Times are crazy now. The economy is scary. People are protesting over businesses staying closed.
Masks are the recommended new facial accessory.
We aren’t supposed to hug when we see people anymore.
Six feet - that’s as close as we can get when talking to someone.
Kids are frustrated they’re not “in” school, playing sports with their friends.

Memorial Day, a day usually marked with solemn commemoration, honoring the men and women who have died while serving in the U.S. military, will look vastly different this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year’s Memorial Day will be different than the years past, but it is important that the American Legion Post 79, Montgomery VFW Post 5340, and Montgomery Area Honor Guard pay respect to its fallen brethren.

The evening of Tuesday, May 19, was warm and sunny, as the Trouba Troubadours performed an outdoor concert at Brewsters Bar & Grill in Veseli. While billed as drive by concert, people actually stopped to enjoy the music from their vehicles or yard chairs. The well attended concert was to help support the local business. Brewsters provided take out meals for the families and friends that attended. The Trouba Troubadours provided a mixture of music from country to pop to rock. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Minnesotans will once again be able to access the majority of driver and vehicle services starting May 19, but office visits will look different with changes made to protect the health and safety of customers and staff in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Neil R. Bohnsack, age 73, of New Prague, died suddenly on Thursday, May 14, 2020 at Three Links Care Center in Northfield.  Neil was born on March 16, 1947 in New Prague to Reuben W. and Selma R. (Jahn) Bohnsack.  He graduated from New Prague High School and Dunwoody Vo-Tech Institute in electrical science.  He served four years in the US Air Force as an electrician and was stationed in Panama during the Vietnam War.  He married the love of his life, Susan J.

Governor Tim Walz has directed all flags at state and federal buildings in Minnesota to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday, May 15, 2020, in honor of peace officers who have been killed or injured in the line of duty.
 “On May 15 we honor the Peace Officers who gave their lives to protect ours, and thank the 11,000 Law Enforcement Officers who serve our state for their dedication to protecting Minnesota communities,” said Governor Walz.

Two planes make their way over Mayo Clinic Health System in New Prague around 12:25 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13. Aircraft from the 148th Fighter Wing, 133rd Airlift Wing and 934th Airlift Wing were flying over locations in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan to honor frontline workers in the COVID-19 response. While staff from Mayo Clinic Health System in New Prague gathered on the roof, more than 70 area residents were in the parking lot and the general vicinity to watch the fly over greeting the two planes with cheers and applause.

Gladys E. Dols, 88, of Montgomery, passed away on Sunday, May 10, 2020, at Mala Strana Health Care in New Prague. Private family services will be held.
Gladys was born on September 10, 1931, in Montgomery to Frank and Rose (Fierst) Taraba. She was a 1949 graduate of Montgomery High School and also from teaching school in Le Center in 1950.
Gladys taught eight years in Rice and Le Sueur County rural schools, first and second grade in Prior Lake, M.L.P. School, Paraprofessional for 17 years, and New Prague Elementary as a Reading Teacher.

UPDATED INFORMATION 5-11-20
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office was able to determine the identity of the remains belonged to Manuel Ramirez, age 36, Kenyon.
On October 28, 2019, The Rice County Sheriff’s Office had taken a call of a vehicle that had crashed in a ditch/ravine near the area Mr. Ramirez’s body not was found. No one was inside the vehicle at the time. Deputies and Investigators had searched the area on different occasions with no success finding Mr. Ramirez.

The Montgomery Area Community Club, the organization responsible for organizing Kolacky Days announced this year’s candidates for the Kolacky Days Queen Pageant.
The six candidates are Marissa Gare, daughter of Joshua and Linda Gare; Rachel Rynda, daughter of Francis and Theresa Rynda; Nicole Schweitzer, daughter of Renee Sorenson; Chloe Triden, daughter of Lori Triden and Tim Triden; Rachel Way, daughter of Tina Way and Chuck Way; and Nikaija Young, daughter of Kurt and Cris Young.

Lonsdale residents had a parade to help lift their spirits the evening of Tuesday, May 5. Vehicles from the Lonsdale Police Department, Lonsdale Fire Department, Rice County Sheriff’s Office and an assortment of Rice County departments made their way through Lonsdale neighborhoods for about an hour. Area residents came out to wave and watch as the vehicles passed by. For more see an upcoming print edition of The New Prague Times and Montgomery Messenger. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

The Montgomery City Council on Monday approved a second round of emergency grants for small businesses during the pandemic.
The grants will be for $750 each and will be available for qualified businesses that are deemed essential and are experiencing a reduction in business and hardship.

Carolyn Mary Musil Rynda, age 81, of New Prague, died peacefully on Monday, May 4, 2020 at Mala Strana Care and Rehabilitation Center, her home of 4 years after a diagnosis of dementia.  Carolyn was born on January 26, 1939 in New Prague to Joseph and Mary (Janu) Musil.  She graduated from St.

If a grave can be lonely, Mathias Picha’s final resting place fit the bill.
The Montgomery farmer died in 1896, and while his grave is surrounded by markers, including his wife Katerina’s, his was only covered by green grass for 124 years.
Last week, Mathias’s grave in St. John Catholic Cemetery received a headstone.
The flat memorial, which matches Katerina’s from 1904, was purchased by Mathias’s great-great-grandson’s family whose recently discovered their ties to Montgomery.

Rice County Public Health is encouraging residents to follow the CDC recommendation to wear cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. The use of cloth face coverings may help slow the spread of COVID-19 by reducing the chance that a person who has the disease but doesn’t know it, spreads it to others. According to the CDC, cloth face coverings should:
Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
Be secured with ties or ear loops
Include multiple layers of fabric

Rice County Public Health has opened a COVID-19 helpline today, to answer COVID-19 related questions and to help connect residents to local resources during the pandemic.
The Rice County COVID-19 Helpline number is 507.384. 6459. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  Messages may be left on the helpline, and calls will be returned the following business day.    
If you have been placed in quarantine or isolation due to COVID-19, call the helpline if you need essential needs assistance in order to maintain isolation or quarantine.