As our cold snap continues, I’m floating back in my time machine to my youth. My parents live on a hobby farm outside New Ulm, and when I was younger, they always had sheep in the barn.

Full disclosure: I hated those animals. They may well be the dumbest creatures on this planet, and they were an awful lot of work for what we got out of them. Still, as with many things in life, I can look back and realize the full value of the experience.

We mainly had Suffolk sheep, the black-faced variety. Dad never had more than maybe twenty sheep at a time, so it’s not as if I had to spend hours outside taking care of them. Really, sheep are pretty self-sufficient, as long as they have a pasture in which to roam and access to water. We had quite a bit of room in the pasture and a creek running through.

What were my responsibilities? I would bring them some feed once a day. I’d get them hay when needed. And then there was the lambing process.

This is what I’ve been reminded of during our cold winter. This was always lambing season, and the ewes seemed to pick the absolute coldest days and nights to give birth. Dad and/or I would be down in the barn, trying to coax these newborns into a safe, warm environment.

Did you know that it’s much more common for a ewe to have twins than just a single lamb? That made for some work when a mother needed help. You’d barely get one lamb cleaned up and suckling than the next would arrive. When triplets arrived, it was even more hectic; after all, it’s not like we did ultrasounds to see how many were coming!

One time, I got home from school and headed down to the barn in time to help a ewe deliver quads! I was probably 13 or 14 at the time. More than two can be trouble. The mother only has two places with which to feed, so anything more than two can lead to problems of abandonment. Often, a third lamb would have to be brought in the house to be bottle fed and kept warm.

In this case, the fourth lamb was quite small. I hastened to clean out its nose and mouth, but wasn’t able to in time. I recall being devastated when that lamb died. Now remember, I really disliked these animals. But that one moment in time really helped me understand the value of life and the difficulty of a farm life. The mother may never have noticed, but I’ve carried that memory with me ever since.

We showed sheep at the county fair for 4-H. This was a lot of work as well, getting them cleaned up and set to go. The week of the fair might have been my favorite every year. It was a week at the fairgrounds, and luckily, the sheep show was always the first night; the rest of the fair was ours to enjoy.

The work ethic I gained through these experiences was invaluable. Pitching manure wasn’t pleasant, but it taught me to not wait on big tasks or they will become even bigger! Carrying five-gallon buckets of water to the barn from the house to keep expectant ewes hydrated taught me to do as much as I could at one time (six buckets was my record).

And then there was baling hay. Understand, I have some allergies, and hayfever is first and foremost among them. Still, there I was three times a year on the hayrack, stacking the bales as they emerged from the baler. Usually, there was rain on the way and we were in a hurry, but trundling along in our small field and the local ditches also taught me lessons.

First, I learned to fight through my impediments. I was generally miserable and sneezing my way through this task. But it had to be done.

Second, I learned that when you’re the dad, you get to pick the task you want. Dad got to drive the tractor. THAT’S the job I wanted, but it wasn’t going to happen. I think one time, after the rack tipped in a ditch, with me and about 20 bales on it, Dad let me drive tractor for a while, but that was about it.

I sometimes think that every kid should spend a year in a farming scenario. My own kids need to toughen up a bit, and I’m sure there are plenty more that could use some of these same lessons I learned, along with the idea of getting your work done NOW, not when you feel like it. I may not have liked it at the time, but my farm experience has made me a better person today, thanks to my parents.

Word of the Week: This week’s word is yare, which means ready or prepared, as in, “The farm boy was yare when the call came out from the neighbors to help finish baling hay.” Impress your friends and confuse your enemies!

