Tom Chromy, left, tapes a message just before he tees off from the first hole at the New Prague Golf Club around 6:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 15, with him are Kurt Ruehling, PGA and Director of Golf Operations at the club, and Chromy’s golf partner Tim Neeser of New Prague. Chromy plans to shoot 65 holes in honor of his 65th birthday and raise funds for the New Prague Golf Club Junior Golf Foundation. Chromy estimated they needed 13 hours to reach the goal of 65 holes and with only about 11 hours of sunlight they needed to start early with glow in the dark golf balls.

Woody Odendahl, son of Kristina and Joe Odendahl of Webster, is obsessed with cars, especially classic cars and old cars. Woody likes cars so much that he organized a car show on Sunday, Oct. 3, where more than 60 vehicles showed up. An amazing effort for a 6 year old.
“We spent the summer taking him to as many car shows and car cruises as we could,” said Kristina in an email. “One day he decided he wanted to have his own car club, which he named ‘Steel Flame Car Club,’ and sat down and came up with his own logo and car club business cards.”

The New Prague School Board held its work shop on Monday, Oct. 11, where Director of Operations Craig Most detailed the transportation challenges that the school district is facing. The challenge is due to not having enough drivers for the school district’s bus routes. It is a situation that other school districts around the state have been facing.
Superintendent Tim Dittberner explained that there have been a variety of issues that has led to the shortage of bus drivers. He added they have had teachers and mechanics driving buses.

The Memorial Duck Cup held its Stomp the Stigma Gala at the Hotel Broz in New Prague on Friday, Oct. 8.
From top to bottom and inside and out Hotel Broz on Main Street was decked out in purple and lights by organizers of Stomp the Stigma Gala in an effort to “Light up the Darkness” and support Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention to their community and supporters. The Stomp the Stigma Gala was attended by more than 200 guests. They enjoyed music and connections with family and friends while honoring and remembering those that have suffered with a mental illness.

It was a busy evening on Thursday, Oct. 7, as the New Prague Chamber of Commerce held its Ladies Night Out from 5-8 p.m. Area businesses participated in the evening of shopping and fun as there were specials, prizes and treats for those who came out to New Prague businesses. The theme was Fall into the ‘80s with several shoppers dressing up in T-shirts with ‘80s nostalgia such as MTV or in bright clothing or as celebrities from that time. For more see an upcoming article in The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

The three public school districts that span the length of Le Sueur County have seen some positive COVID-19 cases and the quarantining of students and staff since the school year started.
Questionnaires regarding the status of COVID in the school districts were sent to the superintendents of New Prague Area Schools, Tri- City United Schools, and Waterville- Elysian-Morristown Schools last week. Of the three, New Prague reported the highest rate of positive student COVID cases, which accounts for 1.2 percent of the student body.

As students lined up at the starting line of St. Wenceslaus Catholic School’s fundraising marathon event on Saturday, Oct. 2, they, along with school staff members and parents had a lot to be excited about. The school managed to raise more funds this year than ever before.
“This year we collected more cash than we have ever done in the past,” stated Principal Kim Doyle. “We are currently sitting at around $51,000 collected from the families with more funds coming in, plus over $9,000 in funds collected by Ron McBroom. Our grand total will be well over $60,000 when all is done!”

Shane Mahowald and his parents Bob and Amy Mahowald were out at Gopher State Railway Museum, north of New Prague, on Saturday, Oct. 2, for Shane’s senior photos at Jordan High School. The family got a surprise in that members of the train museum made sure it was a day Shane wouldn’t forget.
Shane, who is high functioning autistic, had his photos taken by Kristy Johnson, who had reached out to museum member Jeff Braun in late August. “I drive by the museum often and I would see the trains,” said Johnson. She knew that when Shane was younger he loved trains.

Most people in the stands at the Trojans’ homecoming football game could have probably named the quarterback who led the home team to victory.
Even more could have probably named the newly crowned king and queen, but the majority of people in the stands—on both sides of the field—knew the name of a local eighth grader who had been recently diagnosed with cancer.

The New Prague Fire Department was a busy place the morning of Sunday, Oct. 3, as people came out for demonstrations, children’s activities and a pancake breakfast. Held from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. people could get tours of the station, children enjoyed being able to explore the fire trucks and vehicles from North Memorial Ambulance and the New Prague Police Department, trying on firefighter gear and getting a chance to operate a fire hose. Sun and temperatures around 66 degrees Fahrenheit added to the day. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times.

Ian DeGross and Emma Gullickson, front row, were crowned Homecoming King and Queen at New Prague High School’s Pep Fest in the gym on Friday, Sept. 24. Prince is Joe Blaschko and Princess is Zoey Bowe. The Homecoming Court also includes Evan Anderson, Willam Andersen, Ethan Chromy, Nicholas Geis, Aidan King, Matthew Kudrle and Luke Shepard, Faith Boyer, Calista Brotemarkle, Aaliyah Hanson, Avery Hennen, Payton Morris, Jessica Sadusky and Lindsey Simon.

New Prague Area Schools held its induction ceremony for its Hall of Fame the evening of Thursday, Sept. 23. at the New Prague High School auditorium where 10 people and one group were inducted. Those inducted for Distinguished Service were the Duck Cup Memorial, the late Chuck Kajer and the late Arnie Ambroz, for Athletics were Brad Von Bank, Ron Schoenecker, Dan O’Brien and Tamara Jackson Haecherl, for Distinguished Alumni are Tim Neeser, Todd Morris, Dr. Tom Kajer and Keith Barta. For more on the ceremony see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

New Prague area residents likely noticed over this last weekend US flags flying over the city’s Main Street by the new street lights. It is part of a flag project that was started by New Prague American Legion Post 45 and funded jointly with New Prague VFW Post 5145. There are a total of...
To see more on this story pick up the September 23, 2021 print edition of The New Prague Times.

New Prague High School is celebrating Homecoming this week with lots of activities. Students have been dressing up by themes each day this week. The annual Powderpuff game was played on Sunday, Sept. 19. The Pep Fest, coronation of the Homecoming King and Queen, the football game and the dance are this Friday, Sept. 24.
Dress Up Days for this week have been Tie Dye Day on Monday, Sept. 20, Tacky Tourist/Tropical Day on Tuesday, Sept. 21, Decade Day on Wednesday, Sept. 22, Cowboy/Comfy Day on Thursday, Sept. 23, and Trojan Pride Day on Friday, Sept. 24.

The purpose is the same, but the event that celebrates survivors, remembers those who lost their battles, and raises money to fight cancer, will look a little different this year.
Sara Slavik, one of the organizers for the Le Sueur County Annual Relay for Life, said they have adjusted the relay so it will be more of a family event. It will be held Saturday, Sept. 25 instead of the middle of July when it was held on a Friday.

Parade of Farm Pride Grand Marshals Bev, left, and Jerry Minar wave to the crowd as the parade made its way north on First Avenue SE in New Prague on Saturday, Sept. 18. It was a beautiful day for a parade with lots of sun and temperatures of 75 degrees Fahrenheit. New Prague continues Dozinky, its Czech Harvest Festival, with events on Main Street until this evening and the Showcase of Church Bands at 7 p.m. at New Prague High School. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)