Area residents looking for fun on the Fourth of July will have several choices.

The Montgomery Area Community Club announced this year's 87th Annual Kolacky Days Grand Marshals. They are Gerry and Dianna Smith, who are pictured with 2020 Kolacky Days Royalty, and the 2021 Kolacky Queen Candidates at the annual Meet and Greet in Memorial Park. For more about the Smiths, pick up the Kolacky Days Souvenir Section, on newsstands July 22. (Wade Young photo)

Participants in the 20th annual Henderson Tractor Ride prepare to leave Union Hill the morning of Saturday, June 26. There were 60 tractors in this year’s ride that began at the Le Sueur County Pioneer Power Showgrounds and were scheduled to enter Henderson and parade down the city’s historic business district around 1:30 p.m. For more see upcoming print issues of The New Prague Times and Montgomery Messenger. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

A Le Center native, who loves the small-town life and atmosphere, is now helping taxpayers as the Le Sueur County Chief Deputy Auditor-Treasurer.
Brad Collins started his new position on May 25, 2021. The Auditor-Treasurer position wasn’t always a combined role. In December 2009, when then-auditor, Ron Germscheid retired, the county combined the two departments. In January 2010, Joe Boettcher took over and became the first Auditor-Treasurer, leading both departments until it split this year. The current Le Sueur County Auditor-Treasurer is Dani Blaschko.

Traditions are valuable and being upheld in Montgomery and New Prague, according to a dignitary from the Czech Republic.
“The traditions and the history here are wonderful,” said Jan Kubišta, the Czech Republic’s Deputy Consul based in Chicago.
Kubišta saw firsthand how the Czech Area maintains its ties to the...
To see more on this story pick up the June 24, 2021 print edition of the Montgomery Messenger.

Andrew J. Regenscheid, the third son of Joseph F. and Esther L. (Harty) Regenscheid, was born on a hot, August 3, 1938, at the Regenscheid home in Cleveland, Minnesota. He joined older brothers Joseph H. and Bernard A.
Growing up in town meant Andy almost always had someone to keep busy with as a youth. He was enrolled in the Cleveland Public Schools as a first grader and attended the school until his graduation, 12 years later, on May 24, 1956.

Effective Wednesday, June 23, 2021, until further notice, the City of Montgomery has issued a water emergency and watering ban.
Due to “extremely low water levels” from the drought-like weather and increased use of community members using irrigation systems, the watering ban is in effect from 12 to 6 p.m. every day of the week.
The Emergency Outdoor Watering Ban restricts outdoor watering (lawn irrigation and vehicle washing) to an odd/even schedule between 6 p.m. to 11 a.m.:

The Lonsdale Chamber of Commerce and the Lonsdale Community Days Committee announced on Wednesday, June 23 that Daryl Rieck has been chosen as the 2021 Lonsdale Grand Marshal.
According to a press release, Rieck has been an integral part of the community for more than 35 years. It listed Rieck’s commitment to Londale being the American Legion Commander, instructor for AARP Defensive Course Classes, member of the Veteran's Memorial Task Force, Memorial Day Service Organizer, and volunteer who always helps with BINGO on Saturday evenings at the Legion.

After a fierce six-week landscape design showdown set in the whimsical world of topiary, Minnesota-based botanical mosaic artist Meghan Petricka was crowned the "Clipped" champion of the freshest competition series on discovery+.
Judges crowned Petricka as the last topiarist standing, winner of $50,000 cash and bragging rights as the first-ever "Clipped" champion.
Petricka is a 2002 Montgomery-Lonsdale High School graduate, the daughter of Donald and JoAnn Petricka, and the 2001 Kolacky Queen. For more, pick up the print edition.

Spider-Man, left, was a surprise guest for Christian Stage at Home Town Bats’ Home Run Derby the evening of Friday, June 18, at Union Hill Ballpark, west of New Prague. Christian, the son of Nick and Joan Stage of Lonsdale, is a big fan of superheroes. His family are the beneficiaries of the annual fundraiser that features fun, food, games and members of the Dakota-Rice-Scott League slamming for the fences to get as many home runs as possible. For more see upcoming print issues of The New Prague Times and Montgomery Messenger. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Kathy Kramer has lived south of Lonsdale for more than 40 years, and she’s never eaten a Czech dumpling.
“Nope, never had one. I’m Swedish and German, and I’ve never had those dumplings either,” she said with a laugh.
Along with more than 30 other people from around the area, Kramer’s hands were deep in dumpling dough when the Czech Heritage Club hosted a free potato dumpling-making demonstration on Tuesday, June 8, 2021, at Revival on Main in Montgomery.

Central Health Care of Le Center celebrated “Together” for National Skilled Nursing Care Week May 9 to 15, 2021.
The theme “Together” was just how the facility celebrated. That began with the staff and residents choosing Bill Rohlfing and Lori Jones as their King and Queen.
Tammy Plonsky, Activities Director, said the week was full of events like a “Relay for Life” fundraiser that involved as many people as possible.

From left, New Prague Mayor Duane Jirik, Czech Heritage Club members Vi Chromy, George Mikiska, Jan Kubista, Deputy Consul General of the Czech Republic in Chicago, Marit Lee Kucera, Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic, Czech Heritage Club members Jim Simon and Fred Simon stand in front of the Brana on New Prague’s east side the morning of Thursday, June 17. Kubista was visiting New Prague and Montgomery with stops at historic sites. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Home Town Bats will be holding its fifth annual Home Run Derby at 6 p.m. this Friday, June 18, at Union Hill Ballpark, west of New Prague. The beneficiary of this year’s family friendly fundraiser is Christian Stage, the five year old son of Nick and Joan Stage of Lonsdale. He has three siblings, Preston, Anna and Brielle. Ted Nytes of Home Town Bats organizes Home Run Derby, which features batters from the Dakota- Rice-Scott League hitting for the fences to see who can slam the most home runs.

Due to high temperatures, extremely dry conditions and increased winds, the DNR and Rice County Sheriff’s Office instituted no open burning in Rice County on Thursday, June 17, 2021, starting at 5 p.m. until further notice.
The ban comes from Troy Dunn, Rice County Sheriff, and Jim Edgar, MN DNR Fire Program Forester.
The MN DNR has also put a burning ban on for Le Sueur County effective immediately. According to Le Sueur County Sheriff Brett Mason, burning can resume tomorrow, Saturday, June 19.

A judge in Le Sueur County heard arguments Monday on a building the city has declared hazardous and wants torn down.
The building is located at 100 First Street South (corner of Vine Avenue and First Street).
Robert Whipps of the law firm Christian, Keogh, Moran & King represented the City of Montgomery. Montgomery resident, Francis Meger represented Bob Taraba, the property owner. Meger, who has the power of attorney for Taraba, stated he is in a nursing home and was unable to attend the proceedings.