WEST BEND — A $10,000 check has been sent to the West Bend-Mallard School District through the Campbell’s Soup Labels program.
“We’re tickled to death that this landed in our laps,” said West Bend-Mallard Elementary School Principal Brian Rodemeyer. “It was an unexpected windfall for our school. It is going to help and benefit our kids for this year and next year.”

Ted Hoover Jr. Is turning 90 on February 2nd. Please help the family honor him with a card shower on this milestone. I know he would be very happy to hear from friends and family! Thank you!
2603 210th Ave. Wesley, IA. 50483

65th anniversary
 
Melvin and Loretta Ricklefs were married on Jan. 27, 1952 at the Methodist Church in Fenton. Their children are encouraging family and friends to shower them with cards to help them celebrate. Cards and well wishes will reach them at 120 North Finn Drive, Algona, IA 50511.

Bo Scott Jacobson

John Ley was born on Jan. 30, 1932 and will be celebrating his 85th birthday this year. His family, including his wife, Marjorie, and their children, Sandy, Kathy, Fred, Ann, Doug and 11 grandchildren, are encouraging family and friends to shower him with cards. Cards and well wishes will reach him at 1106 SE Mallard Creek Dr., Ankeny, IA 50021.
 

Dennis E. Olson was born on Jan. 30, 1937 and will be celebrating his 80th birthday this year. Family and friends are encouraged to shower him with cards to help him celebrate. Cards and well wishes will reach him at 1110 190th Street, Algona, IA 50511.

Johnny Harms was born on Jan. 28, 1927 and will be celebrating his 90th birthday this year. His family, including his wife, Velda Harms, and their children, Deb Nielsen, Dixie Harms, Dee Lium, Doug Harms, Denise Heyer, 10 grandchildren and two great grandchildren with one on the way, are encouraging family and friends to shower him with cards. Cards and well wishes will reach him at PO Box 301, Titonka, IA 50480.
 

The date, Feb. 19, 1994 is forever engrained in Paula Ellefson’s mind.  It is the date when her baby girl, Samantha Joy died after Ellefson had an abortion. She was 18 years old.
Ellefson shared her story at the Rally for Life on Sunday Jan. 22. Over 90 people were in attendance. 
“It is something you will never forget, no matter how hard you try.”

WHITTEMORE — Chili lovers were on hand to taste various types of chili at the 17th Annual Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, Jan. 21, at St. Michael’s Parish Center.
Not only is the chili cook off a fundraiser for the Whittemore Betterment  Club, it is also a social outing for those who attend, said Linda Farrell, of the Whittemore Betterment Club. “This is a renewal of friendships and something to look forward to,” Farrell said.

ALGONA — Volunteers who support the efforts of the Algona Area Chamber of Commerce were honored at the annual meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 18, at the Knights of Columbus Hall.
Executive Director Vicki Mallory started off the program by stating that 2016 was a year of change for the Chamber Ambassadors. “Brittany Hoover led that change in a professional and competent manner,” she said.

Renovation plans are underway at the Kossuth Regional Health Center (KRHC) Clinic to make room for two new physicians. 
Drs. John and Amy Schantzen, a husband and wife team, will be joining the KRHC team in October. The Shantzens are currently in their third year of residency.
Better access to care with reduced wait time for appointments will be achieved with the addition of two doctors, commented KRHC Administrator, Scott Curtis.

Bo Scott Jacobson

ALGONA — Two local businesses needed to find a place to expand their growing companies and both decided to share a location at 218 W. State St.
Sudol Tax & Accounting and Ascendant Wealth Management Group both moved into the new building late in 2016. The Algona Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, Jan. 20, at 9:30 a.m.

ALGONA — If you were to drop a rock and a piece of paper at the same time, which would hit the ground first? The rock of course. Now what would happen if you dropped the same rock and paper again but this time, the air wasn’t there? How does something as simple as air effect this experiment?  
This and many more questions are asked during the Paper Airplane Club meetings at the Algona Public Library.  

ALGONA — It was a weekend full of festivities to open the Ed and Betty Wilcox Performing Arts Center.
On Friday, more than 300 people toured the facility and were part of the Algona Area Chamber of Commerce-sponsored ribbon cutting. The ribbon cutting included many of the people and their families who played some part in making the performing arts center a reality.