Father’s Day is fast approaching.  It is a day that has been developed to honor all fathers, grandfathers, great grandfathers, and father figures who have influenced a person’s life.

Sonora Smart Dodd knew that a special day had been set aside to celebrate mothers and she told her pastor that she thought that fathers should also have a special day set aside to honor them. Sonora knew first hand how important fathers were as her father had raised her and her five brothers and sisters as a single parent. 

Sonora’s pastor agreed that fathers' should also be honored just as mothers are during the month of May and he delivered his first Father’s Day sermon June 19 at the local YMCA. That day was later designated as the first official Father’s Day.

Fathers Day has gone on to be celebrated worldwide to recognize the contribution that fathers, and father figures, have made to the lives of children. Although it is celebrated on a variety of dates worldwide, many countries observe this special day for fathers on the third Sunday in June. Many people make a special effort to do something special for their fathers and have developed their own family traditions. Many people visit their fathers on this day that is set aside to honor them and enjoy special dinners or events together. Some call them on the telephone while others give cards or gifts such as clothing or sporting attire or equipment, favorite foods, electronic gadgets, or household tools.

Young children get excited with the thought of Father’s Day approaching and many make special cards or draw pictures, most often of things or events they have shared with their fathers. Older children enjoy taking their dads to baseball games, fishing trips, golfing, or car shows, just to name a few, spending time together on Father’s Day.

There was a time when women had to, or wanted to, have a career of their own. With it came the change of child care that involved men more than it once did. It isn't strange to see a father and child shopping for groceries, enjoying dinner together, or watching or participaing in an activity or sport. That's good because the relationship between a father and his children and a mother and her children have different ramifications. They learn and do things different under the care of their parents because men and women are different and the interests they pass on are too. Dads have become just as efficient in changing a diaper, feeding and burping a child or talking to that little one. It is heartwarming to see. If Mom is pleased with a child’s accomplishments, with Dad, it is double good.

As children grow they see their father was more than just their dad, he was an individual, with hopes and dreams and aspirations. They also learn their father made sacrifices so they might have opportunities and that they took on the burden of worry so that their children might be carefree. Fathers love their children enough to be firm when needed, so that their children might be spared a bad experience. They also put aside their own dreams so their children might be able to realize dreams of their own.

All this, and more, fathers have done so that their children might be happy, fulfilled and loved. I hope children thank their fathers for the love they were given and for the times they were there for them as they were growing up. I also hope that their fathers know their children will try to be there for them should they ever need them.

I know that I came to know my father in some very special ways over the years and really enjoyed the things we were able to share and do together. I miss those special times we shared.

The best gifts that life offers cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart. Happy Father’s Day, one and all!

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 announcements. In order to read about these important things we need our faithful readers to pass along the information to us. Also if you have an idea for a story that you think would be of interest to our readers, please contact me. 

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 week’s birthdays and anniversaries include:

• Thursday, June 18th: Kendel Marie Klocek, (2014) Keturah Katherine Mae Gassmann, Brett Hagen, Dennis O'Neil, Dave Lieberg, Marie Dobberstein, Marvin Enzenauer, Bonnie Nelson, Krysti Cameron, Margo & Milton Wayne, Wayne & Diane Jensen, Greg & Linda Pavek, Brad & Tammy Thompson, Kathy (Barnett) & Chad Peterson, Amy & Brady Jensen, (2011)

• Friday, June 19th: John Jerome Olson, Josephine Ann Olson, Julie (Vanden Heuvel) & Dale Horihan, Ellen (Johnson) & Mark Johnson, Al & Carol Schultz, Julie & Chad Cornelius, Guy & Tracy Cromwell, Fred & DeLoyce Schmidt, Melissa & Scott Anderson, Tammy & Jeff Busho, Rich & Susan Hanson, Cesar & Heather Rosas, Ashlie Pence, Johnathan David Schewe, Maryann Stone, Jean Pelzl, Theresa Kasper, Monty Spurr, Erica Van Kampen, Tracy Cromwell, Erica McClaskey, and LaVerne Calverly

• Saturday, June 20th: Adelyn Grace Quaintance, Jean Ahlstrom, Kari Vanden Heuvel, Christopher Wayne, Patti (Stadheim) Bell, Chris Jensen, Alan Schmidt, Dianne Jensen, Madison Renae DenHerder, Mike & Kirra Hanson and Rick & Karla Kelly 

• Sunday, June 21st: Shirley & Greg Tennant, Dorothy Kilian, Terry Van Kampen, Robyn Schmidt Beckler, Harmony Mattson Anderson, Greg Ramaker, Jay Ditlevson, Teri Jahnke and Haley Katherine Meiners

• Monday, June 22nd: Jessie Cleven, Marilyne Donahue, Travis Broskoff, Bruce Hunter, Barbara Haberman, Cheryl Peterson, Becca Schei, Mark & Sharon Sorenson, Chris & Linda (Harding) Newgard and Dale & Suzanne Boverhuis Jr.

• Tuesday, June 23rd: Ralph & Alyce Randall, Carlie (Thompson) & Joseph Sevcik, Greg Bartsch, Ann Farr, Amanda Wacek, Rhonda Reichl, Rebecca Schei, Alley Mae Hammett and Avery Ella Hammett

• Wednesday, June 24th: Rhyan Rebecca Fritz, LuAnn Hanson, Gordon Hanson, Joel Butler, Andy Sommers, Mary Harty, Sheryl Berg, Rick A. Miller, Julie (Krieg) & Brian Hove, Valerie (Tobiason) & Scott Quiring, Stephanie (Morris) & Brad Hendrickson and Danielle (Cook) & Travis Johnson

• Thursday, June 25th: Paul & Deb Wallace, Brad & Jannell Tufte, David & Lori Lembke, James & Mardelyn Thompson, Boyd & Jeanene Reese, Brady Nelson, Rachel Lerum, Michael Bell, Hugh O'Byrne, Brady Nelson Heimer, Marilyn Nelson and Boyd Reese

• Friday, June 26th: Michelle Marie Leeman, Marissa Ann Leeman, Brock Nelson, Tony Muri, Richard Holmes, Michelle Davidson, Tiffany Olson, Ray Jepson, Pennie Ladlie, Tristan & Michael Ingvaldson, Chuck & Ann Southworth and Tom & Wilma Arbogast

Hope you have a day filled with things that make you smile and that the year ahead will be filled with new discoveries.