Whatever Comes To Mind (268)
Why is it when everything seems to be going on at once, the things you don't need to happen do? This past week was not one of my better ones. It didn't help that I was still a bit upset with my husband, Daryl, who very generously and thoughtfully volunteered us to serve the Sunday School and confirmation kids and others a light supper on Wednesday nights at our church. I didn't know how I would squeeze it into our already busy schedule, but figured God willing we would get it done. Luckily, we have some great people at church who volunteered to step in and help and we got everyone fed.
My new computer has been giving me nothing but problems. My fault or the computer’s? Maybe a little of both. I had to get a new computer after my old one died and the new one doesn't seem to be anything like my old one. It doesn't help that I still suffer with memory issues since my bout with encephalitis in 1992. Sometimes my memory is less or more of a handicap than other times. Of course getting upset and confused doesn't make it better.
I had a tight schedule on Friday and probably should have thought, “stop and take a little time,” but I didn't. In the process I lost, or misplaced, the key to my van. Luckily, I did have a backup key in my bag along with me, instead of it being locked in my van. The key, which is one of those newfangled types, needs to be specially made. The thought of replacing the key, which I believe can run about $200, a crack, had me demolishing the area of the Albert Lea Clinic inside and out for several hours Friday afternoon, but to no avail; still no key.
I have three granddaughters, and two of them are currently playing in fall sports programs. Sometimes there is a conflict when they have games going on at the time time. This past weekend was one of those times. Morgan’s soccer game Saturday morning was in Burnsville and Mallory’s volleyball tournament was in Austin — obviously too far apart to take them both in. So how do you choose? I know, not a big deal, parents go through this all the time, but it bothered me. I felt I should be there for Mallory and all the games she would be playing, but I probably have been able to go to more of her games than Morgan’s. I wound up going with my daughters, Kim and Krista, to the Cities, all the while wondering about Mallory being alone in her sports endeavor. I know what you think. Kids are very capable, but I am a typical grandma and I worry about them when they are alone.
I came home late Saturday afternoon and Krista came too, as she was once again going to try and help me with my cantankerous computer. She has tried to help me many times, and I love her for it, but once she turned on the computer, she got upset because she wondered how I could foul things up again so bad.
There have been so many funerals of favorite people of late, but it hit me hard when our little local Irish leprechaun, "Digger," fooled us all and died unexpectedly, leaving Ireland and Geneva behind for heaven. Why are some people so special that it hurts so bad to part with them? I spent the day Sunday with his family and friends, and it was truly a special day I will long remember.
Many times my mother will at least ride with me when I go to cover stories for the paper. It is far better than going alone, but for no particular reason her "tryg" started giving her problems Sunday morning and she didn't dare leave home without familiar ways to deal with it on hand.
Yes, I know things will all get better as time passes. I am sure you've all been through these types of days and weeks and then some. Sometimes it just helps to talk about it and my advice to you is if everything seems to be going awry, reach out to someone. It doesn't hurt to have a shoulder to lean on now and then and offer their help until things come back to "normal" again.
Like roses, life is beautiful, but sometimes those thorns help us realize how fragrant life really is and that we need to be thankful for each day we are given.
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Birthdays and anniversaries:
• Friday, October, 16th: Kade Schember, Jenny Shaunce, Allie Larson, Taylor Tieskotter, Sabrina Marie Bauers, Donna & Gordon Hanson, Jamie & Amber Jensen, Travis & Stacy Simon, Daniel & Regina Van Kampen,
• Saturday, October 17th: Lucas Bailey, Pat Wayne, Dale Strenge, David Killian, Sherrie Dahl Shott, Dustin Wayne, Pam & Rick Cook, Sidney & David Kasper, Andy & Mary Ditlevson
• Sunday, October 18th: Gordon Jensen, Carrie Nolan Allen, Andreas Quinn Vu, Stan & Cindy Nelson, Randy & Cindy Horan, Tait & Jennifer Ingvaldson, Carol & Larry Cox
• Monday, October 19th: Robert William Pulley, Jody Johnson, Katie Ann Carlson, Jan Klocek Louks, Roger Larson, Jeanene Reese, Kristi Nelson, Everett Thompson, Barbara Olson, Esther Rodi, Jim & Laureen Hohansee
• Tuesday, October 20th: Kimberly Wangsness, Matthew Beckman, Shannon Smith, Diana Beckmann, Jenny Herbst, Erick Widlund, Casey Kunkel, Nicole Larson, Doris Scripture Steele, Rick Kelly, Adam Lang, Scott & Joni Groth, Laurie & DeWayne Jensen, Jim & Nancy Bottelson, Brad & Nicole Edwards
• Wednesday, October 21st: Todd Utpadel, Brian Riley, Deb Mucha, Peter Benson, Natalie Kuehni, Steven F. Christenson, Diane & Dan Gallentine
May you find joy and pleasure all around you on your special day!
I am one of the fortunate, or maybe not so fortunate, to be an early riser. It seems to be something I was born with. In fact, my mother often reminds me that even as a baby I did not sleep much, which was hard for a new mother to deal with.
As I watched them gather at the bus stop near my home this past week when the morning temperatures dropped down in the 30s, my thoughts turned to the kids. It must be hard, especially for the younger ones, to have to get up early and leave their nice warm beds so they would be ready for the school bus. I guess the colder temperatures we experienced for a few days was a reminder that winter will be here before we know it.
My uncle, Paul, reminded me that compared to his growing up years, today’s early bus ride would be a picnic. The farm youngsters had to get up and do their morning chores before they got dressed for school.
Once they were done with the chores they would have to try and wash off the smell of the cattle and such before they would get dressed, eat breakfast and head out the door. And if that wasn't enough, many of them often had to walk some distance to catch the bus that would take them to school. Those walks, many which could reach a mile or more, could really be cold early in the morning, especially when the winter winds were blowing.
Of course, if you went to country school you probably rode in Dad’s sleigh and kept warm using horse hair blankets, wool snow pants and coats, four and five-buckle overshoes, wool scarves and mittens, sitting in a pile of straw.
Buses weren’t always big yellow monsters like they are now. My mother reminded me when my aunt, Helyn, or Toody, rode the school bus it was a wagon or sleigh, depending on the season, and when the winter winds started blowing they often had a tarp-like top for a cover to help keep out the bad weather. Often they would heat bricks and children were able to put their feet on them to help warm their toes after those cold walks in the snow. Remember, they didn’t have snow boots back in those “olden days” like we do now.
There were no radios back then either, to allow bus drivers to keep in contact with the school. And we won’t talk about the quality of those county roads, especially in bad weather. There weren’t as many kids back then, so there weren’t so many bus drivers either. Some of the early bus drivers who come to mind in the Ellendale area are Norris Thompson, Menard Vangen and Arvid Langlie; and the “Geneva Kids” had Donny Bartsch.
While today’s kids have so many activities to keep them busy, yesterday’s children had a variety of chores they were required to do before homework and then getting ready for bedtime, often by lamp light before electricity.
By those standards, maybe today’s children have it made. Not necessarily so. Back in those early years parents and children were together more often at meal time than some families are now. They weren’t busy rushing out the door to go to a ball game, musical program, shopping, etc. Once children came home from school, they stayed home until it was time to get up and go to school again the next morning.
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Birthdays and anniversaries:
• Thursday, October 8th: Alex Schlaak (2014), Lauren Olivia Sommers, Barb Hagen, Barb Dobberstein, Barb Strenge, Mary Kay Spurr, Mandy Moon, Haley Hanson, Hazel Spiering, Brad Anderson, Doug Anderson, Daniel Paulson, Kaye Nelson, Julie & Brian Dahl
• Friday, October 9th: Matt Kubiatowicz, Joshua Kasper, Randy Mucha, Nancy Jo Anderson, Ashley Hove, Keith Neidermeier, Paul Aronson, Dennis Blouin and Cheryl Paulsen Wilson
• Saturday, October 10th: Pat Goodnature, Trevin Stollard, Aarin Gray Pirsig, his 2nd; Eric Anderson, Nicole Anderson Loken, Luverne Hamor, Haley Hanson, LeRoy Ingvaldson, Ncole Lonning, Betty DeRaad, Elena Grace Spande
• Sunday, October 11th: Michell Edwards, Mayro (Leak) Kubista, Melissa Otto, Jenna Swearingen, Alisha Moody, Mike Trumble, Cory McGrath, Shawna Besco, Lee & Jody Loverink
• Monday, October 12th: Katilyn Crabtree. Christopher Wallace, Beth Spande, Elena Grace Spande, Marilyn Dobberstein, Terrie Mullenmaster, Lewis Kelly, Charlie & Becky Phagan, Larry & Terry Jensen
• Tuesday, October 13th: Hunter Knutson, Adrianna Schewe, Journey Lynn Utpadel, Courtney Deml, Otto Nels Oquist, Mitchell Wallace, Jackie Flor, Rita Thompson, Suzanne Peterson, Becky Wallace, Mikkel & Jennifer Iverson
• Wednesday, October 14th: Chris Schlaak, Jim Lutgens, Reece Alexander, Chris Ritz, Janet Goette, Dan Hanson, Delana & Daniel Routh, Breanna & Tim Briedenbach
• Thursday, October 15th: Colin Farr, Corbin Brocker, Tony Anderson, Sandy Jensen, Edwin VerHey, John Dittlevson, Madison Lynn Homuth, Barb & Jack Kuckenbecker, Heidi & Tim Schaefe
• Friday, October, 16th: Kade Schember, Jenny Shaunce, Sabrina Marie Bauers, Donna & Gordon Hanson, Jamie & Amber Jensen, Travis & Stacy Simon
May your special day be filled with all the things you treasure most.
Fall always seems like a magical time of year to me with the changing of colors which signals the beginning of harvest and the end of another summer. As fall moves ever closer to winter there always seems to be a feeling of closure in the air. Fall can mean many things to many different people. To some it means that we are getting ever closer to the dreaded winter months but to others it is a time to enjoy the crisp clear days accompanied by the beautiful colors that Mother Nature choses to paint the countryside with.
