On Thursday, March 18, during a virtual public hearing about the second stage of the reconstruction of New Prague’s Main Street between the City of New Prague, property and business owners and residents of the area, it was noted work would begin on Monday, April 26. The next day that start date had changed to Monday, April 5.
The contractor, SM Hentges & Sons, Inc. of Jordan, reviewed the long range forecast on Friday, March 19, and determined that...
To read more on this article, pick up the March 25, 2021 print edition of The New Prague Times.

Here’s a scary story from the field of science: experiments at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel have successfully grown mouse embryos inside an artificial uterus.
Wait!
What?
The embryos looked perfectly normal, according to the study published in the journal Nature. All their organs developed as expected, along with their limbs and circulatory and nervous systems. Their tiny hearts were beating at a normal 170 beats per minute.
Fake wombs?
Really? Why?

Classroom STEM concepts were put to the test when students from several Minnesota schools participated in the first-ever TCU Robotics Tournament on Saturday.
Teamwork, leadership, communication, and more were put to the test as teams competed in the VEX Robotics Competition at TCU High School. After spending months designing and building their robots, students...
To read more on this story, pick up the March 25, 2021 print edition of the Montgomery Messenger.

Throughout this school year the “learning model” has become a topic that’s discussed at every school board meeting and work session held by the Tri-City United School Board.
At Monday’s work session, the learning model discussion centered around when and if students in the high school will...
To read more on this article, pick up the March 25, 2021 print edition of the Montgomery Messenger.

Providing more than just food
When a person or family makes an appointment with the Montgomery Food Shelf, they receive dry and canned goods, bread, produce, milk, and cereal.
During the year-long COVID-19 pandemic, so much more has passed through the doors of the organization at 151 Elm Avenue SE.
Renee Southworth, the Montgomery Salvation Army Food Shelf Coordinator, usually has an average of...
To see more on this story, pick up the March 25, 2021 print edition of the Montgomery Messenger.

Sometimes, trying something new sparks new interests, ideas, and creativity.
Once a year, Most Holy Redeemer Catholic School in Montgomery holds unique mini classes for its seventh and eighth grade students. The week of big opportunities was held...
To see more on this story, pick up the March 18, 2021 print edition of the Montgomery Messenger.

There was a whole lot o’ fun in Le Center on Saturday. The town lucked out with the weather and enjoyed blue, sunny skies and warm temperatures for its annual St. Patrick’s Parade on March 13. Hundreds of festive lads and lassies of all ages grabbed their shamrocks, donned their green, and lined Main Street to celebrate all things Irish.

Montgomery was well represented at Le Center’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 13.
Kolacky Days royalty (left to right) Miss Congeniality Rachel Way, Second Princess Nikaija Young, First Princess Marissa Gare, and Kolacky Queen Rachel Rynda.

Saturday, while he was standing in shorts and a t-shirt in 60-degree weather, my son, Mecca, muttered, “I’m so glad winter’s over.”
Yes, the lack of snow and warm sun gave him the impression winter was finished.
Yes, the balmy temperatures made us think of packing up the winter boots and shovels.
But, we know better than to be fooled by March’s trickery.
When he said this, I smiled, because Mecca doesn’t say much. I was thrilled we were having a meaningful conversation. I was hoping more would follow.
Alas, the magic was over.

Four-year-old Rosa Eileen Ruiz (above) opened a lemonade stand in Le Center on Saturday, March 13, during the community’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The little entrepreneur sold glasses of pink lemonade from her colorful stand for 50 cents each. Of course, all orders came with a big, adorable smile.

Saturday was a day of highs and lows for the TCU Wrestling Team.
After a tough battle, for the first time in its history, the Titans were crowned the Section 2AA Champions when they defeated Scott West 40-25.
“Saturday was incredible,” said Head Coach Shaun Timmerman. “There was...
To see more on this story, pick up the March 18, 2021 print edition of the Montgomery Messenger.

James Myles Filipek passed away on March 16, 2021, at the age of 80, in his home.  His battle with cancer in recent years showed his courage in facing life challenges with a smile. Despite the pain, Jim came out a hero and stayed strong until the end.

Evelyn Trcka, age 102 of Shieldsville passed away peacefully on Thursday March 4, 2021 at Pleasant Manor in Faribault. Visitation will be held Monday, March 22, 2021 from 3 – 7 pm at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Shieldsville and will continue Tuesday morning 9:30 – 11 am. Mass of Christian burial will be held Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at 11 am with Fr. Thomas Niehaus officiating. Interment will be held in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Shieldsville.

Daylight saving time has returned, prompting many to celebrate with an eye toward warmer temps and the change of seasons. As if on cue, this is a great time as well to celebrate newspapers and the sunshine they deliver to all of our lives and communities.
Reminding citizens and public officials about the public’s right of access to government information is the focus of “Sunshine Week: It’s Your Right to Know,” March 14-20. At its foundation, Sunshine Week underscores preserving the free flow of information for an open, effective and accountable government.

The 2021 Kolacky Days button design has been announced!
A regal design submitted by Sarah Dolejs of Apple Valley claimed the most votes and will be featured on this year’s Kolacky Days button.
The Montgomery Area Community Club (MACC) made the announcement during a drive-by Annual Membership Drive at Franke’s Bakery on Saturday, March 6.
A total of 10...
To read more on this story, pick up the March 11, 2021 print edition of the Montgomery Messenger.

Fred Lawrence Washa, age 86, of Fort Worth, Texas passed away on Sunday, February 28, 2021. He was born on January 26, 1935 to Fred H. Washa and Bessie C. (Rynda) Washa. Fred graduated from Montgomery High School. After high school, Fred served in the United States Air Force and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.