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It's time to place your vote for the "Fan Favorite" in the Henderson Holiday Lights Contest. Click below for an interactive map. Click the next link to download a map along with your ballot. You can also pick up maps at Bender's True Value and Wagar's Grocery / Shell Gas. Ballots can be dropped off at Santa's Mailbox in front of Santa's Workshop (across from Wagars). Enjoy the holiday lights!

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=15e1hGtAyravb9ifSxHxM0Dl6U0zDcnA4&usp=sharing

Henderson Sewer/Street Project Update 12/1/20

Work on the south side of the project is significantly complete for the year with all streets up to gravel surface. Minor grading, cleanup, and mulching are still left for completion later this week and next week.

The north side utility crew will work on storm sewer installation on Market Street and 3rd Street N with completion anticipated by Thursday this week. Street crews are currently excavating 3rd Street N which will be followed with the installation of drain tile, sand, and aggregate surfacing. It is expected that both 3rd Street N and Market Street will be fully open to traffic by Friday of this week.

As storm sewer and street reconstruction activities wrap up this week, the contractor will shift to general cleanup activities this week and next week. If weather patterns are favorable, it is possible some additional utility construction anticipated for 2021 could occur as well. Updates will provided as that decision is made.

SEH will no longer have two field representatives on-site as construction activities are reduced. John Voigt is the lead RPR and can be reached at 507.380.1157 with any concerns or questions.

St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Le Sueur will have masses with Father Chris Shofner: Saturdays at 5:15 p. m. and Sundays at 8 a. m. and 10:30 a. m.. Check the website for more instructions.

A memorial mass was held for David Dulas at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Bloomington on November 28th. Dave was a Korean War Veteran, an electrician by trade, and married Dottie Sullivan, here at St. Thomas in 1957, They enjoyed traveling with Dave as the Captain and Dottie as first mate on their boat “Destiny”. Our sympathies to Dottie, their children Tim, Dan, Mary Beth and Susan and their families. Memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association of Minnesota or North Dakota and the Minnesota American Heart Association. Dave will be dearly missed.

Thomas C. Burns passed away in Bisbee, Arizonia on 23rd of November. He is the son of James and Betty Seeker Burns, and grandson of Cyril and Mary Hix Burns, who are laid to rest here in St. Thomas. Tom graduated from Wayzata High School in 1971, a unique character, a modest man, fun- loving with the gift of music and story-telling. He created 3 CDs and played the harmonica in many bands throughout his 50 year career. Tom went south for the winter, stayed in Minnesota in the summer, and loved living on the Minnesota River in his houseboat. Our sympathies to his daughter Jerusha and Jon and his granddaughter Roslyn. Also to Tom’s siblings, James “Butch”, Deb and Bob Mediger and Pauline and Curt Holz, and many others; relatives, friends and fans. A Celebration of life, “a mini Woodstock” is planned for Tom in 2021. Stay tuned.

Many on the south side of St. Thomas know Annie Mangan, popular gal. She’s another character and former student of this writer. Annie fell and broke her ankle on Thanksgiving Day. She would love a card, a letter, a quick note and prays for it to heal faster. I told her my Dad would have suggested she cut the leg off and my uncle Timmy would have said “I’ll get a pail for the blood.” She wouldn’t go for that. Annie’s address: Annie Mangan, 60 S. Inga Ave. Le Center, MN 56057.

“Greetings” to new reader Lauren Highland, of Morgan, Minnesota. Lauren is a granddaughter of the late Francis Odenthal. Francis’s dad, John rented land from my grandpa, Albert Pexa. We got to know Francis, Jerry, Joe and Anne pretty good…riding the hay wagons...good memories... God bless.

http://hendersonmn.com/chatter1/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showgallery&Number=30087&#Post30087

Info on free community flu shot clinics that Sibley County Public Health and Human Services is hosting in December.

