Committee members from the Waseca County Veterans Memorial project will be at New Richland Care Center Saturday, Feb. 20 from 9-11 a.m. to provide details about the project.

If you would like to donate a plaque in honor of a veteran for $200 (tax-deductible), bring a check or money order (no cash) made to Best of Waseca. There is no charge for a plaque for any veteran killed in action. Bring a DD214 or other discharge form.

Meetings are also set for March 5 from 9-11 a.m. at the Purple Goose in Janesville and March 19 from 1-3 p.m. at the Waseca VFW.

Construction on the south lawn of the Waseca Courthouse will begin once full funding has been achieved. For more information, call (507) 835-0680.

The NRHEG High School Band will host a soup & pie dinner Sunday, Feb. 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at New Richland City Hall.

New Richland area residents have a new place to spend money — or save money. With little fanfare, the Dollar General store on Hwy. 30 across from One Stop opened its doors for business last week.

The discount retail giant’s best-sellers include items for cleaning, health, babies, household and pets, as well as food, apparel, office and school supplies and seasonal items. Dollar General operates a reported 11,545 stores in 40 states.

On behalf of the board of education, NRHEG Superintendent Dale Carlson invites parents to a Strategic Planning Community Listening Session on Thursday, Feb. 18 at 6:30 p.m. at both the NRHEG Secondary School Media Center/New Richland and the NRHEG Elementary School Media Center/Ellendale.

“The BOE is leading the school community in the development of a revised strategic plan that will provide us with a roadmap designed to guide us in our journey in reaching our ‘destination’ or vision as a school district,” said Carlson. “Along with this vision, the plan will clearly identify and confirm our purpose or mission, and affirm what core beliefs and values we believe in, live by, and expect from all of us. The plan will identify specific goals and priorities believed to be most important to our school community, along with specific action steps to take in order to meet our established goals.

New Richland City Council

By JESSICA LUTGENS

Staff Writer

A brief discussion regarding a commercial property on the south edge of town was the only new business on the agenda for the New Richland City Council’s first meeting of the month on Monday, Feb. 8. All members were present, along with acting ambulance director Chris Schlaak, chief of police Scott Eads, and Larry and Pam Goehring. The agenda and consent agenda items were approved.

The property in question, 402 2nd St. NE, New Richland, located south of One Stop at the intersection of Highways 30 and 13 and owned by Blake Wilmes, who resides in Waterville, is zoned as a C-3 highway commercial lot.

By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

The final score was deceiving. The NRHEG boys’ basketball team played arch rival WEM much closer than a 71-59 score would indicate.

The visiting Bucs overcame a halftime deficit and broke the game open with about seven minutes remaining while handing the Panthers a Gopher Conference loss at New Richland Thursday, Feb. 4.

“I told our boys I was proud of the effort,” said NRHEG coach Pat Churchill. “We just can't figure out how to win a game down the stretch against a really good team.”

The loss dropped the Panthers to 15-8 overall and 7-4 in the Gopher Conference while WEM improved to 18-3 and 9-1.

By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

An eight-game winning streak was snapped for the NRHEG girls’ basketball team last week.

The Panthers played well for half but fell short in their Gopher Conference showdown at Waterville Thursday. The next night, they traveled to Mankato Loyola and absorbed a 68-60 setback. NRHEG fell to 17-6 overall, 7-3 in conference.

WEM 65, NRHEG 48

With snow days last week, NRHEG only had one day to discuss and break down scout infoormation on WEM, instead of the three days originally planned.

“With that being said, we did a nice job in the first half attacking the basket and went in at the half being down 32-34 on a buzzer beater from Kendall,” said coach Onika Peterson.

The NRHEG wrestling team hosted Medford in its final Gopher Conference meet and lost 42-34 Friday, Feb. 5.

The Panthers finished with a conference record of 2-3.

Head coach Shawn Larson took personal responsibility for the loss.

Another holiday is fast approaching. Valentine’s Day was named in honor of St. Valentine, who was an early Christian Saint. It is celebrated on February 14th by the sending or exchanging of cards, letters and gifts.

Some may think it is a frivolous, romantic day. You might be right. But I believe it is a pretty important day.

In fact, I believe that we should celebrate every day with love and kindness for our fellow man. How hard is it to say, “I love you,” or give a hug or a kiss to let people know we care? It is, but not really enough to expect that our loved ones know that we truly do care for them. We take it for granted that they know.  Those three little words, “I love you” are really big words that express a lot.

