Jim Lutgens
John Lawrence Chicos, 92
The memorial service for John Lawrence Chicos will be 8 a.m. Thursday, June 14, 2012 at the All Saints Catholic Church in New Richland with Father Swami celebrating. Inurnment will be in the Calvary Cemetery in New Richland.
John Lawrence Chicos, 92, died on May 4, 2012, at Chicos Board and Lodge in West Concord, MN.
John was born on February 1, 1920, the son of Peter and Agnes (Mucha) Chicos in Freeborn County, MN.
John is survived by two sisters, Marianne Jorgensen, Chaska, MN; Loretta Mohr, Culver, OR; one brother, Leo Chicos, Rochester, MN, several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers and five sisters.
Czaplewski Family Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.
Blessed be his memory.
www.czaplewskifuneralhomes
Upcoming events, notices
NRAFS announces summer hours
Summer hours for the New Richland Area Food Shelf will be the second and fourth Tuesday of June, July and August.
The hours are 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. If you can't make it during the hours, please call 463-3421 or 465-3635 for an appointment.
Farm and City Days committee to meet Wednesdays
The New Richland Farm and City Days committee will meet each Wednesday at 6 p.m. at The Willows. Meetings will be held weekly until the annual Farm and City Days event, this year set for July 6-8.
SEMCAC no longer giving rides in Steele County
Beginning this week, Steele County residents who are eligible for a volunteer driver through Semcac’s Volunteer Driver Program of Steele County will need to call Amber at SEMCAC’s Volunteer Driver Program of Dodge County.
Amber can be reached at 800-528-7622. The SEMCAC office in Steele County will no longer be dispatching rides for Steele County residents.
Ellendale Community Cookout June 22
The annual Ellendale Lions Club’s Community Cookout is set for Friday, June 22 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Ellendale Community Building. The menu includes sloppy joes, hot dogs, chips, baked beans, bars, juice and coffee. Cost is free-will donation with all proceeds going to community service projects.
Facebook page set up for community group
People showed up, hot dogs were served and ideas were thrown out during a meeting at New Richland’s City Park to discuss the revival of the commercial club or the formation of a community club on Wednesday, May 9.
A Facebook page has been set up, called “New Richland Community Group.” The Web address is www.facebook.com/groups/378450678857549. Interested parties are invited to join in sharing ideas to improve the community.
Fun run/walk set for July 7
The NRHEG cross country team will be sponsoring its annual Farm and City Days Panther Fun Run/Walk this year on Saturday, July 7 in New Richland. Runners can choose to run a two-mile or 5K course.
Check-in begins at 7 a.m. in the city park and the race starts at 8 a.m. rain or shine.
The pre-registration deadline is May 31. Entry fee is $15 which includes a t-shirt. Late registration, or day of entry: $20 and t-shirts will require picking up later. No refunds. Entry forms are available at Wagner Foods, NR Drug, Gambles and the Star Eagle office.
Make checks payable to Mike Weber and mail to: Panther Fun Run c/o Mike Weber NRHEG, 306 Ash Ave S., New Richland MN 56072.
The proceeds will go to the NRHEG Panther cross country team.
Another step in the journey
NRHEG graduating class of 2012
The NRHEG class of 2012 held commencement Sunday, May 27 in the high school gym in New Richland. Above, Brandon LeBlanc receives his diploma from school board chairman Rick Schultz. Below, Tyler Sorenson and Jacob Staloch reflect on the day. The class of 2012 had 69 graduates. (Star Eagle photos by Chris Schlaak)
Following a family tradition
NRHEG Salutatorian picks nursing
FIRM PLAN — From an early age, Amy Thompson knew she wanted to follow in her mother’s footsteps and become a nurse. Thompson was NRHEG’s Salutatorian for 2012. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
Just in case you missed the 411, there’s a recent NRHEG High School graduate who craves the sweet days of scrub fashion.
That alumnus is Amy Thompson, the 2012 Salutatorian.
“When Mr. Stoesz shook my hand in the principal’s office, I was very surprised,” Thompson said. “The last I knew, I was ranked 11th in the class. Then ever since the tenth grade, I had straight A’s.”
Bound for Riverland Community College, Thompson sheds light on why she so badly wants to become a nurse.
“As a little girl, a lady came up to me and told me how my mom saved her baby’s life,” Thompson said. “This made me want to do what she does.”
Capital budget approved
NRHEG School Board
By REED WALLER
Staff Writer
Capital Projects
At their Monday, May 21 meeting the NRHEG School Board discussed the weighty Capital Projects Budget, a hefty commitment which was the result of months of careful discussion.
