Local News

The South Central Chapter of ABATE will have its annual Toys for Kids event on Saturday at the Litchfield Eagles Club. There’s a silent auction from 6-to-9 p.m. and DJ music from 8-to-midnight.

John Dietel says admission is $5 or a new, unwrapped toy. He says they’ve been doing this for nearly 30 years and there are lots of great items on the silent auction.

Dietel says the Hutchinson Lions also have an event this weekend – Christmas Village – at the McLeod County Fairgrounds with nearly 50 craft vendors, breakfast with Santa from 9:30-to-11, and there will be a toy collection box for the ABATE Toys for Kids drive. He says that event is today and Saturday (Nov. 29 & 30) from 9-to-4 each day. He says all of the toys that ABATE collects are split between Meeker and McLeod Counties.

It’s hard to believe, but the school year is already one-third completed, and it’s been a busy fall in the Litchfield School District. The students have had great success in sports and arts activities.

Lake Ripley Elementary School Principal Chris Olson says there are many well-rounded students who keep up with their academics and are also in sports, music, drama or other activities. He says his students have had their annual fundraiser which raises money for field trips, playground equipment, etc. and they always have an incentive which will be his participation in a dunk tank next spring.

Olson says the teachers at Lake Ripley Elementary School have been going through professional development training in literacy which will be a great thing for the students. He says Litchfield has so many opportunities for its students and hopefully, they are producing successful adults.

The Meeker County Museum and G.A.R. Hall will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend – today through Saturday. The museum is normally open Tuesday through Fridays from 10-to-4 and Saturdays from noon-to-4.

The annual meeting of the Meeker County Historical Society will be on Thursday, December 5th at the G.A.R. Hall with dinner at 6 p.m., a business meeting at 6:30, and holiday and Civil War music by David Stottrup at 7 o’clock. Reservations need to be made by December 3rd. Call the museum at 693-8911. The meal and program are free, but donations will be accepted.