There is nothing that I enjoy more than taking a drive in the country on a cool, sunny fall day. Looking back over the years I can remember the many times that I have driven south on Hwy. 69 towards Twin Lakes where my wife lived while growing up. Each time that I drove past Pickerel Lake I would enjoy the beauty of the lake which almost gave me the feeling that I was seeing a northern lake.
The kid in me still wonders what, if any, fish are swimming below the surface of almost every body of water that I pass by. There are far too many lakes and streams in this state for me to ever have a definitive answer to my often asked question. I, at times, remind myself of that small child that asks a seemingly endless amount of questions in their quest for knowledge. I now have another question that for all practical purposes has no real answer.
This summer I have driven past Pickerel Lake many times and as summer progressed I noticed more and more weeds floating on the surface and now actual weed clumps are starting to appear in the lake. I know that the lake has never been deep but I can’t ever remember seeing so many weeds or so much algae on that lake before. This leads me to wonder if “reclaiming” a lake as the DNR calls it is all that it is cracked up to be.
I know that the Watershed Board has a plan and that this lake is at the head of the trickledown effect that will supposedly make the rest of the water in that chain cleaner. The County Board has hired an engineering firm to construct a new dam on the lake at a cost of $80,000. This is all well and good but what will that do, if anything, to alleviate the obvious weed and algae problem that has taken over the lake?
The DNR stocked the lake for the second time in a few years after the freeze out that occurred 2 years ago. When the lake was first “reclaimed” from the rough fish that were abundant in the lake pencil reeds began springing up and it took on the look of what had the makings of a good pike lake. After about three years there were some nice pike being caught and eventually it was a very good lake. Unfortunately that was short-lived and because of the freeze out it had to start all over again.
As a kid my uncle Harvey would take me to this lake in the spring to fish for bullheads. I can remember the cars lined up on the shoulder of the highway as folks fished from shore taking home limits of those whiskered fish.
This summer my grandson Trevor put his boat in and tried fishing the lake but said that because there are so many weeds that a person cannot even find an area open enough to cast a lure. This lake has had a history of freezing out for as long as I can remember but it always seemed to bounce back on its own with bullhead, perch crappie and sunfish without a stocking plan. With the opening of the waterfowl season on the 26th Pickerel looks to once again be a quality waterfowl lake and I really do hope that in time this lake will once again return to being a fishable body of water instead of the weed infested lake that it is today.
Mystery Cave announces fall tour schedule
Autumn is a beautiful time of year to make the scenic drive to Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park in the southeastern corner of Minnesota. Fall color typically peaks in early to mid-October, and cave tours will continue through Nov. 1.
“Stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstones await those who traverse the passageways at Mystery Cave,” said interpretive naturalist Bob Storlie. “On a guided tour, you will learn how water has transformed the limestone, see underground pools and view fossils that are over 450 million years old.”
The popular one-hour Scenic Cave Tour will take place during the following times this fall:
Weekdays — Wednesday through Friday, Sept. 9 to Oct. 2, tours daily at 1:30 p.m.
Weekends (and during the Education Minnesota break Oct. 15-18) — Saturday and Sunday, September through Nov. 1, tours on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tours are $12 per person age 13 and over, $7 for children ages 5-12, free for children age 4 and under. Discounted rates are available for school groups (10 or more) who contact the park at least one week in advance. A state park vehicle permit ($5/one-day or $25/year-round) is also required.
For more information, visit www.mndnr.gov/mysterycave or call 507-937-3251. To make tour reservations, visit reservations at www.mndnr.gov/reservations or call 866-857-2757.
Until next time, it’s a great time to enjoy the changing colors, mild temperatures of the day and those cool evenings.
Please remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers because they are the reason we are able to enjoy all the freedoms that we have today.
Kids have imaginations if we let them express it.
I don’t know where or when it started, just that it was my niece Ava who got this story going. Like the made up game, “Touch You Last,” it was a nothing sort of game, but she had named it “Squirrel.”
When she said, “Squirrel,” for whatever reason, it brought on giggles and sometimes roughhousing, and just fun over nothing. So when I see squirrels romping across our yard, climbing trees, running the electrical lines and climbing up the metal pole that holds our bird feeder, I think of Ava and her game of Squirrel.
It also sent me to my encyclopedia. Yes, I often find it more fulfilling than the computer to learn a little bit more about things like squirrels.
Like ‘em or hate ‘em, squirrels are interesting little creatures that can make you smile at their antics. They are smart little buggers and interesting to watch as they do some things that deserve to be on “America’s Got Talent.”
Some people hate them. They steal food from the bird feeders, no matter how you try to make it difficult for them to get at it. They plant trees at will when they hide nuts that they will later recover. You have to admire their dexterity and ability to figure things out to their advantage.
We can learn a lot from squirrels. You can watch them by the hours as you see their little brain figuring out solutions that will benefit them.
We all know that squirrels like almost every habitat, from the tropical rainforest to the semiarid desert. They are predominantly herbivorous, subsisting on seeds and nuts, but many will eat insects and even small vertebrates.
Early spring is the hardest time for squirrels, because buried nuts begin to sprout and are no longer available for them to eat, and new food sources have not yet become available. During this period, their diet consists primarily of a wide variety of plants, including nuts, seeds, conifer cones, fruits, fungi and green vegetables. (We should eat like that!)
In general, the hind limbs of squirrels are longer than their fore limbs, and they have four to five toes on each paw. Their paws include an often poorly developed thumb, and they have soft pads on the undersides. Unlike most mammals, tree squirrels can descend a tree head-first, which they can do by rotating their ankles 180 degrees so the hind paws are backward-pointing, which allows them to grip tree bark.
Squirrels typically have slender bodies with bushy tails and large eyes. As their large eyes indicate, squirrels have excellent vision, which is very important to the tree dwelling species. They have versatile and sturdy claws for grasping and climbing. They also have a good sense of touch, with vibrissae on their heads and limbs.
Squirrels breed once or twice a year and give birth to a varying number of young after three to six weeks, depending on the species. The young squirrels are born naked, toothless, and blind. In most cases, only the female looks after the young, which are weaned when they are about six to 10 weeks old. They become sexually mature at the end of their first year.
The ground-dwelling squirrels, which we most often see, are social animals, often living in well-developed colonies, but the tree-dwelling species are more solitary.
Most squirrels die in the first year of life, which is not surprising as they dart this way and that in front of traffic and travel to and fro on power lines. Adult squirrels can have a lifespan of five to 10 years in the wild. Some can survive 10 to 20 years in captivity.
I’ve had them nest in bird houses. When I was growing up we had two large Martin houses in our backyard that my dad made. It was fun to see squirrels use them for their winter home, each one (or more) sticking their heads out of the holes. It was hard to believe their bodies were small enough to fit in the openings of the bird house, but they did, and sometimes more than one.
They excel at tree house building, usually going as high as they are able and then making a puffy nest of leaves. You would think they would stay closer to the ground, out of the wind, but not so. Maybe they know something we don't. (Wild turkeys will do the same.)
I think of the squirrels when “Tree Houses” episodes come on the television. It is amazing how much money and work it takes to build a human tree house, but the squirrels seem to be rewarded for all their hard work with an attractive view.
I think all kids like tree houses. Why? Who knows, maybe it is the adventure. Maybe they learned it from squirrels.
My Grandpa Schember use to eat them. I could never do that, but then I grew up in another generation. But who knows, there may come a day when food is scarce and it is that or starvation? For now I will enjoy them live and on the run. They say the meat tastes like chicken but I don’t plan on finding out!
I can only say I enjoy squirrels whether they are naughty or nice. I can forgive them for stealing my tulip bulbs or bird feed because watching them is like going to a circus with all the events flying through the air, climbing to great heights and building tree houses.
Birthdays and anniversaries:
• Thursday, September 24th, Gilmore Nelson, Nancy Pence, Jayna Domeier, Jazmyme Tayton Martinez, Brandon Wayne, Cherysh Christina Hill Marcks, Brody Carlson, Michael Bedney, Trevor David Barber, Jill Vanden Heuvel, Kathie Lien, Susan Mickelson, Sophie Miller, and Iris & Stanley Jensen
• Friday, September 25th: Amelia Christine Powers, her fourth birthday; Makayla 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
• Saturday, September 26th: Becky Tindal, Tammy Beenken, Lori Klemmensen Suchanek, Marc Horan, Verdel Humberg, Virginia Miller, James Henry Neidermeier, Connie Menefee Calderon, Mary & Lee Nelson
• Sunday, 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, Daniel Van Kampen, Donna Mae McCamish, Kristin Severson, Lud Borchert, Jocelyn & Jason Heyer
• Monday, September 28th: Madeline Schei, Kylie Lembke, Denise Hagen Olson, Mary Kasper Therneau, Mitch Vangen, Taff Worrell, Haley Mattson DeBois, Bunny Jepson, MIranda & Isiah Payton, Jerry & Ginger Thompson, Bill & Sharon Vavra, Jill & Todd Kubicek
• Tuesday, September 29th: Norrine Jensen, Gail Kaplan, Annette Flugum, Millie Flugum, Ellen Pence, Jenna Quimby, Kevin Klemmensen, Linda Schmidt, Fran Ladlie, Ron & Donna Sletten, Jason & Tara DeWigh, Dave & Donna Meixner
• Wednesday, September 30th: Raigan, Hatlie, Lia, and Shay Broskoff, their 5th; Jordy Philip Klocek, 2013; Chloe Walterman, Dean Hunt, Elmer &Joan Vanden Heuvel, Gilbert & Harriet Larson, Todd & Cheryl Utpadel, Amy & Shannon Vander Syde, Aarono & Jean Klemmenssen, Tiffany & Luke Mueller, Kelly & Joshua Warke
Wishing you a day of fond memories and new beginnings.
Area crops look beautiful in their many shades of green, brown, tan and yellow. It is surprising how much the crops of corn and beans can change in just a matter of days, but then we have to realize it is already the middle of September.
Harvesting has changed since Grandpa’s days, when corn was picked by hand, shoveled by hand into small elevators or directly into corn cribs. Corn was shelled as needed with a hand sheller or by a larger sheller often brought in for the task. Now, it’s hard to remember how things used to be when we see large combines come in and can pick a large field in a short amount of time.
Corn cobs were often used to feed the stove, or the pigs when the corn was still on the cobs. It almost seems impossible when you consider the amount of hand labor that went into farming. How did they manage back in those good old days?
