When the Twin Cities Squadron of the Naval Sea Cadets acted as the color guard for the commissioning of the USS MinneapolisSaint Paul (LCS 21) in Duluth on Saturday, May 21, members of the Jirik family of New Prague were present. Joseph W. Jirik, son of Duane and Amy Jirik, was part of the color guard that opened the ceremony and his mom was beaming with pride.

The New Prague boys track and field team tied for sixth place in the Section 2AA Meet Wednesday, June 1 and Friday, June 3. They also had one relay and one individual advance to the Class AA State Meet.
The Trojans scored 68 points in a very competitive Section Meet, tying Belle Plaine for sixth place. Worthington was the boys team champion with 99 points. They were followed by Mankato East (86), Jordan (77), Mankato West (77), and St. Peter (74).

A number of New Prague boys tennis players earned post-season honors following the 2022 season.
The Trojans earned the Team Academic Silver award. Academic All-State honors went to Henry Cox, Max Deluca, Jeffrey Price, and Jonathan Sayler.
Jonathan Sayler and Morgan Masberg received First Team All-Metro West Conference honors. Sayler finished the season with an 8-12 record playing No. 1 singles. Masberg had an 8-11 record playing No. 2 singles.

I think many of us sometimes feel we have the weight of our own part of the world on our shoulders. For some of us it’s at work, whether you’re a manager of a certain department, or you own a business and are dealing with the issues of having to get supplies or products to sell. Others have to deal with being parents and trying to find something to keep the children interested in, besides what’s on TV or the internet, for the next few months of summer vacation.

After 45 years teaching Math, Sue Westegaard is using her love of precision to create intricate quilts.
Westegaard, who taught Montgomery-Lonsdale students from 1971 until 1996 and went on to finish her career in Hopkins, is now retired. She lives in Shakopee and enjoys hunting for unique fabrics and piecing them together to create quilts, using her keen mathematician’s eye.
“There’s satisfaction in getting things to work out,” she stated. “In math, you get an answer. With quilting, you get a beautiful, complete design.”

St. Patrick and Webster are climbing the DRS amateur baseball standings after a week with no losses.
St. Patrick has won three straight games and Webster is on a five game winning streak after losing their first three in league play.
Montgomery leads the league with a 7-3 record, St. Patrick (4-2), Webster (5- 3), St. Benedict (4-4), New Prague (4-4), and Union Hill, (3-3) are close behind.

Melvin R. Busch, age 85, of Jordan, died peacefully at his home with his family at his side on Monday, June 6, 2022.  He was born on November 9, 1936 in New Prague to Arthur O. and Adeline S. (Wolf) Busch.  He graduated with the New Prague High School class of 1955 and then completed his education at the Utilities Engineering Institute.

Betty J. Fahrenkamp, age 85, of Jordan passed away Thursday, June 2, 2022 at Oak Terrace in Jordan, MN.
Funeral Service will be held Thursday, June 9, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church (100 6th St. W.) in Jordan with Rev. Jeremy Glowicki as officiant.  Visitation held 1 hour prior to service.  Interment in Spirit Hill Cemetery in Jordan.

Darlene M.

The St. Patrick Irish’s Zak Endres, left, Jack Ulschmid and Dave Readmond, assistant manager for the DRS baseball team, enjoy the first night game at Bonin Field, north of New Prague, on Friday, June 3. The field had its first set of lights installed on February 16, after nearly a year and-a-half of fundraising efforts. There was a ceremony on June 3 to mark the special evening. The Irish won their first game under the lights as they defeated the St. Benedict Saints, 10-0 in seven innings. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

New Prague area residents who noticed 65 motorcycles in front of the city’s new Veterans Memorial were likely wondering what was happening.

Matt McCollister
Matthew was born to David and Susie McCollister on June 24th, 1981, in Duluth, MN. He was raised in New Prague, MN with his two younger brothers, Kyle and David. It was in this family that he developed his love of being a Tampa Bay Buccaneer fan. 

Richard E. Unger, age 67, of New Prague, died peacefully with his family at his side at home on Saturday, May 28, 2022.  Richard was born on May 20, 1955 in New Prague to Albert and Irene (Ambroz) Unger.  He graduated from New Prague High School and farmed for a short time before going to work at MVE/Chart, as a plumber/welder, the job he would hold for 32 years.  After that he worked in various factories until his cancer diagnosis.  After being good friends and kind of dating for 8 years, with just a little bit of a nudge, Richard married the love of his life, Nancy A.

Command Chief Warrant Officer Brent Jensen of the Minnesota Army National Guard will be the main speaker on Memorial Day in the New Prague area on Monday, May 30. He will deliver his speech during ceremonies at the new Veterans Memorial along Main Street. It will be among several observations around the area on Memorial Day.

New Prague High School’s Class of 2022 celebrates at the end of its graduation ceremony at Trojan Stadium on the evening of Friday, May 27. The class of more than 300 students marked the occasion with their families and friends. The evening included creative speeches, music from the New Prague High School’s band and choir and feelings of accomplishment and pride. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

FOX 9 Chief Meteorologist Ian Leonard, holding microphone, had an impromptu race with young fans during the Town Ball Tour at Veseli the evening of Thursday, May 26. During the busy evening FOX9 news anchors talked with current and former baseball players of the Veseli Warriors and featured the ballpark east of New Prague. There was also free ice cream and music by the Trouba Troubadours. The evening capped off with the Warriors taking on the Belle Plaine Tigers. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)