Features (1071)
QCBA to host tournament; Reese to receive donation
The QCBA will host the 13U end-of-the-year tournament this Friday and Saturday at Legion Field in New Richland.
“This is a big fundraiser for our youth baseball, and we are privileged that the SCYB league that we are part of has continued to ask us to host this tournament for ten years now,” said QCBA spokesman Mark Domeier.
Also, on Friday at 6 p.m., Jeff Reese will be presented with a grant for $2500 from Monsanto for youth baseball at Legion Field.
Items sought for Veterans Memorial
The Ellendale Veterans Memorial Museum will open Thursday at 4 p.m. for people to bring military memorabilia that they would like to display during Ellendale days.
It will be open for display during Ellendale days each day.
For more information call Roger Swearingen at 507-475-3110.
Farm & City Days Committee to meet
The New Richland Farm and City Days Committee will hold its 2012 wrap-up meeting Tuesday, July 24 at 6 p.m. at The Willows. The public is invited for any and all input.
NRHEG School Board
By REED WALLER
Staff Writer
Twenty-six items of new business were dealt with at the June 18 meeting of the NRHEG School Board.
Principal Anderson
A Letter of Assignment was approved for (as of July 1) Elementary Principal Doug Anderson.
The letter stipulates a $77,000 base salary, for a period of 217 days (Elementary Coordinator’s period was 203 days). All benefits remain the same as per Anderson’s current contract.
Anderson reported to the board that the district has received a three-year grant to participate in the “myON Reader” program, a student driven online reading program which creates personalized programs for students. This will replace the district’s Accelerated Reading program.
Additionally, NRHEG’s “Reading Well by Third Grade” program has been submitted to the Dept. of Education along with the district’s recent assessment data, and the elementary school has hired two literacy tutors to work with K-3 students on a daily basis.
BITTERSWEET GOOD BYE — Though retiring third-grade teacher Susan DenHerder has some definite plans for retirement, nothing can replace her day-to-day interaction with students. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
The NRHEG third-grade classroom hasn’t experienced a drastic change in about 23 years. So, this upcoming school year, things will be a little bit different without long-time teacher Mrs. Susan DenHerder.
“I’ll still be Mrs. DenHerder,” she said. “I will still hear it on the street and in the grocery store too. I’ll hear it just about everywhere.”
Actually, she will still answer to that formal address in the classroom next year and for years to come, as she isn’t saying a full-time goodbye to the district just yet.
“If they need someone to sub in the library, with the preschoolers or any classroom, I’m game,” DenHerder said.
Sure, this semi-retired educator may have had a difficult time letting go of her title, but in the long run, she knew it needed to happen.
For 20 years, Louks always answered the call of duty
Written by Jim Lutgens
THANKS, BRIAN — Brian Louks, left, receives an engraved MagLite from Cody Dobberstein and Jennie Johnson of New Richland Ambulance. (Star Eagle photo by Jody Wynnemer)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
For the last 20 years, it didn’t matter what time of day it was, Brian Louks always answered his New Richland’s Ambulance call of duty.
“This was my way to help the community,” Louks said. “It was more my niche.”
Louks never hesitated on scene either. It’s really not an option, ever.
“You’re it,” Louks said. “You’re there. You don’t have an opportunity to step back. You do the best you can.”
Sometimes however, he and his team required outside assistance to help the victims to the best of their ability.
“New Richland Ambulance is a basic life support service,” Louks said. “Upon arrival, I figured out if we needed advanced help. If we did, I called for advanced life support which was either North Ambulance of Waseca, Gold Cross in Mankato or Albert Lea Medical Center.”
Quite simply, this recent retiree could handle a lot of medical scenarios. It just came down to a matter of training.
New Richland City Council
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
There was a relatively short agenda for the New Richland City Council as it gathered Monday night for the second meeting of June 2012.
All members were present and approved the agenda and consent agenda items, which included appointing election judges Peggy Borchard and Laina Rajala.
The council gave the go ahead for the DNR to have right-of-entry access for watercraft inspections. This program is designed to prevent invasive species such as Zebra mussels and milfoil from being transported from lake to lake.
