For the second straight year, New Prague High School won first place at the Metro West Conference One-Act Play Festival. There were five schools participating in the festival Saturday, Jan. 21, in New Prague High School’s auditorium.
New Prague’s production was “Eurydice,” by Sarah Ruhl. The play is a modern adaptation of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, except it is told from Eurydice’s point of view.
Ben Thietje, director of NPHS’ one act, said the students beat out Chanhassen by one point.

When two similarly matched teams put their best swimmers against one another, the results can often be quite close. Thus was the case when New Prague and St. Louis Park met in a dual meet Thursday, Jan. 19, with the Orioles winning 97-86.
“They have a couple of big dogs and we have a couple of big dogs,” said NPHS coach Kristen Munden. “NP would have won with a first place relay finish.”

If being a defending state champion isn’t enough, the New Prague floor hockey team is showing early it has the skills to handle competition aiming to knock off the champ.
In their first two games, the Trojans have won two games by a cumulative score of 23-2.
In both games, New Prague has had seven players contribute to the scoring sheet in a total team effort.
The Trojans’ defense has only allowed two goals on 27 shots.

New Prague High School seniors chose their king and queen candidates Tuesday, Jan. 24. Queen candidates are (left to right, back row) Madison Tupy, Lizzie Wieskus, Peyton Plaisance, Kenzie O’Brien, Claire Baribeau, Evie Zack, Lohla Yarolimek, Abi Bartusek; (front row) king candidates are John Schmidt, Derek Schaap, Spencer LaRue, Koy Buesgens, and Ryan King. Missing are Jack Eckstein, Dominic Berry and Jackson Braith. New Prague High School will celebrate Snoball the week of Monday, Jan. 30, through Saturday, Feb. 4. There will be dress-up days and a pep fest Friday, Feb.

Gordon Prochaska, age 71, passed away at his residence in Florence, Arizona, on Saturday, January 7, from complications of contracting COVID-19.
Off-duty Montgomery Police Chief Nathan Hintz, Sergeant Pete Bulger, and Officer Mike Longbehn escorted Officer Gordon Prochaska’s body home to Montgomery from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Jan. 17.

Laurie Ann Goettl, age 56, of New Prague, died peacefully in her sleep with her husband at her side on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at her home.  Laurie was born on April 8, 1966 in Minneapolis to Gordon Wells “Gordie” and Gerd Synove (Ekeberg) Olson.  She graduated from Jefferson High School and then her natural adventurous spirit took her to San Diego State University to complete her degree in Graphic Art Design.  After college, she returned to her roots in Minnesota, was playing on a softball team one day, when a teammate’s boyfriend brought a handsome friend along with him to the game.  Fa

Gregory Dias, age 62, of New Prague, Minnesota, passed away Monday, January 16, 2023, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato, Minnesota. Memorial Service will be Wednesday, January 25, 2023, 1:00 P.M. at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Winthrop.

Heather Ann Kolarik, age 45 of St. Cloud, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023.
Heather was born on October 20, 1977 to Leonard and the late Kathy Turek. She grew up in New Prague and was a 1996 graduate of New Prague High School. Heather went on to study at St. Cloud Technical and Community College, where she earned an associate’s degree in the area of graphic design. While attending school at St. Cloud, Heather worked at Target, where she met Larry Kolarik.

Richard "Dick" Bradshaw, former Le Sueur County Surveyor Richard (Dick) Bradshaw died Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at Praha Village in New Prague, MN. Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 4 from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. with Memorial Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11 a.m., all held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Le Center.

The Trojans’ varsity jazz team competes at New Prague High School’s invitational Saturday, Jan. 21. The Trojans’ varsity jazz team and varsity high kick team both won the invite. For more see an upcoming print edition of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher photo)

Despite their best efforts, the New Prague High School girls’ ice hockey team has found offense in short supply. With tough competition on the horizon, scoring more goals will keep the team in a better position.
The Trojans have scored 10 goals in their last seven games. In the past week, the three goals in three games haven’t been enough against solid competition.

Reorganizational meetings of city councils, county boards, school boards and the like are usually matters of routine business indicating how the elected body will go about conducting its business during the year to come. The New Prague School Board took up the task Monday, Jan. 9, and all proceeded swimmingly. Until …
The board took up what to do with its public forum – citizens’ opportunity to address the board at the beginning of meetings – at its organizational meeting.

The Elko New Market City Council honored former police officer Steve Hotaling and welcomed new officer Derrick Irwin to the police department during the council’s Thursday, Jan. 12, meeting.
More than 30 people attended, with several family members and friends of Hotaling and Irwin, plus members of the Elko New Market Police Department.
Steve Hotaling
Elko New Market Police Chief Brady Juell and Acting Mayor Amanda Novak honored former officer Hotaling, who served with the department from May of 2019, until November of 2022, when he left for another department.

New Prague High School seniors Savannah Smith and Sophia Metzdorff are the winners of the MARS (Mastering Academics and Real-World Skills) Business version of Shark Tank. The two had some tough competition, but perhaps the duo’s two toughest opponents was the weather and schedules, as the two-day event stretched out more than two weeks.

Kenneth L. Krocak, age 64, of New Prague, died unexpectedly at his home on Wednesday, January 18, 2023. 
Ken was born on April 22, 1958 in St. Paul to Lloyd F. and Nancy (Holub) Krocak.  He grew up in Roseville and Prior Lake, graduating from Prior Lake High School.  He married Katherine Lynch, and though the marriage would dissolve, the couple raised their three children.  Ken had many jobs throughout his life, including working for a flooring business and most currently as a computer technician.

Jean Mader, age 81, of Montgomery, passed away on Thursday, January 19, 2023 at her home in New Prague. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 25 from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. at Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery with a memorial service with Fr. George Grafsky, officiating. Interment will be held in Calvary Cemetery in Montgomery in the spring.