We just want to take a minute today to invite you to Christmas. There are great churches in this community and we hope that you can find one that feels like home for you to worship at this year.

We represent diverse expressions, but we share a common hope: that in a manger there was born the Christ child the One who made the angels sing, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.”

The New Prague Trojan boys hockey team won one of three games last week. They started the week with a loss at Holy Angels, then hosted two northern teams over the weekend, defeating Duluth Denfeld and losing to Hermantown.
The Trojans (4-4) were scheduled to host Hutchinson Tuesday, Dec. 18, in a Wright County Conference game. They will travel to St. Michael-Albertville for a 2 p.m. game Saturday, Dec. 22.

The Lonsdale City Council approved to slightly reduce the city’s tax rate in 2019 on Thursday night.
“The focus was to keep the tax levy the same,” said Mayor Tim Rud at the Lonsdale City Council meeting.
As such, the tax levy portion of next year’s budget was approved for $2,070,000. It will increase the city’s tax revenue by $206,600.

The New Prague Trojan girls basketball team had a rough week last week, losing two games decisively, then losing a third on a buzzer beater.

Pastors from New Prague’s Faith Community sent a message to the community urging them to share in the Christmas spirit and attend the church service of their choice during the holiday season.
Along with the message, found elsewhere on this page, they recorded a video of all the pastors sharing this message. That message was posted on The New Prague Times’ Facebook page Monday afternoon. Within five minutes, it already had several “likes,” meaning people had seen the video and clicked on the “like” button.

The Bolin Brothers gather around the piano during the Dec. 15 concert. From left is Joseph, Ben and John (seated). Ben Bolin is the pastor of Calvary ChurchThe trio, who come from a family of eight children, performed traditional Christmas songs, plus one they wrote together. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

The following meeting has been cancelled.
The mayor and council members of Lonsdale want the public's input and suggestions on a project that could bring a senior independent living facility and new city hall and police department to the city.
To help weigh in on the discussion, the Lonsdale City Council is holding a public meeting on Monday, Dec. 17 at 6 p.m. at Lonsdale City Hall.

Santa asks sisters Hayden, Trinity and Paige Ahlers to promise that they will be good for the next 10 days during Santa’s visit to First Bank & Trust in New Prague the evening of Thursday, Dec. 13. Santa visited with many children, talking to them and finding out what they want for Christmas. Children also received a goodie bag and enjoyed cookies and hot cider. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Gladys Kaderlik, 85, of Montgomery passed away on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018, in Montgomery at her home. Visitation will be on Sunday, Dec. 16 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, Dec. 17 at 11 a.m. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with visitation one hour prior at the funeral home.
Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery in Montgomery.

The Le Sueur County Board of Commissioners approved an amended Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention Plan during the regular Tuesday, Dec. 11 meeting.
Environmental Resources Specialist Holly Kalbus presented the updated AIS Plan, which included a few minor changes.
Kalbus said there are 128 lakes, many creeks, streams, and rivers within the county.
In 2014, the Minnesota Legislature enacted a program aid grant for AIS prevention.

Elko New Market City Clerk Sandy Green was honored on Thursday, Dec. 6, for 19 years of service to the city. An open house was held that evening for Green, who is retiring this Friday, Dec. 14. During the Elko New Market City Council meeting later that evening she was presented a plaque by Mayor Bob Crawford.

It’s not often a government body cuts taxes, but that’s what happened at Monday’s meeting of the New Prague Area School Board. Following its state-mandated Truth in Taxation hearing, the board approved a 2019 property tax levy of $13.37 million. That is a reduction of $56,299 from 2018, or 0.42 percent.

Monday’s meeting of the New Prague Area School Board was the final meeting for three long-time board members.
Jerry Walerius and Don Dvorak served 13 years on the board and Sherry Brooks nine. All three chose not to run for reelection this year. Their seats will be taken by Mark Bartusek, Leo Giesen and Tammy Pexa.
At Monday’s meeting, all three spoke about their time on the board and thanked fellow board members, the administration and the voters for having trusted them to serve. A short reception was held following the meeting.

John F. Bisek, age 91, of New Prague, died peacefully, surrounded by his family on Thursday, December 13, 2018 at Mala Strana Rehabilitation Center.  John was born on May 11, 1927 in Helena Township, Scott County to Frank M. and Stephania (Mamer) Bisek.  He attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic School and New Prague High School.  John served in the U.S. Army in the Korean War and was honorably discharged, receiving 2 bronze service stars.  On June 6, 1953, John married Dorothy C.

The New Prague Trojan wrestling team hosted a three-team meet last week and earned a sweep, defeating Rochester John Marshall and Tri-City United.
The Trojans improved their season record to 5-2 and will compete in their first Wright County Conference dual of the season Thursday, Dec. 13, at Hutchinson. The Trojans are at Northfield on Saturday, Dec. 15, for the Northfield Invitational, starting at 10 a.m. They host a home triangular Tuesday, Dec. 18, with Le Sueur-Henderson and Blue Earth.

The New Prague Trojan gymnastics team opened its season Thursday, Dec. 6, with a win over Breck. Score for the meet was 131.7- 126.275.
New Prague used 12 different gymnasts in the meet. Top performer was Emmalyn Dickerson, who placed second in the all-around with a score of 32.7. Dickerson had the high score on both the balance beam (8.575) and the floor exercise (8.95). She also placed third on the uneven bars at 8.025 and had a score of 7.15 on the vault.
Brooke Nerud took first for New Prague on the bars with an 8.325.