Tracy Gliori of New Prague is among four women business owners from around the region who are being recognized by the Minnesota Chapter of National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO- MN). Gliori is president, TMI Coatings, Inc., St. Paul, which she purchased in 2001 from her family and has expanded over the years.

Ron Jabs, a lifelong resident of Jordan, passed away July 21, 2020 at the age of 68.  A visitation will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2020 from 1:00 – 4:00 PM at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (100 Sixth Street West) in Jordan.  Face masks are required, and guests must practice safe social distancing.

The Le Sueur County Board recently approved a pair of independent contractors to a number of projects.
But the decision to approve these individuals came with questions about their rate of pay, which will come from the CARES Act dollars which was recently approved by the federal government.
Barbara Droher Kline was approved to work with townships, cities, and Le Sueur County on COVID related planning. Her rate of pay is $75/hour.

New Prague’s Coborn’s Marketplace began asking its customers to wear masks as of Monday, July 20. According to a press release from Coborn’s Inc., the chain of stores began phasing in the policy for its Minnesota and Wisconsin locations on July 20. This is for those shopping in their Coborn’s, Cash Wise, and Marketplace Foods supermarket and liquor stores. The press release states this in consideration of CDC guidance and increasing local and state government mandates. In the event a guest arrives without a mask, a mask may be provided at the store, while supplies last.

William J. “Bill” Jirik, age 81, of New Prague, died peacefully after a long battle with heart disease on Monday, July 20, 2020 at Mala Strana Health and Rehabilitation Center.  Bill was born on March 24, 1939 in New Prague to William J. and Josephine J. (Javurek) Jirik, Sr.  He attended St. Wenceslaus Parochial School, graduated from New Prague High School, and served in the US Army Reserve for 6 years during the Vietnam War and Cuban Missile Crisis.  Bill married the love of his life, Joan M.

Russell Charles Thurston, age 81, of Eagan, passed away Friday, July 17, 2020 with his loving family by his side. He was born June 2, 1939 in Minneapolis, MN, to Oscar W. and Irene M. (nee Ganglehoff) Thurston.
Russell is survived by his children, Steven, Gregory (Melanie), and Anne (Wencel Kubes) Thurston, and Lynn (Todd) Olson; grandchildren, Tanner Thurston, Peter (Danielle McCool) Celatka, and Benjamin Olson; brother, David (Teresa) Thurston; sister-in-law, Millicent Johnson; several nieces, nephews, and other family members.

Mala Strana Assisted Living and Rehabilitation Center in New Prague has reported there are 14 residents and four staff members who have tested positive for COVID-19 The residents are quarantined on campus and the employees are currently quarantined at home. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Sharron Lynn Gillingham, age 88, of New Prague, MN died on July 15, 2020 at her home.  She was married to her love, the late Sterling Hart Gillingham for 63 years. 
She was born in Rock Bridge, WI on August 14, 1931, daughter of the late Bernard and Bernice Johnson.  Sharron graduated from Richland Center High School in 1949.  She enjoyed helping her four children understand and appreciate that lives lived most fulfilled, are those lives based on inclusivity and respect for others. 

Summer youth programming amidst a pandemic looks quite different from summer youth programming in a pandemic-free world. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in New Prague came up with a different Vacation Bible School for this summer.

There is a log jam at the top of the DRS Amateur Baseball Standings after the second full week of play.
Seven teams have one loss, led by Prior Lake with a 4-1 record and Lonsdale with a 3-1 record.
St. Patrick, Faribault, and Montgomery have 2-1 records. Union Hill and St. Benedict are 1-1 overall.
The week began with three games Wednesday, July 8.
Faribault shut out winless Shakopee, 6-0.
St. Benedict defeated Montgomery 8-1. Nick Holland and Matthias Duevel combined to allow only a first inning Mallard run.

There are people who are slowly moving back to normal due to the COVID-19 pandemic, others have been moving more quickly and some never made any changes at all. Personally I think I’ve been all over the map.

The parking lot at Bruzek Funeral Home in New Prague was part of a program across the Twin Cities Metro Area and surrounding communities the evening of Tuesday, July 7, featuring an outdoor screening of “A Breath for George.” Local theater, DalekoArts joined with other Twin Cities Metro Area theatre companies to present the free screening.

In what was described as a “patiently planned” date, FaithPoint Lutheran Church of New Prague broke ground for a new church on Sunday, July 12. A combined service and groundbreaking ceremony were held at 9 a.m. on 14 acres north of New Prague near the intersection of Redwing Avenue and 270th Street.
“We have been waiting for this moment for a long time,” said Rev. Dr. Steve Trewartha, senior pastor of Faith- Point, to the approximately 100 people gathered. “It is wonderful to be able to gather again.”

Gordon J. Malterud, age 65, of New Prague, died peacefully, with his family present after a prolonged illness at Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital – Mankato on Tuesday, July 14, 2020.  Gordy was born on May 15, 1955 in Corpus Christi, TX to James and Janet (Roberts) Malterud.  He grew up in the Mountain Iron/Virginia, MN area, moved to and finished his early education graduating from Owatonna High School.  He earned an associate degree from Austin Vo-Tech school and went on to further his education with an electrical engineering degree from the U of M and an MBA from the University of St.

Kay Schanus, age 74, of New Prague, died suddenly at her home on Monday, July 13, 2020.  Kay was born on January 27, 1946 in La Crosse, WI to Arnold and Pat (Corcoran) Forschler.  She attended and graduated from Brownsville Public Schools and went on to attend secretarial school in Winona, MN.  She worked for a short time at the University of Minnesota, then for 32 years as the medical secretary for Dr. Roger Rynda, and finally for 11 years as the friendly face behind the counter for New Prague Marketplace.  She married the love of her life, Daniel J.

The New Prague Fire Department was called to the scene of a barn fire around 7:36 a.m. on Tuesday, July 14. First Assistant Fire Chief Steve Rynda said the barn was fully engulfed when the fire department arrived. A car and van were also damaged. Firefighters kept the blaze from spreading. The homeowners Brian and Andrea Grabau said no animals were in the barn. For more see an upcoming print issue of The Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)