For five years Hope House at 305 Columbus Ave. N in New Prague has been a temporary residence for families that have been without a home. The 1955 house, across the street from Mayo Clinic Health System in New Prague, provided a place for 72 families with 157 children to stay. Due to structural issues the building is being closed, but over the next few months Holy Trinity Lutheran Church will take up providing a place for families to stay.

The third annual Final Leg Torch Run 5K in New Prague, sponsored by Electromed, was held the morning of Tuesday, June 18, and drew 36 people. Adults and children were traveling the route by bike and rollerblades as well as running and walking it. The Torch Run is to raise awareness for Special Olympics and is done around the state. The run goes through 65 cities and covers more than 1,000 miles. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

John Krocak of Montgomery, center, races for home plate during a costumed obstacle course at the third annual Home Run Derby the evening of Saturday, June 15, at Union Hill. The event was a fundraiser for Aurora Jesperson, daughter of Nate and Sarah Jesperson of Elko New Market. Despite the rain, many people showed up for the fun filled event. In the background, from left, are Ted Nytes, owner of Nytes Cabinets and Home Town Bats, sponsor of the Home Run Derby, Michael McCrady of St.

Who will step up to bat for a local family’s little princess?
The third annual Home Run Derby sponsored by Ted Nytes, owner of Nytes Cabinets and Home Town Bats, will be held this Saturday, June 15 at Union Hill ballpark west of New Prague, starting at 5 p.m. The event will benefit a little girl named Aurora and her family, who could use a boost of spirits and funds at this time.

She began her career in a small country school in 1949 and taught for just a few years until she married. When her children got older, Anna Mae Witt became a school teacher in New Prague, and is known widely for her dedication, patience and the love so many in the community feel for her. When Praha Village opened its doors to seniors in January, 2019, Anna Mae became one of its earliest residents. Now, she graciously welcomes new residents and neighbors to the community.

Minnesota Viking Anree Saint-Amour, left, signs a football for Kolby Nixon as Joel and Dylan Greening watch. Saint-Amour was among 18 Vikings players and coaches to attend the annual Le Sueur County Sheriff's Mounted Posse’s Take a Kid Fishing Day on Saturday, June 8, at Beaver Dam Resort. There were 75 children ages 8 to 15 that participated, who each got a football that they could have Vikings players sign. The youngsters and Vikings also went out on boats to fish for two hours. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times and Montgomery Messenger.

You CAN get there from here....
The Minnesota Department of Transportation announced Friday morning that Highway 19 from Highway 169 to Henderson opened to traffic this morning, Friday, June 7 - just in time for the city’s Prince Festival on Saturday.
Highway 93 from 169 to Henderson opened on June 1 leaving both major roadways into Henderson clear for one of the city’s many summer celebrations.

The New Prague Area School Board has cancelled its scheduled June 10 workshop meeting due to lack of an agenda. The board’s next regular meeting will be at 6 p.m. Monday, June 24. the main agenda item at that meeting will be adopting a budget for the 2019-20 school year.

The New Prague City Council welcomed a new police officer at its Monday, June 3, meeting. Mayor Chuck Nickolay administered the oath of office to Andrew Hallberg, who had successfully completed his field training.

New Prague city crews and staff from Vic’s Crane & Heavy Haul Inc., were busy on Monday, June 3, along Columbus Avenue SE. Residents could see the huge crane brought in to lift the old substation transformer out and install a new transformer.

The Czech Heritage Club invites young and old to join them in learning about the kroje, the Czech ethnic dress. This presentation will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 11, at the New Prague City Hall.
Anne Jans will be presenting her Kroje collection from the different regions of the Czech Republic. 

The Le Sueur County Historical Society (LCHS) began a new chapter on Monday.
After a year-long lawsuit where more than a dozen plaintiffs asked a judge to force transparency, a fair election and an examination of the society’s books, a new board of directors was elected.
A Nominating Committee put together a list of candidates, and the following people were officially elected: One-year terms - Bryce Stenzel, Mike Frederick, George Luskey, Richard Bennett; two-year terms - William Stangler, Dean Pettis, Lois Mack, Bonnie Reak and Ruth Collins.

A New Prague city worker cleans out one of two stopped up storm drains along Main Street, near the intersection with Pershing Avenue NE around 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4. A storm that rolled through New Prague and surrounding communities left damage in its wake with trees and branches toppled. The storm was a mixture of heavy rain, golf ball size hail and winds clocked at 85 miles per hour. Plus there was a tornado warning in the Prior Lake area. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Highway 93 from Highway 169 to Henderson opened over the weekend (June 1) after closing a fourth time on May 27 due to flooding on the Rush River.
Motorists are advised to continue to drive with caution along Highway 93 as flood waters are near the roadway. Speed limit is reduced to 50 mph and vehicles weights are reduced to 7 ton per axle until further notice.
Highway 19 from Henderson to Highway 169 remains closed due to flooding on the Minnesota River.
MnDOT crews will continue to monitor area highways, bridges and bluffs to ensure motorists safety.

Father Kevin Clinton, center, leaves St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in New Prague to a 43 bell salute from members of the bell choir and church choir on Sunday, June 2. Father Clinton is retiring and served at his last Mass on Sunday, after 45 years as a priest. A celebration of his retirement was held the evening of Saturday, June 1, with more than 300 people attending. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

New Prague High School’s senior class of 2019 celebrate at the end of the graduation ceremonies on Friday, May 31, at Trojan Stadium as family and friends look on. The ceremony included music, the student address by Anne Zweber, an address from NPHS social studies teacher Allie Meyer and the awarding of diplomas. Of the 322 members of the senior class, 310 participated in Friday’s ceremonies. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)