Features (1071)
THREE YEARS — Blondie’s in New Richland is celebrating its three-year anniversary Friday, Nov. 2. Pictured from left are owner Carly Solland and cook Angie Hoffman. (Star Eagle photo by Nicole Billing)
By NICOLE BILLING
Editorial Assistant
Where does the name “Blondie’s” come from? Not from owner Carly Solland, as some might think.
The name comes from Hollywood blondes such as Marilyn Monroe, whose picture can be seen on Blondie’s walls.
Blondie’s has been in the New Richland community for three years now and is always busy with customers. It will perhaps be busier than usual this Friday, Nov. 2, as the restaurant holds a three-year anniversary celebration featuring a lunch special along with free coffee and treat.
Solland has been in the restaurant business for seven years and said, “I want to do this for the rest of my life. It’s not always what it’s cracked up to be, but I’m doing what I want to do. Even though it doesn’t always pay the bills, liking what I do is important.”
After one year, Helen Sawyer can say she loves it at Whispering Oak
FAMILY TIME — Whispering Oak resident Helen Sawyer, left, chats with nieces Lynn, Pat and Paulette. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
Whispering Oak and Helen Sawyer are soon to be celebrating their one-year anniversary.
And, you know what? They were made for each other.
“My stay here has been wonderful,” Helen said. “The staff is friendly and continually gives of themselves.”
Director Maryann Schlaak has nothing but nice things to say about Helen as well.
“She is very gracious and appreciative,” she said. “She’s just an all-around neat lady.”
Schlaak’s observations go far beyond just those. There’s so much more to Helen than meets the eye.
NRHEG School Board
THANKS, MONSANTO! — Monsanto presented a $25,000 check to the NRHEG school during the high school pep fest on Friday, October 5. Pictured from left: Paul Cyr, Kevin Wellen, Mike Pruat, Anne Feist, Amanda Inouye, Jennifer Hatton, Rick Schultz, Chris Beyer and Tom Chandler. (Star Eagle photo by Nicole Billing)
By REED WALLER
Staff Writer
The list of donations approved by the NRHEG school board for the month of October topped $40,000.
Monsanto grant
Topping the list was the $25,000 grant gift from Monsanto.
The Monsanto Grow Community Farm Progress grant was made available to school districts with a choice of taking $10,000 per district, or submitting their district to be nominated by area farmers for a possible $25,000.
The project description states, “NRHEG will use the grant to update science laboratories to state-of-the-art facilities. The district will be acquiring 13 Labquest Interface equipment and sensors that will broaden the scope of scientific investigation in the classrooms. The grant will also be used to purchase two digital microscopes that will be integrated with SMART Boards that are already in use.”
Compiled by JESSICA LUTGENS
Editorial Assistant
With the upcoming election on Tuesday, November 6, candidates for the local school board and city government were given questionnaires by the NRHEG Star Eagle. The following are their responses:
NRHEG School Board
Name: Jay Crabtree
Age: 45
Family: Wife Shari, children Abby (Senior, NRHEG), Katie (7th, NRHEG), Tyler (Graduate, NRHEG), daughter-in-law Amy, grandson Payten
How long have you lived in the area? Lifelong Ellendale resident 45 years
What is your occupation or profession? Police Officer – Albert Lea Police Department
New Richland City Council
By NICOLE BILLING
Editorial Assistant
The New Richland City Council held its second meeting of October at 6:30 Monday evening. All members of the council were present. The council members approved the agenda as amended with additional consent items.
The first order of business was a public hearing to talk about franchise fees. Mayor Tom McShane asked if there was anyone who had any concerns about franchise fees at the time; since there wasn’t, the council moved on to other items with the agreement to come back to franchise fees.
The next issue was about Richard Baker’s sprinkler system. He asked the council to approve a $73 credit to his sewer bill because the sprinkler malfunctioned and didn’t shut off. After much deliberation, the council denied the credit.
For new NRHEG special education instructor, teaching is in her genes
HOUSE OF EDUCATORS — Stacie Ebnet-Dietz, originally from Albany, Minn., comes from a family of teachers, and her husband is also involved in education. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
“It is a great school with a wonderful staff. I have enjoyed becoming part of Panther Pride at the NRHEG Secondary school.”
Those exact words came straight from the new sixth and seventh-grade special education teacher, Stacie Ebnet-Dietz. She has much more to say about the teaching position however.
“It has been reassuring to see smiling faces and helpful advice and guidance,” Dietz said. “The NRHEG staff has been welcoming and they have made me feel part of the team. I appreciate working with such talented and innovative professionals.”
As they bind together, she can see her students’ academic gaps shrink on a daily basis.
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..
NRHEG Veteran’s Day program 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 and 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.
