Elizabeth “Betty” Malecha, age 81, of Jordan, Minn., passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Sept. 13, 2023.
A time of gathering will be held in honor of Betty on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023 from 3 - 5:30 p.m. with a short prayer service starting at 5:30 p.m., all at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 104 First St. W, Jordan, Minn.
Betty will be laid to rest at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a later date.

The Parade of Farm Pride in New Prague Saturday, Sept. 16, was a fun event as there were several farm vehicles. The parade was part of Dozinky, New Prague’s annual Czech harvest festival. There was food, dancing, music and vendors, many rooted in Czech heritage. The festival will wrap up with the Dozinky Variety Show at the local high school Saturday evening. For more on the parade and other events see the Thursday, Sept. 21 print edition of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher photo)

A variety of vehicles participate in the 30th Annual Cruise Night in New Prague Friday evening, Sept. 15. Main Street was packed with spectators as vintage vehicles of all types and ages traveled a route that went out of town and back to New Prague’s Main Street. Cruise Night is part of New Prague’s harvest festival, Dozinky. The annual celebration continues Saturday, Sept. 16, with music, vendors, the Parade of Farm Pride and people celebrating their Czech heritage. For more on the weekend’s festivities check out the Thursday, Sept. 21, print edition of The New Prague Times.

New Prague High School recently announced its king and queen candidates for this year’s homecoming festivities. They are (left to right, top row) Kadyn Anderson, Grace Carlson, Hannah Langeberg, Emma Wilkins, Maryn Anderson, Avery Klein, Molly King, Katie Kotek; (bottom row) Will Seymour, Paddy O’Rourke, Sean Christenson, Satchel Johnson, Jack Hennen, Charlie Ambroz, Henry Novak and Jack Berger. Coronation of the homecoming king and queen will take place Friday, Sept. 22, at the high school’s pepfest. For more on homecoming see the Thursday, Sept. 21, edition of The New Prague Times.

There are some things I’ve yet to do such as skydiving, bungee jumping off a bridge, see a production of “A Christmas Carol” at the Guthrie Theater, see the rock band U2 in concert, visit Europe or visit New York City.
This past weekend, I did one thing I’ve never done before, although not from the above list. I went to the Defeat of Jesse James Days in Northfield. Some people may find that surprising with how long I’ve lived in the area. The simple reason is I’ve usually had other events planned at the same time as the annual festival.

The DFL Rural Caucus is hosting a legislative meeting Thursday, Sept. 21, 5 -7 p.m., at the New Prague Public Library, 400 Main St E, New Prague. Featured speakers are Rep. Kristi Pursell (D - Northfield) and Rep. Luke Frederick (D-Mankato).

If you run a school bus stop sign, local police, the state patrol or sheriff’s deputies will likely see it in living color.
A year ago, the New Prague School District’s new bus camera equipment recorded 84 vehicles running stop arms from school buses during the 2022-23 school year. All 84 were forwarded to law enforcement agencies. About half of them resulted in citations issued, said Tim Dvorak, the New Prague School District’s lead mechanic. He’s been tasked with tracking the number of violations caught on camera.

Having waited three weeks to break in the renovated tennis courts at New Prague High School, the Trojans proved the wait was worthwhile as New Prague christened the new playing surface with a win.
New Prague will host Chaska today, Sept. 14, 4:15 p.m., and then head over to Southwest Christian High School to face the Stars Monday, Sept. 18, 4 p.m. New Prague will face St. Louis Park Tuesday, Sept. 19, 4:15 p.m., at SLPHS.

The Sixth Annual Hops for Hope at Giesenbrau Bier Co. in New Prague Saturday, Sept. 9, brought in $81,000, which will go into research for the neurodegenerative diseases ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and FTD (frontotemporal degeneration).
“This was the highest net profit we’ve had,” said JeNean Erickson, who helps organize Hops for Hope, about this year’s amount. She said the funds will be divided evenly between The ALS Association and The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration.

Almost a year ago, the opportunity and pleasure of working here in New Prague became a reality.
There was much to anticipate back then.
One of the neat facets of working in New Prague is the annual Dozinky Czech harvest festival. It’s been said there are points during the coming weekend when the community’s population could swell to well over 12, 13,000 or more people. That will be really cool to see and experience.

Irene E. Busch, age 90, of New Prague, died peacefully with her family at her side on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, at her home at Praha Village.  Irene was born June 23, 1933 on the family farm to Henry and Anna (Walker) Bendzick. She grew up on the farm and had fond memories of taking raspberries to a farmer’s market in St. Paul and coming home with lemons to make lemonade.  She attended St. John Parochial School and graduated from Jordan High School.

Hannah Kallsen, age 29, passed away Monday Sept. 4, 2023.
Hannah is survived by daughter Myla, parents Matt and Shelley Kallsen, grandparent’s Gary and Joyce Kallsen, Shirley, and Harvey Olson. She is preceded in death by her grandfather William Orndorff.
Hannah studied art and psychology (B.A.) at the University of Wisconsin River Falls, (Wis). She enjoyed painting and drawing. She attended New Prague High School and Normandale PSEO.

Members of the New Prague Fire Department displayed an oversized American flag from a ladder truck overlooking Highway 21 Monday, Sept. 11, to honor the people killed in a terrorist attack 22 years ago.

Michael Ellman, age 47, of New Prague, passed away Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, at his home.

Joseph F. Leahy Jr., age 89, of Webster, died Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, his mother’s birthday, with his family at his side at Three Links Care Center in Northfield.  

Two New Prague men are facing felony weapons charges after police exercised a search warrant Tuesday, Sept. 5, at a house on the 200 block of Second Street SW in New Prague.
Sir Kristopher Rayvo’nne Adams and Justin Nielsen face alleged felony counts involving allegations of alleged removal or alteration of a serial number and ineligibility to possess firearms or ammunition.