Our Minnesota Twins have started to create some buzz with their recent heroics. As I write this, they have won their last four series. Granted, they are playing against some weak sisters including two last place teams and, ESPN is not featuring them yet. To give you an idea of how low they had sunk, the team is still in last place in the weakest division in the American League.

On the other hand, they have gone from 11 games back to 8 back and only trail the pre-season favorite Detroit Tigers by three games. They dug themselves a huge hole and all this winning may not mean much as the season wears on. However, it is a lot better than losing.

Before the days of free agency teams were stable. The best example were the New York Yankee teams with Babe Ruth, then Joe DiMaggio and finally Mickey Mantle. You knew before the season started that the stars weren’t going anywhere and the Yankees were the team to beat.

There were exceptions to the rule. A team that got unexpected talented players could put it all together and win the pennant. The New York Giants come to mind with the addition of "Rookie of the Year" Willie Mays in mid-May and the transfer of Bobby Thomson to third base during the season.

Closer to home, the ‘91 Twins got some unexpected help from pitcher Scott Erickson who couldn’t lose during the season. Erickson was almost unhittable during the summer and finished second in the Cy Young balloting.

Stable doesn’t always work as witnessed in the Twins’ debacle last year. This year the Twins, given no choice, added Josh Willingham, Ryan Doumit and Jamey Carroll to the team. The additions were a plus, but the Twins need a lot more than these players to be a winning team. 

A glimmer of hope shone through the horrible dark when Scott Diamond and P.J. Walters were called up from the minors and pitched well, particularly Diamond. He has given the Twins a reliable starting pitcher. 

The biggest surprise other than Diamond has come from Trevor Plouff, who has given the Twins another power bat in the lineup and played adequately at third base. He’s gone on a hot streak and won a couple of games for the team. 

Brian Dozier has come up from Rochester and may provide the Twins with their shortstop for the next ten years. If he does, I hope the Twins keep him rather than shipping him off as they have past shortstops Jason Bartlett and J.J. Hardy.

Ben Revere has come back from the minors and given the Twins hitting and range in right field and perhaps more importantly, added a spark to the team. They will have three new starting pitchers when Liam Hendriks is recalled. Newcomer Jared Burton has pitched well in relief and gives the team another effective late inning reliever.

If we count the unexpected players that are on the team and playing well, the total comes to seven. If we include the free agents, it’s 10 That’s 40 percent of the team. 

If adding new players helps you win the pennant, the Twins should be in great shape. It may be too much to expect the good starting pitching to continue at the same pace, because of the lack of dominating arms, but you never know. Look at the success Brad Radke had.

In any case, let’s ride the resurgent Twins down the road as far as we can.

Echoes from the Loafers’ Club Meeting

"I wrote a joke."

"O.K., let’s hear it?"

"Knock, knock."

"Who’s there?"

"I don’t know. I haven’t written the ending yet."

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: sliced bread is the greatest thing since unsliced bread.

I’ve learned

1. Whenever someone says, "Don’t take this the wrong way," there is only one way to take it.

2. Whenever anyone asks you, "May I be perfectly honest with you?" answer, "No."

3. Dandelions are like TV celebrities — beautiful from a distance.

Cellphone chronicles

I was minding someone else’s business. It was impossible not to. People were loud-talking into their cellphones. The cell signal was not always a good one. I know because a number of smartphone owners were overheard saying, "Stupid phone!"

Those thrilling days of yesteryear

I loved riding a bicycle when I was a boy. It was a bad bike, but it had two wheels and handlebars — actually, it had no handlebars. It had a truck steering wheel instead. The bicycle had been on sale in a pile of junk at a neighbor’s place. Nobody teased me much about having a steering wheel. However, if I'd had worn a helmet as many bikers do today, that helmet would have become a target for every rock thrower.

Booing Harmon

Everyone calls my neighbor Misses. That’s not his real name. He got the nickname because of his lack of prowess in hitting a baseball.

Misses used to be in the corporate world. He held meetings. He realized that the only things most of his employees wanted out of a meeting were the sweet rolls, coffee, and to know how long the meeting was going to last. It got him down, but corporate required that he hold meetings.

One Saturday, he went to the old Met Stadium to see the Minnesota Twins play. In the bottom of the ninth, with the Twins trailing by a run, Harmon Killebrew came to bat with two out and two runners on base. Harmon was a hero. He was the Paul Bunyan of baseball. This time, Harmon struck out. There were scattered boos. Some people booed Harmon Killebrew.