The dates/locations are:

Wednesday, Dec. 9,
10:00 am - 4:00 pm,
Sibley County Service Center, Gaylord

Monday, Dec. 14,
2:00 - 7:00 pm,
Sibley County Service Center, Gaylord

Wednesday, Dec. 16,
12:00 - 6:00 pm,
Gibbon Community Center, Gibbon.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought huge public health challenges and the flu shot is being strongly encouraged by the CDC, MDH, and local public health. It's likely that flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will both spread this winter. This means getting a flu vaccine this season is more important than ever to reduce the risk of flu for yourself, your family, and your community. It can also reduce the burden of flu illness on the health care system and save medical resources to care for people with COVID-19.

Now accepting "Letters for Santa" at 413 Main Street, Henderson. Take a look inside Santa's Workshop as well!



Download the "I Spy Santa's Shop" printout below.

The north side utility crew has completed installation of sanitary sewer main on 3rd Street N. This week, they will continue to work on installation of sanitary and water services for this block with completion expected by tomorrow or early Wednesday. Access to this road will be difficult to impossible and residents should anticipate using alleys on either side to reach their homes as they have for the past few weeks.

The south side utility crew completed installation of sanitary sewer main on Elm Street on Friday. This week, they will continue to work on installation of sanitary and water services for this block with completion expected by today early Tuesday. Pipe crews have left a portion of roadway intact on the south side of Elm Street and connected to the alley between 4th Street and 5th Street, for access to residents at the end of the work day.

As water services are replaced, temporary water shutdowns may be needed. These shutdowns will be temporary but may last up to 4 hours. The contractor and SEH will attempt to reach affected properties by knocking on doors prior to shutdown. At this time, it is expected that water shutoffs will only affect one resident at a time as the main will be left in service.

Street crews significantly placed sand on 4th Street S, south of Minnesota Street last Friday. They anticipate completing placement of millings on this block today and temporarily connecting driveways still today. Street crews are then anticipated to shift over to Elm Street tomorrow morning. Those using Elm Street to access their homes should not anticipate access to the street all day Tuesday and most of Wednesday. If you are currently accessing your home from Elm Street, we ask that you contact SEH to discuss alternate options.

Rain is predicted for tomorrow (Tuesday) which may affect how much work occurs this week. With Thanksgiving, crews are only expecting to work 3 days this week. As pipe crews complete work on sanitary sewer the next two days, it is expected they will shift to general site cleanup prior to the extended weekend.

Work on the project for this year is expected to conclude by Friday, December 4th. Work next week will be oriented toward general site cleanup, temporary drainage improvements, completion of remaining street reconstruction (Market Street and 3rd Street N), and temporary boulevard grading and restoration. If the weather forecast if favorable, it is possible that some additional work may occur for permanent storm installation as well.

Please reach out to our field representatives if you have any questions or concerns. John Voigt is the lead RPR and can be reached at 507.380.1157.

St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Le Sueur will have masses with Father Chris Shofner: Saturdays at 5:15 p. m. and Sundays at 8 a. m. and 10:30 a. m.. Check the website for more instructions.

A Celebration of Life for Tom Germscheid, son of Francis and Margaret, lived a few miles on the south side St. Thomas, and
graduated with Le Center’s “Class of 1972” will be held in the future. Tom played ball with the boys in the St. Thomas Ballpark, attended Catechism classes with our students here, who remember Tom as being a smart student and “looked just like his brothers, we couldn’t ever tell ‘em apart.” He became a dedicated and successful lawyer, eventually owned his own practice. Tom’s folks and brother Bob precede him. Our sympathies to his children, Margaret and Nick, and siblings Peggy, Diane, Morrie and Wayne. Tom’s folks and brother Bob precede him.

David Morris, the son of Mary Ellen O’Connell Morris and the late Harold “Dean’ Morris of Paynesville, passed away at the age of 53, due to complications after surgery. David was the world traveler with a career in hotel management. Our sympathies to David’s wife Catherine and their girls, Mary and Julia. Also our sincere sympathies to his mother Mary Ellen, his brothers Jared and Scott and their families, their Uncle Dick, and Aunts Carol Jean and Sharon O’Connell of St. Thomas and their families.. David is a grandson of the late James and Aggie Brown O’Connell, who are ‘laid to rest’ here in St. Thomas, along with David’s Uncle Tom.

