2024, the year that was (continued)

Here is the conclusion of a review of 2024. (Part 1 was printed in last week’s Tri-County News.) Even as we’re well into 2025 now, it’s good to take a nostalgic look back at last year. 

JULY

The Kimball Lions provided a new outdoor AED unit that was installed at Willow Creek Park. The Lions began immediately fundraising for an outdoor AED that would be located north of the railroad tracks. 

After 10 years, Kool-TV the Alexandria-based regional network, shut down their operations. The public network was started by weatherman Mark Anthony (Anderson). 

A Red Cross blood drive was held July 10 at the St. Anthony Church Parish Center. 43 units were collected. 

This year’s Holy Cross Parish Party was held July 13 with hamburgers, pork chops on a stick, and fries, bean bag tournament, pull tabs, and Leon Laudenbach & Steel Rail live music. 

There was a rash of plant theft in our area. Plants placed on graves – even decades-old in-ground plants – were stolen from the Kimball Cemetery. Businesses that spent money for plants to enhance their curb appeal soon found those plants ripped from their planters. 

A summer ball program thrives in Pearl Lake with about 75 boys and girls, all run by volunteers. 

Ostmark Lutheran Church in rural Watkins held their 48th annual Homemade Ice Cream Social July 21 at the church. As usual, they served pie with that ice cream, and they also served hot dogs and BBQs. 

The City of Watkins held a public hearing July 24 to hear from Watkins businesses and residents about their views on a small-box discount store (specifically Dollar General) proposed for a lot on Highway 55 in Watkins. This issue would continue through the rest of 2024 and into 2025. A one-year moratorium on such businesses is due to expire Jan. 11, 2025. 

A 2024 Yard & Garden Tour was held July 28 in and around Eden Valley. Proceeds from the event were intended for purchase of trees and plants for Friederichs Park. 

The 2024 Luxemburg Parish Festival was July 28 at St. Wendelin’s Church in Luxemburg. The usual chicken and ham dinner, and later the quilt auction and raffle, were highlights of the day. 

The Meeker County Fair was held July 31-Aug. 4 in Litchfield. 275 youth from Meeker County showcased their 1,630 projects, learning, and achievements during the fair. The Stearns County Fair also was held during this time. 

Departures:

July 5, Zoey Gordon, 11 days, of Murdock, Minn.

July 17, Franklin Meyer, 85, of Watkins. 

July 21, Mary Ann (Krausert) Bechtold, 91, of Fair Haven. 

July 22, Debra “Deb” (Hinkemeyer) Sodomka, 65. 

Transitions:

July 13, 50th wedding anniversary celebration for David and Mona Hokkala. 

AUGUST

Fire Chief Dave Traurig and the Kimball Fire Department received a grant of $2,500 from CenterPoint Energy to purchase new firefighting boots. 

Parts City in Kimball announced the addition of a Hardware Hank store, and Saturday-Sunday hours. 

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Aug. 1 in Eden Valley for a new business: Johannes Auction and its owners Lisa and Randy Johannes.

Effective Aug. 1, Vitality Healthcare Management expanded to acquire six senior living communities, including Savanna Prairie in Kimball which now operates under the name Vitality Living Kimball. The parent company is based in northern Minnesota. 

The EV and EV-W all-school reunion took place Aug. 2 at The Olde Coliseum in Richmond. This was for graduates of Eden Valley High School through 1966, and Eden Valley-Watkins High School from 1967-1974. 

The Kraut N Wurst festival in Watkins was held Aug. 2-3. The Little Miss Watkins pageant – with 11 girls competing – kicked off the celebration Friday night; Little Miss Watkins was Harper Haugen with Princesses Elsie Manuel and Aubrey Muehlbauer. The parade Saturday morning was another hit – with Susie and Bill Hennen as grand marshals – and there were plenty of activities all day until “Mitch Gordon and the Unleaded Band” played for the street dance. The Frog Race returned this year, and new this year was a Brat-Eating Contest. 

Stearns Electric Association hosted its member appreciation event Aug. 3 at Freeport Community Center. 

A Red Cross blood drive was held Aug. 5 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Eden Valley. 73 units were collected, and 79 individuals showed up in the rain to donate. 

The City of Kimball broke ground Aug. 6 for a new Public Works building near the current Fire Hall, on city property. The $788,510 building will house equipment and provide office space for Public Works. 

