50 YEARS — The staff at Associated Lumber Marts in Waseca is celebrating 50 years as a family-owned business this week. Front from left: Katie Dumdei, Jan Kampen, Julie Born, Mark Christiansen and Kevin Malecha. Back: George Mortenson, Kevin Teague, John Snow, Randy Sietsema, Levi Kaiser, Wes Schaper, Cap Peterson and Brad Wendland. Not pictured: Maggie Kramer, Jim Mann and Jim Jewison. (Submitted photo)

By RACHEL RIETSEMA

Staff Writer

The employees at Associated Lumber Marts in Waseca celebrate their customers every day.

But, this week in particular, this well-established company is making sure every last one of them knows just how appreciated they really are.

“Any company that can survive 50 years in the business climate should count their blessings,” said co-owner Brad Wendland.

Co-owner John Snow added, “Associated Lumber Marts actually started in 1959, so we are actually celebrating the fact that it’s been family-owned since 1962.”

This past Monday, their customer appreciation week kicked off with the distribution of 200 Kennedy half dollors.

“All week long, bring in a Kennedy half to redeem 50 percent off an item of $10 or less,” said Katie Dumdei, their Home Design Gallery Division Manager. “If you have one of your own at home, that will work too.”

New Richland City Council

By JODY WYNNEMER

Staff Writer

There were three New Richland Council members present for Monday night, June 11 meeting. Council members Anthony Martens and Christine Gislason were absent. Residents Pam and Larry Goehring were present as visitors in chambers.

The council approved the evening’s agenda and the consent agenda. Notable consent agenda items included judges for the upcoming 2012 election. Judges are Pam Goehring, Larry Goehring, Elena Sunland, Gail Johnson, Winston Evenson, Pam Shurson, Barb Finseth, Gail Schmidt, Corrine Schuller, Matt Harrington, LaVoy Ebnet and Wayne Billing. The election judge salary was set at $10 per hour.

There were no public hearings, requests or communications to be heard.

What is so rare as a perfect day in June? It is that time of year we say thanks to our dads.

Dads are not a forgotten lot. We just didn't spend as much time with them, perhaps, as with our mothers.

There seems to be an unwritten rule that mothers mothered and fathers brought home the paycheck to make our existence what it was. Dads were seldom used as feeders or diaper changers. They were, however, a reminder that if we did something wrong it would be dealt with by dad. It was just a sign of the times. 

When dad had worked all day, he was entitled to some time to sit back and relax. Or was he? It is so easy to forget that it was usually Dad who did mundane things around the house, which made it habitable. Dads were called upon to take care of the stopped up sink, the shower that leaked, the window that broke, the lawn that needed mowing and from time to time, and holding a feverish child so mom could take care of other things. I sometimes feel that Dads didn't get their due, even in those "good old days.”

Times have changed. Many a mom has taken her work out of the home and Dad has taken over more responsibility for caring for the kids plus other duties. Most seem to have adapted well, even enjoying being part of their children's lives. His say was so — or at least he thought it was. Mom could be manipulated, but when Dad said, “No,” he meant it.

Today's fathers are to be admired and complimented. Not only do they share in the little things that make their children's lives special, but they seem to enjoy it, and what it does for the child is wonderful. Children know their mother loves them, but when they know dad shows it, it is like a miracle drug. 

Dads play games with their children. They're proud of their accomplishments. They spend time with them. 

That once wasn't so easy to do because of time elements. Those who can look up to their dad have more self-confidence because if Dad says you're great, you know you are.  Some dads use to cut down their kids' esteem by saying things without thinking. You hear more positive reinforcement now, and it shows in each generation. 

Today it seems that dads are equal partners in parenting their children. Think about it; how different is the home when for one reason or another dad isn't there? There is an empty space there because something is missing. When dad’s not there we worry less about the complete meal on the table and settle for pizza or grilled cheese.

Dads are like that ever-talked-about "box of chocolates.” You don't always know which ones are the favorites, the not so good and the ones just filling in the box.

On the negative side, it is hard to understand the dad who takes out his frustration on a child. I cry for the child, but maybe I should cry for the man who will abuse, torture or torment something so precious. We wonder what is wrong with him — booze, drugs, or inherited torture from his own father. Less obvious is the father who misuses his brain and tortures with names and mannerisms   that mentally hurt. But this is for Father’s Day, and we can only pray that eventually their negative things will go away and only love will be shown to the child.

