Inspired by Misgen, Johnson boys tear up derby circuit

SMASHING SUCCESS — Jim Misgen, Corey Johnson and Casey Johnson stand in front of one of the Misgen-sponsored demolition derby cars in which the Johnson brothers have enjoyed much success. (Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen)

By KATHY PAULSEN

Staff Writer

Misgen is a name recognized throughout the territory.

Francis still holds the position as head guru of Misgen Auto Parts, but he has passed along his expertise, knowledge, and excitement of developing "junk" into valuable parts that people need.

Since 1972, Francis has been overseeing the scrapping, recycling, and educating not only by himself but with his children and grandchildren. There’s no doubt that he is passing the legacy to three great grandsons.

Francis's son, Jimmy, has always shared his dad’s interest in cars and has been owner/manager for some time, and his knowledge runs deep. He and Rick Johnson dabbled a little in demolition derby competition in their day, but it was the boys who inherited the interest and have really "smashed them up" over the years.

Want to get to know your Waseca County Commissioner candidates? Here’s your chance.

The New Richland Sportsman’s Club will host a candidate forum Tuesday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m., sponsored by the Waseca County Corn and Soybean Growers Association.

NRHEG falls 35-0 in season football opener

HOLD ON — NRHEG sophomore Nick Bartness (32) tries to hang onto Blooming Prairie sophomore Cole Sunde on one of the Blossoms’ many big plays in a 35-0 decision at Blooming Prairie last Friday. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)

By DALE KUGATH

Sportswriter

BLOOMING PRAIRIE – It was hard to believe that Blooming Prairie sophomore quarterback John Rumpza was starting his first varsity game. Rumpza was able to convert numerous third-down plays to lead the Blossoms to a dominating 35-0 victory over New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva in Friday’s football opener at Blooming Prairie. 

The Blossoms, coming off an 11-2 state tournament season in 2011, took over right where they left off a year ago. The BP offense topped the 400-yeard mark and the defense was threatened just once the entire night. 

“Blooming Prairie is young and talented,” said NRHEG coach Dan Stork. “Our lack of depth really hurt us.” 

The Panthers, a 5-5 team in 2011, lost last year’s contest 33-30.

STRONG START — Senior Raelin Schue hits a spike past an Albert Lea defender during the Panthers’ 3-2 season-opening victory at New Richland last week. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)

By DALE KUGATH

Sportswriter

NEW RICHLAND - The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva volleyball team overcame its inexperience on the court to win a five-game match against Albert Lea in the season opener at New Richland Aug. 28th.

“I’m very proud of the girls in the way they were able to battle through adversity and get their first win of the season tonight,” said coach Joe Kuechenmeister. “Things definitely did not come easy and we looked rusty, but we played tough when our backs were against the wall.”

The Panthers, who are coming off a 23-6 season in 2011, were playing without career hits’ leader Anna Schlaak for the first time in four seasons. 

“Yes, it was great to come out on top tonight,” said Kuechenmeister. “We definitely have some things we need to fix before our next game.”

The Quad Cities Baseball Association 14-and-under team had high hopes for the 2012 season.

The squad had a solid year but fell short of its goal of a state tournament berth with regular-season losses to Mankato, WEM, Eagle Lake and Maple River, finishing 8-4 in league play. The overall record was 11-10, with half of the losses coming in tournaments to teams at least a year older.

Highlights included beating state tournament entrant Nicollet twice, in the JWP Tournament at Waldorf and at New Richland’s Legion Field. Those games were won with tough pitching, solid defense and clutch hitting. Nicollet (11-2) and WEM (8-3) represented the league at state.

The team’s top hitters this year were Wyatt Fitterer, Brody Hanson, Trey Hoppe, Zeke Erickson, Dempsey Tucker and Palmer Peterson. Leading the pitching staff were Tucker, Eli Lutgens and Luke Overgaard. The rest of the team included John Cole, Clayton Nelson, C.J. Schiltz (whose season was cut short by injury), Jack Skalicky, Karter Sletten and Trai Wicks.

Coach Tom Schiltz, assisted by Jim Peterson, would like to thank all the parents, his wife, Tricia, scorekeeper Tina Hoppe, photographer Nikki Erickson and the following people for helping during practices: Jeff Reese, Al Shultz, Noel Hoppe, Bill Webster, Jim Lutgens and Todd Fitterer.

