Hospice at 641-428-6208 or visit MercyOne.org/northiowa/tree-of-life.
One of Iowa's favorite cover bands, The Pork Tornadoes, returns to the Surf Ballroom for a post-Thanksgiving party on Friday.
Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets are $17 in advance at the Surf Box Office, 460 North Shore Drive, or by phone at 641-357-6151, or at surfballroom.com. Box office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Surf is closed Thanksgiving Day.
On its website, porktornadoes.com, the band says shows like the Surf's has "always been our lifeblood."
"Playing in front of people anxious to hear live music as the centerpiece of the night taught what to do and what not to do and how to truly become masters at the art of putting on a show," they wrote. "We love playing these types of shows because we feel we can really let loose."
After a long day of Black Friday shopping, why not treat yourself to some leisurely shopping while sipping wine?
The Chamber of Commerce of Greater Franklin County will host Friday Uncorked from 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Friday in Hampton.
Only 250 tickets for the event are sold.
Tickets with a souvenir glass are $25 and are on sale at Center One, 5 First St. SW.
For more information, call 641-456-5668.
It's the 28th year of Belmond's Christmas tradition, always held the Friday after Thanksgiving.
This year's theme is "Ugly Christmas Sweaters." Santa will lead the parade, which starts at 6:30 p.m. on Main Street.
Afterward, visit with the big guy in red at the Santa House.
The event is hosted by the Belmond Chamber of Commerce.
Everything from bright choreography to tuned water glasses will be featured when the North Iowa Area Community College Concert Choir and NIACC Singers present their winter concert at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5. The choirs will feature a wide range of seasonal selections including the Russian “Sleigh” and “African Noel.”
The choir presented three of these selections at First United Methodist Church and Trinity Lutheran Church, both in Mason City earlier in November. They also performed for a Volunteer Appreciation at the MacNider Art Museum.
General admission tickets for the concert are available by calling the NIACC Box office at 641-422-4188 and may also be purchased at the door. Admission is $10 for adults and $7 for students.
"Art on the Plaza," 11 S. Federal Ave. in downtown Mason City, will celebrate its fourth anniversary from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Artists will be on hand to visit about their art, and refreshments will be served.
The artist-owned gallery started with eight artists and has grown to include more than 20 local artists.
Kick off Home for the Holidays with a Rum with Rudolph 5K Run/Walk. Start the day with a morning run along State Street. Cross the finish line and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate with Rum Chata (if you're over 21). Holiday costumes are encouraged; prizes will be awarded to the three merriest.
Check-in/Registration Race Day & Swag Bag Pickup is 9 a.m. at Fat Hill Brewing, at 17 N. Federal Ave. Race time is 10 a.m.
Registration fee is $40 per person on Eventbrite.com.
The race will start at the corner of State Street and North Federal near Moorman Clothiers. Runners will run east on State Street until the turn around on Illinois Street and head back on State Street.
Bring the entire family downtown on Saturday and kick off the holiday season at the annual Main Street Mason City Home for the Holidays festivities. Enjoy over 20 free, family friendly games, crafts and activities throughout Mason City's historic downtown district starting at 2 p.m.
Kids can enter in a drawing to be the official Tree Light Operator at the Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5:15 p.m. Join a crew of carolers in the center of Central Park for hot cocoa.
Following the tree lighting, adults age 21 or older are encouraged to participate in Main Street Mason City's annual "Jingle Mingle Jammie Crawl." Purchase a $6 pass on the Jingle Jammie Crawl on Facebook to receive special discounts, promotions and access to activities at participating bars and restaurants throughout downtown Mason City.
The December Hampton Old Time Country Hoedown will be held on Monday from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. at the Windsor Theatre in downtown Hampton.
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 will be open.
Ashley Fjeldheim, ARNP has joined MercyOne North Iowa Neurology Care. Fjeldheim received her master's degree from Mount Marty College in Yankton, South Dakota. Ashley brings over three years' experience as a nurse practitioner at North Memorial Health Hospital in Robbinsdale.
Fjeldheim’s clinical interest are movement disorders such as Parkinson’s Disease and essential tremors. Ashley will work with Dr. Yarahmadi and the Neurology Care team to treat patients in North Iowa.
MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center is a connected system of health care facilities that employs 2,500 in North Iowa.
The NIACC Pappajohn Center and the Small Business Development Center will offer a free two-hour workshop designed for anyone who is considering starting a business. At Start Smart, participants will learn how to create a business plan, do market research, discuss different types of business ownership, and learn how to register a business.
Start Smart will be offered from 6 p.m.-8 p.m., Dec. 4, on the NIACC campus in the Pappajohn Business Center room 117.
Start Smart provides information and the chance to ask questions on numerous other topics, including business registration, customer research, how bankers evaluate business concepts and loans, start-up costs and business plan tips, among others.