Blessed is the father who takes time to enjoy his children throughout a lifetime. More precious than gold: the father-child relationship. Little boys may no longer want to be president - they just want to be like Dad!

Kids have a way of wrapping their dad around their little finger. It is a good thing; closeness counts however you get it. Fathers: so easy to operate, even a child can do it.

Love from and for a dad isn't a myth; we just didn't always know it was there because it was hard for them to show it.

How important is a dad? Just listen when children say, "My dad!"

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.

• Thursday, June 14th: Camille Marjean Dunlap, Summer Stieglbauer, Herb Moon, Kelly Wacek, David Broskoff, James Deml, Obert Osmundson Jr., Richard Peterson, Mitchell Kubat and Michael & Stacy Keith.

• Friday, June 15th: Donny & Mavis Bartsch, Dale & Nadine Strenge, Dale & Marlene Peterson, DeWayne Hagen, his 80th; James Bremer, Dale Anderson, Jennifer Robertson, Kathy Jensen, Kim Nelson, Logan Vietze, Ken Sable, and Ovanna Haried.

• Saturday, June 16th: Andren Richard Aaseth, Aven Leo Aaseth, Emily Otto, Bethany Otto Mikesell, Doug Smith, Lorraine Wallace, Vonda Humburg, Kenny Evenson, Kari Ingvaldson, Heather (Crabtree) & Keith Krenke, Rochelle (Butler) & Brent Chapman, Tracy & Paul Marcus, Richard & Becky Axmann, Kim (Anderson) & Rich Schneider and Dale & Marlene Peterson.

• Sunday, June 17th: Kimberly & Mike Luhring, Jim & Jeanne Worrell, Tiffany (Moon) & Josh Krueger, Natalie Jean Aaseth, Jim Hohansee, Eric Tobiason, Joshua Churchill, Aaron Casterton, Matthew Xavier, Tim Butler, and Anna Kay Hardyman.

• Monday, June 18th: Keturah Katherine Mae Gassmann, Brett Hagen, Dennis O'Neil, Dave Lieberg, Marie Dobberstein, Marvin Enzenauer, Bonnie Nelson, Krysti Cameron, Margo & Milton Wayne, Wayne & Diane Jensen, Greg & Linda Pavek, Brad & Tammy Thompson, Kathy (Barnett) & Chad Peterson, Amy & Brady Jensen, (2011).

• Tuesday, June 19th: Julie (Vanden Heuvel) & Dale Horihan, Ellen (Johnson) & Mark Johnson, Al & Carol Schultz, Julie & Chad Cornelius, Guy & Tracy Cromwell, Fred & DeLoyce Schmidt, Melissa & Scott Anderson, Tammy & Jeff Busho, Rich & Susan Hanson, Cesar & Heather Rosas, Ashlie Pence, Johnathan David Schewe, Mary Ann Stone, Jean Pelzl, Theresa Kasper, Monty Spurr, John Hohansee, Erica Van Kampen, Tracy Cromwell, Erica McClaskey, and LaVerne Calverly.

• Wednesday, June 20th: Adelyn Grace Quaintance, Jean Ahlstrom, Kari Vanden Heuvel, Christopher Wayne, Patti (Stadheim) Bell, Chris Jensen, Alan Schmidt, Dianne Jensen, Madison Renae DenHerder, Lenard & Everal Lageson, Mike & Kirra Hanson and Rick & Karla Kelly.

Wishing you a very special day blooming with warm and happy memories!

Minnesota has fishing rules and regulations for the whole state, but there are also slot limits on certain lakes. Be sure that you know ahead of time if there are special regulations for any lake that you are about to fish. 

There are people that just aren’t aware. Then there are the folks that flagrantly break the rules just to put more meat in the freezer. These are the people that take the word “sport” out of sport fishing.

I have stated more than once that sometimes a fine just doesn’t seem to be enough for some of these perpetrators.

A recent call to the Turn-In-Poachers (TIP) hotline led a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conservation officer to three anglers committing alleged over-limit fishing violations on the Rainy River along the Minnesota/Canada border. They face fines and restitution of $3,000.

State conservation officer Robert Gorecki of Baudette recently received an anonymous TIP call about a group of anglers possessing an over-limit and double tripping during the May 12 fishing opener on the Rainy River in Lake of the Woods County. The caller also said one of the anglers didn’t have a fishing license.

