The memorial service for Edward W. Possin of Geneva, Minnesota will be 11 a.m. Saturday, November 10, 2012 at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, New Richland, Minnesota. The Reverend  Scott Williams will officiate. Interment will be in St. Peter's Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour before service. Military Honors will be accorded.

Edward died Wednesday November 7, 2012 at his home. He was 86 years old.

COLORFUL MAKEOVER — Pastor Carrie McElfresh, center, gets her hair colored purple by Lisa Full, left, and Amanda Buzzard Saturday, Nov. 3. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)

By RACHEL RIETSEMA

Staff Writer

For the next few weeks here, Ellendale and Geneva will lay claim to some pretty shocking purple and magenta heads of hair.

A few pastoral ones to be exact.

“I chose blue, green, pink, magenta, orchard and purple,” said Geneva’s Full Service Station stylist Amanda Buzzard. “I cherry picked my favorites.”

Buzzard wasn’t the only one in on this bright-colored affair however. Full Service Station’s owner, Lisa Full, along with Looks Unlimited Rhonda Hareid, painted these most esteemed female pastors’ locks.

“To look at myself with orange hair for two weeks, I don’t think I could have done it,” said pastor Carrie McElfresh of Geneva Community Lutheran Church. “Orange hair makes me think of Bozo the clown.”

CHAMBER HONORS — Jack and Barb Kuckenbecker hold the plaque they received for being recognized as Medium Business of the Year by the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce. (Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen)

By KATHY PAULSEN

Staff Writer

The Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce recently named the Geneva Bar & Grill as one of the Businesses of the Year  for their involvement with the chamber and the local communities.

The 132nd Annual Chamber of Commerce Membership Celebration was held Thursday, October 25 at Wedgewood Cove Golf Club in Albert Lea.

Bob Kill, President and CEO of Enterprise Minnesota, a nonprofit consulting organization that helps small and medium-sized manufacturing companies, education services and government entities, was the guest speaker.

Food shelf spaghetti dinner Saturday

The New Richland Area Food Shelf Spaghetti Supper is set for Saturday, Nov. 10 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the NRHEG High School Cafteria. There will be a silent auction, and members of Carol’s Dance Studio will perform at 5:30.

A free-will offering will be taken, along with cash donations for the NRAFS, non-perishable food items and new, unwrapped toys for Santa Anonymous. Questions? Call Pam Goehring at 463-3421.

NRHEG junior places 17th at state CC meet

HOMETOWN SUPPORT — NRHEG’s T.J. Schiltz had plenty of support at the state cross country meet last Saturday and he did not disappoint, finishing 17th in Class A to earn all-state honors.                                                                                                                          

By DALE KUGATH

Sportswriter

NORTHFIELD – New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva junior T.J. Schiltz concluded a wonderful cross country season by earning All-State honors at the Class A State Cross Country Meet at St. Olaf College in Northfield Saturday. 

Schiltz placed 17th in a field of 175 runners, completing the 5,000-meter course in 16:28.9. The top 25 finishers earn All-State honors. 

It was the second consecutive state appearance for Schiltz, who finished 89th as a sophomore. 

Ellendale native Brian Brekke was one of nine individuals elected into the Gustavus Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday, Sept. 29th in Alumni Hall.  

The first Gustavus football player to surpass 2,000 all-purpose yards in a season, Brian Brekke did it all for the Gustavus football team from 1991 to 1994. Whether it was taking handoffs, returning kicks, fielding punts, catching passes, or on one occasion, throwing a touchdown pass, Brekke's presence was felt in nearly every facet of the game.

After spending days trying to take out my frustration on the political process, I thought about it and realized what was happening to me. As a citizen, I have a right to question some of the tactics these people I did or did not put in office are doing. 

I also realized that there are simple things I can do that may make a difference in what is bound to come regardless of who we put in office. I feel we have become an uncaring nation and it shows. 

Government has become so big that we feel powerless to do anything about government waste. We expect others to do the things that could give us a turn around. Regardless of who gets in office to run this country, it is bound to get worse before it gets better. 

It is time to do our part to do what we can to make things better.

We seem to be more interested in who wins an athletic event, sing-a-along, or has murdered someone than worrying about what is going on with our government. We criticize but seem to do nothing, thinking it will just go away. It won't. 

There are simple things that we can do. Maybe we need to be more frugal in the way we live. We need to start questioning if a purchase is necessary. We need to ask ourselves, “Do I really need it, or can I make something else do? Do I contribute to accelerated health problems by things that I do to my health, such as overeating, lack of exercise and the way I care of my own health? Have I let convenience of processed food stop me from making my own, which would be cheaper and better for me? 

