Montgomery sees biggest home-building boom in more than a decade
Next year, Montgomery’s estimated market value will get a boost of close to $9.5 million, thanks to 50 new homes built in 2020.
“We’ve had quite a housing boom,” said City Administrator Brian Heck.
Building new homes in Montgomery surged last...
 
To see more on this story, pick up the February 18, 2021 print edition of the Montgomery Messenger.

Without the fanfare of a Masopust celebration, a new king was named on Sunday.
Korey Mach, the son of...
To see more on this story, pick up the February 18, 2021 print edition of the Montgomery Messenger.

February is known for Valentine’s Day, heart boxes, roses, and cards proclaiming enduring love.
It is also known for something a lot more important than candy hearts and chocolate.
February 1 to March 1 is Black History Month.
Historian Carter G. Woodson, the second Black man to earn a Ph.D. in history from Harvard University, launched “Negro History Week” in February 1926. He wanted to popularize Black history so ALL Americans,...
To read more on this story, pick up the February 18, 2021 print edition of the Montgomery Messenger.

A respected Czech Country supper club has become the latest victim of the COVID-19 pandemic, announcing its permanent closure on Thursday.
The Lakeside Supper Club, located on Lake Pepin on Highway 13/21 between Montgomery and New Prague, has been closed since the initial COVID-19 "stay at home" order in March last year, and will not be re-opening.
In a Facebook post to its patrons, owner George Kukacka and Catering Manager, Jayne Hirdler, made the decision with “heavy hearts and profound sadness” not to re-open.

TCU’s Snow Week royalty candidates include (front, from left) Arya Menk, Kylie Maxa, Josie Plut, Jessica Dull, (back) Alex Bass, Jack Paggen, Reece Weydert, Collin Barnett and Juan Figueroa. Missing is Emily Chmelik. Read more about Snow Week in the print edition. (Wade Young Photo)

Clarence J. Ginter, age 89, of New Prague, died suddenly on February 14, 2021, at St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Shakopee.  Clarence was born on January 30, 1932 in Lexington Township, Le Sueur County, MN to Joseph and Anna (Filipek) Ginter.  He attended school in Montgomery and later married Donna M.

Per Governor Walz today, effective Saturday, February 13 at noon, further steps to reopen Minnesota’s economy safely, are listed below.
·        Increasing the “not to exceed” capacity in restaurants to 250, while leaving the maximum capacity at 50 percent
·        Increasing indoor entertainment “not to exceed” capacity to 250, while leaving the maximum capacity at 25 percent
·        Increasing private events and celebrations “not to exceed” capacity to 50, while leaving the maximum capacity at 25

It is that time of year when scammers come out in full force. Unfortunately for a couple of Le Sueur County residents, they were duped into sending money to someone they didn’t know.
Le Sueur County Assistant Attorney Jason...
To read more on this story, pick up the February 11, 2021 print editions of the LifeEnterprise and Montgomery Messenger.

That seems to be the question everyone is asking themselves: When is it my turn to get the COVID-19 vaccination?
I open my online health care portal almost weekly to see if I have received the message from my healthcare provider that I’m next to get the shot, poke, or jab, or whatever you want to call it.
Or maybe my vaccine instructions will come in the mailbox from the state of Minnesota?

A young family is pouring their love—and lifesavings—into an old farm.
Dilapidated outbuildings have been repaired.
Old wire fencing has been removed and replaced.
The big barn standing at the heart of the property has been refurbished and repainted and is once again...
To see more on this story, pick up the February 11, 2021 print edition of The New Prague Times and Montgomery Messenger.

All it took was a mouth full of expired, curdled milk.
And, my darling daughter, Ellen, learned another valuable life lesson!
Always check the expiration date.
My little redhead was simultaneously horrified by the sour, chunky experience and astonished to learn that those little, hard-to-read black letters and numbers on food containers actually mean something.
I’m astonished it has taken this long. She is going to be...
To read more on this story, pick up the February 11, 2021 print edition of the LifeEnterprise.

Larry Marvin Ceplecha, 59, of New Prague, died February 9, 2021, at his home. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 16 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery with a prayer service at 7 p.m. with Father George Grafsky officiating. Interment will be at a later date this spring in Calvary Cemetery in Montgomery.
Larry was born on November 8, 1961, in Faribault to Marvin Edward and Barbara (Malecha) Ceplecha. He attended Montgomery High School and worked as a Processing Technician for Faribault Foods.

The Tri-City United Weightlifting Club held its first meet on Saturday, Feb. 6 in the high school gym.
Unlike previous years, the pandemic has changed how meets are held. According to TCU Coach Andrew Meiser, all schools have...
To see more on this story, pick up the February 11, 2021 print edition of the Montgomery Messenger.

Forget distance learning.
Forget hybrid learning.
Remember in-person learning?
That’s exactly what all students and faculty of Tri-City United will do as they return to full, in-classroom education starting February 16.
On Monday, February 8, the TCU school board approved a learning plan that has all students from pre-kindergarten on up to 12th graders returning to their regular schedules as if it were a normal year, and without a late start.

Jane A.

City begins discussions for new facility
Mayor Tom Eisert is on a mission: to begin work and establish a timeline toward a new police department facility.
The subject was one of the items on the council’s work session on Monday, Feb. 1.
Eisert conveyed his message loud and clear.
“We are all very clear of the needs of the police facility,” he stated. “We’ve been stuck in this exact spot for the last year and a half. It’s time to move forward. I will welcome any ideas on how we..."