A purrrfect fundraiser on Sunday in Lonsdale raised more than $15,000 for the care of stray and feral felines.
The non-profit 501(c)(3) Wee3beasties: Saving the Strays was the recipient of the funds raised from the sixth annual Pancakes for Paws event at the Lonsdale American Legion.
Proceeds of the event cover medical treatments and care for the cats and kittens at the shelter. The New Prague nonprofit is entirely run by volunteers, and founder Dr. Jean Craig.

Four Tri-City United High School students are taking part in a new, after-school class that will have them designing student-friendly furniture for a local company.
The school has partnered with Minnesota Millwork and Fixtures in Lonsdale, which designs and builds furniture for restaurants across the nation, to give students career-related experience.
Students taking the course have all expressed interest in engineering.

Ronald S. Bergstrom (‘Bubs’) of Northfield formerly of Elko, MN, age 93, passed away peacefully on October 10, 2019 at Three Links Care Center, Northfield, MN. Preceded in death by parents Joseph and Florence Bergstrom of Elko, MN; sister Doris (Raymond) Cousins of Worthington, MN; brothers Loren (Vi) Bergstrom of Chaska; Duane Bergstrom of New Market/Morristown, MN. Survived by sister Marcella ‘Marcy’ (Gordon) Tripp of Santa Clarita, CA; Sister-in-law Bernice ‘Sis’ (the late Duane) of New Market/Morristown, MN. Loved by 13 nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

Herbert “Frank” Thomas, 90, of Montgomery, died on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, at Central Health Care in Le Center. Visitation will be held on Thursday, Oct. 17, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. with a rosary at 10 a.m. and Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery.
Interment will be in St. Scholastica Catholic Cemetery in Heidelberg.

Robert J. Hanek, 79, of Faribault, passed away on October 12, 2019 at Three Links Care Center in Northfield after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Bob was born on June 5, 1940 to Augusta S. and John A. Hanek in rural Le Sueur County. He graduated from high school in Montgomery, MN and then spent six years serving in the U.S. Army. He married Carol A. Sensibaugh on October 26, 1963 and they made their home and raised their family in Faribault. Bob was employed for over 40 years at McQuay’s in Faribault until his retirement.

Beginning Oct. 11, all operations at the office will be temporarily located to the Belle Plaine Post Office at 233 N. Meridian St., Belle Plaine. Customers may retrieve their P.O. Box mail and notice left items from the Belle Plaine Post Office with photo ID.

Corinne Skluzacek, a fourth grader at TCU-Lonsdale, is this year’s button designer for the Torchlight Parade and Fireworks Celebration in Montgomery. The daughter of Ryan and Jenny Skluzacek was told the exciting news at a special event at school on Friday.
Torchlight organizers Neaner Kriha and Anita Rynda had the fourth grade classes assemble in a commons area before announcing Skluzacek had created the winning button design.

The TCU High School Marching Band provided the music for the Homecoming Parade on Friday. The parade also featured other athletes and students with homemade Titan Pride signs. The Titan Football Team is scheduled to take on the Belle Plaine Tigers at 7 p.m. (Wade Young Photo)

TCU kicked Off Homecoming Week on Monday with the crowning of its Homecoming King and Queen. Ryan Smith was crowned King, and Keilee Westlie was crowned Queen. The coronation was held in the high school gym. It included music and TCU's spin on the popular game show "Family Feud." See more in the print edition. (Wade Young photo)

The Tri-City United boys’ soccer team finished their season with a game against Mayer Lutheran on Saturday. The Crusaders ran away with the 3-1 win.
The Titans started the game with a leg up on the competition when Chris Ruiz made the first goal, unassisted.
After back-and-forth action, Crusader Jake Benton tied up the game with 17 minutes left in the first 40-minute period.
After the break, the Titans were....
To see more on this story pick up the Ocotber 3, 2019 print edition of the Messenger.

Tri-City United Lonsdale was honored last Thursday as one of 362 National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2019. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

The time of 16 seconds was the difference between the first and second places of the varsity boys’ times at the New Prague Trojan Invitational on Tuesday, Sept. 24.
TCU’s Austin Antony won the boys’ race with his time of 17:05. On his heels was Jacob Malecha of New Prague, who finished 16 seconds later with a time of 17:21.
As a team, the Titans took third. Lakeville South won the meet, and New Prague came in second. The other runner for TCU who finished in the top ten included Hunter Rutt who finished in eighth place with a time of 17:51.

Ten Tri-City United High School seniors were named Homecoming Royalty during a pep fest Monday afternoon, September 30.

Novotny, Gillard, age 84 of South St. Paul, passed away September 25, 2019 at United Hospital in Saint Paul, MN. Preceded in death by his wife, Marion, parents Martin & Mary Novotny, and siblings, Stella Vlasak, Marty Novotny, Millie Morin, and sister-in-law Donna Beckers.

Carol Josephine Lilla, 68, died unexpectedly Friday, Sept. 20 in Montgomery.
There will be a Celebration of Life for her on Friday, Sept. 27 at 4 p.m. at the TCU High School Gym followed by a social gathering in the school’s Commons area.
Carol was born on December 22, 1950, in Winona to Francis (Joe) Lilla and Lois (Berg) Lilla. She graduated from Winona Senior High School in 1969.

People lined up and shopped at the Jar Raffle at Holy Redeemer Church's Fall Festival. The annual event on Sunday also had people shopping at the market, playing bingo, and eating the famous chicken and ham dinner. Music was provided by the Charlie Sticha Band. See more in the print edition. (Wade Young Photo)