Features (1071)
New Richland City Council
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
There weren’t many items on the evening’s agenda as the New Richland City Council assembled for their second meeting of October Monday evening. All members were present as Mayor Tom McShane called the meeting to order. The council approved the evening’s agenda.
The approved consent agenda consisted of only two items, the accounts payable and a pay request for $1,500 from the Minnesota Valley Action Council for senior citizen transportation.
The council next adopted three resolutions, notably:
• 11-24 — $750 cash from the New Richland United Fund for the ambulance service and another $150 cash from the NRUF for the fire department to be split equally between the general and rural fire funds.
• 11-25 — Transferring $4,710 from the General Fund to the EDA Fund and $3,000 from the General Fund to the Historic Preservation Fund.
• 11-26 — Certifies delinquent property charges to be collected with 2012 real estate taxes. The amount is $3,036.79.
HONOR FLIGHT — Dr. Albert Flor was one of five area WWII veterans to participate in the 10th and final Honor Flight. (Submitted photo)
WELCOME HOME — Jim Misgen, top, was at the Rochester Airport to greet his father, Francis Misgen, after the 2011 Honor Flight. (Submitted photo)
Five area WWII veterans visit memorial
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
One hundred and nineteen of our nation’s heroes left the airport in Rochester, MN on Saturday morning, October 8. Their destination: Washington, DC. Their mission: to see a memorial dedicated to them, the members of the “Greatest Generation.” Additionally, they were able to view other monuments and memorials in the Nation’s Capital.
Five New Richland area veterans were on the Honor Flight that day. They were Harold Eaton, Kenneth Eaton, Dr. Albert Flor, Francis Misgen and A. Gordon Peterson.
The Southeastern Minnesota Honor Flight program has logged ten flights since it started in 2007. Regrettably, the tenth flight was also the last flight to honor our veterans.
“A decision was made to have this flight be the last for our group,” said Bob Loken of the SE MN Honor Flight. “Funding constraints and the number of eligible veterans is dwindling. I’ve been on the flights; it has been a very rewarding experience. We have had 1,032 WWII veterans on the flights.”
Ellendale cuts law enforcement bill for 2012
Written by Jim LutgensCouncil also approves deal with Minnesota Energy
By SCOTT GROTH
Contributing Writer
The Ellendale City Council met Thursday, October 13 with all members present. Also in attendance for the meeting were Steele County Sheriff Lon Thiele, County Auditor Laura Ihrke, Rory Lenton, representing Minnesota Energy, City Attorney Phil Kohl, Clerk Brian Louks and Maintenance Supervisor Roger Swearingen.
Thiele and Irhke were recognized to discuss the law enforcement protection provided by the county to the city. At the previous meeting, the council asked the Thiele and Irhke to bring back a proposal for the city to consider. Council members felt it was their duty to look at all options for trimming the budget.
Thiele started by suggesting the new agreement will be for the upcoming 2012 year, noting there is only 2 ½ months left in this calendar year. Thiele said that for 2011, the city was billed $2916 per month, plus fuel. This was for approximately 2.7 manhours per day. Thiele said the city receives more hours than they are billed for. The total for 2011 will be around $42,000. Thiele suggested that for 2012 the county would bill the city a flat fee of $3166 per month. That would total about $38,000 for the year.
THIS IS THE PLACE TO BE — Whenever 12:30 p.m. rolls around, Maryann Schlaak, Assisted Living Director at Whispering Oak, and resident June Briggs know what that means. It’s time for her soap opera to start. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)
From the Dust Bowl to being twice widowed, June Briggs has just about seen it all
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
Down on the farm in Oklahoma, things didn’t look so good for June Briggs and her husband Otis. The Dust Bowl days had made farming nearly impossible, with every last bit of their corn and soybeans wiped out.
Blessed with two small boys, they had no other choice but to move elsewhere.
“We stopped in Clarks Grove and stayed with my sister, until we decided if we were going to rent or buy land or what,” Briggs said. “We might have been there six weeks.”
It might have been a little unorthodox, but that didn’t stop the Briggs. They soon made their home four miles north and one mile east of Ellendale with 200 acres of farmland in their possession.
“The year was 1952,” Briggs said. “I lived out on the farm for 50 years to the day.”
In that half a century, she did what any Southern woman would do. She got her hands dirty, hauling grain in the fall and plowing the fields for Otis.
