SPENCER goes up for 3 points on his way to 1,000.   Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak

By TROY THOMPSON

Contributing Writer

Senior guard Spencer Tollefson became the first male Panther in 15 years to surpass 1,000 career points on the hardcourt as his game-high 27-point effort helped propel New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva to a 65-61 victory over rival Waterville-Elysian-Morristown on Friday, January 9th.

But it wasn’t just Tollefson’s offensive efforts that helped to take down the Bucs.

“Spencer Tollefson was amazing tonight,” said Panther coach Pat Churchill. “He guarded one of the best players in our league and did a very nice job on the defensive side.”

  GREAT SHOWING AT NEW TOURNEY  – Cole Lenort, a first place winner last weekend at Maple River, shows a burst of speed in his escape in the second round.  Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak

By TROY THOMPSON

Contributing Writer

The NRHEG wrestling team turned in another strong performance on Saturday, Jan. 10, at the first Gopher-Valley Tournament in Mapleton. The Panthers grappled their way to a second-place team finish in the inaugural event which featured all 10 teams from the Gopher and Valley Conferences.

NRHEG bested all of their Gopher Conference foes and finished behind only Valley Conference power Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial Area (LCWMA) in the team standings.

By TROY THOMPSON

Contributing Writer

The NRHEG Girls’ Basketball squad improved to 3-1 in the Gopher Conference with a 60-51 home win over Waterville-Elysian-Morristown on Friday, Jan. 9. The Panthers evened their season mark to 5-5 with the victory.

The Panthers were powered by a trio of sophomores. Maddie Wagner led the way with 25 points to go with three assists and four steals. Marnie Wagner added 13 points while also corralling 10 boards to go along with two assists and two steals. Kaylee Camerer also scored in double-figures, netting 12 points while pulling down four rebounds.

Marvin Sanford Swenson, 89 of Waseca, died on Monday, January 12, 2015 at Mayo Clinic Health System – Mankato.

Born in Waseca County, MN on August 8, 1925, Marvin was the son of Carl and Hilda (Larson) Swenson.  He grew up on a farm in Otisco Township and was baptized and confirmed at the Vista Covenant Church.  He attended school at District 48, Otisco Township and later graduated from New Richland High School in 1943.  He served in the US Navy at the end of World War II as a radioman aboard the USS Adams.  Marvin married Delores Peterson and they lived on the family farm in Otisco Township where they raised four children before divorcing.  He then married Phyllis Meyers and later divorced.  On December 20, 1975, he married Winifred Halverson.  Together they resided in Otisco until moving to Waseca in 1999.  Occupations throughout his lifetime included farming, creamery work, salesman for National Motor Club, manager for Midland Co-Op, shipping clerk for Mishek Company, and long time manager of the Waseca F.O.E. club.  Marvin was an avid sports fan who played baseball for the New Richland Cardinals and also played on many softball teams.  He also bowled one perfect 300 game in March of 1977.  He loved playing cards, pool, and word games.

Ann M. Klemmensen, 85, of Ellendale, died Sunday, January 11, 2015 at Koda Living Community. 

Ann was born August 23, 1929 on the family farm in Berlin Township, Minnesota, the daughter of Henry and Clara (Anderson) Thompson.   She was baptized on September 22, 1929 and confirmed her faith on June 18, 1944.  She attended and graduated from Ellendale High School. Ann was united in marriage to Donald “Bill” Klemmensen on June 11, 1947.  The couple farmed on Ann’s family farm for many years.  Bill died December 20, 2011.

Ann was a lifelong member of First Lutheran Church in Ellendale where she taught Sunday school and was also a member of the church choir.  She was an avid reader.  Music played a great part of her life.  She particularly enjoyed old time music and she taught herself how to play the harmonica. She enjoyed quilting and dancing and enjoyed spending time with her coffee friends.  Most importantly though was her family.  She loved being with them at every opportunity.   Bill and Ann enjoyed their travels to Europe, Asia, Hawaii, South America, and Caribbean Cruises.  

Stanley LeRoy Degen, 82, of Owatonna, died Sunday, January 11, 2015 at Mayo Clinic Hospital St. Mary's Campus. 

He was born August 13, 1932 in, Shell Lake, WI the son of Lyman and Fern (Blood) Degen . He attended country school in Steele County, and worked as a truck driver hauling milk for many years, he later moved to California.  Stanley served in the United States Army from 1953-1955.  He married Inez Johnson  on December 31, 1995 in Bullhead --City, AZ; the couple had been together fifteen years prior to their marriage.  They lived in Golden Valley, AZ for twenty years before returning to Owatonna in 2004.  Stan was a member of the VFW and American Legion and he served on the Steele County Military Funeral Unit.