We all have a surplus of clothes because we have bought things that aren't necessary. Many items, still sporting the price tags and unused, show up at rummage sales as well as at the Salvation Army and thrift stores. At least passing them on to others makes sense.

One of the biggest jolts to the pocket change is the drink industry. The money spent on sweet drinks, if added up, would astonish you. 

Put the money you didn't spend in a jar and invest it. You might be surprised how the money will accumulate that can be invested or used for better purposes. 

They suggest that five cans of 75-cent pop per week could pay out $10,192 in 30 years. How many people pay and/or drink twice that amount of pop?

Modern Maturity magazine recently told us how we have been spending $250,000 on buying $20 pizzas weekly. That pizza "dough" (excuse the pun) invested in a mutual fund with a 9% annual return would be worth a quarter of a million dollars in 30 years, where as a senior citizen could use it to pay for necessities instead of relying on a "free for being old" expenditure.

One-dollar lottery tickets five times a week would amount to over $13,000. Nobody says you have to give up all things that might pleasure you at the time, but it does make you realize that saving that money would go a long way to pay for necessities. 

Are they poor or lazy? Money not spent today could provide the money needed in the future.

I have no problem with government aid — food shelves, energy and tax rebates for the needy. I do have a problem if these same people expect to have others pick up the tab. 

They could afford them by foregoing tobacco, drinks, tattoos and other needless items. Consider the government giveaway of free cell phones and 250 minutes of free calling for the poor and elderly to help them accommodate the possible need for emergency aid, or so that they can be reachable if the unemployment office calls. 

At a recent cell phone giveaway, it was surprising how many people spent their time waiting on their cell phone to get a free cell phone. So who pays for the free phones? The answer — we all do; look at the taxes on your next phone bill.

Cell phones have very good uses and security purposes, but they also seem to be an expensive misused toy to a lot of people. The misuse of free does nothing for our economy; in fact, it is bad for our economy. 

Every time government spends money, it takes money out of the economy. Every time government borrows money, it takes money out of the money supply. 

Every time government prints money, it makes your money worth less; stop to think about it. 

People learn little if all they think of is, "What can I get for free because someone else is paying the tab?”

Too many of our elected officials or even common folks, when put in charge of money that isn't theirs, will use it without thought in regards to whether it is really necessary. The citizens seem to know where government is wasting money better than the legislators. 

Every person you know can give an example of government waste, yet our elected officials can't seem to find any programs that ought to be cancelled. That's the basis of our problem?

There is a limit. It doesn't have to make you a cheapskate. 

In a recent AARP article, someone made reference to how her 90-year-old mother-in-law lived on $19,000 a year for the past three years in California. How did she do it? 

She said it was little things. She used one napkin for all three meals, folding it and saving it throughout the day. I also know of those who went back to cloth napkins, feeling it was cheaper in the long run. 

She reused gift bags. I recall when we use to open gifts carefully and would save the wrapping paper and use it over again and even used comic pages from the newspaper in a creative way to save. 

It was useful, thrifty, and saved on the amount of garbage thrown away. There are those who use coupons faithfully. I never could figure out how they could manage to buy the amount they say they do, but of course there are savings if they are clipped and used for the things you buy. 

This 90-year-old lady never had a credit card. My grandmother or mother never did either, nor do I. One trick for reducing expenditures is to pay with cash. 

It is a lot harder to part with real cash than to use a credit card or check. Grandma always said if she didn't have the money for something, she didn't need it. 

Most often gifts were money for the recipient to use as they desired or saved. I remember my mother saving pocket change and finding some creative way of giving the same amount to each child as birthday or holidays came due. 

A bag, a jar, or a box can all become piggy banks. At first, we kids weren't sure we liked that idea, but it wasn't long until we looked forward to it because we often had something in mind we wanted.

This California lady wasn't a cheapskate, but frugal to the point of living a full and fruitful life. She maintained, "It is not how much we have but how well we live that brings happiness."

I guess that is a good thought to leave you with to think about. The candidate that promises me less government spending, not more programs, is the person that will get my vote.

Some of our Star Eagle readers have commented they like to read about events such as family and school reunions, birthdays and anniversaries, and birth and wedding announcements. 

In order to read about these important things, we need our faithful readers to pass along the information to us. If you have news, 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, November 8th: Sydney Larson, Andrew Jensen, Brian Hughes, Burton Nelson.

