Anya Menk, a 2018 graduate of Tri-City United High School and 2022 graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, recently completed her first jazz studio album.

I got a message from an ex-girlfriend on Facebook the other day. We actually talk periodically and sometimes manage to play a game of Ticket to Ride or Codenames online. There is a lot to be said about this person, and many people in my life.
The story involving her that I am thinking of now stems back to one of the regular visits she was on here with me. At the time, she lived in Michigan and I lived in the Fargo-Moorhead area, where I went to college. It was her turn to visit me.

Registration has passed for the parade and Bohemian Market but there are still many items to register for that are coming up in preparation for Kolacky Days. Items not listed below either have deadlines that have passed or registration happens on site the day of the event.
July 11 - Tour De Bun Bicycle Classic early registration is due. Late registration available up to the event on July 29.

Governor Tim Walz and Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen visited the Heldberg Dairy Farm, owned and operated by Karl Heldberg, south of Le Sueur the afternoon of July 6 to talk dairy and agriculture. The governor and commissioner spent a great length of time speaking with Heldberg and exchanging thoughts about farmers, their struggles and the state of the dairy industry in Minnesota.

St. Patrick’s Trevor Divinski and Ryan Friedges combined for a shutout win over the Orioles Wednesday, June 28, in New Prague.
The Irish jumped to a 2-0 lead in the opening frame and held New Prague scoreless. St. Patrick added another three runs in the seventh inning. Ben Taxdahl led the Irish offense with a two-run home run while Joe Weiers drove in two RBIs.

Businesses and residents woke up with surprise the morning of July 5 when barricades were placed at intersections all along Highway 13 south of Lexington Avenue.

Rudolph J. Skluzacek, age 92 of Lonsdale, Minnesota, went home to the Lord on July 1, 2023.
He was born May 29, 1931 to Frank J. and Hedwig (Pekar) Skluzacek on the home farm in Wheatland Township.
Rudy farmed on the family century farm his entire life.  He also was employed at McQuay, in Faribault, and McNamara Construction. 
He served his country in Alaska during the Korean War.  He was a proud, active, lifetime member of the American Legion Post 586 for 71 years. 

Runners from New Prague and the area were well represented at Grandma’s Marathon and the Gary Bjorklund Half-Marathon earlier this month.
New Prague’s Garren Hamby, 43, finished the Grandma’s Marathon between Two Harbors and Duluth in 3 Hours, 20 minutes, 43 seconds. He finished 1,308 of 6,689 marathon runners.

Even though Mother Nature dumped more than a half of an inch of much-needed rain on the afternoon of Saturday, June 24, it didn’t deter people from attending the annual Fireman’s Relief Dance later in the day and into the night.
Fire Chief Kenny Pavek said, “The dance went well considering the weather we had Saturday. We had some storms come through just as Charlie Sticha had started playing. We had to do a few repairs on tents, and it rained for about an hour, keeping the crowd away. After the rain, the weather was alright, but the crowd was down from years past.”

Kolacky Days held a festive Meet and Greet event Monday evening, introducing the Grand Marshall for this year’s event and a chance to get to know the current and competing royalty.

New Prague and other communities in the area will be celebrating the July 4th holiday with everything from parades to music to boat parades to fireworks.
New Prague The evening of Monday, July 3, will be the New Prague Fireworks Show. Events are east of the New Prague Middle School, beginning at 6 p.m. there will be Kona Ice, Dawgs on the Run, face painting and free massages. The national anthem will be sung by Linda Fahrenkamp with the fireworks at 10:10 p.m.
Elko July 1st at Dusk, Elko Speedway

Air quality is expected to reach the orange AQI category in southern, east central, and northeast Minn., which is unhealthy for sensitive groups.

James “Tony” Anthony Stage, age 60 of Montgomery passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at Methodist Hospital in Rochester, MN surrounded by his loving family after a courageous 10-month battle with cancer.

Montgomery Mallards 1, Elko Express 8

Pounding out 15 hits, Union Hill thumped Shakopee, 12-1, Sunday, June 18, at Joe Schleper Stadium.
The Bulldogs blew the game open in the third inning after Nate Lee and Adam Giesen scored in the second inning and Eric Berg crossed the plate, upping the lead to 3-0 in the fourth. Union Hill added two more runs when Adam Giesen and Jack Giesen both scored to give the Bulldogs a 5-0 lead after five innings.

Air quality alert issued due to ozone for Tuesday, June 20, through Thursday, June 22, for central and southern Minn.
Air quality is expected to reach the orange AQI category in central and southern Minn., which is unhealthy for sensitive groups.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued an air quality alert for central and southern Minn., effective from noon on Tuesday, June 20, through 9 p.m. on Thursday, June 22. The affected area includes central and southern Minn., and the tribal nations of Leech Lake, Mille Lacs, Upper Sioux, and Prairie Island.