Features (1071)
Francis Misgen was once featured in the Minneapolis Tribune for never, ever missing a day of country school. It’s a trait that has followed him since.
Francis Misgen (Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen)
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
For eight years, Francis Misgen followed his brothers and sisters to school in heat and rain and snow.
Some years, the winter snow drifts covered the telephone lines.
Francis never missed a day, or came in tardy one time, when he attended school at the Berlin Country School north of Beaver Lake. So outstanding was his feat that he was featured in the Minneapolis Tribune.
It’s a trait that followed him for 84 years: Pride in what he was expected to do and doing his best.
Francis Misgen was born and raised on a farm northeast of Beaver Lake. The trek to school was a good two miles, a trip he took with his siblings and other area relatives.
Francis could tell you endless stories about the neighbors then who liked each other and weren't afraid to lend a helping hand to whoever needed it. At one time, they moved a house from the Issac Muri farm to their farm with men and horses.
In 1942, Francis was a medic in the U.S. Army and, because of his earlier trucking experience, was the only one in his outfit who could legally drive the heavy machinery and ambulance. One of his stopping places was Camp Grant, Illinois, but most memorable was Jackson, Mississippi because of all the rattlesnakes and copper heads in the area. Francis still finds it hard to believe the men swam in the river there with all those dangerous reptiles.
‘Gus’ Station’ may be moved to fairgrounds
‘Gus’ Station’ as it sits today
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
For many years, the highlight of the day for a kid at the Ellendale School was a quick run across the street for candy at Gus’ Service Station.
Those days are long gone.
The kids are probably grandparents now and the little building on the corner of School Street and 8th Avenue has been closed since 1981. But look inside and you can still see the image in your mind of the good times it provided. It looks just as it did when LuAnn ran the candy counter.
Now, the building’s future is in doubt. But there’s a movement afoot to preserve the building and the memories.
The owner of the building has agreed to donate it to the Ellendale Area Historical Society with the stipulation that the building be moved and the lot cleaned up.
The Steele County Historical Society found a place suitable for Gus' Station at their Village Of Yesteryear at the Steele County Fairgrounds.
Michael Skov, 47, of Manchester died Saturday night after a head-on crash on Minnesota Highway 13 north of Albert Lea.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, Skov was driving a 1993 Buick LeSabre north on Highway 13 around 10:30 p.m. when he crossed into the southbound lane and collided head on with a 2008 Cadillac CTS.
The driver and passengers of the Cadillac were all treated and released from Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea. They were all wearing their seat belts.
Skov was a co-owner of the Bend in The Road tavern in Manchester. He had been residing in New Richland assisting his father with a recent illness.
Johnson sisters proud to wear crowns for Dairy Princess, Milk Maid
BEAUTIES AND THE BEEF — Moos abounded as the Johnson siblings Aubrey and Hailey quickly nuzzle one of the many calves during feeding time. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
The Johnson sisters’ knowledge of cows is unmistakable. They know how to milk, show and breed beef with the best of them.
They even have crowns to prove it.
“I’ve been looking forward to this moment for a long time,” said recently crowned Freeborn County Dairy Princess Hailey Johnson. “Seeing the princesses in the parades as a little girl really excited me.”
Hailey’s little sister Aubrey shares that same cow induced fervor. She is the Freeborn County’s newest Milk Maid, after all.
“I am really, really happy and proud of myself,” Aubrey said.
Fully aware of their new statuses at hand, they look forward to the upcoming summer and fall. Their calendars will be filled with dairy duties up the wazoo.
Hartland bank celebrates century of service
SUMMER CENTENNIAL — Nancy Skophammer, the CEO and President of Farmer’s State Bank is all smiles alongside the memorabilia display created in honor of the bank’s 100th anniversary. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
The little hamlet of Hartland has good reason to celebrate this summer. And celebrate they shall on June 14, as their trusted Farmer’s State Bank branch has survived and thrived an entire century.
