A year after they surprised the field with a strong performance win at the state tournament, the New Prague indoor softball team is heading back to state hoping to put both facets of the game together to enjoy another strong showing.

As I sit at the Memorial Day program put forth in Montgomery, I can’t help but see the group that is here — veterans, loved ones of veterans, and a very few outside that realm. The average age is maybe around age 60 or an age where people felt directly affected by the threats of war and that our freedom could possibly be affected personally.

The theme of the final band and choir concert of the 2022- 2023 school year was The Magic of Music, in relevance to Disney and their mid-winter trip to perform there.
Songs ranged from “You’ll Be In My Heart” and “The Family Madrigal” to “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” to “How to Train Your Dragon.” The night ended with some senior recognition and the live concert band playing against a movie of different Disney scenes put together by band student Aidan Miland.

A new set of three wings for the Wings Walk Art Project was placed upon American Legion Post 79 on Thursday, May 26.
The wings are a part of the 2022 Paint the Town grant that was applied for through the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation by Tri-City United Schools. It has been a community collaboration between the school, Montgomery Area Community Club, American Legion Post 79, VFW Post 5340, and other community members.

With the Tri-City United gymnasium in full attendance on the evening of Friday, May 26, the Class of 2023 walked in processional to the classic “Pomp and Circumstance” by the concert band. The posting of colors by the Montgomery Honor Guard and then the national anthem by concert band and choir.
Principle Alan Fitterer welcomed the entire group and Kaia Krocak gave a student welcome speech. Senior Danessa Buckingham directed the concert choir singing the Alan Menken piece, “Go the Distance.”

It took awhile for the Orioles’ bats to get going Saturday, May 27, but they were able to score a bunch in the middle part of the game as New Prague defeated the Shakopee Coyotes, 7-1, and extended its record to 5-0, the team’s best start since 2015.
New Prague’s Anthony Mader scored in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings and also added a RBI double. Jacob Mader had three hits including a RBI double of his own. Collin Dorzinski had two hits as he continues to be one of the Orioles’ hottest hitters.

Take a moment to thank a veteran today and to remember those who didn't make it home.

Rice County officials are continuing to respond to a fire at the county’s landfill solid waste facility at East 145th Street in rural Dundas. The fire began in the landfill portion of the solid waste facility shortly after it closed for the evening on Monday, May 22.
The cause of the fire has yet to be determined, but with assistance from state and local agencies, work is ongoing to mitigate any and all issues within the county’s control.

Joan (Joni) Glynn, 83, passed away peacefully at home on May 21, 2023, after a long fight against Parkinson’s Disease. 
Joan was born on October 20, 1939 to Isidor and Estella (Klinkhammer) Mahowald. Joan grew up in Shakopee and attended Shakopee schools. In addition to school, she helped care for her younger siblings,  tended the large vegetable garden for the family vegetable stand, babysat, and helped her mother clean several businesses so that she could spend more time with her. 

Honor veterans by partaking in one of these events on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29, in remembrance.
Le Center
9:45 a.m. Parade on Main Street
10:00 a.m. Memorial Day program at Tri-City United Middle School Gymnasium
12:00 p.m. Potluck Dinner at American Legion Post #108
Montgomery
8:00 a.m. Memorial service at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic (MHRC) Church
8:45 a.m. Parade from MHRC Church, along 1st street and to American Legion Post #79
9:30 a.m. Memorial Day program at American Legion Post #79

The “Coveting Lovingkindness” book signing at the Montgomery Public Library on Saturday, April 29 brought together some local historians, people known to the family and some of the remaining family of the subject of the book, Father Valerian Schatz.
Author Dean Caldwell-Tautges spoke to the group and took questions from those in attendance before and after reading one passage from the book. Caldwell-Tautges highlighted that the story was based on facts and filled in with fiction.

The Montgomery Area Emergency Ambulance Service (MAEAS) this year has welcomed changes to our training process for new and current members, gained new equipment and welcomed new personnel.

Greetings from the Montgomery Police Department (MPD). The 2022 and the beginning of 2023 have been a busy time for the MPD. We had a difficult time with the loss of Officer Gordy Prochaska in January. Gordy worked for the MPD in a part-time capacity for 33 years. His laugh and presence will be missed by our agency and the community.

A number of residents in Montgomery have been wondering what is going on with the old Ace Hardware store building on 104 Oak Avenue Southwest. Remodeling of the building and, this past week, a re-pavement of the parking lot, have made people curious.

Don't forget to pick up your souvenir section. 

Stephen "Steve" Andrew Schultz, 38, of Montgomery, passed away peacefully on April 30, 2023 at 10:10 a.m. surrounded by family and friends. Stephen gave the gift of life through organ donation. As he had in life he gave what he could to help others without asking for anything in return. Steve was a quiet man, who loved his family and friends with a quiet fierceness that many did not see. He gave pieces of himself to everyone he met with a winning smile, wit and sarcasm.