Gerry and Mary Wolff are home after visiting his sister Karla Wells in California.

Megan Rutt and Bradley Rose are going to be “Ringing in the Roses” on August 7th 2021.

These are different times, we still look forward to being together. May the beauty of this season fill your hearts with joy and hope. Happy Fall, Happy Thanksgiving. God bless.

Henderson Sewer/Street Project Update 11/20/20

Few tickets remain for the Lucky 11 drawing.

Stop by Benders True Value to purchase.

The Tale Of Crazy Annie's Bridge
39 minutes Posted Sep 20, 2019

SHOW NOTES
Crazy Annie's Bridge, just outside of Henderson, Minnesota.
Legend has it she was a war widow who went mad and drowned her three children before hanging herself.
Do their spirits still linger?
https://podbay.fm/p/minnesota-mysteries/e/1569018211

Story posted online:
I'm not very sure how to start this story but it's an experience I had last night and I will never forget it.

Background: During WW1 there was a lady named Annie and she had three kids. When her husband died in the war she went insane and drown her three kids in the creek behind her house, she then hung herself from one of the nearby trees.

My friends and I had heard about this from a girl we were talking to and we decided to check it out late at night. As soon as we showed up we were all having very bad vibes it might have been just because we were all a little nervous and didn't know what to expect but all together, bad vibes. When you pull up to this spot you drive down a long dirt road through the woods, I know very cliche but once you drive down this road a little ways there is an old bridge going across the creek so we stopped and parked on the bridge. At first we got out and stood there making jokes about it and stuff because we didn't really expect anything to happen. After a little while we got back in the car and sat there and listened to a station on the radio that is all static thinking a ghost could communicate with us. After a little while of us sitting there and hearing nothing, the radio starting making an extremely high pitched weird noise and we turned it off all a little freaked out. After that we were still sitting in the car with no radio, no lights, no nothing but we had the windows rolled down. We all sat there in dead silence when all of sudden we heard a woman scream bloody in the woods. Now it wasn't a normal scream it was more faint but not in a way where it seemed far away. After this we were all very freaked out but also excited something freaky actually happened. We got out of the car because there had been reports of hand prints on people cars when they go there and sure shit when we got out of the car there were a few hand prints but the freakiest one was on the back left window, three finger streaks all the way across the window. We sat for a little while longer and nothing else happened and we left.

We later asked my friend's dad about it and he said he went there as a kid as well and the house she lived in was still there at the time and you could see a rocking chair in the house moving on its own.

This was a really wild experience for my friends and I, we plan on going back sometime again and see what else happens. If anyone is interested you can look up crazy Annie in Henderson Minnesota on the interweb or maybe you even live nearby and will have the courage to check it out yourself.

2020 November 17 St. Thomas News

St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Le Sueur will have masses with Father Chris Shofner: Saturdays at 5:15 p. m. and Sundays at 8 a. m. and 10:30 a. m.. Check the website for more instructions.

Brian O’Connell of New Port Richey, Florida will have a Celebration of Life at the Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. Brian was born in New Prague to Denny and Jayne Squires O’Connell, 52 years ago. Brian is the grandson of Loretta Kline O’Connell and the late Richard O’Connell. Brian is one generation from St. Thomas. Our sympathies to his family, Grandma Loretta... and his aunts Becky, Lori, and Vicki who grew up in our St. Thomas community.

Condolences to the family of Edith Schleeve, especially Paul and Bobbie. Our connection was the Pioneer Power Association where for years, Bob was in charge of the Blacksmith Shop, and Edith worked in the women’s building, the kitchen and the Country Store. Working with Bobbie at the LeSueur-Henderson schools over the years, this writer heard many mother-in-law stories about Edith. Edith will be laid to rest at Hillside Cemetery near the Schleeve family farm.

