Big innings led to big wins for three Dakota-Rice-Scott League baseball teams on the first day of the regular season Sunday, April 28.
New Market scored eight runs in the 11th inning to defeat St. Benedict 10-2, Prior Lake used a nine-run sixth to power their way to a 13-3 win over Shakopee and St. Patrick broke open a close game with a seven-run seventh inning to claim an 8-0 win over Lonsdale. Also on Sunday, Faribault defeated Webster 7-4, Veseli defeated Union Hill 4-3 and Montgomery registered a 4-0 win over New Prague.

The Le Sueur County Pioneer Power Association hosted its annual Swap Meet at its showgrounds near Le Sueur Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 26-28.
More than 800 vendors were registered for the meet, which is considered one of the largest in the nation.
Whether you were looking for antiques, collectibles, car and tractor parts, hardware, power equipment, toys, clothing, home-made candies and maple syrup or hand-crafted items, chances are someone had something you were looking for.

The New Prague Trojan baseball team won three of four games last week, upping their season record to 5-2 (2- 1 Wright County Conference).
New Prague defeated Waconia, Northfield and Delano, but lost to Holy Family Catholic last week. Their game at Delano scheduled for Tuesday, April 30, was postponed to May 10.
New Prague hosts Orono on Thursday, May 2, and travels to Rochester for games against John Marshall and Mayo high schools Saturday, May 4. They are at Hutchinson Tuesday, May 7, and host Waconia at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, May 9.

New Prague’s Adapted Softball team travelled to East Ridge High School Thursday, April 25, where they lost a 14-3 contest to the South Washington Thunderbolts.
New Prague just couldn't seem to get in the rhythm, coach Shellie Kriha said. “We allowed too many runs and didn't produce hits on offense,” she said.
South Washington took a 4-0 lead in the first, but New Prague got hits from Evan Minar and Shane Friedrick before Breanna Stark drove in the team’s first run.

On Saturday morning, a large crowd will gather at Memorial Park in New Prague for the 34th Annual Run New Prague Half Marathon, 10K, 5K and Kids Fun Run.
With hundreds of runners expected to attend, it is important to realize that this event wouldn’t happen if it weren’t for the many people who volunteer their time to help New Prague put on a first-class, quality event.

Irma Emma Kohout, 95, of Montgomery, passed away on Thursday, April 25, 2019, at The Lutheran Home in Belle Plaine. Private family services will be held. Interment will be held in Calvary Cemetery in Montgomery.
Irma was born on January 1, 1924 in Rice County to William and Anna (Hanek) Turek. Irma was united in marriage to Edward Filipek on February 12, 1941, and to Edward Kohout on May 4, 1973.

Kenneth James “Ken” Pasek, age 64, of Montgomery, died Wednesday, April 24, 2019, at his residence in Montgomery.  Ken was born on April 18, 1955 in New Prague to James C. and Alice Marie (Kroyer) Pasek.  He grew up in New Prague and graduated from New Prague High School.  During high school, he worked for Bilek Bakery and immediately after high school, he began work at the flour mill and worked there until 2011.  Ken loved music, movies, and show cars.

Gilbert Ray Schoenbauer, age 81, of Jordan, died peacefully, surrounded by his family on Friday, April 26, 2019, at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital. Gilbert was born on July 31, 1937 in Helena Township, Scott County, MN to William and Walburga (Busch) Schoenbauer. He was raised in the St. Benedict area and attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic School and New Prague High School and was a member of the US Army Reserve. He married the love of his life, Shirley Valek on May 10, 1958 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lonsdale.

The group of (left to right, front row) Ashlyn Osborne, Courtney Dragone, Maggie Jirik, Georgia Trygestad; (back row) Evan Zimmer, Nathan Osborne, Dylan Shimek and Brady Aune had completed the Grand March during Prom at New Prague High School’s gym on Saturday, April 27. More than 300 couples were taking part in the annual Prom. The evening continued at the Park Ballroom with dinner and a dance. An After Prom Party would be held later in the evening. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

In celebration of Arbor Day, Rice County Master Gardeners gave away free tree seedlings from the Minnesota DNR at the Lonsdale Feed Mill on Friday, April 26 from 3:30 p.m. until gone.

The New Prague Fire Department put out a grass fire near the intersection of 10th Avenue SE and 300th Street in Le Sueur County around 2 p.m. on Friday, April 26. The property owner, Bevcomm, was burning some brush, which they had a permit for, when the fire got out of hand. The fire department quickly had the flareup under control. Also on scene was the Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Office. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

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 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.

"Own it!"
That was the simple message St. Peter city administrator Todd Prafke told members of the New Prague Economic Development Authority and the New Prague Chamber of Commerce when the two held a joint meeting Wednesday, April 17, in the New Prague City Hall.

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.

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.