Second half scoring woes were the key to a pair of losses for the WEM boys basketball team Thursday, and Friday last week in the Tri City United Holiday Tournament.
The Bucs trailed TCU 29-28 at halftime Thursday, Dec. 29 but managed only 21 second half points in a 68-49 loss. Kenyon-Wanamingo (KW) limited the Bucs to 12 points in the second half of their 67-34 win.

One medical issue turned into a second medical issue which might have saved the life of an Elysian teenager.
WEM junior Luke Michael, who is now two weeks shy of his 17th birthday, was experiencing some back pain during the early days of October 2022. He didn’t think much of it, figuring it was pain from playing football.
He attended football practice the afternoon of Oct. 5 and told the coach he wasn’t feeling great but he would still give his best effort. Luke was hit on the side of his body during the practice and the pain was so bad that he went to the ground in agony.

The WEM boys basketball team suffered a pair of close Gopher Conference losses last week.
Two players combined for 54 points for Medford in a 68-62 win Monday, Dec. 19. Two players combined for 35 points for USC in a 45-42 Rebels win.
In the loss to Medford, the two teams were tied at 62-all with less than one minute to play. The Tigers made four straight free throws and a basket in that final minute to pull out the victory. The Bucs had their best scoring half of the season, putting up 41 points in the second half.

Working deep within the rocky ground of Israel’s hill country, 2020 Waterville-Elysian-Morristown graduate Kelsey Kuball, daughter of Nathan and Shannon Kuball of Waterville, assisted biblical archeologists excavate numerous artifacts last summer.
“It’s super cool,” stated the University of Northwestern junior. “I’m a Biblical and Theological Studies major and a big history nerd, so it’s really fun for me to be there—to be part of this dig—and see how it all takes shape… I can’t wait to go back.”

Sandra Joanne Springmeyer, 81 of Elysian, MN passed away Monday, December 19th at Allina hospital, Faribault, MN. Sandy was born on June 27, 1941 in Northfield, MN to Donald and Hedwig Klinefelter. Following graduation from Northfield High School in 1959, Sandy graduated from Hamline University in 1963. On September 1, 1962 she married Thomas Springmeyer of Owatonna and they were married 51 years.

Kathy R. Wolf, age 74, of Morristown, formerly of Northfield, passed away Sunday, December 25, 2022, at her son’s home under the care of hospice.
She is survived by her son Kurt Wolf (Kristin Scouton) of Morristown; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and her sister, Frances O’Rourke of Morristown. Kathy was preceded in death by her daughter Kristina; siblings Joyce, Rodney, her twin brother Kenneth; her parents, Frank and Melba (Herrley) Brooks; and former husband Kenneth.

Just like Santa Claus, Larry Hagen has his own workshop, but it’s not at the North Pole.
Hagen’s small workshop sits snugly in a basement corner of his family’s 158-year-old farm house between Waterville and Waseca.
“It’s nothing fancy, but I have everything I need right here… It’s nice. Plus, if I make a mess, no one has to see it,” Hagen stated with a chuckle.
Hagen is a wood carver. For the past 30 years, he has used his talents to create intricate wooden ornaments for his family members. ...

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me… A Weight Watchers gift certificate.
On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me… A new camera bag.
On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me… Some dye to turn my grey beard back to brown.
On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me… A Friday night without a sporting event.
On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me… A remote car starter for those cold winter mornings and evenings.

The WEM/JWP Grizzly wrestling team had a very busy week competing in five dual matches.
Despite only winning one of those five matches, the team won four or more individual bouts in four of the five matches.
The Grizzlies were edged 40-35 by Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial and lost 51-30 to Blue Earth Area Tuesday, Dec. 13. The team then traveled to Glencoe-Silver Lake/Lester Prairie for three matches. They dropped a 70-9 decision to Class AA No. 12 rated Watertown-Mayer, lost 57-23 to Glencoe-Silver Lake, and defeated Blaine, 42-38.

WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM WEDNESDAY TO 3 AM CST THURSDAY... ...WINTER STORM WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT... ...WIND CHILL WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY EVENING THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING...
* WHAT...For the Winter Storm Warning, heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 8 inches. For the Winter Storm Watch, blizzard conditions possible. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph. For the Wind Chill Watch, dangerously cold wind chills possible. Wind chills as low as 40 below zero.

Mary Susan (Splett) Opsahl, age 59, of Elysian, passed away at her home on Saturday, December 17, 2022.

Le Center Librarian Lynn Selly has received the 2022 Above and Beyond Award from the Minnesota Library Association in recognition of her contributions to the Minnesota library community. More on this in Thursday's Messenger.

Bruce Oliver Long, age 91, of Waterville, Minnesota, passed away on Saturday, December 3, 2022, at his home.

Gerald H. Schwichtenberg, age 88 of Morristown, died Friday, December 2, 2022 at Faribault Senior Living.
            Funeral services were held at Trinity Lutheran Church, North Morristown, on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. with the Reverend Juan Palm officiating. Interment was at Concordia Cemetery, North Morristown.
            Visitation will be at Boldt Funeral Home, Faribault on Monday, December 5, 2022 from 4 to 7 p.m. and also at church for one hour prior to the services on Tuesday.

Donald Merlyn Wagner, age 81 of Waterville, formerly of Apple Valley, died on the morning of Wednesday, November 23, 2022 at Bridgewater in Janesville.
Born in Mitchell, South Dakota on December 4, 1940. Donald was the son of Nick and Garnett (Sperlich) Wagner.
Donald is survived by his devoted wife of 62 years, Connie of Waterville; two sons, Kevin Wagner of Apple Valley and Kurt (Carrie) Wagner of Atlanta, GA; as well as two special granddaughters, Anna and Marla.  He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant son.