“We have overcome two world wars, a horrendous depression of 1929, numerous cycles of recessions and inflation, an agriculture crisis of the 1980s and the recent economic turmoil of 2008,” said its CEO and President Nancy Skophammer.
So, in the spirit of the occasion, all bank customers are invited to fill 72 slots and spoil a good walk in a nine-hole round of golf. Following this green-filled endeavor, attendees can grab a seat at checker-decorated tables for a picnic in the ballpark.
“They will tee off at 1 p.m.,” Skophammer said. “Then at 5 p.m., we will be serving hamburgers, brats, and hot dogs.”
The younger generation will find entertainment on this day of celebration too. Kids can let loose inside a bouncy house, burn calories in relay races and enjoy many more activities.
“There will also be a drawing later for an iPad,” Skophammer said. “I hope to have a total of five giveaways. A Kindle and a Nook might be up for grabs too.”
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
Council member Anthony Martens was absent as the New Richland City Council convened their first meeting for the month of April last Monday evening. The evening’s agenda was approved. The consent agenda was also approved after the city newsletter was pulled for discussion.
Items on the consent agenda included:
• Minutes from previous meetings, accounts payable and financial documents
• Pay request from Abdo, Eick & Meyers for 2011 audit $4,350
• Estimate for repair of windshield city pick-up $288.38
• Pay request from Magney Construction for WWTF Improvements $57,343.90
Police chief Scott Eads reported a busy month of March with 80 calls and another 60 additional contacts.
“It was a busy month for disturbances, traffic and animal complaints,” said Eads.
With the dry conditions along with winds blowing, Waseca County Sheriff Brad Milbrath has issued a county-wide burning ban until substantial rain falls.
Camp fires will still be allowed in 3x3 rings with flames no higher than three feet. Please be aware of the conditions and be safe.
Good things continue to happen for the New Richland Area Foundation Fund.
It started with an anonymous donation to the New Richland Area in 2008, the formation of the New Richland Area Foundation Fund in 2009, the anonymous donation of the “By-the-Grace-Of-God-Fund” in 2010 and the Gift of Grain in 2011 — overwhelming progress in such a short time for a small community like New Richland.
It seems that success has spilled over into 2012.
Early in February, Gail Schmidt, the NRAFF Representative of the Waseca Area Foundation, received a telephone call inviting her to attend a meeting with the attorney and estate representative of a New Richland resident who recently passed away. The news that she received left her speechless.
Forum urges return to Mother Nature’s origins
WHOLESOME TALK — Envirosense owner Dean Goette addresses the crowd gathered at the South Central Sustainable Farming Association meeting held March 17 in Clarks Grove. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
They may not all sport Pioneer hats and overalls, but the South Central Sustainable Farming Association members still have one particular farming goal in mind: to wave back in an older, more wholesome food chapter.
“I don’t want to criticize, or be a martyr or crusader,” said Dean Goette, keynote speaker at the chapter’s March 17 meeting. “Mother nature is infallible. If we work with her, it’s amazing what happens.”
An advocate of three major soil companies, this Envirosense owner knows the pitfalls of processed food backwards and forwards. But, in order to spur change, big doses of teamwork and ingenuity must occur.
“We are what we eat,” Goette said. “Our cows and sows are no different.”
Fellow keynote speaker Jim Stiles, owner of Austin’s Superfresh, is just as enthusiastic about returning to Mother Nature’s origins.
Kindness, and sportsmanship, matter at NRHEG Elementary
Written by Jim Lutgens
KINDNESS MATTERS — NRHEG Elementary students chosen as winners for the third quarter were Spencer Christensen, Olivia Smith and Elizabeth Karl. For their efforts and actions, they were rewarded by having lunch with Elementary Coordinator Doug Anderson. (Star Eagle photo by Jody Wynnemer)
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
The NRHEG Elementary school students held a pep rally of sorts Wednesday morning, March 28. The 2012 Panther girls’ basketball team was welcomed to a standing ovation by the student body. Mark Domeier, the voice of the Panthers, introduced each player. The basketball team was in attendance to speak about sportsmanship, a part of the yearlong Kindness Matters program at the school.
