Page 6 - Clear Lake Mirror Reporter E-Edition 12-30-2015

Opinion
Page 6 • Dec. 30, 2015
25 Years Ago
December 1990
You might say Clear Lake leaders
were cloud watching Friday - look-
ing for the silver lining on the heels
of a disappointing announcement
that Pella Rolscreen would not locate
its next plant here, but instead will
locate in Shenandoah. According to
City Administrator Tom Lincoln, the
city has nothing to hang their heads
about and did a fine job of trying to
persuade Pella to locate in Clear Lake.
He said they also offered some good
incentives, which would have saved
$954,123 in taxes over a 10-year pe-
riod if they had picked Clear Lake.
Quest Inc., a fledgling company
formed when Unisys announced the
closing of its software division, has
been awarded a $150,000 interest-free
loan from the state.
Gives Construction, of Eagle
Grove, will have to pay the price for
the late completion of construction
on North Shore Drive the City Coun-
cil voted. The company will be fined
$200 per day for the 60 days it was
late in finishing the project.
Ventura Mayor Robert Wolfram
announced the winners in the Ventura
lighting contest. First place winner
was Bill Wilson, 9 Crystal Heights
Place; tied for second place were Ed
Buchanan and Ed Snopeck; third
place went to John Overgaard, Carol
Steinlicht and Ben Hall.
Shannon Berge, son of Dr. Don-
ald and Nicky Berge and Kirk Sorbo,
son of William and Cheryl Sorbo,
have been selected by the faculty and
administration of Clear Lake High
School to have their names placed in
nomination for the National Honor
Society Scholarship.
A son, Jake Alexander, was born
to Thomas and Carolyn Farmer, of
Clear Lake. Jake was born Nov. 24,
1990. He is their first child.
The Clear Lake High School
wrestling team is enjoying a successful 16 oz., $1.49; Minute Maid Orange
and exciting season. Leading the way
for the Lions have been four grapplers
who are still undefeated. The win-
ning wrestlers are Jason Salge, Chad
Whitecotton, Shawn Zimmerman
and Brandon Frampton.
A prank telephone call led to
the cancellation of the Northwood-
Kensett Invitational Wrestling Tour-
nament. The Clear Lake team was
slated to participate. An unidentified
person called radio station KGLO and
said the event had been cancelled. By
the time school officials realized what ice in about 10 feet of water. Several
had happened, it was too late. Wres-
tlers were already eating breakfast
and would likely not have made their
weights.
The Clear Lake boys basketball
12 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, IA. 50428 • Ph. • 641-357-2131 • Fax • 641-357-2133
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REMEMBER WHEN
Blizzard, 1990
These two boys were the only ones brave enough to head out following a snow storm in 1990. The storm blanketed
Clear Lake with 10” of snow. High winds accompanied the snow, which shut down the town for a few days.
team gave Iowa Falls a one-two punch
that resulted in a seven-point victory, wet clothes before being intercepted
71-64. Matt Freeseman led the team
with 30-points, followed by Paul Eb-
eling with 13.
Grocery specials at Easter’s Super
Valu include: Fisher Mixed Nuts,
12 oz., $2.99; Vlasic Sweet Pickles,
Juice, 64 oz., $1.69; Kemps Sour
Cream, 8 oz., 49¢; Dole head lettuce,
each, 69¢; Coke-Sprite, 12-12 oz.
cans, $1.79; Frito Lay Ruffles Potato
Chips, 15 oz., $1.79; Hormel Little
Sizzlers, 12 oz., 99¢.
50 Years Ago
December 1965
Three Clear Lake youths had a
cold damper put on their iceboat-
ing activities Sunday afternoon when
their two ice boats went through the
residents who live along the South
Shore saw the accident and immedi-
ately called the police. Despite their
efforts the ice kept breaking off in
front of them as they tried to get out, bushes per acre has won the champi-
one of the boys managed to roll onto
the ice and helped the others out. The
Serving Clear Lake & Ventura
communities since 1869
Chris Barragy
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boys had to run nearly a mile in their
by the police.
The Clear Lake wrestlers devas-
tated Northwood, 43-5. Winning by
pins were Paul Miller, Jack Anderson,
Dave Henn, Dave Erickson, Gene
Baker, Denny Lincicum, Marty Da-
vidson and Duane Schlichting.
The Yardbirds are coming to
the Surf Ballroom, along with James
Bond and the Agents. This should
be the greatest attraction in the Surf ’s Hill. The hardware, which has been
history according to Manager Carroll
Anderson.
75 Years Ago
December 1940
The Mason City and Clear Lake
Railroad Co. have put up their equip-
ment along the east shore of the lake
preparatory for the ice harvest which
will begin as soon as the ice is thick
enough. At present it is between 8
and 10 inches thick. Guy Coyier is
foreman of the harvest.
An outstanding corn yield of 116
onship for John Osnes who lives two
miles south of Clear Lake.