Both Kimball and Watkins celebrated National Night Out on Aug. 6. The annual country-wide event is intended to bring communities together with each other, and to bring them together with local law enforcement as well. 

The Watkins American Legion hosted its Membership Dinner Aug. 6 at the club. 

Malco Tools in Annandale was named a MNSTAR facility, and earned the Governor’s Safety Award. They held a ceremonial flag–raising event Aug. 7 to celebrate the MNSTAR certification. 

The Eden Valley Chamber held a ribbon-cutting for EA Detailing, a new business started by recent Ukrainian immigrants Alex Anichkin Jr. and his brother Arsenii. 

A Stuff the Bus event was held Aug. 8 and Aug. 10 in Eden Valley, collecting school supplies, and money to purchase more. The annual event helps students in the Eden Valley-Watkins school -district. 

The Maine Prairie Theatre company presented three performances of “Oklahoma” Aug. 9-11, during Kimball Days. More than 300 people attended the performances. 

Kimball Days were Aug. 9-11. The Saturday morning parade was the highlight of the weekend – with John Bolvin as grand marshal – but there were lots of other activities going on around town. New this year was a Disc Golf Tournament in Willow Creek Park. The Kids’ Zone outdoors at St. Anne’s Church was another big hit this year. The Saturday morning 5K run raised money for another AED in Kimball, this one for the north side of the tracks; D.J. Blomker finished as the fastest male, and Joanna Mackereth finished as the fastest female. “Swamp Donkey” played for the street dance. There was plenty to do for all ages. 

The 38th annual New London to New Brighton Antique Car Run stopped in Kingston for a lunch break Aug. 10. 

Mother Nature treated us here in central Minnesota with a fiery show of dancing Northern Lights through most of the night Aug. 11-12. The sun is expected to be in “solar maximum” reaching peak activity in 2025, and there were some great shows visible to many here leading up to that. 

An emergency NO WAKE order was issued for North Browns Lake effective Aug. 15 because of high water conditions after recent heavy rainfalls. The order was only needed for about a week. 

The State Amateur Baseball Tournament began Aug. 16. The Watkins Clippers won the Region 15C championship and had a bye for the first weekend of State Tournament play. The Kimball Express, in Region 11C, took #3 seed going into the State Tournament. 

The South Haven Fire and Rescue Department received a $2,500 Community Safety Grant from CenterPoint Energy. The funds will be used to purchase battery-powered extrication tools. 

The Kimball Class of 1961 63rd reunion was held Aug. 16 at Triple R in Kimball. 

Cold Spring Brewing Co. held a 150th anniversary celebration Aug. 17. 

The Kimball Express won their first State Tournament game this season by a shut-out, defeating the Luverne Redbirds, 10-0. This was the ninth State Tournament appearance by the Express in 11 years, and they won the Class C State Championship in 2017. Winning pitcher Ben Johnson was interviewed after the game as “Player of the Game.” 

The 41st annual Forest City Stockade Rendezvous took place the weekend of Aug. 17-18. New this year was a wagon collection at Nelson Barn, and a new sod house. 

The 36th annual Forest City Threshers Show also took place Aug. 17-18. This year’s theme was Minneapolis-Moline. New this year was the Women’s Building, and a vintage implement tool identification featuring early Meeker County patents. 

The Kimball Area High School class of 1974 held their 50th reunion Aug. 23 at S.O.B. in Kimball. 

A St. Cloud Art Crawl was held Aug. 23. One of the artists featured by the Central MN Arts Board was Tri-County News editor Jean Matua with her Ukrainian batik-style eggs. 

In the second round of amateur baseball State Tournament play Aug. 24, the Kimball Express defeated the Foley Lumberjacks in 10 innings, 4-3. The Watkins Clippers defeated the Carver Black Socks, 7-4. It was a hot and steamy weekend for the two hot local teams. Unfortunately, the winning streak for both teams ended the next weekend. Kimball lost in the round of 16 on Aug. 30 to the Bird Island Bullfrogs, 8-1. And the Watkins Clippers lost to the Buffalo Bulldogs on Aug. 31.

The Kimball Rod & Gun Club was vandalized overnight Aug. 24-25. Club house windows were smashed, but there was no apparent entry into the building. Vulgar language was spray-painted across the conex container and trap houses. And the electronic receiver at each trap house was destroyed. This occurred just before the annual Dennis Serbus Memorial shoot. Volunteers got everything cleaned up and Sunday continued with a successful shoot. That event raises money for the Dennis Serbus Memorial Scholarship fund. 

