Daniel R. Shetka, age 69, of Richfield, died suddenly while helping a friend on Saturday, September 28, 2019.  Dan was born on November 29, 1949 in St. Paul to Richard R. and Celia A. (Kopet) Shetka.  He grew up in the Veseli area, attended Most Holy Trinity Catholic School. He was an active 4-H member during his school years.

A kickoff return by Nathan Osborne and a fumble recovery and return by Will Busch gave the New Prague Trojans a 14-0 lead before they had even run an offensive play in their Big Southeast District game at Rochester John Marshall Friday, Sept. 27.

The New Prague City Council approved a change in its preliminary 2019 property tax levy for taxes payable in 2020 at its special Wednesday, Sept. 18, meeting. The council amended the preliminary levy, increasing it by $1,811.

New Prague’s Charles Borak Post 45 of the American Legion is celebrating its 100th anniversary Friday, Sept. 27, with a celebration at the Park Ballroom.

The New Prague Trojan girls soccer team split a pair of Wright County Conference matches last week, defeating Glencoe-Silver Lake 5-0, and losing to Waconia 1- 0.
The Trojans were scheduled to face Watertown- Mayer Tuesday, Sept. 24. They host Rockford Thursday, Sept. 26, and will play at Delano Monday, Sept. 30. Their match against Lakeville South scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 28, has been moved to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2. The Trojans close their regular season Thursday, Oct. 3, when they host Hutchinson.

The New Prague Area School Board set its 2020 preliminary property tax levy at “maximum” level during its meeting Monday, Sept. 23.
Sandy Linn, the district’s Director of Finance, requested the move to give the district flexibility as it works on finalizing its 2019-20 budget. The district is required to set a preliminary levy by September 30 in preparation for the December Truth in Taxation hearing, after which they set the final levy. At that meeting, the amount of the levy can be lowered, but cannot be increased from the preliminary figure.

Novotny, Gillard, age 84 of South St. Paul, passed away September 25, 2019 at United Hospital in Saint Paul, MN. Preceded in death by his wife, Marion, parents Martin & Mary Novotny, and siblings, Stella Vlasak, Marty Novotny, Millie Morin, and sister-in-law Donna Beckers.

The New Prague Trojan boys cross country meet had two good showings last week. On Tuesday, Sept. 17, they competed at the Waconia meet, placing fifth of 15 teams, and on Saturday, Sept. 21, they competed in the Milaca Mega meet, placing 16th of 29 teams in Division 4, for the largest schools.
Waconia meet New Prague finished with 147 points, placing fifth behind first placee Buffalo, with 44, Mankato East with 64, Chanhassen with 96 and Delano with 131.

The New Prague Trojan girls swim and dive team hosted Waconia on Thursday, Sept. 19. The Trojans swam well, but lost to a strong Wildcat squad by a 109-77 score.
"It was a great meet. We really challenged a top team," Coach Cassie Jung said.
"The Wright County Conference is a tough one, but the girls are exceeding all expectations and swimming so well this season."

Ruth Dietz, age 92, of New Prague, died peacefully on Saturday, September 21, 2019, at Mala Strana Rehabilitation Center in New Prague.
Ruth was born on December 11, 1926, in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Leo and Marie (Babineau) DeLisle. Ruth graduated from Catholic high school in Minneapolis. She met Alvin M. Dietz at the Prom Center and they later married in Minneapolis on May 14, 1960. In addition to raising her family in New Prague, Ruth also worked at Hendricks chick hatchery, Cedar Lake Farm, bookkeeper for Rademacher Photography, and seamstress for Valley Fair.

A brief downpour at about 10 a.m. gave a wet start to Saturday's Dozinky festivities in New Prague, but for the most part, except for a few sprinkles, it didn't rain on the Dozinky Parade of Farm Pride. Parade grand marshal Tom Goetzinger, right, with his wife Kim, waved to the crowd at the start of the parade. Dozinky continues with music, activities, food and drink until 7 p.m.

The New Prague Trojans had a win within their grasp Friday, Sept. 20, scoring a go-ahead touchdown with 15 seconds left in the game.
But Mankato West heaved a 54-yard Hail Mary pass inside the five yard line, and Spencer Spaude grabbed onto the ball and slipped into the end zone as time expired to give the Scarlets, ranked No. 10 in Class AAAAA, a 40-35 win at Trojan Field.
It was the Trojans’ third straight game against a ranked team.

New Prague High School announced its Homecoming Royalty candidates for 2019. They are (front row, left to right) queen candidates Sadie El-Wailli, Carly Berglund, Kate Seymour, Maggie Jirik, Olivia Schmitz, Emily Russo, Amanda Giesen, McKenna Vacek; (back) king candidates Joe Becker, Jack Kreutzian, Seth Dorner, Mitch Callahan, Parker Johnson, Will Busch, Wyatt Zack and Emmett Bartyzal. Homecoming week is September 29-October 6. Coronation will be during a pep fest at 11:15 Friday, Oct. 4. The Homecoming football game is that evening against Rochester Century.

The Tri-City United School District lost one of its own Friday morning when Carol Lilla passed away.
Lilla taught Math and Computer Science at TCU High School.
She has been a teacher in the Montgomery area for 46 years, starting at Most Holy Redeemer, then Montgomery-Lonsdale and Tri-City United. She coached sports for several decades.
When she retired from coaching in 2014, Lilla said she entered teaching and coaching because she loves working with kids. She was devoted to her career and students who often saw her at all of the high school events.

New Prague’s Dozinky Festival began with Cruise Night on Friday, Sept. 20, as more than 300 vehicles of vastly different shapes, forms and models made their way down the city’s Main Street. The evening was a beautiful one as sunny skies and temperatures in the 80s brought out a large crowd lining Main Street. The evening continues with the band IV (Fore) Play performing at the Chamber Beer Garden’s stage until midnight. New Prague’s Czech harvest festival will begin the morning of Saturday, Sept. 21, with vendors, food, entertainment, sports and the Parade of Farm Pride at 12 p.m.

Anne Stroening, left, Amanda Myers and Alexandra Stroening found the 2019 First Bank & Trust Dozinky Medallion on Thursday, Sept. 19. The three New Prague women were searching in an area between Falcon Ridge Elementary School and Trojan Stadium and Alexandra found it tucked under the bench they are sitting on. They have been on the hunt for the medallion since clue one. They said the $300 grand prize will go back into Dozinky in the form of refreshments. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)