The latest starting fall sport is underway and the NRHEG team is poised to make it an exciting and competition season.

The team had its first shoot on Wednesday, Sept. 24 at the Owatonna Gun Club. The team did very well and find themselves in the second spot in the conference, just 8 1/2 points behind the team from Hermantown which, in clay target shooting, is virtually a tie.

I was sitting in the shade watching a most interesting game of baseball recently. Four young boys were playing four-man baseball. Yes, four-man baseball.

It was as exciting and intense as any Twins game. It got a little tricky with only two guys on each team, but they had it worked out. Though the pitcher for both teams was always the pitcher, somehow he also managed to be the catcher, first baseman and played in the outfield as well.

Did I say it was exciting? 

All was going well until someone from Park and Rec came along and told the boys they couldn’t play on the diamond because it had been chalked for a big game that night. The boys didn't protest; they quietly picked up their equipment and left - each in a different direction.

Sure, it takes time to line those fields, but I felt bad for the boys just the same. They were having so much fun.

It was early morning, and the first pitch for the big game that night was many hours away. The boys would likely never come near the chalk line - after all, there were only four of them. After the boys were gone, it seemed to me the diamond looked sad and empty.

I guess I felt the boys were cheated. How many hours would the diamond be idle before the game would begin? Couldn't the chalk have waited until later? Those boys were playing a quiet, sportsman type game. They weren't causing a disturbance, robbing a bank, shooting a friend, or messing with drugs. They weren't even drinking pop or littering.

Considering the value of land - how many years will it lie idle waiting for little boys or girls to grow up to be adult players? Where will the young kids play in the meantime?

I think we lost the game. The game was called by interference, and there were no winners! 

Talking about the number four - I feel so bad that I forgot to include Shay, Lia, Hatlie and Raegen Broskoff in my birthday column this past week. While attending the Geneva Fire Departments Pancake Breakfast on Sunday morning I saw the four little Broskoff children opening their birthday present from Grandma Diane and Grandpa Dave. They were so excited! I felt so bad when I later realized my error.

These four children always amaze me. They are the healthiest, happiest, most pleasant children anyone could possibly know. Their personalities are different but all wonderful. A lot can be said for their parents. It may not have been easy, but they made it look natural. Doesn't everyone raise four babies at once?

These kids are exceptional. I feel such closeness when I see them on walks with their Mom and Dad, and big sister, when they are at community events, at church where they are always demonstrating such good behavior - no pouts, tears or tantrums. Just all those happy smiles.

Love shows in different ways and it definitely shows here. Maybe it is a closeness shared in the womb? Could be, because I see the same trait in the Nielsen triplets and the Knudsen triplets. 

I am so happy for these four little miracles, Shay, Lia, Hattie and Raegan on the occasion of their fourth birthday. It was fun to watch them figure out how to hold up those four little fingers, and see the smiles on their faces as I took their picture.

They couldn't be more perfect. I hope they had a great day; I sure did! 

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, October 2: Laurie Jensen, Taya Richards, Amanda Hullopeter, Makayla Vangen, David Lembke, Christopher Bergerson, Adrian Jensen, Andrea Zamora, Wilma Ditlevson, Dawn Hanna, Chuck & LuAnn Hanson, Amy & Alex Kromminga, Brooke & Tim Krohn, Brody & Katie Richards, Bob & Kathy Hanson

• Friday, October 3: David Bunn, Lori Neidermeier, Dawn Enzenauer, Colette Holmes, Carrie Thompson, Wendy Thostenson Bogen, Paul Wayne, Lisa Zabel, Edna Thomas

• Saturday, October 4: Susan Cornelius Wehr, Helen Jagusch Mantahei, Skyler Hanson, Clair Clausen, Michelle Lageson, Jerome Simon, Dale Waage, Jeff Waage, Lori Zabel, Matt Redmon, John & Cynthia Nelson, Krista & Randy Baana

