Today as I was driving on back roads throughout the countryside to drop off inserts for the paper in Wells, I let my mind wander, as it usually does when I’m driving. I got to thinking about past years and what my life used to be like when I was 15, 16, and 17. 

When I got back home, I decided to make a list of all the different bands I’ve seen in concert. It took me almost an hour to make the whole list; partly because I had to go through old Facebook posts in order to compile the list.

I was looking through posts from 2009 and 2010 when I started to think about just how much my life has changed since then. I have a whole new group of friends I hang out with every day, I’ve got different interests and hobbies, and I’ve grown up a lot. 

This really isn’t where I expected to be at this point in my life, but I’m happy and doing well, and that’s more than I could’ve ever asked for.

I used to go to many more concerts when I was younger, which is kind of strange, because I didn’t have a license then. My dad was great about taking my friends and me to shows,  and I’m so glad he did because some of my best memories were at concerts.

The first show I went to was in 2006. I was 12, and my dad had two tickets to see Bruce Springsteen at the Xcel Energy Center. He was going to take a friend, but they were unable to go, so I did instead. I didn’t really know any of the songs, but it was an incredible experience that sparked my interest in concerts. 

The second one was also in 2006 at the Target Center. My dad had bought two tickets to The Who, but he was sick and couldn’t attend, so my mom and I went. 

After that, I couldn’t get enough. The following spring, I convinced my dad to buy me tickets to see Fall Out Boy, Cobra Starship, +44, and The Academy Is... on the Honda Civic Tour at the Target Center. I brought my best friend, Jasmine, and my mom drove us there and stayed with us during the show (which she later admitted she actually enjoyed). 

During the last song of their set, Fall Out Boy’s front man told everyone in the stands to go down onto the main floor (if they desired). Jasmine and I did, obviously, and it was like a completely different world than it was in the stands. The people, the lights, being that close to a band that you love — there’s really no way to describe it. It was something I’ll never forget.

All in all, I’ve seen 38 bands live since I was 12, which is pretty impressive considering that’s only seven years ago. The list, which took me almost two hours to come up with, includes: Bruce Springsteen, The Who, Fall Out Boy (four times), Cobra Starship (two times), +44, The Academy Is.., Gym Glass Heroes, Plain White Tees, Cute is What We Aim For, Panic! at the Disco (two times), The Hush Sound, Phantom Planet, Motion City Soundtrack, Steely Dan, All Time Low, Metro Station, Hey Monday, Blink-182, Chester French, Hollywood Undead, Atreyu, Papa Roach, Avenged Sevenfold, Flyleaf, Buckcherry, Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace, A Day to Remember, We Came as Romans, Pierce the Veil (two times), Bring Me The Horizon, My Chemical Romance, Neon Trees, The Architects, Woe is Me, Miss May I, Marilyn Manson, and Rob Zombie. 

I’m getting all nostalgic again just reading through that list and remembering the amazing times I had. I plan on seeing many more bands throughout the rest of my years; music has always been a passion of mine. 

It has helped me get through some really hard times. I don’t know why, or how to describe it, really. Music has just always been really important to me. Like when you hear a really good song by one of your favorite bands, and you almost get chills and this overwhelming sense of love for the band and the people in it. 

Those band members spent a lot of time and money putting that together for you and their other fans. Imagine that, but times 100. That’s what a concert is like, to me. 

Until next time, readers. I have to add that I am still pretty sore from the accident but I’m still O.K.; thank you to everyone who has shown their concern. I hope you all have something in your lives that you’re truly passionate about, because if not, you’re not truly living. 

Looking back over the summer months, I have to ask one question. Where did it go? 

It seems like only yesterday we were flirting with temperatures in the 90s and, on lakes that I fished the most, in Northern Minnesota, the surface temperature of many was in the high 70s. I am sure this may have had a lot to do with the observation of most fishermen that fishing was totally out of whack.

If you were a walleye fisherman, it maybe wasn’t the ideal year. But for many bass and northern fishermen, like myself, fishing was pretty darned good. 

