I tried to emulate St. Francis of Assisi, who, it is said, loved all God's creatures. Really, I did. But I don't think even St. Francis loved bats. Statues of him (I have one in my yard) always show him cradling a fawn or puppy in his arms with other cute critters sitting at his feet. There's never a sign of a bat.

People who grew up in bygone days could stand in line at the grocery store and ponder the covers of various tabloids featuring the late Jean Dixon. She was a psychic and astrologer who made predictions throughout her life, but the tabloids featured her musings annually around the start of the new year.

I had a grand time in Los Angeles over Christmas, thank you so much for asking. And, even if you didn't ask, I still had a grand time.
With three of our children and their spouses, plus two amazing grandchildren (Dylan, 7, and Molly Scarlett, 5) living there, how could it not be a wonderful time? A highlight was a slumber party with Dylan, Molly and Nana in their Aunt Meg's king-sized guest bed.
Read Molly's ink Spots in the Jan. 16 Advance.

The first semester of the 2019-20 school year in Algona Community School District has been wonderful. Our staff and students continue to make the choice every day to rise to the occasion and reach for the future.
I am often reminded as I walk through the halls of the high school or stop into a classroom at Bertha Godfrey, Bryant or Lucia Wallace, the Algona School District is filled with top-notch educators and top-notch students.

Welcome to 2020. It seems like yesterday that my sons were 9 and 6, and my wife and I opted to forego our traditional night out to stay home and usher in 2000 with them. What a night it was.
As midnight neared, they stood on our couch, arms extended high in the air, holding balls from their ball pit. We counted down the seconds, and at the moment, they dropped the balls.
Read the rest of this column in the Jan. 2 Advance.

I'm going to cheat a bit this week. You will be reading this on Jan. 2, 2020. I'm writing it on Dec. 21, 2019. By the time it is published, I will have flown to Los Angeles and back for Christmas with our California offspring, hopefully with sufficient identification to get me on the plane.

Recently, I was visiting with a friend, Don McGuire, who enjoys history as much as I do. I told him that this past year it has, at times, been emotionally draining to read the front pages of previous Algona newspapers.

I hope that everyone reading this had a Merry Christmas. As we look ahead to a new year, I realize it's been a long time since we have reminded everyone to Go Be Kind as we go about our daily lives.
A favorite quote of mine is from Robin Williams: "Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about – be kind always."
Read the complete column in the Jan. 2 Kossuth County Advance.

There was snow on the ground, and it was a very cold, but bright, sunny day in mid-December 1941. Mom told us kids that we were going somewhere special.
Dad and Mom loaded Don (age 3), Julian (age 5) and me (age 6) into our Model A Ford and drove about 45 miles to Fort Dodge. We seldom traveled more than a few miles from home, so that seemed like a long trip.
Read the rest of Jim's Christmas memory in the Dec. 26 Advance.

Stinson Prairie Arts Council (SPAC) is looking forward to an exciting 2020, filled with fine art exhibits, events and opening the doors to the Carnegie Centre for the Arts.
In 2019, we hosted an artist show and photography show for adults and a high school show for students. This year, SPAC members plan to add a show for the younger artist.
Read more in the Dec. 26 Kossuth County Advance.

I loaned my children to the Historical Society a couple of weeks ago. But don't worry, I brought them home last week.
The children, Margaret Ann, Jeannie, Me and Mimi, and Sister, survived nicely without me for the week they were on display at the museum. They were propped up prettily in my dad's wicker pram, which moved from our attic to the museum years ago.
Read Molly's Ink Spots in the Dec. 19 Kossuth County Advance.

Noe Villareal couldn't contain his emotions. He was overjoyed at the turnout for the annual Tacos for Tots, a fundraiser for the C.A.R.E. Team in Algona. It was held the same night as the Algona Area Chamber of Commerce live greeting card windows and lighted parade Monday evening, Dec. 2.
Read the rest of On the Side in the Dec. 12 Advance.

Are the presents all bought? Stocked up on baking supplies for the Christmas cookies?
We are in the season of shopping, as we prepare for the holidays. We all know that shopping locally, whenever possible, helps support our neighborhood retailers and businesses. Did you know that shopping locally for your health care makes a difference too?
Read more of this column in the Dec. 12 Kossuth County Advance.

On Veterans Day of this year, I had the honor of being a casket bearer for Mr. Ray Uthof of Fenton. Ray was a 90-year-old World War II veteran with three bronze campaign stars. He was also a lifetime resident of Fenton and a good friend.
Read more in the Dec. 12 Kossuth County Advance.

On the morning of Tuesday, Dec. 2, I came upon a dead juvenile trumpeter swan lying on a gravel road one mile northeast of Ledyard that parallels the new high-voltage power lines that connect to the electrical substation three miles east of Ledyard. It appeared to have been killed by flying into the electric lines during the night.
Read more in the Dec. 12 Kossuth County Advance.