Misses decided that the few people who would boo Killebrew were the same kind of people who disliked his meetings. Even Harmon Killebrew couldn’t please everyone.

She’s hip

Elsa Thompson of Marietta, Ohio got a new hip. That’s a common refrain. We hear often that someone "got a new hip." We get new hips as previous generations got false teeth. I was glad to hear that Elsa was doing well and I asked her son, Bill, when she had had the procedure. Bill said that it hadn’t been long because his mother still had that new hip smell.

A sign of the times

I saw an old metal chair set alongside a road in North Dakota. Nearby was a hand painted sign reading, "Rest area."

I remember mother

Stephen Ingraham of Kennebunk, Maine told me that a skunk had found entry to the basement of his parents’ old house and had sought shelter in the clothes dryer. Stephen’s mother wasn’t one to waste time. She shot the skunk with a .22 rifle. She put one hole in the skunk and another in the back of the clothes dryer. She also put a stink in the family’s laundry for weeks. 

The telephone rang and Betty answered

Betty Fulton of Alden said that she received a call from a charity looking for people to donate clothing to starving women. Betty told the caller that any woman who could fit into Betty’s clothing was not starving.

The no-hitter

Jeff Paulson of Hartland was talking about his baseball career. He said that he used to be a starting pitcher. He added, “Of course, that was in T-ball.” Jeff’s that rare pitcher who could honestly claim that he never allowed a single hit in all the games he pitched. Jeff’s record makes Justin Verlander look like a mere beginner.

Nature notes

“Are all birds protected by law even if they are not an endangered species?” Yes. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 protects all native birds in the U.S. Some birds are subject to hunting seasons, but only non-native birds such as starlings, rock pigeons, and house sparrows receive no protection.

“Can birds choke on peanut butter?” There is no documented evidence of that happening.

Meeting adjourned

I was driving down I-94 in North Dakota when I spotted a large billboard that had a two-word message, “Be kind.”

There are two things you must know to understand how Beaver Lake went dry: 

1. Star Creamery was a place on St. Olaf Lake where the local dairy farmers sold their milk (The building is still there on the NE shore). 

2. Lost River is the name of the underground river that flows from St. Olaf Lake to Beaver Lake. (The river is shown on most of the early area Waseca-Steele County maps.)

One winter the boiler in the Star Creamery started losing its ability to maintain the necessary pressure to process the farmers’ milk. The Star Creamery board of directors got on the problem right away, and managed to get a new boiler installed without wasting any milk.

But, the old boiler became a problem, as the board couldn’t find anyone to take it away. It was the middle of winter, and St. Olaf Lake was frozen solid. 

Board member Lars Larson got a light bulb idea. 

They hauled the old boiler out on the ice to let it sink when the ice thawed. It worked, and as the boiler sank, it turned over, with the long train-engine-like smokestack going down first.

Spring came, and as usual St. Olaf’s water level started to rise. It continued to rise, getting to where water was flowing out the south side of St. Olaf Lake and into the LeSueur River. Why all the water compared to previous springs? The locals were dumbfounded.

Meanwhile, the water level in Beaver Lake kept dropping. It got to the point where Beaver Lake was bone dry. What happened to the water? The locals were dumbfounded. 

Ole, Lars, Swen and Nels, the four smartest Norwegians in the area, took it upon themselves to solve the puzzle of why St. Olaf Lake had so much water and Beaver Lake had none.

First, they checked the dried-up bottom of Beaver Lake. They discovered a mound of sand and gravel like a river would deposit. They wondered where this river was coming from, and why it quit flowing.

They thought just maybe the source was St. Olaf Lake, and was no longer flowing into Beaver Lake, thus causing St. Olaf’s water level to be so high. But what plugged the underground river? 

Lars got a light bulb idea. 

It was the boiler that was sunk when the ice went out on St. Olaf Lake!

The four Norwegians each got on a horse (in case you didn’t know, a horse is a very good swimmer) holding a small chain attached to a log chain behind the horses, and started to drag the bottom where the boiler had been sunk.

Luck was with them as they snagged the boiler. The horses pulled and there was an instant whirlpool. In a few days, Beaver Lake’s water level was back to normal. 

Now you know how Beaver Lake went dry. I know this story to be true, as the event is told by one of the panelists at the History of Beaver Lake meeting held at the Historical Society in Owatonna on Thursday, June 21, 2012, at 7 p.m.

— — —

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. 

