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Day trip to Kolacky Capital of the World Montgomery,

Kolacky Days art.

Montgomery Brewing interior.

MARCH 2020 | www.south er Nm INn SCENE.c om Kolacky and kolacky filling at Mackenthun’s Fine Foods.

If one word defines Montgomery, Minnesota, it would be kolacky. Drive or walk through the main business district of this primarily Czech-rooted community of some 3,000 and you’ll see evidence of this ethnic sweet treat everywhere. From storefronts to bakery shelves to signs, this pastry prevails in a town billing itself as The Kolacky Capital of the World. This is a small town proud of its heritage with annual celebrations like Kolacky Days and a Czech Mardi Gras celebration. Even those of us without a drop of Czech blood can appreciate the enthusiasm and pride of locals. I’ve visited Montgomery, only a 30-minute drive from my Faribault home, many times. The most recent day trip there, I had three destinations: third-generation family-owned Franke’s Bakery, Montgomery Brewing and the Montgomery Arts & Heritage Center. The arts center topped my list given the current exhibit of 60-plus early 1900s photos by noted American photographer Edward S. Curtis, who lived part of his childhood in Le Sueur County. “The North American Indian” collection features Native Americans living west of the Mississippi River. The grant-funded exhibit is open limited hours Thursdays-Saturdays until February 29 and is, in one word, impressive. Photos and text by Au dr ey Kl etsch er Helbling www .mnprairieroots.com audrey@mnprairieroots.com Kolacky sign in Mackenthun’s Fine Foods bakery.

There’s so much to appreciate about Montgomery. Stepping inside Franke’s Bakery is like walking into yesteryear with wooden booths and shelving crafted by bakery founder Emil Franke and the type of small town friendliness that matches the sweetness of the baked goods. Buy your kolacky here or down the street at Mackenthun’s grocery, billed as “Fine Foods since 1917.” This is a farming community rich in history from photos of veterans gracing storefront windows to historic buildings and vintage signage. Montgomery Brewing, for example, is located in a 130-yearold building that originally housed a brewery. This taproom offers a wide variety of award-winning craft beers in a comfortable, friendly setting. I chatted it up with staff and other beer lovers and even went outside my IPA comfort zone to try two specialty/seasonal beers, a fruited sour, Triple Berry Bomb, and a smoked porter, Wendigo. Loved the sour, the smokey porter not so much. Comments from the beer pourers of “it’s interesting” and “not too bad” should have tipped me off. But that doesn’t mean you won’t like Wendigo. There’s so much to like, actually love, about Montgomery. On past visits, I’ve popped into Main Street Barber—to photograph an old style barbershop—Quilter’s Dream, Herrmann Drug (and gifts), Pizzeria 201