The Waseca County Board of Commissioners is requesting citizen input regarding the Waseca County Highway Department. Waseca County has been experiencing a decrease in revenues; an increase in the costs of goods, services, and materials; and additional financial pressures on other county departments. The Waseca County Board of Commissioners is asking for input on Highway Department priorities and service level expectations. The work session will include an overview of challenges and opportunities of the highway department, including but not limited to: the acquisition of old Highway 14, storm damages to the Waldorf shop, maintenance agreements, increasing compliance requirements, etc.

Annola Bertha Born, age 97 of Waseca died on Monday, August 4, 2014 at Lake Shore Inn in Waseca.

Born on September 29, 1916 in New Richland, Minnesota, she was the daughter of Chris and Alma (Christenson) Shurson. Annola graduated from New Richland High School and the Teacher’s Training Program in New Richland.

Kevin L. Bass, 49, of Ellendale, died from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident in rural New Richland on Aug. 3, 2014. Funeral service is set for Thursday, August 7, 2014 at 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Ellendale with Rev. Randy Cirksena presiding. Burial will commence at Berlin Township Cemetery in rural Steele County. Friends may greet the family on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014 at Brick-Meger Funeral Home (1603 – Austin Road, Owatonna) from 4 to 8 p.m. and one hour before the time of service at the church on Thursday. For more info or to leave a condolence go to www.brick-megerfuneralhome.com

Kevin L. Bass of Ellendale died from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident in rural New Richland on Aug. 3, 2014. Funeral service is set for Thursday, August 7, 2014 at 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Ellendale with Rev. Randy Cirksena presiding. Burial will commence at Berlin Township Cemetery in rural Steele County. Friends may greet the family on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014 at Brick-Meger Funeral Home (1603 Austin Road, Owatonna) from 4 to 8 p.m. and one hour before the time of service at the church on Thursday. For more info or to leave a condolence go to www.brick-megerfuneralhome.com

The Waseca Soil and Water Conservation District is a local unit of government that manages and directs natural resource management programs at a local level. The District works in both urban and rural settings, with landowners and with other units of government, to carry out a program for the conservation, use, and development of soil and water related resources.

One critical niche the District fills is that of providing soil and water conservation services to private landowners. Managing these private lands, whether agriculture or urban, is a key to the quality of life in Waseca County. 

The District is instrumental in facilitating the leveraging of funds from State and Federal agencies for projects and programs. One example of this is payments made to landowners who participate in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP), and the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP).

The Waseca Area Neighborhood Service Center 2014 School Supply Program is now accepting donations for the 2014-15 school year. Donations can be taken to Roundbank 200 2nd St. NE; Wal-Mart 2103 N State St.; WANSC 203 3rd Ave. NW; Waseca Area Food Shelf 113 2nd Ave SW; New Richland Area Food Shelf 204 1st St NW; Janesville Food Shelf 412 N. Main St. Thank you for making a difference. Call 507-833-4119 for more information. WANSC hours are Monday & Friday 9-5; Tuesday-Thursday 9-7; Saturdays 9-1.

The fairs – Olmsted, Freeborn, Mower, Steele County and Minnesota State Fair – will all soon be upon us and though they've changed like everything else, they have in many ways stayed the same.

The true value of a good fair is the meetings of friends, neighbors and relatives we may see every day or maybe only once a year at the fair. Maybe a wedding, funeral, graduation or confirmation brings out family and friends to converse with, but nothing is like seeing them at the fair.

Fair time always reminds me of my cousin Monty, who for years planned his vacation during the Steele County Fair because it was his best chance of seeing everyone he wanted to see while he was back home, here in Minnesota.

There are those who wait for the fair because it smells so good due to the great foods you don't usually make at home. Many people go to the fair so that they can eat. I think there is even a bus during one of the local fairs that will bring working people to the fair on their noon hour so they can enjoy all the great "fair food." Things like cotton candy, foot longs, corn dogs, mini doughnuts, turkey drumsticks, corn on the cob, slices of pizza, brats, etc., as well as great malts that you just can't seem to find any other place.

Of course, there are always those who go to the fair to admire the animals and livestock. Years ago many "kids from the farm" helped raise animals and brought them to the fair and exhibited them as part of the 4-H program.

These things were knowledgeable to the kid on a diversified farm but there are not many any more who know a great deal about farm animals. In this day and age the kids are apt to be more interested in the carnival rides – not so for those who are exhibiting livestock or participate in the horse shows. They are too busy washing, walking and grooming those animals. Spare time at the fair is spent in cleaning out stalls or keeping their animals clean and ready to show.

Machinery Hill is almost no more but there are still enough exhibits to attract the farming crew. The fair always has a great display of sport type items, including the RVs, four-wheelers, campers and boats. Don't ask me much about the carnival. That has never been my passion but I know how excited some kids can get to when they think they can go on all the rides on "kids’ day" or participate in “wristband day" and are able to ride at reduced prices.

