On a sunny, fall afternoon under a clear, blue sky, Virgil Schoenecker and his son, Pete, are busy harvesting corn from the fields on land that’s been in the family for generations. Pete rents the land from his dad now, carrying on the tradition of farming that started decades ago when his great-great-grandfather, Nicholas Schoenecker, emigrated from Waxweiler, Germany in 1850 and homesteaded the original 134 acres northwest of New Prague in 1856. Farming and harvesting has been a mainstay of the community for generations.

Kristin Wornson, daughter of Dick and Cathy Wornson of New Prague, has been selected to be part of the Sedna Epic Expedition, an allwomen's team of scientists, explorers, educators, filmmakers, photographers, journalists and artists, that will take part in an expedition to the Arctic Circle.

The Winter New Prague Times Sports Season at New Prague High School gets underway Tuesday, Nov. 12, when the Trojan girls hockey team hosts Dodge County in its season opener. Game time is 7:15 p.m. The team began practice on Monday, Oct. 28.
The Trojans are coming off a 14-9-3 season under thirdyear Head Coach Taylor Ries. They lost their top two scorers in Lindsay Bjerke and Kaitlyn Blair and their assist leader in Emily Sabol, all three of whom are playing college hockey this season.

After 52 years, the Minnesota Waterfowl Association (MWA) decided to disband earlier this year. However, the 170 local members of the Scott-Le Sueur Chapter of the organization have elected to continue with their mission of working to maintain habitat for waterfowl hunting in the area.

Susan Evelyn Sticha, age 99, of New Prague, died peacefully, surrounded by her family on Friday, November 15, 2019 at Mala Strana Care and Rehabilitation Center.  Susan was born on October 30, 1920 in New Market to Frank X. and Elizabeth (Thomas) Koppen.  Raised in the New Market area, she attended St. Nicholas Catholic School.  She married Edward R. Sticha on November 6, 1939 and she joined him on the farm, where they raised their family.  She loved her chickens and ducks, liked to cook, garden, sew, play cards, do crafts, puzzles, and sing. 

The New Prague area woke up to 1-2 inches of snow Wednesday, Nov. 6, the first measurable snowfall of the season. City snowplows were on the road for the first time this season, clearing the roads for motorists.

JoAnn Lorraine (Boer) Olson was born on March 24, 1947 in Chester, SD to parents William and Lorraine Boer.  She attended school on the campus of General Beadle State Teachers College and finished high school at Madison Central.  JoAnn attended one year of college before seeking employment at John Morrell & Co.

Genevieve Terese Lepeska Rockwood died October 12 in Plano, TX. She was born February 22, 1928, in Lonsdale, MN, to Ludmilla (Schoenbauer) and John Lepeska. Genevieve “Gen” and her two brothers were raised by their maternal grandparents (Wenceslaus and Rose Schoenbauer) in New Prague, MN, following the death of their mother in 1934.

The Elko New Market City Council’s Thursday, Oct. 24, meeting included a presentation by Lakeville Area Schools Superintendent Michael Baumann. He talked to the council about Lakeville’s upcoming vote on its operating levy and bond referendum.
Elko New Market is a community split between two school districts, Lakeville and New Prague Area Schools.

Residents of Mala Strana Assisted Living and Rehabilitation Center in New Prague provide the treats during its annual Halloween Party on Thursday, Oct. 31. Children and their families were stopping by between 3:30-4:30 p.m. to get candy in the Guest Room and other treats. Plus, there were was also a craft area where children could make paper monsters they could take home or get their photo taken. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

The New Prague Swim and Dive team competed at the Wright County Varsity Conference Championship meet Saturday, Oct. 26, and Coach Cassie Jung said her team’s performance was outstanding.
"I could not have asked for a better showing at this meet," she said. "The girls absolutely blew me away by their performance. We trained hard the week leading up to this meet and they took that training and performed amazingly well. It was so fun to see them succeed in the water and on the diving board."

A business venture that began more than 20 years ago as college students has landed a pair of New Prague brothers into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame.
The O’Neills join a group of inductees that include the Peterson family, a family of musicians whose members have played locally and nationally with the likes of the Steve Miller Band, Fleet-wood Mac and Prince, Old- Tyme Concertina player Ernie Coopman, Classical pianists, vocalists and educators John and Sarah McKay, nationally-known rock group Soul Asylum, and classical guitarist and educator John Holmquist.

This weekend, most of the United States will try to remember the old adage, “Spring forward, fall back.” as Daylight Saving Time comes to an end.
Twice each year, our internal clocks get rewired as we have to adjust to a slightly new sleep schedule. It’s going to get dark earlier in the evening and the sun will be coming up earlier in the morning as well.

Marie “Bobbie” Hruska, 91, of Montgomery, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019, at Central Health Care in Le Center.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with Father George Grafsky officiating. Interment will be held in St. Joseph Cemetery in Lexington. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Animal Humane Society.

The New Prague Trojan boys cross country team had a strong showing at the Section 2AA meet Thursday, Oct. 24, at Gale Woods Farm Park in Minnetrista.
The Trojans finished fifth of 17 teams and junior Adam Brandt just missed a state berth. Brandt and Mikele Walu of Worthington finished in a virtual tie for the final spot, in 16 minutes, 54.6 seconds, but video replay showed the Worthington runner edged him out for the 13th place. Jacob Malecha finished just four seconds behind them, in 16th place.