Features (1071)
High school to ‘open up’ with new commons area
Written by Jim LutgensCafeteria project detailed at special public meeting
NEW SCHOOL COMMONS AREA – The light yellow area indicates the proposed new Cafeteria/Commons area of the New Richland school building. The building’s main entrance, to be converted to secure double entry, is at lower left. The Upper Commons is in place of the current cafeteria, and the Lower Commons (area 17) is in place of the current south portion of the Media Center. The new Lower Commons will retain two skylights inherited from the Media Center. At lower right is the diagonally-placed main door to the smaller Media Center. At top is the facing wall of the new kitchen area, indicating large service openings with drop-down firewall dividers. (Drawing detail courtesy of SGN Wendel, recolored by Star Eagle)
By REED WALER
Staff Writer
A special public meeting to display and answer questions on the proposed kitchen-commons-entryway remodeling of the New Richland school building was held last Tuesday at 7 p.m. immediately following the district’s annual Truth in Taxation hearing at 6:30.
Present were representatives of ICS Consulting and SGN Wendel Architects, to present the drawings and explain financing.
Visitors were first given a quick history of the project.
“It’s been in our minds for quite some time that the kitchen facility was aging quite rapidly,” said Supt. Kevin Wellen. “The kitchen and its equipment are over 50 years old, and the cafeteria is the same.”
History
“We involved some companies,” explained board chair Rick Schultz, “and we prioritized some other areas that could be improved.”
New NRCC Administrator enjoys hominess of smaller-bed facility
Written by Jim Lutgens
GETTING ACQUAINTED — New Richland Care Center’s new administrator, Lyn Sebenaler, left, chats with resident Robert “Swan” Tollefson. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
It’s no secret that New Richland Care Center residents are having a holly, jolly time this holiday season. And no, it’s not because of the mistletoe or colorful lights.
Sure, these Christmas-oriented things might liven up everybody’s spirits, but the core of their happiness stems from the newly-hired administrator, Lyn Sebenaler.
“I enrich lives that normally would be lonely,” Sebenaler said. “Nursing homes are notorious for being cold and impersonal, but I thought this place to be very warm and open.”
Actually, the moment she walked on the premises, there was an instant connection. Smaller-bed facilities just have a way of doing that to her.
New Richland City Council
By JESSICA LUTGENS
Editorial Assistant
The first city council meeting of December commenced at 6:30 on the 10th, with all members present. The meeting was also the last one for current members who have not been reelected to another term.
The police report was presented first. The New Richland Police Department reported 57 calls and 39 other contacts/activities for December. There were no serious or felonious crimes reported. It was a slower month, and the department believes it has to do with the cold weather settling people down and keeping them indoors.
The front brakes on one of the squad cars need to be replaced, and despite the best efforts of the officers, the dealership doesn’t look like it’s going to cover the cost. The topic is to be discussed at the next meeting.
Annual event marks 25th year
FUN FOR ALL — The 25th Annual Christmas in the Country event offered something for all ages in downtown Ellendale Sunday, Dec. 2. (Star Eagle photos by Rachel Rietsema)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
Sure, there may have been no white flakes blanketing Ellendale this past Sunday, but they sure had plenty of Christmas cheer to go around.
From noon to 5 p.m., town residents of all ages flocked to a myriad of entertainment and shopping events for Christmas in the Country. The kids especially had a grand ole time.
“I’ve called Santa Bingo since our kids were little, so we’ve been doing this for 25 years,” said Commercial Club member Brian Wayne. “All the bingo winners receive prizes provided by local businesses in town.”
Some of the prizes available for selection included Play-Doh, an Angry Birds ball, Candyland, bead kit, weaving loom and a Nerf basketball kit.
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
“One afternoon while I in our dining room in Hartland, I got this knowing feeling that I wanted to write,” said acclaimed author Sandra Esch. “I never knew what, just that I wanted to write.”
Esch trusted that gut feeling, and when the time was right, she started work on her first novel, Tracks in the Snow, and eventually won the San Diego Christian Writers Guild’s Best Fiction Book Published in 2011 for its compelling and well-rounded quality.
“Receiving the award meant the world to me,” she said. “Did I expect to win? No. I feared being disappointed if I held out hope and lost. There are too many good writers out there.”
Nicole Johnson benefit planned for Friday
A pulled pork fundraising supper and silent auction benefit will be held for Nicole Johnson on Friday, December 14.
Nicole was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer on May 17, 2012. She underwent chemotherapy followed by surgery. The cancer spread to her lymph nodes and she is now under going radiation treatments. Nicole is the daughter of Cindy (Kasper) originally from Ellendale, and Dave Johnson originally from Hope. She is the granddaughter of Theresa Kasper from Ellendale.
The benefit will be held at Owatonna VFW, 135 Oakdale St. It will be held from 5 until 9 p.m.
Fans pack gym twice for Indoor Marching Band Concert
PHANTOM OF THE OPERA — NRHEG High School Band members donned masks, above, and generally had fun and displayed pride during the Indoor Marching Band Concert Nov. 19 and 20. Below, Director Tim Siewert presents Hans Frank the award for Panther of the Year. (Star Eagle photos by Chris Schlaak)
By NICOLE BILLING
Editorial Assistant
The NRHEG High School Band had its annual Indoor Marching Band concert on Monday, November 19 and Tuesday, November 20 in New Richland. The concert began at 7:30 p.m. with the doors opening for the public at 7.
