Clickity Clacc - A Day at the Center

It may seem like not much happens at the Clear Lake Area Community Center (CLACC), and some days that is almost true. But other days are abuzz with activity, from community members using this 104-year old building to meet, conduct business, or shop for bargains, to refreshes, updates and maintenance that keeps the heart of our community thriving.

Recently, a brief email recap highlighted ONE day's hustle and bustle that I wanted to share. Not to brag (maybe a little), but to share the joy of accomplishment as well as the satisfaction of seeing a community pull together to get 'er done.

Clear Lake, you do it like nobody else can.

What's happening at the Center?  Is anything getting done?  Well, let me tell you!

From an email dated April 28, 2026, from president Tim Wyss:

"Yesterday the [Clear Lake] high school staff toured the Community Center. They were given an impressive list of our tenants and shown around the building.  We stopped at the fitness center, the event center, the thrift shop, the gymnastics program and then toured the top two floors of the building. Two of the staff were former teachers in the 'old high school' and a fair number of staff were graduates of the building.  Chris Petersen amazed the group by remembering the combination and opening up his junior high and high school lockers.  Chad Eggert remembered where his locker was and the names of the boys who had lockers up and down the hallway from him. I guess the girls from a different class were assigned lockers on the opposite side of the hallway.

"Ray Cress nearly finiished putting the mulch on the landscaping and trimed some of the overgrown plantings today.  Earlier I hauled trimmings out to the "dump" near the wastewater treatment plant.  There's more to pick up tomorrow.

"The automatic door opener was installed for Lifeline Food Pantry. Tomorrow when clients arrive and leave, the door will open for them at the touch of a button. The door #1 button [the main entrance by Sunshine Fitness] is being worked on. It needs more than just a new battery.

"Now that additional shelving has been installed by Mark Rundquist and me [Tim Wyss] in the [Thrift Shop] sorting room, it is beginning to display a level of organization that we've wanted to achieve since moving into that space.  In addition to the shelving that we purchased and re-assembled, the public library donated book shelves that have been installed in that room too.

"Mark Rundquist is installing barriers near the gas shut-off in the kitchen to prevent the damage  from reoccuring that was done recently.

"Neil Lillie mowed the Center's lawns today.  The freshly cut grass and the newly installed mulch makes the Center look like a community showcase.

"Muriel Nelson was working on grant writing in the office most of the day.  Wendy was doing bookwork and later getting the urns that the Clark family donated situated so when the time arrives, they can be planted.

"How's that for a busy day at the Center of Things!

"-Tim

To summarize, so much happens at the Center that many do not even realize! If you are willing to lend your time and talents, I promise we have a need! But, I have to warn you: it's a lot more fun than your average volunteer gig. And, the feeling of giving and accomplishing with a team of your neighbors is addicting!

Editorial by Wendy Schoggins

Tim and Mark (not pictured) assemble shelves for the Old School Thrift Shop