After rebounding from a tough loss, New Prague High School’s boys’ ice hockey team is playing well and rolling. It might not be a time to rest for the holiday break.
But New Prague coach Brad Drazan said the team will work on some of the nagging little things that still need to be cleaned up heading into the meaty part of the schedule where the Trojans will face Metro West teams. He’s planning practices over the break, workouts that include a 3-against-3 tournament.

New Prague airman finished the mission to make it home in time
He tried not to dwell on the upcoming holiday with his wife and children back half way around the world. Instead, Master Sgt. Brad Miller focused on his work each day and maintained confidence he and his fellow airmen would be home for Christmas.

One thing I’ve sometimes found baffling are people who make comments at public meetings and then don’t want it reported on. It’s the one word, “public,” that some people forget is in that aspect of a meeting.

Mental mistakes and struggles in ballhandling were costly for the boys’ basketball team as New Prague lost two home games. The Trojans lost to Centennial, 56- 51, Tuesday, Dec. 12, and to Worthington, 67-49, Friday, Dec. 15.
New Prague was on the road this week, first at Byron, Tuesday, Dec. 19. The next game is at St. Peter, tonight (Thursday), at 7:15 p.m. The Trojans will be at Lakeville North’s invitational beginning Thursday, Dec. 28.

After a much-needed win, New Prague High School’s girls’ hockey team drop a pair of tough setbacks in the past week.
Despite the losses, coach Madison Drazan sees her team continuing to work hard and putting forth the effort. Drazan wants her team to continue to press for the gritty goals, the type of goals where forwards bang a rebound by a goalie who just made the initial save.
“They’re not the prettiest, but we’ve got to be ready to score the ugly goals,” Drazan said.

Le Sueur County passed a levy and budget for 2024 at the County Board of Commissioners meeting on Dec. 12.
After breezing through monthly business, the levy and budget section of the meeting was convened after an hour recess.
County Administrator Joe Martin first gave a presentation breaking down user fees, highlighting the increases for the next year. No commentary was given by the public once the floor was opened. On a motion by David Preisler, second by David Gliszinski the user fee changes were unanimously approved.

Kyle Daniel Clark, age 39, of Montgomery, died unexpectedly at his home on Sunday, December 17, 2023.  Kyle was born on January 10, 1984, in Minneapolis to Kevin D. and Gail J. (Schneider) Clark.  He grew up in Lonsdale and graduated from Montgomery High School.  He continued his education in the electrical curriculum at Minnesota West Community & Technical College in Jackson to get his Associate Arts Degree.  He  went to Denver, Colorado, to further his education towards his journeyman license.  

Caroline Bessie Trcka, age 92, of Montgomery, died on Monday, December 18, 2023, at Mala Strana in New Prague. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 27, from 9:30-11 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. all at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with Fr. George Grafsky officiating. Interment will be held in Calvary Cemetery in Montgomery.

Dana Dallas Sibbet, age 59, of Prior Lake, MN, passed away at home on December 13, 2023.
A visitation will be held honoring Dana on Friday, December 22, 2023, from 9:30-10:45 AM, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM, all at St. Michael Catholic Church, 16400 Duluth Avenue SE, Prior Lake. Father Tom Walker will preside. Dana will be laid to rest at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred and will be used to set up a memorial to honor Dana within the show horse industry.

Mary Ellen Hrabe Simek, age 91, of New Prague, died peacefully on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at Mala Strana Health and Rehabilitation Center.  Mary Ellen was born on October 7, 1932, in New Prague to John J. and Agatha E. (Busch) Barten.  She graduated from New Prague High School and married Albert Hrabe at St. Wenceslaus Church on June 5, 1958.  After Albert died in 1986, Mary Ellen married Joseph Simek on June 21, 1991.  

Dorothy L. Dohmen, age 89, of Montgomery, formerly of New Prague, died peacefully with her family at her side on Friday, December 15, 2023.  Dorothy was born on May 6, 1934, in Primghar, IA, to Roy and Doris (Orchard) Hardin.  Dorothy met a young man, Raymond Francis Dohmen, while she was working for the Daughters of the American Revolution National Office in Washington DC.  They married on July 1, 1954, in Ft. Belvoir, VA.  

We learned this past week consumer spending in Minnesota has been at a level contributing to yet another projected budget surplus.
Wasting no time, Education Minnesota, the union representing teachers in the state, offered its opinion the state should continue to help fund teachers’ wages at a level able to address the shortage of instructors. E-12 education is already among the largest line items in the state’s biennial budget. Being a teacher is challenging and at times under-appreciated yet vitally important work.

Nancy Dorshak, age 85, of Montgomery, passed away peacefully with her loving family at her side on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at her home.  Nancy was born on October 3, 1938, in New Prague, to Ronald A. and Angeline (Meskal) Novotny.  She attended Most Holy Redeemer Catholic School, graduated as the salutatorian from Montgomery High School, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from the College of St.

New Prague High School’s club bowling team finished 11th at the state meet Dec. 3 at Concord Lanes in South St. Paul.
The Trojans finished 11th in a field of 24 teams, just 59 pins shy of a top-eight finish in the state.
The team’s scores are determined by having all five participants roll in a game. Bowlers throw the first and sixth frames, the second and seventh, the third and eighth, fourth and ninth and fifth and 10th frames.

Sheryl “Sheri” Skluzacek of Lonsdale passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family on December 12. Sheri was born on March 5, 1966, in New Prague to Donald and Grace (Sevcik) Sticha. Sheri was married 37 years to Vernon Skluzacek and together they shared a life with 3 children and 7 grandchildren with another one on the way. Sheri was a Rural Carrier in Lonsdale for 15+ years and enjoyed many activities.

For the second consecutive year, Santa will have a hideaway near New Prague where children and families can visit with him and get photos.
Santa, also known as Jim Prokes, will have visits in his sleigh in his yard along Drexel Avenue north of New Prague. People can find out when visits will be happening at Santa’s Hideaway - New Prague on Facebook.
“Last year we had no blow-up decorations, one sleigh and a little Santa (decoration),” said Santa Prokes about the first year he, his wife and daughter, Jayme, did the visits at their property.