Spring. It never used to be my favorite season. Growing up, I always liked fall. I enjoyed the colors, the smell of leaf piles and cooling temperatures.
But, as I've gotten older, I've come to appreciate spring. I've learned to recognize the birds and the wildflowers that return annually. I love tracking spring phenology and comparing it to previous years.

Since the arrival of the railroad in the 1880s started Bancroft, the community has withstood the closing of its high school and the plummeting of its population from a high of 1,000 to under 800 residents today.
Today, the community sees other challenges on the horison, like finding an owner to take over the Pub downtown, scratching for housing for any kind of growth, amd continuing the business tradiition that has kept the community stable.

People who have lived in Bancroft most of their lives believe traditions are important and bond the community together. A big reason is there are so many people and organizations working together to make the events go.
Read the entire story in the Celebrate Bancroft! section of the March 21 Kossuth County Advance.

Go Bandits!
That is a phrase not uncommon to hear when the Bancroft Bandits baseball season starts in the summer.
Eileen Hagist may be one of the Bandits' biggest supporters. Or, at the least she is the one who finds the homes team members stay in during the season.
Read the whole story in the Celebrate Bancroft! section of the March 21 Advance.

Water rate increases could be seen in the first billing in May for Algona Municipal Utilities (AMU) customers.
"Water rates have increased for Algona Municipal Utilities almost every year due to our increased costs," AMU General Manager John Bilsten said. "The board and staff felt that a small increase annually is much better than waiting and having a large increase at the end of a three- or five- or six-year period.

When Becky Kuper opened Trends Salon, she remembers many more men running businesses in Algona. That has changed in the 12 years she's been running her business.
"It is nice. we're seeing more and more women owners," she said. "It is also nice that men and women help each other out if we need to."
Read more in the March 14 Kossuth County Advance.

Kelly Tigges and "The Market Girls" feel more empowered after attending the annual Algona Area Chamber of Commerce women's networking event each year.
"I feel like I can run with anything," said Jill Lichter. She's been working at The Market for a year. "Those individual stories. It is amazing. You see successful women. They have it all but maybe they started with nothing. That's super cool to hear how they've grown and succeeded."

Stinson Prairie Arts Council's newest exhibition will likely leave visitors in glassy-eyed awe.
Glass fusion artists Jim and Julie Vermeer of Humboldt will have their work on display Monday, March 17 through Friday, April 12 at Algona Publishing, 14 E. Nebraska St., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fridays. The community can meet the Vemeers and see and hear about their glass art at a reception Thursday, March 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Algona Publishing.

The American Cancer Society is calling on all community members to participate in the annual Relay for Life of Kossuth County on June 14 at the Kossuth County Fairgrounds.
Di Lorenzen, Kossuth County Relay for Life chair, said, "being involved with Relay for Life is my way of giving back to others that are fighting this disease. Having a Relay team gives me that community involvement that we come together to raise money on this fight."

The Kossuth County Board of Supervisors went into closed session during its March 5 board meeting to determine the next step in the ongoing challenges with County Social Services.
A letter was sent to the Iowa Department of Human Services outlining Kossuth County's plan for a mental health and disability services region. There was also the possibility of joining six other counties in the area to start another region.

Pioneer Seed Production will see more changes in the next six months. Not only did Greg Wilson take over as production location manager in December, on June 1, with the completion of a merger with Dow and DuPont, Pioneer will become Corteva Agriscience.
"We are going to be the largest pure-play agriculture company in the world," Wilson said.
Get the details in the March 14 Kossuth County Advance.

While discussions continue about Kossuth County's wind ordinance, Invenergy is working on a project it started three years ago to erect 100 wind turbines in the southeastern part of the county.

It's simple.
The Algona Area Chamber of Commerce women's networking event is a time for women to connect with other business women and have some laughs.
"It's about personal interaction," said Vicki Mallory, Algona Chamber executive director. "The world today, our lives in general are so busy."
Enjoy the Women's Networking special section in the March 14 Advance.

Ever since I was a young boy I can remember having a particular fondness for Ash Wednesday. It was not that I really knew what was going on or appreciated the significance of it all. i would not even say I really grasped the symbolism behind the ashes being in the form of a black cross.
What I seemed to appreciate, as I look back in hindsight, is the demeanor of the service itself.
Read the entire commentary in the March 14 Kossuth County Advance.

What started out as an opportunity to help an ailing son has turned into an avenue to educate others.
Jenny Eischenberger, a life and health mentor running her own Natural Wellness business, has started reaching out to others. She holds seminars to educate empower others about CBD oils and hemp so people know the choices they have in improving their health.
Get all the details in the March 14 Kossuth County Advance.