Lately, when I go to local business and see familiar people, I’ve been asked the same question, “So, what are you doing now? Are you going to school?” 

Right now, I’m working full-time at the Star Eagle, which may or may not be obvious by the amount of material I’ve had in the past few issues of the paper. I’m planning on going back to MSU in Mankato, where I did a semester of post-secondary last year. I’m just not sure if it’ll be this winter or next fall. 

The other thing people seem to want to know is what I plan on going into for a career. I’m still pretty undecided; there are a lot of things I’m interested in, but I just can’t figure out what I want to spend the rest of my life doing. 

No matter what I choose, I’ll continue writing, because it’s kind of a passion of mine. As far as what I actually want to do, however, I still don’t know. 

But that’s what these years are for, right? I’m 19 and still growing up; I don’t need to know what I want to do yet. This is the time for me to figure that part out.

I can honestly say I’m happy with how things are in my life right now, though. I hold a good job where I appear to be doing well. 

I’ve got a new boyfriend as of about two weeks ago, and I’m finally realizing who my true friends are. I’m making memories I’ll never forget and sharing them with people who hopefully will be in my life for a long time. 

The older I get, the more I realize the things adults told me as I was growing up are very true. Time does go by faster, responsibilities suck, and not trying to grow up too fast is essential. 

I’m doing my best to enjoy this time of my life, because I know that soon enough I’m going to have to fully grow up — have a career, a family, that kind of thing. The thought of that is really scary, as I’m sure many of you remember. But, hopefully I’ll be prepared when that time does come.

I also want to take this opportunity to say, “Thank you,” to everyone who gives me feedback on my writing. Thankfully, it’s all been good, and you don’t even know how much I appreciate it. 

It’s really flattering to know that people actually enjoy reading what I write. I know I’ve given this rant before, but it’s true. 

I apologize for the short column this week, but you can definitely expect more consistent updates in the near future. I’ve got the creativity wheels turning in my head, and I have a lot of ideas that are just begging to be written down. 

Until next time, loyal readers — have a great week, stay safe and take the time to enjoy life.

P.S. Please do your best to ignore the picture on the title of this column; I’ve been asking for a new one for a while with no success. Whoever decided to put my school picture that more resembles a mug shot did not run it by me first, but I’m working on changing it.

Editor’s note: any and all plans announced in this column are subject to change

After seeing no showers amounting to anything, the scurs have set their sights on getting this week right. Will they predict any rain? Starting Wednesday, mostly sunny with a slight chance of a shower. Highs of 75 – 80 and lows of 45. Thursday, much cooler with a slight chance of a shower in the forenoon. Highs of 55 and lows around 35. Partly cloudy and cooler on Friday with high temps of only 50 and lows falling to 30. Saturday and Sunday, mostly clear with highs of 50 – 55 and lows of 30. Slightly warmer on Monday and Tuesday with a slight chance of showers. Highs of 55- 60 and lows of 35. The normal high for October 8th is 66 and the normal low is 40. The scurs will be making hobo stew down by the rusty railroad tracks on Columbus Day.

The Harvest Moon lived up to its billing with the brightness allowing one to walk around without a flashlight outside just about anywhere you wanted. And farmers were hard at it. The warm temperatures and dry conditions have meant farmers can harvest at will for the most part. One can get too much of a good thing, however. With corn as dry as it is, there has become more loss at the head when ears strike the stripper plates and butt kernels go flying. Soybeans haven’t been immune to the overly dry conditions, either. In addition to being 7% - 8% moisture, some pods are popping open easily sometimes before the combine even gets there, to say nothing of sickle shatter when it does. Not unusual to find 5 – 6 bu./acre on the ground in places on recently harvested fields. Another week though should bring us pretty close to the end of harvest and it’ll only be the 8th of October. That means there will suddenly be a lot of free time on some people’s hands. Hopefully that doesn’t include a lot of recreational tillage on fields that have already been tilled. The soils are extremely dry and have worked up very fine. They are set up for a lot of wind erosion already and additional tillage will only make that potential for erosion worse. 

