St. Wenceslaus Catholic School seventh and eighth graders spent Thursday night, March 17, sleeping outside in cardboard boxes to experience homelessness first-hand, to raise awareness of homelessness, learn the circumstances that often lead to homelessness, and raise money to benefit organizations that help alleviate homelessness.
According to St. Wenc teacher Jill McBroom, who helped organize the event, 42 students participated in the project, with 40 of the students spending the night outside.

New Prague VFW Post 5145 recently announced the winner and three honorable mentions for its essay contest. The participants are all students in Jill Bailey's seventh grade class and the essay theme was “How can I be a good American?” Orelia Slavik won the local contest and Annie Blaschko, Daniel Erickson, and Bella Web received honorable mention. Each of them will receive $30.

Kathleen Budin, age 92 of Northfield, passed away Thursday afternoon, March 17, 2022, at Three Links Care Center.

Robert J. Goggins, age 85, of New Prague, died peacefully on Sunday, March 20, 2022 at Praha Village in New Prague.  He was born on June 10, 1936 in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin to Patrick Henry and Anna Mae (Duffy) Goggins.  He grew up in Chilton, WI, attending St. Augustine Parochial School and graduating from Chilton High School.  He attended college for a brief time before entering the US Army for 3 years.  He attained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Math from Oshkosh State College, where he was voted prom king and served as the captain of his college baseball team.

Marie Nelson, 104, of Northfield, passed away Saturday evening, March 19, 2022, at the Long Term Care Center in the Northfield Hospital.
Arrangements are pending with Bierman Funeral Home & Crematory, Northfield. www.biermanfuneralhome.com

Beverly Bissell Graf, age 79, of Aitkin, Minnesota, formerly of New Prague, passed away at her home on Friday, March 11, 2022, with her loving family by her side.

Kathleen Budin, age 92 of Northfield, passed away Thursday afternoon, March 17, 2022, at Three Links Care Center.
Arrangements are pending with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home.  www.northfieldfuneral.com

Mary Ann Bauer, age 85, of Jordan, MN, entered eternal life on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, at Oak Terrace Senior Living, in Jordan, MN. She led a simple life by example! Mary Ann grew up with her parents instilling the values of a strong faith foundation, family closeness and working hard together.  

The St. Wenceslaus Catholic School’s All-You-Can-Eat Fish Fry on Friday, March 11, had a good catch in attendance as volunteers served 1,600 meals. Volunteers helping cook the fish, cheesy potatoes and preparing the meals were kept busy. The evening meal had crowds lined up down the hall of one part of the Parish Activity Center (PAC) to get into the PAC’s gym. While many prepaid there were those who waited to pay at the door.

This Sunday, March 20, the 14th annual Roman Barten Memorial Breakfast will benefit Emma Burns, age 3, daughter of David and Carissa Burns of rural Henderson. The breakfast of pancakes, sausages and cinnamon rolls will be held from 8 am. to 1 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 411 Fourth Ave. SW in New Prague and it is a free will donation.

The New Prague boys hockey team knew they would have to face some of the top teams in the state in their Class A State Tournament appearance last week.
Even knowing the strength of their competition, the Trojans battled and represented New Prague with the utmost integrity.
The Trojans were unseeded and faced No. 1 ranked Hermantown in their State Quarterfinals Wednesday, March 9. Hermantown defeated New Prague, 5-1, and went on to claim the 2022 Class A State Championship with a 3-2 win over No. 2 seeded Warroad.

Youth at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church performed the Living Stations of the Cross on Friday, March 4. Participants ranged from fifth grade students to New Prague High School juniors. They portrayed a very moving mediation of the Stations of the Cross with more than 100 people in attendance. Brittney LaVigne led the youth in the performance, which was preceded by a soup supper.

They may be young, but New Prague’s first all girls wrestling team shows a lot of promise. With around 23 members from kindergarten to sixth grade these young grapplers had a fantastic first season.
“We have ten girls who will compete in the girls state tournament this year,” said Simon Kallal, head coach of the team. He and his wife Sarah helped organize the team.

The New Prague School Board at its Monday, March 14, work session was updated about its three-step action plan that is in response to allegations of racial taunts at sporting events. Director of Educational Services Tony Buthe and District Equity Coordinator Termaine Fulton presented the information.

The Trojans will be heading to the Adapted Floor Hockey State Tournament this weekend which will be held at Bloomington Jefferson High School on Friday and Saturday, March 18 and 19. The local team is made up of students from New Prague, Tri-City United, Belle Plaine and Jordan high schools.
The floor hockey team finished the regular season with a record of 7 wins and 0 losses. The Trojans scored 79 goals in those 7 games and only gave up 10 goals all season. The Trojans won the southern conference and were given an automatic bid to the state tournament.

Robert F. “Bob” Vohnoutka, age 88, of Prior Lake, formerly of New Prague, died suddenly on March 14, 2022 at M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital. Bob was born on September 17, 1933 at home at Cedar Lake to Frank and Bessie (Pavlicek) Vohnoutka. He attended country school at St. Patrick and then New Prague Elementary School. Bob entered the US Air Force and served during the Korean Conflict from 1953-57. Shortly after discharge, he met the beautiful young woman who would become his wife. Delilah “Dee” Korbel and Bob were married at St.