BURT—In a year dominated by concerns about the COVID-19 coronavirus, parishioners of Presbyterian churches in Burt, Lakota and Lone Rock can tune into Facebook Live each week to listen to worship services.

ALGONA—The Algona Community School Foundation annual golf outing was an outstanding success, organizers said in a press release. 
In a year filled with pandemic fears, it seemed questionable that the event could even be held. The final solution was to still hold the golf outing without the usual silent auction.
 
Read all about the amount and use for the funds raised in the Aug. 6 edition of the Kossuth County Advance.

ALGONA—Four women – Myrna Teeter, Charlotte Carson, Mary Rockhold and Sandy Reefer – were among the first people to the Party in the Park at Veterans Park on Thursday, July 28, in Algona. They wanted to make sure they had a front row view to hear Scott Larsen perform and take in all the happenings.
 
Read more about the first Party in the Park of the summer, and the final one coming up on Aug. 12 in this week's edition (Aug. 6) of the Kossuth County Advance.

ALGONA—The scope of a four-block, Main Street street improvement project from Lucas Street to Commercial Street was outlined during a public information meeting at Bertha Godfrey Elementary School gym on Wednesday, July 29.
The estimated cost of the project is $1.3 million. An estimated $997,000 will be funded through the Iowa Department of Transportation’s statewide transportation improvement program. 
 

WHITTEMORE—Eight more homes are expected to be renovated over the next 12-18 months in Whittemore. When completed, it brings to 24 the total number homes that will have been rehabilitated over the last three cycles in the housing rehabilitation program.
 
Read more about the program in the August 6 edition of the Kossuth County Advance. The story is on the Community Spotlight page, which this week features West Bend and Whittemore.

WEST BEND—Darci Conner likes to create. And that is one thing she hopes she can pass on to her students when art classes begin at the West Bend-Mallard School District on Aug. 24.
“Creativity is one of the things employers are looking for these days,” she said. “They’re looking for somebody who can send a business in a different direction so they can be more successful.”
 

People in our community must be busy putting up food for winter. How do I know? Finding canning lids has become a challenge lately. Are jar lids the new toilet paper? I hope not! 
It is a good time to be putting away food for the winter. If canning isn’t your thing, why not give freezing a try? Freezing your own vegetables is an easy way to make the most of your harvest, whether you have your own garden or shop at the farmers market.
 

OAK LAKE—It’s safe to say Betty Wilcox was a unique woman. People knew her for her tireless community efforts, her witty sayings and her love of her husband Ed and five children.
“She was my sugar. She was always there,” said Ed, sitting in his dining room table at his house on Oak Lake, stopping to deal with his emotions at times. “She was just part of me.”

ALGONA—Looking for a chance to get outside? Looking for an adorable read? Go take a walk down State Street and view the Algona Public Library’s story stroll.
A story stroll is an opportunity to read a book as you walk down main street. Everyone is welcome to walk by and read the featured story as well as engage in the activities. You can read the book, “Frank and Laverne,” on State Street through the windows of many of the participating businesses.

ALGONA—With COVID-19, students and staff are feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about the upcoming school year, Justin Blietz, a trainer in restorative procedures, told teachers during a work session last week.

ALGONA—The priority for Bishop Garrigan schools is to have students in the classroom when school opens on Aug. 24.
“We will take what measures we need to make sure that happens,” said Christie Peterson, principal for grades 3-12. “I have talked to high school students who want to be here full time. If it means wearing a mask during certain times, they will do what they need to do to keep their life, as they perceive, normal.”

ALGONA—Algona can be a gateway to attract businesses and people like other smaller Iowa communities have done, according to Zach Mannheimer, a community place maker with McClure Engineering in Des Moines.
“The best thing Algona can do right now is put together a marketing and communications plan, as well as an incentive relocation plan,” he said during a phone interview last week, associated with how the “multiplier effect” can benefit small Iowa communities like Algona..

LU VERNE—There is a sense of trust with her horse when Joanna Fullerton climbs on to ride one of her six horses.
“It is a cool feeling when you get on a horse and you know that he trusts you and you can work together as a team,” Fullerton said. “We set goals that day to accomplish. It feels good when you get things done, and that horse trusts you and appreciates what you’re doing.”

ALGONA—Billie Wille and her daughter Brooklynn were busy browsing on State Street looking for some good deals during Ridiculous Days on Saturday, July 27, in Algona.
“I’m glad they can have Ridiculous Days,” Billie Wille said. “It’s nice to see people out and see what they got in now.”

Look inside the July 30 edition of the Kossuth County Advance for your updated Algona Redi-Reference Guide. It has information on who does what, and events and activities throughout the year.