Do you remember the day you first started school?

I do.

It was a most exciting day. I only had a half block to go to what was then the Geneva Elementary School, which was comprised of three classrooms, a gymnasium, an office, a kitchen and restrooms. First and second grade were in one room, third and fourth grade in another room, and fifth and sixth in the third classroom.

I wore my navy blue suit dress with the white collar. I had my blonde hair in a ponytail that day, and my mother took my picture on the front lawn of my home.

I didn't need Mom along because I was too happy to be starting school to be afraid. I knew most of the kids at school from Sunday school and my next-door neighbor, Nancy Loberg, who had spent hours with me cooking and baking etc. would be there with me. 

I was confident. I knew my numbers and letters. I could read some stories, like "Cat In The Hat" and I could print and write cursive, but that was to change because my teacher said that all of the students had to be on the same "lesson" level.

That first day of school was just the beginning of my formal education. We learned our lessons of reading, writing, arithmetic, social studies and health and so on. But the biggest education was probably what we learned through life experiences.

Our classroom teachers back then taught all the necessary subjects, as well as physical education, music and art, and helped us in the library. But that was then and now is now.

School has changed since I first went and is much more sophisticated. That element will undoubtedly never change. 

The things we experienced, the friends and classmates we met, the teachers that taught us, parental influences, community activities and what we learned everyday was all part of our life education — facts and figures, learning to live in this particular generation, accepting or rejecting.

Going off to vocational school or college would be another new experience. Our teachers taught us many things that weren't in books and part of the curriculum. They also taught us that their hugs were good rewards, not inappropriate.

Learning how to be with other people and being able to achieve are just some of the things we learn when we go to school. Growing up in an ever-changing world, learning to make decisions and choices, wise or otherwise. 

You never learned everything from a book. "Hands on" and sight and sound experiences aren't inside books, but they, too, are an important part of the learning process.

Our teachers also taught us to stand up for ourselves and that Mom and Dad wouldn’t always be there to depend on. Our school cook in Geneva, Mena Johnson, also taught us. 

She taught us to learn to try different foods. She asked us taste the different foods that she had prepared. 

If we didn't like something, we didn't say, “Ugh,” or “Phew.” If we didn't like to read or do math, we just couldn't stop doing it. 

The bus drivers taught us to sit in the seats on the bus and not holler, be rowdy or poke at other passengers on the bus, and that it was important to be on time.

Winter taught us that it could get cold, but also showed us that playing in the snow could be fun.

Classroom education has changed so much even in my time, my children’s time and in their children’s time, not to even think about when Grandma and Grandpa went to school.

Methods changed and materials to teach with have changed. The teacher taught an eclectic class of first through eighth grade. 

Black boards are now iPads, and typewriters have been replaced by computers. Teachers most often had two grades in a large classroom, but isn't it interesting to note the children learned? 

Which brings me to the thought, how did they learn? Through life experiences; book learning was just the frosting on the cake, so to speak. 

Children learned what they needed to learn, how to live in their generation and their time. The information they learned just helped them grow and know where to look for anything they might want or need to know. And as time changed, so did they.

I feel like I should be going back to school because an adult, I haven't been able to keep up with all the things necessary to make the ultimate use of today's school supplies. At the rate of technology advances, we do indeed need an equipment kindergarten for adults, in order to can keep up with our children and grandchildren.

It doesn't bother me to ask my grandchildren questions pertaining to the computer, the cell phone and the iPod, but it aggravates them a little when they try to explain what's what and it doesn't sink in my memory.

I well remember the frustration when "modern math" was first introduced in the school curriculum and parents could no longer advise their children with the math homework.

It was easier to learn how to use a piece of chalk on a black board as opposed to clicking on a hand held machine that tells you everything but requires know how in order to use it.

I do admit it still bothers me to have a clerk who is unable to make change or do basic figures in their head and have no choice but to use a calculator.

What do you think education will be like in another generation or two? School could even be obsolete!

