Features (1071)
New Richland City Council
By NICOLE BILLING
Editorial Assistant
The New Richland City Council had its first meeting of the month Tuesday, November 13. The meeting started at 6:30 and lasted for two hours. All council members were present and they approved the agenda as presented.
The first order of business was a public hearing for delinquent property charges. Two landlord property owners rose complaints about delinquent water bills that their renters did not pay. A comment was made that the city needs to follow state law with water bills.
The next order of business was the police report. Scott Eads reported there were 110 calls for service and 44 additional contacts or activities for the month of October. No serious or felonious calls were reported.
Schiltz reaches national CC meet
NRHEG High School junior T.J. Schiltz is headed for nationals. Schiltz won the 2012 USATF Minnesota Association Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships on November 10 in Apple Valley. The course was a 5K. T.J. won the race with a time of 15:56. He now qualifies for the National Junior Olympic Championships which will be held December 8th, 2012 in Balloon Fiesta Park, Albuquerque, NM.
Belgian Waffles at Farmamerica Sunday
Get into the Christmas spirit for Dad’s Belgian Waffles at Farmamerica on Sunday, November 25. Come and listen to the Waseca Band students entertain with Christmas music and stay for Dad’s Belgian Waffles. From 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Dad’s Belgian Waffles will be served. For $7, it’s all-you-can-eat waffles with sausage links, orange juice and coffee. Children 5 and under are free. Take-out is also available! Farmamerica is located off Hwy 14 near Waseca. For more information, go to www.farmamerica.org.
Veteran’s Day observed at NRHEG schools
VETERAN’S DAY PROGRAM — State Senator Julie Rosen addresses students as the keynote speaker during NRHEG High School’s Veteran’s Day program Monday, Nov. 12. (Star Eagle photo by Jessica Lutgens)
By JESSICA LUTGENS
Editorial Assistant
What does patriotism mean to you?
That’s what State Senator Julie Rosen asked the students of NRHEG High School when speaking at this year’s Veteran’s Day Program, held on Monday, November 12. Along with her speech, the program consisted of readings from various students, performances by both the band and choir, and awards for the poster and essay contests.
Ellendale City Council
By SCOTT GROTH
Contributing Writer
The Ellendale City Council met Thursday, November 8, with Mayor Engel and all Councilmen present. Others attending the meeting were Roger Swearingen, maintenance; Pete Paulson, Municipal Liquor Store; and Steve Louks, City Clerk.
During his monthly report, Swearingen informed the council there will be a new drop-off site for recycling. The council had been informed at its last meeting that the county would like to start using a larger container and that they would be in contact with the city about possibly changing the site.
Swearingen told the council that Waste Management and a person from the county had stopped by earlier in the week to look at possible sites. He said the group liked the advantages of the property next to the railroad tracks on 8th Ave.
The advantages are no overhead wires, easy access for users and easy loading and unloading for the haulers. Swearingen added that the county will pay for the site preparation and provide signage telling of the move.
Area elections
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
There were no big surprises in area communities on election day Tuesday, Nov. 6.
In Ellendale, 384 voters turned out. Roger Swearingen, running unopposed for Mayor, was elected with 270 votes. There were 88 write-ins. For the Ellendale City Council, Duane Goebel received 241 votes, Dick Lassahn 215 with 62 write-ins. The biggest issue on the local ballot, Sunday Liquor, passed 243-134.
The City of Geneva had a 95.33 percent voter turnout, reelecting Mayor Steve Bailey with 247 votes. There were 16 write-ins. For Geneva City Council, Taff Worrell received 237 votes, Janelle Tufte 214 with 13 write-ins.
The biggest question mark in the area is in Hartland, where there were no candidates for mayor and two city council positions.
Indoor Marching Band concert Nov. 19-20
NRHEG’s 2012 Indoor Marching Band Concert is set for Monday, November 19, and Tuesday, November 20 in the high school gymnasium in New Richland.
The concert will start at 7:30 p.m. Doors will open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students. This year’s theme will include music from “The Phantom of the Opera.”
UMC Community Worship November 21
A Community Thanksgiving Service will be held Wednesday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Ellendale. You may bring non-perishable food items for the Ellendale Area Food Shelf. Everyone is invited to attend.
Bartness recalls post-combat World War II days
Don Bartness
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
The year was 1945, and things overseas were still as they say, dicey.
But, luckily for New Richland native Don Bartness, World War II combat had just ended.
“On our ship ride to Japan, I was really sea sick,” Bartness said. “I was ordered to keep watch for mines, but I didn’t care if the mine hit us or not. That’s how sick I was.”
Toward the latter part of this 18-day journey, he and his stomach were on better terms. However, when he set foot on land, his luck continued as the ground began swaying from side to side.
Area pastors sacrifice lovely locks to benefit food shelf
Written by Jim Lutgens
COLORFUL MAKEOVER — Pastor Carrie McElfresh, center, gets her hair colored purple by Lisa Full, left, and Amanda Buzzard Saturday, Nov. 3. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
For the next few weeks here, Ellendale and Geneva will lay claim to some pretty shocking purple and magenta heads of hair.
A few pastoral ones to be exact.
“I chose blue, green, pink, magenta, orchard and purple,” said Geneva’s Full Service Station stylist Amanda Buzzard. “I cherry picked my favorites.”
Buzzard wasn’t the only one in on this bright-colored affair however. Full Service Station’s owner, Lisa Full, along with Looks Unlimited Rhonda Hareid, painted these most esteemed female pastors’ locks.
“To look at myself with orange hair for two weeks, I don’t think I could have done it,” said pastor Carrie McElfresh of Geneva Community Lutheran Church. “Orange hair makes me think of Bozo the clown.”
