This week we are putting the finishing touches on our annual New Prague High School graduation section. Each year we work hard to include each member of the senior class, but invariably, some students choose not to participate. The Times has been producing this special section for 29 years, and I have been a part of 27 of these sections (not including the one that had my graduation picture). The first one I worked on was in 1991, when there were about 135 graduates. It has gone up every year since then, and this year we started with a list of 318 names.
This column was going to be about history, but on a national and state level. Now it’s going to be on a more personal level after a meeting with a couple on Sunday, May 5.
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.
In about a year, the landscape of New Prague’s Main Street will be changing.
A major reconstruction of State Highway 19 - New Prague’s Main Street - will take place next summer. Beginning from just west of the stoplights at 10th Avenue on the east side to the four-way stop intersection with Highway 21 on the west side, the entire pavement will be removed, underground utilities - many of which are 100 years old - will be replaced, including connections into buildings, and a new roadway will be put in place - hopefully to last another 100 years.
Many years ago, I was interviewing Jerry Bohnsack, then the New Prague city administrator. I don’t remember what the story was about, but I noticed that when I asked him a question, he sat there, thinking…. for at least 30 seconds before he responded.
I had noticed this before, when interviewing then State-Rep. Bob Vanasek, who was at the time the Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives. When I mentioned this to Jerry, he said he learned it from Vanasek. The two were close friends, and they both had learned to choose their words wisely.
Last week, both the DFL-controlled House and Republican-controlled Senate passed a Hands-Free Cell Phone bill that was then signed by Gov. Tim Walz.
The law had tremendous support in both the House, where it passed 107-19, and the Senate, where it passed 48-12. It becomes law on August 1.
The measure makes holding a cellphone while driving illegal in all but rare instances. A first offense carries a $50 fine, but the penalty would top $200 for repeat offenses.
It’s Severe Storm Awareness Week in Minnesota. What better way to celebrate than with an old fashioned April snowstorm.
That’s right, a winter storm is expected to hit the area late Wednesday and continue through to Friday. Depending on the storm track and other conditions, we could get anywhere from six to 15 inches of snow, potentially rivaling last year’s April snowfall.
Last year around this time we were hit by a spring snowstorm that took many people by surprise. As I write this, there’s a possibility of a repeat this week of that type of weather. Or maybe not. When it comes to weather in Minnesota I’m usually of the mindset I’ll wait and see what happens.
This week, once again, this mewspaper has a story on the continuing saga of the Le Sueur County Historical Society.
There is a big change in the newspaper you’re reading this week. If all went well, you won’t even notice it.
Normally, I look at the Times Capsules on this page before the paper goes to press, but didn’t have time last week, and ended up looking at them on Thursday, after the paper came back from press…. You know, like a normal person.
As I looked through them, I stopped on an item from 75 years ago:
“Out of an abundance of caution…”
So began a press release from the US Postal Service regarding the sudden closure of the New Prague Post Office, at 124 Main St. E.
Late on Friday, the postal service decided to suspend operations at the New Prague facility due to environmental concerns. At the time, postal officials didn’t say what the concerns were or how they were discovered. That’s because, they were not certain of what they were dealing with or what the extent of the problem might be.
On Monday, the Minnesota House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a bill that will make it illegal for drivers to use a hand-held device while making phone calls or sending messages. Instead, they will be required to use a hands-free device to communicate.
This weekend’s adapted floor hockey state tournament will bring an end to the winter sports season at New Prague High School.
As hard as it may be to believe, but one of the first signs of spring is headed our way this weekend.
Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 10. That is the day most Americans will move their clocks ahead one hour in an attempt to capture an extra hour of daylight in the evening.