Sometimes you feel you need "two of you" to accomplish everything that needs to be done, an extra pair of hands, a shoulder to lean on, and a leg up in that challenge which, in my case, seems insurmountable. It involves long hours, early and late times of day, it can be a little overwhelming, as well as raise the adrenalin, but in the end I come out feeling I am really the winner.

In my quest for letting people and organizations know what is happening here in our area, I hope they know they are appreciated. I have been able to meet and get to know so many interesting people and attend some great events.

Some I knew and some I just thought I did. There are always people who continue to amaze me with the things they have done, continue to do and have accomplished, not just for themselves but for others.

Life is hard, but there are those who are willing to work through it. My job has taught me to look beyond the “outer shell” and look inside and see some of the things that make people tick. Everyone has a heart and there are so many different ways they use it.

There are things I wish could be different, which could be an advantage to making life a little easier. I also recognize the dedication and determination that most people seem to have to not only survive but to benefit from in this rocky world we live in.

I can feel my frustration and theirs. It not only comes to mind, but realize there is no magic potion or ability to wiggle your nose that would help take some of that frustration away. I see how some people must cope with things. Technology has its purpose and know it is a necessity but I also see its cost. It makes one wish for the carefree days of tree houses, "lets' pretend," less paper work, taxes, insurance, regulations, licenses and the like.

Sometimes one wishes for longer days and weeks. But would that really help or just add more to our busy lives? I have had to start using a bigger date book. My old one was overflowing.

Lest we forget, as we value our time, it is best to take a good look at how we can make the most of that valuable time by putting things in perspective. What is really important and what isn't? Juggling jobs and time schedules can be quite a hassle, not just for oneself but for the entire family.  Sometimes a few minutes or seconds to share some extra kind and thankful words of praise or a voiced "I Love You" can raise the value of that time. There also should be time to ask God for help, even if it is only thought, not voiced, while you are busy and on the run.

Don't forget the little people, they too may be carrying burdens of their own they are reluctant to voice because they realize how busy your life is. Personally I feel we expect more of them than we should at times. Remember they are children. They get tired too. Would you have the time and energy to do the things that you expect others to do?

Saying, "Thank You" is a big thing. When I recently received a thank you note from someone I did not even know, it really made my day. It really made me want to do more and to do things better. That is when I realized that all of this work is worth it. I am glad our paper is a "people’s paper" and we can cover stories about people and not just the things the big newspapers publish. Time and time again I get comments about how good our local paper is.

I still feel it comes down to the individuals that matter. I would like to give honor and praise to all those who may silently work, provide and achieve so much for others. Sometimes I don't know them and maybe you don't know them either, but we should. I am so impressed with the so-called ordinary citizens who are a part of our little corner of the world — but there aren't people who are just ordinary.

Everybody I have met over the years has impressed me as being special in their own way and I can only hope they realize that. These are the people who make the most of what they have to offer. These are the people who smile and say, "How are you?" These are the people who live next door or maybe a world away. These are the people who make life worth living. We are around them every day and they just may need your smile and love as well.

People need people. It is as simple as that. Whatever we have is worth twice as much when we share it.

Some of our Star Eagle readers have commented they like to read about events such as family and school reunions, birthdays and anniversaries, and birth and wedding annoucements.  In order to read about these important things we need our faithful readers to pass along the information to us. 

If you have birthdays and anniversaries you would like include, or news to share please contact me via e-mail, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; by postal mail, P.O. Box 192, Geneva, MN 56035 or telephone, 507-256-4405.

This weeks birthdays and anniversaries:

• Thursday, September 19th: Vicki Hill Kress, Carol Anderson, David Deml, Ben Cerney, Dan Underland, Kristine Sorenson, Bill Hatch, Jennifer Johnson, Gerald Trandem, Cindy Morris Erickson, Scott & Tracy Tracy, Kelly & David Wacek, Jill & Dustin Johannsen

• Friday, September 20th: Trinity Starr Wocelka, her second; Jade Hill, Tricia Wayne, Jade Hill, Alice Simonson, Sarah Mills, Cheryl Lonning, Bruce Born, Mardelyn Thompson, Jennifer Thorn, Jason & Michelle Gordon, Irvin & Kathy Jensen

• Saturday, September 21st: Addie Haugen, Tiffany Shelton, Tim Sorenson, Dan Richards, Ann Hamilton, Margaret Deml, Thomas O'Conner, Pastor Richard Spande, Richard Axmann, Sherri & Chad Fritz, Jodi & Brandon Wayne, Marty & Karen Johnson

• Sunday, September 22nd: Noah Rasmussen, Lee Nelson, Gary Jenkins, Kaleb Christensen, Diane Stollard, Kathy Underland, Doris DeNeui, Mark & Rachel Lee

• Monday, September 23rd: Aiden James Manges, Allison Groth Muilenburg, Melissa Lonning, Sara Corenlius Routh, Kristin Hamburg, Lance Jepson, Theresa Langlie, Debra Harding, James Robertson, Galen Montanye, Elizabeth Lageson, Mark Kasper, Robin Christensen, Judy & Tad Lunning

• Tuesday, September 24th: Gilmore Nelson, Nancy Pence, Jayna Domier, Jazmyne Tayton Martinez, Brandon Wayne, Cherysh Christina Hill Marcks, Brody Carlson, Michael Bedney, Trevor David Barber, Jill Vanden Heuvel, Kathie Lein, Susan Mickelson, Sophie Miller, Iris & Stanley Jensen

• Wednesday, September 25th: Amelia Christine Powers, her second birthday: Maykayla Jayme Haberman, Trevor David Barber, Geraldine Vangen, Tom Lageson, Pat Conklin, Suzanne Enzenauer Skaar, Cameron & Dayna Schember, Kellen & Alison Utpadel, Dwight & Loretta Schewe, Harmony & Ryan Anderson, Amy & Rick Storlie, Wendy & Marty Schultz, Larry & Elaine Paulsen

• Thursday, September 26th: Becky Tindal, Tammy Beenken, Lori Klemmensen Suchanek, Marc Horan, Verdel Humberg, Virginia Miller, James Henry Neidermeier, Connie Menefee Calderon, Lee Johnson, Glenn Beckman, Marty & Lee Nelson

• Friday, September 27th: Layla Grace Schultz, Judy Christensen, Naomi Wangsness, Mary Wayne, Gail Farr Christenson, Sara Holmes Wencl, Steve Lageson, Kristin Paulsen Zinke, Jacob Tasker, Chris Ritz, Katie Cameron, Eleanor Rodriguez, Carl Shadden, Daniel Van Kampen, Donna Mae McCamish, Kristin Severson, Lud Borchert, Jocelyn & Jason Heyer

May your special day hold the promise of many bright tomorrows!