Main Street Monroe hosted the second annual New Years Eve Cheese Drop on Dec. 31. Townspeople gathered on Monroe’s historic downtown square for entertainment, hot chocolate and the lowering of a large replica box of cheese by the Monroe Fire Department at 5 p.m., which is midnight in Switzerland. By happening in the early evening compared to late night, the event is a family-friendly way to celebrate both the town’s Swiss heritage and the New Year without lasting long into the night. For more pictures, see page 7. To order a photo, call 608-328-4202, go to www.themonroetimes.com or email editor@themonroetimes.com.