Families have fun at Malaween at Mala Strana Rehabilitation Center and Assisted Living in New Prague the evening of Sunday, Oct. 31. There were an assortment of games and treats for children and families from 3-6:30 p.m. The New Prague area had many ways for families to celebrate Halloween beginning on Friday, Oct. 29, and going through Sunday with Trunk and Treat events, a drive through Trick and Treat, and parties. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Families will be able to choose from several spots around the New Prague area for Halloween fun beginning on Friday, Oct. 29, and most activities on Saturday, Oct. 30, and Sunday, Oct. 31.

Thomas Hoppert takes Halloween to the next level.
For years, he has dressed up in elaborate homemade costumes for what he calls his favorite holiday. His previous creations include the Yip Yip Martians from Sesame Street, Macho Man and Miss Elizabeth, and Captain Obvious!
However, this year’s costumes are his most elaborate, and time-consuming.

Families depending on buses to get their children to and from New Prague schools can breathe a little easier.
The bus-driver shortage that threatened to cause a disruption in the district’s regular in-class education—and major headaches—has been averted, for now.
Superintendent Tim Dittberner informed the School Board, Monday night, Oct. 25, that new bus drivers have been hired and a few current school employees are in the process of getting their commercial drivers license (CDL).

Funeral arrangements have been set for Father Denny Dempsey, 73, a former pastor of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, who passed away unexpectedly Monday evening, Oct. 25, according to an announcement made by Dempsey’s current parish, Church of the Risen Savior in Burnsville.
The church posted the following on its Facebook page on Tuesday: “It is with heavy hearts that we need to share some very sad news. We learned Monday evening that Father Denny Dempsey had been riding his bike in Rosemount, as he so loved to do. He was struck by a motor vehicle and did not survive the impact.”

Former New Prague mayor Chuck Nickolay, center left, and Mayor Duane Jirik, center right, share the duties of cutting a ribbon along Main Street in downtown New Prague on Tuesday, Oct. 26. The ceremony marked the two years of work that has gone into rebuilding the city’s Main Street. Also present were representatives of the City of New Prague, the city’s engineering firm Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc., contractor SM Hentges & Sons, MnDOT, the New Prague Chamber of Commerce, local businesses and residents. For more on the ceremony see this week’s print issue of The New Prague Times.

New changes are coming to how people make phone calls as mandatory 10-digit dialing starts on Sunday, Oct. 24. The Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) July 2020 Order required all telecommunications carriers, to make any network changes necessary to ensure that users can dial 988 to reach the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) by July 16, 2022.

New Prague’s branch of Habitat for Humanity held a fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 16, at Giesenbrau Bier Co. with 200 tickets sold for the event held 2-7 p.m. There was music, food, an assortment of beers, a silent auction, a meat raffle and commemorative mugs and wine cups.

The Elko New Market City Council approved the adoption of two ordinances that deal with pawnbrokers and precious metal dealers in the community.

Come and celebrate the Main Street ribbon cutting and ceremony. Be sure to shop these local businesses. 

LCHS Goals: Elysian Museum, technology updates, artifact inventory
Le Sueur County Historical Society (LCHS) has been busy.
The society, which aims to collect, preserve, and tell the story of Le Sueur County, will be holding its October meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 19 in New Prague at the New Prague Public Library. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. CDC guidelines are followed.

Tom Chromy, left, tapes a message just before he tees off from the first hole at the New Prague Golf Club around 6:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 15, with him are Kurt Ruehling, PGA and Director of Golf Operations at the club, and Chromy’s golf partner Tim Neeser of New Prague. Chromy plans to shoot 65 holes in honor of his 65th birthday and raise funds for the New Prague Golf Club Junior Golf Foundation. Chromy estimated they needed 13 hours to reach the goal of 65 holes and with only about 11 hours of sunlight they needed to start early with glow in the dark golf balls.

Woody Odendahl, son of Kristina and Joe Odendahl of Webster, is obsessed with cars, especially classic cars and old cars. Woody likes cars so much that he organized a car show on Sunday, Oct. 3, where more than 60 vehicles showed up. An amazing effort for a 6 year old.
“We spent the summer taking him to as many car shows and car cruises as we could,” said Kristina in an email. “One day he decided he wanted to have his own car club, which he named ‘Steel Flame Car Club,’ and sat down and came up with his own logo and car club business cards.”

The New Prague School Board held its work shop on Monday, Oct. 11, where Director of Operations Craig Most detailed the transportation challenges that the school district is facing. The challenge is due to not having enough drivers for the school district’s bus routes. It is a situation that other school districts around the state have been facing.
Superintendent Tim Dittberner explained that there have been a variety of issues that has led to the shortage of bus drivers. He added they have had teachers and mechanics driving buses.

The Memorial Duck Cup held its Stomp the Stigma Gala at the Hotel Broz in New Prague on Friday, Oct. 8.
From top to bottom and inside and out Hotel Broz on Main Street was decked out in purple and lights by organizers of Stomp the Stigma Gala in an effort to “Light up the Darkness” and support Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention to their community and supporters. The Stomp the Stigma Gala was attended by more than 200 guests. They enjoyed music and connections with family and friends while honoring and remembering those that have suffered with a mental illness.

It was a busy evening on Thursday, Oct. 7, as the New Prague Chamber of Commerce held its Ladies Night Out from 5-8 p.m. Area businesses participated in the evening of shopping and fun as there were specials, prizes and treats for those who came out to New Prague businesses. The theme was Fall into the ‘80s with several shoppers dressing up in T-shirts with ‘80s nostalgia such as MTV or in bright clothing or as celebrities from that time. For more see an upcoming article in The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)