Features (1071)
NRHEG SCHOOL BOARD
By REED WALLER
Staff Writer
“It’s been a while since we’ve done a big evaluation,” began NRHEG School Board chairman Rick Schultz Monday evening at the Media Center in New Richland.
He spoke to a group of about 15 guests plus faculty and administration, gathered to participate in a discussion of the improvements to school facilities the board has been considering for the coming years.
The meeting, following a similar meeting in Ellendale the previous week, was also attended by representatives from ICS Consulting and Wold Architects, who are working with the board to create an improvement plan for the district to address a number of issues, some of them of high priority.
Star Eagle photo by Nicole BillingFriday, Dec. 12 will be “just another day” at the Village Inn in Hartland, says owner Judy Hendrickson. Nothing special will be going on. Except, of course, that Friday will be the last day. Established in 1985, the Village Inn has been a gathering place and general watering-hole for the rather unique little community that is Hartland. We join others in thanking Judy for her years of hospitality and providing a center for a living community. By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
When Santa Claus comes to Geneva on Saturday, December 13th for his yearly visit, the local children will also be able to play Bingo prior to his arrival.
Those who attend this yearly event will be able to also sign up for two door prizes, one for a girl, and one for a boy, hoping to be the lucky one chosen as the winner, if they haven't already been lucky winners playing bingo.
Prior to Santa’s visit, starting at 1 p.m., Warren Torgerson will call 20 games of Bingo and the children attending with the winning numbers will be able to call out "Bingo!" and will be able to pick a gift of their choice until all the prizes are gone.
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
Now is the time for all good men and women to come to the aid of the party.
The annual Wild Game Feed has been held on the first Saturday of December for 30 years. It is an event that helps jumpstart the holiday of giving while enjoying the festivities of the season.
For 30 years the guys have had a large tent set up in the Geneva Bar & Grill parking lot to accommodate the large crowd that turns out for this yearly event.
The temperatures are supposed to be back up in the 30s by the weekend but even if it isn't, the heated tent will keep one warm. It really gets heated up at 10 a.m. when people line up to try the variety of wild game that has been donated and prepared.
MEN IN BLACK – Spies were the message, as the NRHEG Marching Band, a/k/a "Secret Agent Band," let loose with spy tunes and spy antics last week at New Richland High School Gym. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
Indoor Band concert is infiltrated by musical spies
By REED WALLER
Staff Writer
Dangerous looking men in black suits and sunglasses, femmes fatales, and even James Bond took over the New Richland High School gym Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 24 and 25, when NRHEG’s new band director Sam Boerboom presented the band’s Indoor Marching Band Concert.
Visitors to the school event enjoyed a less conventional assortment of ensembles and instruments, and some theme choreography.
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
A benefit for five-year-old Isaiah Schutrop, son of Chad and Monica Schutrop of New Richland, is being planned for Sunday, December 7th at the New Richland City Hall. Isaiah was first diagnosed with Stage 3 Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a child’s form of Lou Gehrig's Disease, in December of 2013.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is the leading genetic killer of infants and young children. It is a terminal, degenerative disease that results in the loss of nerves in the spinal cord, as well as a weakness of the muscles connected with those nerves. SMA impacts children’s ability to walk, stand, sit, eat, breathe and even swallow.
As a child with SMA grows their bodies are doubly stressed, first by the decrease in motor neurons and then by the increased demands on the nerve and muscle cells as their bodies grow larger. The resulting muscle atrophy can cause weakness and bone and spinal deformities that may lead to further loss of function, as well as additional compromise of the respiratory system.
NRHEG School Board
By REED WALLER
Staff Writer
New Board Members
Newly elected NRHEG school Board members JoAnn Maloney, Travis Routh, and Mark Tollefson were welcomed by re-elected board chair Rick Schultz at Monday’s meeting. The new directors will begin their terms with the January meeting.
Fernbrook Mental Health
The board voted to approve going ahead with the proposed arrangement with Fernbrook Mental Health Services to provide an onsite mental health worker through the Minnesota School Mental Health Grant.
Sheena Gasner of Fernbrook gave a presentation last month explaining the arrangement, which would provide a worker at no cost or obligation to the district, except for the use of facilities.