Just how dry is it? At the SROC in Waseca, soil moisture is at the lowest level since they started recording that information back in 1977 at1.5” of available water in the top 5’. That said, most of that moisture right now is in the top foot in this area. We were fortunate to receive 1.95” of rainfall at the ranch in September but most did not receive that much. In town the amount was more like 1.7”. Soil sampling these fields has revealed that soils are getting drier too. This has necessitated using probes designed for use in dry soils. Sloughs, wetlands and streams are all as dry as anyone can remember. Water levels in lakes are also very low. Long term forecasts are not positive and some are indicating that droughts have a tendency to move from east to west. In our case, it already has. Between now and anhydrous ammonia application, it should allow time to trim trees in fence lines, clean up messes around the yard or heaven forbid, take some time off and go somewhere to enjoy yourself.

In the meantime the color peak should be sometime this week. If it works like it usually does, one good windy day and if you blink, you’ve missed it. The colors have changed rapidly though, likely in response to the dry late summer and warm dry fall. The colors have been intense however with some of the ash around the yard being particularly bright yellow. The nannyberries and chokeberries have both been a very intense red. The bur oaks are just starting to turn and they also appear to be more colorful than the dull brown they are some years. The red oak and pin oak in our yard should be fun to watch every day. 

It appears our little hummingbird friends are gone for the season after leaving the nectar feeders out with no takers since September 21st. Juncos were first spotted here on the 26th. At the ranch and at the kindly neighbors pasture, groups of bluebirds are moving through. Oddly enough they seem attracted to some of the bluebird houses. Are they scoping out the housing market for next spring? We shall see. The robins have been busy devouring nannyberries, chokeberries and crabapples. With the dry soils there are very few earthworms and night crawlers near the surface so they have to make do. In the fields there seem to be an inordinate number of killdeers moving through. Are they trying to tell us something? Yes, they’re letting us know it will get colder and they’re leaving the area for warmer climes.

Ruby had a big weekend keeping up with several activities. It was time to get the last of the Pontiac and Norkotah potatoes dug so off to the small garden we went, potato fork in hand. Ruby is just fascinated by the soil moving when the fork is used to pry it loose. Her intensity increases when several potatoes are unearthed, just waiting for them to make a false move. Maybe Ruby thinks this is where the play balls come from but she takes her spuds very seriously. Probably one of her favorite fall pastimes though is chasing the water coming out of the hose. Mrs. Cheviot decided it was time to wash the siding on Sunday so spraying the house meant literally hours of entertainment for a small red and white Border Collie. It also meant one muddy mess of a small critter by the time it was all done so time for a timeout in the kennel where she fell fast asleep after her exercise time. After lunch it was time for naps all around anyway. Strange how that works this time of year.

See you next week…real good then.

Echoes from the Loafers’ Club Meeting

“My grandfather carried his wooden leg over his shoulder.”

“Why on earth did he do that?”

“So he could scratch his back.”

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: Man does not live by bread alone. He needs duct tape, too.

I've learned

1. Making pie is not as easy as pie.

2. More is learned from having empty pockets than from having full ones.

3. No treatment for an owie is more effective than a mother’s kiss.  

The news from Hartland

Buzz Honey, local beekeeper, stung while texting while hiving.

Zoo goers treated at hospital after porcupine sneezes.

Bungee jump opens on farm. For $10, you are tied by a bungee cord to a combine and then allowed to run away as fast as you can.

Ask Al

“What is the secret of a long marriage?” A husband and a wife should never be mad at the same time.

“How does a man know when he is getting old?” It happens when you care more about how easily a bottle opens than what is in the bottle.

“I’d love to go camping next summer, but I don’t want to spend much money. What can I do?” Leave the houselights on and the doors wide open.

Adventures of the vertically-enhanced

I am tall.

I walked into a gold dredge, an apparatus not built for the vertically-enhanced.

I entered the gold dredge with a bad altitude.

I hit my head on a metal bar overhead. It hurt. Stars appeared.

That wasn’t the worst of it.

On the way out of the dredge, I hit my head on the same bar.

Customer comments

Bill Heinsen of Red Deer, Alberta told me that he had participated in a teacher exchange program that allowed him to work in Australia for a year. One day, he and his family went on a bus trip. Most of the passengers were older women who found the accent of Bill’s 4-year-old son intriguing. They loved to hear it and continued to ask the boy questions until he finally replied, “I’m done talking today.”

Bill added that he was once rear-ended because he did a bad thing. He stopped at a red light.

