Resource Training & Solutions events celebrated Minnesota educators and educational support staff. From EV-W these were Jose Carrero and Tammy Winter, and Susan Laumer and Amanda Landwehr. From Kimball were Megan Daoust and Missy Winter-Olmscheid, and Shelly Wittenberg and Stephanie Conlin.
The Eden Valley Lions donated $10,000 to the newly formed Eden Valley Area Historical Society.
The Kingston Legion Junior Auxiliary filled backpacks for homeless veterans served by the St. Cloud VA.
A tree lighting ceremony was held Dec. 1 outside the Community Center in Eden Valley. Businesses adopted trees along the main thoroughfare of Eden Valley, and all were cued to light up at the same time. Voting on those trees for best decorations followed.
St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Annandale hosted a Christ Child Luncheon Dec. 2 at the church.
Santa and Mrs. Claus came to visit Eden Valley-Watkins high school Dec. 3, hosted by the Eden Valley Lions Club and other volunteers.
The 26th annual Forest City Stockade Pioneer Christmas was Dec. 3, a chilly but sunny day. There was a winter encampment, live music and demonstrations, hot food and drink, and Santa of course.
Trinity Lutheran Church held their annual bazaar Dec. 3 at the church in Grove City.
The Kimball American Legion Auxiliary held a bake sale Dec. 3 at the Legion Club.
KAHS hosted a 31-team Robotics competition Dec. 10 in Wirth Gym.
A “Stop N Shop” craft, vendor and bake sale was hosted Dec. 10 at Kimball United Methodist Church. Zion UMC held their annual Christmas candy and cookie sale Dec. 10 as well.
Watkins Santa Day was Dec. 10. The day started with kids’ shopping in the morning, at Village Hall. At 1 p.m., the 33rd annual Christmas play was presented: “Frenzy in Fairyland.” Door prizes, visits with Santa, and then hot dogs and cocoa at the Skating Rink followed the play.
South Haven Santa Day was Dec. 11 at City Hall.
St. John’s Lutheran Church held free gift-wrapping sessions on Dec. 11 and Dec. 18 at the church.
After a couple years absence, the CP Rail Holiday Train returned this year. It made a stop for a 30-minute concert/program in Eden Valley Dec. 14. The Eden Valley community held a party starting at 6 p.m. that night, at the Community Center.
The Eden Valley Chamber featured business Dec. 15 was the Eden Valley Lions Club.
Kimball Snow Daze week (Dec. 19-22) was interrupted by a winter storm; Ellie Kuechle and Chris Erickson were crowned Queen and King in January.
In Eden Valley, the former BI building was purchased by Plymouth Industries which held an open house for Chamber members.
William Serbus and Brookelyn Kuechle were selected Kimball ExCEL award winners.
Katheryn Donnay and Jackson Fink were selected Kimball Triple A award winners.
Winners of the Eden Valley Citizens For Progress lighting contest were announced: Louis Bottlebourge 1st place, Heather Ahey 2nd place, David Moran 3rd place, and Mark and Linda Berg honorable mention.
EV-W Activities Director and Assistant Principal Dave Schneider was selected to replace retiring Bruce Kiehn as Secondary Principal at EV-W.
Watkins hosted a blood drive Dec. 27 at St. Anthony Parish Center.
Fun Size Pet Spa held their grand opening Dec. 31 in Kimball. The new business is in the former location of Diva’s, just south of the Post Office.
Departures:
Dec. 1, Frances (Manke) Truenow, 92, of Annandale.
Dec. 11, Mary Kielty, 74, of Watkins.
Dec. 27, Luella (Blumke) Lofgren, 95, of South Haven.