Back then, farmers were less apt to have a stomach “hangover” because of all that exercise they got working on their farms. Only body builders were apt to use a gym for workouts.
Were those the good old days? I bet today’s children would have a hard time believing what hard labor was.
From all reports, it promises to be a good year for the farmers, except of course for the farmer who gets paid by market, not by the amount of money and work he puts into the season, good or bad.
Harvest will soon be underway and that aspect of farming can also be one of the most dangerous occupations out there because of the size and power of the machinery, as well as the circumstances necessary to harvest the crop.
When harvest season rolls around, farmers have to make sure their equipment is in good working order and ready to tackle the task ahead. The farmers also have to make sure they have things ready to protect themselves. They need protective gear in place and in good condition.
Night-time harvesting, even with lights, is more hazardous or course than during daylight. Farmers need to factor in the importance of getting enough rest, as well as working under stressful conditions when time is of an essence.
Grain bins can become a large hazard when moisture in the fall air causes the grain to form a crust or create pockets of air. When things suddenly cause the grain flow to not operate properly, or stop altogether, farmers will go in the grain bin to investigate the problem. If they are not careful, they can easily become the victim of a suction of grain that traps them like quicksand, causing suffocation. We all know we need oxygen to live. Also, if a farmer were to get trapped by a shift of the grain in a bin, it can cause injuries from the intense pressure of the grain on their bodies.
The height of bins, the power behind the augers, as well as electrical lines can all come into dangerous play. Forgetting and not observing they are there would be a tragedy.
Speaking of tragedy, it is hard to figure carbon monoxide. It can become as treacherous in a grain bin as it is in other situations.
We hope our area farmers will be extra careful during this harvest season, as well as hope the people in our area will give the farmers the space they need to get to their big, heavy equipment to their fields and back to the farms safely.
Birthdays and anniversaries:
• Thursday, September 17th: Duane Edwardson, Karen Hemingway Core, Al Routh, Kara Ladlie, Allen Brandt, Sue Tasker, Brock David Routh, Terry & Marlys Van Kampen
• Friday, September 18th: Torsten Wayne, Laura Groth, Carla Scripture, Kevin Christenson, Ron Farr, Chris Larson, Becky Axmann, Laura Davis, Julia Spande, Randy & Cindy Horan, Andrea & Nick Miller, Todd & Mary Wayne, David & Malinda Hanson, Jill & Brian Wolff, Nicholas & Katie Wayne
• Saturday, 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
• Sunday, September 20th: Trinity Starr Wocelka, Jade Hill, Tricia Wayne, Sarah Mills, Cheryl Lonning, Bruce Born, Jennifer Thorn, Jason & Michelle Gordon
• Monday, September 21st: Addie Haugen, Tiffany Shelton, Tim Sorenson, Dan Richards, Ann Hamilton, Margaret Deml, Thomas O'Conner, Pastor Richard Spande, Richard Axmann, Ashley & Anthony Cookas, 2014; Sherri & Chad Fritz, Jodi & Brandon Wayne, Marty & Karen Johnson
• Tuesday, September 22nd: Noah Rasmussen, Lee Nelson, Gary Jenkins, Kaleb Christensen, Diane Stollard, Kathy Underland, Doris DeNeui, Mark & Rachel Lee
• Wednesday, September 23rd: Aiden James Manges, Allison Groth Muilenburg, Melissa Lonning, Sara Cornelius Routh, Kristin Hamberg, Lance Jepson, Theresa Langlie, Debra Harding, James Robertson, Galen Montanye, Elizabeth Lageson, Mark Kasper, Robin Christensen, Judy & Tad Lunning
• Thursday, 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
• Friday, September 25th: Amelia Christine Powers, her fourth; Makayla Jayme Haberman, Travor David Barber, Geraldine Vangen, Tom Lageson, Pan Conklin, Suzanne Enzenauer Skaar, Camerson & Dayna Schember; Kellen & Allison Utpadel, Dwight & Loretta Schewe, Harmony & Ryan Anderson, Amy & Rick Storlie, Wendy & Marty Schultz, Larry & Elaine Peterson
May your special day bring many blessings.
I can think of the number of times I should have said “thank you” and didn't, but it is about time I do.
I want to thank our NRHEG Star Eagle paper staff for providing us with a good home town paper. I know news has to be reported in the big papers, but it so nice to be able to pick up our paper without all the tragic events one doesn't expect to see in Minnesota news, tragic events that shouldn't happen that sadden the news. I thank God for a positive newspaper.
If I were to say thank you to all those I should, it would fill the paper and then some. It isn't that we forget to say thank you. Sometimes we take for granted the many people who do things for us. Yes, in our mind we think "thank you," but we don't always say it. I guess it is something like, "I Love You." We feel it, but we don't always express our feelings in words. "Thank you" are warm little words that most often fill another's heart and lets them know they are appreciated. You can never say "thank you" or "I love you" enough. Never assume someone knows how much you care and appreciate them. They may know, but it is not the same as hearing those words.
I do appreciate our local paper because it is such a positive projection of the good things that are continuing to happen in our communities. It gives honor and recognition to nice things that happen. I know big papers more or less have to publicize the “nasty” things that happen in the world — but I am glad we don't.
I could never thank our local firemen, first responders and ambulance crew members enough for being there for the many things they are called upon to do above an beyond the many volunteer things they do.
And then there are the merchants and business men and women that lending a helping hand when someone needs assistance. Their support can make such a difference. Do we always think of how many we solicit for items of goods and money?
Thank yous should also be extended to people like our local historical society too, who are thinking of the next generation and the importance of preserving artifacts from the past.
Thank you to those who govern our cities, counties and states.
And we can't forget those who plan and execute fun things, those who welcome and are always looking for ways to enhance.
You only have to think and you will find as I did that we have wonderful people out there and some are in strange places, but they are there. Love thy neighbor.
There are always extra little things — or big things — that others do for us. There are those who give their time, money and empathy. I suppose this is true of other areas too, but it seems like these relativity small towns are like family, maybe more so. Families don't even always embrace their families like they could, or should.
I recall my Aunt Helyn. She was so grateful for those who remembered her when she was struggling with her eyesight. Ann Marie was such a great person to remember people in the community with cards and letters that pleased her ever so much. There were others too, but Ann was a perfect example.
My mother still feels guilty about not sending a note to Alex Beenken when he came to rescue her when she fell and split her forehead open. She often thinks of how fast he took charge and stopped the blood flow. Smiling, her doctor commented what a wonderful job that he had done. He was there and may have saved her life, and we will always be grateful. Thank you, Alex!
We thank those who send thank yous. I do appreciate and should thank those who are kind enough to let me know about news events that have or will be occurring that I might not have known about. I can't begin to tell you how many people come to mind, and I am sorry if I forget to say thank you.
Thanks for sharing, and for caring and for being there. I hope you know if I don't always say it, I think it many, many times over.
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 be able to read about these important events we need our faithful readers to pass along the information tous. Also, if you have an idea for a story that you think would be of interest for our readers, please contact me.
If you have birthdays and anniversaries you would like to include in our weekly column, 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 56035-0192, or telephone, 507-256-4405.
This week’s birthdays and anniversaries include:
• Thursday, September 10th: Arnold Lund, his 97th; Taya RaeAnn Lembke, Emily Crabtree, Caden Jensen, Curtis Blouin, Craig Blouin, Pauline Fetterly, Steve Granowski, Kathy Kundson, Sally Utpadel Waknitz, Connie Krusemark, Charlie & Diane Marlin
• Friday, September 11th: Geoffrey Stieglbauer, Andy Arends, Dawn Misgen Meier, Craig Torgerson, Matthew Mueller, Kathy Nelson, Kathy Nelson, Mark Calverly, Paul & Jo Otto, Steve & Mary Bailey, Leanna & Jared Peterson, Tim & Angie Butler, Brian & Jodi Wayne, Rich & Linda Weckwerth
• Saturday, September 12th: Stacy Kubiatowicz, Joanne Vanden Heuvel, Chloe Sue Walterman, David Wacek, Robert Kasper, Courtney Thostenson, Nikolas Zimprich, Eric Hunnicutt, Jennifer Wallerich, David Jepson, Tuyen Vu, Kris Klocek
• Sunday, September 13th: Jaelyn Elizabeth Mckinney, 2013; Reece Ellingworth Drinkall, 2013; Tali Wayne, Jaxon Richards, Russell Goette, Jason Ingvaldson, James Plunkett, Clifford Tufte, Sherre Utpadel, Lisa Zamora, Andrew Zinke, Korey Peterson, Amber Stohr, Lisa Ritz, Ruby Troxel, Ann & Rodney Hamilton, Rhonda & Derike Shelton, Carrie & Brian Farr
• Monday, September 14th: Rick Wangsness, Reece Breidenbach, Issac Wacek, Chris Hanson, Linda Pederson, Jill Peterson, Jack Jensen, Caleb Lunning, Ethan Lunning, Johnny White, Rick & Charlotte Miller
• Tuesday, September 15th: Korbin Wayne, Aiden McClasky, Daniel Hemingway, Ryan Johnson, Nancy Nelson, Tyrel Peterson, Wendy Schultz, Eric Nelson, Jarred Hanson, Dorothy Reichl, Roger & Patty Langlie
• Wednesday, September 16th: Evon Damon Lucas, David L. Christenson, Carmon Fetterly, Emily Laudon, Howard & Carrie Peterson, Shane & Kelly Christensen
• Thursday, September 17th: Duane Edwardson, Karen Hemingway Core, Al Routh, Kara Ladlie, Allen Brandt, Sue Tasker, Brock David Routh, Terry & Marlys Van Kampen
• Friday, September 18th: Torsten Wayne, Laura Groth, Carla Scripture, Kevin Christenson, Ron Farr, Chris Larson, Becky Axmann, Laura Davis, Julia Spande, Randy & Cindy Horan, Andrea & Nick Miller, Todd & Mary Wayne, David & Malinda Hanson, Jill & Brian Wolff, Nicholas & Katie Wayne
• Saturday, 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 Johammsem
May your special day be filled with sunshine and smiles.