He is survived by his wife Inez Degen of Owatonna, daughter, Jodi (and Jason) Schroeder of Owatonna, five grandchildren and four step children.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A private family service was held at Michaelson Funeral Home.

In 2015 - THINK GREEN!  Eat green vegetables, grow greens - sprouts, herbs, whatever!   Houseplants also help keep us healthier as a food, as well as provide us with moisture and oxygen.

It is a strange world we live in. Or is it, what goes around comes around?  Magazines and health books are filled with recipes for "greens"  - from smoothies to whatever else you can think of. 

Spinach has always been good for us but often shunned as a "green of choice.”  I bought some dried spinach at the health food store.  It was almost $20 a pound.  Thank goodness I didn't need a whole pound.  The clerk told me to put a little of it in my homemade soup for flavor.  I guess I will have to give that a try, too!

The reason I was buying dried spinach is that I was trying to find the ingredients I needed for a broth recipe my sister had told me about.  Spinach extract is "a wow selling dietary supplement" in Scandinavia.  A compound in the leaves called thylakoids is akin to having a medical bypass but without the surgery, because it coats the fat cells as they travel into the intestines.  Once they reach the intestines they are broken down and absorbed in the lower intestines, which is where most fat is digested, for those who have undergone gastric bypass .  Thylakoids suppresses the urge for carbs and the stubborn belly fat melts first!

During the Depression years - believe it or not - because gardens didn't always grow like weeds, the housewife often canned weeds.  Lamb’s quarter was more mellow than dandelion greens. 

One could learn a lot from the Depression.   In fact, during the Depression years people probably ate healthier than we do today.  What goes around comes around.

While I am on the subject of food – I have known for many years that vinegar is good for many things.  It is good to be used as a preservative, as well as a deodorant in a room where the smell from a smoky fish fry pan can get a little bit strong.

Vinegar is used to keep apples from turning brown.  It can also be used to tenderize meat.  A tablespoon of vinegar, instead of cream of tartar, will make a beautiful meringue.

My mother has used vinegar since the days of "croup" when both she and her brother, Bud, coughed and struggled with "phlegm.”  She still uses it yet today when she is struggling to free her throat of "phlegm.”

Vinegar can also be used to clean your vegetables from unsuitable chemicals, as well as sterilize your counter tops.  It can be used to wipe away tarnish on brass or copper items.  Just add a little bit of salt to some vinegar and start cleaning.  Three tablespoons of vinegar in a quart of water will also help take stains out of your carpet. 

These are just a few reasons to keep a jar of vinegar on hand.  No household should be without soda or vinegar.

On to a new subject – looking at the lowering gas prices we have been seeing lately is a joy.  I remember my dad telling me how when a gas tank was getting low and his Model T couldn't quite make it up a hill, he would turn his car around and back all the way up the hill.  Gravity fed gas tanks were under the front seat back then.

My Dads' workshop was a block from where we lived when I was growing up.  He often didn't take the time to turn his truck around when he was going to go over to his shop to work.   He would just "back" his truck back and forth from the shop and home.  Yes, that was my dad -  and seeing him do it was an interesting site for one of the neighbors in the area.   Mr. Jones, whose house was nearby, once said,  "Curt is the only darn fool I know who doesn't take time to turn around.”

And speaking of vehicles – I talked with a nice older gentlemen and inquired if he never drove his vehicle during the winter, because his car didn't appear to have any signs of rust on it.  He said he drove it all the time.  He did o on to tell me when he washed his vehicle in the fall, he used water to which he had added a cup of fuel -  which he had found helps prevent salt damage.

One wonders who has discovered some of these great helpful ideas.  Our ancestors were a lot smarter than we think, or else they discovered how to use other things because they had to.

Some of our Star Eagle readers have commented they like to read about events such as family and school reunions, birthdays and anniversaries, and birth and wedding announcements.  In order to read about these important things we need our faithful readers to pass along the information to us.  Also if you have an idea for a story that you think would be of interest to our readers, please contact me. 

If you have birthdays and anniversaries you would like include, or news to share please contact me via e-mail,This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; by postal mail, P. O. Box 192, Geneva, MN 56035 or telephone, 507-256-4405.

