Features (1071)
Waseca County
Many try, few make it.
Here are the 2013 Waseca County 4-H State Fair trip winners:
• Emily Barbknecht – Clothes You Make, Goat
• Joe Barbknecht – Beef
• William Barbknecht – Goat
• Amy Beckstrand – Beef
• Jamie Beckstrand – Beef
• Travis Beckstrand – Beef
Lassahn’s compassion knows no boundaries
HELPING HANDS — Becky Lassahn of Ellendale holds a ceramic angel she has on display at her home, which is a whirlwind of activity raising foster children, doing daycare and finding a way to help others down on their luck. (Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen)
Editor’s note: This is the first in an ongoing series of stories in the Star Eagle focusing on people in the NRHEG area who make a positive impact in the lives of others.
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
It's doubtful anyone would dispute the fact we live in communities of kind, caring and philanthropic people who ease the pain and problems of others.
Many acts of kindness, and a flow of needed funds and hands, find a way to help where and whenever they can. Ever so many can and should be named.
Where does the empathy that reigns so true originate?
From the hearts of people like Becky Lassahn.
To those acquainted with her, you know there is nothing she wouldn't think of or do to help others. Where most of us will feel empathy and think, "What can I do to help?" and even do, it is not the same. Becky just does it and more!
Schiltz, Nielsen win Freeborn County Fair Talent Show
T.J. Schiltz, right, and Lillie Nielsen won the Freeborn County Fair Teen Division Talent Contest Sunday, Aug. 3 to advance to the Minnesota State Fair. Schiltz also placed first in the Open Division and will compete as an individual at state. Nielsen placed third in the Open Division at the Freeborn County Fair.
NRAFS fundraiser Friday at Waseca
There will be a Float for Food fund raiser at the Waseca Walmart Friday, August 16. It will start until 1 p.m. and last until 7. Root Beer floats will be served and a free will offering is required. The proceeds will go to the New Richland Area Food Shelf.
Donations, volunteers needed for new signs
Are you a supporter of NRHEG High School athletics? If so, now is the time to show it. A committee has been formed to look into the placement of signs honoring NRHEG state championship teams for girls’ basketball and cheerleading. “We’re looking for donations and volunteers,” said committee member Dawn Halgren. “We have some pledges already, so we have a good start.” If you’d like to donate or help, call Halgren at (507) 465-8109.
By JIM LUTGENS
Staff Writer
When it comes to the New Richland American Legion, the old guard might be getting a little too old.
Norm Eckart, Adjuctant for Post 75, said it’s time for some younger people — like it or not — to join and be active with the post and Color Guard for funerals and parades.
“We’ve got guys 90 years old actually with the Color Guard,” said Eckart, who at 69 is the second-youngest member of the group. “And, one by one, we’ve been burying them. We had five or six funerals in July. We’ve got to get some younger blood in there. I’m just not sure how to do it.”
As Adjuctant the last four years, Eckart has handled all paperwork for the post and he’s seen a decline in membership,Superintendent Dennis Goodwin looks like perfect fit for NRHEG
READY, WILLING AND ABLE — Dr. Dennis Goodwin has impressed the NRHEG School Board, staff and community members with his enthusiasm, energy and optimism during his short stint as Superintendent. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
If you’re the parent of an NRHEG student and you spend time talking with new Superintendent Dr. Dennis Goodwin, you ask yourself one question.
How did we get so lucky?
Goodwin, 55, comes to NRHEG with all the tools: a wealth of education and business experience, a genuine desire to make a difference, old-fashioned family and Christian morals that fit like a glove in this rural stretch of Southern Minnesota and, perhaps most importantly, a desire to be here and stay here.
“This is not a stepping stone for me,” said Goodwin, who was lured to New Richland after a year as superintendent in Platte, S.D.
Goodwin thought he had found a home in Platte, a town similar in size to New Richland, but once he visited here he knew differently.
Breakfast, ribbon cutting for Gus’ Station August 11
Written by Jim LutgensBy KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
The small yet ambitious Ellendale Area Heritage Society has taken on the responsibility of saving one of Ellendale’s significant little buildings from demolition.
But why set up shop in Gus’ Station and start tearing it apart right away? To get it back to its original look.
In such efforts, the Ellendale Area Heritage Society and SCHS members have been wielding hammers and paint brushes on the interior and exterior. They have thoroughly replaced decayed flooring with original boards hidden by the service counter.
Ellendale City Council
By SCOTT GROTH
Contributing Writer
The Ellendale City Council met Thursday, July 25 with Mayor Engel and all council members present. Visitors included Eric Haefner of Bolten & Menk, Shannon Sweeney of David Brown & Assoc. and Pete Paulson, Manager, Ellendale Municipal Liquor.