Watching a parade of people wearing various colored T-shirts with various types of logos is sort of like seeing a walking billboard. Seems like you can't do anything that doesn't involve advertising of one sort or another. People are strange. They will pay more for the privilege of advertising than they will pay for a plain old colored T-shirt. It really becomes two fold - when people wear T-shirts with a logo of some sort on it they are advertising an event or a "cause," as well as getting a great shirt to wear.
It is interesting how clothing has taken on the "knit look" and eliminated the use of irons. Quite a time saver. I do recall a cousin of mine who many years ago used to iron everything from socks and underwear, as well as put creases in her work blue jeans. What a gal. Her dresser drawers and closet were neater than star quality.
Don't ask me how often I use an iron. It might be embarrassing if I didn't know where to find it when I really need it.
I vaguely remember dressing up to go to town, to attend church, or for some other special events. Now it seems like anything goes. It is a good thing to be able to wear what you want — or it can be a bad thing if it takes away the respect you have for an occasion. It shouldn't really matter as long as what you are wearing is clean and “decent.”
I watched a mother and her kids walking across the parking lot one day. The kids were having a ball, running and jumping, doing gymnastics and skipping over short cement columns. Any wonder why their skinny little bodies are constantly moving? It will prove why exercise makes a body better.
And then there are those flip flops. It is a good idea to always wear a pair in the shower, especially if it is in a public shower like at school, gym, or wherever. It is interesting how those flimsy bits, which are usually rubber or plastic, have gone from dollar store dignity to high price and fashion. I've seen them on bare feet, nylon covered feet, anklets and even men’s wear. Good or bad for your feet — that is the question. At any rate they are popular and most people have at least one pair to step into. We all could take a lesson, especially from the Asian people who remove their shoes when they enter someone’s home. It isn't just visible dirt, but the kind that clings anonymously that spreads germs.
As I've said before, going barefoot on dirt and sand is good for the feet. It has something to do with the electrolytes that do a body good. Going barefoot, during the summer especially, was the thing to do years ago, but it seems to have made a comeback. It seems that feet aren't just made for walking. There's something sensory about your feel that makes a difference to your health. My mother says going barefoot is good because it keeps you from tripping and it helps you to know where you're going. (Especially if it is in a thistle patch or a field of stubble.)
Soaking your feet in epsom salt is an old-time cure for any number of things you wouldn't imagine had anything to do with your feet. Don't take them for granted — they come in handy for a great number of things.
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 to include, or news to share, contact me via e-mail, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; or by postal mail, P.O. Box 192, Geneva, MN 56035; or by telephone, 507-256-4405.
This week’s birthdays and anniversaries:
• Thursday, September 3rd: Marie Carroll, Lori Ingvaldson, Tatum Wilson, Joanne & Mitch Wayne, Dick & Paulette Nelson
• Friday, September 4th: Cody Blouin, Marc Vanden Heuvel, Melissa Wayne, Erin Dobberstein, Daniel Pitcock, Holly Wangsness Dau, Rachel Arends, Melissa Engel, Melody & Tim Gassman
• Saturday, September 5th: Beckett Dane Rasmussen, Sydney Marie Schmidt, Jennifer Broskoff Dutton, Bruce Langlie, Beth Ann Seulter, Darren Hanson, Stacy Evenson, Grace Lorrain Kofstad, Rande Nelson, Dennis & Mary Jensen, Chuck & L'Myra Hoogland, Brian & Angie Dobberstein
• Sunday, September 6th: LeAnn Hjoberg, Cindy Sloan Scheevel, Jackson Kilian, Tina Thostenson, Luke Trumble
• Monday, September 7th: Tanner Ryan Green, Caleb Wacek, Janice Nelson, Charles Phagan, Allen Wacek, Jenny & Jed Popiel, Summer & Wayne Schultz, Erik & Gina Cooper, Brant & Rhiannon Boerner
• Tuesday, September 8th: Pastor Joel Xavier, Natalie Aaseth, Cindy Loberg Smolinski, Anna Lois Erickson, Brittani Hagen, Karen Briggs, Kelly Hagen, Amy Johnson Svoboda, Jennifer Johnson Popiel, Jimmie Olson Jr., Jamie Thompson, Brenda Dokken, Bob & Karen Vaith, Jessica & Jay Eidem
• Wednesday, September 9th: Eva Lauren Wayne, Charlie Pence, Paul Aronson, Bruce Cerney, Corey Haddy, Steve Hanson, Roger Herbst, Jim & Mary Brocker, Randy & Deb Parks, Spencer & Suzanne Wayne
• Thursday, September 10th: Arnold Lund, his 97th; Taya RaeAnn Lembke, Emily Crabtree, Caden Jensen, Curtis Blouin, Craig Blouin, Pauline Fetterly, Steve Granowski, Kathy Knudson, Sally Utpadel Waknitz, Connie Kruesemark, Charlie & Diane Marlin
• Friday, September 11th: Geoffrey Stieglbauer, Andy Arends, Dawn Misgen Meier, Craig Torgerson, Matthew Mueller, Kathy Nelson, Mark Calverly, Paul & Jo Otto, Steve & Mary Bailey, Leanna & Jared Peterson, Tim & Angie Butler, Brian & Jodi Wayne, and Rich & Linda Weckwerth
Wishing you a day of joy...and a year of happiness.
At the risk of thinking I am a little off my rocker, I'll throw this out and see if I am the only one who experiences strange things. Well, maybe not so strange.
I was recently standing by my phone, trying to call somebody who didn't answer. Good reason. All of a sudden I realized they were standing right behind me.
Or more often than that, I will think of someone and before I know it, the phone rings - that person is calling me! Coincidence? Perhaps that is the word for it, but I feel it is a sixth sense, a perception that we all have - some more than others. Not something supernatural, just a sense that comes through to our mind for no apparent reason. It just does!
How many times have you heard that somebody has bought a lottery ticket, something they have never bought before, but something told them to do it, and they strike it big?
And another, you get a song in your head, perhaps from long ago. It doesn't go away without reminding you of something in your past. It is just there. You have a hunch, a sort of a "nowhere" idea.
You have a dream, a premonition. Something happens that you can't understand or know where it comes from. It doesn't say you're psychic or weird. It is just there.
I know I have mentioned her before, but my Indian friend has told me that in her culture they look at every living thing as having a soul, that the wind and the grasses and the motionless trees, etc., carry messages. Many times I have watched motionless trees when all of a sudden a few branches move and I think they are sending a message. Yes, I know you may think I am “touched in the head,” but I do have feelings that there is more to our life than we realize. Why are there "miracles" that no one can explain?
I remember my grandmother telling about the night my uncle Bud went to prom. It had rained and they were building a new road in the area. He slid in the ditch. Grandma said she had been sleeping when all of a sudden she sat straight up in bed and said, "Something has happened to Bud." She asked him the next morning if something had happened. He said, "No, everything is fine."
Years later he did admit he slid in the ditch that night. No one got hurt. Someone pulled out of the ditch. And yes, it had coincided with the time she woke up and knew something had happened to him.
And another. My mother worked at Lerberg's in Ellendale years ago. She and some other employees were in the dry goods department working on something, laughing and carrying on a conversation. She remembers that all of a sudden she said, “Something is going to happen - I can feel it.” She said the feeling even got her shaking. They all laughed and talked about what she said she felt. They told my mother, "You better sit down." A few minutes later, a gentlemen came in the door and asked for her. She learned from him that she was going to be recognized for the work she had done in 4-H. Later she was given a monetary award and a nation-wide story was run on the radio about the event and a reception was held in her honor for her and her family.
Once again, from out of nowhere. Premonition?
I am sure that you have all had a special dream or feeling at one time or another. You think that something has happened before (whatever it was). Hard to understand, but true. The event was definite, like seeing a movie, but it was real.
And another occurrence. You lose something. You hunt for it frantically, then, or maybe sometime much later, there it is right in front of you where it could not have been when you were searching for it. But it is there.
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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, August 27th: Martin Johnson, Kory Kress, Alice Randall, Sandra Thostenson, Dee Ann Jensen, Jim Collins, Mary Lageson, Sharon Ramaker, Terry Pelzl, Angela DeGeus, Jessica Marie Nygaard Paulson, Corlyn & Janice Paulsen
• Friday, August 28th: Mitch Helmers, Larry Motl, Bev Newgard, Waynetta Peterson, Rosy Fisher, Lorraine Christensen, Justine Randall, Marlys Van Kampen, Tammy Johnson, Gerritt Molenaar Sr., Jacquelyn Jensen, Linda Kelly, Marvin Thomspon, Jim & Fran Ladlie
• Saturday August 29th: Mark Lee, Eunice Smith, Barbara Klinger, Cheryl & Brian Boettcher
• Sunday, August 30th: Brett Richards, Joel Born, Danielle Cook, Katie Cleven Richards, Staci Hohansee, Donna Demmer, Everett Jensen, Grace Paulson, Craig Schwartz, Eva Elayna Thomas
• Monday, August 31st: Carole Schember, Judy Deml, Terry Walterman, Kari Hohansee, Jerry Flugum, Tony Holmes, Connie Misgen Evenson, John Tasker, Heather Reese, Nancy Bottelson, Garrett Avery, Ron & Karen Huber, Melissa & Tyler Moe
• Tuesday, September 1st: Jim Motz, Payton Thomspon, Daryl Nelson, Jody Farr, Catherine Carlson, Gregory Ray, Dianna & Matthew Beckman, Adam & Lalya Lang, Jim & Marian Motz
• Wednesday, September 2nd: Krista Paulsen, Brent Broulik, Barb Grunwald, Dean Richards, Logan Callahan, Peyton Moore Ayers, Randy & Barb Horan, Christine & Tom Krause, Amy & Jeff Conley
• Thursday, September 3rd: Marie Carroll, Lori Ingvaldson, Joanne & Mitch Wayne, Dick & Paulette Nelson, Tatum Wilson
• Friday, September 4th: Cody Blouin, Marc Vanden Heuvel, Melissa Wayne, Erin Dobberstein, Daniel Pitcock, Holly Wangsness Dau, Rachel Arends, Melody & Tim Gassnman
• Saturday, September 5th: Beckett Dane Rasmussen, Sydney Marie Schmidt, Jennifer Broskoff Dutton, Bruce Langlie, Beth Ann Suelter, Darren Hanson, Stacy Evenson, Grace Lorraine Kofstad, Rande Nelson, Dennis & Mary Jensen, Chuck and Líymra Hoogland, Brian & Angie Dobberstein
May your special day hold the promise of many bright tomorrows.
