Features (1071)
NRHEG Spelling Bee set for Wednesday
The NRHEG school spelling bee for grades 5-8 will be held Wednesday, Jan. 23, at 1 p.m. in the New Richland varsity gym. Contestants from these grades will compete to represent NRHEG at the Regional Spelling Bee, which will be held Feb.12 in North Mankato. Family, friends, and the general public are all invited to attend the school bee. Contestants include:
• 5th grade: Morgan Styke, Kade Reese, Karter Koziolek, Jayna Domeier, Tiara Malakowsky, Mason Ferber.
• 6th grade: Alex Buckmeier, Aubrey Johnson, Jazzlyn Johnson, Sierra Johnson, Dalton Kraay, Hailey Stenzel.
Identify FROSTY and win some cash!
Prize money totaling $1,250 is waiting to be won. FROSTY is a Waseca County resident chosen to be an ambassador for the Waseca Sleigh & Cutter Festival. Follow the clues and guess FROSTY’S name.
Grand prize is $250. If you are at the official unmasking at 9:30 p.m., on Friday, February 8, 2013, you will win an additional $50. Unmasking is at the annual Sleigh & Cutter dinner and dance at the VFW Club Room, 113 West Elm Avenue, Waseca, MN.
The hunt is underway for the Waseca Sleigh and Cutter Medallion, and the prize is big.
The lucky finder will receive gift certificates valued at $1,250.
The Medallion is hidden on public property within the city limits of Waseca.
If found, the Medallion should be turned in at Charlie’s Hardware in Waseca. Sponsors of the contest are Waseca Hy-Vee, Charlie’s Hardware, Waseca County News, First National Bank and KOWZ/KORN Radio.
Wagner, NRHEG girls’ basketball team steal the show
STATE SPOTLIGHT — Carlie Wagner (3) drives to the basket during the Panthers’ state semifinal loss to Sauk Centre last March at Target Center in Minneapolis. It was the Panthers’ only loss of the season. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By JESSICA LUTGENS
Editorial Assistant
This past year has been filled with changes, achievements, giving, receiving, recognition, and so much more. We witnessed world and nationwide events that will be in history books one day.
It’s hard to pinpoint the most important events of 2012, but we at the Star Eagle decided to give it a shot.
The top story of the year: Carlie Wagner and her success in both basketball and track.
Why did we choose one girl out of everything that happened last year as the top story? Well, it’s simple: she’s just that good.
Yellow Ribbon program holds inaugural meeting
Written by Jim Lutgens
ALL FOR ONE — Running the inaugural meeting for the Yellow Ribbon program in Ellendale Saturday evening were, front from left: Brenda Bergstron, Kayla Sikel, Angela Blouin and Bri Blouin. Back: Robert Sikel, Jeff Howe, Rally Witzel and Darcy Roemhildt. (Star Eagle photo by Jessica Lutgens)
By JESSICA LUTGENS
Editorial Assistant
“It only takes one to make a difference.”
The above quote is essentially the backbone of the Yellow Ribbon program, which began with one letter that was sent from a student in Colorado to a student in Wisconsin, who shared it with her counselor, who then took further efforts to start a program to help prevent suicide. This program grew to be larger than anyone could’ve imagined, and we now have our own Yellow Ribbon program in our community.
Founded by the family of Jacob Sikel in his loving memory, the goal of the program is to train everyone in the community — adults, children, teens, teachers, and everyone else — in suicide prevention. An adult informational meeting was held on Saturday evening, January 5 at Vibrant Life Assembly of God Church in Ellendale. There is a specific order that the current members of the program wish to reveal it to the community, starting with the adults, including teachers, factory workers, parents, etc., and working their way to the kids.
Apple doesn’t fall far from this family tree
Written by Jim LutgensBack in the day, Carlie Wagner’s grandmother, Joie Somage, showed athletic tendencies herself
BIT OF A TOMBOY — Country Neighbors resident Joie Somage admits she had somewhat of a tomboyish side as a youngster, riding horses bareback, climbing trees and stacking hay. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)
BASKETBALL MILESTONE — Carlie Wagner (3), Joie Somage’s granddaughter, is congratulated by coach John Schultz after scoring her 2,000th career point Saturday. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
Country Neighbor resident Joie Somage’s birth certificate isn’t what you think it would be. Neither are her prescription bottle labels, White Pages listing and check blanks.
Her daughter Jane’s comment at age 10 sums it up well: “The pill bottle fell out of the cupboard and I asked, “Who’s Shirley?”
