Features (1071)
When Raul Donoso faced old friend Harvey Ronglein in the 1948 district finals, it was a tall order
STILL FRIENDS — Raul Donoso, center, in 2013 visited the former State School in Owatonna with his daughter Melody and Harvey Ronglien. The men were boxing teammates during part of their 10 years as “State Schoolers.” They faced each other in the District 17 final bout as welterweights and have remained good friends throughout the years.
(Editor’s note: Part three of a seven-part series about local, area, and state amateur and professional boxing.)
By RODNEY HATLE
Contributing Writer
After about a dozen District 17 elimination bouts each night on the 21st and 24th, a Wednesday and a Saturday, the finals came on Wednesday the 28th. It was January 1948 at the old Armory in Owatonna.
The deciding welterweight bout pairing Raul Donoso with Harvey Ronglien was for entry into the Upper Midwest Tournament. This matched former boxing mates at the Minnesota State Public School for Dependent and Neglected Children.
Ronglien says he was impressed right away by Raul’s growth and development since he had been at the institution.
Nevertheless, Ronglien said he expected to win. After all, on the first night he had “scored a technical knockout [TKO] in the second round” when the referee stopped the bout against his Northfield opponent.
Goette recounts near death experience
DIFFERENT NOW — Russ Goette and his fiancée Patti Carlson have a little different outlook visiting the graves of his parents since Goette suffered a heart attack and subsequent surreal experience three years ago. (Star Eagle photo by Deb Bently)
By DEB BENTLY
Contributing Writer
Although the date on his birth certificate indicates he is 55, Russ Goette of Ellendale feels he is telling the absolute truth when he says, “I recently celebrated my third birthday.”
And as unlikely as his statement may sound, his fiancée Patti Carlson will back him up 100 percent.
“Russ started a new life three years ago,” she says.
Carlson would know: she was there when his first life ended without warning on the afternoon of Saturday, September 8, 2012. Napping in a chair near her, he suddenly made a gurgling sound, met her eyes, reached out toward her as if unable to speak, and then lapsed into unconsciousness. Carlson knew a heart attack when she saw it, so she dialed 911, requested paramedics, then worked CPR on his unresponsive frame for 15 to 20 minutes until first responders arrived and restarted his heart.
“They had to use the defibrillator twice,” Carlson recalls. “But they got a beat going, and then they took him to the hospital.”
When Golden Gloves ruled, Part II
(Editor’s note: Part two of a seven-part series about local, area, and state amateur and professional boxing.)
By RODNEY HATLE
Contributing Writer
Raul Donoso had a boxing style unlike others.
He could shift from the standard stance to one in which he continually tapped his gloved fists at the chest-high level. From that position, and with excellent footwork, he surprised opponents with speed and power, especially with his quick left.
Raul proved to be a superb boxer.
In January 1948, weighing fewer than 150 pounds and with added years of maturity, “he easily won” (or so it seemed when it was finished) the welterweight division of District 17. But in truth he had prepared himself physically and mentally. He was very ready. Because of that seeming ease, he may have been considered “untested,” so he was called “an unknown” at the Upper Midwest Tournament in Minneapolis the next month.
Tele-Care was instituted in the New Richland area in October, 1978.
In those 37 years, a lot of families have used Tele-Care to have volunteers check on their loved ones. Unfortunately, over the past couple of years it has been harder to find volunteers that were willing to help out in calling.
As of December 31, 2015, Tele-Care will no longer be available in the New Richland area.
A big “thank you” is extended to all of the families and volunteers for all they have done so that so many people could benefit over the years from their services.
The Nortonna Sons of Norway Lodge 1-638 will serve a Norwegian Christmas meal prepared by the Elks Monday, Dec. 21 at 6 p.m. at the Owatonna Elks Lodge, 126 E. Vine St., Owatonna.
After a very short meeting, they will sing Christmas carols and listen to featured speaker, Owatonna’s Norwegian Exchange Student, 17-year-old Oscar Christianson from Sortland, Norway. He will speak of his experiences here in Owatonna and life in Norway. Cost is $7.
If you would like more information on the Nortonna Lodge of the Sons of Norway contact Jim Otteson at 507-456-0674 or Nina Zak at 507-451-5841.
In the 1940s, boxing was king in New Richland
GOLDEN MEMORIES — Above, items on display at the New Richland Area Historical Society. Below, Earl Parriott with his silver gloves award (Star Eagle photos by Rodney Hatle)
(Editor’s note: This is the first in a seven-part series about local, area, and state amateur and professional boxing.)
By RODNEY HATLE
Contributing Writer
At times there really is a rhyme and a reason. In this story of 68 years ago, the rhyme could be written:
Best in the state
At welterweight
In nineteen forty-eight.
And the reason is that Raul J. Donoso won the Upper Midwest Golden Gloves Welterweight Championship through dedication to his own skills. It was February in Minneapolis.
The trophy is inscribed: “U.M.G.G. Team Champion 1948 – Raul Donoso – Welterweight.”
That was his graduation year at New Richland High School.
Vince Peterson’s Christmas display auction on Sunday, Nov. 22 was labeled a success.
“It went real good,” said Peterson. “We had a big crowd. It was real nice. It’s just about all gone.”
Peterson didn’t know an exact total, but figured around $6,000 was raised, half donated to Trinity Lutheran Church and half to the New Richland Area Fund. Auctioneer Tracy Holland donated his services, assisted by Tom Peterson.
