As the Le Sueur County Historical Society (LCHS) celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, the group looks to the future of preserving local history.

Part of the preservation is in the Elysian School project, which is moving on to its second phase this year.

“We’re right on schedule,” reported Dr. Ruth Collins, LCHS board member.

The school building has been part of the LCHS for much of the group’s history. It was obtained in 1967 and converted into a museum. In 1969, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

“This is why we started these discussions six months early – so we could have more discussions,” Morristown City Administrator Ellen Judd said as further debate began about cutting hours of law enforcement patrols in the city.

The topic was on the agenda at the city council’s July 7 regular meeting. It was first discussed at their May meeting, then again in June.

The sheriff’s office is currently contracted to patrol Morristown for 40 hours per week. Mayor Tim Flaten had expressed displeasure with the quality of patrols in Morristown compared to how it was in years past.

Le Sueur County’s 32nd Annual Relay for Life filled the buildings of the Le Sueur County Fairgrounds Friday, July 11.

The four-hour event brought in $58,000 in funds for the American Cancer Society (ASC). The nonprofit is the largest funder of cancer research grants in the United States, other than the federal government.

The amount raised was the total as of Monday morning. According to Co-Chair person Amy Sellner, more money is still coming in from the event.

“We raised more than $20,000 over our goal,” Sellner said.

Outstanding weather, great events, huge crowds highlight weekend festival
Thousands of bullheads (13,000+) were served, the rain and clouds stayed away, the temperatures were perfect, queens were crowned, the carnival returned, and fun was had by all.
The 2025 Waterville Bullhead Days Celebration held June 6 through June 8, was considered by many as one of the best in the 60-year history of the festival.
One of the highlight events of the weekend was the Friday night crowning of Miss Waterville and Junior Miss Waterville.

2024 was once again a rough year for the City of Waterville due to the record-breaking flooding with ravaged the community.
But thanks to the efforts of many people, the community was kept safe and the city continued to operate.
Among those who had their hands in the stabilization of the city were Waterville city employees, city council, firefighters, police officers, and many, many volunteers.

The 60th Annual Waterville Bullhead Days Celebration will begin with the coronation of Miss Waterville 2025 on Friday, June 6 at 7 p.m at the Waterville Baptist Church. Admission is five dollars for this 68th Miss Waterville and Junior Miss Pageant.
Miss Waterville 2024 Claire Elness and her attendant Ryley Henning will preside over their last pageant.
The candidate who is crowned Miss Waterville, along with the 1st Princess, will represent the community of Waterville by participating in area parades and celebrations, attending area pageants throughout the next 12 months.

Rod Reifsteck and Duane Anderson were first time honorees receiving the Quilt of Valor at the 3rd District Convention held in Forest Lake two weekends ago.
American Legion Veterans are given this honor as deserved. It was pretty rare to have two members of the same Post receive this award. (From Elysian 311) at the District level.
Quilt of Valor have reached 245,000 service members and veterans, showing our gratitude and valuing their contribution to our freedoms.”
The Quilted Stars from both quilts were sewn by the Elysian Unit 311 members...

It is a milestone celebration for the City of Morristown this weekend, with the 40th annual Morristown Dam Days celebration starting Thursday, May 29 and running through June 1.
The first event of the weekend will be held Thursday at 6:30 p.m. with a Bean Bag Tournament at the Morristown American Legion Pavilion.
The activities continue Friday, May 30 with a Euchre Tournament at the Morristown Community Center at 1:30 p.m. Local food stands open at 5 p.m. as does the carnival - Midwest Rides.

The 40th Annual Morristown Dam Days Celebration will begin with the crowning of Miss Morristown 2025 on Friday, May 30 at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 404 W Franklin St., Morristown at 5 p.m.
Miss Morristown 2024, Loryn Caldwell, will crown Miss Morristown 2025 and share her memories of the past year. There will be special guests’ appearances by Miss Minnesota Emily Schumacher and Minneapolis Aquatennial Ambassadors.

A total of 59 seniors will don caps, gowns, and tassels in anticipation of graduating from Waterville-Elysian-Morristown High School at 7 p.m. Friday, May 23 in the Waterville gymnasium.
Of these 59 seniors, 41 have been named honor students.
The Class of 2025 has three students who have achieved a perfect 4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA). They are Madeline Heuss, Kaedyn Judd, and Grace LaFrance.

Area communities will honor their local veterans during Memorial Day programs Monday, May 26.
Waterville will hold their program at 8:15 a.m. Elysian will follow with their program at 9:30 a.m. Morristown will hold their program at 11 a.m. Kilkenny will have programs at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., and 11 a.m.
The Memorial Day Ceremony in Waterville will be held at the Memorial Park on the corner of E Hoosac St and S. 3rd Street.

The City of Elysian has installed a new fishing pier at Lake Francis Park. The purchase of this pier was made possible with a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Grant – Get Out MORE (Modernize Outdoor Recreation Experiences).
Get Out MORE is a historic, one-time investment of $150 million to help ensure Minnesotans of all abilities and interests enjoy a world-class recreation system, whichever outdoor experience they choose. The pier was designed by Hewitt Docks and installed by The Lake Boys of Cleveland, MN.

WEM School Board members and concerned citizens met in the WEM auditorium on May 8 to hear the results of a study that could decide the fate of WEM Middle School in Morristown.
Citing the need for a neutral party, the WEM School Board commissioned an independent study, which would give a third-party opinion on how best to proceed with keeping the school district financially sound.

Cody Vernon Kolstad, 35, was sentenced Friday, May 2 to 300 months in prison for the intentional murder of Brian Daniel Stoeckel, 41, in Morristown on May 31, 2022.
On March 28, 2025, Kolstad pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree intentional murder. In exchange for pleading guilty, prosecutors dismissed a first-degree intentional murder charge.

Dresses, tuxedos, and corsages will be on full display Saturday, May 3 at the Waterville-Elysian-Morristown Junior-Senior Prom in Waterville.
More than 125 students have signed up to participate in the Coastal Prom Night, starting with the Grand March in the WEM Gymnasium at 4 p.m. There will be a $1 charge for individuals to attend the event.
Following Grand March, the students will be transported to The Mill in Waseca between 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. They will eat dinner there at 6:30 p.m. and the dance will follow.

Part of being a veteran is fighting to protect the country and all who live in it. Meaning to this day our ability to spend a day without worry is in part thanks to the efforts of veterans. We, the American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 311 of Elysian hold solemn pride in the heroism of those who served in all wars with American involvement and of those who died. America’s veterans represent the epitome of patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.