With the season’s championships meets coming up, the New Prague High School track teams shined at the Giants Relays Friday, May 9, at Le Sueur-Henderson High School.
The NP girls won their portion of the meet, finishing with first ahead of Sibley East and Minnesota Valley Lutheran. The New Prague boys took second, just behind the host Giants.

New Prague High School held its Honors Night, Wednesday, May 7, with students being recognized for the arts, sports and academics. There were also several thousands of dollars awarded through scholarships. A highlight of the evening was the first ever co-winners of the Outstanding Senior Female Athlete award.
Activities Director Brad Skogerboe presented plaques to Ava Bruegger, who has been involved in girls’ swimming and diving, gymnastics and girls’ track and field, and Katie Boulanger, who has been active in girls’ volleyball, girls basketball and softball.

The New Prague City Council approved, 4-0, a recommendation at its Monday, May 5, meeting a trial basis for summer hours at city hall.
City Administrator Josh Tetzlaff recommended from Memorial Day (Monday, May 26) to Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 1) city hall hours be Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Evelyn Moore, age 100, of New Prague, died peacefully with her family at her side, on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at her home at Praha Village.  Evelyn was born April 4, 1925, to Joe and Emily (Holicky) O'Malley. She was raised on the family farm in rural Le Center along with her older sister, Eileen and younger brother, Alvin. She attended Le Center High School graduating in 1942. She was very active in school activities during high school.

New Prague High School’s baseball had some tough games lately as the Trojans went 1-4. The four losses came last week, first against Orono, 6-0, Tuesday, May 6, then 10-3 to Chanhassen, Thursday, May 8 and then a doubleheader to Chaska, Friday, May 9, with the first game 5-3 and the second 4-2. New Prague began this week with a 8-4 win over St. Louis Park, Monday, May 12.

Goodbyes are never easy, especially when a person, has invested much into a community and watched it grow. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church’s pastors, Alicia and Ben Hilding, are preparing to bid the congregation and New Prague a fond farewell.
Pastors Alicia and Ben Hilding have accepted a call to serve in a joint role at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter. They will serve as dean of Christ Chapel and chaplain of the College beginning June 1. They’ll lead their final worship service at the New Prague church Wednesday, May 21.

Claudia M. Will
It is with great sadness and immense joy, because of the gift of Heaven, that the family of Claudia wishes to inform you of the passing of our beloved mother. She was called to glory on Mother’s Day, May 11, 2025.

Bette J.

Although she grew up in New Prague, Eagle View Elementary School in Elko New Market has a special place in Kim Hoppert’s heart. It’s where her mom worked and today she is a fourth-grade teacher.
It’s also a place where Hoppert has earned the respect and admiration of her students and colleagues alike.
Hoppert attended New Prague Elementary School (known today as Falcon Ridge). She learned about the unique characteristics of Eagle View from her mom, who worked as the school principal’s executive assistant when it opened in 2006.

Like others that have been honored at the Roman Barten Memorial Breakfast, the Will family of rural New Prague found the experience almost indescribable. This year’s annual breakfast was held Sunday, May 4, at the Knights of Columbus Hall.
“It’s been absolutely mind blowing,” said Eric Will of the event. “It’s been incredible how there’s family, friends and people I don’t even know, who are here to support us.”
“I almost can’t put into words about it,” said Amanda Will. “It’s been overwhelming the amount support we’ve seen.”

Lawrence "Larry" Alvin Novotny SR., age 76, of Montgomery, died on the morning of Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at his home.
Larry was born in New Prague on March 3, 1949, to parents Alvin and Marcella (Valek) Novotny.  He went to school in Montgomery and graduated with the class of 1967.  On October 12, 1968, he was united in marriage to Alice Mahowald at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in New Prague. 

Ben was born on March 31, 1931, in Elko, MN, to Alex and Odelia (Radermacher) Zweber, and passed away May 7, 2025. He grew up in the New Market area and married Mary Haley on May 21, 1955. In 1963, they began farming together, and Ben continued farming for 40 years before retiring. Ben proudly served his country in the U.S. Army and was an active member of the St. Nicholas Knights of Columbus, where he helped organize Christmas tree sales. He was also a member of the NEW Lions and served on the boards of various agricultural organizations.

With a pair of solid wins capping an undefeated regular season, New Prague’s indoor softball team has returned to the state tournament May 16-17 at Chanhassen High School.
The bracket for the tournament has not yet been established. The tournament opens Friday evening with the semifinals, finals and consolation play slated for Saturday, May 17. By virtue of their 6-0 record, the Trojans expect a No. 1 seed in the bracket’s south division.

The New Prague Chamber of Commerce’s Ladies Night Out, Thursday, May 8, was a colorful evening. Shoppers dressed in floral patterns, following the evening’s theme of Petals & Purchases. Among those who dressed up are, left to right, Sue Wobbe, Angie Musil, Mary Lou Fradenburgh, Marge Fradenburgh, Sandy Sindelar and Emily Fradenburgh. There were 14 New Prague businesses and organizations that participated. Shoppers could get deals and prizes between 5-8:30 p.m. For more see an upcoming print edition of The New Prague Times. (Photo used with permission from Angie Musil.)

Sandy Trnka, age 72, of Montgomery, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on May 5, 2025. Born in New Prague and raised on a dairy farm outside of Veseli, Sandy was the eldest of four children and learned the value of hard work early in life. She graduated from New Prague High School in 1971 and married Robert Trnka in 1972, beginning a life filled with love, laughter, and devotion.

Chenelle Susan Johnson, of Hanover, was born December 4, 1973, in Caledonia, MN. Chenelle Susan Johnson passed away peacefully on April 19, 2025, at the age of 51, after a courageous year-long battle with leukemia.
A graduate of New Prague High School, Chenelle was active in softball, tennis, and golf - passions that continued throughout her life. She furthered her education at Dakota County Technical College, studying interior design and sales.