Waterville-Elysian-Morristown second grade teacher Mark Meyer greeted his students with a masked smile and pumps of hand sanitizer, Monday morning, January 11. The day marked the young Buccaneers’ first day back in the classroom after weeks of virtual learning and winter break. “It’s great to have them back,” Meyer stated. Many students echoed his sentiment, saying they were happy to be with their friends again, while a couple young boys grumbled about missing being able to sleep in.

New Prague American Legion Post 45 will host a Blood Drive for Memorial Blood Centers from 12-6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 27. The Blood Drive will be held inside the Club Room at the American Legion, 300 Lexington Ave. S in New Prague. To sign up, go to www.mbc.org/searchdrives and enter sponsor code 4900 or call 1-888-448-3253 or contact Alicia at 612-283-7150. To save time, people can complete a health history questionnaire online on the day of their donation at mbc.org/donate.

NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness) offers a variety of free online peer support groups for adults and young adults living with a mental illness, their families, friends, spouses/partners, as well as parents of children and teens. Led by trained peer facilitators, the support groups help individuals and families learn coping skills and find strength through sharing their experiences.

Help meet the critical need and you may win Super Bowl tickets
Give blood at the American Red Cross Blood Drive January 20 and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a trip to Super Bowl LIV!
The blood drive will be held at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church at 305 Park Avenue NE, Elysian, from noon until 6 p.m. on Wednesday, January 20. To schedule your appointment visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

Doesn’t it seem like 2020 just flew by?
With many months of business shut downs, students in school and not in school, and masks being mandated it seemed like this year would never end.
I can’t believe most of us made it through.
Many of us have suffered through COVID-19 one way...
To read more on this story, pick up the January 14, 2021 print edition of the LifeEnterprise.

Five new firefighters were presented for approval by the Elysian City Council Monday, Jan. 11.
Pending an occupational medical exam, Brent Kavitz, McKenzie Kuball, David Schlueter, Tonya Sturdivant, and Tyrel Wendt will be joining the Elysian Fire Department.
First Assistant Fire Chief Rich Droog said the...
To see more on this story, pick up the January 14, 2021 print edition of the LifeEnterprise.

Lowell Charles Quiram, age 84 of Waterville died on Friday, January 8, 2021 at his home.
Born on January 30, 1936 in Mankato, Minnesota, he was the son of Everett “Pete” and Eva (Francisco) Quiram. He graduated from the Southern School of Agriculture in Waseca and went on to serve in the US Army. Lowell married Janet Carlson and they raised four children before divorcing after 31 years of marriage. He worked as a truck driver for many years and also drove school bus. Lowell married Sharron Tlougan on February 14, 2013 in Le Center. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Mary Ann Lucille Dusbabek, age 96 of Waterville died on Friday, January 8, 2021 at Whispering Creek in Janesville.

Library patrons can now stop by Waseca-Le Sueur Regional Library System libraries to check out a Chromebook and a Wi-Fi hotspot at all nine of the system’s libraries.
Community members can check out these devices to attend virtual meetings, apply for jobs, connect with loved ones, or explore the internet.
Grants from Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation and CARES Act funds added...
To read more on this story, pick up the January 7, 2021 print edition of the LifeEnterprise.

Members of the Waterville Fire Department, both active and retired, gave a tribute to retired fireman Lowell “Red” Quiram last week at his home in Waterville. Quiram was a member of the local fire department for 21 years from 1965 through 1986. He was diagnosed Dec. 1 with kidney, liver, lung, and brain cancer. Pictured above, Waterville Fire Chief Chris Meskan and Quiram shared some memories through the window of Quiram’s home. (Jay Schneider Photo)

Does your family set a goal each year?
In 2021, my family will be focusing on basic life skills.
Throughout the past year, we, like many families, have hunkered down and spent more time at home together. And, over the course of this pandemic, my husband and I have come to realize how few basic skills our kids--ages 8 and 11--possess.
I’m not talking academics.
I’m talking the basics: changing a lightbulb, emptying a full vacuum cleaner, lighting a match, sewing on a button, and changing batteries.

Recognizing Minnesotans’ sacrifice and commitment to their communities over the holiday season that helped change the COVID-19 pandemic’s trajectory and save lives, Governor Walz announced measures on Wednesday that loosen restrictions on important parts of daily life while urging Minnesotans to protect the progress we’ve made.

Half of the students attending WEM will return to in-class learning starting Monday, January 11.
The WEM Board of Education approved the early return for PreK-6th grade students during their Monday, Dec. 21 regular monthly meeting.
Governor Tim Walz initially said...
To read more on this story, pick up the December 31, 2020 print edition of the LifeEnterprise.

Travis Van Houdt, 18, of Waterville died after a crash that occurred Tuesday, Dec. 22 at 5:56 a.m. near the intersection of 230th Street W. and Iona Avenue in Morristown Township.
Van Houdt is the son of...
To see more on this story, pick up the December 31, 2020 print edition of the LifeEnterprise.

During Morristown City Council’s last regular meeting of 2020 on Monday, December 21, council members discussed plans to “clean up” the city’s Code of Ordinances book in the new year.
“I’d like us to focus on our ordinance book and clean it up before we do anything with it…"
To see more on this story, pick up the December 31, 2020 print edition of the LifeEnterprise.

Long-time Le Sueur County employee Darrell Pettis will be ending his more than 20+ year career with the county.
Pettis submitted his resignation Tuesday, Dec. 22 during the Le Sueur County Board of Commissioners Meeting. The board approved the resignation, which will take affect Jan. 22, 2021.
Pettis has been with the county for 21 years, starting as the county engineer from 1999 to 2009. From 2009 through 2017 he served as both the county engineer and administrator. From 2017 through the present he has been the county administrator.