This week’s birthdays and anniversaries include:

Thursday, January 8: (Elvis Presley) Cameron Schember, Mike Marcus, Terry Pelzl, Dan Reese, David Jensen, Ryan Benning, Jennifer Rechtzigel, Brandon Borchert, John & Melissa Marlin

Friday, January 9: Melinda Hanson Talamanates, Lisa Dunn Wayne, Mark Lee, Adam Deml, Jay Wangsness, Steve Vanden Heuvel, Becky Wayne Clark, Larry Jensen, Allen Dobberstein, Allan Swearingen, Dan & Lavonne Nelson

Saturday, January 10: Sue Hunnicutt, Martha Jacobson, Gary Nelson, Eldert & Avis DeRaad, Robert & Eleanor Leiser

Sunday, January 11: Melissa Farr, Rick Hanson, Nanko DeRaad, Deb Robertson Hare, Brad Nelson, Kelly Reichl, Alvin & Ardys Nelson, Dennis & Barb Grunwald

Monday, January 12: Heather Mattson Johnson, Macy Misgen, Albert Diaz, Barry Jepson, Cindy Farner, Brian Milan, Chris Wilker

Tuesday, January 13: Lacey & Brad Grutzik, 2013, Julia Anne Marlin, Melonie Crabtree, Rita Sletten Nelson, Diane Lee, Haley Butler, Tracy Utpadel, Jay Brown, John Olson, Tracy Bergerson, Marion Hoffman, Bruce Haberman, Gregory David, Jack & Gloria Jensen

Wednesday, January 14: Brooke Sorenson Krohn, Marlys Sorenson, Darla Hagen Matthees, Christine Hanson, Skyler Cromwell Lembke, Jenna Marie Abbott, Mark Langlie, Ryan & Kerri Wagner

Thursday, January 15: Steve Bailey, Paul Christensen, Emily Crabtree, Angela Borchert, Brian Farr

Friday, January 16: Carter Howard Hanson, Kiley Beenken, Craig Bailey, Remi Wayne, Joshua Crabtree, Joni Groth, Jeff Kaplan, Tracy Tracy, Melissa Wagner, Emily Bedker, Tena Bryce, Jeremy Anderson

Saturday, January 17: Ava Elizabeth Schember, her 6th; Blake Michael Born/Norday, Don Anderson, Jan Bartsch, Annette Busho, LuAnn Johnson Prescher, David Strenge, Mike Peterson, Brayden Broitzman, Kayley Camerer

Life is a journey we begin each day - wishing that each new day is happier than the day before.  Have a great day!

Surprise somebody.  Call someone.  Send a card and make their day.  Little things mean a lot. 

Old man winter has once again reminded us that we still live in Minnesota and cold weather is part of the deal. Just when we start to buy into the global warming thing frigid temperatures and snow are there to let us know that winter is still winter. The other morning when we were shivering in -6 degree temps with a -24 wind chill my brother-in-law Lynn called from Nome Alaska to let me know that it was 34 and raining in Nome. Now this was not unusual for him to do because when we are sweltering in high 80 or even 90 degree temperatures he will call to let me know that it is sunny and 60 in Nome.

The reality of all this is that for the past two years Nome has had above normal temperatures and that has made believers of many naysayers when the global warming thing comes up. Lynn said that last year was not a good year for trapping because of the uncertain ice conditions of the nearby rivers and this year doesn’t look to be any better.

The weather here in Minnesota has been cold but the snow depths throughout the state are less than needed for most winter outdoors activities. Ski and snowmobile trail conditions throughout the state are either in poor condition or are closed. The outdoor skating rinks have taken a real hit this year with the warmer weather we had been experiencing up until just after Christmas.

The cold then warm then cold again weather we have been experiencing have made ice fishing conditions questionable on many area lakes. If you are venturing out for some fishing on one of the lakes in our area please use caution and by all means do not be driving on the ice. It may be fairly thick in some places while other areas of the same lake may be unsafe. The weather conditions may have made the ice unstable especially along the shoreline. The best and safest way to fish these lakes is on foot and with a portable fish house. The hole and 5 gallon pail method might be old school but it is less work, usually a lot safer and can be a lot of fun if you dress warm and it’s not brutally cold outside.

DNR, partners working on 4-year plan to boost pheasant numbers

Citizen input from the Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Summit soon will be converted into a four-year action plan to increase and enhance grassland habitat on public and private lands.

Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Landwehr said agency staff and partner organizations are analyzing dozens of recommendations from the Dec. 13 summit in Marshall.

This first summit brought together Gov. Mark Dayton and 300-plus hunters, farmers and conservation experts, including those from Pheasants Forever. Together, they focused on pheasant habitat, pheasant biology and they spent much of the day identifying potential solutions to the plight of a bird whose numbers are declining at a significant rate.

“Citizens talked. We listened. The next step is to convert words into actions,” Landwehr said.

Landwehr said citizen input will be used to develop a summary of the Pheasant Summit recommendations that will be shared with the public in mid-January.

“The focus will be about increasing bird numbers not government regulations,” Landwehr said. “Realistically, that means zeroing in on the interests and needs of private landowners as they own 95 percent of the property in the pheasant range.”

Landwehr said the action plan to be completed in 2015 will include recommendations for increasing the quality and quantity of public grasslands but “the inescapable truth is what happens on private farmland is what drives pheasant numbers because of the vastly higher proportion of acres in private ownership.”

