This Friday, June 28, will be the final day that New Prague Police Officer John Madigan will be on duty as he is retiring after a total of 27 years in law enforcement. For 21 years of that career, Officer Madigan has served in New Prague, with 15 years as the School Resource Officer.

For Deacon Bob Wagner a new chapter in his life will begin on July 1, as that is when his retirement begins after 42 years of ministry.
"I began my church ministry on August 31, 1977," said Deacon Wagner. He said he found out that date when he was filling out paperwork. "I was applying for retirement and they told me what my first day was."
At that time he was working for St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church teaching music for the church and school and taking care of the liturgy music for the weekends.

Patrick Goggins of New Prague has been appointed a District Court Judge in Minnesota’s First Judicial District by Governor Tim Walz.
Goggins will be replacing the Honorable Martha Simonett and will be chambered at Le Center in Le Sueur County.

Archdiocese Rural Life Mass at Dick and Mary Jo Hruby Farm south of New Prague

The New Prague Trojan Clay Target team won its second state championship in four years Friday, hitting 484 of 500 targets in the 40-team competition held at the Minneapolis Gun Club in Prior Lake. The Trojans’ first round saw them hit 248 of 250 targets, with three of the five shooters getting perfect 50s.

“I am not an expert, I describe myself as an enthusiast,” said Anne Jans during her presentation about kroje (Czech traditional ethnic dress) at the Tuesday, June 11, meeting of the Czech Heritage Club. Held in the second floor meeting room at New Prague City Hall, Jans had her collection of kroje.

The New Prague Trojan baseball team ended its season with a 7-2 loss to East Ridge Thursday, June 20, in the State Class AAAA title game at Target Field in Minneapolis.
New Prague took a 1-0 lead in the third inning when Collin Dorzinski stole second, went to third when the throw went into center field, and scored when the throw to third went into the dugout.

As has been reported in this paper and across the state over the past few months, the Minnesota Legislature passed a Hands-Free cellphone law that goes into effect on August 1, 2019. The new law allows a driver to use their cell phone to make calls, text, listen to music or podcasts and get directions, but only by voice commands or single-touch activation without holding the phone.

New Market continues their dominance, sitting undefeated at 16-0 in DRS League play, holding a commanding 6 game lead on St. Patrick, the 2nd place team. St. Patrick holds a 0.5 game lead on the surging Montgomery Mallards, who are winners of 4-straight, and have settled into 3rd place in the Standings. Prior Lake holds down the 4th spot to round out the top 4, which would all be in line for a bye from League Playoffs.

When did we come to the belief that history should be a pretty subject or a comfortable one? On the flip side of that question, when did we decide that it should be all dark or that one aspect of a person should define who they are throughout history? When you really dig deep into history it can be something of a conundrum. On one side it’s dirty and bloody, full of wars and revolutions. On the other, there are struggles and inspiring stories of people who worked hard for a cause even though they never saw the outcome.

Praha Village, New Prague’s new senior apartment complex, welcomed an estimated 300 to 400 people, or more, to its grand opening the afternoon of Thursday, June 13. The ceremony included a brief history of the complex, a ribbon cutting, tours, beverages and snacks as people looked through the 91 unit four-story complex at 1100 First St. SE.

For five years Hope House at 305 Columbus Ave. N in New Prague has been a temporary residence for families that have been without a home. The 1955 house, across the street from Mayo Clinic Health System in New Prague, provided a place for 72 families with 157 children to stay. Due to structural issues the building is being closed, but over the next few months Holy Trinity Lutheran Church will take up providing a place for families to stay.

Elko New Market will be offering a lot of activities during its annual community celebration, Fire Rescue Days that will be held Thursday, June 27, to Sunday, June 30.
Starting things off is a Free Family Fun Night at 6:30 p.m. tonight (Thursday) with the Fitness Boomers Obstacle Course, sponsored by the Elko New Market Parks Commission, at Wagner’s Park, 120 Park St.

Danny (Dan) Lee Standfield, age 71, of New Prague, died on Wednesday, June 19, 2019 at his home. Services will be in Farmersville, Texas.
Danny was born on November 16, 1947 in Dallas, Texas to Lee Roy and Francie Marie (Kaufman) Standfield. He was united in marriage to Carolyn Woodcock on September 25, 1965. Danny enjoyed spending time with family, helping others with addiction, working with his hands, and his fish pond.

Allen W.

The third annual Final Leg Torch Run 5K in New Prague, sponsored by Electromed, was held the morning of Tuesday, June 18, and drew 36 people. Adults and children were traveling the route by bike and rollerblades as well as running and walking it. The Torch Run is to raise awareness for Special Olympics and is done around the state. The run goes through 65 cities and covers more than 1,000 miles. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)