By all accounts, Sgt. Maj. Rich Wilson was the kind of teacher most students enjoyed learning from and classroom instructors and staff enjoyed working with.
Next week, he’ll set out with a new set of orders as he enters retirement.
This week, Wilson will retire as a fifth-grade teacher at Falcon Ridge Elementary School. He was hired by the school district as a fourthgrade teacher in 1989. With the exception of his military responsibilities, he has been a constant figure at New Prague’s Elementary school, later renamed Falcon Ridge for about three-dozen years.

Heading into the Section 1A boys’ lacrosse playoffs, New Prague needed a win in a big way after a tough loss the previous evening. The Trojans earned exactly what they needed with a playoff game a few days away, ending a three-game skid.
No. 3-seeded New Prague (8-5 overall) opened the section playoffs last night against No. 6-seeded Northfield. Both teams brought an 8-5 record into the game. The winner will play Saturday, May 31, against the winner of No. 2-seeded Lakeville North vs. No. 7-seeded Southwest Christian at a time to be determined at the higher-seeded team.

On an evening blessed with almost perfect weather, New Prague High School and the community celebrated the graduation of 310 seniors Friday evening at Trojan Stadium.
The commencement ceremony featured a recognition and remembrance of the Class of 2025’s years in school, the challenges they faced and their successes.

With plenty of offense and solid pitching, the New Prague Orioles evened their DakotaRice-Scott League record at 2-2 with a decisive win Thursday, May 22.
The Orioles will face St. Patrick tomorrow evening, Friday, May 30, 7:30 p.m., at Memorial Park. Sunday, June 1, 2 p.m., New Prague will go duck hunting when Montgomery comes to town. The Mallards ended NP’s season last fall in New Prague.
The Orioles will welcome Faribault to the friendly confines of Memorial Park Wednesday, June 4, 7:30 p.m.

Matt Mies, left, manager of Coborn’s Marketplace in New Prague, talks with U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Wednesday, May 28, about services offered by the local business. Sen. Klobuchar stopped for a brief visit to discuss how independent grocery stores are important to communities. For more see an upcoming print edition of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher photo)

New Prague’s softball team saw its dream of a return trip to the state tournament come to a tough end Saturday in Owatonna.
The Trojans fell to the host Huskies, 3-2, in the consolation bracket of the Section 1AAA playoffs.
After splitting its first two section games with Lakeville South and Lakeville North, the Trojans fell to Owatonna, 3-2. Details of all three games were not available when The New Prague Times went to press.
New Prague led the contest against Owatonna 1-0 and 2-1 before the host Huskies rallied later in the contest.

Faye A. (Fowler) Matters, 91, passed away peacefully May 23, 2025. Preceded in death by husband Edward. Survived by daughter Rebecca (Jon) Pugh, sons Kevin (Michelle), Michael, and Steve (Colleen).
Funeral Mass on Friday, May 30, 11 a.m. at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in New Prague with visitation one hour prior. Burial following at Resurrection Cemetery. www.whitefuneralhomes.com

Cecilia Katherine Becker, age 99, of New Prague passed away peacefully as her family prayed the Rosary at her bedside on May 23, 2025.  

Meleah Joy Christenson, age 43, of Montgomery, passed away May 19, 2025.  Funeral services were held on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at Community Baptist Church, New Prague, MN.  Arrangements by www.whitefuneralhomes.com. 

New Prague Mayor Duane Jirik has submitted his resignation to the city council.
In a press release dated Friday, May 23, Josh Tetzlaff, New Prague's city administrator, stated Jirik submitted his resignation Thursday, May 22.
The letter of resignation reads: "It is with a heavy heart to let all of you know that I am resigning from my position as mayor of New Prague effectively immediately.

St. Patrick kicked off the 2025 season Sunday, May 18, with a 14-3 win in seven innings over Union Hill.
 
With the wind blowing out to left at Bonin Field, the Irish offense took advantage in the bottom of the first inning with four home runs plating five runs from sluggers Jack Friedges, Ryan Friedges, Robbie Meidl and starting pitcher Ian Segna.
In the third inning, the Irish tacked on four more runs, highlighted by a Tate Marland three-run HR. The Irish tacked on three more runs in the fifth frame and two more in the sixth.
 

New Prague’s boys’ volleyball team had a good week. While the Trojans started with a loss against Bloomington Jefferson, Tuesday, May 13, it kept the match close, 25-17, 25-13 and 25-19. New Prague turned around and beat Chaska/Chanhassen 26-24, 22-25, 28-26 and 25-9, Thursday, May 15. The Trojans then participated in the Mound Westonka tournament Saturday, May 17, where New Prague took the Silver Bracket Championship, finishing fifth out of 12 teams.

After the team’s season came to a conclusion with a tough loss to the section’s top-seeded team, members of New Prague High School boys’ tennis team will turn their focus to individuals’ play this weekend.
Ben VonBank, Connor Seeland, Caleb Stocker, Carson Sayler, Isaiah Podratz and Lasse Mies will play in individuals’ portion of the section tournament Saturday, May 24, 9 a.m., at Lund Tennis Center on the Gustavus Adolphus College campus in St. Peter. Four of the six players will compete in doubles with the other two playing as individuals.

Gopher State Railway Museum, north of New Prague along Highway 21, recently rolled out rides for families on its new caboose during Cabose Day, Saturday, May 3.

The New Prague Sportsman’s Club’s Phil Simon Memorial Crappie Tournament was swamped with 27 youngsters wanting to cast their lines into Cedar Lake, Saturday, May 3. It was the most children the annual tourney has had.
Club president Billy Bartusek was not expecting that many youngsters. “It caught me a little off guard,” said Bartusek. “It’s pretty amazing.”
The tournament, named in honor of the late Phil Simon, a New Prague business owner and sportsman, had 37 boats with more than 100 people, including the children, participating.

She’s one of many people who feel a strong sense of gratitude and respect for members of the military who sacrificed their lives and defended the nation. Mary Pierce is one of the people who takes the time to make sure those people are remembered.