The names, faces, and stories of all the people I’ve met and interviewed over the course of the last 20 years are flooding back to me as I sit down to write this column.
This will be my final column.
After almost two decades working as a writer for the local newspapers, I’ve decided it’s time for a career change.
Thank you to all of you who have welcomed me into your lives and homes and trusted me to share your stories. It has been an honor.

Todd Allen Trcka, age 57, of rural Belle Plaine, died at his home following his third battle with cancer on Sunday evening, February 26, 2023.  A celebration of his life and sharing was held Friday, March 3, 2023 at the Kolden Funeral Home in Belle Plaine.

James F. “Peanuts” Uhlir, age 83, of Montgomery, passed away on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at his daughter’s home in Montgomery. Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 9 from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. Funeral will be held on Friday, March 10 at 11 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Montgomery with Pastor Jason Pollington officiating with visitation 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the church. Interment will be held in St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Montgomery in spring. Military Honors provided by Montgomery area Veterans Honor Guard.

The next time you visit Memorial Park during Kolacky Days and sit on one of the many new sawhorse benches, you can thank Boy Scout Travis Napper. He coordinated the construction of 115 of them for his Eagle Scout project that was awarded to him at the Eagle Scout Court of Honor on Jan. 22 at Hilltop Hall.
    
Eagle Scout is the highest achievement or rank attainable in the Scouts BSA program of the Boy Scouts of America. Since its inception in 1911, only four percent of Scouts have earned this rank after a lengthy review process.
    

Tri-City United Activities Director Chad Johnson gave a proposal to the school board Feb. 13 recommending that the high school sports and activities remove themselves from the Minnesota River Conference (MRC) and join the Big South Conference (BSC). The middle school sports and activities would remain where they are.

Montgomery to New Prague
    
A total reconstruction of MN 13 in Montgomery from just south of Milwaukee Avenue to just north of Tri-City United High School and a roundabout at Le Sueur County 28 and MN 13 will happen this summer.
    

One will be making his first appearance. One will be making his second appearance. One will be making his third appearance.
Three Tri-City United wrestlers have advanced to the Class AA State Individual Tournament after winning their respective weight classes at the Section 2AA Meet Saturday in St. Peter.
Seniors Cole Franek, Caden O’Malley, and Marco Reyes will start their State Tournament experience Friday, March 3 at 9 a.m. at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

One will be making his first appearance. One will be making his second appearance. One will be making his third appearance.
Three Tri-City United wrestlers have advanced to the Class AA State Individual Tournament after winning their respective weight classes at the Section 2AA Meet Saturday in St. Peter.
Seniors Cole Franek, Caden O’Malley, and Marco Reyes will start their State Tournament experience Friday, March 3 at 9 a.m. at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

The next time you visit Memorial Park during Kolacky Days and sit on one of the many new sawhorse benches, you can thank Boy Scout Travis Napper. He coordinated the construction of 115 of them for his Eagle Scout project that was awarded to him at the Eagle Scout Court of Honor on Jan. 22 at Hilltop Hall.
    
Eagle Scout is the highest achievement or rank attainable in the Scouts BSA program of the Boy Scouts of America. Since its inception in 1911, only four percent of Scouts have earned this rank after a lengthy review process.
    

Scott County Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatch received a report of a two-vehicle crash that occurred on Scott County 23 (Panama Avenue) south of Scott County 68 (190th Street East) in Spring Lake Township at 3:08 p.m. on Mar. 2.
The preliminary investigation indicates that a 2007 GMC Sierra, that was towing an enclosed trailer, driven by Arturo Garcia Rivera (39) of Lakeville, was traveling southbound on Panama Avenue when it crossed the center line, striking a 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan traveling northbound, driven by Megan Rae Taylor (50) of Lonsdale.   

Linda A. Pesta, age 72, of Lonsdale, MN, passed away Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at the Methodist Hospital in Rochester, MN, surrounded by her family.

John “Jack” Roman Miska, age 91 of Le Center passed away on Friday, February 24, 2023 at Carriage House Senior Living in Le Center.  Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2023 from 10 AM-11AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Mass of Christian burial to immediately follow with Father Mike Barsness officiating.  Burial will be held at a later date at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Lexington.

The Amber Alert for Leon is canceled. The child has been found safe. Below is the message from the City of Lakeville. 

Montgomery’s 23rd annual Masopust celebration, which is traditionally known as the Czech version of Mardi Gras, was celebrated in a big way on Sunday, Feb. 19 at The Rustic Farmer, with lots of music, dancing, traditional Czech foods, and the crowning of a new Masopust King, Luke Sluzacek.
“I believe it was the largest crowd in the last few years,” reported Jean Keogh, who helped organize the Czech Heritage Club event. “People came from Richfield, Faribault, and Iowa, to name a few. Everyone who attended enjoyed it; we got lots of positive comments throughout the afternoon.”

The Montgomery Historical Society (MHS) continued its mission of collecting, preserving, and disseminating area history at its annual meeting held on January 25 at Hilltop Hall.
President Jim Mladek called the meeting to order and reviewed the society’s activity over the past year and what members can expect in 2023.

Friends and Family,
We are writing this post with a heavy heart.  Art Hendry, 76, passed away February 13, 2023.  He was always laughing, joking, loving, and fishing. 
Born to the late Arthur “Hilburn” Hendry and Rena Jones.  He grew up in Greenville, Florida prior to becoming a Marine and serving in the Vietnam War.  This cemented his love and admiration for his country.