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, September 13th: Tali Wayne, Jaxon Richards, Russell Goette, Jason Ingvaldson, James Plunkett, Clifford Tufte, Sherre Utpadel, Lisa Zamora, Andrew Zinke, Korey Peterson, Amber Stohr, Lisa Ritz, Ruby Troxel, Ann & Rodney Hamilton, Rhonda & Derike Shelton.

• Friday, September 14th: Rick Wangsness, Reece Breidenbach, Issac Wacek, Chris Hanson, Linda Pederson, Jill Peterson, Jack Jensen, Caleb Lunning, Ethan Lunning, Johnny White, Gerald & Becky Edwards, Rick & Charlotte Miller.

• Saturday, September 15th: Korbin Wayne, Aiden McClasky,  Daniel Hemingway, Ryan Johnson, Nancy Nelson, Tyrel Peterson, Wendy Schultz, Eric Nelson, Jarred Hanson, Dorothy Reichl, Roger & Patty Langlie.

• Sunday, September 16th:  Evon Damon Lucas, David L. Christenson, Carmen Fetterly, Emily Laudon, Howard & Carrie Peterson, Shane & Kelly Christensen.

• Monday, September 17th: Duane Edwardson, Karen Hemingway Core, Al Routh, Kara Ladlie, Allen Brandt, Sue Tasker, Brock David Routh, Terry & Marlys Van Kampen.

• Tuesday, September 18th: Torsten Wayne, Laura Groth, Carla Scripture, Kevin Christenson, Ron Farr, Chris Larson, Becky Axmann, Laura Davis, Julia Spande, Randy & Cindy Horan, Andrea & Nick Miller, Todd & Mary Wayne, David & Malinda Hanson, Jill & Brian Wolff, Nicholas & Katie Wayne.

• Wednesday, September 19th: Vicki Hill Kress, Carol Anderson, David Deml, Ben Cerney, Dan Underland, Kristine Sorenson, Bill Hatch, Jennifer Johnson, Gerald Trandem, Cindy Morris Erickson, Scott & Tracy Tracy, Kelly & David Wacek, Jill & Dustin Johannsen.

May your special day be filled with sunshine and smiles.

This past week, I have been spending time at our cabin in the north woods and am enjoying every moment of it. I actually headed north to work on the cabin and hopefully get in a little fishing. Mission accomplished! 

I finished the work that I had planned on doing and still found the time to relax. I am actually writing this column from that little piece of heaven in the woods.

I don’t think there is anything more relaxing than watching various birds busily go about their business and filling their bellies. We now have five chipmunks that are also regulars at the feeders; there were originally only three, but two more have now joined the festivities.

The last two are no doubt young ones because they still don’t quite understand the concept. One in particular figured out how to get onto the feeder after a few failed attempts and falls to the ground.

I am sure the critter was pretty proud of that accomplishment.  Unfortunately it had no clue as to how to get off of said feeder. 

While on the deck, I heard a small “thump” and spotted the little guy on the ground shaking its head. After that I watched as it once again mounted the feeder. 

When it had finished loading its cheeks, it jumped off and made another thump as it hit the ground. I think it took about two days for him to figure out that jumping to the tree was a much less painful way to dismount. Even so, he still manages to fall off from time to time.

There is a lot to be said about just relaxing and watching nature. On the second night after I had gone to bed, I awoke to a noise by the feeder. 

When I looked out, I could see the silhouette of a raccoon on the branch above the feeder, trying to open the lid. It sensed my presence and took off down the hill. 

On the second night, I was just too tired to hear anything. So in the morning, I discovered that the critter had slid the glass up and off one side of the feeder and emptied it without breaking anything. 

I have to give that coon credit for being pretty smart. The last time that I saw said coon, he was at the feeder with a much larger coon. Apparently, he had to bring Dad along to show him the dumb human that keeps feeding him.

I was determined to “outsmart” that coon, so with one of the feeders almost empty, I decided to put the other one in the back of the pickup safe from harm’s way. I have to admit that I was feeling pretty brilliant, as he wasn’t about to open that topper.

