The task can seem daunting. Staying positive during the COVID pandemic has felt - at times - like I am climbing Mount Everest.
How can we expect to be positive when officials tell us the pandemic rages on?
We can’t be with family during Thanksgiving.
Our kids’ sports are cancelled, then started again. They play, but then the season ends when kids get sick.
The kids are in school, then are told their distance learning because too many people are getting sick.

Wayne S. Mader, age 79, of Le Sueur, died Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at St.

Be sure to shop local with all of the new restrictions starting Friday, Nov. 20th.

Leslie John Emmers, 90, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020, at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 25 from 9 to 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Le Center with Memorial Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Interment will be held in Calvary Cemetery in Le Center. Military honors will be provided by the Le Center area Veterans Honor Guard.

Thursday, November 19th 10 am - 2 pm Jordan Fire Station: 501 N Varner St. Jordan, MN 55352

TCU is out of the playoffs.
According to TCU Activities Director Chad Johnson, although the kids and coaches were doing the right things regarding COVID-19 protocols, they lost the battle of staying Covid clean.  
“TCU will unfortunately have to remove itself from the 2020 Football playoffs. We are disappointed we will not get to have our matchup with Fairmont on Tuesday night,” Johnson said on Monday.

Marcella A. Blaeser, 94, of Montgomery passed away Monday, Nov. 9 at St. Francis Hospital in Shakopee. Public services are postponed until a later date. Private interment will be at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery.
Marcella was born April 16, 1926, in Kimball, South Dakota to Joseph and Anna (McAvinney) Smith. She married Willard “Bill” Blaeser in January of 1952 and raised a family. She was known for her excellent tailoring. She loved horses, sewing, flowers, gardening and puzzles.

The Tri-City United Titans capitalized on drives and their scoring performance when they cruised to an 18-8 victory over Saint Peter on Wednesday, Nov. 11.
TCU set the tone that they were out to win on the opening drive of the game. The offense barreled 62 yards, converted three first-downs, and put up a score by starting running back Mason O’Malley.

The TCU Football Team broke a three-game losing streak when it shutout Belle Plaine 8-0 on Friday in Belle Plaine.
The defensive battle saw only one touchdown in the game. It came at the end of a 97-yard drive that took up the majority of the second quarter when Marco Reyes connected with quarterback, Payton Hennen for a 32-yard touchdown reception.
To see more on this story, pick up the November 12, 2020 print edition of the Montgomery Messenger.

The 2020 senior class of Tri-City United High School showed why “seniors rule” when they beat the junior class 20-14 in this year’s powderpuff football game at the high school athletic complex.
After being postponed due to the October 20 snowstorm, the school officials took advantage of the above-average temperatures Wednesday, Nov. 4 and held the game that pits the seniors against the juniors.
To see more on this story, pick up the November 12, 2020 print edition of the Montgomery Messenger.

In Montgomery lower prices for cable TV or internet might be on the horizon.
Officials in Montgomery are studying what it would look like to install a municipal fiber optic network. One potential result, municipal broadband, is a growing trend that allows cities owning fiber optic cables to rent them out to private companies like cable and internet providers.
To see more on this story, pick up the November 12, 2020 print edition of the Montgomery Messenger.

In mathematics and computer science, an algorithm is a finite sequence of well-defined, computer-implementable instructions, typically to solve a class of problems or to perform a computation.
To put it in layman’s terms, an algorithm is what keeps us addicted to our electronic devices.

A beautiful, quiet room tucked in the corner of Most Holy Redeemer Catholic School’s basement has been transformed into an atrium, a special room that now houses a program aimed at fostering young children’s relationships with God.
The program, which opened locally in late September, is called Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
To see more on this story, pick up the November 12, 2020 print edition of the Montgomery Messenger.

Free COVID-19 testing will be held at St. John Lutheran Church, Montgomery, 105 Spruce Ave. NW, on Friday, Nov. 13, 2020.
The testing site will be open from 2 to 4 p.m. It is open to everyone two years and older. The test will be free. No insurance is needed.
You can get tested even if you don't have symptoms of COVID-19. For example, if you think you have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19 or if you got a call from the health department telling you that you may have been exposed.

Rice County Public Health will be offering a flu vaccination clinic on Tuesday, November 17th from 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. at the Lonsdale American Legion, 115 2nd Avenue NW, Lonsdale for anyone 6 months and older.
Please wear face coverings and short-sleeved shirts for ease of vaccine administration. No appointments necessary -- physical distancing will be maintained.   

As hospitals express concern about capacity to treat Minnesotans with COVID-19, Governor Tim Walz today announced new restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the virus in Minnesota. Beginning on Friday, the restrictions will apply to social gatherings, celebrations and receptions, and bars and restaurants, which are three of the most significant sources of COVID-19 outbreaks across the state.
Walz also today announced $10 million in funding to support small businesses affected by the pandemic.