The restoration of Montgomery’s mural will soon come alive with the application of colorful paint.
The 40-foot mural is being redone in a warehouse in Montgomery. Victor Garcia, a retired painter who had lived in Montgomery for 18 years before moving to his home in Belle Plaine, knows the mural’s scene very well. He painted the original 25 years ago. However, weather took its toll on the masterpiece and its boards were taken down last fall.

The local Catholic community, including Most Holy Redeemer Church in Montgomery, St. Canice Catholic Church in Kilkenny, and St. Patrick Catholic Church in Shieldsville, is under new leadership as of July 1.
Fr. Victor Valencia, who has led the parish for five years, has transferred to St. Jerome Church in Maplewood.
Fr. Tom Niehaus (pronounced knee-house), who has most recently served at St. Columbanus Catholic Church in Blooming Prairie, has taken on the leadership role in the local Catholic community.

A herd of hundreds (of people) visited the Pieper family farm in rural New Prague on Saturday, June 29, as part of Rice County American Dairy Association's free Day On the Farm event.
Visitors were treated to a free lunch, milk shakes, kids' games, and tours of the approximately 890-head dairy farm that proudly produces an average of 34,000 pounds of milk a day.
The farm is owned and operated by Ray and Bridget Pieper with help from five of their 10 children, Tim, Brian, Nick, Dan, and Emily.

Tri-City United High School Assistant Principal Jeff Eppen has been named Southwest Assistant Principal of the Year by the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP).

Local dentist Dr. Mark Brahs, who has provided dental care in Montgomery for 43 years, has hung up his tooth explorer tool and mouth mirror and is settling into retirement.
“I was fortunate to have a good career,” stated Brahs, who officially retired on May 30. “I’ve had the privilege of seeing patients as young as two years old, up to 103… I’ve seen some families for three generations, possibly four. I’m grateful for those who have put their trust in me over the years.”

Thursday, July 4, is celebrated as the birthday of the United States, and many area communities will be celebrating Independence Day with fireworks and other festivities. In the immediate area, New Prague, Lonsdale and Veseli will hold their traditional fireworks displays, as will other communities in Scott, Le Sueur and Rice counties. Here are some of the highlights.

Patrick Goggins of New Prague has been appointed a District Court Judge in Minnesota’s First Judicial District by Governor Tim Walz.
Goggins will be replacing the Honorable Martha Simonett and will be chambered at Le Center in Le Sueur County.

Jim and Patti Mladek are going to see a lot more of Kolacky Days this year.
They were bestowed the honor of being named Grand Marshals at the Montgomery Area Community Club’s Meet and Greet Monday.
The couple is no stranger to volunteering. Before they were introduced to a crowd that packed the City Hall (rain forced a venue change from Memorial Park), MACC President Tom Washa read a part of their volunteer history.

“I am not an expert, I describe myself as an enthusiast,” said Anne Jans during her presentation about kroje (Czech traditional ethnic dress) at the Tuesday, June 11, meeting of the Czech Heritage Club. Held in the second floor meeting room at New Prague City Hall, Jans had her collection of kroje.

Science experiments brought an intergalactic story to life for kids at the Montgomery Library last week.
Through interactive storytelling and easy-to-understand science experiments, ScienceTellers, a national program, made learning fun for all ages on Thursday. It was part of the library’s Summer Reading Program.

The Montgomery City Council is letting the public decide whether or not to proceed with its planned emergency services building and City Hall remodel.
The council made the unanimous decision on Monday during its regular meeting to ask the public via a referendum to issue general obligation bonds (GO) up to $6.3 million for a new fire and ambulance building on Lexington Avenue east of Traditions of Montgomery, and a remodel/expansion of City Hall for the police department.

John Krocak of Montgomery, center, races for home plate during a costumed obstacle course at the third annual Home Run Derby the evening of Saturday, June 15, at Union Hill. The event was a fundraiser for Aurora Jesperson, daughter of Nate and Sarah Jesperson of Elko New Market. Despite the rain, many people showed up for the fun filled event. In the background, from left, are Ted Nytes, owner of Nytes Cabinets and Home Town Bats, sponsor of the Home Run Derby, Michael McCrady of St.

Who will step up to bat for a local family’s little princess?
The third annual Home Run Derby sponsored by Ted Nytes, owner of Nytes Cabinets and Home Town Bats, will be held this Saturday, June 15 at Union Hill ballpark west of New Prague, starting at 5 p.m. The event will benefit a little girl named Aurora and her family, who could use a boost of spirits and funds at this time.

She began her career in a small country school in 1949 and taught for just a few years until she married. When her children got older, Anna Mae Witt became a school teacher in New Prague, and is known widely for her dedication, patience and the love so many in the community feel for her. When Praha Village opened its doors to seniors in January, 2019, Anna Mae became one of its earliest residents. Now, she graciously welcomes new residents and neighbors to the community.

With steady hands and eyes on the flying targets, TCU alumnus Ben Sladek shot a perfect score at the Caribou Gun Club and Hunting Preserve’s 2019 High School Trap Championship event June 1-2.
Shooting against seven local teams, Belle Plaine, Cleveland, Jordan, Le Sueur–Henderson, Sibley East, St. Peter, TCU shooters took first place in the varsity and the junior varsity levels. This was a repeat success for the teams, as they placed the same last year.

Minnesota Viking Anree Saint-Amour, left, signs a football for Kolby Nixon as Joel and Dylan Greening watch. Saint-Amour was among 18 Vikings players and coaches to attend the annual Le Sueur County Sheriff's Mounted Posse’s Take a Kid Fishing Day on Saturday, June 8, at Beaver Dam Resort. There were 75 children ages 8 to 15 that participated, who each got a football that they could have Vikings players sign. The youngsters and Vikings also went out on boats to fish for two hours. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times and Montgomery Messenger.