For anyone who is a big hockey fan they are preparing for the finals of the Stanley Cup playoffs. I know it happens every year, but I still find it odd the National Hockey League (NHL) is wrapping up in what some might call spring, and others might call the first month of summer.

While there has been little progress to creating a new U.S. Post Office for New Prague, behind-the-scenes work toward a new home for a facility has continued.

The Postal Service has secured a lease for a new facility at 1102 First St. NE in New Prague, said Desai Abdul-Razzaaq of the U.S. Post Office’s Corporate Communications Office. The location is the site of the former Pizza Ranch restaurant just east of the intersection of NE 10th Ave. and E Main St. “Construction activities will begin soon,” he said.

The New Prague City Council unanimously approved two resolutions for the property at 1201 First St. NE. The first was to purchase the property for $1.7 million, which recently had been the location for New Day Church and the second resolution established procedures relating to compliance with reimbursement bond regulations.

City Administrator Josh Tetzlaff said the second resolution was if the council makes a decision that bonding for the purchase of the church is needed. At this time, the city has no intentions to bond for the purchase of the property, Tetzlaff said.

Angeline (Angie) Singer, 97, was reunited with her husband and many dear relatives and friends in heaven on May 24, 2026, at Presbyterian Homes in Bloomington, MN. Angeline (Pexa) Singer was born on October 11, 1928, in her parents’ farmhouse in Helena Township, Scott County, Minnesota. 

Lanny Carlton Anderson of New Prague, MN, born on March 8, 1939, in Appleton, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on May 27, 2026.

Mary K. (Bruzek) McDonald, age 87, formerly of Roseville, passed away on May 25, 2026. Mary was born March 14, 1939. 

She was receded in death by husband, Dr. William McDonald; parents, Ben & Katharine (Heinen) Bruzek; and sister, Sally Schmid.

She is survived by daughters, Ann Murray (David Eisenlord), Susie (Ron) Burke, and Katie (Jerry) Clark; grandsons, Joshua, Andrew, McCarthy, and Riley; sister, Peggy (Tom) Baldwin; and brother-in-law, Gene (Ann) Schmid.

Harry J. Handzlik, age 85, of New Prague, passed away on May 27, 2026.

Harry grew up in Chicago, Illinois. After graduating from high school, he proudly served his country in the United States Navy for six years. Following his military service, he moved to Minnesota, where he worked at Motorola and later at Control Data in electronics. While working there, he met his first wife, Marilyn. Together they built their home and began raising their family.

When he thought about a contribution to the committee raising funds to build the Praha Outdoor Performance Stage (POPS) in New Prague, Eddie Shimota might have been able to cut a check and be done with the matter. But Shimota, owner of Shimota Project Management, noticed the committee had plenty of generous, dedicated and talented people, but none of them with much experience building anything.

The New Prague Trojans rallied in their first game, 5-4, of the Section 1AAAA baseball tournament, Monday, May 25. In the bottom of the seventh inning of the game at Memorial Park, the Trojans, seeded third, scored four times to beat Lakeville South, seeded sixth. (Further details of the game were not available as of press time.)

Understanding the cost of freedom was a theme in the speech of New Prague’s Memorial Day speaker, Chief Master Sergeant Jamy Tikalsky, Monday, May 25, during ceremonies at the New Prague Veterans Memorial.

Tikalsky dedicated 31 years to serving the U.S. She served in the U.S. Air Force and the Minnesota Air National Guard. During her career, she supported multiple military operations, including Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom.

After a tough loss in the opening round of the Section 1AAAA playoffs, New Prague has rallied with a pair of wins and has earned a chance at playing the role of spoiler. The Trojans were slated to take on Lakeville South Tuesday, May 26, in Austin after the newspaper’s press deadline.

Any New Prague High School graduate who was asked Saturday afternoon agreed postponing the ceremony to Saturday afternoon, May 23, 2 p.m. was the right decision. On a sunny afternoon, 343 seniors joined the ranks of graduates ready to begin the next chapter of their lives.

Rain before and up to the commencement ceremony’s scheduled 7 p.m. start time Friday evening prompted the rescheduling of the ceremony to Saturday.

The Minnesota Legislature called it a day Sunday, May 18, taking credit in the House for working together for the good of the state and its citizens as mature adults ought to do. People working together for a common good, compromising and acting reasonably in a legislative session will oftentimes occur when the two major parties enjoy equal representation.

And yet, the Minnesota House of Representatives weekly news service makes it sound like such bipartisan cooperation is to be celebrated rather than expected. Sadly, it is.

Hundreds of people attended the retirement open house for Pastor Steve Trewartha, Saturday, May 16, at the Knights of Columbus Hall in New Prague. Trewartha, more known as “Pastor Steve,” has served as a pastor in New Prague for more than 20 years and is the founding pastor of FaithPoint Lutheran Church of rural New Prague.

Tomorrow evening, Friday, May 22, New Prague High School’s Class of 2026 and seniors from the community, regardless of where they attend high school will join the ranks of high school graduates this community has a right to be proud of and hold in high esteem. Young people are the future of this community, its future leaders, its someday civic leaders, its elected representatives of a community looking up to you.

In Memorial Day ceremonies that will be repeated across the United States, New Prague will honor and remember those who served and who gave all, Monday, May 25, with services at area cemeteries and at memorials.

The day will include ceremonies at the New Prague Veterans Memorial in Memorial Park along East Main Street. In case of inclement weather, the program at the veterans memorial will be held in the Park Ballroom, 300 Lexington Ave. S.