THANKS OFFICEMAX — NRHEG second grade teacher Jamie Radtke holds her certificate for being selected for OfficeMax’s “A Day Made Better” program. Radtke’s classroom received over $1,000 in school supplies. (Star Eagle photo by Jody Wynnemer)
NRHEG teacher rewarded by OfficeMax
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
Today’s teachers spend roughly $1,000 out of their own pockets each year for their classrooms. More often than not, school budgets can’t support all of the resources teachers may require to ensure students receive the best education possible. To this end, starting in 2007, OfficeMax and their 1,000 stores have been participating in the “A Day Made Better” program to help end the need for teacher-funded classrooms. Celebrities such as Sigourney Weaver, the Jonas Brothers and Lady Antebellum have participated in the national cause.
NRHEG second-grade teacher Jamie Radtke had her day made better on Tuesday, October 4 when the Owatonna OfficeMax employees came calling to her school in Ellendale. Store Manager Bart Stoltzman, assisted by Kristi Westberg and Megan Smith arrived with $1,000 worth of school supplies. Notable items on the list were a padded chair, a digital camera with memory card, a printer and a graphic calculator.
Geneva City Council
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
The Geneva City Council gathered round on October 11 for their monthly meeting. All councilmen were present except Taff Worrell.
Mayor Steve Bailey called the meeting to order. Only a minute later, Janell Tufte made a motion to approve minutes, financial report and bills payable. Rick Weckwerth seconded and the motion carried.
Immediately thereafter, late items were discussed. Tufte made the council aware of two light poles out by Wildview. Bailey has already acquired their Alliant representative’s contact information and will call him very soon.
Weckwerth then inquired if Steele-Waseca Cooperative had contacted anyone as of late. According to City Clerk, Nancy Cornelius, the cooperative is still in discussion about the matter.
FIELD OF DREAMS — Jeff Reese stands in front of the third base dugout at Legion Field in New Richland. Much of the dugout wood had to be replaced due to the September 2010 flood. The Minnesota Twins graciously donated $6,000 to the Quad Cities Baseball Association to help offset costs. (Star Eagle photo by Jody Wynnemer)
QCBA receives $6,000 grant for Legion Field
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
The New Richland Care Center was inundated by the September 2010 flood. Sitting adjacent to NRCC is Legion Field. As the floodwaters closed State Highway 13, the outfield fence of the ballpark was completely underwater. Jacques Cousteau was called in to play center field. The field took a terrible beating as the dugouts were submerged.
Inside the concession stand, a good portion of the equipment was floating or upside down. Almost every electrical connection had to be repaired or replaced. Only the scoreboard, which is elevated above the field, was spared from damage.
When the floodwaters finally receded, members of the Quad Cities Baseball Association knew they had quite a bit of work to do in order to have the fields playable and presentable by the spring.
“It was a mess,” said Jeff Reese, QCBA member. “The wood in both dugouts was rotting due to sitting in the water. We lost most of our equipment in the concession stand as well.”
IN FOR THE LONG HAUL — Wayne Billing, former New Richland Mayor and Fire Chief, has served as City Clerk since 2005. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
Inside the hallowed walls of New Richland’s city clerk’s office, organized chaos ensues.
Wayne Billing seems to think his e-mail inbox and telephone line never tire.
“My job as city clerk is demanding,” Billing said. “The very thing I like, the variety, makes this job a little difficult at times, because I must juggle all the responsibilities.”
In order to do his hometown of New Richland justice, he must be very versatile. His repertoire of duties includes all of the following: financial, customer relations, council research, planning, reporting, construction, human resources, volunteer coordination, economic development and grant administration.
“I am a jack of all trades, master of none; and my range of interests is very diverse,” Billing said. “At this point, I expect to be doing it for years, because I like it and I think I am good at it.”
THANK YOU — New Richland Area Foundation Fund Chair Gail Schmidt, left, and Karen Buum of the Waseca Area Foundation were all smiles as they announced a recent donation of four semi trailer loads of corn to the NRAFF. The generous donor wished to remain anonymous. (Star Eagle photo by Jody Wynnemer)
Local farmer anonymously makes 3700-bushel donation to NR fund
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
This time of year, most of Southern Minnesota’s agricultural specialists are at work day and night harvesting soybeans and corn. The roads and highways are packed with combines coming and going to various fields, and trucks and grain wagons heading to the elevators and grain bins. One New Richland area farmer, who wishes to remain anonymous, decided to share some of his bountiful harvest with his community. He made a significant donation to the New Richland Area Foundation Fund.
