The New Prague Times Those driving on Scott County Road 2 through Elko New Market have likely noticed construction as they get into town. An 11,290-squarefoot addition is already being built onto the Elko New Market Commerce Center located north of County Road 2. The center was built in 2017 and businesses opened in 2018.

New Prague senior Emmalyn Dickerson had the top overall finish for the New Prague gymnastics team Saturday, Jan. 4 during the Matt Shetka Invitational.
Dickerson finished in the top 10 in each individual event and placed fifth overall in the all-around, helping the Trojans place third in the 10-team invite.
Dickerson had an all-around score of 35.4000. She was fourth in the vault (9.200), fifth on the balance beam (9.1000), sixth on the floor exercise (9.1000), and 10th on the bars (8.000).

When I was growing up I would see this framed article in my grandparents’ house. It was a simple typed message with two pictures included. One was of President John F. Kennedy and the other was of my Uncle Cyril Fisher. I never was able to get to know my uncle. He had died in a car crash in his teens.

Join us (New Prague Area Historical Society) Tuesday, Jan. 14th at the New Prague library at 7 pm.
Our featured speaker will be local historian Vic Ruhland who will be doing a presentation on the history of Union Hill.
Come early and enjoy some cider and a treat!

A Waseca Police Officer was shot in the head and “gravely injured” while responding to a report of a suspicious person with a flashlight in the backyard residence on the 900 block of 4th Avenue SE in Waseca after 8 p.m. on Monday night, Jan. 6. The suspect was shot twice and sustained non-life threatening injuries.

Ronan Mark Dvorak, son of Matthew and Cassandra Dvorak of Belle Plaine, arrived at 11:18 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4, at Mayo Clinic Health System in New Prague. He is the New Year’s Baby for 2020. The family gathered for a photo from left are, big brother Finnegan, dad Matthew, sister Eden, holding Ronan, mom Cassandra and brother Killian. For more on the New Year’s Baby see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Robert Charles Simon, age 96, of New Prague passed away peacefully on December 27, 2019 at Mala Strana Rehabilitation and Care Center with his family at his side.  Robert was born on September 27, 1923 to Bohumil and Ludmilla (Kalina) Simon on their farm five miles southeast of New Prague.  He attended grade school in Veseli, MN and graduated from New Prague High School.  After graduation he attended a government sponsored trade school in Shakopee, studying metal machining, then moved to California to help build troop ships during World War II.  After returning to Minnesota, he married the

Denise B. (VonBank) Despenas, 68, of Kensett, IA passed away Sunday, December 22, 2019 in Mason City, IA.
Denise, the daughter of Isidore and Clara (Steinhoff) VonBank, was born September 14, 1951 in New Prague. She was married to Peter Despenas for 40 years. They enjoyed gardening, canning,and sharing their harvest with family and friends.

Alvin R. Pany, 90, of New Prague, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2019, at Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital New Prague. Visitation will be held on Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with Memorial Mass at 11 a.m. with Father George Grafsky officiating. Burial will be in the Bohemian National Cemetery in Montgomery.

Jayne E. (Pint) Palma, 64, of Kenyon, died Saturday, December 28, 2019 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.
She was born December 13, 1955, in New Prague, the daughter of Joseph and Alma (Steinhoff) Pint. Jayne graduated from New Prague High School in 1975. On April 29, 1978, she married Kenneth Palma at St. Benedict Catholic Church in rural New Prague.

High winds and icy conditions may continue into the morning
MANKATO, Minn. –  (3:30 p.m.) Motorists in south central Minnesota are advised to expect difficult driving conditions to remain into Tuesday (December 31) with forecasted additional snowfall, dropping temps and even higher wind gusts.

The Polars and the Ptarmigans laid everything out on the football field for the 60th New Prague Sno-Bowl held at Memorial Park Saturday afternoon.
Neither icy roads or a consistent rain drizzle during the game kept these New Prague High School alumni football players from lacing up their cleats and enjoying the day together in a game of tackle football.
Despite several turnovers and chances of completing passes for touchdowns, neither team could come up with points. The final score ended in a 0-0 tie.

Eugene B. “Gene” Arves, Jr., age 72, of Prior Lake, died peacefully, in the presence of dear friends and kind caregivers on Saturday, December 21, 2019 at New Perspectives Assisted Living in Prior Lake.  Gene was born on September 24, 1947 in Minneapolis to Eugene B. and Eunice I.

Dick Jonckowski, who grew up in New Prague and went on to have a career in sports as an athlete and an announcer, was back in his hometown on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at the New Prague Library. While there to present his book, “It’s All about Me: Dick Jonckowski: a Minnesota Treasure,” he also reminisced about growing up in New Prague and his career.
Jonckowski said that people hear the title of his book and laugh. He added one of his children suggested the name.

The Elko new Market City Council had a brief business meeting on Thursday, Dec. 19, where the council unanimously approved its 2020 budget.
Appearing under the consent agenda, it included the 2019 Property Tax Levy for Taxes Payable in 2020. The council had had the final presentation of that during its Thursday, Dec. 5, meeting, which included it’s Truth in Taxation.
The levy increased...
To see more on this story pick up the December 26, 2019 print edition of The New Prague Times.

Due to the holidays falling on Wednesday for Christmas and New Year's Day, mail and carrier delivery will be on Thursday December 26 and Thursday January 2.