The Kossuth County Advance asked fourth graders at Lucia Wallace Elementary and Bishop Garrigan to create drawings that are about “What the Holiday Means to Me.” This year’s winners, as selected by the staff members of Algona Publishing Company, are Brylee Sudol from Lucia Wallace and Meredith Marso from Bishop Garrigan. Meredith’s drawing is on the left and Brylee’s is on the right.

By Amy Frankl-Brandt

News Editor

ALGONA—Last Wednesday and Friday Algona High school Principal Jared Cecil allowed Algona Band students time off from classes. The students had the opportunity to work with 12 notable clinicians from Drake University and the University of Iowa, amongst other places in an effort to create and record 12 minutes of competitive music to submit to the Iowa Bandmasters Association (IBA), for potential selection.

By Jordan Behounek

KRHC Public

Relations Manager

The community health assessment survey offered by Kossuth County Public Health kicks off a community-wide discussion that involves local stakeholders and partners to focus on Kossuth County’s health needs and how to work together to meet those needs.

Santa and Mrs. Claus greet visitors of all ages at Christmas in Titonka.

The new Titonka Public Library director, Holt Erwin.

Donny Watkins helping with the Titonka Fire Department giving rides to children.

Chelsey Laubenthal enjoys a few laughs with friends.

Heather Brandt takes a break with her daughter Autumn.

Debbie Harms with her granddaughters.

The second winner of the holiday prize drawing was Jane Koppen who registered at Bloom Floral. She chose the $400 gift certificate from Hy-Vee. Pictured with Koppen is Hy-Vee’s manager Dan Steenhoek. The Algona Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors the holiday prize drawing. The businesses who are chosen each week will donate $150 of the prize amount with the chamber paying the remainder of $250. The last drawing was set for Dec. 18. Amy Frankl-Brandt photo

Kim Gilbert (right) was the third weekly winner from the Dec. 11 chamber holiday drawing. Gilbert chose the prize from Algona Publishing. Lyndsey Fowler, advertising representative with Algona Publishing, presented Gilbert with the prize of $400 in Algona Bucks. Kim Wegener photo

ESTHERVILLE-—The Iowa Lakes Community College Board of Trustees announces a leadership change with Arden Kinnander's appointment as the new board president and Bob Jennings as vice president.

Seniors from the AHS Football team traveled to the Iowa State Bank to collect the playoff football apparel donation.

From Algona High School, Tenille Phelps, daughter of Shelley Phelps and the late Michael Phelps. Pictured with Steve Young, teacher; Tenille, Shelley, and Mary Hanson, Kiwanis. From Algona Middle School, Olivia Snider, daughter of Andrea Vinci and Scott Snider. Pictured with Mike Vinci, Andrea Vinci, Olivia, Mary Hanson and Pete Waltz, teacher. From Bishop Garrigan Junior High, Noah Schafer, son of Kregg and Stephanie Schafer.

First grade Bulldog heroes are in first row from left: Charlie Olsen, Boe Kautz, Walter Schmitt, Lyla Carroll and Marie Brantner.

Second grade Bulldog heroes are in back row from left: Lincoln Baade, Luke Berte, Gunner Banta, Thea Thompson, Kaylee Ruby, Kaylee Hovinga, Alayna Fraker, Trista Wittkopf and Waylynn Henry.

Joy Metzger, assistant director at the Whittemore Library, read a Christmas story to children at the community center during the first-ever Miracle on 4th Street event in Whittemore on Dec. 6. Submitted photo

From left: Ashley Meyer holding Jett Meyer, Beau Meyer, Santa holding Jade Meyer, Chad Meyer holding Cruz Meyer, and Jules Meyer. Submitted photo

Many hallmarks of the holiday season, including Christmas trees, holiday decorations and festive meals present potential fire hazards that contribute to an annual increase in U.S. home fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association® Christmas Day and Christmas Eve are among the leading days of the year for home fires.

To update this information, email news@algona.com or call 515-295-3535. Some changes to schedules may occur without notice. 

____Libraries, Museums, recreation, EVENTS_____

Algona Nativity Scene: Mon. through Saturday, 2-8 p.m., Sunday, noon-8 p.m., through Dec. 31.

Algona POW Museum: Sat. and Sun. 1-4 p.m. through December, closed week days.

January 15, 1937 - December 14, 2023

Funeral Mass for Edward Cruise of Wesley was celebrated on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wesley. Burial was in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery with military rites provided by the American Legion Andrews Post #428 of Wesley.

By Sue Hicks

T

here once was a toymaker.

But he was more than a toymaker. Call him an engineer, an architect, a designer, if you will. He created many fantastic things. He settled down to making toys, not because he couldn’t make other things, but because toys delighted him so. There were two special toys, fashioned like a boy and a girl that he designed with extra special care.