“I experimented with other materials, but when I tried silk I fell in love with it. It does what I want it to and it’s a medium you don’t get tired of,” said Rasmussen. Rasmussen, whose business is called Sally’s Studio, creates silk paintings using dyes in strong, rich colors to create vibrant, colorful works of art. She uses her silk painting technique to create masterpieces on silk scarves, ponchos, banners, pillows, window decorations and bed coverlets to name a few. Rasmussen has always been an artist. Her career includes 33 years as an art teacher, where she taught from the kindergarten level to the college level. She taught in Colorado, New York and Fort Dodge, where she retired in 2004. She was named “State Art Teacher of the Year” in 2003.

The Department of Defense notified the members of the 1133rd Transportation Company of the Iowa National Guard, located in Mason City, that they have been put on alert for a possible deployment in late 2008.  The 1133rd Transportation Company consists of 170 soldiers, including those from a detachment in Fort Dodge, Iowa. The soldiers were notified of the alert on Saturday, Nov. 3.

“When a company receives an alert it is a validation that the group is a unit that is well trained and is combat ready.”  Lt. Col. Gregory Hapgood of the Iowa National Guard

The 1133rd was the second unit in the State to receive notification. The 294th Area Support Medical Company from Iowa City, Iowa, was also put on alert.  Hapgood stated that the alert does not specify an assignment or theater of operation. The group will mobilize in the United States and train for a period of time before they head to active duty.  “The 1133rd Company was one of the first units to mobilize in the first rotation,” said Hapgood. “It has been three years since they returned from their last duty, so they had a feeling that their turn would come around again.”  The unit was deployed in January 2003 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. After training in Fort McCoy, Wis., the group was shipped to Kuwait where it was stationed for several months. The unit later moved to Logistical Base Seitz. Following a 13 month stint, the unit returned home in April 2004.  The 1133rd is a transportation company. Their primary mission is to transport soldiers, equipment and supplies for the military.  “There are three primary feelings soldiers have when they are notified of an alert. They feel pride that they are being called. They are worried about the families they leave behind and they have a feeling of resolve, because they are trained and ready to serve,” said Hapgood.

Last week Clear Lake received a fall stocking of 18,000 advanced fingerling walleyes. Chris Clous from the Rathbun State Fish Hatchery released the fingerling walleyes at the Clear Lake Sea Wall. The nine-inch fingerlings ( a photo of a fingerling can be found on page 2) were reared at the Rathbun State Fish Hatchery from eggs gathered early this spring at Clear Lake. According to DNR District Fisheries Biologist, Jim Wahl, the fish are intended to supplement fry stockings made earlier in the year. With the most challenging period of their life behind them, the advanced fingerlings will have superior survival over fish released at a smaller size. -Photo by Lowell Washburn

Area residents turned out at the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 6, to fill three seats on the Clear Lake City Council.

Voters were also asked for their opinion on the hotel/motel tax. Results of the election will appear in next week’s issue of the Clear Lake Mirror-Reporter. Pictured is Dorothy Dietrich (seated) and (L-R) Joann Reed, Bonnie Sunner, Carol Rannals and Ione Hayungs, -Reporter photo

    Monday night’s Clear Lake City Council meeting dealt primarily with three issues:  the Storm Water Quality Improvement Project, the New Water Tower Improvement Project and a lease agreement between the city and CL Tel regarding wireless service.
    The council voted unanimously to move ahead with the Storm Water Quality Improvement Project.  At its Oct. 15 meeting the council awarded the contract for the project to Rognes Brothers Excavating of Lake Mills, Iowa, in the amount of $191,948.75.  This amount represents one-third of the total project cost.  The remaining two-thirds will come from the Hanson Foundation and CLEAR Project.
    The project includes all labor, materials and equipment necessary to construct storm water treatment facilities at three separate locations.  These locations are:  North Shore Drive, east of Clark Road; North Shore Drive and 18th St. and South 3rd St., north of 25th Ave. South.
    Work for all underground locations is to be completed no later than December 31, 2007.

Clear Lake gives it their all against South Tama
South Tama dashed the Clear Lake football team’s hopes of another trip to the UNI-Dome, as they posted a 21-19 win against the Lions in the opening round of the State Playoffs. The Lions traveled to Tama on Wednesday, Oct. 31, for the match-up.
Number three Tama scored first on a six yard run in the first quarter. The Lions answered in the second quarter with a 50 yard run by Sean McChesney, only to have the PAT attempt blocked.
McChesney scored again in the second quarter, but the two-point conversion attempt failed, giving the Lions a brief 12-7. The Lion defense was unable to hold off the potent STC offense and the Trojans scored with just over two minutes left in the first half for a 14-12 halftime score.
“We did anticipate their quickness and we made some adjustments for that,” said Coach Fred Wieck.
STC picked up the first touchdown in the second half on a 52 yard interception return. The PAT was good to give the Trojans a 21-12 edge. The Lions, however, weren’t to be denied and they scored in the fourth quarter on a 12 yard run by quarterback Justin Uhlenhopp. The kick by D.J. Wilhelm was good for a 21-19 score. Clear Lake had two more possessions in the fourth quarter, but turned the ball over on downs and had a pass intercepted with 36 seconds remaining to seal the deal for the Trojans.
South Tama was the Class 3A District 4 champions. They entered the game with a 10-0 record. STC averaged 37 points per game, while allowing only 12.1.