I can truthfully (fishermen don’t exaggerate) say I probably caught as many or more bass this season than in any other. No, I’m not going to go out and buy a jumpsuit with imaginary sponsors plastered all over it, but I did feel pretty good about the season.

Fishing is a fun sport and to me it is all about keeping it simple. I have always fished with just a little tweak here and there to make me think I’m keeping up with the times. 

Probably some of the most enjoyable times this year were when I fished with that little 12-ft. Lund with the old 5.5 hp Evinrude. No ph levels or water temperatures to check, no locator to go by; just go to where a person thinks fish will be and wet a line, whether it be trolling the shoreline or casting weed edges. 

With all the little lakes in the area of Minnesota we frequently fish, there is very little boat traffic and a lot of times, you have the lake to yourself. This, to me, is what it is really all about.

This past week, while my son Brian and I were at the cabin on our annual October trip, we were able to see a variety of wildlife. The deer were really on the move and they were pretty much everywhere we went. 

A couple of grouse were spotted hanging out at the end of our driveway. Once again, there were eagles soaring over our small lake. One particular golden eagle has taken a liking to the dead tree that still stands just a little ways from our dock.

On one trip to town, we spotted about four ravens feasting on a deer carcass; they were joined by two bald eagles and between them all, they had that carcass just about picked clean. (This is the cycle of nature at work, and in this area of the state, it’s obvious that nothing goes to waste.)

Going “up north” isn’t always about fishing for me anymore; it’s about just spending time in the north woods observing nature at work. There was one day last week we toyed with the idea of dropping the boat in and trying a little fishing. 

The wind was pretty strong and we decided it would be a lot colder on the lake so we opted for Plan B. That plan involved throwing a fishing pole in the truck and driving around to different lakes just checking out the accesses and doing a little shore fishing. 

Both Brian and I enjoy doing that.  Each year, we try to explore at least one lake we’ve never visited before. We never really do expect to catch much doing this, but we sure do enjoy exploring new territories.

— — —

Last year, in one of my columns, I mentioned the lack of WMA land in some Southwestern Minnesota counties. The DNR has released the following information that will surely be welcome news to those folks that hunt in that area of the state.

Walk-In Access program grows in second year, adding more hunting land in Southwestern Minnesota

Hunters in southwestern Minnesota will have access to additional land this fall as the state’s Walk-In Access (WIA) program continues to grow in its second year, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said.

The walk-in program provides public hunting access to private land across 21 counties. Nearly 60 more sites were added this year, growing the program to more than 15,000 acres.

Last year, 86 sites totaling 9,000 acres were available to hunters. Five counties have more than 1,000 acres enrolled: Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Murray, Pipestone and Yellow Medicine.

“When we’ve done surveys in the past, one of the most frequently-cited reasons that hunters quit hunting is a lack of quality places to hunt,” said Marybeth Block, DNR program coordinator. “Walk-ins help address that and offer some very nice new ground for people to hunt.”

Hunters can use walk-in parcels during any open hunting season, including spring turkey, with no landowner contacts necessary. Locations are clearly marked with signs, plus all parcels are mapped on a printed atlas and on the DNR website.

Walk-in land is for public hunting only. No target practice, trapping, dog training, camping, horseback riding or fires are allowed. Motorized vehicles are not allowed on WIA land. Parking is along roads or in designated parking areas.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture funded the first two years of the program and the Minnesota State Legislature has approved additional funding that will allow it to continue for at least two more years. Also, resident hunters have the opportunity to donate $1, $3 or $5 to the program when purchasing a small game or deer license.

“Hunter support is key to this program,” Block said. “Using the land, respecting the land and donating to the program will help build walk-in lands for future hunters.”

Walk-in land is open to hunting from Sept. 1 to May 31 each year.

— — —

Until next time, take a little time to enjoy the world of nature.

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

"I went to the eye doctor. He said that I need glasses."

"He could tell that from an eye test?"

"No, he based it on the fact that I thought I was in the dentist’s office."

