On a sunny, fall afternoon under a clear, blue sky, Virgil Schoenecker and his son, Pete, are busy harvesting corn from the fields on land that’s been in the family for generations. Pete rents the land from his dad now, carrying on the tradition of farming that started decades ago when his great-great-grandfather, Nicholas Schoenecker, emigrated from Waxweiler, Germany in 1850 and homesteaded the original 134 acres northwest of New Prague in 1856. Farming and harvesting has been a mainstay of the community for generations.

After 52 years, the Minnesota Waterfowl Association (MWA) decided to disband earlier this year. However, the 170 local members of the Scott-Le Sueur Chapter of the organization have elected to continue with their mission of working to maintain habitat for waterfowl hunting in the area.

Kristin Wornson, daughter of Dick and Cathy Wornson of New Prague, has been selected to be part of the Sedna Epic Expedition, an allwomen's team of scientists, explorers, educators, filmmakers, photographers, journalists and artists, that will take part in an expedition to the Arctic Circle.

The New Prague area woke up to 1-2 inches of snow Wednesday, Nov. 6, the first measurable snowfall of the season. City snowplows were on the road for the first time this season, clearing the roads for motorists.

Susan Evelyn Sticha, age 99, of New Prague, died peacefully, surrounded by her family on Friday, November 15, 2019 at Mala Strana Care and Rehabilitation Center.  Susan was born on October 30, 1920 in New Market to Frank X. and Elizabeth (Thomas) Koppen.  Raised in the New Market area, she attended St. Nicholas Catholic School.  She married Edward R. Sticha on November 6, 1939 and she joined him on the farm, where they raised their family.  She loved her chickens and ducks, liked to cook, garden, sew, play cards, do crafts, puzzles, and sing. 

JoAnn Lorraine (Boer) Olson was born on March 24, 1947 in Chester, SD to parents William and Lorraine Boer.  She attended school on the campus of General Beadle State Teachers College and finished high school at Madison Central.  JoAnn attended one year of college before seeking employment at John Morrell & Co.

Genevieve Terese Lepeska Rockwood died October 12 in Plano, TX. She was born February 22, 1928, in Lonsdale, MN, to Ludmilla (Schoenbauer) and John Lepeska. Genevieve “Gen” and her two brothers were raised by their maternal grandparents (Wenceslaus and Rose Schoenbauer) in New Prague, MN, following the death of their mother in 1934.

This weekend, most of the United States will try to remember the old adage, “Spring forward, fall back.” as Daylight Saving Time comes to an end.
Twice each year, our internal clocks get rewired as we have to adjust to a slightly new sleep schedule. It’s going to get dark earlier in the evening and the sun will be coming up earlier in the morning as well.

The FAST-TRACK Challenge is pleased to announce Hobby Farmer Canning Co. is the 2019 FAST-TRACK Challenge first place winner. The company is in the process of taking their new Switchel Fizz, non-alcoholic beverage, to the next level. Jeff Cerise, Tod Novinska and Chuck Hermes, partners in the firm, plan to team up with Badger Hill Brewing Co. in Shakopee to bring their refreshing brew of apple cider vinegar, ginger and honey spiced with various flavors, to the retail market. The company received $12,350 in start-up funds and professional services, as a part of their prize package.

Residents who live on the German-Jefferson Lakes and Lake Emily in Le Sueur County voiced their displeasure at a proposed ordinance which would have required sewer inspections every 3-5 years.
The Le Sueur County Board held a public hearing Tuesday, Oct. 22 to discuss the ordinance. More than two dozen individuals were in attendance and nearly a dozen commented during the hearing.
It was quite apparent these individuals were not in favor of the ordinance. A similar ordinance passed for the lakes of Francis, Rays, Sakatah, and Tetonka in the Waterville/Elysian area.

Marie “Bobbie” Hruska, 91, of Montgomery, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019, at Central Health Care in Le Center.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with Father George Grafsky officiating. Interment will be held in St. Joseph Cemetery in Lexington. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Animal Humane Society.

The Elko New Market City Council’s Thursday, Oct. 24, meeting included a presentation by Lakeville Area Schools Superintendent Michael Baumann. He talked to the council about Lakeville’s upcoming vote on its operating levy and bond referendum.
Elko New Market is a community split between two school districts, Lakeville and New Prague Area Schools.

The New Prague Swim and Dive team competed at the Wright County Varsity Conference Championship meet Saturday, Oct. 26, and Coach Cassie Jung said her team’s performance was outstanding.
"I could not have asked for a better showing at this meet," she said. "The girls absolutely blew me away by their performance. We trained hard the week leading up to this meet and they took that training and performed amazingly well. It was so fun to see them succeed in the water and on the diving board."

The New Prague Trojan boys cross country team had a strong showing at the Section 2AA meet Thursday, Oct. 24, at Gale Woods Farm Park in Minnetrista.
The Trojans finished fifth of 17 teams and junior Adam Brandt just missed a state berth. Brandt and Mikele Walu of Worthington finished in a virtual tie for the final spot, in 16 minutes, 54.6 seconds, but video replay showed the Worthington runner edged him out for the 13th place. Jacob Malecha finished just four seconds behind them, in 16th place.

Residents of Mala Strana Assisted Living and Rehabilitation Center in New Prague provide the treats during its annual Halloween Party on Thursday, Oct. 31. Children and their families were stopping by between 3:30-4:30 p.m. to get candy in the Guest Room and other treats. Plus, there were was also a craft area where children could make paper monsters they could take home or get their photo taken. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)