• Sunday, October 5: Kijah Joy Mikesell, Bethany Otto, Graciela Solveig Ortiz, Larry Pence, Karen Wiersma, Julie Cornelius, Jamie Farr, Elizabeth Randall, Peggy Sorenson, Linda Harding, Karen Kasper, Ray & Bunny Jepson, Jim & Pat Lyle, Wayne & Jo Schimek, Mandi & Darren Johannsen, Doug & Deb Braaten

• Monday, October 6: Evan Matthew Beckman, Mesa Jo Grace Krause, Jackson Wyatt Lageson, Mark Plunkett, Marlin Beckman, Kaira Glienke, Melissa Horan, Aurie Brighton, Caden Reichl, Gail Turvold, Julie Born Beenken, Scott Holmes, Tait Misgen, Cindy Kasper Johnson, Jayme & Ryan Paulson

• Tuesday, October 7: Candace Lageson Baker, Carolyn Weller, Jason Huber, Todd Wayne, Debbie David, Garrett Briggs, Jill Bergdale, Kris Strenge, John & Ellen Hanson, Denise & Jerry Abbott, Jamie & Brian Riley, Pat & Barb O'Conner

• Wednesday, October 8: Mandy Moon, Lauren Olivia Sommers, Haley Hanson, Barb Hagen, Barb Dobberstein, Barb Strenge, Mary Kay Spurr, Brad Anderson, Doug Anderson, Hazel Spiering, Daniel Paulson, Kay Nelson, Julie & Brian Dahl

• Thursday, October 9: Matt Kubiatowicz, Joshua Kasper, Cheryl Paulsen Wilson, Randy Mucha, Nancy Jo Anderson, Ashley Hove, Keith Neidermeier, Dennis Blouin

• Friday, October 10: Pat Goodnature, Trevin Stollard, Aarin Gray Pirsig, his 2nd; Eric Anderson, Nicole Anderson Loken, Luverne Hamor, Haley Hanson, LeRoy Ingvaldson, Nicole Lonning, Betty DeRaad, Elena Grace Spande

• Saturday, October 11: Alisha Moody, Reed Michael Kath, Mitchell Edwards, Ebonie Mullenmaster, Earl Klinger, Mayro Leak Kubista, Melissa Otto, Jenna Swearingen, Mike Trumble, Cory McGrath, Shawna Besco, John Cyr, Alisha Moody, Lee & Jody Loverink

May all of your favorite things be within reach. Have a wonderful day!

The Minnesota waterfowl season opened this past weekend and according to the Minnesota DNR the outlook is very good.

“The number of breeding ducks this spring was very high based on the continental duck breeding population surveys,” said Steve Cordts, DNR waterfowl specialist. “In addition, recruitment, or the number of young ducks that hatched, was also good this year based on reports we’ve heard. These young ducks comprise a large percentage of duck hunters’ bags during the fall.”

Wetland conditions were favorable and the total continental breeding population of all ducks combined was more than 49 million ducks, which is 8 percent above last year and 43 percent above long-term averages, Cordts said. However, duck numbers can fluctuate widely at this time of year for a variety of reasons.

“Some species like blue-winged teal and wood ducks are very early migrants and many move south even before the season opens, which is normal,” Cordts said. “But many other species like ring-necked ducks and mallards will continue to increase in number as migrants move down from Canada during the season.”

Canada goose hunting should also be good early in the regular waterfowl season.

Although I have never been a waterfowl hunter, all four of my grandsons enjoy the sport very much and Trevor, the oldest, is pretty hardcore when it comes to any sort of outdoors activities related to hunting or fishing. I actually believe that goose hunting is probably his favorite and although some don’t like to eat goose, he has no problem with it. He has even made jerky from it and I can attest to the fact that it is mighty tasty.

About three years ago I tagged along with my son Brian and his three boys for a mid-October hunting and fishing trip to our cabin. It was cold with a light mist of snow and rain mix for most of the four days that we were there. These conditions were okay for duck hunting, but not so much for fishing. Each morning Brian and the boys would get up before sunrise, get in our little boat and head across the lake to their duck blinds. Grandpa got to sleep in a little longer before getting up and starting breakfast for the hunters.