For first time ever, Minnesota to lead U.S. in corn production
EARLY OUT — It’s been an unusually early harvest for area farmers who, according to local agronomist Mark Bernard, should be thankful for another fruitful season. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
Here in our little neck of the woods, local agronomist Mark Bernard believes farmers should count their blessings, every single bushel.
“They could’ve had diddley squat like some other unfortunate areas of the country,” Bernard said. “If it had been a little hotter and a lot drier, it could’ve happened here too.”
So, what saved area crops? The soil moisture deficit we had coming out of last fall.
“There were certainly times when we could’ve used rain, but it was amazing how little the crop showed stress,” he said. “That’s a tribute to the moisture-holding capacity these soils have. We can typically hold 11-12 inches in the top 5 feet of soil.”
NRAFF update
By GAIL SCHMIDT
New Richland Area Foundation Representative of the Waseca Area Foundation
As we begin the last quarter of 2012, it reminds me it is time for me to update everyone on the activity of the New Richland Area Foundation. As you remember, through the collaboration of the NRAF Fund and the By-The-Grace-Of-God Fund, we were able to pass out $15,000 to 12 grant recipients at the Farm & City Days Pancake Breakfast in July.
This was by far our best grant presentation in three short years. This is a result of the generous contributions these funds have received since the start up of the foundation in 2009.
Also in July, I was invited to talk about “our story” and the success we have experienced within the New Richland area since the formation of the NRAFF at a Janesville Community Meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to educate their community on the benefits of having their own foundation.
Ellendale approves city employee pay increase
Written by Jim LutgensEllendale City Council
By SCOTT GROTH
Contributing Writer
The Ellendale City Council met Thursday October 11 with Mayor Engel and all council members present. Clerk Louks; Roger Swearingen, maintenance; Pete Paulson, Municipal Liquor Store; Wes Brown, Bolten & Menk; Phil Kohl, City Attorney; and seven other visitors were also present.
The council, for the first time in several years, moved to give city employees a wage increase of 3%. The council felt the employees deserved the increase, as the employees have been more than patient during the recent recession. The council also approved an increase in council pay effective 2013.
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HALLOWEEN FUN — From left, Leah Morstad, Amichai Gassmann and Levi Stitt plan to be at Vibrant Life Assembly of God Church Halloween night. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
This upcoming Halloween night, Ellendale’s Vibrant Life Assembly of God cordially invites one and all to their sixth annual Hallelujah fest.
Event organizers Alicia Butler and Patrick Stitt (church pastor) can’t help but rub their hands together in anticipation for this eclectic evening. Yes, these two are just that excited.
“Hallelujah Fest is a family thing,” Butler said. “Last year, we organized 45 games. This year however, we are planning for less, as the gym will house a bouncy house.”
The Refuge gym will also features games like mini golf, hula hoop toss, sucker toss and a cupcake walk.
NRHEG PTO to host candidate forums
The NRHEG PTO will host a pair of Meet the Candidates forums for potential school board members. Five people are running for the three open spots, and they will answer a number of prepared questions on Monday, Oct. 22, in Ellendale, and Monday, Oct. 29, in New Richland.
Both forums will begin at 7 p.m. in the respective school media centers. Please plan to attend and get more insight on the people who will help run our school district in the years to come and be able to make an informed choice on election day!
New Richland City Council
By JESSICA LUTGENS
Editorial Assistant
The New Richland City Council held its first meeting of October on Monday, the 8th. The two-hour meeting consisted of a lot of discussion about cutting spending for the budget levy and the current insurance policy, as well as reports. All members were present.
The first order of business was the ambulance report, which requested the approval of six new members. The new members will either take classes or join the first response team. The request and ambulance report were approved.
The New Richland Police Department reported 74 calls and 56 other contacts/activities for the month of September. The previously mentioned juvenile nuisance complaints have improved since school has been in session, as expected. The department is also looking into the purchase of a new camera and snow tires for the new squad car, and their request to purchase ammunition for the department was approved, costing $579. The police report was approved.
By JESSICA LUTGENS
Editorial Assistant
There are many reasons why there is a high opposition to the upcoming amendment to our state’s Constitution, which, if passed, will require all voters in the state of Minnesota to provide a government-issued photo identification when casting their ballots.
Senator Scott Newman, author of the proposed amendment, calls it an “additional measure of integrity,” and says it will “add photo identification to manage age, residency and citizenship voting requirements already in the state Constitution.”
Some supporters of the amendment argue it will help curtail voter fraud and restore confidence in the election system. And while that may be true, there are many more arguments outlining the negative effects of the bill and urging citizens to vote “no” when it appears on the November 6, 2012 ballot.