Ostmark Lutheran Church in rural Watkins held a pork chop feed Aug. 25 at the church. 

Lost & Found in Eden Valley celebrated their 30th anniversary Aug. 29-31. 

Departures:

Judith (Stein) Heinen, 76, of Sauk Rapids. 

Aug. 10, Francella “Fran” (Rudolph) Schmitz, 81, of Kimball. 

Aug. 12, Gloria (Porter) Schmidt, 93, of Watkins. 

Aug. 20, Donna (Ellis) Becker, 81, of Hutchinson. 

Aug. 23, Duane Miller, 72, of Watkins.

Aug. 23, Robert “Bob” Peters, 85, of Watkins. 

Aug. 24, Darlene (Hesse) Huckenpoehler, 82, of Watkins. 

Aug. 25, Nancy (Becker) Stanz, 80, of Kimball. 

Aug. 28, Monte Serbus, 60, of Kimball. 

Aug. 30, Sharon (Wicker) Scheeler, 64, of Helena, Mont.

Aug. 31, Patricia “Pat” (Graunke) Snodgrass, 84, of Eden Valley.

SEPTEMBER

The Watkins Sportsmen’s Club held their 77th annual picnic Sept. 1 on Clear Lake in Watkins. 

Sept. 3 marked the start of school for both Kimball and Eden Valley-Watkins schools. Summer construction projects were still finishing up at the Kimball schools even as students returned to class. There were several new teachers at both districts this year. 

The Eden Valley Chamber held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Sept. 4 at Valley Liquor Warehouse, to celebrate its new, second-generation owners Aaron Albright and his sister Jena Kaufman. 

The Sept. 5 Eden Valley Chamber Business Showcase was on Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home. The business had recently built a new building in Eden Valley, still on main street. Deb Dingmann is fourth generation in the funeral business there. 

The Kimball Class of 1969 had their reunion Sept. 5 at Prospects in Litchfield (the golf course). 

St. John’s Lutheran Church in Kimball held their annual Pork Chop Dinner and Silent Auction Sept. 7 at the church. 

The Church of St. Anthony in Watkins held their fall festival Sept. 8. “Diesel Fire” provided live music. 

The Kimball Old Coots met Sept. 10 for their bi-annual get–together at Triple R.

A Red Cross blood drive was held Sept. 12 at St. Anne’s Church in Kimball. 

The KHS class of 1952 held their reunion Sept. 12 at Triple R in Kimball. Three members showed up: Ralph Nistler, Arnita (Muehring) Rieger, and Orville Cremers. 

The Eden Valley city-wide garage sale was Sept. 12-14. 

On Sept. 14 Lake Union Church in rural South Haven hosted “Pasta with a Purpose!” a spaghetti & meatballs fundraiser for their Room for More Campaign. 

The Assumption Parish Fall Festival in Eden Valley was Sept. 15. 

EV-W Homecoming kicked off Sept. 15 with coronation of Homecoming Queen Ellaree Anderson and King Dylan Walz. EV-W won their Homecoming football game against Paynesville, 46-16. 

A Red Cross blood drive was held Sept. 17 at the Church of St. Anthony in Watkins. 44 units were collected. 

The Kimball Area Historical Society hosted Renee Wendinger Sept. 17 to speak on orphan trains which relocated about 200,000 children between 1854 and 1929. 

The Kimball Class of 1960 held their 64th reunion Sept. 18 at Triple R in Kimball. 

The Kimball Class of 1964 reunion was held Sept. 19 at Triple R Grill & Bar in Kimball. 

The St. Cloud Rox and the Rox Community Foundation hosted their fourth annual Sporting Clays Shootout Fundraiser in Little Falls on Sept. 19. The Kimball Lions served lunch. The Kimball High School Trap Team was a beneficiary of the fundraising, receiving a portion of the $56,135 raised. 

The Kimball Class of 1959 reunion was held Sept. 20 at Triple R in Kimball. 

The City of Kimball clean-up day was held the morning of Sept. 21 at the A.M. Maus & Son parking lot.

The fall festival at St. Anne’s Church was held Sept. 21 in Kimball. 

Concordia Lutheran Church in Fair Haven held a Pork Chop Dinner Sept. 21 at the Fair Haven Park. 

