Little Camryn Bruzek wasn't shy about hopping on Santa's lap Saturday and telling him she wanted a baby doll for Christmas. The two-year-old daughter of Ryan and Kim Bruzek was one of several youth to partake in the Montgomery Legion craft event with Santa on Saturday. (Wade Young photo)

One week shy of her 104th birthday, life-long Montgomery resident Mayme (Dejcmar) Jindra, who is now resides at Traditions of Montgomery, dug out an envelope of tattered World War II memorabilia. 
"Oh, I don't know why I kept some of this stuff. You keep some stuff and get rid of other stuff... I must have thought these things would be interesting to  keep," she stated while carefully unwinding the ribbon around the yellowing envelope. 

About 20 children and 20 area law enforcement officers gather at HillSpring Church on Wednesday, Dec. 12, after participating in the third annual Shop With a Cop at Shopko in New Prague. The Salvation Army, Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Office, local schools and KCHK Radio assist with the program where children can buy winter clothing for themselves and presents for their family members. The group gathered at HillSpring Church afterwards to wrap presents, for food and other activities. For more see an upcoming print issue of the paper. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

The Le Sueur County Board of Commissioners approved an amended Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention Plan during the regular Tuesday, Dec. 11 meeting.
Environmental Resources Specialist Holly Kalbus presented the updated AIS Plan, which included a few minor changes.
Kalbus said there are 128 lakes, many creeks, streams, and rivers within the county.
In 2014, the Minnesota Legislature enacted a program aid grant for AIS prevention.

Hundreds of children and their families attended the free Santa's Workshop event in Waterville on Saturday, Dec. 8.
Dozens of volunteers elves helped the children shop for gifts for their family members and received free books, hats, mittens, ornaments, and treats.
Of course, Santa Claus was there and was ready to smile for photos with those brave enough to crawl up on his lap.
Pick up a copy of the Dec. 13, 2018 Life or Enterprise for more on the event.

“Silver bells, silver bells, It's Christmas time in the city.”
In the air there will be the sounds of Christmas with winter music concerts and performances over the next couple of weeks. Here’s a list to help you keep track:
• Monday, Dec. 10: TCU High School Band and Choir Concert, 7 p.m. high school gymnasium
• Tuesday, Dec. 11: TCU Le Center Middle School Choir Concert, 1 p.m., Le Center auditorium
• Tuesday, Dec. 11: TCU Montgomery Middle School Choir Concert, 1:30 p.m., Montgomery auditorium

The city of Montgomery approved its 2019 property tax levy on Monday.
At first glance, the totals of $1.3 million for the general fund, and $297,000 for debt service that were approved, could seem inconsequential without the public hearing the council was required to have before the adoption.
During the hearing that found only mayor-elect Tom Eisert and this reporter in attendance, City Administrator Brian Heck covered goals and priorities, overview of the general fund budget and debt service, details on the levy and the status of the city’s reserve funds.

National Newspaper Association President Andrew Johnson alerted NNA members on Monday that there will be no mail delivery on Wednesday, Dec. 5 because the United States Postal Service will be observing a national day of mourning for President George H.W. Bush.
As a result, post office retail and services will be closed. Suel Printing Co. newspapers (Montgomery Messenger, Lake Region LIFE, Elysian Enterprise and The New Prague Times), which are mailed on Wednesday afternoon, may be delayed.
The closure will not affect newspapers delivered by local newspaper carriers.

Members of the Domaci Czech Folk Dancers made one last performance on Sunday, Dec. 2, at Hometown Holidays at the Park Ballroom in New Prague. The group, directed by Arnie and Deb Ziskovsky, spent 19 years promoting traditional folk dancing. Approximately 30 vendors had an assortment of handcrafted items for sale at the annual event. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

A third/fourth grade teacher at Holy Redeemer School received a special surprise and a new title to be proud of ... Teacher of the Month.
“She is very much deserving,” said Rebecca Ausmus who nominated Elly Franek, in the Catholic Schools Center of Excellence (CSCOE) Teacher of the Month Contest. Franek, who teaches Ausmus’ son, Zachary, received $1,000 for herself and $1,000 for her class. When asked what she plans to use the money for, she said she’s still thinking about it.

A word search book, soft granola bars, deodorant, body spray and a tin of cookies.
These are some of the gift requests on the Montgomery Sharing Trees this year.
The Christmas tradition where area residents make Christmas special for more than 100 members of the community who are at least 50 years old is up and running in Montgomery. The program seeks to fill gift requests during the next week and a half for adult residents, many of whom are senior citizens from Montgomery.
The program uses cards on the Christmas trees with requested gifts that total up to $20.

Montgomery’s Torchlight Parade and Fireworks celebrates 26 years this holiday season. The Thursday, Nov. 29 event kicks off with a parade of approximately 50 lighted floats, beginning at 6:30 p.m. on the north end of First (Main) Street.
Parade participants this year include musical groups like the Schell’s Hobo Quartet, the Govenaires of St. Peter, Lakelander Chorus, Tri-City United High School Drum Line, the Klondike Kates of the St. Paul Winter Carnival, River City Rhythm percussionists and The Amazing Hoopsters.

Le Sueur County will be honored Monday, Dec. 3 during the Minnesota Counties Intergovernmental Trust (MCIT) Annual Meeting in Bloomington.
MCIT announced last week that Le Sueur County has been selected as the 2018 County of the Year.
"The county has distinguished itself in the areas of loss control, risk management, claims administration, and responsiveness to MCIT," MCIT Executive Director Robyn M. Sykes said. "MCIT commends the county's commitment to managing exposures that jeopardize employees and citizens of the county to loss."

Leadership changes are about to take place on the Lonsdale Fire Department.
Effective January 1, 2019, the city will have a new fire chief and assistant fire chief.
Lonsdale’s current fire chief, Mike Yetzer, has served three terms as fire chief, which is the maximum allowed per the department’s policy. Though he will no longer be fire chief, Yetzer will continue to serve on the department.
“We have a top shelf chief,” said Mayor Tim Rud of Yetzer.

As in past years, the junior royalty and button designer of the annual Torchlight Parade and Fireworks have had prominent positions in Montgomery’s winter parade. On Thursday, Nov. 29, grand marshals Ty Wohlers and Eydie Fleek, and button designer, Max Budin climbed aboard a specially designed float and, after the Montgomery Color Guard, started the lineup of around 50 entries that filled the event. After about 45 minutes, when a Montgomery fire truck carrying a Santa Claus, signaled of the parade’s end, people gathered at First Street South for the fireworks finale.

Montgomery received its holiday dressing on Wednesday, Nov. 28, when workers from the City of Montgomery installed the holiday Czech banners and lighted decorations on First Street. The decorations made it up just in time for the Torchlight Parade and Fireworks on Thursday, Nov. 29. The parade starts at 6:30 p.m. (Wade Young Photo)