Features (1071)
A total of 26 NRHEG sixth-graders have been selected by judges to move on to the Regional History Day at Minnesota State Mankato on March 20.
In the category of Junior Group Performance, qualifying were Lillian Bell, Emily Crabtree, Michelle Katzung, and Tali Wayne.
In the category of Junior Group Exhibit, there are seven qualifying groups:
• Emily Prigge and Betsy Schoenrock
• Ben Lundberg and Perry Peterson
• Cole Staloch and Brett Kubiatowicz
• Randy Anhalt and Brendon Strand
• Makenzi Rhodes and Nikita Peterson
• Chris Stenzel and Justin Mortensen
• Gabby Muri and Kelly Harden
In the category of Junior Individual Exhibit, there are eight qualifiers:
• Ben Lewer
• Katlyn Olsen
• Katie Crabtree
• Sadie Mortenson
• Jerret Utpadel
• Taytum Ihrke
• Noah Nielsen
• Otto Oquist
Top finishers at the Regional History Day advance to the Minnesota State History Day.
For photos of NRHEG students with their projects at Ellendale Elementary School Tuesday, Feb. 28, pick up a copy of this week's Star Eagle.
Students listen to X Games medalist
TRICKS OF THE TRADE — X Games BMX medalist Doug Wilhelm, left, teaches a thing or two to an NRHEG Elementary student during his recent presentation. (Star Eagle photo by Jody Wynnemer)
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
Last year, for their efforts selling cookie dough, NRHEG Elementary students were treated to a magic show. This year, they enjoyed the tricks of X Games BMX medalist Doug Wilhelm on his bike.
The gymnasium served as the stage as Wilhelm performed stunt after stunt for the students. Between bike tricks, he shared his experiences, both good and bad, with the kids. As he displayed the three X Games medals he had earned, he had an important message.
“I started doing tricks in eighth grade,” said Wilhelm. “Everyone told me I’d never be good enough to make it to the X Games. After eight years of practice, guess who made it? When I was registering, this tall guy walked by me. It was none other than Tony Hawk. I started my routine, and crashed into the front row on my second trick. I crashed four more times during the two minutes. I looked up at the scoreboard and I was in last place. Last place in front of 15 million people. I wanted to quit, but I didn’t give up. My message to you is never give up!”
NRAFS kicks off March campaign
MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE — Sharon Eckart of the New Richland Area Food Shelf holds an item up for bids at the Groove For Food event Sunday, Feb. 26 at Trinity Lutheran. (Star Eagle photo by Jody Wynnemer)
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
There must have been more than a few New Richland area residents who attended church twice last Sunday.
Trinity Lutheran was the site of the first-ever Groove for Food sponsored by the New Richland Area Food Shelf. Food shelf President Larry Goehring welcomed everyone as things got underway. Guests were treated to five different musical groups throughout the afternoon and the home-spun humor of local storyteller Al Batt.
“I was raised near Hartland in the now extinct town of Bath,” said Batt. “Hartland was a town of 300 people with only four last names. Hartland Township is now the honeymoon capital of Freeborn County.”
Pianist and vocalist Melissa Williams was the first performer with her rendition of “At Last,” a song written in 1941 and made famous by Etta James.
NRHEG School Board
By REED WALLER
Staff Writer
The NRHEG School Board discussed alternatives at last Tuesday’s regular meeting with respect to two important building improvements. The windows in Ellendale need to be redone, and the New Richland kitchen and cafeteria could use some remodeling to accommodate the additional traffic they will have in the fall when sixth-graders move to New Richland.
Architect
Two architectural firms, The Wold and Collaborative Design, Inc., have submitted brochures and initial estimates for both jobs.
While the windows at Ellendale are a straightforward and immediately important job, the remodeling of the kitchen and/or cafeteria is open ended and several design options were discussed.
Both the serving line and the seating area in the cafeteria could be expanded by 2,400 square feet by moving the south wall of the New Richland Media Center, and expanding into what is now the south part of the Media Center, which isn’t heavily used. Adding that area to the cafeteria would also provide outside lighting via the existing skylight.
New Richland City Council
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
Most of the Waseca County Commissioners were in attendance at the meeting of the New Richland City Council this past Monday evening. Vice-Mayor Christine Gislason called the meeting to order in the absence of Mayor Tom McShane. The evening’s agenda and consent agenda items were all approved.
The council heard a request from Vista Lutheran Church to hold their Vacation Bible School at the City Park this summer. There were no objections to the request.
