Clear Lake school leaders opened discussion Monday night regarding the future of the Lincoln School building.  
    The 82-year-old elementary school will be closed at the end of the school year.  First and second graders will begin the 2008-09 school year in the expanded Clear Creek Elementary School.
    “As we vacate the premises, it does become a liability for us,” said School Board President Ron Andrews, who led the ad hoc committee meeting for the board Monday.  About 15 persons attended to give their input concerning potential future uses of the Lincoln School site.
    City Administrator Scott Flory and Economic Development Corporation President-Elect Vickie Snyder both encouraged development on the site which would generate tax dollars and potential growth for the community.
    Local developer Randy Cram agreed, saying he could envision a “win-win” situation for the school district and city if the 4.25 acre site would be developed.
    “If a project could appeal to first-time (home) buyers or young families, it could bring more children for the school district and generate more tax dollars for the city,” said Cram.  “The infrastructure is in place, making it less expensive to develop, and residential TIF funding could be used to tear down the older portion of the building.”
    Rod Pump said he hoped the school district would pursue saving the school building in its entirety, saying it holds significant sentimental value for many.  He said the central location of the site makes it ideal for the re-location of the city’s parks and recreation department, police and fire units, or possibly an interpretive welcome center.  

The Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual meeting Thursday, Jan. 10. Award winners recognized at the meeting included (front L-R): Vickie Snyder, representing Dean Snyder Construction, Industry of the Year; Gene Madson, Chamber Member of the Year; Denni Sue Erickson, representing the Clear Lake Arts Center, Business of the Year; (back L-R): Carolyn Pope, representing Cookies, Etc., Retailer of the Year; and Libbey Hohn, Larry Luker Volunteer of the Year Award. For more about the Chamber’s Annual Meeting and others recognized with awards, see page 2.-Submitted photo

    Libbey Hohn, Director of Sales with Best Western Holiday Lodge was named as the Larry Luker Volunteer of the Year at the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting.  Hohn was recognized for her service and dedication to the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, for her efforts having been a member of the First Mates Committee for five years, chairing the group for the last year and has volunteered countless hours for various Chamber Events including July 4th, Harvest Festival, and Taste of Clear Lake.  In addition, she has helped man the Tourism Booth at the Eastern Iowa and Des Moines Sport Shows, participates in membership plaque presentations/ribbon cuttings and other public appearances. A Charter Member of the Clear Lake Lions Pride Club since 2004, she has served as an officer on the Board of Directors since then and is the current president, volunteering at their annual pancake breakfast, 4th of July Parade, Harvest Festival booth, and various other fundraising events.  She also volunteers for Give the Kids the World Charity, and volunteers to read at IRIS (Iowa Radio Reading Information Service) for the visually impaired.

The land belonging to Dorance Day, of Ventura, and his family is a very special place to them and it will now be left as it is forever.
Dorance loves the 4.82 acre parcel of land his grandfather purchased in 1900. Over the course of many years he transformed it into a special natural place for the wildlife. His work is now complete and he has turned its care over to the Hancock County Conservation Board and Mother Nature.
Located just south of Klemme on Taft Avenue, the property will be managed by the Hancock County Conservation Board as an inviolate refuge for the wildlife that flourish there.
Goldfinches, Red-Breasted Nuthatches, Northern Cardinal, Golden-Crowned Kinglet, Great Horned Owl and many tracks and signs of other game and non-game species call the area home. Since the family wishes to have this area strictly managed as an inviolate refuge, no hunting, trapping or trespassing will be allowed.
The refuge is to be named the “D.S. Day Wildlife Refuge”.
The piece of land is part of a parcel purchased in 1900 by Dorance Day’s grandfather, William Smith. Since a young man, Dorance has had an avid interest in the out-of-doors, wildlife, hunting and fishing. When he retired in 1976, he began to plant several species of shrubs and trees with the idea that as they matured, they would provide quality habitat for area wildlife. This planting continued until 1991. Each was hand-planted, hand-watered and mowed around to give them a good start. Dorance, 91, and his son Gary, 71, have spent countless hours on this land and have hunted and fished together for 62 years.

The Clear Lake boys basketball team dropped two close contests this week.
Zach attack
Clear Lake’s Zach Monson (21) and Zach Mueller aren’t letting this Garner player move. -Reporter photo by Eric Morf

Clarion-Goldfield 50, Clear Lake 48
Clarion-Goldfield tipped in a missed lay-up at the buzzer for a 50-48 win over Clear Lake Friday, Jan. 11.
“We had a nine point lead at half time (32-23), but we struggled offensively in the second half,” said Coach Kevin Kahler. “We just had too many mistakes to try and overcome.”
The Cowboys made the most out of the halftime break and went on a run to start the third quarter. That momentum continued throughout the second half.
The usually deep and balanced Lion offense struggled, with only Jared Sholly and Sean McChesney scoring in double figures. Sholly finished with 20 points and six rebounds, while McChesney had 19 points and six boards.
Charlie Peterson and Zach Monson had four points apiece, with Monson also recording four blocks and four rebounds. Zach Mueller added one point.
“Sean and Jared played very well, and I thought we had good contribution off our bench with Lukas Matheson and Zach Mueller,” said Coach Kahler.

