As one city celebration after another has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 86th annual Kolacky Days will continue as mostly a virtual event.
In a press release sent to members of the Montgomery Area Community Club, board member Tom Washa said the board decided to hold the event in some fashion that keeps everyone safe and adheres to the Minnesota Department of Health and CDC guidelines.

Highway 41 traffic will be head-to-head on the same side of the road east of the river between the railroad tracks and Highway 169 to allow crews to rebuild the southbound Highway 41 travel lanes
 See project webpage for additional information. https://www.scottcountymn.gov

George Tupy, left, of the New Prague American Legion, Nick Slavik of the VFW, Greg Dohmen, Tim Marsolais, and the New Prague Veterans Honor Guard honored area veterans who have died at the St. Wenceslaus Cemetery on Monday, May 25. This Memorial Day, the New Prague Veterans Honor Guard and others visited area cemeteries reading the names of veterans who were buried at each cemetery. One change to the annual program was the guest speaker, Donald Walser, did his speech from KCHK Radio. For more on Memorial Day see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

New Prague High School seniors celebrated their last day of school on Friday, May 22, with a gathering in the high school parking lot. The event lasted about 30 minutes with most students arriving in vehicles, one decorated in the color of the Minnesota Gophers and one tractor towing a trailer. Some students had signs congratulating the Class of 2020. There were several photos and selfies taken by students and a few school staff. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Also in accordance with a proclamation issued by the President, Governor Tim Walz today directed all flags at state and federal buildings in Minnesota to be flown at half-staff, effective immediately, until sunset on Sunday, May 24, 2020 to remember, mourn, and honor lives lost due to COVID-19.
 Individuals, businesses, and other organizations also are encouraged to join in lowering their flags to honor Minnesotans who have lost their lives to COVID-19 and their families.

The Great Minnesota Get-Together will not be held in 2020. This was announced today following a meeting of the board of managers of the Minnesota State Agricultural Society, which governs the Minnesota State Fair. The event was scheduled for Aug. 27 through Labor Day, Sept. 7. 

The evening of Tuesday, May 19, was warm and sunny, as the Trouba Troubadours performed an outdoor concert at Brewsters Bar & Grill in Veseli. While billed as drive by concert, people actually stopped to enjoy the music from their vehicles or yard chairs. The well attended concert was to help support the local business. Brewsters provided take out meals for the families and friends that attended. The Trouba Troubadours provided a mixture of music from country to pop to rock. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

New Prague will be celebrating Memorial Day on Monday, May 25, but there will be changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The New Prague Veterans Honor Guard will still be visiting area cemeteries and the featured speaker will be Donald Walser, who was the Judge Advocate of the American Legion, Department of Minnesota, for 20 years. This year there will be no parade along the community’s Main Street as it would be difficult to observe social distancing for veterans and others that participate in the parade.

St. Wenceslaus School eighth grade teacher Jamie Schoenbauer, left, and principal Kim Doyle surprise an eighth grade student from the New Prague school with a cross and sign the afternoon of Monday, May 18. About a dozen teachers and staff from St. Wenceslaus School were driving around the New Prague area to surprise the 27 eighth graders who are graduating from the parochial school. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Minnesotans will once again be able to access the majority of driver and vehicle services starting May 19, but office visits will look different with changes made to protect the health and safety of customers and staff in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Governor Tim Walz has directed all flags at state and federal buildings in Minnesota to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday, May 15, 2020, in honor of peace officers who have been killed or injured in the line of duty.
 “On May 15 we honor the Peace Officers who gave their lives to protect ours, and thank the 11,000 Law Enforcement Officers who serve our state for their dedication to protecting Minnesota communities,” said Governor Walz.

The Scott County Sheriff’s Office recently renewed its partnership with Crime Stoppers of Minnesota, a tip line that allows people to anonymously provide crime information to law enforcement.
“Our community members are considered the eyes and ears of law enforcement,” said Sheriff Luke Hennen.  “There are times when witnesses may be able to provide valuable information but don’t always want to be identified.”

Two planes make their way over Mayo Clinic Health System in New Prague around 12:25 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13. Aircraft from the 148th Fighter Wing, 133rd Airlift Wing and 934th Airlift Wing were flying over locations in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan to honor frontline workers in the COVID-19 response. While staff from Mayo Clinic Health System in New Prague gathered on the roof, more than 70 area residents were in the parking lot and the general vicinity to watch the fly over greeting the two planes with cheers and applause.

We heard you greater Minnesota. This Wednesday, May 13, aircraft from the 148th Fighter Wing, 133rd Airlift Wing and 934th Airlift Wing will be flying over locations in the northern and southern portions of the state to recognize frontline workers in the COVID-19 response.

It was a busy first day at the New Prague Farmer’s Market on Saturday, May 9. Located in the parking lot of New Prague Commons, along Main Street on the east side of town, there were nine vendors selling a mixture of products. The Farmer’s Market will be open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. It will add Wednesdays by mid-June when there is more agricultural produce. The New Prague Farmer’s Market has adopted guidelines concerning COVID-19, such as asking people to wear face masks. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

The New Prague High School graduating class of 2020 had a very remarkable feat achieved by 3 of their classmates scoring 1000 points during their New Prague High School Basketball careers! It’s a big accomplishment when you have 1 person score one thousand points. However, to have 3 players in the same class is remarkable. Congratulations to Amanda Giesen, Parker Johnson, & Emily Russo and thanks for being such great role models for future Trojan basketball players!