The 33rd Annual Torchlight Parade and Fireworks in downtown Montgomery on Thursday, Dec. 4, was definitely another bundle-up affair this year.

Temperatures hovered just barely above zero and all the hot foods and drinks along 1st Street were welcomed. As time progressed, the wind also picked up.

Santa Claus was there with his live reindeer again, letting all ages hop on the sleigh for a photo. The Amazing Hoopsters were back dazzling with fire and light-up hola-hoops before the parade in front of Frandsen Bank & Trust and in the parade.

The Tri-City United (TCU) boys basketball team opened its 2025-26 season with three losses.

St. Peter handed the Titans a 113-36 loss Monday, Dec. 1. Three days later St. Claire defeated TCU, 86-61. Friday Worthington traveled to Montgomery and handed the Titans a 78-40 loss.

In the loss to St. Peter, the Saints have a majority of their players returning from last year and they looked to be in mid-season form from the tip.

Kathleen “Kathy” Ann Christensen, age 71, of Le Center, passed away on Friday, December 5, 2025, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato following a courageous battle with ALS.

John “JK” Michael Kelly, of rural Waterville passed away at his home December 4, 2025, after a rapid and courageous battle with cancer.

John was born on September 28, 1956, to Walter and Ludmilla (Edel) Kelly of rural Kilkenny.  He attended Treborn Country school, Holy Redeemer Catholic School and graduated from Montgomery High School in 1974.  He later attended Austin Vocational College earning his FCC License in Radio Broadcasting.

This month’s Montgomery American Legion Post #79 Thank A Living Veteran focus is on Larry Parsons.

Parsons attended Kindergarten at Montgomery Public Schools before joining Holy Redeemer Catholic School through eighth grade. He completed high school in Amery, Wis., where he attended University of Wisconsin — River Falls after graduation for three years. It was during this time where he decided to enlist, and the U.S. Army was the first to have an opening.

The community’s biggest outdoor holiday event is tonight, Torchlight Parade & Fireworks.

Fun for the evening begins at 5 p.m. along 1st Street in Montgomery.

Entertainment by Schell’s Hobo Band, which will play downtown and at Park Manor (as well as the parade). Lakelanders Barbershop Chorus will stop by Traditions to sing some tunes as well as during the parade.

Most pre-events to the parade can be seen near the intersection of Vine Avenue and 1st Street.

Just like the founders of this community started as first generation and second generation immigrants, a new round of immigrants is planting their foot in Montgomery.

Martin S. Gomez was born in La Estancia, Guatemala, which is also the name of the first bakery he opened in Bloomington, Minn., after the pandemic hit. This month, he opened up his second bakery here inside of Mike’s Discount Foods called Pan Sabroso.

Trust for Public Land (TBL) and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced the permanent protection of 200 acres of grassland, forest, and wetland habitat about 2 miles southeast of Lonsdale in Forrest Township within Rice County. The new Sungina Wildlife Management Area (WMA) rests between Union Lake Trail (Rice County 59) and Millersburg Boulevard (Rice County 1), and east of Garfield Avenue.

This newly established WMA will offer residents and visitors a green oasis to explore the outdoors, connect with nature, and enjoy recreation close to home. 

Eleanor Gladys Tupy, 98, of Bloomington, passed away on November 23, 2025. Eleanor was born on September 26, 1927, in Shieldsville Township, MN, to parents Thomas and Rose (Filipek) Snorek. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin; sister, Lorraine Turek; brother, Robert; and special friend, Waldo Jaekel. Eleanor is survived by children, Ron (Pam) Tupy, and Marlys (Paul) Bagaason; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and siblings, Ivan and Alvin.

    There are a few ways you can give back this holiday season in our community beyond just shopping local. 

Foster Care Giving
    New this year, the Montgomery Fire Department will be collecting toys, new children’s clothes, and/or monetary donations ahead of the Torchlight Parade & Fireworks on Thursday, Dec. 4 for Lutheran Social Services Foster Care. 
    Firefighters will be stationed on the east side of 1st Street and Vine Avenue, just north of Frandsen Bank & Trust, to collect from 6-6:30 p.m.

“I know SNAP has been the highlight of discussion for many, many weeks” Le Sueur County Director of Human Services Jamie Hayes said at the Le Sueur County Board of Commissioners regular meeting on Nov. 18.

Hayes was before the board for the payment authorization of an elevator project, but had time left in her segment to talk about the ongoing federal issues with the SNAP program.

Harlan Earl “Doc” Meyer, age 98, passed away peacefully on November 23, 2025, at The Lutheran Home in Belle Plaine, MN.

Kenneth Jeremiah Keohen, age 62, of Montgomery, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at Mayo Clinic Health System in New Prague.

Ken was born on March 11, 1963, in New Prague, the son of Jeremiah Sr. and Karen (O’Brien) Keohen. He grew up in Montgomery, attended Most Holy Redeemer Catholic School through eighth grade, and graduated from Montgomery-Lonsdale High School with the Class of 1981.

As we gather around our tables to greet one another for Thanksgiving, whether if it is for family or you having a ‘Friendsgiving,’ we inevitably have people of opposing thoughts. Despite what many brush off as a ‘difference of politics,’most often it is a difference of morals, a lack of ingesting credible information, or simply not putting in the effort to really know and instead relying on feelings and hunches to make decisions.

Avoidance of such subjects is not okay.

Montgomery VFW Post #5340 in partnership with Le Center VFW #1803 and each post’s auxiliaries, announced their winners for this year’s Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen contests, and their Teacher-of-the-Year awards.

Voice of Democracy

High school students, three from each community of Montgomery and Le Center, had the opportunity to express themselves about freedom and democracy in this audio-essay contest.

Montgomery Chamber of Commerce held their annual meeting at Montgomery National Golf Course’s newly built club building on Thursday, Nov. 13. Roughly 45 business owners and their employees attended the event.

The evening was started with a social period with heavy appetizers and live music downstairs. Attendees moved upstairs for a formal presentation from the chamber.

The chamber increased its membership by 14, with 80 members in 2025.