September 6 marks a big anniversary for this newspaper.
It was on that date, in 1889, that the first edition of The New Prague Times was published. New Prague was a growing community whose population had nearly tripled, from 384 in 1880 to 955 in 1890. It was becoming a center of commerce and agricultural production.

First Bank & Trust serves up a delicious meal during their Customer Appreciation Day on Thursday, September 5.

Scott County Sheriff’s deputies have recovered a body from the Minnesota River near Belle Plaine, not far from where an unoccupied boat was found Monday, Sept. 2.
This was the fourth day of search efforts to find a missing boater. A 2002 Lund 17-foot open boat with a 60 hp Evinrude motor was found running and unoccupied near the shoreline of the river at 10:50 a.m. Monday. The boat, as well as a truck and boat trailer at a nearby landing, belonged to Bruce Copenhaver, 62, of Watertown.

The New Market Muskies of the Dakota-Rice-Scott League fell short in their quest for a state title.
The team won two games during the final weekend ofthe State Class C tournament.They won handily over New London-Spicer 16-0 on Friday and claimed a 1-0 win over Red Wing Sunday morning, but then lost 7-5 to Hutchinson in the tournament semifinals.
The loss put an end to an exciting weekend for the Muskies, as they fell one game short of their quest for the championship game.
New Market’s Brett Herber was named to the all-tournament team.

DalekoArts, New Prague’s local non-profit professional theater, opened its eighth season on Wednesday, Aug. 28, with “Ghost Tour,” a 70-minute interactive comedy that takes audiences out of the theater and through downtown New Prague. “Ghost Tour” lasts through Saturday, Oct. 12.

With an instrumental version of “Amazing Grace” Timothy (Tim) Price began Duct Tape and Grace at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in New Prague on Wednesday, Aug. 14.
Pastor Ben Hilding told the nearly 90 people gathered, “Tonight we are privileged to hear a story that is full of ups and downs, but resonates with each of us.”
Price detailed how he came through his time dealing with alcohol and drugs to where this year he is celebrating 25 years of being clean and sober.

Myles John Kaderlik, age 84, of Prior Lake, MN, passed away on August 31, 2019, at St. Francis Regional Medical Center, Shakopee, MN.
A visitation will be held Friday, September 6, 2019 from 4-7PM, with closing prayers at 6:45PM, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2019 at 11AM with a visitation 1-hr prior at St. Michael Catholic Church, 16400 Duluth Avenue SE, Prior Lake. Father Tom Walker will preside. Myles will be laid to rest at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery.

The New Market Muskies of the Dakota-Rice-Scott League defeated Red Wing in the quarterfinals of the State Class C Amateur Baseball Tournament, but then lost to Hutchinson in the semifinals to end their season Sunday, Sept. 1.
In the first game, Tony Vocca pitched a complete game shutout, striking out eight as the Muskies defeated the Aces 1-0. Andy Henkemeyer drove in the Muskies' run in the first inning.

They had to work overtime, but the New Prague Trojan football team opened its 2019 season with a win at Byron Friday, Aug. 30.
The Trojans scored on an 8-yard run by Nate Osborne on second down in overtime, and Beau Plaisance scored the two-point conversion on a good second effort after being hit short of the goal line.
New Prague’s defense then held Byron on four straight plays, including a pass play on fourth down that was incomplete, clinching the win.

After two scoreless innings, the New Market Muskies exploded for 13 runs in the third inning of their third round game at the Minnesota Class C Baseball Tournament on their way to a 16-0 win over New London-Spicer Friday, Aug. 30.
The Muskies sent 18 men to the plate in the inning and had two home runs. Kyle Bergstrom led off the inning with a solo home run and Tony Vocca, who drove in a run with a double earlier in the inning, hit a three-run shot. Tyler Bergstrom added a tow-run homer later in the game.

The 1940 locomotive and 1956 caboose at Gopher State Railway Museum makes the turn on their track on Saturday, Aug. 31. The railroad museum two miles north of New Prague on Highway 21 is offering rides this weekend from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 1. Admission is free for this family fun event. People can also see the 1880 St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba business car that has a long history both on and off the tracks. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

After two scoreless innings, the New Market Muskies exploded for 13 runs in the third inning of their third round game at the Minnesota Class C Baseball Tournament on their way to a 16-0 win over New London-Spicer Friday, Aug. 30.
The Muskies sent 18 men to the plate in the inning and had two home runs. Kyle Bergstrom led off the inning with a solo home run and Tony Vocca, who drove in a run with a double earlier in the inning, hit a three-run shot. Tyler Bergstrom added a tow-run homer later in the game.

The New Prague Economic Development Authority is seeking interested Main Street businesses to serve on the Downtown Main Street Reconstruction (Highway 19) Project Marketing Committee for 2020. This effort is being made in conjunction with the New Prague Chamber of Commerce.
Committee members will help create, develop and implement communication, marketing and promotional strategies to support downtown businesses during the Main Street Reconstruction Project, which is scheduled to take place in 2020.

Mary A. Gregory, age 88 of Belle Plaine, died on Thursday, August 29, 2019 at The Belle Plaine Lutheran Home.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 2, at Our Lady of the Prairie Catholic Church in Belle Plaine, with Fr. Brian Lynch officiating.  Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. on Monday at Our Lady of the Prairie Church in Belle Plaine.  Interment will be in Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Belle Plaine followed by a luncheon at church.

On Monday, Sept. 2, we celebrate Labor Day.
Typically considered the end of the summer recreation season, most people don’t put much thought into the holiday and its history and meaning.
Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers. It was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century and became a federal holiday in 1894.

I was at a recent author visit at the library, Peg Meier, who said, “Everybody has a story.” That is appropriate in that August marks my 20th anniversary of working at The New Prague Times and in that time I have covered many people’s stories. The vast number of stories have covered a wide range of areas, from their hobbies to beginning new jobs or retiring to how they are helping others to their grievances with others to how their family is dealing with disease or small miracles or tragedies.