Condolences to the family of Lauretta Perkins, especially Lauretta’s daughter Pat Steckman, my “breakfast buddy” and her son Rick and Mary. Rick is this writer’s classmate in Le Sueur’s “Class of 67”. A nice lady, Lauretta will be remembered for her kindnesses and her beautifully adorned door... decorated for all seasons. She will be laid to rest in the East Union Lutheran Cemetery, Carver Minnesota.

Heads up: Sad words have just arrived, the husband of Dottie Anne Sullivan, David Dulas, of the Edina/Bloomington areas has passed away on November 15, 2020. Hopefully more next week.

Prayer requests for Francis Pivec’s recovery. He was taken by ambulance to St. Joseph’s in Mankato on Friday evening.

Prayers requested for the comfort and recovery for Courtney Thomas, of Hawaii, 29 year-old daughter of Tim and Kathy “Toots” Tiegs Thomas of Glenwood, Minnesota, who is making frequent visits to be at her daughter’s side. Courtney is the granddaughter of Fran and the late Bob Tiegs, and one generation from St. Thomas on the Byrne/Tiegs Branch of our St. Thomas Tree.

Now for some happy news:
Abby Jo Koller was born to Michael, Dorothy and big brother George Koller on November 13 at 2:30 a. m., weighing 9 lbs. 5.8 oz, she’s 19 ½ inches long, and two generations from St. T.. A jubilant Grandma (of eight) Colleen says, “Everyone’s doing Fabulous! Being grandma is the best job in the whole world...next to being Mom.”

Those who know Dee won’t believe this: Belated 70th Birthday Greetings to Diane Burns who turned 70 on the 15th of November.
She celebrated with her daughter Deb and granddaughter Jasmine. When asked “How does it feel to be 70, Dee?” She answered, “Just like 69 felt yesterday,” in the same tone Jack Burns used in 1996.

“Greetings” to Mary Ellen O’Connell Morris, a dedicated St. Thomas News reader writes, she “was saddened to read about Iris’s passing. What a wonderful gal she was...now she’ll be with Bobby. Let the Perpetual Light Shine on both of them.” and she wants us all to “be very careful when we’re ‘out and about’.” It ‘does’ take a village. God bless.

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Deadline extended to November 28th.





Download the form.

The north side utility crew continues to work on sanitary sewer main on 3rd Street N with anticipation of reaching a manhole located around mid-block by the end of today. As the contractor continues south toward Main Street for most of next week, access to this road will be difficult to impossible and residents should anticipate using alleys on either side to reach their homes. The soils on the north side of the project have been very wet, mostly due to ground water near the sewer pipe. This has slowed progress as the contractor continuously pumps the water out of the excavated areas.

The south side utility crew will complete the installation of sanitary sewer main on 4th Street S, south of Market Street today. After the sewer main is installed, they will then go back to install water and sanitary sewer services on this block. As water services are replaced, temporary water shutdowns may be needed. These shutdowns will be temporary but may last up to 4 hours. The contractor and SEH will attempt to reach affected properties by knocking on doors prior to shutdown. In most cases, it should be possible to shut off the affected properties only. Properties on the west side of the street will not require water service replacement. It is anticipated that work on this block will go through the middle of next week.

Street crews are currently working on filling 4th Street S, north of Minnesota Street, with sand. This sand will be left over the weekend and likely not covered with millings before the end of today. The sand surface should not be driven on it will be too soft. Residents should continue to utilize alleys for access until the millings can be placed, most likely to occur on Monday. The intersection with Minnesota Street will be filled up to gravel by the end of today, leaving this road open entirely between TH93 and 3rd Street S. As the street crews will be caught up to utility crews on the south side of the project, it is anticipated they will move over to Market Street next week to begin reconstruction. More information will be provided on Monday.

SEH has reached out to residents without alley access regarding alternate access options while streets are under construction. Please reach out to our field representatives if you have any questions or concerns. John Voigt is the lead RPR and can be reached at 507.380.1157.

