On Saturday morning, a large crowd will gather at Memorial Park in New Prague for the 34th Annual Run New Prague Half Marathon, 10K, 5K and Kids Fun Run.
With hundreds of runners expected to attend, it is important to realize that this event wouldn’t happen if it weren’t for the many people who volunteer their time to help New Prague put on a first-class, quality event.

New Prague’s Adapted Softball team travelled to East Ridge High School Thursday, April 25, where they lost a 14-3 contest to the South Washington Thunderbolts.
New Prague just couldn't seem to get in the rhythm, coach Shellie Kriha said. “We allowed too many runs and didn't produce hits on offense,” she said.
South Washington took a 4-0 lead in the first, but New Prague got hits from Evan Minar and Shane Friedrick before Breanna Stark drove in the team’s first run.

The weather held out long enough for the New Prague Trojan girls golf team to compete in three tournaments last week. Two of them were Wright County Conference meets at Baker National and the other was the New Prague Invitational.
The Trojans have two meets scheduled for the week ahead. They compete in the Northfield Invitational at Willingers GC Thursday, May 2, and will host a rescheduled WCC East Meet at CreeksBend GC on Monday, May 6.

Big innings led to big wins for three Dakota-Rice-Scott League baseball teams on the first day of the regular season Sunday, April 28.
New Market scored eight runs in the 11th inning to defeat St. Benedict 10-2, Prior Lake used a nine-run sixth to power their way to a 13-3 win over Shakopee and St. Patrick broke open a close game with a seven-run seventh inning to claim an 8-0 win over Lonsdale. Also on Sunday, Faribault defeated Webster 7-4, Veseli defeated Union Hill 4-3 and Montgomery registered a 4-0 win over New Prague.

Tug-O-War was one of the 28 activities students at Falcon Ridge Elementary School in New Prague could participate in on Friday, May 3, during ACES (All Children Exercising Simultaneously) in the Sun. Students began the program at 1:30 p.m. and at the end were able to enjoy popsicles with their classes. Teachers supervised their classes with the help of parent volunteers. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

On June 26, Karen VonBank will be bringing to a close more than 42 years of being a daycare provider. She actually came to the decision back in 2018, in April of that year she informed the families of the children she was caring for that she would be retiring.
Before her retirement, she received on Thursday, April 25, the Scott County Daycare Provider of the Year Award. It is the third time she has been honored, her first time to receive the award was in 1990 and the second was in 2005.

Irma Emma Kohout, 95, of Montgomery, passed away on Thursday, April 25, 2019, at The Lutheran Home in Belle Plaine. Private family services will be held. Interment will be held in Calvary Cemetery in Montgomery.
Irma was born on January 1, 1924 in Rice County to William and Anna (Hanek) Turek. Irma was united in marriage to Edward Filipek on February 12, 1941, and to Edward Kohout on May 4, 1973.

Kenneth James “Ken” Pasek, age 64, of Montgomery, died Wednesday, April 24, 2019, at his residence in Montgomery.  Ken was born on April 18, 1955 in New Prague to James C. and Alice Marie (Kroyer) Pasek.  He grew up in New Prague and graduated from New Prague High School.  During high school, he worked for Bilek Bakery and immediately after high school, he began work at the flour mill and worked there until 2011.  Ken loved music, movies, and show cars.

Gilbert Ray Schoenbauer, age 81, of Jordan, died peacefully, surrounded by his family on Friday, April 26, 2019, at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital. Gilbert was born on July 31, 1937 in Helena Township, Scott County, MN to William and Walburga (Busch) Schoenbauer. He was raised in the St. Benedict area and attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic School and New Prague High School and was a member of the US Army Reserve. He married the love of his life, Shirley Valek on May 10, 1958 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lonsdale.

The group of (left to right, front row) Ashlyn Osborne, Courtney Dragone, Maggie Jirik, Georgia Trygestad; (back row) Evan Zimmer, Nathan Osborne, Dylan Shimek and Brady Aune had completed the Grand March during Prom at New Prague High School’s gym on Saturday, April 27. More than 300 couples were taking part in the annual Prom. The evening continued at the Park Ballroom with dinner and a dance. An After Prom Party would be held later in the evening. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

In celebration of Arbor Day, Rice County Master Gardeners gave away free tree seedlings from the Minnesota DNR at the Lonsdale Feed Mill on Friday, April 26 from 3:30 p.m. until gone.

The New Prague Fire Department put out a grass fire near the intersection of 10th Avenue SE and 300th Street in Le Sueur County around 2 p.m. on Friday, April 26. The property owner, Bevcomm, was burning some brush, which they had a permit for, when the fire got out of hand. The fire department quickly had the flareup under control. Also on scene was the Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Office. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

"Own it!"
That was the simple message St. Peter city administrator Todd Prafke told members of the New Prague Economic Development Authority and the New Prague Chamber of Commerce when the two held a joint meeting Wednesday, April 17, in the New Prague City Hall.

In about a year, the landscape of New Prague’s Main Street will be changing.
A major reconstruction of State Highway 19 - New Prague’s Main Street - will take place next summer. Beginning from just west of the stoplights at 10th Avenue on the east side to the four-way stop intersection with Highway 21 on the west side, the entire pavement will be removed, underground utilities - many of which are 100 years old - will be replaced, including connections into buildings, and a new roadway will be put in place - hopefully to last another 100 years.

Joseph “Joe” William Schatz, 70, of Lexington, passed away on Wednesday, April 24, 2019, at his home. Visitation will be on Tuesday, April 30 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Le Center Funeral Home in Le Center. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 1 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Le Center, with visitation one hour prior at the church. Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Lexington.
Joe was born on April 8, 1949, in Faribault to Joseph and Marian Katherine (Stasney) Schatz. Joe was a graduate of Montgomery High School and Austin Jr. College.

The New Prague Trojans adapted softball team opened its season with a 12-5 loss to Chaska/Chanhassen/Shakope e/Prior Lake, then rebounded with a 15-5 win over South Suburban last week. Both games were at home.
The Trojans will play South Washington Thursday, April 25, at East Ridge High School in Woodbury, then play at South Suburban Tuesday, April 30, at Bloomington Jefferson. They return home Thursday, May 2, facing Burnsville/Farmington/ Lakeville.