Many of those that attend the fair always have to visit the 4-H building to see what the youth of the county have brought to the fair. There may not be as many 4-H members as there were in the 50s, 60s and 70s; many of the projects are different than in those early years and now include more than just farm type entries, but there are still 4-H entries to admire and a wider range of projects to explore.

Flowers and garden vegetable items are viewed with an eye as to how they compare with one’s own garden. There is also the "so and so" who sew, knit, quilt or stitch heirloom tapestries. Creativity is always to be admired and are displayed in the "women's buildings.”

Some people go to the fair to see what the latest new products are. There always seems to be something new to make a place among the old standbys of kitchenware, vacuums, Watkins products etc. Other fairgoers enjoy visiting the fish and game building, the car shows and historical displays.   And for many their main emphasis in going to the fair is going to the grandstand shows or to the talent shows and musical presentations.

Heritage Square always attracts attention and historical societies are to be commended for their interest and hard work in restoring and displaying everything from log cabins to old grocery stores (with some of their contents) and churches.

We can't forget all the politicians who come out to the fair to meet and greet people in hopes of getting their vote come November.

The Minnesota State Fair is known as the "Great Minnesota Get Together." I guess that can be said about county fairs too. No matter where you are at, or what you are looking at, you will see somebody you know.

I hope you will take a little bit of time to attend one of the "Great Minnesota Get Togethers" and have a great time taking in all the sites and enjoy all the great food and the educational experience for children and adults alike. It isn't just a carnival – it is a community experience.

The recent historical open house at Owatonna proved to be a great adventure for children who enjoy participating in living history. You can also find this at the fair. 

See you at the fair - another reason why we choose to live here.

This week’s birthdays and anniversaries include:

• Thursday, July 31st: Zane Andrew Miller, Michelle Eaker Stevens, Coni Misgen Evenson, Lorie Paulson, Joan Mast, Brian & Pam Muri

• Friday, August 1st: Parker Brant Simon, Wendy Schultz, Dale Mrotz, Karen Vaith, Stanley Jensen, Lonny Thostenson, Tad Cornelius, Karen Brockman, Rick Christensen, Larry & Carol Spear

• Saturday, August 2nd: Kolten Aaron Michael Hanson, Tara Cromwell Lembke, Cole Lehmberg, Vivian Dulas, Cora Lynn Harpel, Ryan Nelson, Scott Sommers, George Wangsness Jr., Carol Lein, Melissa Marlin

• Sunday, August 3rd: Arianna Elizabeth Pence/Ortiz, Jo Lerberg, Kristine Dummer, Cynthia Nelson, Kent Swearingen, Jean Molenaar, Matthew Wayne, Nicholas Wayne, Gerald Flugum

• Monday, August 4th: Madysen Grace Waage, Karen Edwardson Loge, Harold Jensen, Bryce Ingvaldson, Terry Vaith, Ryan Wangsness, Michael Hanson, Tom Lang, Bethany Cooper, Rachel Reichl, Gary & Kathy Reichl, Warren & Ilsbeth Wayne

• Tuesday, August 5th: Wayne Schimek, Corey Wangsness, Gabriella Lynn Olson, Gladys Johnson, John Ramlo, Annette Thostenson, Jennifer Broskoff Dutton, Andrea & Kane Malo, Christopher & Kristen Hanson

• Wednesday, August 6th: Lynn Nechanicky, Rick Cook, Matthew Miller, Andy & Mary Lerberg, Wendell & Connie Kuehni

Sending you heartfelt wishes for a great day!

Permit me to admit that I am not fond of public speaking. When I arrived at the podium during May’s graduation ceremony, it was after more than a few restless nights. I trust you will see my point when I say I like it here so much that I hope to see many classes of kindergarteners become graduates, even though it will cost me weeks of nervous trepidation. For that to happen, I know I have to keep meeting the changing, growing needs that face our students not only today, but into the future.

Over the past weeks, I’ve delivered a series of commentaries about the NRHEG strategic plan. I hope you’ve found the information interesting, but whether you’ve read those pieces or not, you will have no trouble understanding this one, which wraps up my ideas on the topic.

The most important thing to remember about the planning and changes I have described is that they are part of a big picture that improves the opportunities for learning we offer to our communities’ kids. You probably remember that I’ve talked about steps we are taking to strengthen our teaching system, give teachers more time to collaborate about our students and their learning, upgrade technology, maintain and modernize certain aspects of our buildings, facilitate community interaction, and protect the financial security of the district.

If you’re curious about any of those topics, you can go on-line to the school web site and find out more. If you have any questions, feel welcome to contact me directly using information you’ll find there.

