ANKENY—Several North Union FFA members participated in the Ignite-Amplify-Transform conferences at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny. Lead by current and past Iowa FFA Officers the events promoted and explored many areas of focus, including leadership, diversity, establishing and utilizing purpose, leaving a legacy and how to pay it forward.

On Dec 3, Santa and Mrs. Claus made a special trip to Wesley, for Pancakes with Santa.

Families and businesses decorated themed Christmas trees and donated them for the silent auction. Money raised from Pancakes With Santa and the tree auction will help purchase tables, chairs and other needed items for the Wesley Community Center.

Brooks Bjustrom of Algona meets Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Christmas party in Wesley.

ALGONA—The Algona Police welcomed a new patrol officer to the department. Jason Broad joined the team on Dec. 4.

Broad most recently served as a police officer for the City of Humboldt. He served four years in the United States Marine Corps, where he led a team of Marines in daily operations as the squad leader and achieved the rank of Sergeant. Broad is a graduate of the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy and is a trained Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).

LAKOTA —Valero’s Lakota Ethanol Plant distributed $75,000 to seven local charities from funds raised through the Valero Texas Open (VTO) and Valero Benefit for Children (BFC) and the Valero Community Investment grants. 

Children in Santa’s sleigh were portraying elves during the Little Rines Preschool Christmas concert and family night held on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at the West Bend-Mallard School in West Bend.

From left: Neithan Montalvo as Santa, Isabelle Ruppert, paraprofessional; Emmy Sch-neider, high school helper;  elves: Tate Winkelhorst, Autumn Cogdill, Ellisyn Zaugg, James Banwart and Emma Boyd.

Bishop Garrigan students in grades 3-12 worked in shifts to assemble meals on Friday, Dec. 1 in the Friedmann Auditorium at the high school. Students packaged 7,100 meals of Spanish rice and apple cinnamon oatmeal which will be sent to Morton, Miss. A group of seniors will be going on a mission trip to Morton later this school year.

Top photo: clockwise from left; Ethan Marso, Kollyn Wiemers, Ezekiel Elbert, Keagen Berte, Tristian Laubenthal and Tate Foertsch.

Stahl 90th

Former Algona and Lu Verne resident Leona Stahl will celebrate her 90th birthday on Dec. 16.

Her family is planning a card shower in her honor. Cards will reach her if sent to P.O. Box 42202, Urbandale, IA 50322.

Leona’s children are Paula, Diane, Steve and Cathy.

Kramer 65th

Alvin and Marge Kramer will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary on Dec. 27. Al and Marge were married at St. Cecelia Church in Algona. The couple lived in Algona until recently.

Their family would like to honor them with a card shower.  Cards may be sent to 200 SW Brookside Drive #136, Grimes, IA 50111.

Georgia Joy Becker

Brad and Sarah (Funk) Becker of Burt announce the birth of their daughter, Georgia Joy, on Dec. 4, 2023, at the Kossuth Regional Health Center. She weighed 8 pounds, 5 ounces and was 20 1/2 inches long.

Georgia is welcomed home by siblings, Bo and Ginny.

Maternal grandparents are Bill and Lori Funk of Algona. Paternal grandparents are Dawn Nelson of Humboldt, and Franklin Becker of Burt. Great-grandfather is Don Patton of Algona.

STORM LAKE—Taylor Fritz of Livermore, Isabel Casey of Algona and Maggie Vaske were among the Buena Vista University choir students who had the opportunity to work with the Grammy award winning vocal band Roomful of Teeth. The band performed at BVU on Nov. 12 as part of the Doris Grau Performing Arts Series. BVU choral ensembles also performed at the concert.

Following the performance, BVU students had the opportunity to engage with members of Roomful of Teeth in a workshop.

KOSSUTH COUNTY—Algona Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors are sponsoring a Christmas tree contest this holiday season.

Persons are invited to submit a photo of their Christmas tree by Friday, Dec. 15 by emailing photos to info@algona.org or submit on Facebook via  private message to https://www.facebook.com/Algona Chamber.

STORM LAKE—Taylor Fritz of Livermore, Isabel Casey of Algona and Maggie Vaske were among the Buena Vista University choir students who had the opportunity to work with the Grammy award winning vocal band Roomful of Teeth. The band performed at BVU on Nov. 12 as part of the Doris Grau Performing Arts Series. BVU choral ensembles also performed at the concert.

Following the performance, BVU students had the opportunity to engage with members of Roomful of Teeth in a workshop.

Tips for winter outdoor enthusiasts

The recent blast of arctic air is growing ice on lakes and ponds across the northern two-thirds of Iowa. Anglers are ready to get out for the popular early ice fishing season.

“Many of us can’t wait to get out on the ice each winter,” said Joe Larscheid, chief of fisheries for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). “Ice fishing is a fun, inexpensive activity for anglers of all ages to get outdoors and avoid cabin fever.”

DES MOINES – What’s the best way to spend New Year’s Day? Take a First Day Hike in an Iowa state park or forest. Hikers can expect to be surrounded by the quiet beauty of nature in winter, and experience spectacular views, beautiful settings and the cultural treasures offered by Iowa’s state parks.

New Year's Day marks the unofficial culmination of the holiday season, which some feel begins months earlier with Halloween.

Retailers have had all sorts of party and decorative goods filling shelves throughout the holiday season, and much emphasis has been placed on celebrating with friends and family.

The revelry that comes on New Year's Eve is hard to match, particularly for those who attend lavish parties or venture to city centers to ring in the new year with others.