After getting everything rinsed off by the Thursday evening and early Friday morning rains last week plus the recent heat and humidity, the scurs are still soggy. Will this next week change all that? Starting Wednesday, mostly cloudy with a good chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs 75 and lows near 60. Mostly sunny and gorgeous on Thursday with highs around 80 and lows of 60. Partly cloudy on Friday with a slight chance of an evening shower or thunderstorm. Highs of 80 and lows around 65. Slight chance of a shower or thunderstorm on Saturday and warmer with highs of 80 – 85 and lows around 65. Mostly clear on Sunday with highs around 80 and lows near 65. Partly sunny on Monday with continued pleasant temperatures and a chance of an evening shower or thunderstorm. Highs around 80 and lows near 60. Cloudy and cooler on Tuesday with a chance of rain. Highs of 80 and lows around 65. The normal high for June 20th, the summer solstice is 81 and the normal low is 59. We will experience the longest day of the year with 15 hours and 28 minutes of daylight. The sun will rise at 5:31 a.m. and will set at 9 p.m. The scurs will be bottling some of that sunlight and warmth for January.

Heavy rains went through on Thursday last week and brought an end to another too-dry spell. When one looks at the rainfall pattern, it has gone in spurts, preceded by high winds then followed by two weeks with very little other than very localized precipitation. The results have actually been overall favorable thus far with a corn crop that appears to be well rooted and soybeans that are shrugging off their annual dose of iron deficiency chlorosis quickly. Once we get by Wednesday’s rainfall event we should be in for another drying out period. Corn has really jumped and some of the later planted fields changed dramatically. The nodal root system has expanded deeper into the soil profile where more nitrogen could be found. The result is that nice deep green color we like to see this time of year. Some soybeans are starting to flower already and while no soybean aphids have been found just yet locally, they have been found elsewhere so it’s generally just a matter of time. Second cutting alfalfa is underway in some fields and the tonnage looks better than what was harvested for first crop. Hay supplies will be tight so getting as much as one can will be important.

The early mornings at the ranch are generally brought in about 4:30 a.m. by a robin that I swear has a bullhorn. Never seen bird with a set of lungs like that. It wakes up the chipping sparrows and the house wrens so that by 5, it’s so loud you have to close the windows if you plan on getting back to sleep. Usually by July, much of the loud singing has subsided and it becomes easier to deal with the usual sheep bellering. This past week brought a male rose-breasted grosbeak back to the feeders to keep all the bright yellow male goldfinches company. The hummingbirds have located the min-petunias in the pots now although they don’t pass up the sugar water in the nectar feeder either. The killdeer continues to sit on the nest at the kindly neighbors while on a sad note, the brown thrasher nest in the garden was devoid of eggs as of last weekend. Just before that I spotted a brown thrasher in the yard that appeared to be injured as it managed to escape into the underbrush. Just before that I noticed a stray cat that apparently has set up camp in one of the numerous brush piles. Over the years I have developed a dim view of stray cats and put them in the same category as skunks, opossums and raccoons, to name a few.

As some have noted, the fireflies are out and at the ranch, it’s no exception. Not sure if we’ll see the numbers we have the past several years, but they’re certainly on the early side. This also coincides roughly with the hatch of corn rootworms and reports are that feeding on corn roots has begun. In the garden you may want to keep an eye on your vine crops. Why? Lots of striped cucumber beetles were noticed feeding on seedling cucumbers at the ranch on the 18th. Control measures were taken quickly so the other vine crops will bear watching as well. Spotted cucumber beetles have been seen in area corn fields for almost a month already, so I’m not sure what they’re up to. Also seen at the ranch were some click beetles. These develop from wireworms in the soil, generally a pest of corn seedlings. We used to enjoy playing with them as I’ve mentioned before. Flipping them on their backs, they flip over with a click of their head capsule. Oddly enough, I find myself still playing with click beetles.

The soccer mom van recently developed another malady, namely a loud exhaust system. Made it difficult to be very stealthy when sneaking off with my driving wig on to the store where you go to the bathroom in the big orange silo. The boys at J & S just grin when they see the contraption coming, affectionately dubbing it “The Cash Cow.” There is virtually no end to the repairs they could perform on it but there is a limit as to what the checking account and common sense allows us to spend on it. Somehow we got off easy this time as the exhaust system had just come unhooked ahead of the catalytic converter. It only took an hour or less to repair with the part being readily available locally. Mrs. Cheviot said there were almost tears of sadness when they couldn’t milk more than a hundred bucks out of it. Oh well, we have lots more vehicles. After all, June is Dairy Month.

