Thomas E. Hanzel, age 78, of New Prague died peacefully with his family at his side on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital New Prague.  Tom was born on July 16, 1943 in Mankato to Louis and Joella (Berg) Hanzel.  The family moved frequently with Louis’s job with the mill, finally settling in New Prague, where Tom completed his high school education, graduating from NPHS as the only NP athlete to letter in four sports in one school year.  He went on to Mankato State University, completing his bachelor’s degree.  He married his high school sweetheart, Deborah A.

ENM Fire Rescue Days is June 23-26 Elko New Market’s annual celebration Fire Rescue Days will be held Thursday, June 23, through Sunday, June 26. Things start on Thursday, at 6 p.m. at Wagner Park with the band The Castaways. The festival also includes the NEW Lions Steak Dinner on Friday at 5 p.m at Firehouse Grille and live pro wrestling at 8 p.m. in the Doublewide’s parking lot. On Saturday, there is the Fire Rescue Days Community Parade, beginning at 11 a.m. at Elko New Market City Hall, going west on Main Street and ending at Wagner Park.

Tuesday was the first official day of summer and it was a warm day, although not as warm and humid as the previous two days. One thing we can count on with the weather in Minnesota is that it can go from extremely cold days in the winter to extremely warm and, at times, humid days in the summer. While some enjoy the change in the weather, you can always find someone who is going to complain about it.

Brian Edel, a 1999 graduate of New Prague High School, has been selected as the new principal of DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis and will begin his tenure on Friday, July 1. Edel, son of Bruce and Jean Edel of New Prague, has been a teacher, coach and moderator at schools in Minnesota and Connecticut. Edel is coming to DeLaSalle after serving as an administrator for the past 11 years at St. Thomas Academy.

Sean O’Neill, left, talks with FOX9 New Prague Times News anchors Tim Blotz and Alix Kendall about the history and legacy of baseball at Union Hill the evening of Wednesday, June 22. O’Neill had been a player on the team and is now president of the field’s baseball association. A large crowd came out for the event and to see the Union Hill Bulldogs take on the Mayer Blazers.
The FOX9 New Prague Times News team visited with former players and had a preview of the Home Run Derby fundraiser that will be at Union Hill on Saturday, June 25.

Fourteen players scored, thirteen players had hits, and thirteen players knocked in runs for the Union Hill amateur baseball team Thursday, June 16 in a 33-3, seven inning win over Veseli.
The Bulldogs accumulated 27 hits with Sam Novak and Nathan Osborne each collecting four and Nate Lee and Jacob Becker collecting three each. Lee, Osborne, Becker, and Nathan Berg each hit home runs.
Conrad Masberg picked up the win on the mound, allowing one earned run on three hits in five innings. Novak pitched the final two innings and did not allow an earned run.

Rita Ann (Trnka) Chlan, age 89, of Webster, MN passed away peacefully surrounded by family on June 19, 2022. She was born on April 23, 1933 in Erin Township to Mathias and Helen (Brabec) Trnka of Lonsdale.

Joseph (Joe) Docken, Jr., age 88, passed away peacefully on June 17, 2022 at the Northfield Retirement Community, with his family at his side.
Joe, son of Joseph and Lillian Docken, was born in Northfield on June 26, 1933. He married Lorna (Meyer) on June 30, 1962. He raised and nurtured a family of five, tended his family’s farm homestead and served the Solor Lutheran Church community for decades.

She’s 10 and has already starred in multiple films.
Tenley Boushek, daughter of Devin and Sonya Boushek of New Prague, just completed fourth grade at New Prague’s Falcon Ridge Elementary and was recently nominated for the Best Child Actress award at Z-Fest Film Festival, an annual Twin Cities based contest-style film festival that features original, seven-minute, short films.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Tenley said. “I do a lot of auditions, and I don’t get every role, but it’s really fun when I do get one!”

Robert “Bob” Michel, 78, passed away in the Lutheran Home of Belle Plaine on Tuesday, May 24th, surrounded by loved ones. He had succumbed to illness that he had been battling for some time.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) confirmed an emerald ash borer (EAB) infestation has been found in the City of Elko New Market. City staff reported an ash tree with bark cracks and woodpecker damage in the tree canopy, a tell-tale sign of possible EAB infestation, to the MDA for confirmation.
Due to this discovery the City of Elko New Market encourages residents to look for signs of EAB. There are several things residents should look for when checking for emerald ash borer.

For the second time in a week, the New Prague baseball team held a lead against the once-beaten, No. 1 rated Mankato West Scarlets in the Section 2AAA Playoffs.
Earlier in a winner’s bracket semifinal game, the Trojans held a seven run lead but were defeated, 9-8. This loss put the Trojans into the consolation bracket of the Section Tourney.
New Prague defeated Albert Lea, 6-2, Tuesday, June 7 and shutout No. 2 seed, Mankato East, 1-0, to move into the Section Championship against West on Thursday, June 9.
For the second time, the Trojans built a...

A crowd of more than 70 people gathered at Giesenbrau Bier Co. in New Prague the evening of Wednesday, June 8, to find out more about local author Frank Shima. Before the 7 p.m. program began he signed copies of his latest book “Plum Creek” and chatted with people.

Midway through the DRS Amateur Baseball League season, there is a new leader.
St. Patrick, winner of five straight games, has risen to the top of the standings with a 6-2 record. Webster, 4-1 in their last five games, moves into second place with a 6-4 record. Montgomery, the leader for much of the early season, has dropped to third place with a 7-5 record.

This Sunday will be Father’s Day, a time that dads of all types will be celebrating with their families. There’s what we consider the traditional family, a dad and a mom, there are the single dads out there who are raising a child by themselves. Others are dads by marriage, even though technically they may be a step father, in all ways that matter they are actually a dad. Some have taken a big step and adopted a child, who grows up calling them dad. Some are foster fathers, who are trying to help a child have some stability.

Roland James Peterson was born on February 6th, 1935, in Cokato, MN.  He was the son of Theodore and Dora (Sundberg) Peterson.  Roland grew up on the family dairy farm just outside of Knapp, MN and attended the Knapp school through 8th grade, then graduated from Cokato High School in 1953.   Roland joined the army and was stationed at Fort Dix, New Jersey.  It was during this time that he met, fell in love with and married his wife, Rosalie Naughton of Clifton, NJ.  After completing a tour of military duty, Roland and Rosalie moved back to Minnesota to start a new life and family.  After wo