Food shelf fundraiser Saturday
The Area Food Shelf of New Richland will holds its 4th Annual Spaghetti Supper fundraiser Saturday, Nov. 22 from 5 to 7 p.m. at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in New Richland. Free will donations are encouraged as well as new, unwrapped toys for the Santa Anonymous program. All cash donations will go to the food shelf. A silent auction will include a basket with Panther clothing, a basket with homemade quilts from Trinity Lutheran and a Christmas basket with a set of plates.
Would you like to make a difference in the life of a child? NRHEG Elementary School is looking for volunteers to work with elementary students, on a regular basis, at our school in Ellendale. Listening to a child read, helping with vocabulary words, or drilling basic math facts, as well as many other activities are all possibilities available under the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.
8-year-old hopes to collect, donate 150 pairs of shoes by Thanksgiving
LOFTY GOAL — Madisyn Ferguson, 8-year-old granddaughter of Blaine and Judy Lewer of New Richland, has set a goal to collect 150 pairs of shoes to donate by Thanksgiving. (Submitted photo)
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
Never underestimate the value of a child. They have feelings and empathy beyond what an adult might believe.
Little Madisyn Ferguson, 8-year-old daughter of Janda and Dwight Ferguson of Rochester, and the granddaughter of Judy and Blaine Lewer of New Richland, set a goal of collecting 150 pairs of shoes by Thanksgiving.
She set the goal, which seemed like a lot for one little girl, but she was determined. So far she has been able to collect a little more than 100 pair of shoes. Madisyn has been keeping an eye on the calendar and realizes Thanksgiving will be here before she knows it and realizes she still has some work to do to reach her goal.
More...
Carlie kicks off college hoops career Friday
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
High school is history for Carlie Wagner.
A new chapter begins Friday, Nov. 14 on the court where she captured so much glory last March: Williams Arena in Minneapolis.
The freshman phenom from New Richland will begin her college basketball career as the Minnesota Golden Gophers face Southwest Louisiana at 7 p.m.
Wagner, of course needs no introduction around here. The 2014 NRHEG High School graduate grew to legendary proportions while leading the Panthers to three consecutive state tournaments and the last two state championships. She could have attended virtually any college in the country but picked Minnesota, mostly to stay close to family.
Committee hopes for more commodity donations
By GAIL SCHMIDT
New Richland Area Foundation
As we near the end of 2014, it reminds me that this is a good time for me to update everyone on the activity of the New Richland Area Foundation.
This year, through the NRAF Fund, the NRAF Grants Committee was able to grant $15,000 to seven different grant recipients in April. These grant dollars available are a result of approximately 5% of the interest income from the NRAF Fund of $426,000. The Grants Committee received eigh applications totaling $35,382. The committee carefully reviewed each and every one in order to meet the grant guidelines and yet assist in fulfilling the needs of the NRHEG Public Schools and the City of New Richland. The grants were presented at a NRHEG School Board Meeting and a City Council Meeting as well as announced at the NR Farm & City Days pancake breakfast.
Lee Johnson talks about WWII like it was yesterday
RIGHT THERE — Lee Johnson of Ellendale points to a picture of himself during Basic Training in Arkansas in 1945. Also in the picture, fourth from top in the far right row, is rural New Richland resident Richard Crumb, featured in an earlier article in the Star Eagle. Johnson, 90, is a 69-year member of the American Legion. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
Lee Johnson still remembers the day the lieutenant pulled him aside.
“He said, ‘Lee, you might think I’m nuts, but I just wanted to know if you wanted to re-up for another two years,’” said Johnson.
The lieutenant was right.
“I said, ‘Hell no! I’m ready to go home,’” said Johnson.
And so it was at the end of World War II for Johnson, a lifelong area resident who still lives in his home across the street from NRHEG Elementary School in Ellendale.
Interviewing Johnson is not like talking to a normal 90-year-old.
Veterans invited to open house Saturday at Albert Lea VA Clinic
The Minneapolis VA Healthcare System invites military veterans to the Open House for the Albert Lea VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic on November 8 from 8 a.m. to noon, 1665 West Main Street Albert Lea, MN. Refreshments will be served, so bring a fellow veteran! Call us at 507-377-6051 if you should have questions. The Albert Lea VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic is dedicated to providing quality health care to Veterans. Please bring a copy of your DD-214 or honorable discharge certificate and join us on November 8 to learn more about VA Healthcare enrollment and available benefits in your area.