Features (1071)
Discussion proves educational, even for longtime area residents
PRESERVING HISTORY — Ellendale Area Historical Society members Ed Jensen, Norrine Jensen, Lloyd Kaplan and Barbara Mrotz were at the Steele County History Center June 21 for a roundtable discussion on Beaver Lake. (Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen)
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
While driving around the east end of Beaver Lake, which includes 99 acres of water, one will glimpse 103 seasonal cottages, 13 year-round homes and a sandy beach with children taking swimming lessons and having fun in the water.
It brings back wonderful memories of when my family camped in our first motor home, a renovated school bus, on the south shore.
Many more memories were rekindled during a roundtable discussion about Beaver Lake at the Steele County History Center June 21.
I learned to swim in Beaver Lake, so its history was most interesting. I can remember how the beach back in the 1960s and ‘70s could be so crowded, people would reserve a spot on the shore by going early and laying down their towels on the beach area hillside.
It was mind boggling all the things I learned that night. I wasn't disappointed.
Many new activities, events set for annual celebration
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
Grab your dancing shoes and bring that sense of adventure for a time well enjoyed at this year’s Ellendale Days event.
On Thursday at 6 p.m., Luverne’s Concertina Band will kick off things with a bang. Well, not exactly.
“It’s what you would call dinner music,” said Scott Groth. “This year will be the first time we provide our own food from the liquor store. If you like old time polka music, it’s a good night to come.”
Organizers of the event are sure to grab the attention of the younger generation, with Friday’s inaugural dodge ball tournament starting at 5:30 p.m. behind the Ellendale School.
“Anyone interested should register with Pat Krueger,” Groth said. “It’s open to anyone. So, if you have the quicks and are able to dodge the ball, it would be a fun thing to do.”
After 22 months, Meierding bids farewell to NR area churches
TOUGH TO SAY GOOD BYE — After 22 months, LeSueur River and Vista Lutheran interim pastor Paul Meierding delivered his final sermon there last Sunday. The Meierding family, from left, Paul, Erika, Karl and Jorun. (Submitted photo)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
For the last 22 months, the two-point perish of the LeSueur River Church and Vista Lutheran has experienced an interim phase.
All the while, they waited patiently for a full-time candidate to come along, and finally, their prayers have been answered. But, before Brian Gegel takes the lead, the congregation must say a bittersweet goodbye to Paul Meierding.
“As an interim pastor, people often tell you they want you to stay,” Meierding said. “It’s an honor to hear that. It’s also fun to hear people appreciating my ministry.”
Meierding can’t get over how great this interim time has been. Sundays won’t be the same, he says.
Officials expect northerns to rebound soon
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
Residents in the Geneva area had been enjoying some good fishing on Geneva Lake this summer.
The quality of the fish, in particularly northern pike, was amazing both in size and taste. Imagine their concern around the 4th of July to find a very large quantity of beautiful trophy northerns floating belly-up on the surface in the northern area of the lake.
They called the game warden, Tom Hutchins, to let him know about the situation. Authorities are aware of the problem but there is little that can be done about the hot weather, which is causing the fish-kill.
There didn't seem to be many rough or lesser pan fish affected, possibly because they may have gone down into the mud bottom where it was cooler, and survived.
Ellendale City Council
By SCOTT GROTH
Contributing Writer
The Ellendale City Council met Thursday, July 12 with Mayor Engel and all councilmen present. Jim Johnson, representing the Bargen Company; Pete Paulson, Municipal Liquor Store; Roger Swearingen, maintenance; Clerk Steve Louks; and Luke Dobberstien were also in attendance.
The agenda was amended to include discussion about the road in Country View Estates.
Johnson, from the Bargen Company, which specializes in road repairs and maintenance, was first on the agenda. Johnson told the council his company was using a new product for sealing of tar roads.
His product is a by-product of soybean oil, which is applied topically to blacktop surfaces. Johnson said the product puts a layer of polymer into the blacktop and allows less water to penetrate into the blacktop, which means less pot holes and soft spots.
Schmidt named parade grand marshal
Gail Schmidt waves to the crowd during the 2012 New Richland Farm and City Days parade Sunday, July 8. Schmidt was selected grand marshal. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
Pastor Charles Espe always does a great job of announcing the grand marshal for the New Richland Farm and City Days parade, so Gail Schmidt was an eager listener at the Fire Hall Saturday morning.
The clues went right over her head.
Even as Jim Kozan played “Six Days on the Road,” Schmidt, with her husband truck driver Joe sitting next to her, looked around the room for truck drivers.
Then, as Espe was reading the nomination letters, Schmidt was thinking, “Wow, those are really nice words to say about someone,” never once thinking he was talking about her.
But he was.
Crops looking good at this point
TASSEL TIME — Local agronomist Mark Bernard has high hopes for the 2012 harvest. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
Like humans, crops of all kinds need their “beauty sleep.”
And, now that we are in the heart of summer, local agronomist Mark Bernard has chosen to divulge a few of the imperative conditions the local fields need to survive and even thrive.
“When overnight temperatures fail to drop into the 60s and dew points remain high, the plants expend more energy to maintain themselves,” Bernard said. “If it continues to happen for extended periods of time, weeks in a row especially with corn, the yield can be compromised as a result of the energy diverted from grain fill.”
Bernard also says that beastly hot temperatures may also cause weaker, more disease-prone corn stalks.