A total of 55 bidders were registered for the auction and upwards of 100 attended. At least one area television station was there.
Peterson said many of the items will remain in the area.
“They did a real good job,” said Peterson. “I’d just like to say thank you on behalf of our family.”
Bohlen finally achieves perfection on the bowling lanes
FAMILY AFFAIR — Bowling has definitely been a family activity for Rick Bohlen of rural New Richland, who rolled his first 300 game Nov. 16 at Trapper’s Lanes. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
Nobody’s perfect, of course, but on one night, for one shining moment, Rick Bohlen of rural New Richland was exactly that.
Bohlen, 55, finally bowled an elusive 300 game, hitting 12 consecutive strikes Monday, Nov. 16 during league competition at Trapper’s Lanes in New Richland.
It was the first of a three-game 710 series for Bohlen, who followed the perfecto with games of 217 and 193, and it was a long time coming for someone who started bowling more than 50 years ago when his father, Merlin, owned the bowling alley then known as Bohlen’s Lanes.
“I think it was kind of neat it was done here,” said Bohlen, who bowled for many years in Albert Lea before returning to town with his brother, James, to take over their father’s heating and air conditioning business in 2006. “To come back here to do it where we actually grew up and learned how to bowl, it was special.”
NRHEG School Board
By REED WALLER
Staff Writer
The “Striving for the World’s Best Workforce” bill was passed in 2013 to ensure every school district in the state is making strides to increase student performance.
NRHEG Director of Curriculum and Instruction Terry Engel and Supt. Dale Carlson presented a report on the progress shown by the first year of the district’s World’s Best Workforce plan.
Five goals are addressed: 1. All children are ready to start kindergarten. 2. All third-graders can read at grade level. 3. All achievement gaps betweeen students are closed. 4. All students are ready for career and/or postsecondary education. 5. All students graduate from high school.
Judging by Adequate Yearly Progress, NRHEG did not meet all those goals in this first year, but they didn’t expect to. Instead, they set short-term goals they thought they could meet.
United Methodist offers free meal every first Sunday
Written by Jim LutgensA free home style meal is being served the first Sunday of every month at United Methodist Church, 200 6th St., NE, Ellendale.
Worship is at 10:30 a.m. and the meal begins at 11:30.
Dates are:
• December 6th, 2015
• January 3rd, 2016
• February 7th, 2016
• March 6th, 2016
• April 3rd, 2016
• May 1st, 2016
• June 5th, 2016
• July 3rd, 2016
• August 7th, 2016
• September 4th, 2016
• October 2nd, 2016
• November 6th, 2016
• December 4th, 2016
More...
Peterson to auction Christmas lights
BITTERSWEET FAREWELL — After four decades, Vince Peterson of rural New Richland will not have his farmplace decorated this winter, as depicted in a painting that hangs in the entryway of his home. He’s selling most of it by auction on Sunday. Peterson is pointing at two items that will not be sold. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
For anyone out there hoping to catch one last look at Vince Peterson’s now famous Christmas display, you’re out of luck.
It won’t be there this year.
At 84, after putting up a portion of the lights — a task he’s performed since 1975 — Peterson concluded that he’s too old and too tired to continue, and decided to hold a public auction on almost all of his collection. It’s set for Sunday, Nov. 22 at 1 p.m. — just in time for the holidays — at Peterson’s farm north of New Richland. Auction proceeds will be donated, half to Trinity Lutheran Church of New Richland and half to the New Richland Area Fund.
It marks the end of an era for an impressive display, which gained popularity through the decades as Peterson and his late wife, Virginia, added items almost every year. It was a must-see for anyone with kids or anyone who enjoyed Christmas lights. It was known throughout Southern Minnesota.
NRHEG Community Education is planning a trip to the Assissi Heights and Mayowood Christmas Tour in Rochester Monday, Dec. 7. The Historic Mayowood Mansion will be decorated for Christmas. This 38-room mansion was occupied by Doctor and Mrs. Charles W. Mayo. The group will also tour the Assisi Heights Convent. This is a beautiful, peaceful place with spectacular architecture on a prominent hill overlooking Rochester. The entrance is an ornate lobby with slate floor, 60-foot tall Italian marble columns, and hand-blown stained glass windows from Germany. This is the home of the Sisters of St. Francis. The structure bears a striking resemblance to the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Italy.
The group will leave Ellendale (pick up will be at Gopher Stop, intersection of I35 and Hwy. 30) at 8:45 a.m. Cost is $40 (lunch extra). Register by calling 417-2667.
KJLY Christian Radio will broadcast its annual Share-a-thon fundraiser Nov. 17-19.
Celebrating another year of grace, growth and service to the people of the New Richland region, the Share-a-thon fundraiser will feature engaging interviews with local listeners, special guests and music. Share-a-thon will also provide listeners with the opportunity to share a tax-deductible donation with the listener-supported ministry of KJLY.
Veterans Day program set for NRHEG High School
Written by Jim LutgensThe annual Veterans Day Program will be held in the NRHEG High School gym at Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 9:30 a.m. The program, honoring all veterans, will include music by the high school choir, an elementary choir and the high school band. Essay contest winners will be announced and students will do readings honoring the veterans. Veterans from New Richland and Ellendale will be present.