It was so dry

I’ve visited areas of the country that have been so dry that some fish have never learned how to swim. On windy days, there was so much dust blowing around that the gophers were digging holes in the air. Crows flew backwards to keep the dust out of their eyes.

Talking baseball

We were walking down a shaded lane while talking about the Minnesota Twins’ baseball fortunes. The catcher, Joe Mauer, was the topic when I heard a bird call in the trees.

"Blue gray gnatcatcher," I said with little thought.

My walking companion suggested that Mauer should continue catching and not change to another position.

I heard another bird vocalizing and said, without consciously doing so, "Great crested flycatcher."

The other walker paused before asking, "Are those catchers in their farm system?"

A question for baseball fans. What are the seven ways a batter can reach first base? Mauer would know all seven.

1. Hit 2. Error 3. Base on balls 4. Hit by pitch 5. Dropped third strike 6. Catcher's interference 7. Fielder's choice

Nature notes

“Am I seeing both bald eagles and golden eagles along the lake?” Bald eagles belong to a group of sea eagles that live in or near aquatic environments and are piscivorous (fish eaters). Golden eagles belong to a group of true or booted (feathered legs) eagles and are upland eagles, meaning they’re not near water. They primarily hunt upland mammals instead of fish. One good identification tip is that if there is visible white in the body feathers on the back or underparts (not including wings), the bird is almost certainly a bald eagle. The ecology of the two eagles means that an eagle in the immediate vicinity of a river or lake is most likely a bald eagle hunting fish.

“What do red-tailed hawks eat?” They prey mostly upon small mammals, including: mice, gophers, voles, shrews, moles, squirrels, chipmunks, rats, rabbits, opossums, muskrats, cats, skunks, and bats. They also feed upon snakes, frogs, lizards, salamanders, toads, birds, crayfish, insects, fish, and roadkill. I saw a study that asserted that a red-tailed hawk is successful in about one out of ten hunting attempts.

Meeting adjourned

Don’t let the worst people get the best of you. Give them your best. Be kind.

An Indian summer is defined as any fall day of 70 degrees or better after a killing frost of 26 degrees or less.

Fall started Saturday, Sept. 22. The temp was 26 degrees or less in many area locations Sunday morning Sept. 23. The temp was in the mid-70s Monday, Sept. 24. Thus, Monday was the first day of Indian summer. Indian summer can last until the end of October, or even the first part of November!

A very special thanks to the people of Central Freeborn Lutheran Church for selecting the first day of Indian summer to host their annual Fall Soup and Pie Supper. 

Mary Ann Atchison was the chair, with Lettie Ann Anderson, Linda Anderson and Ruth Thompson, as the three co-chairs. They surrounded themselves with very good workers and the results showed it!

Workers and attendees, once again you showed in person the true meaning of Rural America. Six hundred forty-nine people purchased the meal and all of them were pleased and plan on attending next year (tentatively Monday, Sept. 23).

They came from Waseca, Meriden, Owatonna, Ellendale, Austin, Blooming Prairie, Lerdal, Albert Lea, Lansing Corners, Red Oak Grove, Wells, Matawan, Otisco, Lemond, Vista, Glenville, Gordonsville, Freeborn, Alden, Faribault, Janesville, Hope Northwood, Clear Lake Mason City, Waldorf – plus other area locations. Patrick of Golden, Colo. came from the farthest away.

There were nurses, doctors, bankers, farmers, lawyers, politicians, city government officials, both current and former Twins fans, John Deere personnel, wannabe politicians, firemen, Auxiliarians – and the list goes on and on.

For example: the chief of the Norwegian LeSueur River Tribe, Bud Tollefson, and the lovely Princess Katheryn; She Who Must Be Obeyed along with her obedient spouse Al Batt; The famous Tesch duo from Waseca, Russ and Marie; The Sommers’ spouses with their pancake-flipping husbands; Violet Hanssen and her professional KFC eater, Ed, from Glenville; Arlen, the professional house builder, and Coleen Brekke, who sells them, from Ellendale; my neighbors from Albert Lea; fellow Lions members – and the list goes on and on.

You name the town or occupation and it was represented by at least one of the 649 attendees who entered Central Freeborn Lutheran Church’s VIP entry door.