According to Gorecki, the call led to several charges. James A. Fleck, 50, of Hillman was charged with 40 sunfish and 11 walleye over the legal limit. The current daily possession limit for walleye/sauger on the Rainy River is six. (Only one walleye can be more than 28 inches; not more than four can be walleye; walleye 19 to 28-inches must be immediately released). The daily possession limit for sunfish is 20. Fleck faces fines and restitution totaling $1,780.

Gerald L. Hatch, 67, of Milaca was charged with 12 walleye more than the legal limit. He faces fines and restitution of $715.

Daniel E. Hastings, 50, of Baudette was charged with six northern pike over the limit. He faces fines and restitution of $370. The current daily possession limit for northern pike on the Rainy River is three (only one more than 36 inches). All northern pike from 24 to 36 inches must be immediately released. Hastings was also charged with angling without a license, a $135 fine.

A consent to check a refrigerator/freezer found three bags of northern pike and two bags of walleye. Six more bags of walleye and three bags of sunfish were discovered in a freezer chest.

Gorecki said eyewitness reports are among the strongest tools a CO has in combating code violations. Anyone witnessing a fishing or wildlife violation is encouraged to contact the nearest conservation officer, law enforcement agency or the toll-free TIP hotline at 800-652-9093. Also, #TIP is available to most cell phone users in Minnesota.

People should contact the Minnesota State Patrol or a DNR regional or area office for the name and phone number of a conservation officer in their area.

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MUSKY TALK - The June meeting of Crossroads Chapter 54, Muskies Inc. will be Wednesday, June 13. Our summer meetings will be on the water at French Lake. You can come as early as you are able. We will meet at Hoy's Resort at 8:30 pm for a short meeting. Our meetings are second Wednesday of every month. Except during summer, our regular meetings include an informative speaker, updates, door prizes and raffle, musky talk and tips. Anyone interested in musky fishing is always welcome. Bring a friend and check us out. Help improve musky fishing in Southern Minnesota.

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Spending a week up north can give a person a greater appreciation of the natural beauty of our fair state. This past week, I spent a few days at our cabin doing some work on the inside.

After a few days, I headed a little south to the Longville area to spend a little time with my brother-in-law Ron Johnson at his cabin. I hadn’t spent time with Ron for quite a few years. It was a lot of fun and gave us a chance to catch up on things.

We fished his lake, Wabedo, hard and also hit Little Boy before venturing to Winnie on the last day. There was a mayfly hatch going on the lakes by Ron’s so fishing was extremely slow.

Winnie was a different story. I managed to boat three walleye; two 20-inchers and a 22, but they were in the protected slot limit and had to be released. Ron did catch a 16-incher which should make a nice meal for him.

The fishing was fun and having someone else skipper the boat was a welcome treat. The time spent fishing was great and even though the catching wasn’t the best, it was the memory of the time spent that I’ll always remember fondly.

Even though he said it was no big deal, I still feel that I owe Ron a minnow bucket and some leeches to replace the ones I left sitting on the dock of the bay at Little Boy. I guess you could call that a “senior moment” or maybe something else would fit.

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Until next time, grab your tackle and do a little fishing because it’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors.

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.

Is there a chance for the Minnesota Twins to come back and be a factor in the Central Division race? Las Vegas doesn’t think so. The odds are 500-1 against the Twins winning the World Series.

Comebacks are an interesting phenomenon. It doesn’t seem possible until it happens and then it seems quite logical. Is it possible for the Twins? Well yes, as the man said, "Anything is possible." Is it likely? No, it is very unlikely.

Comebacks come in many different shapes and forms as we know from our own lives whether athletes or not. I’m sure all of us have memories of a remarkable health comeback or being in an athletic contest with little hope of winning when a comeback occurs. "What a great putt!"

One of the remarkable comebacks in sports history occurred when the Boston Red Sox were down three games in the playoffs to their hated rival, the New York Yankees. They came back to win four games to three. They not only defeated the Yankees, they overcame the "Curse of the Bambino."

During my lifetime, perhaps the greatest comeback was "The Miracle on Ice" when the U.S. team won the 1980 hockey Olympics over Russia.

