The three public school districts that span the length of Le Sueur County have seen some positive COVID-19 cases and the quarantining of students and staff since the school year started.
Questionnaires regarding the status of COVID in the school districts were sent to the superintendents of New Prague Area Schools, Tri- City United Schools, and Waterville- Elysian-Morristown Schools last week. Of the three, New Prague reported the highest rate of positive student COVID cases, which accounts for 1.2 percent of the student body.

As students lined up at the starting line of St. Wenceslaus Catholic School’s fundraising marathon event on Saturday, Oct. 2, they, along with school staff members and parents had a lot to be excited about. The school managed to raise more funds this year than ever before.
“This year we collected more cash than we have ever done in the past,” stated Principal Kim Doyle. “We are currently sitting at around $51,000 collected from the families with more funds coming in, plus over $9,000 in funds collected by Ron McBroom. Our grand total will be well over $60,000 when all is done!”

Shane Mahowald and his parents Bob and Amy Mahowald were out at Gopher State Railway Museum, north of New Prague, on Saturday, Oct. 2, for Shane’s senior photos at Jordan High School. The family got a surprise in that members of the train museum made sure it was a day Shane wouldn’t forget.
Shane, who is high functioning autistic, had his photos taken by Kristy Johnson, who had reached out to museum member Jeff Braun in late August. “I drive by the museum often and I would see the trains,” said Johnson. She knew that when Shane was younger he loved trains.

Most people in the stands at the Trojans’ homecoming football game could have probably named the quarterback who led the home team to victory.
Even more could have probably named the newly crowned king and queen, but the majority of people in the stands—on both sides of the field—knew the name of a local eighth grader who had been recently diagnosed with cancer.

The New Prague Fire Department was a busy place the morning of Sunday, Oct. 3, as people came out for demonstrations, children’s activities and a pancake breakfast. Held from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. people could get tours of the station, children enjoyed being able to explore the fire trucks and vehicles from North Memorial Ambulance and the New Prague Police Department, trying on firefighter gear and getting a chance to operate a fire hose. Sun and temperatures around 66 degrees Fahrenheit added to the day. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times.

Ian DeGross and Emma Gullickson, front row, were crowned Homecoming King and Queen at New Prague High School’s Pep Fest in the gym on Friday, Sept. 24. Prince is Joe Blaschko and Princess is Zoey Bowe. The Homecoming Court also includes Evan Anderson, Willam Andersen, Ethan Chromy, Nicholas Geis, Aidan King, Matthew Kudrle and Luke Shepard, Faith Boyer, Calista Brotemarkle, Aaliyah Hanson, Avery Hennen, Payton Morris, Jessica Sadusky and Lindsey Simon.

New Prague Area Schools held its induction ceremony for its Hall of Fame the evening of Thursday, Sept. 23. at the New Prague High School auditorium where 10 people and one group were inducted. Those inducted for Distinguished Service were the Duck Cup Memorial, the late Chuck Kajer and the late Arnie Ambroz, for Athletics were Brad Von Bank, Ron Schoenecker, Dan O’Brien and Tamara Jackson Haecherl, for Distinguished Alumni are Tim Neeser, Todd Morris, Dr. Tom Kajer and Keith Barta. For more on the ceremony see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

New Prague area residents likely noticed over this last weekend US flags flying over the city’s Main Street by the new street lights. It is part of a flag project that was started by New Prague American Legion Post 45 and funded jointly with New Prague VFW Post 5145. There are a total of...
To see more on this story pick up the September 23, 2021 print edition of The New Prague Times.

New Prague High School is celebrating Homecoming this week with lots of activities. Students have been dressing up by themes each day this week. The annual Powderpuff game was played on Sunday, Sept. 19. The Pep Fest, coronation of the Homecoming King and Queen, the football game and the dance are this Friday, Sept. 24.
Dress Up Days for this week have been Tie Dye Day on Monday, Sept. 20, Tacky Tourist/Tropical Day on Tuesday, Sept. 21, Decade Day on Wednesday, Sept. 22, Cowboy/Comfy Day on Thursday, Sept. 23, and Trojan Pride Day on Friday, Sept. 24.

The purpose is the same, but the event that celebrates survivors, remembers those who lost their battles, and raises money to fight cancer, will look a little different this year.
Sara Slavik, one of the organizers for the Le Sueur County Annual Relay for Life, said they have adjusted the relay so it will be more of a family event. It will be held Saturday, Sept. 25 instead of the middle of July when it was held on a Friday.

Parade of Farm Pride Grand Marshals Bev, left, and Jerry Minar wave to the crowd as the parade made its way north on First Avenue SE in New Prague on Saturday, Sept. 18. It was a beautiful day for a parade with lots of sun and temperatures of 75 degrees Fahrenheit. New Prague continues Dozinky, its Czech Harvest Festival, with events on Main Street until this evening and the Showcase of Church Bands at 7 p.m. at New Prague High School. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

In one week’s time New Prague High School will have a Homecoming King and Queen. Candidates for King are (left to right, front row) William Andersen, Nicholas Geis, Aidan King, Ian DeGross, Evan Anderson, Luke Shepard, Matthew Kudrle and Ethan Chromy. Queen candidates are (left to right, back row) Payton Morris, Jessica Sadusky, Avery Hennen, Faith Boyer, Calista Brotemarkle, Aaliyah Hanson, Lindsey Simon and Emma Gullickson. Homecoming week begins this Monday, Sept. 20. For more on the Homecoming activities see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

A house historically connected to St. John’s Catholic Church at Union Hill came down the morning of Friday, Sept. 17. Just part of its history is that it was a home for nuns who taught at the local parochial school at Union Hill, west of New Prague. For some time it was a rental property and for the last few years it sat empty. On March 25 of this year the house was damaged when a vehicle hit it. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

The little Irish City of Kilkenny, Minnesota, did it again. The town, which boasts a population of 168, hosted hundreds of visitors for another grand ol’ Halfway to St. Paddy’s Day celebration on Saturday, Sept. 11. The day’s events included a car show, an Irish-themed parade, live music, food, local vendors, fireworks, and the ever-popular annual Toilet Bowl Races, which features teams of three racing down a street atop a rolling toilet and chugging beer (or root beer).

After a year off due to COVID-19, the Heidelberg Athletic Association’s annual event for its park and pavilion returned Sunday with strong support from area communities.
“It was the best turnout!” said Therese Hlavac, one of the event’s organizers. “Every dollar we earn goes into the Park, because all of the officers and workers are volunteers.”
The event had something for everyone. Inside of the pavilion were brats, burgers and more food for sale. Outside, there were several vendor booths selling a variety of items and equipment for the kids to stay entertained.

All the elements came together for this year’s One Book, One New Prague event at Next Chapter Winery last weekend: good weather, an entertaining author, and an engaged group of about 100 readers. The event was sponsored by the New Prague Community Action Network, Scott County Library, Next Chapter Winery, and Giesenbrau Bier Company.