I've never been one to get excited about food at the fair. I don't know why, but there are many who can hardly wait for the fair so they can taste all the new goodies that are available. Admittedly, the smells make everything so tempting and never fear, there will always be a many new items available to try each year.
Pronto pups are my failing. I still get hungry for them from time to time. My mother remembers when they first came on the fair scene years ago when she was a 4-H’er and went to the Minnesota State Fair. The kids all loved them then and still do today. They were probably 20 cents apiece back then, and they were just a plain ordinary "pup." Since then they have been lengthened and been jazzed up a bit, but the plain ones, with a little bit of ketchup, are still my favorites. My mother on the other hand likes hers with mustard. And of course, there are other people who can hardly wait for the fair each year so they can have a foot-long hot dog.
Yes, we can get pronto pups in the grocery freezer section, but they just don't taste the same as those that come fresh out of the big deep fryers. Foot-long hot dogs probably were born at the fair, but now the supermarkets have them available in the meat department. Many foods we take for granted at the local stores now got their start at the fair.
I still have visions of people going around chewing on a turkey leg like so many cavemen did many, many years ago. That has never been anything I would get hungry for, let alone try and eat as I am walking around the fairgrounds. Is there anything tougher than trying to eat a turkey leg full of bones like sharp needles and skin so tough it makes it hard to chew? But they do look and smell tempting.
Many churches and fraternal organizations still offer those good old home style foods. They have fresh waffles and pancakes hot off the grills available for breakfast, as well as serve great roast beef dinners and homemade pie among other things.
And we can't forget all the great Mexican foods available, including the fajitas, burritos, quesadillas and tacos, along with the shish-ka-bobs, hamburgers, and Spamburgers, as well as big, deep cups of French fries and onion rings, hot out of the deep fryer. I also hear they offer deep fried Snickers and Twinkies. And what would the fair be if it didn't have fresh sweet corn and Godfather’s pizza? Last year the Steele County Fair even had alligator.
The fairs also offer cheese curds and deep fried ice cream, but once again they are not to my taste. However the Dairy Barn at the Minnesota State Fair always had good shakes that I couldn't resist when we went to the fair years ago. There was a time the dairy industry allowed fairgoers to drink all the milk they could for 10 cents, but I am sure the price has gone up. And we can't forget the 1919 Root beer or the sno kones.
Then there were those who sent their kids through college with money made from their fresh lemonade stand at the fair Another little stand made s'mores, which didn't require a great deal of capital or too large of a stand, but they kept busy. Pineapple on a stick is healthy and there are plenty of people who look forward to enjoying a good old caramel apple or chocolate dipped bananas.
Mini doughnuts became popular a number of years ago, and admittedly they are easy to eat as you make your way around the fairgrounds. Funnel cakes were also a popular choice for some, as are elephant ears. Once again that was not anything I ever got hungry for, and the same goes for taffy and cotton candy. Burke’s Taffy has been at the Steele County Fair for 75 years. All of our county fairs also have fresh popped corn and caramel corn available to munch on. The upcoming Steele County Fair also offers pickles on a stick.
Over the past few years, deep friend cookie dough, cookie dough shakes and paper cups of baked cookies became the thing to enjoy. My mother never let my sister and I eat raw cookie dough because of the raw eggs within them. Here again, the cookie dough items have never appealed to me.
Years ago, people had to bargain to have a stand at the state fair. It had to be something new and different than what was already there. I am not sure if that is the case today. I did learn the Steele County Fair this year will have over 100 stands that will offer assorted foods and drinks so I guess no one will go home hungry.
Somehow, though the names are intriguing, the thought of some foods that would be prohibitive if the price wasn't already out of my range. It is still hard to beat a vanilla ice cream cone at McDonald’s for a buck, as far as I am concerned.
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, August 20th: Dale Nelson, John Scrabeck, Tammy Bergland Techau, Andy Christensen, Diane Cleven, Delbert Karsjens, Jozie Annamarie Johnson, Kim Jensen, Jamie Nelson, Larry Pierce, Tianna & Joshua Kubicek
• Friday, August 21st: Lori Moon, Avery Hullopeter, Abriana Harris, Scott Tracy, Larry Klocek, Viola Klocek, Dawn Dobberstein, Mary Richards, Cindy Anderson, Roger Johnson, Sara Degan Misgen, Jodie Lee, Jaden Jensen, Cody Lembke, Michael Olson, Jasmine Obermoller Evans, David & Cindy Callahan
• Saturday, August 22nd: Thayne & Becky Nordland, Ava Moon, Julie Johnson, Kyle Wallerich, La Donna Cummins Fallen, John Butler, John Glynn, Diane Butler, Dale Kelly, Aaron Ladlie, Dale Kelly, Nancy TaBelle
• Sunday, August 23rd: Jessica Lutgens, Jared Dawson Lee, Logan Dale Marzolf, Terry Holland, Ann Klemmensen, Matthew Knudson, Steve Wilker, Scott Wright, Quinn Vu, Vernon & Jeanne Simonson, Amy & Marshall Svoboda
• Monday, August 24th: Rick Storlie, Michelle Gowlland, Nicholas Chrisensen, Sam Worrell, Tanya Hughes, Natalie Deml, Elizah Lee Ackland, Crystal Johnson, Terry Vaith, Jeff Kycek, LaNell Leak Sunde, Corey Peterson, Mary Edon, Ralph & Cheryl Dobberstein, John & Cindy Christensen
• Tuesday, August 25th: Chloe Lynn Muilenberg, Carl Glienke Jr., Evelyn Anderson, Renee Brandt, Ted Dahl, Jayme Hohansee, Craig Kammerer, Jessica Kubat, Pete Rietveld, Mary Larson, Melissa Peterson, Jim & Lynn Arends, Mark & Deb Hillesheim, Deb & Jim Bohnoff, Rachel & Michael Grunklee, Leah & Dama Clark, Everett & Linda Lang
• Wednesday, August 26th: William Michael Rodney Tuttle, Christopher Cook, Clarice Pence, Catherine Haugen, Mike Riley, Elijah Lee Ackland, Catherine Mae Haugen, Tim Falksen, George Stieglbauer, Michael Rodney Tuttle, Sharon Peterson, Travis & Kelly Johnson, Angie & Michael Den Herder
• Thursday, August 27th: Martin Johnson, Kory Kress, Alice Randall, Sandra Thostenson, Dee Ann Jensen, Jim Collins, Mary Lageson, Sharon Ramaker, Terry Pelzl, Angela DeGeus, Jessica Marie Nygaard Paulson, Corlyn & Janice Paulsen
• Friday, August 28th: Mitch Helmers, Larry Motl, Bev Newgard. Waynetta Peterson, Rosy Fisher, Lorraine Christensen, Justine Randall, Marlys Van Kampen, Tammy Johnson, Gerritt Molenaar Sr., Jacquelyn Jensen, Linda Kelly, Marvin Thomspon, Jim & Fran Ladlie
• Saturday August 29th: Mark Lee, Eunice Smith, Barbara Klinger, Cheryl & Brian Boettcher
Wherever this year takes you, may you find happiness along the way.
A little bit of this, and a little bit of that...
Computers are wonderful tools when then work but when they don't....I won't say what it does to me. I feel ignorant because I can't find the little Grinch that makes it do nothing that I want it to do or mixes up or loses EVERYTHING for me. I will never know how anyone ever invented them or why, but they keep changing them and for this computer operator, I just can't keep up.
I remember the man who had so much trouble with his computer that he took it out in the back alley and fired seven shots into it and “killed” it. I am not sure if I ever heard why he thought it would take seven shots, unless he fired one for each day of the week.
I could feel for him. Many times I have felt the same way, but I would not shoot a gun at my computer, or anything else for that matter. Frustration reigns. To top the whole incident off, he was ticketed for firing his gun in the city limits.
Hillary Clinton raises a question about her use of the computer. Her husband, on the other hand, reportedly only ever sent two e-mails as president, one of which was a test message to see if he was doing it correctly.
On to a new topic.
What does it mean when the package that hot dogs come in, which are usually the cheaper kind, say, "Mechanically separated chicken, pork, and no trans fats, lactose and gluten free, etc.?"
My mother is a label reader, but those hot dogs look fine, and even the label that says, no artificial flavors, or colors, filler, by products or MSG. But those words “MECHANICALLY SEPARATED” leaves her a bit baffled, so she sticks to the more expensive kosher brands.
It is nice to see good labeling on the products we buy, especially the ones we eat. But if it says, "High Fructose," she says she wouldn't buy it.
Speaking of food, if your grocery bill starts to get too high, do like my Grandmother Hanson used to do — buy only what you really need.
It might be hard to get used to, but take it one at a time for awhile and resist the temptation to buy what isn't needed. You could be healthier because of it. Pass by the things you "want" and concentrate on what you really need. Convenience foods are handy, but they are much more expensive than making foods from scratch and if you are making them from scratch, you know what is in them.
Family members may complain there are no Eggos, but you can scramble an egg, or make pancakes, waffles or French toast quite easily for breakfast. To save time, when things can be busy in the morning, make a mix and "jar" it for use as you need it. Yes, it will take a little bit of time to prepare, but your family will survive until you get it made. It is far better to fill them with fresh fruits instead. Bananas, strawberries and grapes are always good "treats."
Educate yourself on how many miles you would have to run for one goodie or treat. Your kids or grandkids would get a kick out of that. Kids should know what they would have to do to make up for eating that cookie or candy bar. It might change the flavor a bit.
Also, you would be surprised how much cheaper your grocery bill would be if you eliminated those things you really don't need or shouldn't eat, like sugary items — the candy, rolls, cookies, chips and pop. Everybody does get hungry for something special now and then, but don't call it a treat.
Speaking of health, it is better to prepare dry popcorn than to buy the easy stuff you "pop" in the microwave. It seems there is something about what has been used to seal the bag so the popcorn will stay in the bag as it is being popped that can be harmful to your health.
