Cattle show is Saturday near Everly

The annual Hartley-Everly Open Class Cattle Show is slated for Saturday, Aug. 1, at 1 p.m. Weigh-in will take place from 9-11 a.m.

The cattle show is held one mile south of Barb’s Corner near Everly. Weigh-in runs from 9-11 a.m.

O’Brien County Relay For Life set for Aug. 3

O’Brien County Relay For Life will look a little different this year due to COVID-19 rules and social distancing. Instead of the usual walk to raise funds for cancer education and research, a parade and picnic are planned.

A take-and-go meal will be served at the Sheldon City Park Gazebo on Monday, Aug. 3 from 5-8:30 p.m. A short program will be held in the Sheldon High School parking lot at 6:30 p.m., where the parade for cancer survivors will assemble at 6 p.m. You are encouraged to decorate your vehicle with name, survivor or loved one’s information like how many years they’ve been cancer free.

The parade will go past Fieldcrest and the Christian Retirement Home and continue down the traditional parade route on Ninth Street. Organizers encourage the public to join along the route to support the survivors.

Supporters will be able to purchase raffle tickets and luminaria bags at the shelter house. Luminaria bags in honor and memory of loved ones will be on display there, also. Raffle tickets include two propane gas exchanges, RiseFest tickets for 2021, family pool pass, four golf packages at different courses and four different restaurant cards.

Social distancing and the use of masks will be encouraged. If you would rather stay in your car, Relay organizers will be happy to serve you in that manner.

Contact any of the following individuals for more information: Cindy Runger (712) 541-7122, Kathy Feuerstein (712) 324-2617, Karla Robinet (712) 752-8284, Sheryl Storm (712) 723-5270 or Loretta Vander Linden (712) 324-2273.

Fun day planned at Hartley pool

Free swimming will be offered at the Hartley pool on Wednesday, Aug. 5. Guests are encouraged to bring their favorite water toys. Snacks and drinks will be provided. Hours are 1-5 p.m., and 6-8 p.m.

H-M-S registration is Aug. 5-6

Registration of students for the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Community School District for the upcoming 2020-21 school year will be held from noon-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 5 and Thursday, Aug. 6.

All district families should have received a registration newsletter in their mailboxes detailing the registration process for this year. Other information in the newsletter includes yearly legal notices, inclement weather notifications, bus rules, updated meal fees and the H-M-S meal policy. The insert in the newsletter details registration options.

On the back of the newsletter is an invitation from the H-M-S Parents in Education group to attend a fun time for families during the elementary school open house night on Thursday, Aug. 22.

Cross country team camp is Aug. 3-6

The Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn cross country team will be having team camp Aug. 3-6, from 6-7:30 p.m. at the high school track. Camp is free and open to all H-M-S students entering grades 7-12.

To register online, go to the middle school web page under “Camps”.

Live or virtual Bison Stampede Trail Run

The annual Bison Stampede Trail Run at the Prairie Heritage Center will be held both live and virtual, depending on each runner’s preference.

Visit http://www.prairieheritagecenter.org or call the Prairie Heritage Center at (712) 295-7200 to get race information and to register.

Children’s reading program at Royal library

Children of all ages are welcome to participate in Royal Public Library’s reading program which continues through Aug. 15.

Books may be checked out when the library is open or children can read books they have at home. Make a list of books read, put your name and address on the list and put it in the drop box at the library by Aug. 15. Prizes will be awarded.

Blood drive scheduled at Spencer

LifeServe Blood Center is asking community members to book an appointment to give blood at an upcoming area blood drive.

To help ensure the safety of blood donors and team members during the COVID-19 pandemic, LifeServe is enforcing several precautionary measures. Appointments are required. Donors who do not have an appointment will not be able to give blood. Donors should pre-screen themselves for fever prior to appointments. Only those with temperatures under 99.5 will be allowed to donate. Donors are required to wear a mask for the duration of their appointment. Those who do not have masks will be provided with one.

There will be a blood drive on Monday, Aug. 3, from 12:30-6 p.m. at Southpark Mall, 901 11th Street SW in Spencer. Schedule a blood donation appointment online at lifeservebloodcenter.org or call (800) 287-4903.

Food pantry at Hope Lutheran is open

The food pantry at Hope Lutheran Church in Everly is open. Hours are Mondays, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., and Wednesdays, 1-5 p.m. Please knock on the church door and food will be brought out to you.

Mobile mammography unit in Everly

The Avera Breast Center’s mammography unit will be at the Everly Public Library on Wednesday, Aug. 5. Call (712) 834-2390 to schedule your annual 3-D mammogram. The mobile unit is wheelchair accessible.

Hear what rocks have to say at PHC

“If These Rocks Could Talk” is the next program in the summer series offered by the O’Brien County Conservation Board. It will be held at the Prairie Heritage Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, from 4 until 6:30 p.m. This program takes a look a different types of rocks from collections as well as around the center.

Meet that naturalist under the picnic shelter by the shed between these hours. You and your group will be welcomed and given an introduction and instructions. Your group must not include more than 10 participants. Take-home materials will be provided and stations will be marked along the trail for your enjoyment. If at any point your group encounters another along the trail, please announce your presence and allow a safe passing distance.

Families are encouraged to attend together. Call the Prairie Heritage Center at (712) 295-7200 for more information.

Deadline approaches to apply for Last Dollar Scholarship

The application deadline for the Last Dollar Scholarship is Aug. 1. Application for this scholarship is completed by simply filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms.

If you are an Iowa resident, enrolled in a qualified program, and will be enrolled at Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon for the fall 2020-summer 2021 academic year, you may qualify to attend NCC tuition free through the Last Dollar Scholarship. This scholarship is not need based so if you have not received or qualified for financial aid in the past, it may be different now.

If you need free one-on-one assistance to complete your FAFSA, Iowa College Access Network (ICAN) has advisors who can meet virtually with you and your family. Appointments are required so call ICAN at (877) 272-4692 or go to ICAN’s website at icansucceed.org/about-ican/ican-locations/northwest-iowa-sheldon to schedule one.

For more information about the Iowa Last Dollar Scholarship please visit NCC’s website at nwicc.edu/future-ready-iowa. If you have questions, please email NCC’s Financial Aid Office at finaid@nwicc.edu or call (800) 352-4907.

Tools for caregivers online series begins Aug. 5

Thirty-nine percent of all adult Americans are caring for a loved one who is sick or has a disability. Caregiving can be a stressful responsibility leading to poor health, mental distress and less life satisfaction for the caregiver.

To find the support that caregivers need, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is offering Powerful Tools for Caregivers, a program for caregivers of children with special health and behavioral needs or for those who provide care for a spouse, parent or friend with a chronic condition such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. The program provides information, support strategies, communication techniques, stress reduction ideas and resources to assist family caregivers with their concerns related to caregiving.

An online Powerful Tools for Caregivers of Adults with Chronic Conditions series is scheduled for six Wednesdays, Aug. 5 through Sept. 9, from 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. The virtual series will provide participants with the tools they need to take care of themselves.

The program costs $35 per person or $40 per couple, and registration can be found online at: https://bit.ly/ptc16354. To learn more, visit https://www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/ptc.