Below are the names of the youth members from the Hartland and Bath-Geneva Clubs, as well as one family from the Hayward Club, who received Champion, Reserve Champion or Purple recognition for their project work at the 2012 Freeborn County Fair:

Beef

• Reserve Champion Breeding Heifer - Jed Knutson, Hartland Club

• Champion Beef Prospect Calf - Jacob Reed, Hartland Club

• Reserve Champion Beef Prospect Calf - Bennett Stadheim, Hartland Club

• Champion Sr. Beef Showmanship - Meghan Stadheim, Hartland Club

• Reserve Champion Sr. Beef Showmanship - Spencer Wangen, Bath-Geneva Club

Dairy

• Reserve Champion Overall Dairy - Hailey Johnson, Hartland Club

Last week, I experienced something I don’t think I’ll ever forget.

I was grocery shopping at Wagner’s in town, and when I returned to my car, an older gentleman pointed out my rear right tire was flat. My tires had been leaking for a while, so I didn’t think much of it. I thanked him for pointing it out and headed to One Stop to refill it.

Once I got there and put the air in my tire, it was obvious it wasn’t going to hold — it was leaking faster than I could fill it. I did the first thing I thought to do: I called my dad.

“My tire’s not holding air,” I said as soon as he answered.

“What?” he asked, apparently not understanding the statement (sorry Dad, I had to).

“The rear right tire,” I repeated, “is not holding air. I’m at One Stop.”

Also at the gas station at the time were about 15 bikers who looked to be about middle-aged. As I was telling my dad the situation, one of the bikers who overheard my conversation walked over to my car and started inspecting the tire, hearing the hiss of the air escaping the tube. 

“Well, what do you want me to do about it?” I could hear my dad saying through the phone. “Do you need me to come up there?”

Then the man asked if I needed to go far, and I told him that I lived in town.

“No, it looks like someone’s helping me,” I replied. “I’ll call you back.”

The man kept inspecting the tire; he put some air in and watched it go flat again, and it was obvious he was trying to pinpoint the leak. He asked me to move my car forward a little bit, so I did, and he found it.

“Do they sell tire plug kits here?” he asked me, his hand on the hole in the tire. 

I looked at him, bewildered. This stranger, who I’ve never met in my life, was going to help me plug the tire on my car?

“Um, I don’t know,” I said. “I’ll go check.”

It turned out they did indeed sell them there, and I bought one. At this point there were a few more men around my car, looking at the tire and chatting casually. I gave the kit to the guy who was originally helping me, and after two tries (it was a “crappy kit,” in his words), it finally held.

“Well, looks like you should be good to go,” he said. “At least until you get home.”

I thanked him over and over, not really sure how to react. He told me it wasn’t a problem; they weren’t going to just leave me stranded there. And as the group went on their way, they all waved at me and smiled.

I realized as I was driving home that I never got the man’s name, but what he did was probably the nicest thing anyone’s ever done for me. It gives me faith in the human race: we’re not all so bad after all. It makes me so happy to know that there are still people willing to go out of their way to help someone in need, especially since he had no obligation to help me at all. He did it purely out of the kindness of his heart.

So, if any of you readers are the guy on the motorcycle who helped me plug my tire, I want to say thank you. You may not have thought it was a big deal, but it was to me. And I think everyone can learn a lesson from this: if you take the time to do something nice for someone, it usually means a lot more to them than you may think. Remember to think of others before yourself sometimes; after all, isn’t the Golden Rule, “Treat others how you want to be treated?” I try my best to live by that, and I think some other people should really consider it, too.

Do you ever just wonder, “Why?” I do. 

Would you call this generation the "Y" generation?

Would you wonder why some of my thoughts and feelings about things make me wonder, “Why?”

"Y" do small children often say why? Why this, why that. Maybe we need to take a lesson from them and ask why!

Why? Maybe we would get some answers. Maybe not. But maybe it would make people more accountable for their actions.

"Y" in a day and age of almost instant electronic communication do politicians feel they need to spend the amount of time and money they do on seemingly continuous campaigning?

"Y" isn't it more important for them to do the job that they were elected to do, instead of just running down their opponents and talking about the things they did or didn't do?

"Y" do we receive pages of literature telling us we have the right to privacy, and yet it really isn't there?