I recently read an interesting article about new ways people can do regular medical checkups by machine, alleviating the need to take time off from work to go to doctor appointments. Someday we may be able to undergo those regular checkups where we work, or during a noon hour stop at a medical center.
The Mayo Clinic Health System kiosks are able to treat basic symptoms and illnesses as it guides people through a "normal checkup." It checks weight, blood pressure, listens to hearts, checks ears, and examines skin via a video connection.
I am, in most cases, ready for all the advances that can be made with developing machines to help us with many of the things we need to do. BUT, I don't know if I am ready to do medical checkups, sitting in front of a computer screen.
If life didn't contain change, I don't suppose it would be very interesting. Change is the thing that brings about decisions, creativity, and new advancements. Decision call for choice, and without choices a person can't or would not grow. The only trouble is, most of the time it is difficult change and hard choices that make you grow the most.
It is not always easy to be happy and thankful. Sometimes when circumstances bring about change, you might look back later and realize you grew and matured through them, but at the time all you can think of is how hard it is.
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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.
Birthdays and anniversaries:
• Thursday, August 13th: Dennis Deml, Tim Enzenauer, David Haddy, Bob Brandt, Lisa Dummer, Megan Dummer, Janet Hope, Kellie Petranek, Sylvia Jepson, Saxton Chad Ritz
• Friday, August 14th: Mark Sorenson, Lucille Nechanicky, Gretchen Oswald Thompson, Peter Kasper, Leah Berg, Wes Neidermeier, Alison & Chad Muilenburg, David & Carrie Paulson,
• Saturday, August 15th: Roger Wayne, Obert Osmundson, Kaye Dee Hanson, Nancy Nelson, Stephanie Peterson, Rhonda Shelton, Cade Shelton, Brian Warnke, Dorrie Horan, Michael Suelter, Larry & Kathleen Jensen, Kellie Benning, Brian Warnke, Maverick Harold Knutson
• Sunday, August 16th: Kaven Dean VanHal, Haley Deml, Alexander James Dufresne, Mary Lerberg, Shayla Ann Marie Pachoel, Julie Arnold, Wayne & Marie Dobberstein, Harold & Janice Jensen, Mark & Diana Sundwall, Jeff & Julie Schlei, Donny & Gail Turvold
• Monday, August 17th: Cole Brody Thompson, Katie Klemmensen, Julie Osmundson, Luke Wiersma, Carol Nelson, Dillon Matthew Kubiatowicz, Abbey Beaber, Jackie DeVrient, Sonya Peterson, Cheryl Spurr, Steve Ladlie, Daniel Whelan, Rod & Cheryl Thompson, Tira & James Smith, Tina & Todd Wangen
• Tuesday, August 18th: Ron Johnson, Rick Johnson, John Ross Vermedahl, David Klocek, Michael Ingvaldson, Kelly Schmidt Janning, Connie Robertson, David Rietsema, Gary & Kathy Anderson, Ryan & Jill Hanson, Tamara & David Jepson
• Wednesday, August 19th: Daxter Carter Lee, Jason Langlie, Michelle Peterson, Jennifer Popiel, Cheri Krejci, Ruth Enzenauer, Cynthia Grubish, Lois Johnson Aitchison, David Cooper, Alyssa Kay Jensen, Larry & Karen Carlson, Jackie & Travis Olson, Andy & Julie Arnold, Larry & Mary Ellen Walton, Kayla & Patrick Krause
May your day be filled with everything you enjoy most.
More...
A day in my life....
When my husband, Daryl, decided to go up north fishing on Saturday, it seemed like it would be a fairly quiet day. I should know better - my days never seem to be quiet.
The day started out with my trip to the old Thompson Boat House at Beaver Lake. The Ellendale Historical Society had once again been invited by Ed and Norrine Jensen to hold their August meeting at Beaver Lake. Originally Norrine had planned to hold the meeting inside the boat house, but later decided it would have to be moved outside due to the large number of people who came to spend some time at the lake. People were able to sit at the picnic tables, as well as in their lawn chairs, and over the course of the morning a large number of stories were shared about those good old days at Beaver Lake.
One of the topics included the big waterslide that had been a popular item to enjoy during those hot summer days in the 1920s and 1930s. As Barbara Mrotz shared in the Heritage Bits in the July 30 Star Eagle, people could rent a four-wheel cart, which they then carried to the top of the slide. Once they reached the top, they placed the cart on the track and would then ride the cart down into the water.
Carlyle Lageson, who is in his 90s, lives in Albert Lea and was in attendance for the gathering at Beaver Lake. Carlyle had informed Ed and Norrine Jensen some time ago that he saw a cart like the one that had been used at Beaver Lake, at the Freeborn County Museum, so the Jensens went to investigate, and sure enough they found it, and learned the cart in Albert Lea had been used at Beaver Lake.
While talking about the waterslide, I was able to pull out my copy of the Star Eagle from my tote bag and showed Carlyle Barbara’s story.
(The story about the day at Beaver Lake will be continued as a feature story in an upcoming issue of the Star Eagle.)
Following the great morning at Beaver Lake I came back to Geneva and stopped to visit my mother. Her grandson, Kade, reminded us that the upcoming week would be a busy one. In lieu of that fact, he suggested it might be a good time to drive to Owatonna to visit our dear family friend, Clarice Pence, at The Brooks. We had earlier in the week driven up to visit her but didn't find her home that day so we gave her a call to make sure she would be home. Clarice was home and she said, “Yes, please come, I was sorry to have missed your visit earlier this week.”
We were able to get caught up on all the news and of course before we could leave, Clarice had to take us outside to the patio area so we could see her flowers. Clarice is so proud of her geraniums this year. She has a huge pink geranium, that is just beautiful, but she is proudest of her two flower pots of white geraniums. She is so very happy to be able to show them off.
Days are long when you when you live in senior units like The Brooks and are not able to get out and visit with many of your family and friends, so we try to visit some of our former residents as often as we can.
We returned back home to Geneva so that my mother could rest a bit after all the activities. Later in the afternoon I decided to head up to Ellendale a bit early for the Saturday night musical performance on the City Stage so I could stop at Lerberg’s and pick up another copy of the Star Eagle to replace the one I had given Carlyle.
En route to Ellendale, I happened to see a John Deere tractor pulling a hay rack. On the back of the hay rack was a sign that said, "Just Married." And for those of you who know me, I couldn't just leave it at that; I had to find out who had just gotten married and what they were doing on a hayrack.
I was able to see who the driver was while they were stopped at a stop sign, and I got out of my van and asked him if he would mind waiting a bit so that I could take a picture. Doug Willert, which many may know as "Gout," was the one driving the tractor, and he said, "No, but follow me," and we headed on down the road. I followed them to the farm site of Brian and Nicole Bergland, which many would know as the former farm of Bill and Ann Klemmensen just west and north of Ellendale.
Brian and Nicole had earlier that day been joined in marriage on the farm site. The wedding service, as you can guess, had a farm theme. The driveway leading into the farm had a very large rolled bale of hay in the middle, which was decorated with light orange colored flowers that were shaped into a letter "B" for Bergland. Several large urns of flowers decorated the lawn, and a number of trees at the farm,had been decorated with flowers and ribbon as well.
Upon arrival at the wedding, the wedding guests had been asked to sign the guest book. The guest book was actually a low wooden table that had been placed on hay bales, which made it easier for them to sign.
I also noticed a sign had been placed near a large wooden spool, which I believe at one time may been used to transport electrical wire. The spool was used as a display area for family pictures and such. The sign stated, "Come as you are, Stay as long as you can, We're all family here, so there’s no seating plan."
The wedding guests had been able to sit on bales of hay that had been placed on the lawn during the service. A wooden climbing gym, located on the lawn, formed an arch and was also decorated with flowers and served as a backdrop for the service.
Following the service the wedding party had gone for a hayride while their guests gathered near the machine shed which had been cleared of farm equipment. The table for the wedding party was decorated in grand style in the machine shed and individual tables and chairs had been brought to the farm and set up under a large canopy for the wedding reception. The tables had been covered with white tablecloths and deer anthers; a candle and a vase of beautiful flowers were placed on top of small tree slabs in the center.
Janice Pederson and her crew served a delicious meal to Brian and Nicole’s guests. We wish Brian and Nicole all the best as they begin their married life together on the farm.
After snapping a number of pictures, this wedding crasher left the Bergland farm.
I then made my way back into Ellendale in time to hear "The Good Times Band" on the City Stage in downtown Ellendale. (Please look for this story in this week’s issue of the Star Eagle).
I guess one can say it was just another quiet day for me in a week of happenings here in Southern Minnesota.
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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, August 6th: Lynn Nechanicky, Rick Cook, Matthew Miller, Andy & Mary Lerberg, Wendell & Connie Kuehni
• Friday, August 7th: Shelly Mangskau, Zachery Vangen, Lori Titus, Dylan Waltz, Jack Jensen, Dakota Wayne Heideman, Kaityn Quimby, David Arbogast, Darren Casper, Allen Wacek, Tom & Katie Marlin
• Saturday, August 8th: Ian Matthew Wayne, Luke Wangsness, John Vander Stoep, Jamie Walworth, Kathy Born, Scott Crabtree, Jessica Marcus, Sharon Miller Jensen, Barb O'Conner, Gary Peterson, Emily Jensen, Marc Collins, Matthew Swift, Don Gould, Mya Glienke
• Sunday, August 9th: Aaron & Mickki Heimer, Linda Wayne, Mavis Knudtson, Steven LeRoy Christensen, Cherie Halla, Karen Holmes, Amber Nordland, Angie Reichl, Dustin Jepson, Sierra Ellen Misgen, Josiah Jeffrey Schei, Christopher Quentin Haberman
• Monday, August 10th: Jovey Kathleen Knudson, Lynn Arends, Linda Weckwerth, Teresa Wright, Jeff Olson, Vernon Cornelius, Michelle Brandt, Richelle Butler Chapman, Melisssa Cornelius Large, Dustin Dobberstein, Thayne Nordland, Ross & Kathie Lein, Steve & Kathy Nelson, Darrin & Linda Stadheim
• Tuesday, August 11th: Nicole & Daniel Burns, 2012; Nicole & Dallas Loken, Brian Broulik, Vicki Humburg, Jeremy Kaiser, Mike Plunkett, Kris Simon Freitas, Sharon Sorenson, Kim Anderson Schneider, Brian Thostenson, Irvin Jensen Jr., Kevin Avery, Luke Clark Wangsness, Pagie Sophia Kromminga
• Wednesday, August 12th: Linda & LaVerne Stieglbauer, Shawna Robertson, Tessa Christensen, Kristine Schroeder, Cindy Oswald, Cindy Nelson, Cynthia Crabtree, Thomas Smith, Ross Swearingen, Genie Hanson, Amy Tasker
• Thursday, August 13th: Dennis Deml, Tim Enzenauer, David Haddy, Bob Brandt, Lisa Dummer, Megan Dummer, Janet Hope, Kellie Petranek, Sylvia Jepson, Saxton Chad Ritz
• Friday, August 14th: David & Carrie Paulson, Mark Sorenson, Lucille Nechanicky, Gretchen Oswald Thompson, Peter Kasper, Leah Berg, Wes Neidermeier, Alison & Chad Muilenburg
• Saturday, August 15th: Roger Wayne, Obert Osmundson, Kaye Dee Hanson, Nancy Nelson, Stephanie Peterson, Rhonda Shelton, Cade Shelton, Brian Warnke, Dorrie Horan, Michael Suelter, Larry & Kathleen Jensen, Kellie Benning, Brian Warnke, Maverick Harold Knutson
Wishing you much happiness on your special day!
