Features (1071)
Sixth-graders’ move to NR approved; Cyr sniffs out bargain on band uniforms
SCHOOL BOARD — The current NRHEG Board of Education. Front from left: Lori Routh, Michele Moxon, Karen Flatness and Lis Kormann. Back: Mike Moen, superintendent Kevin Wellen, Rick Schultz and John Harrington. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By REED WALLER
Staff Writer
At the Tuesday, January 17 meeting, the NRHEG school board approved the purchase of new band uniforms, the move of the sixth grade to New Richland, and a February 15 joint meeting date with the New Richland City Council.
Joint meetings with New Richland City Council
Last month’s discussion with Jeff Reese led the board to consider arranging a meeting with the New Richland City Council to discuss the poor condition of the jointly-used Legion Field ball fields.
After discussion with City Clerk Wayne Billing, a date of February 15 was proposed for a meeting of the full city council and the full school board, for the purpose of determining a possible agenda of items the school district and the city could collaborate on working on at future meetings.
What topics could be considered? “Not just the ball field,” said Superintendent Kevin Wellen, “but anything that could be discussed or shared, anything where we have a common interest.”
This might include crosswalks, parking, or traffic issues, among numerous possibilities.
New Richland City Council
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
There wasn’t a full agenda as the New Richland City Council gathered for its second meeting of 2012 Monday evening. All members were present as Mayor Tom McShane called the meeting to order.
The night’s agenda was approved and two items were pulled from the consent agenda for further discussion. They were a conditional use permit and a pay request from Civil Ag Group for work done on the sewer system upgrade.
There were no public hearings or citizen petitions to be heard.
PeopleService representative Brad Field reported normal operations at the Waste Water Treatment Facility and progress being made on the upgrade to the plant.
Maintenance Supervisor Ryan Nissen was present and appeared dressed for snow removal.
“We start moving snow at 7:30,” said Nissen.
2011 Year in Review, Part 4 of 4
Compiled by JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
OCTOBER
• The one-year anniversary of the New Richland flood of September 2010 was observed at the Care Center. After a blessing by Pastor Andree, Mikenzi Hebel released Monarch butterflies.
• Harold “Hap” Hagen of New Richland as his license plate says is a HAP-E-1. He received his nickname from his high school basketball coach.
• The Labor Day Harvest Festival Association of Freeborn collected over 45,000 aluminum can tabs which were given to the Miller Coors Brewing Co. as part of their “Give a Veteran a Piece of the High Life” program.
• Beaver Lake Fact or Fiction writer Bob Hanson bids Semper Fi to Russ Anderson, a classmate and former Marine who recently passed away.
• Gene Dodge’s 1936 hospital bill from Albert Lea’s Naeve hospital totaled $36.25 for removing Gene’s appendix. The average cost today would be around $20,761.
• A last-minute touchdown spoiled the NRHEG Panthers’ homecoming celebration. Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial edged the home team 13-12.
A little Lurtsema goes a long way at cancer auction
Written by Jim Lutgens
PRIZED POSSESSION — Tanner Oquist, left, got his football autographed by Bob Lurtsema Friday at the Geneva Cancer Auction. He had Jim Marshall autograph the ball last year. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
There’s nothing like a little Bob Lurtsema banter to stir up the 28th Annual Geneva Cancer Auction crowd.
“I love small towns, so you people are right up my alley,” said the former Minnesota Viking player of six years.
Sure enough, this special guest’s ability to light up a room spread to even the smallest guests in attendance. But, he wasn’t the only one there to amplify the Geneva Bar & Grill’s atmosphere.
“When I heard you [Lurtsema] were coming and bringing the cheerleaders with you, I was really happy because you always seem to know what you are talking about,” said event CEO Whitey Hagen. “That’s what we like here.”
Not a moment later, Hagen extended a word of thanks for both Jacqui and Mary’s participation at this “28-year-old thing.”
“It’s always a pleasure to have the cheerleaders here,” Hagen said. “We’re proud to have them here at the cancer auction.”
Mind you, this pompom toting pair and former defensive end’s presence didn’t come free. Frontier Communications made it all possible with a generous sponsorship.
NOW UP FOR BIDS — Above, Jesse Quam hoists one of the many items auctioned off during the 28th Annual Geneva Cancer Auction that wrapped up Saturday at Geneva Bar and Grill. (Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen)
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
He called it the “people’s auction" as Whitey Hagen opened the Geneva Cancer Auction Friday, Jan. 13.
"It's the people in our area that know how to raise money for cancer research,” said Hagen. “It's the people who continue to donate and contribute to this great cause that keep these events going and money coming in to help fund a cure for cancer."
The 28th annual two-weekend event wrapped up Saturday at Geneva Bar & Grill.
Friday started with a jar of Vi Blazek's prize pickles, now made by her daughter, Sue Hill. Vi was instrumental in the early auction days with jars of her famous pickles, homegrown from her own patch and made with loving care. Sadly, Vi succumbed to cancer, but her legacy carries on through the loving efforts of her daughter, Sue, and this year her great granddaughter, Jade, contributed to the auction with her very first pickle donation, and it raised $60. Many years ago Vi had a jar of her pickles sell for $1,800.