The council also granted a temporary liquor license to the New Richland Fire Relief Association on August 11 for their annual street dance. Broadway Avenue in front of City Hall will also be closed to traffic during the evening dance.
Nominations sought for Grand Marshall
The New Richland Farm and City Days Parade Committee is seeking nominations for the 2012 Farm and City Days Parade Grand Marshall. We are again asking for the input of members of the community to help honor an individual or a couple that plays an active role in our community and has helped to make our community great. If you feel you know someone that is truly deserving of this honor, we ask that you send a letter of nomination highlighting the reasons this person(s) should be considered. Letters should be sent to: NR Farm and City Days, P.O. Box 262, New Richland, MN 56072.
Ellendale Community Cookout set for Friday
The annual Ellendale Lions Club’s Community Cookout is set for Friday, June 22 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Ellendale Community Building. The menu includes sloppy joes, hot dogs, chips, baked beans, bars, juice and coffee. Cost is free-will donation with all proceeds going to community service projects.
NRHEG Family Swim Night set for June 29
NRHEG PTO Family Swim Night at the Waseca Water Park is set for June 29 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
This event is free and open to all families who have children attending NRHEG schools. =This includes pre-school age children. Concessions will be open for purchases. Check the Web site www.wasecawaterpark.com for any updates or cancellations due to inclement weather.
Geneva apartment also damaged
TOTAL LOSS — Firemen work to extinguish a blaze at 403 4th Ave. in Ellendale last Thursday. The house was a total loss. Whitney McCamish, a resident of the house, was treated for smoke inhalation at the Owatonna hospital. Ellendale fireman Roger Larson was treated for chest pain at the scene and then transported to the hospital, where emergency surgery was performed for heart blockage. (Star Eagle photos by Kathy Paulsen)
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
Local firemen were called out to battle not one, but two fires Thursday, June 14.
The first fire call was received by the Steele County Sheriff’s Office, Ellendale Fire Department and Ambulance service at 8:33 a.m. when they were notified of a fire at the home at 403 4th Avenue, Ellendale.
The home is owned by Donna Mae McCamish and was occupied by her daughter, Chanelle, and her four children, Whitney, 14, Sydney, 11, Bo, 6, and Blake, 3. Chanelle, Whitney and Blake were in the home when the fire started.
Whitney immediately evacuated the house, but went back in as her brother and mother were in the home. Sydney and Bo had spent the night at the home of their grandmother, Donna Mae.
Whitney found her brother hiding upstairs. She escorted him from the house and ran next door to Alvin Wobschall’s home and asked him to call the fire department. Whitney and Blake ran back to their house and were very glad to see their mother coming back outside.
Pfeffer’s 41-year teaching career reaches its final hour
FORTY-ONE YEARS — Kris Pfeffer poses in front of NRHEG High School as a commemoration for her many years with the school district. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
For Kris Pfeffer, the very first day she set foot inside the New Richland school site seems just like just yesterday.
Pfeffer had no reservations about her new teaching duties, just a few butterflies as she unlocked the fourth-grade classroom door.
“Each year was a brand new experience,” Pfeffer said. “I bounced around the grades a lot, but from 1989 on, I taught first grade.”
Forty-one years later, Pfeffer’s teaching time clock has reached its final hour. Or as she so eloquently sums it up: “I’m just a retired teacher now.”
“I have a grandson, Nolan John, who was born February 4 of this year,” Pfeffer said. “I’d like to be available if they need us to babysit.”
Anderson retires after 35 years at State Bank of New Richland
FROM OFFICE TO STUDIO — After 35 years of loyal service to the community, Bernie Anderson says farewell to the State Bank of New Richland and says hello to an art-filled retirement. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
Exactly two weeks ago, Bernie Anderson boldly traded in his State Bank of New Richland spreadsheets and computer screen for something a bit more abstract.
That’s right folks, after 35 years in the banking business, Anderson has decided to break out the paintbrush like never before.
“Managing the bank has been a very challenging and rewarding job,” Anderson said. “I may miss the challenges but hope to encounter new challenges and successes in my painting.”
Even now, he still can’t verbally express how this drastic change in occupation feels.
