DES MOINES—Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig has commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.

“While seasonal conditions have returned after last week’s sweltering heat wave, several daily records were broken across the state as a result of the hot temperatures and high humidity,” Secretary Naig said.

SPENCER—Fairgoers to the 2023 Clay County Fair will have 21 new foods to enjoy during their visit Sept.9-17, including five that have been named as finalists for the seventh edition of the “The World’s Greatest County Fair Food” Contest sponsored by Farmers Savings Bank.

ALGONA—Funds are available through the City of Algona’s Residential Tree Program to share the cost of purchasing new trees.

Algona residents who complete an application and are approved for funds may be reimbursed 50 percent of the cost of the tree (up to $150 per tree) with a limit of two trees per year. Funding for the tree program is made available through Algona Municipal Utilities and the City of Algona.

ALGONA—Algona First United Methodist Church received a $2,000 grant to help purchase food for its food pantry. The grant is provided through FCSAmerica’s Working Here Fund.

The Working Here Fund Grant will provide funds to purchase nonperishable food for the food pantry.

“We are a supplement to the local food pantry,” said Cari Connick, co-chair. “Our goal is to provide nonperishable items to residents of Kossuth county.”

KOSSUTH COUNTY—The Kossuth County Community Foundation (KCCF), an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, will host a public grant workshop on Sept. 12 to discuss its 2023 grant cycle. The event will be held virtually via Zoom from 4–5:30 p.m. RSVP to attend at www.cfneia.org/kossuth-workshop.

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_____

Back to Wednesdays Bash

First Lutheran Church in Algona will host a Back To Wednesdays Bash on Wednesday, September 6 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Activities will include a bouncy house, face painting, yard games and food with outdoor worship to follow.

Murder Mystery Dinner

The drive through line of vehicles was steady for hours as approximately 650 gallons of mulligan stew were sold to those who wait each year for the annual mulligan stew event in St. Joe. This was the 67th year for the event held on Wednesday, August 16 and sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Council 3420 St. Joe.

Each year volunteers begin making the stew in the early morning hours so the stew is ready by late afternoon.

DES MOINES—Leah Hoffman, daughter of Steve and Martha Hoffman of West Bend, was one of the youth exhibitors in this year’s Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show at the Iowa State Fair. Hoffman’s sponsor was the Volunteer Boards of Iowa Ronald McDonald House Charities. Her steer, “Scooby Doo,” weighed in at 1.465 pounds for the show.

By Kim Wegener

Features Writer

ALGONA—Becky Hanson thought about pursing a career as a cartoon artist after she graduated from high school in May 1978. Instead, she entered the health care field when she took a job at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Algona. Her first day of work there was her 18th birthday, August 1, 1978.

Local artist Tom Buscher led a free painting class at Huskamp Haven Assisted Living in Algona in August. The event was open to residents at Huskamp Haven and community members.

Buscher demonstrated how to use acrylic paints to create the “Fall Aspens” 8 x 10 painting.

Huskamp Haven Assisted Living Senior Living Manager Sandy Buscher was pleased at the number of participants for the first time event. She hopes to plan more painting classes for fall.

Keeping busy during the Kossuth County Fair serving ice cream in their new malt barn building were Fenton Forwards 4-H Club members Hailee Reutzel, Brylie Deim, Leah Reutzel and Fenton Forwards 4-H leader Judi Bruhn. Photo courtesy of Kim Meyer

This story was written by Kim Meyer, editor of the Bancroft Register and is being reprinted with permission.

Each year, it is a tradition for many to enjoy a good old fashion ice cream malt at the “Malt Barn” operated by the Fenton Forwards 4-H Club.