February and March always seem to be a wonderful time to read a book. Being a librarian, I often think that, but no more so than this two-month window. The holidays and all their bustle are now well past. Devotees of watching football have been cut off cold turkey. The weather is not yet conducive to many popular outdoor pastimes, and we are primarily stuck indoors.

Regardless of what sort of story you would like to read or what subject you would like to read about, the library likely has it. If for some reason we do not, then you may still be in luck. I think you will find us very open to purchase suggestions, especially for recently published materials. For items a little bit older, we can often get them easily by borrowing them from another library. In fact, we now waive the fee for your first interlibrary loan request each calendar month.

I would go one further and suggest joining a book club. There are several book clubs in the community that operate totally outside of the library. Some may just be among a circle of friends. The library is starting a new, non-fiction book club that will meet the second Tuesday of the month at 5:00 p.m. at the library. Our book for the first month, to be discussed March 10th, is A Woman of No Importance: the Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II by Sonia Purnell.

The best thing about a book club is that it can help bring you out of your shell by introducing you to books that you may not have otherwise read. Involvement in book clubs has had me read dozens of books I may not have chosen for myself, but rarely have I been sorry for the excursion.

Nathan Clark

Director, Emmetsburg Public Library

Surveillance Cameras

In an effort to assist in combating criminal acts, the Emmetsburg Police Department is currently creating a list of privately-owned security cameras in our community. If an incident would occur near your property, and you'd be willing to allow the Officer(s) to view your recordings, the Emmetsburg Police Department asks that you provide some information:

• Owner contact information
• Location and number of cameras
• Direction the cameras are pointed
• What can be seen from the cameras - roads, sidewalks, backyard, etc.
  

If interested, please email Chief Ryan Veldboom (rveldboom@paloaltosheriff.com) or Sergeant Aaron Steffen (asteffen@paloaltosheriff.com) or contact the Police Department by phone at 712-852-2424 or in person at 1907 11th Street.

UPCOMING HOLIDAYS

• Feb 17 - Presidents' Day  |  City Hall & EMU Closed, Monday's garbage collection will be picked up on Tuesday, February 18

Got the winter blues? Chase them away by getting involved with planning Emmetsburg’s overnight stay by Iowa’s Ride on Thursday, July 16, and summer will be here in no time. There are 10 committees that can use help, so decide where you can serve best and give me a call. Areas that need assistance are Campgrounds and Accommodations, Beverage Garden and Entertainment, Publicity and Welcome/Information Center, Food and Vendors, Transportation, Security, Public Safety and Medical. Can your non-profit group help feed 4,000 hungry bicyclists? Can you help park RVs and direct campers? Do you know Emmetsburg like the back of your hand and are willing to help our guests find their way? There are many more ways to play an important role, so join our TEAM as Together Everyone Achieves More!

Deb Hite

Plans for Emmetsburg’s 60th Annual St. Patrick’s Celebration are underway! 

The Brian Brou Irish Pipe Band is looking forward to sharing their amazing talent with all of us once again this year. New this year will be a Guinness Challenge Cook-Off. St. Pat’s will provide one can of beer per entry as each item cooked must contain Guinness.  Another new thing this year is that we will be doing a group photo with as many people as we can by Robert Emmet immediately following the parade. We will kick off our Celebration on Sunday, March 8, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. with our Little Miss/Miss Shamrock Pageant. Miss Iowa, Emily Tisman, will be in attendance this year.  Our 2020 visiting Irish Dignitary will be arriving in Des Moines on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 and will get to tour the State Capitol before arriving in Emmetsburg.

For more details about what will be going on head over to www.emmetsburgirishgifts.com for a full schedule of events.

- St. Patrick's Assocation of Emmetsburg

The  Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people who generally make $55,000 or less, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals. Only basic returns will be prepared - no farm income, vacation rentals, or buying, selling or renting of property. For those wanting assistance with tax return preparation and e-filing, call the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Palo Alto County office to make an appointment. Individuals are reminded to bring a Photo ID, last year's return, Social Security cards for all named on the return, and 2019 tax documents for income: W2s, 1099s, etc. 