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Michelle Watson Amy Palmer
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Clear Lake Mirror-Reporter
Longing For
A Little
Silent Night
By Guest Columnist Dorothy Rosby
Disclaimer: The views expressed who would settle for that. That song
in this column do not reflect those of should only be performed at elemen-
the staff and publishers of this news- tary school Christmas concerts where
paper and possibly no one else on the it’s still cute, even if it is a lie.
planet either. “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa
I love Christmas music. And I’m Claus” is another song that should
sincerely grateful to those radio sta- only be sung by small children, and
tions that play it all day, every day the Chipmunk song, “Christmas
from Thanksgiving until Christmas. Don’t Be Late,” should only be heard
I sing along with all my favorites, by small children. That song makes
which I’m sure is as entertaining to me long for a little “Silent Night,”
the people next to me at stoplights as which, by the way, is one of my favor-
it is annoying to those in the car with ites.
me. I’d never get my tree up and my And speaking of musical animals,
Christmas shopping done if it weren’t hearing dogs bark “Jingle Bells” is a
for music getting me into the spirit of once in a lifetime experience, by which
the season. And sometimes even that I mean, once in a lifetime is enough. I
doesn’t work. don’t know about chestnuts, but that’s
I love “O Holy Night,” “Away in one Christmas CD I wouldn’t mind
a Manger,” and “Silver Bells.” Every roasting over an open fire.
time a snowflake falls, I burst into a That and “Grandma Got Run
chorus of “It’s Beginning to Look a Over by a Reindeer.” It’s mean, it’s dis-
Lot Like Christmas,” even if it falls respectful, and there’s no way it could
in April. I like “White Christmas” as have happened. Everyone knows rein
much as anyone, as long as I don’t
have to shovel. And “Winter See ROSBY on page 7
Wonderland” is one of my fa-
vorites. You know it: “Later on
we’ll perspire, cuz it’s warm by
the fire. Plus we’re afraid of the
plans that we’ve made, walking
in a winter wonderland.”
But there are a few Christ-
mas songs that make me grate-
ful Christmas comes but once
Twelve inches of snow fell here a year, and “Santa Baby” is at
last week. A crew of about 20 men the top of the list. Do you hear
were put to work clearing the snow. what I hear? (See how I did
There were also others working the that? I love that one.) The sing-
side streets. er is flirting with Santa, who as
far as I know, is a happily mar-
ried man. And all she wants for
100 Years Ago Christmas is … a lot. Just a fur
December 1915 coat, a convertible, a yacht, a
The Palmeter Hardware Com- duplex, some checks, a ring,
pany, the oldest hardware in town has decorations from Tiffany’s, and
sold to N.B. Carpenter and Frank E. the deed to a platinum mine.
All I want is to never hear her
operating in town since 1874, has dis- ask for it all again.
posed of its stock. The organization The only wish list longer
dates back nearly a half century. than hers is in “The Twelve
A well merited recommend has Days of Christmas.” I read
come to Guy Thomas, who has for that it would cost $155,000 to
many-years been connected with the buy everything for that 12-day
Clear Lake Creamery. He has been gift-giving rampage, and what
invited by Prof. Mortonson, of Ames, would they have to show for
to give a short course of instruction in Special birthdayit? A big, noisy mess. At least
churning for 10 days.
Two of the films of “The Birth of they can have the ladies danc-
a Nation” were damaged so badly by ing and lords a-leaping shovel Natalie Poole had a very special 50th birth-
fire Tuesday evening it was necessary out the aviary, because they’re day celebration in July with her sister, Valer-
to send to Minneapolis for others. going to need one. ie Lafrenz. Natalie had always wanted to see
Special attention is given to chil- “All I Want for Christmas New York City. The trip had been planned
dren’s hair bobbing at Miss Hendy’s. Is My Two Front Teeth” is a 10 years ago and it was a lifetime highlight
The German submarines have really short, but equally an- for the two to see it happen. -Submitted
thus far sunk about 500 vessels. noying Christmas wish song. photo
There’s not a child in America
We should do Amanda Ragan may be eligible for
all that we can to this need-based fi-
help more workers State Senator nancial aid, which
and their families covers up to half of
join Iowa’s middle the average tuition
class. 515-281-3371 or 641-424-0874 and fees for two
As 2015 comes [email protected] years.
to an end, Iowa con-
tinues its recovery A new report tells
from the national economic recession. us how the Legis-
We’re making steady progress, but continue to fight for education and lature’s $5 million investment in this
many Iowans are still out of work or training that prepares Iowans to fill grant program helped students during
unable to find the jobs they want. skilled jobs—those that are currently the 2014-15 school year. Among the
According to the Iowa Policy available and the ones we want to at- highlights:
Project, the state is short about 35,000 tract. We support investments in job •4,926 recipients were awarded
jobs needed to keep up with the pop- training, apprenticeships, high school all available funds.
ulation growth we’ve seen in recent completion, skills certification and •52 percent of recipients were 25
years. And when it comes to the jobs credentials that will put more Iowans years old or older, training for better-
that are available, many Iowans don’t on the path to good jobs. To strength- paying work.
have the skills needed to fill them. en Iowa’s economy, these opportuni- •About 49 percent of the funds
CNBC once again has put Iowa ties must be accessible to all who want assisted students studying nursing
in the top 10 states for doing business to improve their prospects. and allied health, an area of particular
this year for our low costs and qual- Skilled Workforce Shortage Tu- need with Iowa’s aging population.
ity of life, but they say our workforce ition Grants are making a better fu- In other job training news, Iowa
development is lacking. ture a reality for thousands of Iowans. has been hailed as a national leader in
That’s why Senate Democrats Iowa residents preparing for in-de- creating more job opportunities for
mand jobs at our community colleges
See RAGAN on page 7
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