After a sudden and serious illness, Harold Rodney Sybilrud, age 84, died on Friday, December 14, 2012 at St. John’s Lutheran Home in Albert Lea, MN.

Harold was born and lived his whole life in New Richland. After graduating from high school he served two years in the military at Robbins Air Force Base in Smyrna, GA. He married Ruth E. Clark of Kennesavv in 1952 and returned to Minnesota to farm with his father, Reuben.

Facelift complete at Dad’s Good Stuff, a New Richland main street icon

MAIN STREET PRIDE — Wayne Wenzel, owner of Dad’s Good Stuff in New Richland, poses for a photo in front of his newly-renovated building. The business offers antiques, paint, coffee and plenty of personality, thanks to Wenzel. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)

By RACHEL RIETSEMA

Staff Writer

One of New Richland’s longtime storefronts has an entirely new color scheme, and rightly so, seeing as its last facelift occurred 17 years ago.

Passersby might even wonder if it’s the same business or not. It still is, don’t worry.

“I used a Foxfire brown as the main color out in front and on the side,” said Wayne Wenzel, owner of Dad’s Good Stuff. “The top is dusty brick. There’s a cactus pine and honeybird too.”

He joked, “This place was built in 1886. I suppose when I get that old, I will need a facelift too.”

Beyond the glass panes, one will find an abundance of treasures laid out amidst the expansive floor space.

By JESSICA LUTGENS

Editorial Assistant

In the last few hundred years, we’ve read predictions about “doomsday” in several creative works, from the Great Pyramid of Giza in Europe, to Nostradamus’s book “Prophecies,” to Leonardo Da Vinci’s drawing “The Deluge,” to Isaac Newton’s text “Observations on Daniel and the Apocalypse of St. John.” 

The current theory is that on December 21, 2012, there will be some type of catastrophic event that will end the world. The story started with claims that Nibiru, or Planet X, a supposed planet discovered by the Sumerians, is headed toward earth. This catastrophe was initially predicted for May 2003, but when nothing happened the date was moved to 12/21/12 and linked to the end of one of the cycles in the ancient Mayan calendar at the winter solstice, hence the predicted doomsday date.

Ellendale City Council

By SCOTT GROTH

Contributing Writer

The Ellendale City Council met Thursday December 13 with Mayor Engel, Councilmen Helland, Reiter, Goebel and Groth present. Also in attendance were Donovan Eaker, Steve Hackett, Cindy Goebel, and City employees Steve Louks, clerk, Pete Paulson, Liquor Store manager and Roger Swearingen, maintenance.

The council held three public hearings on Thursday evening. 

The first hearing was a Truth in Taxation hearing regarding the proposed city levy. Mayor Engel opened the hearing with a brief overview of the purpose of the meeting and then opened the meeting up for questions. Being none, the hearing was closed.

The second hearing, to amend Ordinance # 61, was opened at 6:45 pm. Engel again gave a brief statement about the process of the hearing and opened the floor for questions. Mayor Engel noted to the council that the word boulevard will be taken out of the new ordinance. After a few comments the hearing was adjourned.

The third hearing was a mandatory meeting to be held concerning the Municipal Liquor Store (MLS) financial losses for the year 2011. Engel explained to the audience this hearing was about the year-ending balances for the MLS as audited for 2011. By law the city must hold a hearing on the MLS if the business shows a loss in two of the last three years. The floor was opened for questions. There were several questions asked. After the allotted time for the hearing the council decided to try and get the auditor to come to a future meeting to answer some of the public’s questions.

The regular meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm.

During his monthly report, Swearingen asked the council to consider taking applications for the city maintenance position. Swearingen told the council he had been in contact with the League of Cities staff regarding him being mayor and maintenance person. Swearingen told the council that the league said he could train in someone, but cannot hold both positions. Swearingen said he will officially step down as maintenance person on January 30, 2013. However, he added, there is a lot for someone new to learn. The council agreed, as they had asked to start this process back in October. Mayor Engel told the council he would put together the questionnaire for the position. The council discussed when all applications should be in by and came up with January 7. 