ISU Extension & Outreach - Palo Alto County
712-852-2865

The Kossuth/Palo Alto County Economic Development Corporation’s Ag Committee is partnering with ISU Extension and ag-related businesses to host an ag event with the theme “Your Farm, Your Future” on Wednesday, March 25th from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the Water’s Edge Nature Center north of Algona. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m., and a noon meal will be provided. Three knowledgeable speakers will discuss topics on agricultural trade, the current and future ag economy, and information on planning for your farm’s future and succession. CEU’s will be offered for Certified Crop Advisors (CCA). Thanks to this year’s event sponsors (K/PACEDC, Kossuth County ISU Extension & Outreach, Iowa Corn Promotion Board, Iowa State Bank, and Kossuth County Farm Bureau), the event is free to attend. Pre-registration is recommended to guarantee space and ensure materials, refreshments, and meals. Contact the Kossuth County Extension at 515-295-2469 for more information or to register.

Feb 18 - 5:00 PM @ Emmetsburg Public Library

Feb 24 - 6:00 PM @ City Hall

Feb 25 - 7:00 AM @ City Hall

Mar 9 - 6:00 PM @ City Hall

Mar 10 - 7:00 AM @ City Hall

Mondays @ 10:30 AM
Emmetsburg Public Library

Wednesdays @ 4:15 PM
ISU Extension

Thursdays @ 2:00 PM
Emmetsburg Public Library

Feb 11 @ 5:00 PM
Emmetsburg Public Library

Feb 12 @ 6:00 PM
The Shores

Sponsored by the City of Emmetsburg & Chamber
$25 Registration - Contact Gretchen at 712.415.1142

Feb 14 @ 9:30 AM
in Health Ed Room

Feb 14 - 5:00-8:00 PM
Call 712-852-3422 to reserve a table

Feb 14 @ 5:00 PM
High School Commons

Feb 15 @ 9:00 AM
VFW - Sponsored by ISU Extension & Outreach

Sponsored by Bethany Lutheran Church
Feb 16 @ 8:30 AM
VFW 

Feb 17 - City Hall & EMU Closed

Sponsored by the Emmetsburg Chamber of Commerce
Feb 17 @ 6:00 PM

The Shores

Feb 18 @ 7:00 AM-3:00 PM
PACHS Health Ed Room

Feb 18 @ 8:30 AM and 5:15 PM
First United Methodist Church

Feb 19 @ 7:00 AM
Chamber Office

Feb 20 
The Shores  | Reservations: 515-887-3231

Feb 21 @ 9:30 AM

Feb 21 @ 5:00 PM

Feb 22 @ 7:00 PM
The Shores

Feb 25 @ 5:00 PM
Pizza Ranch

Feb 28 @ 1:30 PM
Emmetsburg Public Library

Presenter Sheila Craig takes a nostalgic look at the apron in an interactive, hands-on program.

Mar 6 @ 5:00-7:00 PM
Served by the ILCC Student Senate

Mar 6 @ 6:00 PM
Wild Rose Casino & Resort Ballroom

Mar 8 @ 4:30 PM
Emmetsburg Public Library

Mar 8 @ 3:00-7:00 PM
Emmetsburg High School Auditorium

Mar 10 @ 5:00 PM
Emmetsburg Public Library

Mar 12 @ 3:00-5:00 PM
St. Pat's Headquarters

Mar 13 @ 9:30 AM
St. Pat's Headquarters

Mar 8, 13, 14, and 15
Visit website for more details

Mar 25 @ 8:00 AM
Water's Edge Nature Center, Algona

Sponsored in part by Kossuth/Palto Alto Co. Economic Development

See more events and details at www.emmetsburg.com/
community-events