Visitation for Berniece “Bea” Bunn, age 80, of Ellendale, will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, 2014 at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home. Private family interment will be at St. Peter’s Cemetery in New Richland Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com 

Bea died Friday, July 11, 2014 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester.

Marvin H. Schoaf, age 90, of Owatonna, died on Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at Traditions II, Owatonna.

A memorial service will be held at the Boldt Funeral Home, Faribault on Saturday, July 19, 2014 at 2 p.m. with the Reverend John Miller of Daybreak Community Church, Owatonna, officiating. Interment will be at Maple Lawn Cemetery, Faribault. Visitation will be at the Boldt Funeral Home, Faribault for one hour prior to the service on Saturday.

The search is over for a new head coach for the NRHEG girls’ basketball team, and they didn’t have to look far.

Onika Peterson, an assistant under John Schultz for the Panthers’ 2013 and 2014 state championships, has been hired as Schultz’s successor.

Peterson, an NRHEG graduate and daughter of Adryn and Julie Peterson of rural New Richland, said she’s extremely excited about the opportunity to be the Panthers’ head coach and already is looking forward to next season.

In other NRHEG coaching news, head softball coach Wendy Schultz resigned, following the graduation of her daughter Jade from NRHEG High School.

Winning button numbers announced

Winning Button numbers for 2014 Farm and City Days:

• $25 - 644

• $25 - 666

• $50 - 414

• $100 - 704

Check your button! If you have a winning button, please notify City Hall.

I was invited to ride with the Friendship Wagon Train for Camp Winnebago this past week. I did so want to go, but there were so many things in the way. I should have given way to my desire and put  other obilgations aside because I kept thinking about the ride. So I can only imagine what brings riders from all over the country to take part.

In talking with some of the participants I learned there were riders taking part this year from Illinois, Missouri, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Texas, Iowa and Minnesota. Speaking of Minnesota, I did see a familiar face, Donald Morris of Albert Lea.

Those who participate in this event put other things aside and come to Minnesota for the week for this charitable cause — which this year was hoped would raise $38,000 — and for so much more. The quality of the people is outstanding. I've always wondered how early settlers were able to take the trip of their lives that were filled with discomfort, obsessive heat, endless rains, crossing rivers and over bumpy, rocky trails. It was accomplished because of the unity of the people. They had a purpose and endured the pain as they also took sight and mind to environmental heights. Watching the birds, the clouds and photo perfect sunrises and sunsets has to be outstanding.

Today’s wagon train is not without some discomfort. But there were no thoughts of "could have been home in a easy chair in air conditioning." What they experienced during their week in Southern Minnesota June 21-28 is enviable. There’s a history behind it and a future ahead so that challenged children can experience life like other kids at Camp Winnebago, swimming, tenting, cooking and other activities adapted to their age and ability with a “partner" to assist and act as guides and companions.

The mission of the wagon train is to enhance, through a diversity of experiences of self worth, independence and quality of life of people with development disabilities.

What the over 100 men, women and children experienced has to be a forever experience. I talked with some of the children and young people. What character. The responsibilities, the love for their animals, the realization that they can be supportive of less fortunate children all because they could be a part of something important in their life. I know I came away richer for the experience of just attending and visiting with these adventurous people.

On Wednesday, June 25th, a bus load of kids from Camp Winnebago were taken to the site of wagon train so they too could take part in a short ride.

The Friendship Wagon Train rotates its route each year, so over the course of four years they will have made the entire circle, ending up where they first started. This year’s Friendship Train started at Farmamerica in Waseca, then on to Otisco, New Richland, Hartland, Ellendale, Geneva, Clarks Grove, Hollandale, Moscow, Austin, Lyle, E & H Farms and Adams, where the wagon train ended. It will start in the same place next year.

The wagon people set up camp behind the elevator in Ellendale Sunday night and enjoyed a bountiful breakfast served by members of the First Lutheran Church. The riders were provided a spur-of-the-moment pot luck dinner, by the "park neighbors" in the Geneva Park, along with subs and chips. In Clarks Grove on Monday night they camped behind the Gopher Stop and got a chance to stretch their legs and communicate before they were bussed to Clarks Grove Baptist Church where they were fed more than their fill with indoor food and an outdoor barbeque.

The Clarks Grove Firemen have jobs, so they arranged for help to serve a breakfast catered from Albert Lea Hy-Vee. From Clarks Grove the wagon train traveled on to Hollandale, and I am sorry to say I ran out of time to spend with them.

