Parking Whittemore-style

When Jolene and I first started dating, I took her to meet my father, and we went to church with him in Whittemore, population 497. She noticed that most of the cars were backed in on the angled street parking in front of the church and asked me why that was. I didn’t have an answer. People had parked that way as long as I could remember. They probably still do. She coined a phrase for this type of back-in parking: Whittemore-style.

Finally, a breakthrough back to common sense. Find peace in today’s turmoil as author Rob Cross shares his unique and powerful tools to help your audience thrive in this uncertain climate. In his book, Flip Your Thinking: To Ignite Your World, he reveals simplistic and highly effective ways to flip how we think to restore hope and to transform how we approach life.

Stepping out of our comfort zone - missionary journey

Dr. Micah Mitchell

Pastor, Lighthouse to Nations, Ottosen

From the Algona Upper Des Moines newspaper archives from Jan. 8, 1981. The Old Bryant School, built before the turn or the century was demolished last summer to make room for a new Bryant, currently under construction. The front door archway  was preserved for inclusion in the new building. Classes will begin in the new structure this fall. Cost of the project is about a million dollars.

Power players in Iowa Senate are aiding and abetting

The Iowa legislature is considering a bill designed to combat "organized retail theft" of property from stores. Lawmakers supporting the measure said they wanted to deter looting, which has happened in some U.S. cities.

School nurse deals with head lice

150 Years Ago

Judge Brockway of Hancock Co. was in town the first of the week and honored us with a call. This gentleman had not visited Algona for the last seven years, and expressed much surprise over its growth and prosperity. The Judge is entitled to be called an old settler, he having become a citizen of Hancock County in 1860.

125 Years Ago

Who keeps a razor in their desk drawer?

Marked and sealed

By Rev. Kent Madison - Pastor, First Presbyterian Lakota

This past week we began the season of Lent, which is 46 days before we celebrate Easter. Easter is the greatest event in the history of mankind. It is when we as Christians celebrate the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

By Gene Miller

150 Years Ago

Algona College. -- The winter term of this institution closes two weeks from to-day, and the spring term opens one week later. The attendance during this term has been very good, the latter half showing an increase over the opening. It is expected that some of the younger pupils will give an entertainment in the Hall at the close of the term, to which the public are to be invited.

125 Years Ago

By Molly MacDonald

By Shane Goodman

I met some friends last week who were in town for the Iowa High School State Wrestling tournament. It is a reunion of sorts for wrestlers and fans around the state to congregate over food and drink and talk about the glory days. I look forward to it each year.

Deep cleaning

By Rev. Russ Jacobsen - Pastor First United Methodist Church

Many years ago I worked part-time in a grocery store produce department. There were misters that kept the vegetables looking good. I noticed in a list of duties that those misters were supposed to be disassembled and “deep cleaned” on a regular basis. I pointed this out to my supervisor and he said, “We don’t do that”. 

I am a rule follower.

The Algona Kiwanis Club brought the circus to town in June of 1974. An estimated 8,100 persons attended the two shows, making it the biggest daily attendance the circus had that season, which started in February. Kiwanis made a net profit of $3,700 and used the money for community use.

By Gene Miller 

150 Years Ago

A man registering his name as Joseph Demel, Chicago, was arrested at Waterloo last Tuesday, for passing counterfeit money. A $100 bill was put off at Halstead’s jewelry store, the spurious character of which was at once detected. 

125 Years Ago