But a comeback that is closest to the Twins situation occurred when I was an eighth-grader listening to the New York Giant-Brooklyn Dodger playoff game in my school classroom. (There must have been a baseball fan in the school administration). We sat mesmerized as Bobby Thomson hit "The shot heard round the world" and the Giants won. Perhaps the Giants’ comeback comes closest to what confronts the Twins. The New Yorkers started their amazing run of 52 wins and 12 losses from a record of 44-46, caught and eventually defeated the Brooklyn Dodgers.

When comparing this amazing feat with what the Twins have to do to win the Division, it doesn’t give us much hope. As I write this, the Twins have to go 17-5 to reach .500 ball by midseason. And then, they will have to play winning baseball after that unlikely feat to contend for the Division title. If they could, it would rank as one the greatest comebacks of all time.

For the Twins to have even a very small chance of this happening, the starting pitching staff must improve. That has to occur for the team to not only contend, but to have a decent season. 

There have been some encouraging developments. The team appears to have gotten two capable starters in journeymen Scott Diamond and P.J. Walters. They have pitched well and each time out have given the Twins a chance to win. Both were a surprise and both were very welcome. Francisco Liriano had made two very successful starts and if the "good" Liriano shows up consistently, he would be the ace on almost any team that doesn’t have Justin Verlander. Nick Blackburn pitched a decent game recently and if Carl Pavano can overcome his injury, the Twins, all of a sudden, have a good pitching rotation. They already have good relief pitching. The season’s future and the won-loss record of the Minnesota Twins depends upon starting pitching.

One positive note regarding the possible chase after the Division leader, is that the Twins are not chasing the Brooklyn Dodgers with Jackie Robinson, Duke Snider, Pee Wee Reese, Gil Hodges, Carl Furillo, Roy Campanella with pitchers Don Newcomb, Preacher Roe and Ralph Branca. They would be after slightly better than average teams.

If the Twins do make the chase, it would be a great deal of fun to watch.

Echoes from the Loafers’ Club meeting

"What is this?"

"It’s oatmeal."

"I ordered pancakes."

"I know, but you can’t always get what you want."

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: dinosaurs thought they were too big to fail.

I’ve learned

1. Studies have shown that researchers have too much time on their hands.

2. If you don’t learn from history, you are doomed to repeat the class.

3. A careful driver is one who slows down when he sees another pulled over by a police officer.

Talking baseball

 Rod Searle of Waseca told me that he saw Babe Ruth hit a home run at Shibe Park in Philadelphia. Rod shared an interesting thing said by Halsey Hall, the former Twins announcer. Halsey said that if a pitcher strikes out the first batter to start a game, that pitcher wouldn’t win the game. I’ll never see Babe Ruth hit a home run at Shibe Park, but I’ll be keeping an eye on that first batter.

Dave Smith researched MLB records from 1930 to 2003. He found that teams that entered the ninth inning with leads won 95 percent of the time.

Those thrilling days of yesteryear

We climbed into the man’s truck to head to the field. The vehicle had a knob on the steering wheel. We rode on the open tailgate of the pickup truck. One child rode inside the cab. He was the only one of us kids older than the truck. I know that some of you think that riding on the tailgate was dangerous. It would have been for the average kid, but the man had taught us the tuck and roll.

Devils Lake

Clarence Holm of Delano and I were discussing Devils Lake in North Dakota. Clarence said that some of the best fishing spots on that lake are where the expanding water had covered roads. I visited Devils Lake, a gigantic lake that has expanded enough the last 20 years to swallow 164,000 acres of farmland. The impetuous lake caused roads to disappear and instigated buyouts of two towns (Penn and Churchs Ferry). Devils Lake is part of what was Lake Agassiz, a glacial lake larger than the five Great Lakes combined. Since 1992, Devils Lake has risen more than 29 feet and grown from 69 square miles to 285. While this has caused tremendous problems for the citizens of the area, it has been a blessing for fishermen. The high water created thousands of acres of habitat for fish. Flooded buildings, farm equipment, rock piles, and roadbeds provide homes for game fish.

I drove alongside Devils Lake on soft roads that were underwater in spots. Wind-driven lake water splashed my windshield. A football field had become part of the lake. Fishing boats rode waves that had once been waves of grain.

Pitching

I pitched chicken waste out the window of the henhouse into a manure spreader. Later, the manure spreader was used to spread the manure onto a farm field. Makes sense, doesn’t it? Cleaning the henhouse was a dreadful job. The ammonia in the henhouse was so thick that it was like walking into a gigantic bottle of Mr. Clean. The ammonia made my eyes run, my nose run — even my ears ran.

