Maria J. “Mary” Vesters, age 92, of Kenyon, died on July 1, 2019 at 3 Links Care Center in Northfield.

New Prague's annual Fireworks Display was held Wednesday evening, July 3, near the New Prague Middle School. Many people showed up for an evening of fun, highlighted by an approximately 20-minute fireworks show presented by RES Pyrotechnic. Showered earlier in the day worried the event's sponsors, but the rain cleared, and many people showed up for the fun.

Joseph William Connolly, 74, passed away Saturday, June 29, 2019, at his home in Le Center surrounded by his loving family.
Visitation will be held Friday, July 5 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, July 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Le Center. Funeral service will be held Saturday, July 6 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Le Center with Father James Stiles officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Le Center Area Veterans Honor Guard. Interment will be at St. Henry Cemetery.

Kathleen E. Bruzelius, age 77, of New Prague, died peacefully in her sleep on Monday, July 1, 2019, surrounded by her husband and family, some near and some far—but all dear. Kathleen was born on April 22, 1942 in San Rafael, CA to Edward and Helen (Truelson) Mullin.  She graduated from Talent High School (Talent, OR) in 1960 after marrying her husband, Kenneth Bruzelius, on May 9, 1959 at the Assembly of God Church in Medford, Oregon. The couple celebrated their 60th Anniversary this spring.

Agnes Gill, of St. Thomas, passed away on Friday, June 28, 2019 at the age of 91. She was surrounded by her loving family as she transitioned to heaven to be with her beloved husband Alois. 
 

Elgin W. Skluzacek, age 78, of Kandiyohi, passed away May 31, 2019 after a brief, unfair fight with cancer. Preceded in death by parents William and Mary (Sticha) Skluzacek of New Prague , sister Ethel Jacobson, and son William F. Skluzacek. Survived by wife Patricia; sons Guy (June) Skluzacek & Jerry Skluzacek; daughter Erika (Chris Rummenie) Skluzacek; 5 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Elgin was: an avid gardener; a lover of nature and history; a collector of rocks and memories; a good man, a good husband, a good father. He was. He still is.

Thursday, July 4, is celebrated as the birthday of the United States, and many area communities will be celebrating Independence Day with fireworks and other festivities. In the immediate area, New Prague, Lonsdale and Veseli will hold their traditional fireworks displays, as will other communities in Scott, Le Sueur and Rice counties. Here are some of the highlights.

The New Market Muskies didn’t play any league games last week, but they clinched a bye into the double-elimination portion of the Region 3C playoffs. The Muskies have a 16-0 record and a 5-1/2 game lead over second-place St. Patrick with the season entering its final four weeks. The top four teams get first-round byes, with the remaining teams competing in best-of-three series to qualify for the region playoffs. Besides New Market, St. Patrick, Montgomery and Prior Lake currently hold on to the top four spots.
New Prague, Montgomery and Faribault each won two games last week.

This Friday, June 28, will be the final day that New Prague Police Officer John Madigan will be on duty as he is retiring after a total of 27 years in law enforcement. For 21 years of that career, Officer Madigan has served in New Prague, with 15 years as the School Resource Officer.

The spring activities season at New Prague High School came to an end last week, and what an end it was.
On Thursday, June 20, the Trojan baseball team competed for the Minnesota State High School League Class AAAA championship - eventually losing to East Ridge 7-2. The team played in front of a large crowd that weathered a three-hour rain delay, pushing the scheduled 7 p.m. starting time back to 9:30, and the game ended about 11:30 p.m.

For Deacon Bob Wagner a new chapter in his life will begin on July 1, as that is when his retirement begins after 42 years of ministry.
"I began my church ministry on August 31, 1977," said Deacon Wagner. He said he found out that date when he was filling out paperwork. "I was applying for retirement and they told me what my first day was."
At that time he was working for St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church teaching music for the church and school and taking care of the liturgy music for the weekends.

UPDATE: 6/27 11:05am - phones are back up.
Currently (6/27 10:15am) our phone lines are down. Bevcomm is working on the issue. Thank you for your patience.

Patrick Goggins of New Prague has been appointed a District Court Judge in Minnesota’s First Judicial District by Governor Tim Walz.
Goggins will be replacing the Honorable Martha Simonett and will be chambered at Le Center in Le Sueur County.

Archdiocese Rural Life Mass at Dick and Mary Jo Hruby Farm south of New Prague

The New Prague Trojan Clay Target team won its second state championship in four years Friday, hitting 484 of 500 targets in the 40-team competition held at the Minneapolis Gun Club in Prior Lake. The Trojans’ first round saw them hit 248 of 250 targets, with three of the five shooters getting perfect 50s.

New Market continues their dominance, sitting undefeated at 16-0 in DRS League play, holding a commanding 6 game lead on St. Patrick, the 2nd place team. St. Patrick holds a 0.5 game lead on the surging Montgomery Mallards, who are winners of 4-straight, and have settled into 3rd place in the Standings. Prior Lake holds down the 4th spot to round out the top 4, which would all be in line for a bye from League Playoffs.