“The NRAFF received four semi loads of corn,” said Gail Schmidt, NRAFF Chair. “It equates to 3,700 bushels. Our area is such a successful agricultural community. This gift is a reflection of that community. It will have a huge impact on our ability to give out grants in the area. It will double the amount of funds available this coming year.”
New Richand City Council
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
The New Richland City Council met Monday evening, October 10 with all members present. Even though it was Columbus Day (observed), the city does not recognize it as a holiday, therefore city business can be conducted. The evening’s agenda was approved following the Pledge of Allegiance.
Consent agenda items were approved, which were a right-of-way permit for HickoryTech and a pay request from Bolten & Menk for the sum of $16,021.75 for work performed on the Waste Water Treatment Plant Upgrade Project.
Police Chief Scott Eads reported his department responded to 92 calls for service and had 63 additional contacts in September. Two felonies were reported and arrests were made almost immediately.
“It was not only busy in terms of calls, but also as far as arrests for serious offenses were concerned,” said Eads.
More...
By RODNEY HATLE
New Richland Area Historical Society
Thanks to the generosity of visitors who offered talk, laughter, and curiosity about items on display at Farm and City Days this year, the New Richland Area Historical Society has again added information to its files.
During the society's 10 years, displays have been temporary due to lack of permanent rooms. Nevertheless, public interest in community history is evident.
Because available space has been variable during the last three years, some of the society's materials have not been set out. However, the most current things have been, and they attract attention.
By REED WALLER
Staff Writer
No action was taken on the Annual Report of Curriculum, Instruction and Student Performance at the Sept. 19 meeting of the NRHEG School Board, due to board issues about “unexplainable drops” in the district’s performance results.
Approval was also delayed on the 2011 payable 2012 levy for the simple reason that the numbers from the State of Minnesota were still not available on Sept. 19.
“As of this morning,” said Supt. Kevin Wellen, “it was still not available on the Web site.”
The board tabled the approval of the not-yet-seen levy limit until the amounts were revealed, which would have to be sometime the week of the 25th. A special meeting for that purpose was scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 29.
“As usual I will recommend that you approve the maximum amount,” said Wellen, though he implied the district will probably choose to approve a lesser amount for the final budget, as it did last year.
October 1 is the deadline by which proposed school budgets need to be set, but this is not possible until the State-supplied limits are published.
PERSERVERING — Although Harold ‘Hap’ Hagen has limited mobility these days, his attitude has remained positive and upbeat. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)
NR’s Hap Hagen lives up to his nickname
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
Several times a week, a van with the license plate that reads HAP-E-1 cruises on over to New Richland Care Center.
Upon arrival, the driver heads on inside, excited to see the honoree of her license plate, aka her husband of 57 years, Harold Hagen.
“Harold’s lived in this area and community for many years,” said New Richland Care Center Activity Director Kathy Flor. “He’s been here approximately two years now. This is a good place for him because there is lots of activity and people around.”
This social butterfly thoroughly enjoys visits from his wife, Marlene. But what would make Hap Hagen even happier is his mobility restored.
“It’s hard to get those legs working again after the strokes,” Hagen said.
Flor added, “Harold hopes that someday he’ll be able to go back home. We’re happy to have him here with us though.”
In the meantime, he continues with physical therapy and always manages to put a smile on his face.
TIME TO FLY — New Richland Care Center Administrator Mikenzi Hebel releases butterflies during ceremonies commemorating the one-year anniversary of a devastating flood that forced the evacuation of the facility’s residents. (Star Eagle photo by Jody Wynnemer)
Butterflies take wing at NR Care Center
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
The weather was perfect Friday, September 23.
It was a far cry from a year ago, when the New Richland area experienced an 11-inch rainfall in a 24-hour period.
The Care Center in New Richland was one of the hardest hit areas of town as floodwaters forced the evacuation of residents. The facility was closed for about three months as extensive repairs were accomplished. Many of the displaced residents returned to the center after it re-opened.
To observe the one-year anniversary of the devastating flood, the residents and staff assembled on the front lawn for a short ceremony.
New Richland Care Center Administrator Mikenzi Hebel welcomed everyone and thanked them for coming.
“We are glad to have you as part of our family,” said Hebel.