Big innings led to big wins for three Dakota-Rice-Scott League baseball teams on the first day of the regular season Sunday, April 28.
New Market scored eight runs in the 11th inning to defeat St. Benedict 10-2, Prior Lake used a nine-run sixth to power their way to a 13-3 win over Shakopee and St. Patrick broke open a close game with a seven-run seventh inning to claim an 8-0 win over Lonsdale. Also on Sunday, Faribault defeated Webster 7-4, Veseli defeated Union Hill 4-3 and Montgomery registered a 4-0 win over New Prague.

Montgomery’s newest spring celebration, Czech May Day, will be held on Saturday, May 4 starting at 12 p.m. and lasting to 5 p.m.. It will be held at Heritage Park, which is located at the corner of Vine Avenue and First Street.
The event, called “Stavění Májky” will include the raising of the traditional Czech May Pole, music from the Czech Area Concertina Club, and a Ribbon Dance around the May Pole with Dale Ruhland.

The Le Sueur County Pioneer Power Association hosted its annual Swap Meet at its showgrounds near Le Sueur Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 26-28.
More than 800 vendors were registered for the meet, which is considered one of the largest in the nation.
Whether you were looking for antiques, collectibles, car and tractor parts, hardware, power equipment, toys, clothing, home-made candies and maple syrup or hand-crafted items, chances are someone had something you were looking for.

New Prague’s Adapted Softball team travelled to East Ridge High School Thursday, April 25, where they lost a 14-3 contest to the South Washington Thunderbolts.
New Prague just couldn't seem to get in the rhythm, coach Shellie Kriha said. “We allowed too many runs and didn't produce hits on offense,” she said.
South Washington took a 4-0 lead in the first, but New Prague got hits from Evan Minar and Shane Friedrick before Breanna Stark drove in the team’s first run.

Mary Kerkow, 85, of Montgomery, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, on Monday evening, April 29, 2019, at Oak Terrace Senior Living, in Jordan, MN.
A Celebration of Life will be on Saturday, May 4 at 11 a.m., with a visitation two hours prior, at St John Lutheran Church, 105 Spruce Avenue NW, Montgomery. Pastor Jason Pollington will preside. Acting as pallbearers will be Mary’s grandchildren. She will be laid to rest next to her son at Spirit Hill Cemetery, Jordan.

Irma Emma Kohout, 95, of Montgomery, passed away on Thursday, April 25, 2019, at The Lutheran Home in Belle Plaine. Private family services will be held. Interment will be held in Calvary Cemetery in Montgomery.
Irma was born on January 1, 1924 in Rice County to William and Anna (Hanek) Turek. Irma was united in marriage to Edward Filipek on February 12, 1941, and to Edward Kohout on May 4, 1973.

Kenneth James “Ken” Pasek, age 64, of Montgomery, died Wednesday, April 24, 2019, at his residence in Montgomery.  Ken was born on April 18, 1955 in New Prague to James C. and Alice Marie (Kroyer) Pasek.  He grew up in New Prague and graduated from New Prague High School.  During high school, he worked for Bilek Bakery and immediately after high school, he began work at the flour mill and worked there until 2011.  Ken loved music, movies, and show cars.

The Montgomery Area Community Club announces this year’s candidates for the Kolacky Days Queen Pageant on Sunday, April 28.
The candidates are Josephine Hatlevig, daughter of Travis and Nadine Hatlevig; Alyson Hennen, daughter of Allen and Laura Hennen; Sophie Franek, daughter of Dave and Marsha Franek; Brooke Holicky, daughter of Krystal Hamele and Nick Holicky; and Victoria Soukup, daughter of Denise Wondra and David Soukup.

TCU High School Titans took a trip around the world for their annual Prom on Saturday, April 27. Dressed in their finest, 110 couples participated in the Grand March in the high school gym. Pictured are (from left) Rachel Holicky, Nick Kadlec, Ellie Singleton, and Adam Fredrickson.
After Grand March, the students had their dinner and dance at the Wabasha Street Caves in St. Paul. After the dance, students will be bused to the Dakotah Montgomery Messanger Sports and Fitness Center for the traditional lock-in.
See more in the print edition.

In celebration of Arbor Day, Rice County Master Gardeners gave away free tree seedlings from the Minnesota DNR at the Lonsdale Feed Mill on Friday, April 26 from 3:30 p.m. until gone.

Joseph “Joe” William Schatz, 70, of Lexington, passed away on Wednesday, April 24, 2019, at his home. Visitation will be on Tuesday, April 30 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Le Center Funeral Home in Le Center. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 1 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Le Center, with visitation one hour prior at the church. Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Lexington.
Joe was born on April 8, 1949, in Faribault to Joseph and Marian Katherine (Stasney) Schatz. Joe was a graduate of Montgomery High School and Austin Jr. College.

The New Prague Trojans adapted softball team opened its season with a 12-5 loss to Chaska/Chanhassen/Shakope e/Prior Lake, then rebounded with a 15-5 win over South Suburban last week. Both games were at home.
The Trojans will play South Washington Thursday, April 25, at East Ridge High School in Woodbury, then play at South Suburban Tuesday, April 30, at Bloomington Jefferson. They return home Thursday, May 2, facing Burnsville/Farmington/ Lakeville.

The Dakota-Rice-Scott Baseball League begins its 73rd season Sunday, April 28, with six games on the schedule.
The league includes 13 teams - 12 of which are Class C teams. Elko is the lone Class B team. The Express will play each league team once, while the rest of the league will play a double round-robin schedule for a total of 23 league games.

Tri-City United prom-goers will take a “Trip Around the World” on Saturday, April 27.
According to advisor Carolyn Harmeyer, that theme will be represented as the couples walk in the Grand March that starts at 4 p.m. in the TCU High School Gymnasium. There is a $2 entrance fee for the public for that event.
After Grand March, the students will have their dinner and dance at the Wabasha Street Caves in St. Paul. Harmeyer said this was changed from the previous location that is having flooding problems.

A man from Lexington Township has died in a single tractor rollover on Wednesday, April 24.
Joseph William Schatz, 70, was pronounced dead at the scene after Le Sueur County deputies found him trapped under a tractor. Sheriff Brett Mason said the sheriff’s office received the report at approximately 9:40 a.m. The deputies, along with Le Center Fire Department, Le Center Ambulance Service and North Air Care responded to the scene in Lexington Township.
Mason said Schatz was extricated and life-saving efforts were performed, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.