Community Calendar dates due Sept. 8

The Community Calendar for the communities of Hartley, Melvin and May City will be distributed again this year. Clubs and organizations wishing to list their meeting dates are asked to bring or send them to The Sentinel- News office.

H-M-S school activities will also be listed. There is no charge to have meeting dates listed on the calendar. Dates should be submitted no later than Wednesday, Sept. 8.

When the calendars are printed, they will be available as a courtesy of the sponsors.

Holiday closing, event at HPL

The Hartley Public Library will be closed Sept. 4-6 for the Labor Day holiday.

The library will be hosting New Dungeon & Dragons for freshmen, from 2-5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 8.

Experience monarch butterfly migration

Monarch butterflies will start their great migration south in September. Learn all about these magnificent butterflies and take part in a citizen science project of tagging them on Tuesday, Sept. 14, at Mill Creek Lodge from 5:30-6 p.m.

Meet at the lodge for a short presentation on monarchs, their life cycle and amazing migratory journey. Then have your butterfly net ready or borrow one from O’Brien County Conservation Board to hit the trail to tag monarch butterflies as part of the citizen science project. Participants will be placing small tags on the butterflies’ wings which will allow data to be returned to scientists studying the monarch migration.

Registration is required for this event. Please register by 4 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 13. COVID-19 precautions are in place for all programs. For more information and to register visit http://www.prairieheritagecenter.org or contact Naturalist Abbie Parker at (712) 295-7200 or aparker@obriencounty.iowa.gov.

Learn about nature photography at PHC class

Grab your camera and learn from an expert about nature photography. Dan Verrips, of Verrips Photography, will be leading a class at the Prairie Heritage Center on Saturday, Sept. 18. Verrips will share tips and tricks to help you become a better nature photographer.

The class will start at 7:30 a.m. at the Prairie Heritage Center. A short lesson will be covered and then participants will head outdoors to capture photos. The afternoon will be used to review photos together as a class. No special camera is needed; bring what you have.

The class is limited to eight participants and registration is required. Please register by 4 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 13. COVID-19 precautions are in place for all programs. For more information and to register visit http://www.prairieheritagecenter.org or contact Naturalist Abbie Parker at (712) 295-7200 or aparker@obriencounty.iowa.gov.

Try it Out: Atlatls & Archery

Looking for a different hobby this fall or just a chance to try out a new target sport? Join the O’Brien County Conservation Board at Crosbie Wildlife and Nature Youth Center on Thursday, Sept. 23 from 5-6 p.m. to try out atlatls and archery.

An atlatl is a spear-throwing tool that uses leverage to throw a dart or spear. It is a target sport technology that has been used for tens of thousands of years. You won’t want to miss trying out this ancient, but fun target sport. Then level up and use a bow and arrows to see how great your aim is with archery. O’Brien County Conservation Board will supply the atlatl and archery equipment for you to use.

Registration is required for this event. Please register by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 22. COVID-19 precautions are in place for all programs. For more information and to register visit http://www.prairieheritagecenter.org or contact Naturalist Abbie Parker at (712) 295-7200 or aparker@obriencounty.iowa.gov.

CC/E menus

Monday, Sept. 6: No School – Labor Day.

Tuesday, Sept. 7: Breakfast – Scrambled egg, cold cereal, toast, fruit, yogurt, juice; Lunch – Creamed chicken, mashed potatoes, peas, strawberry cup, dinner roll.

Wednesday, Sept. 8: Breakfast – Pizza, cold cereal, toast, fruit, yogurt, juice; Lunch – Mr. Rib on bun, baked beans, coleslaw, apple.

Thursday, Sept. 9: Breakfast – Blueberry muffin, cold cereal, toast, fruit, yogurt, juice; Lunch – Orange chicken, stir fry vegetables, rice, banana.

Friday, Sept. 10: Breakfast – Donut, cold cereal, toast, fruit, yogurt, juice; Lunch – Sub sandwich, broccoli, baked chips, applesauce.

Menus are subject to change at any time. Milk is served with each meal.

Royal library hours

The Royal Public Library is operating normally. Hours remain the same: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 3-5 p.m .; and Tuesday and Saturday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Al Anon meetings

Al Anon meetings are held at the following locations each week:

Wednesday, 8 p.m., 511 Southmoor, Spencer; Thursday, 8 p.m., Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Royal; Sunday, 7 p.m., Sanford Medical Center, 118 N 7th Ave., Sheldon.

All are welcome to attend.

Town and Country Innovation marks 6th year in 2021

Town and Country Innovation Show will celebrate its sixth year of competition at the 2021 Clay County Fair powered by SMU, Sept. 11-19, in a brand new location.

“Due to the renovation of the Ag Marketplace to the new Farm Nutrients Small Animal Barn, we needed a new home for this creative department,” said fair manager Jeremy Parson in a news release. “We are excited to move this department into the Fields & Gardens Building located next to the Art Barn.”

The fair’s Town and Country Innovation Show, which began in 2015, started from the back of every “Successful Farmer” magazine, specifically, the page headlined as “All Around the Farm.” After three successful years, the department has changed its name to incorporate more opportunities for people to exhibit their greatest creations.

Entries can be anything from a simple improvement to an everyday household appliance, an adaptation to existing tools and machines, or even a brand new invention. Some examples of past entries include a garden hose adapter, a flower planter made out of an old school desk, a calf catcher and a work-table made from a cable spool.

“Bucket of Junk,” which focuses on being innovative and resourceful with a five-gallon bucket of identifiable junk, will also return again this year.

The Town and Country Innovation exhibits are judged on workmanship, usefulness, appearance, design and creativity.

