It seems like this year’s Kolacky Days was two years in the making. After last year, it was nice to see people getting together and coming to our town for our fantastic festival.
Yes, it was hot, but not oppressively so. I applaud the Montgomery Area Community Club (MACC) and its list of volunteers for putting on another great multi-day event. A festival like ours does not happen over night, nor, does it happen from the work of one person. In my opinion, they did a great job throughout the year, not knowing exactly what kind of festival they would eventually be able to put on.

Seven businesses participated in this year’s Christmas-themed Kolacky Days Window Display Contest.
Moonshot on Main’s window display at The Rustic Farmer, which is located at 209 1st St. S., earned the most points—an impressive 525 points. Judges could award each entry up to 40 points for theme, 40 points for design, and 20 points for signs/explanatory materials.

Kristen Munden was offered, and accepted, the Head Boys Swim & Dive Coach position at New Prague High School, pending approval by the New Prague School Board.
The 2021-22 winter sport season will be the first year that Boys Swim & Dive is offered at New Prague High School.
Kristen started her swimming career on the YMCA swim team in Rochester from age 8-18. She continued swimming for Rochester Mayo High School from 7th - 12th grade.
After her personal career ended, she transitioned into coaching the sport she loves, swimming.

Officer Bryan Tupy, who began with the Montgomery Police Department in October 2019, unexpectedly passed away on Monday, July 26, 2021.
Officer Tupy began his law enforcement career as a part-time officer for the City of Le Center in 2015. Officer Tupy generally worked the afternoon or night shift with Officer Jack Strand.

Officer Bryan Tupy, who began with the Montgomery Police Department in October 2019, unexpectedly passed away on Monday, July 26, 2021.
Officer Tupy began his law enforcement career as a part-time officer for the City of Le Center in 2015. Officer Tupy generally worked the afternoon or night shift with Officer Jack Strand.

Marvin Jakes Sr., 85, of Montgomery, passed away on Sunday, July 25, 2021, at the Family Residence in Northfield. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 4 from 3 to 4 p.m. with funeral service following at 4 p.m., all held at St. John Lutheran Church in Montgomery. Interment will be at Bohemian National Cemetery at a later date.
Marvin was born on August 24, 1935, to Adeline (Kuzel) and James Jakes at their family farm in Montgomery. He graduated from Montgomery High School, and was a farmer for 50+ years. Marvin was united in marriage to Irene Spoor, and later divorced.

Bryan Charles Tupy, age 31, of Jordan, died suddenly at his home on Monday, July 26, 2021.  Bryan was born on January 25, 1990 to Chuck and Shelly (Walerius) Tupy.  He attended St. Wenceslaus School, graduated from New Prague High School, attained a B.S. in Fish and Wildlife Biology from the University of North Dakota, and then got his associate degree in Law Enforcement from Alexandria Technical and Community College.  He married the love of his life, Annalee Koonst at St.

Joe “Joseph” R. Pelant, 75, of Le Center, passed away at St. Francis Medical Center in Shakopee on Friday, July 16, 2021. Celebration of Life will be held August 1 at Lakefront Bar and Grill in Le Center from 1 to 4 p.m.
Joe was born on March 19, 1946, in New Prague to Elsie (Kukacka) and Joseph F. Pelant. He graduated from Montgomery-Lonsdale High School and Willmar Jr. College in Wilmar, MN.

Richard “Dick” Francis Gregor, 82, of Montgomery, passed away on Friday, July 23, 2021, at Central Health Care in Le Center. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 29, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery at noon with visitation starting at 9:30 a.m.
Richard was born on April 30, 1939, in Faribault to Mary (Kotek) and Ambrose Gregor. He was united in marriage to Marge Grundhoffer on December 26, 1964, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church.

Four people lost their lives in a two-vehicle accident in Le Sueur County’s Sharon Township, Sunday night, July 25.
According to a press release issued by the Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Office on Monday, the crash occurred at approximately 11:30 p.m. at the intersection of Le Sueur County Road 15 and Le Sueur County Road 22.
Initial investigation indicates a 2012 Ford Expedition with seven occupants, who were all from California, collided with a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado with one occupant from Le Sueur.

Grace Barnett, daughter of Kevin and Keri Barnett, and Abby and Chris Degrood, was crowned the 2021 Kolacky Queen on Friday. Joining her are First Princess Ellaina Novak, daughter of Gary and Tami Novak. Second Princess went to Ronni Smith, daughter of Clint and Jill Smith. The candidates chose Aubrey Filter as Miss Congeniality. (Wade Young Photo)

They’ll be dishing up delicious dumplings at the Miss Czech Slovak Minnesota Pageant booth this weekend.
Volunteers mixed, formed, rolled and cooked 3,060 potato dumplings on Sunday, July 18 in the Tri-City United High School kitchen. (That’s 12 and a half 25-pound bags of flour and 24 five-pound cans of potatoes!)
The dumplings will be sold as part of the stand’s popular Czech Meal Deals throughout the weekend at Memorial Park.

Montgomery’s law enforcement agency is implementing a bodyworn camera (BWC) program.
The program was approved by the City Council on Monday, July 19.
Police Chief Nathan Hintz believes the time is coming when the department will be forced to use them. He also said the cost-savings from avoided litigation will pay for the program.
“I believe one case of litigation or lawsuit will pay for it. It records the behavior our officers are seeing on the street. It makes us do our job correctly. It keeps us out of court. I believe it’s necessary at this point,” he stated.

Mary Margaret Walker, age 80, of New Prague, died unexpectedly with her husband at her side of complications from pancreatitis at Fairview Southdale Hospital on December 29, 2020. Mary was born on November 13, 1940 in Minneapolis to Andrew and Lylis (Blanchard) Jones. 

A community garden is taking root at the foot of Montgomery’s water tower takes to a group of ambitious Girls Scouts who are working to earn their Silver Award.
“We wanted to do a more long-lasting project for the community, and we thought there should be a community garden, so we decided to make it happen,” explained 14-year-old local Girl Scout Tahlia Buckingham.

The Credit River Antique Tractor Club held its 1 p.m. parade on Friday, July 16, at Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park. Around 40 tractors took part in the parade that was part of the 22nd annual show, which continues at the park north of New Prague on Saturday, July 17, and Sunday, July 18. Tractor parades will also be held at 1 p.m. those days with antique vehicles and engines on display, plus activities around the park and food vendors. The show is held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day and offers free admission and parking. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times.