Included in the budget plan for the coming year are:
Carpet (Two classrooms in NRHS), $4,000
Carpet (Two classrooms in ELL), $4,000
Replace Riding Scrubber NR, $12,800
Elem/HS Textbooks, $10,000
Library Books, $6,000
Band Equipment, $4,000
Athletic (Varsity, B Squad, Junior High), $10,000
‘Just glad to make it home’
Veteran relates Vietnam experiences
PROUD TO HAVE SERVED — Harlan Kohnert of New Richland is proud to have served his country in Vietnam in the 1960s. (Star Eagle photo by Jody Wynnemer)
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
Harlan Kohnert of New Richland served his country in the United States Army. Enlisting right out of high school in 1957, his career spanned nine years, with his discharge in 1966.
“I signed up to be in ordinance, but they threw me in the medics,” said Kohnert.
Kohnert was sent to Ft. Sam Houston for school and later to Ft. Hood. His other duty stations were at Scofield Barracks, which is near Honolulu, Hawaii, and to Nuremburg, Germany. In 1960, he was sent to Ft. Benning, GA. The Army had other plans for him.
“I was with the 11th Air Assault, attached to the 101st Airborne,” said Kohnert.
U.S. Army Air Assault units use helicopters with light infantry troops to seize and hold key terrain which has not been fully secured, and to directly engage enemy forces. U.S. Army CH-21 helicopter transports arrived in Vietnam on December 11, 1961. Twelve days later, air assault operations using South Vietnamese troops began.
Funds come in, but more’s needed to save Gus’
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
Money and memories have been coming in from former Ellendale-Geneva High School graduates. It’s not sufficient to make the move as of yet, but some of the fascinating memories makes this restoration more important all the time.
The Ellendale Area Historical Society had asked one person from each of the Ellendale-Geneva graduating classes to notify their classmates with information about the "Save Gus' Station" project. Barbara Mrotz has received a number of letters, along with donations since the letters went out. Many commented on the quality of education they received from Gus' Station.
Gary Hansen, class of 1955, son of Rube and Shirley, died in a snowmobile accident in March of 2001. During Ellendale’s Centenial Celebration in 2000, Gary gave a speech of his growing up years in the Ellendale, which highlighted stories about Gus' Station. He also recalled the story, "Gus Jacobson's Station,” during his last class reunion as well.
Reiss resigns as MLS consultant
Ellendale City Council
By SCOTT GROTH
Contributing Writer
The Ellendale City Council met Thursday May 24 with Mayor Engel and all councilmen present. Also attending the meeting were Clerk Louks, Roger Swearingen, maintenance, and Pete Paulson, interim manager at the Municipal Liquor Store.
Clerk Louks passed out the fire department’s monthly report. The department submitted $2,414.26 in bill requests. The council approved the report and requests.
Paulson was next with a report for the Municipal Liquor Store. Paulson said he was still trying to get the feel for the everyday happenings at the MLS. Paulson also said he is currently working with the staff to adjust some hours that will in the long run save the MLS some money. Paulson also told the council he was reviewing the food prices and making adjustments up or down. The council will be meeting with Paulson next Thursday evening to go over things at the MLS.
Several tracksters reach section
SPEED TO BURN — NRHEG senior Geoff Ramaker sprints his way to first place in the 100 meters in last week’s Sub-Section 5A meet in New Richland. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
The NRHEG track and field teams had a strong performance at last Tuesday’s Sub-Section 5A meet at New Richland.
The girls advanced six individuals to section, finishing fourth as a team. The boys, fifth as a team, qualified eight athletes for section.
For the girls, Carlie Wagner won the high jump, clearing 5-6 to tie her school record. Danielle Krueger won the 400 in 1:03.28. Krueger, Wagner, Gretchen Ramaker and Hailey Schuller teamed for first in the 4x200 relay in 1:50.44.
Wagner advanced to section in two other events. She was second in the 200 in 27.51. She joined Krueger, Ramaker and Raelin Schue for second in the 4x200 with a time of 52.9.
Emmy Hobbs cleared 8 feet for second in the pole vault.
The final section qualifier for the girls was Mikayla Lindell, who tossed the shot put 34-1 for fourth place.
Softball season comes to sudden, sad end
The NRHEG softball team saw its season come to a sudden and saddening end Saturday as the Panthers lost 5-2 to Waseca in Section 2AA Tournament play at Mankato.
The local girls finished with a record of 16-4.
“This was a game that was tough to lose,” said NRHEG coach Wendy Schultz. “We had opportunities to get up early in the game but made a few mental mistakes. It’s a tough way to end the season, but you have to give credit to Waseca. They played a great game.”
It clearly was not the Panthers’ best showing of the season. They committed three errors to Waseca’s one and Jade Schultz walked nine batters.