Geneva Bar & Grill honored for community service
Written by Jim Lutgens
CHAMBER HONORS — Jack and Barb Kuckenbecker hold the plaque they received for being recognized as Medium Business of the Year by the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce. (Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen)
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
The Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce recently named the Geneva Bar & Grill as one of the Businesses of the Year for their involvement with the chamber and the local communities.
The 132nd Annual Chamber of Commerce Membership Celebration was held Thursday, October 25 at Wedgewood Cove Golf Club in Albert Lea.
Bob Kill, President and CEO of Enterprise Minnesota, a nonprofit consulting organization that helps small and medium-sized manufacturing companies, education services and government entities, was the guest speaker.
Food shelf spaghetti dinner Saturday
The New Richland Area Food Shelf Spaghetti Supper is set for Saturday, Nov. 10 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the NRHEG High School Cafteria. There will be a silent auction, and members of Carol’s Dance Studio will perform at 5:30.
A free-will offering will be taken, along with cash donations for the NRAFS, non-perishable food items and new, unwrapped toys for Santa Anonymous. Questions? Call Pam Goehring at 463-3421.
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Routh, Moen, Moxon reelected to school board
Written by Jim LutgensPeterson returns as District 1 County Commissioner
Lori Routh, Mike Moen and Shelly Moxon were reelected to the NRHEG School Board Tuesday. The totals: Routh 1757, Moen 1529, Moxon 1384, Jay Crabtree 1354, Peggy Radjenovich 572. There were 24 write-ins.
For Waseca County Commissioner District 1, incumbent Jim Peterson was reelected over Jody Wynnemer, 1333-595.
Veteran photos sought
In observance of Veterans Day November 11, the NRHEG Star Eagle will be having a section dedicated to our defenders of freedom. Area veterans or family members are encouraged to bring in photos of veterans in uniform from all branches of service for inclusion and the recognition they so justly deserve. The deadline for photo submission is noon, November 2. For questions or more information, call the Star Eagle office at (507) 463-8112 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Women’s Night Out craft event Nov. 5
A Women’s Night Out Joy to the World Craft event is set for Monday, Nov. 5 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, New Richland. The event is free, but you must RSVP to participate. Call Barb Morgan at (507) 461-3032 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
NRHEG Veteran’s Day programs November 12
NRHEG High School will host a Veteran’s Day program Monday, Nov. 12 at 9:45 a.m. in the gymnasium. The speaker is State Senator Julie Rosen.
The NRHEG band and choir will perform. Winners of the “What Does Veteran’s Day Mean to Me?” essay contest for eighth and 12th grade will be announced. The public is invited. Questions? Call Georgia Dinneen at 507-417-2614.
NRHEG Elementary School will present their Veteran’s Day program on Monday, November 12 at 8:45 a.m. in the elementary gym. The program will include: music from the fifth-grade honor choir, essay readings from the fifth-grade contest winners and a message from guest speaker Jody Wynnemer.
Volunteers available Nov. 13 to assist those wishing to change Medicare plans
The 2013 annual enrollment period for Medicare Prescription Drug Plans and Medicare Advantage Plans runs from October 15, 2012 to December 7, 2012.
During this time, you can enroll in a plan if you did not previously enroll or change to a new plan. Changes then become effective on January 1, 2013.
Note that this year the enrollment period starts and ends earlier. If you do not make changes by December 7, 2012, in most cases you will not be able to change plans again until 2014.
The Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging® will once again be assisting Medicare beneficiaries with their 2013 Medicare plan research and enrollment. Trained volunteers will be available by appointment in Waseca on November 13, 2012. To schedule an appointment, call Robin at 1-800-333-2433, ext. 82016.
Medicare beneficiaries need to bring with them current insurance information, their Medicare card and their prescription medication bottles.
If you have questions or need further information, contact the Senior LinkAge Line® at 1-800-333-2433. The Senior LinkAge Line® is a program of the Minnesota Board on Aging and the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging®, Inc.
Ellendale City Council
By SCOTT GROTH
Contributing Writer
The Ellendale City Council met Thursday October 25, with Mayor Engel and all councilmen present. Also attending the meeting were Steele County Sheriff Lon Thiele, City Clerk Steve Louks, Roger Swearingen, maintenance, Pete Paulson-, MLS manager, Caren Swearingen, Donovan Eaker and Steele County Commissioner Bruce Kubicek.
The council reviewed the contract prepared by the Sheriff’s Department. The contract will be a one-year contract that automatically renews at the end of the current year. The agreement calls for approximately 19 hours of coverage per week and spread as evenly over seven days as possible. The contract calls for the city to pay $3,261.00 per month in 2013. Included in the agreement is a 3 percent raise each year the county provides services to the city. The contract calls for the county to provide all vehicles and maintain them. Sheriff Thiele told the council he felt the city has, over the years, received more coverage than contracted. After a few more comments the council approved the contract.
New manager at New Richland’s Country Neighbors relishes her job
NEIGHBORLY — Julie Strong, left, visits with Country Neighbors resident Floa Finholdt. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
For an hour straight, Julie Strong’s eyes have glazed over so many numbers she can’t see straight. Well, not really. She just needs to hit the pause button for a few minutes and gain some human interaction.
What better way to do that, than to walk outside her office door.
“The residents are special in every way,” said Strong, New Richland’s newest manager for Country Neighbors. “I just graduated from Minnesota State University in Mankato and am a licensed social worker. It’s not a requirement, but it’s certainly an asset to the job.”
For one, Strong can really advocate for the 13 residents activity-wise.