On couple of our days there I would drive Brian and Trevor to the beginning of the trail that runs through the state land on the back of our property. They would walk the trail on the state land looking for grouse and this would eventually bring them back to the cabin. While they were hunting, grandsons Taylor and Grant spent their time keeping the campfire going.

Now I have to say that I have always found having a campfire in late fall or winter to be something special. Maybe it’s because sitting around an open campfire in the woods makes me feel like I can almost envision what the fur traders and outdoorsmen endured many years ago.

Yes, spending time in the woods is great but a blazing campfire on a late fall/early winter day with a little snow on the ground can be pretty peaceful and invigorating at the same time. This is an experience that I have been lucky enough to enjoy quite a few times over that past few years and for some reason it makes me feel like a true outdoorsman and definitely brings a person just a little closer to nature.

— — —

I must have done something right yesterday because I received a phone call right away in the morning telling me that I had won a cruise. Wow! Unfortunately, I hung up before the person on the other end could give me the exciting details. About an hour later I received a call informing me that the warranty on my vehicle was about to expire so I had to act soon. I have over 240,000 miles on my pickup, so I think that ship has already sailed, probably on that same cruise. The day before that I had received a call from credit card services offering to cut my rates; must have been another lucky day, and to top that off some guy called yelling something about seniors into the phone, but I had to hang up on him because as excited as he sounded I was afraid he might hurt himself trying to talk. It must really take the stress out of telemarketing when everything is pre-recorded; this also takes away my fun of asking them stupid questions that they can’t answer.

The leaves in the northern part of the state are almost at full peak, so it’s a great time to take a drive north or just drive down a local country road and enjoy the view as the leaves start to turn in our area of the state.

Please take a little time to remember those who served, those who are serving now and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we are able to enjoy all the freedoms that we have today.

Echoes from the Loafers Club Meeting

I used to go horseback riding every day.

Did you go alone?

No, a horse always went with me.

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 there were hidden cameras in cars, we'd all lose our driving privileges.

The cafe chronicles

The only thing I wanted on my mashed potatoes was more mashed potatoes, but I ordered soup instead. The server stuck his hand in my alphabet soup. He tried to explain his actions, but he was groping for words.

Telemarketer on line one

"No," I said.

"Shouldn't you wait until I ask a question before you say no?" asked the caller.

"No."

The caller was taking a survey to see how I felt about getting unwanted phone calls.

My father refused to answer the telephone. He wouldn’t negotiate with terrorists. The next time a telemarketer calls, hand the phone to the nearest tot and say it’s Santa Claus calling.

Warning: contains mention of a sensitive body part

People pierce all kinds of body parts and that’s OK. They own them. Growing up, I knew men who’d had body piercing done. None of it intentionally. I've never wanted to have body piercings. I have enough holes to go around.

I'd known Annie Hendrickson all my life. In retirement, she lurked in the post office lobby, selling VFW poppies. I stopped at the post office every morning to get my mail. Every morning, dedicated and determined, Annie was there selling poppies. If I forgot to wear a poppy, bought the day before, Annie pretended to have no memory of me ever buying a poppy from her. She went right into her sales pitch sprinkled with guilt. Annie could be pushy for a good cause. I'd buy another poppy.

One morning, I’d forgotten to wear a poppy into the post office. Zombies eat brains. So does a walk to the post office. Annie sold me another poppy. She made sure I wore it. That's when I got my nipple pierced. That was the last time I let Annie pin a poppy on me.

Shoe shopping

I talk about myself behind my back. I say things like, "I should have clipped my toenails before I bought those new shoes." I’d been happy to be in the shoestore in a woeful sort of way. I knew what I was looking for until the clerk asked, "May I help you?"

Customer comments

Mike Hatle of Mankato said that a high school football teammate became upset because the clock wasn’t running. It was stuck on 7:14. It wasn’t the clock. It was the score.

Jim Clark of Stevens Point, who claims to have never been as old as he is now, said that he and his wife had seven kids in rapid succession. Then they bought a TV. No baby that year.

