My Black Country redefines country music history

By Michael Tidemann

My Black Country: A Journey Through Country Music’s Black Past, Present, and Future

Alice Randall

Atria/Black Privilege Publishing

ISBN 978-1668018408

$28.99

(Also available in softcover and on Kindle)

2000s kids will never know

Rex Post, an avid reader of the Daily Umbrella, recently forwarded a link to a story called “29 Things a 2000s Kid Will Never Understand” by CH Andersen that published in Readers Digest. A few of the examples hit home with me, spurring memories and making me think of similar experiences. See if any of these connect with you.

River Road Golf Course opens

150 Years Ago

Ministry: Our Way or Jesus’ Way?

By Russ Jacobsen, Pastor at Algona First United Methodist Church

From the July 18, 2002 Algona Upper Des Moines

Of adventures with my life-alert button

Dear Kossuth County Advance Readers,

The small town of Ringsted Iowa has always been known for its friendly atmosphere, wonderful Danish heritage, great civic groups, and a hard working supportive community. That has never been more evident than this past year as the community plans for its Quasquicentennial Celebration on August 9, 10, and 11th 2024! Think about planning the largest birthday party of your life and then think about doing it for your whole community!

Sometimes a special project calls for special need. This year the Algona Public Library came to the rescue. Every year The Kossuth Area Garden Club presents a Flower Show during the week of the Kossuth County Fair. This year's Fair begins on July 30th through August 4th.

KRHC created $69.5 million impact on local economy in 2023

By Collette McConnell, KRHC

In all, Iowa’s hospitals provided 137,841 jobs statewide

A study by the Iowa Hospital Association found that in 2023, Kossuth Regional Health Center provided more than $1.1 million in total community benefits and served more than 41,700 people through community service programs.

Not my problem

“Leave this world a little better than you found it.”

That quote — or some variation of it — can be attributed to many people. Leader of the Scout Movement Robert Baden-Powell. Novelist and poet Paul Aster. The Science Guy Bill Nye. Fantasy author Sarah J. Maas. Even mixed martial arts fighter Ronda Rousey.

To simply say those words is one thing, though. To do them is quite another.

Do not desecrate the Sabbath

150 Years Ago

DISGRACEFUL. -- We learn that a party of boys visited the house of one of our citizens on Sunday evening last and proceeded to a charivari of occupants. Such a performance at any time is disgraceful and mean, but when the Sabbath is desecrated by such proceedings there would seem to be a call for something stronger than language to teach the performers a lesson in good breeding.

125 Years Ago

For Granted, Psalm 103

By Rev. Peter Talbot, Pastor at Grace Church in Algona

By Dana Clapsaddle Perry

Now for the moment we’ve all been waiting for--drum roll please--the winners of the 1954 Kossuth County Centennial beard growing contest.

This photo (photo above) was taken by photographer Al Missal. It is from the Centennial photo collection at the Kossuth County Historical Society.  This photo was in the 15 July 1954 Kossuth County Advance. The caption read:

From the Editor:

We’re all in this together and we’re only as strong as our weakest link.

In this fast paced world full of challenges and surprises it’s easy to get lost, confused, stressed, anxious and depressed.

This ongoing column was designed to get back to the basics and re-learn some skills to help people cope with what life throws at them.

Iowa Racing Hall of Fame in Algona

By Don Heupel, Kossuth County Agricultural and Motorsports Museum

The Kossuth County Agricultural and Motorsports Museum is now open for visitors every Saturday and Sunday, or by appointment.  The admission is $5 per person, and provides access to all the exhibits as well as the Benschoter Train Depot.