Some of the Friendship Wagon Train participants from those first couple of days had to drop out as they had to return to work on Monday morning, but others joined the group so the covered wagon train gained momentum as they cruised along. They were thankful that God was good and gave them sunshine instead of rain and left this reporter wishing she had accepted their invitation to ride with them instead of mentally enjoying the experience.

What wonderful people there were on the ride and what wonderful people came out to welcome them to their communities and helped give them nourishment. There are a lot of good and caring people here in our little corner of the world. And that is one of the reasons we choose to live here.

— — —

Birthdays and anniversaries:

• Thursday, July 3rd: Danika Marie Jensen, Lorry Pelzl, Amy Storlie, Amy Walterman, Cynthia Nelson, Sara & Chris Ihrke, Rachel & Michael Schmidt, Phillip & Karen Briggs

• Friday, July 4th: Happy 4th of July!  Bethany Miller, Carlie Sevcik, Pam Nelson, Trina Churchill, Ellie Rose Meiners, Brent Meiners, Brian Meiners, Denise & Scott McGowan

• Saturday, July 5th: Emma Harold, Abby Harold, Brenlee Anne Knudsen, Jessica Wayne, Brad Tufte, Burt Scripture, Chad Sommer, Russell Thostenson, Rhonda Grunwald, Issac Paulson, Danny Burns

• Sunday, July 6th: Kylie Titus, Austin Nord, Linda Aronson, Scott Briggs, Gary Grosland, Wendy Kammerer, Travis Hanson, Paul Richards, Darrin Stadheim, James Van Riper, Kyle & Bethany Miller

• Monday, July 7th: Collin Christensen, Elizabeth Eder, Cheryl Boverhuis, Casey Johnson, Chad Quam, Scott Reese, Jon Spatenka, Anna Jacobson, David Anderson, DeAnn Skroch    

• Tuesday, July 8th: Zaine Augustine Briedenbach, Parker John & Payton Lorraine Bunn will be 9 in 2014, Barb Hagen, Al Lee, Adam Arends, Jacob Terry Phillips, Deacon Thomas Lang, Summer Paulson, Deb Jacobs, Marlene Jensen

• Wednesday, July 9th: Larry Otto, Corey Pence, Mavis Knudtson, Joni Calderon, Lisa Worke, Dale Peterson, Jenny Bunn, Julie & Dean Hunt, Jennifer & David Lageson

• Thursday, July 10th:  Kalene Larson, Ethan Green, Brett Dunlap, Sally Hanson Sadden, Suzanne Skroch Larkin, Carley Ray Talamantes, Holly Swearingen, Anna Uetsch, Todd Borchert, Kym Cameron, Paulette Nelson, Ryan & Amy Crabtree their 8th, Dustin & Jenna Quimby

• Friday, July 11th: Zoie Marie Jensen, Shirley Wallace Tennant, Nicholas Lee Shultz, Helen Scripture Schubert, Kelly Sauke, Nataniel Lizarazo, Michele Degan Reistad, Rochelle Thompson, Lisa Goodnature Noble, Christopher Olson, Jessica Mangskau, Elaine Peterson, Naomi Hemingway, Randy Borchert, Scott Knutson, Celina & Richard Drecher, David & Bonnie Jensen, Carrie (Thompson) & Danny Wichmann

Hope you have a day filled with things that make you smile!

I know that some folks, like me, have been curious as to the fate of Pickeral Lake over the winter. I have been in contact with Matthew Mork, the Fisheries Specialist for the DNR in the Waterville Area Fisheries Office. He confirmed that after placing several traps in various areas of the lake this spring, there was a total freeze out of the gamefish in the lake. In May, the DNR stocked 150,000 northern fry and 310 lbs. of yellow perch in the lake. The plan is to stock another 200 lbs. of bluegills this summer and fall. Because the lake is prone to winter kill, it is managed as a boom and bust fishery with northern pike and yellow perch (because these two species are more tolerant of low oxygen conditions). Mork said the fish that are stocked in the lake should grow extremely fast and create a quality fishery in a short period of time.

I have no way of knowing if it is true or not, but I had heard that after the last re-stocking of the lake someone introduced other species of fish into the lake. I feel that the DNR has fishery specialists who know what type of fish will work in certain lakes and that folks should just let that play out and not mess with it – that’s just my opinion. It’s always hard to think of starting over again, especially after this lake had just come into its own as a viable fishing lake.

