It was a sweet tour down memory lane for the latest show and tell for the Montgomery Historical Society.
The journey started and ended at the famous Franke Bakery on Thursday, June 28 for the society’s bimonthly Show and Tell meeting. With more than 25 people along for the ride, Jean Franke, the granddaughter of bakery founder Emil Franke, narrated the story of the pastry shop’s humble beginnings.

During the annual Fourth of July DRS League baseball game between Veseli and Lonsdale, umpires Jay McGivern, left, and Pat Schumer talk between innings as Lonsdale Aces manager Darrell Vosejpka fires up his team. The Veseli Warriors hosted the Aces as part of the community’s annual Fourth of July Celebration. Veseli had a parade, games and capped off the night with fireworks. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

New Market became the first Dakota-Rice-Scott League team to clinch a firstround playoff bye with a pair of wins, and the rest of the league battled to keep pace as the regular season winds down.
There are three weekends remaining in the season, which concludes July 22. Four league teams will get byes into the Region 3C tournament, while the eight remaining teams will play for the final four spots.

The Donald and Kathi Janovsky farm in rural Montgomery has been recognized as a Rice County 2018 Century Farm. 
 
“I’m sure my Grandpa John, who purchased the first acreage here, would be pretty proud, he probably never anticipated this when he bought the place 100 years ago,” stated Donald, who represents the third generation to farm the land. 
 
Donald’s grandfather, John Janovsky, purchased the first 80 acres of the farm from Thomas Carroll in the fall of 1918 for $138.75 per acre. 
 

LuAnn Dvorak, 66, of Montgomery, died on Monday, July 2, 2018, at her home in Montgomery. Visitation will be on Monday, July 9 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, July 10 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with visitation one hour prior at the church. Father Victor Valencia will officiate. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Montgomery.
 
LuAnn was born on April 26, 1952, in New Prague to Louis and Lillian (Hughes) Filipek.
 

“America, America God shed his grace on thee.”
These words were sung with fervor by the large crowd gathered at the annual Freedom Celebration held Sunday in Lonsdale.
Held the Sunday before Independence Day, Freedom Celebration happens to honor every veteran and volunteer who serves our nation, said Pastor Ben Fenderson.
Fenderson, the senior pastor at Triumphant Life Church in Lonsdale, said that he began holding this service as a promise to his now 99 year old grandfather to carry on the mission. 

A teenager drowned in Lake Elysian during the afteroon of June 29. 
According to the Waseca County Sheriff's report, the victim was a 17-year-old male who reportedly jumped in the lake and never resurfaced around 4 p.m. Elysian Fire Chief Jason James said the incident occurred just south of Kaupon's Point. 

Children enjoy the water slide at Wagner Park in Elko New Market the evening of Thursday, June 28. The slide was just part of the ongoing Free Family Fun Night events in the park. The evening of June 28 also included a safety demonstration by the Elko New Market Police Department and the showing of the movie “Boss Baby.” Sponsors for the evening were New Prague Area Community Education, the Elko New Market Parks Commission and the PTO (Parents Teachers Organization). For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Due to unfavorable ground conditions, Tuesday’s fireworks display in Lonsdale is moving to the east end of town. 
 
Lonsdale City Administrator Joel Erickson addressed the City Council Thursday night with a request submitted by Lonsdale Freedom Fireworks to the new business park. 
 
Erickson said that drain tile at Trcka Park and recent rains have made the ground too soft for the fireworks display. 
 

Elysian  – Fri. June 29, 10 pm
Lonsdale – Tues. July 3, following the game
New Prague – Tues. July 3, 10:10 pm
Veseli – Wed. July 4, following the game
North Morristown – Wed. July 4, 10 pm
Prior Lake – Wed. July 4, 10 pm
Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community – Wed. July 4, 10 pm

The New Market Muskies continued to roll through the competition, winning four games in decisive fashion in Dakota-Rice-Scott League play. The Muskies are now 15- 1 in the league and have a 3- 1/2 game lead over second place St. Patrick, which won twice. Faribault also had a pair of wins last week and are in third place. New Prague drops to fourth, losing their only game of the week in extra innings. The Orioles did take second in the Green Isle-Hamburg Tournament over the weekend, while Elko won three games to take the championship in Hinckley.

Joseph Leo Skluzacek, age 90, of Lonsdale, MN passed away peacefully on June 24, 2018 at the Mala Strana Care Health Center in New Prague. Joe served his country in the US Army and was a life long farmer in the Lonsdale area. Joe was born on May 24, 1928 in Wheatland Township to Joseph J. and Anna (Schoenbauer) Skluzacek. He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, and brothers-in-law, Helen (George) Voracek, Clare (Syl) Nickolay, Mary (Leo) Scheffler, Gene Connelly and brother, Gilbert Skluzacek.

Joseph Schiprett, Jr, 50, of Lonsdale, passed away on June 21, 2018.  He grew up in Lonsdale, attended Montgomery-Lonsdale High School and continued his education at Dakota County Technical College for Diesel Mechanics.  He was employed by Scott County as a Mechanic and later joined the Highway Department.  He worked there until his health forced him to retire.

Heavy rains last week have led to the closing of several crossings of the Minnesota River in the area this week, with one more crossing scheduled to close Tuesday morning. 
On Sunday, June 24, Highway 93 and Highway 19 between Henderson and Highway 169 closed as high waters covered the roadway. The flooding also delayed repairs to Highway 93 that had been scheduled for this week after an earlier closure several weeks earlier.