The scurs still haven’t mended the thermostat and are thinking about installing a used one from the Studebaker, along with the Weather Eye climate control system from the old AMC Gremlin. Will it be closer than what they’ve been using? Starting Wednesday, mostly sunny with a chance of evening snow. Highs near 25 and lows around 5 above. Partly sunny and colder for Thursday with a slight chance of daytime snowfall. Highs near 10 above and lows falling to 5 below. Partly sunny on Friday with another chance for evening snow. Highs near 10 and lows in the single digits above zero. Saturday, partly sunny with a slight chance of daytime snow. Highs near 15 and lows around zero. Mostly cloudy on Sunday with a continued slight chance of daytime snow. Highs in the mid-teens and lows around 5 above. Monday, mostly sunny with a slight chance for snow. Highs near 20 and lows near 5 above. Tuesday, mostly cloudy with a chance of snow. Highs around 20 and lows near zero. The normal high for Ground Hog’s Day is 24 and the normal low is 5. The scurs will be hoping they don’t see their shadow. That will make it much easier to sleep in.

Venus is back to being a “morning star” once again. Trekking in from the barn, it is very distinct in the southeast sky before dawn. The conjunction with the waning quarter moon on the still morning of the 28th was nothing short of spectacular. On Ground Hog’s Day, the sun will actually rise at 7:30 a.m., something it hasn’t done since December 2nd. And the days keep getting longer. On February 3rd we will have gained one hour of daylight since January 1st. On February 4th, we will see 10 hours of daylight for the first time since November 5th. Time sure flies when you’re having fun, doesn’t it?

Another week on the winter weather roller coaster ride. With temps on Friday near the freezing mark, it made one wonder how we were going to see a monster develop over the weekend. The advance warning gave us time to get everything battened down just in case. The bird feeders and water tanks were filled while extra bales were put back around the well pit. That’s one of the things about this time of year that can be so dangerous: It can change in an instant. Sunday was a prime example of that. The weather was somewhat nasty when we did chores, but by noon it still hadn’t changed much. So I did what every red-blooded carnivorous male MN would do and started the grill. We had some of Morgan’s brats that were quick and easy. Within 20 minutes they were on the plate and back in the house. Staring out the window half an hour later, you couldn’t see the hand in front of your face. Visibility at times was less than 100 feet as the light pole in the yard disappeared from view. Timing is everything.

As I’ve written before, we’ve been fortunate these systems haven’t had large amounts of snow to work with. With a hair over 3” recorded at the ranch between Friday and Saturday night, it really wasn’t one of those storms of old. Those storms of the ‘60s and ‘70s were amazingly rugged. The timing of school closings due to storms with heavy snowfall when you had a test or paper due was almost magical. Roads were frequently impassible, pipes froze, feedlots were full of snow and adults were generally grumpy. About the worst thing to happen this time? The snow on Friday night was so wet it stuck to the satellite dish like mashed potatoes. We missed the second period of the Gopher hockey game against St. Cloud State, dadburnit.

The birds appreciated their feeders being full both during and after the storm. There was more variety the day after, although most of them were busy staying on the leeward side of trees and other objects. There were American tree sparrows, a mourning dove, two goldfinches, juncos, house sparrows (of course), blue jays, nuthatches downies and hairies, red-bellies and last but not least the cardinals. One always wonders how the birds survive these blasts. Apparently rather well if the amount of sunflower seed and corn consumed is any indication.

January is pretty close to over with and we can cross another month off of winter. The ewes at the ranch continue to get girthier and the dogs continue monitoring their movements. Fudgie has developed a habit of barking at them when they’re slow to come out of the barn at feeding time. With some of the wind, temperatures and early dark chore times, I can’t say as I blame them for sleeping in. Fudgie’s coat seems to get thicker by the day with the cold weather. If it keeps up, we could have her shorn in a few weeks along with the sheep. No such problem with Ruby. Her tootsies get cold and without the heavier coat, she’s more than willing to keep her trips outside brief. It still doesn’t stop her from being the hay Nazi, growling ferociously at the sheep picking through the windblown stems hung up in the fence. No hay for you! Come back one year!

See you next week…real good then.

Frances (Wayne) Nelson, age 92, of Fargo, North Dakota, died peacefully on January 20, 2014, due to respiratory complications from pneumonia at Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego, California. 

Marjorie Arlis Schroeder, 85, of Rosemount, MN, died Monday, January 27, 2014 at Fairview Southdale Hospital, Edina, MN. 