A fall omelet breakfast was held Sept. 22 at St. Wendelin’s Church in Luxemburg. 

Church of Our Lady Manannah hosted its Grilled Smoked Pork Chop Supper & Raffle Sept. 22 at the church. 

The KHS Class of 1958 held their 66th reunion Sept. 26 at Triple R in Kimball. 

The Kimball Classes of 1956 and 1957 held a joint reunion Sept. 27 at Triple R in Kimball. 

Zion United Methodist Church in South Haven held a pancake breakfast and rummage sale Sept. 28 at the church. 

A fundraiser dinner and silent auction was held Sept. 28 at St. Anthony Parish Hall in Watkins to benefit Joyce Manske and her donor for transplant surgery expenses not covered by insurance. 

Barb Froehling was recognized for her 40 years of service at KAHS. There was a party with cake the week before Sept. 30, her last day on the job. 

Departures:

Sept. 5, Willard “Bill” Stein, 81, of Kimball. 

Sept. 9, Shirley (Miller) Klein, 81, of South Haven.

Sept. 19, Elaine (Witzman) Donnay, 87, of Watkins. 

Sept. 28, Larry Ramthun, 70, of Watkins.

Transitions:

Sept. 7, 80th birthday of Darrel Hedlund, and 50th anniversary of Hedlund Plumbing. 

OCTOBER

Mary Levinski and Michelle Massman opened the Culinary Studio in East End St. Cloud in October. The business is dedicated to providing exceptional cooking classes and experiences, and serving as a hub for food enthusiasts of all levels. 

The Sasquatch for President campaign made a quick trip through Kimball on Oct. 4. Several people saw him make his way north on Main Street. 

The Kimball Lions Fall Fish Fry was held Oct. 4 at Willow Creek Park Lions Shelter. 

The Eden Valley Fire & Rescue Department held an open house Oct. 5 with activities for the whole family. Life Link III was a highlight of the day, along with a K9 demonstration with Eden Valley Police. Watkins Ambulance was there, and there were bounce houses for kids, and a kids’ fire hose and fire truck rides. 

The Military Vehicle Preservation Association stopped in St. Stephen the morning of Oct. 5, and in Watkins for lunch that day, as part of their month-long trip from Winnipeg to New Orleans with about 40 vintage military vehicles in convoy.

Ostmark Lutheran Church in rural Watkins held their 48th annual Fall Bazaar Oct. 5. 

Runestone expert Janey Westin spoke on the subject Oct. 6 at the Dassel History Center. 

Ostmark Lutheran Church in rural Watkins held their Fall Bazaar and quilt raffle Oct. 6. 

The Kimball Fire Department held their annual picnic and recognized members for completing their training, and for years of service. The Chief’s Award was presented to Brad Donnay. 

Kimball Homecoming was Oct. 6-11. King Zach Kourima and Queen Jocelynn Zoller were crowned Thursday afternoon. The Cubs played Eden Valley-Watkins Friday in football, and the Cubs won that Rooster Bowl game for the first time in 25 years, winning 28-20. 

The Kimball Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a Meet the Candidates night Oct. 7 at the KAHS cafetorium with city council, school board, and state legislators invited to participate. 

The night of Oct. 7-8 we were all treated to another Northern Lights show. 

There was a presentation Oct. 10 at Kimball Public Library about the proposed new Stearns County law enforcement center. Stearns County voters would vote on how to pay for it Nov. 5. 

Another big Northern Lights show – including a rare overhead corona at this low latitude – excited those who saw it the night of Oct. 10. 

On Oct. 11, Mexican Market Vallarta, a Mexican grocery store, opened in Eden Valley, in the building next to the Library. The Eden Valley Chamber held a -ribbon-cutting ceremony that day for owners Miguel and Yenny. 

Historic Ness Church held a 150th anniversary fall service and roof fundraiser Oct. 12 at the church. 

Kimball Area Community Education held a garage sale Oct. 12 at their “old” building, selling early childhood furniture, toys, books, and more that would not be needed in the new space.

Oct. 13 was the National Honor Society induction of new members at both Eden Valley-Watkins and Kimball high schools. 

The KAHS Class of 1979 held their 45th class reunion Oct. 12. They started at the high school for a tour, and continued with dinner at Triple R in Kimball. 

