There are people who are slowly moving back to normal due to the COVID-19 pandemic, others have been moving more quickly and some never made any changes at all. Personally I think I’ve been all over the map.

Summer youth programming amidst a pandemic looks quite different from summer youth programming in a pandemic-free world. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in New Prague came up with a different Vacation Bible School for this summer.

There is a log jam at the top of the DRS Amateur Baseball Standings after the second full week of play.
Seven teams have one loss, led by Prior Lake with a 4-1 record and Lonsdale with a 3-1 record.
St. Patrick, Faribault, and Montgomery have 2-1 records. Union Hill and St. Benedict are 1-1 overall.
The week began with three games Wednesday, July 8.
Faribault shut out winless Shakopee, 6-0.
St. Benedict defeated Montgomery 8-1. Nick Holland and Matthias Duevel combined to allow only a first inning Mallard run.

The parking lot at Bruzek Funeral Home in New Prague was part of a program across the Twin Cities Metro Area and surrounding communities the evening of Tuesday, July 7, featuring an outdoor screening of “A Breath for George.” Local theater, DalekoArts joined with other Twin Cities Metro Area theatre companies to present the free screening.

Gordon J. Malterud, age 65, of New Prague, died peacefully, with his family present after a prolonged illness at Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital – Mankato on Tuesday, July 14, 2020.  Gordy was born on May 15, 1955 in Corpus Christi, TX to James and Janet (Roberts) Malterud.  He grew up in the Mountain Iron/Virginia, MN area, moved to and finished his early education graduating from Owatonna High School.  He earned an associate degree from Austin Vo-Tech school and went on to further his education with an electrical engineering degree from the U of M and an MBA from the University of St.

The New Prague Fire Department was called to the scene of a barn fire around 7:36 a.m. on Tuesday, July 14. First Assistant Fire Chief Steve Rynda said the barn was fully engulfed when the fire department arrived. A car and van were also damaged. Firefighters kept the blaze from spreading. The homeowners Brian and Andrea Grabau said no animals were in the barn. For more see an upcoming print issue of The Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Kay Schanus, age 74, of New Prague, died suddenly at her home on Monday, July 13, 2020.  Kay was born on January 27, 1946 in La Crosse, WI to Arnold and Pat (Corcoran) Forschler.  She attended and graduated from Brownsville Public Schools and went on to attend secretarial school in Winona, MN.  She worked for a short time at the University of Minnesota, then for 32 years as the medical secretary for Dr. Roger Rynda, and finally for 11 years as the friendly face behind the counter for New Prague Marketplace.  She married the love of her life, Daniel J.

Pastor Steve Trewartha, center, senior pastor of FaithPoint Lutheran Church of New Prague is among those breaking ground for a new church on Sunday, July 12. The combination outdoor service and groundbreaking ceremony included music and remarks from church leaders for the new church that will be located on 14 acres near the intersection of Redwing Avenue and 270 Street, in rural New Prague. For more see an upcoming print issue of The Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

James Walter Krenik, 62, Lonsdale, died on Friday, July 10, 2020, at his home. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 15 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. with Fr. Tom Niehaus and Fr. Tom Krenik officiating. Interment will be in the St. Wenceslaus Cemetery in New Prague.
  James was born on February 1, 1958, in New Prague to Donald and Pauline (Busch) Krenik. He was a graduate of Montgomery High School and worked as a heavy equipment operator and turned to farming.

Patricia B. Ambroz, age 84, of New Prague, died peacefully with her son at her side on Friday, July 10, 2020 at Mala Strana Health and Rehabilitation Center.  Patricia was born on June 6, 1936 in New Prague to Edward W. and Mathilda C. (Busch) Zaun.  She grew up in the Lydia/St. Patrick area and was active in 4-H in her youth.  She graduated from Jordan High School and married the love of her life, Leonard J. Ambroz on June 7, 1958 at St.

Roman Hertaus, age 80, of Prior Lake, MN, passed away unexpectedly, from a brain bleed, on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, at Fairview Southdale Hospital, in Edina, MN.  
Roman John was born on January 16, 1940, in Wheatland Township, MN, to William and Elizabeth (Marek) Hertaus. He married Janice Kechely on August 8, 1964, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, in New Prague, MN. They were blessed with two children, Todd and Penny. 

Crews from Independent Testing Technologies of Waite Park prepare to take soil borings in Memorial Park in New Prague on Friday, July 10. The borings are to check the ground where the future New Prague Veterans Memorial is to be built. Jim Connelly of Appro Development of Lakeville, the general contractor for the project, said the company was boring down 20 feet to check the area and make sure the soil is of a good bearing capacity. The memorial is to be built east of the New Prague Library and construction is scheduled to begin later this year.

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.

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.

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.