To register, contact Mary Spitz-SBDC office at NIACC: 641-422-4342 or mary.spitz@niacc.edu.
In partnership with North Iowa’s Small Business Development Center, the NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center provides tools, support, and resources to Iowa’s entrepreneurs.
Iowa Mold Tooling Co. Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company (NYSE:OSK), has promoted Bridget White to master scheduler. In this role, White will work cross-functionally to support the sales, inventory, operations and production planning process.
White previously held the role of senior finance specialist. She also formerly worked in paint, crane assembly and finance roles at IMT.
Iowa Mold Tooling Co. Inc., began in 1961 as a business providing new tread designs for recapping tires. The company now manufactures and supplies service vehicles, cranes, hydraulic loaders and air compressors for tire, mining, construction, material handling and utility markets.
Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics has been named a 2019 Guardian of Excellence Award winner by Press Ganey.
The Guardian of Excellence Award recognizes top-performing health care organizations that have achieved the 95th percentile or above in patient experience. Iowa Specialty Hospital achieved this in both its emergency and inpatient departments.
The Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award is presented annually, and honors clients who consistently sustained performance in the top 5% of all Press Ganey clients for each reporting period during the course of one year.
Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics, located in north central Iowa with campuses in Belmond and Clarion, has outreach clinics in Boone, Clear Lake, Fort Dodge, Garner, Hampton, Webster City and West Des Moines. Services include: orthopedics, bariatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, general surgery, pain management, family medicine, radiology, nursing (inpatient), ER, laboratory, rehab therapy, cardiopulmonary, pharmacy, and specialty services.
The family of Wayne L. Enfield wishes to extend our sincere gratitude for all the expressions of sympathy. A special thank you to Good Shepherd Heath Care Center, MercyOne Hospice and Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel for their excellent care. The memorials given in Wayne’s memory have been donated to the Nora Springs Volunteer Fire Department.
We would like to thank everyone for their prayers, kind words, food, flowers, cards and memorials at the time of Deb’s passing. Thanks also to Fr. John Gossman for the funeral Mass and the ladies who prepared and served the lunch. Your kindness and thoughtfulness will not be forgotten.
The family of Deb Watters
Thank you Saint Expedite for helping me with my financial needs. RP
For quick help…
Pray to Saint Expedite
Saint Expedite, you lay in rest.
I come to you and ask that this wish be granted.
____________(Clearly express what you want, and ask him to
find a way to get it to you.)
Expedite now what I ask of you.
Expedite now what I want of you, this very second.
Don’t waste another day.
Grant me what I ask for.
I know your power, I know you because of your work.
I know you can help me.
Do this for me and I will spread your name with love and honor so that it will be invoked again and again.
Expedite this wish with speed, love, honor, and goodness.
Glory to you, Saint Expedite!
As you recite this prayer, light a candle to Saint Expedite next to a glass of water for the Saint. Recite daily until the request is granted, then be sure to give Saint Expedite a gift. Also place an ad in the newspaper thanking Saint Expedite, so that his name and glory will grow.
The Cerro Gordo County S.A.L.T. (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together) Organization would like to thank the following for assisting in our Fall Forum, October 22, at Grace Church, Mason City.
Donations were received from Thrivent Financial, Clear Lake Fareway, Mason City Fareway, Michael’s Bakery Products, Pepsi Beverage Company, and Martin Brothers Distributing Company.
Special thanks to Grace Church for allowing us to host the Forum there. Also thanks for their help in setting up, audio help, and cleaning up. Thank you also to Gary Herrig and his NIACC students for helping with making sandwiches and serving the lunch.
Speakers were Al Perales, Investigator from the Iowa Attorney General’s Office. He spoke on “SCAM SLAM.” Also speaking was Deena McCaulley, Administrative Assistant from Community Health Center of Fort Dodge. She explained programs at Community Health here in Mason City.
Law Enforcement updates were given.
We appreciate organizations that provided booths, donations of door prizes and anyone else that helped in any way.
Myrna Jensen, secretary
Cerro Gordo S.A.L.T. Organization
Thank you Saint Expedite for helping me with my financial needs. DM
For quick help…
Pray to Saint Expedite
Saint Expedite, you lay in rest.
I come to you and ask that this wish be granted.
____________(Clearly express what you want, and ask him to
find a way to get it to you.)
Expedite now what I ask of you.
Expedite now what I want of you, this very second.
Don’t waste another day.
Grant me what I ask for.
I know your power, I know you because of your work.
I know you can help me.
Do this for me and I will spread your name with love and honor so that it will be invoked again and again.
Expedite this wish with speed, love, honor, and goodness.
Glory to you, Saint Expedite!
As you recite this prayer, light a candle to Saint Expedite next to a glass of water for the Saint. Recite daily until the request is granted, then be sure to give Saint Expedite a gift. Also place an ad in the newspaper thanking Saint Expedite, so that his name and glory will grow.
