Local dentist Dr. Mark Brahs, who has provided dental care in Montgomery for 43 years, has hung up his tooth explorer tool and mouth mirror and is settling into retirement.
“I was fortunate to have a good career,” stated Brahs, who officially retired on May 30. “I’ve had the privilege of seeing patients as young as two years old, up to 103… I’ve seen some families for three generations, possibly four. I’m grateful for those who have put their trust in me over the years.”

Thursday, July 4, is celebrated as the birthday of the United States, and many area communities will be celebrating Independence Day with fireworks and other festivities. In the immediate area, New Prague, Lonsdale and Veseli will hold their traditional fireworks displays, as will other communities in Scott, Le Sueur and Rice counties. Here are some of the highlights.

The New Market Muskies didn’t play any league games last week, but they clinched a bye into the double-elimination portion of the Region 3C playoffs. The Muskies have a 16-0 record and a 5-1/2 game lead over second-place St. Patrick with the season entering its final four weeks. The top four teams get first-round byes, with the remaining teams competing in best-of-three series to qualify for the region playoffs. Besides New Market, St. Patrick, Montgomery and Prior Lake currently hold on to the top four spots.
New Prague, Montgomery and Faribault each won two games last week.

Patrick Goggins of New Prague has been appointed a District Court Judge in Minnesota’s First Judicial District by Governor Tim Walz.
Goggins will be replacing the Honorable Martha Simonett and will be chambered at Le Center in Le Sueur County.

Jim and Patti Mladek are going to see a lot more of Kolacky Days this year.
They were bestowed the honor of being named Grand Marshals at the Montgomery Area Community Club’s Meet and Greet Monday.
The couple is no stranger to volunteering. Before they were introduced to a crowd that packed the City Hall (rain forced a venue change from Memorial Park), MACC President Tom Washa read a part of their volunteer history.

The Tri-City United Clay Target team placed sixth at the Minnesota State High School League Championships Friday, June 21, at the Minneapolis Gun Club in Prior Lake. The Titan shooters hit 479 of 500 targets, just five fewer than champion New Prague. There were 40 teams competing at the tournament.
The Titans’ Wyatt Hurd hit 99 of 100 targets, with Lukas Dietz hitting 97. Benjamin Sladek had 95 and James Krautkremer and Wyley Petersen each had 94.

New Market continues their dominance, sitting undefeated at 16-0 in DRS League play, holding a commanding 6 game lead on St. Patrick, the 2nd place team. St. Patrick holds a 0.5 game lead on the surging Montgomery Mallards, who are winners of 4-straight, and have settled into 3rd place in the Standings. Prior Lake holds down the 4th spot to round out the top 4, which would all be in line for a bye from League Playoffs.

Science experiments brought an intergalactic story to life for kids at the Montgomery Library last week.
Through interactive storytelling and easy-to-understand science experiments, ScienceTellers, a national program, made learning fun for all ages on Thursday. It was part of the library’s Summer Reading Program.

“I am not an expert, I describe myself as an enthusiast,” said Anne Jans during her presentation about kroje (Czech traditional ethnic dress) at the Tuesday, June 11, meeting of the Czech Heritage Club. Held in the second floor meeting room at New Prague City Hall, Jans had her collection of kroje.

The Montgomery City Council is letting the public decide whether or not to proceed with its planned emergency services building and City Hall remodel.
The council made the unanimous decision on Monday during its regular meeting to ask the public via a referendum to issue general obligation bonds (GO) up to $6.3 million for a new fire and ambulance building on Lexington Avenue east of Traditions of Montgomery, and a remodel/expansion of City Hall for the police department.

Betty Marie Braun, 88, died on Monday, June 17, 2019, at Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital in New Prague. Visitation will be held Friday, June 21, 2019, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday June 22, 2019, at St. John Lutheran Church in Montgomery with visitation one hour prior at the church. Interment will be at St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Montgomery.

John Krocak of Montgomery, center, races for home plate during a costumed obstacle course at the third annual Home Run Derby the evening of Saturday, June 15, at Union Hill. The event was a fundraiser for Aurora Jesperson, daughter of Nate and Sarah Jesperson of Elko New Market. Despite the rain, many people showed up for the fun filled event. In the background, from left, are Ted Nytes, owner of Nytes Cabinets and Home Town Bats, sponsor of the Home Run Derby, Michael McCrady of St.

Russell Harry Dietz, 72, of Montgomery, passed away after a long battle with cancer on Wednesday, June 12, 2019, surrounded by family at Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital in Mankato. Visitation will be held Thursday, June 20 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery with a funeral service following. Interment will be at a later date.
Russell was born on September 30, 1946, to Harry and Leota (Busta) Dietz. He graduated from Montgomery High School. He was in the US Army Reserves and Montgomery Police Reserves.

New Market is now the lone undefeated Class C team in the Dakota-Rice- Scott League, as they won three games during the week, upping their record to 13-0. The Muskies have a 3-1/2 game lead over second-place St. Patrick, which lost their first game of the season to Faribault.
Faribault, Elko and Prior Lake all won two games as well during the past week.

Who will step up to bat for a local family’s little princess?
The third annual Home Run Derby sponsored by Ted Nytes, owner of Nytes Cabinets and Home Town Bats, will be held this Saturday, June 15 at Union Hill ballpark west of New Prague, starting at 5 p.m. The event will benefit a little girl named Aurora and her family, who could use a boost of spirits and funds at this time.

Michael “Carp” Sery, age 67, of Montgomery, passed away on Tuesday, June 11, at his home in Montgomery. Visitation will be held on Friday, June 21 from 9 a.m. to noon at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with funeral mass following. Private interment will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to establish a scholarship fund in Michael’s name.