UPDATE: 6/27 11:05am - phones are back up.
Currently (6/27 10:15am) our phone lines are down. Bevcomm is working on the issue. Thank you for your patience.

Thursday, July 4, is celebrated as the birthday of the United States, and many area communities will be celebrating Independence Day with fireworks and other festivities. In the immediate area, New Prague, Lonsdale and Veseli will hold their traditional fireworks displays, as will other communities in Scott, Le Sueur and Rice counties. Here are some of the highlights.

This Friday, June 28, will be the final day that New Prague Police Officer John Madigan will be on duty as he is retiring after a total of 27 years in law enforcement. For 21 years of that career, Officer Madigan has served in New Prague, with 15 years as the School Resource Officer.

For Deacon Bob Wagner a new chapter in his life will begin on July 1, as that is when his retirement begins after 42 years of ministry.
"I began my church ministry on August 31, 1977," said Deacon Wagner. He said he found out that date when he was filling out paperwork. "I was applying for retirement and they told me what my first day was."
At that time he was working for St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church teaching music for the church and school and taking care of the liturgy music for the weekends.

Patrick Goggins of New Prague has been appointed a District Court Judge in Minnesota’s First Judicial District by Governor Tim Walz.
Goggins will be replacing the Honorable Martha Simonett and will be chambered at Le Center in Le Sueur County.

Archdiocese Rural Life Mass at Dick and Mary Jo Hruby Farm south of New Prague

Elko New Market will be offering a lot of activities during its annual community celebration, Fire Rescue Days that will be held Thursday, June 27, to Sunday, June 30.
Starting things off is a Free Family Fun Night at 6:30 p.m. tonight (Thursday) with the Fitness Boomers Obstacle Course, sponsored by the Elko New Market Parks Commission, at Wagner’s Park, 120 Park St.

“I am not an expert, I describe myself as an enthusiast,” said Anne Jans during her presentation about kroje (Czech traditional ethnic dress) at the Tuesday, June 11, meeting of the Czech Heritage Club. Held in the second floor meeting room at New Prague City Hall, Jans had her collection of kroje.

Praha Village, New Prague’s new senior apartment complex, welcomed an estimated 300 to 400 people, or more, to its grand opening the afternoon of Thursday, June 13. The ceremony included a brief history of the complex, a ribbon cutting, tours, beverages and snacks as people looked through the 91 unit four-story complex at 1100 First St. SE.

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.