Thank you very much for all of the cards, phone calls and birthday wishes I received on my 90th birthday. It was a great day!
Leon Caspersen
Ronald and Carol (Bormann) Lacey were married on November 29, 1969.
Greetings may be sent to 4703 NE 91st Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64156.
Mediacom Communications hosted a ribbon-cutting this week celebrating its new Mason City-area customer service center.
The company also announced new, extended service hours for in-store assistance from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.
Mediacom’s new customer service center is in the Indianhead shopping area on the south side of Fourth Street Southwest and Hwy. 18.
The walk-in service counter at the old office one mile west of the new location will no longer be used and the new retail location is where customers will go to exchange equipment, pay a bill, or get information.
KCMR Radio's 40th anniversary Christmas Concert is 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 24, at the NIACC Auditorium.
The concert will showcase Iowa musicians performing Christmas songs with "Classic Christmas" theme.
Performers include: Toni Timmer and the Iowa Andrew Sisters, New Horizons Band, Covenant Quartet, Unforgettable Ruth Lapointe, Juni West & Betsy Kirby Duo, Nonsemble, David Skattebo, Tarnished Brass and Nordkor Children's Choir.
Early bird tickets are $10 and VIP seating is $40. Tickets can be found on KCMR's website, KCMRFM.com.
The Charles City VFW is sponsoring an Old Uniform Dance on Saturday.
Admission is free for anyone wearing a uniform. Refreshments will be available and music will be provided by Gene Parsons & Friends.
The event starts at 7 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m.
Tickets for those that are not in uniform are $10/person, $15/couple.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars is located at 1505 N. Grand Ave., Charles City.
Once the sun sets the lights come on Heritage Park in Forest City takes on a whole new look.
Holiday Tour of Lights is a festive drive-through holiday light show experience for the entire family to enjoy. Volunteers set up thousands of lights to display in artistic fun formations and use the existing museum buildings as well to celebrate the holiday season.
Over 5000 visitor touring the lights in 2018. Admission to see the lights is free but a goodwill donation is collected at the entrance by volunteers.
The Park is once again partnering with other non-profit local groups to organize this event. Any donations will go back into Heritage Park and to the other non-profit organizations.
The park is open every night starting Friday, Nov. 29 through Dec. 24. Hours are 6-9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 6-8 p.m. Sundays.
The Mason City Gun Show will be held Saturday at the North Iowa Events Center.
The show will feature numerous tables of vendors of modern and antique weapons. All local and federal laws will be followed.
The show is sponsored by the River City Rifle & Pistol Club. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.
on Nov 23rd-24th, 2019 in Mason City, IA. This Mason City gun show is held at North Iowa Events Center and hosted by River City Rifle & Pistol Club.
The Waldorf University Percussion Ensemble will hold a free concert from 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Monday at Waldorf Atrium at the school, 106 South Sixth St., Forest City.
The program will include composer John Beck’s "Overture for Percussion Ensemble;" "Samba," by Mitchell Peters; "October Mountain," by American composer Alan Hovhaness; "Carol of the Bells" arranged in a Salsa style; and Mark Ford’s "Head Talk," using drum heads in ways never imagined.
Isaac Agar will be the featured dramatic bass drum soloist during "Concertino on a Well-Known Rustic Air."
The Percussion Skills class from Waldorf University will also perform.
The concert is free and open to the public. At the conclusion of the performance, there will be an “instrument petting zoo” where children can ask questions and try out percussion instruments. Adult supervision at the zoo is required.
Missing the warmer days of the farmers market season? Looking to stock up all your favorite fall goodies before the holidays?
Fat Hill Brewing is hosting an indoor farmers market from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. on Saturday. Visitors will be able to buy local veggies, meats, baked goods and more.
Co-sponsoring the event are Healthy Harvest of North Iowa, Mossycup Farms, Twisted River Farm, and Purple Ribbon Beef.
The North Iowa Concert Band, under the direction of John Klemas, will present a Fall Concert on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the North Iowa Community Auditorium on the North Iowa Area Community College campus.
Chuck Cooper is the band’s announcer.
Members of the North Iowa Concert Band represent communities from Iowa and southern Minnesota, including the towns of Ackley, Allison, Belmond, Cedar Rapids, Charles City, Clear Lake, Dougherty, Forest City, Garner, Greene, Hampton, Manly, Mason City, Mt. Pleasant, Osage, Rockford, Rockwell, Sheffield, Titonka, Albert Lea, Minnesota, and Dodge Center, Minnesota.
Tickets for the performance are $5 for adults and are available at the NIACC Business Office 641-422-4188. Tickets can also be purchased at the door the night of the concert. All students will receive free admission. A reception in the Muse-Norris Conference Center will be held following the concert.