Once we have reached the longest day of the year, summer seems to go by way too fast. I usually don’t get too excited about the summer solstice, but the thought of the days getting shorter is always somewhere in the back of my mind. As a kid I usually went along doing kid stuff until it was fair time, but once the fair was done I knew my days of freedom as I knew it would soon be over. I’m not saying that I didn’t look forward to the upcoming school year, but I didn’t really relish the thought of all things structured.

This meant that my days of roaming the slough or hanging out at the “crick” for a big chunk of the day would soon be finished for another season. It seemed as if the post-fair days went by all too fast and before I knew it I’d be back in school with homework and – a schedule! I actually looked forward to my days at Hammer School because the familiar faces that you would see on the first day were mostly those of the same kids you spent a big part of the summer hanging out with. Yes, there was a lot to be said for country school where everyone seemed to get along and, even if there was a disagreement, it was more of a sibling-type spat that usually ended with a mutual agreement.

The water in our lakes and streams is subsiding and if we don’t get any more cloudbursts things may actually be getting back to normal. I’ve heard that the fishing has been pretty good on Fountain Lake so now would be the perfect time to wet a line. In my past experiences, shore fishing can be very rewarding and it’s also a fairly inexpensive way to introduce the whole family to the great sport of fishing. You can buy an inexpensive fishing pole with a few accessories like bobbers, hooks and sinkers at a very reasonable price. This is a sport that anyone can enjoy and our area has the resources to accommodate almost any type of fishing you may want to do.

There has been an increased interest in bowfishing in our area over the past few years. I can personally attest to that because I have grandsons who have been doing it for a few years. With the high water that we have in the area there should be rough fish in a lot of our area streams. When the boys first started to hunt carp with bow and arrow I tried to coax them to stay “old school” using the hook, line and sinker method. This pretty much fell on deaf ears and now they have even fine-tuned their sport. I am still holding out because I believe that it is hard to beat the fight of a big carp on the end of a line in a swift moving current. It’s not necessarily about the type of fish you are seeking, but more about the thrill of the fight that it can put up. In defense of the bow hunters I can see where the challenge of seeking out those big fish can be a lot of fun.

DNR reminds those bowfishing for carp to plan for carcass disposal

With bowfishing for rough fish such as carp growing in popularity, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers that they need a plan for what to do with any fish harvested  – a plan that doesn’t entail disposing of the carcasses in a ditch or at a public access.

“We’re seeing a few too many cases where people are just dumping the fish,” said Capt. Greg Salo, DNR central region enforcement supervisor. “Not only is that pretty disgusting, it’s littering, a misdemeanor that carries a $150 fine.”

Curt Cich, president of the Land of Lakes Bowfishing Association, said the practice also gives bowfishing and the people who enjoy it a bad image. “These activities by a few people don’t reflect the practices of the majority of bowfishers, who practice their sport ethically and responsibly,” Cich said.

Cich recommends that all bowfishers have a disposal plan before practicing the activity.

Appropriate disposal techniques for carp include donating to mink or hog farms, composting, and burying the carcasses on private land with the permission of the owner.

Because bowfishing often is practiced at night in shallow, near-shore waters using bright lights powered by generators, misunderstandings between the anglers and lakeshore owners can sometimes arise. The practice is legal, Salo noted, if the noise generated between sunset and sunrise does not exceed 65 decibels, and no arrows are discharged within 150 feet of an occupied structure, or within 300 feet of a campsite. Lakeshore residents should not harass anglers who are legally bowfishing.

Until next time; enjoy the great outdoors and take some time to introduce a kid to fishing. Play safe and enjoy our areas resources.

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. 

Echoes from the Loafers’ Club Meeting

I argued with my father all night about getting a nose ring. He’s too old to understand.

What happened?

I finally gave in and let him get one.

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: Animal Crackers teach us that all meat tastes the same.

In the neighborhood

His name was Prndl. He was named after an automatic transmission.

Prndl talked loud so he could hear what he had to say.

Prndl had a bit of a heart problem. He asked his doctor if it would be okay if he drank a little brandy.

The doctor allowed that a couple of fingers wouldn’t hurt Prndl any.

Prndl told me that he had polished off three bottles of brandy and none of it had yet gone to his fingers.