After Joie’s laughter subsided, she carefully explained to her little squirt how her middle name in fact became her first name at a very young age. And, that as they say, was that.
The goings on inside the Somage household still continued on as crazily as ever too.
Broskoff Structures marks 25 years
THEY’VE DONE A LOT — Broskoff Structures of Geneva recently celebrated its 25th anniversary with an open house. (Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen)
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
Broskoff Structures held its Customer Appreciation Open House on Friday, November 30. Dave and Diane Broskoff are proud to have been able to experience 25 years of successfully serving our area communities.
More than 725 customers, retired farmers, family and friends attended the open house that featured a banquet table of good country style food and beverages. According to Dave, the party is a nice thing to do for customers when they've been so nice to you. Good business and good customers work well to care for each other.
"It's been 25 years of ‘What are we doing? And look at what we've done,’” was the theme the Broskoffs developed for the celebration.
NRHEG School Board
By REED WALLER
Staff Writer
Approximately 50 students and parents were present at last Monday’s meeting of the NRHEG school board, but they weren’t there to ask questions about their property taxes, nor to comment on the kitchen/cafeteria renovation project to be approved for bids that evening.
They were there to witness the result of a recommendation to terminate eighth-grade boys’ basketball coach Darian Baker.
Coach termination considered
Baker was present, as was Athletic Director Dan Stork. Both sides were asked to present whatever factual (but non-evidential) data could help the board with their decision to approve or deny the dismissal. They were reminded, however, that any discussion of the case itself in a public meeting was forbidden by law.
NRHEG grad Adam Moen loves the stage
LOVING LIFE — NRHEG High School graduate Adam Moen (lower right) and the cast from “Bye Bye Birdie” currently being performed at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre. (Submitted photo)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
One of New Richland’s very own has struck gold you might say, on the theater stage that is.
There’s no stopping him either.
“I am currently working at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre in Bye Bye Birdie,” said NRHEG graduate Ryan Moen. “I will also be in their next production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
Under these bright spotlights, Moen feels “completely honored.”
“Every day I go to work I have a blast,” he said. “It's the time of my life.”
Bench for Odd Fellows building displayed at bank
STROKE OF LUCK — That’s what members of the New Richland Area Historical Society felt about finding an authentic Odd Fellows bench, whose original purpose remains a mystery. It’s currently on display at State Bank of New Richland, with employees pictured above from left, Matt Harrington, Jean Billing and Jenny Thompson. (Star Eagle photo by Carrie Gilbertson)
By CARRIE GILBERTSON
Staff Writer
The New Richland Historical Society has acquired its latest piece of history intended for the new library, an Independent Order of Odd Fellows Bench. Currently, the artifact is being stored in the State Bank of New Richland. It will remain there until the Odd Fellows building renovation is completed.
According to Barb Wildgrube, co-founder of the New Richland Area Historical Society and Chairperson for the New Richland Historic Preservation Commission, funding for the purchase was donated by the New Richland Area Foundation and By the Grace of God Fund. Both groups donated money to the purchase of furniture for the renovated building. This particular piece is intended for the lobby.
“We expect this to be the huge statement piece,” said Wildgrube.
More...
Facelift complete at Dad’s Good Stuff, a New Richland main street icon
MAIN STREET PRIDE — Wayne Wenzel, owner of Dad’s Good Stuff in New Richland, poses for a photo in front of his newly-renovated building. The business offers antiques, paint, coffee and plenty of personality, thanks to Wenzel. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
One of New Richland’s longtime storefronts has an entirely new color scheme, and rightly so, seeing as its last facelift occurred 17 years ago.
Passersby might even wonder if it’s the same business or not. It still is, don’t worry.
“I used a Foxfire brown as the main color out in front and on the side,” said Wayne Wenzel, owner of Dad’s Good Stuff. “The top is dusty brick. There’s a cactus pine and honeybird too.”
He joked, “This place was built in 1886. I suppose when I get that old, I will need a facelift too.”
Beyond the glass panes, one will find an abundance of treasures laid out amidst the expansive floor space.
Speculation abounds, facts few surrounding 12/21/12
Written by Jim LutgensBy JESSICA LUTGENS
Editorial Assistant
In the last few hundred years, we’ve read predictions about “doomsday” in several creative works, from the Great Pyramid of Giza in Europe, to Nostradamus’s book “Prophecies,” to Leonardo Da Vinci’s drawing “The Deluge,” to Isaac Newton’s text “Observations on Daniel and the Apocalypse of St. John.”
