Donald (Don) J. Smisek Sr, age 83, of Lonsdale, MN, passed away peacefully at Lakeville BeeHive Homes on April 17, 2024, with family by his side.  He fought a long and courageous battle with dementia. Don is preceded in death by sons Tommy and Dennis, and parents Joe B. and Helen Smisek. Don was born June 2, 1940, on a family farm in Webster Township. He attended Lonsdale Catholic School through 8th grade and graduated from New Prague High School in 1959. He served in the US Marine Corps for 4 years.

Big South Conference team from Fairmont ruined the home opener for the Tri-City United (TCU) girls softball team.
The Cardinals defeated the Titans, 11-4, Friday, April 5 in Lonsdale.
Cristina Cruz led the Titan offense with three singles in three at bats.
Morgan Fredrickson added two singles in three at bats.
Anne Cooper had one hit and knocked in two runs.
Audrey Vosejpka was 1-for-3 with a double and a stolen base.
Lexi Factor was 1-for-4 with a single 
Avery Lerfald was 1-for-3 with a single and an RBI.

TCU High School Principal Alan Fitterer says that 201 out of about 600 Tri-City United High School students received academic letters and were celebrated the school’s Academic Letter Breakfast and Program on Thursday, March 21.
In order to qualify for an academic letter, students must earn at least six credits per semester (five credits for seniors) and no grade must be lower than a B-. Additionally, a students grade point average must be maintained above 3.67 for grade 9, 3.6 for grade 10, 3.5 for grade 11, and 3.3 for grade 12.

Elizabeth “Izzi” Kotek, 11, was crowned as the Montgomery American Legion Auxiliary Unit 79’s 2024 Poppy Princesses at the April 10th monthly American Legion Auxiliary meeting.
Izzi is the daughter of Corey and Bobbi Kotek of Montgomery. Corey is the the Post 79 Commander.
Poppy Princesses are American Legion Auxiliary Junior Members between the ages of 6 to 12. Each contestant is required to research and create a 30 to 50 word essay about the red poppy or the Poppy Princess program.

First boy Junior Ambassador entered into program
Saturday evening was a gathering from around the state at the Montgomery American Legion for the 35th Annual Miss Czech Slovak Minnesota Pageant.
Festivities started with an authentic Czech meal, prepared by board member and Head Chef Josh Gare and his volunteer crew. Gare was recognized for his work in the organization, with special attention for the meals, by the Minneapolis Aquatennial Ambassadors with the Honorary Commodore’s Award.

The internet and social media won't fill the gap in civic awareness. Local government officials will go largely unchecked. 
"If once they become inattentive to the public affairs, you and I, and Congress, and Assemblies, judges and governors shall all become wolves.” — President Thomas Jefferson on the dangers of an uninformed electorate.

Carrie Simon, of Montgomery, went to the doctor in early 2022 thinking it would be a typical doctor visit. In February of 2022, she went through surgery. She and her husband, Russ, believed it was just an ovarian cyst. The doctors thought it was about 18 centimeters, and it ended up being 35 centimeters in diameter and had ruptured.
“Russ knew it was cancer already from the doctors while I was under, but they told me when I woke up. It was pretty gut-wrenching,” she said.

Laurie Beek-Korbel, age 59, of New Prague, passed away peacefully, in her sleep at home on Sunday, April 7, 2024.  She had been diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure on June 12 of 2022, and entered hospice care on February 28 of this year. Laurie was born on February 10, 1965, in Faribault to Donald & Evelyn (Timmers) Korbel.  She grew up on the family dairy farm in Kilkenny and graduated from Montgomery-Lonsdale High School in 1983.  She had 2 years advanced schooling in sales marketing and management and worked for K-Mart during those years.  Following her education, she worked for

Samuel "Sam" Richard Carlson, age 86, of Lonsdale passed away on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at his home. Private family services will be held.
 Sam was born on June 5, 1937, to Samuel (CJ) and Ruth (Danielson) Carlson in the chicken coop on the family farm in Chengwatana Township east of Pine City. Sam held many jobs in his lifetime, but cutting wood was always his favorite.

Ambassadors looking for candidates
The Lonsdale Ambassadors annual Easter Egg Hunt once again drew hundreds of area families to Lonsdale’s Jaycee Park on Saturday, March 30.
Miss Lonsdale Ambassador royalty facilitating the three age group-separated hunts were Miss Lonsdale Alli Simon, Miss Ambassadors Khloe Flicek and Avery Lerfald, Junior Ambassadors Payton Fischer and Paige Miller, and Little Ambassador Kyrie Smisek.

Next Fools in the Alley event won't happen for 63 years
Those who missed Monday’s Fools in the Alley Parade and Celebration will have a long wait until the next event.
In what was only the fourth time being held in Its 33-year history, the irregular event occurs only when April Fools Day follows the Monday after Easter, which until this year was every 11 years. However, the alignment after this year shifts causing the next occurrence not to take place again until 2086.

While it won’t be open for public use, a new recycling facility will be bringing benefits to Montgomery starting next month.
Cosmic Recycling has plans to open a facility that focuses on recycling solar panels and electronic waste, dubbed e-waste. The waste items will be shipped in from outside sources rather than collected from the community.
The facility will be located at 513 1st St. South in Montgomery in a facility owned by Hruby Rentals.

Families packed the hall at the American Legion Post 586 this past Saturday for the Son’s of the American Legion’s (SAL) for Kids Bingo.
SAL started in 1932 for males of all ages whose parents or grandparents served in the United States Military to become members of the American Legion. Although the group has its own membership, it is not a separate entity.

A total of 28 students from Tri-City United High School’s Business Professionals of America (BPA) club participated in the annual Minnesota BPA State Leadership Conference held March 14-16 at the Minneapolis Hyatt Regency.
More than 1,100 members from across the state of Minnesota competed at the conference.

Last spring, blizzard conditions hampered an otherwise pleasant evening of jazz music that is Tri-City United High School’s Jazz Fest, which kept Cleveland High School away from performing for the event.
This year’s Jazz Fest, held Thursday, March 14 in the high school performing arts center, was host to five acts — up from last year’s two acts.

Robert M. Barnett, age 93, of Kilkenny, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 24, 2024, at his home. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 26 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. Visitation will continue Wednesday, March 27 from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. at St. Canice Catholic Church in Kilkenny with Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. with Father Tom Niehaus officiating. Interment will be held in St. Michael’s Cemetery in rural Montgomery followed by a luncheon at the St. Canice Hall in Kilkenny.