Dancing up a storm
The St. Paul Czech & Slovak Dancers perform at the Chamber Beer Garden during Dozinky, Saturday morning, Sept. 19, in New Prague.
A sweep of the three doubles matches helped the New Prague girls tennis team to a 5-2 win over Faribault at the Farmington Triangular Saturday, Sept. 17.
At No. 1 doubles, Anna Sharkey and Savannah Ryburn won 6-1, 6-2. at No. 2 doubles, Ellie Thomas and Brooke Mensing won 6-0, 6-0. At No. 3 doubles, Abby Pint and Ava Farrell won 6-0, 6-1.
Also winning against Faribault were Carley Motz at No. 3 singles by a 6-3, 6-2 score and Iris Trygstad had the match of the day, winning three tiebreakers - 6-7(6-8), 7-6 (10- 8), and 13-11.
Mala Strana Rehabilitation Center in New Prague celebrated its 50th anniversary on Monday, Sept. 19, from 3-6 p.m. with treats, refreshments, games, music from Bob Pexa and Lenny Smisek and live broadcasts from local radio station KCHK. There were also special speakers from the community who shared memories of the nursing home along Columbus Avenue N.
When his little boy passed away due to a brain tumor in 2013, Kraig Harms entrusted many of his son Austin’s favorite shirts and blankets to volunteers who offered to use the items to make a keepsake quilt for him.
That was nine years ago. “When he kept after them, they finally gave him something that definitely wasn’t a quilt and was very disappointing,” explained Austin’s grandma, Shirley Schulz of New Prague. “They were obviously not quilters.”
It was a solid week for the Class AAA 12th ranked New Prague volleyball team.
The week opened with a pair of wins against Mankato West and Bloomington Jefferson.
It ended with a split of four matches in the 16-team Farmington Tournament.
The Trojans picked up a 25- 20, 25-20 win over Mounds View. They were then edged by Class AAAA No. 9 rated Rosemount, 25-22, 25-10. In their third match, New Prague downed Elk River 25-22, 20- 25, 16-14. The final match saw Class AAA No. 7 rated Grand Rapids pull out a 25-21, 22- 25, 18-16 victory.
New Prague High School will be celebrating its Homecoming the week of Sunday, Sept. 25 through Friday, Sept. 30. The activities start with the annual Powder Puff Football Game on Sunday, at 4 p.m. at Trojan Stadium across from the high school.
There will be dress up days with this Friday, Sept. 23, being Powder Puff Friday where students will wear their Class Colors. Seniors are black/pink, juniors are blue, Sophomores are green, freshmen are red and staff wear white.
Alan Borgen, age 67 of New Prague, MN passed away on September 19, 2022 after a 2 year battle with neuroendocrine cancer. He was born September 25, 1954 in Minneapolis, MN to Alfred and Orpha (Knutson) Borgen. As a child, Al loved playing trucks and taking naps, which he never grew out of. Some of his favorite memories include tinkering in the garage and spending time with friends and family.
Arthur J. Johnson, age 88, passed away on Saturday, September 17, 2022 in Le Sueur, MN.
He was born to the late Henning and Lulu (Gulland) Johnson, a farmer and homemaker in Leonard, North Dakota, on January 4, 1934. He was raised in the Lutheran faith and attended Hellendale #1 through the eighth grade. He graduated from Leonard High School in 1952. Upon graduation, he worked on various farms and was a shipping clerk at Newday Seed Company in Fargo.
Larry G. Ryder, age 78, of New Prague, died peacefully at home with his loving partner, Mary, at his side on Saturday, September17, 2022. Larry was born on November 26, 1943 in Rockford, Illinois to Al and Ethel (Weiss) Ryder. He graduated from West High in Rockford and went on to attain his BA degree from the University of Illinois. Larry served in Vietnam for 18 months during that war as a Navy Seabee and completed his military service after 2 years. He worked as a sales rep in the men’s clothing industry for 30 years and then finished out his career as a fireworks rep for 20 years.
Grand Marshal Julie Bisek, center, beams at the crowd during the Parade of Farm Pride in New Prague on Saturday, Sept. 17. Bisek was excited to be this year’s grand marshal for the annual parade held during Dozinky, New Prague’s Czech Harvest Festival. The day continued with food, beverages, a variety of vendors, bounce houses and the varsity softball and volleyball tournaments. Dozinky will conclude with the Variety Show at 7 p.m. at the New Prague High School auditorium. (Patrick Fisher Photo)
Heidelberg Community Day had beautiful fall weather on Sunday, Sept. 11, which is why it likely had its largest crowd for the annual celebration. Held in Heidelberg Park the annual celebration in the city six miles southwest of New Prague offered something for everyone. There were inflatable play areas for children, a large assortment of vendors for the whole family and food. There was also a Car Show for car enthusiasts. All proceeds from Heidelberg Community Day go to maintain Heidelberg Park, which is maintained by the Heidelberg Athletic Association.
Anyone who has seen the police drama “Hill Street Blues” will remember that usually one of the first scenes of each episode was a sergeant giving a duty list to a room full of police officers, plus other information that would show up later in the episode. At the end he would remind his officers, “Let’s be careful out there.” In a sense it’s not bad advice and most of us have heard it in one form or another in our lives.
The Hops for Hope ALS fundraiser in New Prague had beautiful fall weather for its fifth annual happening on Saturday, Sept. 10. Held at Giesenbrau Bier Co. there was music, food, beverages and a silent auction. Those who organize it remember those who died due to the disease ALS and offer support for those who continue to deal with it.
Michael John Lombard, age 46 of Stacy passed away on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at Methodist Hospital in Rochester.
The last two years have provided some challenges, but this Friday, Sept. 16, and Saturday, Sept. 17, New Prague’s 38th annual Dozinky harvest festival and the 29th annual Car Cruise will be back on Main Street with lots of food and fun for families and friends.
The New Prague boys cross country team placed second in the 28-team Tri City United Gerry Smith Invitational Thursday, Sept. 8 in Montgomery. Belle Plaine was the runaway winner with all five of their runners finishing in the top 20. The Tigers scored 48 points while the Trojans finished with 167 points. Stewartville placed third (189), Jordan fourth (208), and Mound-Westonka fifth (212).