Revised agenda

A snow emergency will be in effect for the City of Henderson for Tuesday (11/10) (today). Just a reminder, the information below is the city's ordinance for snow emergencies.
During an emergency it is unlawful to park or leave standing any vehicle in any public city owned parking lot between 10:00 P.M. and until it has been fully cleared, or on any street between the hours of 10:00 P.M. and 6:00 A.M. or until such time it has been fully cleared (curb to curb), with the exception of the 400 and 500 blocks of Main Street.
Within the 400 and 500 blocks of Main Street, between the hours of Midnight and 6am, or until such time that it has been completely (curb to curb) cleared.
For a copy of the ordinance, see the below url.
http://www.henderson-mn.com/snow-removal-policy.html

2020 November 9 St. Thomas News

St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Le Sueur will have masses with Father Chris Shofner: Saturdays at 5:15 p. m. and Sundays at 8 a. m. and 10:30 a. m.. Check the website for more instructions.

A visitation and Mass of Christian Burial were held here at the St. Thomas Catholic Church for Iris Sindelar Sullivan on November 7, who was much-loved and active in our St. Thomas community. Father Chris Shofner and Father Roger Hessian were both present. Iris was ‘laid to rest’ next to her beloved Bobby on the southeast side of the St. Thomas Cemetery. Our sympathies to their family; Pat, Deb, Punky, Mike, Todd, Shannon and their families. Also condolences to her siblings Sheldon, Daisy and Joy.

Jim Bob Fogarty and his fellow conservation officers are out and about on patrol. Follow the hunting laws. Jim Bob is two generations on the Halloran Branch of our St. Thomas Tree.

Allison Jaspers Koepp and Hazel Mae enjoyed breakfast and visiting with family and friends at the Roadhaus on Tuesday. Mother and daughter are on our Halloran/Burns Branches.

What a beautiful weekend! 70’s in November... and in Minnesota, unbelievable! Jodi, Corey and Cari’s families were home to Grandpa Tom’s and Grandma Lon’s for a weekend. We enjoyed being together for hayrides, hiking, campfires and fireworks.

Not St. Thomas but...One of our dear friends, Mollie Francis, originally of Eden Prairie, has been excepted into the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Physician Assistant Program. Finally! T’was a long road to get here, her career choice and dream of helping people live longer, healthier, lives is becoming a reality. She’s up for the challenges of her lifetime. Congratulations Mollie! Our grandson, Cole Vlasak and Molly have been together for the past 6 years.

Be careful out there folks, Covid’s still with us. Have a good week, folks.

Due to the weather, utility work on the north side of the project has halted after completing work to get out of the intersection between 3rd Street N and Market Street. Utility work on the south side of the project did not start today.

The contractor will continue to place aggregate at the intersection of Market Street and 4th Street N and fill 3rd Street S with sand today. Though 3rd Street S will have sand, it will not be drivable until aggregate has been placed on top later this week. Residents on 3rd Street S and 4th Street S, north of Minnesota Street, should continue to use alley access to your properties. Millings have not yet been removed south of Minnesota Street, leaving these streets accessible.

The contractor will monitor weather conditions regarding when work will start again. The contractor will have someone on-site tomorrow morning to ensure garbage is collected. It is more likely that work will resume on Wednesday as rain/snow stop.

The north side utility crew has continues to work on sanitary sewer main on Market Street with anticipation of reaching 3rd Street N by the end of today or tomorrow morning. They will then continue south on 3rd Street N toward Main Street. Those south of Market Street should anticipate limited access to the front of their properties and should consider use of alleys where possible. The gravel surfacing left from milling the streets has been substantially removed from this area, leaving a rough surface behind. The street section on 4th Street N has been substantially reconstructed with crews currently working on the intersection with Market Street. Property owners on this street should be able to reach their properties from the north (Oak Street) until this intersection is complete.

The south side utility crew will complete the installation of sanitary sewer main on 4th Street S, north of Market Street today. After the sewer main is installed, they will then go back to install water and sanitary sewer services on this block. As water services are replaced, temporary water shutdowns may be needed. These shutdowns will be temporary but may last up to 4 hours. The contractor and SEH will attempt to reach affected properties by knocking on doors prior to shutdown. In most cases, it should be possible to shut off the affected properties only. Properties on the west side of the street will not require water service replacement. It is anticipated that work on this block will go through Thursday this week, possibly Friday morning.

