Features (1071)
NRHEG basketball girls repeat as Section 2AA champions
WE’RE GOING BACK! — NRHEG girls’ basketball players celebrate after winning Section 2AA championship at Minnesota State-Mankato Friday night, earning a second straight trip to the state tournament. Among the players pictured are Paige Overgaard, Maddie Wagner, Katie Cole, Marnie Wagner, Abby Crabtree and Jade Schultz. The Panthers open the state tournament Wednesday at 8 p.m. against Pelican Rapids at Williams Arena in Minneapolis. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
What’s better than going to the state tournament?
How about going two years in a row?
That’s what the NRHEG girls’ basketball team is doing after Carlie Wagner and company — behind a large and loud fan following — dismantled St. Peter 96-61 for the Section 2AA championship at Minnesota State-Mankato Friday night.
The Panthers, third in last year’s state tournament behind a record-setting performance by Wagner, will face Section 8AA champion Pelican Rapids at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Williams Arena in Minneapolis. Rated No. 2 in the state in Class AA, the Panthers take a 29-1 record and 27-game winning streak to state.
The Panthers and coach John Schultz weren’t thinking about that on Friday, though. They, along with much of the NRHEG community, simply celebrated the moment and soaked it all in.
Ellendale Food Shelf fundraiser Saturday
On Saturday, March 16, the Ellendale Area Food Shelf will host a dinner, raffle and bingo night. The event will start at 5 p.m. at the Ellendale Community Building. Bingo will start at 5:30 p.m. We will be raffling pork bundles that will include chops, roasts, sausage and half hams. Raffle tickets are $5/ticket and may be purchased in advance or the night of the event. Bingo prizes will include half hams, gift certificates to area businesses and much more! Please come and support the Ellendale Area Food Shelf. Questions? Call 507-684-2731 or Bethany Mikesell, 507-688-0518.
Girl Scout Alumnae Party Sunday
A Girl Scout Alumnae Party will be held Sunday, March 17 at the Geneva Community Center from to 4 p.m. All past and present Girl Scout members are invited to this event. There will be Girl Scout trivia, a skit and door prizes. Girl Scout Cookies will be available to purchase. Please call Melissa Karl with any questions you have at 507-202-6184.
The NRHEG Band Concert scheduled for Monday, March 11 has been postponed to Monday March 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the high school gymnasium in New Richland.
NRHEG School Board
By REED WALLER
Staff Writer
Staff and faculty members involved in the school’s PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) initiative spoke before the school board at last Monday’s regular meeting, expressing concern over behavior problems on the school buses, particularly the shuttle buses.
“An unstructured situation presents the most problems,” one representative explained.
They expressed approval of the district’s placing of security cameras in the school buses, but pointed out that this was not enough. The cameras make it possible to monitor bad behavior, but it’s after the fact, and PBIS is about promoting positive behavior on the spot. They believed it would be helpful to have paraprofessionals on board as supervisors.
Mayor's office to remain in maintenance building, for now
By SCOTT GROTH
Contributing Writer
The Ellendale City Council met Thursday February 28 with Mayor Swearingen and all Council members present. In attendance for the meeting were Pete Paulson, Manager, Ellendale Liquor, Steve Louks, Clerk, Josh Otto, Maintenance Supervisor, Ashley Stewart, Cindi Goebel, Millie Paulson and Allie Larson.
The council made it official. Josh Otto will take over the position of Maintenance Supervisor. Otto was one of several good candidates that applied for the position. Otto will start March 1, 2013 and will work with current Maintenance Supervisor, Roger Swearingen. Swearingen and Otto were working together during the past snow event to get the feel for the snow removal process. Otto will take over all maintenance duties for the City of Ellendale.
Applications due March 31 at City Hall
The NRAFF Grants Committee recently met to discuss the nature of grant applications coming to the committee. Timeliness of the grants awarded has become an important factor, therefore a new deadline for applications has been determined.
The New Richland Area Foundation Fund Grants Committee will be accepting grant applications until March 31, 2013. The approved applicants will be announced and presented at a special event on April 21 at New Richland City Hall. Information about that event will be announced at a later date.
Geneva business survives ups, downs
35 AND COUNTING — For 35 years, DeWayne Jensen has been at your service at Jensen Heating, Air Conditioning and Plumbing in Geneva. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
Many moons ago, DeWayne Jensen embarked on a business venture. And although he had no idea what the future held, he didn’t let fear didn’t stand in his way.
