New Prague High School announced its Homecoming candidates for King and Queen on Friday, Sept. 21. Queen candidates are (front row, left to right)  Aidan McLoone, Laura DeGross, Anna Holden, Kaitlyn Blair, Callie Peterson, Morgan Pint, Molly Giesen, Kate Wagner; King candidates are (back row) Mason DeGross, Bryce Simon, Travis Frerk, Collin Dorzinski, Grant Yackly, Blake Woodson, Andrew Piilola and Hartman Sadusky. Coronation for royalty will be at 11:10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 28. Homecoming activities begin at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept.

A vast array of vintage vehicles take part in Cruise Night the evening of Friday, Sept. 21, on New Prague’s Main Street. While most of the day was overcast, the sun broke through the clouds just before the 25th annual parade that marks the beginning of Dozinky, the city’s Czech Harvest Festival. Dozinky continues on Saturday, Sept. 22, beginning at 10 a.m. with an opening ceremony, followed by music, dancing and various activities, including the Parade of Farm Pride at noon. For more on the festival see The Times website, Facebook page and upcoming print issue. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

New Prague High School will celebrate its Homecoming week September 23-28, with the highlight being the football game against Mankato West on Friday, Sept. 28.
The week begins with the annual Powder Puff football game, to be played at 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept 23. The annual game features the senior girls against the junior girls. Each day during the week will include a “dress-up” day, and other events will be held during the week.

The New Prague City Council an amended Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) between it and the New Prague Area School District during its meeting Monday, Sept. 17.
The JPA is covers the construction and operation of the indoor pool and fitness center facility at the Central Education Campus, the operation of the outdoor pool at 401 Lexington Ave. S, and the operation of the summer recreation program.

On Thursdays, from 9-11 a.m. people of various ages meet in the Community Connections Room at the Central Education Campus in New Prague to knit and crochet. The group has been meeting since the fall of 2017 and has created a vast array of articles, many of which go to help others.

Brian Dapper, District Leader for Kwik Trip, spoke during the grand opening ceremony for the convenience store’s 600th store, located in New Prague, Tuesday, Sept. 18. The store opened near the intersection of Highways 13, 19 and 21 on Thursday, Sept. 13. As part of the celebration, the store donated $1,000 to the New Prague Fire Department and another $1,000 to The Well Teen Center as a sign of its commitment to the community. Read more in the print edition of The Times.

The case against Le Sueur County Historical Society (LCHS) will get a green light or a red light in October after a Le Sueur County judge clarified matters on Monday, Sept. 17.
 
In court were Ray Konz, attorney for LCHS, and Kevin Wetherille, attorney for the 16 plaintiffs. The attorneys discussed the proceedings thus far and made several requests of Judge Mark Vandelist.
 

The New Prague Area Education Foundation held its annual Brain Power Walk-Run Saturday, Sept. 15, at Trojan Stadium. The event included a 5K run and a one-mile run. Above, New Prague Area Schools Superintendent Tim Dittberner was surrounded by a large group of elementary students at the beginning of the one-mile run. The event raised money for the foundation, which uses the money for classroom grants for teachers in New Prague schools.

The Bisek family of New Prague found the 2018 First Bank & Trust Dozinky Medallion on Thursday, Sept. 13, after three out of four clues. The medallion was hidden in the small park north of Casey’s along Highway 21. From left Rachel, Mike, Jacob and Jamie Bisek receive the $300 prize from Market President Eric Kragman of the New Prague bank on Friday, Sept. 14. The medallion hunt is part of New Prague’s annual Czech Harvest Festival, Dozinky, that will take place on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 21 and 22.

Construction has begun on the fitness center that will be operated by New Prague Area Schools and the City of New Prague. That was the message from Superintendent Tim Dittberner to the New Prague Area School Board at its Monday, Sept. 10, workshop.

Since the beginning of July, Chris Flores has been the lead pastor at Pillar of Grace Church in New Prague. He has been the associate pastor for three years of the church at 830 Fourth Ave. SW. Being a pastor is something he knew he wanted to do for years.

Superintendent Tim Dittberner updated the New Prague Area School Board about safety grants the district is pursuing. At the school board’s Monday, Sept. 10, workshop, Dittberner said that on August 29 they submitted grant applications to the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) for buildings in the New Prague Area School District. The MDE has a total of $25 million available to all school buildings throughout the state. The applications for each building were submitted separately.

The popularity of a car show, craft booths, good food and weather with a good cause led to another successful Community Day at Heidelberg on Sunday.
 

Emily Ardolf was having an early celebration of her 104th birthday, which is on Saturday, Sept. 8. A resident of Mala Strana Assisted Living and Rehabilitation Center in New Prague, she and her late husband Joseph raised five children on their farm before moving into town. She has 21 grandchildren, many great grandchildren and several great great grandchildren. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

The Elko New Market City Council began looking toward street work for 2019 at its Thursday, Aug. 23, meeting as it directed city staff to begin preparations for a Streets Expo.

Grounds crew volunteers used bags of diamond dust, large sponges, squeegies, rakes and industrial strength leaf blowers, among other means, to dry and repair the infield at the conclusion of a 90-minute rain delay midway through the Class C State Championship baseball game at New Prague’s Memorial Park Monday, Sept. 3. As many as 30 people helped get the field back into playable condition following the rain. Plato scored eight runs in the first inning of the game and held on for an 8-5 win over Sobieski to claim the crown.