"Y" isn't a holiday like Martin Luther Day a Civil Rights Day? Even our Presidents have a "Presidents’ Day,” not individual birthday celebrations. 

"Y" is showing the posterior from low hanging drawers and jeans, which might draw attention, attractive to some?

"Y" would anyone go through the misery of body piercing, and "Y" do they select the places that they have pierced? All these little gems need washing around every day.

"Y" would anyone subject themselves to covering their bodies with grotesque tattoos? Ouch. It has to hurt, and if one were born with the blemish they would wish for nice, clear skin.

"Y" would anyone abuse or lose their children when there are childless couples reaching out for children to love?

"Y" does it give them a kick or feeling of power to torture them?

"Y" do people choose to smoke when they know of its ill effects?

"Y" do people choose to contaminate their lives with drugs that can only cause them trouble?

"Y" do people work harder to attain a fortune illegally than if they went out and worked that hard for it they could do better?

"Y" do we shout when a whisper will give better results?

"Y" can't we get along in life without constantly having to talk on our cell phones?

"Y" do we tend to leave the less desirable things to do last when doing them right away would relieve us of stress?

"Y" do we laugh when something happens to someone that may look funny but it isn't?

"Y" would we pay big bucks for new worn out jeans when we'd throw the real thing in the garbage?

"Y" doesn't Mother Nature even out her attacks of drought and too much rain?

"Y" do we spend big money on projects and renovations that though mediocre, things are still suitable and usable, when we need the money so bad in other places?

"Y" when we know the odds are apt to put floods and storms in our area do we still build below water levels or structures that won't handle the wind?

"Y" do we pay for the name when other brands are just as good?

"Y" doesn't it make you wonder how people come up with enough money to spend all their time practicing on a ski slope or ice rink, etc.? 

"Y" wouldn't you hate to have a so-called "body guard" or job requiring someone to follow you every move? Necessary but not nice.

"Y" do men think the unshaved look is attractive? Or do they just want to look older?

"Y" was "slap stick" comedy so laughable?

"Y" do we rate shows for children when they are so often accompanied by horror commercials? How do they think parents can supervise violence under the circumstances? Parents have nothing else to do but turn off the television completely. 

"Y" would you pay $60 to jump in an ice covered lake, or pay $20 or $30 to participate in a run or a ride for charity? Because you can and you are a nice person.

"Y" wouldn't you know when it is appropriate to remove your hat and salute the flag?

"Y" do you think of how expensive it is for a farmer in machinery and goods and not think it is a gamble?

"Y" nobody asks what you mean by “opener” when its spring or fall? The trophy may be different but the day is as important to hunters and fishermen. 

"Y" do we underestimate the knowledge of the old timer, who never saw the inside of a college until his grandchildren graduated, when his expertise has gotten him this far?

"Y" are we less apt to drive the road less traveled? Just watch the dust fly.

Birthdays and annivesaries:

• Thursday, September 6th: LeAnn Hjoberg, Cindy Sloan Scheevel, Jackson Kilian, Tina Thostenson, Luke Trumble.

• Friday, September 7th: Tanner Ryan Green, Caleb Wacek, Bert Van Hal, Janice Nelson, Charles Phagan, Allen Wacek, Jenny & Jed Popiel, Summer & Wayne Schultz, Erik & Gina Cooper, Al & Becky Larson, Brant & Rhiannon Boerner.

• Saturday, September 8th: Pastor Joel Xavier, Natalie Aaseth, Cindy Loberg Smolinski, Anna Lois Erickson, Brittani Hagen, Karen Briggs, Kelly Hagen, Amy Johnson Svoboda, Jennifer Johnson Popiel, Jimmie Olson Jr., Jamie Thompson, Brenda Dokken, Bob & Karen Vaith, Brian & Jody Wayne, Jessica & Jay Eidem.

• Sunday, September 9th: Eva Lauren Wayne, Charlie Pence, Paul Aronson, Bruce Cerney, Corey Haddy, Steve Hanson, Roger Herbst, Jim & Mary Brocker, Randy & Deb Parks, Spencer & Suzanne Wayne.

• Monday, September 10th: Arnold Lund, Taya RaeAnn Lembke, Emily Crabtree, Caden Jensen, Curtis Blouin, Craig Blouin, Pauline Fetterly, Steve Granowski, Kathy Knudson, Sally Utpadel Waknitz, Connie Krusemark, Charlie & Diane Marlin.

