Montgomery’s 23rd annual Masopust celebration, which is traditionally known as the Czech version of Mardi Gras, was celebrated in a big way on Sunday, Feb. 19 at The Rustic Farmer, with lots of music, dancing, traditional Czech foods, and the crowning of a new Masopust King, Luke Sluzacek.
“I believe it was the largest crowd in the last few years,” reported Jean Keogh, who helped organize the Czech Heritage Club event. “People came from Richfield, Faribault, and Iowa, to name a few. Everyone who attended enjoyed it; we got lots of positive comments throughout the afternoon.”
The Montgomery Historical Society (MHS) continued its mission of collecting, preserving, and disseminating area history at its annual meeting held on January 25 at Hilltop Hall.
President Jim Mladek called the meeting to order and reviewed the society’s activity over the past year and what members can expect in 2023.
There will be no local mail delivery today, Thursday, February 23.
Due to the weather, the transfer trucks for the U.S. Postal Service mail were pulled off the roads on Wednesday, February 22 and Thursday,February 23.
The delivery of this weeks newspapers will be delayed.
Lonsdale City Council gave approval to seek bids to construct a flat cement pad to install the skate park equipment purchased from the City of Shakopee for $905.98 last summer. The skate park will reside just east of the pavilion in Sticha Park and is expected to open up by mid-summer.
Due to inclement weather, New Prague Public Schools and St. Wenceslaus Catholic School will be closed Wednesday, Feb. 22 and Thursday, Feb. 23.
All afternoon and evening activities for both days are canceled. There will be No Kids Company or WRAP through NP Public Schools.
The New Prague Fire Department was called to a fire in pole shed/garage in Heidelberg, southwest of New Prague, at 3:49 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16. The structure, belonging to the Crystal and Kevin Zvanovec family, was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived. About three vehicles and tools were lost in the fire. A nearby ice fishing house also caught on fire. None of the family was injured. A cause of the fire was unknown.
Investigators have determined the case of a deceased man found in the driveway of a house at 11450 275th St. E. in New Market Township last fall is a homicide.
According to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner, Jose Manuel Rosales Madrigal, 18, was killed in what the medical examiner’s office has deemed “complex homicidal violence.”
Sheriff’s deputies and police were dispatched to the house in New Market Township at 7:50 a.m. Oct. 7, 2022.
The Friends of the Montgomery Public Library will be hosting Everything Chocolate and More event on Friday, February 10, 2023, at Next Chapter Winery from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. The fundraising event will include a sampling of various chocolates and other taste-bud pleasing snacks, plus a silent auction and a raffle.
Advance tickets are $20 and can be purchased at Posy Floral, Herrmann Drug or the Montgomery Public Library. Tickets at the door will be $25 each. Each admission ticket includes two drink tickets. Everyone over 21 is welcome to attend.
After a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, January 28 at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery, mourners for Officer Gordon Prochaska gathered outside for a law enforcement salute. Attending were personnel from Le Sueur County Sheriff's Department, Montgomery Police Department, and the Montgomery Ambulance and Fire Departments. Prochaska, 71, passed away at his residence in Florence, Arizona, on Saturday, January 7, from complications of contracting COVID-19. Gordon, affectionately known as “Gordy” by many, was a part-time Montgomery police officer for 33 years.
The Elko New Market City Council unanimously approved a request from the Minnesota DNR (Department of Natural Resources) for a 30-day extension on its decision of whether an EAW (Environmental Assessment Worksheet) is needed for a water bottling plant proposed by Niagara Bottling LLC. The decision came during a special meeting the evening of Thursday, Jan. 19.
City staff presented the request to the council which extends the deadline from Thursday, Jan. 26, to Saturday, Feb. 25.
For the second straight year, New Prague High School won first place at the Metro West Conference One-Act Play Festival. There were five schools participating in the festival Saturday, Jan. 21, in New Prague High School’s auditorium.
New Prague’s production was “Eurydice,” by Sarah Ruhl. The play is a modern adaptation of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, except it is told from Eurydice’s point of view.
Ben Thietje, director of NPHS’ one act, said the students beat out Chanhassen by one point.
New Prague High School seniors chose their king and queen candidates Tuesday, Jan. 24. Queen candidates are (left to right, back row) Madison Tupy, Lizzie Wieskus, Peyton Plaisance, Kenzie O’Brien, Claire Baribeau, Evie Zack, Lohla Yarolimek, Abi Bartusek; (front row) king candidates are John Schmidt, Derek Schaap, Spencer LaRue, Koy Buesgens, and Ryan King. Missing are Jack Eckstein, Dominic Berry and Jackson Braith. New Prague High School will celebrate Snoball the week of Monday, Jan. 30, through Saturday, Feb. 4. There will be dress-up days and a pep fest Friday, Feb.
Gordon Prochaska, age 71, passed away at his residence in Florence, Arizona, on Saturday, January 7, from complications of contracting COVID-19.
Off-duty Montgomery Police Chief Nathan Hintz, Sergeant Pete Bulger, and Officer Mike Longbehn escorted Officer Gordon Prochaska’s body home to Montgomery from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Jan. 17.
The Trojans’ varsity jazz team competes at New Prague High School’s invitational Saturday, Jan. 21. The Trojans’ varsity jazz team and varsity high kick team both won the invite. For more see an upcoming print edition of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher photo)
The Elko New Market City Council honored former police officer Steve Hotaling and welcomed new officer Derrick Irwin to the police department during the council’s Thursday, Jan. 12, meeting.
More than 30 people attended, with several family members and friends of Hotaling and Irwin, plus members of the Elko New Market Police Department.
Steve Hotaling
Elko New Market Police Chief Brady Juell and Acting Mayor Amanda Novak honored former officer Hotaling, who served with the department from May of 2019, until November of 2022, when he left for another department.
New Prague High School seniors Savannah Smith and Sophia Metzdorff are the winners of the MARS (Mastering Academics and Real-World Skills) Business version of Shark Tank. The two had some tough competition, but perhaps the duo’s two toughest opponents was the weather and schedules, as the two-day event stretched out more than two weeks.