“Since the 31st, I have been at the bank almost daily working on cleaning out my office,” Anderson said. “I will probably have a better grasp on how it feels in a few weeks when that is done and I have some office space organized in my studio.”
By JESSICA LUTGENS
Contributing Writer
When people in the New Richland area think of Farm and City Days, they usually picture Main Street closed off and filled with games, rides, and concessions.
It’s the one weekend of the year when everyone gathers together to go out and have fun with their friends and family, take their children on rides, attempt to dunk the local resident in the dunk tank, or try their luck at a ring toss game.
But what is a carnival without any carnival rides or games?
The members of the New Richland Farm and City Days committee had to get a little creative with planning the festivities this year. Unable to book a carnival for the weekend of July 6-8, they had to find another way to keep people entertained.
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50 YEARS — The staff at Associated Lumber Marts in Waseca is celebrating 50 years as a family-owned business this week. Front from left: Katie Dumdei, Jan Kampen, Julie Born, Mark Christiansen and Kevin Malecha. Back: George Mortenson, Kevin Teague, John Snow, Randy Sietsema, Levi Kaiser, Wes Schaper, Cap Peterson and Brad Wendland. Not pictured: Maggie Kramer, Jim Mann and Jim Jewison. (Submitted photo)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
The employees at Associated Lumber Marts in Waseca celebrate their customers every day.
But, this week in particular, this well-established company is making sure every last one of them knows just how appreciated they really are.
“Any company that can survive 50 years in the business climate should count their blessings,” said co-owner Brad Wendland.
Co-owner John Snow added, “Associated Lumber Marts actually started in 1959, so we are actually celebrating the fact that it’s been family-owned since 1962.”
This past Monday, their customer appreciation week kicked off with the distribution of 200 Kennedy half dollors.
“All week long, bring in a Kennedy half to redeem 50 percent off an item of $10 or less,” said Katie Dumdei, their Home Design Gallery Division Manager. “If you have one of your own at home, that will work too.”
New Richland City Council
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
There were three New Richland Council members present for Monday night, June 11 meeting. Council members Anthony Martens and Christine Gislason were absent. Residents Pam and Larry Goehring were present as visitors in chambers.
The council approved the evening’s agenda and the consent agenda. Notable consent agenda items included judges for the upcoming 2012 election. Judges are Pam Goehring, Larry Goehring, Elena Sunland, Gail Johnson, Winston Evenson, Pam Shurson, Barb Finseth, Gail Schmidt, Corrine Schuller, Matt Harrington, LaVoy Ebnet and Wayne Billing. The election judge salary was set at $10 per hour.
There were no public hearings, requests or communications to be heard.
Vibrant Life pastor moves to town from Ireland
A FANTASIC MESSAGE — Every Sunday morning, Vibrant Life’s newly hired pastor Patrick Stitt gets fired up to stand behind the pulpit. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
Not even two months ago, Pastor Patrick Stitt of Ellendale’s Vibrant Life Assembly of God Church called Chisinau, Moldova home.
“We were having a wonderful time on the mission field working with victims of human trafficking and prostitution,” Stitt said. “But, our kids weren’t adjusting well, so we decided to come back to Minnesota.”
Sandwiched between Romania and the Ukraine, this Irish native and his family sought the Assembly of God’s council for wisdom. They so longed for a church to share their love for Christ.
“I’ve never pastored a church before,” Stitt said. “I feel like it was almost a risk to take me on, but I’m going to work hard to make sure it pays off.”
Geneva’s Dairy Night June 13
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
What is so grand as a day in June? The fields and flowers are at their peak. There are weddings, Vacation Bible School to attend, and vacations to enjoy.
The school kids are enjoying their freedom from school. Actually, one might see them riding bike, playing in the park and then, there is June Dairy Night. There aren't many dairy herds locally any more, but there is still ice cream.
Warren Wayne and Don Gries started June Dairy Night probably 60 years ago by the side door of the store they had in Geneva, which is now Sorenson’s Appliance, giving out ice cream cones for free. Their customers and local people were more than happy to take part in the festivities and so it continued and grew into an activity put on by the business people of Geneva.