The time has come again, another turn of the seasons as we see summer begin to fade away and fall arrive with a burst of colors. The leaves on trees are turning a bright red, yellow or orange. Some trees are just getting hints of those autumn colors with more green standing out, others give a hint of that change and then seem to don their fall wardrobe the next day. In the fields where there is still corn, the stalks are either a yellow or a gold. The grass that was a dark green a few weeks ago is now turning a lighter shade as it prepares for the slumber of winter.

Julia M. Odenthal, age 76, of Le Center, died suddenly, in her daughter’s arms on Wednesday, September 23, 2020.  Julia was born on November 29, 1943 in Elko, Minnesota to Frank and Julia (Horejsi) Peterka.  Julia married the love of her life, Cornelius T. Odenthal on August 8, 1964 at St.

Area residents were able to enjoy a community gathering with food and entertainment, although in a different way. Nozinky took the place of Dozinky during this year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Food trucks and music were offered on Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 16 and 17, in Memorial Park. A virtual Talent Show and Kolacky Eating Contest were held on Saturday, Sept. 19. On Sunday, Sept. 20, the Chamber held the judging for the Yard Decorating Contest with the theme Dozinky Through the Ages.

A tank from Chart Industries in New Prague slowly takes the corner at the intersection of Main Street and 10th Avenue NE (formerly Scott County Road 37) around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23. Crews hauled the tank from Chart Industries east on Seventh Street NE until it became 10th Avenue NE and then turned onto Main Street. It was a change in routes as Main Street near Highway 21 is still under reconstruction. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Susan M Kurkowski, 75 of New Prague, Celebration of LIfe Service will be on Sunday, Oct 4, 2020 at 1:00pm at the Wagner Funeral Home Chapel in Jordan.  Visitation will be held 3 hours prior with luncheon to follow service at the funeral home.

Roman A. Malecha passed away on September 18, 2020, at the age of 80. He was preceded in death by Parents, Albert G and Ludmilla (Havel) Malecha; first wife, Darlene Malecha; brothers and sisters, Lillian Tupy, Helen Novak, Albert, Stanley, Joe, Robert and George Malecha.  
Roman was a man of deep faith who dedicated his life to his family, church, friends and community. Roman attended Bethlehem Academy and Seminary school intending to be a priest, until he met Darlene Horejsi at a wedding dance and decided to take a new path in life. 

On Monday, the Minnesota State High School League board of directors voted to reinstate both the fall football and volleyball seasons this fall.
The decisions came after the league surveyed nearly 400 member schools, most of which wanted to have the seasons played out in the fall rather than a spring “flex season.”
Last month, the league postponed the football and volleyball seasons to spring due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic. The league reconsidered the decision after hearing from athletes and families.

More than 50 people came out to participate in New Prague’s ALS Walk on Saturday, Sept. 19. The one-and-a-half-mile trek was part of the Virtual ALS Walk. Captains of the New Prague walk were sisters Sammi Schultz and Stephie Killu, daughters of Patty Solheid and the late Whitey Solheid. Schultz said this was their fifth annual walk, which is now in memory of their dad who died due to ALS. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

George N. Nytes, age 64, of Shakopee, died on Thursday September 17, 2020 in his home with his dear and caring wife at his side after a seven-year long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. George was born on June 11, 1956 in New Prague, to Howard and Margaret (Holub) Nytes. He attended Union Hill country school and New Prague Public School. George married Ying Li in Shakopee on September 14, 2017 and she supported him through his journey through Parkinson’s. George loved traveling and anything to do with horses, horseback riding in particular.

Virginia A. Lucier Hoyt, age 86, of New Prague, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, September 17, 2020 at The Lutheran Home in Belle Plaine.  Virginia was born on April 2, 1934 in Fargo, North Dakota to Charles E. and Cora A.

The New Prague girls’ tennis team split a pair of matches last week.
The Trojans defeated Waconia, 7-0, Thursday, Sept. 10, and were defeated two days earlier by Holy Family, 5-2.
In the match with Waconia it only went to three sets in one of the seven individual matches.
“This was Waconia’s first year having a tennis team,” head coach Toby Thietje said. “Even though this was our first sweep, the New Prague girls had to learn to adapt to the way the Waconia girls were playing. It took some real patience adjusting to finish each match.”

The New Prague girls’s swim and dive team competed in two home meets last week.
On Tuesday, Sept. 8, the Trojans defeated Litchfield, 98-84, at the New Prague Aquatic Center.
Ninth-grader Ella Lund won the 200 IM by a landslide with a final time of 2:25.98.
Bailey Newman (2nd) and Jillian Wiechert (3rd) finalized a 1-2-3 finish with Newman getting a time of 2:38.60 and Weichert at 2:40.59 respectively.

There was very noticeable activity just northeast of New Prague at the KCHK radio station along Highway 13 on Friday, Sept. 11. The celebration of the station’s 400th “Live Musicians Friday” or “L-M-F” show took place throughout the morning.

While the United State general election, Tuesday. Nov. 3, is still more than one month away, people do have the option to do early voting, which opens this Friday, Sept. 18. The option for early voting in Minnesota runs until Monday, Nov. 2, although dates and hours may vary based on where you live in the state.

The Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council announced last week the State Arts and Cultural Heritage grants of $83,000 were awarded to eight arts organizations in the region with funds from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment.
The grants are for arts activities in all artistic disciplines. A variety of activities including virtual events and in-person instrumental music concerts, theater performances, art classes and exhibitions are being funded.

Roger Lee Carlson, age 67, of Webster, died peacefully surrounded by his family after a short but heroic battle with cancer on Wednesday, September 16, 2020 at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, MN. Roger was born on January 10, 1953 in Minneapolis, to Allan and Shirley (Turner) Carlson. He attended and graduated from Chaska High School and went on to attend the University of Minnesota Duluth and Hennepin Vo-tech.