Elko New Market’s new Police Chief and Emergency Management Director Brady Juell, left, takes the oath of office for his position from Mayor Joe Julius. The ceremony was held during the Elko New Market City Council’s Thursday, April 11, meeting. Chief Juell said he is excited and the community and citizens have been welcoming. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Geraldine D. “Geri” Bell, age 94, died peacefully, April 11, 2019 at St. Gertude’s Health and Rehabilitation Center in Shakopee.  She was born April 23, 1924 in New Prague, MN to Richard F. and Wilhelmine C. “Minnie” (Zoschke) Ruehling.  She grew up in rural New Prague and attended Scott County District School, Friedens Parochial School, Le Sueur County District School and graduated from New Prague High School.  She married Otis T.

Albert Milgrom grew up in Pine City, a community about an hour north of the Twin Cities that included a large Czech population. While he wasn’t Czech himself, he said as a boy, he could speak a little Czech and when he was at friends’ homes, Czech food was often on the table.
In the 1970s, the film maker heard about a polka band playing at the Veseli Ho- Down. The band leader had the same last name as one of his childhood friends, so he decided to find out if there was any relation.

Last year around this time we were hit by a spring snowstorm that took many people by surprise. As I write this, there’s a possibility of a repeat this week of that type of weather. Or maybe not. When it comes to weather in Minnesota I’m usually of the mindset I’ll wait and see what happens.

BY: Lori C. Melton, University of Minnesota, Duluth
If Maizie Deihl’s story was a musical, it would look like this:
In the first act, the honors student works through her exercise science classes. As the curtain rises on the second act, we see the sophomore on the court, helping the UMD Women’s Basketball team have one of their best seasons ever. Then, in the final act, the music swells, as our star takes center stage and bursts into song. It turns out that Maizie, while talented in academics and athletics, rather unexpectedly has the heart of a thespian.

The New Prague Trojans opened their softball season with a 6-5 win over Chaska Monday, April 8, at home.
Chaska scored two in the top of the first, but the Trojans came back with a run in the bottom, with Kennedy Buckman scoring on a hit by Mia Kraimer. New Prague added two in the bottom of the second to take a 3-2 lead, and extended it to 4-2 with a run in the third.

New Prague Area Schools (PreK-12) will be closed on Thursday, April 11th due to inclement weather. Today will be a Blended Learning day. http://np.isd721.org/BLD-parent-letter
WRAP & Kids Company will be open to registered participants from 8 am – 5 pm. Raven Stream Kids Company report to Falcon Ridge Elementary.
The Fitness and Aquatic Center will be open to regularly scheduled hours.
All evening activities are canceled.

The New Prague Trojan boys tennis team opened its season Thursday, April 4, with a 7-0 loss to St. Peter.
"It was our first match of the year, we showed our beginning of the season jitters," said Coach Ben Hilding. "St. Peter is known for a reputable tennis program, and they beat us with strong singles play and sound doubles play."
Evan Zimmer led the charge for the Trojans with a close match against their hard-hitting No. 1 player, losing 6-1, 7- 5.

The New Prague Trojan boys track and field team competed in two meets last week, placing third of seven teams at the Faribault Invitational Tuesday, April 2, then fourth of five teams at the Orono Indoor meet on Thursday, April 4.
The squad is scheduled to host a five-team meet Thursday, April 11, but that meet is not expected to take place due to a winter storm forecast for the area. Their next scheduled meet is Tuesday, April 16, at Orono.

It’s Severe Storm Awareness Week in Minnesota. What better way to celebrate than with an old fashioned April snowstorm.
That’s right, a winter storm is expected to hit the area late Wednesday and continue through to Friday. Depending on the storm track and other conditions, we could get anywhere from six to 15 inches of snow, potentially rivaling last year’s April snowfall.

Sharon R. Tietz, age 81, of New Prague, died peacefully, surrounded by her family at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital on Tuesday, April 9, 2019.  Sharon was born on August 3, 1937 in Montgomery, MN to Leonard and Elsie (Pollack) Simonette.  She attended Holy Redeemer Parochial School and graduated from Montgomery High School.  She married the love of her life, Daniel H.

Minnesota’s annual Miss Czech Slovak pageant will be held on Saturday, April 13 at the American Legion Club in Montgomery.
The 30th annual pageant that encourages and promotes the heritage, culture and traditions of the Czechs and Slovaks in Minnesota will be held at the American Legion Club. The evening includes a public reception, ethnic dinner, pageant and dance.
Public Reception

Marcella H. “Marcie” Hadac, age 97, died peacefully, with her family present on her birthday, April 8, 2019, at Mala Strana Rehabilitation Center.  She was born in 1922 in Wheatland Township, Rice County, MN to Ladislav J. “Laddy” and Anna A. (Pavek) Novak.  She grew up in the Veseli area and attended Most Holy Trinity Catholic School.  Due to the depression, she had to leave school at age 14 and worked for local farm families to help with family expenses.  She married Edward M.

Henry Joseph Simon, 84, of Montgomery, passed away on Sunday, April 7, 2019, at Mala Strana Health Care in New Prague.
Visitation will be on Friday, April 12, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Schoenbauer Funeral Home. Mass of Christian burial will be on Saturday, April 13, at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with visitation one hour prior at the church. Father Victor Valencia will be officiating. Private family interment at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the American Heart Association.

Milton W. Jasan, age 85, passed away on Friday, March 29, 2019 after a year-long battle with cancer.
Milton was born on June 13, 1933 in Veseli, MN to Thomas and Mary (Hrabe) Jasan. He was raised in Veseli and attended Most Holy Trinity Catholic School. He then enlisted in the US Navy where he was an ordnanceman.

Friedens Evangelical Lutheran Church, west of New Prague, was offering a different take on Easter egg decorating during its Easter for Kids on Saturday, April 6. Children could draw lines on a hard boiled egg as it was spun by a machine. The young artists could then color the egg in dye. There were 32 children that took part in the annual event that offered cookie decorating, Easter stories and egg hunts. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)