Garner-Hayfield 50, CL 45
The Lions were on the short end of another close game Saturday, Jan. 12, at Garner. The Cardinals emerged with a five-point non-conference victory.

It was a week of ups and downs as the Ventura boys basketball team hit the road for three games.
Don’t even try it!
This shot is going no where thanks to tight defensive pressure by Jeremiah Hagen.  Ready to lend a hand is Aaron Chrisitians (53).  -Reporter photo by Michelle Watson

TRV 71, Ventura 63
Twin River Valley brought their best game on Monday, Jan. 7, and that was enough to beat Ventura, 71-63.
“I have said it before, but teams are going to play their best against us because they see us as the top in the conference,” said Ventura Coach Nick Schauf.
Two TRV players scored in the 20’s, which is something Ventura rarely allows. The Thunder also shot close to 66 percent, which Schauf noted is very good.
“Our post defense was not what it should have been, because we let them catch the ball in the lane too easily,” said Schauf.
The game was a battle from the beginning, with each team scoring 18 points in the first quarter. TRV got a slight jump in the second quarter with a 42-36 halftime lead. The third and fourth quarters were also close, but Ventura could never close the gap.
The TRV defense was able to hold Ventura’s post player, Tyler Betz, to only five points, something no other team has done this season.
Cody Kadolph picked up the slack and collected 27 points, including a game high six baskets from the three-point line. Tyler Peterson was also hot from the arc, dumping in three for nine points on his way to a game total of 16 points. Rounding out the scoring was Josh Henely with eight, Brian Mostrom had three and Jeremiah Hagen and Aaron Christians each had two points.

Wild game feed to be held Jan. 19
     The Ventura Gun Club will hold a wild game feed fund raiser on Saturday, Jan. 19, at the Ventura Community Center.  Social hour begins at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m.  Each person is asked to donated $10.  A silent auction will also be held.  Tickets are available from Larry Coe, John Monson, Dave Wickman, Steve Schutte, Arlen Throne, Dr. Harold Beckner, Matt Coe, Mark Scholl, Tim Gerdes, Mike Halverson or at the door.  For questions call 357-5886 or 641-998-2398.

Used wrestling equipment wanted
    Anyone having used wrestling equipment that they would like to donate to the Might Lions Wrestling Club is asked to contact Kim Trebil at 357-6516.  Shoes and singlets are especially needed.

Lakette Bowling announces winners
    The Lakette Bowling league met on Thursday, Jan. 3, at Lake Lanes in Clear Lake.  Winners included:  Individual High Game, Marian Strayer, 206; Individual 3-Game Series, Marian Strayer, 562; Team High Game, Whitehurst Mowing, 722; Team 3-Game Series, Whitehurst Mowing, 2,048.  Splits: Kelly Dickes, 3-10; Marian Strayer, 6-7-10 and Jennifer Grimsley, 4-5.  USBC Award Marian Strayer for a 200 game.   The league also met on Thursday, Jan. 10.  Winners included:  Individual High Game, Deb Hudson, 188; Individual 3-Game Series, Deb Hudson, 503; Team High Game, Dickes Drywall, 721; Team 3-Game Series, Dickes Drywall, 2,033.  Splits: Kelly Dickes and Linda Fessler, 5-6; Barb Hicok, 3-10 and Kathy Astor, 4-5.  USBC Award to Deb Hudson for a 500 series.

Open gym to be held in Ventura

The Clear Lake wrestling team went 6-1 in dual meets this past week, with its only loss coming to fifth ranked Denver -Tripoli.
Clear Lake beat Charles City, 48-17, and Iowa Falls, 64-7, but lost to Denver 35-33. The Lions also won all four duals at Wapsie Valley.
The loss to Denver proved to be the most exciting of the week. The Lions were trailing 20-0, but stormed back to take the lead.
The two most highly anticipated matches of the night lived up to their billing. Joe Colon had a rematch with Levi Wolfensberger, who he beat 11-9 in the state finals. Colon pinned Wolfensberger in the first period before a loud crowd. The next match at 119 pitted state runner-up Blake Sorenson against third ranked Tucker Weber. Sorensen is a national champion in his age group as well as a triple crown winner. Weber beat Sorenson in double overtime.
Those two wins were not enough, however, as Denver won the last two matches of the night to pull out the win.

“James Moran and Tanner Lacey each had two big wins against Charles City. They are both gaining a lot of experience,” said Clear Lake Coach Gary Weber.

CL 48, Charles City 17