Features (1071)
With help from their friends, Grubstads battle rare illness
Written by Jim LutgensBenefit set for April 3
STILL ON THE JOB — A benefit is planned for April 3 for Dean Grubstad, left who along with his wife, Theresa, owns the Red Leaf Cafe in New Richland. Dean remains on the job despite his battles with a rare bone infection. (Star Eagle photo by Jessica Lutgens)
By JESSICA LUTGENS
Staff Writer
When Dean Grubstad started experiencing soreness last fall, he assumed it was whiplash from a past accident. He did not expect it to lead to a three-week, life-changing hospital stay — and he wasn’t the only one who didn’t see it coming.
It was around Thanksgiving of 2015 when Dean’s symptoms surfaced. He went in to the doctor, who agreed that it was probably whiplash and put him on steroids. After three days, Dean began feeling better, but the fourth day was a different story.
“It was like I took a 180,” said Grubstad, who owns the Red Leaf Café in New Richland along with his wife, Theresa. “I couldn’t move my left arm, and I started having convulsions.”
He and Theresa then went to the Owatonna hospital. He was admitted and treated for two days for what doctors had thought was pneumonia after x-rays showed a mass that appeared to be on Dean’s lung. However, an MRI revealed that the fluid (mass) was actually located behind the lung, which changed things.
Tollefson on national runner-up RCTC men’s basketball team
Written by Jim LutgensBy JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
Spencer Tollefson, a 2015 graduate of NRHEG High School, was a member of the Rochester Community and Technical College men’s basketball team that recently finished second in the National Junior College Athletic Association national tournament.
RCTC finished with a record of 30-3, advancing to nationals after winning the Region XIII championship.
Tollefson, a three-sport standout for NRHEG, saw most of his playing time early in the season, averaging from five to 10 minutes per game. His playing time decreased after a teammate returned from an injury. He averaged about three points per game.
“It was a fun season, I guess,” said Tollefson. “It was a lot of work.”
Community Ed. to host defensive driving classes
Written by Jim LutgensNRHEG Community Education will host defensive driving classes.
An eight-hour class, which entitles individuals to a 10-percent reduction on insurance premiums, is April 18 and 19 from 5:30-9:30 p.m. in Room D107 of NRHEG High School in New Richland. Cost is $26. Register by April 11 by calling 888-234-1294
A four-hour refresher course (must have taken the eight-hour in previous years) is April 21 from 5:30-9:30 in Room D107 of NRHEG High School. Cost is $22. Register a week before the class by calling 888-234-1294.
There will be a preschool open house to register for the 2016-17 school year on Tuesday, April 12 in Ellendale or Thursday, April 14 in New Richland. You can attend either site and register for either site on these dates. The open house will start at 6 and end at 7:30. The registration fee will only be $20 if you attend the open house. Otherwise it will be $25 if you are registered by April 22 and do not attend the open house. After April 22 the registration fee will be $35. If classes fill up, you will be put on a waiting list.
New Richland City Council
By JESSICA LUTGENS
Staff Writer
Contact has finally been made with the owner of the commercial lot on 420 2nd St. SE in New Richland, according to City Clerk Wayne Billing, who received a visit at City Hall from the property owner prior to the regular city council meeting on Monday, March 14. The owner, who was put on notice to clean up the property, has decided to attend a public hearing at the next meeting on March 28.
The council meeting began at 6:30 p.m. with all members present; the agenda and consent agenda items were approved.
The police report stated that the department responded to 86 calls for service in February, and the new squad car was received on March 11. Regarding the recent thefts around town, a juvenile suspect was arrested on outstanding Apprehend and Detain orders from other counties, and the items taken were returned to their owners. Charges are pending with the Waseca County Attorney’s Office. The report was approved.
The fire department’s purchase requests of up to $16,000 for gear, and $3,080 for light upgrades, were approved, along with the fire report.
