“A Universe of Stories” is this year’s Montgomery Summer Reading Program. Pre-K through teens are welcome to sign up for the program featuring fun-filled activities, events and prizes, many with a space theme. Registration begins Sat., June 1 at 9 a.m.
The program is designed to encourage kids to read over the summer so they don’t lose the reading skills they learned over the school year.
The theme this year is titled A Universe of Stories to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11’s moon landing.

Highway 93 from Highway 169 to Henderson closed at 8 p.m. on Monday, May 27, due to flooding of the Rush River, and Highway 19 between Henderson and Highway 169 closed today, Tuesday, May 28, due to flooding of the Minnesota River. 
This is the fourth time that Highway 93 closed this spring from flooding and the second time Highway 19 east of Henderson closed due to flooding.
MnDOT crews will continue to monitor area highways, bridges and bluffs to ensure motorists safety.

The Le Sueur-Henderson Giants and New Richland H-E-G Panthers ended Tri-City United’s run in the Section 2AA Softball Tournament on Saturday, May 25 at Caswell Park.
After shut-out wins over Belle Plaine and Waseca, a different looking TCU team lost first in the semi-finals and finally in the elimination round. Coach Phil Murry said the team came to the game, but wasn’t ready to play.

Memorial Day is a reminder to us all: We owe everything - our freedom to go on walks, in town, on a gravel road or in the woods, worship as we want,- everything - to the patriots who sacrificed all for this great country.
At the Memorial Day program on Monday, Ed Keogh, Commander of the V.F.W. Post 5340, along with Steve Flicek of the Montgomery Area Veterans Honor Guard, and Corey Kotek, Commander of the American Legion Post 79, perform the Memorial Tribute.

Leonard J. Pexa, age 80, of New Prague died peacefully, with family by his side on Saturday, May 25, 2019 at Reflections, Three Links Care Center, Northfield, MN.
Leonard was born October 5, 1938 in Helena Township, Scott County, MN to Wencel “Jim” Pexa and Bessie (Kadrlik) Pexa. He was raised in the St. Patrick area and attended District 47 Elementary School, St. Wenceslaus School, and graduated in 1956 from New Prague High School.

The TCU Softball Team advanced in the Section 2AA Quarterfinals on Thursday with another shutout, this time against Belle Plaine.
TCU 7, Belle Plaine 0
The Titans’ record now stands at 14-6. They continue in the tournament on Saturday with a noon game versus Le Sueur-Henderson at Caswell Park in Mankato. The Giants’ overall record stands at 15-7.
The Titans got things going with three runs in the first inning, followed by one in the third and four in the fourth.

Turn the tassles! Graduation Day was held Friday, May 24 for 128 Tri-City United seniors. Among pomp and circumstance in the high school gymnasium, the Titan Class of 2019 officially became alumni after receiving their diplomas. The ceremony was held with speeches, songs from the high school choir and band, and proud emotions by family and friends who packed the gymnasium. After the Titans were official graduates, they picked up their paperwork in the school's E-Cafe and were high fived by the school's teachers and staff.

This year’s Memorial Day program has new times. The church service at Most Holy Redeemer Church will begin at 8 a.m. The parade from the church to the American Legion Post 79 for the program begins at 8:45 a.m. The program at the Legion begins at 9:15 a.m.
The program will also include prayers by Father Victor Valencia and Pastor Jason Pollington, musical selections by John Grimm and the Montgomery Area Veterans Honor Guard, and the Tri-City United High School Choir and Rianna Doyle.

Sunday’s rain washed out the entire six-game schedule in the Dakota-Rice-Scott Baseball league. Games that were postponed included Elko at Lonsdale, New Prague at Veseli, Montgomery at St. Benedict, Union Hill at New Market, Shakopee at Webster and Faribault at St. Patrick. The only makeup date announced so far was New Prague at Veseli, which will be played on July 14.
Five league games were played last week, with Elko, Prior Lake, New Prague, New Market, Faribault and St. Patrick getting wins. New Market remains atop the league standing with a 6-0 record.

At the top of a gentle hill overlooking Hunt Lake, nestled along historically rich Dodd Road in rural Kilkenny, Dan and Ashley Reller decided to plant their dreams of owning their own vineyard and winery.
This weekend, after four years of hard work, the Rellers will share the fruits of their labor during a grand opening of their business, Vintage Escapes Winery and Vineyard, at 8950 Dodd Road. The tasting room will be open from noon until 9 p.m. on May 25.

Dorothy (Dietz) Denzer, 77, of Montgomery passed away peacefully at home Monday May 20, 2019, surrounded by her children and grandchildren.  Celebration of Life will be held Saturday May 25, 2019 ,at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church, 105 Spruce Street NW, with Pastor Jason Pollington officiating. 
Visitation will be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at St. John’s prior to the service. Interment will be held at St. John’s Cemetery in Montgomery.

In cold, driving rain, the Titan softball team was hot when they shut out Waseca 15-0 in the first round of the Section 2AA tournament on Tuesday.
Playing in Le Center, the Titans endured the weather in four innings and advanced in the tournament.
TCU didn’t waste any time getting to business. The Titans scored two in the first and second innings.

Your plans for Memorial Day are made.
A picnic in the park. A vacation to the lake. A trip to the shopping mall.
Or maybe a visit to a military memorial or a parade.
These are all well-deserved breaks and rests. We work hard.
However, this Memorial Day, as in ALL Memorial Days, we need to force ourselves to pause and remember the fallen.
We need to remember those who fell in combat during America's conflicts. Desert Storm, Vietnam, Korea, Afgahnistan, Iraq. They are all important, and if a serviceman or woman died, we need to remember that.

New Prague jumped to a 10-2 lead and went on to defeat host Buffalo 16-7 to earn a spot in the MSHSL CI Adapted Softball Tournament.
The tournament will be held Friday and Saturday, May 31 and June 1, at Chanhassen High School. This is the sixth time the Trojans have advanced to the state tournament. They went four years, from 2008 through 2011, and again last year.
The team includes athletes from New Prague, Tri-City United, Belle Plaine and Jordan schools.
Read more in the print edition.

A special city council meeting to discuss the 2020 budget in Lonsdale Monday became more than that when the mayor read the recommendation by its attorney on a cease and desist letter during public comments, that lead to council member Steve Cherney walking out in response.

The TCU High School Music Department filled its gymnasium with colorful music at the 2019 Spring Pops Concert on Friday, May 17.
Under the direction of Band Director Sarah Costello, Choir Director Tyler Frankhouse and Accompanist Robyn Menk, the students struck the right cords and hit the right notes for more than two hours of musical entertainment that showcased their talents.