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: I spoke at a vendor’s show and found myself the owner of several new pens bearing advertising. I remember when I had to wait for school to start to get a new pen.

I've learned

1. I love Halloween because it turns the cobwebs in the corners of my office into decorations.

2. You know you're getting older when you start saying your bedtime prayers at noon so you won't fall asleep before you finish them.

3. You're getting older if you think instant messaging is passing notes in class.

The news from Hartland

Fuel’s Paradise offers a premium gas list to its discriminating customers.

Stand by for braking news from Jack Tupp’s Auto Repair Shop.

PETA Cattle Ranch uses curling irons instead of branding irons.

Ask Al

"Why are businesses more likely to hear from unhappy customers than happy ones?" Because the happy ones are at home clapping their hands and singing, "If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands."

"Did you ever intercept a pass during a football game?" Once. It was the last game I ever refereed.

"Why do wives correct their husbands so often?" Because their husbands are wrong so often.

Scenes from a car

Family car trips involve family and a car. There is usually too much of one and an excess of the other. Conversations such as this one are repeated.

"Are we there yet?"

"Is the car still moving? If it is, that means we’re not there yet."

"How many more towns?"

"Ask your mother."

Cafe chronicles

Sue Stadelman lives in Shawano, WI. Her maiden name was True. Her brother married a woman named Sue. Occasionally her brother runs into someone in the course of his employment who asks him if he ever knew Sue True. He replies, "Yes. She used to be my sister. Now she's my wife."

The language

When people ask me how I am, I tend to reply, "Swell."

A former schoolmate, Georgia Dinneen of New Richland, responds in similar fashion, but adds, "If I were any sweller, I'd be swollen."

A traveling man

I drove into Oshkosh, Wisconsin, a city with numerous roundabouts. They were slightly reminiscent of the roundabout that foiled the Griswold family in National Lampoon’s European Vacation. I traveled in the best of circles. I didn't get lost in the fine city of Oshkosh, but I did become dizzy.

Bug zombies

My wife found her workplace invaded by boxelder bugs. Some of the bugs assumed positions on the floor. Each was on its back with its legs crossed as if it were in a casket. There they remained unmoving for a long time. She swept up the dead insects and placed them into a wastebasket. It wasn't long before the dead boxelder bugs began crawling out of the dustbin. They were boxelder bug zombies.

The windshield fairy

A Hartland resident had a cracked car windshield. She called a windshield replacement company that agreed to send a van to her residence. The windshield would be replaced right there on the street in front of her house. The van arrived and the new windshield was installed — in a neighbor’s car parked nearby.

Nature notes

A swirling flock of blackbirds landed in the tree of my yard. The tree dropped leaves to make room for gossiping birds. As I stepped outside, I heard the moaning of one tree cradled in the limbs of another. It was windsong. Winter brings a fair amount of deprivation. It takes autumn from us. Each morning, I want fall to last one more day.

Wild turkeys are omnivores. Their main source of food is plant material — grasses, green leaves, and seeds. Acorns, fruits, and berries are important during fall and winter. They eat grasshoppers, dragonflies, snails, beetles, and salamanders. Young turkeys (poults) consume large amounts of insects for protein. Wild turkeys nearly always feed on the ground, rarely feeding while roosting in trees. They feed heaviest during the two to three hours after leaving the roost in the morning and again during the two to three hours before sunset.

Why did the chicken cross the road?

To get to Cross of Glory Lutheran’s Soup and Pie Supper on Nov. 7 from 4:30 to 7.

Meeting adjourned

“The greatest degree of inner tranquility comes from the development of love and compassion. The more we care for the happiness of others, the greater is our own sense of well-being.” — The Dalai Lama

Board a coach bus behind Slumberland in Albert Lea for a neat Christmas activity on Saturday, December 1 at 3 p.m. 

The bus is going to Clear Lake, Iowa for Christmas activities. You can tour Main Street with a petting zoo, Santa Claus, strolling Dickens characters, carriage rides, antique shopping, plus many other Christmas-related activities.