I have mentioned before that I feel privileged to be here at NRHEG Schools. There’s an old saying about how a dwarf sitting on a giant’s shoulder can see farther than the giant can; there are certain parallels for me. The NRHEG communities have kept a sharp eye on their schools, giving me the opportunity to take what’s already strong and look for ways to move it forward. The strategic planning process allowed a group of about 15 people, including teachers, school board members, and administrative staff to examine where we are and seriously consider where we would like to be. The thoughtful efforts of those stakeholders will help steer our forward progress.

Every journey, of course, must take place in stages, and we are at the beginning of this one. I hope you will keep your eyes on the school district; consider attending a few school board meetings; touch base when you have questions, concerns, or compliments. I want you to watch what’s being done in our buildings and feel comfortable that the changes you see are part of a responsible, transparent effort to take what’s already good and make it better. Your feedback — whether positive or negative — will help me stay on the track I hope to be following.

For now, I ask you to take another look at the school mission which the strategic planners arrived at. This statement is meant to summarize what our district is all about, its overriding purpose. As you read it, you will recognize that it is both an affirmation of how highly the people at our school prize your children, and a declaration that we will do our best by them. It is a promise that, under my leadership, we hope to keep:

Providing students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes which will enable them to succeed in a globally competitive society. Empower, Learn, Succeed.

There was a time that whenever I would hear the phrase “dog days of summer,” I would get the feeling that fishing season was almost over for another year. It has been many years since I have had that feeling about the dreaded “dog days” because some time ago I took it as a challenge to prove I could catch fish most any time of the year. I have never thought of myself as a great fisherman nor even a very good one for that matter; persistent might be the word that is closer to the truth.

About a week ago my grandson Dylan and I headed north for a week of fishing at the cabin. I have always enjoyed the time spent at the cabin with my grandkids and being able to spend a week fishing with Dylan was great. Dylan is almost 16, but he still likes to spend time fishing with old grandpa and any time we were at the cabin and not fishing he was busy making spinner rigs, cleaning reels and putting new line on any reel that needed it.

We fished five different lakes that week and had pretty good success on most of them. On a trip back to a little remote lake not far from the cabin, we spotted a jackrabbit crossing the road and another at the edge of the woods. I have not seen a jackrabbit for quite a few years, and Dylan said it was the first one he had ever seen; he jokingly said that looked like it had kangaroo legs.

Dylan and I had been at the cabin about three weeks previous and experienced some great fishing on Spider Lake (my favorite) and at that time I told him the lake would be different the next time we fished it. Patterns change, and as summer moves on, the fish move to different locations for forage and to be in their comfort zone. When we first hit the water we tried the area that had been good earlier, but now it was a totally different story. I told Dylan I’d like to try a spot that my old friend “Bid,” who was the previous owner of Spider Shores Resort, once told me about. He would always talk about fishing a sunken island in front of this tall broken pine. This was quite some time ago and that pine has since either fallen or blended in, but I knew the area and eventually located that small sunken island. Almost immediately upon finding it I caught a nice sized walleye, but unfortunately that was to be the only one of the morning. Even with that I was quite sure that Dylan was thinking I actually knew what I was doing.

We spent the rest of the day casting or trolling for muskies, which is what we had intended to do all along. We caught quite a few pike and bass but alas the “toothed one” that we sought was not going to make an appearance on that day. Dylan really gets excited when you talk about fishing muskies and I know that he will get his share in due time.

The next day we decided to try a pristine little lake just a short distance from the cabin. I have mentioned in the past that you could take this lake and drop it in the middle of the boundary waters and it would not look out of place. There are no cabins on this lake and most days you visit it you will more than likely not see another boat. This lake does not hold any walleye but it does have plenty of pike, bass and panfish. We go to this lake primarily for the pike and at times it can be pretty darned good and this turned out to be another of those times.

We started trolling the weed edges, which is kind of easy to do on this clear little lake. It is a fairly long, narrow lake with finger bays and a maximum depth of 80 feet. I only mention this because after trolling the shoreline with minimal success I decided to follow up on a tip given me by a neighbor who likes fishing the same lake. He told me that a couple of years ago he spotted fish suspended in 80 feet of water, so he tried trolling the middle of the lake using deep divers. Somewhat to my surprise, we caught quite a few bigger pike in 64-52 foot of water using deep divers. I can still hear the screaming of my drag as a pike attacked the lure on the other end of my old Diawa Millionaire fishing reel.

Both Dylan and I had a great time fishing that week and the time we spent together is something that you cannot possibly put a price tag on. At the end of the week we both agreed that Spider is still our favorite lake. The day we got home he was already talking his dad into going out on Fountain early the next morning. What can I say? He’s hooked!

Until next time; enjoy the great outdoors and take some time to go for a walk, take a bike ride or introduce a youth to the great outdoors. We could all take a little time out of our busy lives to step back and take in some of the wonders of nature that we have nearby.

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