This year, the school made an exective decision to host the concert two nights, due to how popular it has been in the previous years. The concert was a success again this year with two bleachers filled both nights.
This year’s theme included songs from the movie The Phantom of the Opera.
The first group to perform was the jazz band, which performed four songs. They played songs such as “That’s How We Roll” and “Gospel John.”
NRHEG School Board
By REED WALLER
Staff Writer
Remodeling drawings on view
Plans for the remodeling of the New Richland High School kitchen, cafeteria, commons area, and main entrance will be on view at the NRHEG New Richland Media Center Tuesday, Dec. 4 at 7:00 p.m., following the district’s annual Truth in Taxation Hearing at 6:30. The public is invited.
Visitors will be able to examine and discuss details of the upcoming improvements to the building, which includes an expansion of the cafeteria into what is now the south portion of the Media Center, to create an expanded Commons area, and a redesigned kitchen, plus a more secure entryway to the building and redesign of the office and services area.
Recovery from aneurysm attributed to prayer
REMARKABLE RECOVERY — John and Lucille Nechanicky are grateful for Lucille’s remarkable recovery from an aneurysm in May, a recovery they attribute to prayer. (Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen)
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
The word — aneurysm.
It is not a nice word, considering what it entails. Many of us may know what it means, and less of us might know how to spell it.
It is a hard word to spell and it is hard to think what it would be like to experience it, and then live with the condition.
Webster's Dictionary will define it as a dilation of a section of an artery due to a weakness of the artery wall, often resulting eventually in hemorrhage.
To Lucille and John Nechanicky, it is much more than that.
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
We've done the turkey bit for Thanksgiving and it was traditionally good to please the appetite, but just around the corner is another tradition. The annual Wild Game Feed to be exact.
This year it will be held in Geneva this Saturday, December 1.
This annual event is held under a heated tent in the parking lot at Geneva Bar & Grill. It draws sportsmen and women, as well as those who don't hunt, to partake of the wide array of food prepared from wild game donated by many of the local hunters.
This event started 25 years ago when Judy Thompson suggested that "her men" empty the freezer of wild game they had shot. The wild game was prepared and served in hopes of raising funds for the cancer cause
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25th Annual Christmas in the Country Sunday
The 25th Annual Christmas in the Country will take place on Sunday, December 2 from noon to 5 p.m. in Ellendale. Local stores will have drawings, refreshments, and bargains. Also included will be pictures with Santa throughout the day, kids bingo with Santa, a craft show and bazaar, and a Christmas and Holiday Music Concert. Also from 2–4 p.m. will be an old-fashioned Christmas Open House at Whispering Oak with Christmas treats.
Pancake feed for Chris Besser set for Sunday
On Sunday, December 2, the New Richland Lions Club will be holding a pancake feed benefit for Chris Besser.
The event will take place at New Richland City Hall from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Chris was diagnosed with lung cancer on July 6, 2012, and is currently taking chemo and radiation treatments, and hasn’t been able to work since that time.
Thanksgiving Special
When Kari (Schlaak) Rettig was a little girl growing up in New Richland, she owned more than 100 dolls and used to tell people she wanted a dozen children someday. With the birth of her second set of twins this year, she now has an even dozen — and countless reasons to be thankful
A DOZEN AND THEN SOME — The Rettig family, front from left: Rockford, Victoria, Keira, Emma and one of the newest twins. Back: Elisabeth, Jacob, Mercedes, Christian, Lee, Hudson, Kari (holding the other twin) and Hannah. The new twins are named Abraham and Benjamin. (Submitted photo)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
The saying, “The more the merrier,” well, the Rettig household has taken that one literally.
Yes, Kari and Lee Rettig definitely have their hands full, with 12 children in all. And they wouldn’t have it any other way.
“People remember me saying I wanted a dozen children,” said Kari, a New Richland native and daughter of Lyle and Diane Schlaak. “I remember having over a hundred dolls and I named most of them. My husband was the older of two; he debated about even having children before we were married. He then said four and once we had about two, he was fine with six.”
But, after bearing their first set of twins (numbers four and five) Lee’s exact words at the time were, “However many God blesses us with is fine.”
Some tips to ensure your gift recipient is happy
By JESSICA LUTGENS
Editorial Assistant
Black Friday is fast approaching, and in order to have any success in the mess of people crowding the stores, you’ll have to go at least somewhat prepared.
A big concern for adults around the holiday season is what gifts to buy. Kids and teenagers just aren’t as easily entertained as they used to, and even parents sometimes find themselves drawing a blank when thinking of gift ideas.
First, a few general tips that will make the recipient of your gift a little more thankful:
Alliance Pipeline presented a check for $10,000 to the NRHEG School District and the City of New Richland after the annual Veteran’s Day program held in the high school Nov. 12. The money is part of their community investment program and will be used toward the new signs and lighting at the crosswalk. From left: Superintendent Kevin Wellen, Elmer Quiram, Rick Schultz, Shannon Bode of Alliance, Geoff Jessen, Cody Dobberstein, Senator Julie Rosen, Jacob Kohnert, Orville Bolduan, Mitchell Westrum, Brenda Kampen, Dennis Dinneen, Louis Gaona, Gretchen Supalla, Rayna Crosson and Winston Evenson. (Submitted photo)