Robert Charles Simon, age 96, of New Prague passed away peacefully on December 27, 2019 at Mala Strana Rehabilitation and Care Center with his family at his side.  Robert was born on September 27, 1923 to Bohumil and Ludmilla (Kalina) Simon on their farm five miles southeast of New Prague.  He attended grade school in Veseli, MN and graduated from New Prague High School.  After graduation he attended a government sponsored trade school in Shakopee, studying metal machining, then moved to California to help build troop ships during World War II.  After returning to Minnesota, he married the

Denise B. (VonBank) Despenas, 68, of Kensett, IA passed away Sunday, December 22, 2019 in Mason City, IA.
Denise, the daughter of Isidore and Clara (Steinhoff) VonBank, was born September 14, 1951 in New Prague. She was married to Peter Despenas for 40 years. They enjoyed gardening, canning,and sharing their harvest with family and friends.

Alvin R. Pany, 90, of New Prague, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2019, at Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital New Prague. Visitation will be held on Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with Memorial Mass at 11 a.m. with Father George Grafsky officiating. Burial will be in the Bohemian National Cemetery in Montgomery.

High winds and icy conditions may continue into the morning
MANKATO, Minn. –  (3:30 p.m.) Motorists in south central Minnesota are advised to expect difficult driving conditions to remain into Tuesday (December 31) with forecasted additional snowfall, dropping temps and even higher wind gusts.

Jayne E. (Pint) Palma, 64, of Kenyon, died Saturday, December 28, 2019 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.
She was born December 13, 1955, in New Prague, the daughter of Joseph and Alma (Steinhoff) Pint. Jayne graduated from New Prague High School in 1975. On April 29, 1978, she married Kenneth Palma at St. Benedict Catholic Church in rural New Prague.

The Polars and the Ptarmigans laid everything out on the football field for the 60th New Prague Sno-Bowl held at Memorial Park Saturday afternoon.
Neither icy roads or a consistent rain drizzle during the game kept these New Prague High School alumni football players from lacing up their cleats and enjoying the day together in a game of tackle football.
Despite several turnovers and chances of completing passes for touchdowns, neither team could come up with points. The final score ended in a 0-0 tie.

Eugene B. “Gene” Arves, Jr., age 72, of Prior Lake, died peacefully, in the presence of dear friends and kind caregivers on Saturday, December 21, 2019 at New Perspectives Assisted Living in Prior Lake.  Gene was born on September 24, 1947 in Minneapolis to Eugene B. and Eunice I.

The New Prague Area Historical Society honored Lucille Nickolay for her many years with the society and her involvement with the community. The recognition of Nickolay was held Thursday, Dec. 12, at Mala Strana Assisted Living and Rehabilitation Center. There were 35 people on hand, including members of Nickolay’s family, board members of the historical society and residents of Mala Strana.

The New Prague boys basketball team received 36 points from senior guard Parker Johnson in a 65-54 loss to Farmington Thursday, Dec. 19 in New Prague.
Johnson’s efforts were not quite enough as the Tigers pulled out a 65-54 win.
Farmington improved to 4-2 overall while the Trojans dropped to 2-4.

Dick Jonckowski, who grew up in New Prague and went on to have a career in sports as an athlete and an announcer, was back in his hometown on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at the New Prague Library. While there to present his book, “It’s All about Me: Dick Jonckowski: a Minnesota Treasure,” he also reminisced about growing up in New Prague and his career.
Jonckowski said that people hear the title of his book and laugh. He added one of his children suggested the name.

New Prague girls basketball head coach Luke Swedberg feels playing a tough schedule will only make his team better later in the season.
The Trojans battled a pair of very good teams last week, one of which is rated No. 1 in Class AAAA according to Minnesota-Scores.net.
Farmington won its eighth game in nine contests Thursday, Dec. 19 when they defeated the Trojans, 76-58 in New Prague.
The Tigers featured three of the top 50 players in Class 4A, led by senior Molly Mogenson and juniors Sophie Hart and Paige Klindseth.

While the end of the year is still about a week away, many are making plans, or already have them in place, about how they will end the year and welcome the new one.
People reading this are likely still on Christmas vacation or just coming back from the time they spent with family and friends. For children, they’re busily playing with the latest toy or video game or perhaps glued to a new phone. For adults they are trying to figure out the instructions of that new electronic device or perhaps a piece of furniture.

The Elko new Market City Council had a brief business meeting on Thursday, Dec. 19, where the council unanimously approved its 2020 budget.
Appearing under the consent agenda, it included the 2019 Property Tax Levy for Taxes Payable in 2020. The council had had the final presentation of that during its Thursday, Dec. 5, meeting, which included it’s Truth in Taxation.
The levy increased...
To see more on this story pick up the December 26, 2019 print edition of The New Prague Times.

Due to the holidays falling on Wednesday for Christmas and New Year's Day, mail and carrier delivery will be on Thursday December 26 and Thursday January 2.

Philipp Square Senior Apartments in New Prague was looking festive and ready for the Christmas season as a multitude of Santa figurines, Nativities, stockings, snowmen, Christmas trees, a few Disney characters, a setting for Christmas Tea and even a penguin were placed about the halls and common areas. The decorations were placed there by the residents of the senior apartment complex on First Avenue NW. It might be the beginning of a Holiday tradition as this was the first year the residents put up the ornaments themselves.

Jane Nash, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away surrounded by family on December 18th at Our Lady of Peace Hospice in St. Paul, at the age of 75.