The KAHS Fine Arts Department held a fundraiser meal, concert, and art show Oct. 14 at the school. 

Kimball Area Community Education hosted its second annual Fall Festival Oct. 14 in their new Early Childhood wing at Kimball Elementary. The evening included an open house of the new space. 

A Fall Craft Sale was held Oct. 19 at Watkins Elementary School, sponsored by Backyard Garden Creations. 

The Eden Valley Chamber hosted a pumpkin-decorating contest on Facebook from Oct. 21-29. The winning pumpkin was from Farmers & Merchants Bank. 

The Kimball Area Historical Society held their annual meeting Oct. 22 at historic Kimball City Hall. 

The 61st annual Pearl Lake Fish Fry was held Oct. 25 at Holy Cross Parish. 

A Swappers Spooktacular end-of-season celebration was held Oct. 26 at the Wright County Swappers’ Meet. 

The Dassel Art Tour was held Oct. 26 in three locations in Dassel. 

Saturday, Oct. 26, was a turning point for both Kimball and EV-W football teams. Kimball went into the playoffs undefeated, and they faced Royalton in this Section semifinal game; Kimball won, 37-0, maintaining their undefeated status. On the other hand, Eden Valley-Watkins faced Holdingford. EV-W had lost only one game in regular season, to Kimball; they lost in the Section semifinal to Holdingford, 24-6, which ended their attempted repeat run to the State Tournament. 

The Fall roast beef dinner and raffle was held Oct. 27 at Assumption Parish in Eden Valley. 

St. John’s Lutheran Church in Kimball held a Trunk or Treat Oct. 27 in the church parking lot. 

Kimball Area Fine Arts and Kimball Area FFA programs hosted a Halloween Festival for the community Oct. 27. The event included a haunted house, trunk-or-treat in the parking lot, and carnival games in the cafetorium. 

The Kimball Area School District hosted an open house Oct. 28 at both schools, allowing the public to view the recently completed renovation projects: new secure entrances, new Early Childhood wing, new elementary cafeteria, renovated science and FACS classrooms. 

Resource Training & Solutions held its 2024 Leadership in Education Excellence Award banquet Oct. 30 at the St. Cloud River’s Edge Convention Center. Heidi Kuechle and Ryan Tri were awarded from the Eden Valley-Watkins district. Barry Strand and Amelia Burg represented the Kimball district with their awards.

About 150 people gathered at the KAHS cafetorium Oct. 30 for a formal hearing on Xcel Energy’s plan to erect about 175 miles of 345-kilovolt (high-voltage) transmission line. Administrative Law Judge Suzanne Todnem presided over the hearing; she heard all comments, and will read all written comments, before making her report to the Public Utilities Commission Feb. 6. 

After so many warm fall days, sometimes hitting near 80 degrees, local temperatures plummeted and, on Oct. 31, we got plowable snow. The cold and snow caused Kimball Golf Club to close for the season a day earlier than planned, and no doubt altered other plans as well. 

Oct. 31 was Halloween, but it was also Alayna Ertl’s 14th birthday. Alayna’s family held their annual community party Oct. 31 with a Trunk or Treat in the parking lot of the Church of St. Anthony in Watkins. 

Departures:

Oct. 3, Eric Geers, 50, of St. Cloud. 

Oct. 4, Martha Schneider, 94, of Watkins. 

Oct. 6, Robert “Bob” Markgraf, 81, of Watkins. 

Oct. 16, Michael Schmidt, 74, of South Haven.

Oct. 20, Elmer Geislinger, 88, of Watkins. 

Oct. 27, Julie (Lange) Terwey, 60, of South Haven. 

Oct. 30, Renee (Meyer) Brutger, 75, of Kimball.

NOVEMBER

The Kimball Cubs football team faced Holdingford (whom they defeated Oct. 26) Nov. 1 for the Section 5AA Championship, playing at St. John’s University. Kimball won in a well-balanced, back-and-forth game, 26-20, sending Kimball to the State Tournament for the first time in 33 years. 

EV-W senior Henry Lemke placed 10th in the MSHSL Class AA State Cross Country Meet Nov. 2. As a five-time state entrant in cross country representing EV-W/K and three-time all-state honoree, Lemke finished his high school cross country career as one of the most decorated runners in program history. 