There was a time when babies were of an age to start walking and they were laced with hard sole, high top shoes so stiff it was funny the kid ever learned to walk. How there could even have been any circulation in those poor little feet as they clumped along like they were wearing their grandfather’s chore boots, I will never know.
Now we see babies with socks or just their bare little toes and they are allowed to run that way unless they need to be protected from hot sidewalks or objets that could hurt them.
When my aunt Toody was a baby my great grandpa, Chris, frequently brought her a pair of shoes when he came to see her because he knew active little Toody would have worn out the soft little slippers that had been made of cloth or soft leather.
In my mother’s day it was common for kids to go barefoot all summer. Economical I suppose, but it was also just what kids did back then. Now kids wear "flip flops" because they can slip them on quick and easy. They are usually inexpensive and they do help protect at least the bottoms of the feet. What they do otherwise I don't know, but I doubt they are more harmful than the high heeled fashion shoes that may be beautiful to wear but murder on your feet.
In my family we always talk about my Grandma Hanson and the passion she had for going barefoot. It probably started out the same - economical. Shoes weren't as plentiful in her childhood days and she got used to going barefoot and just kept on. My mother, who was also a "barefooter," said as she grew older, she could see the advantages in going "foot naked." Walking barefoot can be beneficial because it gives more stability and you aren't as likely to trip because you can "feel" and there is no material between you and the floor, etc. to get in the way.
Why am I writing this now, or why did this come to mind? Well that old saying, "What goes around, comes around,” applies. The "Journal of Environmental and Public Health" reports that Dr. Mercola has found plenty of reasons for people to go barefoot. When was the last time you kicked off your shoes and reveled in feeling the earth under your feet? Has it been a while? It may be hard to believe, but this simple pleasure can be a powerful and health promoting activity. This startling realization is just a beginning to gather scientific momenteum.
Given a fancy name for barefooting, it is now called "grounding" or "earthing" and it has been found to improve quality of sleep and feelings of restfulness. It also helps raise our heart's ability to respond to stimuli and alter the pace of how it beats. Going barefoot also helps reduce muscle stiffness and chronic pain, as well as reduces the severity of inflammatory response after we have participated in intensive workouts.
"Bare footing" also helps balance our nervous system’s "rest and digest" functions in our bodies, as well as quiets our nerous system’s cue to "fight or flight." Going bare foot creates a direct connection between your body and the earth. It is like getting regular sun exposure, which is also important for our bodies. Walking barefoot outside is a simple practice we can easily accomplish and it doesn't cost a thing.
"Bare footing" not to your taste? Sit outside with your bare feet and touch the ground or grass for 30 minutes or so. Even those short periods have significant benefits. Just be sure that where you are sitting or walking has good grounding surfaces like dirt, sand or grass, better if moist. Bare soil, even with a little bit of fine stones in it, is fine, as long as it is directly on the earth and not painted or sealed are all good "grounding" surfaces.
Walking barefoot along the water at the beach is ideal because water is such an excellent conductor. Taking an early morning walk on the dew laden grass is also good as well. Exercising barefoot outdoors is one of the most wonderful, inexpensive, and powerful things we can do in our lives.
People who go barefoot are not as apt to have some of the deformed problems with their feet like odor, or bunions, etc., because bare feet don't sweat like those encased in plastic, which many of our shoes are made from today. Leather shoes are far better, but cost more of course.
Now is the perfect time to go back to nature and take a walk in the nice green grass. Your feet will love you for it!
Birthdays and anniversaries include:
• Thurday, July 30th: Tregg Hagen, Levi Horvei, Trevin Andrew Stollard, Scott Briggs, Amy Hohansee VanderSyde, Gary Sloan, Cindy Vaith, Larry Jensen, Kay Cassen, Shane Christensen, Cindy Esplan, Dani Layland, Kurt & Kelly Krumwiede, Nathan & Lindsey Schlaak, Jerry & Tanya Blouin
• Friday, July 31st: Zane Andrew Miller, Michelle Eaker Stevens, Coni Misgen Evenson, Lorie Paulson, Joan Mast, Brian & Pam Muri
• Saturday, August 1st: Parker Brant Simon, Wendy Schultz, Dale Mrotz, Karen Vaith, Stanley Jensen, Lonny Thostenson, Tad Cornelius, Karen Brockman, Rick Christensen, Larry & Carol Spear
• Sunday, August 2nd: Kolten Aaron Michael Hanson, Tara Cromwell Lembke, Cole Lehmberg, Vivian Dulas, Cora Lynn Harpel, Ryan Nelson, Scott Sommers, George Wangsness Jr., Carol Lein, Melissa Marlin and Courtney (Vallarelle) and Dakota Tracy were united in marriage in 2014
• Monday, August 3rd: Arianna Elizabeth Pence/Ortiz, Jo Lerberg, Kristine Dummer, Cynthia Nelson, Kent Swearingen, Jean Molenaar, Matthew Wayne, Nicholas Wayne, Gerald Flugum
• Tuesday, August 4th: Madysen Grace Waage, Karen Edwardson Loge, Harold Jensen, Bryce Ingvaldson, Terry Vaith, Ryan Wangsness, Michael Hanson, Tom Lang, Bethany Cooper, Rachel Reichl, Gary & Kathy Reichl, Warren & Ilsbeth Wayne
• Wednesday, August 5th: Wayne Schimek, Corey Wangsness, Gabriella Lynn Olson, Gladys Johnson, John Ramlo, Annette Thostenson, Jennifer Broskoff Dutton, Andrea & Kane Malo, Christopher & Kristen Hanson, Tom & Kari Wayne
• Thursday, August 6th: Lynn Nechanicky, Rick Cook, Matthew Miller, Andy & Mary Lerberg, Wendell & Connie Kuehni
• Friday, August 7th: Shelly Mangskau, Zachery Vangen, Lori Titus, Dylan Waltz, Jack Jensen, Dakota Wayne Heideman, Kaityn Quimby, David Arbogast, Darren Casper, Allen Wacek, Tom & Katie Marlin
• Saturday, August 8th: Ian Matthew Wayne, Luke Wangsness, John Vander Stoep, Jamie Walworth, Kathy Born, Scott Crabtree, Jessica Marcus, Sharon Miller Jensen, Barb O'Conner, Gary Peterson, Emily Jensen, Marc Collins, Matthew Swift, Don Gould, Mya Glienke
Sending you heartfelt wishes for a great day!
If you want to see as many people as possible, come to the Fair. That is the philosophy of Monty Mrotz, who tries to plan his vacation during the Steele County Fair for just that purpose.
Some of the graduating classes in our area are taking advantage of that fact as well and are also planning to hold their reunions during the fair. They feel it is a good time and place to join friends and classmates as they take in the fair. One class I know of is the Ellendale High School class of 1970. They plan to take a short break from the fair and meet at the Spare Time Bowling Alley in Owatonna, which is just south of the fairgrounds.
The growth of our local fairs has been outstanding over the years. More and more things are displayed and the variety in the grandstand shows is wonderful. Our local fairs are events that you don't want to miss. It is interesting to see all of the 4-H and Open Class entries, which this year will be missing the poultry exhibits. I know that the Freeborn County Fair is planning on including some different poultry type exhibits instead.
It seems like only yesterday that my family was involved in 4-H and were busy preparing their exhibits. We learned a lot and though I know there have been a great deal of changes in the 4-H program over the years, it still is an educational project in an ever changing world.
Washing pigs and cattle in preparation for show, as well as making those last stitches on clothing and craft projects, were important back in my time. I remember my mother purchased a Viking sewing machine that my sister Kaye and I used to make clothing exhibits for the fair, but more so for school and other events.
My mother remembers that Arlene Olson Kalton, from the Ellendale area, was a champion seamstress. I am quite sure she will tell you how she won a champion ribbon at the fair with a suit that she had made that somehow she had stitched the wrong way, but her error was not detected by the judges.
Arlene sewed many clothes over the years, and I am quite sure she still does. She sews coats and shirts, etc. for not only herself, but for her husband as well.
Back in the early years people sewed all the clothes they needed, as they could not go to the stores and purchase clothes like we do now. The 4-H program now even offers a class for clothes you buy in addition to clothes that you make.
My aunt Snookie, Phyllis Hagen, showed champion beef cattle during her 4-H years. She walked them every day and as a result, they became like pets. It was hard for her to leave them behind when the fair came to a close as they had become such a part of her life as she fed, walked and took care of them for so many months, preparing them for the fair.
I can remember many of meetings our Bath-Geneva 4-H Club held over the years and the number of people who took part. I also remember how each year we would hold 4-H tours and would visit the farms of many of those who were part of the club and see their farm animals and gardens, etc. Preparing for our annual 4-H booth was another big project.