Mayor Swearingen asked for a motion to approve the agenda as printed.
The first item on the agenda dealt with street improvement projects the City is contemplating. Haefner, with Bolten-Menk, the City’s engineering firm, was present to answer questions. Also present was Sweeney, from David Brown & Assoc., who was there to help answer financial questions.
Missionary to speak at Trinity Lutheran
Karen L. Anderson, missionary to Chile, will talk about her work in Chile during worship services at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Richland Sunday, Aug. 4 at 9 a.m. After the worship service she will show a powerpoint presentation. Everyone is invited.
Bloodmobile to visit New Richland August 7
The American Red Cross Bloodmobile will be at New Richland City Hall on Wednesday, August 7 from 1-6 p.m. For appointment or more information, call Mary at (507) 465-3734.
1992 NRHEG graduate takes over as high school principal
BACK HOME AGAIN — David Bunn, a 1992 NRHEG High School graduate, feels at home in his new office as NRHEG High School Principal. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
David Bunn spent years living in Green Bay Packer country, and he indeed experienced pressure to root for the green and gold. But his resolve never wavered, even through a Super Bowl championship season.
“There certainly was some pressure to change over, but I held strong,” said Bunn. “I’ve been a Vikings fan since I was a little boy. I kept my purple and gold.”
That’s a good thing.
Bunn has returned to Viking territory and, in fact, came full circle. The 1992 NRHEG High School graduate is the new NRHEG High School Principal.
More...
T.J. Schiltz and Lillie Nielsen
NRHEG students Lillie Nielsen and T.J. Schiltz were picked in the Top 10 to compete at the Texaco Country Showdown at Buster’s Bar and Grill in Mankato Friday night, July 26 at 8 p.m.
The Texaco Showdown is where stars like Garth Brooks, Billy Ray Cyrus and Sara Evans got their start on the road to stardom. They have a chance to win the $100,000.00 grand prize.
Recently Lillie and T.J. performed in the Ellendale Talent Show. T.J. won first place overall and Lillie was fourth. T.J. and Lillie did a performance together which Lillie’s mom and dad, Amy and Brian Nielsen, video taped and submitted the video to the Texaco Country Showdown Web site. They were picked to be in the Top 10, to continue to the next level.
Together with the Nielsens, Tom and Patricia Schiltz wish them the best on this journey. They are two very talented kids.
NRHEG School Board
By REED WALLER
Staff Writer
The NRHEG school board convened Monday, July 15 at the Ellendale Media Center with Administrative Assistant Karen Gimberline sitting in for the vacationing Dr. Goodwin.
Bills in the amount of $1,065,169.99 were approved for payment, including $78,724 for Workmen’s Compensation.
New High School Principal David Bunn was present and gave his first report to the board. Interviews for the new wrestling coach were conducted July 15 and there will be a recommendation next month. Bunn also reported the district was asked to consider a fourth foreign exchange student this fall.
Rains come and go and another Farm and City Days is in the books
FARM & CITY FUN — New Richland was alive with activities for Farm and City Days last weekend. Above, Bruce Ebnet drives his team of ponies as his wife, Kaye, and Morgan Ebnet — LaVoy Ebnet’s granddaughter — ride along. See Pages 6 and 7 of this week's Star Eagle for more color photos from Farm and City Days. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
Rain washed out a few events but, for the most part, New Richland’s 2013 Farm and City Days went off without a hitch last weekend.
The three-day community event — held July 12-14 this year — annually seems to multiply the town’s population, and this year was no different. Many class reunions for New Richland-Hartland, Ellendale-Geneva and NRHEG were held as people made room in their homes for friends and relatives.
From kids’ activities on the street and in the park, to the Saturday night street dance featuring the music of IV Play, the weekend offered something for everyone, regardless of age.
“It was a fun weekend,” said Farm and City Days Committee member Kelly Martens. “It was fun to see everyone enjoying their time with family and friends.”
Despite forecast, rains hold off for Zoe’s Rainbow Dash
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
It was a strange weather phenomenon that caused the winds that sank the boat and killed Sue and Zoe McDonough July 5, 2012 in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Another strange thing happened with the weather this year.
Contrary to every forecast, it did not rain during the inaugural Zoe’s Rainbow Dash, a 5K run in memory of beloved New Richland resident Sue McDonough and her granddaughter Zoe held July 4 in Chattanooga.
“The forecast said there was 100 percent chance of rain, and the Weather Channel forecast is almost always on the money,” said Brett McDonough, Zoe’s father. “The radar showed a huge, red wall. When it got to Chattanooga, it broke up and moved around the city. It didn’t rain during the race. It was pretty miraculous, actually.”