In about a year, the landscape of New Prague’s Main Street will be changing.
A major reconstruction of State Highway 19 - New Prague’s Main Street - will take place next summer. Beginning from just west of the stoplights at 10th Avenue on the east side to the four-way stop intersection with Highway 21 on the west side, the entire pavement will be removed, underground utilities - many of which are 100 years old - will be replaced, including connections into buildings, and a new roadway will be put in place - hopefully to last another 100 years.

Joseph “Joe” William Schatz, 70, of Lexington, passed away on Wednesday, April 24, 2019, at his home. Visitation will be on Tuesday, April 30 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Le Center Funeral Home in Le Center. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 1 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Le Center, with visitation one hour prior at the church. Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Lexington.
Joe was born on April 8, 1949, in Faribault to Joseph and Marian Katherine (Stasney) Schatz. Joe was a graduate of Montgomery High School and Austin Jr. College.

The New Prague Trojans adapted softball team opened its season with a 12-5 loss to Chaska/Chanhassen/Shakope e/Prior Lake, then rebounded with a 15-5 win over South Suburban last week. Both games were at home.
The Trojans will play South Washington Thursday, April 25, at East Ridge High School in Woodbury, then play at South Suburban Tuesday, April 30, at Bloomington Jefferson. They return home Thursday, May 2, facing Burnsville/Farmington/ Lakeville.

The New Prague Chamber of Commerce has a new assistant as Amber Fischer began that job on Monday, April 15. She will be working with Chamber Executive Director Brooke Sticha on the array of chamber sponsored events from the upcoming New Prague Half- Marathon, 5K and Fun Run on Saturday, May 4, to this fall’s Dozinky Festival.

The New Prague Trojan boys lacrosse team won its debut match Tuesday, April 16, defeating Southwest Christian of Chaska 9-3. They followed with an 11-6 loss to Waconia on Thursday, April 18, and a one-goal win over Chaska Monday, April 22.
New Prague was scheduled to host Owatonna Tuesday, April 23. They will host Mankato on Friday, April 26, at 5 p.m. and Waconia on Monday, April 29, at 6:30 p.m.

A man from Lexington Township has died in a single tractor rollover on Wednesday, April 24.
Joseph William Schatz, 70, was pronounced dead at the scene after Le Sueur County deputies found him trapped under a tractor. Sheriff Brett Mason said the sheriff’s office received the report at approximately 9:40 a.m. The deputies, along with Le Center Fire Department, Le Center Ambulance Service and North Air Care responded to the scene in Lexington Township.
Mason said Schatz was extricated and life-saving efforts were performed, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Richard Robert Meger, 89, of rural Le Center, died peacefully on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, surrounded by his family. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 26, 2019, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, April 27, at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church in Union Hill with visitation two hours prior at church. Burial will be held in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Lexington. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the donors choice.

Richard Trempe, age 73 of New Prague.
Passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on April 21st, 2019 of heart failure.
Preceded in death by his parents Prime & Lucille, brother Tom, survived by wife Cheryl, children Matt (Emily) Gebhart, Jessica (Todd) Dusbabek, Mark (Robin), Jennifer (Jeff), Rachel, Josh Gebhart-Trempe, many grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Dorothy M. Skluzacek, age 85 of Lonsdale, passed away April 20, 2019, surrounded by her loving family at The Villages in Lonsdale. Survived by her husband, Clarence; children, Roger (Sharon), Donna (Ken) Kocina, Arnie, Karen (Joe) Korbel and Dan (Jennifer), and 8 grandchildren. Preceded in death by her son, Dennis and granddaughter, Kacey. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 AM Thursday, April 25, 2019 at Immaculate Conception Church, 116 Alabama St. SE Lonsdale, MN.

LaVonne Iverson, age 89, of Mankato, died on April 17, 2019 at New Perspective.

Members of the New Prague Area Catholic Community, FaithPoint Lutheran Church and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church perform the Passion in mime during the Good Friday Community Service at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church on Friday, April 19. Pastor Ben Hilding led the Call to Worship, Fr. Kevin Clinton read the Passion according to St. John and Pastor Steve Trewartha gave the Homily. A 7 p.m. service will also be held. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Many years ago, I was interviewing Jerry Bohnsack, then the New Prague city administrator. I don’t remember what the story was about, but I noticed that when I asked him a question, he sat there, thinking…. for at least 30 seconds before he responded.
I had noticed this before, when interviewing then State-Rep. Bob Vanasek, who was at the time the Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives. When I mentioned this to Jerry, he said he learned it from Vanasek. The two were close friends, and they both had learned to choose their words wisely.

A Mother’s Day meal last spring could have ended in tragedy for the Moulton family in New Prague, if not for the calm, quick thinking by son JD Moulton.
Greg Moulton had grilled some hamburgers for the family celebration and sliced some onions.
As he bit into his burger, he coughed and a piece of onion lodged in his throat and he was unable to breath.

Luke Tupy threw five innings of no-hit baseball, and Joe Becker went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead New Prague to a 5-0 win over Chanhassen Tuesday, April 9, in high school baseball action.
Tupy struck out 11 and walked just two. Becker, who pitched the final two innings, gave up a the Storm’s only hit in the seventh, but struck out four.
New Prague got on the board in the first when Colin Dorzinski drew a leadoff walk. He stole second and third, and after two more walks loaded the bases, he scored on a passed ball.

When it comes to timeliness, Le Sueur County Human Services is among the best in the state.
Minnesota Department of Human Services records list Le Sueur County as one of five counties in the state when it comes to 2018 child protection assessment visits. .
The county did not miss one of its scheduled 146 visits last year. Only Le Sueur, Marshall, Stevens, Red Lake, and Lake of the Woods counties had a 100 percent rating in overall timeliness.
The state average rating is 88.4 percent.

The New Prague Trojan boys track and field team hosted Northfield and Mankato East on Tuesday, April 9, finishing in second place.
Mankato East had 68 points, edging the Trojans, who had 63. Northfield had 27.
“Although we came up just short of the team victory, we were pleased with our approach, mentality, and effort today,” said Trojan Coach Nick Meyer. “Our experienced athletes are doing a nice job of showing our younger kids how to do things the right way, and as a relatively inexperienced team, our guys are benefitting from that.”