Small-town life

I was in Pemberton one morning when I encountered a man walking along, carrying a toilet seat. Anything out of the ordinary is a cause for excitement in a small town. Carrying a toilet seat is a good way to start the day. It’s all easy from there.

A peregrination 

A man was wearing a T-shirt. It wasn’t a plain T-shirt. Few are today. It carried lettering that read, "This is my going-out T-shirt."

I should have a T-shirt like that because I went out to work in Germany, Austria, and Hungary.

I tell travelers of I-35 that I live just beyond Hope, a small town in Minnesota. I had hoped to see a bird called a hoopoe while working in Europe. I was able to get good looks at the hoopoe (the bird’s scientific name is Upupa epops), an amazing avian creature. I still live just beyond Hope, but I’m not hoopoeless.

The dime store

When my family visited the dime store, I made tracks to the pet department. I looked at the birds, fish, and hamsters.

My father said it was a zoo. I’d never been to a zoo, so it was a zoo to me.

When I venture into similar stores today, I still make a beeline to the pet department.

Staring at tiny fish like neon tetras, mollies, and guppies helps get the taste of grownup out of my mouth.

Cars I have known

I was driving the crease of the map.

I am very fond of my car. It’s the cat’s meow and the dog’s bowwow.

I thought about the cars I’ve known. My life is littered with discarded auto bodies.

I had many cars that stayed out of fix too often.

I once owned a Rolls Canhardly. Rolls down one hill and can hardly get up the next.

There were days when I had to go somewhere because I had a new tire. I didn’t want the tire to go to waste. The tires on my old jalopies were never a matched set, but they were a sympathetic lot. If one tire went flat, the others did, too.

One old Junker gave me plenty of exercise from pushing it. Rain caused me some problems even though I had good windshield wipers. The car didn’t have a windshield.

Customer comments

Stan Fitz of Rockford, Iowa offered this as a table grace, "I’m just as thankful as I am hungry. Amen."

Annie Glasgow of St. Paul wrote, "Good sound reasons and reasons that sound good are not always the same thing."

Did you know?

According to a study by Facility Cleaning Decisions, people prefer paper towels 4-to-1 to hand dryers.

According to Kelley Blue Book, the average price of a new car or truck sold in the U.S. in 2013 was $32,086.

Nature notes

"When do cicadas start singing?" The dog-day cicada typically calls from early July into September, the hottest part of summer, known as the dog days. This cicada has a high-pitched, whining song that can last a minute and resembles the sound of a distant saw. The male usually sings around midday and again in late afternoon. There are several other species of cicadas found in lesser numbers in the state, but we don’t have periodic cicadas in Minnesota. They are found in parts of Iowa. These are the cicadas that are famous (or infamous) for emerging in huge swarms. Periodic cicadas live 13 or 17 years (depending on the species) underground. Some people call the cicadas "locusts," but they aren’t. Locusts are a kind of grasshopper.

Meeting adjourned

"Make kindness your modus operandi and change your world."-Annie Lennox

Most of you are aware of the theory of “Best of the Bunch.” This can be determined by voting, whether it be for members of the 2014 All-Star Baseball Game or the Albert Lea Tribune Readers’ Choice Awards. The problem is, the result can be swayed by stuffing the ballot box, by one person voting numerous times, or by a group of people all agreeing to vote the same way.

The following is a survey of the 2014 Best of the Bunch in NRHEG Land. This survey was done by one old Norwegian. There being only one person deciding, the ballot box could not be stuffed. The results could be determined by bribery, but they weren’t, as I declined all bribes.

The survey says:

• Best School District: NRHEG

• Best Town Not on the Level: Ellendale

• Best Golf Course: Riverview

• Best Pharmacy: New Richland Drug

• Best Body Shop: Al’s

• Best Noisiest Door: Ellendale Café

• Best Small Town Under 500 Population: Tie between Geneva and Hartland

• Best (Hottest) Water in a Men’s Room: New Richland One Stop

• Best Café for Sale: Hartland Café

• Best Agricultural Structural Builders: Broskoff Structures

• Best Lake Without Lifeguards: Beaver Lake

• Best Bakery: Nancy Jane’s

• Best Blue House: on Highway 30 in New Richland

• Best Outside Saturday Night Entertainment: Ellendale

• Best On the Spot Appliance Service: Orrin Mortensen

• Best Buyer of Scrap Iron: Pooley’s

• Best Second-Hand Store: Lady Bug Consignment Shop

• Best Place to Buy Carpeting: Groth (Floors 4-U)

