Part 2 of a continuing series.

By Kim Wegener

Features Writer

Cassie Rowley has always dreamed of opening a day care. Samantha Elbert knew there was a huge need in the area for day care. The women wanted to do something that would help the community and support families. Their dreams became reality on October 11, 2021, when the doors to Little Sprouts Daycare opened in downtown Algona, 

KOSSUTH COUNTY—State and federal ballots for the June 7 primary elections are set, and Friday is the deadline for candidates to file paperwork for county offices.

In Kossuth County as of Tuesday morning, five people in total had filed for the openings that are on the 2022 primary and general election ballots for countywide offices of attorney, treasurer and recorder; and for the first, third and fourth county supervisors districts. 

ALGONA—The Algona City Council passed a resolution that requires a permit for building a fence which comes with a $25 fee at their March 21 meeting. Fences must be built to specifications outlined by the city. A similar resolution for a temporary use permit was tabled until the council’s next meeting.

Cellular Dimensions hosted the Algona Chamber coffee last Friday, March 18. Kelly Grein informed the morning crowd of all the items and services available other than cell phones. The next chamber coffee will be held Friday, March 25, at the C.A.R.E. Team.

LAKOTA—Pastor Kent Hillesland and the Congregation of Community Chapel in Lakota are inviting the public to their Annual Missions Conference, March 26-30. This year’s theme is; Labor of Love, Work of Faith, based on the Scripture text of 1 Thessalonians 1:3, “Constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father.”

The missionaries for the conference are: 

In the photo at left are Braxton Hager, Colin Throne, Kaya Larson and Zeb Wiita. Below left: Alysia Berte, Mason Metzen, Ashtyn Rummel and Kylie Rotert. Below right: Fourth grader Cyrus Niebuhr.

Kindergarten Bulldog heroes for March are from left: Jace Greve, Ana Castellanos Pardo, Michael Gorham, Michael Smidt and Carter Penning.

Children arrived in style to this school in the horse-drawn school bus pictured below. Does this spark any memories? Send them to news@algona.com.

The location of last week’s photo, F.S. Norton and Son, was given by Web Orton who said it was on Call Street between Moore and Dodge streets, where the large parking lot is now. Photos courtesy of the Kossuth County Historical Society.

Pennie Lane (left) and Charlie Ricke participated in story-time activities at the Fenton Public Library Monday afternoon, March 21. 

The library is featuring a March basketball theme, highlighting a favorite book bracket, and Lane and Ricke were the winners of the first round. The kids made basketball collages and 3D basketball hoops and had fun keeping score and making predictions about the number of baskets they would get. 

North Union Elementary in Fenton is celebrating March Reading Month with the theme,  "Fancy Like.... A Reader." Each week, Principal Black is reading  to a class one of her favorite books. Activities included Flashlight Friday where students read by flashlight at a favorite spot; reading with book buddies from another age classroom; visiting the Fenton Public Library; reading in their pajamas, and later bringing someone they love to read with them.  

 Bishop Garrigan Schools honored 71 students at the 47th annual academic honors banquet. The evening dinner and honor ceremony were held in the Friedmann Auditorium on Tuesday, March 15. Students with a 3.5 grade point average and above are recognized for this achievement. 

Seniors honored front, from left: Veronica Capesius, Marguerite Fakler, Ella Muller, Lillee Deike, Riley Rosenmeyer, Katelyn Cink, Ava Eisenbarth, Meredith Illg and Molly Bormann.

ALGONA—Mid-Iowa Bancshares Co., the holding company of Iowa State Bank, reported that Iowa State Bank had a 13 percent increase in assets for 2021 with total assets exceeding $423 million, a new milestone for the bank.

Local celebrities Ivy Kitzinger, Jonathan Chambers and Mindy Duff with special guests Carter Nath and Caley Nath, Todd Herbst-Ulmer, Matt Stein and Jonathan Kitzinger, put on an amazing night of music, Thursday, March 17, at the Wilcox Performing Arts Center. The night was a freewill donation for both Algona and Bishop Garrigan Music Departments.

Farmers National Company, announced that Jim Franzen, AFM, Algona, was recently presented the Farmers National Company Presidential Circle Award for his outstanding efforts in real estate sales.

Franzen, a farm manager and real estate sales agent with Farmers National Company, received the company’s top award for real estate sales in 2021. He began working with Farmers National Company in 2011.

Bishop Garrigan High School seniors Ava Eisenbarth (left) and Marguerite Fakler have been named outstanding performers and were selected to perform at the 2022 All-State Speech Festival.  

$5.5 million total raised through the years

By Kim Wegener

Features Writer

ALGONA—Plans are being finalized in anticipation of the in-person return next week of the annual Bishop Garrigan Schools Gala in person fundraising event.