On June 26, Karen VonBank will be bringing to a close more than 42 years of being a daycare provider. She actually came to the decision back in 2018, in April of that year she informed the families of the children she was caring for that she would be retiring.
Before her retirement, she received on Thursday, April 25, the Scott County Daycare Provider of the Year Award. It is the third time she has been honored, her first time to receive the award was in 1990 and the second was in 2005.

The Le Sueur County Pioneer Power Association hosted its annual Swap Meet at its showgrounds near Le Sueur Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 26-28.
More than 800 vendors were registered for the meet, which is considered one of the largest in the nation.
Whether you were looking for antiques, collectibles, car and tractor parts, hardware, power equipment, toys, clothing, home-made candies and maple syrup or hand-crafted items, chances are someone had something you were looking for.

The group of (left to right, front row) Ashlyn Osborne, Courtney Dragone, Maggie Jirik, Georgia Trygestad; (back row) Evan Zimmer, Nathan Osborne, Dylan Shimek and Brady Aune had completed the Grand March during Prom at New Prague High School’s gym on Saturday, April 27. More than 300 couples were taking part in the annual Prom. The evening continued at the Park Ballroom with dinner and a dance. An After Prom Party would be held later in the evening. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

In celebration of Arbor Day, Rice County Master Gardeners gave away free tree seedlings from the Minnesota DNR at the Lonsdale Feed Mill on Friday, April 26 from 3:30 p.m. until gone.

The New Prague Fire Department put out a grass fire near the intersection of 10th Avenue SE and 300th Street in Le Sueur County around 2 p.m. on Friday, April 26. The property owner, Bevcomm, was burning some brush, which they had a permit for, when the fire got out of hand. The fire department quickly had the flareup under control. Also on scene was the Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Office. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

The New Prague Chamber of Commerce has a new assistant as Amber Fischer began that job on Monday, April 15. She will be working with Chamber Executive Director Brooke Sticha on the array of chamber sponsored events from the upcoming New Prague Half- Marathon, 5K and Fun Run on Saturday, May 4, to this fall’s Dozinky Festival.

"Own it!"
That was the simple message St. Peter city administrator Todd Prafke told members of the New Prague Economic Development Authority and the New Prague Chamber of Commerce when the two held a joint meeting Wednesday, April 17, in the New Prague City Hall.

A man from Lexington Township has died in a single tractor rollover on Wednesday, April 24.
Joseph William Schatz, 70, was pronounced dead at the scene after Le Sueur County deputies found him trapped under a tractor. Sheriff Brett Mason said the sheriff’s office received the report at approximately 9:40 a.m. The deputies, along with Le Center Fire Department, Le Center Ambulance Service and North Air Care responded to the scene in Lexington Township.
Mason said Schatz was extricated and life-saving efforts were performed, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Members of the New Prague Area Catholic Community, FaithPoint Lutheran Church and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church perform the Passion in mime during the Good Friday Community Service at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church on Friday, April 19. Pastor Ben Hilding led the Call to Worship, Fr. Kevin Clinton read the Passion according to St. John and Pastor Steve Trewartha gave the Homily. A 7 p.m. service will also be held. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

A Mother’s Day meal last spring could have ended in tragedy for the Moulton family in New Prague, if not for the calm, quick thinking by son JD Moulton.
Greg Moulton had grilled some hamburgers for the family celebration and sliced some onions.
As he bit into his burger, he coughed and a piece of onion lodged in his throat and he was unable to breath.

When it comes to timeliness, Le Sueur County Human Services is among the best in the state.
Minnesota Department of Human Services records list Le Sueur County as one of five counties in the state when it comes to 2018 child protection assessment visits. .
The county did not miss one of its scheduled 146 visits last year. Only Le Sueur, Marshall, Stevens, Red Lake, and Lake of the Woods counties had a 100 percent rating in overall timeliness.
The state average rating is 88.4 percent.

UPDATE: Belle Plaine Police reported that Andrew Cunat was found safe on Wednesday evening and was reunited with his family.

Road repairs and improvements on Highway 21 between Highway 19 in New Prague and Highway 169 in Jordan are underway. Work began Monday, April 15, with shoulder and culvert work just north of New Prague. According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, beginning Wednesday, April 17, work will begin on the road surface. The project includes construction of turn lanes, improved drainage, and concrete and pavement repairs. Construction activities will take place Mondays through Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Darla Cleary holds son Liam who was enchanted by the Easter Bunny at the Egg Hunt in Elko New Market on Saturday, April 13. There were 275 children who participated in the annual hunt for eggs on the playground of Eagle View Elementary School. Children collected plastic eggs with treats in them and each could grab one golden egg to trade in for a toy or a game after the hunt. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Elko New Market’s new Police Chief and Emergency Management Director Brady Juell, left, takes the oath of office for his position from Mayor Joe Julius. The ceremony was held during the Elko New Market City Council’s Thursday, April 11, meeting. Chief Juell said he is excited and the community and citizens have been welcoming. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

BY: Lori C. Melton, University of Minnesota, Duluth
If Maizie Deihl’s story was a musical, it would look like this:
In the first act, the honors student works through her exercise science classes. As the curtain rises on the second act, we see the sophomore on the court, helping the UMD Women’s Basketball team have one of their best seasons ever. Then, in the final act, the music swells, as our star takes center stage and bursts into song. It turns out that Maizie, while talented in academics and athletics, rather unexpectedly has the heart of a thespian.