Benefit Sunday in Geneva
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
Connor Weckwerth, a first-grader at Blooming Prairie Elementary School and son of Milo Weckwerth of New Richland, became seriously ill in June of last year and was not able to keep food down for seven days; it got to the point where he could no longer walk, so his mother of course took him to the doctor.
At first, doctors thought Connor might have diabetes. Then they thought he might be suffering with an appendicitis. After those conditions were ruled out his parents made the decision to take him to St. Marys’ in Rochester. After spending two hours in Rochester, a CT scan diagnosed Conner with medulloblastoma, a type of brain cancer common in boys under 10.
He’s been battling it ever since — with the help of family, friends and others who care.
A benefit for 7-year-old Connor will be held Sunday, March 20 from 1-5 p.m. at the Geneva Community Center.
The Nortonna Lodge 1-638 of the Sons of Norway will meet on Monday, March 21. Supper will be served at 6 p.m. for a cost of $7 and the meeting will follow at 7 p.m. at the Owatonna Elks Lodge, 126 East Vine Street.
The guest speaker is Dr. Lawrence Moe who will share the story of Carl Ben Eielson, the famous pilot and explorer who was born in North Dakota to Norwegian immigrant parents. Dr. Moe is an English professor at Metropolitan State University in St. Paul.
If you would like more information on the Nortonna Lodge of the Sons of Norway, contact Nina Zak at 507-451-5841 or Cindy Hokanson at 507-451-9301.
Local Cub Scouts will pick up Scouting for Food bags Saturday, March 19 in Ellendale and New Richland. Bags were left at residences on March 12.
Panthers' run ends in section title game
Jack Schultz leads Panther Nation in a cheer during the Section 2AA girls' basketball championship game between NRHEG and Norwood-Young America at Minnesota State-Mankato Friday, March 11. The Panthers gave it a good effort but came up short against the much taller Raiders, 67-56. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
Registration forms available for NRHEG Summer Recreation
Written by Jim LutgensRegistration forms for NRHEG Summer Recreation — T-Ball, baseball, softball — can be found on the NRHEG website (www.nrheg.k12.mn.us). Go to Community Education and drop down to Summer Rec. Forms are sent home with all children attending NRHEG Elementary School in Ellendale. If you have a preschool child and you would like a form go onto our website or contact the school to have a registration form sent to your home. Girls softball (grades 3 and up) will be handled by Wendy Schultz and those forms will come home later in the spring.
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NRHEG girls return to Section 2AA title game
Members of the NRHEG girls' basketball team celebrate their 55-52 victory over top-seeded Waterville-Elysian-Morristown for the Section 2AA South Sub-Section championship at Minnesota State University-Mankato Monday, March 7. After a one-year hiatus, the Panthers are back in the Section 2AA title game and one win away from state, and face Norwood-Young America Friday, March 11 at 8 p.m. at MSU. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
Sign up by Thursday for CE trip to Macy’s, Bachman’s
Written by Jim LutgensNRHEG Community Education is having a trip to Macy's Flower Show and Bachman's Idea House Thursday, March 31. It will be a fun-filled day of gardens, flowers, and decorating.
Leaving Ellendale at 8 a.m. (Gopher Stop)
Cost is $35. Register by March 10. Call 507-417-2667 for more information.
A juvenile suspect has been identified, interviewed and admitted to the thefts from vehicles in New Richland, according to police chief Scott Eads. All items taken were recovered and returned to their owners. The report has been completed and sent to the Waseca County Attorney’s Office to be reviewed for charges.
The police department still reminds residents to remove valuables from their vehicles and secure their vehicles when not in use.
Eads thanks the residents of New Richland for their cooperation regarding this matter and greatly appreciates their assistance.
NRHEG ECFE (Early Childhood Family Education) will hold its spring kickoff on Tuesday, March 8 in the Ellendale Cafeteria at 6:30 pm. We will feature bingo, bowling and banana splits. If you have preschoolers in your family and would like to find out more about our program, please join us that evening. Registration for our spring session will be held during the kickoff. For more information, call Marilyn Dobberstein at 507-417-2667.