Nov. 5, was General Election day across the United States. Locally, Mayor Brent Bengtson was re-elected in Eden Valley, unopposed, and Brian Schueller and Troy Huschle were elected and re-elected to the city council. Tammy Konz was elected mayor of Kimball, unopposed; Jody Orbeck and Steven Dahlager were re-elected to the city council. In Kingston Mayor James Herda was re-elected unopposed; Kody Orn and Aaron Schmidt were elected to the council. South Haven re-elected Mayor Norman Bodeker, unopposed, and James Paumen and Shane Sumstad were elected to the council. Mayor Chris Rowan was re-elected in Watkins, unopposed, and Susan Unterberger and Stephanie Eder were re-elected and elected to the council. Jenny Evens was re-elected to the EV-W School Board, as was Ann Lemke in a special election; Nathan Haag, Christina DeRose, and Charli Magedanz were newly elected to the board. Kimball school district voters re-elected Eric Helgeson and Mike Gallagher to the school board, and elected Allan Mancini. Stearns County voters approved paying for the proposed law enforcement center with a -county-wide sales tax (rather than by local property taxes). 

The Kimball Legion Club hosted a free luncheon for local veterans Nov. 8. 

The Kimball Cubs played Nov. 8 in Brainerd for the State Quarterfinals, defeating the Moose Lake/Willow River Rebels, 38-0. The win put Kimball in the State Final Four Still undefeated, their next game would be in U.S. Bank Stadium, against Jackson County Central on Nov. 15. 

The Eden Valley-Watkins fall musical was Disney’s “Freaky Friday” with performances Nov. 8-10 at the high school. The cast and crew had prepared for seven weeks for these performances. 

The Watkins Lions hosted a popular event Nov. 9 at the St. Anthony Church Event Center in Watkins: Purse Bingo. 

Nov. 11 is Veterans Day. This year, the Kimball Elementary School hosted a program in the morning. Hilltop Health Care Center in Watkins hosted a program for their resident veterans mid-day. And Eden Valley-Watkins High School hosted its annual program that evening, with Minnesota Senator Jeff Howe as the featured speaker. 

At its Nov. 13 regular meeting, the Eden Valley city council approved the keeping of backyard bees and chickens, with rules and restrictions. 

A public special meeting was held Nov. 13 at Watkins Village Hall to discuss small-box discount stores as the Jan. 11 expiration of the one-year moratorium approached. 

Early in the morning Nov. 15, the Kimball Cubs faced the Jackson County Central Huskies in the State Semifinal Class A game at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Cubs finally lost their first game, and this was it; final score was 34-26, and the Cubs’ final record was 11-1. 

Hank Meyer of Kimball was one of 10 finalists announced for 2024 Mr. Football Award, with the final award to be presented Dec. 15 at the Hilton Minneapolis Park Place Hotel. 

Kimball Area Theater presented “The Music Man” Nov. 15-17 at the KAHS cafetorium. About 500 people came to watch one of the performances. There were 56 Kimball Area students in grades 4-12 as cast or crew. 

Kimball United Methodist Church hosted a Holiday Stop-N-Shop crafts and vendor sale Nov. 16 at the church. 

Malco Tools in Annandale was acquired by Aspen Pumps Group based in the United Kingdom. Both companies specialize in products and solutions for the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration industry. Malco CEO Rich Benninghoff took on the new role of CEO of Aspen Pumps Group North America, effective immediately. 

The Stearns County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing Nov. 19 before determining county policy on Cannabis ordinances. 

The Kimball Legion Auxiliary hosted an Education Tea the afternoon of Nov. 20. 

Resource Training & Solutions honored educational support staff at an award ceremony Nov. 20 at St. Cloud River’s Edge Convention Center. Melissa Kapoi and Katie Evenson represented Eden Valley-Watkins support staff. And Amber Markwardt and Kathy Ahlrich represented Kimball Schools staff. 

The Eden Valley Chamber held a ribbon-cutting Nov. 21 for Sassie’s Tavern in Eden Valley. The new bar and restaurant would officially open Nov. 22 (in the former Valley Inn building). 

Powder Ridge Winter Recreation Area opened for the season Nov. 27, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, for season pass holders. It opened to the public Nov. 29. Thanks to cold temperatures and new snow–making equipment, Powder Ridge was able to make enough snow to open when they had planned to open. 

Kimball hosted a Holiday Kickoff Nov. 29 with a visit by Santa, crafts, hot dogs, a craft sale, and hot chocolate and cookies at the Willow Creek Park Lions Shelter. That preceded the annual Holiday parade through Kimball that started at 7 p.m. 

