About 20 children and 20 area law enforcement officers gather at HillSpring Church on Wednesday, Dec. 12, after participating in the third annual Shop With a Cop at Shopko in New Prague. The Salvation Army, Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Office, local schools and KCHK Radio assist with the program where children can buy winter clothing for themselves and presents for their family members. The group gathered at HillSpring Church afterwards to wrap presents, for food and other activities. For more see an upcoming print issue of the paper. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

The New Prague Area Pickleball Association is holding an Information Session on Saturday, Dec. 15 to introduce people to the game of pickleball. The event will be held at the Central Education Campus gym from 8:30 to 10 a.m. (enter the gym through Entrance 12).
Instructors will be on hand to explain rules and move people through some easy drills on their way to playing actual games. All necessary equipment will be provided during this free event.

The New Prague Chamber of Commerce has parted ways with Deb Kalousek, executive director for nearly five years, it was announced this week.
Barb Skluzacek, chamber president, said the chamber’s executive board made the decision to “go in a different direction” last month. The change was effective November 14.
Brooke Sticha, office assistant at the Chamber, was named interim executive director.

Francis "Fran" Vohnoutka, age 79, of Battle Lake, MN, formerly of Shakopee, passed away unexpectedly in Galveston, TX. on Monday, December 3, 2018.
Fran was born in St. Patrick, MN, on April 25, 1939, the son of Frank and Bessie (Pavlicek) Vohnoutka. He married Kathleen Geis in Shakopee, MN on September 2, 1961. Prior to retirement Fran was employed as a truck driver.

Lucille H. Schmitz, age 87, of New Prague died peacefully surrounded by her family on Sunday, December 9, 2018, at her home.  Lucille was born on September 2, 1931, in Belle Plaine Township, Scott County, MN to Martin and Katherine (Michel) Neisen.  She attended country school, married Ralph J. Schmitz on September 2, 1950 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Union Hill, and the couple farmed and raised their family of eleven children on their farm near St.

Members of Hymnus sing in the lobby of the Hotel Broz during the 2018 Holiday Makers Market Friday, Dec. 7. The two-day event, featuring handcrafted items from a number of area vendors, continues Saturday at the historic hotel in downtown New Prague.

The New Prague City Council is all set to give final approval to the Main Street 2020 Improvement project that has been in the works for several years. A hearing on Monday, Dec. 3, drew about 22 people - mostly property owners and business owners who are understandably concerned with the effects this project will have on their investments.

The New Prague Trojan boys hockey team lost its opening game to Shakopee, but rebounded with a pair of overtime wins to start the season 2-1 under first year Coach Cory Lonke. Grant Yackly scored the winning goals in both wins for New Prague.
The Trojans were scheduled to travel to Red Wing Tuesday, Dec. 4, and play at Bloomington Jefferson at 7 p.m Saturday, Dec. 8. New Prague renews a rivalry with former Missota Conference foe Holy Angels on Tuesday, Dec. 11, at Richfield.

Nearly everyone spends time during the holidays thinking back to the memories of Christmas in their childhood. Family traditions can bring back great memories.

The New Prague Trojan girls basketball team split its first two games of the season last week, both at home. The Trojans opened with a loss to Shakopee, but rebounded in a big way with a 70-22 win over Rochester Century.
New Prague was scheduled to face Blaine Tuesday, Dec. 4. They will play Friday, Dec. 7, at Prior Lake and then travel to Bloomington Kennedy on Tuesday, Dec. 11. The Trojans host Chaska on Thursday, Dec. 13.

New Prague had a beautiful evening on Friday, Nov. 30, for its Parade of Lights and Holiday Celebration in the Park as temperatures in the 20s were cold, yet comfortable, and snow on the ground added to the winter atmosphere.

Disney on Ice will be playing this weekend, with eight shows at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, and a New Prague native will have a featured role in the production.
Cale Ambroz, son of Chuck and Cindy Ambroz, got his start skating with the New Prague Area Figure Skating Club when he was six years old.
"I didn’t really like it. I thought it was too hard and quit," he recalls.

The New Prague City Council approved two of three requests concerning the Main Street 2020 improvement project at its Monday, Dec. 3, meeting. The council did unanimously approve a resolution ordering improvement and preparation of plans for the project and a concurrence with Section 4(f) for Temporary Occupancy of Memorial Park to replace an existing 28-inch clay storm sewer outlet pipe that runs across the park. The council tabled until its Monday, Dec. 17, meeting a resolution approving the final layout (Municipal Consent) for the Main Street 2020 improvement project.

The New Prague Area School Board will honor outgoing members with a reception following the school board meeting scheduled for Monday, Dec. 10. The reception is expected to begin about 6:30 p.m. in the District Office Board Room.
Don Dvorak and Jerry Walerius joined the Board in January of 2006. Sherry Brooks was appointed to the Board in July of 2010.
They will be replaced by Mark Bartusek, Tammy Pexa and Leo Giesen in January 2019.

Charles M. Novak of Detroit Lakes, MN passed away unexpectedly on November 6, 2018. He was 68. Charlie was preceded in death by this parents Edward and Elsie Novak, his sister Jean (Toczek), and his brother Edward. He is survived by his sister Frances, step-sister Janice Madden, sons Philip(Catherine Wernecke), Lucas(Sarah), and Matthew, and granddaughter Lauren.

On Friday, November 30, 2018, Lois Hendricks, 87, passed away surrounded by many family members.
The third of four daughters of a pastor, Lois moved several times – spending her high school years in St. Paul, Chicago and Seattle. She spent a year at St. Olaf College, Northfield, and another at Fairview Nurses Training, St. Paul, before her marriage, on Oct. 27, 1951, to Ralph Hendricks.  Lois worked various jobs to support the businesses started by Ralph, most notably at Hy-Point Hatchery, and then as co-founder of Cedar Lake Farm.