Swearingen continued his report by informing the council that the FEMA project is 98% done and that he is filling out the paper work for payment. Swearingen asked the council to request a night light at the new recycling site. The council passed Resolution 12-13-12-10 requesting Alliant Energy for a light. Swearingen asked the council to pay $299 for him to attend the League of Cities training for new council members. The request was approved. Groth asked Swearingen if he had any reflective posts he could put by the sand pile at the property on 8th Ave.

Paulson was next with his monthly report. Paulson passed out his report showing weekly, monthly and yearly to date numbers. Paulson had the proposal for putting in CO2 and Nitrogen tanks that could be filled by truck. The council felt the new system would be safer and approved the agreement with AirGas. Paulson informed the council that the first Sunday’s business was good and the second one was a break even. 

The council went over the truck parking ordinance and moved to amend Ordinance #61 to adopt changes discussed at the public hearing.

Clerk Louks had only one item for the council’s consideration. The council approved the engagement letter to hire Hill, Larson to do the city’s 2012 audit.

Mayor Engel began his report with the job descriptions. Engel and the council went over the different job descriptions adding and removing items as needed. The council then approved the job descriptions as revised. Mayor Engel then asked the council to approve the holiday appreciation cards for city employees. 

The council approved the purchase of a street sweeping broom for the price of $1,100. 

The next meeting of the Ellendale City Council will be on December 27th at 7:30 p.m. 

NRAFF Update

By GAIL SCHMIDT

New Richland Area Foundation Representative of the Waseca Area Foundation

As we approach the Christmas and New Year seasons, it reminds us of not only the birth of our Savior, but the gift giving season. We begin to think of what we value and the kind of gifts we’ll give.

One of the best presents this season for the New Richland Area Foundation Fund has been the growth over the past year. I am proud to report that the NRAFF balance is now $371,000 and brings the Family of Funds for all of Waseca County to $6.3 million in assets through the Waseca Area Foundation.

The NRAFF balance has been built with both small and large contributions from citizens to better the community now and into the future.  Dollars contributed are saved and earnings are given back through grants for needed projects and enhancements. This maintains a principal that will continue to grow and give back to our area forever.  

Panther junior nets 41 as NRHEG girls cruise to 70-53 win

PASS IN TRAFFIC — The Panthers’ Hannah Lundberg passes between Bethlehem Academy defenders during last Friday’s 70-53 victory in New Richland. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)

SHINING IN THE SPOTLIGHT — With at least three Division I coaches watching, including Minnesota Gophers coach Pam Borton (front and center), NRHEG junior Carlie Wagner poured in 41 points as the Panthers topped Bethlehem Academy in a key early-season matchup in New Richland last Friday. (Star Eagle photos by Chris Schlaak)

By DALE KUGATH

Sportswriter

NEW RICHLAND – Led by the sensational scoring of Carlie “Dagger” Wagner, the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva girls’ basketball team won an early-season showdown Friday. 

The Panthers, ranked second in Class AA, routed Faribault Bethlehem Academy, ranked third in Class A, 70-53 in New Richland. 

NRHEG raised its record to 2-0 in the Gopher Conference and 4-1 for the year. The Cardinals slipped to 1-1 in the conference and 5-1 overall. 

NRHEG won both games a year ago, 57-45 and 76-69 in overtime. 

Panthers 16th at Redwood Falls

SHOW HIM THE LIGHTS — NRHEG freshman Zeke Erickson has his Medford opponent on his back during the 220-pound match at Medford last Thursday. Erickson eventually lost by fall but the Panthers won their Gopher Conference opener, 48-25. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)

By DALE KUGATH

Sportswriter

The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva wrestlers got off to a good start in the Gopher Conference. 

And after a tough first round, the Panthers had a respectable showing at the tough Redwood River Riot in Redwood Falls.

“We didn’t perform very well in our conference dual with Medford,” said NRHEG coach Paul Cyr. “But, I give our guys a lot of credit. After a tough first round at Redwood we wrestled pretty tough for the remainder of the tournament.”

The Medford victory was the first dual meet of the season for NRHEG.

Medford

MEDFORD – Seven forfeits made things easy for the Panthers in a 48-25 victory over Medford at Medford last Thursday.