A lighted Christmas parade at 4 p.m. is followed by fireworks over the lake (the parade and fireworks can be viewed from the bus).

All this fresh air should make you hungry. This problem will be solved by the bus taking us to KFC in Clear Lake for a chicken buffet.

Once you’re full of chicken, you can nap on the way back to Albert Lea. “Rudolph’s Retirement Community” can be viewed if you can keep one eye open. Expect to be back home about 9 p.m.

“Deal or No Deal” will be played on the bus en route to Clear Lake for prizes. Reservations are required. 

Contact Bob or Genie Hanson at 373-8655 or Wayne or Bev Indrelie at 826-3267 (If you plan to attend, dress warmly). This event is sponsored by F.R.O.G. (“Fully Rely On God”) of Central Freeborn Lutheran Church (my church). The price is $25 per person, with $5 cash back per person if the 55-passenger coach bus is filled.

Paul and Paula, Beaver Lake summer residents from Owatonna, both retired at the same time. At their retirement party they received a “throne” to be shared. The throne, with embedded fish flies, fits any standard size toilet. Would you call this a fishy seater?

Roger and Linda Worrell were the 2012 Beaver Lake Random Act of Kindness award winners. As Beaver Lake summer residents, they keep a rusted old F-150 Ford truck at Beaver Lake year round. 

They decided to do something outside the box (the box of the truck, that is). Prior to leaving the lake for their home in Ohio, they washed and hand waxed the F-150!

Ecclesiastes is my favorite book in the Bible (namely, a time for everything). After 37 summers, Genie and I have decided it is time to say goodbye to cabin 67 at Beaver Lake.

I will continue writing this article, with a slight name change to “Fact or Fiction.”

We will have more time to be “vagabonds.” This writing will be about our travels October through April, and then weekly the rest of the year.

Genie will be working on her Doctorate in Volunteering, while I will be working on my Masters in Volunteering.

By the time you read this, we have gone south – to Albert Lea.

In closing this article: Thanks, cabin 67, for the memories.

— — —

Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent. His wife, Genie, is a retired RN, currently working on her doctor’s degree in volunteering. They have two children, Deb in North Carolina, and Dan in Vermont. This is the Hanson’s 37th summer at Beaver Lake. They leave the lake in mid-October to go south — to Albert Lea — and return in April. Bob says if you enjoy his article, let him know. If you don’t enjoy it, keep on reading, it can get worse. Words of Wisdom: There is always room for God. 

The Saturday after the Fourth of July, I walked into Walmart with my kids to pick up a few things. Imagine my surprise to find school supplies in a prominent display! 

Really? Can the kids have most of summer before worrying about back to school?

This phenomenon is not just limited to school sales though. While shopping for Halloween costumes a couple weeks ago, Walmart and Target both had a Christmas aisle up already! 

Wouldn’t it be nice to hurdle one holiday at a time? I’m sure that as you’re returning a gift you got for Christmas that doesn’t fit, you’ll see the changeover to Valentine’s Day in progress.

If I were running for office, part of my platform would involve this concept: one holiday/event at a time! Once Halloween is done, I don’t mind seeing things for Thanksgiving; after Thanksgiving Christmas material is acceptable. 

In our house, we decorate for Christmas during the weekend following Thanksgiving. Having Christmas decorations up for more than a month in advance seems like overkill.

The same problem occurs with clothing stores. Having children who go through growth spurts can be frustrating. 

When Jayna outgrows her swimsuit that fit in May by July or Anton needs a new winter jacket in February, do you suppose we can locate some? Chances are slim. In July, the fall fashions are on the rack, and in February, I’ll probably find the swimsuit that Jayna needed the past year!

The reason for this from the stores is they don’t want to be stuck with overstock. Will winter jackets for seven-year-olds really go out of style by the next year if you’ve got an extra case in back? Everything comes back around again eventually, but many stores lose potential sales from people like me who have growing children.

