It’s that time again when the leaves begin to turn and people gather them up. When people enjoy apple picking, cider or a stronger harder apple drink. When farmers are out in the fields bringing in their crops and preparing the land for next spring. When children are talking to their parents about what they want to do for Halloween. It’s definitely fall.

As the season starts to wind down for the New Prague boys cross country teams, so do their race times.
All six varsity runners set some kind of a record while competing in the Tuesday, Oct. 5 Victoria Lions Invitational held at Gale Woods Park.
The top finisher for the Trojans was senior Jacob Malecha, who ran a season- best time of 17:01 in placing 12th overall. Malecha passed approximately a dozen runners during the last mile of the 5,000-meter race.
Liam Roufs ran a personal-best time of 18:45, placing 73rd overall.

The final three games of the regular season for the New Prague boys soccer team ended in a pair of wins and a one goal loss.
The Trojans defeated Robbinsdale Cooper, 3-1, Tuesday, Oct. 5. Two days later they were edged, 1-0 by Chanhassen. In the regular season finale Saturday, Oct. 9, New Prague downed Faribault, 1-0, in a contest which was not completed.
In the win over Cooper, Jacob Lee scored his fourth goal of the season, Satchel Johnson scored his fifth goal of the season, and Sam Gardner scored his first goal of the season.

Woody Odendahl, son of Kristina and Joe Odendahl of Webster, is obsessed with cars, especially classic cars and old cars. Woody likes cars so much that he organized a car show on Sunday, Oct. 3, where more than 60 vehicles showed up. An amazing effort for a 6 year old.
“We spent the summer taking him to as many car shows and car cruises as we could,” said Kristina in an email. “One day he decided he wanted to have his own car club, which he named ‘Steel Flame Car Club,’ and sat down and came up with his own logo and car club business cards.”

The New Prague School Board held its work shop on Monday, Oct. 11, where Director of Operations Craig Most detailed the transportation challenges that the school district is facing. The challenge is due to not having enough drivers for the school district’s bus routes. It is a situation that other school districts around the state have been facing.
Superintendent Tim Dittberner explained that there have been a variety of issues that has led to the shortage of bus drivers. He added they have had teachers and mechanics driving buses.

Irene Mae Overdahl, age 97, of New Prague, died peacefully on Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at Mala Strana Rehabilitation Center and Assisted Living.  Irene was born on April 24, 1924 in Lanesburgh Township, Le Sueur County, Minnesota to Rudolf H. and Ottlina L. (Schlauderaff) Honza.

Mary L. Krenik, age 99, of  Edina, died peacefully at her residence on Tuesday, October 12, 2021.  Mary was born on February 16, 1922 in New Prague to John E.  and Emma B. (Komarek) Krenik.  She was raised in New Prague, and graduated from St. Wenceslaus Catholic School and New Prague High School.  She worked for 10 years at First National Bank in New Prague before permanently moving to Minneapolis and working for 30 years at Farmers and Mechanics Bank as a clerk/typist, retiring in 1984.  Mary was kindness personified and a joy to be around.

Kenneth(Ken) J. Mares, age 61 of Lakeville, passed away on Oct. 10, 2021.  Ken was preceded in death by his loving parents Myles & Dorothy.  He is survived by his sisters Patty Simberg, Rita (Jack) Molumby and his brother Larry.
Per Ken’s wishes he will be cremated and interred with our parents.  Our brother was an uncomplicated man with a heart of gold.  He was loved and we will miss him.  Per his wishes there will be no memorial observance.  We want to thank those who supported us on this journey.  It is appreciated. 

Helen M.

In a battle of two of the top five teams in Class AAA and Class AAAA, Chaska prevailed with a four set win over New Prague in volleyball on Tuesday, Sept. 28.
The No. 5 ranked Class AAAAA Chaska Hawks pulled out a 25-9, 22-25, 25-20, 25-13 win over the No. 4 rankld Class AAA Trojans.
Anna Molstad led the New Prague offense with 12 kills and added 16 digs and three blocks.
Abby Molstad dished out 28 assists and had seven digs.
Emerson Dillon had...
To see more on this story pick up the October 7, 2021 print edition of The New Prague Times.

It was a busy evening on Thursday, Oct. 7, as the New Prague Chamber of Commerce held its Ladies Night Out from 5-8 p.m. Area businesses participated in the evening of shopping and fun as there were specials, prizes and treats for those who came out to New Prague businesses. The theme was Fall into the ‘80s with several shoppers dressing up in T-shirts with ‘80s nostalgia such as MTV or in bright clothing or as celebrities from that time. For more see an upcoming article in The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

State rated Benilde St. Margaret’s and Chaska handed the New Prague girls tennis teams a pair of losses to end their regular season.
Benilde, rated 5 in Class AAA, shut out the Trojans, 7-0, on Thursday, Sept., 30. Chaska, one of the top teams in the Metro West Conference, also swept the Trojans, 7-0, Tuesday, Sept. 28.
In the loss to Benilde, New Prague was only able to win two games in a match twice. At No. 1 singles, Payton Peterson was defeated 6-1, 6-1. At No. 2 doubles Brook Mensing and Ellie Thomas were defeated by the...

The three public school districts that span the length of Le Sueur County have seen some positive COVID-19 cases and the quarantining of students and staff since the school year started.
Questionnaires regarding the status of COVID in the school districts were sent to the superintendents of New Prague Area Schools, Tri- City United Schools, and Waterville- Elysian-Morristown Schools last week. Of the three, New Prague reported the highest rate of positive student COVID cases, which accounts for 1.2 percent of the student body.

As students lined up at the starting line of St. Wenceslaus Catholic School’s fundraising marathon event on Saturday, Oct. 2, they, along with school staff members and parents had a lot to be excited about. The school managed to raise more funds this year than ever before.
“This year we collected more cash than we have ever done in the past,” stated Principal Kim Doyle. “We are currently sitting at around $51,000 collected from the families with more funds coming in, plus over $9,000 in funds collected by Ron McBroom. Our grand total will be well over $60,000 when all is done!”

Shane Mahowald and his parents Bob and Amy Mahowald were out at Gopher State Railway Museum, north of New Prague, on Saturday, Oct. 2, for Shane’s senior photos at Jordan High School. The family got a surprise in that members of the train museum made sure it was a day Shane wouldn’t forget.
Shane, who is high functioning autistic, had his photos taken by Kristy Johnson, who had reached out to museum member Jeff Braun in late August. “I drive by the museum often and I would see the trains,” said Johnson. She knew that when Shane was younger he loved trains.

Most people in the stands at the Trojans’ homecoming football game could have probably named the quarterback who led the home team to victory.
Even more could have probably named the newly crowned king and queen, but the majority of people in the stands—on both sides of the field—knew the name of a local eighth grader who had been recently diagnosed with cancer.