By DALE KUGATH

Sportswriter

FARIBAULT – Young teams often play in spurts during a game. The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva boys’ basketball team experienced the good and bad spurts in Friday’s Gopher Conference tilt at Faribault BA.

The experienced Cardinals rolled to a 70-35 victory in the Gopher Conference opener for both teams. 

FBA improved its overall record to 3-1. 

NRHEG, which lost 58-41 and 51-46 in two meetings with the Cardinals last season, lost its third game without a win. 

As the days of the calendar inch closer to Christmas, it is time to think of my annual fishing trip. This is the trip I will need no boat for as I will be trolling the meat departments of local grocery stores checking out the price of lutefisk. 

While the days until Christmas slowly dwindle away, the excitement mounts in the anticipation of the feast that lies ahead. I will soon be buying the fish that will serve as the fine cuisine for our traditional Christmas Eve supper.

There is another tradition that my sister Judy and I started a few years ago – lefse making. Although it started out as a rotating location, we have been going to her house for the annual lefse making day for the past few years. It has also become a tradition that my wife Jean and I host the annual Christmas Eve celebration and supper at our house.

Preparing the fish has been an annual ritual for as long as I can remember. When I was growing up the fish would be soaked in water for a few days prior to the big day; that process involved changing the water at least once a day. 

The fish was preserved with lye and shipped to the stores; directly from Norway (no doubt), so the need to soak it was very real. Eventually, soaking it was really not necessary, but I have found that by soaking it for a couple of days, it seems to get flakier when cooked. 

Over the years, there have been a couple of instances where the fish resembled a bowl of white Jell-O-looking matter rather than the white flaky fish that it should be. That “jiggly” fish makes it less palatable, even to a diehard fish eater like me.

The art of lefse making is also not an exact science, but over the years, we have become pretty good at it. The idea of a lefse (in our family) is that it is thick enough to hold the fish, some potatoes (optional) and of course a substantial amount of melted butter. 

Roll up the sleeves before attempting “the lift” because the butter should run down your arms if done properly. This is what my Dad always said was the proper way to eat this delicacy. A good lefse should have just the right thickness; too thin it falls apart; too thick it resembles a hubcap.

The lutefisk feast has been a part of Christmas for me for as long as I can remember. We’d go to my Grandma Herfindahls every Christmas Eve for the feast and of course the opening of gifts. 

I can remember one Christmas when my grandparents lived in the large house next to the Fairgrounds on Bridge Avenue. On a couple of those Christmas Eves, Santa visited us and although I wasn’t very old at the time, I can still remember thinking that when Santa laughed he sounded an awful lot like Uncle Ben; and by the way where was Uncle Ben?

There were a couple of Christmas seasons that were pretty lean. One in particular has always stuck in my mind. 

We couldn’t afford the usual nice tree and as it grew closer to Christmas Eve, there was still no tree. My mom, as always, had decorated our small house with garland, candles and wreaths and had it looking cozy. 

Finally, on Christmas Eve Day my dad came home with a tree that he had gotten off the lot at the last minute. It was pretty scraggly looking and because they didn’t think anyone would buy it, they gave him a good deal on it. 

He said it wasn’t the tree that he’d like to have gotten for us, but it was a Christmas tree all the same. My mom worked her magic on that tree; that was one of the nicest trees that we ever had and the one that I remember the most.

This time of the year, you hear of some “Good Samaritan” that does a good deed for someone on Christmas. Well, there were some mighty nice folks that stepped up and made that Christmas a little better for us. 

My mother’s cousin Dorothy and her husband Curt took us to the Stables for a chicken dinner with their family. We very seldom went to a restaurant to eat so this was really something special. 

A couple of days later, Santa appeared at the door one evening with presents for my sister, me and our mom and dad. It turned out to be a gentleman named Malcolm Ernest. 

My mother was a hairdresser and his wife Eve was a customer. She and Malcolm had just made our Christmas a little better with a gesture that will never be forgotten.

Until next time, have very Merry Christmas and remember the “true” meaning of Christmas and why we celebrate it with family and friends.

Please remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers this Christmas season and in the future as they are the reason we are able to enjoy all the freedoms that we have today.