Troy Hagen was the winning bidder of a jar of Sue Hill’s pickles, the first item up for bid Friday night. The cancer auction is noted for that: tradition; families and friends continuing to ever enlarge the efforts to fight this dreaded disease.
PTO's Community Night Out set for Feb. 4
DINNER AND AUCTION — Rich (left) and Penni Mueller pictured with the “Community Night Out” poster for the NRHEG PTO fundraiser. The inaugural event is slated for Saturday evening, Feb. 4 at the Ellendale Elementary school gym. (Star Eagle photo by Jody Wynnemer)
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
Do you need something to do on a Saturday night? The NRHEG Parent Teacher Organization is hosting its inaugural Community Night Out on Saturday, February 4 at the Ellendale Campus gymnasium.
“We wanted to try something a little different this year,” said Penni Mueller, one of the organizers of the event. “We figured a catered dinner followed by a live auction would make a wonderful night out.”
The festivities get underway with the doors opening at 4:30 p.m. Social time will be observed until the meal is served at 5:30 p.m. Diners will have their choice of roast beef or chicken breast, mashed potatoes, vegetables, salads, bread, desserts and a beverage especially prepared by Superior Foods of Ellendale.
“The live auction starts at 7 p.m.,” said Mueller. “There are many items including a television, mystery prizes, autographed photos, theatre tickets, a hotel stay and a pie a month for a year.”
Ellendale City Council
By SCOTT GROTH
Contributing Writer
The Ellendale City Council met January 12, 2012 with Mayor Engel, Councilmen Helland, Rieter and Groth present. Absent was Councilman Goebel. Also attending was Clerk Louks, Maintenance Supervisor Swearingen, Gwen Reiss and Chandler Anderson.
After approving the agenda for the evening, Mayor Engel went right into the City appointments for the New Year. The Star Eagle will remain the official newspaper and the First National Bank of Ellendale will be the official depository. All other appointments will remain the same as the previous year. The resolution was made and passed on the appointments.
Swearingen was next with his monthly report. Swearingen started by telling the council he would like the council to consider adding one more outdoor warning siren. Swearingen said the city still has one siren that will work from the ones that were purchased previously. He noted the placement of the siren could be by the #1 manhole in town. Swearingen next told the council he had been in contact with a garage door company to look at the door on the Mobil property. Swearingen noted the door is in real bad shape. The council asked Swearingen to get another quote for the project and bring the figure to the next meeting.
Who’s Frosty? Guess correctly and win cold, hard cash
Written by Jim LutgensAs the Sleigh and Cutter festival draws near, you could win some cold, hard cash.
Up to $1,250 is waiting to be won. Someone in Waseca County has been chosen to be “Frosty,” an ambassador for the festival. All you need to do is follow the clues and try to guess who Frosty is. Even if you don’t know everyone, by following the clues you may gather enough information to win some big money. Possible tools that may help you cash in are the internet, Google, dictionaries and the love of puzzles.
Culligan Water Conditioning of Waseca has been a long-time supporter of the Frosty contest. Additional sponsors are Latham Place of Waseca, iWealth, Domino’s Pizza and Mediacom. The grand prize is $250 in cash, to the person who can identify Frosty and is determined to be the Grand Prize winner by the judges. If you are determined the winner and are present during the unmasking of Frosty at 9:30 p.m. during the Sleigh and Cutter Dance at the VFW in Waseca, you will get a $50 cash bonus from Culligan of Waseca. That is a total of $300.
2011 Year in Review, Part 3 of 4
Compiled by JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
JULY
• The residents of Hope gathered at a town meeting to hear about the potential closing of their post office. The Postal Service is looking at ways to cut operational costs throughout the country.
• An equipment fire was to blame for a small fire at the WFS elevator in New Richland. No employees or customers were injured.
• The elusive Farm and City Days Medallion was no match for the Harrington family as they successfully located the prize for the second year in a row.
• Neighbor Lee Mendenhall claims to be “two years older than Gary Nordlie.”
• Dad’s Good Stuff in New Richland received a facelift as workers did some tuck pointing on the façade of the 1886 era structure.
• The Southern Storm (11 and 12 year old boys basketball team) raises funds for their trip to Nationals.
• Rev. Paul Andree is chosen Grand Marshal of the Farm and City Days Parade. Lillie Nielsen (junior division) and John Darcy (adult division) were selected as New Richland Idols.
• The New Richland High School class of 1946 held their 65th class reunion with seven members in attendance.
Bernard says enjoy it while it lasts, because it could change quickly
BROWN GROUND — Above, a dried-up pond just north of New Richland illustrates just how dry and unseasonably warm it’s been in the area lately. The pond usually is filled with a couple feet of water, normally frozen in January. Below, a small group of ice fishermen kept close to shore on Beaver Lake Sunday. (Star Eagle photos by Jim Lutgens)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
Old man winter has been acting a tad peculiar this past December and January. Of course, there’s seemingly little room for complaint, but it would still be satisfying to hear a solid explanation.
