Features (1071)
Ellendale City Council
By SCOTT GROTH
Contributing Writer
The Ellendale City Council met Thursday May 23, with Mayor Swearingen and all council members present. Also attending the meeting were Steve Louks, City Clerk; Pete Paulson, Liquor Store Manager; and Matt Arthur.
The amended agenda was approved for the evening and Paulson was first on the agenda. He gave the council an update on activities that will be taking place at the MLS during Ellendale Days, slated for June 27-30 this year.
Paulson told the council Luverne’s Concertina will be playing on June 27 from 6-9 p.m. on stage along with food specials. On June 28, the band Hobo Nephews will be on stage and on Saturday Black Water Alley will be featured. Paulson also noted that tables, tents and portable toilets have been arranged.
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
The "Hot Looks for the Cure" Cancer Calendar "Kick Off Night" will be held at the Geneva Bar & Grill on Friday, May 31, starting at 7 p.m.
Come to Geneva for some fun and meet some of the "Hot Looks" models who will be on hand to autograph the calendars, as you support this good cause.
All of the models featured in the calendar will be honoring someone they know who is struggling with cancer, or has been lost due to this dreaded disease.
Leagues forming for youth, adult volleyball
Volleyball players wanted: as you may have read, the Girl Scouts will be refurbishing the volleyball court at Legion Field in New Richland as well as adding a second court. Now, Troop 23601 is sponsoring a teen co-ed volleyball league for grades 7-12. Teams need to be a minimum of four people. There can’t be more guys on the court than girls per team. Teams provide their own ball and a line judge. Team shirts or uniforms are optional. The league will be held Tuesday evenings from June 11 to July 30. Cost is $20 per team and sign up is due by June 4. To sign up or for more information, call (507) 456-0500.
An adult league is also being planned, organized by Kim Schlaak. She estimates the start of that league to be the week of June 10. To sign up your team or for more information, call Kim at (507) 461-2095.
NRHEG juniors get a taste of the real world
HOW MUCH? — NRHEG High School junior Nick Goette, ponders his options during Reality Day Thursday, May 16. (Star Eagle photo by Carrie Gilbertson)
By CARRIE GILBERTSON
Staff Writer
The junior class of NRHEG High School got a dose of reality on May 16.
The reality store began last year, after business teacher Georgia Dinneen saw a news story on TV regarding a school in Pillager, Minn., executing the same idea. Mrs. Dinneen and Sandy Schumacher, the other business teacher, found out that another school in LaCrosse, Wisconsin did the same thing. They traveled to La Crosse to observe their reality store and came back with numerous ideas about how to implement such an activity in New Richland.
Students complete the hands-on simulation as part of their money management/careers class. Each junior chooses a career they are interested in and researches the salary for an entry or mid-level position in that field. They are then assigned a random life scenario. Some students are married, divorced or single. They may have any number of children or pets. Some students will have college loans to pay while others might have child support to figure into their budget.
Seniors open time capsule with mixed emotions
YES, YOU DREW THESE — NRHEG kindergarten teacher Becky Jensen shows a display of kindergarten artwork to graduating seniors as they opened their kindergarten time capsule Monday, May 13. The class graduates Sunday at 2 p.m. (Star Eagle photo by Carrie Gilbertson)
By CARRIE GILBERTSON
Staff Writer
The morning of Monday May 13, 2013 was a blast from the past for NRHEG High School seniors. Mrs. Becky Jensen, the kindergarten teacher for many of them, visited the high school with a box of treasures: their kindergarten time capsule. Jensen created the time capsule along with the other New Richland kindergarten teacher at the time, Mrs. Longway.
Many of the pieces packed away for this day were kept without the students knowing. Each child had filled out a star of the week profile that was included. There was also a video that the teachers had recorded throughout the year. Special events such as the Pumpkinland trip and the Thanksgiving play were included on the footage. The classes did watch the video at the end of their kindergarten year, but most of the students had no recollection of it.
GIFT FROM ABOVE — That’s how Karolee Coppoc and Janet Thompson and their team of volunteers feel about the pregnancy crisis center that opens June 1 in Albert Lea. (Star Eagle photo by Carrie Gilbertson)
By CARRIE GILBERTSON
Staff Writer
On June 1, Albert Lea residents will have one more resource available to help families thrive when Gifts From Above, a pregnancy crisis center, will open its doors to the public. The organization will be housed in the lower level of First Baptist Church of Albert Lea and run by Karolee Coppoc and Janet Thompson and their team of volunteers.
Gifts From Above will offer their services to pregnant women and new parents and guardians in the Albert Lea area. They will be open the first Saturday of each month from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. and every Monday from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
According to Coppoc, “We’ll be working with pregnant women who have needs and helping to supply education, support and referrals for infants to 2t.”
Reduction in hours likely for Geneva Post Office
Written by Jim LutgensBy KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
An informational meeting regarding the Geneva Post Office was held on Thursday, May 9 at the Geneva Community Center. Approximately 20 people attended to learn about the changes being considered.
Margie Jacobson, Janeseville Postmaster and Lynda Urban, Winnebago Postmaster, representing the Northland District, which is comprised of the 128 post offices in the 560 and 561 zip code areas for Area II, were on hand to present information regarding the Geneva Post office, as well as to get input from the residents.
