Two New Prague businesses have temporarily closed due to COVID-19. The Yoga Tree and City Club Bar closed early last week.
The staff of The Yoga Tree along 10th Avenue NE sent out a notice to its students on Wednesday, July 1, that they were informed by a student that they had been in contact with someone who had tested positive for the virus as of Tuesday, June 30. The staff noted anyone who attended class on Monday, June 29 and/or Tuesday, June 30, to please take the necessary care and precaution as mandated by government guidelines.

Approximately 40 floats participated in the third annual Cedar Lake Fourth of July Boat Parade.
The casual event gathers lake residences, lake enthusiasts, friends, and family together to celebrate Independence Day on the local lake.
Participants gathered their decorated boats and pontoons near the public access on the lake’s west side, then travelled south, circling the lake.
Andrea Beno, who helps organize the parade, thanked everyone who participated in the “steamy” parade. “It was our biggest yet!” she stated.

It is now that other season in Minnesota, road construction. After several weeks of waiting, the Main Street 2020 project is now underway. Currently the work is on the west end of Main Street near the intersection with Highway 21. This is a project that the city, working with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, has been planning for over several years. Like any street project this is one that is going to require patience and some compromise to get through.

Only three games were played in the DRS Amateur Baseball League last week.
COVID-19 has been detected in players on four teams which limited the amount of games played.
Here is a look at the games which were played.

Local artist Greg Preslicka, a 1983 graduate of New Prague High School, was busy in June creating a view into Prior Lake’s past and present with a community mural titled “Yesterday and Today.” Located on the wall of Nuvera, an internet service provider, the large painting depicts two views of the community’s lake. On the left is the lake’s past, including a ferry, the water slide that was at Green Heights Resort, the train bridge, and cows. On the right side of the mural are activities from today, water skiing, sailing, fishing, and its beach.

In staying on track with their desired timeline, the Lonsdale City Council approved a firm to provide architectural and planning services for the new police facility to be operational in 2021.
After interviews with a handful of firms and further discussion, the council unanimously voted to move forward with Wold Architects and Engineers at their meeting on June 25.

Sister Mary Catherine Shambour, beloved teacher, board member, historian, writer, and peacemaker, passed peacefully on May 30 at St. Scholastica Monastery from Lymphoma.   Having marked the milestones of 25, 50 and 60 years of religious life, Sister Mary Catherine was in the 67th year of vowed commitment. An alumna of The College of St. Scholastica, Sister served many years on the Board of Trustees.

Martha J. Svoboda, age 97, of New Prague, died peacefully on Monday, July 6, 2020 at Mala Strana Care and Rehabilitation Center.  Martha was born on May 22, 1923 in Veseli, Minnesota to John J. and Emily A. (Hruza) Havlicek.  She attended school in Veseli and worked as a live-in nanny for Dr. Komarek until she met the love of her life, LeRoy Svoboda, and married on March 9, 1943 in Veseli.  Martha was a gifted seamstress and worked for many years at Munsingwear until the company closed.

New Prague Mayor Chuck Nickolay announced on Monday, July 6, that he would not be seeking re-election in 2020.
He said in a press release, “While it has been an honor to serve my hometown for the past ten years, it is also time to step down and let new leadership emerge for our city. I know that I will leave New Prague in very capable hands.”
“When I decided to run for Mayor, I told my family that, if elected, I would commit to ten years,” he said adding those ten years have gone by.
For more see this week’s upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times.

Steve Halvorson, age 75, passed away at his home in rural St. James on Saturday, July 4, 2020.
 Private Family services will be 11:00am, Saturday, July 11, 2020 at Sturm Funeral Home in St. James.
 You may send the family condolences online at www.sturmfh.com.
 Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in St. James.

Gaertner (née Nickolay), Mary “Rita” age 88, of Richfield, MN.  Passed away on May 16, 2020.  Preceded in death by husband of 62 years, William “Bill” Gaertner; parents, Bessie and John Nickolay and siblings, John, Richard, Donald, and Charles. Survived by sons, Robert (Cheri), Michael (Karin); grandchildren, Mike, Adam (McKenzie), and Catie; great-grandchildren. Brantley and Knox; siblings, Lucille, Ruth, George, Willy and Francis. 

Eric Steinhoff may have hit 31 homers to win the Home Run Derby, but little Analise Tveitbakk ruled the ballpark on Saturday.
The two-year-old happily ran the bases, took pictures with the batters, and picked out sweets at the concession stand during Home Town Bats' Home Run Derby at the Union Hill Ballpark on June 27. The fourth annual fundraising event benefited Analise and her family.

Shakopee Coyotes Manager: Tanner Graff Last year’s record and accomplishments: Our last year’s record was 5-18. Our accomplishments of last year was knowing we need to work on the fundamentals also try not to overthink situations and just play the sport we love. Players who have left the team since last year: Lance Buchtel - not returning, Sam Fischer - not returning, Jordan Cardey - moved, Nicholas Warren - not returning, and Jesse Nystrom - taking a year off. New players on the team this year: Alec Aument - outfield/infield, pitcher. Shakopee, Jac Campbell - 1st base, outfield.

Sheriff Brett Mason led members of Le Sueur County Historical Society (LCHS) Board on a tour of the county’s now-vacant, 108-yearold jail and sheriff’s residence and the recently vacated 1978 jail on Tuesday morning, June 23.
According to County Administrator Darrell Pettis, the county is looking for ways to preserve and use the iconic brick building, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.

Hofmeister, Donald L.  Age 89, of St. Paul, passed away June 26, 2020.  Survived by beloved wife of 63 years, Elsa, daughter Elizabeth (Marshall, Dave); sons Andrew (Linda), Franz (Jeannie), and Joseph (Teresa), 12 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren and one sister.  Preceded in death by parents and brother. 
Mass of Christian Burial Friday, July 3, 2020 at Cathedral of St. Paul at 10AM. 

The detour for the Highway 19 construction project in downtown New Prague is set to start Monday, July 6.  The recent permitting and scheduling issues have been resolved.
Motorists are reminded that the first stage detour for motorists traveling westbound through New Prague consists of 10th Avenue NE, 7th Street NE/NW, and Highway 21.  Eastbound traffic will be detoured south on Highway 13, Le Sueur County Road 29, and 10th Avenue SE.  Motorists desiring to go to downtown businesses will need to watch for special signing.