The summit was emceed by Minnesota conservationist Ron Schara, who termed the pheasant the proverbial canary in a coal mine.

“As pheasant numbers go, so go our bobolinks, butterflies, pollinators and more,” he said.

Both Schara and Dayton urged the group to focus on strategies that will increase pheasant numbers, improve habitat, and make sure future generations have the opportunity to enjoy one of the state’s most popular game birds.

“I was pleased we could have a candid conversation about habitat loss and its impact on our pheasant population,” said Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson. “The summit produced a good variety of strategies to consider as we work to improve the future for pheasants in Minnesota.”

I actually had a chance to speak with Ron Schara at the Governor’s deer hunting opener a few years back. He noticed where I was from and said that he had just recently been in the Albert Lea area hunting pheasants. Small world; but I guess that was back when we actually had some descent pheasant numbers in this area.

Until next time, stay warm and remember that it’s always time well spent when you spend it in cur great Minnesota outdoors.

Please remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers; especially during this Holiday Season. They are the reason that we are able to enjoy all the freedoms that we enjoy today.

Echoes from the Loafers’ Club Meeting

My wife spent all day pointing out spots on the walls and ceilings.

Sounds like you need to paint.

No, she needs to clean her eyeglasses.

Driving by the Bruces

I have two wonderful neighbors--both named Bruce--who live across the road from each other. Whenever I pass their driveways, thoughts occur to me, such as: If someone is in front of me, they are driving too slow. If someone is behind me, they are going too fast.

The cafe chronicles

We sat in relaxed-fit chairs. We talked of nothing. We talked of everything. We visited as if we had all the time in the world. We’d each been in more stews than a restaurant oyster. The carnivore’s special came with a complimentary Heimlich maneuver.

 The weatherman had done his snow and tell. It was well below zero and the wind howled. My car’s dashboard had warned me that the road might be icy. My car is a worrier.

It was one man’s birthday. I asked him how old he was. He’d thought he was turning 92, but after doing the math, he figured out that he was only 91. He said that turning a year younger was a good birthday gift.

A church closes

On New Year’s Day, I like to get a good deal on a Christmas tree and take time to reflect. I review my Christmas bucket list and try to figure out what went wrong. I ask for forgiveness for any harm I may have caused during the past year.

 I don’t resolve to eliminate anything from my life. I resolve to add things that would make me a better version of myself--like the honor I had in speaking at the final service of Freeborn Congregational United Church of Christ, which closed after 141 years of faithful service. For some parishioners, this church was the most enduring relationship of their lives. Rev. Cherie Daniel of Freeborn told me that a late church member, Agnes Hedensten of Freeborn knew where all her family members were at all times. Agnes knew where she’d been, where she was going and what time she needed to be there. Cherie asked her if she knew what heaven would be like. Agnes replied, "It will be a surprise."

Her words reminded me of Henry Ward Beecher’s last words, "Now comes the mystery."

Cherie had taught me that I should never try counting a snapping turtle’s teeth with my fingers. Cherie demonstrated so that I wouldn’t have to learn by experience and got a visit to the emergency room for her efforts. Cherie mentioned a young member of her family on her first trip to Cedar Rapids, who said, "I don't see any rabbits."

There is a shortage of cedar rabbits there. That’s a mystery. So is a church closing.

A confabulation

I stopped to see an old friend. She lives in an Alzheimer’s facility. Although dementia has changed her in many ways, her demeanor remains kind and caring. I enjoyed visiting with her. She asked me if I would stop and talk to her husband. She added that he’d been asking about me. I said that I would. And I did. It was a frigid and blustery day, but I knew right where he was buried.

Customer comments

Neal Batt of Hartland is a fan of Allis-Chalmers tractors. How big a fan? His wife, Darla, told me that he’d even painted their garden hose cart orange.

Virginia Anderson of Rochester told a story about Ingeborg Rugroden of New Richland. Ingeborg was a tireless worker at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Richland. She spent countless hours doing the dishes in the church kitchen. She told all who would listen that when she died, she didn’t want paper plates or plastic silverware at her funeral. She had spent so much time washing and drying the church’s dishes and silverware, that she wanted one time when she wouldn’t have to wash them. She got her wish.

Lynn Osswald of Northbridge, Massachusetts, said that her husband John was given two neckties by his mother. He wore one the next time she visited. His mother saw the tie and asked, "Didn’t you like the other one?"

Ken Bertelson of Albert Lea said that Lena got nine out of 10 on her drivers test. The 10th one jumped out of the way.

Nature notes

Birds find feeders by sight. They either see the feeder, the food or other birds feeding.

Meeting adjourned

According to researchers at the University of California-Berkeley, a grateful attitude boosts immunity, lowers blood pressure, decreases loneliness, fosters generosity, stimulates compassion and improves emotional well-being.