Here are 3 photos taken by Sara Lugar Ouverson'67 at Homer Bienfang's 80th birthday party. The party was March 21, 2009 and was held at Roller City in Mason City, IA. (Missing one more and will send later)

Clearview Roller Rink was built and run by Homer and Pat Bienfang. It was located across from Lion's Field and today is the home of Paradise Parties. First we skated at Bayside, then Silver Boot (this building now has Secory Bonded Plumbing and various other businesses) and then Clearview. Many of us took advantage of the skating lessons and we even put on skating shows! I remember one year we had a Halloween costume party--I was a lighted Christmas tree and Julie Coyier Hlemer's '67 was a pumpkin. I still have my skates and metal skate case with the Clearview sticker--how I saved my money for rabbit pom pom's and precision wheels! Jean Dawson (Lori Dawson Day-Koenniger's '67 mother) worked for Homer for years. If I remember correctly, Pat's father also worked there as did Craig "63 and Joe Jensen '66. We always ended the night skating to "Good Night Irene".

I'll bet if you start an area on Clearview Roller Rink you will get memories from other skaters. Merlea Amundson Schultz '67

Clear View Roller Rink was my home away from home. I was there when it was open.

I stayed till it closed at 11pm.

I didn't skate when my children we too little , but as soon as they could get skates on I took them mostly so I could skate. I still went after it was sold but not as often.

I worked behind the counter, sold tickets and pop etc on Sat. and Sun. afternoon even for a short time. My brothers were skate boys , handing out skates , doing repair and tightening loose wheels.

I visited with Homer recently about the History of Clear View. Homers father was a builder and he built rinks in Iowa Falls, Cedar Falls and Newton Iowa, each one larger than the last. He wanted to build one more and chose Clear Lake.

Clear View was started in May of 1959 and opened 1 year later in may of 1960. It was constructed with a maple floor, considered the best material to skate on. I agree whole heartedly!! Poured floors don't grip the wheels as well.

Clear View was billed as The largest roller Rink In Iowa. It was open 7 days a week. Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. Afternoons on Saturday and Sunday, Private Parties filled the other evenings.

Jeanne Dawson worked the counter selling admission tickets and Pop and candy etc.

I think it was 35 cents in 1960. It was 75 Cents for a long time. Now I have paid $6.50 in 2009

Tom Thompson, Pat's father, was the security in the parking Lot watching the cars so there was nothing happing to your car or any fights on the property. The lot was filled every evening on the weekend to capacity. Kids came form a fifty mile radius to skate. Homer said "He could have put a sign up that read "Want to meet someone?" Many people met there over the years. I know It was a great Place to meet guys !!

The community embraced and supported the rink. Homer ran a tight ship. The rules were set and you followed them no questions. Your kids were in good hands while there.

Homer finished his education and sold the rink to pursue a teaching career, from Rockwell Ia.to 18 years at NIACC.

My memories of the Couples, Trio, Two step and waltz are some of the best and the final song of the night "Good Night Irene" are still as if it were yesterday.

Sara Lugar Ouverson

Class of 1967