Several students were chosen to ask questions of the players in a news conference type of format. The topics ranged from how to be good sports to treating your opponents with respect. The players said that in order to be a team, you have to put your teammates ahead of yourself.
Sophomore guard Carlie Wagner told the younger kids of her experiences during the recent state tournament.
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THE PROFESSOR SPEAKS — Dr. Gyles Randall, Professor Emeritus, addressed the attendees at the Agro-Economics annual meeting Wednesday, March 28 at NR City Hall. (Star Eagle photo by Jody Wynnemer)
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
New Richland’s City Hall was the setting for the Agro-Economics annual get together prior to spring planting season. Host Mark Bernard welcomed the 30 or so agricultural specialists Wednesday, March 28, as the meeting kicked off about 10 a.m.
Jim Jirik, from the Waseca office of the Minnesota Natural Resource Conservation Service, was the first speaker on the morning’s agenda. Jirik mentioned several ongoing programs still available such as CRP and nutrient management.
“The nutrient management program pays you to have a test plot on your farm,” said Jirik. “Even consultant fees are reimbursed.”
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
The Ellendale Fire Department held an all-you-can-eat fish fry Saturday, March 10th at the Ellendale Community Building. Many of the firemen sported dark navy blue shirts, which had an American Flag on the right sleeve, a gold star and the year 1904, the year the Ellendale Fire Department was formed, on the left sleeve, and their fire department badges over their hearts.
The firemen set up the community building with tables and chairs for approximately 120 people and supporters of the event started arriving around 5. Shawn Larson greeted people as they arrived.
The Ellendale Fire Department consists of 19 members. Jeremy Reese, who first came on the department 16 years ago and will be marking his first anniversary as fire chief in April; Mark Lee, who joined the department 17 years ago is assistant chief; Jeff Johnson, secretary; and Kaylee Reese, department administrator.
NRHEG School Board
By REED WALLER
Staff Writer
A proposal for a “1:1 iPad Initiative” engendered lively discussion at the March meeting of the NRHEG School Board last Monday.
“With $5,000 technology grant money from HickoryTech and $5,000 return from the Panther Card,” declared Supt. Kevin Wellen, “we are halfway toward another class of iPads.”
The goal is to supply an iPad to each student, which would make the education process mobile and close to paperless, and would make current technology available for student use.
The iPad would be the student’s companion for the school year, would go home with him/her every night, and would host his/her daily work, projects and materials.
The NRHEG Technology Committee and staff have visited with other school districts doing similar programs, and did a site visit to Heritage Middle School in West St. Paul, which is doing a 1:1 program with iPads for grades 5-8.
Years of preparation behind NRHEG students’ barrel racing quest
WORLD FINALS QUALIFIERS — NRHEG students Hannah Lewison, left, and her sister Grace have qualified for the National Barrel Horse Association Youth World Finals in Perry, Georgia this July. Both girls had a love of horses at an early age. (Submitted photo)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
The Lewison kitchen table is all abuzz these days, and it isn’t all about glitter and glam for NRHEG students Hannah and Grace Lewison.
Prom dresses and Hello Kitty are important and all, but these National Barrel Horse Association Youth World Finals qualifiers have bigger fish to fry.
“We are very excited to represent the Midwest as we travel to Perry, Georgia in July,” said Hannah, 2011 youth 2D Reserve Champion. “The event is invitation only. Competitors all under age 18 must ride in their respective NBHA District Barrel Races to earn points.”
Her sister Grace, the 2011 Youth 3D Champion, added, “The top five point earners in each division qualify for the NBHA Youth World show. The NBHA Youth World Show is one of the largest barrel races in the World. Contestants will come from all over the U.S., Canada, Italy, and Australia to compete.”
Of course, this ginormous feat came with a combination of factors in their favor, the first two on that list being great determination and an undying love for horses.