But, when I awoke in the morning, I found that the joke was once again on me. It seems that a mouse had found its way into the back of the pickup during the night and helped itself to most of the black oil sunflower seeds that seem to be the favorite of almost all critters that live in the Northwoods.

During the week, I spent some time fishing on a couple of my favorite lakes. One lake that is only a couple of miles down the road is a very good northern lake. It didn’t disappoint. 

After going through an assortment of lures in my tackle box, I finally stumbled onto the right combination of colors, pink and white to be exact. I proceeded to catch a couple of small pike at first.

Then I caught one that wasn’t huge by any stretch of the imagination, but it was about 23-inches long and very thick. I immediately thought “supper” because I was really getting tired of hotdogs. 

There is nothing better than fish fresh out of the lake and into the skillet with some fried potatoes on the side. This one fish was larger than I had estimated. I will be bringing the rest home to share with Jean.

I can’t express the feeling that I get while spending time in the woods on a late summer day, where even those warm days give a hint of what’s to come. There are subtle hints of fall as the maple and aspen are already turning color. 

I always have mixed feelings when I embrace the onset of fall, which is my favorite season. It’s hard to describe the warm feeling I get, as I watch Mother Nature splash the forests and adjoining countryside with a multitude of colors. I also feel a little sadness when I realize that fall signals the end to another summer season. 

I guess that is what they mean when they say someone is in the autumn of their years. Oh well, I know that I’ll be making at least one more trip to the cabin in October to enjoy the woods and lakes another time before I call it a year.

While fishing on one of my favorite lakes this past week, I  reflected on how lucky I was to be there sitting in my small fishing boat (which seems to be my favorite boat to fish from lately, especially when I am fishing alone). I think it makes me feel more like I am one with nature, as it has no depth finder and the only fish finder is what is sitting in my old brown tackle box. 

That box is actually one that my Mom and Dad had given to Brian on his birthday one year. Eventually, he got a new one and I claimed his old brown one and although I have bigger and supposedly better ones now, I still use this one most of the time. 

If you ever fished with me you’d wonder how I could ever possibly get that much stuff into that small an area. 

It’s much like cleaning out the garage – I was looking for one of these about thirty years ago, so I’d better hang onto it. I know that the old brown tackle box holds more than fishing tackle; it’s also full of many good memories.

Until next time, take a little time to step back and take in some of the wonders that nature has to show us.

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

It’s a pleasure to resume writing for the paper. We are in the process of downsizing our antique shop and my publishers were kind enough to give me a two-month hiatus. 

As usual, I didn’t get as much done as I had hoped, but the season is winding down at the State Park and more time can be devoted to the task of sorting and selling.

It’s amazing how fast the summer has gone, although it probably can’t end soon enough for our Minnesota Twins. They are having their second consecutive year of futility. 

In 2011, the string of injuries to the mainstays of the club hurt them along with some misguided actions from the front office. Injuries to Morneau, Mauer and others had the team out of contention soon after the All-Star game. The lack of a Major League shortstop didn’t help either.

General manager Bill Smith was fired, which was quite a step for our loyal-to-a-fault Twins organization. Previous GM Terry Ryan was brought in to right the ship. 

Ryan was able to fill the obvious holes with adequate replacements. The position players are now Major League competent, perhaps not a pennant-winning lineup, but competitive, particularly in the American League Central Division. But, I’m sure to Ryan and Gardenhire’s dismay, the starting pitching disappeared.

At the beginning of this season, after coming out of spring training, the starting staff was composed of Scott Baker, Francisco Liriano, Carl Pavano, Nick Blackburn and promising Australian rookie Liam Hendricks. Now, it’s normal that a Major League starting staff will undergo change, maybe through injuries or just plain ineffectiveness. But the Twins went five-for-five. 

Baker and Pavano came up with injuries and Pavano was not that good when he did pitch, probably due to his injury. Blackburn was consistently bad and Hendricks was terrible before being sent down to Rochester.

Francisco Liriano was a study unto itself. I had a chance to interview Liriano in 2006. 