• Tuesday, September 11th: Geoffrey Stieglbauer, Andy Arends, Dawn Misgen Meier, Craig Torgerson, Matthew Mueller, Kathy Nelson, Galen Christensen, Mark Calverly, Paul & Jo Otto, Steve & Mary Bailey, Leanna & Jared Peterson, Tim & Angie Butler, Brian & Jody Wayne, Rick & Linda Weckwerth.

• Wednesday, September 12th: Stacy Kubiatowicz, Joane Vanden Heuvel, Chloe Sue Walterman, David Wacek, Robert Kasper, Courtney Thostenson, Nikolas Zimprich, Eric Hunnicutt, Jennifer Wallerich, David Jepson, Tuyen Vu, Kris Klocek, Ken & Marian Hoffman.

May your special day be filled with sunshine and smiles.

I usually try my best to take an early morning walk each day, weather and time permitting. I try to leave the house a little after 6 a.m. 

On my walk, I usually venture past the access by Frank Hall Park. In the last couple of weeks, there have been large numbers of pelicans in the channel like I have never seen before.  

The ironic part is that they are hanging around the Pelican Breeze II, which is docked by the access. It almost seems like they are supposed to be there because that boat is there. 

I know the reality of it is that they are looking for food. Evidently, there are plenty of fish for them in the channel at this time.

So, if you haven’t already done so, you should take some time to stop by the channel early in the morning to see the large number of birds. This is truly a natural wonder that nature has on display for our enjoyment. 

While you’re at it, you might want to take your camera along; it makes for quite a picture. I can’t ever recall seeing that many pelicans in one place on this lake.

It seems the pelicans have replaced the geese that inhabited this area earlier in the year. I suppose the geese were probably off somewhere getting ready for early goose season which opened this weekend. 

Another thing about the pelicans that I really like is that you don’t have to watch where you step while walking.

We really do need to have some fall moisture, and I hope will come in the form of rain. In case you have had blinders on and haven’t noticed most of the area, ponds and creeks are either dried up or slowed down to a trickle. 

The fish kill that we have experienced this summer due to low water levels and extreme heat have to make a person wonder what lies ahead this winter. If the water levels continue to decline, I will bet that there will surely be some winter kill on more than one of our area lakes.

It’s kind of thought provoking when you think about how much control we really have when it comes to nature. All the studies and all the tests of water quality that have been done don’t really matter when the lakes, streams and rivers start drying up. Nature even had a hand in delaying the Republican National Convention, although Rush Limbaugh is convinced that President Obama must have had something to do with it.

— — —

Addition of nearly 6,000 acres to WMAs adds opportunity

Minnesota’s hunters, wildlife enthusiasts, and wildlife populations will benefit from the recent addition of 5,778 acres to the state’s wildlife management area (WMA) system, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Much of this newly protected land is in the southern half of the state. It includes an expansion of 17 WMAs and the addition of six new WMAs.

Many areas will be open for public use when the fall hunting seasons start in September. The remainder will be ready later this year or early next year for public use. WMAs are open to public hunting and other compatible uses such as hiking, bird watching and snowshoeing.

DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr thanked Pheasants Forever, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Cass County, The Trust for Public Land, Minnesota Sharp-Tailed Grouse Society and Ducks Unlimited for their partnership in protecting more than half of these acres.

“Partners are the key to conservation,” said Landwehr. “We appreciate the help of these groups, our sportsmen for the legacy they leave for future generations of hunters and wildlife enthusiasts.”

Nearly 1,500 acres were purchased with funding from the Outdoor Heritage Fund, one of four funds created by the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment, which receives one-third of the money raised by the state sales tax increase approved by Minnesota citizens in 2008.

According to Kim Hennings, DNR wildlife land acquisition coordinator, other major funding sources were the Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) Critical Habitat Matching program and the $6.50 surcharge on the small game license.

Most of the RIM matching dollars came from the sale of the critical habitat license plates. The $30 per year charge for the colorful plates generates more than $3 million a year that can be used to equally match private donations to acquire or develop critical habitat in the state.

“Most of the designated lands are additions to existing WMAs, complementing our previous investment in wildlife habitat,” said Ed Boggess, DNR fish and wildlife division director. “The new WMAs will expand opportunities for hunting and trapping.”

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.