“I had just finished management school with Cenex,” Jensen said. “They wanted me to assume a managerial role, but I thought if I’m going to do that, I should probably be in my own business.”
He quickly turned this courageous idea into action, and evidently his efforts paid off, as he has claimed the title of Jensen Heating, Air Conditioning and Plumbing CEO for the past 35 years.”
“I pretty much self-taught myself by reading a lot manuals,” he said.
Community Education class rescheduled
The Facebook class offered by NRHEG Community Education has been rescheduled for Monday, March 25 starting at 6:30 in the NR Computer Room. If you are interested in signing up for the class, contact Marilyn Dobberstein at 417-2667.
WARE to meet Monday
The Waseca Area Retired Educators (WARE) will meet on Monday, March 11, at 9:30 a.m. at Realife Cooperative in Waseca. Since there is a feel of spring in the air, the get-together will be more festive than usual. Free coffee and rolls will be provided for all persons who have paid their WARE dues. If dues have not been paid, educators may pay at the meeting and still qualify for the free coffee and roll. Legislative information will be provided concerning the pension plan. All area retired administrators, teachers, and paraprofessionals are invited to attend.
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
The NRHEG Spring Band Concert will be a little jazzier than usual this year. It will also be a day earlier than planned.
The annual spring spectacular for band members grade 5-12 is set for Monday, March 11 — rescheduled from March 12 — at 7:30 p.m. in the NRHEG High School gymnasium in New Richland, and it includes some special attractions.
“It’s a bit of a unique concert,” said NRHEG Band Director Tim Siewert. “We’re going to have a couple guest artists play with us.”
The Bethany Lutheran College Jazz Band will perform a set and be joined by the NRHEG Jazz Band for another set.
New Richland City Council
By JESSICA LUTGENS
Editorial Assistant
The New Richland City Council held its second meeting of February Monday evening. All members were present. The meeting commenced at 6:30, when the agenda and consent agenda were approved.
Brad Field was up first with the People’s Service Report. Fairly short, one concern he shared with the council was a request to adopt a city policy/ordinance of “No dumping allowed” that would apply to septic haulers or any other haulers that would attempt to dump waste from outside sources into our city’s sewer system. The Council approved the report before moving on to the Ambulance report.
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The Waseca County Sleigh & Cutter Medallion has finally been found! It was discovered at around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday by brothers Dale and Devin Hoy and Devin's daughter Maddie.
The Waseca County Sleigh and Cutter medallion has still not yet been found. Therefore, an additional set of clues is being published. We are reminding readers that the medallion is hidden within the city limits of Waseca on public property. Good luck to all of the loyal medallion searchers!!!
The (hopefully) final clue:
Cancer support group to meet February 25
Jackie Pederson, LSW will speak at Mayo Clinic Health System’s Cancer Support Group meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, February 25, in Room 20 on the lower level of the medical center in Albert Lea. The group strives to provide support, hope and friendship to the cancer family: patient, caregivers, family members and all those touched by cancer. For more information, call the Cancer Center at 507-379-2050.
Have Breakfast with a Farmer February 27
You are invited to Breakfast with a Farmer (formerly Food Check Out Day Breakfast). It will be held on Wednesday, February 27 at the Waseca HyVee. It will begin at 6:30 a.m. and last until 9 a.m. The menu will be scrambled eggs, ham, toast, fresh fruit and milk. February is Food Awareness Month. Hope you can attend!
Longtime owner of Lady Bug Thrift Store retires
TIME TO RETIRE — After 38 years owning the Lady Bug Thrift Store in New Richland, Carol Shultz has decided it’s time to let someone else take over. (Star Eagle photo by Jessica Lutgens)
By JESSICA LUTGENS
Editorial Assistant
If you live in or around New Richland, you’re most likely familiar with the Lady Bug. Our own local thrift store tucked between Wagner’s and New Richland Drug, this shop has been going strong for 38 years, thanks to the ownership of Carol Shultz, who recently decided it was time to hang up the towel and pass on the store to another owner.
When it all started, Carol and her sister shared ownership of the store.
“We wanted to be able to be home when our kids got home from school,” Carol said when remembering her reason for starting the shop, “and regulate our own hours.”
For the first 18 years, the Lady Bug resided on Highway 13. After Carol’s sister retired, she decided to move to Broadway in New Richland, where she has owned the shop herself for 20 years. Looking back on her years, Carol shared some of her fonder memories.