I was pleasantly surprised at the number of people attending who took the time to visit the gravesite of a friend or relative.

NOTE: In putting something in print, using the name of a person, one must be sure you don’t offend. In a recent article, I didn’t verify before printing. I blew it. To you whom I offended, please accept my apology.

— — —

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. 

As I drove to Blue Earth to watch my grandson Dylan’s football game, the farmers were out in full force busily combining beans. The countryside is painted a golden brown this time of year and, along with the trees changing colors, it is truly a picture worthy of an artist’s brush.

Taking a drive in the country in the fall can be rewarding and it always gives me that special feeling which I seem to experience each year at about this time. Although I don’t do very much hunting these days, this is always a special time of year for me.  

The archery season for deer is now open along with the waterfowl hunting season. If you venture north a ways, you can be treated to some grouse hunting, which can be enjoyed on many of the Wildlife Management Areas in Northern Minnesota. 

We actually have access to a total of eleven WMAs right here in Freeborn County that are there for the public to enjoy.

Quite a few years ago, my oldest son Brian asked me if I wanted to ride along with him to the Bricelyn/Frost area and check out a couple of the places he bow hunted. That beautiful crisp fall day, I definitely could see what would make a person enjoy sitting in a tree for hours just waiting for a deer to come by.

When Brian and I first decided to look for some land in Northern Minnesota, we spent most of a summer looking for that right spot and one we could both like. The land we bought was on a little lake and was actually the first place we visited. 

As we drove down the easement drive to the property for the first time, we were greeted by a deer standing on the edge of the drive right in front of us. As soon as I noticed the deer, the thought flashed through my mind (this will be the place) because the look on Brian’s face said it all. 

We continued to look at other places, but in the end, kept coming back to this one. I guess it’s a sportsman’s version of love at first sight. (We are located on a lake that was not supposed to have fish in it, but there are plenty of sunnies and crappies to be had).

Brian has yet to do any bow hunting up there, but both he and his boys hunt ducks and grouse each fall when they spend a few October days at the cabin. A couple of years ago, Trevor, my oldest grandson, even built a deer stand on our land.

So far no one has used it. I have a feeling that if it doesn’t have feathers, Trevor isn’t interested.

There are grouse on our property and on the adjoining state land which surrounds our property. Brian and the boys spend a few hours each week walking the woods in search of grouse. 

They have gotten a few in the last couple of years. I too  have sighted quite a few over the summer months; hunting looks to be pretty good this October. 

A couple years ago, I broke down and bought a single shot 20 gauge just to have at the cabin. I have been asked why a single shot? First of all, it was fairly inexpensive (cheap) and with my cat-like reflexes, if I don’t hit something on the first shot, I more than likely won’t hit it at all.

Brian and I will be heading to the cabin for a week in October. Who knows, he may even be able to talk the old man into walking one of the many public trails that are available in the area. If that happens — although I’m no Quickdraw McGraw — I’ll be carrying my trusty 20 gauge hoping to make my one shot count. Just spending time with Brian fishing and walking the woods at this time of the year is really what it’s all about.

— — —

The Minnesota DNR issued the following news release promoting grouse hunting in the state:

Grouse Hunting

There’s more to Minnesota than 10,000 lakes. Try 11 million acres of public hunting land, 528 designated hunting areas in the ruffed grouse range covering nearly 1 million acres, 43 designated ruffed grouse management areas and 600 miles of hunter trails.

Minnesota offers some of the best grouse hunting in the country. Even in down years of the grouse population’s boom-and-bust cycle, hunters in other states still envy our flush rates and hunter success rates remain high.

What you’ll need

Not counting a sturdy pair of boots, a blaze orange hat and vest and a shotgun, all you need to hunt grouse in Minnesota is a valid game license.

Hunters seeking woodcock must be HIP-certified (done when you purchase your Minnesota license) but do not need state or federal migratory bird stamps. Shotguns may not hold more than three shells unless a plug is used.

If you’re not on your home turf, you’ll need a place to stay, something to eat and a souvenir or two. Communities such as Grand Rapids, Ely, Duluth and Bemidji offer a wealth of options.

— — —

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.

Fall is here. The leaves are falling, the temperatures are falling, and sometimes spirits fall too, and before long there will be a snowfall. 