See you next week…real good then.

Funeral services for Adeline W. (Kopischke) Wood, age 91, of New Richland, MN, will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at St. Peters Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Richland, MN. The Reverend Scott Williams will officiate. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 – 11 a.m., prior to services. Interment will be in St. Peter’s Cemetery, New Richland. Friedrich Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Adeline Wood passed away peacefully Wednesday, June 13, at St. Lucas Care Center in Faribault, MN. Adeline was born March 23, 1921 to Fred and Emma (Schlaak) Kopischke in Alma City, MN.

Catherine Jeanette Nelson Miller, also known as "Boomer," formerly of Huntington Beach, CA, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 27, 2012 in Rancho Mirage, CA. Her husband and nieces were at her bedside, along with her two dear kitties, Cleo and Lulu. She is survived by her husband, Bud, nieces, Kathy (Dan) Arthofer, Rancho Mirage, CA, Joyce (Larry) Hoddick, Palm Desert, CA, Stephanie Kibler, Ellendale, MN and nephew, Jeff (Sharon) Lageson, Geneva, MN in addition to great nieces and nephews. Catherine is also survived by Steve (Val) Miller and Craig (Connie) Miller, in addition to numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren, all of Minnesota.

Hometown hero wins state high jump title

FIRST-PLACE SMILE — Above NRHEG’s Carlie Wagner smiles after clearing a height cleanly during the state track and field meet at Hamline University in St. Paul last Friday. Wagner won the Class A state championship in the high jump. Below, NRHEG coach Duey Ferber indicates she finished No. 1. (Star Eagle photos by Chris Schlaak)

By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

There’s nothing like a little Carlie Wagner to add a bit of drama to your day.

Fortunately, it’s pure joy for fans of NRHEG athletics.

The sophomore has a flair for the dramatic in a good way, displayed on the basketball court in March as she set single-game and state tournament scoring records while leading the NRHEG girls’ basketball team to third place.

Last Friday, she out-dueled the defending state champion to win the Class A girls’ high jump championship during the state track and field meet at Hamline University in St. Paul.

“She’s unbelievable, the best athlete I’ve ever seen,” said NRHEG coach Duey Ferber. “She never ceases to amaze me.”

By JODY WYNNEMER

Staff Writer

The New Richland Reds baseball blub has started its quest for yet another 1360 League Championship. Their record stands at 1-2 so far this season with several contests being rained out. Many of last year’s players have returned for 2012.

MN Lake Royals 5, Reds 3

The Reds traveled the short distance to Minnesota Lake on May 15 but were unable to mount much offense. The Reds sent four batters to the plate in the first inning but came up empty. The Royals opened the scoring with two runs in their half of their first. The Reds bounced back as Chris Somage led off the second with a single. Dan Fitterer and Andrew Harringtion both walked and later scored with Jason Churchill getting an RBI.

Anderson retires after 35 years at State Bank of New Richland

FROM OFFICE TO STUDIO — After 35 years of loyal service to the community, Bernie Anderson says farewell to the State Bank of New Richland and says hello to an art-filled retirement. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)

By RACHEL RIETSEMA

Staff Writer

Exactly two weeks ago, Bernie Anderson boldly traded in his State Bank of New Richland spreadsheets and computer screen for something a bit more abstract.

That’s right folks, after 35 years in the banking business, Anderson has decided to break out the paintbrush like never before.

 “Managing the bank has been a very challenging and rewarding job,” Anderson said. “I may miss the challenges but hope to encounter new challenges and successes in my painting.”

Even now, he still can’t verbally express how this drastic change in occupation feels.

 “Since the 31st, I have been at the bank almost daily working on cleaning out my office,” Anderson said. “I will probably have a better grasp on how it feels in a few weeks when that is done and I have some office space organized in my studio.”

By JESSICA LUTGENS

Contributing Writer

When people in the New Richland area think of Farm and City Days, they usually picture Main Street closed off and filled with games, rides, and concessions.

It’s the one weekend of the year when everyone gathers together to go out and have fun with their friends and family, take their children on rides, attempt to dunk the local resident in the dunk tank, or try their luck at a ring toss game.

But what is a carnival without any carnival rides or games?

The members of the New Richland Farm and City Days committee had to get a little creative with planning the festivities this year. Unable to book a carnival for the weekend of July 6-8, they had to find another way to keep people entertained.