City Maintenance Supervisor Ryan Nissen expects to take delivery on the new tractor sometime in March. The council decided to advertise to sell the old tractor via sealed bids. Nissen also requested $380 for oil and $1,110.68 for filters for the city’s vehicles.
The city has been pondering a maintenance contract offer from Utility Services Co. for several months. The company would be responsible for routine and preventative maintenance on the city’s water tower. Nissen had done some research with other cities who have done business with Utility Services and was given positive feedback. After hearing this, a motion was made and seconded approving the contract, which Gislason signed.
Ellendale to put together plan for street repairs
Written by Jim LutgensEllendale City Council
By SCOTT GROTH
Contributing Writer
The Ellendale City Council met Thursday, February 23 with Mayor Engel and all councilmen present. Also attending meeting were Roger Swearingen, city maintenance; Eric Haffner, engineer; Steve Louks, clerk; Gwen Reiss, Municipal Liquor Store; Jeff Johnson, fire department.
The council discussed strategy with Haffner and Swearingen regarding street repair. The council feels there are quite a few roads within the city that will need attention in the near future. Haffner, who works for Bolten & Menk, told the council about some work his firm had done for another city. Haffner said his firm went through the town and ranked the streets and gave them priorities. Swearingen said he would like to see 3rd St. from Highway 30 to 6th Ave. repaired. Swearingen also felt the same block on 2nd St. would be a good candidate for refurbishing.
The council also talked about seal coating some areas in town. Haffner said seal coating is good maintenance if started at the right time in the street’s life. After some discussion, the council moved to have Bolten & Menk go through the city streets, rank them, and make note of any special repairs needed. The council felt then the city could implement a plan for the future.
Food shelf to kick off March campaign in style
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
Now that football season is over, and folks need something to do on a Sunday afternoon, the New Richland Area Food Shelf has come up with a great idea.
Trinity Lutheran Church will be the site of the first-ever “Groove for Food” benefit on Sunday, February 26 from 1:30-3 p.m.
“This will be the kickoff to our March Foodshare Month campaign,” said Larry Goehring of the NR Food Shelf. “We will have five different musical acts performing throughout the afternoon. Local humorist and storyteller Al Batt will serve as the Master of Ceremonies. Between sets of each group we will be having a live auction.”
The various musical acts scheduled include Just Friends, Mr. and Rev. Pamela Jensen, Pantheria Vox Musica from NRHEG, Pam Brazil and son, and Melissa Williams.
Admission to the fun-filled afternoon is free, but everyone is encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations or cash to help the food shelf.
Telecare: tracking down the elderly since 1976
Written by Jim Lutgens
CALLERS THAT CARE — Telecare callers June Holmen and Marie Querna are ready for more area residents to join in on the free service that very well could save a life. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
A phone call every day keeps the Telecare subscribers okay. At least that’s what long-time callers, Marie Querna and June Holmen say.
“Telecare is a service provided by volunteers to check in with elderly every day, at no charge,” Querna said. “They are called six days of the week and can be called on Sunday if they want too.”
A service since 1976, Telecare has remained strong in its mission. No matter what obstacles stand in their way, they will prevail in the search for an area resident.
“Many years ago, we had a person we couldn’t find,” Holmen said. “I did a little calling to her next door neighbor. The neighbor walked across the street, hit on the windows and hollered, ‘are you ok?’"
She still remembers as plain as day, the big sack of rhubarb placed between the resident’s back door. Fishy as all get out, she drove to Budachs to find a close relative of the missing person.
School board, NR City Council reach consensus on several issues
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
Unlike the political posturing we have to endure in Washington and St. Paul, the first ever face-to-face meeting of the NRHEG School Board and New Richland City Council saw agreement and cooperation from both sides.
School Board Vice Chair Michelle Moxon convened the meeting in the absence of Chair Rick Schultz who was supposedly taking hula dancing lessons.
Superintendent Kevin Wellen gave a brief overview of the purpose of the meeting, which was discussion concerning the softball fields, summer recreation and signage for the crosswalk/school zone.
“We share facilities,” said Wellen. “They have served their purpose well.”
NRHEG Activities Director Dan Stork presented a list of immediate and long-term improvements to the softball fields at Legion Field.
“The most important items from a safety standpoint are the backstops,” said Stork. “They need to be repaired or replaced.”
PLENTY OF ITEMS — Greg Jensen calls for bids as Melissa Karl holds one of the many items auctioned off at the NRHEG PTO’s Community Night Out. (Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen)
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
The inaugural NRHEG PTO Community Night Out was held in the Ellendale school gymnasium on Saturday, February 4. The evening began with a social time and supper, which included a catered meal by Superior Foods. There was a variety of cheesecakes donated by Great American Company. Great American manufactures the cookie dough the elementary students sell to raise funds.