• Friday, November 9th: Phyllis Hagen, Tami Lund Wacek, Scott Coxworth, Jon Aronson, Kent Kruckenburg, Cindy Gould, Tim Westrum, Christopher Jepson.

• Saturday, November 10th: Keith McDonald, Eric Anderson, Russell Reistad, Tomm Richards, Jennifer Zimprich, Jessica Kasper, Andrew Olson, Jessica (Johnson) & Dan Rebelein, Stan & Liz Reichl, Everett & Diane Jensen.

• Sunday, November 11th: Jason Tracy, Kate Laudon, Agnes Christensen, Ione Hagen, Dale Hunt, Paula Swearingen, Jennifer Jacobs, Dawn Diemer, Rachel Gould, Dave & Linda Brandt, Amanda Schimdt, Tory Lee Christensen.

• Monday, November 12th: Trinity Tracy Vulcan, Tatum Charlotte Vulcan, Samuel Henry Kaplan, Lois Johnson Aitchison, Jill Jensen, Holly Thompson, Craig Clausen, Helen Kellem, Scott & Jan Sorenson, Jill & Shannon Jensen.

• Tuesday, November 13th: Geoffrey Nelson. Abbey Louise Titus, Bill Johnson, Jeffrey Nelson, Diane Brighton, Earl & Janis Klinger, Steve & Pennie Ladlie.

• Wednesday, November 14th: Cassandra Hill, Dakota Tracy, Kaye Larson Allen, Jill Ottesen Kehne, Kim Anderson, Gloria Tufte Keehn, Dawn Farr, Brandon Grunwald.

Wherever this year takes you, may you feel happiness along the way!

We are already into the deer hunting season. The Minnesota DNR predicted a good hunt for Minnesota hunters. 

The mild winter that we experienced last year really helped the survival rate. As far as Northern Minnesota, I can definitely say that I have seen more deer this year than in past years. The deer numbers were not only good but they were very healthy looking.

Although I am not a deer hunter, I actually find myself getting excited about the season. Maybe it is the fact that I have friends that hunt.

I always enjoy hearing stories about their latest escapades. Just like a fishing trip; deer stories can be both entertaining and downright funny at times.

One such story involved a couple of guys that I once worked with at Wilsons. It seems that they had gone to the Little Falls area to do a little bow hunting for the weekend.

The night before they had celebrated just a little too much. One of them evidently decided to keep on celebrating the next day and that morning as they were perched in their deer stands, the other one heard a loud thump and went to check it out. 

It seems that the other fellow had reached his limit and passed out, ultimately falling out of his deer stand and resting peacefully on the ground. You’ve heard the saying “don’t try this at home.” Well, this is just an example of something you should not do while hunting. Whether fishing or hunting the two sports do not mix well with alcohol.

Over the years, I have had many strange things happen while fishing that had nothing to do with alcohol. I always figure that I need all the edge that I can get when I’m trying to outsmart a fish. 

One of those times that comes to mind is when I got a No. 5 countdown Rapala embedded in my hand. I was hoisting a fish out of the water when it spit the lure out and it came flying towards my face; I reacted by putting my hand out-ouch! 

Although the barb was sticking out, I couldn’t get ahold of it to back it out. I then tried to cut the end off with a pliers, but couldn’t get it close enough. 

My final option was to get a good hold on it and rip it out. This was the least appealing to me but I was alone in the boat and felt that it was my only choice. It didn’t feel very good at the time but it did get the job done.

It’s funny how you can get all kinds of advice about how to do something when it’s too late. I have never had that happen since then, probably because the pain of that experience still seems fresh in my mind.

There are always things that can happen to you in the outdoors so make sure to exercise caution while hunting on land or on the water.

Itasca State Park offers winter lodging at reduced rates

Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice fishing and snowmobiling opportunities will be right outside the door when people reserve a winter getaway—at a reduced rate—at Itasca State Park in Park Rapids. The Douglas Lodge six-plex (Itasca Suites) is located within the park and priced at an off-peak rate of $99/night, Nov. 1 through May 19.

Each suite has its own bathroom with a shower and tub; log furniture complete with bedding and linens; a kitchenette with pots and pans, a microwave, a refrigerator, and a dishwasher; and amenities such as a color TV, Internet access and a phone. Most of the suites accommodate four adults or a family of up to six, and adjacent units can connect though an interior door. Two units are fully accessible, including showers, and sleep two. Interior and exterior photos can be viewed on line.