GRANT RECIPIENTS — Members from various organizations are shown following the announcement of the grant recipients at the Farm and City Days Breakfast. Front from left: Joanne Phillips, Barb Wildgrube, Ellie Schlaak, Elaine Spain, Kathy Flor, Jen Grothem and Tim Siewert. Back: Angie Aaseth, Doug Anderson, Larry Goehring, Jennie Johnson, Cody Dobberstein, Scott Eads, Jeremy Parpart and Pete Grothem. (Star Eagle photo by Jody Wynnemer)
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
Many groups and organizations around New Richland received some very good news on Saturday morning, July 7 at the annual Farm and City Days Pancake Breakfast at the New Richland Fire Hall. The New Richland Area Foundation Fund and the By The Grace of God Fund teamed up to hand out $15,000 in grants.
NRAFF representative Gail Schmidt announced the grant recipients and gave those in attendance a brief history of the foundation fund.
“Last year we handed out $9,000,” said Schmidt. “During this past year, we received a donation of four semi loads of grain which really helped. Also, in January we received the Donald Hamilton bequest in the amount of $320,000 which has enabled us to increase the total funds available.”
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
The New Richland City Council had all members in attendance when Mayor Tom McShane convened the first meeting of July 2012 Monday evening.
The agenda and consent agenda were approved. Notable items on the consent agenda included the purchase of equipment damaged at Legion Field in the 2010 September flood event. The council gave the go-ahead to obtain a slush machine, refrigerator, microwaves, cheese dispenser, food warmer and hot dog steamer. All of the equipment is commercial grade and the funds for the purchase came from FEMA flood relief money.
McDonough, Baynes families mourn losses
Tragedy twice struck New Richland last week.
Sue McDonough, vacationing out of state with her husband Mike, died Friday after a pontoon boat she was aboard overturned in high winds Thursday evening. Her 10-year-old granddaughter, Zoe, also perished in the accident.
New Richland native Michael Baynes, son of Joanie Baynes, was killed in a car accident in Minneapolis Friday afternoon.
According to the Chattanooga Times Free Press, McDonough and her granddaughter were among 12 people on board a double-deck pontoon, which was heading for shore when it struck a wave and high winds and was flipped over front-to-back.
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Nordlie to hold book signing at Farm & City Days car show
UP NORTH AUTHOR – Former NRHEG High English teacher Gary Nordlie will be at the Farm and City Days Car Show on Saturday, July 7 to sign his new book “The Boy Who Talked to Loons.”
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
After a person’s working career is over comes another stage in life: retirement. Many so-called retired people take up a new hobby, spend more time traveling or tending their flower gardens. Others are just content to have more time to spend with their grandchildren.
Former NRHEG High School English instructor Gary Nordlie decided to spend his retired years doing something he has always loved, fishing. Nordlie started teaching here in the 1967-68 school year and retired in 1998.
“I’ve been fishing for over 60 years,” said Nordlie. “I grew up fishing with my grandfather on the Mississippi.”
Nordlie participated in tournament fishing and also did quite a bit of writing about the outdoors. For the last 27 years, he has spent his summers on beautiful Lake Vermillion serving as a fishing guide. The lake is the fifth-largest within Minnesota borders and boasts 313 miles of shoreline. His love for the outdoors and his many experiences led him to write a book called “The Boy Who Talked to Loons.”
New manager thrives on challenges
AIMING TO PLEASE — New Ellendale Municipal Liquor Store manager Pete Paulson describes himself as customer oriented, saying “I enjoy pleasing the customer. I like the people contact.” (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
Pete Paulson doesn’t just love challenges. He thrives off of them.
And so, when Paulson officially filled the Ellendale Municipal Bar and Grill managerial position on June 1, he knew the fun was about to begin.
“Since we have added the grill, business has definitely increased,” Paulson said. “The numbers aren’t earth shattering or anything, but customers are on the rise.”
Only about a month in, the development of friendships with customers has been effortless, really. It’s been a real treat to reconnect with Ellendale too, he says.
“Because of my ties to the community, I’d like to give back or see it prosper so to speak,” Paulson said. “I enjoy pleasing the customer. I like the people contact.”
YOU CAN GO HOME AGAIN — Evan Berg, an NRHEG High School graduate, has found State Bank of New Richland a perfect fit — banking in a small town that happens to be his home town. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
The State Bank of New Richland has a new Ag Loan officer among the ranks.
And, after six months on the job, it’s clear these two parties really found each other.
“Everyone here has been great,” said newest employee Evan Berg. “It has likely been as much of a transition for them as it has for me, as I'm the first new employee the bank has had for awhile on the lending side.”
Berg’s more than ready to make the commitment for the long haul too. Just ask any of his co-workers.
“I accepted this position in hopes of coming back in the area and making a difference in the area I grew up,” he said. “I decided that I'd much rather make that commitment in the area I grew up versus elsewhere. I also knew the State Bank of New Richland was a strong institution and would be a good fit for my skillset and personality.”
Ellendale City Council
By SCOTT GROTH
Contributing Writer
The Ellendale City Council met Thursday June 28, with Mayor Engel, Councilmen Helland, Goebel, Reiter and Groth present. Also attending the meeting was Clerk Louks, Donovan Eaker and Andy Bernau.
Bernau, from the accounting firm of Hill, Larson, Walth & Benda, PA, was present to go over with the council the 2011 audit. Bernau gave each council member a 36-page report for review.
Bernau started by stating that overall the audit went well and the city is in good financial shape. Bernau told the council the Municipal Liquor Store did not have a positive cash flow for the year 2011.
Bernau did note that due to the extensive remodeling at the MLS, next year’s audit could have a different outcome. However, the city will still need to hold a pubic hearing since the MLS has lost money two of the last three years.