I pitched so much stuff out the window of that henhouse that I could barely maintain a hold on the pitchfork.

Major League Baseball concerns itself with the pitch counts of its hurlers.

My father didn’t give a rip as to what my pitch count was.

Nature notes

Red foxes favor cultivated fields, meadows, brushy fence lines, woody riparian regions, and shrubby places. They resemble small, slender dogs. Fox size is generally overestimated because the fur masks a slight bone structure. Red foxes are red with the face, top of head, and neck showing yellow or orange. The tail is reddish-black with a white tip. The sides of the ears, lower legs, and feet are dark, while the chest, belly, and insides of the ears are creamy white. Gray foxes prefer brushy or forested habitats and are skilled tree climbers. It’s confused with the red fox because the gray has rusty-red fur on its ears and neck. It’s gray with the darkest color extending along the back to the end of the tail. The belly, throat, and chest are whitish. A gray fox appears smaller than a red fox because of shorter legs and stockier body. Compared to red foxes, grays have shorter muzzles and ears.

Meeting adjourned

Be kind to people you don’t like.

I hope as a veteran you remembered Memorial Day and Flag Day with a salute and a click of the heels. “This land is your land, this land is my land.” Enough said.

Father’s Day is Sunday, June 17. Whether living or deceased, honor that great Dad of yours. We will be in North Carolina that day, as not only is it Father’s Day but also our daughter’s birthday. A four-night stay in the Outer Banks of North Carolina will be part of the celebration.

There is a sidewalk chalk artist at Beaver Lake cabin #63. Very big multicolored letters form a message. The letters all run together, yet you can read the message.

The ground must still be shy of moisture. It has been raining quite regularly here at Beaver Lake, but yet the lake level isn’t rising. The sources of water into the lake were dried up prior to the last rain of three inches in four days. People have been using the west end exposed sand bar for picnics, sunning and other non-water activities.

The Lions Club’s arsenal of “Get Things Done” has added another feather. Dr. Oz is now a member of the San Francisco Peninsula Lions Club. His comment about joining was that his TV show is good about getting the word out, while Lions are the driving force to get the work done in a community (Dr. Oz was referring to health activities).

If you’re interested in history of Beaver Lake, be at the Wenger Room in the Village of Yesteryear at the Steele County Fairgrounds Thursday, June 21 at 7 p.m. A panel will do the presenting and you will have a chance to share your memories. The panel will all be fact except for me!

My two trail cameras are now in place here at Beaver Lake. I’m disgusted that someone used a four-wheeler to break a plastic fence so that they could get through (thus one camera zeroed in on the fence).

A four-wheeler has been driving across farmer Tim Toft’s beanfield. I did see a him-and-her on a four wheeler going across the beanfield, which is a destruction of the crop (thus one camera zeroed in on the beanfield).

In talking to Barry Braaten, builder of all things, Barry tells me he just build a first. The building-of-multiple-use can be seen at South Beaver Lake Road in front of cabin #97. Joe and Marge LaFrance will use it as storage in the summer, then move the storage out in the winter, when it will be a lutefisk fish house. They will be renting it from June through September as a nursery for baby snapping turtles on the just-below-ground level. (As of this writing, all the space for snapping turtles is taken.)

Joe has a very interesting You-Can’t-Go-Wrong guarantee: he guarantees you will catch just as many lutefisk in their house as any other lutefisk fish house on Beaver Lake.

Call Marge at 823-6423 for fishing reservations. She has different rates for weekends and weekdays. Before calling, you might want to convert the telephone numbers to letters of the alphabet.

For construction questions, call Barry toll free at 1-800-684-2832.

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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 scurs were a little unsure of themselves after most of the area missed out on any accumulation from late week showers. Will they be more confident this week? Starting Wednesday, partly cloudy with a modest chance of a shower or thunderstorms in the daytime with a better chance of evening rain. Highs around 75 and lows near 60. Thursday, partly cloudy with a fair chance of a shower with decreasing chances for the evening. Highs of 80 and lows of 65. Partly cloudy, sticky, icky and warmer on Friday with another slight chance of a shower. Highs near 85 and lows around 70. Partly cloudy on Saturday with a moderate chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs of 85 and lows around 65. Partly cloudy Sunday with a modest chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs around 80 and lows near 60. A good chance for showers and thunderstorms on Monday with highs near 80 and lows around 60. Partly sunny for Tuesday and cooler with a continuing good chance for showers and thunderstorms. Highs around 75 and lows near 65. The normal high for June 15th is 79 and the normal low is 58. We will see 15 hours and 28 minutes of daylight on the 16th and will only gain a few seconds by the Summer Solstice on the 20th.  The sun will set at 9 p.m. on the 19th. The scurs have their swim fins ready in case we really do see some substantial rain.

