Algona Upper Des Moines was written by Duane Dewel
This picture from the T.H. Chrischilles collection of old pictured shows the Little German Band of the teens and early twenties, perched on the old Civil War cannon that graced the court house lawn for many years.
Last year as this column was being written the Historical Society was so thankful for everything Kossuth County has done to make the museum a wonderful place to visit. That same thankfulness is even more this year.
Most of you who are reading this and have an Iowa driver’s license likely took some form of driver’s education class. For many of you, it was a class you took as part of your curriculum in your freshman year of high school.
At this time the election is over and the future of all Americans, born and unborn is still in the hands of our elected officials. Some say the government has no right to force women to give birth, yet they support this government in their evil agenda to codify abortion into law, and FORCE healthcare workers, regardless of their religious beliefs to kill unborn babies. This government wants to FORCE us as taxpayers to pay for this murder.
My sister had cowboy boots when she was about seven. You can see them in the picture I’m including. I didn’t have cowboy boots, ever, because she wore them out instead of passing them down to me. I have been somewhat scarred for the rest of my life because of that.
This photo from the Algona Upper Des Moines newspaper from May 1990 shows members of the Junior Gardeners Club filling one of 16 buckets in the Algona business district for community betterment. The planters were filled with petunias, spike and vinca vines. The group included in front from left: Erica Bierstedt, Erin Younginger, Josh and Jacob Kohlhaas. Standing behind them are Penny Arndorfer and Jennifer Lighter.
The front porch is about as Americana as anything. It defines a more peaceful time when family gathered and friends joined in for conversation in an early evening or a Sunday afternoon. “The Waltons” may come to mind. (Follow the link, and you will smile… I promise.)
I am pro-life. I believe that if I were raped or the victim of incest, I would carry that innocent child. However, I have been blessed and never have been that desperate woman making a desperate choice. I have not been 14 and the victim of a gang rape in my small rural hometown. I have not been pregnant with a non-viable fetus that could endanger my life. I have been blessed.
I am writing this letter to express my concern about the state of education under the current Republican administration and legislature in the state of Iowa. I spent 23 years as a teacher and 22 years supporting Educators prior to retiring in 2012. Since Republicans gained complete control of the Iowa Statehouse and Governor’s office in 2014, the decline has been precipitous and dangerous.
On September 6, I sent District 9 State Representative Henry Stone an email asking for his position on a few important issues. Receiving no response, I resent the email two more times to no avail.
