Monday, Dec. 19

9 a.m.: Presbyterian Church

7 p.m.: Middle School Band  Concert

8 p.m.: Boys BB vs. Forest City

Tuesday, Dec. 20

9 a.m.: Trinity Lutheran Church

10 a.m.: Grace Church

7 p.m.: City Council

9 p.m.: Boys BB vs. Forest City

Wednesday, Dec. 21

9 a.m.: Faith Assembly of God

10:30 a.m.: Divine Mercy Catholic Church

11:30 a.m.: City Council

Thursday, Dec. 15

Santa visits, 5:30-7:30 p.m., State 5 Theatre lobby, sponsored by Algona Area Chamber of Commerce.

STEM Time for Homeschool Students:, 1:30-3 p.m., Fenton Public Library, ages 5-12.

Coffee and Chat, 9-10 a.m., Fenton Public Library.

Conversations Connect: Practice English and Spanish, 10-11 a.m., 5:30-6:30 p.m., Algona Public Library, adults and older students.

Blood drive in Wesley

LifeServe Wesley community blood drive will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Wesley Community Center on Tuesday, December 20. Schedule a blood donation appointment online at lifeservebloodcenter.org or call 800.287.4903 or Text LIFESERVE to 999-777 to schedule.

Holly day read-in

ALGONA—Area dancers had a rare opportunity to dance with the professional Des Moines Ballet company in one of the most famous ballets ‘The Nutcracker.’ These kids recognized that this was the chance of a lifetime and jumped at it. To have a famous ballet performed by a professional dance company in a small farming community is rare in itself.

ALGONA—This soon to be Christmas classic is beginning its theatrical rollout in Iowa and the Midwest.

Top photo: Daisy Mitchell, Natalie Kleier and Ruby Mitchell dressed as elves for Pancakes with Santa at the Community Center in Wesley.

Photo at right: Wrigley Wagner gives Santa a hug at the pancake breakfast and vendor show on December 3 in Corwith. Joella Leider photos

WEST BEND—After serving for the past 10 years as superintendent of the West Bend-Mallard School District and shared superintendent the last few years with the Gilmore City-Bradgate School District, Amanda Schmidt has submitted her resignation. Schmidt’s last day as superintendent in the districts will be Friday, June 30, 2023.

When asked about her future plans, Schmidt said, “Currently, I have no plans other than to spend more time with my family.”

Approximately 140 kids spent last Saturday afternoon making crafts, decorating cookies and visiting Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Algona Rotary Club’s Santa’s Family Workshop held at the First United Methodist Church in Algona.

Photos clockwise from top left: Piper Zabka had fun becoming an elf; Kimberly Sankey decorates a holiday cookie while her dad, Tim, looks on; and Brody Rowley talks with Mrs. Claus as his brother, Liam, waits his turn. Kim Wegener photos

DES MOINES—Their coaches said the Bishop Garrigan Dance Team wowed the crowd at the 2023 Iowa State Dance Championship on November 30 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

After strong performances, Bishop Garrigan took home first place trophies in Class 1 Pom and Class 1 Kick. Ella Schaaf won second place in Class 1 Solos out of 70 dancers. The team also earned the Academic Achievement Award for teams with a GPA of 3.5-4.0.

Santa was in Corwith on Dec. 3 for pancakes and to get some things from local vendors who help out during his busiest season.

Photos clockwise from left: Sharon Hankins with Royal Neighbors helps Kiley Norland with crafts, Denise Group reads to the kids, Todd Whilite makes pancakes for the hungry crowd and Kimber Mullenbach buys some goodies from Dawn Kirsch who owns Kirsch Gardens. Joella Leider photos

On November 19, the American Legion hosted its annual Feather Party in Wesley with a packed crowd of anxious people waiting to see if they could win a turkey. Far left photo shows Johnny Studer spinning the paddle wheel. Second photo is Aaliyah Seiler of Algona showing off the winning bingo ticket.

ALGONA—The Algona Leadership Class hosted a pajama party at the Kossuth County Ag and Motorsports Museum last Sunday, Dec. 4. People came in their pajamas to watch the movie Polar Express, tour the museum and the Arlen Benschoter train collection. “This is the most beautiful-est, most wonderful-est Christmas ever.” — Sarah.

Owner Bernie Merrill kept the crowd entertained at the chamber coffee held at the KLGA-KLGZ radio station last Friday, Dec, 2. Next week’s chamber coffee will be held at the Iowa State Bank drive-thru office on State St. at 9:30 a.m. Amy Frankl-Brandt photos

Steve and Vicki Mallory’s granddaughter Addison, age 13 and her Mom Katie, volunteer at Rescue Rehab Rehome, an animal rescue in Clive. A fundraiser was held in October for the shelter that operates totally on donations. Steve gave Addison the pennies he had been saving so she could donate the money to their fundraiser, 13,000 in all.

Kemna’s presented the Kossuth County Cancer Support Foundation a $1,605 check for individuals and/or families in the community battling cancer. Kemna employees and customers contributed to help support this worthy cause for their October fundraiser.