For 17 years Jen and Jason Schmit have ben helping providing warmth for others by collecting blankets and coats.

“We wanted to do something to help others,” said Jen, adding they also wanted to teach their four sons about aiding others.

Jen came up with the idea from a similar event she participated in at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. “We collected blankets and then distributed them,” said Jen. “It was a humbling experience as I saw people in need and it stuck with me.”

The city of Elko New Market recently announced in a press release it has been awarded a $7 million grant through the Minnesota Highway Freight Program, a statewide initiative designed to improve freight mobility and enhance transportation infrastructure.

When she and her sister played ‘school’ while they were youngsters growing up in Iowa, Elaine Harty recalls frequently playing the role of the teacher. It’s a job she loved, even long after she retired from leading a classroom at St. Wenceslaus Catholic School in New Prague.

The Elko New Market City Council discussed a draft policy for remote meeting attendance at its Thursday, Jan. 8, meeting.

City Administrator Tom Terry said that evening’s draft was for a final consideration with it to be considered for approval at its Thursday, Jan. 22, meeting.

Saturday, Jan. 10, was an evening filled with song at Giesenbrau Bier Co. as Generations Theatre Company celebrated its 25th anniversary with a cabaret. Cast members from past shows performed a musical revue of songs from past musicals, plus there was a spotlight on the company’s upcoming summer production.

New Prague High School’s theatre department is busy with rehearsals for its one-act play, “The Perfect Ending,” by B. Dwayne Craft. The actors began with its first readthrough Dec. 2.

The start of the new year also brought a change in ownership at Cedar Press Coffee on New Prague’s Main Street. Rachel Cannon and her husband, Stephan, sold the business to Patty and David Peterson of Montgomery.

Monday, Jan. 5, the coffee shop reopened under the ownership of the Petersons. The Cannons had bought the business three years ago and renovated it. They had bought the coffee shop from the previous owner, who was also named Patty Peterson, but has no relation to the new owners.

They enjoy a good post-holiday clearance sale at their local home-improvement or hardware store. If somebody has a good deal on Christmas decorations for next year, Lisa and Jess Realander want to know about it.

FaithPoint Lutheran Church and its members will be welcoming a new leader this week as Pastor Wes Asheim arrives Monday, Jan. 5.

After weeks of discussion and adjustments, Elko New Market city councilors approved a budget and property tax levy for 2026.

The council OK’d the city’s 2026 property tax levy at its Dec. 18 meeting. The general fund budget will increase from $3,297,590 to $3,849,687 – an increase of $447,903 or 15.72%. The city’s total levy will increase by $490,823 to $4,238,383 – an increase of 13.1%.

At a meeting of the Le Sueur County Officials Association, State Senator Rich Draheim (22, R) and State Rep. Terry Stier (22B, R) were present to share information from the state legislature that affects the area. The meeting was held Dec. 3 at Le Sueur City Hall.

“I don’t want to say it was the most confusing year, but probably the most uncertain year I have seen in my nine years,” Draheim said, noting the size of the state government has tripled in funding since he took office in 2017.

When the New Prague School Board reconvenes for the first time since Dec. 8, Director Denny Havlicek wants to maintain his position as the board’s chairperson.

Havlicek stated his interest to the other directors at the last meeting of 2025. He said he has spoken with board members and heard no opposition to him staying on as the board’s chairperson.

For roughly 35 years, a group has been taking one day to sing carols around New Prague. On Saturday, Dec. 13, about a dozen people gathered to visit the apartment complex Bohemia Flats, Praha Village senior apartments and Mala Strana Rehabilitation Center and Assisted Living.

Among those who have gone out nearly every year are Mary Lou and Wade Fradenburgh, Diane and Rick Nerud and Marcia and Robert Sammons.

The Ptarmigans and Polars will renew their rivalry Saturday, Dec. 27, noon, in the 66th edition of New Prague’s Sno-Bowl football game.

The game will be played at the open lot north of the Memorial Park Baseball Field and south of CSSW. A pregame gathering will start at Fishtale Grill at 9 a.m. All New Prague graduates are in a roster. Rosters can be found at https://ballcharts.com/ team/?team=snobowl with all graduates not listed whose last name is between N-Z are a Polar and all graduates not listed whose last name is between A-M are a Ptarmigan.

The New Prague Area Historical Society is celebrating toys with a display at the New Prague Memorial Library from now until the end of January.

Dennis Dvorak of the historical society said the toys are ones from the Victorian era. “Some are 125 years old and they have been well cared for,” Dvorak said, adding some of the toys are made of metal or wood. Another reason the toys are well preserved is there was usually only one child in the family, who didn’t have to share his or her toys with others, said Dvorak.

It wasn’t quite as low as the 3.9% increase from last year, but the Le Sueur County budget and levy passed was still among the lowest of the last decade.

On Dec. 2, the Le Sueur County Board of Commissioners held its annual Truth in Taxation meeting to hear residents’ concerns. The hearing was followed by the official vote on the next budget.

The final levy was set at $30,337,063, which represents a 4.4% increase over last year.

The only years where the increase was lower were in 2021 (4%) and 2025 (3.9%).