Jim Lutgens
News Briefs/Notices
Leagues forming for youth, adult volleyball
Volleyball players wanted: as you may have read, the Girl Scouts will be refurbishing the volleyball court at Legion Field in New Richland as well as adding a second court. Now, Troop 23601 is sponsoring a teen co-ed volleyball league for grades 7-12. Teams need to be a minimum of four people. There can’t be more guys on the court than girls per team. Teams provide their own ball and a line judge. Team shirts or uniforms are optional. The league will be held Tuesday evenings from June 11 to July 30. Cost is $20 per team and sign up is due by June 4. To sign up or for more information, call (507) 456-0500.
An adult league is also being planned, organized by Kim Schlaak. She estimates the start of that league to be the week of June 10. To sign up your team or for more information, call Kim at (507) 461-2095.
Francis J. Jeno, 80
Francis J. Jeno, lifelong resident of Steele County, died May 25, 2013 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester surrounded by his loving family. Mass of Christian Burial is set for Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Owatonna with Rev. Michael Cronin presiding. A celebration and fellowship will follow the mass with a reception in the Parish Center at Sacred Heart. Following the reception, a horse drawn wagon, per Francis's request, will respectfully carry the casket to the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Owatonna. Military honors will be provided by Steele County Funeral Unit. Friends may greet the family on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 from 4 – 8 p.m. at Brick–Meger Funeral Home (1603 Austin Road, Owatonna.) The visitation will continue one hour before the funeral liturgy at Sacred Heart. The Blooming Prairie Knight of Columbus will recite the rosary at church at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
Kenneth R. Toft, 86
Funeral Services for Kenneth R. Toft of Ellendale, MN will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at the First Lutheran Church in Ellendale. The Reverend Richard L. Sliper will officiate. Interment will be in First Lutheran Cemetery, Ellendale. Military Honors will be accorded by Ellendale Veteran’s Organization. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4 – 7 p.m. at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea, and one hour before the service at the church.
Kenneth died on Saturday, May 25, 2013 at ThorneCrest Retirement Center, Health Care Wing, in Albert Lea. He was 86.
Reality check
NRHEG juniors get a taste of the real world
HOW MUCH? — NRHEG High School junior Nick Goette, ponders his options during Reality Day Thursday, May 16. (Star Eagle photo by Carrie Gilbertson)
By CARRIE GILBERTSON
Staff Writer
The junior class of NRHEG High School got a dose of reality on May 16.
The reality store began last year, after business teacher Georgia Dinneen saw a news story on TV regarding a school in Pillager, Minn., executing the same idea. Mrs. Dinneen and Sandy Schumacher, the other business teacher, found out that another school in LaCrosse, Wisconsin did the same thing. They traveled to La Crosse to observe their reality store and came back with numerous ideas about how to implement such an activity in New Richland.
Students complete the hands-on simulation as part of their money management/careers class. Each junior chooses a career they are interested in and researches the salary for an entry or mid-level position in that field. They are then assigned a random life scenario. Some students are married, divorced or single. They may have any number of children or pets. Some students will have college loans to pay while others might have child support to figure into their budget.
It wasn’t that long ago
Seniors open time capsule with mixed emotions
YES, YOU DREW THESE — NRHEG kindergarten teacher Becky Jensen shows a display of kindergarten artwork to graduating seniors as they opened their kindergarten time capsule Monday, May 13. The class graduates Sunday at 2 p.m. (Star Eagle photo by Carrie Gilbertson)
By CARRIE GILBERTSON
Staff Writer
The morning of Monday May 13, 2013 was a blast from the past for NRHEG High School seniors. Mrs. Becky Jensen, the kindergarten teacher for many of them, visited the high school with a box of treasures: their kindergarten time capsule. Jensen created the time capsule along with the other New Richland kindergarten teacher at the time, Mrs. Longway.