He was the best pitcher on a staff that included Cy Young winner Johan Santana. One of the questions I asked Liriano was, "What do you enjoy doing besides playing baseball?" He said, "Dominos" with a smile. 

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to again talk to Liriano. I asked him how his arm was? "Good" he said, with a very straight face. 

Then I asked him how his Domino game was? "Good" he said, with a very somber face. Now he had no reason to smile back at me, but I remember thinking, "This is not a happy camper." 

I’m sure the Twins were tempted to keep him, as he was about the only starter with dominating stuff, but I certainly understand their trading him. The Twins had worked with Liriano for six years and only in a couple of these years had he pitched well all season. 

 I think the team felt that someone else could pay a great deal of money and have the angst of a very inconsistent performer on their pitching staff.

Terry Ryan has a real conundrum, whether to try to fix the team short term or throw up his hands and rebuild. It must be tempting to tear down the team and build for the future. 

However, the Twins have a solid core of position players and if Ryan can greatly improve the starting pitching, they might contend. In any case, this should be an interesting off-season.

NRHEG gridders reach end zone, but fall to 0-2 with 20-7 loss at GFW

By DALE KUGATH

Sportswriter

WINTHROP – The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva football team continued to struggle to put points on the scoreboard in week two.

Coach Dan Stork’s Panthers suffered their second straight loss, falling 20-7 to Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop in Winthrop Friday. 

“The mistakes we made and the penalties we committed were too much for us to overcome,” said Stork. “The time of possession was extremely lopsided.”

The Thunderbirds, who were drubbed 73-8 by NRHEG a year ago, evened their record at 1-1. 

The Panthers clung to a one-point lead after three quarters, but GFW rallied for 14 fourth-quarter points. 

GFW scored the only points of the first half in the second quarter. Frank Fairchild broke lose on a 19-yard scoring run to give the T-Birds a 6-0 advantage at the halftime break, stretching the NRHEG scoreless streak to six straight quarters to start the year. 

Panthers drop nonconference match

YES! — Members of the NRHEG volleyball team celebrate a game-two victory over WEM last Tuesday. The Bucs won the nonconference match 3-1. From left: Katie Cole, Kalana Shurson, Noelle Bartness, Carlie Wagner, Jade Schultz and Hannah Lundberg. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)

By DALE KUGATH

Sportswriter

NEW RICHLAND – The first loss of the season was a frustrating one for coach Joe Kuechenmeister and his New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva volleyball team. The Panthers had game point in three of the four games, but only won one of them, in suffering a 3-1 loss to Waterville-Elysian-Morristown in New Richland Sept. 4. 

The Panthers won two matches against WEM a year ago, but got outscored 100-88 in the four-game match last Tuesday. 

This match was a non-conference contest and improved the Buccaneers to 4-0 this season. 

NRHEG slipped to 2-1, with all three matches being played at home. 

“We had a lot of shoulda, coulda, wouldas tonight that come to mind,” said Kuechenmeister. “The girls battled hard. There’s no doubt about that.”

By DALE KUGATH

Sportswriter

NEW RICHLAND – The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva volleyball team bounced back from its first defeat of the season. 

Coach Joe Kuechenmeister’s Panthers, playing their fourth straight home match, swept the Randolph Rockets Thursday, outscoring the visitors 75-40.

NRHEG, which also swept the Rockets last season, climbed to 1-0 in the Gopher Conference and 2-1 for the year. 

Randolph is winless in four matches this season. 

It was total dominance by the Panthers in the opening game as they romped to a 25-7 victory. 

By DALE KUGATH

Sportswriter

MONTGOMERY – Running in the Gerald Smith Invitational at Montgomery is much like running in a state meet. The huge number of runners in the race is usually the biggest that most teams see all season. 

Coach Mike Weber’s New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva cross country teams had to open their season at Montgomery Thursday. 

Both the boys and girls races featured over 20 complete teams and 150 runners. 

The Panther boys failed to field a complete squad, while the girls managed to place 23rd among 24 complete teams and 31 total teams.