Established in 1891, Itasca State Park is Minnesota’s oldest state park and one of its busiest. More than 500,000 people visited the 30,553-acre park in 2010. Year-round attractions include the headwaters of the Mississippi River, the towering pines of Preacher’s Grove and a scenic Wilderness Drive. 

Interpretive nature programs are offered year-round. Winter recreation opportunities include more than 25 miles of cross-country ski trails (including classic and skate skiing) and more than 30 miles of snowmobile trails, along with ice fishing and snowshoeing. Snowshoe rental is available for $6/day. For reservations, visit www.mndnr.gov/reservations or call toll-free 866-857-2757.

For a list of upcoming programs and special events or to take a virtual tour of the park online, visit the DNR website.

Until next time, take a little time to enjoy the outdoors experience and the world of nature that surrounds us.

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

Echoes from the Loafers’ Club Meeting

"What would you do if you woke up one morning and you had become a millionaire?"

"I’d go back to sleep."

"Why would you go back to sleep?"

"To see if I could sleep up another million dollars."

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: drivers who enjoy seeing a combine working in a farm field aren’t so happy to see one ahead of them on the road.

I’ve learned

1. A bird in the hand poops.

2. Velcro is a rip off.

3. The "right tool for the job" is the yeti of the do-it-yourselfer's toolbox — talked about, but never found.

The news from Hartland

Prophecy Gas station is self-fulfilling.

St. Menard’s Hardware offers dead batteries free of charge.

The police department downsizes. Traffic law violators must now write their own tickets.

Sneeze, please

I’d been at a meeting. We had watched a film in a room darkened to enhance the viewing. At the meeting’s conclusion, I stepped outside into the bright sunlight. There is something called the photic sneeze reflex that refers to sneezing provoked by the sudden exposure to brilliant sunlight. It’s also called the Autosomal dominant Compelling Helio-Ophthalmic Outburst syndrome or ACHOO. I call it sun sneezing. This scenario usually causes me to sneeze three times. That’s O.K. It’s nice when people say “Bless you” when I do a simple thing like sneezing. Gesundheit is a polite way of saying, “Missed me.” The sneeze is the only instrument I play. My parents thought I’d be a musician as I played the radio when I was only four years old. I enjoy incorporating other words into my sneezes. Anyway, there I was, about to sneeze and then I didn’t. I wanted to sneeze, but I couldn’t. It was a case of sneeze freeze.

Looking at Lambeau

I toured Lambeau Field. There were eight of us — two normal people, four Packer fans, and two guides. The home of the 13-time NFL champions also offers a venue for wedding, birthday, and prom parties. Built in 1957, Lambeau Field has 166 private suites available for $84,500 to $160,000 a year. It seats 73,142 fans uncomfortably and has sold out every game since 1960. Approximately 100,000 people are on the waiting list for season tickets, which nearly matches the population of Green Bay (104,000). As we came out of the tunnel to the cheers of invisible fans and the music of a recorded band, we witnessed a heartwarming event. A Green Bay Packer player who’d been wandering around downtown had been shot with a tranquilizer dart and was relocated back into his natural habitat of Lambeau Field. There wasn’t a dry eye at Lambeau.

While on the subject of football, the neighbor’s son was home visiting family. He wrestles gators in Florida for a living. Not the chunks of blown tires found on the road, but real alligators. He’s destined for great things. I asked if he worried about being eaten by an alligator. "No," he said, "I have a 'Minnesota Vikings Super Bowl Champions' tattoo. Even a gator wouldn’t be able to swallow that."

Interrobang

I attended a friend’s birthday party. On the tables were tiny cards. One side of every card read, "CHAT PACK. For Questions to Spark Conversations." On the back of each card was a question such as, "Which punctuation mark would best describe your personality?" I thought that was an interesting question. I had an immediate answer. It would be interrobang or interabang that is indicated by ?! or !?. It combines the functions of the question mark and the exclamation point. I have so many things that I don’t know and I’m so excited to learn new things.

Nature notes

"What is a hoot owl?" It is a name given to the barred owl and the great horned owl. The barred owl, famous for its "Who cooks for you" call has a more strident voice than the great horned owl. Another possibility, but less likely, would be the great gray owl.

"What is it called when a bird rubs its bill on a branch after it has eaten?" The process in which a bird removes food from its bill is called "feaking." Rubbing the bill along a hard surface also helps keep the beak trimmed. Bird bills are made of keratin, as are their feathers and our fingernails.

"What is the difference between a 'bill' and a 'beak'?" Except for the spelling, nothing. The terms are interchangeable.

Meeting adjourned

Choose wisely. Choose kindness.