It has been a most beautiful September and for that we should be grateful. The farmers have really been busy out in their fields harvesting their crops. 

With a little bit more time to get those crops harvested, the farmers should be able to get the job done before the snow flies. We hope that everyone will be extra careful, both in the fields and on the roads, and that no accidents will occur.

Fall also gets those school bells ringing too! The young people are back in school with excitement over spending time with friends and playing on the playgrounds, while the older students are running, jumping, serving, spiking and tackling in hopes of wins on the athletic fields. 

Whatever the name of the game is, it is still the fun experience and exercise that the events provide that is important.

Homecoming activities take place this entire week. Homecoming is a big deal. 

I don't know if the alumni are as loyal about returning for the events as they once were. Distance, college and jobs can make it more difficult, but it is always a good time to renew old friendships and talk over games and events of the past. 

Maybe we should all test our memories.

How many can remember who have been crowned Homecoming Queen? Surely you can name the years as well!

Were they always seniors?

What year did we first start to crown a Homecoming King?

Have we always had a little princess and prince?

Did they ever get to be the King or Queen when they got to be a senior?

What year were we not only undefeated but unscored upon?

How many Peterson brothers played on the same team?

Do you remember the words to your old school songs, when we were the Ellendale-Geneva Raiders and the New Richland-Hartland Cardinals?

Did the Panthers win their Homecoming games last year?

The excitement and fun things that take place this week are exciting for the little ones too. Everybody loves a parade, and many come to school that week wearing the school colors. 

Many of the little boys dress up like football players, and the girls dress up like cheerleaders. They all look forward to when they will be old enough to be able to participate in the big Homecoming games and parades.

The "old school" houses have changed over the years to accommodate the flood of youngsters that fill the empty places of those who have graduated and moved on. A new experience for our 6th graders is occurring this year and though they share the bottom position in their school, nonetheless, they can feel big because now they are part of the high school.

You don't hear too many complaints from the students about returning to school because there is too much waiting for them there: friends, activities, sports and fun, as well as studies to learn. There are new things to try in electronics and new foods to taste in regards to the hot lunch program. 

I am sure that there have been some complaints, or discussions, regarding the hot lunch program this year, but if they only knew how much it can change their lives, they maybe wouldn't be saying so much. There is so much to learn about simple things like food that can be so important in their lives. Sometimes it is hard to comprehend, but even the littlest student can learn to understand the math.

I have been hearing on the television that some schools are having boycotts and demonstrations in regards to their meals. Most of it seems to be in regards to the amount a serving is. 

I am sure that serving sizes are something we may need to gradually learn again, seeing as portion sizes have grown through the years. 

When reading the nutrition facts of a product, don't forget to check the size of the portion. Surprise: most serving sizes are 1/4 cup. 

I do believe we have to start making some changes gradually in regards to the amount of food that we eat. There are ways to teach a child, or a grown up, size portion. 

Most people know a protein item, like meat or fish, should be the size of a deck of cards. Three cubes of cheese equal the size of three dice. A portion of french fries equals the size of one’s cell phone, etc.

Did you know a typical fast food meal of a burger, fries and soda in 1950 had 590 calories? The typical fast food meal today contains 1,550 calories.

American teenagers drink twice as much soda as milk. Just 25 years ago, they drank twice as much milk as soda. 

Drinking soda once in a while is not bad, but drinking soda every day instead of milk or water is not a healthy choice. One can of regular soda has about 10 teaspoons of sugar. Drinking soda contributes to cavities, obesity and osteoporosis (brittle bones).

About 65 percent of American adults are overweight or obese. This is up from 1980, when the number was 47 percent. Hopefully, we will also learn this valuable lesson and change our eating habits and start eating healthy.

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, October 4th: Susan Cornelius Wehr, Helen Jagusch Mantahei, Skyler Hanson, Clair Clausen, Michelle Lageson, Dale Waage, Jeff Waage, Lori Zabel, Matt Redmon, John & Cynthia Nelson, Krista & Randy Baana.

• Friday, October 5th: Kijah Joy Mikesell, Bethany Otto, Graciela Solveig Ortiz, Larry Pence, Karen Wiersma, Julie Cornelius, Jamie Farr, Elizabeth Randall, Peggy Sorenson, Linda Harding, Karen Kasper, Ray & Bunny Jepson, Jim & Pat Lyle, Wayne & Jo Schimek, Mandi & Darren Johannsen, Doug & Deb Braaten.

