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)

A business venture that began more than 20 years ago as college students has landed a pair of New Prague brothers into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame.
The O’Neills join a group of inductees that include the Peterson family, a family of musicians whose members have played locally and nationally with the likes of the Steve Miller Band, Fleet-wood Mac and Prince, Old- Tyme Concertina player Ernie Coopman, Classical pianists, vocalists and educators John and Sarah McKay, nationally-known rock group Soul Asylum, and classical guitarist and educator John Holmquist.

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.

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.

Giesenbrau Bier Co. in New Prague was jam packed with people attending the Hops for Hope - Cure ALS fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 26. This was the second annual event, which featured multiple articles in the silent auction, plus bands inside the building and in a tent outside. There was also food, beer and special articles. For more see an upcoming print article of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Boy Scout Joey Little, left, and Jesse Stapp, right, watch as Jesse’s son Bennett tries one of the games at the Elko New Market Halloween Party the morning of Saturday, Oct. 26. More than 200 children attended the annual event at Eagle View Elementary School for games, treats and fun. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

The Gopher State Railway Museum, north of New Prague, held its annual Pumpkin Express event Saturday, Oct. 19. Youngsters from around the area turned up to see and ride the train, enjoy a snack and get a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch set up near the depot/ office. After running out last year, organizers made sure they had enough pumpkins, with more than 300 of them available. They said they had a great turnout, with warm, sunny weather greeting those who visited the museum.

A presentation on information concerning a possible rental dwelling license ordinance became a discussion during the New Prague City Council’s Monday, Oct. 21, meeting.

For a second year a Hops for Hope - Cure ALS fundraiser will be held at Giesenbrau Bier Co. in New Prague. The benefit for the Minnesota/North Dakota/ South Dakota Chapter of the ALS Association will be held from 3-8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, at Giesenbrau Bier Co., 1306 First St. NE.

He's still relatively new to Lonsdale, but he's already made a name for himself.
He's the Haunted House Guy.
He is Rory Anderson, and after just one look at his haunted front yard, you'll know he's passionate about Halloween.
"I've always been crazy about Halloween," he stated. "I loved going out with my siblings and friends trick or treating when I was younger. We were always the first ones out and the last ones back home."

Project retainage to subscontractors on the Le Sueur County Justice Center Project has been reduced.
The Le Sueur County Board of Commissioners received a request by Adolph & Peterson Construction to reduce the retainage for 30 of the 39 subcontractors.
The reduction took the current five percent retainage held and decreased it to one percent.
Adolph & Peterson said they believe these contractors have no risk associated with the project.
The final one percent will be awarded to the subcontractors upon the final signing of the contracts.

A purrrfect fundraiser on Sunday in Lonsdale raised more than $15,000 for the care of stray and feral felines.
The non-profit 501(c)(3) Wee3beasties: Saving the Strays was the recipient of the funds raised from the sixth annual Pancakes for Paws event at the Lonsdale American Legion.
Proceeds of the event cover medical treatments and care for the cats and kittens at the shelter. The New Prague nonprofit is entirely run by volunteers, and founder Dr. Jean Craig.

The restoration of a little historic church’s steeple will be Le Sueur County Historical Society’s first big project, since the group’s leadership changed in June.
The project, which carries an estimated price tag of $174,000, includes the building of a new, historically accurate steeple, the erection of that steeple, and the installation of a new roof on the 160-year-old Ottawa Stone Church, one of four historic properties owned by LCHS.

Sunday, Oct. 13, was a big day for Calvary Church of New Prague.
The congregation, which started six years ago with six families and now averages around 200 people for its Sunday services, held a dedication service for its newly acquired property south of Raven Stream Elementary School, near the intersection of Highway 19 and 11th Ave NW.
The church, which moved its weekly services to Raven Stream beginning this week, will soon begin a feasibility study on the 13-acre parcel to determine the type of church facilities it can build and when to build them.