Lawrence L. “Larry” Sirek, age 84, of New Prague, died peacefully, surrounded by his family on Friday, December 20, 2019 at Three Links Care Center in Northfield, MN.  Larry was born on November 6, 1935 in Wheatland Township, Rice County, Minnesota to John J.

The New Prague Trojan Dance Team left their audience stunned and impressed during their annual Community Showcase on Friday, Dec. 20. Held at the New Prague High School gym, the team included the New Prague Varsity Kick team (pictured), Youth Clinic Dancers, the Jordan Varsity Dance Team, solos and the New Prague varsity and junior varsity teams. Family and friends attended the Showcase and donated monetary or food items that will go toward the Mayo Clinic Health System Peace Center. For more see an upcoming print issue of The Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Despite losing their match with Lakeville North Thursday, Dec. 12, New Prague gymnastics coach Mark Morphew took away a lot of positives.
North scored 143.500 while the Trojans scored 140.700 in the dual.
“Cracking 140 points any time is a great accomplishment but it is especially nice to do this early in the year,” Morphew said.
“We had a good meet with lots of good routines. We had some new skills thrown for the first time in competition.”

Every so often in a yard or a window around this time of year, a person can see a sign that asks people to remember the reason for the season. And while we should remember why we are celebrating, we should also remember that one of the teachings of that little babe was helping others.

Forty-four seventh and eighth grade students at St. Wenceslaus School helped raise awareness about homelessness, while 38 of them got a small taste of it as they slept in cardboard boxes the night of Thursday, Dec. 12.
The overnight campout in front of St. Wenceslaus School is part of the school’s annual program Cardboard City. Students spent time taping boxes together or decorating them with messages asking for help, donations or prayers for those who don’t....
To see more on this story pick up the December 19, 2019 print edition of The New Prague Times.

The New Prague boys hockey team improved to 2-4-1 after a win and a tie last week.
The Trojans defeated Hopkins (5-2) on Thursday, Dec. 12 in New Prague. They traveled to Duluth Saturday, Dec. 14 and earned a tie against Denfeld, a team which was 5-1 coming into the contest.
No other information was made available.
New Prague will host Bloomington Jefferson Friday, Dec. 20 at 7:15 p.m.

Forget red and green.
It was all about red and blue police lights--and presents, pizza, and fun--at Le Sueur County’s holiday Shop With a Cop event on Wednesday night, Dec. 11 in New Prague.
Twenty kids participated in the sixth annual event that helps foster positive relationships between youth and officers.
“My cop is so cool,” spouted Collin about his partner for the night, Le Sueur Police Officer Aaron Thieke. “I even got to ride in the police car and run the lights and sirens and stuff. Did you hear me sing Jingle Bells over the radio in the squad car?”

Sylvia L. Rezac, age 95 of Webster, MN passed away peacefully on December 17, 2019 at the Mala Strana Nursing Home surrounded by her loving family.
Sylvia was born on April 8, 1924 in Scott County, MN to Joseph and Helen (Novak) Cervenka.  She married Edward A. Rezac on September 19, 1944 in Veseli, MN, he was the love of her life for over 72 years.
Sylvia loved playing cards, crafting, gardening and making quilts for family and friends.

A quick start energizes any sports team.
In the case of the New Prague wrestling squad, they have received nothing but perfection from their first four wrestlers in the line-up.
“The start of our line-up continues to get us off to a great start in each dual,” New Prague wrestling coach Dan Wagner said.
“From 106-126 we have not lost an individual match. The first four weights are a combined 28-0.”
Koy Buesgens (106), Colron Bornholdt (112), Colby Dunkel (119), and Joey Novak (126) are all 7-0 and have helped the Trojans to a 7-0 start this season.

Students at St. Wenceslaus School in New Prague had a day off on Wednesday, Dec. 11, as a power outage led to the cancelling of classes. The power outage hit a portion of New Prague’s downtown around 3:30 a.m.

Nathan J. America, age 33 of Chaska, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, December 10, 2019. 
The youngest of three boys, Nate was born on January 1, 1986 in St Paul, MN, the son of Martin and Louise (Rieck) America. A graduate of New Prague High School, Nate loved the outdoors. He enjoyed hiking, fishing and archery.
He is survived by his father, Marty; brothers, Jesse and Alexander; his fifteen aunts and uncles and many cousins. He was preceeded in death by his mother, Louise; grandfather, Jesse Rieck and grandparents Joseph and Minnie America.

A 55-year-old man has died from injuries from a snowmobile crash Saturday evening.
According to the Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded around 4:40 p.m. to a report of a crash on Lexington Road near 173rd Avenue in Montgomery Township.
Officials say the driver of the snowmobile, Larry Gene Haynes, was traveling northbound on the snowmobile trail at a high rate of speed. Investigators say it appears Haynes was unable to stop before the Lexington Road crossing, ultimately striking the side of a westbound pickup truck.

Participants in the third annual Santa Speedo Dash, held by Giesenbrau Bier Co. of New Prague, make their way back to the brewery the afternoon of Saturday, Dec. 14. This year’s less than one mile race was considered a true test of being a Minnesotan as temperatures were around 12 degrees Fahrenheit and there was a brisk wind. Proceeds from the race will benefit the Minnesota-North Dakota Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Patricia Rose Ploumen, age 79, of Shakopee, MN, passed away on Tuesday, December 10, 2019, at All Saints Senior Living in Shakopee.
Pat was born in New Prague, MN, on June 4, 1940, the daughter of Martin and Emma (Pavek) Donnelly. She grew up on the family farm in Cedar Lake Township, Scott County, MN. For over 35 years, Pat was employed as a social worker for Scott County and then the State of MN.

Shortly before 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12, the New Prague Fire Department was called to a residence along First Street SE for a car fire. Firefighters and New Prague Police closed off the street between First Avenue SE and Columbus Avenue SE and directed traffic away while firefighters battled the blaze. According to early reports the car is likely a total loss. The flames also caused damage to the siding of the back of the house. For more see an upcoming print edition of The New Prague Times.

A power outage that hit a portion of New Prague around 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 11, led to the closing of St. Wenceslaus School for the day.