My dad was not great on saying, “I love you” but he was good about distributing a kiss whenever he left the house, something he learned from his brother, George, and felt very strongly about it.

As I was waiting for the elevator at the hospital this past weekend while we were visiting our daughter, Keralyn, and her new baby boy, Oliver, I said “hello” to a couple of young children I am guessing were brother and sister. It is interesting that young children always notice that I am missing part of my leg.  Later I saw them again and they each gave me a note that they had written and signed with love.

They were concerned about my leg and expressed their thoughts and hoped that I would feel better.  They didn’t know me, or I them, but their notes were a beautiful gift to me.

So why would anyone want to take Valentine’s Day off the school calendar? It is so important that children grow up knowing about love and kindness.

I see by the papers that some schools have, or are planning to take what we have accepted as “holidays” from their school calendars because they aren’t what other cultures celebrate and it may be seen as offensive.

How do you feel about that? Are you ready to give up Valentine’s Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s etc.? Everything but Presidents’ birthdays and Martin Luther King Day, which I think should be named differently. Something like, “Civil Rights Day” instead of honoring just one man.

It is hard to believe that businesses would give up the commercial value of these days. Children also look forward to these days.

As are expected to put our heads in the sand and give up these things that have been an important part of our culture for years?

We have been willing to share and made concessions for their religions and culture. Those who come from other countries have their special days and moments. Isn’t there room for more? Why take away the feeling of love and caring?

Our kids over the years have taken great pride in making cards and drawings for our appreciation. The kids of course were great on making and sharing Valentines then and now they mean more than a fancy, over-priced commercial card. Though there are times there is a card that says just the right thing.

Happiness is all in how you look at things! Downsides and drawbacks can be hard to ignore. But there is always more to celebrate than to stress about.

Every day holds so much to be joyful about – and so many blessings. Start counting them, and you will see how they add up!

Too bad there isn’t a Valentine’s Day every day but we can celebrate the love that generates on that holiday. What can we do every day to make it more loveable? Hugs and kisses, flowers now and then, surprises or unexpected chores done, special meals, a shelf put up, anything that adds to everyday living that makes it special and/or rewarding and portrays love an caring from one’s family and friends.

P.S. My nephew’s lovebirds’ three babies are almost fully-grown now. This family has been such a joy to watch as they care and protect each other. We can all take a lesson from “the birds.”

If you have birthdays and anniversaries you would like to 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.

Birthdays and anniversaries:

• Thursday, February 11th: Megan Pence, Jet Wayne, Neil Douglas Schmidt, Donna Wilker, David Dunn, Julie Christensen, Rhonda Thompson Christensen, Steve Gallentine, Earl Cleven, Teresa Knudson Pratt

• Friday, February, 12th: Gail Skroch, Joe Moon, Michael Hanson, April Van Riper, Rick Borchert, Eugene Kruckeberg, Travis Wayne, Jessie Olson, Greg Oswald, Taff & Jean Worrell, David & Carolyn Hanson

• Saturday, February 13th: Cobi Gowlland, Becca Spurr, Greg Spurr, Jim Brocker, Eric Olson, Linda Ingvaldson, Bonnie Jensen, Brian Rechtzigel, Anita Kes, Terry & Pam Roberts

• Sunday, February 14th: Happy Valentines Day!  Angie Entwisle, Elsie Vander Stoep, Michelle Peterson, Matthew Reiter, Angela Westrum Lair, Lee & Jean Johnson, Bob & Mary Macko, Gene & Linda Pederson

• Monday, February 15th: Kloe Renee Wacek, Nancy Cornelius, Patty Kunkel, Eric Olson, Adam Warnke, Ron Jensen, Michelle Hanson, Angie O'Byrne, Elina Butler and John Pfaff

• Tuesday, February 16th: Delores Hemingway, Marian Horan, Jesse Lund, Wayne Jensen, David Peterson, Sara Miller, Sarah Nelson, Ian Oolman, Tanya Callahan, LeAnn Hanson, Donald & Dory Hunt

• Wednesday, February 17th: Toni Wayne Smith, Nancy Johnson Erickson, Thomas Farr, Keith Wayne, Dave Von Gorkom, Dawn Pence Gross, Brian Dobberstein, Joan Richards, Joan Kaphers, Michelle Cortinas, Carolyn LaFave, Shannon Weckwerth Pacholl, Alvin & Cheryl Cooper

May all the good wishes that you receive on your special day bloom in your heart and bring you joy!