Karen Ibberson of Ellendale writes, "Ever walk into a room with some purpose in mind, only to forget what that purpose was? Doors themselves are to blame for these strange memory lapses. Psychologists at the University of Notre Dame discovered that passing through a doorway triggers an event boundary in the mind, separating one set of thoughts and memories from the next. Your brain files away the thoughts you had in the previous room and prepares a blank slate for the new locale. It's not our age, it's that darn door. Did I send this to you already?"

Gus Courrier of Emmons said that a young member of his family was told that pop wasn't good for the bones. The young lady replied, "It’s good for my bones."

Tom Benson of Hartland was the proprietor of Tom's Barbershop, a place where Otto Sorenson, who was vertically-challenged, threatened to jump up and pull my socks down. Tom said that by the time he’d found out that he wasn't a good barber, he was already famous.

Did you know?

According to the Cooking Channel, the signature foods for each state are as follows. Iowa — grilled sweet corn on the cob. Wisconsin — bratwurst stewed with sauerkraut. North Dakota — lefse potato crepes. South Dakota — chislic. Minnesota — hotdish.

Nature notes

"Is there a simple way to keep squirrels away from feeders?" Squirrels are good at what they do. They love peanuts and corn, but don’t like safflower seeds as much. The 5-7-9 rule helps discourage squirrels. Mount a feeder at least 5 feet above the ground, 7 feet from the nearest tree or structure, and 9 feet below any overhanging branch. Slippery poles or circular baffles help.

Meeting adjourned

Be kind.

Funeral services for Dale Piltingsrud will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday October 5, 2014 at Vibrant Life Assembly of God, in Ellendale. The Reverend Diane Butler will officiate. Visitation will be held from 1-3 on Sunday at the church. Burial will be at a later date.

Dale passed away surrounded by family at his home in rural New Richland. He was 84 years old.

Dale Piltingsrud was born on July 9, 1930 in Callender, IA to Rudolph and Dorothy M. (Olson). The family moved to the New Richland area when Dale was 11. He graduated from New Richland High school.  After high school, Dale attended St. Olaf College and Bethany Fellowship College. He received a degree in Religion and Philosophy.

 number of times over my teaching career I’ve heard a parent tell me, “You have no idea what it’s like to have a teenager!” Oh, really? So the fact that I see them from 8-3 every day doesn’t qualify me for knowing what that’s like? I probably see teenagers more than the average parent!

And now I can add to that since Jayna has entered that magical age. Of course, she’s been calling herself a “pre-teen” for a couple years now, a term I’m convinced was created by clothing manufacturers to get kids to buy clothing that even 13-year-olds shouldn’t wear. She’s been very excited to get to this age, as are all kids, er, pre-teens.

We told Jayna when she turned 13, we’d talk about a cell phone. (We caved and got her one.) We said she could probably have Facebook, but only if she friended Mom and Dad first.

Oh, we knew this day was coming for quite some time. I think it’s been about four or five months that we’ve been hearing, “Well, I’m almost 13.” (My opinion is you have to be within a month of your birthday to say you’re “almost” an age.)

So now what do we do? I’ve had a running bit over the years where I tell parents that their child will start to become evil as they near the teenage years. It doesn’t matter how good that child might be overall, bad vibes will overcome at some point. This begins to ebb when the lure of a driver’s license appears on the horizon, and good dealings with parents might be the only way to get some car keys.

Parents with their first child have a look of horror on their face. It either translates as, “What? Not my Susie!” or, “You mean it gets worse?” Veteran parents simply nod, knowingly.

Evil has different degrees, of course. Jayna has been a very good child, but she’s begun to test the boundaries the past year. The deep sigh from her mouth is a sure sign that Mom and Dad don’t have a clue. She hasn’t done anything really overtly terrible (yet), and I can’t imagine living in a house where it’s constant arguing with the know-it-all teenager.

I’ve heard the horror stories from parents about that type of teenager. Yikes! Wait – was I one of those? We all heard our parents say they hoped we’d get a child just like us someday. I always thought that would be a good thing.