• Saturday, October 6th: Evan Matthew Beckman, Mesa Jo Grace Krause, Jackson Wyatt Lageson, Mark Plunkett, Dick Wacholz, Marlin Beckman, Kaira Glienke, Melissa Horan, Aurie Brighton, Caden Reichl, Gail Turvold, Julie Born Beenken, Scott Holmes, Tat Misgen, Cindy Kasper Johnson, Jayme & Ryan Paulson.

• Sunday, October 7th: Candace Lageson Baker, Carolyn Weller, Jason Huber, Todd Wayne, Debbie David, Garrett Briggs, Jill Bergdale, Kris Strenge, John & Ellen Hanson, Denise & Jerry Abbott, Jamie & Brian Riley, Pat & Barb O'Conner.

• Monday, October 8th: Mandy Moon, Lauren Olivia Sommers, Haley Hanson, Barb Hagen, Barb Dobberstein, Barb Strenge, Mary Kay Spurr, Brad Anderson, Doug Anderson, Hazel Spiering, Daniel Paulson, Kay Nelson, Julie & Brian Dahl.

• Tuesday, October 9th: Matt Kubiatowicz, Joshua Kasper, Cheryl Paulsen Wilson, Randy Mucha, Nancy Jo Anderson, Ashley Hove, Keith Neidermeier, Dennis Blouin.

• Wednesday, October 10th: Pat Goodnature, Trevin Stollard, Aarin Gray Pirsig, his 2nd; Eric Anderson, Nicole Anderson Loken, Luverne Hamor, Haley Hanson, LeRoy Ingvaldson, Nicole Lonning, Betty DeRaad, Elena Grace Spande, Glenn Beckmann.

May all of your favorite things be within reach. Have a wonderful day!

Food shelf gifts to determine which ministers color hair

By RACHEL RIETSEMA

Staff Writer

To pay the electric bill or buy groceries? That is the question of many local residents these days.

But, by just glancing inside the Ellendale United Methodist Church’s food shelf, the majority of their answers to this question becomes painfully obvious. The empty shelves speak for themselves.

“This year to date, we are at a 37 percent increase in clients from where we were last year,” said Bethany Mikesell, Ellendale Area Food Shelf Coordinator. “This is due to the tank in the economy a few years ago; the grocery price incline isn’t helping either.”

In light of these startling truths, Ellendale United Methodist’s pastor Lisa Dodd along with Pastors Patrick Stitt (Vibrant Life, Assembly of God), Carrie McElfresh (Geneva’s Community Lutheran Church) and Richard Sliper (First Lutheran Church) are taking action.

NRHEG students O.K. after car rolls over

NRHEG High School students T.J. Schiltz and Adam Anderson survived a close call Friday night.
The vehicle Schiltz was driving hit a tree and flipped over  south of One Stop in New Richland. The car was totaled. Schiltz and Anderson were uninjured.
Schiltz, a junior and a standout cross country runner, was working Saturday but reported Monday on Facebook he was still feeling a little sore.

Bloodmobile to be in NR October 10

The American Red Cross is holding the New Richland Blood Drive on Wednesday, October 10. It will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. at the City Hall. To schedule an appointment please call Mary at 507-465-3734. 

Wayne brings home Grand Champion title

GRAND CHAMPION — Remi Wayne stands next to the Featherlite trailer that she won the use of for one year for winning Grand Champion honors at the 2012 Minnesota State Fair. (Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen)

By KATHY PAULSEN

Staff Writer

This March came in like every other March for the Wayne family. It was time to pick out pigs for 4-H.

Rodney and his daughter, Remi, found what they thought would be good pigs at the swine auction in Albert Lea. There were 85 pigs available.

Over the years, the Waynes have come to know Randy Morris well, purchasing pigs from him each spring. Randy lives near Myrtle, and he and Justin Morris, who lives in Mankato, also show pigs at the fair.

Rodney and other farmers are only able to purchase pigs at an auction. They can’t just go to the Morris farm and look over the pigs available for purchase and buy one. 

Rodney admits that although he is the most influential, Remi is the one who selects the pigs they purchase and is the one who takes care of them the most. They both work together to get the end product.