Campground trick-or-treating at Mill Creek Park

O’Brien County Conservation invites trick-or-treaters and campers to Mill Creek Park for a ghoulish night of fun.

The conservation board is offering free camping to patrons who camp on the night of Saturday, Oct. 2. In exchange, campers are requested to get into the Halloween spirit by decorating their campsite and handing out candy to trick-or-treaters. Trick-or-treaters will go to each participating campsite from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Whether you deck out your campsite in Halloween decorations, dress up in your favorite costume or both, the conservation board hopes you plan to join in this fun family event to kick off the Halloween spirit.

For more information about this event, contact the O’Brien County Conservation Board at (712) 295-7200.

Homeschool nature programs to be held

The O’Brien County Conservation Board invites families who are homeschooling to take part in monthly programs this fall and winter. Homeschool nature programs will provide opportunities to discover the outdoors, have hands-on learning experiences and explore natural history.

Each month will focus on a different topic during a 1-1/2 hour program. Children of all ages are invited to join and must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required for each program of interest.

October’s homeschool nature program will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 5, at Mill Creek Park from 1:30-3 p.m. Participants will see if they can survive in nature. They will learn how to use a compass, try out different fire building styles and practice building a shelter out of things found in nature.

To register for the program and to learn more about each monthly topic visit https://prairieheritagecenter.org/programs-education/school-program/. For questions or more information contact Naturalist Abbie Parker at (712) 295-7200.

Mini naturalists to learn about natural world

The O’Brien County Conservation Board invites youth ages 2-5 to join for a great hands-on introduction to the natural world in the Mini Naturalists program. This hour-long program will focus on a different topic each month and may include games, story time, crafts and interactive experiences.

October’s Mini Naturalist program will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 6 at Mill Creek Park, from 10-11 a.m. The program will explore Mill Creek Park and see what critters and other nature fun finds participants come across. You will also do some animal yoga along the way.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. To register and to learn more about each monthly topic visit https://prairieheritagecenter.org/programs-education/school-program/. For questions or more information contact Naturalist Abbie Parker at (712) 295-7200.

H-M-S menus

Monday, Sept. 27: Breakfast – Cereal, muffin (9-12), fruit, juice; Lunch – Chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, cooked carrots, peaches, roll (9-12).

Tuesday, Sept. 28: Breakfast – Egg/cheese biscuit, fruit, juice; Lunch – Hot dog/bun, fries, baked beans, applesauce.

Wednesday, Sept. 29: Breakfast – Breakfast pizza, fruit, juice; Lunch – Nachos, lettuce/tomatoes, mixed fruit, bread (9-12).

Thursday, Sept. 30: Breakfast – Pancake/sausage bites, fruit, juice; Lunch – Italian pasta bake, garlic toast, romaine salad, green beans.

Milk served with each meal. Fruit/veggie bar served with lunch.

Seasons Center hosting free kids’ carnival

Seasons Center for Behavioral Health is hosting a kids’ carnival on Thursday, Sept. 23, from 4-7 p.m. This free family-friendly event is open to the public and families of all ages are welcome. The carnival will take place in front of Autumn’s Center located at 120 East 5th Street in Spencer.

“We’ll have all of the carnival favorites like face painting, inflatables, games and prizes,” said Stephanie Pohar, Marketing & Events Coordinator at Seasons Center, in a news release. “Due to COVID-19, we were unable to host an in-person event last year. We are really excited to once again be offering this fun event to families in and around the Spencer area.”

Autumn’s Center, which opened in 2016, is a regional children’s center specifically designed to serve children and families. It provides evidence-based treatments for children who have experienced abuse, neglect, grief, loss, bullying or a mental health condition.

“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to create ongoing challenges for everyone, including kids. Families need to know where they can turn for help. They need to understand the impacts this virus has had, and will continue to have, on each of us and have a plan for getting the support they may need,” Pohar said. “Events like the Autumn’s Center kids’ carnival provide an opportunity to promote positive mental health among families, friends and neighbors in a fun environment.”

If necessary, updates regarding weather will be posted on Seasons Center’s website at http://www.seasonscenter.org (Events page) and Facebook page.

Between the Covers to discuss ‘Dear Edward’

Between the Covers Book Club members will be discussing Ann Napolitano’s 2020 novel “Dear Edward” when they meet on Tuesday, Sept. 28 at 5 p.m., in the front room of Hartley Public Library.

When a flight from Newark headed toward Los Angeles goes down, 12-year-old Edward Adler is the sole survivor. Even as his story captures media attention, he strives to find a place in his world without his family. A part of him seems to have been left behind with the other passengers in the plane. Then he makes a discovery human have always struggled with – when you’ve lost everything, how do you find the strength to go on and feel safe again? How do you find meaning in your life?

Everyone is welcome join in the discussion of this book. Call (712) 928-2080 for more information.

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.

CC/E menus

Monday, Sept. 27: Breakfast – Cold cereal, toast, fruit, yogurt, juice; Lunch – Chicken nuggets, French fries, mixed vegetables, pears.

Tuesday, Sept. 28: Breakfast – Scrambled egg, cold cereal, toast, fruit, yogurt, juice; Lunch – Brat, carrots, fruit cocktail, carnival cookie.

Wednesday, Sept. 29: Breakfast – Waffles, cold cereal, toast, fruit, yogurt, juice; Lunch – Pulled pork, baked beans, coleslaw, orange.

Thursday, Sept. 30: Breakfast – Egg wrap, cold cereal, toast, fruit, yogurt, juice; Lunch – Beef nachos, corn, rice, banana.

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

Property tax installments due Sept. 30

The first half installment of property taxes is due Thursday, Sept. 30. In Clay County, payments may be made by mail or dropped off in the boxes on the north and south side of the Administration Building.

Property tax information may be obtained online at http://www.iowatreasurers.org or by calling the Clay County treasurer’s office at (712) 262-2179. Transaction fees apply to payments made online by E-check or with the use of debit and credit cards. Payments may also be made in the treasurer’s office at 300 West 4th Street in Spencer, from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

According to Treasurer LeAnn Black, payment must be received in her office or postmarked by Sept. 30 in order to avoid penalty.

Grief recovery program begins Oct. 7

Warner Funeral Home is sponsoring “Circle of Care,” a six-week grief recovery support group for people grieving the death of a loved one.

Each week the group will examine a different grief-related topic in a non-threatening setting where participants are encouraged but not forced to share their feelings and, in turn, receive support from others in attendance.

This group will begin meeting on Thursday, Oct. 7, at 6:30 p.m. at the Spencer Area Activity Center (Senior Center), 104 East 4th Street in Spencer. For more information or to register for the group, please call Diane Sparks, at Warner Funeral Home, at (712) 262-3640.

All are welcome to attend.