Last week was just what the doctor ordered for corn and soybean development. It also gave area farmers a chance to catch up on their weed control. Even some soybean fields were beginning to be treated with herbicides as the weeds also appreciated the warm, sunny weather. Corn made knee high by the 4th, of June that is in some fields so we are definitely ahead of schedule as of right now. Strong winds over the weekend made herbicide applications difficult for most although the cooler temperatures following the rain from Sunday night are likely to produce more favorable results than spraying in the heat anyway. Spring seeded small grain has pollinated and would benefit from some cooler temperatures and rainfall in much of the area. 

The weekend winds meant I could actually mow the lawn during daylight hours for a change. With Mrs. Cheviot finishing her last weekend stint at the greenhouse before it closes, it was a pretty uneventful day other than it was windy and very hot. It didn’t stop Ruby from biting the tires on both lawnmowers as they were driven out of the garage. It had been a long time since the last mowing so it took a while to get it all done. It needs to be done though otherwise the abandoned farmstead look attracts undesirable elements such as woodchucks. Yes they’re fun to shoot but they’ve usually dug holes under a foundation somewhere by then.  

Ah, but the garden has been one of my favorite hiding places. I leave the cell phone in the house when I go out there because I’m not going to hear it in the first place. Besides, that’s where the damn things belong this time of year. The garden is pretty much complete now with string beans and cucumbers planted last week all emerging and off to a good start. Even the sweet corn planted on Tuesday night was starting to emerge as of the following Monday morning. The plants that are stealing the show thus far however are the muskmelons. Already beginning to sprawl, they are flowering in response to the ideal growing conditions. Most of the pumpkins and squash too are starting to get good dark green color to them and given an inch of rain, they will explode. Mrs. Cheviot brought home lots of salvia plants and yours truly planted his traditional 4 o’clocks. Both should satisfy the hummingbirds who visit the yard daily.

My other favorite hiding place has been anywhere I can keep an eye on my little fat feathered buddies. The killdeer still has not hatched out her young as of Monday night. She drags her wing and messes with my mind but she also lets me get within about 4 feet. She takes a good photograph too. The kestrels fledged on Tuesday much to our surprise. They apparently developed enough wing strength from Sunday to Tuesday to make it as far as the trees in the fenceline. It was somewhat bittersweet as they were fun to watch develop and that a professional photographer friend had come from 2 ½ hours away to photograph them. The adult kestrels were not very cooperative, hunting from high altitudes and were constantly on the move. He did get one outstanding photo of an adult carrying a mouse back to the trees where the youngsters were waiting so it wasn’t all for naught. It was a fantastic shot, showing what kestrels do best: Hunt.  

As mentioned last week, we saw bluebirds and discovered this week that they are indeed nesting. In fact they are nesting in the bluebird house attached to the depth adjustment lever on the old No. 8 International plow in the pasture. It’s just great to have bluebirds back at the ranch once again. In addition, near the garden in a spruce tree probably planted by the red-headed 4-Her, a brown thrasher nest was discovered complete with 4 cream colored eggs with reddish speckles. And, as an added bonus, when fixing fence Monday night, I checked the wood duck nesting box in the wetland. The hen blasted out of the box like she’d been shot out of a cannon as I approached. Not sure how many eggs she may be setting on but there appears to be a full clutch under all that fluffy down. In the background the young kestrels could be heard from their perches in the trees behind me, calling for more food. The parents were Johnny on the spot, answering and hauling edibles into the trees, then back out on the hunt again.

See you next week…real good then.

Funeral services for Elsie Bernadene Paulson, age 89, of Albert Lea will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 14, 2012 at Trinity Lutheran Church.  Rev. Curtis Zieske will officiate.  Interment will be at Hillcrest Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, June 13th at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church.  To sign the guest book, go to www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Elsie died Monday, June 11, 2012 at Good Samaritan Center.