Starting Friday, it is likely that the south side utility crew will start installing sanitary sewer on 4th Street S from Minnesota Street toward Elm Street. Access to the front of homes will be limited during that time. Residents without alley access will be encouraged to park on either Elm Street or Minnesota Street starting Friday and likely through much of next week as the remaining surface will be difficult to traverse. It will likely take 3-4 days to complete sanitary sewer main and services on this block once started.

Street crews are currently working on the reconstruction of Minnesota Street. This will require the removal of approximately 2 feet of material over the entire street width before placement of fabric, sand, and aggregate surfacing. It is currently anticipated that Minnesota Street reconstruction will be substantially complete tomorrow. Access to the alley between 3rd Street S and 4th Street S will remain open from the north (4th Street S) while Minnesota Street is under construction. Residents requiring access on Minnesota Street should contact John Voigt to discuss alternate access routes. Reconstruction of 3rd Street S will begin once Minnesota Street is complete. This should be anticipated for Thursday and Friday this week. Reconstruction of 4th Street S, north of Minnesota Street will likely start early next week.

As a reminder, final pavement surfacing including both concrete and bituminous will not be placed this year. Where possible, existing curb, sidewalks, and driveways will be left in-place over winter. Replacement will occur as construction resumes next year.

SEH will continue to have two representatives on-site this fall. If you have concerns or need assistance during the project, please do not hesitate to reach out to them. John Voigt is the lead RPR and can be reached at 507.380.1157.

2020 November 2 St Thomas News

St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Le Sueur will have masses with Father Chris Shofner: Saturdays at 5:15 p. m. and Sundays at 8 a. m. and 10:30 a. m.. Check the website for more instructions.

A memorial Mass of Christian Burial is held on Saturday, November 5th for Mark Halloran, son of Dennis and Ester, who grew up on the original ole Johnny O’Halloran’s homestead kitty-corner northeast of Chuck and Marie Retka, and two pews behind us at the St. Thomas Church on Sundays. Mark was laid to rest at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Belle Plaine. Our Sympathies to Joan and their family, and his sister Colleen and John Lapek of St. Paul.

Edona Violet Halloran was born to Ryan and Tracy on October 31st at 1:43 a. m. at the Mayo hospital in New Prague, weighing 7 lbs 2 ounces and she’s 19 inches long. Edona is on the Jim and Mary Jean Glizincski Halloran Branch of our St. Thomas Tree. Overheard: “Oh, He’s going to make such a good Daddy.” We’ve been watching him around babies here for years, Jim and Corrine Connelly’s and the Sullivans, especially Emily...

Impatiently waiting for Michael and Dorothy Koller’s baby to arrive ‘any day now’… now that the Hallorans and the Summerfelds got the ball rollin’.

Talked to Marcia Wolff Cotton this week, her sisters are doing good, Bernetta’s loving her new place in Waseca, she says “It’s not as much work,” little sister Carla Wolff Wells in California could see the smoke when the fires were burning there, she’s a nurse at Loma Linda and is more worried about the Covid. “Hospitals are full of it down here.” Sister-in-law, Yvonne Wolff had back surgery is doing good. Marcia’s seven brothers are staying close to their homes during this covid time, except for Ray who has already gone outh for the winter. The Wolffs are one generation from St. Thomas.

“Greetings” to Phyllis Odenthal of Millpond in New Prague, and her daughters Sally and Sue. “Greetings” also to uncle Ed...Edward R. Burns at Lake Havasu. His birthday was a couple weeks ago, October 18th... he’s about the same age as Fran Byrne Tiegs and he reads the St. Thomas News, too.

Fran Tiegs, a couple friends and this writer get out to the Monday night movies in Arlington weekly. We keep distant...sometimes we’re the only ones there!

Stay safe folks, and God bless.

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