The event has been in the works for a while. Rich and Penni Mueller actually started working on it last September, as the PTO is always looking at what else they can do as a fundraiser the whole district could get involved in.
They met with one of the event organizers from the Blooming Prairie Foundation and went from there. They would like to thank all those people who became part of the committee: Ronda Staloch, Melissa Karl, Katie Knudsen, Doug Anderson, and those that helped the day of the event, including Jordan Mueller, Judy Carroll, Julie Anderson, Wendy Schultz, Alison Johnson, Carly Solland and Amy Kitzer.
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New Richland City Council
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
There were no public hearings scheduled so the council proceeded to adopt the following resolutions:
• 12-05 Approving the issuance of general refunding obligation bonds.
• 12-06 Designation of a bequest from the estate of Adlyn Nelson to the city ambulance service in the amount of $42,500.
• 12-07 Designation of a bequest from the estate of Adlyn Nelson to the city fire department in the amount of $42,500.
• 12-08 Designating the First National Bank of Waseca as a depository of public funds.
Police chief Scott Eads noted his department responded to 92 calls for service with an additional 38 contacts in January. Eads reported the department is still seeing issues with snow parking when it actually snows. Several administrative citations have been issued and a substantially larger number of warnings have been given.
Ellendale City Council
By SCOTT GROTH
Contributing Writer
The Ellendale City Council met February 9 with Mayor Engel and all councilmen present. Also attending the meeting were Clerk Louks, Maintenance Supervisor Swearingen, Municipal Liquor Store consultant Gwen Reiss and Ed Reiss.
The council approved the contract with Steele County for law enforcement protection. The contract calls for a minimum of 19 patrol hours per week in addition to its regular county-wide obligations, with seven days coverage per week. Coverage will be close to 2.71 hours per day but shall be as evenly spread over the seven days as is practical. The city will pay to the county a monthly fee of $3,166 with the payments to be made quarterly. The contract will terminate on December 31, 2012 unless both parties wish to extend the agreement. The contract may be terminated by either party with a 90-day written notice.
Roger Swearingen was called upon for his monthly report. Swearingen started by telling the council he had received two quotes for a new overhead door for the property recently acquired by the city on 8th Ave.
The bids were $1100 and $924 for the door. The council approved the bid of $924.
Ice jumpers raise $3,000 for breast cancer research
1, 2, 3! — Plungers featured above and below jump off wood pallets, only to discover firsthand just how frigid the waters of Beaver Lake are during the month of February. (Star Eagle photos by Rachel Rietsema)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
With the wind howling hushed and a full dose of sunshine, 38 daredevils set foot on Beaver Lake last Sunday afternoon.
Staring at the large drilled-out hole, they knew the fate that lay before them. The dreaded countdown began, and before their shivering bodies knew it, they plunged into the deep down under with one goal in mind.
“We decided that all of our proceeds would go to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research Foundation,” said 2nd annual Polar Plunge organizer Cindi Bartness. “So many of us either know of someone who has dealt with breast cancer or been affected by it in some way.”
All jumpers were required to be 18 years of age or older, and make at least a $50 donation to the cause. Two of this year’s participants, Brandon Bartness and Pat Kruger, gladly claim the founder title for this well-attended event.
Whitey, LaJune Hagen have quietly said much in their 55 years together
STILL SWEETHEARTS — Fifty-five years after tying the knot, LaJune and Dwayne “Whitey” Hagen remain enamored with each other. (Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen)
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
They call him Whitey. He was given that name in his early high school days when he played basketball for Freeborn High School because of his light colored hair. His given name is Dwayne.
LaJune was the New Richland Homecoming Queen in 1953. Whitey graduated from Freeborn High School in 1950 and LaJune graduated from New Richland in 1954.
They were popular then and they're popular now. They just fit wherever and whatever they do.
How did these two great people meet? Their grandparents and parents knew each other. Whitey’s parents were Arnold and Vivian Hagen of Ellendale; LaJune’s parents were Art and Ella Strand of New Richland. Whitey had only one brother, Richard. LaJune had three brothers: Lyle, Dale and Vern, and one sister, Elaine.
Casually, they were both part of a crowd that hung out together. When Whitey came home after his tour of duty in Korea in 1954, they were all back together again. The closeness of family, mutual friends, some cousins, and their love of dancing were sort of a clincher. They became a pair and dated for about a year and a half before deciding to tie the knot.