A life so beautiful, deserves a special celebration. Bring your most joyful memories with you as we celebrate Deb Swanson. Her uncanny ability to find the best in everyone and every situation knew no bounds. She would not want us to dwell in our sadness, but to come together and share all our happy and funny memories. Please join us from 4:00 – 6:00 on June 19th at our home in New Prague. Please text 612-791-2998 by June 13 to let us know you will be coming.

The Czech Heritage Club held its annual meeting on Sunday, May 23, 2021, at Giesenbrau Bier Co. in New Prague. Twelve members were present, including Marit Lee Kucera, Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic for Minnesota. Following a brief recap of 2019 and 2020 programs and events, election of officers for the ensuing year took place. Elected by unanimous ballot were President Jean Keogh, Vice-President Gary Pikal, Treasurer George Mikiska, Secretary James Simon, and Directors Doris Coghill, Fred Simon, and Vi Chromy. All terms of office are one year.

The New Prague boys track and field team collected points in almost every event in winning the Wright County Conference East Division Championship Tuesday, May 25.
The Trojans scored 139 points in defeating runner-up Hutchinson (108) and third place Waconia (100.5). Fourth through eighth were Jordan (86), Delano (83.5), Orono (79), Mound Westonka (58), and Holy Family Catholic (44).

The New Prague Fire Department answered a call for an electrical fire around 5:46 p.m. on Wednesday, June 2, at the HyVee Fast & Fresh Express and McDonald’s along 10th Avenue SE. According to early reports the firefighters found smoke coming from the building upon their arrival. Both the HyVee Fast & Fresh Express and McDonald’s were evacuated. Members of New Prague Utilities were called in to cut power to the building. Firefighters waited until smoke cleared so they could check on damage and find a cause for the fire. There will be an update when more information is available.

Georgine A. “Jean” Malecha, age 84, of New Prague, died peacefully at home with her family at her side on Thursday, May 27, 2021.  Jean was born on October 31, 1936 in New Prague to Peter and Lucy (Blesener) Schanus.  She attended New Prague High School and married Francis L. “Fritz” Malecha on August 16, 1958 at St.

Michael J. Schumacher, age 24, of New Prague, died Sunday, May 30, 2021, after a courageous 2 ½ year battle with cancer at the University of Minnesota Medical Center.  Michael was born on June 12, 1996 in New Prague to Timothy and Kim (Born) Schumacher.  He graduated from New Prague High School and went on to attain his Bachelor’s Degree from Bemidji State University.  He worked as a production supervisor at Super Radiator Coils in Chaska.  Michael married the love of his life, Melinda M.

Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Sticha, age 94, died Sunday May 30, 2021 at NC Little Hospice in Edina.
                Betty was a bouncing baby girl, born to Ladimir and Anna (Donnelly) Benes on February 17, 1927, St. Patrick, Cedar Lake Township.

New Prague American Legion Post 45 Chaplain George Tupy, center left, and VFW Commander Nick Slavik read the 400 names of veterans buried at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery during Memorial Day services on Monday, May 31, with the New Prague Veterans Honor Guard at attention. Memorial Day services were observed around area cemeteries and ended with a program at the Park Ballroom. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Theresa Marie Hinderscheit, age 81, of Montgomery, passed away on Friday, May 28, 2021 in Belle Plaine. Visitation will be held Thursday, June 3, from 4 to 7pm and Friday, June 4, from 8:30 to 9:30am at the Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, June 4, at 10am at St. John’s Catholic Church in Union Hill.

New Prague High School had more than 300 students participate in graduation ceremonies the evening of Friday, May 28, at Trojan Stadium. It was a beautiful evening for an outdoor ceremony with sun, no wind and temperatures around 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The seniors received their diplomas as family and friends watched. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

On the morning of Friday, May 28, Jen Schoenecker, Director of Health Services for New Prague Area Schools received the Paul Flick Silver Apple Award, for her endless hours of work and being a resource for the school district during the COVID-19 pandemic. The award is named after the late Paul Flick, a respected and beloved principal. From left are the Schoenecker family, husband Jeff with daughters Lilly and Mazie, Roseanne Flick, widow of Paul Flick, Jen Schoenecker and New Prague superintendent Tim Dittberner. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times.

Area Memorial Day ceremonies will be a little closer to normal, although there will be some changes. The New Prague Veterans Honor Guard will be visiting area cemeteries starting at 9 a.m. and the parade will be back, but there will be a different route due to the reconstruction of Main Street and the Memorial Day service will be held in the Park Ballroom, 300 Lexington Ave. S. Featured speaker at the service will be Keith Deutsch of New Prague, a member of New Prague American Legion Post 45.

Two events that are important for many people around the area are happening this weekend. This coming Friday, May 28, is New Prague High School’s graduation ceremony and on Monday, May 31, it is Memorial Day when we honor those veterans who gave all for our country.
As I was growing up Memorial Day didn’t seem to be observed as much, or it could have been, but my family didn’t attend the ceremonies. I remember going to one church service in the local cemetery. More often than not it was a weekend when my family gathered.

Downtown Sound at 104 Main St. E was able to reopen on Tuesday, May 18, after being closed for a nearly a month and a half. New Prague City Staff working with structural engineer Mike Hemstad of the city’s engineering firm Short Elliott Henrickson (SEH), Inc. determined the building was safe to reopen.

Family members of students at Raven Stream Elementary School in New Prague decided to send the students off with an extra smile for the summer in a fun and creative way. The group had various posters thanking Raven Stream staff and bus drivers for their work in dealing with an unusual year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

The New Prague girls lacrosse team split two matches last week.
They dropped an 18-2 contest May 17 to Orono but came back with an 18-5 win over Mound Westonka Thursday, May 20.
“Orono came out strong right from the start and got an early lead and kept it through the entire game. They had a few very fast players who got through our defense,” head coach Julie Bowers said. “We did a great job of controlling ground balls when they dropped them, but that wasn’t very often. Our girls played hard but just couldn’t get any offense going.”