Features (1071)
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. For more than two centuries, days of thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states.
This year, mindful there are people in the area who may be alone as they don't have family in the area to celebrate the day with a special dinner, fellowship and fun is being planned at the Victory Life Church in Geneva.
The members of the church hope that people will join them for a Community Thanksgiving Dinner of turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberries, pumpkin pie and all the fixings starting at noon and continuing until around 2 on Thanksgiving Day.
Senator gives Veterans Day address at school
ATTENTIVE AUDIENCE — NRHEG High School senior Presley Johnson, right, reads her award-winning Veterans Day essay as Superintendent Dennis Goodwin, U.S. Senator Al Franken and Principal David Bunn listen during Monday’s ceremony at NRHEG High School. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
Veterans Day is always big at NRHEG High School, but this year was extra special.
U.S. Senator Al Franken, a Minnesota native and well-known veterans advocate, was the keynote speaker at the annual Veterans Day ceremony Monday morning.
“It makes me so proud to come from a state where so many men and women have made the courageous and selfless decision to serve our country,” said Franken. “Today, I hope every Minnesotan joins me to pause and honor the service and sacrifice of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen, as well as their families.”
Electricity was in the air as upwards of 700 people (about 500 of them students) packed the gymnasium for the program, the start of which was delayed as Franken and his entourage were slowed by snowy roads. It began about a half hour late with Franken and company en route from Waseca to New Richland.
Ashley Meyer’s aprons land her on pages of Martha Stewart Living
Ashley Meyer stands in front of her cutting table in the barn, which she uses as her workshop at their rural Ellendale farm. Meyer recently made the pages of Martha Stewart Living magazine for her business, Meyer Textile Company, which produces aprons hand made by Ashley. (Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen)
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
Everyone has heard of Martha Stewart, but few knew we have fame living right next door in our own community, whose handicraft recently graced the pages of Martha Stewart Living magazine.
Ashley Meyer recently was a competitor in the Martha Stewart American Made Audience Choice Awards, which highlights “makers” from around the United States. She received 10,000 votes by the end of the contest, and ended up with her business featured in an ad in Martha Stewart Living which was part of a promotion with Toyota and American Made. Beyond that, one of her products was featured in Sweet Paul magazine.
Join Meghan Krause and Gavin Berg for an evening of songs and stories about the people, places, and stories that inspire them. Krause and Berg will perform at the Waseca Art Center Saturday, November 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Doors open one hour early and refreshments are served. Ticket are $10 and available at the Art Center or New Richland Drug. Tickets may be reserved by phoning the art center at 507-835-1701. All seats are reserved. The performance will be held in the Kent and Diane Schultz Auditorium, which is not handicapped accessible.
Veterans Day special
After 45 years, Gary Berg reunited with medic who helped save his life in Vietnam
PURPLE HEART — New Richland native Gary Berg holds the Purple Heart Award and plaque he earned in Vietman in 1968, a day before he was set to go home. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
Gary Berg was sitting around a swimming pool in Southern California, enjoying a reunion of the Navy Seabees, when he heard someone call his name.
“Gary Berg? Is that you?” said the man. “As bad as you looked the last time I saw you, I didn't think you'd make it. I never thought I'd see you again.”
The last time the man – still known as “Doc” to Berg – saw him, they were near an airstrip in Vietnam awaiting a helicopter, and Berg was hanging on for life.
New Catholic priest born in Peru
LONG ROAD TO NR — The area’s newest Catholic priest, Raul Silva, was born in Lima, Peru and graduated from Seton Hall University. (Submitted photo)
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
Peru is a mountainous country in Central South America, bordering Ecuador and Colombia to the north, on the east with Brazil and Bolivia, on the south with Chile and on the west with the Pacific Ocean. Lima, the capitol of Peru, was founded in 1535 and is the largest city in the country with nearly nine million people.
It’s a long way from New Richland, both in miles and culture, but there now exists a connection between here and there.
Lima is where our area’s new Catholic priest, Father Raul Silva, was born 38 years ago.
The grand opening of the New Richland Public Library will be on Monday, November 18. A 7 p.m. program will feature author Rachael Hanel.
Hanel, a Waseca native, has written her first adult book, "We will be the last ones to let you down: memoir of a gravedigger's daughter." The book was published by the University of Minnesota Press.
Madison Lake is the present home of this university instructor. Hanel has published essays in several literary journals and also had an essay selected as a Notable Essay in the "2012 Best American Essays." She has written 20 children's nonfiction books for a Mankato publisher.
More...
U.S. Senator Al Franken will be the guest speaker at a Veterans Day program at New Richland Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva High School Monday, Nov. 11 at 10 a.m. in the high school gym. It is open to the public.
In addition to the Senator's address, winners in the school's eighth and 12th-grade essay contest, "What Veterans Day means to me," will be announced during the event.
The NRHEG choir and band will perform, students will read Veterans Day essays and New Richland area Legionnaires will conduct a flag folding ceremony to honor those who have served in our nation's armed forces.
The Agri-Business Committee of the Waseca Area Chamber of Commerce is looking for nominations of individuals who have a strong agriculture leadership background.
The Agri-Business Committee knows the importance agriculture has played in Waseca County. It is important to recognize individuals who have been strong agriculture leaders.
This Agricultural Leadership Award is to recognize and honor distinguished individuals who have dedicated their life to the advancement of agriculture. These individuals have shown a commitment to outstanding leadership with their significant contributions to the community and the advancement of the agriculture industry in the Waseca County area.
NRHEG School Board
By REED WALLER
Staff Writer
Nathan Jensen and Michelle Mulder brought a website software presentation to the NRHEG school board at its regular meeting Monday, October 21.
They propose switching website portal software to Blackboard from rSchoolToday, the vendor the district is currently using to publish its website.
With the district’s communications and even its educational methods going more to net-based learning, SMART Boards, portable devices such as iPads, and online testing and curriculum management, the district’s technology experts have been looking at the NRHEG website with a critical eye.
Is the current website adequate? The consensus seems to be “no.”
NRCC luncheon, silent auction Saturday
The New Richland Care Center will hold a Luncheon and Silent Auction on Saturday, November 2 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m in the Care Center Activity/Chapel area. They will be serving Sloppy Joes, Potato Salad, Bars, and beverages/coffee. The cost will be $6. Bidding on the Silent Auction Baskets will begin in October and will end at 1 p.m. November 2. Proceeds will go to the New Richland Care Center Resident Council.
EAHS to meet Saturday
The last meeting of the year for the Ellendale Area Heritage Society will be held November 2nd (no meeting in Dec.) at 9 a.m. in the Ellendale Community building. We’d be happy to have you come and learn more about what we do and why. All interested people are welcome.