Nov. 30 was Small Business Saturday, and it was also “Christmas in the Valley” in Eden Valley. 

Departures:

Nov. 1, Miriam (Nistler) Hennen, 86.

Nov. 14, Katherine (Mohs) Tonnell, 93, of St. Cloud, formerly of Watkins. 

Nov. 23, Karen (Hintz) Schneider, 73, of Watkins. 

Nov. 26, Gerald “Jerry” Schaf, 73, of Fair Haven. 

Nov. 30, David “Dave” Triebel, 81, of Fair Haven. 

Transitions:

Nov. 2, 80th birthday celebration for Elvera “Peps” Neuman in the “Peps Gym” at EV-W. 

DECEMBER

EV-W high school was the location of the Dec. 2 Winter Choir Concert under the direction of Kris Latcham. 

A Red Cross blood drive was held Dec. 3 at the St. Anthony Parish Center in Watkins. 52 units were collected, six above their goal. 

St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Annandale held their annual Christ Child Luncheon Dec. 6. 

The Kimball Public Library was the location of a private tea Dec. 6 to honor the donations and efforts that brought the new Kimball Library building to fruition exactly four years earlier. The new building opened during COVID-19 restrictions, on Dec. 7, 2020. 

Dec. 7 was Santa Day at EV-W high school, with Santa and Mrs. Claus, crafts and games, hot dogs, and new this year a craft show (which will repeat next year). 

St. John’s Lutheran Church in Annandale held their annual Christmas Party Dec. 7, with lunch, rolls & coffee, Santa, and fresh lefse made and sold on-site. 

Trinity Lutheran Church in Grove City held their annual bazaar Dec. 7 at the church.

St. John’s Lutheran Church in Kimball held their Christmas Bazaar Dec. 7 at the church. 

The 28th annual Pioneer Christmas took place Dec. 7 at Forest City Stockade near Litchfield. 

The Kimball American Legion Auxiliary held a bake sale Dec. 7 at the Legion Club. 

Concordia Lutheran Church in Fair Haven hosted a spaghetti supper, silent auction, and bake sale Dec. 7 at the church. Proceeds went to benefit Good Shepherd Home in Sauk Rapids. 

South Haven Santa Day was held Dec. 8 at city hall. 

The EV-W Winter Band Concert for grades 5-12 was held Dec. 9 in the Peps Gym. 

Judging for this year’s “Light up the Valley” contest took place Dec. 11-13. There were numerous winners in the various categories, published in the Jan. 2 issue of the Tri-County News. 

The Kimball Varsity Winter Band and Choir Concert and Art Show was held Dec. 12 in the North Gym.

Watkins Santa Day was Dec. 14. It started with the Watkins Lions’ annual Christmas shopping for kids, at Watkins Village Hall. Then everyone moved upstairs for “Christmas on Trial,” this year’s Christmas play, followed by door prizes, and then Santa arrived for photos with kids. Afterward, there were free hot dogs and hot chocolate at the skating rink for everyone. 

Zion United Methodist Church hosted its annual cookie & craft sale Dec. 14. 

St. John’s Lutheran Church in Kimball again offered free gift wrapping on Dec. 14 and 21. 

The CPKC Holiday Train stopped in Kimball the evening of Dec. 14 for a concert, and to present a check to the Kimball Food Shelf. The nearby Kimball Legion offered cookies and hot beverages while people waited for the train. 

The Kimball Junior High Band and Choir Concert and Art Show was held Dec. 16 in Wirth Gym. 

Kimball’s Mark Schiefelbein earned his 125th career varsity wrestling win Dec. 21 in Monticello. He is #8 ranked in the state at 152 lbs. 

A public hearing was held Dec. 26 with the Watkins Planning Commission regarding possible ordinance change(s) related to small-box variety stores. A special council meeting followed to review public testimony given. 

Departures:

Dec. 3, Terrence “Terry” Pauls, 73.

Dec. 18, Louis “Lou” Kramer, 86, of Eden Valley.

Dec. 20, Dorothy (Seutter) Robuck, 93, of Annandale.

Dec. 26, Kevin Gunnerson, 70, of South Haven. 

Dec. 31, Carole (Norgren) Looman, 93, of Watkins. 

~ the end ~