Here’s my idea: a store called In Season where the only items for sale are those for that particular season, with a smattering of things for the upcoming season. You will always find winter jackets until the snow melts. Swimsuits will be available until Labor Day. And there will be absolutely NO Christmas decorations until the day after Thanksgiving (which is when everyone goes shopping anyway)! If anyone wants to invest, I’m willing to listen!

One aside before this week’s column is done. As you read a couple weeks ago in this very paper, the churches in Ellendale and Geneva are running a food drive, with representatives from each church putting their hair color up for charity. 

I’m representing St. Aidan’s and hope enough is given that I’ll have to have my hair colored on November 3. There will be containers in each church, but I’ll also have one in my classroom so if my students who don’t attend church in Ellendale or Geneva would like to take part and see their English teacher with something different from brown with flecks of gray, I’ll take any donations of food or cash. I’ll take donations at school until Nov. 1. Let’s fight hunger here at home!

Word of the Week: This week’s word is remonstrate, which means to speak in opposition of something, such as, “The political candidate planned to remonstrate every point his opponent made in the debate.” Impress your friends and confuse your enemies!

The scurs were predicting the rain fine, but the paltry amounts made it seem more like heavy dews. Will we fare any better this week? Starting Wednesday, mostly cloudy with a chance of rain during the day with a good chance of showers and possibly a thunderstorm overnight. Highs 70 – 75 and lows around 50. Cloudy on Thursday with a good chance of chilly rain. Highs of 40 – 45 and lows around 30.  Mostly cloudy and cooler for Friday with highs of 45 and lows of 25 – 30. Partly cloudy for Saturday and Sunday with highs of 40 – 45 and lows in the mid-20’s. Monday, mostly cloudy with a slight chance of showers. Highs of 40 - 45 and lows around 30. Tuesday, partly cloudy with highs of 40 - 45 and lows of 20 - 25. The normal high for October 31st is 52 and the normal low is 32. The scurs will be scouring their closets for the perfect Halloween costume to collect the optimum number of treats.

The Full Moon for the month happens on the 29th and is generally known as the Full Hunters Moon. It was at this time of year that the pioneers and Native Americans alike were stocking their larders for the long, cold days ahead. One has to marvel given the food preservation methods of the day and without cell phones, Play Stations and confusers, how anyone managed to survive. This moon was known as the Falling Leaves Moon by the Ojibwe and the Moon of Falling Leaves by the Sioux. At the ranch, it goes by the Moon When We Grind up the Leaves with the Lawnmower.

The calendar date and temperature should reach a point soon at which it’s considered safe to apply fall anhydrous ammonia here in South Central Minnesota. Soil temperatures at the 6” depth should remain at 50 degrees or less and the calendar date at which this typically occurs is generally sometime during the last week in October. It is a best management practice to use a nitrification inhibitor for fall anhydrous. It is a common misconception however that use of a nitrification inhibitor allows the application to be made earlier than what is considered to be safe. Something that also needs to be considered is the soil moisture. As one goes west in particular, less rain fell in September so there isn’t as much soil moisture to hold anhydrous ammonia. This may result in loss to the atmosphere. If you can see it gassing out and smell it as you’re going across the field, you probably shouldn’t be out there.

Rainfall or lack thereof continues to be an issue across most of the area. At the ranch we actually tallied .18” in the past week. However, measurable rain was recorded on 6 of the 7 days, translating to an average of .03” per rain. The trend where we receive measured amounts a thimbleful at a time continues. Some insist a change is coming. If they said it was going to get colder and even drier I might believe it. The preliminary outlook from NOAA for the 30-day outlook gives us even chances of being above or below normal for temperature but better than even odds for below normal precipitation. The same applies to the 90-day outlook. About this time last year, they also came out with a prediction for a colder and wetter than normal winter as well and we all know what happened. We were one of the driest places in the Corn Belt at the time with some real concerns about our potential to recharge the soil moisture. Somehow we managed to pull off one of the most astonishing crops most have ever seen. Can lightning strike twice? It can, but the question remains: will it?