• Best Place to Buy Appliances: Sorenson’s Appliance & TV

• Best Landscaping: Sequoia Landscaping

• Best Home Contractor: Arlen Brekke

• Best Retired Electrician: Andy Mucha

• Best Newspaper: NRHEG Star Eagle

• Best Audubon Humorist: Al Batt

• Best Agronomist: Mark Bernard

• Best User of Non-Norwegian Words: Mark Domeier

• Best Keeper-Track of Birthdays and Anniversaries: Kathy Paulsen

• Best Worst Teller of the Truth: Bob Hanson

• Best Auctioneer: Tracy Holland

• Best Dental: Main Street Dental

• Best Waste Disposal Service: Thompson Sanitation

• Best Rebuilder of Boats: Bakken’s Boat Shop

• Best Sales and Service of Docks and Boat Lifts: Tom McCrady

• Best Reader of this column: YOU!

P.S.: If you want to be in the 2015 survey, bribes will be accepted.

———

Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent, currently working on his master’s degree in Volunteering. His wife, Genie, is a retired RN, currently working on her doctor’s degree in Volunteering. They have two children, Deb in North Carolina, and Dan in Vermont. Bob says if you enjoy his column, let him know. If you don’t enjoy it, keep on reading, it can get worse. Words of wisdom: There is always room for God.

I hope you had a chance to read the earlier writings that described, first, the underlying ideas of the district’s strategic plan and second, the student learning objectives the plan includes. If you did not and you find you have questions, you can go to the school web site and see some of the information there. You do not need to have read the previous articles to understand what will be said here.

It sure is fun to walk into a kindergarten classroom. The decorations, the atmosphere, the conversations are all so colorful and dynamic. There is laughter and motion—and above all the children seem naturally curious, sincere and willing to please. Many adults smile even at the thought of seeing a room full of young children happily engaged in learning.

Though it’s not the first thing we think of, I can tell you from experience that it can also be fun to walk into every other type of classroom. Giggly middle school students who would never admit it, but who still crave adult interaction; high school seniors who aren’t sure which is stronger, their longing to graduate and move on, or their desire to stay where things are familiar and predictable; they all have their charms.

So as much fun as it is to be in the school, why do we see so few community members in our buildings?

Don’t let me hurt your feelings if you are one of those adults who does come. Every NRHEG staff member is grateful for the generous support, assistance and input received from parents, members of community organizations, and representatives of area businesses who give of their time. Volunteers do everything from planning activities to painting and repairing structures, to strengthening student learning with their experience.

It’s a two-way street, of course. NRHEG students have given presentations, performed volunteer community service, and helped with large-scale clean-up projects. I hope everyone sees our concerts and other public performances as the heartfelt gifts they are, students pouring out their talents for the sake of their family members and neighbors.

I would say that the school and community have a lot to offer each other, except for one thing: we ARE each other.

The strategic plan mentioned above includes close attention to the ways our students can use their talents to benefit our communities, and also looks for ways to encourage community members to feel welcome to visit and enrich our classrooms. The value of finding projects of this type is—I believe—obvious.

But here I could definitely use your help. I would love to hear from you about community members or organizations with standout skills and experiences. These names would be shared with our teachers, who are always looking for ways to expand student learning. Just visit the school web site; you will find my contact information under the “district” heading—or e-mail me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

The school would especially like to work with some community members to establish a school-wide booster program—that is, a far-reaching community support system which encourages all student activities, rather than the limited systems which currently focus on a single group or event. The strategic planning stakeholders saw great possible benefits from such an organization, and would love to see a dialog about it.

In the meantime, I know our security measures—our locked doors and check-in procedures—may seem intimidating. But they’re not meant to keep you out. We are educating and guiding our communities’ children, and there’s no question we want our communities to be part of that process. Your skills and your time would be appreciated in helping our kids safely across busy streets, assisting students as they work on projects for the science fair, reading with them to help build their skills and love of written language, supervising lunchrooms or playgrounds, cultivating the school garden, or finding derivatives in calculus. If you have a few hours to spare, there is almost certainly a way we could use them.

Who knows, while you’re here you might make some lasting connections with far-reaching benefits. In the meantime, I hope you’ll give all these matters some thought and be in touch. By the way, for those of you who prefer good old paper and pencil, you can mail things to me at the NRHEG Public Schools, 306 Ash Ave South, New Richland 56072.