I think I was decent at that age. Not some outstanding, headed for sainthood kind of good, mind you, but okay. I remember a few yelling matches with my parents, usually about curfews or dating or some such trivial item. I’m sure there will be a few of those, most likely when a boy comes around, looking for an evening with my daughter.

I often tell students that they will grow to become like their parents in many ways. The requisite denial occurs, but I thought the same. In fact, I remember telling my parents that when I had kids I would do things differently.

Nope.

I know I’ve entered that state of no return when I find myself uttering, often, “When I was your age…” I can hear that deep sigh from Jayna as I even type the words!

This age of evil that I joke about is really here. Now Michelle and I get to deal with it. But it’s an important step in kids finding their places in the world and developing the ability to think for themselves. They need to become more than little clones of Mommy and Daddy.

Of course, this age may also be the evolutionary equivalent of helping to cut the apron strings so it’s easier to send them packing after graduation! I’ll let you know in six years…

Word of the Week: This week’s word is promulgate, which means to make a rule public, as in, “The parents promulgated the new curfew rules loudly enough that their daughter’s date heard them loud and clear.” Impress your friends and confuse your enemies!

The scurs are keeping their options open this week hoping their good weather fortunes continue, although they can’t remember which thermostat is in the Gremlin controlling the Weather Eye. What does the first week in October portend? Starting Wednesday mostly cloudy with a good chance of rain in the forenoon with decreasing chances into the afternoon. Highs in the upper 60’s and lows in the mid-50’s. Mostly cloudy Thursday with a good chance of a shower or even a thunderstorm. Highs in the upper 60’s and lows in the mid-40’s. Friday, much cooler and mostly sunny with a slight chance for showers. Highs in the mid-50’s and lows in the upper 30’s. Continued cool under sunny skies on Saturday with highs again in the mid-70’s and lows in the mid-40’s. Sunday, mostly sunny and warmer with highs in the mid-60’s and lows in the mid-40’s. Mostly sunny for Monday and Tuesday with highs in the low to mid 60’s and lows in the mid-40’s. The normal high for October 5th is 65 and the normal low is 41.The scurs will be awaiting the total lunar eclipse at 5:25 a.m. on the 8th.

Some harvest activity this past week and results so far have been encouraging. Warm temps pushed crops to maturity rapidly. Soybeans that looked like they may have been underachievers from a cool and in some cases a frosty finish to the season came through with early returns of 40 – 50+ bu./acre yields. And this from early maturing beans with in some cases hail damage on them. Corn hasn’t been touched in general yet but there will be some early contracts to be filled so we should know soon. Odds are it too may be a positive surprise. 

Wrote some of this from my little fat buddy’s most excellent camp near Atikokan Ontario. It was time again to get away and relax for a spell. It truly is a great place to let your hair down and forget about the hustle and bustle of greater Bugtussle. The leaves were coming on although they weren’t close to peak yet. The Sunday rain and wind took many of the leaves off in the coming prime areas.  The birch trees had been a pretty yellow and some of the maples had been right on their heels. The tamarack had not yet turned although some were noticeably paler on our return home. The temperatures were very palatable and because fishing was slow, soaking up the sun was the order of the day Friday and Saturday. Lounging on a dock in shorts having late September  refreshments in the Great White North is truly something to savor. We did travel around some too and observed a spectacular stair-step waterfall not unlike others common to the area. A few smallmouth were caught so we could say we were fishing. Food was superb with local produce from the ranch making up some of the fare. Of course some extremely cutthroat cribbage was played. The board got a workout even if we forgot which leg we were on. Oh well, that way the games last longer.