The current theory is that on December 21, 2012, there will be some type of catastrophic event that will end the world. The story started with claims that Nibiru, or Planet X, a supposed planet discovered by the Sumerians, is headed toward earth. This catastrophe was initially predicted for May 2003, but when nothing happened the date was moved to 12/21/12 and linked to the end of one of the cycles in the ancient Mayan calendar at the winter solstice, hence the predicted doomsday date.
Ellendale City Council
By SCOTT GROTH
Contributing Writer
The Ellendale City Council met Thursday December 13 with Mayor Engel, Councilmen Helland, Reiter, Goebel and Groth present. Also in attendance were Donovan Eaker, Steve Hackett, Cindy Goebel, and City employees Steve Louks, clerk, Pete Paulson, Liquor Store manager and Roger Swearingen, maintenance.
The council held three public hearings on Thursday evening.
The first hearing was a Truth in Taxation hearing regarding the proposed city levy. Mayor Engel opened the hearing with a brief overview of the purpose of the meeting and then opened the meeting up for questions. Being none, the hearing was closed.
The second hearing, to amend Ordinance # 61, was opened at 6:45 pm. Engel again gave a brief statement about the process of the hearing and opened the floor for questions. Mayor Engel noted to the council that the word boulevard will be taken out of the new ordinance. After a few comments the hearing was adjourned.
The third hearing was a mandatory meeting to be held concerning the Municipal Liquor Store (MLS) financial losses for the year 2011. Engel explained to the audience this hearing was about the year-ending balances for the MLS as audited for 2011. By law the city must hold a hearing on the MLS if the business shows a loss in two of the last three years. The floor was opened for questions. There were several questions asked. After the allotted time for the hearing the council decided to try and get the auditor to come to a future meeting to answer some of the public’s questions.
The regular meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm.
During his monthly report, Swearingen asked the council to consider taking applications for the city maintenance position. Swearingen told the council he had been in contact with the League of Cities staff regarding him being mayor and maintenance person. Swearingen told the council that the league said he could train in someone, but cannot hold both positions. Swearingen said he will officially step down as maintenance person on January 30, 2013. However, he added, there is a lot for someone new to learn. The council agreed, as they had asked to start this process back in October. Mayor Engel told the council he would put together the questionnaire for the position. The council discussed when all applications should be in by and came up with January 7.
Swearingen continued his report by informing the council that the FEMA project is 98% done and that he is filling out the paper work for payment. Swearingen asked the council to request a night light at the new recycling site. The council passed Resolution 12-13-12-10 requesting Alliant Energy for a light. Swearingen asked the council to pay $299 for him to attend the League of Cities training for new council members. The request was approved. Groth asked Swearingen if he had any reflective posts he could put by the sand pile at the property on 8th Ave.
Paulson was next with his monthly report. Paulson passed out his report showing weekly, monthly and yearly to date numbers. Paulson had the proposal for putting in CO2 and Nitrogen tanks that could be filled by truck. The council felt the new system would be safer and approved the agreement with AirGas. Paulson informed the council that the first Sunday’s business was good and the second one was a break even.
The council went over the truck parking ordinance and moved to amend Ordinance #61 to adopt changes discussed at the public hearing.
Clerk Louks had only one item for the council’s consideration. The council approved the engagement letter to hire Hill, Larson to do the city’s 2012 audit.
Mayor Engel began his report with the job descriptions. Engel and the council went over the different job descriptions adding and removing items as needed. The council then approved the job descriptions as revised. Mayor Engel then asked the council to approve the holiday appreciation cards for city employees.
The council approved the purchase of a street sweeping broom for the price of $1,100.
The next meeting of the Ellendale City Council will be on December 27th at 7:30 p.m.
NRAFF Update
By GAIL SCHMIDT
New Richland Area Foundation Representative of the Waseca Area Foundation
As we approach the Christmas and New Year seasons, it reminds us of not only the birth of our Savior, but the gift giving season. We begin to think of what we value and the kind of gifts we’ll give.
One of the best presents this season for the New Richland Area Foundation Fund has been the growth over the past year. I am proud to report that the NRAFF balance is now $371,000 and brings the Family of Funds for all of Waseca County to $6.3 million in assets through the Waseca Area Foundation.
The NRAFF balance has been built with both small and large contributions from citizens to better the community now and into the future. Dollars contributed are saved and earnings are given back through grants for needed projects and enhancements. This maintains a principal that will continue to grow and give back to our area forever.