She began her career in a small country school in 1949 and taught for just a few years until she married. When her children got older, Anna Mae Witt became a school teacher in New Prague, and is known widely for her dedication, patience and the love so many in the community feel for her. When Praha Village opened its doors to seniors in January, 2019, Anna Mae became one of its earliest residents. Now, she graciously welcomes new residents and neighbors to the community.

With steady hands and eyes on the flying targets, TCU alumnus Ben Sladek shot a perfect score at the Caribou Gun Club and Hunting Preserve’s 2019 High School Trap Championship event June 1-2.
Shooting against seven local teams, Belle Plaine, Cleveland, Jordan, Le Sueur–Henderson, Sibley East, St. Peter, TCU shooters took first place in the varsity and the junior varsity levels. This was a repeat success for the teams, as they placed the same last year.

Minnesota Viking Anree Saint-Amour, left, signs a football for Kolby Nixon as Joel and Dylan Greening watch. Saint-Amour was among 18 Vikings players and coaches to attend the annual Le Sueur County Sheriff's Mounted Posse’s Take a Kid Fishing Day on Saturday, June 8, at Beaver Dam Resort. There were 75 children ages 8 to 15 that participated, who each got a football that they could have Vikings players sign. The youngsters and Vikings also went out on boats to fish for two hours. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times and Montgomery Messenger.

You CAN get there from here....
The Minnesota Department of Transportation announced Friday morning that Highway 19 from Highway 169 to Henderson opened to traffic this morning, Friday, June 7 - just in time for the city’s Prince Festival on Saturday.
Highway 93 from 169 to Henderson opened on June 1 leaving both major roadways into Henderson clear for one of the city’s many summer celebrations.

Waterville’s annual Bullhead Days 2019 will be held June 7th, 8th, and 9th. This will be the 55th straight year the celebration has been held.
This year’s celebration will remain much the same as last year, with the continuation of the KORN Country 92.1 Entertainment Stage.
A Food Court Area furnished with benches and picnic tables will feature the Entertainment Stage, where many different activities will be held.

If you have noticed the American flags flying on the streets in Montgomery, those are there because of the American Legion Post #79.
The Post donated several new replacement flags last week to the City of Montgomery. According to Corey Kotek, Post 79 Commander, the organization donated 25 flags for First Street, and replacements for the ones at the Montgomery Public Library, City Hall, and Memorial Park.
Next year, flags will be donated for Veteran’s Memorial Way, as part of a rotation.

Tri-City United pole vaulter, Jackson Nesmoe, advanced to the State competition after his performance at the Section 2A Meet.
Nesmoe placed second in the meet, for a third year in a row, clearing 13 feet-nine inches this year. Also for the third year it was due to a tie-breaker situation.
Coach Craig Nordling said Nesmoe will go into the state meet seeded fourth and will look to improve on his third place finish from 2018 against a field that could easily compete with the big schools.

Softball team fought hard in both of their games at last week’s state tournament, but came up short in both as they went 0-2 in the tournament at Chanhassen High School.
The Trojans opened with a 9-4 loss to eventual tournament champion Burnsville/Farmington/Lakeville and then lost 8-6 to St. Cloud. The team, which includes players from New Prague, Tri-City United, Belle Plaine and Jordan schools, ended their season with a 4-6 record.

New Market and St. Patrick remain unbeaten and atop the Dakota- Rice-Scott standings through games of June 2. The Muskies claimed two wins last week, over Union Hill and Webster, while the Irish defeated Lonsdale.

The Czech Heritage Club invites young and old to join them in learning about the kroje, the Czech ethnic dress. This presentation will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 11, at the New Prague City Hall.
Anne Jans will be presenting her Kroje collection from the different regions of the Czech Republic. 

Elroy Milton Picha, 90, of Montgomery, passed away Monday, June 3, 2019, at Mayo Clinic Health System New Prague Hospital. Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 6 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with Mass of Christian Burial at 2:30 p.m. with Father Victor Valencia officiating. Burial will be at Trebon Cemetery.

The Le Sueur County Historical Society (LCHS) began a new chapter on Monday.
After a year-long lawsuit where more than a dozen plaintiffs asked a judge to force transparency, a fair election and an examination of the society’s books, a new board of directors was elected.
A Nominating Committee put together a list of candidates, and the following people were officially elected: One-year terms - Bryce Stenzel, Mike Frederick, George Luskey, Richard Bennett; two-year terms - William Stangler, Dean Pettis, Lois Mack, Bonnie Reak and Ruth Collins.

Merlyn Robert Duenow, 91, of Montgomery died on Sunday, June 2, 2019, at Traditions in Montgomery. Services are pending in St. Ansgar, Iowa.
Merlyn was born on February 23, 1928, in Worth County, IA to Carl August and Edna Susan (Koster) Duenow. He graduated in St. Ansgar, IA.

Highway 93 from Highway 169 to Henderson opened over the weekend (June 1) after closing a fourth time on May 27 due to flooding on the Rush River.
Motorists are advised to continue to drive with caution along Highway 93 as flood waters are near the roadway. Speed limit is reduced to 50 mph and vehicles weights are reduced to 7 ton per axle until further notice.
Highway 19 from Henderson to Highway 169 remains closed due to flooding on the Minnesota River.
MnDOT crews will continue to monitor area highways, bridges and bluffs to ensure motorists safety.

The New Prague Trojan adapted softball team lost its opening round game in the State CI Adapted Softball Tournament Friday, May 31, at Chanhassen High School. The Burnsville/Farmington/Lakeville Blazing Cats defeated them 9-4.
New Prague plays St. Cloud in the consolation round at 9 a.m. Saturday at Chanhassen. If they win that game they play in the consolation championship at
1:45 p.m.

More rain meant more postponed games in the Dakota-Rice-Scott league this week.
Four league games were postponed earlier in the week, but the sun dried the fields so games were played Friday and Sunday, but Monday’s Memorial Day deluge resulted in six more postponements. The nine games that were played saw nine different winners, ranging from a 38-hit, 25-run slugfest in which St. Patrick defeated Montgomery 13-12 to a pitcher’s duel that saw Prior Lake defeat Union Hill 2-0.