It is sad to see how few 4-H clubs now exist. Life changes and as a result there are not many exhibits in those buildings at our local fair anymore. We are still thankful that many people still make or prepare items that they enter as exhibits at many of our local fairs each year, and it is interesting to see those entries.
And what would the fair be if it didn't have a midway and food to eat? Most generally you can still find a few of the good old standbys on the midway, the merry go round and the ferris wheel and such, but every year there always seems to be at least one or two new things for the younger generation to try.
And of course everyone has to have at least one pronto pup, some onion rings, cotton candy, sno-cones, or some popcorn before they go home. And here again, there always seems to be some great new food items to try and enjoy.
Speaking of fairs...They are being held a bit later this year due to the fact the date for Labor Day, which is September 7th this year, is a great deal later than usual. The Waseca County Fair took place the week of July 15-19, the Olmstead County Fair will be held July 23-26; the Freeborn County Fair will be held August 4-9, the Mower County Fair is August 11-16, and the Steele County Fair runs August 18-23. The annual Minnesota State Fair will be held August 27 through Labor Day.
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, July 23rd: Robin Darrington, Charlotte Joan Tuttle, Barb Kubat, Jackie Layland, Diane Broskoff, Jim Brown, Ron Kaiser, Kelly Pitcock, Carl Glienke Sr., Nathan & Michelle Jacobson, Brooke & Isaiah Lundberg, LuAnn & Keith Miller
• Friday, July 24th: Marilyn Goslee Jurrens, Robert Carter Edwards, Katie May, Joy Peterson, Pat Schulz, Jeff Thompson, Phillip Briggs, Denise & Richard Olson, Trisha & Casey Johnson, Greg & Shari Lassahn
• Saturday, July 25th: Sue Hill, Kari Janka Hareid, Stan Mork, Ivy Oland, Ann Falksen, Rick Hagen, Cole Pospesel, Kristine & Jesse Routh
• Sunday, July 26th: Clara White, her 105th birthday; Jordyn Marie Wobschall, Kristine Broskoff Routh, Mark Bartness, Jane Osmundson, Amy Radke, Jean Smith, Scott & Cheryl Christensen, and Jessica (Tufte) & Rob Arnold, who will be celebrating their first anniversary.
• Monday, July 27th: Ben Groth, Lori Dirksen, Nita Dooley, Mark Helmers, Nicki Spurr, Rick Spurr, Rhiannon Farr, Alison Underland, Dave Schulz, Kory Klecker, Lillian Rose Olson, Steve & Jinny Nielsen, Travis & Ashley Broskoff, Marguerite & Milton Nelson
• Tuesday July 28th: Mike Luhring, Kari Wayne, DeWayne Jensen, Dennis Jensen, Penny Jensen, Eric Lee, Christian Burnes, Donnie Turvold, Jim & Maryalice Hanson, George & Sue Stieglbauer, Gary & Emily Ayers, Melissa & Scott Michie, Ellie & Chad Schutrop
• Wednesday, July 29th: Randy Dokken, Doug Flugum, Candie Underland, Jennifer Huber, Dory Hunt, Jim Misgen, Brent Jepson, Lorrell Beaber, Todd Wangen
• Thursday, July 30th: Tregg Hagen, Levi Horvei, Trevin Andrew Stollard, Scott Briggs, Amy Hohansee VanderSyde, Gary Sloan, Cindy Vaith, Larry Jensen, Kay Cassen, Shane Christensen, Cindy Esplan, Dani Layland, Kurt & Kelly Krumwiede, Nathan & Lindsey Schlaak, Jerry & Tanya Blouin
• Friday, July 31st: Zane Andrew Miller, Michelle Eaker Stevens, Coni Misgen Evenson, Lorie Paulson, Joan Mast, Brian & Pam Muri
• Saturday, August 1st: Parker Brant Simon, Wendy Schultz, Dale Mrotz, Karen Vaith, Stanley Jensen, Lonny Thostenson, Tad Cornelius, Karen Brockman, Rick Christensen, Larry & Carol Spear and Trevor & Courtney (Vallarelle) Tracy, who will celebrate their 1st anniversary.
Grocery bills getting too high? Is there a reason for that? What can we do about it?
Remember that little guru who ran around in shorts and a top inspecting peoples' shopping carts? Granted, he was looking for things that people should not have in their diet if they wanted to lose weight. Strange thing was it sort of follows the same trend.
If you have ever sat and waited by the grocery store exit and took a good look at what is in peoples' shopping carts as they head back home again, you would understand what I mean. Their carts contain many items they later plan to eat or drink that cost them, both in money and calories.
How much of what you see in those carts is food that they really need to sustain them and how much will come under the category of "stuff?" That stuff fills their carts, drains the billfold and does nothing to improve their health. You know what I’m talking about...all those pop bottles, of sugar water, hanging on the side of their cart. And we can't forget the bags of chips, the sweet treats, the rolls and candy, and all those other items that come with a large cost, but really don't provide any value that sustains.
Many people today fill their shopping carts with the easy make items with processed ingredients that really don't provide much value for our bodies, and quickly drain their billfolds.
People need to go back to the basics, and start eating foods that sustain them so they are not tempted to eat the stuff that temporally fills them up but doesn't keep them going. Those basic foods also help sustain the billfold too, as they don't come with big costs.
Speaking of change...change is coming fast, so fast sometimes it is hard to keep up with it all. We can only try and retain the memories of things in the past that were valuable to keep in mind.
Would you like to go back to the way times once were? Sometimes yes. Life was simpler then. There wasn't all the hoopla that one had to go through to do things. Paper work, speculation. Some things are sensible. Sometimes you wonder if we put emphasis on the wrong things that are really not worth all the time and controversy that goes into it, some little things we tend to put a lot of mind and matter in that really aren't all that important while we let other things slide that really are important.
If life didn't contain some changes I don't suppose it would be very interesting. Change is the thing that brings about decisions, creativity, new advancements...and the list goes on and on. Decisions call for choice and without choices to make a person can't grow. The only trouble is most of the time it is the difficult changes, and the hard choices you face, that make you grow the most.
It is not easy to be happy and thankful sometimes when circumstances bring changes you might not like or need at the time. But later when you look back at those times you may realize those were the times you grew and matured the most.
Our beloved Clara White will be celebrating her 105th birthday on Sunday, the 26th of July. Think of all the changes she has experienced in her life. How did she do it? By being happy, interested and busy.The way she looks at life should be a lesson to all of us. Life has its ups and downs and how we handle them makes all the difference. To say I admire this great lady would be putting it mildly. Just thinking about her is enough to make a bad day for me a good one. She is my hero. Bless her with birthday cards and letters please. Let her know how much we love her.
Research proves that how we think is the biggest asset we possess. In placebo tests it has been proven that how we think and look at things makes more of a difference than any amount of pills we take.
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, July 16th: Sue Stieglbauer, Hudson Mrotz, Kyle Ladlie, Jeff Helmers, Nancy Wilder, Kenny & Sarah Price, Dave & Deb Oeltjenbruns
• Friday, July 17th: Kaylee Christine Hanson, Merton Nelson, Ralph Diaz, Sandi Vangen, Victor Christenson, Larry Molenaar, Leslie Schwartz, Lisa & Bob Wayne, Kristine (Simon) & David Freitas
• Saturday, July 18th: Anika Christine McDonald, Nancy Anderson, Matthew DeShane, Katie Dobberstein, Michael Graif, Luke Rye, Roger & Betty Davies, Mark & Mandy Boehme
• Sunday, July 19th: Charlie Glenn Fuller, Cheryl Dunlap, Natasha Marie Peterson, Nicholas Pete Johnson, Carolyn Plunkett, Alyssa Mumm, Travis Jensen, Michael Beckman, Ryan Schmidt, Warren Farr, David Cooper, Angie & Michael Kath
• Monday, July 20th: Pam Muri, Paul Marcus, Wayne Sommers, Brad Eder, Richard Nelson, Cody McCartney, Howard Gallentine, Elvern & Jeanne Holland, Cory & Colette Bauers, Mark & Teri Ravenhorst
• Tuesday, July 21st: Olivia Carol and Lauren Elizabeth Marlin, 2014; Julie Langlie, Riley Marzloff, Violet Elise Aronson, Lindsay Smith, Marilyn Sullivan, Trudy Abel Holm, Marcia DeVriendt, Randy Anderson, Michele Granowski Domeier, Mike Collins, Nicholas Miller, Micki Heimer, Ed & Nancy Ver Hey, Katie & Paul Troe, Mike & Amy Glienke
• Wednesday, July 22nd: Warren Torgerson, Colleen Brekke, Jodie Hohansee Waalkens, Shari Crabtree, Jeff Olson, Joanie Ayers, Jesse Collins, Tyler Joshua Lair, Carl Anderson, Vicki & Kory Kress, Tara & Scott Peterson, Tara & Chad Cliff
• Thursday, July 23rd: Charlotte Joan Tuttle, Barb Kubat, Jackie Layland, Diane Broskoff, Jim Brown, Ron Kaiser, Kelly Pitcock, Carl Glienke Sr., Nathan & Michelle Jacobson, Brooke & Isaiah Lundberg, LuAnn & Keith Miller
• Friday, July 24th: Marilyn Goslee Jurrens, Robert Carter Edwards, Katie May, Joy Peterson, Pat Schulz, Jeff Thompson, Phillip Briggs, Denise & Richard Olson, Trisha & Casey Johnson, Greg & Shari Lassahn
• Saturday, July 25th: Sue Hill, Kari Janka Hareid, Stan Mork, Ivy Oland, Ann Falksen, Rick Hagen, Cole Pospesel, Kristine & Jesse Routh
• Sunday, July 26th: Jordyn Marie Wobschall, Kristine Broskoff Routh, Mark Bartness, Jane Osmundson, Amy Radke, Jean Smith, Scott & Cheryl Christensen and CLARA WHITE, her 105th BIRTHDAY. Wouldn't it be nice if we all could shower her with special greetings on her BIG DAY! Cards, letters and special greetings can be mailed to Clara at the Onalaska Care Center, at 625 Sandlake Road, Onalaska, Wisconsin, 54650.
Let your door open to every joy your special day can bring.