I sit in my cozy kitchen and write this column for not only the first issue of November but the first in the Dodge County Independent.  
Looking back, for many years those living in the area and others who moved away, continued to receive the local newspaper to let them know about their former hometown.

The Dodge County fairgrounds could serve as a place where truck drivers park their vehicles this winter if the city and fair board agree on who should plow the area.

It’s 1936 and William Gillette, a Broadway actor known for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes, has invited friends to his mansion on Christmas Eve as he recovers from a gunshot wound fired by an unknown assailant. But when a guest is murdered Gillette reverts to his Holmes persona to find the murderer.

The Kasson-Mantorville and Stewartville volleyball teams have routinely butted heads late in the season. For the third time in the past five years, the KoMets and Tigers will renew their acquaintances on Thursday night when they play for the Section 1AA West championship at the Mayo Civic Center.“K-M has good rivalries with a few teams,” K-M head coach Adam VanOort said.

The Triton volleyball team had their season come to a close on Oct. 27 when they were swept by the hands of the Stewartville Tigers in a Section 1AA West quarterfinal. Although the result is disappointing, the Cobras showed plenty of grit during the season and show some promise going forward.Against Stewartville, there wasn’t much that went Triton’s way.

Lavon Marie Wilson of West Concord passed away peacefully at Prairie Meadow Senior Living in Kasson on Nov. 2, 2015.

Leroy H. Witzel, 89, passed away of natural causes on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015 as a resident of Fairview Care Center in Dodge Center. He had been a resident there since May of 2013. Leroy was born on Nov. 8, 1925. He was a strong Christian all his life. Leroy enjoyed doing things for the church and was one of the early founders of the Community Celebration Church just outside of Kasson.

Maxine Harris, 101, a longtime resident in the Kasson-Mantorville area, died of natural causes Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015, at her residence in Kasson.Maxine Ruth Stussy was born Sept. 13, 1914 to Walter and Esther (Maxson) Stussy in Milton Township, Dodge County.