It may be Spring Break, but most spring sports teams at New Prague High School are busy practicing for the upcoming season. The first competitions get underway next week.
There are 10 spring sports this year at New Prague High School, with the addition of boys and girls lacrosse. Those two teams will field a junior varsity team this season. Seven of the 10 teams have begun workouts, with the lacrosse teams and adapted softball starting practice on Monday, April 1.
Here is an overview of the sports teams.

The New Prague Times During the New Prague Area Figure Skating Club’s Spring Skate Show there were Learn to Skate members participating. Among the group was Mia Pedersen, daughter of Bret and Jennifer Pedersen of New Prague. Mia, 7, was enjoying her time on the ice with her peers.

“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.

The New Prague Arts Council (NPAC) will hold its “Ides of March” fund-raising concert/dance and raffle on Friday, March 29, at the Park Ballroom. This is the fourth annual fundraiser for the NPAC and replaces the former Black Friday dance held the past three years. The event will again feature the popular ‘60s and ‘70s rock/pop horn sounds of the local band Little Chicago. Another highlight will be an appearance from GZP Productions Hilltop Radio Live Readers Theatre. This group brings back memories of those great radio soap operas of the 1920-1950s.

Helen Lucille Severns, ­­­­­­88, of Montgomery, passed away on Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at Mala Strana Health Care in New Prague. Visitation will be Friday, March 29 from 9am to 11am at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11am with Father George Grafsky officiating. Interment will be held at St. Michael Cemetery in rural Montgomery. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to a Chemical Dependency- Depression/ Suicide program.

Thomas Dvorak, age 63, died February 27, 2019 after a long Parkinson’s illness. He was born July 30, 1955 to William and Theresa Dvorak. He graduated from New Prague High School. Thomas is survived by Leonard and Diane Hertaus-Pexa, New Prague, William and Mae Dvorak, Utah, Tom and Mary Kellen, North Carolina, Charles Dvorak, Bloomington, Ken Dvorak and special friend Barb, Kansas and Mark and Linda Dvorak, Le Center.
Thomas is preceded in death by Michael and LuAnn Dvorak of Montgomery.

Kathy L.

Due to the New Prague post office being shut down temporarily, the New Prague rural routes of the Extra deliveries will not be delivered until possibly Tuesday per the postmaster. The papers are inside the post office and are not retrievable at this time. 

Ervin “Junior” Turek, age 65 of Lonsdale, passed away with his wife and family by his side, on Wednesday afternoon, March 20, 2019, at the Northfield Hospital Long Term Care Center.

UPDATE - March 26
The workers have removed and cleaned all mail and packages from the New Prague Post Office, and they have either been sent for delivery or are now available for pickup.
Cleanup at the New Prague Post Office continues. Kristy Anderson, a spokesperson for the postal service, said the New Prague Post Office is expected to reopen sometime this week, possibly as early as Thursday.
ORIGINAL STORY
Operations have been suspended until further notice at the New Prague Post Office due to safety concerns.

Rolland J. Chouinard of Webster passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, March 17, 2019.

Nearly 30 people, from children to adults, participated in the “Dumpling Make and Take” activity at the New Prague Library the evening of Tuesday, March 12. Hosted by the Czech Heritage Club, the group was taught the finer points of making dumplings by Hana Matousek, who immigrated from the Czech Republic and has taught many cooking classes. She has also been active in different occasions concerning food, especially with the Czech and Slovak Sokol Minnesota.

The New Prague Snowdrifters Snowmobile Club is celebrating its 50th birthday, and all members and former members are invited.
The celebration will be held Sunday, March 24, from 1-5 p.m. at the St. Patrick Social Hall. Food and drinks will be available.
The Snowdrifters met for the first time on January, 1969, at MVE. There were 17 snowmobilers present and Larry Scheffler was elected president.

Five athletes from New Prague-based Neptune Aquatics competed at the 2019 Minnesota State Short Course Championships March 7-9 at the Freeman Aquatic Center at the University of Minnesota.
Top finisher for New Prague was Carolyn DeLuca, who finished second in the 100 freestyle in the 9-10 girls division in 1 minute, 3.46 seconds. Her teammate, Ella Schmiesing, was right behind her in third place, in 1:03.48.

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.