She was born on March 5, 1928 at home in Berlin Township, the daughter of Rudolph Osmer Anderson and Ethel Olena Anderson. She was baptized on May 6, 1928 and confirmed on June 7, 1942 at LeSueur River Lutheran Church, New Richland, MN. She is a graduate of Ellendale High School. On May 25, 1947 she married Norbert Wilfred Schroeder at LeSueur River Lutheran Church. She Later married Donald C. Palmer on July 21, 1978.

Victoria Mary Wilder, age 95, of Wells, MN, died Tuesday, January 28, 2014 at The Shepherd’s Inn, Wells, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, February 3, 2014 at 11 a.m. at St. Casimir Catholic Church in Wells, MN. Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 2 from 1–4 p.m. at  Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells, MN, with a prayer service at 4 p.m. Father Thomas Niehaus will officiate and interment will be in St. Casimir Catholic Cemetery in Wells. Please see www.brussheitner.com to leave online condolences. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells, MN is in charge of arrangements.

Gordon Frank Root, age 74, of Aitkin, died on January 24, 2014 at the Riverwood Health Care Center in Aitkin. He was born on June 20, 1939 in New Richland, MN to Frank and Bernadine (Anderson) Root. He graduated from Aitkin High School in 1957. He then attended St. Cloud State and the University of Minnesota School of Mortuary Science. He worked in the funeral business for over 50 years.

On June 24, 1961 he married Jean Kangas in Excelsior, MN. Gordon was active in many community affairs including city council, Sons of the American Legion, the fire department, Aitkin county deputy coroner, and operated the local Ben Franklin. His hobbies included collecting antiques especially firehouse memorabilia and ship related artifacts. He also loved and collected Russian icons.

Farm & City Days meeting January 29

The New Richland Farm and City Days Committee will meet Wednesday, January 29 at 6:30 p.m. at New Richland City Hall.  Anyone with ideas for 2014 Farm and City Days is encouraged to attend.

NR blood drive Jan. 29

The New Richland Blood Drive will be held in City Hall Wednesday, January 29 from 1-6 p.m. To schedule your appointment call 1-800-REDCROSS (800-733-2767) or sign up online @ www.redcrossblood.org, enter sponsor code: New Richland Community.

64th Annual Waseca Sleigh & Cutter Festival kicks off Jan. 31

By KEN BORGMANN

Coordinator, Waseca County Sleigh & Cutter Festival

Are you ready for some winter fun? Are you ready for a Friday night party? The 64th Waseca Sleigh & Cutter Festival has that and a lot more.

This year we have 27 events scheduled over 12 days from Jan. 31 to Feb. 22. There are events for all ages and interests. Check out our website events page for a complete schedule: www.sleighandcutter.org.

What’s new? Chris Brooks and the Silver City Boys will play from 8:30 p.m. to close at the VFW Club after our dinner. The $12 dinner of a 12-ounce Lau’s stuffed pork chop, mashed potatoes and gravy, mixed vegetables, salad and dinner roll will start at 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7.

NRHEG girls top Washburn, extending victory streak to 44

HELPING HAND — The Panthers’ Carlie Wagner helps up a WEM opponent after she battled with Jade Schultz for a loose ball during the Panthers’ Gopher Conference victory last week. The unbeaten, top-ranked Panthers went on to defeat Blooming Prairie on Friday and Minneapolis Washburn Saturday, running their victory streak to 44 games. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)

By DALE KUGATH

Sportswriter

The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva girls’ basketball team strengthened its number 1 ranking during the week.

The Panthers disposed of Gopher Conference foes Waterville-Elysian-Morristown and Blooming Prairie, before outlasting Minneapolis Washburn, to complete a three-win week. 

NRHEG climbed to 7-0 in the conference and 14-0 for the year. The Panthers stretched their win streak to 44 games. 

WEM

NEW RICHLAND – NRHEG jumped on WEM early and rolled to a 75-39 victory over the Buccaneers in New Richland Jan. 14. 

Gabe Hauer’s Bucs fell to 3-2 in the conference and 7-5 for the year.