Kim Benson (left) is this week’s Algona Area Chamber Holiday Prize Drawing winner. Benson registered at Sheri’s Salon and chose the gift certificate prize offered at the Algona Family YMCA for an individual membership, valued at $615. Presenting Benson with her gift certificate prize was YMCA membership and marketing director Julie Herbst-Ulmer.

By Sydney Peterson & Madeleine Bretey-Smith, Iowa State University Extension & Outreach

AMES, Iowa - The Iowa 4-H Youth Development program is seeking 16 Iowa families to host a minimum of 14 Japanese youth delegates and one to two Japanese adult chaperones from July 21 through Aug. 16, 2025, as part of the States’ 4-H Exchange program. Families do not need to be involved in the Iowa 4-H program to host. Interested host families may apply online by April 15.

On Sunday, Dec. 8, the Wesley Community Center held their third annual pancakes for Santa. There were plenty of pancakes to go around and even a few miscellaneous items to bid on including Christmas trees.

Photo below: Brady Otis makes pancakes to feed the hungry crowd. Joella Lieder photos.

The next item for the monthly adult craft night at the Lu Verne Public Library will be a Pizza pan snowman doorhanger. Also, check out their Angel tree for families in need of help this year. Submitted photos.

Photos below:

First grade Bulldog Heroes are in the front row from left: Westley Mayer, Alana Brace, Owen Kollasch, Dani Olson and Memphis Neve. Second grade Bulldog Heroes are in the back row from left: Ami Santillan, Keiton Koenecke, June Ruhnke and Ava Eisenbacher.

Lucia Wallace third grade Bulldog Heroes from left are: Zion Whitley, Sophia Suarez, Camden Vaske, Ryder Struecker, Trista Wittkopf and Avery Fuerstenau. Not pictured: Anthony Jimenz.

3•2•Do

Karaoke Night

Spend your Friday the 13th with KJ Host Rod of Mojo Productions for All-Star Karaoke on December 13 from 8 p.m. - Midnight at River Road Golf Club.

Family Dodgeball Night

The Algona Parks and Rec Department is hosting a family dodgeball night on Monday, December 16 at 7 p.m. at the O.B. Laing gym. Ages 12 and younger must come with an adult.

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: Small groups by appointment. Call 515-295-7241.

Algona POW Museum: Saturdays and Sundays 1-4 p.m.; Memorial Day to Labor Day open weekdays 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Gronbach 90th

Patty Gronbach will be celebrating her 90th birthday on Wednesday, December 18.

To help her celebrate, cards can be sent to Good Samaritan Society, 412 W. Kennedy St., Algona, IA 50511.

Jo Amanda Knobloch

Corbin and Molly Knobloch of Whittemore announce the birth of their daughter, Jo Amanda on December 3, 2024 at the Kossuth Regional Health Center.

She weighed 9 pounds, 7 ounces and was 20.5 inches long.

Maternal grandparents are Keith and Tonya Lanz of Mediapolis, IA. Paternal grandparents are Cameron and Tammy Knobloch of Whittemore.

Jo joins siblings Rea and Clay.

Monday, December 2

4:48 a.m. Ambulance call.

11:15 a.m. ATM alarm.

1:02 p.m. Ambulance call.

1:30 p.m. Speak with an officer.

4:34 p.m. Unlock.

5:23 p.m. Ambulance call.

8:09 p.m. Aided Custer, S.D. Sheriffs office.

Tuesday, December 3

12:12 a.m. Ambulance.

5:17 a.m. Ministerial fund request. Denied.

5:47 a.m. Someone knocking on door.

12 a.m. Helicopter landing KRHC.

Monday, December 2

9:50 a.m. Request for a deputy, Algona.

10:56 a.m. Report of disabled vehicle, Lu Verne.

4:13 p.m. Report of driving complaint, Lu Verne.

6:51 p.m. Request for a deputy, Titonka.

8:12 p.m. Report of injured deer on roadway, Titonka.

Tuesday, December 3

2:12 a.m. Traffic stop, Fenton.

7:34 a.m. Report of dead deer on roadway, Titonka.

12:50 p.m. Report of driving complaint, Bode.

Web: www.activeseniorsofalgona.com

Facebook: Activeseniorsofalgona

Email: ascalgona@netamumail.com

Thursday, Dec. 12

Pork chops, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable, fruit

11 a.m. – Exercise

1:15 p.m. – Board meeting

Friday, Dec. 13

Half sandwich, minestrone soup, lettuce salad, fruit

Monday,  Dec.  16

9 a.m.: Presbyterian Church

6 p.m.: BG 3/4 Concert

7 p.m.: AHS Vocal Concert

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

Tuesday,  Dec.  17

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.  18

9 a.m.: Faith Assembly of God

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

11:30 a.m.: City Council

The Euchre results for Tuesday, Dec. 3 at Pep’s are:

First place - Wayne and Elaine Patterson with 60.

Second place - Don and Linda Frideres with 57.

Third place - Tie between Dan/Kathy Foertsch and Mary Fowler/Charlie Kollasch with 55.

Most loners - Elaine Patterson with five.

The door prize went to Elaine Patterson and Carol Hemmen.

Local NIACC history professor to give research presentation