Many of the pieces packed away for this day were kept without the students knowing. Each child had filled out a star of the week profile that was included. There was also a video that the teachers had recorded throughout the year. Special events such as the Pumpkinland trip and the Thanksgiving play were included on the footage. The classes did watch the video at the end of their kindergarten year, but most of the students had no recollection of it.
Pregnancy crisis center opens June 1
GIFT FROM ABOVE — That’s how Karolee Coppoc and Janet Thompson and their team of volunteers feel about the pregnancy crisis center that opens June 1 in Albert Lea. (Star Eagle photo by Carrie Gilbertson)
By CARRIE GILBERTSON
Staff Writer
On June 1, Albert Lea residents will have one more resource available to help families thrive when Gifts From Above, a pregnancy crisis center, will open its doors to the public. The organization will be housed in the lower level of First Baptist Church of Albert Lea and run by Karolee Coppoc and Janet Thompson and their team of volunteers.
Gifts From Above will offer their services to pregnant women and new parents and guardians in the Albert Lea area. They will be open the first Saturday of each month from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. and every Monday from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
According to Coppoc, “We’ll be working with pregnant women who have needs and helping to supply education, support and referrals for infants to 2t.”
Reduction in hours likely for Geneva Post Office
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
An informational meeting regarding the Geneva Post Office was held on Thursday, May 9 at the Geneva Community Center. Approximately 20 people attended to learn about the changes being considered.
Margie Jacobson, Janeseville Postmaster and Lynda Urban, Winnebago Postmaster, representing the Northland District, which is comprised of the 128 post offices in the 560 and 561 zip code areas for Area II, were on hand to present information regarding the Geneva Post office, as well as to get input from the residents.
Steve Bailey, who is the current "Officer in Charge," of the Geneva Post Office, was also in attendance.
NRAFF grants $4,500 for Odd Fellows/Library building
NRAFF GRANTS — On hand for grant presentations for the Odd Fellows/NR Library building were, from left, Gail Schmidt, Barb Wildgrube, Karen Buum, Pam Goehring and Kermit Schoenrock. (Star Eagle photo by Nicole Billing)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
The New Richland Area Foundation Fund made the third of three grant presentations on Friday, May 17 at the newly preserved and remodeled Odd Fellows Building on Broadway Ave. in New Richland.The building will house the New Richland Library.
Those attending the grant presentation were Kermit Schoenrock, Pam Goehring, and Gail Schmidt from the NRAFF Grants Committee; Karen Buum, Executive Administrator of the Waseca Area Foundation; and Barb Wildgrube, a board member of the Historic Preservation Group.
There were two grants awarded:
News Briefs/Notices
Allie Larson receives Helen Keller Award
Lion Allie Larson received the Helen Keller Award at the 5172 Business meeting at the 2013 Mid Winter Convention in Mankato in March. In 1925 Helen Keller challenged the Lions of the world to become Knights of the Blind. Since 1960, the Lions of Minnesota have continued to meet the challenge of Helen Keller by establishing and supporting the Minnesota Lions Eye Bank. This year the efforts of the Lions of MN, research breakthroughs in diseases of the retina, molecular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, and other blinding eye diseases and infections are making a difference in the rest of the world. This is a highly prestigious award. Congratulations to Allie from the Ellendale Lions Club.
Ellendale Farmer’s Market opens June 1
The Ellendale Area Farmer's Market will begin on June 1, located next to the Municipal Liquor Store in Ellendale. The market runs every Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. Interested vendors should contact Dan Sorum at 688-0514.
Garden party
Members of the New Richland Town & Country Garden Club gathered to dig plants for their plant sale Friday, May 18. The unsold plants from the sale will be sold Friday, May 24 from 4-6 p.m. on the street next to the City Park. From left: Larry Goehring, Avis Rugroden, Ellie Schutrop, Mary Sack, Josh Gegel, Dawn Hulgren, Janae Janike and Barb Finseth. (Star Eagle photo by Sarah Stencel)