Steve Bailey, who is the current "Officer in Charge," of the Geneva Post Office, was also in attendance.
Allie Larson receives Helen Keller Award
Lion Allie Larson received the Helen Keller Award at the 5172 Business meeting at the 2013 Mid Winter Convention in Mankato in March. In 1925 Helen Keller challenged the Lions of the world to become Knights of the Blind. Since 1960, the Lions of Minnesota have continued to meet the challenge of Helen Keller by establishing and supporting the Minnesota Lions Eye Bank. This year the efforts of the Lions of MN, research breakthroughs in diseases of the retina, molecular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, and other blinding eye diseases and infections are making a difference in the rest of the world. This is a highly prestigious award. Congratulations to Allie from the Ellendale Lions Club.
Ellendale Farmer’s Market opens June 1
The Ellendale Area Farmer's Market will begin on June 1, located next to the Municipal Liquor Store in Ellendale. The market runs every Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. Interested vendors should contact Dan Sorum at 688-0514.
The annual Blessing of the Bikes will be held Sunday, May 19 at New Richland City Park. It begins with a meal at 1 p.m. with services to follow. Local clergy will be on hand to bless motorcycles, bicycles and tricycles for the 2013 riding season. In case of rain, the event will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Richland.
Hanson marks 50th anniversary of first solo
50 YEARS OF FLYING — Jim Hanson stands by his Cessna 120 airplane in the hanger at the Albert Lea Airport, which he manages. Earlier this month, Hanson celebrated the 50th anniversary of his first solo flight, which he took before earning a driver’s license. (Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen)
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
The names Orville and Wilbur Wright are familiar to everyone. The pioneering brothers were the first flight instructors and taught the world to fly.
The Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award is given by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in recognition of pilots who demonstrate aviation expertise, skills and professionalism, as they were first established by Orville and Wilbur Wright.
On Saturday, May 4, the FAA bestowed this honor on James Paul Hanson, for a distinguished flying career spanning more than 50 years. Hanson first soloed an airplane on his 16th birthday, May 1, 1963, and on Saturday, May 4th, 2013, he threw a party for his friends and relatives to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the event, at the Albert Lea Airport, which he manages.
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SMILING DUET — Hannah Lewison, left, and Brad Claycomb perform a duet during the 2013 NRHEG Pop Concert at the high school gymnasium in New Richland Monday, May 6. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
Folks were already waiting in line as the doors opened at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 6 for the annual NRHEG Department of Music Pop Concert.
With many dressed in their finest prom attire, the Concert Choir opened the evening program with "Bye, Bye Love," followed by the Beatles’ "Let It Be," and "Some Nights," before everyone was formally welcomed to the evening program.
Choir director Jennifer Fredrickson thanked the Concert Choir and Panthera Vox Musica for a wonderful year. She announced the Concert Choir had earned a rating of “Excellent” at their large group contest at Maple River, while Kirsten Olsen and Alexis Wyatt earned a rating of “Superior” in the solo/ensemble contest at Minnesota State University-Mankato.
Ellendale City Council
By SCOTT GROTH
Contributing Writer
The Ellendale City met Thursday May 9 with Mayor Swearingen and all Council members present. Also at the meeting was Steve Louks, Clerk; Pete Paulson, Manager at Municipal Liquor Store; and Josh Otto, Maintenance.
It was during Otto’s maintenance report that the issue of a plow truck was brought to the council’s attention. The city had been doing some looking around at different trucks that were available. After discussion, Councilman Goebel and Otto both thought a 1999 Ford was the best truck they looked at. Both mentioned the entire truck had been kept exceptionally clean. The frame and all moving parts were in good order. The cost of the truck is $39,990. Mayor Swearingen said he had talked with First National Bank and gave some options on payment plans. The council moved to purchase the Ford from Boyer Ford and use the payment plan of four years with payments being $10,799 annually.
New Richland City Council
By CARRIE GILBERTSON
Contributing Writer
The New Richland city council held its first meeting of May on Monday the 13th. All members of the council were present.
The council approved the replacement of the current street lights along Broadway. The lights will be purchased from the city of Albert Lea at $50 per post. The New Richland council will be purchasing 20 posts to allow for the replacement of the current lights, as well as the installation of two extra posts on the corner of Division and Broadway. All four corners of the intersection will be lit. The remaining posts will be kept in storage so they are on hand in case of any damage to the installed posts.
Spring concerts set
The NRHEG Junior High Choir (grades 6-8) Spring Concert is Thursday, May 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the high school gym in New Richland. The Elementary (1-4) Spring Concert is Tuesday, May 21 at 7 p.m. in Ellendale.
Heavenly Harp concert set for May 20
There will be a Heavenly Harp concert on Monday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m. at First Lutheran Church in Ellendale, 503 Radel Court. This concert is open to the public and there will be free admission. They would like you to join them as Karin Gunderson brings “Serenity” through harp and voice. Gunderson is a professional musician from Phoenix, AZ. Her presentation includes Christian favorites and harp instrumentals. To preview her music, visit www.ChristianHarpMusic.com. Heavenly Harp CDs and DVDs will be available.