A way to keep programs moving forward in Montgomery and an avenue for people to pay it forward or leave a legacy to the community became official last Wednesday.
 
A board of six residents signed papers to create the Community Foundation in Montgomery whose goal is to keep Montgomery vital and bring opportunities to town by granting money to programs and individual projects. 
 
It also provides a way for people to donate or bequeath parts of an estate directly to Montgomery’s future and programs.
 

His childhood memories dance to the beat of a base broom, a simple instrument, comprised of a broom and a wooden box. 
 
For musician George Korbel of Kilkenny, the unique instrument is pure enjoyment. 
 
“Some people call it the poor man’s tuba because it sounds similar to a tuba. Some people make fun of it. Some people ignore it. I don't know… I have fun doing it,” stated Korbel, who also plays the concertina. “My family has played it forever.” 
 
Korbel credits his uncle, Ed Honza, with introducing him to the instrument. 
 

In the primary race for Le Sueur County Commissioner District 2, Maureen Franek of Montgomery and Danny O’Keefe of Le Center will most likely be on the November ballot.
 
The District, which includes Montgomery City, Montgomery Township, Sharon Township, Lexington Township, and Ottawa Township, is being held by Joe Connolly, who did not file.
 
Franek won her spot, garnering the most votes with 253 cast or 27.47 percent of the votes.
 

Construction at Tri-City United Elementary School received the green light Monday when the TCU School Board approved the bid package for the school’s campus.
 
The plans for the building call for eight new classrooms and restrooms located on the northeast portion of the building, north of the parking lot. Starting with the 2019-2020 school year, that building will become Pre-kindergarten to sixth grade campus, thereby freeing up space in Montgomery’s Middle and Elementary School buildings. 
 

A Le Sueur County man faces charges after a standoff Saturday, Aug. 11 in Tyrone Township. 
 
Bryant Holder, 32, is in custody in Le Sueur County Jail on charges of domestic assault, terroristic threats and assault in the second degree with a dangerous weapon, all felony charges.
 

Lonsdale rolled out the red carpet for its community residents and visitors for its annual Lonsdale Community Days. While the name is plural because past events were held on multiple days, this year the event was held on Saturday only. Among the attractions was the popular parade, pictured, which found children collecting candy from the many parade entries. For more, see the print edition. (Andrea Nelson photo)

When National Night Out started in 1984, locals were encouraged to turn on their porch light and use the event as a springboard to better community cooperation and coordination.
 
It has since become a way for law enforcement to get to know community members and for the community to get to know them. The community-building campaign promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie, according to the National Association of Town Watch website.
 

Less than a year after they eliminated the one-time modification program that reduced  a resident’s high water bill due to a system malfunction, the Montgomery City Council was discussing the issue again on Monday.
 
The issue was back on the council table after a Montgomery resident questioned last month why a request for a modification had been granted in May after the program had ended, when their request was denied months earlier. 

Grace Grant, center, is crowned Miss Lonsdale 2019 by outgoing Miss Lonsdale Ali Geist as Samantha Ellsworth watches. The coronation ceremony for the new Lonsdale Ambassadors, including Junior Ambassadors and Little Ambassadors, was held the evening of Saturday, Aug. 4, at the TCU Lonsdale Elementary School. For more see upcoming issues of the Montgomery Messenger and The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Providing safer schools was the main goal of the official Tri-City United facility safety self-assessment held on Friday, July 27.
 
The self evaluation involved administration from TCU, law enforcement from Montgomery, Lonsdale, Le Center, and Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Department, Le Sueur County Emergency Management Department and the TCU Facilities Coordinator.  
 

The American Legion Riders will be on their Legacy Run and stop in Montgomery on Saturday, Aug. 4.
 
The riders are collecting donations across Minnesota for the Legacy Scholarships Fund. The fund provides scholarships for the children of fallen heroes and severely disabled veterans. 
 
The riders are making American Legion Post 79 as one of their stops Saturday, at approximately 4 p.m. If anyone is interested in making a donation, please arrive at the Post by 3:30 p.m.
 

Micaela Brevig, left, of the Raptor Center, informs children and adults about the red tail hawk she has during Holy Cross School’s Family Fun Night on Tuesday, July 31. There were food trucks, an Elko New Market fire truck and lots of activities. This was the second year the school had the event. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

An explosion and fire that destroyed a vacant home in Montgomery early Tuesday morning on July 17, has been ruled as arson by the state fire marshal’s office.
 
The explosion occurred in the residence located at 104 3rd St. SW, across the street from Most Holy Redeemer Church at 2:15 a.m., and could be heard across town. It blew glass and debris across several blocks. No one was injured.
 
According to Montgomery Police Chief Lou Sager the fire marshal made the determination on Thursday, July 26. 
 

At the Kolacky Days Pageant, the St. Paul Winter Carnival knighted outgoing royalty Miss Congeniality and Second Princess Amanda Way, First Princess Becca Simon, Queen Anna Franek, and this year's Grand Marshals Jake and Kay Keohen. See more in the print edition.

Alex and Caitlin Jakes are the lucky winners of the Kolacky Days Medallion Hunt. For more, see the print edition.

Dale was frustrated as he kept running out of time to go look for the medallion. However, he was bound and determined to go look, so he decided to take a day off and wait for the last clue to be released. The last clue was released, and it was just a bunch of random questions: 
- The 3rd year that the celebration was cancelled due to WW II – 19__ __ - In 1977, we celebrated what annual celebration? __ __
- The year before Kolacky Day was established – 19__ __
- This year’s annual celebration - __ __