Harvest continues at the ranch. On Sunday the carrots were dug, processed and refrigerated. There was a two-bushel basket and a washtub full of carrots after digging. All told, we placed a dozen gallon bags of carrots in the refrigerator and gave away a shopping bag full as well. The sheep were glad to see all the tops make their way over the fence. Some of the tomatoes were also frozen for later use. Have not tried this method of preservation before but am told it works well if they are to be used for stewed tomatoes, sauce or even juice. Just seems a little odd to see bags of red billiard balls in the freezer. Some ask if we’re done harvesting garden. Not by a long shot. The winter radish experiment exceeded my wildest expectations; they continue to grow sweeter and crisper. Trouble is there are a lot of them so digging them will take some time.

Apparently the leftovers from the garden have had some impact on the condition of the ewe flock despite the short pasture due to the drought. While we generally have been viewing them in the dark at chore time, daylight hours revealed them to actually be rather plump. Aside from the fallen leaves, the pasture apparently continues to sustain them. Supplemented with tomatoes, radish and carrot tops, sweet corn husks, cucumbers, melons and more recently a dab of corn screenings, the ewes are doing rather nicely. Cheviots are indeed thrifty little beasts as advertised. 

The fall birds continue increasing in number and variety. There are several chickadees taking up residence near the feeders. On Sunday there was a flicker on the sunflower feeder actually consuming some, a rare occurrence here at the ranch. During a break from carrot harvest, numerous cedar waxwings were spotted downing crabapples from the Indian Magic tree. Several red-bellied woodpeckers are using the suet put out last week as are the hairies, downies and of course nuthatches. The blue jays are gluttonous and have confounded my previously mentioned waxy corn research with the squirrels. The jays are more likely to fill their pouch up quickly with whatever they can get their beaks on so the corn disappears without a preference being shown. The goldfinches are showing up in greater numbers as of late On Saturday there was one lone goldfinch. By Monday morning there were 4 and chances are they will bring their friends. It’s always good to see them return even though they sure can blow through a lot of sunflower and thistle seed. 

See you next week…real good then.

NRAFF update

By GAIL SCHMIDT

New Richland Area Foundation Representative of the Waseca Area Foundation

As we begin the last quarter of 2012, it reminds me it is time for me to update everyone on the activity of the New Richland Area Foundation. As you remember, through the collaboration of the NRAF Fund and the By-The-Grace-Of-God Fund, we were able to pass out $15,000 to 12 grant recipients at the Farm & City Days Pancake Breakfast in July. 

This was by far our best grant presentation in three short years. This is a result of the generous contributions these funds have received since the start up of the foundation in 2009. 

Also in July, I was invited to talk about “our story” and the success we have experienced within the New Richland area since the formation of the NRAFF at a Janesville Community Meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to educate their community on the benefits of having their own foundation. 

Ellendale City Council

By SCOTT GROTH

Contributing Writer

The Ellendale City Council met Thursday October 11 with Mayor Engel and all council members present. Clerk Louks; Roger Swearingen, maintenance; Pete Paulson, Municipal Liquor Store; Wes Brown, Bolten & Menk; Phil Kohl, City Attorney; and seven other visitors were also present.

The council, for the first time in several years, moved to give city employees a wage increase of 3%. The council felt the employees deserved the increase, as the employees have been more than patient during the recent recession. The council also approved an increase in council pay effective 2013.

HALLOWEEN FUN — From left, Leah Morstad, Amichai Gassmann and Levi Stitt plan to be at Vibrant Life Assembly of God Church Halloween night. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)

By RACHEL RIETSEMA

Staff Writer

This upcoming Halloween night, Ellendale’s Vibrant Life Assembly of God cordially invites one and all to their sixth annual Hallelujah fest. 

Event organizers Alicia Butler and Patrick Stitt (church pastor) can’t help but rub their hands together in anticipation for this eclectic evening. Yes, these two are just that excited.

“Hallelujah Fest is a family thing,” Butler said. “Last year, we organized 45 games. This year however, we are planning for less, as the gym will house a bouncy house.”

The Refuge gym will also features games like mini golf, hula hoop toss, sucker toss and a cupcake walk.