We learned this past week consumer spending in Minnesota has been at a level contributing to yet another projected budget surplus.
Wasting no time, Education Minnesota, the union representing teachers in the state, offered its opinion the state should continue to help fund teachers’ wages at a level able to address the shortage of instructors. E-12 education is already among the largest line items in the state’s biennial budget. Being a teacher is challenging and at times under-appreciated yet vitally important work.

Nancy Dorshak, age 85, of Montgomery, passed away peacefully with her loving family at her side on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at her home.  Nancy was born on October 3, 1938, in New Prague, to Ronald A. and Angeline (Meskal) Novotny.  She attended Most Holy Redeemer Catholic School, graduated as the salutatorian from Montgomery High School, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from the College of St.

Sheryl “Sheri” Skluzacek of Lonsdale passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family on December 12. Sheri was born on March 5, 1966, in New Prague to Donald and Grace (Sevcik) Sticha. Sheri was married 37 years to Vernon Skluzacek and together they shared a life with 3 children and 7 grandchildren with another one on the way. Sheri was a Rural Carrier in Lonsdale for 15+ years and enjoyed many activities.

For the second consecutive year, Santa will have a hideaway near New Prague where children and families can visit with him and get photos.
Santa, also known as Jim Prokes, will have visits in his sleigh in his yard along Drexel Avenue north of New Prague. People can find out when visits will be happening at Santa’s Hideaway - New Prague on Facebook.
“Last year we had no blow-up decorations, one sleigh and a little Santa (decoration),” said Santa Prokes about the first year he, his wife and daughter, Jayme, did the visits at their property.

Shirley Ann Mann passed away on December 13, 2023, at the age of 83 at her home in New Prague. 
She was born February 15, 1940, in International Falls, MN, to William and Gertrude (Blake) Napper. 
On November 8, 1958, she was united in marriage to Elroy “Bud” Mann. The couple moved to Minneapolis and also lived in Brooklyn Center and Burnsville. Shirley spent over 35 years working at Unisys in St. Paul. After retirement, Shirley moved to New Prague to be closer to family. 

Despite their record not being where the Trojans want it to be, New Prague High School girls’ ice hockey coach Madison Drazan sees progress.
At 2-6-1, the first-year New Prague coach said her players continue to work hard in games and daily practices. The players are adapting to new offensive and defensive systems. The team endured a pair of tough setbacks in the past week, losses that could leave players down.
“Everybody is continuing to work hard and keep trying to get better. That’s the most important thing, this team is committed to getting better,” Drazan said.

This story has been updated.
Fire broke out in a structure on the 9000 block of Union Hill Boulevard in Belle Plaine Township just outside of the city of Belle Plaine Tuesday morning, Dec. 12.

Larry Douglas Coon, 67, of Webster, MN, passed away peacefully at home December 3, 2023.
Larry was born September 11, 1956, to Patricia and Louis Coon in Creston, IA.
After Larry graduated from Mankato West High School in 1974, he went on to study Horticulture and Landscape design at Brainerd Vocational Technical Institute.
While at school he met Janyce (Jan) Swanson. They were married at Spring Garden Lutheran Church, Cannon Falls, MN, May 3, 1980.

Carolyn C. Stark, age 82, of Shakopee, MN, entered eternal life on Sunday, December 3, 2023, at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, MN.
Carolyn was born May 5, 1941, along with her twin brother Caroll, in Caribou, Maine, the daughter of Aleck and Minnie (Landean) Zetterman. She was 1 of 10 children, and raised on a farm in New Sweden, Maine.

A gentle snow fell and brought a festive feeling to the activities of Frosty Fest in Lonsdale on Small Business Saturday.
The snow brought slippery conditions to the roads and for those walking about, forcing everyone to slow their pace.
Shops in Lonsdale had special extended hours encouraging residents to shop at their local stores. Many businesses offered specials but the highlight for many was Something For All’s Winter Wonderland.

Jacob Tanner Feneis, age 40, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes at his home on Wednesday, November 22, 2023.
Jacob was born in New Prague on February 19, 1983 to Tom and Lynn (Liebhard) Feneis and attended New Prague Schools. He went on to attend Metro State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education with an emphasis in English. He taught in both the St. Paul and Minneapolis School Districts.

It was a busy evening in New Prague as the community held its 27th Annual Holiday Parade of Lights and Celebration.
There were about 30 entries in the parade along Main Street, including this one from the New Prague Area Figure Skating Club. The festivities continued in Memorial Park with the tree lighting, fireworks, children visiting with Santa and hot cocoa.
Before the parade there was a Live Nativity scene at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church.
For more see an upcoming print edition of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher photo)

I have a sibling who doesn’t eat anything with pork products in them. Strangely enough, you will find pork products in places sometimes you don’t always think of — one of them being store-bought gelatin.
This sent me on a hunt of how I could make my own gelatin and the results were surprisingly simpler, more flavorful and more nutritious than I realized. In fact, if you can somehow make anything into a liquid, you can make it into gelatin. It also sets firmer.

Karleen M. Burgeson, age 70, of New Prague, died peacefully with her family by her side on Monday, November 27, 2023, at her home.  Karleen was born on November 1, 1953, in Bellingham, Washington to Leo and Jeraldine (Barber) Dally.  Kaleen grew up in various communities in the northern Washington area and graduated from Mount Lake Terrace High School.  She joined a sister living in Minnesota, where she started out as a waitress at the Nanking Restaurant in Minneapolis.  She met Jerold D. Burgeson at a Bible Study in Apple Valley,  quickly fell in love and were married in Mt.

Susan Ellen Fasnacht, 1950 - 2023
Sue passed away unexpectedly on November 19, 2023, at Mankato Mayo Hospital.
Born in 1950 to Cyril J. and Iverna S. Fasnacht, Sue attended Good Counsel Academy High School in Mankato and graduated from the College of  St. Benedict, St. Joseph, with a degree in education.
Sue expanded her classroom experience by teaching in Seattle and Australia. She was actively involved as a teacher and volunteer in the New Prague school system for over 40 years.

Marcella "Marcy" Hoffman, age 98, of Jordan, MN, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on November 21, 2023, at Oak Terrace Senior Assisted Living in Jordan.
A Time of Gathering to honor Marcy will be held from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 30, 2023, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation (104 First Street West) in Jordan, MN. A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at a later date at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jordan, MN. Interment at Calvary Cemetery in Jordan.