Armstrong-Ringsted hands Ventura first round play-off loss
They say it’s hard to beat the same team two times, Armstrong-Ringsted proved that saying to be true as they topped the Vikings, 55-20, in the first round playoff game held Tuesday, Oct. 30, in Armstrong. The Vikings met the Mustangs earlier in the season where they came out on top of a 27-13 match-up.
The Mustangs racked up 21 first quarter points. The Mustang’s shut down the Viking’s offense in the first half, holding them to no first downs until the two minute, 55 second mark of the second quarter. At that point, the lights on the home side of the field went out, delaying the game for a few minutes. Both coaches and the officials agreed to play and Ventura was finally able to get something going with their first touchdown of the night.
The Vikings cut the lead to 28-14 in the third quarter. The wind really went out of the Viking’s sail when the Mustangs ran back the kickoff for another score and added one more to make it 41-14 in the fourth quarter. The Vikings did make it into the end zone one more time for the final 55-20.
“I believe we put so much effort into the NEH prep and game, that it turned into a negative factor when we faced Armstrong,” said Coach Mike Horstman. “They were a completely different team than the first time we played. Their defense was much improved with players playing in different positions and stopping our running game.”
Quarterback Cody Kadolph wrapped up his outstanding season with 19 completions on 39 attempts for 217 yards in the air. He rushed for 32 yards on 12 carries and collected 14 tackles. He also had two of the Viking’s touchdowns.

The Clear Lake Volleyball team wrapped up their 2007 season by holding a banquet and recognizing individual honors.
Senior Breanne Mumm received Second Team All Conference recognition. Mumm was 5th in the conference in assists and third in the conference in blocks.
Five other Clear Lake players ranked high in the conference, but failed to make earn a conference ranking. Allison Schaefer, a senior, was 15th in kill efficiency, 12th in kill average, 11th in serving percentage and 5th in blocks. Senior Torrie Hansen was 16th in serving percentage and 20th in kill average in the conference. Junior Kara Mathis was 25th in kill efficiency and 22nd in kill average. Sophomore Macey Hansen was 8th in blocks. Freshman Ellen Pritchard 1st in the conference in digs per game and 2nd in total digs.
The team voted and selected the following for team awards: Top Defensive Player, Ellen Pritchard; Most Improved Player, Macey Hansen; Good Sportsmanship Award, Allison Schaefer; Top Offensive Player, Kara Mathis and Team Leader, Allison Schaefer.

Turkey Shoot set for Nov. 11
The Clear Lake Parks and Recreation Department will hold their annual Turkey Shoot on Sunday, Nov. 11, at noon, at Clear Creek Gym (enter through the main doors). Teams, consisting of an adult and a related child, have the chance to shoot freethrows and win a turkey. Each team shoots 20 free throws. The competition is divided by age of the child. Youth 6-9 years of age move in four feet from the free throw line and shoot at an 8-foot high basket, 10-11 year-olds move in two feet and shoot at the regulationa basket and 12-14 year-olds and adults shoot regulation free throws. All winning teams will receive a free turkey for their holiday cooking.

CLHS Football team to hold banquet
The Clear Lake High School football team will hold their banquet on Sunday, Nov. 18, at 4:30 p.m. at the Surf Ballroom. For the potluck, seniors are asked to bring a main dish and dessert; juniors are to bring a main dish and salad; sophomores, a main dish and dessert; freshmen are to bring a main dish and salad and the cheerleaders, statisticians and Lion Tamers should bring a main dish and dessert. Everyone is asked to furnish their own beverrages. The public is invited.

Ventura football team to hold banquet
The Ventura football team will hold their banquet on Tuesday, Nov. 13, in the high school commons, from 6:30-8 p.m. For supplying the players with meals every Thursday night and following away football games, the team is treating the parents to pizza, dessert and beverages.

The Ventura volleyball team had two players selected for post season honors. Senior Allie Schuler received Second Team All Conference, while junior Kaley Imhoff received Honorable Mention recognition.
The team also held their annual banquet on Monday, Oct. 29. At the banquet, the team voted on special awards. The following were recipients of team awards: Spirit Award, Meghan Thompson; Best Offensive Player, Chelsea Mathews; Best Defensive Player, Allie Schuler; Most Valuable Player, Kaley Imhoff and Most Improved Player, Chantel Pinherio. The Coaches Award went to Megan Schuler.
“It was a great season and was very special to me since it was my first ever,” said Coach Lora Tabbert. “The girls worked hard all season and although we had our highs and lows, I thought the year exceeded most people’s expectations.”
Those receiving varsity letters for the season include: seniors Allie Schuler, Meghan Thompson and Chantel Pinherio; juniors Kaley Imhoff, Sarah Hedberg, Kellie Tatro and Megan Schuler; sophomores Chelsea Mathews and Amber Smith and freshman Mandy Hackenmiller.
The Lady Vikes finished the season 11-16 overall and were 6-4 in the conference.
“I am sad to be losing my three seniors, Meghan Thompson, Allie Schuler and Chantel Pinheiro. They were all important parts of our team and will be missed very much. I want to wish them the best of luck in al