...It’s President Trump’s job, if he elects to do so, to appoint a nominee to the high court. President Obama did his job – he nominated Garland. It’s the Senate’s job to act on that. It was the Republicans in the Senate that held it up for political reasons. That was wrong, as it is now wrong for Democrats to request the same...
 
What is Brad Hicks writing about this week? Check out his On the Side in the Sept. 24 Kossuth County Advance.

The true test of great plot development is the mystery. Karen Dionne does a masterful job of creating a mystery with plenty of twists and turns in “The Wicked Sister” recently released by Putnam. 
 
Read Michael Tideman's book review in the Sept. 24 Kossuth County Advance.

A first-class petty officer in aviation ordnance in the navy for three years Richard spent two years aboard the aircraft Saratoga in the southwest Pacific.  Last February the Saratoga was attacked by a kamikaze pilot, who dropped a bomb which dropped through three decks and landed in a compartment just ahead of where Richard stood.  
 
Who was this officer and what happened? See Gene Miller's Out of the Past column in the Sept. 24 Kossuth County Advance.

Those pensioners had a good time kidding me about getting a shovel and digging worms that I could sell for 10 pence each to help pay for our holiday. Asking a few more questions, we learned that a live beach contains a variety of creatures, such as isopods, beetles, beach hoppers, sand crabs as well as the blood worms (red worms) all of which survive by scavenging in the sand for food which includes smaller creatures in that environment. 
 

We are headed in to my favorite time of year. It’s different this year because just like everyone else, we are wondering what the last few months of 2020 will bring.

When I began wearing a mask into local stores last April, I saw the stares. I was definitely in the minority, and though unsaid, I knew some were thinking I was one of those freaked out by the pandemic or perhaps even some sort of liberal looney. Last spring, when I opted to severely restrict access to our office and subsequently required a mask to enter it, there were those who assumed we were trying to make some sort of political statement because, well, we’re in the media business. 

Check out this week's "Out of the Past" entry from Gene Miller, which includes the conclusion of the following report, and more from 150, 125, 100, 75, 50 and 25 years ago:
125 Years Ago

The third leg of the Kossuth County Historical Society motto, ​Enriching the Future​, is an ongoing step forward. There are different areas of reference.

...About 10 miles south we arrived at the renowned Salisbury Cathedral, parked and took a walk all around that beautiful structure before entering. The wide open 80-acre grounds surrounding the cathedral is the largest in Britain. The gorgeous interior with its artwork and sculptures compelled us to take our time walking all around and absorb its beauty. ...
 
Read the next installment in Jim Sloter's weekly Travelogue in the Sept. 10 Kossuth County Advance.

...Our idea of love was not the same as we now know love to be. Love isn’t something you “fall” into, and the Bible makes it clear that love isn’t something you “fall” out of. Love was easy as we were dating, because there were no complications in life – like finances, job changes, children and other stressors. I realized that my wife had grown in her understanding of love one day a couple of years ago. I was going through a difficult time. She drove out of her way to come and see me.

Check out Randy Roeber's letter to the editor in the Sept. 3 Kossuth County Advance. Here's an excerpt: "Of course, a liberal would make any excuse to criticize President Trump. It seems that no credit is ever given for his accomplishments. How about these Trump and company accomplishments for starters: The recent quick recovery of Wall Street – it took Obama eight years to manage less change than the Trump administration policies have accomplished in five months.

Who had Iowa Hurricane on their bingo card for August? I saw this on Facebook the other day, and it accurately summed up the feelings of this year. 
2020 has been a challenging year. It seems like each new month brings a new tragedy and many worry about what can possibly come next. 
Some have even suggested that 2020 be a four-letter word.

Now, a new change to Paycheck Protection Program paybacks is being floated in D.C. It can't happen, Brad Hicks says in his weekly On the Side column. What is it? See the column in the Sept. 3 Kossuth County Advance.

Kossuth County EMS continues to move forward running the Kossuth County EMS System. The past few months have been challenging with the pandemic we are experiencing, but we have and will continue to make this goal a reality. 
 
Read all of the Our Kossuth County column, this week from Philip Albers, on the Kossuth County EMS program, in the Sept. 3 Kossuth County Advance.

... It is always enjoyable to immerse ourselves into the local culture whenever possible. We feel that we get a better insight into how people live. It seems that wherever we have been, people live, love, laugh and play. They gather together in groups large and small, to socialize and enjoy life in their own way, content with who they are and where they call home. I am reminded of a song my father used to sing.