Montgomery’s Eva Tikalsky was crowned 2026-2027 Miss Czech-Slovak Minnesota Queen during the pageant Saturday evening at the Park Ballroom in New Prague.
    The daughter of Naima du Chatellier and Christopher Tikalsky, Eva Tikalsky was joined on stage by first princess Wren Zwaschka of Mankato and second princess Evelyn Winget of Nerstrand. The junior ambassadors chosen are Annika Budin of Montgomery, Lillian Skluzacek of Nerstrand, Cailyn Meadows of Montgomery, Abigail Mader of Kilkenny and Clara Winget of Nerstrand.

Five photography students from Tri-City United High School competed in the Southwest West Central Service Cooperative’s (SWWC) Digital Photography Competition in Marshall on Friday, Dec. 2. More on this in the Dec. 15 edition of the Messenger.

Jeremy J. Bethke, son of Jan and Chuck Wann of New Prague, and Steve and Anne Bethke of Birchwood, WI, was promoted to the rank of Chief Master Sergeant, Wisconsin Air National Guard, 115th Fighter Wing, Madison, WI, on May 5, 2020. Chief Master Sgt. Bethke, a 1992 New Prague High School graduate, has more than 27 years of military service.