I love to read. One of my favorite books is Mitch Albom's “The Five People You Meet in Heaven.” At this time of year, I often reflect on the past 12 months - its ups and downs, joys and sadnesses.
Remembering this book, I thought of the five people I'd like to spend Christmas with again. First and foremost would be my dad. It’s been 22 years ago on September 28 that he unexpectedly passed away.
Even after all of these years, I think about him.
Every. Single. Day.
I talk to him - sometimes out loud (no judging allowed).

Milton F. Holetz, age 89, of Montgomery passed away suddenly but peacefully Monday, December 9, 2019, at his home on the farm where he lived for 53 years.
Milton was born in rural Lexington Township, Le Sueur County, on May 14, 1930 to Frank and Emily (Kalina) Holetz. As a child he attended country school and helped his parents on the farm back when fields were plowed with a team of horses and everyone looked forward to threshing day in the fall. He graduated from Montgomery High School and attended a commercial college in Mankato to be an accountant.

Ardys Leone Peterson, age 101, of Montgomery, formerly of Bloomington, died peacefully, surrounded by her family on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 2019 at Traditions of Montgomery. 

The Montgomery Torchlight Parade and Fireworks festival signified for the 27th year in a row that the holiday season is well underway.
Bundled for mild, pre-winter temperatures, crowds celebrated the season as they watched close to 50 Christmas-decorated floats roll down First Street.

James J. Hruska, 97, of Montgomery, passed away on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019 at Central Health Care in Le Center.
Visitation will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 11 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with Mass of Christian Burial at 11a.m. Interment will be at a later date in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Lexington.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Non-Profit Animal RESCUE 55021 in Faribault, MN.

Staff, visitors and city officials cut the ribbon to the Montgomery Animal Hospital on Thursday, Dec, 5. Pictured are (front, from left) visitors Monty and Nala, (second row) Nikki Kester, Veterinary Technician; Julie Sweers Manager and Technician; (back row) Leah Petricka, City Planner; Brian Heck, City Administrator; Tom Eisert, Mayor; Veterinarian, Benjamin Sweers; Kurt Dvorak, President Montgomery Chamber of Commerce; and Dennis Lambrecht, City Council Member. Read more in the print edition. (Wade Young Photo)

This entry from the New Prague Lions Club was among those in the 24th annual Parade of Lights held on Friday, Dec. 6. Temperatures were around 23 degrees Fahrenheit, but that didn’t stop the large crowds that lined New Prague’s Main Street for the Parade of Lights to see area groups and businesses with their floats decorated for the Holiday Season. The parade ended at Memorial Park for visits with Santa, treats, the lighting of the Community Christmas Tree and fireworks. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Eliminating some debt, a dropping tax rate, and close to $800,000 in undesignated reserves put the city in good financial condition, according to City Administrator Brian Heck.
Montgomery’s annual truth in taxation hearing was held on Monday. The meeting shows how the city is spending your money. It is also when the city council approves its portion of next year’s property tax levy and its budget.
The meeting was billed as a public hearing. However, only one reporter and Representative Todd Lippert, who spoke about legislative issues, were there.

Perfume, chocolate candy, soft granola bars, deodorant, a tin of cookies .… these are some of the gift requests on the Montgomery Sharing Tree 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 tree with requested gifts that total up to $20.

A new job shadowing program at Tri-City United High School has students spending time in area businesses, learning about careers in which they’ve shown interest.
Forty-three students signed up to participate in the program that Corrie Odland, TCU’s Workforce Development Coordinator, is overseeing with help from TCU teachers.

Montgomery’s Torchlight Parade and Fireworks is celebrating 27 years this holiday season, and plans are underway to make it bigger and better than ever.
The Thursday, December 5 event kicks off with a parade of approximately 50 lighted floats, beginning at 6:30 p.m. on the north end of First Street.

The organization is new, but the time-honored event was very successful.
The newly-formed Scott Le Sueur Waterfowlers continued the tradition of raising funds for education, youth programs, and conservation with a Fundraising Banquet on Thursday, Nov. 21, at the Park Ballroom in New Prague.

O’ Christmas tree, O’ Christmas tree! How lovely are thy branches!
Residents can decorate their homes with real Christmas trees, thanks to the Boy Scout Troop 322 that opened its annual tree lot last weekend at R & R Metal Works on Highway 13 north.
Scoutmaster Paul Turgeon explained the Troop purchased their trees again from Rum River Tree Farm in Oak Grove. The Troop placed the order in October, and after scouting their fields, the Montgomery trees were cut a week and a half ago.

A pre-Thanksgiving holiday storm hit the area with several inches of heavy, wet snow by Wednesday morning, Nov. 27.
The arrival of the white stuff came from a system that brought snow falling hard and fast across southern Minnesota. According to weather.gov, snow totals in the Twin Cities metro area early Wednesday morning included 8.7 inches in Prior Lake, 11 inches in spots of New Prague, and 7 inches in Montgomery.
On Tuesday, area schools cancelled classes in anticipation of the snow’s arrival.

Tri-City United Schools and Most Holy Redeemer School will be closed, Wednesday, Nov. 27 due to impending levels of snow and wind.
However, Superintendent Teri Preisler noted that KidZone and WRAP services, which are the before- and after-school care programs serving students in kindergarten through grade 6, will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Preisler added the first snow day of the 2019-2020 school year will NOT be a Blended Learning Day.

The Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service in Shieldsville on Tuesday, Nov. 26 has been cancelled due to the impending snow storm.