There are no entry fees and exhibitors also do not need to be residents of Clay County. New exhibitors are also encouraged to enter their creations at the Fair. There is a division for everyone, youth and adults.

Check out the exhibitor handbook online at http://www.claycountyfair.com or pick one up at the Fair Administrative Offices to find the rules and guidelines to enter your work at the Fair. Pre-registration deadline for all exhibits was Aug. 29. For those who chose not to pre-register, registration can also occur when entries are accepted at the Fields & Gardens Building on Thursday, Sept. 9 from 4-6 p.m., unless an appointment has been made.

Small animals on the move at the 2021 Clay Co. Fair

Fairgoers looking for poultry and rabbits at the 2021 Clay County Fair will find them in a different location, the new Farm Nutrients Small Animal Barn.

The new barn, located on the south side of the fairgrounds in the former Ag Marketplace, will include coop and pen spaces, a show ring, and an educational space for fairgoers to learn more about poultry and rabbits.

“The new space is a state-of-the-art facility that we are very excited to provide to exhibitors and fairgoers,” said fair manager Jeremy Parsons in a news release. “The Farm Nutrients Small Animal Barn will be a premiere small animal facility, and I would put it up against any other facility of its kind in the nation.”

Every year, the Small Animal Barn is home to 4-H/FFA rabbit and poultry shows, along with open class rabbit shows. In recent years, small animal projects have become increasingly more popular.

“We’ve seen tremendous growth in both the poultry and rabbit shows at the fair,” said Parsons. “In future years we hope to add an open class poultry show.”

Vendors who were previously in the building when it was the Ag Marketplace have been moved to new locations on the fairgrounds, and the old Small Animal Barn will be turned into additional space for the Fair’s growing horse show.

Exhibitors who wish to enter for the open class rabbit show at the 2021 Clay County Fair can register by going to claycountyfair.com and clicking on “Competitions.” Exhibitors interested in showing in the 4-H/FFA poultry and rabbit shows can contact ISU Extension Clay County at (712) 262-2264.

This year’s fair runs Sept. 11-19.

Central Park full of fun activities at 2021 fair

Interactive family fun and a brand-new Hispanic Festival will highlight Central Park at the 2021 Clay County Fair powered by SMU, Sept. 11-19.

Sunday, Sept. 12 will feature the Fair’s first Hispanic Festival throughout the afternoon with specialty vendors and local favorite Rey De Rancho, a popular norteña band.

On Saturday, Sept. 11, find out what the best food is at the Fair with the World’s Greatest County Fair Food Contest at 3 p.m. Finalists for the competition will be announced prior to the Fair, and fairgoers will also have the opportunity to select a “People’s Choice” Award winner.

Central Park will also host interactive educational experiences. The Iowa Corn Growers Association brings Iowa Corn Day on Thursday, Sept. 16 with exhibits and presentations showcasing the importance of this crop in Iowa and beyond.

Friday, Sept. 17 is Iowa Dairy Day. Sponsored by the Western Iowa Dairy Alliance, Dairy Day lets fairgoers learn about the importance of the dairy industry in Iowa through different displays and activities.

Events Center Ballroom highlights for 2021 Fair

The EuroCAST Ballroom in the Events Center will bring a variety of speakers and performers to the 2021 Clay County Fair powered by SMU, Sept. 11-19.

On Sunday, Sept. 12, Spencer Radio Group will host the SRG Prices are Right. This is a family friendly show where you can “come on down” and win lots of prizes. Doors will open at 4:45 p.m., with the show starting at 5:30 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 13 is Veteran’s Appreciation Day at the Fair. At 11 a.m., there will be a Veterans Day Program featuring performances by the Iowa Lakes Community College music department. Later that day at 2 p.m. will be a special patriotic music by Glenn Henriksen. Henriksen will also be performing on Tuesday, Sept. 14 as part of the fair’s Senior Day.

On Thursday, Sept. 16, the Iowa Corn Growers Association will present the acclaimed public speaker, Iowa Nice Guy Scott Siepker. Siepker will present his unique take on life in Iowa at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3 p.m.

The Browns will close out the fair on Sunday, Sept. 19 at 2 p.m. It’s truly a family affair when The Browns hit the stage with their music. The musical stylings of Adam, Michaela and Andrew exude excitement on the stage and offer an experience to all who hear them. The Browns deliver the powerful message of the gospel through word and song that engage audiences of all ages.

Outdoor Arena events at the fair

Horses will be the featured attraction every day at the Outdoor Arena during the 2021 Clay County Fair powered by SMU, Sept. 11-19.

The Outdoor Arena will host daily open class horse shows, as well as 4-H and FFA horse shows. Open class (Paint, Appaloosa, Quarter, Pony Halter and Performance) shows will be Sept. 11-13 before the start of the 4-H and FFA shows on Sept. 14-16. The second weekend of the fair, Sept. 17-19, will feature both big and little horses in several open class divisions including pony and miniature halter; miniature, pony and draft driving; and the North American Cart and Six-Horse Hitch Classic Series.

The North American Classic Cart and Six-Horse Hitch Series will attract a large number of fairgoers Sept. 18-19. The show will feature a $1,000 prize for the winning hitch both days. The hitch classes will begin at noon, giving attendees two full afternoons to watch horses and hitches.

Besides daily horse shows, special events will also take over the Outdoor Arena. The Ranch Rodeo on Sept. 12 includes various ranch style activities, such as roping a calf, sorting cattle and milking a wild cow. On Sept. 17, Team Roping returns.

HLC food pantry

Current hours for the food pantry at Hope Lutheran Church in Everly are Wednesdays, 1-5 p.m. Everyone is allowed to come in and pick out their food, but masks are required.