One of the hazards of ordering a gift online, I have discovered, is if there is a glitch in the order, the resulting correspondence about said glitch can be daunting.
Not to say, insane.
Read Molly's full column in the Jan. 24 Advance.

The state has released new information on school performance, as required by a new federal law called the Every Student Succeeds Act or ESSA, for short.
The online Iowa school performance profile reflects how public schools performed on a set of core accountability measures based off the statewide assessment.
Read the full column in the Jan. 24 Advance.

Gov. Kim Reynolds indicated her willingness to change Iowa law and allow people convicted of a felony to vote. In a current political and social landscape in which people are becoming quick to dispatch old ways of thinking and decisions previously determined to be common sense, she is probably in the majority.
Read the full column in the Jan. 24 Advance.

Remember that wonderful, old song by Tony Bennett, "I Left my Heart in San Francisco?" Well, I didn't leave my heart there, or anywhere else over Christmas. But, I left my wallet in Los Angeles. Not fun. Not fun at all. Also, it would make a song title with too many syllables.
Enjoy Molly's Ink Spots in the Jan. 10 Kossuth County Advance.

We made our way back to the Mini and, having received recommendations to tour Ile d' Orleans (Orleans Island), a 30-by-8 kilometer-wide, at the widest point, island in the St. Lawrence River just outside of Quebec City to the northeast, we headed in that direction.
Read Jim's full column in the Jan. 10 Kossuth County Advance.

There once was a toymaker.
But he was more than a toymaker. Call him an engineer, an architect, a designer, if you will. He created many fantastic things. He settled down to making toys, not because he couldn't make other things, but because toys delighted him so.
There were two special toys ....
Read the full column in the Dec. 20 Kossuth County Advance.

There are no umpires when it comes to elections and counting votes. Tout election integrity all you want, but most elections are overseen by people who are elected to political office. The people who oversee the appeals are either elected or politically appointed.
Read "On the Side" in the Dec. 13 Kossuth County Advance."

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around Kossuth County. The holidays are a great time to decorate, celebrate and appreciate one another. At Kossuth Regional Health Center, we recognize that our greatest gift of all is our team of employees and medical staff.
Read Scott's column in the Dec. 13 Kossuth County Advance.

Last week, Art Cullen came to Algona for a book signing event held at Algona Publishing. Art, as most of you surely know is editor of The Storm Lake Times, and winner of the coveted Pulitzer Prize for journalism in 2017. He beat out all the biggies....
Read Molly's "Ink Spots" column in the Dec. 13 Kossuth County Advance.

If you are considering running for an Iowa Statehouse seat in the 2020 general election, here's a potentially winning issue: Propose legislation reqquiring the state to pay for the deductible on people's insurance when they strike a deer.
Read Brad's column in the Dec. 6 Kossuth County Advance.

Happy Holidays! Time is sure flying by this school year. At West Bend-Mallard we have been busy doing many things.
Our fall sports and activities have wrapped up, and our winter ones are just beginning. Our staff has been busy learning new teaching strategies ....
Read Amber's column in the Dec. 6 Kossth County Advance.

On Wednesday, Nov. 28, a story hit the media regarding Father Jeremy Wind. I deeply regret how this story has affected our faith community and Bishop Garrigan Catholic Schools. Your concerns need to be addressed.
Read the full letter in the Dec. 6 Kossuth County Advance.

When did we stop wearing hats? My grandmother wore them whenver she stepped outside to go to church or shopping or calling on friends.
They did a lot of calling on friends in my grandmother's time.
Read Molly's column in the Nov. 29 Advance.

This time of year, everything and everyone is getting ready for winter in their own little ways.... A hard winter can make or break a critter, so that's where their fall proactiveness really comes into play
Read the whole column in the Nov. 22 Kossuth County Advance.

A recent note from Guido in Belgium:
“Hello mom and dad, I tried to call you a few times, but no answer. I don't remember if you had traveling plans. I want to tell you some news. You know we like to travel, and we hope to do that for many years. But with the beast it is hard to do.
See Jim's Travel Diary on the Nov. 15 Kossuth County Advance Opinion page