This issue of The New Prague Times is the last one Dennis Lambrecht will have a hand in producing.
After more than half a century in the newspaper and printing business, Lambrecht, of Montgomery, is retiring. His last day with Suel Printing Co. is June 4.

The Czech Heritage Club held its annual meeting on Sunday, May 23, 2021, at Giesenbrau Bier Co. in New Prague. Twelve members were present, including Marit Lee Kucera, Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic for Minnesota. Following a brief recap of 2019 and 2020 programs and events, election of officers for the ensuing year took place. Elected by unanimous ballot were President Jean Keogh, Vice-President Gary Pikal, Treasurer George Mikiska, Secretary James Simon, and Directors Doris Coghill, Fred Simon, and Vi Chromy. All terms of office are one year.

Memorial Day always falls on the last Monday of May. It's a day dedicated to honoring the men and women who have lost their lives while serving in the U.S. military. Like cities across the United States, Montgomery honored its own fallen with a Memorial Day program that included the return of a parade. A program was also held at the American Legion Post 79 where the names of the local fallen veterans were read. For more, including the speech given by Linda Dvorak, American Legion 3rd District Commander, pick up the print edition.

One hundred sixteen seniors from Tri-City Unites High School became alumni after the commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 28. The ceremony included music from the choir and band, and speeches from two graduates and High School Principal Alan Fitterer. For more photos, see the print edition.

Two people have been charged in connection with a house explosion on July 17, 2018.
According to Le Sueur County Sheriff Brett Mason, Christopher Hale is charged with three counts of Insurance Fraud and one count of Conspire to Commit Arson in Le Sueur County District Court for the explosion and fire that occurred at property located at 104 3rd Street SW in Montgomery.
His wife, Isabella Hale, is also charged with two counts of Insurance Fraud and one count of Conspire to Commit Arson for the same incident.

Father George Grafsky will celebrate his golden jubilee, marking 50 years in the priesthood, this weekend at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery.
Grafsky retired from active ministry in 2015, but continues to help with Masses at area churches when needed. He also serves as chaplain for many of the fire departments and emergency medical services in the area.
Grafsky will celebrate Most Holy Redeemer’s 5 p.m. Mass on Saturday evening, May 29 and the 8:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday morning, May 30.

The annual Memorial Day parade returns to this year’s event on Monday, May 31.
The program that honors deceased veterans begins with Mass at Most Holy Redeemer Church. The Parade starts at 8:45 a.m. at Most Holy Redeemer, goes east on Vine, south on First Street, and west on Elm Avenue.
The program at the Montgomery American Legion Post 79 begins at 9:15 a.m. Steve Flicek will be the Master of Ceremonies. It will also include songs by John Grimm, prayers by Pastor Jason Pollington and Father George Grafsky.

The Le Sueur County Board held a very short meeting Tuesday, May 25.
Among the items on the agenda was the recognition of three long-time employees, who are retiring at the end of the month.
Public Health Director Cindy Shaughnessy (40 + years), Chief Deputy Auditor-Treasurer Connie Kopet (39 years), and County Auditor-Treasurer Pam Simonette (36 years) received retirement plaques.
In other business:

A special piece of artwork from the Tri-City United High School’s Class of 2021 will soon be added to the school’s legacy collection.
A team of senior class artists including Anna Deutsch, Reagan Gaul, Brooke Blaschko, Jack Erickson, Isabelle Factor, Isabella Hennen, Sharia Steece, and Rachel Way, recently finished their class’s Senior Mural.

The City of Montgomery and the Park and Recreation Advisory Board announced this year’s lineup for the Montgomery Music in the Park series.
Two performances will be held in June and August, and one will be held in July. Music starts at 7 p.m. Food and treats will be available!
Thursday, June 10 Mary Guentzel Quintet This group performs the great standards from the 30s and 40s, along with select favorites from more recent decades.

New Prague High School has named Julie Schlup as its new Activities Office Assistant, pending approval by the New Prague School Board. Schlup is taking over for Lynn Swaggert, who is retiring. Schlup is coming from Tri-City United High School where she was the 7-12 grade Activities Administrative Assistant from 2016-2021. She and her husband, Brian, reside in New Prague. She enjoys vacationing with family in California and Tennessee. She also enjoys relaxing at the lake fishing with her husband Brian. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times.

Lukas Janicek was a dinner guest of the New Prague Czech Heritage Club on Tuesday, May 11, 2021. Lukas is an exchange student from his hometown of Rokycany, Czech Republic, and is a student at New Prague High School. His host parents are Jessica and Jeremy Dohm.
The dinner took place at the Fishtale Grill in New Prague, where all feasted on pork, dumplings, and kraut with vomacka. Lukas said the food was very good and very similar to the foods he enjoys in his Czech home. He commented that the word “vomacka” doesn’t mean “soup” but rather means “gravy” or “sauce”.

NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness) has set up a wide variety of free online mental health classes for May and June. They include such classes as Hope for Recovery, Transitions, Ending the Silence, Understanding Early Episode Psychosis for Families, In Our Own Voice, Family to Family, Positive Psychology, Creating Caring Communities, a suicide prevention class called QPR – Question, Persuade and Refer, a special QPR class for Agricultural Communities and many more.

The Lonsdale Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Street Fair and Business Expo on Thursday evening, May 20 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.
The family friendly event will be located on Ash Street NE near Mackenthun’s Fine Foods.
Lonsdale area businesses will be showcased. There will also be food vendors, a beer garden, inflatables, music, and more.

A free food distribution for those in need of food or newly struggling to make ends meet due to the COVID-19 crisis is being held Tuesday, May 18 from 2 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. at the Le Sueur County Fairgrounds, 320 South Plut Ave, Le Center. The event is being hosted by Le Sueur County and Second Harvest Heartland with food provided from the COVID Food Assistance Program (CFAP).

The Czech Heritage Club announced Friday that it was recently awarded a monetary gift (grant) from the Government of the Czech Republic for 2021.
The grant was 25,000 Czech koruna or Czech crown (Kč/CZK), which converts to $1,114.67 US dollars.  According to Czech Heritage member, Jean Keogh, the funds will be used for the Club’s monthly cultural and historic programming, and printing updated cemetery books listing Czech immigrants and their decedents in the two New Prague cemeteries.