So, here to shed some wisdom on our unseasonable brown surroundings is local agronomist, Mark Bernard.
“I seem to remember that the winters of 2006-07 and 01-02 were rather warm as well,” Bernard said. “But, why is there no snow on the ground? Well, there is no one reason. There are many factors to consider when this happens.”
According to Bernard, the matter at which these “open winters” occur is never predictable, due to frequency and magnitude of occurrence.
“The La Niña event in the Pacific, a cooling of the surface sea temperatures, is usually associated with above normal winter precipitation and colder than normal temperatures for us,” Bernard said. “That is why most forecasters were convinced we were in for a wetter and colder than normal winter. The same conditions existed last year, so it seemed like a slam dunk.”
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New Richland City Council
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
The New Richland City Council chambers were partially full for the first meeting of 2012 Monday night as two Boy Scout leaders and eight Scouts were present to observe the meeting. Mayor Tom McShane called the meeting to order and roll call showed all members present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all and after amendments; the evening’s agenda was approved.
The consent agenda was rather lengthy due to the required annual Mayoral appointments, notably: Official Newspaper - NRHEG Star Eagle; Depository - State Bank of New Richland; Deputy Mayor - Christine Gislason; Fire Chief - Jeremy Parpart; and City Attorney - Perry Berg.
The council next adopted the following resolutions:
• 12-01 — Water and Sewer Rates. The base rate will be $17.47 per month for each meter connection, allocated as $7.12 for water and $10.35 for sewer. Volume rates will be $15.38 per 1,000 gallons of usage, allocated as $9.51 for water and $5.87 for sewer. The new rates will become effective after meter reading January 2012.
Powder Hounds aim to be more than just a snowmobile club
Written by Jim Lutgens
OFFICERS — The inaugural meeting of the Powder Hounds Snowmobile Club was held Sunday, Jan. 8 at Blondie’s in New Richland. Officers are, from left, Jessie Shaffer, Secretary/Treasurer; Brian Hoffman, Vice President; and Joe Ranniger, President. (Star Eagle photo by Jessica Lutgens)
By JESSICA LUTGENS
Contributing Writer
Eventually, it will snow.
At least that’s what New Richland’s new snowmobile club is hoping.
The Powder Hounds held their inaugural meeting on Sunday, January 8th at Blondie’s Grill, during which they discussed what the group plans to do, and who they’d like to see be a part of the club.
They’re looking for new, younger members who will be able to bring new ideas and be the future of the club. They are hoping it will be something for everyone to be able to take part of and enjoy as a group.
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
Geneva. It's the village with a heart that sends out arteries of love and concern to the many areas that surround it. In its 28th year at Geneva Bar & Grill, thousands visited this little site for the annual Geneva Cancer Auction, to donate, purchase and contribute to the cause for cancer.
This year’s two-weekend event began Friday, Jan. 6. It will conclude with two more big days this weekend, including an appearance by former Minnesota Viking “Benchwarmer” Bob Lurtsema and two Vikings cheerleaders Friday from 6-7 p.m.
But that’s just a small part of the action, spearheaded by Whitey and LaJune Hagen and several extended family members.
As Whitey is quick to say, there would be no auctions if it weren't for the good people of our area who bring and buy while enjoying a night of camaraderie. Old friends, young friends and new customers are welcomed as one.
The Daybreakers Kiwanis Club of Albert Lea does an outstanding job assisting in the auction, and a long list of volunteers help in many ways. Some great auctioneers continue to give of their time and talents year after year.
2011 Year in Review
Part 2 of 4
Compiled by JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
APRIL
• New Richland’s Edna Erdmann knows it’s time to retire at age 87. The owner of the Do-It-Best Hardware store has kept things going for the last 57 years.
• The Winter family is chosen Waseca County Farm Family of The Year. They own and operate the Indian Island Winery southwest of Janesville. Patrick Gregor was selected as Outstanding Young Farmer.
• Brittini Wangsness and Thomas Camerer announce their engagement.
• Steve’s Meat Market of Ellendale wins several awards at the state Meat Processors convention in Rochester, MN.
• Jake Papinski and Jackie Freschette were the top chili cooks at the 3rd Annual New Richland Liquor Company Chili Cook-off. The event raised 30 pounds of food and $260 for the NR Area Food Shelf.
• Both New Richland and Ellendale Food Shelves surpass their March Foodshare Month goals. NR collected 3,998 pounds and $13,399.38. Ellendale collected a combined total of $5,237.20.
• NR Lion Bob Frisk is selected Lion of the Year for Zone 8.
• Ellendale and Geneva firefighters attend Skywarn Spotter training. About 30 members of both departments were in attendance.
• NRHEG Knowledge Bowl teams, under the direction of Mary Sack, have a successful season.
• Three area churches and one New Richland business were burglarized the week of April 12. Thieves stole the PA system at Le Sueur River Lutheran Church.
• Melissa Warner, the new Director of Nursing at the New Richland Care Center, says “Smiling is a big part of my day; making sure that there is a pleasant and happy environment is the key to a smooth operating team.”