Nelson recognized with Golden Apple Award.
Nelson’s Apple Farms is observing two accomplishments this year, as the apple orchard near Webster is celebrating 45 years in business and owner Ross Nelson was recognized by the Minnesota Apple Growers Association with the Golden Apple Award. The award is given to recognize a person who has made contributions to the Minnesota apple industry.
 “It was nice,” said Nelson about receiving the honor. “I remember the guys that received it when I was starting out. They seemed to know the most about apples. I never thought I’d get it.”

The Elko New Market City Council provided direction for city staff concerning proposed changes to its ordinance for snowmobiles, golf carts and other special vehicles. The Thursday, Sept. 12, meeting drew nine people, the majority who asked questions or commended city staff on their work on the proposal
State statute says that if a city does not specifically permit the use of special vehicles (ATVs, UTVs, golf carts, mini-trucks and others) they may not operate on city streets.

The New Prague Knights of Columbus of Council #2023 receive a blessing from Archbishop Bernard Hebda of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis at the end of the 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, Mass that celebrated the centennial of Council #2023. The celebration of the founding of the council continued with a social hour at the New Prague Knights of Columbus Hall, a dinner and a commemorative program with Archbishop Hebda as the keynote speaker. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

The second of a third tank from Chart Industries made its way down New Prague’s Main Street the night of Saturday, Sept. 14. The first tank travelled through New Prague on Friday, Sept. 13, and the third is scheduled to go through town the evening of Monday, Sept. 16, depending on weather. The three 172,000-gallon tanks were being transported from Chart Industries’ New Prague plant to a Minnesota River port in Savage. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Runners in the Ninth annual Brain Power Walk/Run head out of Trojan Stadium in New Prague to continue the 5K course that went through nearby neighborhoods and ended back in Trojan Stadium the morning of Saturday, Sept. 14. Overall winner for the 5K was Maizie Deihl in about 20 minutes. She came back from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire to run the race. The 5K and one-mile walk raises funds for grants for New Prague Area Schools. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Chart Industries in New Prague will be shipping three 172,000-gallon tanks from its New Prague plant to a Minnesota River port in Savage over the next few days.
The first tank, which is 168 feet long, 17 feet wide and 18 feet tall, will leave the New Prague facility sometime Friday evening, Sept. 13. The tanks, which weigh 395,000 pounds empty, will head south on Highway 21 to Main Street, then go east on Main Street/Highway 19 through downtown New Prague and continue on to Highway 13, then head north on Highway 13 toward Savage.

Seven years ago Martin Brett of Kilkenny, Ireland, made a trip to Kilkenny, MN.
At the time, Brett was the mayor of the community and was extended an invitation to come to Minnesota.
Mayor Brett was present for the first Halfway to St. Paddy’s Day celebration, but he also attended for another reason.
The two cities signed a formal twinning, which is an official document which declared them sister cities.

The New Prague Ice Arena Association Board of Directors recently received a completed feasibility study regarding adding a second sheet of ice to the 23-year-old facility located on 12th Street NE.
The study, according to Kevin Cassidy, manager of the Ice Arena, was done to determine where the association stands, how much revenue could be produced and how much revenue is leaving the community to purchase ice outside the community.

Farmhouse Market owners Paul and Kendra Rasmusson, have opened a two-bedroom inn above their store at 120 West Main Street.
Featuring top-notch finishes designed to encourage out-of-towners to visit New Prague for longer than just a day trip, the inn houses two rooms, each with their own bathroom, and a shared common space. The inn can be rented by the individual room or as a 2-bedroom suite.

The rainy weather ended just in time for Heidelberg's annual Community Day and Car Show on Sunday. While the event didn't have as much attendance as previous years, a good amount of people still came. There were vendor booths selling baked goods, clothing, plants and food. Inside of the pavilion were brats, burgers and more food for sale. Kids had the park and a couple of giant inflatables to keep them entertained. See more in the print edition.

First Bank & Trust serves up a delicious meal during their Customer Appreciation Day on Thursday, September 5.

Scott County Sheriff’s deputies have recovered a body from the Minnesota River near Belle Plaine, not far from where an unoccupied boat was found Monday, Sept. 2.
This was the fourth day of search efforts to find a missing boater. A 2002 Lund 17-foot open boat with a 60 hp Evinrude motor was found running and unoccupied near the shoreline of the river at 10:50 a.m. Monday. The boat, as well as a truck and boat trailer at a nearby landing, belonged to Bruce Copenhaver, 62, of Watertown.

DalekoArts, New Prague’s local non-profit professional theater, opened its eighth season on Wednesday, Aug. 28, with “Ghost Tour,” a 70-minute interactive comedy that takes audiences out of the theater and through downtown New Prague. “Ghost Tour” lasts through Saturday, Oct. 12.

With an instrumental version of “Amazing Grace” Timothy (Tim) Price began Duct Tape and Grace at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in New Prague on Wednesday, Aug. 14.
Pastor Ben Hilding told the nearly 90 people gathered, “Tonight we are privileged to hear a story that is full of ups and downs, but resonates with each of us.”
Price detailed how he came through his time dealing with alcohol and drugs to where this year he is celebrating 25 years of being clean and sober.

September 6 marks a big anniversary for this newspaper.
It was on that date, in 1889, that the first edition of The New Prague Times was published. New Prague was a growing community whose population had nearly tripled, from 384 in 1880 to 955 in 1890. It was becoming a center of commerce and agricultural production.

The 1940 locomotive and 1956 caboose at Gopher State Railway Museum makes the turn on their track on Saturday, Aug. 31. The railroad museum two miles north of New Prague on Highway 21 is offering rides this weekend from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 1. Admission is free for this family fun event. People can also see the 1880 St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba business car that has a long history both on and off the tracks. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)