We also watched and listened to the birds. One knew it would be a good time when upon going outside for the last time in the evening, a barred owl was busy with its patented “who cooks for you?” call.  In the daytime, some robins were moving through the area. A few gray jays or camp robbers as they're known locally were checking us out for any potential handouts. Chickadees were occasional visitors and the juncos were still around yet. Last year it wasn’t long after we were home and they showed up at the ranch so we’ll have to see if they repeat that behavior

It’s always good to see home show up again though. Ruby will just about come unglued after one is gone for an extended length of time. Of course that happens when you’re gone from morning until noon sometimes. Fudgie is less animated but glad to see you nonetheless. It’s interesting to see if anything has changed while we were away. Typically the garden requires attention and the lawn needs another mowing. That much is a given. It’s always a question too when the hummingbirds are ready to depart. (There were still two at the ranch yet Tuesday the 30th) Some may question how one can take off this time of year for a few days when everything is starting to happen in the fields. Sometimes you just need a change of scenery if only for a brief stay. There was no TV or internet. Just breathtaking scenery, three guys telling stories (all true by the way), listening to old rock and roll while sharing a lot of laughs. It’s necessary to take a breather sometimes not to mention crucial for one’s state of mental health.

I may have to hold off on the one year anniversary card I’d planned on sending to the phone company. If you’ll recall, last year about this time the road construction crew contracted by the Peoples’ Republic of Steele Co. hit our phone line, interrupting our phone and internet service. The line was replaced by the phone company and left laying on top of the ground for a subcontractor to bury later or so we were told. In spite of our numerous requests and subsequent work orders over the past year for its burial, it has remained above ground. It sounds like this may be about to change. While I was gone, the phone service and internet service were disrupted again. After several attempts to get through the maze of button pressing options that corporate America likes to call “customer service”, Mrs. Cheviot was finally able to get someone from the phone company out to look at it. When he looked at the situation, he couldn’t believe that the matter hadn't been resolved. This time it turned out the neighbors must’ve accidentally hit the phone line when they were mowing hay by the road ditch. If I’d known that’s what it would take to get action, I would’ve run the cable through the lawnmower myself last fall!

See you next week...real good then.

Lageson, Reuben M., age 91, of Robbinsdale, previously of Ellendale, passed away on September 29, 2014 in Monticello.

Mr. Lageson was preceded in death by his parents, John and Ada; two brothers, Alvin and Angus; and a granddaughter, Lonnie.

He will be deeply missed by his wife of 70 years, Dorothy; sons, Jeff (Trisha), Jim (Nancy), John (Lynn); daughters, Jane Mechtel (Keith Graham) , Jackie (Dave) Arpin; 13 grandchildren; 11 grea- grandchildren; brother, Gerald (Betty); sister, Della Hartle; sister in-law, Betty; many relatives and good friends.

Memorial Service is set for 11 a.m. Saturday, October 11 at Vibrant Life Church, 702 3rd St. S., Ellendale (507-684-3421). Visitation will be at the church one hour before service.

Duane Arlen Willert, 79, of Ellendale, passed away Thursday, September 25, 2014.

Duane was born January 5, 1935 in Lemond Township, Minnesota, the son of Herman and Louise (Utpadel) Willert. He graduated from Ellendale High School in 1953. Duane joined in the Navy during the late 1950s. On April 24, 1957 he married Eleanor Anderson at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Meriden. He was a farmer for most of his life but after farming he worked for Jostens, Tube Co. and Cybex until he retired in 1997. Duane loved animals, old time music, tractors, going to auctions and visiting with others.

TROPHY TIME — Members of the NRHEG Marching Band and director Sam Boerboom, right, pose for a photo with their trophy from the 2014 Waseca Marching Classic Saturday, Sept. 20. (Star Eagle photo by Nikki Erickson)

By NIKKI ERICKSON

Contributing Writer

Band director Sam Boerboom and the NRHEG High School marching band started off the fall season with a Class 1A first place award at the Waseca Marching Classic Saturday, Sept. 20.

Despite being the smallest marching band in numbers, their sound and performance impressed judges and crowd alike. The band marched to the James Bond theme and performed a parade route routine as they marched down Highway 13 in downtown Waseca.

Boerboom, who is new to the NRHEG school district, noted that this was his first teaching position since he graduated from Concordia College Moorehead with a degree in Instrumental Music Education.