Easter is on its way to Montgomery. To celebrate the religious and festive spring occasion, CornerStone State Bank, along with community businesses and sponsors, are hosting the annual community Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday, March 24 at the American Legion Club.
The activities are from 1 to 3 p.m. This is a correction from the times listed in the March 21 edition.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Minnesota State Patrol will be closing State Highway 19 from Henderson east to Highway 169 by 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, due to flooding from the Minnesota River.
Motorists will need to find an alternate route, as State Highway 93 south of Henderson to Highway 169 is already closed due to flooding.
Both highways will remain closed until further notice.

Doris Ann Claffey, 97, of Le Center, passed away on Saturday, March 16, 2019, at Mala Strana Health Care in New Prague.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 21, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Le Center Funeral Home in Le Center. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, March 22 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Father James Adams officiating with visitation one hour prior at church. Interment will be held in Calvary Cemetery in Kilkenny.

Helen M. Javurek, age 101, of New Prague, died peacefully on Sunday, March 17, 2019 at Mala Strana Rehabilitation Center.  Helen was born on August 16, 1917 in Wheatland Township, Rice County to Frank and Mary (Chromy) Shambour, Jr.  She attended Rice County district school and St. Wenceslaus Catholic School.  Helen married Stephen T.

The New Prague Trojan adapted floor hockey team lost its semifinal game at the State Tournament Saturday, falling to eventual champion St. Cloud 12-1, but bounced back with a 9-1 win over Burnsville/Farmington/Lakeville to claim third place. The team, which includes players from New Prague, Tri-City United, Le Sueur-Henderson, Belle Plaine and Jordan schools, ended its season with a 13-1 record. The Trojans' Blake Perry and Garret Gagner were named to the all-tournament team. Read more in the print edition.

The New Prague Trojan adapted floor hockey team won its opening game at the state tournament Friday, 18-2 over Anoka-Hennepin.
The Trojans led 8-0 after one period and were never threatened. Dylan Raaen had five goals and four assists for the Trojans.
New Prague will face defending state champion St. Cloud at noon Saturday at Bloomington Jefferson High School, and will play one more game later that afternoon, for either the championship or for third place. Burnsville/Farmington/Lakeville and South Washington County will play in the other semifinal game.

Le Center was the end of the rainbow with green shamrocks — and sunshine — on Saturday as its Irish community celebrated the 37th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. It was chock full of royalty, firetrucks, color guards from around the community, and clans galore, including the McCabe Clan who were declared the Clan Challenge Winners. The celebration continued with the St. Patrick’s Day Rally Event at the Le Center American Legion. That included a meal and dance, with entertainment provided by IV Play. See more in the print edition. (Wade Young Photo)

Le Sueur County Judge Mark Vandelist wants answers from the Le Sueur County Historical Society (LCHS) and has ordered its three-person board to appear in court to explain themselves.
The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, March 27 at 1 p.m. It orders Jenifer Morsching, Donna Morsching and Evelyn Fierst to explain why they shouldn’t be held in contempt of court for their failure to abide by the court’s orders.

The potholes on Highway 13/21 in Montgomery received some much-needed filling Friday afternoon. Public Works Supervisor Chris Roemhildt (left) and a worker from the Minnesota Department of Transportation spent early afternoon filling the massive craters with steaming patch material. (Wade Young Photo)

After wife’s passing, Montgomery man finds solace building model steamboats, sharing history
He spends his days in a small workshop, tinkering and listening to basketball games on the radio.
He prefers the old, familiar garage. His house is too quiet.
“I lost my wife, Nancy, to cancer last year… It’s such a change. It’s so quiet. Hard to get used to, you know?” stated retired widower Richard DeCoux. “I have to keep myself busy.”

The New Prague Trojan adapted floor hockey team will compete in the Minnesota State High School League Adapted Floor Hockey Tournament, which will be held Friday and Saturday, March 15 and 16, at Bloomington Jefferson High School. The Trojan team, which includes players from New Prague, Tri-City United, Le Sueur-Henderson, Belle Plaine and Jordan schools, are 10-0 on the season, having defeated South Washington County in their regular season finale last week, 10-3, and then defeating Minnetonka/Wayzata in a state play-in game 12-2.

The owner of several local group homes pleaded guilty to gross misdemeanor criminal abuse, involving sexual relations with a vulnerable adult who was a client at one of her homes. 
Paula Beulke, 63, of Montgomery, owner and chief executive of Blossom Hill Corporation and Sunrise Farms, pleaded guilty March 5 to one of three counts filed against her, including engaging in sexual contact or penetration with a resident, patient or client. The other two, lesser counts were dropped.

Kalal, Elaine Mary, age 75 of Lakeville, passed away peacefully at her home March 9, 2019. Elaine was born on July 11, 1943 in Montgomery Township to Harold and Ludmilla (nee: Brezina) Kukacka. Elaine graduated from Montgomery High school and furthered her education in nursing school where she received her LPN. She married Francis KalaI on April 22, 1967 at Holy Redeemer Church in Montgomery. She then worked with Francis on the family farm. Elaine is preceded in death by her parents; brothers-in-law, John Marek and Arnost Pavek; sister-in-law, Janet Kukacka.

The Montgomery Area Community Club revealed this year’s Kolacky Days button design at the first of two weekend membership drives on March 16.
The button was designed by Lisa Ingebrand, New Prague, and writer for the Montgomery Messenger.
New and renewing members received a kolacky and a button at the first weekend on March 2. A second weekend is Saturday, March 16, at Franke’s Bakery from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Everyone can be a super hero.
The power is inside of them, but when they need to avoid an assualt, they need to learn to summon it.
That empowering message was one of the many lessons students learned last week in their Super Hero training at TCU Montgomery School.